January Article 2015 Proverbs 3:5-6 NRSV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own

insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Whenever we change from one year to the next I take a moment to think about what happened in the past year and wonder about what will happen in the coming year. Every year I can identify events and happenings that seemed to be good and others that seemed to be bad. The news had a number of stories that continue to be troubling. Racial tensions have been filling the news as well as conflicts and wars overseas. In our own individual families we have had loved ones die and others facing difficult physical conditions. But each year also has its joys. We can give thanks for the low gas prices or for the blessings of new babies being born. Pam and I are very thankful for our son, Than, being able to complete his overseas Intercultural Studies trip and his continuing good health.

This new year is an important year for the Wesley and Albright United Methodist churches. We are now embarking on a merger team to put together a merger plan for our churches to join and form a new United Methodist Church in Marshall. We will be discerning God’s direction for the United Methodist ministry and voting on whether to proceed with becoming a new church or not. I ask all people to keep praying for God’s direction and blessing in this important deciding year.

Whether it is about the church merger or just what God has in store for each of us, I wonder what next year will bring? I wonder what we will have to overcome? I wonder what special blessings are in store? I have come to realize that the life we live will always have a mixture of trials and triumphs. The question is how do we respond to each? It is not a question of “if bad things happen” but rather “when bad things happen” how will I overcome? When joys come how will I celebrate and in whom will I celebrate?

The passage above is one of my memory passages that keeps me steady in a life that has great ups and downs. I have come to the place to say, “I will trust in the Lord no matter what happens!” That has not come quickly or easily but I can honestly say I believe I have gotten to that place. So many times I have learned that my insight and wisdom have been flawed, but God’s has been true. I have learned that when I honor God things fall into place.

I know of some people who feel this is not so for them. They feel God, if there is a God, is against them. They feel like the breaks go against them all the time. It is hard to respond in a respectful and adequate way be-cause my experience is so different. It is easy for me to say they just haven’t stayed true to God. It is easy for me to say they haven’t recognized God’s actions because it didn’t line up with what they wanted. It is easy for me to say they lack faith and that is why they don’t see God. But I think all of those statements are hollow because I haven’t walked in their shoes. I haven’t experienced their disappointments. I cannot answer for anyone except myself.

I have found that when I trust in my own way God becomes more distant. I have found for me that when I acknowledge God’s goodness and humbly strive to put God’s ways first I feel right. I feel God’s pleasure. I experience God’s blessings, not necessarily physical but usually internal.

How do you face the uncertainty of life? Do you put your trust in the Lord even when life doesn’t go the way you planned? Do you strive to follow God’s way even when that way calls you to act in ways different than what you want? Are you willing to look at this new year with wonder filled expectation of how God will bless you in the good events but also in the so called bad events?

I have experienced God to be faithful in all circumstances. I pray you do as well. Have a great New Year during which your faith in God will grow and strengthen.

The grace of God be with you! Pastor Wes

NOTE FROM PASTOR WES AND PAM: Our whole family wants to thank all who gave us Christmas cards and gifts. Your remembrance of us and generosity is greatly appreciated and very special!

If you would like a pastoral visit or to schedule a time for Christian counseling, please call Pastor Wes at the church

office (507-532-4010)

Phone: (507) 532-4010 Email: wesleyumc@knology.net

Website: www.wesleyumcmarshall.org

Wes Johnson, Lead Pastor Chris Webb, Youth & Family Ministries

Deb Geis, Administrative Assistant

Strengthened by Prayers, Presence, Gifts, and Service Television Broadcast—Mondays at 7:00pm & Tuesdays at noon by both cable providers: Wow!—channel 17 & Charter—channel 180

Wesley United Methodist Church

202 N Fourth Street Marshall MN 56258 (Return Service Requested)

Wesley WelcomeWesley WelcomeWesley WelcomeWesley Welcome January/February, 2015January/February, 2015January/February, 2015January/February, 2015

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Marshall, Minnesota Permit No. 125

Sunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday Worship 9:30am9:30am9:30am9:30am

• January 1st New Year’s Day Office Closed

• January 7th Wednesday Activities Resume Peder Eide Concert

• January 19th Martin Luther King Day

• February 8th Boy Scout Sunday Shareholder’s Banquet

• February 18th Ash Wednesday

• February 14th Valentine’s Day

• February 22nd Lent Begins

Important Dates:Important Dates:Important Dates:Important Dates:

Birthdays 1 - Carla Linafelter 2 - Briatta Buntjer Loronda Schuler Sue Green 5 - Rena Lockwood 6 - Cecil Knieff 8 - Dakota Edens 9 - Sarah Smallfield 10 - Justin Van Keulen Deb Hoganson Jerry Hubner 15 - Karen Thooft 16 - Sandy Untiedt 18 - Lori Coleman Shelley Buntjer 21 - Jessica Hoganson Taylor Kriz 23 - Brady Dubs 26 - Alli Kopitski 28 - Connor Neubeck 29 - Maurine Hudson Jayne Bleloch 30 - Benjamin Geihl

