the encounterwesleyfresno.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/february-2019-encounter-2.pdffeb 02, 2019...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 34 #2 February 2019
Gro
win
g i
n C
hri
st t
o b
e a
Bo
ld W
itn
ess
to
Go
d’s
Lo
ve
Wh
ere
All
Mean
s A
ll S
ince
The Encounter Periodical Postage Rate
At Fresno, Calif.
Wesley United Methodist Church 1343 E Barstow Ave Fresno, CA 93710-6309
(559) 224-1947
CORE VALUES
Spiritual Growth Social Justice Inclusiveness
Finding Community in Worship, Learning, Compassion and Fellowship
Wesley Hikers
Planning Meeting February 10th 11:45am
Wesley Dines Out Feb 12th 6:30pm Lin’s Fusion 5155 N. Blackstone
Call office to RSVP
United Methodist Women WE Circle Feb 13th 6pm
Ruth Circle Feb 14th 10:30am LGBTQ & Allies Potluck Feb 17th 2pm Della & Toni’s Home
50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Larry and Rena Mullen (nee Ventura) Married January 25, 1969, 7 PM
Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church Fresno, California
Met on a blind date CSUF semester break 1967 Engaged CSUF semester break 1968 Married CSUF semester break 1969
U.S. Sewing Machine Co. 2494 E. Gettysburg Fresno, CA 93726
559 222-3717 (SW corner of Fresno and Gettysburg)
HOUSEHOLD AND INDUSTRIAL SALES AND SERVICE
ALL MAKES AND MODELS Tell John that Larry from Wesley UMC
sent you!
Growing in Christ to be a Bold Witness to God’s Love
The Andrews
Caboodle means savings on ink and toner!
433 E. Keats Suite 7
Fresno, CA 93710
559 446-1898
Tell Terry that Larry from Wesley UMC
sent you!
Lydia’s House
Saturday, February 16 from 9:00 am to noon in the Fireside Room
Title: “Slowing Down, Finding Joy”
All women are invited. Bring mug, fruit (cut up) or bakery item to share.
For information call Sally Adlesh 559-324-9608 or Sylvia Pethoud 559-438-7705
Sunday School Classes Children 10:15 - 11:30am Ed West
Adult Forum 9:15 - 10:15am Fireside Room
ONGOING SMALL GROUPS SUNDAY Meditation 9:15am, Winterberg #2
MONDAY Bible Studies 11:00am, Winterberg #3
Video lecture series, “The Holy Land Revealed” in WEC #3
MONDAY 6:00pm, Parsonage call office for address,
Reading the gospel of Luke.
WEDNESDAY 10:00am, Library, Book Study, Short Stories by Jesus:
The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine
THURSDAY 10am, Library, Women’s Bible Study, It’s Good to be the Queen:
Becoming as Bold, Gracious and Wise as the Queen of Sheba
Pastor Karen will be out of the office at a mentor training at the Conference office in W. Sacramento on February 5th, the Academy for Spiritual Formation in Danville February 18– 21 and a meeting in Madera on February 27th. Her clergy circuit (a mandatory requirement for all UMC clergy) will be at Memorial in Clovis on February 13th in the afternoon. Pastor Karen’s office hours are Monday—Wednesday 9am to 3:30pm. She makes pastoral care visits on Thursdays.
“Coffee and Conversation” We’ve all been warned not to bring up religion or politics when we’re in a group of people with diverse views. But religion and politics are provocative and engaging topics—where can we go to discuss them? Wesley offers you a place for serious yet civil conversation around such matters. The first opportunity will be on Thursday, February 21, from 7 to 8:30 pm at the home of Robert and Sylvia Pethoud, 460 West Vartikian Ave. The topic is: “Overall, is the world getting better or worse?” Munchies and warm beverages will be provided. Please RSVP by February 17 at [email protected]
"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. Matthew 5:43-45a from The Message It’s the month of love when we celebrate Valentine’s Day. There are two saints named Valentine who were martyred in the 3rd and 4th centuries. It was Pope Gelasius in the late 400’s who declared February 14 the saint’s day for Valentine. Chaucer, the English writer of the middle Ages, linked the saint to romance and love. In Europe in the 1600’s people began to exchange love notes or valentines which began to be mass produced in the 1840’s in the United States. With all this focus on love, I thought of Jesus’ admonition to love your enemies. I think this is one of the hardest things we are asked to do in our walk of faith. How do you love someone that mistreats you? Talks about you? Hurts you? That is not an easy task. As Jesus says in the translation from The Message “Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.” Well I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’ve got to dig deep to find the best in my own soul. My first reaction when someone does something hurtful is to cry and then I get mad. But thankfully God doesn’t leave me in this place. I’m learning to slow down, pray for peace. I’m learning to do what Jesus admonishes us to do, “…respond with the energies of prayer.” This has been a balm, an ointment of peace, that smoothens out those rough places. Is there someone who is difficult to love in your life? Ask God to place love in your heart for them. I hope to see you in church on Sundays, invite a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker or even an enemy to join you! Research has shown that most people (over 80%) attend a church because someone invited them. Peace, Pastor Karen
“The Encounter” (USPS 742-130) is published monthly by Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E. Barstow Avenue, Fresno CA 93710. Periodical postage is paid at Fresno, CA 93706. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Encounter, 1343 E Barstow Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
Are you looking for a new ministry opportunity?
