the wesley perspective - Wesley United Methodist Church

THE WESLEY PERSPECTIVE
Volume 16, No 11
Wesley United Methodist Church
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Joe Connelly
544 Government Street
Baton Rouge, LA. 70802
Phone: (225) 343-8421
November 1, 2015
Associate Pastor: Rev. Bernadine Johnson
 Newsletter Editors: Anita H. Hansberry, Bridget McGee, Jacquelyn Watt s and Carolyn Branch
“Wesley, a Church in the Heart of the City, with the City at Heart”
changed. They overtook their challenge and had
become victorious.
They realized, God was on
their side and nothing they attempted was too much
for them. Well, guess what.....the same is true for
us. Nothing is too big for us to overcome.
In the early 1920’s the New York Yankee’s new
baseball stadium opened and was known as the
house that Ruth built. There is nothing special about
the stadium, but the conversation between the
owner and the players was a catalyst for something
spectacular. Rupert was the owner, and he told the
public that the Yankees would win the Pennant.
Then one of the persons in attendance stood up and
said, how can you say that when you have not even
played one game yet? He said: We must Embrace
the Challenge and Refuse to Fail. WESLEY, I
believe this is our call as we prepare for 2016 and
beyond. You must refuse to let people tell you we
can’t. We must endeavor to live out the dreams that
are within us, we must tell our enemies to get thee
behind. We must Embrace the Challenge: And
Refuse to Fail.
The outcome of the journey of the Canaanites is an
example of embracing the challenge…the fear
which the Canaanites were put into by their
miraculous crossing over the Jordan. The news of it
was soon dispersed all the country over, not only as
a prodigy in itself, but as an alarm to all the kings
and kingdoms of Canaan. As they approach, one
post runs to meet another and one messenger to
meet another, to carry the amazing news to every
corner of their land. We are told what impression
this made upon the kings of this land: Their hearts
melted like wax before fire, neither was there spirit
in them anymore. What was once their plight was
now no more. Before the people were afraid or just
too comfortable to move forward, but now all that
Church, TOGETHER, we must walk into the
promises of God…..He has already told us over and
over again that we are a chosen generation, we are
special, we are heirs to the kingdom….let’s go get
what is ours. Let’s take the city by
storm…Embrace the Challenge and Refuse to
Fail.
Blessings,
Pastor Joe
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
All Saint’s Day & Holy Communion
“All are welcome at the Lord’s Table”
SAFETY REMINDER: Young children (under the
age of 12) leaving the Sanctuary during worship
services to visit restrooms, water fountain, the
nursery, narthex or any part of the building should
be accompanied by a parent or another responsible
adult. Thank you for your cooperation.
Welcome Visitors & Friends
Open Hearts, Open Minds,
Open Doors ~ Welcome to Wesley
United Methodist Church... May the
peace and Spirit of the Lord inspire you
to answer the call to Christian discipleship in 2015.
PRONOUNCEMENTS
Reminders!!
Please visit us on the Internet: Our web address
is: www.wesleybr.org
The office e-mail address is: office@wesleybr.org
Twitter: @wesleyumcbr
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/wesleybatonrouge
 The Church van is available if you need a ride
to Sunday School and Worship; please call the
church office at 225-343-8421 by Thursday of
each week to put your name on the list.
 All vouchers, receipts, reimbursements, etc.
must be submitted to the Finance Committee by
Wednesday of each week.
 Announcements to be made during Sunday
Worship Service should be received in the
church office by Thursday at noon.
 If you have moved recently/changed your
telephone number or email address or if you or
a member of your family are ill or hospitalized,
etc. please notify the church office by phone or
email.
 All meetings, rehearsals, trainings and class
studies must be scheduled through the church
office to avoid conflicts.
 If you are in church with your smartphone, you
are invited to tweet or post on Facebook your
church attendance.
