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Worship Forecast
This Sunday, August 18th at 10 am, Pastor Cheryl’s sermon titled, "Blaze of Glory" is based on scripture in Luke 12:49-56, to be read by Mary Ann Wolfe. This passage includes Jesus saying I have not come to bring peace, but division and then a criticism of his disciples (and us) that we can understand the signs of weather but not the signs of the times. We will explore together the issues that face society including mass shootings, children in cages at the border and discrimination. We will consider why these issues divide us, why we call them political instead of spiritual and how we are called to act. Spirited praise music will begin at 9:50 provided by Electric Praise, directed by Alan Schulte and our organist Ken Gallager will share beautiful music on the organ and piano. Christina Catino and Pastor Cheryl will sing Pie Jesu. The Children’s Time is titled, “Run the Race” and will focus on Hebrews 12:1-2 reminding us to persist even in the face of obstacles after which the children will be led to a one room Sunday School for all ages directed by Ben Venator. Emma Champlin and Taylor Barnes will provide child-care in the nursery for ages 0-4. We are a Reconciling Congregation located at 79 Clinton Street and our facilities are handicap accessible. Pastor Cheryl also leads a casual service Saturdays at 4 p.m. in the air-conditioned chapel and a conversational Breakfast Church Sundays at 8:30 a.m., both on the same topic. All are welcome and encouraged to invite others!
LUKE 12: 49-56
49 “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Interpreting the Time
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Monday Morning Quarterbackwith weekly devotion
Bible Study Questions to continue studying the scripture from this week’s service at home. If you need a Bible, Pastor Cheryl will be pleased to provide one to you.
Read Luke 12: 49-56
1. Last week Pastor Cheryl shared her favorite image of God. Do you have one? What about Jesus? How do you imagine Jesus as your savior, your friend?
2. Many of us imagine Jesus as a warm, comforting figure but so often we find him turning over tables in the temple and defying religious and secular authority. Today’s passage explicitly shows his displeasure with our complacency: “Do you think I have come to bring peace? No, division!” (v. 51) How do you reconcile your image of Jesus with this passage?
3. Jesus chastises the disciples about not knowing how to interpret the signs of the present times. He is talking to you and me. Imagine the signs of the times are mass shootings, children in cages and discrimination. What is Jesus calling us to do, to think, to pray for?
Devotion: Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
How Much Energy and Resources Should We Pour Into Our Sunday School Program?
There’s no two ways about it, Wesley is experiencing some financial challenges. Financial challenges are hard for us as individuals and hard for us as a church. My mom used to say things like “your eyes are bigger than your belly” or “champagne taste with a beer pocketbook” which is hilarious to me because she doesn’t drink, but we got the point: we often want more than we can accommodate. The question is, how do we accommodate as much as God desires for us in our Sunday School program while still being prudent.
We’re entering a season of making budgets and celebrating our stewardship. This is a joyous time of acknowledging our gifts to God, the bounty that we have been given as a church and the amazing ways in which we can reach out to our community in mission and ministry. You have heard me say that we need to match our gifts to the needs of the community and quote Frederic Buechner who says, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” I strongly believe in prudent management of our assets, both financial and human. At the same time, I strongly believe that we are called to step out in faith, to risk, to take sacrificial stands in the name of Love.
Wesley UMC took the painful step of cutting staff salaries this past spring, losing a beloved worker in the process. In light of this, we need to continue to pray and consider how we can continue to accomplish our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Thinking about our Sunday School program, how can we sacrificially stand for a healthy vibrant ministry that makes young disciples who transform the world? Specifically, it is easy to think of the empty staff position of Director of Children and Youth Ministries as unnecessary because we seem “okay right now” or “there are fewer children in Sunday School” or we “don’t know the person who may eventually take that job.” We must all participate and take the task seriously to cultivate future Christian leadership in our church and our community or there will be none.
