A Word from the Pastor

Transcription

1 November 2018 A Word from the Pastor What I hoped to see, I saw. On Sunday, our church had an amazing Trunks of Treats outreach event. The biggest, most important thing is that the parts of our church functioned together beautifully- like a team, like a family, like the Body of Christ. When we function that way, we make visible the Body of Christ to the world. That in itself is a witness and is, I believe, what Christ intended for His Church. We didn t just offer candy; we offered a witness to Christ. We didn t just offer hot dogs and popcorn, we offered Good News. We didn t just share fun games, we shared love, grace, and welcome in Christ s name. That is exactly what I hoped to see. A publication of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Church Office: (423) ; Fax: (423) wesley@wesleymemorialumc.org wesleymemorialumc.org Sunday Worship Schedule 8:45 AM - Sanctuary Worship 9:40 AM - Sunday School/LifeGroups for All Ages 10:45 AM- NRG Contemporary Worship 11:00 AM - Sanctuary Worship Thank you so much to everyone who participated and prayed for this event. We needed every, single person to handle and welcome nearly 800 people, twice as many as we have had in the past- God s children (kids, youth, and adults). Our church is growing in so many ways that we need everyone to truly be the Body of Christ and to fully live out our DNA as we Engage, Connect, and Transform. This month, we will encourage everyone in our church family to complete a volunteer service form for 2019, not just so that tasks get done, but so that our witness and our team may be complete. We will also be encouraging persons to make their financial giving plan to God for 2019 through the ministries of Wesley. You will be receiving mail soon about these opportunities for commitment. What I hoped to see at Trunks of Treats, I saw and I am thankful. I look forward to seeing in the future the Body of Christ at Wesley! God Bless, Gerald

2 Connection Point Attendance Date SS S-8:45 NRG S-11:00 Total 9/30/ /7/ /14/ /21/ Week of: Giving Giving 9/30/2018 $ /7/2018 $ /14/2018 $ /21/2018 $ Received Year to Date $ Missions $ In Memory/Honor of $45.00 Kathy Hall following the death of her mother Jerrie Lytton following the death of her mother Diane Nelson following the death of her sister Wanda Carver following the death of her grandson Suzanne Grzych following the death of her mother Dan David following the death of his mother Family of Jordan Antone Louise Bowles Betty Jane Bowman Julia Carroll Clarence Denny Linda Dishner Drake Family Ellen Drummond Family of Justin Dye Mavis Fellers Bob Goodsell Judy Hastings Joan Helton Matthew Hembree Buck Henry Mason Jester Ben Johnson Alan Lansche Family of Loretta Ledford Family of Amanda Luellen Aubrey McElroy Sr. Millsaps family Jean Perry Ellianah Rutherford Lorry Scherger Kathy Simon-Block Carrie Swanay Harry Thayer Maureen Vaughn Janice Webb Bill West Judy Widener Doug Wolfe Todd Wolfe June Wood Chuck Workman Terri Wowk John Yates Dear Wesley I would like to thank the congregation for their outpouring of support for the recent Kairos prison ministry weekend. We received significant financial support from Wesley, 96 dozen home baked cookies, and my Sunday school class took responsibility for the two hours that I was assigned for the seventy two hour prayer vigil. We ministered to 42 men over the weekend and lives were changed. Thanks again, Hugh Johnson Thanks to everyone who helped with Trunks of Treats by providing a trunk, candy, running a game, etc. It was a great day! The Page Turners Join us in the Church Library (Room 105) at 10:00. On November 12th we will meet and discuss Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea On December 10th we will meet and discuss The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes Ms. Christa Exploring God s Creation Hike Saturday, November 10th 9:00-5:00 Dress for chilly weather, bring snacks and water. Call Scotty Myers for more information at Life Groups and Sunday School Classes If you are not currently in a class or group, please come check out some of our newest ones on Sunday mornings at 9:45. There are also existing classes that would welcome you as well. Contact Missy or Gerald at for specific information.

