The Wesley Word - Wesley United Methodist Church

The Wesley Word
May 13, 2015
VBS 2015
l
June 15-19
Inside this edition ...
• Family night at the Springfield Cardinals - Page 3
• VBS registration is open - Page 4
• Mission Blitz wrap up - Page 6
W
F rom
the
P astor ’ s P en
e often use the word “sacred” in our lives referring to those
items or occasions or memories which represent something
beyond the normal or usual. Merriam Webster defines sacred
as meaning “set apart for the service or worship of a deity.”
We practice two sacred religious observances known as “sacraments” which
denote this setting apart. The first is Holy Communion and the second is
Baptism.
Holy Communion is a sacred meal whereby we remember Jesus Christ, are
drawn closer to God, and we are drawn closer to one another as the body
of Christ (the Church). The blessed bread symbolizes Christ’s body and the
belief that the church is one body in Christ. The blessed unfermented wine
(grape juice) symbolizes the life-giving blood of Christ, and the cup or chalice which holds it symbolizes the unity in
Christ. The bread and wine are an outward and visible sign of God’s inward and spiritual grace.
The first Sunday of each month we celebrate Holy Communion in worship with an open invitation to all, believing Christ
is present in the spirit, and if present in the flesh, Christ would invite all to come and be fed this sacred spiritual food
symbolized by bread and juice.
Baptism is an invitation which draws us into the body of Christ as an act of God’s Holy Spirit. Through the use of water,
this act signifies the cleansing power of God (sanctification) and marks us as followers of Jesus Christ. Even Jesus was
baptized (read Matthew 3:13-17). One is baptized only once because this gift is forever, and the pastor administers the
sacrament by different means: sprinkling the recipient with water, pouring water on the person, or one may be submerged
in a pool, tank, lake, river, or ocean. Baptism is a sacred gift to us from God. If you have never been baptized and would
like to learn more about it, I would be delighted to talk with you. Just let me know.
And finally, the many important and/or sacred items we use in worship reside in an area known as a sacristy. A sacristy is
a room for keeping vestments (garments worship leaders wear), worship items for the altar (Bible, candles, wax, etc.) and
sacred items used for Baptism and Holy Communion. Thanks to a recent very generous
donation from a family in our church we now have a beautiful sacristy located behind the
chancel area (where the choir sits). What a blessing!
Let us rejoice and give thanks to God believing that when we are baptized and when we celebrate Holy Communion, God’s Holy Spirit works within us, drawing us closer to Him thus
strengthening our faith and reminding us of God’s promise to love us…no matter what!
Blessings,
Our Vision
To reach our uncommitted neighbors
by building transformative relationships,
connecting them with Christ.
Mission Statement
To make new disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation
of the world.
T he D owntown C hurch
I
n January, The Downtown Church heard God’s vision to become a church that
meets in the middle of rich and poor, young and old, believer and nonbeliever. A
place where Christ and the community intersect and we are living into that vision.
On May 1, we held our first outdoor party at the corner of Walnut and Jefferson on a
beautiful First Friday Artwalk evening. With music from Springfield Little Theatre’s
amazing YES Troup and our own church family member, Derrick King we brought
joy, energy and the love of Christ. From those driving and walking down the streets
wondering what was going on, to the people of both campuses serving others, smiles
and laughter were shared. Christ and the community intersecting.
Clear your calendars and join us June 5 from 6–­8 pm, as Bob Holden’s Music Educators Big Band, the Discovery Center
experimenters, and Dena the Balloon Lady, help us create an environment where those in downtown Springfield meet
hope, happiness and hearts. Christ and the community intersecting.
This month we have been learning from Scripture how the Risen Jesus Christ intersects people just when and where they
need Him. He brings to each encounter the gift of knowing them fully, loving them completely and leaving them blessed,
encouraged, changed. Christ is doing the same for us and asks us to do so for those we encounter.
To some Christ brings healing, to some forgiveness, to some acceptance,
Vision Statement
to some peace, to some clarity­, to all he brings love. We can do no less.
The Downtown Church meets in the middle
Christ and the community intersecting.
of rich and poor, young and old,
believer and nonbeliever. A place where
Join us!
Christ and the community intersect.
