Wesley United Methodist Church
January 2021
Parish Nurse - Dawn Armstrong
The first wave of vaccines will soon be available.
In Phase 1a of the vaccine rollout, health care workers and residents of long-term-care facilities are being vaccinated. These are populations that are relatively easy to reach because they are in discrete locations. During the next phase of the rollout, 1b, people 75 and older and front-line essential workers should be prioritized, according to recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Then Phase 1c will include people 65 to 74 and people 16 to 64 who have high-risk medical conditions, plus other essential workers.
As with many other policy decisions in the pandemic – from testing protocols to lockdown restrictions – states will have to tailor their vaccine rollouts to their specific needs, including how they communicate eligibility. So, what does that mean? It means our state and local government will determine who qualifies as an essential worker and which medical conditions are high-risk. It will vary from state to state. It is also unclear which providers will make the decision as to whether you qualify. For instance, your primary care physician is in the best position to determine if you qualify since he/she has your medical file available to help in the decision making process. A pharmacist will only have some of your information based on the medications you are taking and they may not have all of your medications if you use more than one pharmacy.
What it comes down to is…contact your doctor if you think you may qualify for the first or second phases of vaccinations. They should have the vaccines available by spring sometime and will probably have the vaccines available by summer for phase three. We are all praying that vaccines will be available to everyone who wants them by the end of 2021.
I would encourage all of you to be immunized as soon as the vaccine is available to you. The more people who are immunized, the sooner we will get the pandemic under control. And remember, God is always in us and among us, even in these trying times.
Dawn Armstrong, Parish Nurse
Pastor Manuel's letter for Christmas and into the new year
Who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews we may never know. What we do know is that the Word of God was inspired, and it is our guide in this life. In a world of chaos, frustration and disappointment, the Word of God remains as constant compass for our lives. Why is that? Because Jesus is the only One who is constant in our lives. Please read what the author of Hebrews wrote to encourage the Church of that time, and the Church of our time (us):
Hebrews 13:1 Keep 0on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.” [Deut. 31:6]
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?” [Psalm 118:6, 7]
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
We have heard the saying: “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except Death and Taxes.” This saying is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Many people since then have added more “constants” to that saying, like “childbirth” or “trash” or “time” but I can see that the Word of God, in this case Jesus, is also a constant in this world, even though Jesus is transcendent of time or life. He is our only constant when everything in life seems upended and unpredictable.
During this season of Advent and Christmas, I would like to encourage everyone to rely on the One who does not change; on the One who ordains how the universe must run; on the One who is ultimately in control. It may not be the easiest or most popular decision, but when we rely on Jesus to guide our lives, Hope, Love, Joy and Peace reign in our hearts thus putting us in a better place to overcome life’s difficulties. The writer of Hebrews knew this and therefore, with the help and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote this encouragement for people of all ages: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Amen.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14) be yours this season and in the New Year.
Pastor Manuel
Our Members and Friends in Care Facilities or Under Home Care
Edgewood Vista: Jackie Dreyer
Edgewood South: Judy Schaap
Good Sam / Hill: Linda Varud
Luther Manor: Marguerite Cunningham; Faye Pigott
Morgan Village Tea: Nona Robinson (temporarily at her son's house)
Southridge: Guy Varud; Cleova Frahm;
VA in Luverne: Bob Morrison
2204 E. 11th: Deb Stoakes
Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus this Christmas
Embrace and the Wesley/Embace service issued a challenge to the willing members to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This is how the Felsheim family lived these words.
"At our church, we were inspired and asked to be the hands and feet of Jesus by providing a gift to someone that we felt could use a little extra love and support this Christmas. As a family, we thought of you. Given everything that you are going through with your cancer, we are so amazed at how your attitude, positivity, but most importantly, your faith have stayed so strong.
You are such a light, Heather. We are blessed to know you and want you to know that we are praying for you all. Also, that the Felsheim family is here…ready and willing to help in any way that we can.
Let me explain some of these gifts and the thoughts that went in to them:
Sunglasses…because your future is bright!
Warm socks and hot cocoa mix…because you have such a warm heart!
New Nicholas Sparks book…because we know you love to read!
