Where is your God?

Where is your God? Each city or country had its own God to protect its people. When Paul made disciples in Ephesus, the Ephesian church met in homes. They did not have a sanctuary or temple for God. People came from all over modern day Greece and Turkey to the city of Ephesus to worship Artemis in one of the most impressive temples ever built. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus is listed as one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The temple was proof that Artemis existed. What was the proof that the God of a Christian existed? Of what temple could Christians boast? When the Christian in Ephesus was asked these questions by an Ephesian, what was his answer? “We have no temple so we meet in a modest house”? First century Greeks and Romans would not have been impressed. Paul answers the question for the Ephesian Christians. The Temple of God consisted of the disciples being formed together as one body and filled with the Holy Spirit. This temple is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. The church is not a building. The church is a people. If the people of Ephesus wanted to see God, they had to look at the work of love carried out by the disciples. What about today? Is the proof that God exists found in the bricks, steel and fabric of a building? No! We are the church and God’s Spirit lives in us. Paul writes, “In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are

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Connector Wesley

August 2015 | Monthly Newsletter of Wesley Chapel UMC

Where is your God? 1-2 Intentional Faith 2-3 Development Serving People 4-5 Passionate Worship 6 Thank You 6 Event Calendar 7 Welcome 8

In this Issue

being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22). People today are not impressed with the size of our buildings but they are impressed with the greatness of our love. We must be active in our community to show God’s love by serving people. On August 29 we are focusing our service and mission in our local community with Serve Day. Our hope is that our service will be a witness to the community of how much we love God, how much we love each other, and how much we love our community. We serve so that people might see our good works and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). We have opportunities for all ages to serve. For more on Serve Day, see the related article in this newsletter or stop by our Serve Day table in the lobby on Sunday morning between worship service. Grace and peace, Pastor Tony Alstott  

New Sunday School Class On Sunday, August 16 at 11:00 am a new adult Sunday School class will begin. They will be studying “Crazy Love” by Frances Chan in the Agape Room 224. Ahnya Evinger will be the facilitator.

New Wednesday Night Life Groups Wesley Wednesdays will resume on August 12.

Raising Kingdom Kids by Tony Evans - Raising kids who recognize and retain their identity as children of the King launches healthy adults who have the capacity to stand strong in their faith. The facilitators are Stephanie Taggart and Melissa Caufield.

Journey to Believer Building by Tommy Higel - This "journey" is a 7-lesson study of the "one another" phrases in the New Testament. From studying these phrases, we can discover how God wants us to build up “one another.” The facilitator is Ron Van Tyle.

Breath by Beth Moore - Breath examines the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Its title is drawn from the words of John 20:20, which records that Jesus “breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’.” The facilitators are Rhonda Alstott and Marcia Latimer.

Faith Lessons, That the World May Know, Volume 1 by Ray Vander Laan - In this first volume of Faith Lessons, discover how God guided his people to a specific place. The facilitator is Debbie Smith.

Financial Peace University - Financial Peace University (FPU) is a nine-week class on money taught by America’s most trusted financial guru, Dave Ramsey. Dave and his teaching team will walk you through the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future, and much more! The class is facilitated by Michael Davis and Dustin Ogden.

New Thursday Life Groups Precept, Hebrews, Parts 1,2, and 3 by Kay Arthur - In these last days, God has spoken to us in His Son. What does He say about Jesus, angels, and our great salvation? Learn about Jesus' superiority to all in this exciting study of Hebrews 1- 4 that enlightens and enlivens Old Testament law and prophecy. This study begins Thursday, September 10 at 9:00 am. The facilitators are Rhonda Alstott and Marcia Latimer.

The Daniel Plan is a groundbreaking healthy lifestyle program founded on biblical principles and focused on The Essentials: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends. Daniel Plan begins Thursday, August 13 at 6:30 pm. The facilitator is Cindy Henderson.

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New Friday Life Group

Breaking Free by Beth Moore - In Breaking Free, Beth Moore embarks on a study of selected passages from the book of Isaiah, drawing several parallels between the captive Israelites and today’s Christians, in order to show how to make freedom in Christ a daily reality. Moore teaches readers to remove obstacles that hinder freedom by identifying spiritual strongholds in their lives and overcoming them through the truth of God’s Word—truth that will set us free. This study begins August 14 at 9:00 am. The facilitators are Amy Atkinson and Becky Perkins.

On Sunday August 2 and 9 there will be a Life Group Connection Table in the lobby for class sign-ups and book purchases, or sign up online at wesleychapel.org.

Wesley Elementary Excursions

Intentional Faith Development Continued

Wesley Elementary Excursions was great this year. It seemed short this summer, but fun was had by all. Within the twelve days of fun, the children enjoyed painting, in-church drive-in movie, a trip to the movie theater, picnics to parks, and lots and lots of swimming. Friendships and Christian fellowship was had by all thirty children. Thank you to Ahnya Evinger, Christen Schaar Sharley, Katie Thurston and Michael Crim for a summer of adventure and fun.

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Dare to Care Food Pantry August is our month to fill the food pantry at Hope Southern Indiana. Paper bags with the printed list are available on Sunday mornings in the lobby and front office. The deadline to return the bags is Sunday, August 30.

