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-1-

Do all the good you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can

At all the times you can

To all the people you can

As long as you can.

-John Wesley

Birthdays &

Anniversaries

2

Mask ministry 3

Just for Kids 4 & 5

Calendar 10 &11

Chicken BBQ 16

Prayer concerns 18

Inside this issue:

Volume 9 Issue 5 MAY 2020

My prayer is for you to know His grace

and peace and be safe.

How do you stop a pandemic? We are told that this Covid-19 virus has covered the earth and that 211 countries are battling it in one

way or another. There is a great need for help across the globe as many are struggling not only physically but also financially, emotionally and spiritually. Each day that passes there are new updates on the number of cases contracted and the new death toll. We watch the local number of cases and the state and local number of those who have died from the virus. For several weeks we have all been sheltered in place in our homes and now the real sense of escape is starting to creep into every home and

every heart. We do so want to return to normal.

For a long time I have been telling all of you that the kingdom of God is the real normal and yet it is completely upside down from the world. God’s kingdom is what we should strive for and not the things that the world offers because this world is not permanent but it is quickly passing away. Jesus told us that we should “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Paul said that we, if we have been raised with Christ, should “set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). I know that it is easier said than done, but we need to take this opportunity to prepare ourselves for the change that is coming. For I really believe that we will not go back to the way it was, but we

will experience a whole new way.

Of course the Word of God has been warning mankind

(Continued on page 16)

-2-

3 Colt Berkey

4 Tommy Pritts

5 Emily Boothby

7 Dan Shroyer

8 Joe Smiach

9 Darrell Pletcher

10 Brad Pletcher

11 Jack Pletcher

12 Leon Ohler

Steven Merchant

14 Paula Draheim

15 Mike Hearn

Michael Pletcher

Cathie Lester

Lauren Hardwig

16 Jill Shultz

Reed Breegle

17 Lori Pletcher

21 Harry Hoover

Miranda Rush

22 Sara Blough

Tricia Martin

Danyelle Shultz

25 Kelly Smiach

Ethan Pletcher

28 Mark Temple

31 Mary Ellen Hoover

Hannah Kohan

2 Tom & Lorie Skelton

8 Rob & Christine Singo

30 Bryan & Crystal Smith

Darrell & Angie Pletcher

-19-

Every time man would turn from God and get into trouble and cry out to God He would be there. Even in that familiar passage that is being used so much in our present dilemma, “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I sent pestilence among the people” (2 Chronicles 7:13). It seems to me that we really have to be one of those whom Jesus said are seeing but cannot see, and hearing but cannot hear to not see what is right in front of our faces. I mean is God wanting our attention or not. Look at the lack of rain in Australia, the locust that is causing such havoc in Africa, and hey, how about the virus . God is saying, what if I allow these things to happen, what will be the response of the people to them? Will they acknowledge Me? Will they cry out to

Me?

The verse that follows, “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). I guess we can pretend that we don’t need to humble ourselves, but we have been a proud people for too long, really not needing God very much, been busy you know. We can say that we have been praying, but have we? I mean really praying, seeking the face of God, pleading and begging and asking continually? And boy we all know about wicked ways. Our wicked ways begin with the lack of obedience and then goes on. How about abortion? How about homosexual lifestyles? How about sexual sin? How about the filth on television? How about the wicked ways that we have just pushed God away and filled our lives with what we want and live for ourselves and not for Him. Could we honestly say that we have accomplished any of these things that He asked for, and yet we want the virus to go away. Look at Nineveh, that great people of the Bible, when they repented, when they were willing to do the things that God required, He healed

their land.

If we want the virus to go away, perhaps we need to seek God’s face and turn

from our wicked ways.

I honestly believe that the Lord could and would remove this virus if we would seek Him, if we would cry out to Him and ask for mercy in repentance. You see, the Kingdom of God is the true normal, and we need to want that normal more than the old normal. That Kingdom is coming quickly and He is giving each one a brief

time to prepare. He who has ears to hear…

See you in church.