Anniversaries

4 - Terry & Tammy Kriz 7 - Thor & Georgette Wiebe

January Birthdays & January Birthdays & January Birthdays & January Birthdays &

AnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversaries

Wishing each of you a New Year filled with Peace, Joy, Health, and Positive Relationships. The year 2015 looks to be an exciting year for Wesley United Methodist Church. A year filled with challenges, choices, and celebrations. As your leaders we are excited to take this journey with you, “as together we share the love of Christ in word and deed. “(Colossians 3:17)

The merger team is complete! The administrative team is made up of Matt Coleman, Larry Jeska, and Steve Schuler. These individuals will be looking at the more technical side of the merger along with 3 people from Albright. Things they will address are property, staffing, finances, legal issues, etc. The vision/programming team will consist of Delbert Cox, Karen Thooft, and Gary Vincent. They will be looking at vision, mission, and programming along with and additional 3 members from Albright. We thank theses committed individuals for their willingness to serve in this capacity.

Please take time to share your ideas, concerns, and hopes with any member of the team. I ask that you faithfully pray for them, asking for wisdom and discernment. We are all in this together and each has a role to play. I would ask that there would be no murmuring or complaining behind backs that issues are directly addressed and to the appropriate individuals. Let this be a time of deeper unity and harmony—a time of building and strengthening this Body of Christ.

Lastly please set aside time each day to pray for our church, that we would follow God’s plan and not ours.

In His Service,

Claudia Stenson Common Table Chair

COMMON TABLE CORNER by CLAUDIA STENSON CHAIRPERSONCOMMON TABLE CORNER by CLAUDIA STENSON CHAIRPERSONCOMMON TABLE CORNER by CLAUDIA STENSON CHAIRPERSONCOMMON TABLE CORNER by CLAUDIA STENSON CHAIRPERSON

If you are looking for information concerning Wesley Church, then you must check out our website at:

wesleyumcmarshall.org

The website has updated calendars, bulletins, weekly events, news, and much more.

Website News

4 Al & Evie Smith 11 18 Karen Egly 25 Dave Hoganson

January Chancel FlowersJanuary Chancel FlowersJanuary Chancel FlowersJanuary Chancel Flowers

2 9 16 Deb Cox 23 Mickie Paluch

February Chancel FlowersFebruary Chancel FlowersFebruary Chancel FlowersFebruary Chancel Flowers

www.pedereide.com

When: Saturday, January 17th @ Marshall Area YMCA 7 pm - 12 am

Who: All students in the Marshall Area in 7-12 Grade.

What: A Lock-In full of friends, a concert, swimming, open gym time and pizza!!!

Cost: $10 at the door.

What can I do at SuperNight?!?!?

Concert with Peder Eide

When: Wednesday, January 7th 6 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Wesley United Methodist Church 202 N. 4th St. Marshall, MN

Cost: Free-Will Offering

Saturday, January 17th

7:00 pm - 12:00 am

Featuring: Boiling Point

Family Worship; New Beginnings Family Worship; New Beginnings Family Worship; New Beginnings Family Worship; New Beginnings

In January, our time on Wednesday evenings will be taking another turn as we discover the best way to connect with families and youth and lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ and community with each other!

Beginning in January, Family Worship will be from 6:00 - 6:50 pm. We will be introducing a weekly video devotion that will cap off our time and serve as away for us to learn and grow together. As part of the new schedule we will be dismissing FROG and Confirmation students at 6:25 pm and inviting our high school students to stay till the end and then head up to the Youth Area for the rest of small group. This time will serve as the Small Group’s devotion for the evening as well!

Please contact me with any questions or comments. We are still hashing things out. As we move forward we know that our priority is to allow for families to worship, learn and grow together.

SuperNight! 2015

Any Questions: Contact Chris at 507-532-4010 or theway@knology.net

Shareholder’s Banquet

On Sunday, February 8th we will be continuing our

tradition of celebrating our previous year of ministry with friends, stories and

great conversations over a wonderfully cooked meal!

Wed, Jan. 7th

Shareholder’s Work Night!

January

• Sun, Jan. 11th: Youth Leader’s Summit

• Sat, Jan. 17th: SuperNight Lock-In @ the Y!!!

February

• Sun, Feb. 8th: Shareholder’s Banquet

• Wed, Feb. 18th: Family Fun Night/Ash Wednesday Service

• Wed, Feb. 25th: Lent Services Begin

Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday evening service

February 18th

Prayer Requests The prayer request sheet in Sunday’s bulletin is updated weekly. If you have

a prayer concern to include, please make a note and place it in the offering

plate on Sunday morning or email the church office, by Thursday evening,

specifying you would like it printed .

Basic Christian Life Classes Offered beginning in January

If you are interested in taking the first Basic Christian Life class talk to Pastor Wes or sign up on the sheet on the Welcome Desk. Time of the class will be determined by those who sign up to attend. Basic Christian Life Course 3 also will be offered. Talk to Pastor Wes or sign up on the sheet on the Welcome Desk.