Netflix gift card, popcorn, and candy…because we know you and your family enjoy family movie nights. So, have one on us!
Make up…because you are beautiful, inside and out!
Coffee…because, well, you have to have coffee!
Bath bomb, loofah, candle, and body care items…because we want you to relax and know that God’s got this!"
PRAYER FOR PUTTING ON A FACE MASK
Creator God, as I prepare to go into the world, help me see the holy nature of wearing this face covering. Let it be a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbors, as I seek also to love myself. Blessed Jesus, since my lips will be covered, uncover my heart, that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be muffled, help me to speak clearly, not only with my words, but with my actions.
Holy Spirit, as I secure this mask around my ears, remind me to listen carefully and caringly to all those I meet. May this simple face covering be shield and banner, and may each breath it holds be filled with Your love. It is in your name I pray and it is in your name I love. Amen.
(By: Designed by Sheila Fryer of McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota Modified from a prayer by Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Canada)
Friends to hold up and remember:
Many have been touched by the Covid-19 virus, Please pray to keep everyone safe.
Sylvia Herman- home from the hospital Sylvia & Carmen appreciate all your prayers.
Tyra Roberts - heart surgery on 12-30
Della Witcomb - rehabbing
Leland Bachtell – home hospice
Jeanette Portice – prayers for continued health
Kolby Bohmbach – Continued prayers for good test results
Jim Hansen’s brother- in-law Greg- needs a transplant
Felsheim Family – working to keep Bennett safe from virus
Karen Renken- continued prayers for healing
Bob Whiting’s daughter Robyn – needs a kidney transplant
Nila & Karen’s sister-in-law Karen - continued prayers
José Garcia’s mom, Maria Herrera - breast cancer
Earl Angle – continued prayers
Pat Patterson – continued prayers
Judy's friend Carolyn - prayers for hope
General Budget Update @ November 30, 2020
· Income 11 months 2020 $165,196.70
· Expense 11 months ----- $160,277.64
· Income exceeds Expense $ 4,919.06
Thank you for keeping your pledges current
Don Armstrong, Treasurer
November 2020 Buildings and Grounds
Previous Balance $21,131.03
Amount Paid Out ---- $5,255.35
Amount Received ----$930.00
Interest Earned ------------.17
October Balance --$16,805.85
$1000 designated towards new refrigerator
Thank you,
Donna Wallin, Treasurer
January Anniversaries
16 Tom and Marge Smotherman
28 Bernard & Marge Haken
January Birthdays
04 Bill Middagh
06 Greg Felsheim
08 Jody McLaughlin
08 David Middagh
09 Sue Ness
10 Mary Poppenga
12 William Storevik
12 Mary Medema
17 Doug Kolhoff
18 C. A. Patterson
18 Savannah Hanisch
22 Craig Johnson
22 Merlyn Schriever
25 Allison Johnson
25 Carissa Johnson
26 Guy Varud
26 Deb Maschino
26 Kirsten Dammer
26 Carla Howard
27 Pastor Laura
28 Lea Watson
28 Abby Hamann
29 Rita Van Kirk
HyVee Cards
Don’t forget to purchase HyVee cards from Marcy or Doug Bird (336-8828). They will make every effort to get the cards to you by whatever means work for both of you. I have been buying the cards since inception and find them easier to use than either cash, check or credit card. And, our church benefits when you purchase them. Dawn
Sermon by phone!! It's Easy!!
Sermon by phone is set up. All you have to do is dial 605 202-2749 from any phone and
and you will hear Wesley's latest church service.
Correction to- Prayer Shawl ministry is blessing the elderly in Luverne
The Prayer Shawl Ministry gave their Prayer Shawls to the Veteran's home in Luverne. There is a local connection - Bob Morrison is a resident there.
Did you know that Adam Weber has a Podcast?
Mark Your Calendars
January 3 - Nightwatch Canteen
January 4 - 5:30p Worship
-------------------6:30p IT
January 11- 5:30p SPR
-------------------6:30p Trustees
January 18 -12p Congregational Care
-------------------5:3p0 WNO
January 25 - 5:30p Finance
--------------------6:30p Ad Council
January 31 11:00a Baptism