Pastor Denton

“For the word of the

cross is foolishness to

those who are perishing”

1 Corinthians 1:18

-18-

Our Country/Leaders Bishop Cynthia Moore-KoiKoi Supt. Rev. Bob & Amy Zilhaver Pastor Denton Ethan, Forrest & Barb Stark Roger Hart Skip Temple Shirley Walter John & Darlene Stevanus Denise Phillippi Gail Minerd Allen & Marijke Tubbs Lorraine Kruse Gabe Ohler Mary Ann Leazier Todd & Amy Euen Unrest in the nation Persecuted Christians Police officers First responders Carrie Beth King Richard Dierling Leon & Cook Ohler Tricia Martin Jenny & Jim Kauffman Harold & Patti Pritts Chase Kemp (& family) Government leaders Arlene Singo Harry & Mary Ellen Hoover Jeanette Tubbs Brad Pletcher Eldon & Loretta Sechler Ralph & Chop Pletcher

A youth leader Mason Hostetler Denise Horning Tom Skelton, Sr. Don Seybold Roger Hart Ken Shartiger Carol Duppstadt family Albright family Mike Budzina Patrick Pletcher Nicole Reinhart Unspoken Matt Schwarm Carl Schwarm Joe Smiach Doug & Connie Miller Dante John Barnaby Andrea King Delma Platt family Zila Butler Kristen Bowman Katey Swank Breanne Weinchek Kerry Miller Briggs People with depression End to the Corona virus Larry (Beanie) Pletcher Cheryl Hildbold Stacey Ream Pat & Nat Wilkins

Military/Families

Stephen Bigler Blake Bruner John Benford Spencer Cross Aaron Engleka Ryan Fuller Joe Gusbar Landon Henry Jake Johnson Richard King Denton Lester, Jr. Kurt May Jamie Miller David Rogers Max Strasiser Randi Thomas Charles Trimpey Portter O’Neal Families of fallen soldiers

“If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and

seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will

forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

-3-

STITCHES FOR SAFETY

The sewing ladies of Wesley Chapel are at it again. We have been working on sewing pillowcases for Give Kids The World Organization. A couple of the ladies created kits for those that were kind enough to sew at the church and some were sewing the pillowcases at home. The ladies had been creating some really cute pillowcases when COVID-19 struck and put everyone on a stay at home order and social distancing. Over the past several weeks, the pillowcase kits quickly turned in to face mask kits to help support the health of the local community. It was apparent that the local nursing homes and other healthcare-related fields did not have enough of the proper N95 masks for their staff, and the staff was having to use the same mask over and over again. This is where the Wesley Chapel sewing ladies took on a task and have been a blessing in so many ways. Pam Weimer knew a very urgent need for Henry Clay Villa and wanted to put out the call for help amongst our church to help meet the urgent need. The face masks kits were assembled with the necessary items to create a pleated face mask that can be washed and sterilized for the person to wear. Over 200 face masks were assembled, sewed and distributed to Henry Clay Villa. Then another request for another facility came and the process started over again. To be able to name the ladies that are sewing would be difficult because the kits are available for anyone to come and pick up and sew in their own homes. We have not been meeting at the church to help follow the social distancing guidelines. So hats off to those of you that are stopping by getting the kits, sewing the face masks and returning them to the church. It has been a true blessing for our church to be able to help those in need in many ways, and this is just another example of how we can come together in hard times and be a shining beacon of God's Love.

Through several monetary donations, the ladies have been able to acquire more supplies to continue to meet the needs of the community. If you would like to help out, there will be more kits available as supplies are available for you to pick up and assemble the masks and return upon finishing (directions are available to take home with you). If you would like to make a monetary donation or purchase supplies of 100% cotton or 1/4 inch soft elastic are needed. If you have any of this at your home and would like to donate that is also a great way to help out! We thank you for your support and help in these trying times. To those of you that are sewing, you are a

TRUE BLESSING IN SO MANY WAYS THANK YOU! Mindy - John 3:16

-4-

-17-

Dear Pam,

Thank you for the generous donations from Wesley Chapel. We greatly appreciate your support .

Sincerely, Birthright of Somerset

Dear friends,

Lazarus Gate Food Pantry has faithfully served the Rockwood area since April 2014. We began the first distribution by serving 28 families. We've served as many as 80 families during the holidays! And March 25 of this year, we served 76 families as a drive-thru food pantry.

It is this last distribution that is so troublesome to me. Our average number served is around 50 families. The spike in March was due to the corona virus emergency. We served many new families...families who never thought they would need to visit a food pantry. We all know the ramifications from this terrible pandemic. Lives are lost. Layoffs are unprecedented! And the uncertainty in all our lives is so new. What we offered was not only food but some kind words and an expression of community.

Each family receives enough food for three days at each distribution. We are open twice a month, the second and fourth Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. So each family could receive enough food for six days monthly. Each family is permitted to receive food 24 times a year. No one is turned away!

Our concern right now is our ability to meet the need. I’ll be honest, our bank account right now seems to be okay. But it is the uncertainty that bothers me. We will give giant Eagle gift cards for Easter.* And for that reason they will receive less food than we normally give. They will also receive a $10 gift certificate for gas from Rock City Express. So, as you see, we are currently trying to meet the need.

