Wesley United Methodist Church
December 2020
Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus this Christmas
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)
Our Journey in 2021
Deuteronomy 8:18
Remember the Lord your God, who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
If you haven't turned in your pledge card, please do so ASAP. The Finance committee needs the pledges so they can better plan 2021 budget. We are living through uncertain times, but we can always be certain of God's love.
Welcoming Adam Weber
Friends to hold up and remember:
Sympathy to Cheryl Meier and family on the death of her mother, Emma "Ferne" Lindskov
Many have been touched by the Covid-19 virus, Please pray to keep everyone safe.
Sylvia Herman- hospitalized with Covid like symptoms
Tyra Roberts - heart surgery
Sue- Steve Polzin's girlfriend is hospitalized with Covid
Della Witcomb - doing good at home!
Leland Bachtell – home hospice
Jeanette Portice – prayers for continued health
Kolby Bohmbach – 1 year from last treatment Continued prayers
Jim Hansen’s brother- in-law Greg- needs a transplant
Bennett & 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
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
Southridge: Guy Varud; Cleova Frahm;
VA in Luverne: Bob Morrison
2204 E. 11th: Deb Stoakes
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
October 2020 Buildings and Grounds
Previous Balance $21,040.65
Amount Paid Out ---- $389.79
Amount Received ----$480.00
Interest Earned ------------.17
October Balance --$21,131.03
Donna Wallin, Treasurer
Christmas Boxes
We filled 23 boxes to send to Spirit Lake Ministries in North Dakota to deliver to the reservations this Christmas. We were the first ones to turn our boxes in to the distribution center at Sunnycrest UMC so we did better than most churches are doing this year. I never know exactly who turns in boxes but I want to thank everyone who made the effort to get out and shop during this difficult time. I know the children who receive the boxes will be extremely grateful.
December Anniversaries
1 Randy & Jolene Garner
4 William & Kathleen Storevik
23 Howard & Beverly Baartman
23 Bill & Paula Middagh
December Birthdays
01 Travis Borman
01 Jaymi Schriever
07 Jeanette Portice
07 Dorothy Maize
07 Jeff Anderson
10 Carter Roberts
11 Corey Bird
11 Jeffery Kolhoff
11 Arely Garcia
14 Aiyana Stricker
17 David Brua
19 Paula Middagh
20 Julie Hansen
20 Kevin Roberts
21 Camryn Bird
22 Dawn Armstrong
26 Robert Whiting
26 Kirk Varud
28 Mark Meier
30 Kolby Bohmbach
HyVee Cards
Don’t forget to continue to buy HyVee cards from Doug and Marcy Bird (336-8828). This funds special projects in the church and also helps the UMW to meet their budget and still remain “contact-less” during the pandemic.
New to the Give Tab on the Wesley Website
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.
Did you know that Adam Weber has a Podcast?
What's Happening at Wesley Neighborhood Outreach?
Wesley Neighborhood Outreach programs have changed during the Covid-19 outbreak, but we are continuing to move forward as carefully as possible.
Kidz Count was resumed in August. Volunteers of America is taking extra precautions per the CDC guidelines to protect the children they serve. They have hired extra cleaning people to make sure the workers and children stay safe. We are no longer providing full meals, but Neighborhood Outreach provides snacks.
Night Watch Canteen is also active. Neighborhood Outreach serves six times each year. They have been serving 150 to 200 meals every time they serve. A big thank you to all those who donate their time and money to help keep this program active. A special thank you to Vicki Hanisch who has worked hard to keep this organized and active during this difficult time.
Camperships and Under God’s Canopy. We were unable to send kids to camp this summer or hold UGC due to Covid-19. We had our annual Rummage Sale and brought in over $3000 for next summers campers. With our 5th Sunday offering from last year and next summers Rummage Sale, we should have enough money to send our kids to camp. (We are all praying that there will be a camp next summer.) The Delta Dental bus came to our church in August and did examines and cleanings. Vouchers were given to families that needed dental work. There was a list of Dentists they could go to and have their work done for free.
WOW on Wednesday has not been active currently. We are putting our heads together to try and figure out a safe way to continue this program but have not come up with an answer at this time. We want to give a huge thank you to Ben Claire Church for their continued donations that help us feed our children.
Neighborhood Outreach wants to thank everyone who supports these programs with their time and money to keep these programs going.
Thank you.
Susan Ness
Treasurer of Neighborhood Outreach
Did you know ----
Parish Nurse - Dawn Armstrong
I have been accused of being a bit of a Pollyanna because I look for good to come out of bad situations. The pandemic has caused so much anxiety and grief that it is hard to imagine any good coming out of it. However, I was reading an article on Nov. 23 in the USA section of the newspaper (available on-line only) when I came across an article on the history and the status of the vaccine that will be used to prevent COVID-19. Apparently, the science has been developing slowly over the past 20 years. However, due to COVID-19 there has been a huge influx of research dollars that have allowed them to “move ahead 10 years in this one year.”
