The Messenger

First & Wesley United

Methodist Church

89 Center Street

West Haven, Connecticut 06516

203-933-8795

February 2017

The regular football season is over. Wildcard and divisional playoffs, conference

championships, and the Pro Bowl are over as well. After all those games, we will

have a big event on February 5th

, Super Bowl Sunday when the most beers are

consumed in a single day. I will enjoy the Super Bowl, the biggest and most

exciting football game.

Yet, there is something bothering me. I am uncomfortable to watch a player celebrating by himself

after a touchdown by dancing, showing his muscles, and/or pantomiming while his colleagues are

waiting to celebrate together. I understand it is an exciting moment and therefore, he should celebrate.

However, I believe that it is disrespectful to let his colleagues wait beside him because the touchdown

has been done by everyone’s effort. I say, “Oh, cut it out! Celebrate with your colleagues.”

I sometimes hear from you, “Pastor Lee, you have achieved a lot for our church. Because of you our

church has turned around.” However, I believe that is because of your dedication. You and I have

achieved the great work together. I know that each comment is from the bottom of your heart, and I

really appreciate that. I would like you to know that my thought (that we have done it together) is

also from the bottom of my heart.

Our culture likes to create a superhero, but Christianity is not about that. There is only one superhero,

our triune God; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It might be human nature to

try to be a superhero, but I remind you that when anyone becomes a superhero in the Christian Church,

its message is distorted. Not the bishop, not the district superintendent, not the pastor, not the active

lay member, nobody should be a superhero, but Jesus Christ. We are doing ministry together by the

grace of God.

Enjoy the Super Bowl game but do not forget to scream at the player who celebrates by himself after

the touchdown, “Oh, cut it out! Do not let your colleagues wait beside you but celebrate with them.”

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Sungmu Lee

Lectionary Readings for February 2017

February 5, 2017 Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) • Psalm 112:1-9 (10) •

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) • Matthew 5:13-20

February 12, 2017 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20 • Psalm 119:1-8 •

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 • Matthew 5:21-37

February 19, 2017 Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 • Psalm 119:33-40 •

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 • Matthew 5:38-48

February 26, 2017 Exodus 24:12-18 • Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 •

2 Peter 1:16-21 • Matthew 17:1-9

Lenten Bible Study

Lenten Bible Study begins Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:30pm in Kendall Hall. For those unable to

attend in the evening we will also have Saturdays beginning on February 25th at 10:00am. Our study

book is, The Way - Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. Travel with him as he

retraces the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Each chapter along with the video includes photos from

Adam's trip to the Holy Land. Books are available in the church office.

PRAYER GROUP

Prayer group will meet Tuesday, February 7th from 10:00 to Noon at Rich & Thelma Reid's home, 101

Bellevue Avenue, West Haven, Connecticut. YOU ARE WELCOME

PRAYER; Maker of all time and space, God who was before Time or Place, we thank you for the gift of years! We

are grateful for all that gives our lives shape and design, for the dependable round of days , the annual cycle of

seasons, and the seasons of the heart. We thank you too for fresh beginnings and pray that in the use of these your

gifts we may bond closeness with your timeless spirit, through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

No topic is more common at this time of the year than Time. Think of all we do with Time - we gain time, fight

time, lose time, find time, beat time, kill time, waste time, save time....and so on and so on. There is no end to the

quotes one can accumulate regarding time.

We are all deeply aware time and the passage. Some want to slow it down - others want to rush it. Time is the only

resource that each of us is proud to admit we lack, "Time management" is a favorite topic to some after dinner

speakers in the business world. The fact is, there is no such thing! Only management of ourselves with regard to

time

Time is a gift of God, to be used with appreciation and respect. Paul wrote to the Colossians "Make the

best possible use of our time" Making work an act of joy is probably the first lesson to be learned about

Christian time management.

In a New Year's interview regarding future trends most of the participants mentioned issues of peace, poverty/and

so on. Eric Sevaried's issue was leisure. How does "loafing" fill into our notion of Christian stewardship . Bible

links it to the nature of God as surely as does work. On the 7th day God rested.

Think of work time, leisure time, but also family time spent in family games, travel time, time to listen to care and

show concern and time spent in shared laughter.

