THE WESLEY CONNECTORSeptember 12, 2019

As I write this, September 11, 2019 remembrances are underway. The question I hear repeated each year, “where were you when you heard the news?” That day, its events and our experience of it are indelibly set into our deep memory. All of us continue to mourn that day at varying depths. I offer to you that in that question, “where were you when…” is the answer to our grief. I say that not because rehashing the memory is unto itself healing. I say that because in the Bible we see that question being asked in the face of suffering.

In Job 38:4 God asked of Job, “Where were you when…” You see Job had endured tremendous

suffering on an unimaginable scale for the ancient world. His friends came and sat silently with him for a week and offered great comfort in doing so. Then they began asking Job what he had done to deserve such great suffering… it is safe to say this was of zero comfort to Job and was the source of great pain to him. Job spent 35 chapters explaining he is a human after all, yet did not do anything to “deserve” these great calamities. He appeals to Almighty God for an audience to argue his case, that he did not deserve all of this. (It is important to note, the original telling of Job made the story out to be as though the calamities were random and had nothing to do with God directly or indirectly causing this.) God’s question to Job is, “Where were you when…” and verse after verse retells of the Creation, God’s provisioning for life, sustaining life, etc. Hang on to this thought.

When I smell flowers I think of funerals. You could say that is a job hazard for clergy and you’d be right. When I smell lilies, I think of your loved ones I’ve helped you say goodbye to. Other than the custom having flowers to mask scents why would we use flowers though? One funeral which hit me particularly hard I stopped in to the Sanctuary of the country church I served to just pray for a few moments before everyone arrived. The flowers were already delivered the air was thick with the scents. When I knelt to pray I came face to face with a proud, brilliant, white, lily. I was struck by the miraculous architecture, the intricate design behind each pedal, which admittedly I had always taken for granted. I looked around at all the other flowers flooding the sanctuary, being struck all at once that each one had a similar complexity which together proclaimed beauty in the midst of unimaginable grief. Then it occurred to me: the answer to death is life itself. That life “IS”, is the answer to our suffering. We present life to those suffering the loss of a loved one because that is also God’s answer to our suffering… let me explain.

When God asks Job, “Where were you when…” and then spends several chapters describing all God had done and was doing, our tradition makes it sound like a sharp rebuke of Job for “questioning God.” That is not the main point God is making. While there certainly is an edge of God saying, “Job, you have no idea of the scale you are asking about.” The main message God is saying to Job, in the midst of all your suffering, there is LIFE. You exist and so does all else around you.

When I hear people ask that question, even on 9/11, I remember that our living, the day in and day out lives we live, is THE answer to all suffering. Life is the answer.

THE YOST POSTBY PASTOR CHRIS

“Where were you when…?”

NATALIE’S BIRTHDAY BASH Natalie, JOY Activities Leader and Communications Director, invites you to celebrate her birthday! Tuesday, September 24th. Brunch followed by volunteering at Feed My Starving Children. Bus leaves at 9:30am.

If you have not volunteered at FMSC, find time to. Kids (age 6+) and adults of all ages hand-pack nutritious MannaPack™ meals specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition. Everyday their partners distribute FMSC meals in schools, orphanages, clinics and feeding programs around the world to deliver hope and break the cycle of poverty.

UNLOADING PARTY Every September Wesley brings a hint of Fall to Hunt County as our front lawn becomes magically covered with thousands of beautiful pumpkins.

Be part of the magic and help us unload! Sunday, September 22nd at 11:45am.

Invite your neighbors! Great community fellowship. Lunch is provided. RSVP not required but greatly appreciated for lunch count. RSVP #WUMPKIN or wesleyumcgreenville.org.

SHINE FESTIVAL Share His Incredible News Everywhere Festival. Mark your calendar. Saturday, October 26th, 5:30-7:30pm. Games, candy, hayride, food and more. Wear your costume. Bring your friends.

Individually wrapped candy donations are being accepted for the SHINE Festival. Please drop off at church office.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING Be a part of the Christmas season by joining the Wesley Chancel Choir! Since Christmas is only 4 short months away, you need to join now. We are having a Christmas music retreat at Texas A&M - Commerce on their concert hall stage November 9th from 9:30am - 2:00pm. A bus will leave from the church at 9:30am and you will be back by 2:00pm. Lunch provided. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you Wednesdays at 7pm in the sanctuary!

MCNEILLS ~ LIVE AT WESLEY ~ Save the date! The McNeills are returning to Wesley for an evening of music. Sunday, November 24 at 7pm. One of the most watched Christian Artist Group, Dollywood Artists and GMAA 2017 & 2019 Group of the Year!

