February February ––March 2014March 2014 Bimonthly Newsletter of Wesley United Bimonthly Newsletter of Wesley United

Methodist ChurchMethodist Church

them following, he said to them, 'What are you looking

for?'" (John 1:38)

As we follow the light of Jesus and witness to his presence in our lives, what is your answer to his question? What do you want? What would you say if Jesus stood before you and asked you the question, “What are you looking for?” Would your response be one of bewilderment, absolutely dumbfounded that the experience renders you speechless? Or would you have an immediate response? Standing in his company, would you pull out a list of questions or concerns or ideas? “I am looking for someone else to carry this pain, Jesus, would you do it?” “I am hoping you can provide a game plan, Jesus, giving me exact instructions."

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. Those who love me

will keep my word.” (John 14:6 & John 15:23)

In our faith development, both as individuals and as a faith community, my prayer is that we will not seek instant solutions and stand in the presence of Jesus expecting all difficulties to disappear. How is it expressed in one of our hymns? “Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.” (Hymn of Promise.)

Friends, within each one of us are seeds of possibilities. Let us not rush the growth process. May we trust that the Lord and Gardener of our lives will ‘water and tend’ to those seeds planted within each of us. And may we bloom, in God’s own timing , into the lush, colorful, and varied garden that He has planted. What do you want? What will be produced this year in the garden of your faith?

The ChimesThe Chimes

Everyday Essentials

During the months of February and March, members of Wesley will once again be lending a hand to the outreach mission of both the FISH food pantry and the personal care pantry of the Rock Falls UMC.

In February, we will be collecting containers of laundry detergent to donate. In March, we will collect boxes of tissue.

For those who attended the DeKalb leadership event in

Missions at Wesley...

“When Jesus turned and saw

Missions at Wesley continued

on page 3...

Forgiveness, not available for purchase online or at any retail establishment, is God’s great gesture and posture toward humanity. In the ultimate gift of Jesus, God’s forgiveness can be described as salvation and reconciliation. And, it is a gift to be shared! Jesus gave disciples the power to forgive. Forgiveness is part of the DNA of any church.

In our life together, undoubtedly, there will be differences, some awkward moments, and perhaps conflicts over certain decisions made. I hold no special powers to see into the future so as to describe what those issues might be. We all recognize that a difference might erupt from changing the time of a meeting to striving to ‘go green’ and reduce our dependence on paper products. Some might absolutely relish pure praise music in our worship services, while others are much more in tune with God through the offering of traditional hymns. Within our church family and its life together, Praise God we realize that there is room and space and tolerance for a variety of differences! And should any awkwardness, any hint of discord arise, may we be

found offering forgiveness!

“Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

- Pastor Nancy

What’s happening at Wesley...

Lenten Study Offered - Beginning March 9th

Is forgiveness a Christian duty in all circumstances? Or are there situations when Christians can withhold forgiveness? Is forgiveness a matter between individuals, or is it valid only in the context of communities?

Those questions and others like them will be explored as the theme “Forgiveness” is offered for our Lenten Study in 2014. We will meet following worship, beginning March 9th, for a 30-45 minute class. If you are interested in participating, please indicate that on the signup sheet, so necessary materials can

be ordered.

(p.s. This class will be offered during the six Sundays of Lent.)

During the holiday season, I was quite taken by the insightful column written by Cara Allen in the local Gazette. (Ms. Allen is a University of Illinois extension educator.) Her written words challenged readers to consider giving a non-traditional gift for Christmas: forgiveness. “In making the decision to forgive, you decide not to hold a grudge toward someone who has hurt you. It also means initiat-ing the process of changing your emotions toward the hurtful event by letting go and choosing not to remember the hurt in a

healthy way.”

Mark your calendars…

Trustees Meeting - Feb. 4 @ 6:30 p.m.

Trustees Meeting - Mar. 4 @ 6:30 p.m.

Storytelling Festival @ Wesley - March 14

We celebrate together…

February Birthdays

Debra Hodges (1), Al Rude (2), Carol Cravatta (2), Diane Rude (3), Benny Fenn (3), Stacey Stutzke (7), Brandon Fredericks (8), Kari Hansen (12), Warren Heuck (12), Sarah McNeill (14), Corrine Smith (18), Jack Graves (20), Gary Swart (20), James Taylor (24), Lynn Majewski (24), Mary Michel (25)

March Birthdays

Cody Hansen (2), Sue Klock (2), Aaron Fitzanko (2), Linda Larson (6), Stephanie Spitzer (7), Lucas Knowles (7), Jan Davey (8), Alice Vetter (8), Donnie Lee (11), Rachel Bollinger (13), Debbie Hopes (13), Abrianna Poci (15), Jaclyn Davey (16), Darlene Kereven (16), Megan Stutzke (16), Amber Greenfield (18), Dakota Hayes (20), Gene Klock (20), Roberta Fredericks (22), Christopher Perry (22), Colton Duncan 23), Jeanne Burch (29), Lark Perry (29)

February Anniversaries

Harold & Janet Palmer (12)

Dave & Roberta Fredericks (14)

Luther & Phyllis Stutzman (15)

Matt & Chris Stutzman (22)

Doug & Ann Wiersema (23)

March Anniversaries

Jim & Marilyn White (7)

Eddie & Carol Morse (13)

FISH Pantry Thank You

Wesley, you have been a generous supporter of the FISH Food Pantry. We have been able to give everyday essentials that recipients could not purchase with their link card. Cash donations have been used to buy food items at the food bank for 18 cents a pound. $10.00 buys 55 pounds. That enables your donation to provide a great deal of food. The number of people using the food pantry is increasing.

