Awakening Hope - March 23

A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, knowing that he had already been there a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I don’t have anyone who can put me in the water when it is stirred up. When I’m trying to get to it, someone else has gotten in ahead of me.”
Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Immediately the man was well, and he picked up his mat and walked.
John 5.5-9a (CEB)

Encounter Jesus this Weekend
We live in a new world where the ancient Good News of Jesus is still desperately needed, but might be heard in a new way. Come explore how God might be inviting us into the new things God is doing, and Encounter Jesus in the midst of that invitation. Come worship, learn and grow. We already have 16 people (!!) signed up to attend Encounter - and it's not too late for you to attend either! This FREE weekend takes place at the new Free Methodist Ministry Center in Indianapolis (near Ameriplex off Kentucky Ave) on Friday (3/24) from 6pm-9:30pm and Saturday (3/25) from 9am-5:30pm. Lunch is provided. Come for the entire time - or even just some of it!

Connect with Pastor Kristen to get registered for Encounter ASAP! (Email westmorrispastor@gmail.com or call/text 317-464-7360).

Ameritas gives to help homeless in Broward County, Florida

Ameritas gives to help homeless in Broward County, Florida

Good Friday Breakfast Outreach
West Morris Church is hosting a Good Friday breakfast outreach at Daniel Webster School 46 on Good Friday morning, April 7, from 9-11am. Come help serve breakfast and connect with our neighbors, and if you can't make it - donate plates, cups, pancake mix, breakfast sausage links, or syrup. A donation bin is located in the back of the sanctuary. Today the Good News of Jesus expands across personal friendships. This is a great way to begin connecting and building relationships with others, and tangibly sharing the love of Jesus during Holy Week! Sign up to serve at worship on Sunday, or reach out to Pastor Rachel (email rmohlman@gmail.com, call/text 317-677-2828).

The Good Friday breakfast also coincides with our food pantry, so additional opportunities exist to serve in the food pantry and thrift store from 9am-12pm!

Bangladesh: Firms should compensate poor nations hit by war fallout

Bangladesh: Firms should compensate poor nations hit by war fallout

Bless Bangladesh with Missions Giving
Pastor Kristen is headed to Bangladesh on Easter afterno

on for a week where she'll be training pastors, preaching at their Annual Conference, and visiting the site of the new International Child Care Ministries orphanage. She will be traveling with Supt John Lane of Wabash Conference, Supt Michael Forney of the Pacific NW Conference, and Bishop Joab Lohara, FMC World Bishop from India. Several weeks ago missions banks were handed out for you to fill with loose change to bless Bangladesh pastors and/or give toward supporting Kristen's travel expenses ($1400). Pastor Kristen will be bringing these funds with her to Bangladesh. Please return your missions banks, or come prepared to give on Sunday, March 26 and April 2.

Garden Box - Etsy

Gardening with School 46
West Morris Church is partnering with Daniel Webster School 46 to do some community gardening. If you love gardening, and want to be part of this new venture, contact Pastor Rachel (email rmohlman@gmail.com, call/text 317-677-2828).

As always, if you ever have any questions about following Jesus, what you read in the newsletter, see on our website, or experience at West Morris Church, I'd love to meet over coffee or lunch - my treat! Or if you just want to connect, I'm always thrilled to do so. Give me a call, text or email and we'll get a time set.

Pastor Kristen
317-464-7360
westmorrispastor@gmail.com

P.S. Want an easy way to connect? Sign up to meet with me. Choose your preferred day, time, length of meeting and place (in-person or zoom). Schedule a meeting with me at calendly.com/westmorrispastor

Is ANYTHING happening at West Morris?!

Actually there's A LOT happening.
And you're invited to be part of it.

Weekly Ministries

Worship with us on Sundays

*This list doesn't even begin to scratch the surface for weekly tutoring at Stout Field, discipleship meetings, pastoral visits, community outreaches, partnership building, and exploratory meetings for new ministries. And you're invited to be part of it!
----------------------------------

*This list also doesn't address potential ministries that we have opportunities and invitations to step into, and are just needing willing disciples to step up and help serve. These include:

Where and how is God inviting you to serve?