3 Praise HQ! November 4th, 11th, and 18th. Children will be making blessing bags for children who use Safe Passage. We will make blessing cards, decorate a bag, and fill the bag. Needed: Please help us fill the bags with requested items by bringing in the following in your child s size and likes. A pair of gloves. A winter hat. A pair of socks A toy, or book, or stuffed animal. Child size toothbrush. Children s toothpaste. Sunday School and Kids in Action 200 Hall ages 4 4th Grade: The Sunday School hour starts at 9:40 in Praise HQ! Kids in Action is dismissed from the 10:45 and 11:00 worship services. Cooperation-working together to do more than you can do alone. Bible Memory Verse: Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do. Ecclesiastes 4:9 Nursery/Room 109 ages 2 3: Ruth and Naomi

4 Confirmation Retreat th Small Groups Who: 7-8th graders going through Confirmation When: Meet at church at 8 a.m on the 4th of November, and we ll be back at the church by 7:30 p.m. Jr High won t meet for small group on NovemWhat to bring: your books and money for fast food dinner on ber 4th due to the Confirmation Retreat. the way home. You can bring snacks if you want. Jr High (7th-8th grade) 6-8 p.m. Dinner, hang out, bible study November 11th and 18th Amplify The Gathering will take place on November 4th and November 11th from 6-8pm. This will be a great time of fellowship as we study scripture, eat a light snack, and play a game. Friends are welcome as always! There will be no Amplify on November 18th or 25th. Sr High (9th-12th grade) 6-8 p.m. Dinner, Hang Out, Bible Study November 4th- At the Church November 11th- Location TBD November 18th- Location TBD There will be no small groups on November 25th. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break! Resurrection deposits are due Sunday, November 4th.

5 November Communion Offering: Christmas Presents for Orphans in the Congo Once again we will be partnering with Fresie Chikomb and the boys and girls orphanages in the Congo. With your help we will be able to provide one present for each child. There are 25 boys and 34 girls. For only $20 you can purchase a gift. Last year the children were each given a $20.00 bill. Most had never seen let alone held a $20.00 bill. They were then able to go pick out what they wanted for Christmas. This also helps stimulate the economy in their area. Items the kids picked were: tennis shoes, jeans, a doll, etc. Any additional funds that we receive over the amount needed for gifts will be used to provide a special Christmas Meal for the Orphans. You may leave your offering at the altar rail or you may put in the offering plate. Please make your check to Wesley, put Orphan Christmas on the memo line. Food Item for Good Samaritan Ministries Our food item for December is Boxed Mashed Potatoes Our goal is: 300 Please place in the designated containers in the Narthex and Tower Area by November 30th. Songfest 2018 An Appalachian Music Experience Sunday, November 4, 2018, 3:00 pm University Parkway Baptist Church Plan to join Family Promise for a great afternoon of music! Come out to see: Carson Peters & Iron Mountain Ed Snodderly and Friends ETSU Rambling Serenaders Free to the Public Donations are welcomed Good Samaritan Ministries Thanksgiving Dinner Sponsorship Sponsor a Thanksgiving Day food box for a family for $35.00 or a fully cooked meal for an elderly person or disabled veteran for $30.00 through Good Samaritan Ministries. Donate online or by mail. Monthly Mission Emphasis Items: Good Samaritan Ministries Christmas Food Baskets We will be collecting canned fruit for Good Sam s Christmas food baskets. We have committed to 300. Items are due by the end of the month. Family Promise Host Week November 25 December 2, 2018 This ministry to homeless families is very important. There are many ways for you to be involved in this ministry. We need volunteers for transportation (van driving) morning and afternoon through the week; overnight hosts, evening hosts and meal providers for Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings; persons to provide grocery supplies (listed and posted on the missions bulletin board in the Tower Area); possibly help with set up and take down, and volunteers who will be willing to take some of the bagged bedding to launder at the end of the week. Please contact Beth Scott Brown know if you can help. You can reach her at ( ) or by at bsbrown2421@charter.net. There will also be signups in the bulletin.

6 December 5th (Wednesday) - Combined November/December Outing to Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC to view the National Gingerbread House Competition display and lunch at the Grovewood Cafe. Meet in the Tower Area at 9:50 AM. We will leave the church by 10:00 AM and return mid to late afternoon. If you need transportation to the church, please indicate on bulletin tab or call the church office at Due to the cold temperatures and the ever-present threat of inclement weather, XYZers will not meet in January and February. For more information, please Kem McKee at kemhmckee@gmail.com or telephone at (423) Suggestions for outings/activities are always welcome. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church 225 Princeton Road Johnson City, TN RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Nonprofit Org. U. S. POSTAGE P A I D Johnson City, Tenn Permit No. 179