Our purpose is to provide a nurturing Christian home in which all may grow in faith and service.

Transcription

1 2015 In trying to figure out how to keep in better contact with the number of folks who enjoy their lake homes and cabins during the summer months, I decided that this summer, starting the week of June 8 th, I will be doing a weekly video message for all of our lakers. I will be recording the videos and then posting them to our website throughout the summer. All we ask is that you let us know if you d like to receive an when these are posted. You can do this either by signing up after church, or by calling or ing Wesley Worship Schedule 9:00 Coffee Fellowship 9:30 Worship Church Office Hours M F 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. the church. My hope and prayer is that these videos will be a fun way to stay in contact this summer! Pastor Howie. Our purpose is to provide a nurturing Christian home in which all may grow in faith and service.

2 The Man from Fleehawk By Howie Baird One fine day as I strolled by the town of Fleehawk, Near the darkest of forests and next to a rock, A man came and asked me of Christ and his flock, And I told him to join me, to come for a walk. He asked, Where will you take me, how long will it be? I replied, Not too long, follow me, you will see. So we passed by a town where the People say, Eh. And we strolled through a valley of red, so they say. Till at last in Grand Forks we arrived at a place, Where the people all greeted us, even Jack Jace! They said, Come on inside, won t you stay for a while, Our young preacher is ready to make us all smile, With the words that he ll share from the scripture so true, Combined with a story from Seuss, just for you. 2

3 So we sat there and listened, and sang songs and prayed, With a farmer, a teacher, and even a maid, A professor who taught at the U was there too, Along with her spouse and their child who was two. Then up rose the pastor, all dressed to the nines! And he spoke of God s love and His Son so divine. And the whole congregation turned slightly to hear, How Christ Jesus came down so that we need not fear. And when it was done, my new friend from Fleehawk, Said, I ll never forget this day, man God does rock! I can t thank you enough for inviting me here, To listen, and learn, and go home in good cheer. Perhaps if more folks took the time to go search, And gather their friends and invite them to church, Summer worship would be so much more than a bore, And it wouldn t feel anything all like a chore. I can t agree more, I said. See you next week? Oh my Lands, sure you will, said the brand new church geek, I wouldn t miss this even if I were caught In a wrestling match with a bear and a crock! So there it is Wesley, a poem slightly crude, About how many things you ll miss out on if you Stay away for our series The Summer of Seuss, And instead find yourself face to face with a Moose. Aaaaaah!!!!!!! Series Begins May 31 st! 3

4 Birthdays 1 Pam Cote Amber Guseman 2 Nicholas Hudson James Johnson II Carolyn Strand 3 Cleo Rowe 4 Jane Brown 6 Benjamin Batstone-Cunningham Andrew Burgess 10 Eliese Baird Emily Hudson 11 James Johnson III 12 Anthony Blake 13 Dawn Boyd Emily Rash Mavis Willert 16 Nicholas Neumiller Mark Potratz 17 Greg Bryson Cameron DeMaster Beverly Hopman Joyce Kramer Stephen Murphy Joyce Wicklund 19 Bev Ford Genevieve Holweger Tammy Rutherford 20 Taylor Tingwald Jeanette Lindquist 22 Iris Root 23 Virgil Haake Markus Van Camp 25 Carol Clark Janice Tollefson 27 Snookie Register 28 Carla Hudson James Kramer Alex Martin 29 Jennifer Antes Gene Davis 30 Lew Schaper Kayli Staskivige Anniversaries 1 Brian & Nancy Holm Alex & Brittany Peterson Lew & Nancy Schaper 2 Lonnie & Carol Lamberson 6 James & Frances McConnell Jerry & Marlene Nolte Neil & Cleo Rowe 8 Rick & Coleen Asche David & Susan Guseman Arthur & Margaret Hillman Ben & Katie Holien 12 Steve & Betsy Schlasner 13 Rev. Jerry & Gail Bass 16 Jake & RachealAnn Johnson 17 Daryell & Mary Ferguson Heath & Kristina Schafer 18 Bob & Dawn Boyd 19 Tyler & April Grinde 20 Mark & Kim Potratz Duane & Aileen Sandwick Edward & Marian Van Duyn 23 Gordon & Pat Henry 25 Anthony & Kari Olson 27 Bill & Dyana Beaton James & Joyce Johnson 28 Jim & Mary Antes 4