It’s often said when talking about music that there’s nothing sweeter than family harmony. With a family of 12, ranging from 52 to 6 years of age, The McNeills are living up to that belief. Dad (bass/piano), Mom (mandolin, penny whistle), the oldest daughter (guitar) and the oldest son (fiddle/cajone) make up the main vocal group, but at different points in a concert, ALL of The McNeills join in for a concert that you won’t forget – include Grace (16) on the piano and Brianna (15) on the banjo. The group has been garnering attention across the nation, going into churches, singing at festivals and conventions, and being broadcast across the US on radio, as well as across the world with their viral video.

The McNeills are relatively new to the Christian music scene, having been singing and playing for only 5 years. In that short time, they have had the opportunity to do some amazing things - bridging generational gaps with their unique style, variety of music and their lineup. From praise and worship, to country gospel, to bluegrass, to a Capella, to the great hymns of old, The McNeills truly have something that everyone can enjoy.

METHODISM 101 Learn about the history, beliefs and mission of being a Methodist with Pastor Chris. September 15th, 22nd and 29th in the Covenant Classroom from 6 - 7pm. Childcare available.

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Pumpkin Unloading Party. #WUMPKINSEPT22

#WUMPKIN

OH THE BEAUTY Wesley’s Historic Churches of DFW Tour. Join the JOY Group on a fascinating overnight tour where art meets architecture and craftsmanship. Outing details on newsletter insert. Sign up by September 26th to reserve your seat.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN & UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF (UMCOR) Our Fall project is to assemble Hygiene Kits (also known as Health Kits) to send to Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana. Donation tubs are in the Narthex near the Sanctuary and at the Sunday School entrance Welcome Center. We ask that you prayerfully consider donating to this global cause. Lists are at both locations of products needed to fill the kits. We are accepting donations through the end of September.

Please join us on October 3rd at 6:00 p.m. to assemble the kits to send to Sager Brown. We will meet in rooms 1 & 2. Refreshments will be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Pat Kennedy (903) 456-1535 or patbken@aol.com. On behalf of United Methodist Women, we thank you for your generosity.

CONFIRMATION Confirmation will begin for our sixth grade students on Sunday, October 20th, from 9:15 to 10:15 and continue on Sunday mornings through Confirmation Sunday, May 3rd, 2020.

We are excited to share the new Confirmation year that has been planned with parents and students at our Orientation lunch on Sunday, October 13th, at 11:45 in Meeting Room 1 and 2.

Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in the Christian development of your student. We look forward to seeing everyone at Orientation!

CHILDREN’S CHOIR It’s time to make a joyful noise as we prepare for our Christmas musical. Children’s choir rehearsals will begin on Sunday, September 29th.

The Cherub Choir, ages 4 through 1st grade, will meet on Sunday evenings from 4:15 to 4:45pm. The JAM Choir, ages 2nd through 6th grade, will meet on Sunday evenings from 5:00 to 5:45pm. Both classes will meet in room 34 (located across from the Covenant Classroom).

Please mark your calendars to hear our Christmas musical on Sunday, December 15th.

Celebrate the current sermon series, Team Spirit, by wearing your favorite team appearal on Sunday, September 15th.

DID YOU KNOW Did you know that the JOY Group offers three exercise classes per week? Our Wesley Wellness program consists of Stretch & Tone on Mondays and Wednesdays and Chair Yoga on Fridays. All classes are low impact.

Classes are held in meeting rooms 1&2, at 9:30am and only $1 per session.

We’d love for you to join us. Meet some new friends while keeping your body moving.

LEGAL AID Need legal advice? Legal Aid of North West Texas will provide legal advice on Monday, September 23rd from 5 - 9pm in the narthex. No appointment necessary. Services provided by the Wesley UMC Providence Class.

YIN YOGA As our Chair Yoga class continues to grow, the JOY Group is adding another yoga class. Yin Yoga will begin Monday, September 30th. Class will be from 6:30-7:30pm in meeting rooms 1 & 2. Dana Marshall, of Hideaway Yoga, will instruct and bring you to a place of meditation. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket as Yin Yoga is sitting/lying on the floor.

Yin Yoga is designed to help you sit longer and more comfortably in meditation and prayer by stretching connective tissue around the joints (mainly the knees, pelvis, sacrum, and spine). A passive practice, Yin Yoga involves variations of seated and supine poses typically held for 3 to 5 minutes, accessing deeper layers of connective tissue and fascia throughout the body. This practice can help the body restore range of motion and revitalize the tissues of the body. Yin is an introspective practice that offers a chance to turn inward and nurture the calm, quiet center that is innate in all of us.

