THE WESLEY CONNECTOR. The Yost Post

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1 FEBRUARY 8, 2018 THE WESLEY CONNECTOR keeping you linked in The Yost Post Have you ever realized you were driving in the wrong direction? Then found yourself driving for a while longer just looking for a good place to turn around? It can be frustrating knowing each mile you travel to find a turn around spot you are adding drive time to get where you are going. Yes, it is good you are aware of the mistake and seeking to fix it, but still ugh. The season before Easter, called Lent, is a time when Christians have an intentional turn around spot for our lives. On Ash Wednesday we create a safe place to turn things around, also called repentance. By spending time examining our life before God, we see areas of life which are keeping us from experiencing God s best for us. We work in the midst of God s grace during Lent to get going in the right direction good habits form and better results emerge. Far too often this is done out of a spirit of fear or shame, like a kid being chastised by an authority figure. I offer to you this instead: Imagine that God is not shaming or chastising you for not following the rules. Like a person going the wrong way, God is trying to get your attention. God then helps lead us in the right paths so that we may be the full humans we were created to be not lost but found, not blind but seeing. I hope you will consider observing a Holy Lenten season and find out what God can do through you!

2 Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human February 14 mortality. The service th 6:30pm focuses on both themes, helping us to realize that both have been triumphed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship. Historically, ashes signified purification and sorrow for sins. It is traditional to save the palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday service to burn to produce ashes for this service. Sometimes a small card or piece of paper is distributed on which each person writes a sin or hurtful or unjust characteristic. The cards are then brought to the altar to be burned with the palm branches. The ash cross on the forehead is an outward sign of our sorrow and repentance for sins. Adapted from The United Methodist Book of Worship, UMC.org Lent - a time of self-examination and reflection.

3 Bible Art Class The second session of Bible Art Class for February, held on the 15 th, will be traditional Bible journaling with our scripture will be Psalm 71:1-8, focusing on hope and God s refuge. Through the Lens Looking for a niche at Wesley? Do you enjoy photography and video making in your leisure time? Is media technology your thing? If yes, we d love to add your talent to our media team. We are looking for individuals to help capture photos/videos of all activities at Wesley and projection leaders for the new screens at the 8:30 and 10:30 worship services. Interested? For more information, please contact Judy London: media@wesleyumcgreenville.org. The Numbers JANUARY FINANCIALS Received to date: $69, Monthly needs: $66, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Pledged: $823,840 Received $561, (68%) WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 1/ / /4-317 Welcome to Wesley Connecting to a church can be overwhelming. Join us for a time of sharing, hearing other s stories and discovering how you can make Wesley UMC your church home. Sunday, February 11 th at 4pm. Hosted by Pastor Chris, childcare available. Truths to Treasure Children s Musical The Spring Children s Musical will be Sunday, April 22 nd during the 10:30am service. Rehearsals begin February 11 th at the following times: Cherub group: 4:30-4:45pm JAM group: 5-5:45pm JOY Group Valentine s Luncheon The February 11 th following the 10:30am worship service. Havn t signed up? Call Natalie ( ) and let her know you ll be there. Gifts to Honor & Remember Gifted to the Operating Fund In honor of Donna Perkins by Billy & Vicki Wisdom Gifted to the Memorial Fund In memory of Joanie Noe by Beth Unis Gifted to the Good Samaritan Fund In memory of Don McClenny by Hubert & Phyllis Lytle Confirmands Outing Safe travels and fun wishes as Ms. Leslie and Ms. Vicki take our confirmands to the Bishop s Rally on February 18 th. This years rally is at Christ UMC Plano and is full of activities, including Human Foosball and the building of little free libraries. Have a great time as our youth grow continue their faith journey. Stock Sale Youth Mission Trip fundraising has begun. Support of the Stock Sale is appreciated. Need more info on it? Contact Jeff at youth@ wesleyumcgreenville.org.

