WESLEY REPORTER
DECEMBER 2011
THANK YOU BILL AND CATHY TOO!
We have lost a good man. Last week we held Bill Oesterling’s memorial service. I did not want to lead this worship service at all; I did not want his death to happen; I was not ready to say “Goodbye”; I was not prepared to “let go” of Bill. But a minister doesn't get to decide when “earth” comes to an end so that “Heaven” can begin. And honestly, I wouldn’t want that decision-making authority anyway. But still, I wasn’t ready to lose Bill.
Bill was a good man. And do you know what…when you meet someone who is a “good” person; it doesn’t take long for you to see that quality in them. I would imagine that Bill taught thousands of students over the years. How fortunate they were to have him as their teacher. But his greatest and most enduring legacy was his daughter, Martha, and his two grandchildren. I conducted Martha and Chris’ wedding ceremony. And now they have brought little Stella and Cale into the world. They brought joy to Bill’s life. He was always one great big smile when they were around him.
Sometimes a man is good because of the woman who is in his life. And Bill is such a man. Cathy has been Bill’s greatest strength, Bill’s most compassionate caregiver and Bill’s truest friend. In large part, the Bill that we came to know and love was the recipient of all that Cathy brought to him. So…thank you Cathy for the many ways you blessed Bill’s life. And…thank you Bill for the numerous ways you blessed our lives.
Your friend,
Barry
SERMON-VIDEO SERIES CONTINUES
Barry’s sermon series, “Following The Footsteps of the Holy Family”, continues during the Sundays of December. And, on each Sunday morning, we will be showing a video from Adam Hamilton’s series called “The Journey”. Adam will take us step by step from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Here’s the schedule:
-Nov. 27, Mary of Nazareth…Luke 1:26-33
-Dec. 4, Joseph of Bethlehem…Matthew 1:18-24
-Dec. 11, Mary Visits Elizabeth…Luke 1:39-45
-Dec. 18, From Nazareth to Bethlehem…Luke 2:1-7
-Dec. 25, The Manger…Luke 2:8-20
Barry’s sermon on Christmas Eve is called, “The Whole Thing Is Simply Miraculous!” No video will be shown on Christmas Eve, just on Sunday mornings. Advent will be very special as we use Rev. Hamilton’s videos and retrace the steps of Joseph and Mary.
ADVENT READINGS ARE AVAILABLE
The Season of Advent is traditionally that time of year when we make preparations for the coming of the Lord. Daily readings from the Bible is an excellent way to prepare ourselves. Scripture truly brings the birth of Jesus alive for us as we read the Old Testament prophecies which foretold the coming of God’s Son and the Gospel stories which tell us the details of the birth itself. You can pick up your list of selected readings at the information desk in the church’s hallway. Enjoy God’s Word!
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
On December 24, Wesley will conduct its special Christmas Eve services. A “come and go” Communion will be served from 4:00-6:45 pm. You can come at any time and leave at any time. This Communion setting always turns out to be the largest service of the entire year.
And then at 7:00 pm, we’ll hold our “candlelight” service. This worship time is a mixture of “carols and lessons” from the Bible. The Christmas story will be read for the children, and the evening ends with lighted candles. It is always a beautiful setting as we usher in Christmas day. The evening service lasts about 45 minutes and the church’s nursery will have attendants.
Come to church on Christmas Eve and celebrate the birth of our Lord!
ALL IN THE FAMILY NEWS
During the month of November Wesley welcomed a number of new members and baptized several young Christians. On Sunday, Nov. 13, Jeff and Rachel Van Hoozer joined our church family with their three children, Jasmine, Jade, and Janessa. And also on that same day, Bob Burtch joined the church as well.
Then on Sunday, Nov. 27, we baptized and brought into membership Corrisma Cook and BreAnna Cook and Blaze Cook and Labrina Templeton. What a great month it has been as we welcome all 10 of these “disciples” into the church’s family.
On Saturday, Nov. 26, a memorial service was held for Bill Oesterling. Bill was always a faithful member of the Chancel and Wesley choirs and a member of the Administrative Council. We will truly miss Bill!
OFFICE CLOSINGS
The church office will be closed on Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26, and on Monday, Jan. 2. The staff of the church wishes for you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
KID’S QUEST—TEEN QUEST NEWS
The Tuesday and Thursday afternoon ministries called Kid’s Quest—Teen Quest are preparing for their next Children’s Program which will be presented on Sunday morning, Dec. 18. Their recent theme has been “GOD IS COMING”, and they have been focused on the various ways God comes into our lives and the Bethlehem story of Jesus’ birth. Don’t miss their program; it will be filled with music and a retelling of Jesus’ birth. We will not meet during the school Christmas vacation days.
TEEN SCENE NEWS
The older youth group called Teen Scene will meet on Sunday evenings Dec. 4, 11, and 18. They will resume regular meetings on Sunday evening Jan. 8.
On Saturday, Dec. 31, the older youth will come together for a “camp in” “all-nighter” at the church. There will be a whole lot of fun all night long and the youth will help lead worship the following morning of Jan. 1. The lock-in begins at 9:00 Saturday evening and all youth 5th grade-12th grade are invited.
MARCH TO THE MANGER—DEC. 18
Wesley’s annual March to the Manger will be held on Sunday morning, Dec. 18. The “March” is an important opportunity for us to bring a Christmas “gift” to the church. Your gifts help the church pay its bills before the end of the old year so that we might begin the new year in good shape. THANK YOU for your support of Wesley Church.
