Wesley Witness. January Texas Street, Sulphur Springs, TX Phone Fax

Transcription

1 Wesley Witness Wesley United Methodist Church January Texas Street, Sulphur Springs, TX Phone Fax

2 Dear Church Family, I want to thank each of you who helped by donating to the Christmas Angels at Winfield School. All of your donations added up to over $1057 which went to buy clothes, toys, and food for the needy students and families at my school. Overall, I was able to assist 117 students/children with Christmas this year, and I could not have done that without your generosity. I would also like to thank Diane Dixon for the donation of toys, and Mrs. Fran Francis and family for the Thanksgiving food basket. I am so blessed to worship with such giving people and it was my pleasure to pass that blessing on to others. Friends of Wesley, Thank You Dana Sills Thank you for the generous donation made to the Holy Highway. We are truly thankful and blessed by all you do for this ministry. Thank all of you. Wesley Methodist Church, Blessings and Prayers, Pam and Brian Burton Thanks so much for your prayers and moral support during these past weeks. It is deeply appreciated. Julie Weir Dear Church Members, On behalf of Winfield School I would like to thank you for your generous gift of over $1000 to support our Winfield Angel Tree. In part, because of your generosity, we were able to help 117 students and children with Christmas presents, clothing, and food this year. Please know how much you have helped our students and how much we appreciate it. Jamie Martinez Principal, Winfield ISD Brrrrr.it s cold outside! January Mission Emphasis Mittens Gloves Hats Socks Scarves Fall Roundup Report Net Proceeds from Fall Roundup $8, Local Ministries Evangelism/Outreach 2, Sound 5, Trustees Thank you so much for the love offerings you so generously gave to the paid and unpaid staff this Christmas. We love and appreciate all of you! Stanley Foster with the new sound board. 2

3 The Chancel Choir and the Children presented The Christmas Story the evening of December 21. 3

4 Little Acorn School Party December 19 Miss Angie helps fills reindeer bags. Assembling treats for Santa s reindeer...yum One of Santa s elves; aka Miss Savannah Fun and Games! Fun and Games! Miss Kaylee 4

5 Pastor Steve and Dicie Rue Cook lit the Advent candles on November 30. Shirley Brock and Mike and Rhonda Brock lit the Advent candles on December 21. Jana and Danny Prochaska lit the Advent candles on December 14. Ruth and J.C. Clark helped their mom and dad light the Advent candles on Christmas Eve. The Garrett Glass Family along with Grandmother Gina Wilder lit the Advent candles on December 7. 5

6 East District Leadership Training Day January 24, a.m Noon Sulphur Springs First UMC 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship - Fellowship Hall 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Plenary Session: Healthy Conflict in Churches Speaker: Rev. Anna Hosemann-Butler 10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Break 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Breakout Workshops (Pastors and Laity) Finding a Leadership Structure that Works Rev. Kathy McLean-Davis - Trenton FUMC How small membership churches can reformat their leadership structure. How to Lead for Community Transformation Rev. Becky Walker Center for Leadership Development How local churches can organize and energize members to create exciting ministries to impact their neighborhood. How to Navigate through SPRC Waters Dr. Vic Casad - East District Superintendent This session will prepare SPRC chairs for the upcoming appointment season as well as a follow-up on conducting Marks of Fruitfulness conversations with clergy. Making the Most from a Year of Reading Luke/Acts A panel discussion with: Dr. Chuck Aaron - Terrell FUMC Dr. Greg Neal - Commerce FUMC Rev. Dyan Dietz - Bonham FUMC How to best take advantage of Bishop McKee s challenge to read through Luke and Acts in Utilizing the CLOUD Patrick Steil, CEO of Infranet, web service provider to the North Texas Annual Conference and the East District Office FREE Cloud tools for your church Patrick will demonstrate fantastic FREE tools from Google and others that will boost your team collaboration, reduce costs and organize your church projects! This demonstration will be most useful to technology teams, communication teams and anyone wanting to get organized! 6

