Faith Promise Coming February 10th

A week from today on February 10, 2013, Wesley will celebrate all that God has done this past year at our Annual Faith Promise Banquet. If you are interested in attending, there are still some spots available. Contact Peggy Ball at jbpeggyb@yahoo.com. Cost is $10 per individual or you can sponsor a table (of 8) for $75. There will be great food, scrumptious deserts by the UMW, some incredible stories of how God has used Wesley Memorial for His purpose this year, special music from our praise band, and an inspiring keynote address from Bishop Alfred Gwinn (Bishop of the NC Conference),

Wesley is a missional church whose desire is to reach the lost, the impoverished, the hungry, and suffering people of the world for the glory of Jesus Christ. It is, after all, about Him!

Saving vs Serving

I was reading Kisses From Katie, a story about Katie Davis, a young 22 year old woman, who gave up her comfortable lifestyle in Brentwood, TN to go serve the poor in Uganda.  She describes, in great detail, the extreme poverty and hunger of the people (primarily children) she serves there.  She says, “In our fear, even many of us who claimed to believe in Christ were failing to do what He said for the least of His people.” (p.100)  Then she tells the following story from Henri J. Nouwen that I found  rather disturbing.  I, sometimes wonder what Jesus would say about the way we, who have so much, treat those who have so little.  James 1:27 says it this way: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Once there was a people who surveyed the resources of the world and said to each other. “How can we be sure that we will have enough in hard times?  We want to survive whatever happens.  Let us start collecting food, materials, and knowledge so that we are safe and secure when a crisis occurs.”  So they started hoarding, so much and so eagerly that the other peoples protested and said:  “You have so much more than you need, while we don’t have enough to survive.  Give us part of your wealth!”  But the fearful hoarders said: “No, no, we need to keep this in case of an emergency, in case things go bad for us too, in case our lives are threatened.”  But the others said:  “We are dying now, please give us food and materials and knowledge to survive.  We can’t wait…we need it now!”  Then the fearful hoarders became even more fearful, since they became afraid that the poor and hungry would attack them.  So they said to one another:  “Let us build walls around our wealth so that no stranger can take it from us.”  They started erecting walls so high that they could not even see anymore whether their enemies were outside the walls or not!  As their fear increased they told each other:  “Our enemies have become so numerous that they may be able to tear down our walls.  Our walls are not strong enough to keep them away.  We need to put bombs at the top of the walls so that nobody will dare to even come close to us.” But instead of feeling safe and secure behind their armed walls they found themselves trapped in the prison they had built with their own fear.  They even become afraid of their own bombs, wondering if they might harm themselves more than their enemy. And gradually they realized their fear of death had brought them closer to it.

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                                                   at Wesley Memorial

Faith Promise Banquet

Friday, February 10, 2012

YOU CAN Make a Difference - Find a Way to Get Involved!

Celebrate Missions

Wesley Memorial Faith Promise Banquet

Friday, February 10, 2011

Keynote Speaker: Bishop Alfred Wesley Gwinn, Jr. 

North Carolina Conference

THIS COMING SUNDAY-REMEMBER THE CHILDREN

ORPHAN SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."


                                                                                          James 1:27



Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.
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Sharing God's Blessings

This is a story about "missions" lived out in a very real, every day, lifestyle. Susan, the daughter of Sharon and AQ Smith, grew up in the youth group at Wesley Memorial. She met Patrick when they were both students at N.C.State. After graduation, Patrick was commissioned as an officer and became a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Although their lives have been anything but stable with children and several moves, as a result of Patrick's career, they have found a solid foundation through their love for each other and their mutual love of Jesus Christ. This is a letter that was sent from Susan sharing some personal experiences as they try to be obedient to God's leading. Last year, Susan and her home schooled children, personally prepared over 100 shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse.

Aloha Friends and Family,

It's hard to believe that two years ago (Oct 26th, 2009), God placed

this beautiful little girl, Caili, into our arms.  We were in China and loved being there!  God showed us that so many children need a Forever Family - someone to call mommy and daddy.  Caili was placed in my arms with a blank look on her face -  no smile, no crying, no throwing a fit.  Her face very much showed that she had been crying.

 

As we were leaving the Civil Affairs building and walking back across the street to our hotel, Caili showed us her first smile.  And then little by little the smiles would come - from time to time.  And then the crying, the longing for the place she had known as home for her short life.  Each day God continued to work in her little life and he continues to do so today.  She is filled with joy and peace and she knows that she is loved!  I ask her all the time if she knows that I love her and she says, "Yes, you tell me over and over."  And I just smile.

She is a happy, confident little girl who loves to be mischievous.  And she has an incredible little giggle.  She loves to be snuggled and she is thrilled to be the "baby" of the family.  Although she can do everything that her big sisters can do - or so she says.  She loves Anna and Caroline and they love her just as much!  God has blessed our lives more than we ever thought possible!!

November 6 is Orphan Sunday.  There are sooooo many children (143 million or more) that need a Forever Family - a mommy and daddy to love them…A family to call their own…A mommy and daddy to read to them and snuggle with them and tuck them into bed each night…A mommy and daddy to teach them about the Lord Jesus Christ.  We love talking about adoption and sharing our story and experience.  Please pray and see if God is leading you to adopt one of these beautiful children.

Another passion of ours, as many of you know, is Samaritan's Purse's

Operation Christmas Child (shoeboxes).  We love this ministry and love

sharing about it.  We encourage you to pack a box, or 2, or 10 or more.

Have a shoebox packing party, get your family involved, get your church

involved.

It is such a blessing to us and our girls LOVE packing shoeboxes - they tell everyone that they know about shoeboxes.  They cut labels, fold and wrap boxes, man the info table at church and they love PACKING SHOEBOXES.  

You can find out more info at the Samaritan's Purse website- www.samaritanspurse.org

 

We love you all and thank you for the many prayers for our family as we adopted Caili, traveled to China to bring her home, and have now moved to Hawaii for the adventures God has in store for us here.

Love from all of us,

Patrick, Susan, Anna, Caroline, and Caili

"Kisses From Katie" (A must read)

When I went to Catalyst last week in Atlanta, I experienced three incredible days of praise, worship and inspiring speakers like David Platt, Francis Chan, and Jim Collins. Being a fan of many of their books, it was such a treat to see and hear them in person. There was one speaker, though, that I barely knew anything about and she proved to be the "special something" that God had for so many of the attendees. Her name is Katie Davis and she is a beautiful 22 year old American girl who is mother of 14 Uganda girls, feeds 1600 children each day and has started a ministry in Uganda called Amazima. Her story is so powerful but, once again, underscores the fact that all God asks of us is to be obedient. 


Take a moment to watch the video below and, if you would like to read the first chapter of her new book, "Kisses From Katie," please see me in the church office for a complimentary copy.

Crop Walk 2011

On October 9, 2011 Wesley had more people participating in Crop Walk than we have had in a long time. It was a beautiful fall day and walking around Hugh MaCrae Park with friends raising money to feed hungry people was a perfect way to spend Sunday afternoon. Please click on the arrow on the slideshow to view.