JOHN WESLEY COVENANT SERVICE
The John Wesley Covenant Service will be held on Sunday morning, Jan. 8. This service is an opportunity for all of us to recommit ourselves as Jesus’ disciples for the new year. It will be a great way for us to begin 2012.
EAGLE AWARD IS GIVEN
Boy Scout Troop 99 recently gave an Eagle Award to Derek Arbuckle. On Nov. 20, Wesley’s Troop awarded Derek with his Eagle at our sanctuary. Congratulations, Derek!
DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY SETS NEW RECORD!
On Sunday, Nov. 13, Wesley dedicated the 75 people who participated in this year’s Disciple Bible Study on the Book of Revelation. Our previous record was 55 people. This big jump in attendance is due to the interest that people have in what the Book of Revelation teaches us about the end of time and the beginning of Paradise. Interest has been so strong that we are considering a repeat of the 7-week course next fall. Let us know your thoughts.
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Thank you, thank you, thank you from the members of Wesley United Methodist Women for making our Soup Day and Bake Sale the best we have ever had! Through your generous donations of needed items we made $3,5ll.76 after expenses, to further the work of the organization. We are grateful for the servant attitude demonstrated by the many women and men that gave of their time to serve as workers on the work day and on the day of the event as well as those that prepared items for each. This once-a-year event would be an impossible task without the congregation’s continued dedication and commitment to success. THANK YOU!
The UMW met in November with Susanne Walden serving as hostess, Pat McWilliams sharing devotions, and Arlene Garrison giving the program and conducting the Pledge Service. The group made a donation of $125 to fund a backpack in the Backpack Buddies Program in honor of Pastor Barry Boulware. The date to deliver carnations to the care centers and shut-ins was set for Dec. 12th. Members are to meet at the church in the Aldersgate Room to prepare the carnations for delivery at 1:30 pm.
The December UMW meeting will be the Christmas carry-in luncheon at the home of Judy Schlarb at 11:30 am. Devotions will be given by Shirley Lymer. The new slate of officers for 2012 will be installed. Members are reminded to bring their Reading Reports to this meeting or to give them to Ethel Mae Bretz or Babe Roy any time before the meeting.
We wish for you the rebirth of your spiritual commitment to serving others through your faith. May “God’s light encircle you, God’s love enfold you, God’s peace encourage you, and God’s presence enrich you” as you celebrate this Holy Season with family and friends.
NOVEMBER’S STEWARDSHIP
Attendance: 598
Giving: $14,184.38
Expenses: $18,593.72
CHRISTMAS CANTATA—COMBINED CHOIRS!
The combined Chancel Choirs of Wesley and First Christian Church will team up again this Christmas time for their cantata. They will sing at Wesley on Sunday, December 11 during worship. Their combined singing always sets the stage for this wonderful time of year. A reception with “goodies” will be served that morning in the Aldersgate Room following worship.
CAMEO CLASS ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROJECT
The Cameo Sunday School Class is sponsoring their yearly Christmas project of adopting a local family. Everyone is invited to assist with this project. Donations will be collected through December 11. Make checks to Wesley and write Cameo Family in the memo. Place cash in an envelope and mark it Cameo Family. Thank you for your generosity in helping a family have a blessed Christmas.
MEDIA AND MUSIC
Well, it’s about that time of year again and the choirs of Wesley United Methodist Church and First Christian will be doing their cantata. We will be performing at Wesley in the morning and at First Christian at 6 pm. The night cantata will have a carol sing-a-long, followed by a get-together afterwards. We all hope to see you there.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Robert
BLOOD PRESSURE SUNDAY
There will not be a blood pressure check in December as Christmas Day is the last Sunday of the month. Blood pressure checks will return the last Sunday of January 2012.
WESLEY RETIREES
The December meeting will be the annual Christmas Dinner on Dec. 14 at MCJ’s on the Green restaurant at the Riverside Country Club at 11:30 am.
LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEA
Do you need a last minute gift? Are you looking for a way to thank someone for all they do for you or for others during the year? Consider giving a pack of Wesley notecards! Each package costs $5 and contains 10 note cards and envelopes. The money received from the sale of these cards goes into the Five Practices Fund to further the outreach of our church. The Wesley note card packages and payment envelope can be found on the information table in the East Vestibule area. Pick up a pack today to have on hand for yourself, too!
DECEMBER RESPONSIBILTY COMMITTEE
December chairpersons are Betty & Bob Chenoweth. Committee members are: Murial & Wayne Brassfield, Mary Lou Crawford, Doris & Justin Griffin, Becky & Gary Hall, Beverly Hooker, Linda & Bill Kennebeck, Chris & J A Keuhn, Shirley Lymer, Kim & David Sampson, Marilee & Al Trump, Lucy & Bob Witten.
Wesley’s guidelines for each month’s Responsibility Group include:
1. Offer to provide food at the church for the family of a member who has died.
2. Provide greeters at all three entrances of our church sanctuary before worship services. On the fifth Sunday the youth will be the greeters.
3. Arrange for church-wide events that may be held during your month.
4. Provide refreshments for Kid’s Quest-Teen Quest-Teen Scene during the school year. There are no Kid’s programs during the summer months.
Additional people are sometimes needed to be “on call” to help when a Responsibility Group may have a shortage of helpers or there are more events than usual.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