Pastor Lori
U pcoming E vents
Director of Children’s Ministries—Pam Pyeatt
[email protected]
Elementary
Sunday Morning
TANGLED: A LIE CAN
TRIP YOU UP
This month we are talking
about honesty, we’re looking
to not get tangled up in lies.
The Bottom Line Each Week:
Week 1—Being truthful helps you stay out of trouble. Proverbs 10:9
Week 2—When you are not truthful, you can hurt the people you care
about. Genesis 27:1-45
Week 3—When you are not truthful, you lose trust. 2 Kings 5
Week 4—When you lie to help yourself, you hurt yourself instead.
Book of Esther
Week 5— Being truthful with God keeps you close to Him. 1 John 1:9
Preschool Sunday Morning
The May focus is learning to be
Happy Helpers.
We want children to grow up knowing that God
made them to help others and that there are
great things in store for them when they do.
Registration is OPEN!
Register this year in your
current 2014-15 grade level.
Early Elementary: Pre-K & K
Elementary: Grades 1-5
6th grade & up are invited to serve
as Crew Leaders & Volunteers.
Your $15 fee includes a T-shirt &
all the fun stuff through the week!
Childcare available for parents
serving as volunteers!
Register online at
wesleymethodist.com
Our ministry exists to reach out to students who don’t know Christ and to develop effective disciples who worship, care and serve.
·

M ission B litz W rap U p
by Gray Wingo, 2015 Mission Blitz Chair
T
here were many moments during this year’s Mission Blitz that will stand out for a long time; fortunately, most of
them are joyful and spiritually uplifting (to God be the Glory). Yes, there were a couple of interruptive weather
incidents … how about downpours with some lightning and thunder thrown in for good measure? But even these
failed to dampen the enthusiasm of our volunteers nor did they appear to discourage our Day of Hope guests.
So exactly how many neighborhood residents did we serve and in what manner? Let’s look at the numbers: 1,355 Day of
Hope guests; 76 dental patients (yielding 197 extractions); 147 family portraits; 168 haircuts; 658 families received groceries; well over 100 magnifiers (readers) plus 300 sunglasses were given away; 1,925 books were dispensed; 122 vision screenings were conducted along with 30 hearing screenings; over 1,500 lunches served; 13,608 meals packaged (at Campbell)
and 13 property cleanup projects completed in the Campbell neighborhood along with a number of other cleanup and
repair jobs taken care of in the York neighborhood.
While all of these numbers are meaningful, the most important aspect of Day of Hope is how it impacted individuals’
lives. One man’s suffering motivated him to ride his bicycle from his Lone Pine Avenue apartment across town to Campbell for teeth extractions. Afterwards, a volunteer loaded the man’s bike in his vehicle and drove him home. At York, a
woman browsing in the book fair related that the next day was her 2-year old granddaughter’s birthday and she had no
money for a gift. The volunteers picked out five books for her to give her granddaughter; she was relieved and full of
gratitude. Our youth cleaned up the yard of an elderly blind lady where bushes were so overgrown around the house’s
entrance she could barely get out of her house. These are but a sampling of what surely must be many more heartwarming
stories about our guests’ Day of Hope experiences and blessings.
In closing, I want to especially thank Pastor Mi Hyeon for her direction and insightfulness, Wesley staff members who
tirelessly shared their numerous talents and technology skills, Pastor Scott for his encouragement and support and all of
our Wesley volunteers for their compassionate and enthusiastic participation.
(Look for Part 2 of this article next month as we continue to share stories from the Mission Blitz.)