The benefits of a regular Yin Yoga practice are: • Calms and balances the mind and body • Reduces stress and anxiety • Increases circulation • Improves flexibility • Releases fascia and improves joint mobility • Balances the internal organs and improves the flow of energy

SUPREMES Join the Supremes for their monthly potluck on Tuesday, October 8th. BINGO at 11am, potluck lunch at 12pm followed by a Medicare Open Enrollment presentation by United Healthcare. Please bring a side entree or dessert to share along with $2 to cover meat entree and expenses. All welcome to attend.

ONWARD CAMPAIGN Special Thank You to everyone for a successful Onward Campaign. At time of print, $1,347,590 has been pledged. Congratulations everyone. This is simply wonderful.

CHRIS BOTTI Check your calendar and reserve your seat. Chris Botti, famous American trumpeter and composer, is performing at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on Saturday March 14, 2020 at 7:30pm. The JOY Group has reserved 28 tickets for a night of dinner and music. Contact Natalie (joy@wesleyumcgreenville.org or 402.578.8671) to request one (or more) of the tickets. Best part, ticket cost ($35) due January 30th.

DISCIPLE 1: FAST TRACK Disciple 1 Fast Track, an adults’ Bible study, starts Sunday, September 15th from 4 - 6pm for 24 weeks. Course cost of $33 for materials, to be paid at first class. Childcare provided. Register at wesleyumcgreenville.org.

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY Still time to enroll. First class Tuesday, September 17th. Course cost $129, to be paid at first class. Childcare provided. Contact Jordan Cramer for more info (worship@wesleyumcgreenville.org).

Oh the beauty....Wesley’s Historic Churches of DFW Tour

Join the JOY Group for an overnight outing to see the beauty of stunning churches throughout the metroplex. November 12-13, 2019 (Tuesday-Wednesday). In the comfort of motor coach transportation (Greeker has been requested), we are scheduled for 6 church tours and 1 hidden gem visit. Meals at metro favorites and overnight accommodations with the Radisson Fossil Creek in Fort Worth.

Day 1Tour #1 – Over 103 years ago, this church started as a university congregation and has grown to over 16,000 members with a satellite campus.

Lunch – Kuby’s Sausage House & European Market, established in 1961. Tour #2 - The primary episcopal seat of the Diocese of the South, this Orthodox Cathedral , formerly a parish, holds services and liturgies in English, as well as liturgies in Spanish and Church Slavonic.

Tour #3 - Founded in 1874, this Methodist church broke ground on its current facility the day the stock market crashed, October 29, 1929.

Dinner - Star Café is a nostalgic trip back in time, serving wonderful comfort food for over 30 years.

Day 2Tour #4 - Designed in the Gothic Revival style, in 1888 construction began on this parish of the Diocese of Fort Worth and seat of its bishop.

Tour #5 - The congregation was founded in 1855, making this the oldest continuously operating church established in Fort Worth. The current Renaissance Revival style building dates to 1915.

Lunch – Reata Restaurant, Sundance Sq, founded by a west TX rancher and a Ft Worth businessman.

Visit - A hidden gem, this small heritage display has items from past centuries and from the Vatican.

Tour #6 – This young chapel’s architectural style was inspired by a 1775 church and a federal building.

THE FINE PRINT. Reserve by Friday 9/26/19, $100 per person check deposit, payable to WUMC, given to Natalie Pegg. Final payment by Friday 10/4/19. At final payment, all monies become non-refundable. Not included - at your discretion tip for motor coach driver; donation to churches on tour.

$225 double$283 single

occupancy per person

Wesley United Methodist ChurchC O N N E C T . L E A R N . L E A D . S E R V E .

MARKET

Wesley

Christmaswesley united methodist church

narthex and fellowship hallFriday, November 22nd 5 - 7pm

Saturday, November 23rd 10am - 2pm Booth Availability for Decor and Gift Items

$25 (8x8) $50(8x16)Reserve your space today! Call Cheri 903.450.7994

Vendors Needed!

1200 EAST JOE RAMSEY BLVD. PO BOX 864 GREENVILLE, TX 75403

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

WESLEYUMCGREENVILLE.ORG

Wesley United Methodist ChurchC O N N E C T . L E A R N . L E A D . S E R V E .

SEPT

22 #WUMPKIN

Unloading Party

Every September Wesley UMC brings a hint of Fall to Hunt County as our front lawn becomes magically covered with thousands of beautiful pumpkins.

Be part of the magic and help us unload! Sunday, September 22 @ 11:45am.

Hope to see you there. Lunch provided, RSVP (#WUMPKIN or wesleyumcgreenville.org) appreciated for lunch count.

community

Wesley United Methodist Church pumpkin patch

Wesley UMC is located at 1200 E. Joe Ramsey Blvd.

Greenville, TX.