5 Thank you to the UND students from McVey Hall who came to Wesley on Saturday, May 2 as part of the UND Big Event and helped clean up our front garden areas. They were a big help! Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. in the quilting room on 3rd floor. Everyone is Welcome! For questions, call Helen DeMaster at :17 Prayer Initiative Please don t forget about our 7:17 breakthrough prayer initiative. Everyone who gets their newsletter by mail should have received a prayer card in the last newsletter. If you haven t, please pick one up on the church office or in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday morning. I ve heard some great stories of folks praying at 7:17, and the places where they have prayed. Perhaps something fun would be to take a selfie of yourself at 7:17, and post it to the Wesley UMC Facebook page along with your location. Also, if you are unsure what to do with the prayer cards, visit our website at and click on the Prayers and Answers link followed by the 7:17 Prayer Initiative link. 5

6 A note from the Pastor a lawyer asked (Jesus) a question to test him. Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:35-39 "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred per cent!" from Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss What does it mean to have faith? What does it mean to love the lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind? What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? For that matter, in a day and age of violence, tyranny, terrorism, and fear, what does it mean to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? (Matthew 5:44) And finally, how do we find the strength of God to look our fears head on, and overcome whatever obstacle lies before us. The answer to those questions and more can be found in the greatest book ever written, the Bible. The Bible is the primary place where we find truth, meaning, guidance, and authority for Christian living. It teaches us who God is, and what God s will is for our world. It tells us of the love God has for us, a love that is never ending and never failing. It shows us the depth of that love, and reveals to us what it means to be the church. But the Bible isn t the only book that contains truth and powerful life lessons. For centuries, poets, authors, and novelists have been 6

7 teaching us lessons through story, song, and poetry. I first discovered this in my Grandma and Grandpa Baird s old, brick house. It was huge home, with endless corridors, and a spooky dungeon like basement that had dirt floors, wooden paneling, and spiders. They had converted their upstairs sitting room into a play room for their grandchildren, and there, amongst the toys, and stuffed animals, and bean bag chairs, were stacks and stacks of life lessons in the form of children s books. My favorite: The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss. In that book I learned that we shouldn t judge people by how they look, that sometimes our fears are rather ridiculous and unfounded, that we shouldn t be so set in our ways that we miss out on life, and that you should never name all of your children Dave! Dr. Seuss always had a way of teaching important life lessons in a whimsical, imaginative way, and I have been a lifelong fan. This is why I m so excited to share with all of you the sermon series that we will be doing this summer. We are going to be looking at scripture to discover together some of the foundational truths of our faith, and at the same time we will be exploring the books of Dr. Seuss to see what he might be able to add to the conversation. Natalie Buck, who will be interning with us this summer, and I can hardly wait to share this series with you! As a reminder, if you head off to the lake for the summer, don t forget that all our sermons can be found on the website at Peace, 7

8 A Christian steward contributes his or her time, talent, prayers, and financial resources with a willing and joyful spirit. There are many ways that you can participate in the life and ministries of Wesley Church! How can I Help? 1. By Sharing your Prayers Prayer Focus for June: graduates from High school, Colleges and other institutions. (See back page for additional prayers) 2. By sharing your presence (talents, abilities) This month, we say Thank You to: - All who have helped with Sunday morning worship by serving as Welcome Teams, Lay Readers, Communion Preparers and Servers, Sound Board Monitors, Nursery Helpers, and by providing special music for our Sunday worship services. - Wesley Youth and leader Mark Schlasner for preparing and leading worship on My Those who serve on Church Council, Board of Trustees, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Finance Committee, Memorial Committee, as lay leaders, and in all other leadership roles within our church. - Quilters for making quilts to donate to RRVCA s Shelter House. - Members of the Board of Trustees who installed magnetic closures on the kitchen cabinets, worked on painting touch-ups, ceiling repairs, and other projects. - and those who: - are working as part of a Safe Sanctuaries policy and procedures task force. - provided lunch for the young adult/college-age group on Sundays throughout the school year. - have served as teachers, helpers, subs, music leaders, or other staff for our Sunday school programs this year. - help provide, prepare, serve and cleanup for Sunday coffee fellowship. - provide cookies, other treats or coffee for Sunday morning coffee fellowship. 8