THE LOUISIANA NOW, currently a quarterly
magazine that highlights opportunities, witness and
the various ministries for the Louisiana Annual
Conference is now available online at
www.la-umc.org/lanow/current
On the conference homepage, there is a link to
subscribe to the weekly Louisiana Now E-Letter
To access United Methodist Men, United Methodist
Women, or Youth Ministries, go to the main page of
the LA Conference. Click on Ministries, and then
click on Laity. Note: there is a link to access the
new websites for United Methodist Women
[http://umwla.org] and United Methodist Men
[http://www.gcumm.org].
Other web resources:
www.umc-gbcs.org
www.gbgm-umc.org (Mission)
www.tenthousanddoors.org
www.gbhem.org (Scholarships)
www.gbod.org (Discipleship)
www.umns.umc.org (News)
November
1
Michael Rogers, Jr.
8
Roman Ruffin
15
Donovan Allen
22
Tanya Mencer
29
The Church Office must be notified of ALL
Meetings to be held at the church to avoid
schedule conflicts. Cards will be sent out one
week prior to the meeting date, if the office knows
of the meeting and the persons who are to attend.
2

November 29
Lesson Title: Teaching
God’s Word ~ Scripture: Acts 18:1-11, 1821
Sunday school is for life.
Discover
the
spiritual
enrichment and joy that
learning can bring. During the
fall quarter reflect on your
priorities, what God requires of
us and with an attitude of gratefulness celebrate the
“Pledge of God’s Presence” the Gift of God’s Love;
make Sunday school attendance a priority! Pray for
discernment to answer God’s call for your life.
Classes are available for all ages.
After careful review and evaluation of the Wesley
Perspective publication format, the editors are
recommending that the monthly newsletter be
published on a quarterly basis beginning in 2016
with monthly updates and special issues as
needed. Current news for example “This Week at
Wesley” will be provided on the weekly bulletin,
website, and Facebook. Your input and/or feedback
regarding this recommendation are appreciated.
The fall session of the midday Bible Study
meets on Wednesdays, at 11:00 am. The
current study is exploring the Acts of the
Apostles. Come and join us in the Blue Room
as we open the word of God together and gain
insights for living out our Christian life together.
Our midday Bible Study is a time of fellowship,
fun and learning - growing through the sharing
and understanding of God's word. Contact
Bernie for more information.
Sunday School theme for the 2015
Fall Quarter:
“The Christian Community Comes Alive”
Unit 3 Title: Spreading the Gospel




November 1
Lesson Title: God
Rescues Peter ~ Scripture: Acts 12:1-11
Disciple
Fast Track
Bible Study for busy
lives is targeted for this
fall at Wesley. The
classes will be held in
the Blue Room; on
Tuesday evenings from
6:00 pm to 7:15 p.m. Pastor Bernie will
serve as study leader.
November 8
Lesson Title: God Makes
No Distinction ~ Scripture: Acts 15:1-12
November 15
Lesson Title: From
Derbe to Philippi ~ Scripture: Acts 16:1-5,
8-15
November 22
Lesson Title:
Thessalonica, Beroea, and Athens
Faithfulness ~ Scripture: Acts 17:1-4, 1012, 22-25, 28
3
New Season for Mission
You are invited to the Baton Rouge District UMW
Annual meeting on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at
the Ingleside UMC, 4264 Capital Heights Avenue;
Baton Rouge, phone 344-9100, Registration starts
at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program at 9:00.
During this session, Baton Rouge District UMW
units will be recognized for completing mission
studies, Mission Today evaluations and reading
books.
Because the “Festival of Tables” is
scheduled for the third Saturday, Wesley’s unit
will have a brief call meeting after the worship
service on Sunday, November 8th to collect our
“World Thank Offering”.
MINISTRY OF
WESLEY
OUTREACH
Wesley will serve the noon meal
at the Holy Grill
Wesley members will be the servers for the noon
meal November 2-5, 2015 at the Holy Grill which is
located at the Cadillac Street BREC center. This
outreach effort is sponsored by the Interfaith
Federation. All volunteers are welcome. For more
information see Mrs. Evelyn Baker or contact the
church office.
On Sunday, October 18th, the unit celebrated
Children’s Sabbath by participating in Children’s
Church.