Pfizer/BioNTech are using messenger RNA technology. mRNA are part of the body’s toolkit used to turn a DNA blueprint into the proteins needed for every cellular activity. Previous attempts to develop vaccines using mRNA have proven unsuccessful. Now, however, they have found a hormone called erythropoietin that allows them to inject the vaccine into humans without dangerous inflammation. A huge advantage to the vaccine using mRNA is that it isn’t grown in eggs so people who are allergic to eggs won’t have to worry about being immunized like they have with other vaccines. It will also be faster to develop the vaccine and get it distributed. The main disadvantages to the vaccine are that it requires two doses to be effective and it is also extremely unstable and needs to be kept frozen (up to a month) or refrigerated (1 week). Scientists are working on both of those issues. Also, mRNA vaccines contain only a fraction of the virus, so, unlike some vaccines, they can’t give people the disease they are trying to prevent. The vaccine will cause some soreness at the injection site and recipients (44,00 test subjects) have reported feeling a little achy all over for a day or two.
The amazing thing about the mRNA process is that it is being developed to fight other infectious diseases as well and also holds out promise to fight cancer in the future.
So, I don’t believe that God wants bad things to happen but our God is an awesome God and can always turn even bad things into good things. Can I get an Amen?
Mark Your Calendars
December 6 ------9:00am Baptism
December 13 ----9:00am Communion
December 20 ----9:00am Children's Christmas Service
December 20 ----5:30pm Christmas of Hope Service
December 24 ----5:30pm Christmas Eve ServiceDecember 24 ----7:00pm Praise Christmas eve service
Bishop Ough's TV Christmas Service
On December 24 and 25 the Dakotas Conference will present a one-hour TV Christmas worship. The worship service is not meant to replace local congregations Christmas worship experience but to insure those who do not worship online and cannot attend will have a Christmas worship experience. Bishop Ough will deliver the message and music will be provided Dakota Wesleyan University music groups.
In Sioux Falls KELO will carry the broadcast on December 24, 2020 at 2-3 pm
Dougie's Tales
Sunday December 6th @ 2 pm Doug and Marcy Bird will be at the Old Courthouse Museum to talk about Doug's book "Dougie's Tales: Bad Choices - Good Endings". In his book, Doug looks back at growing up in Sioux Falls and the situations he and his friends got into, many of which could have turned out horribly bad. Luckily for Doug, things worked out in the end and lessons were learned.
Admission is free. Masks are required and seating will be arranged to accommodate social distancing. Books will be available to purchase in the Museum's Store.
Prayer Shawl ministry is blessing the elderly in Luverne
The Prayer Shawl Ministry blessed 64 men and 8 women at the Mary Jane Nursing Home with Prayer Shawls. The skilled care home is in Luverne MN. Nancy Manning, Pastor in Magnolia Mn has members of her church residing there.
Thank you!
Christmas Service of Hope
On December 20th @ 5:30 Wesley will hold a Christmas Service of Hope. Sometimes this is called a Blue Christmas service. This marks the longest night of the year and is also an acknowledgement that not everyone is joyful during this season. The service reaches out to honor those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, are struggling with unemployment, illness, or any loss that creates a sadness in their lives. Anonymously, if you wish, share a picture, a poem, anything that represents your deepfelt loss.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, All is bright
Up the elevator to go caroling !
Caroling
Jeanette Portice enjoying the songs
Throw Back Christmas- 2018
Habakkuk
We also, like Habakkuk, see all the suffering going on in the world due to injustice or oppression or plain evil, and we want God to act immediately as well. My feeble mind cannot comprehend why there's so much suffering and what the purpose of it is, if there is any purpose at all in suffering. During times of doubt, I need to remember it is not me, but God who is in control. At the end of time, all nations, and peoples, will be judged accordingly and God's justice will prevail. It is hard to think that justice will come even after Psalms says that "As far as the East is from the West, so far has God removed your sins" - Psalm 103:12. But what we need to bear in mind is the fact that God's justice is perfect, and that because of the Cross of Calvary we need fear not.
Habakkuk, in the song at the end of the book, sees God as the King who will redeem the anointed ones. The prophet sees what has happened in the past - the redemption of Israel through the exodus - as a precursor to the future exile of the anointed ones into the Kingdom of Israel. In other words, God will once and for all defeat all evil and the creation will once again be perfect as we stand in the presence of a holy, merciful and just God. Habakkuk bursts into praise for the Living God, because even when the whole world seems to be falling apart, we still have a reason to praise the God from whom all blessings flow. Habakkuk chooses to trust and find joy in the covenant promises of God.
2020 has been a tough year for so many on earth, but only it has just a few days left. It is finally coming to an end. As we look forward to 2021, will we, like Habakkuk, choose to trust in the Lord and to find joy in all the promises that we've been given? Remember that "we live by faith and not by sight" - 2 Corinthians 5:7. Life may be dark and chaotic, yet it is my prayer that in 2021 we will continue trusting in God, the one who is really in control. Pastor Manuel