Some pantries have to close when they run out of food. This has never happened at FISH and I do not see this happening in the future.

Thank you again for your continued support,

Beth Mathew

Missions at Wesley cont’d from

page 1…

Sycamore, we heard representa-

tives from the Rock Falls personal

care pantry make a request for

feminine hygiene products as well.

Needed by our neighbors in need,

may we be a congregation that

steps up to provide.

There will be clearly marked

boxes and tables for the donations

we bring, located just within the

Wesley chapel.

More of what’s happening at Wesley...

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Join the Wesley prayer shawl ministry by knitting or crocheting a prayer shawl, or coming for a visit and conversation. Yarn and lessons are available. The group meets from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in the fireside room the last Wednesday of the month. Future dates are January 29, February 26, and March 26.

It's a new way to shop and give at the same time!

If you haven't already, check out UMCMarket.org. All you have to do is register, choose 'Sterling Wesley' as your designated charitable organization, then log onto the site before beginning your shopping or before you book that next trip...or even pay your taxes! Wesley will then receive a portion of any dollars spent as a direct contribution. If you have any questions or need help with your registration, please call Kelsey at the church office. It's free and it can really add up to more dollars for your church, which can then be used to expand or create more ministry opportunities.

Just a friendly reminder - if you have been the recipient of altar flowers, please return the vase to the church once you are done enjoying them. We have a new florist, and we are rotating the vases. Additionally, if you have an extra vase that is taking up space in your cupboard and you'd rather add it to the rotation than get $.25 for it at your next garage sale, we'll gladly take it! Thank you.

As many of you heard, Dee Gann has relocated to Wheaton, IL to be closer to her daughter and grandsons. Her new address is:

1091 Wexford Court

Wheaton IL 60189

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not

overcome it." (John 1:5)

Street lights, house lights, car lights, ceiling lights, closet lights,

flashlights, airport lights, office lights, porch lights, police lights,

parking lot lights, Christmas lights are but a few examples of

energy/power that weren't there in the manger at Bethlehem. John's

gospel identifies Jesus as that light that shines in the darkness. As

we embark to continue to serve God in 2014, my prayer is that we

will trust the light of Jesus and be guided by his presence as our

path of ministry is illuminated. Such a commitment and focus

provides Christian pilgrims with an energy/passion that is not our

own! Praise be to God!!

"This little light of mine, I'm going to make it shine."

Immigration Information

Please join us Sunday, January 26 from 4

to 6 pm for an informal round-table dis-

cussion about immigration and its impact

on the communities in Northern Illinois.

In an effort to become better informed,

Wesley UMC will host an informal round

-table discussion about the issues of im-

migration; national, state and local.

Led by staff members of the YWCA of

the Sauk Valley, topics will include some

of the generally voiced concerns/ miscon-

ceptions regarding immigrants-- such as

of welfare rolls and employment. Who

are the immigrants, how do they become

citizens, and how do we, as caring mem-

bers of the community, help?

Who: Staff members of the YWCA of the

Sauk Valley

What: Immigration issues in our local

communities

When: January 26 4-6pm

Where: Wesley UMC, 2200 16th Avenue,

Sterling, IL

***This is a reminder to Wesley high school seniors - the Endow-ment Committee is now accepting letters for the Lyon Family Scholar-ship. Please contact the church office if you have any questions or need more information.***

We serve together…

Greeters Coffee Hosts Liturgists Acolytes

Feb. 2 Darlene Davis The Bob Allen Family Rory Smith February -

Feb. 9 The Tim Schwingle Family The Christie Freas Family Meghan Clodfelter Brooklynn Freas

Feb. 16 Jean & Joan Partridge Janay Dalton Renee Duncan Haleigh Freas

Feb. 23 Harold & Janet Palmer Denny & Alice Vetter Janay Dalton

Mar. 2 Amy Viering Toby & Debbie Hodges Elisa Gatz March -

Mar. 9 The Dave Abele Family Harold & Janet Palmer Roberta Fredericks Bryn Gatz

Mar. 16 Bill & Nell Adams Dave & Sharon Siex Bruce Kramer Athena Knowles

Mar. 23 Renee Duncan Sue Hayes Gloria Grant

Mar. 30 Frank & Charron Rausa Denver & Sharon Wasson Debbie Hodges

Serving at the PADS Homeless Shelter

February - Sharon Siex, Beth Mathew, Sue & Gene Klock, Rita & Rory Smith Supper - Renee Duncan

March - Sharon Prichard, Gloria Grant, Deb & Toby Hodges, Joe & Bryn Gatz Supper - Gloria Grant

April - Sharon Prichard, Doug Brandau, Darrin Driscoll, Joe Gatz Supper - Peg Burke

Two missing children to report…

Now that I have your attention, allow me to offer a description of those children. Born in Africa,

under extreme conditions of poverty, each child is suffering from malaria, and faces a limited life

unless we help, and help now!

Wesley UMC has done a commendable job in raising funds for Imagine No Malaria. Since mid-June

of 2013, when we established the goal of saving one child each and every time we came to worship

(cost per child is $100.00,) we have sent $3,074.71 to the conference office.

Good job, Wesley!! Exceptional job! Let us press toward our goal of saving a child each and every

worship service...and let us not forget that in the 32 weeks we have generated a desire to help, we

still have two children (and their families) counting on our help.

Pastor Nancy

Jesus said to the people who

believed in him, “You are truly

my disciples if you remain

faithful to my teachings. 32 And

you will know the truth, and

the truth will set you free.”

- John 8:31-32