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April 24, 2024

God is our Peace Giver!

Life can indeed be challenging, but our faith reminds us that God is always good. Amidst the chaos and noise of our world, we often yearn for a little "peace and quiet." However, true peace goes beyond the absence of conflict—it is a profound sense of calm and assurance that transcends circumstances.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, entered a world filled with political and moral turmoil, yet His presence brought a transformative peace wherever He went. As followers of Christ, we can learn from His example and seek the inner peace that comes from His abiding presence.

In John 14:27 (NKJV), Jesus left His disciples with a comforting promise: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Unlike the temporary peace offered by the world, the peace the Lord provides is deep-rooted and emanates from our innermost being because of His presence. It is a peace that sustains us even amidst life's storms.

As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace the profound peace that Jesus offers—a peace that surpasses worldly understanding and remains unshaken by external events.

ONLINE WORSHIP LINK

Join us this Sunday as Rev. Jim Patton delivers our message!

Rev. Jenn Lucas serves as the District Superintendent to the Great Miami River District within the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Jenn brings her passion for ministry and extensive experience to her role. She has been in ministry since 1997, serving a church in Perrysburg, Ohio, which happens to be her stomping grounds. Interestingly, she grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Her journey into ministry began when she was touring with a choir group called the Continental Singers, and she felt a divine tug on her heart, urging her to do more. Since then, she has been dedicated to serving her community and fostering spiritual growth in others.

Rev. Lucus will be here at John Wesley UMC on May 5, 2024, to give the Sunday message. Please join us at the 9:00 a.m. Java Cafe Hour to welcome her.

BUILDING UPDATE - AED DEVICE REMOVED FROM NARTHEX

THE AED IN THE NARTHEX HAS BEEN REMOVED AND WILL BE REPLACED BY AN UPDATED VERSION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The preschool has an AED Device on the wall in the hallway by Room 4 and that can be used if needed. The Narthex will have a new AED device and there will also be a device installed in Wesley Hall. We will let you know the location of that device as soon as it's up and ready for use. Thank you!

A Prayer Minister will be available at the

back corner of Dunlap Hall, for at least

15 minutes after the benediction.

Masks will be worn when requested.

Prayer Minister this week is Carol Walters

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Romans 3:23-25 (ESV)

Have you ever gone out of your way for someone or maybe they have gone out of their way for you? Susan and I recently returned from Florida after spending a few weeks with members of both of our families. We have been doing this for 30 years now, minus a couple during Covid.

This year was different. Because Susan has retired and I have flexible work schedules, we were not stuck in the typical “Spring-break” pattern when so many college, and school age students and their families flood the highways, restaurants, rest stops, hotels and beaches of Florida. Additionally, the majority of “snowbirds” had left their winter refuges heading back to their summer homes. This made for a much more laid-back, less-crowded vacation time for us.

I was wondering what to write after taking a month off. Several ideas were running around in my brain when something new popped; something totally off-the-cuff.

I am blessed with 6 wonderful brother in-laws. Two of them live in Florida. This morning as I was walking back up the driveway, I was reminded of how they went out of their way to make sure we were having a good time, that we were well fed(really important to me), and that we were comfortable. They also made sure that we knew how much we are loved.

Most people would say that John 3:16 is probably the go-to Scripture for how much God loves us, and what Christ has done for us. But I also like this Scripture from Romans that reminds us how God went out of his way to save us through his Son.

Jesus said there is no greater love than when someone lays down their life for a friend. If we are to truly emulate Christ, then we must be willing to go out of our way for others. Our world is full of those who need someone to go out of the way to meet their needs. For whom are you willing to go out of your way for?

Have a blessed week,

Dave

Pastor Kalamba's Thursday Bible Study will resume on

May 9th when he is back from this year's General Conference in North Carolina.

Bible Study May 9th-July 7th

Godspeed - By MATT & JULIE CANLIS

Description

The Godspeed film follows the story of a young American pastor whose desire to change the world grinds to a halt in a slow Scottish parish. With the help of mentors Eugene Peterson and N. T. Wright, pastor Matt Canlis discovers how Jesus walked this earth at three miles an hour. He saved the world at a walking pace – a pace of knowing and being known.

The Godspeed documentary challenges each Christian to live at Godspeed – a way of life that allows them to be face to face to their Lord, their neighbor, and themselves.

· The follow-on Videos & Study Guide dare us to live more deeply in our communities, knowing that our growth is not in size or numbers but in quality of life and relationships.

· Each member will need a personal copy of the Godspeed Eight-week Video & Study Guide, which includes space for personal reflection, Scripture meditation, and prayer.

In addition to the Godspeed Study Guide is Julie Canlis’s book “A Theology of the Ordinary” where you can further explore the theology behind Godspeed.

Where to purchase the book?

https://www.livegodspeed.org/shoppe/study-guide

VBS Camp Firelight is quickly approaching. Please be sure to volunteer early to make planning easier. Volunteer signups are in Dunlap Hall. Leader books can be passed out to station leaders today if you volunteer to be a station leader see Jennifer and she will get you a leader’s guide.

Youth Basket Auction- Please sign up in Dunlap Hall to help at the Youth Basket auction on May 19th. If you are donating a basket, please be sure to include a list of all items in the basket (can be turned in right before auction) and a title for your basket as well.

Join Us May 5th!

May 5^th is our last Family/Youth Service as we are taking a break for summer.

I hope to see everyone there.

I am a National Junior Honor Society member and I will be hosting a bake sale on April 28th. All the money from the bake sale will go to Cincinnati Animal CARE / Hamilton County Animal Shelter. I chose to work with them because I think every animal deserves to be treated well and all the money will go to them having a better life.

Logan Shaw

Dear JWUMC Community,

First, thank you so much for your generosity in the last few months on our last trip to Forest Chapel, it took two cars to get everything over there! There were shoes, coats, scarves, jackets, and underwear. We received more women's clothing than men's.

Tuesday we took two stuffed boxes and one large plastic carry bag. We try to inspect everything before taking it over to be sure there are no tears or repairs needed. Thank you so much for your current donations of dresses, coats, spring jackets, underwear, and shirts. Again, we have gotten more women's clothes than men's clothing so if we could focus on men's items for now, that would be a blessing.

New call - for summer weight clothes. Please make sure that the items donated are washable and not dry clean only. Also, I'd suggest no women's shorts. I'm thinking that the women who need clothing are from a more conservative culture than here. We are still in desperate need of new packages of men's underwear size small and medium as well as men's pants in small and medium sizes.

Thank you so much for all of your help with this ministry!

Nikki Griffin

Take a look at the article from the Sunday paper!

We need volunteers to keep the

grass mowed during the spring,

summer and fall. Andy Shreve and

Dave Medkeff are the CMO'S

(Chief Mowing Officers) and would appreciate your assistance.

Dave and Andy can teach you

how to operate the equipment and maybe promote you a CHO (Chief Helping Officer). A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in Dunlap Hall.

Thank you for your

cooperation in advance,

The Trustees

The 9:00 Sunday school class has converted half of Wesley Hall into two pickleball courts.

We have three times reserved weekly for those of you who would like to join us. We're set up for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to noon. You need to enter by the back Wesley Hall door, and ring the doorbell if you do not have a key.

Contact Marilyn Shultz if you have questions.