WORSHIP - February 2, 2025 |
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| Camping Sunday! Sermon: "Raise Mine Ebineezer" Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:12-17 Preacher: Kelsey Meredith Ross - Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries |
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This Sunday is Camping Sunday! |
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Join us on February 2nd for CAMPING SUNDAY! This is a special Sunday every year that gives us an opportunity to celebrate our Camping Ministry. We’ll hear testimony from campers in our congregation, sing some of our favorite camp songs and hold a special offering to help keep our camps running for future campers. You are encouraged to attend in whatever attire you're used to wearing while camping! |
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After each service on Camping Sunday, we will have a special fundraiser to offer individual S’mores kits for $5 ( please bring cash) a piece. You can buy a s’more kit, and you are invited to go outside in the green space to make your s’more and join in the community with other Wesley members. Funds will go toward sending our kids to camp this summer! |
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Communion Moved from Feb 2. to Feb. 9! (Scouting Sunday) |
While we often hold the Service of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month, we've pushed communion back to the second Sunday, February 9th, (Scouting Sunday) for this month. We still hope you'll join us for BOTH of these awesome Sundays! |
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| Worship Time Change We've moved our Contemporary service back to 11:15am - Noon instead of 11:30am-12:30pm. |
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Pastor Sara L. Isbell - New Appointment! |
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| On Sunday, January 12, Pastor Sara L. Isbell announced that she has accepted an appointment from Bishops Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai and David A. Bard to be the district superintendent of the East District of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
While we are saddened to hear that this means Pastor Sara will be leaving Wesley UMC, we are thrilled that she has this opportunity to serve the United Methodist Church in such a capacity, and we are beyond grateful for the years of guidance, teaching and kindness that she has given to us. |
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Click below for clip of announcement! |
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| "I want to say, Wesley, that you were an amazing church before I got here, and you will be an amazing church after I am gone...I cannot thank you enough, and I love you from the bottom of my heart." - Pastor Sara, January 12, 2025
Above, you can watch a clip from our most recent worship livestream (January 12, 11:15am) where Pastor Sara made the announcement to the congregation. You can click the button below to see the article posted on the IGRC website with more details about Pastor Sara's appointment. If you get the chance, we encourage you to congratulate our Senior Pastor, and to thank her for time leading us at Wesley! |
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Exciting News: Welcoming Our New Pastor! |
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| Dear Wesley UMC Family, The Staff Parish Relations Committee is excited to share important news with you. As we prepare for Pastor Sara’s upcoming reassignment, we are pleased to announce that the bishops have appointed a new pastor to lead us. Pastor Nic Showalter will officially begin his role as our Senior Pastor on July 1st, with his first Sunday service on July 6th.
Pastor Nic grew up in Taylorville, Illinois, and earned a business degree from Illinois Wesleyan University before pursuing his Master of Divinity at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He has served in several churches across Illinois, including Maroa UMC, Villa Grove UMC, and Carmi First UMC. Most recently, he has been serving as the District Superintendent for the West District of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. Pastor Nic is passionate about fostering strong relationships within the church and the broader community, and he is eager to return to the pulpit... (Read more through the link below) |
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On Scouting Sunday, (Feb 9) we'll also be holding our "Souper Bowl" of Caring for 2025! After each service, you can find our SURGE Youth by the Sanctuary doors with two bowls for you to deposit change/cash donations based on which team you hope wins the big game. The change in both bowls contributes to our Safe Harbor Ministry! |
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| Join the Plarn Sleeping Mat Weavers! Mark your calendars! Throughout the year, Plarn Weavers will meet every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. They're always looking for new members!
For questions, contact Sue Deason at (309) 838-8024 or suevk@yahoo.com. |
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| Bison Hockey Faith & Family Night Bloomington Bison Vs. Indy Fuel Friday Feb 21st, puck drop 7:00pm Grossinger Motors Arena |
Come out to Grossinger Motors Arena to celebrate Bloomington Bison hockey, family, faith and fellowship! It’s also All You Can Eat Night, so fans can enjoy unlimited hot dogs, chips and popcorn all FREE with a game ticket! - Bloomington Bison Hockey Website |
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The 2025 Rummage Sale is Approaching! |
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Mark your calendars! The Rummage Sale starts on Monday May 5th with the actual sale on Saturday May 10th from 8:00am-2:00pm. Start cleaning out your basements and closets, and let Brenna Martin or Stephanie Peterson know if you would like to volunteer! (Contact at bmartin@wesley-umc.com or stephanie.peterson@countryfinancial.com) |
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Guatemala Mission Trip - February 1 - 8 |
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The long-awaited mission to ODIM Guatemala is finally here! Our mission team will be installing safe stoves that remove smoke in up to 16 families’ dwellings. In addition to stove installation, those participating will learn more about the Indigenous Mayan culture as well as have time for cultural/adventure activities in the beautiful area with mountains, volcanoes, blue lakes, and more! The team asks for your prayers and well wishes as they embark on their journey Saturday, February 1 - Saturday, February 8. |
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| Denise Balagna Dawn Dieckgrafe Sue Deason (team coordinator) Marc Hinrichs Sara Isbell |
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Bev Jones Shannon Ramirez Keith Smith, (co-coordinator) Jamison Welch |
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| Thank You for Giving! The total for Advent offerings has raised to $9,139.68! We will be sending $2,285 to each of the four recipients this week, which are Westside Bloomington Revitalization Project, Safe Harbor Shelter, Community Healthcare Clinic, and ISU Merge!