FEBRUARY 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

7:30p Bible Study

2

10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

3

6p Confirmation Class

4

9-11:45 Connecticut District Resource Day* 10-12p Combined Youth Groups: Sub making for a Mission Project (Souper Bowl for Caring)

5

9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship & Communion 11:30 Coffee Hour

6

7

10–12p Home Prayer Group (101 Bellevue Ave, West Haven) 5p Youth Choir 7p Stewardship Meeting

8

7:30p Bible Study

9

10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

10 11

8:30-10 Men’s Breakfast 3:30-5p Craft Corner

12

9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:30 Coffee Hour 11:45 Missions Meeting 6p I/M Youth Group

13

14 Valentine’s Day

5p Youth Choir 7:30p Finance Meeting

15

7:30p Bible Study

16

10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

17

6p Confirmation Class

18

4-6p Agape Meal (*Agape – Greek word for “the love of God for man and of man for God”)

19

9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship & Communion 11:30 Coffee Hour 11:45 Worship Meeting 6p Senior High Youth Group

20 Presidents’ Day

* Messenger Articles Due

21

6:30p SPR Meeting

22

7:30p Lenten Study 1

23

10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

24 25

10 Lenten Study 1

26

09:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:30 Anointing for Healing & Wholeness 11:30 Coffee Hour 6p I/M Youth Group

27

28

5p Youth Choir 7p Trustees Meeting

Connecticut District Resource Day Saturday, February 4

th, from 9:00am – 11:45am

at Golden Hill United Methodist Church (210 Elm Street, Bridgeport, CT)

Ash Wednesday Service Wednesday, March 1

st, at 7:00pm

at First & Wesley UMC

* As of January 22, 2016. For further updates, visit www.firstwesleyumc.org/calendar.

Adult Sunday School

The Adult Sunday School class is for anyone too old for the teenage class. We

meet in Kendall Hall during Sunday school hour for lively and wide ranging

discussions on how our faith impacts our daily lives Monday through Saturday.

Our current guidebook is Faith is the Answer, But What Are the Questions? By

James W. Moore. The author says “Faith is the answer, of course, but still, what

are the questions, and how do we respond to them honestly, creatively, and

redemptively?”

Come and join us for an energetic and enlightening time!

Sunday School News

Sunday School meets weekly on Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10:15.

The younger classes use a program called Deep Blue. They meet in

the sanctuary. The kids listen to and read bible stories, sing songs,

and learn bible verses. After the opening lesson, students go to

their own classrooms to work on craft projects, play games, read,

and talk about the lesson.

The older Sunday School class meets in an upstairs classroom in their comfy chairs. They use

a program called Submerge. They read stories, play games, make craft projects, and talked

about their lessons. Each week has a theme. The theme gives them an opportunity to talk

about issues they face as preteens and teens.

The Craft Corner

The Craft Corner, a group of youth grades 5 and up, met on

Saturday, January 14 to make Get Well Cards and Valentine Cards.

We meet the second Saturday of each month from 3:30 – 5:00.

The next date is Saturday, February 11 to make Get Well and

Thinking of You cards. Contact Gail Bartozzi or Jen Werle for

more information.

Missions and Outreach

On Sunday, January 8 we held a meeting after the service, and discussed several future projects.

We have 3 shadow boxes and a bulletin board to publicize our church's numerous mission projects. One will be for

UMARMY, one will be for Vacation Bible School, and one will be for other current projects. If you would like to use

your artistic or photographic talents to help set them up, please let us know! UMARMY is looking for another adult to

chaperone their building/repair mission during the second week of July. If you are interested please speak to Becky

Baker.

We are planning at least two fundraising projects to help pay for the UMARMY participants: a carwash and a dessert

auction. We'd love to have volunteers to help with both of these spring events.

Our lunch/games afternoon in the Hill section of New Haven is still in the planning stage.

Our church's conference will be collecting to purchase personal hygiene kits for girls in Africa. Many young girls are

forced to miss up to a week of school every month. Each kit costs $20, and can be reused by a girl for quite a while,

allowing her to have regular attendance at school. During February and March we will attempt to purchase as many as

we can--possibly as many as there are women and girls in our congregation!

Our second annual Easter breakfast and egg hunt will be held on Saturday, April 1, with a rain date of Saturday, April

8th. The breakfast will be served from 8-10am, followed by 2 separate egg hunts-- one for very young children, and

another for the older children. If you would like to help setting up, serving, or cleaning up, please speak to Nana Amos.

The craft group of young people met on Saturday, January 14 to make cards for shut-ins.

Vacation Bible School is one of most successful mission projects. We are looking for someone to head up VBS this

summer. There are many people who work to make this a wonderful experience every year. If you would be willing to

use your talents to head up VBS please speak to Pastor Lee.

Our next meeting will be held following the church service on Sunday, February 12. As usual, everyone is welcome,

whether you are on this committee or not. If you have an idea for a mission project please speak to anyone on the

committee.

Youth Choir Come and join us! Youth choir is open to anyone from 1st grade and up. We practice every Tuesday from

5:00 PM to 5:45 PM and sing once a month in church. Below is our schedule for February:

Feb. 7th

5:00-5:45 rehearsal

Feb. 14th

5:00-5:45 rehearsal

Feb. 21st NO REHEARSAL

Feb. 28th

5:00-5:45 rehearsal

Youth Group News

First and Wesley United Methodist church has two youth groups. I/M youth groups are for anyone in

Intermediate and Middle School. Senior High Youth group is for anyone in grades 9-12. We hope you will

come and join us. It is a great time of fun, fellowship and increasing your faith! Below are the dates for our

activities in February.