But as this crisis continues, we are uncertain how it will impact us. So...I'm asking for your prayers. I know that no amount of worrying will help. He who holds us will continue to protect and guide us. So pray! And once all this is over, I will report back to you as to any needs we might have. I envision food drives and donations may be the order of the day!

So until then, be safe. Pray for us as I pray for you and all that you do. Together we will get through this!

And I leave you two of my favorites:

Martin Luther said, “God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does.””What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 Susan B. Barclay Lazarus Gate Food Pantry

*gift cards have been distributed.

-16-

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE…

The New Generation class has made the decision to postpone the annual chicken BBQ. The current plan is to possibly hold it in late September. Of course this is all contingent on the state of things by then. Hopefully the Covid19 pandemic will be over. Thanks for your understanding and hopefully we can all be together

again very soon!

FOR ALL MY FAMILY AT

WESLEY CHAPEL,

Reaching the big 7-0 during quarantine was quite special! My day was filled with special deliveries, phone calls and well wishes and even two drive by Happy Birthday duets (sung by Candee & Julia Jackson and Randy & Michele Klein). Twenty-four plastic eggs were

deposited in the yard with well wishes and words of appreciation inside from an anonymous source. A fruit basket from the New Generation Sunday school was a delightful surprise. Thank you so much. And I got to celebrate with my favorite

cake. I appreciate your love and thoughtfulness to make my day happier.

since the beginning about our sinful ways and the need to turn to God. Even starting in Genesis, we can read that God was greatly grieved at the wickedness of man for it was great on the earth. It tells us that the intents of men’s hearts were

evil continually and that the Lord was sorry He had made man.

Throughout the books of scripture, we find that God has continually forgiven and saved man from his sins and wickedness only because of His great love for us.

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 19)

Gail Minerd is now a resident of Countryside Personal Care Home. If you would

like to brighten her day you can send her a card at the following address:

Countryside Personal Care Home 1841 Stoystown Rd.

Friedens, PA 15541

-5-

Answer: B (See Proverbs 15:1, NIV.)

Bible Quiz Complete the following Bible verse: “A gentle answer turns away _____, but a harsh word stirs up _____.” A. an argument; obedience B. wrath; anger C. jealousy; resentment D. falsehood; truth

What is heaven going to be like? Just as there is a mystery to hell, so there is a mystery to heaven. Yet I believe the Bible teaches that heaven is a literal place. Is it one of the stars? I don’t know. I can’t even speculate. The Bible doesn’t inform us.

I believe that out there in space where there are one thousand million galaxies, each a hundred thousand light years or more in diameter, God can find some place to put us in heaven. I’m not worried about where it is. I know it is going to be where Jesus is.

—Billy Graham

-6-

We will be remembering those who have passed on to glory since last Memorial Day at our Sunday worship service on May 25. Please give Pastor Denton any names

of persons you wish to be honored.

We are looking for names of any of our church members who are graduating from kindergarten, high school or college this summer. Please give the names to Connie Pletcher or Pastor Denton with any pertaining information. Graduates will be recognized hopefully in

June during the worship service.

A GOLDEN TICKET

You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your

ticket to change the world. —Tom Brokaw

PRAISE GOD

(1)(2) to the Lord, all the (3).

(4) the Lord with (5);

(6) before Him with (7) (8).

(9) that the Lord (10) is God;

It is He who has (11) us, and not we (12);

We are (13) (14) and the (15) of His pasture.

1.________________________

2.________________________

3.________________________

4.________________________

5.________________________

6.________________________

7.________________________

8.________________________

9.________________________

10.________________________

11.________________________

12.________________________

13.________________________

14.________________________

15.________________________

Do you know the missing words? Write the correct word from the corresponding numbers in the blanks below. Check your answers in Psalm

100:1-3

-15-

In March, a group of Dynamic Women in Missions (DWIM) leaders led a follow-up training session for a group of women in Rwanda. They led the Train the T ra ine rs wo rk shop . One p a r t i c i p a n t , J u d i t h , h a d particularly great results. The Dynamic Women asked her to share what she had accomplished since the first training in October 2019. Judith shared that she had met with many people every month and had recorded how many times she used each of the evangelism tools that DWIM had taught her. Through her ministry, Judith led 51 people to the Lord. After we heard from all of the women, the total number of people who had accepted Jesus as their Savoir since our previous training was 121!

That’s 121 lives changed because of the ministry of OMS’ Dynamic Women in Missions. We thank you for your support of OMS missionaries and ministries and for your generous donation that allows ministries like this to transform lives in Rwanda and all around the world. We are grateful! Bob Fetherlin

Global President, One Mission Society

April 2020

Judith, on the left, shares with the Dynamic Women in Missions leaders and the other Rwandan women being trained how God used her to lead 51 people to the Lord!