We also received $1,225.30 for the Human Relations Day offering so far, from 25 contributors, compared to $802.00 from last year. Thank you, Wesley, for your incredible generosity! |
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Confirmation continues this Sunday, January 26th in the JR HIGH LOUNGE. Confirmation is open this year to everyone in 7th-9th grade. Kelsey will meet with confirmation students every Sunday from 10-11:00 in the Jr. High Lounge (please be on time!). |
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| New Men's Group Study: Unoffendable by Brant Hansen Wednesdays at Noon in the Garden Room "It turns out giving up your "right" to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It's a radical, provocative idea: We're not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own "righteous anger" is a myth. It is the number one problem in our societies today and, as Dallas Willard says, Christians have not been taught out of it. But what if Christians were the most unoffendable people on the planet? In "Unoffendable" you will find concrete, practical ways to live life with less stress..." - Book Summary on Amazon.com
We will be using a provided DVD - The class will run about 5 weeks. |
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| Words of Life by Adam Hamilton Sundays at 10:15-11:15am in the Lounge led by Pastors Unger and Isbell. In this book of Scripture and inspiration, bestselling author Adam Hamilton brings modern eyes to the most important set of ethics in history. He considers the commandments in their historical context, considering the meaning of each commandment in Hebrew, unpacking how Jesus reinterpreted them, and showing how every thou-shalt-not was intended to point to a life-giving "thou shalt." He also explores how the latest research in science and psychology illuminates these commandments, rightly understood, as a way of ordering one's life beautifully in the present day. In a culture marked by workaholism, materialism, and social media-driven envy, God has given us a time-tested path that leads to gratitude, confidence, and peace. |
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| Good Grief - by Granger E. Westberg Wednesdays at 6-7pm in the Lounge with Kathi Pritts |
| Timeless wisdom for all who grieve. For more than fifty years, Good Grief has helped millions of readers - including NFL players and a former first lady - find comfort and rediscover hope after loss. This classic text includes a foreword by Dr. Timothy Johnson, a leading communicator of medical health care information. An afterword by the author's daughters tells how the book came to be.
Good Grief identifies ten stages of grief--shock, emotion, depression, physical distress, panic, guilt, anger, resistance, hope, and acceptance--but, recognizing that grief is complex and deeply personal, defines no right way to grieve. Good Grief offers valuable insights on the emotional and physical responses persons may experience during the natural process of grieving. Reflection questions help readers explore their own experience with each stage.
Whether mourning the death of a loved one, the end of a marriage, the loss of a job, or other difficult life changes, Good Grief is a proven steady companion in times of loss. Contact Kathi Pritts at KPritts@Wesley-UMC.com for more info. |
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| Products are arriving at Wesley West, products are filling up the bin in the church hallway and outside groups are helping us prepare for our Feb. 15th paper distribution. Last week we received a car load of paper products donated by members of Four Seasons. We also received 12 cases of toothpaste from my dentist office. Everything we get and all of the money that is contributed is given to families in need in our community, 100%. Things come in and things go out to help some 550 families each month.
We are hoping the following will come in to fill our greatest needs: • Women's and Men's Large Depends • Feminine hygiene items: pads of all sizes and incontinence items • Miscellaneous items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash & lotion • Toilet Paper
Volunteers are always welcome. Consider volunteering in February!
-Karen Daudelin |
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There are many ways to give from the safety and comfort of your home. The easiest way is to click below to give online with our secure and SSL-encrypted donation site. |
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| You may also submit an online offering by texting. To do this, simply text: "${your donation amount}OFFERING" to:(309) 822-4442 |
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| For mail-in offerings, please mail a check to: Wesley United Methodist Church - 502 East Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
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Wesley’s SPRC would appreciate referrals from the congregation as we seek a full time Receptionist/Office Assistant. This important position requires a candidate possessing strong skills in greeting the public and proficiency in clerical support and computer usage. Copies of the job description are available at the Welcome Desk, on the Wesley website and may be found by following the link below. |
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| You can view the most recent issue of News of Wesley online! Click the image above to view or download!
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We've updated our Leadership Directory on our website! |
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Be On the Lookout for Scam Emails! |
| If you receive any emails from people claiming to be Wesley staff or ministry leaders asking for gift cards or other strange meetings, don't fall for it!
If you're ever unsure about a request via email from anyone at Wesley, always make sure that the email they're using to contact you is the one that they've used in the past.
Never be afraid to double check and contact the person through another means so that you know they are genuine (even & especially if the email tells you not to!)
We apologize for any nuisance and hope you have a lovely holiday season! |
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| Wesley Emergency Number after Office Hours: Rev. Sara L. Isbell 217.299.4870
Wesley United Methodist Church: 502 E. Front Street Bloomington, IL 61701 Office 309.827.8046 Visit www.WesleyUMCBloomington.org for more information about our news and events. You can also visit us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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