The Messenger

First & Wesley United

Methodist Church

89 Center Street

West Haven, Connecticut 06516

203-933-8795

Febuary 2018

For Christians, the concrete revelation of God is made in Jesus Christ. Therefore,

Christmas (Jesus’ birth) and Easter (His death and resurrection) are very important

and meaningful in Christian faith. As Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas,

so Lent is a time of preparation for Easter. We begin the forty-day period of Lent on

February 14th, Ash Wednesday, when we remember our mortality and repent of our

sins.

As we begin the season of Lent, we encounter Jesus, who tells us to fight. Yes, he wants us to fight

against our human nature. In the lectionary lesson of Ash Wednesday, Jesus says, “Whenever you give

alms, do not sound a trumpet before you” (Matthew 6:2). When Jesus talks about what it means to live

faithfully, the first thing he mentions is to give alms. In our language of today, that is helping the poor,

giving to the needy.

Before he talks about praying to God, before he talks about worship, before he talks about family life,

Jesus talks about sharing with others. He does not say, “Don’t do it.” But, he says, “Do not make a show

of it. Do not give, so that people will think you are generous and sincere.” Jesus takes it for granted that

Christians will help others. His words are not “If you give alms...,” but “When you give alms.”

Do you want to live a faithful Christian life? Do you want to live a close relationship with God? This is

where it starts. Share with others, but quietly. “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is

doing” (Matthew 6:3). This teaching of Jesus may sound simple and easy to practice. However, it may be

much more difficult than we think because we should fight against human nature.

When we achieve something good or important, we naturally want to be recognized. Yet, Jesus says that

we must do it in secret. This is a fight against our nature. When I realize that human nature is often the

opposite of Jesus’ teaching, I think of original sin and feel that I should repent of sins.

As we begin the season of Lent, let us worship God together at the Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 pm.

As we receive ashes, let us remember those times when we have done something to be seen by others,

repent of our sins, let them go, and stir up new efforts for simple living, sharing, praying, and the power of

positive piety.

In addition, I would like to invite you to the Lenten Bible study based on the book, What Makes a Hero,

Abingdon Press, Matt Rawle. We will begin the study at 7:30pm on February 7th (Wednesday). The book

is available at the church office. Let us remember that God loves us, especially when we change in our

lives. Amen.

Sungmu Lee

Lectionary Readings for February 2018 February 4, 2018 • Isaiah 40:21-31 • Psalm 147:1-11, 20c • • 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 • Mark 1:29-39

February 11, 2018 • 2 Kings 2:1-12 • Psalm 50:1-6 • • 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 • Mark 9:2-9

February 18, 2018 • Genesis 9:8-17 • Psalm 25:1-10 • • 1 Peter 3:18-22 • Mark 1:9-15

February 25, 2018 • Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 • Psalm 22:23-31 • • Romans 4:13-25 • Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9

Prayer Group

Prayer group will gather Tuesday, February 6th from 10 AM to 12 Noon in Thelma and Richard Reid's

home, 101 Bellevue Avenue, West Haven, Conn. Come and join with others for a time of fellowship,

spiritual study and prayers.

Jonah's preaching in Nineveh was successful despite his desire for failure. People repented, and God

spared the city. Jonah was furious and he stomped out the final scene. Many of us who hear must

recognize themselves at this point. They have lost the whole purpose of being "God's chosen

people"...chosen to reveal God's love to the world. They have mistaken the call to service for the call to

privilege.

We the church are to be a channel of God's love to all the world - the household of God. We need to

understand our mission to the whole household of God influences the way we think about peace and

justice for others. May we not fall into Jonah's bitter plight.

First & Wesley United Methodist Church February 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

2 5p Special Olympics (Snow date of Jan. 26th)

3 10 Youth Group: Making Subs for Hunger Relief 9-12p CT District Resource Day at Simsbury UMC

4 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship & Communion 11:30 Celebration Coffee Hour 11:30 Youth Group: Selling Subs 11:45 Worship Committee Meeting

5

6 10-12p Prayer Group (101 Bellevue Ave. West Haven) 5:15p Youth Choir

7 7:30p Lenten Bible Study “What Makes a Hero?: The Death-Defying Ministry of

Jesus” by Matt Rawle

8 10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

9 10 8:00-9:30 Men’s Breakfast

11 Transfiguration Sunday

9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:30 Coffee Hour 11:45 Craft Corner 2-5p CT District Resource Day at Stratford UMC

12

13

5:15p Youth Choir 7:30p Finance Meeting

14 Valentine’s Day 10 Prayer Shawl Group (Sharon Ewen’s House) 7p Ash Wednesday Service

15 10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

16

17 4-6p Agape Meal

18 First Sunday in Lent 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship & Communion 11:30 Coffee Hour 11:45 Missions/Outreach Meeting

19

Presidents’

Day

20 7p SPR Meeting

*Messenger Articles

Due

21 7:30p Lenten Bible Study

22 10 Koinonia Café 6p Bell Choir 7p Adult Choir

23

24

25 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:30 Anointing for Healing and wholeness 11:30 Coffee Hour

26

27 5:15p Youth Choir 7p Trustees Meeting

28 7:30p Lenten Bible Study

* As of January 21, 2018. For further updates, visit www.firstwesleyumc.org/calendar.