Linda Creed wrote these lyrics to the Whitney Houston song made popular in 1985.
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be.
I think we all know that our children are the future but once they’re out of the house, they don’t take every moment of our time and energy anymore. We think that their parents will tend to them, but really, it is the responsibility of the whole community. We get that right when we pay our tax bills supporting schools, knowing that the better we teach our kids, the more productive they will be in society, becoming doctors, lawyers, pastors, engineers and scientists who improve our society. Giving kids a solid Christian education fulfills Proverbs 22:6. “Train up a child in the way they should go: and when they are old, they will not depart from it.” Leaders of the future, acting from a core understanding of loving neighbors and loving God ensures a wonderful future.
This is more than a sentimental desire to have a bustling Sunday School like the ones we fondly remember. This is an imperative from Jesus himself. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all retell the story of the disciples attempting to shoo the children away, trying to keep the focus on “adult” things when Jesus chastised them saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
The title of this article shares the answer to the question about how much energy and resources we should pour into our Sunday School program. It’s in that word, “pour.” The answer is lavishly, abundantly, until the cup is overflowing.
Please be in prayer for our search for a new Director of Children and Youth Ministries, for our Sunday School program and for the precious children of our community.
Pastor Cheryl
for WADE LINEBERGERThis Saturday, August 17, there will be a Celebration of Life Service for our beloved friend Wade. The service will be at 10 am here at Wesley UMC in the Sanctuary. There will be a time of fellowship after the service in Hanna Hall.
A big thank you to our volunteers! You make this ministry work!
UMW Beach Day
All the ladies of Wesley are invited to a day at the beach at Lake Sunapee on Monday, August 19 (rain date on 21st). Pack a lunch, chair and towel, and spend a warm summer day relaxing with friends. We will meet at the church at 10:45 to carpool together.
WESLEY'S SUMMER SCHEDULE
4 p.m. Casual Service, Saturday
8:30 a.m. Breakfast Church, Sunday
10:00 a.m. Sanctuary Service, Sunday
Praise singing will begin at 9:50 a.m. and the prelude will play at 10:00 am.
LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL!
WORSHIP TIMES
On September 8th, we will begin our fall schedule! We will continue to have three services. There will be services at 4 PM on Saturdays, 8:30 AM Sunday morning, and 10:30 AM Sunday morning, with Praise Music beginning at 10:20 AM. Note, this a change for the sanctuary service of one half hour later. Sunday School for children and youth will also move to the 10:30 time. Adult Sunday School with Byron Champlin will begin Sept. 8 at 9:00 AM in the parlor.
FALL KICK OFF
September 15th will bring our annual Fall Kick Off! Stay tuned for more information about this wonderful celebration of our family of faith and our new Pastor, Rev. Cheryl Meachen.
CHOIR PRACTICE TO BEGIN
Choir practice will start back up on Thursday, August 29, at 7:25 pm. All are invited to lift your voice and sing to the Lord! No experience is necessary. Any questions? You can email our Choir Director, Ben Greene, at bengreene820@gmail.com.
 Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH announces a job opening for a visionary Director of Children and Youth Ministries. This position will be part-time (20 hours/week, 10 months a year: mid-August to mid-June) at an annual rate of $15,000-$17,000 and the preferred starting date is mid-August, 2019. Qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in Children/Youth Ministry or in Education AND 3 years or more of experience in a church environment.
Personal qualifications include:
Strengths in communication and interpersonal skills;
A desire to serve and empower others in Christian love along with your own active, growing relationship with God;
Welcoming, safe and nurturing to all: we are a reconciling congregation;
A joy and passion for others as you partner with our pastor, parents, staff and volunteers to actively equip our children and youth in their walk of faith as disciples of a loving God.
Please send your resume to Wesley UMC at concordwumc@gmail.com or 79 Clinton Street, Concord NH 03301.