Birthdays 2 - Chari Hamilton Al Smith Ken Swanson Carlos Noriega 4 - Kassidy Tocco 6 - Jack Lanners Sherry Quist 8 - Nancy Kor 9 - Than Johnson 10 - Naomi Johnson Wayne Smith 11 - Cheryl Geihl 13 - Jason Weber Dayna Medina 14 - Shirley Anderson 17 - Anton Skuya 18 - Makayla Erickson 19 - Carrie Albee 21 - Lou Dwire 23 - Linda Ouart 24 - Ray Hively 25 - Olivia Allen 26 - Lester Anderson 27 - Isaac Thooft 28 - Nick Untiedt

Anniversaries

14 - Jason & Traci Weber

FFFFeeeebbbbrrrruuuuaaaarrrryyyy BBBBiiiirrrrtttthhhhddddaaaayyyyssss &&&&

AnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversaries

Rena Lockwood’s Century Birthday Celebration

Please join us for Rena's Century Birthday

Sunday January 4th, 2:30-4 PM at Hill Street Place(401 S. Hill St.)

Let your presence be the gift!

Jean Moon, Bob Lockwood, Dan Lockwood, Lorie Iverson

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. - Martin Luther King Jr.

Our mission is to know Christ better and make Christ better known. As we work to address the last part of that statement the Mission Committee has selected Jews for Jesus to be a recipient of $1,000. This organization founded in 1973 exists to make the Messiahship of Jesus an unquestionable issue to our Jewish people worldwide. With a staff of 200 they have 22 offices worldwide that find unique and challenging ways to interact with the Jewish people to discuss that God exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that he will return in human form as he did the first time.

Mission Moment

From the Finance Committee

Matching Pledge Cards for Land Payoff

Envelopes Remaining: 15

Envelopes Remaining: 2 - $2,500 $ 5,000 13 - $1,000 13,000 $18,000 Matching Dollars: 18,000 $36,000

Important: $18,000 needs to be pledged in order to receive the matching $18,000. Let’s not miss out on this opportunity! If you took an envelope, please be sure to return the pledge card in the provided envelope.

Land Purchase Balance

Land purchase balance less the pledges is under $40,000 - Thank you so much for your response to this drive. The end is in sight!

2015 Stewardship Campaign

Blessed by God to be a Blessing campaign is in full swing.

─ Thank you to all who have prayerfully filled out a pledge card and returned it to the church.

─ As of December 17th we have received around 40 pledges!

─ It is never too late to get your pledge card in!

Walk to Emmaus Retreats Men’s Walk: April 23-26

Women’s Walk: April 30 – May 2 At Koronis Ministries, Paynesville, MN

If you haven’t been to a Walk to Emmaus Retreat prayerfully consider attending. It is a 72 hour spiritual journey where you have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as He is

revealed to you through other believers.

Those from Wesley who are on the leadership team for these spring walks are: Men’s Walk: Pastor Wes Johnson

Mission: To procure and distribute corporate surplus food and goods to help fight

poverty, hunger and disease in rural communities in the United States for those

with low resources and in crisis through churches, food shelves and other local

civic organizations. To develop the ”Blessing Box” concept to activate people

in being alert to the needs of others and to be proactive in encouraging, showing

friendship and meeting tangible needs of struggling neighbors, friends and

strangers regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.

Jan. 4, 2015

Epiphany Sunday

TITLE:: “The Joy of the Lord” TEXT: Nehemiah 8:7-12

Jan. 11, 2015

1st Sunday after the Epiphany

TITLE: “Why are Some Saved and Others Not?” TEXT: Matthew 2:13-23

Jan. 18, 2015 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany

TITLE: “It has Only Just Begun” TEXT: John 2:1-11

Jan. 25, 2015

3rd Sunday after the Epiphany

TITLE: “Doing What’s Best” TEXT: Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:38-42

Feb 1, 2015

4th Sunday after the Epiphany

TITLE: “Balancing Priorities” TEXT: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Sermon Series

Volunteers needed! February 5th - 4:30-6:00 pm

Email rubypantrymarshallmn@gmail.com to volunteer

"America's Rural Food Bank"

Troop 320 is actively involved in Marshall and continues to meet in the Wesley church for their meetings and various activities throughout the year. The troop meetings take place on Monday & Thursday evenings.

For more information, please contact: Lonny Sowden at (507) 530-2727 or Tammy Bursack at (507) 476-0795

Special Dates Coming Up:

Boy Scout Sunday February 8th

Scout’s Blue/Gold Banquet February 23rd

French Toast Breakfast March 15th

Financial Pledges for 2015

Everyone is encouraged to fill out pledge cards and turn them into the church office for their expected giving to Wesley United Methodist Church during 2015. Prayerfully deciding on a pledge amount is helpful for the giver as well as for the church. If you do not have a pledge card there are additional cards in the church office. Everyone’s on-going support to the ministries of Wesley church make it possible for us to do what God calls us to do.