Coffee Hour

Please help us keep the Coffee Hour going. Coffee hour is needed. We all need the chance to

meet after church and chat with our friends. We need kind-hearted souls to take a turn at serving

coffee after church services. Coffee, punch, milk and sugar are set up for you ahead of time, all

you need do is put it all out just before the service is over. Please see Myrna Clinton, or call our

church secretary at 203-933-8795. You may also sign up on the clipboard at the coffee hour

table in Fellowship Hall.

Pastors Discretionary Fund:

Please consider giving a “Love Offering” to Pastor’s discretionary fund. You may place your gift

in the container on the back table of the sanctuary. If you wish to write check to the church,

please write “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo section.

Tell us if you have a member information change: example- name change, address change, marriage, birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to the Church office.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Articles for the March 2018 Newsletter are due by February 20th. Please mark your calendars.

EVERYONE IS A REPORTER

If you give me the- who, what, when, where and why, I will write your article for you –

Email to dollar.signs@snet.net or call 203-213-6363 and leave a message. Please

send me your email address to speed up delivery of the newsletter.

Thank you, Bill Hunt

Pennies From Heaven The Native American Penny Collection for Conam is ongoing to provide very much

needed food and fuel. Please help the Sunday school students by giving them your loose

change each week to support those in need.

Meditate.

Live purely. Be quiet.

Do your work with mastery.

Like the moon, come out

from behind the clouds!

Shine

Buddha "The Enlightened One:

Prayer Shawl Ministry First and Wesley United Methodist

Our Prayer Shawl group will be meeting Wednesday February 14th 10 am at Sharon Ewen's house. All are

welcome.

Thanks to Maryann Hawkes she has knitted our first Baptism shawl. We will have shawls for those who are

being baptized at First and Wesley.

Someone asked me what we do at a Prayer Shawl Meeting. We gather together either at Sharon's or Linda's

house and we open with a prayer and the lighting of a candle. We then discuss who we think might need a shawl

or share the ones that we have given out and those who need our prayers. Edith Mulligan keeps track in a

notebook of all our shawls that go out from our church and she is also the keeper of our funds. Maryann Hawks

is our label gal who sews all the labels onto our shawls. After our shawls are finished they are blessed at church.

The shawls are put in a gift bag with a letter. We also do a lot of talking and laughing. We are not perfect knitters

but we have a mission in sharing our prayers and love and most of all our shawls.

May God's grace be upon this shawl...

warming, comforting,

enfolding, embracing.

May this shawl be a safe haven....

A sacred place of security and wellbeing....

sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones.

May you be cradled in hope kept in joy, graced with peace,

and be wrapped in love.

Blessed be!

Our shawls are in the Church Office. Please contact Linda Kopec or Maryann Hawkes if you would like to pick

one up

Anyone wishing to join is more than welcome to come. The more the merrier. If you can't knit and want to

contribute money for yarn please get in touch with Linda Kopec 203-934-4702.

Missions and Outreach

On January 2 2018, Nana Amos chaired her first Missions and Outreach meeting. Nana would like to

maximize the impact of our church on the surrounding community. The effectiveness of current

projects, as well as future mission projects were discussed.

Laurie Simone would like to resume Friday night volleyball on February 2nd at 7pm.

Hyeonjin Kim will make a sign for the top of the wall in Kendall Hall so participants may be more

aware of our church's mission.

Some of the projects we are planning for later this winter and spring are: Days-For-Girls (personal

hygiene kits), U. M. Army fundraising, the youth group's making subs for Super Bowl to support

W.H.E.A.T., and the Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt.

Mental Health training, provided by Bridges of Milford, will be offered as a 6-hour session on a Friday.

Please let Peggy Jerrell know if you are interesting in attending.

At our next meeting we will start planning the Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt. Volunteers are needed to

shop, cook, set-up, hide eggs, clean-up, etc. If you are interested in helping with this community event,

please speak to any Missions and Outreach member or come to our next meeting, which will be

announced soon.