Visit www.onemissionsociety.org for more information about OMS. Email

info@onemissionsociety.org to be added to a mailing list to receive general OMS

ministry updates or OMS prayer requests.

One Mission Society is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. All contributions are dispersed in full compliance with the ECFA and IRS guidelines. In rare exceptions when projects are over funded, those funds may be reallocated to an approved project per IRS guidelines. An audited financial statement is available upon request. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this donation unless noted as non-deductible. Contributions are solicited with the understanding that the receiving organization has discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. OMS honors donor preferences for missionaries and projects.

-14-

Our suggested food pantry item for May is laundry detergent. You may bring this or other food donations to the church during the month of May. We are currently supplying the Rockwood Area Food Pantry located at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church

in Rockwood. Hours for distribution are 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. the 2nd and 4th

Wednesdays of the month. Thank you.

DVD’s ready for pick-up.

Palm Sunday & April 19th messages

Zoom Sun-

day school

A WAY TO WORSHIP…

Messages from the parsonage living room, Easter Sunday service DVD’s pre-recorded, Facebook live messages, Zoom Sunday school classes, are all signs of the present time. Although we are not able to worship together, we are doing our best to worship together apart. Two prerecorded worship services are “under our belts” and a third is being planned for Mother’s Day, May 10. Pastor continues to bring a message on Sunday mornings on Facebook live at 9:30 a.m. on the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church page. Your continued tithes and offerings have been appreciated, and we are grateful for your financial support during this

time. We are all anxious to return to our church building and to our Wesley

Chapel church family. Until then, God bless you with health and safety.

-7-

‘Just keep swimming ... ’ In Athens, the apostle Paul responded to the people’s worship of “an unknown god” by declaring, “[God] is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being’” (Acts 17:23, 27-28, NIV). Author Diana Butler Bass echoes that sentiment: “If the water is invisible to the fish, is

God, as the One in whom we swim, also invisible?” (Grounded: Finding God in the World, HarperOne). I, in turn, am reminded of Dory, the blue tang fish in Finding Nemo. Feeling overwhelmed and alone, she chants to herself, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” When we feel alone and can’t see God, it’s not that he doesn’t exist or can’t be known; rather, he surrounds us so closely that sometimes we miss the fact. God is the Living Water in which we swim. Sometimes we need to just keep swimming until we become aware of that again.

—Heidi Mann

“Memorial Day”

Is it enough to think today

Of all our brave, then put away

The thought until a year has sped?

Is this full honor for our dead?

Is it enough to sing a song

And deck a grave; and all year long

Forget the brave who died that we

Might keep our great land proud and free?

Full service needs a greater toll,

That we who live give heart and soul

To keep the land they died to save,

And be ourselves, in turn, the brave!

—Annette Wynne

-8-

BEAUTY IN BROKENNESS

Leonard Sweet, author of Strong in the Broken Places, describes a style of Japanese pottery called kintsukuroi. It’s the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer, leaving the piece more beautiful for having been broken. God is like a kintsukuroi potter, healing and staying near to the brokenhearted (see Psalm 34:18; 51:17; and 147:3). Instead of ashes, mourning and despair, God provides “a crown of beauty,” “the oil of joy” and “a garment of praise” (Isaiah 61:3, NIV). Although earthly brokenness brings pain, the Master Creator can turn it into something amazing that glorifies him. When life seems to fall apart, remember that our powerful God can make you more beautiful for having been broken.

MAY 7TH, 8-10 PM ET

ON GODTV, DAYSTAR, FACEBOOK LIVE,

MOODY BROADCASTING, AND MORE

The National Day of Prayer

Thursday May 7th is the National Day of Prayer. A day set aside each year to pray

for the nation, to pray for our leaders, and to pray for revival. The theme for this

year is “Pray God’s Glory across the Earth.” A gathering for prayer will be in the

Wesley Chapel parking lot at noon on May 7th to pray for the healing of our nation

and for the healing of the people and for the glory of God to cover the earth. We

will honor social distancing by staying in our cars and we will have several persons

reading and offering prayers. It is an open invitation. Please come and pray with

us. Masks are required.

-13-

GOD IS NIGH

The simple but powerful bugle melody “Taps” has been a standard component of U.S. military funerals since 1891. It’s also played during each of the 2,500 military wreath ceremonies conducted every year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, including those held on Memorial Day. Many legends exist about the origin of “Taps” — both its melody and its lyrics. The words below, by Horace Lorenzo Trim, make an appropriate bedtime prayer.

