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Newsletter>
The Wesley Voice 2007, Vol. 1, Issue 1
March 14, 2007
WHY WE REALLY NEED CHURCH
Why can’t we worship God in the comfort of our homes,
enjoying the best preaching and music that television has
to offer?
Why can’t we just enjoy being alone in the woods, with God
and the pine trees?
Why can’t we meet God at the water’s edge, wiggling our
toes in the warm sand?
Why do we really need church!
We need church because it’s a family reunion. Jesus said,
“Who is my family? Those who do my will” (see Mark 3:33,
35) Christians are a family—rejoicing with one another,
crying with one another, helping each other. We need each
other’s support. God warns us not to forsake gatherings
with other believers (Heb.10:25).
We need church because it’s a classroom. We’re preparing
for a mission. We’re enrolled in a course of Christian
discipleship for life.
We need church because it’s a refuge. The sanctuary is a
place to get away from the busyness of the world. It’s a
mini-retreat. It’s a place to focus on heavenly things , to
worship.
We need church because it’s like a billboard. As neighbors
watch us go to church week after week, they see what is
important to us. They wonder what is going on that attracts
people so regularly.
We need church because it’s a memorial service. Imagine you
had been in a war and one of your buddies threw himself on
an enemy grenade to save you—and it killed him. Suppose you
learned there was to be a memorial service for him in your
hometown. Would you be there? Of course! Since Jesus died
for us, we honor him by attending church. We remember his
death by taking communion.
We need church because it’s a victory celebration. Jesus
left an empty tomb, we should celebrate his resurrection
together. At least one day a week should be set aside for
remembering Jesus’ triumph over death and Satan.
Finally, we need church because it’s time spent with God.
As Children, we are loved by the Father; he’s not cold and
aloof. He delights in spending time with us, and we want to
cooperate with him. Jesus said that where two or three are
gathered together in his name, he is there (Matt. 18:20).
We need church because we’re part of a family, we have lots
to learn, and we need to have a retreat. We know our
priorities, we respect Christ’s death, and we are overjoyed
by his resurrection. And, we want to spend time with our
father and other believers.
That’s why we need church!
Condensed from the tract “Why Do I Need Church? @1997
American Tract Society
“SEE YOU ON SUNDAY!”
THE CHILDRENS CHOIR
SUBMITTED BY: Lori Price, Coordinator
Extra! Extra! Read All About It…THE YOUNG VOICES OF
WESLEY RAPIDLY GROWING…..
Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. What’s going on with the Young Voice of Wesley?
If you haven’t notice the YVOW is rapidly growing. We have
about 40 active choir members. To all parents we encourage
you to bring you child ages 5 -16 to our rehearsal. We
practice every second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
and every second Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. The
YVOW are guided under the leadership of Mrs. Virginia
Kimble and our gifted musician. What a great time we have
singing praises unto the Lord and fellowshipping with each
other. It’s a learning and rewarding experience. If you
are interested in joining please see contact our Children
choir coordinators Lori Price 678-565-5665 or Mary Ann
Davis 770-527-0979. So come on ….What are you waiting
for? God loves you and he’s looking for new little young
angels to be a part of his angelic choir.
NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME AT WESLEY
Submitted By: Queen Mahone
Since our last report, we’ve had approximately over 25
members to take part in the membership classes. Our New
Members Reception is planned for late March and
representatives from each ministry team are cordially asked
to attend.
In our Tuesday night Immediate Bible Study class, our
students are working diligently, striving to learn all the
books of the Bible. If you have children in grades 3-6,
please bring them and also encourage them to bring a
friend. We start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at
8:00p.m. sharp. As our students can atest, we really have
fun studying God’s word.
STAFF//PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
One of the primary purposes of the Staff//Pastor/Parish
Relationship Committee is to be a liason for the
congregation, the pastor, and the staff. The committee
should be consulted only after a member has made the effort
to resolve any issue or dispute at its lowest level of
resolution. This should include having a meeting with the
person or persons before a referral is made to any member
of the committee. The SPPR Committee will meet quarterly on
the third Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. Our committee
will plan the June Pastor’s Appreciation Sunday program. We
ask in advance for your cooperation to ensure that this
year’s program be recognized as one of the best ever. I
urge every congregational member to plan to make an
offering either as a person, family, or ministry area to
the pastor (s) and when your next meeting is scheduled,
discuss ways in which you might recognize the work of the
ministers.
Submitted by: SPPR
CHAIRPERSON,
JAY WANSLEY
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY
submitted by Rufus Johnson
Sunday School, Bible Study, Youth Fellowship, Vacation
Bible School, Confirmation Classes, New Members, and United
Methodist Heritage are some of the programs that members
may encounter in Christian Education. Whatever the need,
Wesley Chapel can provide the resources. Each program
offers opportunities for support and encouragement in
growing as Christian disciples.
Through Christian Education , we invite people and
communities of faith to be transformed and renewed as they
are inspired and challenged to:
Know and experience God through Jesus Christ
Claim and Live God’s Promises, and
Grow and serve in Christian disciples.
You are invited to join us at our next meeting on March
17, 2007 @10a.m. in the church conference room. This
committee, along with other ministries of Wesley Chapel are
working together to build up the body of Christ.
If you have questions about how you might serve as a
Christian educator, please contact me at
rufusjohnson@djj.state.ga.us or rufusjohnson@bellsouth.net
You can also contact me at (770) 898-8533.
