Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

Begin the journey of Lent at the Ash Wednesday Service on February 22, 6:30pm. This will be a time of confession and reflection for all. The service will include putting ashes on the forehead. The ashes remind us of our need to repent for that which we have done wrong — and we’ve all done something wrong in our lives! However, this is also a call to reconciliation. In other words, a call to make things right between us and God, us and whomever we have wronged, us and God’s creation. Begin the season of Lent at the cross, giving your sin to God, cleansing your heart, and moving into a right relationship with God.

Join with us as we look at the prophet Jeremiah. The Bible study begins on Wednesday, January 18, at 6pm. Bring your dinner with you and enjoy a time of fellowship before we delve into the study each week. Be sure to bring your Bible and a notebook/journal for any notes or questions you may have.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)

Are you thinking about ways to be a better person in 2012? Do you want to help more people but don’t know where to start? Do you enjoy being around other people and making new friends? Then join us at Wesley on January 7, from 10am-Noon, as we package 10,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now (www.stophungernow.org). The meals we package will go to schools in developing countries — encouraging parents to send their children to school – or to people in immediate need of food in places like the Horn of Africa where there is severe drought and famine. Children ages 5 and older are encouraged to help package the meals with their parents; however, we will have child care for younger children whose parents are packaging meals. The good folks of Wesley also will provide a soup/chili lunch once all the meals are packaged. What better way to begin a new year than by helping others and meeting new people?!

Begin the New Year at church. Come worship the newborn King on New Year’s Day, and make a covenant with God for the upcoming year. If you’ve strayed from God, this is a great time to move back towards God and work on that relationship. We will use the Wesleyan Covenant Service to think about the year and how we want to live.

We’re open on Christmas Day! Come for worship at 11am on Christmas morning to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Hear the story as told by Saint Luke, sing classic Christmas hymns, and share the love of God. No Sunday school today — spend a little extra time at home before heading to church for a glorious time of worship.

Join us for Christmas Caroling on Christmas Eve at Mayview Convalescent Nursing Home (513 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608). We will meet at 5pm on Saturday, December 24 at Mayview. Singing will start in the dining room, then we will walk the halls. Help bring the joy of Christmas to our neighbors at Mayview.

Mary, Did You Know?

Have you ever wondered about the different people involved in the story of Jesus’ birth? Did Mary know that the child she delivered would one day deliver her, and all the rest of us?

The choir has been working hard to get ready to share this story of Good News. Come hear about Jesus’ birth through word and song as we celebrate the greatest gift of all — God IS with us! O come, O come, Emmanuel!

Join us this Wednesday as we finish getting Wesley ready for Advent and Christmas. We’ll start at 6pm with pizza and decorating. St. Nick himself will drop by to keep us in the Christmas spirit, so we need all ages on hand to make St. Nick welcome. Don’t miss this chance for food and fun as we prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

All kids are invited to come for lunch, worship, mission, and fun in the Fellowship Hall following the 11:00 service.

Each child should bring a small to medium sized pumpkin to carve and an adult to help.

We started our book study of Right Here, Right Now, by Lance Ford and Alan Hirsch on Wednesday, September 14. This book was used in a Raleigh District book study, and the book is worth looking at together. Books are in Pastor Heather’s office, and cost $14 each. This book will give us some guidance as we discern God’s vision for our church and look at some concrete ways to practice being a missional church. Bring your own dinner to eat as we catch up with one another, then we’ll begin some discussion by 6:15.