Wesley United Methodist Church

Wesley United Methodist Church is a church family that seeks to live into John Wesley's three simple rules- to do good, to do no harm, and to stay in love with God. http://www.wumcsf.org

We meet every Sunday at 10am.

Wednesday September 3, 2025 Worship Committee 6pm

Thursday September 4, 2025, Prayer Shawl 9am

September 4th, 5th, 6th Theatre lab performance 7pm Fellowship Hall

Saturday, September 13, 2025 Bunco 1:00pm

Monday September 15, 2025 Trustees Meeting 6:30pm

Wednesday September 17, 2025 Ad Council 6:30pm

Thursday September 25, 2025 Thrive 605 and Wesley Gleaning Initiative (Round 2!)

Saturday September 27, 2025 Whittier Association

Sunday, September 28, 2025 Night Watch Canteen

In case you missed the worship services and messages throughout the year, go to http://wumcsf.org and click on the “Video Archive” tab to view.

To watch services “live” each Sunday at 10 AM, go to http://wumcsf.org and click on the “Livestream” tab.

Bunco will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 1:00 pm.

Come join us for fun and fellowship!

Please contact Pastor Laurie at 605-376-0752.

I can actually remember the first day of school as I was growing up. The elementary school was within walking distance so all the kids on our block would walk to school together when the weather would allow. Yes, mom would dress my sister and I up in our new dresses (that didn’t happen very often, especially since I was a tomboy!); we would carry our tin lunch boxes that held the small thermos; we didn’t have the huge backpacks that were twice our size – just a small tote bag; and mom would make sure we had a small amount of change – just in case!

Junior high (that’s what we called it back in the dinosaur days) was NOT in walking distance, so we rode the bus to school. The tote bag got bigger, the lunchbox changed, and the outfits were more fitting for the time.

Senior high: my sister typically drove our used 66 Chevy Impala and she HAD to take me with her! The school books got bigger and heavier so the school locker barely held everything, and lunchtime had more options to choose from than when I was younger.

I remember all my teachers – from elementary to senior high. Some were my favorites and others not so much. I was an outgoing kid so I made friends fairly easily. Those friends came and went as I grew up. School sports events and music concerts kept me and my sister very busy, as well as community sports. But CHURCH WAS #1 – the priority. We didn’t participate in every single possible sporting event. We went to church; youth groups; youth choir; handbell choir; worship – THAT was our sporting event.

Do you remember your school days? Your teachers? Your neighborhood kids and families? With all educational institutions having already started or getting ready to begin, we need to remember all of the students (no matter their age), administrators, teachers, cafeteria workers, janitors, parents and families as this new season has begun. You may be a part of this new season and you may not, but that doesn’t mean we stop praying for a smooth school year, a peaceful school year, a learning experience for everyone, and so much more.

May God be with all of these folks. We ask that God walks with them through this journey. May God give wisdom when needed; open the students ears, eyes and hearts so they may soak up knowledge; and may God support all the families as they navigate through the school year.

Pastor Laurie

Good Sam/ Canton: Joyce Patterson

Rushmore Mn: Marian Hoek

Stoney Brooke: Maxine Ingalls

Prairie Crossing: Bernie McCabe

Dow Rummel: Nila Hendriks

Luther Manor: Donna Hoh

Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD: Margeann Dewes

Prince of Peace: Audrey Hullinger

Tea Retirement Living: Zelma Dean

Pentecostal Slavic Congregation of Sioux Falls-Meets in our Sanctuary on Sundays 12:00-2:00, and on Fridays 7:00-9:00

Lirio de los Valles-Meets in our former nursery room on Sundays 12:00-2:00 and Thursdays 7:00-8:30

• What a fun night we had at the National Night Out Celebration on August 5th. Hungry people were fed, happy kids bounced in bouncy houses, prizes were registered for, faces were painted, music was enjoyed, reptiles were petted, free books were passed out and everyone was entertained! Talk about community building. Thanks to everyone who helped out in any way with this event.

• Whittier Neighborhood Outreach

• The Whittier Neighborhood Association has completed our 4th and final Neighborhood clean up. We had help from our friends at St Francis House for each of the clean ups. Partnering with a different organization each time provided us with the opportunity to go the extra mile. We were so encouraged by the willingness of so many different people to come together and help each other out. I might be a little bit prejudice, but I think our Whittier Neighborhood friends are some of the best in the community!
• We removed over 10,000 pounds just at this last clean up!
• The total amount of trash collected over the 4 clean ups was just over 32,207 pounds!

• Our next focus will be to put on a Trunk or Treat party for the kids at Terry Redlin. If you are interested in providing a "trunk", please let me know. More information to come.