UNITED METHODIST MEN
SUBMITTED BY : Tonja Johnson, president
THE UMM started the year 2007 with a joyous and
electrifying celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
birthday with our annual breakfast. The UMM cooked a
delicious breakfast while the mentors and mentorees
performed skits from Dr. King’s famous speeches. This is
just one of the many ways we come together to fellowship
with one another and with our young men of Wesley. The UMM
would like to challenge each man that attends Wesley not to
just come to church, but to use those gifts and talents
that God has blessed each of us with. They certainly are
not to be kept to ourselves. We have an ongoing mentoring
program as well as Hands On Wesley, which are scheduled
workdays to work in the community. If none of these fit
you, as UMM, please find a ministry within Wesley to get
involved. God wants us to be a blessing to someone else.
Again, we’re extending an invitation to you to join us. We
meet on the second Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and on 4th
Sundays after the eleven o’clock service.
INTRODUCING THE OFFICERS OF THE UMM
OFFICERS FOR 2007
PRESIDENT: TONJA JOHNSON
VICE PRESIDENT: TIM MCCRAE
SECRETARY: DOUG BERRY
TREASURER: TERRY MCMILLIAN
HISTORIAN-PHOTOGRAPHER:
ALBERT SMITH
Our Mission:
Is to be a supportive fellowship of men who seek to know
Jesus Christ, to grow spiritually and to seek his daily
will. In doing this, we will be the disciples God has
called us to be.
Wesley Chapel UMC family, we thank you for your prayers and
support.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Ryan
Greetings from the United Methodist Women. We would like to
take this opportunity to thank all of the members of Wesley
for their support for the year of 2006 and we are looking
forward to having a great year in 2007. The UMW closed out
it's year with a wonderful Praise Brunch, that was held on
December 23rd. The attendees had a wonderful time. The
Praise Brunch consisted of a short program, special
recognition and a candle lighting ceremony was also held.
The program was followed by a delicious brunch menu. The
UMW will have several events in the upcoming year, just to
name a few:
April 28th we will have our annual Rainbow Tea,
October 14th, Wesley Chapel will host the District Meeting
and on
November 17th, our annual Praise Brunch. So please put
these dates on your calendars, and we hope to see you
there.
The Daughters of Imani mentoring program was officially
kicked off with a slumber party held on February 9th, 2007,
commencing at 7:30p.m. and lasting until 9:00a.m. We had
about thirty girls in attendance, along with parents,
teachers and volunteers. The evening event began with our
Opening Ceremony: A Journey Towards Womanhood. This
ceremony marks the official opening of the Daughters of
Imani mentoring season. The evening was filled both
spiritual and fun age appropriate activities for our girls.
The following Saturday, February 17th, the first meeting
session of the program was held, which included Circle
Leaders and age appropriate activities. The topic focus was
on Self image and the Media and analyzing the impact that
the Hip Hop Culture has on the image of our girls and
women, specifically.
Feel free to join in any and all of the activities of the
United Methodist Women and or the Daughters of Imani
Mentoring Program. Many thanks to the Committee of
parents, members, volunteers, and coordinators for the
Daughters of Imani for their hard work to get this program
up and running.
Margaret Rounds, Program Director, Lisa Johnson, Mentoring
Director, & Wylene Adwater, Program Consultant
WESLEY CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MARKS 140 YEARS SUBMITTED BY: SIMONE MORTON
The first Black History presentation, powerfully narrated
by Scott Mahone, focused on the African Diaspora to
America.
African American Art was spotlighted on the second Sunday
in February. Jonté Louis beautifully narrated the
presentation that chronicled African American painters in
religious and family themes. Members were encouraged to
wear African attire that day.
The third Black History presentation highlighted just a few
of the untold numbers of African American Heroes who
persevered through great hardship to become successful in
their chosen field. Alex Leach provided the commanding
narration celebrating African American Heroes.
Wesley Chapel’s 140th Anniversary was celebrated on Sunday,
February 25, 2007. McDonough Mayor Billy Copeland read a
proclamation declaring the day – Wesley Chapel United
Methodist Church Anniversary Day and presented the plaque
to Rev. Williams. The 140th Anniversary presentation
combined our church’s history in words and music and told
the story of the founders’ unwavering faith one hundred and
forty years ago and the changes, growth and legacy over the
years. Desmond (D.J.) Johnson did a wonderful job in
creating an informative and moving presentation celebrating
our history.
During the 11am service, we paused to give tribute to
recently deceased members of our church family as we
remembered each of them and their family by lighting a
candle as Maudie McCord read an inspirational word.
The Archives and History committee displayed pictures of
the pastors of the church over the years, various artifacts
and numerous pictures of Wesley’s members and activities
over the years. Included in the display was a two-page
article from the Henry Herald, dated Thursday, February 22,
2007.
Shebra Johnson coordinated the 140 year timeline displayed
in the fellowship hall that followed the life of Wesley
Chapel, historical events in Henry County as well as
national events that shaped the lives of our members and
our church. Each member received a scroll with the history
of Wesley Chapel printed on it.
The Food Ministry under the coordination of Barbara Thomas
provided a feast for members and guests after the 11am
service.
The Archives and History Committee thanks all who helped in
the month’s activities. A big thank you to Rev. Williams
for his support of the committee’s plans, Virginia Kimble
and the Music Ministry for their musical excellence in
providing accompanying music, Denise Louis for her
administrative assistance, Cresansaio Johnson for his
audio/visual, technical and handyman services, Reginald
Ponder for his computer support, and huge thank you to all
the committee members who worked diligently to make the
month’s activities special.
** Please continue to pray for the sick and shut-in ** Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church - (770) 957-4728 -- 397 Racetrack Road, McDonough, Georgia 30253
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 1146, McDonough, Georgia 30253-1146
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