On Tuesday, March 14th I had the privilege of accompanying the family of Michael Ross on an Honor Walk along the hallway of Eskenazi as he was given into the caring hands of Indiana Donor Network. Michael passed away Monday, March 13th, surrounded by his family. He is now experiencing full healing and recovery with his Lord and Savior. I was able to confidently reassure his loved ones of Michael's faith, and share stories with them of ways he contributed and served at West Morris Church for years. I also shared with them the ways he would faithfully write in his journal every Sunday morning in the New Day Cafe before worship. That journal, and his other belongings, were returned to the family last evening, thanks to the assistance and help of TJ Curtis.

On Saturday, April 29th at 12pm, we look forward to celebrating Michael's life with a memorial service and dinner at West Morris Church. (Audrey Curtis and Kerri Drummond are helping coordinate the meal, so please connect with them to help serve.)

Michael's legacy includes giving life, hope and vision to several individuals through his organ and tissue donations. And I pray his lasting legacy at West Morris will be an encouragement and reminder of the preciousness of life, the hope of salvation and the vital need for on-going recovery ministries. Be reminded that "we do not mourn like others who don't have any hope." (1 Thes 4.13)

Read Michael's obituary here: https://legacycremationfuneral.com/obits/michael-a-ross/

Have you heard about Celebrate Recovery? Maybe felt called to be part of this discipleship and recovery ministry that changes lives, families & communities? West Morris Church is in the beginning stages of gathering a group of those interested in learning more and potentially forming a launch team who will be trained and coached. Are you one of them?

Church Planting Training Experience

Did you know the best way to reach new people for Christ is through church planting? There are many opportunities for starting a new work in West Indy. Church planting reaches people our existing worship experience will never impact.

Come learn more at Encounter, sponsored by the Wabash Conference and the Church Development Network. ENCOUNTER is a free, in-person worship, prayer and training experience for anyone who loves Jesus and longs for others to also encounter him. There is NO charge to attend this event, but you do need to register.

Join Pastor Kristen at this landmark event as we prayerfully pursue God and listen to his call to plant churches.
March 24 - 25 (Friday 6pm - Saturday 5:30pm) at the Free Methodist Ministry Center in Indy.

Want to know more? Talk with Pastor Lou who attended Encounter last weekend in Evansville!

Click here to register for this free event!
Who will attend and be open to God's new work?

Women's Spring Retreat
The Wabash Women's Spring Retreat is coming up on April 21-22 in Columbus IN. This is a great time of fellowship, fun, learning and worship. Bishop Keith's wife Pam will be the featured speaker. Workshops are also offered (including one by Pastor Kristen on personal Bible study). Find some roommates and register today! Scholarships are available. Want more information? Download the retreat info packet here.

Serving Others & Meeting Needs
Come meet and serve our neighbors at the New Day Pantry & Thrift Shop on April 7 and 21 from 9am-12pm. Come to door #5 at 8:45am at Daniel Webster to help serve and experience the joy of serving others. To sign up to help serve, contact Pastor Rachel (rmohlman@gmail.com, 317-677-2828).

Host an International Exchange Student!

Have you met Rui Suzuki from Japan yet? He's been attending our church since after Thanksgiving. Rui is the international exchange student being hosted by Pastor Kristen and John. He is in the US for a school year with the FLAG program.

FLAG is now recruiting host families, that are willing to open their hearts and homes to an International student in the fall. This is an amazing way to share one's faith with an International student by showing them the way you live. About 70 percent of our students are unchurched in their home country so exposing them to the American church is such a cool way to share the gospel. On top of if the student is coming to youth group-instance friendships as well!

Meet Jessica and Clem---she was here last year, and her life is forever changed, and she is changing others because of her testimony and exposure to church: https://youtu.be/Bzui5KnSlsU