9 - polish brass offering plates, candle holders, etc., and fill the oil candles. - count the weekly offering. - care for and water the plants inside and outside the church building. - take care of the garden areas around the church. - stained the new Dutch Door for the church nursery. And thank you to the many others who share their time with our church and community in ways that we do not always know about. 3. By sharing your gifts, such as - Additional contribution to the general fund of Wesley UMC. - Batting for the Quilting Group. - UMCOR kit supplies see list on the newsletter calendar. - Funds for church building updating/repair projects. - Men s jeans, new or slightly used, for the Free Mobile Thrift store in Watford City. - Coffee mugs with lids, back packs or small suitcases, sheets & towels for the Northlands Rescue Mission. Contact Judy Christy, Coordinator of Lay Ministries, at or judy.gfwesley@midconetwork.com for more information or to volunteer. Also watch for signup sheets in the church lobby, or announcements in the weekly bulletin. Training will be provided as needed. Are there are other projects or activities you would like to see happen? Judy about that too! Offering Received Prepaid Pledges 13, , January 11, , February 18, , March 21, , April 21, , May 19, , June 20, July 16, August 21, September 20, October 19, November 22, December 31, Total 258, , SUNDAY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE May May May May SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE May 3 42 May

10 Wesley United Methodist Church Council and Finance Meetings, April 20, 7:00pm Present - Pastor Howie Baird, Elise Christy, Judy Christy, John Galegher, Berniece Holm, Penny Millspaugh, Sharon Stewart, Doug Williams, Richard Wills, George Wogaman, Jessica Zerr, Ryan Zerr, Steve Schlasner Absent - Pat Henry, Jeff Steckman, Jeff Van Looy Guest - Tanya Murphy Opening Prayer - Howie Recite Purpose Our Purpose is to provide a nurturing Christian Home in which all may grow in faith and service. Devotions - Penny Finance Meeting Defer to end of Council Agenda Council Meeting Call to order- Penny Agenda I. Approval of March minutes II. Reports Berniece moved to approve the minutes of the March meeting. Sharon seconded. Motion passed unanimously a. Finance Defer to end b. Trustees Jeff/Richard Safe Sanctuary door update - just two doors need glass replaced. Boiler - wires need to be replaced in two rooms, maybe more rooms. Kyle, Matt & Danielle are working on stained ceiling tiles and some other maintenance projects. Approved $575 for ceiling projects. There is also a sign that needs to be replaced. Snow removal contract has been signed with C&D Snow Removal for Snow removal contract costs will need to be added into the budget. c. Staff Parish Ryan - no report d. Lay Leaders: Care and Outreach - Lay Leader needed Faith Development - Jessica SWSS will be July Wesley children will be encouraged to attend this as the week long VBS experience. Additional VBS opportunities may be offered during a Wednesday evening service anticipated to be held this summer. Sunday School recognition will be May 17th. The only HS graduate declined to participate. One person has been nominated as Sunday School director. Worship - Steve We are still in need of additional sound support during second service. Will ask Loren Leipold to offer a sound board class. Goal is to have Sanctuary audio/visual system in place by the end of this summer. Tanya would really like to be able to 10

11 watch the service in the Nursery. Steve & Howie indicated that might be possible with minimal additional expense. Mission Sharon Meal at Northland Rescue Mission on Monday, April 27. Serving starts at 5:00. More desserts and a few more volunteers to help serve are needed. e. UMW Pat (per to Penny) UMW Sunday was a success. Mission Recognition awards were presented to Marge Myrold and Michele Iiams. The Jewel of a Woman award was given to Tracy Wicken. Salad Potluck will be held on Wednesday May 20th. f. Memorial Committee - Bernice Memorials funded the purchase of a keyboard. Camp scholarships?? There was some money given in memory of David Peterson that was designated for camp scholarships. There will need to be a decision as to whether all camp scholarship money will go through that account or keep a separate non-memorial camp scholarship fund as well. Approved the replacement of the cordless microphone. system for the Sanctuary. They would like to add special needs the church has to the Memorials brochure so that those who might designate a memorial know what the money might be used for. g. Pastor s Report Pastor Howie Last MCCI meeting was on growing on generous givers. He came back a lot more hopeful about the possibilities. We just finished the season of Easter. It went well. Natalie Buck will be our intern this summer. She will be paid $3000 for the summer. Her big project will be a Wednesday Worship service. She will preach 4 times this summer. Howie and Natalie are co-planning a "Summer of Seuss" sermon series. III. New and/or Old Business Finance Committee Presentation and Discussion led by Doug. Doug presented report of checks written out of General Fund. Apportionments were paid for March. General Fund Balance $3, with bills to be paid yet this week. The church bulletin from last Sunday provides the congregation with a more detailed picture of income and expense needs. It was suggested that the information also be provided graphically. This information can also be included in the Newsletter. Our financial difficulties are continuing to grow. We need to determine our priorities. Our solution needs to include both short- and long-term plans. Discussion followed. We also hope to provide more ways to people to give through electronic giving. IV. Looking ahead Next meeting is May 18th. Closing Prayer Pastor Howie Adjourn 11