Feb. 4th

10-12 noon Making subs for Souper Bowl Sunday Feb. 12th

6-7:30 I/M Youth Group

Feb. 19th

6-7:30 Senior High Youth Group Feb. 26th

6-7:30 I/M Youth Group

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

SUB ORDER FORM

Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement of young people working to fight hunger and poverty

in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl football game. In the weeks leading up

to or on Super Bowl Sunday, young people take up a collection or conduct a fundraising event. They

give 100% of their donation directly to the local hunger-relief charity of their choice.

All proceeds from the First and Wesley Youth Group fundraising event will go to WHEAT.

Meats available: turkey, ham, salami, pepperoni

Extras: american cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper

Subs are foot long white bread. Since we make them up on the Saturday before the Super Bowl, we

do not put mayonnaise or oil and vinegar on them.

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________________________________

NAME ____________________________________________________________________

# of subs ___________ X $8 (each) = _$____________

Subs may be picked up on Sunday Morning, February 5th

, after church.

Have you visited our Church Website lately?

It is truly beautiful and informative. The Church calendar is updated as needed and you

can check on dates and times of meetings and events.

Website is: firstwesleyumc.org. Check it out!

From your lips to God’s ears – Thank You Bill Hunt

It is rare when we see one miracle close up. I had that experience a few years ago when my cancer was

found and removed from my chest without any problem. I was in awe of God’s power and humbled by his

selection of me to be so blessed. I knew from the first moment that the prayers of friends and loved ones had

taken my case to our Lord and he had smiled on me.

The last several weeks have been very difficult for me and my family. Learning that I had a life threatening

lung disease was hard. The turmoil it has created in my life is huge. On December 19th

when I went into the

hospital I was still working full time. Now I am retired. All of the “plans” I had made for the future were

either discarded or on long term hold and because of the many unknowns about this disease.

Today I went to my first post hospital doctor’s visit with my Pulmonologist. Once again I have been blessed

with a very personal miracle. There has been great improvement in my lung function and I am on the road to

recovery. I pray every day but I am always reluctant to ask for anything for myself. Once again your voices

joined with my friends and family to champion my cause. I cannot thank you enough.

Always remember that God hears every prayer and he must like what he hears.

It's that time of year for CHOCOLATE! First and Wesley United Methodist Church will be taking orders for Munson's

chocolates starting on February 19th. All order forms need to be turned in by

March 12th to ensure delivery of items before Easter. All proceeds go to the

ongoing ministry of First and Wesley United Methodist Church.

For this to be a successful fundraiser, I am looking for people who are willing to

take sales brochures and sell to your friends and family. Please contact me at 203-

444-2362 or drsmith@snet.net if you can help out. Thank you! Helen Smith

T0 MY VALENTINE

There are many moral and spiritual perceptions in religious literature which, if practiced, can improve our

quality of life. The word, “heart”, is found in scripture over nine hundred times and the word, “love”, over four

hundred and fifty times. Both of these words indicate the importance of compassion in both our spiritual love to

God (agape) and in our human (filial) relationships with one another. In Deuteronomy 6:4-8 and in Matthew

22:33-40 we are exhorted to observe these biblical principles. The role of religion has and always been a factor

in our individual lives. Although George Washington, together with our founding fathers of our nation,

believed in the legal separation of church and state, there is a strong indication, from the standpoint of history

that, and from the words which they wrote or spoke, they did not believe in spiritual separation.

In ancient times the “heart” was considered the center of love. We also know that knowledge is important, but

according to recent studies, a person’s attitude accounts for seventy per-cent for his success in life in terms of

human relationships. And so, as we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, let us remember our duty to God, to others

and to ourselves. Let us protect our heritage. Rev. Benson A. Benton, Sr.

Trustees

The Trustees supervise and maintain all property belonging to the church so that the ministries of the

congregation can be effective. As do all committees of the church, they work with the church council to

respond to God’s call.

The trustees together have several legal and administrative functions. They are to:

• oversee, maintain, and supervise all local church property;

• report annually to the charge conference on the state of the church’s property, equipment,

investments, and resources;

• receive and administer all gifts made to the congregation; make certain that all trust funds of the

congregation are invested properly;

• ensure that the articles of incorporation of the congregation are kept up to date, if applicable;

• be responsible, in conjunction with the pastor, for all use of the church buildings and grounds;

• maintain adequate insurance coverage on all church property and develop appropriate risk

management policies;

• submit to the committee on finance the annual budget requests for insurance, property maintenance

and improvement, and new property purchases;

• be accountable to the charge conference and to the church council.