W eekly C alendar
Friday, May 15
9:30 am - PACE - Room 32/33
5:30 pm - KOC Graduation, sanctuary
Saturday, May 16
No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, May 17
8:15, 9:30 & 11 am - Traditional Worship
9:30 am - Sunday Morning Groups
10:30 am - The Downtown Church Worship
10:40 am - Contemporary Worship - Gym
3:00 pm - Youth Praise Band
4:00 pm - In Harmony Youth Choir
5:00 pm - The SOURCE BBQ Bash, Wesley
Monday, May 18
Tuesday, May 19
10:00 am - LEO meeting, Room 32/33
1:30 pm - Widow Support Group, Room 34
1:30 am - UMW Rebecca Circle, Room 34
Wednesday, May 20
2:30 pm - PACE Exercise Class - Room 32/33
6:00 pm - Caring People Single Moms - Rm. 207 2:00pm - Prayer Shawl Ministry
2:30pm - PACE Exercise Class - Room 32/33
6:00 pm - Boy Scouts, Cundiff Hall
5:45pm - Hand Bell Practice - Room 20
6:30 pm - UMW Mission Team, Room 10
6:30 pm - Book Study, Room 210
6:45pm - Adult Choir - Rooms 5 & 6
7:00pm - Orchestra Practice
The United Methodist Men’s monthly
breakfast is Saturday, May 23, 7:30 am,
in rooms 32/33 on the south campus.
Thursday, May 21
10:00am - Singing Ambassadors - Choir Rm
1:00pm - UMW Miriam Circle,
7:00pm - Praise Band Rehearsal - Gym
Prayer Corner
Our Thoughts & Sympathy to ...
Inabelle Lowrance on the death of her
sister-in-law, Esther Goss, on May 6.
Other Prayer Requests:
Karen Gordon, Sally Carter, Judy Elliot,
Billie Bryant, Jennifer Madden, Fred Wright,
Mildred McCarty, Wanda Rimer, John
Emmons, JoAnne Spence, Don Stockard,
Johnnie Newalla, Barry Ellison, Judy Chaney
(friend of Ethel Curbow), Amy Faenger
(daughter-in-law of Jacquie Faenger), Aneta
Whitehurst (mother of Sue King).
View the entire prayer list at
wesleymethodist.com/prayer
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be
given you. John 15:7
Eleven times the word remain is used in this short section (John 15:1-11). Eleven
times Jesus chose this term to express the kind of relationship He wants us to
have with Him. We are to remain in Christ. We are to remain in His love. If we
do that, He will remain in us, His words will remain in us, and our lives will be
fruitful.
So what does it mean to remain in Jesus? It means walking with Him and staying
close and constantly plugging into Him, just like a branch remains with the vine.
When a branch is part of the vine, it bears fruit. Conversely, when a branch
is removed from the vine, it dies. Jesus says that if we remain in Him—spend
time with Him, learn more about Him, get to know Him, be honest with Him,
acknowledge our sins to Him—then we’ll bear much fruit.
Jesus wants us to know His Word and allow it to become part of us. That means
we need to be reading the Bible so that His words will be woven into the fabric
of our being. We must know it so well that it becomes our guide, a source of
renewal and knowledge of God’s will. We must let it increase our understanding
of who God is and who we are in Him.
God says if we remain in Him and let His words remain in us, we can ask of
Him whatever we want and He will answer. That doesn’t mean we will always get
whatever we want. It means that because we are so closely entwined with Christ,
we will have His mind and will learn how to pray for what He wants for our lives.
When we do that, we end up doing His will and seeing answers to our prayers.
Prayer: Lord, help me to walk close to You every day and stay constantly in communication with You—both by talking and listening to You speak to my heart.
Help me to stay deeply in Your Word, learning more about You and getting to
know You better. Help me to increase in the knowledge of Your ways and Your
will. Amen.
Thank Yous
The Family of Max DeForest - Thank you for the beautiful plant basket, lovely service, meals, kindness and love shown
during our time of loss.
Margaret, Mark & Marilyn Glorfeld - Thank you for your prayers, love and kindness shown after the loss of my mother.
The prayer shawl, flowers and cards were very comforting.
Don and Marilyn Bracy & Family - Thank you for your prayers and cards during my heart attack and stroke.
Patricia Gibson - Thank you for your concern and prayers during Norman’s surgery. He is now pain free.
The Kitchen Inc, The Salvation Army & Safe to Sleep - Thank you for your recent monetary donations. Your generosity
is grealty appreciated.
Non-Profit Org.
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PAID
Springfield, MO
Permit No. 1476
The Wesley Word is a monthly publication of Wesley United Methodist Church
Wesley Church
922 W. Republic Road
Springfield, MO 65807
417-883-1021
The Downtown Church
413 E. Walnut Street
Springfield, MO 65806
417-866-4326
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1524 East Primrose, Suite A, Springfield, MO 65804 - 881.9099
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