Day is done, gone the sun From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky All is well, safely rest God is nigh.

Fading light dims the sight And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright From afar, drawing near Falls the night.

Thanks and praise for our days ’Neath the sun, ’neath the stars, ’neath the sky As we go, this we know God is nigh.

DON’T QUIT

“When things go wrong, as they sometimes will;

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill;

When the funds are low and the debts are high;

And you want to smile but you have to sigh.

When all is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;

The silver tint on the clouds of doubt;

And you can never tell how close you are;

It may be near when it seems far.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit-

It’s when things go wrong that you must not quit.” -John Greenleaf Whittier

-12-

“MOTHER AND CHILD”

“I love you,” said a great mother. “I love you for what you are, knowing so well what you are. And I love you more yet, child, deeper yet than ever, child, for what you are going to be, knowing so well you are going far, knowing your great works are ahead, ahead and beyond, yonder and far over yet.”

—Carl Sandburg

-9-

Pastor Denton has been sharing a message of inspiration on Facebook live since March 22. If you missed them and would like to watch his previous messages as well as two full worship services, you can search for them on Wesley

Chapel’s Facebook page. Go to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church on Facebook. The next live message is Sunday, May 3, and a pre-recorded service

on Mother’s Day, May 10 both airing at 9:30 a.m.

-10-

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

* Gary, Cindy &

Beth Ann Pletcher

2

*Jack & Barbara Pletcher

3

*governors

4

*Larry Pletcher

5

*Luella Pletcher

6

*Matthew, Carrie,

Ethan, Miley & Ella Pletcher

7

*Nellie Pletcher

8

*Ralph & Chop

Pletcher

9

*Russ, Sarah, Rhett

& Jack Pletcher

10

*mothers

11 *Steve, Connie,

Lillian & Ross Pletcher

12

*Tim & Carol

Pletcher

13

*Harold & Patti

Pritts

14

*Todd, Kayt, Claire

& Caleb Pritts

15

*Todd & Tracy Pritts

16

*Tom, Lacey, Olivia

& Troy Pritts

17

*medical personnel

18

*Tom & Vickey Pritts

19 *Tyler, Tara, Tristan,

Shane, Aaron & Hayden Pritts

20

*Shawn, Jen, Brittney & Matthew Roberts

21

*David, Sonja, Ciara

& Marcus Rogers

22 *Andy, Kristen,

Stephen & Adam Sanner

23 *Pete, Kizzie,

Maddox, Paelyn & Canaan Sanner

24

*military personnel

25

*Cathy Schmuck

26

*Megan Schmuck

27

*Ron Schmuck

28 *Ron, Marsha,

Brandon, Caitlin &

Isabelle Schmuck

29

*Ryan Schmuck

30

*Terry & Kathi

Schmuck

31

*loved ones

MOTHER’S DAY

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

Building/Special

maintenance

MEMORIAL SUNDAY

You are encouraged to remove this center page calendar and place it on your refrigerator for the

month for reference. *Denotes daily prayer focus.

PENTECOST

-11-

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

* Gary, Cindy &

Beth Ann Pletcher

2

*Jack & Barbara Pletcher

3

*governors

4

*Larry Pletcher

5

*Luella Pletcher

6

*Matthew, Carrie,

Ethan, Miley & Ella Pletcher

7

*Nellie Pletcher

8

*Ralph & Chop

Pletcher

9

*Russ, Sarah, Rhett

& Jack Pletcher

10

*mothers

11 *Steve, Connie,

Lillian & Ross Pletcher

12

*Tim & Carol

Pletcher

13

*Harold & Patti

Pritts

14

*Todd, Kayt, Claire

& Caleb Pritts

15

*Todd & Tracy Pritts

16

*Tom, Lacey, Olivia

& Troy Pritts

17

*medical personnel

18

*Tom & Vickey Pritts

19 *Tyler, Tara, Tristan,

Shane, Aaron & Hayden Pritts

20

*Shawn, Jen, Brittney & Matthew Roberts

21

*David, Sonja, Ciara

& Marcus Rogers

22 *Andy, Kristen,

Stephen & Adam Sanner

23 *Pete, Kizzie,

Maddox, Paelyn & Canaan Sanner

24

*military personnel

25

*Cathy Schmuck

26

*Megan Schmuck

27

*Ron Schmuck

28 *Ron, Marsha,

Brandon, Caitlin &

Isabelle Schmuck

29

*Ryan Schmuck

30

*Terry & Kathi

Schmuck

31

*loved ones

Armed Forces Day

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

2020