12 A special message for summer travelers: Would you find it helpful to have your offerings debited directly from your bank account as you probably do with other obligations? Wesley UMC offers electronic giving for those of you who wish to have contributions transferred electronically to the church s account. If you have plans to travel this summer, electronic giving gives you a convenient way to keep up with your intended offerings. Simply complete and return and electronic giving authorization form to get started. Forms are available in the lobby or from the church office. 12

13 Fun in the Son, July at Richard s West Park We are continuing to make exciting plans for this summer s fun in the Son, our VBS-like program at Richard s West Park here in Grand Forks on July 19-23, Sunday through Thursday. This is a cooperative program between our church and Zion UMC. Children age 5-12 from Wesley and Zion are encouraged to join us at the park as we get to know our neighbors who live near Richards West. All are invited to come and enjoy supper, Bible stories, music, crafts and games, beginning at 5:30 pm each evening. We need your help in order to make this program for children and families happen. First, we ask that you pray for this program and the people involved. Then, volunteers will be needed to help set up at the park each night, help prepare and serve meals, or help with crafts & games. Please contact Judy Christy at judy.gfwesley@midconetwork.com or if you would be willing to donate some time to this very important ministry -- even if you can t be there each day. 13

14 Youth Group Important Upcoming Dates and Information: June 3: Last Youth Group until fall June 21-26: Mission Trip The final youth group this year will be on June 3. It s been such a great opportunity to work with the youth throughout this year. It s also been such a blessing for the youth group, as well as myself, to have the church s support in everything that we do. I pray that we continue to support the youth in the next year. Also the high school youth will have the opportunity to go on a mission trip to St. Paul from June Thanks again for all your support of this mission trip by participating in our fundraisers! Please pray that God reveals himself to the youth and to the many lives we ll touch during this mission trip. Over the summer, we are not planning to meet weekly, but are planning to do several small events throughout the summer. Summer events are open to students who will be in grades 6-12 for the school year. If you have any questions or concerns, or would just like to know more about youth group, I can be reached at youthgroup.gfwesley@midconetwork.com or through the church office. Mark Schlasner Youth Leader 14

15 Free Summer Lunch for Youth 2015 TIME: 12 Noon Monday Friday DATES: June 8 July 31 PLACES: Listed Below Itts-WiItts-Williams Park (EGF) th St NE LaGrave Learning Center 832 4th Ave South University Park 320 North 25th St Richards West Park th Ave North Grand Forks Public Library 2110 Library Circle NEW SITES FOR 2015! Bringewatt Park th Ave South Midtown (Smiley) Park 4th Ave N and N 6th St Elks Park th Ave South ~Rain or Shine~ Please call with any questions! United Way Supported 15

16 Join us on Wednesday evenings this summer, beginning June 17, for supper, worship and children s activities. Supper will be served at 6:00 pm in the dining room. Worship will be in the chapel at 6:30 pm with activities for children age 3 5 th grade in room 105 during the worship time. Both will be minutes. If you are willing to help lead the children s activities for a Wednesday or two (or more), please contact Judy Christy (judy.gfwesley@midconetwork.com) or Jessica Zerr (jessmzerr@gmail.com). We will have the lesson materials ready to go, we ll just need a couple adults each week to lead the lessons. We d also love to have youth as helpers. The children s lessons will be based on the Dr. Seuss sermon topic for the upcoming Sunday. We have decided not to have a week-long Vacation Bible School this summer at Wesley or Zion, but encourage families and children to come on Wednesday nights and to Sidewalk Sonday School July at Richards West Park. The meal will be catered and a free-will offering taken, but a couple people will be needed each week for serving and clean up. If you are willing to help, watch for a sign-up sheet or contact Judy Christy at the church office. 16