SUMMER SUNDAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDTeachers and helpers are needed for the children's one room Sunday School. Volunteers are also needed for passing the clipboards during the service. If you can help with either of these jobs, please contact Ben Venator benvenator@yahoo.com.
New members are needed for the altar guild. If you can volunteer a few hours a month to keeping our sanctuary ready for worship, please contact Joan Beldin 715-8888.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ABBOT-DOWNING
A-D Team AUGUST INGATHERING to collect school supplies and paper goods for the students and teachers at Abbot-Downing School. Some of these needs include for: Children: Crayons (8 pack & 24 pack); Washable colored markers; Pencils (#2 with erasers); Glue Sticks; and Lined Paper. And Teachers: Liquid Hand Sanitizer; Disinfectant Wipes; Baby Wipes; Tissues; Post-It Notes; Dry Eraser Markers; Scotch Tape Refills. Monetary gifts are also appreciated. Please make check out to WUMC and put Abbot-Downing in the memo line. Thank you!
Abbot-Downing teachers and the principal really do appreciate Wesley's generosity.
Wesley’s Pictorial Directory
The Pictorial Directory is ready for distribution. To receive an emailed copy simply get in touch with Marybeth at the Church Office and she will send one out to you as an attachment. If you are unable to print it, Marybeth can print it for you for $3.00 to cover the cost of the printing.
PLAY BALL!
Monday, August 19, our softball team will be playing at 6 p.m. at the Maple Street School in Contoocook. Take I-89 to Exit 6. At the end of the ramp turn right onto Rt.127/Maple St. Drive about ½ mile, the school will be on your left. The field is behind the school.
PRAYER MESSENGERSThe Prayer Messengers gather in the Chapel each Sunday at 9:40 AM to pray together for Wesley Church, its pastor, its people and special concerns through INTERCESSORY PRAYER- a prayer to God on behalf of others. Jesus prayed for others and taught his disciples the Lord's Prayer. When we pray to God, we are not simply saying, "God, remove all these problems and make everything easy. Snap your cosmic fingers and make it all better." Following a short devotion, we pray to God, consciously thanking God for our blessings and inviting God into our struggles. You are welcome anytime during this prayer time. In this way we empower ourselves to fulfill our mission in the world. Paul instructed in Ephesians 6:18, "Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." For more information contact Norma Kane, at momkane2002@yahoo.com.
ONLINE GIVING
Did you know you now have the option of online giving to Wesley?Through this secure webpage you may donate specifically to Wesley using debit card, credit card or PayPal.
General Conference 2020 accepting petitions
Petitions for consideration by the 2020 General Conference may be submitted to the Petitions Secretary now through Sept. 18, 2019. According to church law, "Any organization, clergy member, or lay member of The United Methodist Church may petition the General Conference ... ." Detailed instructions for submitting a petition are available on the General Conference website at umc.org/gcpetition.
Read the press release
5K - REGISTRATION 7:30 am / Race - 9:00 am
10:15 am - Award Ceremony
(including first ever Phil Polhemus Award)
HOMECOMING BBQ - 11:15 am
$10 adults; $5 children 12 and under; under age 5 free
CROSS DEDICATION - 1:45 pm
This year's 5K will include two special events:
Presentation of the PHIL POLHEMUS AWARD
This award was created in 2017 in order to periodically honor individuals for their commitment to Wanakee's ministry. The first -ever recipient will be honored with this award immediately following the 5K award ceremony. MORE HERE
CELEBRATION SERVICE AND CROSS DEDICATION
Join us in honoring the service of Michael and Jean Moore by dedicating the cross at the outdoor chapel during our worship service at 1:45 pm MORE HERE
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NH District Summer Outing
Saturday, August 31st 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Wesley UMC - 79 Clinton St., Concord, NH 03301
Potluck BBQ, Fun, Games, Music and More
Grills will be available for your use. Please bring any meat you wish to grill, as well as a salad or side dish to share with everyone.
