Wesley Word – November 2, 2022

Carolyn Lemaster   -   November 2, 2022

To go along with service on: Sunday, November 6, 2022

Experiencing Grace

Exploring Truth

2 Kings 2:1-13

Promises: Passing the Mantle

This week we finish our series called Promises in which we have been exploring, remembering, and renewing our membership vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

This Sunday is also All Saints’ Sunday, the day when we remember those who have gone before us in the faith. The only reason we are here today is because they kept their promises to support the ministries of the church by their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

Like the story of Elijah and Elisha in our text this week, those who have gone before us have passed the mantle on to us. It is now up to us to keep our vows and build the church so that we, in turn, can pass the mantle to the next generation.

Many of you have received a pledge card by mail and some have already returned them. Thank you. We will be officially collecting pledge cards this Sunday, so if you still have one bring it. If not, there will be one in every bulletin.

This year our pledge cards are an opportunity to renew our membership vows as well as make a financial commitment to the church, so we are asking everyone to complete one even if they are not making a pledge at this time. Also, you are free to make your financial commitment anonymously if you wish.

 

Question for Reflection/Discussion:

  1. What have I received from the saints who have gone before me?
  2. What am I passing on to the next generation?

 

New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/

  • November 2    Hebrews 4:1-16
  • November 3    Hebrews 5:1-14
  • November 4    Hebrews 6:1-20
  • November 5    Hebrews 7:1-17
  • November 6    Hebrews 7:18-28
  • November 7    Hebrews 8:1-13
  • November 8    Hebrews 9:1-10
  • November 9    Hebrews 9:11-28

 

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

What is a saint? The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that a saint has many definitions: one officially recognized especially through canonization as preeminent for holiness, one of the spirits of the departed in heaven, one of God’s chosen and usually Christian people, one eminent for piety or virtue, an illustrious predecessor.

Now, I’m sure every single one of us has at some point known a person who we would describe as a saint. A person who has the best qualities and we could never imagine that they would ever be anything but a very holy and God-fearing person. We might have learned about God, scripture and how to be a person who others will turn to look at and decide that is how they want to show themselves and the whole world how to be a good Christian. The people who have gone before us, whether it is multiple generations past (John Wesley for one very quick example) or in the not-so-distant past (Mother Teresa). These are just two people that we as Christian can look to on how to be Christians.

If you ask mostly any person, they can tell you who their favorite teacher was in school (Mrs. Webster, 3rd grade, gave me the love of reading) but when asked about a “saint” in their lives people will draw a blank. Teaching our future generations how to show Christian love to themselves and to those around them is just as important as the teacher who gives them the knowledge of reading, math, etc.

However, be very, very careful to not put this person on a pedestal, for there was only one perfect person on this Earth and He died for us so very long ago but not that long ago at the same time.

This week, for the adults, let’s make lists (hopefully everyone knows by now much I adore lists)…….Write down 2 people who you would consider a saint and list why you think this. Then ask yourself, how can I teach what I learned from this person to the next generation.

For our younger Christians this week, ask them if they have a favorite teacher and why they consider this teacher their favorite one. What or how did this teacher influence them to hold this title in their mind?

For our very youngest Christians, have them “march” around the house singing or listening to When the Saints Go Marching In……Who doesn’t love littles dancing around the house……

 

Announcements

  • WOW (Wesley on Wednesdays) 6:00 pm. Refreshments, devotions, adult classes, and programming for youth and children.
  • Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 6!  Turn your clocks back one hour.
  • Annual Charge Conference – Sunday, November 6, 3:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. All members are welcome to attend.
  • WOW (Wesley on Wednesdays) 6:00 pm. Refreshments, devotions, adult classes and programming for youth and children.
  • Jackson Concert Series presents Pavlo, Guitarist—Thursday, November 10, 7:30 pm.
  • Youth and Children’s Choir Concert – Sunday, November 13, 4:00 pm.
  • Thanksgiving Service and Meal – Sunday, November 20, combined service at 10:00 am. Meal will follow at the Wesley Family Life Center.
  • Community Thanksgiving Service at Wesley – Wednesday, November 23, 6:00 pm.