Join thousands of people around the world as we Change the World by working locally for change. The folks at Wesley Memorial UMC invite you to join us from 10am to Noon as we package lunch bags at the church (714 E. Whitaker Mill Rd.) and then take those bags to Moore Square to feed the hungry. The lunch bags will have both lunch (sandwiches) and a little food for later. We have plenty of bags and plastic ware, but we still need the following:

• canned pop-top items (Vienna sausages, potted meat)
• fruit cups
• pudding cups
• bottled water
• bread for sandwiches
• peanut butter and jelly
• cheese crackers (Nabs)
• other non-perishable food items to put in bags

Bring items to the church by May 16 if you cannot attend the event, or bring them on May 19 when you come to help. To register for the event, go to http://rethinkchurch.org/impact-event/change-world#.

Great times for the family at UM camps
There are several great events scheduled at the conference camps during the month of May. Go to the corresponding link to see all the details.
May 4: Cowboy Campout at Camp Chestnut Ridge (for boys)
May 4-6: Father/Child weekend at Camp Don Lee
May 11-13: Family Camp Weekend at Camp Rockfish
May 11: Horse Slumber Party at Camp Chestnut Ridge (for girls)
May 12: Mother-Son Day of Fun at Camp Chestnut Ridge

5K Run/Walk

Sunday, April 8, 11:00am

The tomb was empty. Jesus revealed himself to Mary Magdalene and she gave the first Christian sermon: He is alive! On this joyous day come celebrate the good news of eternal life with us at Wesley Memorial UMC. With song, word, and joyful hearts we will lift up our praises to our Almighty God for this gift of salvation.

No Sunday School on Easter.

Sunday, April 8, 6:45am

When the sun rises, word quickly spreads that Jesus is not at the grave — HE IS ALIVE! Come celebrate with us on this most joyous of mornings the good news that Jesus conquered even death. We will worship on the lawn in front of the church building and join the communion of saints in Holy Communion. The Reverend Charles Herrin will share the good news with us that morning.

Following the service there will be ham biscuits, fruit, and coffee in the fellowship hall as we continue the celebration with Christian fellowship. No Sunday School on Easter.

Friday, April 6, 7:00pm

We will have a Tenebrae service in the sanctuary. This is a service that tells the story of Jesus’ passion — his death — as told in the Gospel of John. It is also referrred to as a darkening service, with the sanctuary gradually growing darker as we move closer to the end of the service. This is a powerful service as we witness the death of Jesus.

Join us on Thursday, April 5 at 7:00pm for the story of the Passover as told in the Seder Service. This is the meal Jesus shared with his disciples for the Last Supper. This will be a symbolic meal, not a full dinner, that will explain the elements of the Seder. We will conclude the Seder with Holy Communion, as Jesus instructed his disciples. This is suitable for all ages, as the Seder is a family meal.

Sunday, April 1, 12:30pm

Join the children in their quest for Easter Eggs at the Kimbrough Park on Palm Sunday, April 1. Water and a simple snack will be provided. Children should bring their own baskets for collecting. For children up to 5th grade. In case of rain event will be cancelled.

Saturday, March 17, 9am-1pm

We will be making clothes for children in Haiti. These clothes are for children to wear to school, the place where many of these kids get their only food during the day. There are jobs for everyone — tracing patterns, cutting patterns, and sewing. If you have a sewing machine bring it to help with the sewing. We will do all the work in the church building. Bring a friend and together we can change lives!

During the six Sundays of Lent we will have some special moments in worship. The worship committee prays that these additional elements in worship will strengthen our journey to the cross through this season as we prepare for Good Friday and Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. Betsy Massey has put together a wonderful series of children’s sermons to explain many of the symbols we see during Lent. After each children’s time the symbols will be placed on a special cross in the sanctuary as reminders to us throughout the season. Another way we will observe this season is through our time of confession. Lent is about more than confession, but that is a large part of what we do to prepare for Easter. We confess our sin as humans. Each week after the sermon there will be a community prayer of confession followed by a hymn of response. The congregation is encouraged to use the piece of paper provided to each person to write down personal sins. During the hymn, you may go forward and place your paper in the flame of the candle that will be at the front of the sanctuary. This signifies that you have confessed your sin to God, asked God for forgiveness, and that God has given you forgiveness. We pray that you will be blessed by these opportunities to learn more about Lent and that you will draw closer to God.