4 JOY Group (formerly Active Adults) United Methodist Women UMW meets the first Tuesday of each month. All women of Wesley are invited to join this group whose mission is to develop creative, supportive fellowship through participation in ministries of the church. Men s Coffee Every Tuesday in Covenant Classroom. Enjoy a cup of coffee, donuts, stories and laughter. Supremes The Supremes are hostingsupremes their monthly potluck Share what you CAN food drive Good People and Good Food Tuesday, February 13th at noon UMW is collecting non-perishable goods for FISH. Collection bin located in the narthex. Knit and Crochet Group Come and join this group to work on your yarn project in the company of other crafters. Susan Wilson is available for instructions. Wesley Workout Lace up your tennis shoes and join us for Stretch and Tone. Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30am. d! cornbrea Pass the Kevin Banks, of the Greenville Municipal Auditorium, will speak on the history of the GMA and what s happening in Greenville Game Days The next February Game Day will be Tuesday 20th. Bridge starts at 12:30pm in meeting rooms 1 & 2 and Mexican Dominoes meets at 1:00pm in meeting room 4. If you are interested in playing bridge, please contact Natalie Pegg ( ) in advance. Norma s Yummy The tank is fu ll Bus The Fun New canopy installed on the south side door. 2018

5 Keeping up with the kids from Carver READING VOLUNTEERS FOR CARVER Volunteers will be needed to read a Dr. Seuss book to each Carver class on Friday, March 2 nd, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. This will be in celebration of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss birthday. With great appreciation for their generosity, the books have already been purchased by Frances Dalbey and the United Way of Hunt County Volunteer sign up to be a reader will be Sunday, February 18 th. Each teacher has chosen a Dr. Seuss book so you can sign-up based on the grade level or the book title. The reading will be done in 30-minute increments which means you can sign up to read more than one book if you d like. This a great opportunity to help out at Carver for those who are unable to commit on a regular basis. Thank you for all the donated items to help replenish the stock of needed items. The generosity from Wesley is greatly appreciated. Bins will remain in the entry ways for a few more weeks to collect healthy snacks (no peanuts and no high sugar), Kleenex, Hand Sanitizer, Disinfecting Wipes, and #2 Pencils. Wesley UMC Parents Day Out and Kinder Connections registration for school year begins March 19 th. Contact Ms. Lori for more information (kinder@wesleyumcgreenville.org).

6 FAT TUESDAY Pancake & Sausage Supper Tuesday, February 13 th 5:30-8PM Join us for pancakes and all the fixins in the newly renovated Fellowship Hall. Donation offering appreciated. Click here to let us know you re coming.

7 WESLEY UMC February 11 th - JOY Group Valentine Luncheon 13 th - Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper 14 th - Ash Wednesday 15 th - Stock Sale Calling (thru the 18 th ) March 10 th - Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 19 th - Kinder Connection Registration opens 25 th - Palm Sunday with Egg Hunt 29 th - Maundy Thursday 30 th - Good Friday April 1 st - Easter 7am - Sunrise Service 830am - Traditional Service 917am - Living Room Service 1030am - Contemporary Service 6 th - FISH BBQ Fundraiser 13 th - Camp Grace (thru the 15 th ) 22 nd - Children s Spring Musical May 6 th - Confirmation Sunday and Reception 6 th - Garage Sale set-up 7 th - Garage Sale (thru the 12 th ) 16 th - Last day of Kinder Connections & Parents Day Out 20 th - Senior Sunday 27 th - Wesley Celebrates 30 June 17 th - Stockholders Luncheon 9 th - Senior High Mission Trip (thru the 16 th ) 18 th - Senior Trip (thru the 25 th ) July 2 nd - Camp Anakainoo (thru the 6 th ) 4 th - Fireworks Watch Party 9 th - Children s Bridgeport Camp (thru the 13 th ) 15 th - Youth Activities Week YAW (thru the 21 st ) 23 rd - Vacation Bible School (thru the 27 th ) August 19 th - Blessing of the Backpacks (Popsicles & Prayers) 27 th - Kinder Connections 2 1 st Day 28 th - Kinder Connections 1 & Parents Day Out 1 st Day September 9 th - Youth Kick Off & Parents Mtg 16 th - Confirmation Orientation 25 th - Extended trip (thru the 28 th ) Pumpkin Preparation October Pumpkin Patch 7 th - Third Grade Bible Presentation 27 th - SHINE Festival November 11 th - Veteran Appreciation HAPPENING THIS YEAR December 2 nd - Unwrapping Advent Children s Celebration 16 th - Children s Christmas Program 20 th - Caroling in the Community 23 rd - Christmas Cantata 24 th - Christmas Eve Services

8 Wesley United Methodist Church CONNECT. LEARN. LEAD. SERVE East Joe Ramsey Blvd. PO Box 864 Greenville, TX ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED wesleyumcgreenville.org HELP REBUILD KOUNTZE TX. SUPPORT THE 2018 SENIOR MISSION TRIP STOCK SALE. PURPOSEFor I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.