7 A few photos from the reception following the Cantata on Dec. 21 In Loving Memory of Charlie Epperson By: P.L. and Patricia Kennedy Pat and Janet Skauge Stephan and Lanelle Brand North Texas Dental Care Richard and Debra Jacques Max and Lou Jane Drummond Magan Henderson, Didi Thurman and Amanda Clark sang Breath of Heaven. December 21. PRAYERS AND CONCERNS Jim and Mary Barnhart DeLana Beadle Dominic Ayala Twan Bennett Brian Black Casey Brewer Denise Bridges Cletus Brown Jay Brown David Cartwright, Jr. Carson Bryant Phoebe Carmody Steve and Dicie Rue Cook Clinton Cline Kathy Crowson Nell Crowson Darren Davis Joyce Davis Yogi and Stacy Davis and Family Cristine Dixon Annette Earhart Dorothy Easley Barbara Formby Art Francis Robert and Mary Glover Jennifer Glover Charles Godfrey Magan,Tim and Eisley Henderson Janie Godfrey Doris Herman Marvin and Louise Jones Frank Hernandez Bill Hinchcliff Algarine, L. B. and Dana Jordan Suzanne Lindley Carol Lortz Mary Ann McCormick Michael Matthews Gary Moon Allison, Wade and J.W. Mullinax Kim Moore Penny Moore Terry and Sue Nelson Ricky and Kay Orr Thomas Peters Agnes Ponder Matthew Prochaska JoAnn Prince Roger Redick Randy Roberts Gina Routon Jim and Marty Rose Don Sills Jim Skaggs Pat and Floyd Spears Betty Smith Don Stewart Elton and Louise Stewart Ceely Stout Allan Thar James Tucker The Tubb Family Steven Vickery Frances Smith Williams Julie Weir Bo West Donna Wilhite Donald Wilson Healthy Church Initiative/HCI Team Dorothy Campbell The Family of Donna Webster The Family of Jamie Bounds Her service will be at 2:00 p.m. today at Wesley with interment at Reilly Springs Cemetery. Jamie was an active member of the Wesley Youth from Joys! Kasey and Jacob Nelson are the proud parents of Bristol Lea. She was born December 31, Big brother is River. Grandparents are Donna and Larry Nelson. Great grandparents are L.B. and Algarine Jordan/Dana Jordan is her great aunt. Tyler Francis and Brooke Wisniewski are the proud parents of Maddox James. He was born December 26, Grandparents are Janeen and Richard Francis. Great grandparents are Fran and Art Francis. Victims of severe weather in the US and around the world War in Israel and Gaza Orthodox Christians Children coming into the US from Central America The Middle East, Korea, Ukraine, Russia Backpack Buddies North Texas Food Bank Holy Highway Girls Home Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center Dallas Bethlehem Center Wesley-Rankin Community Center Way of Salvation UMC, Mytischi, Russia Our Country and Our Leaders Military Personnel and their Families EMS, Fire Fighters, Hospital Personnel New additions to the prayer list are in BOLD Note: Names added to the prayer list will remain on the list for 30 days. They will be relisted by request. Please help us to keep the list current. Wesley Homebound Doris Rawls Mary Burks Dell Cline Billie Newsom Bobbie Holder Vivian & Bill Shell Muriel Lucas Sandra McIntire Maxine & Lloyd Hiller 7

8 Ad Board 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 27 Committee Reports due Friday, January 23 Little Acorn School News Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow Important Dates Jan 1 and 2 CLOSED Jan 5 Day Care ONLY Jan 19 MLK Holiday Things to remember: The semester supply fee is due before Jan. 30. The supply fee is $30 per child and covers supplies provided for your child. Please put your child s name on any belongings they may bring to school such as coats, nap mats, lunch boxes, etc. Please remember that tuition is due at the first of every month. If tuition is turned in any later than the 10th of the month, there will be a $25 late fee added to that month s tuition. DEVOTIONALS Jan 5-9 The Good Samaritan Jan The Prodigal Son Jan Zacchaeus Jan The Twelve Disciples Scenes from the United Methodist Women s Salad Luncheon Dec. 16. great aunt. Bristol Lea Nelson Born December 31, 2014 Kasey and Jacob Nelson are her parents. Big brother is River. Grandparents are Donna and Larry Nelson. Great grandparents are L.B. and Algarine Jordan. Dana Jordan is her 2014 Giving Statements will be available to be picked up on Wednesday, January 15. They will be on a table in Wesley Hall ONLY on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday nights. 8

9 2015 Apportionments WORLD SERVICE FUND 3,203 the basic benevolence fund of our church, distributed to various program agencies by a precise formula to support their missional responsibilities. These agencies serve both as a resource to local churches and an extension of local churches in action on a national a and world level primarily through World Service budgets. MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUND 1,100 money for theological seminaries and continuing education programs with 75% being administered by the general church and 25% by our Annual Conference. BLACK COLLEGE FUND 439 financial help to upgrade the standards of buildings, facilities and operational expenses of the ten black Methodist colleges and one black Methodist medical school. AFRICA UNIVERSITY FUND 98 funds for the development of the first private university in sub-sahara Africa. INTERDOMINATIONAL COOP FUND 86 the support for general church activities, ecumenical in nature, so that United Methodism might bein mission and ministry with other Christian communions. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION FUND 387 the funding of administrative work on the church s general level, including the cost of holding General Conference and financing church agencies administrative in nature. EPISCOPAL FUND 961 the salary, travel, and office expenses for the bishops of the United Methodist Church. LYDIA PATTERSON INSTITUTE 132 a special project of the South Central Jurisdiction for the Mexican- American School in El Paso, Texas MT. SEQUOYAH ASSEMBLY 32 support for our jurisdictional facility in Fayetteville, Arkansas, used as a retreat and training center. JURISDICTIONAL ADMINISTRATION 62 funds for the support of the South Central Jurisdictional office located in Dallas SMU CAMPUS MINISTRY 4 financial support, along with other annual conferences in the jurisdiction, for personnel and programs for the campus ministry at Southern Methodist University. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 2,,719 Develop principled Christian leaders. CONNECTIONAL RESOURCES 2,322 Services necessary to support our mission BOARD OF PENSIONS AND HEALTH BENEFITS 3,880 The Comprehensive Protection Plan (disability and life insurance for pastors, the safety net (supplements) for those churches whose compensation is under the Denominational Average Compensation, and the Board of Pension and Health Benefits Operating expenses. AREA ADMINISTRATION 970 the operating budgets for the professional ministries and administrative agencies of the North Texas Conference and the Dallas Episcopal Area, including the new Officer of New Church Development position in the Episcopal office. DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT 1,016 the salaries, expenses, and benefits for the six district superintendents in our North Texas Conference, as well as the Cabinet Emergency Fund. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION FUND 3,834 the source of income for the expenses and operation of the district offices and programs as well as providing upkeep on district parsonages. This amount is decided upon by individual districts. TOTAL APPORTIONMENTS $24,676 You may partner with one or more persons or classes to Adopt an Apportionment. This list is on the bulletin board in Wesley Hall. NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT AND 2,209 CONGREGATIONAL TRANSFORMATION Create new places for new people MISSIONAL OUTREACH 1,222 Engage in ministry with the poor and combat preventable diseases. Improve global health. Amanda and Joe Clark (with a little help from J.C.) sang for their supper at the Wesleyan Sunday School class party on December 13. 9