17 When someone you love dies, it can be hard to understand your thoughts and feelings. Understanding Your Grief is a small group study that will describe ten touchstones that are essential actions for you to take to help yourself heal. Beginning on Monday, June 1 and running for 12 weeks, this study will meet at Wesley United Methodist Church, from 10:00 11:30 am. To register or to request more information, please contact Penny Millspaugh at pmillspaugh@altru.org or call Space is limited so please register early. Jacob Iiams: Graduated from Central High School. Kelsey Kathleen Tretter: Graduated from Mayville State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. 17

18 Thanks to all the ladies who made the Salad Dinner Potluck on May 20th a great event. If you are willing to share the recipes for your salad, please send them to Pat Henry or bring to the church office so that we may update the Wesley recipe booklet. Also a special thanks to all who came to enjoy the salads. Summer is upon us and thus we will be taking a break from most of our regular circle activities. But keep watching the bulletin and newsletter in case something is suddenly planned! Remember the August picnic for the whole church community to be held on August 5th at Riverside Park. Reading counts. The list of books is in the back of the UMW program booklet. Keep track of what you read and let Irene Wagner know for the credit to our unit. Also, save those pop tabs, there is a container in the narthex for them. We also save those printer cartridges and send them off to be reimbursed for them. Reminder, continue to save your soup labels and box tops. If you contribute these to some place other than Wesley-- keep track of the numbers and we can still get credit for our unit. Turn in the amounts to Pat Henry. 18

19 Mission u - July in Jamestown The In-depth themes this year will be: Learning Together for Transformation of the World The studies are: Latin America: People and Faith This study will take into consideration cultural identity, language, history, and even religious affinity of the region. The Church and People with Disabilities This study is meant to touch the heart as well as inform and prompt action. Topics range from Biblical perspectives to overviews of living with and adapting to varying disabilities. Created for Happiness: Understanding Your life in God This study will examine the understanding of happiness and how to live the life that God calls us to. Contact Judy Christy or Pat Henry for additional information. Registration is due July 3. 19

20 Phone: Fax: Check out the Newsle er online at: Worship Schedule See Calendar and front page for worship mes Office hours: Mon. thru Fri. 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Pastor:... Reverend Howie Baird Coordinator of Lay Ministries:... Judy Christy Choir Director/Organist:... Marjorie Myrold Choir Accompanist:... Carol Lamberson Youth Leader:... Mark Schlasner Bookkeeper/ Office Assistant:... Tanya Murphy The Wesley Witness A publica on of Wesley United Methodist Church. Published 12 mes each year to keep members and friends informed of programs of the church and to report news about the Wesley family. Check out our new website! The address is the same at and like us on Facebook to keep up with what's going on at Wesley For our Prayers --- In Care or Assisted living facilities: Carol Clark, Virgil Haake, Charlene Kotts, Dave & Jean Beach, Joan Bristol, Dean Hruska, Ellen Gray, Beulah Hodges, Shirley & Phyllis Sand, Emolyn Skinner, Lois Weisser, Darlene Hinsz, Kent Cable, Velma Fruetel, Verle Ralston, Billie Dixon s mother(in Bismarck) At Home: Karen Griffin, Coleen Nygaard, Ole Dahlen, Alice Darling, Marlo Gade, Marie Koth, Pat Klokstad, Carolyn Strand, Kyle Whitcomb s mother, Marijo Whitcomb s mother and father We offer Christian Sympathy to the family and friends Cathy Marler who passed away May 25 We offer a prayer of joy for the upcoming marriage of Emily Asche and Jonny Heidbrink; for the engagement of Rachel Iiams and Justice Steckman If there are joys or concerns that you would like to have included in this monthly prayer list, please them to judy.gfwesley@midconetwork.com. If you are interested in being part of a Monday morning prayer group that will get meet at the church to pray for joys and concerns expressed in worship on Sunday mornings or shared on prayer request cards, please talk to Pastor Howie, Judy Christy or Penny Millspaugh. 20