We will be starting a new ministry to provide meals to Wesley family and friends that are recovering from surgery, illness, or have recently been in the hos-pital. We are looking for a few people to sign up to provide food on an “as needed” basis. If you are interested in receiving more information, want to sign up to help in this ministry or know of someone who is in need of a meal after hospitalization, please contact: Carolyn Scott 559-903-4240 or [email protected]
February 10 Joanne Michelson March 10 Diane Hanson-Barnes April 14 Carol Presley May 12 No Meeting June 9 Joyce Fadenrecht July 14 Sylvia Pethoud August 11 Linda Traynor September 8 Toni Onkka & Della Campbell October 18-20 Retreat at ECCO November 10 TBD December 8 Kathryn Johnsen
The Wednesday Book Group is reading Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine. You may have heard or even studied these parables before, but not the way Levine tells them. Levine is a renowned—and witty—scholar who stresses the importance of knowing the Jewish context for Jesus’ stories. So often the parables have been “Christianized and sanitized” that we lose the punch that the original hearers felt.
The group is open to all who wish to read and discuss the book. If you have been considering joining the reading group, a new book is the perfect time to fit right in. They meet each Wednesday morning at 10:00 in the church Library (in the office building). If you want to know more, contact CJ Pitcher at 559-301-2357 or [email protected]
Two Spirits, One Heart
The Fresno Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens' League and the United Japanese Christian Church's Agape Ministry would like to warmly invite you to an upcoming event about transgender journeys. We are excited to host Marsha and Aiden Aizumi on Sunday, March 31 at 1:00 pm, with conversation/studies leading up to their visit.
Adult Forum in January and February
Questioning Capital Punishment
This DVD study features Sister Helen Prejean, one of the world’s leading authorities and outspoken critics of state-sponsored execution. Sister Prejean is eloquent in her dismantling of the legal and religious arguments used to justify the death penalty. Meet in the Fireside Room, 9:15 am on February 3, 10, 17, and 24.
Aladdin's Rug
The Meditation Class is interested in having an area rug for their space, and wonders if anyone is getting ready to pass
one along. It could be as large as 12’ x 8’. Please call Sandy Crow 559-439-4879
You are invited to Ruth Circle Thursday February 14th in the Choir room at 10:30am (note change of time). The program will be Isaiah, who will play his guitar and sing for us. Please wear red in honor of St. Valentine.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Received Donations of 54 Pillows, 51 Twin Sheet Sets, 24 Twin Blankets &100 Pillowcases Thanks for your generosity!
Sunday Scripture Sermon
Feb 3 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 Love Letter
Feb 10 Luke 5: 1-11 Fish Tales
Feb 17 Luke 6: 17-26 Good, Bad & Indifferent
Feb 24 Luke 6: 27-38 New Rules
Volume 34, #2
Wesley United Methodist Church Phone 559-224-1947
wesleyfresno.org
Greeters Media Techs Liturgists Ushers
Feb 3 Hospitality Team Alice Hawke Dale Cahill Margie Andreco
Susan Giocalone
Feb 10 Hospitality Team Alice Hawke Linda Bennett Dale Cahill
Margie Andreco
Feb 17 Hospitality Team Estelle Parenteau Debby Sultan
Feb 24 Hospitality Team Estelle Parenteau
Shari Wilcox
Worship Leadership for February
Contact Wesley's Staff Pastor Karen Stoffers-Pugh [email protected] Office Secretary Myra Cubos [email protected] Bookkeeper Sharon Sanchez [email protected] Music Director Elizabeth Layous Accompanists Peggy Copp, Carol Presley Custodian Dolores Lopez Our United Methodist Connection California-Nevada Annual Conference Phone (916) 374-1500 www.calnevumc.org Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño/Debra Brady, Central Valley District Supt. Email: [email protected]
February Sundays Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays
9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:15 AM - 11:30 AM Childcare 9:15 AM Meditation & Adult Forum 10:15 AM Sunday School for Children 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Snack & Chat Fellowship
11:00 AM Monday Bible Study 1PM Prison Gift Bag Project Sorting 3 PM Reading & Beyond 6:00 PM Bible Study @ Parsonage
8:00 AM Tuesday Crew 10:00 AM-2 PM Pink Cow Open
10 AM Book Study Group
3 PM Reading & Beyond
9:00 AM Food Pantry Open 10 AM-2PM Pink Cow Open 10 AM Women’s Bible Study 5:30 PM Base Camp
OFFICE CLOSED
9:00 AM Food Not Bombs Feb 3rd and 23rd Only
Thursday
the 7th
6:00PM Worship Meeting
Saturday
the 9th
1PM Carole McCrery’s Celebration of Life
Sunday
the 10th
11:45AM Social Justice Action Team, Blood Pressure Check, Hikers Meeting 2PM PFLAG 6PM Wild Wesley Women Home of Joanne Michelson
Tuesday
the 12th
6:30PM Wesley Dines Out, Lin’s Fusion on Black-stone
Wednesday
the 13th
6PM WE Circle 7PM SPRC
Thursday
the 14th
10:30AM Ruth Circle
Saturday
the 16th
2PM Bob Bailey’s Memorial Service
Sunday
the 17th
2PM LGBTQ & Allies potluck at Della & Toni’s home
Monday
the 18th
Office Closed
President’s
Day
Wednesday
the 27th
6PM Trustees
Special Calendar Events
Weekly Calendar Events
Wesley Dines Out February 12th 6:30pm
Lin’s Fusion on Blackstone
SAVE THE DATE
March 1-3, Interfaith Scholar Weekend, Rev. Dr. Thandeka, a Unitarian Universalist
Scholar and professor at Andover Newton Theological School.
Please pray for Delegates at the
Special General Conference February 23—27
Many are praying daily from 2:23pm—2:27pm