Giants in the Faith Hope Southern Indiana invites you to celebrate Giants In The Faith. This year we celebrate Don and Sue Calfee, Jelle DeWilligen, Shirley Owen and 25 other honorees. The luncheon is Sunday, August 16 at 1:30 pm at Huber’s Plantation Hall. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center and are due to Hope Southern Indiana by Tuesday, August 4.

Marriage Tip Always listen to what your spouse has to say no matter how uninteresting or boring it is to you. It is important to your spouse or they wouldn’t be sharing it with you!

Bridal Shower Please join us for a bridal shower for Brittany K.- Sabala Saturday, August 15 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm in the Celebration Room 212. Brittany and Stephen are registered at Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond. RSVP appreciated, but not required, to Nancy Hammack 812.923.0686.

Kennedy-Sabala Wedding Bill and Janet Kennedy-Sabala request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Brittany Kennedy-Sabala to Stephen Huntley on September 19 at 3:00 pm. The ceremony will take place at Wesley Chapel UMC, 2100 Highway 150, Floyds Knobs with a cake reception to follow.

Mexico Serve Team

Guatemala Serve Team

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On Sunday, July 5 Officer Ben Gipe and Ron Van Tyle presented Bob Fulkerson with the retired flag at Wesley Chapel. At 95, Bob is the oldest living veteran in our congregation. Bob’s wife Norma is seated with him.

Serving People Continued

Johns Island

The Johns Island Mission Team Trip is September 19-25. The annual planning meeting is at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, August 12 at Pfrimmers Chapel UMC, 500 Pfrimmers Chapel Rd NE, Corydon IN. Bring a covered dish to share. Meat, drinks, and tableware provided. Come and meet team members and learn about how we have been serving the people of the sea islands of South Carolina off the coast of Charleston for 30+ years. We need painters, plumbers, electricians, roofers, carpenters, helpers, listeners, and whatever else you may be able to do. Contact Carol Shrewsbury at 812.923.5647 or carolshrewsbury@gmail.com for additional information.

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Wesley Chapel, I want to thank Pastor Tony and all friends and family of Wesley Chapel for choosing me as the recipient of the flag during the ceremony on July 5. They were honoring all veterans and gave me this honor as I was the oldest veteran of our church. All of our Veterans deserved this honor as well as me and I share this honor with them all. I want to especially thank Mr. Van Tyle from our church and Mr. Gipe, officer of Floyd County Sheriff department for assisting me and my wife throughout the ceremony, and the young men and women for the retiring and raising the new flag. Long may it wave. Also thanks to all the veterans who participated at the ceremony. God Bless us all at Wesley Chapel and true family of God. Bob Fulkerson

Communion Team If you feel called to serve on the Communion Team join us in the Celebration Room 212 on Wednesday August 19 at 5:30 pm for a meeting/training session. This training is for both new and current servants. For more information contact Christina Harper at 812.309.4214.

Thank You Wesley Chapel, Thank you so much for the flowers, kind words, and prayers for our family. My mother thought of Wesley as her family and loved each of you very much. One day we will all celebrate together in heaven. Blessings, Cindy Music Wesley Chapel family, Thank you so much for the flowers, gifts, cards, prayers, and visits during my stay in the hospital. A special thanks to Pastor Tony for his visit. Wesley Chapel is truly a church that cares. Love to all, Bev Bennett Wesley Chapel, We sincerely thank our church family at Wesley Chapel for the prayers, love, food and support during the month of July during my grandmother’s illness and death. The day after her funeral, we were going through some of her letters and writings and found a written testimony about the day she gave her life to Christ as a teenager at a revival. The letter continued to say that her faith was the most important thing in her life. We find great comfort knowing we will all be with Jesus someday. In the meantime, it is a joy to count each of you as my brothers and sisters in Christ. Tony and Rhonda Alstott and the family of Mary E. Clipp

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep

your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s

people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

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Sunday

Monday

Tuesday W

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Friday S

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2 Connections

Koinonia C

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3 M

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7

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13 Ladies’ B

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14 Ladies’ B

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15 B

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16 P

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Wesley Connector A publication of WESLEY CHAPEL UMC 2100 Highway 150 Floyds Knobs, IN 47119

Welcome to Wesley Chapel wesleychapel.org

Wesley Chapel UMC

2100 Hwy 150, Floyds Knobs Office: 944-2570 ~ Fax: 944-2851

www.wesleychapel.org Tony Alstott ~ Lead Pastor extension 27 email: pastortony@wesleychapel.org

Becky Perkins ~ Director of Christian Education extension 30 email: beckyP@wesleychapel.org

Stephen Wagner ~ Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry extension 25 email: youth@wesleychapel.org

James Powers ~ Interim Director of Worship extension 24 email: praise@wesleychapel.org

Gina Wampler ~ Secretary extension 21 email: secretary@wesleychapel.org

Melissa DeLuca ~ Receptionist extension 22 email: receptionist@wesleychapel.org

Wayne Perkins ~ Maintenance/Building Security

Kevin Berry ~ Custodian email: : custodian@@wesleychapel.org