Members of the Trustees are elected during the Charge Conference in the late fall and serve for 3 years.

Members of the Board of Trustees are:

Class of 2017 Tom Baker, Christine Latham, Linda Memmott

Class of 2018 PaaKow Amos, Will Arhin, Jim Stuhlman

Class of 2019 Kathy Hulse, Jim Jerrell, Laurie Simone

Speak to any trustee if you have concerns about the facility.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Save the Date ~ Connecticut District Resource Days

Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at Golden Hill United Methodist Church 210 Elm

Street, Bridgeport, CT. Our District Resource Days will feature a wide selection of workshops with a

sampling of topics including church finance, prayer, small group leadership, conversations with our Muslim

neighbors, SPR 101, mass incarceration, and much more. Watch for a full list of workshop topics and

descriptions, along with information on how to pre-register. We will offer information, inspiration, and

opportunities to interact with United Methodists from around our District. Please plan to attend.

Questions?

Contact Maggie Carr, Chair, District Council on Ministries at jcarr01@snet.net; phone: 203-284-8278

Fundraiser

Just a reminder that Dave Smith is selling Stop

and Shop cards to members and friends of First

and Wesley. Whether for buying groceries or to

give as a gift, as an added bonus, you can earn

Stop & Shop gas rewards for every $1 spent on

gift cards.

It is hard to believe that more people don’t take

advantage of this marvelous way to raise money

for the church. If you buy a gift card from Dave

Smith you get the full face value at the register

and Stop & Shop sends a percentage to the

church. It couldn’t be simpler and it doesn’t cost

you a dime. The church has raised over $2,000.

Coffee Hour

“Coffee Hour ~ we are always

looking for kindhearted souls

to take a turn at serving coffee

after church. Meet your friends to chat in a

relaxed atmosphere. A sign-up sheet is available

in Fellowship Hall. You can also sign up online

on our website,

www.firstwesleyumc.org/Forms.html

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Articles for the March Newsletter are due

by February 20th. Please mark your calendars.

EVERYONE IS A REPORTER

If you give me the- who, what, when, where

and why, I will write your article for you –

Email to dollar.signs@snet.net or call

203-213-6363 and leave a message. Please

send me your email address to speed up

delivery of the newsletter.

Thank you, Bill Hunt (Phyllis 203-843-1037)

Pennies From Heaven

The Native American Penny Collection is ongoing

to provide very much needed food and fuel. Please

help the Sunday school students by giving them

your loose change each week to support those in

need.

Happy Birthday Sofia! Once again Sofia Bobko would like to celebrate her birthday with her "church family". On Sunday, February 19, please share in celebrating Sofia's 9th birthday by bringing nonperishable food items that will be donated to W.H.E.A.T. in her honor. Last year our generous congregation filled 2 large grocery carts in honor of Sofia's 8th birthday!

February Birthdays

1 John Paul Thompson

5 Jeremy Soule

7 Linda Kopec

James Ewen

10 Andy Whitley

11 Ruth Kreyoh

12 Ruthie Maxim

17 Stephen Baker

Gregory Baker

18 Ashton Danz

21 Catherine Bartozzi

22 Edward Sperry

23 Brett Dzikas

Karl Kiesinger

25 John Bobko

26 Jason Jerrell

27 Ashley Hulse

February Anniversaries

15 Dolores and Geoffrey Danz

17 Lori and Paul Franson

20 Florence and Joseph Dzikas

If you would like to include someone for birthdays or

anniversaries please see below. Example- name change,

address change, marriage, birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to church office.

Pastors

Discretionary

Fund:

Please consider giving a “Love Offering” to Pastor’s

discretionary fund. You may place your gift in the

container on the back table of the sanctuary. If you

wish to write check to the church, please write

“Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo section.

Tell us if you have a member information change:

example- name change, address change, marriage,

birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to

the Church office.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Prayer Shawl meets the second Tuesday of every

month at the home of Chris McGregor or Linda Kopec.

If you would like to give a shawl to someone, please

see one of the members: Linda Kopec, MaryAnn

Hawkes, Edith Mulligan, Sue McMillian, Sharon Ewen

or Chris McGregor.

Alternately, there are blessed shawls in the church

office as well as letters to go with them and gift bags.

If you take one, please leave a note with the name of

the recipient. We try to keep a list so that we know

how many shawls have been given to friends.

If you don't knit but would like to be part of this

ministry, we would be happy to accept donations

toward the purchase of yarn. If you would like to

choose the yarn yourself, three skeins of Lion Brand

Homespun are needed for each shawl.

Thank you!

Kid’s Page

The Messenger First & Wesley United Methodist Church

89 Center Street West Haven, CT 06516

Phone (203) 933-8795

www.firstwesleyumc.org

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com

Reverend Sungmu Lee

Sunday Worship Time: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:15am

The February Newsletter