Adult Sunday School

The Adult Sunday School class is for anyone too old for the teenager’s class. We meet in Kendall

Hall during Sunday school hour, 9:15 – 10:00 each Sunday morning, for energetic, lively, and wide

ranging discussions on how our faith impacts our daily lives. We have just begun a new study book,

Noah Built His Ark in the Sunshine, by James W. Moore. The aim of this book is to help us build our

faith, spiritual maturity, and gratitude so that, as the author says, we can pray “Lord, whatever this day

may bring, you are here, you are in it, you are with us.” Some sample chapters are “Building the Ark

of Compassion,” “Building the Ark of Confidence,” “Building the Ark of Trust in God,” “Building the

Ark of Purpose.” Come join us for an energetic and enlightening time!

Welcome to our new church Sexton

The Staff Parish Relations Committee is delighted to announce that Judy Jennette has been appointed

as our new church sexton. Judy began her duties on Monday, January 15. She will work on average

about nine hours per week. She will report directly to Pastor Sungmu Lee and to Thurmon Whitley,

Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee. Any comments regarding sexton duties should be

reported directly to Pastor Lee or to Thurmon, not to the sexton.

Welcome Judy, we are thrilled to have you!

Please keep in mind that, even though we now have a sexton, any of us involved in committee meetings

or other activities at church still need to clean up after ourselves when the event is over to help keep our

building sparkling clean!

Happy Birthday Sofia

For the third year, we will celebrate Sofia's birthday with refreshments following the church service on

Sunday, February 11, 2018. Please bring nonperishable food for Sofia to donate to W.H.E.A.T. Both

2016 and 2017, she was able to deliver an overflowing grocery cart full of food.

O, with what freshness,

what solemnity and beauty,

is each new day born;

as if to say to insensate man,

'Behold!

thou hast one more chance!

Strive for immortal glory!'

Harriet Beecher Stowe

February Birthdays

1 – John Paul Thompson

5 - Jeremy Soule

7 - Linda Kopec

James Ewen

10 - Andy Whitley

11 – Ruth Kreyoh

12 – Ruthie Maxim

17 - Stephen Baker

Gregory Baker

18 - Ashton Danz

21 - Catherine Bartozzi

22 - Edward Sperry

23 - Brett Dzikas

Karl Kiesinger

25 – John Bobko

26 - Jason Jerrell

27 - Ashley Hulse

February Anniversaries

15 - Dolores and Geoffrey Danz

17 – Lori and Paul Franson

20 - Florence and Joseph Dzikas

If you would like to include someone for birthdays or

anniversaries please see below. Example- name change,

address change, marriage, birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to church

office.

Have you visited our Church Website lately?

It is truly beautiful and informative.

The Church calendar is updated as needed

and you can check on dates and times of

meetings and events.

Website is firstwesleyumc.org

Check it out!

Fundraiser

Just a reminder that Dave Smith is selling Stop and

Shop cards to members and friends of First and

Wesley. Whether for buying groceries or to give as a

gift, as an added bonus, you can earn Stop & Shop

gas rewards for every $1 spent on gift cards.

It is hard to believe that more people don’t take

advantage of this marvelous way to raise money for

the church. If you buy a gift card from Dave Smith

you get the full face value at the register and Stop &

Shop sends a percentage to the church. It couldn’t

be simpler and it doesn’t cost you a dime.

Recycling of Plastic Bags

Stop & Shop accepts plastic

bags for recycling. The

collection box is inside the

entrance.

One “Can” Help! Every Sunday First & Wesley UMC is collecting

non-perishable food items to help fight hunger in

West Haven, CT. Please place your food

donations in “HOPE & WHEAT” wagon in

narthex (Center Street Entrance).

Donated food items go to WHEAT’s food pantry

(every Sunday) and Project Hope Soup Kitchen

(3rd Sunday). Thank you.

We need players.

Volleyball will resume

on Friday nights @7pm

starting February 2nd!

Thank you all for your patience and under-

standing. Please come by to play, watch or just

check it out. All are welcome to play or be

cheerleaders’ 📣. The more the merrier! Please

pray we have a healthy and full team.

Anyone looking to play or know of someone

who might, please call me for info:

Laurie Simone @ 203-710-0678.

Spiritual Renewal Retreat Tres Dias in a free, ecumenical (Christians of many faiths) 3-day retreat, (Thursday evening to Sunday

afternoon) which is open to all who are looking to deepen their personal walk with Jesus, and become a

stronger leader at 1st and Wesley United Methodist Church.

In order for you to plan, here are the dates for the upcoming spring retreats:

Men’s weekend will be Thursday night, April 19 to Sunday afternoon, April 22, 2018, 4pm.

Women’s weekend is Thursday night, 7pm, May 3 to Sunday, May 6, 2018, 4pm.