The lesson title: God Made the
Seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) we studied how
God made the seasons [fall, winter, spring and
summer] and how things grow from seeds that are
planted for the food we eat. As a home activity
each child was given a plant to take home, plant
and watch it grow with their parents’ assistance. As
a special treat, Mrs. Faye Barnes sang “I am a
child” by the late Dr. Valerian Smith.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
4
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Nov. 5th
Nov. 7th
Nov. 8th
Nov. 10th
Nov. 11th
Nov. 12th
Remember the following persons in your
thoughts and prayers
Nov. 13th
Nov. 14th
Marleen Alexander (Care Facility)
Elouise Bailey (Care Facility)
Catherine Dawson
Kendra Ennis
Sherwood Gaines (Care Facility)
Virginia Gaines (Care Facility)
Lillian Hill
Gregory Jones (son of Clarence Jones)
Calvin Jordan (son-in-law of Wilhelmenia Woods)
Evelyn Johnson (sister of Barbara Silas -Chinn)
Marion D. Hansberry & Janice Hansberry
(sisters/sisters-in-law of Charles & Anita Hansberry)
Eric Mitchell (brother of Melvin Mitchell)
Patricia Smith (sister of Doris Dickerson)
Yvette Smith (daughter of Ava & Ron Smith)
Anissa Williams & Family
Mack Willis (Care Facility)
Nov. 15th
Nov. 16th
Nov. 19th
Nov. 21st
Nov. 22nd
Nov. 26th
Nov. 28th
Moment of Hope
Strength and Courage
Nov. 28th
Nov. 30th
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Mrs. Barbara Woods shared with the congregation
a recent journey dealing with breast cancer that
required Hope, Strength and Courage.
She
encouraged the importance of getting regular
physical exams and doing self-breast exams. In
closing she gave thanks for all of the thoughts, acts
of kindness and prayers… and ended with “You
pray for me and I will pray for you.”
5
1st
1st
3rd
3rd
5th
8th
8th
11th
15th
17th
18th
22nd
24th
30th
Mrs. Leola Mitchell
Walter Weiss, Jr.
Willie Lewis
Celestine Davis
Leo Washington
Chloe Higginbotham
Tyquincia Hobbs
Christen Beal
Bertha Morgan
Neisha Hill
Byron Pitcher
Meghan Beal
Chenese Lewis
Alfreda Jackson
Donna P. Washington
Brenita Pelichet
Robin Bettis
James W. Smith, Jr.
Gwendolyn M. Livious
Brandon Hansberry Sr.
Gwynn Shamlin II
Rev. Bernadine Johnson
Patricia M. Stewart
Kamira Hill
Patrice Walker
Shyrone Wells
Kyle Hill
Davante Jones
Anissa Williams
Camron Bettis
Sancerie O. Allen
Katrina Davis
Mrs. Vivian Matthews
Mrs. Marvee Stemley
Mrs. Alice Grinner
Mrs. Doris D.Gordon
Mrs. Emma C. Shamlin
Mr. Don Gaines, Sr.
Mrs. Evelyn Archibald
Ms. Mary Jean Johnson
Mr. Edward Smith
Mrs. Sylvia Harris
Mrs. Naomi S. David
Mrs. Mary H. Samuel
Mr. Porter Stemley
Mr. Marcus Barnes
Wesley 2016 Church Directory
Update!!
Photo packets have arrived here at Wesley for members only selecting pictures to appear in 2016 Church Directory
and to receive an 8 x 10 portrait. Photo packets are available and may be picked up immediately after today’s service.
Additional photography dates are scheduled
December 11th - 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM
December 12th - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Members may once again sign up:

After Sunday Worship Service 11/1 – 11/22 and 12/6

Online Registration on Wesley’s website
wesleybr.weebly.com or wesleybr.org
Directions for Wesley Online Photography Registration
1.
Search and located Wesley’s web address (wesleybr.weebly.com or wesleybr.org) using your internet browser.
2.
Select Wesley’s Photo Online Registration button – located in the left section of Wesley’s home page which will
take you to Lifetouch’s Welcome/Home page (https://www.securedatatrans14.com/ap/wesleyunitedmethodistchurch5/index.php?page=10 ).