10 From Pastor An Amazing Six Months! AWESOME! That s the first word that comes to my mind when I look back on my first six months at Wesley UMC. The way we worship, the way we do Vacation Bible School, the hard work and fun that is Fall Roundup, the constant attention to our older members and shut-ins, and the splendid moments that capture Advent leading up to celebrating the Christ Event with candlelight and Communion. Wow! And so many more events, programs, parties, and even our appearance at the famous Hopkins County Stew Festival in October! As I said, it has been an AWESOME beginning of ministry for Dicie Rue and me at Wesley. Indeed, together, WE ARE WESLEY! Our involvement with the Healthy Church Initiative continues this month with our church hosting our friends from Kavanaugh UMC, Greenville, on Saturday, January 17, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. We are reading books, being led by very capable group leaders (lay and clergy), and getting to know each other and sharing how we can be more effective in ministry at our churches. The first phase continues through May, Please be in prayer for your team! As I look back, I realize we have lost some great saints by death in One of the down sides of being in ministry is that I often come into people s lives when their health wanes. I love to celebrate the lives of our saints and I strongly encourage church members in particular to use our sanctuary as we offer words and songs in their honor. Romans 12:15 encourages us to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those who weep! I am grateful to be your pastor and sometimes preacher. I started out with the belief that God had called me to preach. Please do not misunderstand me. I do feel called to preach! But over the 47 years I have been in ministry, I ve had to learn what I was told by my beloved father-in-the-ministry, Rev. J. Bill Jones; Steve, preach the Word, but remember to LOVE the people! What he was saying I have learned: Be a pastor first and the preaching will come. So it is a joy when someone refers to me as Pastor or Pastor Steve. And it is work. So where are headed as Wesley UMC? To be honest, I feel that I should be asking you, the Church; Where do you want to go? We have strong, laity leaders here and I trust you. I ve heard things from you about the good ole days, programs and events in the past, or ways of doing worship--which I may or may not have followed. This is not me insisting on my way of doing things; most often, it s the way I ve led services (weekly or special) in the past. Is it wrong to do this? No, but my learning curve of working with a wonderful Worship Committee has grown by leaps and bounds. Really, together we are stronger and together we will continue to plan, tweak and increase the worship experience! I like to meet with committees on a quarterly basis, so I will work with Bonnie G. (the all-purpose secretary) and we ll put together a meeting schedule to best fit our church folk. With regular input from committee members and our hard-working and super staff (I mean it!), we will be a stronger and more informational church. With that word, informed, allow me to say to you what I want you to hear and know from me: I D RATHER GET A DOZEN PHONE CALLS ABOUT A SICK, HOSPITALIZED, OR HEALTH-RELATED PROBLEM ABOUT ONE OF OUR MEMBERS THAN NONE! So, don t hesitate to keep me informed and please do not assume that I know about a particular situation! Information = communication. Let s pray that God takes Wesley UMC to where the people are so that we can share the Gospel of Christ with them and tell all about God s love for them! I am not Wesley. You are not Wesley. But together, WE ARE WESLEY! In God we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28 Children s Sermons in December 10

11 The Wesley Witness Wesley United Methodist Church 614 Texas Street Sulphur Springs, TX (903) Church Office (903) Parsonage (903) Fax RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED See us on Wesley UMC, Sulphur Springs or United Methodist Women 1:30 p.m. Tuesday January 20 Program: Pledge Service Hostess: Rachel and Diane Outreach Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 Worship Committee Meeting 5:15 p.m. Monday, Jan 19 11