2019 Bishop's Day on the NH District
Saturday, September 21, 2019 - 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Bow Mills UMC , Bow, NH
District Resource Day
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Featuring Steve Cordle, author of The Church in Many Houses: Reaching Your Community Through Cell-based Ministry.
St. Paul's MC - Manchester, NH
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2nd Annual Mindfulness in Society Conference
Friday, September 13, 1-7 pm
Saturday, September 14, 8 am - 4 pm
NHTI Campus, Concord, NH
NHTI, Concord’s Community College, is a leader in integrating mindfulness into higher education, and our work has attracted the attention of some of the biggest names in the field of mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness helps people succeed academically and professionally, thrive at a personal level, live satisfying lives, and connect with themselves and others. During this conference, we will explore how mindfulness can be used in business, health care, education, and personal relationships to benefit our lives and our society.
Anyone with an interest in mindfulness is invited to attend our 2nd annual Mindfulness in Society Conference whether this is your first time hearing about mindfulness, you want to deepen your practice, or you are hoping to connect with others in this community to share ideas and experiences. This conference will sell out, so do not wait to secure your spot.
Featuring Nationally-Known Speakers
 Congressman Tim Ryan
Before being elected to Congress in 2002, Tim served in the Ohio State Senate and began his career in politics as a congressional aide in 1995. Tim has a law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He is the author of Healing America: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Recapture the American Spirit and The Real Food Revolution: Healthy Eating, Green Groceries, and the Return of the American Family Farm.
 Judson Brewer
As the Director of Research and Innovation at Brown University's Mindfulness Center, Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, is an internationally known thought leader in the field of habit change and the “science of self-mastery” with over 20 years of experience in the mindfulness field. He has developed novel mindfulness programs for behavior change, including both in-person and app-based treatments for smoking, emotional eating, and anxiety. His work has been featured on 60 Minutes, at TED.com (4th most viewed talk of 2016), and in documentaries, books, and news outlets across the world. He is the author of The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love, Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits.
 Rhonda Magee
As a Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, Rhonda V. Magee (M.A. Sociology, J.D.) is an internationally-recognized thought and practice leader focused on integrating mindfulness into higher education, law and social justice. A student of a wide variety of Buddhist and other wisdom teachers, including Norman Fischer and Jon Kabat Zinn, she trained as a mindfulness teacher through the Oasis Teacher Training Institute of the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. She teaches mindfulness-based interventions, as well as awareness and compassion practices from a range of traditions. A former President of the Board of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, Professor Magee is a Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute. She recently completed a 2-year term on its steering council.
Join us to hear from these nationally-known speakers on Friday night and return on Saturday to learn from New England-based health-care professionals, local business owners, NH educators, and mindfulness practitioners. This event will likely sell out so do not wait to register.
https://www.nhti.edu/mindfulness_conference
Solidarity Walk for Immigrant Justice 2019:
Concord to Dover
Wednesday, August 21 through Saturday, August 24, 2019
Signup here to walk, volunteer OR DONATE! See below for information about donations.
Participants will walk the 36 miles from Concord to Dover over the course of these days and you are welcome to join us! The walk begins in Concord at the US District Courthouse. The walk will end at the Strafford County Jail in Dover, where ICE jails people slated for their deportation. Can you join us?
Each day participants will walk 8-10 miles and stop in towns along the way. In the evenings we will hold educational, prayerful or discussion-focused events open to the public.
DONATION LINK IS NOW LIVE! Walkers may ask for sponsorships for donations to New Hampshire bond funds. These funds provide bond money so that people being held by ICE for alleged immigration violations can get out of the Strafford County House of Corrections and continue life in the community while awaiting their day in court.
Prayer Vigils for Immigrant Justice
All vigils are 9:00am to 10:00am at the Norris Cotton Federal Building, 275 Chestnut Street, Manchester. Upcoming dates are:
- August 20
- September 3 & 17
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