If you would like an application, or to talk to someone about the retreat, please see Joe or Donna DelFranco,

Becky Baker, Jim Stulman, Abe McKim, Myrna Clinton, Joe Maltese or Cynthia Dodd.

We will provide transportation to and from the weekend.

A/V WORSHIP SUPPORT TEAM

If you are interested in helping out during our morning worship by running the PPT for the service or monitoring the

sound, please see Helen Smith or call/text her at 203-444-2362. Also, if you are interested in programming the PPT

for Sunday morning worship, we really need one or two more people who would be able to do this. Again, talk to

Helen Smith if you would be willing to use your computer skills to aid in our worship! Thank You!

Lenten Bible Study

Lenten Bible Study begins on Wednesday, February 7th at 7:30PM. Our study book is What Makes a

Hero? The Death-Defying Ministry of Jesus by Matt Rawle. This offers us an image of what it looks like

to be victorious over trials and temptations. Looking at pop culture heroes and others through the lens of

faith. Everyone is welcome. Books are available in the church office.

Ash Wednesday Service

Please join us at the Ash Wednesday Service February 14th at 7:00PM.

CT District Resource Days

CT. District Resource Days are Saturday, February 3 from 9:00 - Noon at Simsbury United Methodist

Church in Simsbury, CT. and Sunday, February 11th at Stratford United Methodist Church in Stratford, Ct.

from 2:00 to 5:00PM. Pre-registration will be available soon as well as additional information. There will

be workshops designed for leaders of church committees and workshops exploring church revitalization

through youth ministries, sanctuary church, mission, a fresh approach to decision-making, and exploration

of cultural trends impacting the way churches do ministry.

Youth Choir News

Youth Choir is open to all in Kindergarten and up - If you would like to join, please just show up on any Tuesday

starting on January 9th. We will rehearse on February 6, 13, and 27th. There is no rehearsal on Feb. 20th. Come join

the fun!

Youth Group News

We are in the process of planning for our Youth mission trip this summer. We will be

going to Forestville, CT for the week of July 8-14th. We are looking at possibly 8 youth

and 4 adults attending. More information on this will follow - please help support our youth

when we host fundraisers to raise money to attend this fantastic week!

Also, on Saturday, Feb. 3rd, we will be putting subs together for Super Bowl Sunday. If you wish to

purchase subs for your Super Bowl Party or for your Super Bowl non-party, please use the order form

here or see Helen Smith at church for a form. Choices of meat and fixings are listed below. Subs are $8

and all proceeds will go to support our local food assistance program - WHEAT. Subs may be picked up

after church on Feb. 4th. Thank you!

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING SUB ORDER FORM

Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement of young people working to fight hunger and poverty in their own

communities around the time of the Super Bowl football game. In the weeks leading up to or on Super Bowl

Sunday, young people take up a collection or conduct a fundraising event. They give 100% of their donation

directly to the local hunger-relief charity of their choice.

All proceeds from the First and Wesley Youth Group fundraising event will go to WHEAT

Meats available: turkey, ham, salami, pepperoni

Extras: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper

Subs are foot long white bread. Since we make them up on the Saturday before the Super Bowl, we do not put

mayonnaise or oil and vinegar on them.

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________________________

NAME _____________________________________________________________________

# of subs ___________ X $8 (each) = ____________

Subs may be picked up on Sunday Morning, February 4th, after church.

Deep Blue Sunday School: Join us for Sunday School each Sunday from 9:15 – 10:15.

Children ages 4 & up participate in two stations a week. Stations are: art, games, missions,

science, cooking and more. During February we will be learning about these stories:

February 4: Jesus Walks on Water

February 11: The Four Friends

February 18: Jesus Calms the Storm

February 15: Jairus’s Daughter

Contact Gail Bartozzi with questions - e-mail a.g.bartozzi@sbcglobal.net or call the church office

The Craft Corner, a group of youth grades 5 and up, meets on the second Sunday of each

month from after church until 1:30. Bring a sandwich and a drink. We supply chips and

dessert. Our group makes Get Well and Thinking of You cards. These cards are sent to

people in our church family and community.

Contact Gail Bartozzi if you are interested in joining our group or have questions – call the church office or e-mail

Gail at a.g.bartozzi@sbcglobal.net.

You can’t learn how to be strong and patient and brave, if you’ve only had wonderful

things happen to you. Mary Tyler Moore

The best thing to spend on your child is your time. Arnold Glasgow

'Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.' -

Unknown

The Messenger First & Wesley United Methodist Church

89 Center Street West Haven, CT 06516

Phone (203) 933-8795

www.firstwesleyumc.org

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com

Reverend Sungmu Lee

Sunday Worship Time: 10:30 am

Sunday school 9:15 to 10:15am

The February Newsletter