3.
To schedule your portrait session, follow these steps.
Step 1: Select Number in Group. Using the drop down to the left, select the number in your group (larger
families may require more time).
Step 2: Select Day. A calendar will now display. Select the month and day for your photography session. (If
multiple months are available, an arrow next to the month will be displayed. Click on arrow to advance to the next
month.)
Step 3: Select Time. A list of available times will be displayed. Click the center of the white box next to the
desired time. You will then be prompted to register for your portrait session by setting up a New User Account.
4.
Step 4: Set up a New User Account to finalize your portrait session.

5.
Please enter information requested (required fields are in bold)
 (First name, Last Name, Phone number, Permission check box, e-mail, Login Name, Password,
Retype password).
Note: Use the login name and password you created to make changes to your portrait session and
receive an appointment reminder. Make sure you select a login name and password that you will
remember because only you will have this information. If you need assistance call the Church Office
(225-343-8421 or email us (wesleybr@brcoxmail.com)
Select Finalize Portrait Session.
Congratulations!!! You have scheduled your portrait session
6
Festival of Tables 2015
On Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 12:00 noon, Wesley will again host the Festival of Tables at First
United Methodist Church. Table setup time is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. For further event information
(e.g. financial, table commitments, lunch or silent auction contributions for the event) please contact
Angela Tucker at 225-954-7081. Please note a $10 minimum contribution is requested in support of
the Scouting and Prison Outreach. COME, SHARE AND ENJOY!!
Snap shots from 2014
Happy Thanksgiving
Prayer
Lord, with humble hearts we pray,
Thy blessing this Thanksgiving Day.
And ask that at the table place,
Where grateful folks say words of grace.
That Thou will come to share the yield,
Thy bounty gave to farm and field.
We pray thy love will bless, O Lord,
Each heart, each home, each festive board
And that Thy peace will come to stay
Where candles glow this Thanksgiving Day. Amen.
7
NOVEMBER 2015
Sunday
1 (White)
All Saints Sunday
Holy Communion
Birthday Sunday
8:30 am Sun. School
10:00 am Worship
Monday
2
6:00 pm
Cub & Boy Scout
Mtg.
Holy Grill
Tuesday
3
6:00 pm
Disciple Bible
Study
6:30 pm
Trustee Board Mtg
Holy Grill
Wednesday
4
11:00 am
Bible Study
Thursday
5
5:30 p.m.
Male Chorus
6:30 pm
Inspirations Reh.
6:00 pm
We Shall Overcome
Holy Grill
Daylight Savings Ends
8 (Green)
Veterans Day
8:30 am Sun. School
10:00 am Worship
Friday
6
Holy Grill
Saturday
7
8:30 am
UMM Mtg.
1:30 p m
Girl Scout Mtg.
UMW Baton Rouge
District Annual
Meeting at Ingleside
UMC 8:30 am
Registration
14
9
10
6:00 pm
Disciple Bible
Study
11
11:00 am
Bible Study
6:00 pm
Worship Mtg.
12
6:00 pm
Inspirations Reh.
6:45 p.m.
New Vision Reh.
13
6:00 pm
We Shall Overcome
15 (Green)
8:30 am Sun. School
10:00 am Worship
16
6:00 pm
Cub & Boy Scout
Mtg.
17
6:00 pm
Disciple Bible
Study
18
11:00 am
Bible Study
19
6:45 pm
New Vision
20
6:00 pm
We Shall Overcome
21
8:30 am
UMM
12:00 pm
Festival of Tables
(FUMC)
21 (Green)
Um Student Sunday
8:30 am Sun. School
10:00 am Worship
23
24
6:00 pm
Disciple Bible
Study
25
11:00 am
Bible Study
26
27
6:00 pm
We Shall Overcome
Office Closed
28
29 (Green)
1st Sunday in Advent
8:30 am Sun. School
10:00 am Worship
30
UMW brief call
meeting after Worship
Thanksgiving
Office Closed