Whittier Residents Assn

• Reminder; the Whittier Residents Association meets the last Saturday of each month, at Wesley in Fellowship Hall at the following time: 9:00 - coffee, treats and social time. 10:00 - gather to share information, answer questions and dream.

• Income Seven Months 2025............................................................................ $76,177.06
• Expense Seven Months 2025......................................................................... ($72,740.86)
• Income exceed expense @ 7/31/2025............................................................. $ 3,436.20

Don Armstrong, Treasurer

Building & Grounds

• Donations July 2025....................................................................................................... 1,110.00
• Interest earned July................................................................................................................ 0.17
• Finance Charge ..................................................................................................................( 15.00)
• Balance 7/31/2025 .......................................................................................................$ 2,459.65

Don Armstrong, Treasurer

Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinates distribution of Shoebox Christmas gifts to over 6,000 children across the reservations of North Dakota, South Dakota and into Minnesota.

So, what is included in the shoe boxes? To start, wrap the bottom and top of a shoebox separately with Christmas gift wrapping paper. Add items that you purchased into the box. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, ask them what they would like for Christmas. Add that, a few more smaller gifts, some candy, a winter hat, mittens or gloves, place a rubber band around the box and then the top. No bows. They don’t stack in the truck. Label the box with the age group and gender of the child on top of the box. Use the following age groups when you create your label: infant, toddler, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 13 and up.

I don’t have a date yet as to when the boxes will be distributed. The distribution date is usually in early November. I know that seems like a while in the future, but it will be here before we know it and now is the time to start looking for bargains.

If you have any empty shoe boxes, bring them to the church and we will wrap them with Christmas wrap and have them ready for all of you to fill. I will be putting out the boxes we have early in September. Take as many as you think you can fill. Last year we filled 51 boxes. So, that is our goal for 2025—51 boxes or more if possible by late October.

Dawn Armstrong

Prayers:

Easton Riddle

Tony

Ron Poppenga

Danielle

Ernie Griner and family

Nicole

Aleene Williams

Beth Stricker

Dear Lord,

We ask you to protect the safety and the health of students, educators, staff, and families. Prevent evil and harm from entering into schools and communities. We pray that this year is full of joy and peace. Remind every person starting a new school year that you are in control and you are faithfully watching over them. Bless their minds and help them to learn new things. Give them the strength to focus and the courage to ask questions. Help them to be kind to their classmates and respectful to their teachers. Thank you for the gift of learning.

We pray that all may find friendships that are kind, supportive, and encouraging. May they all be good friends to others and to be open to making new connections. May school be a place of unity and love.

Lord, we ask for your guidance and wisdom for all teachers and staff. Grant them patience, creativity, and the ability to inspire their students. May they be a positive influence on the lives of all students. Give teachers the strength and energy they need to meet the challenges of this new school year. Help them to stay positive and to find joy in their work. May they be a source of encouragement and support for their students.

Lord, we pray for unity and peace within all school communities. May students, teachers, staff, and parents work together to create a positive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Help us to celebrate our diversity and to learn from one another.

Almighty God, may Your loving arms surround all your children so they may always feel Your presence. Walk beside them as they journey through a new school year. May everything they do and say be pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Pastor Laurie

World Communion Sunday, observed annually on the first Sunday in October, is a Christian ecumenical celebration of unity that transcends denominational, ethnic, and cultural differences. On this day, Christians worldwide partake in Holy Communion together, symbolizing their oneness in Christ and remembering His sacrifice, as they acknowledge the diverse yet connected global community of believers. The observance encourages fellowship, sharing, and support for those in need, often through offerings for scholarships for international students and those from underrepresented communities.

Here at Wesley UMC, we will be sharing in this sacrament Sunday, Oct. 5 in our 10 a.m. worship service. Then we will continue the fellowship with one another with a pot luck after worship in the fellowship hall.

So bring a dish to share and let's praise God in all His goodness and feast with one another after worship!

This is why unity matters. This is why Paul says the body of Christ has many members but one Spirit. Because no one person can carry the weight of grief alone. We were made to journey with each other. Jesus wept for his friend. No one community can rebuild after violence alone. No one church can face division and despair alone. No one congregation can answer and solve all the social ills of an entire community alone.

But together? Together, with Christ as our cornerstone, the wall begins to rise.

this is where our United Methodist heritage shines. John Wesley reminded us that faith is not a solitary journey. He said, “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.” Our discipleship is always lived out together. Always in community. Always side by side. This is where ministry like GroundWorks Connect brings the community together to build.

This is why we are a connectional church. We are not just one congregation — we are part of a global body, bound together in prayer, in mission, in ministry. When there’s a flood in Kentucky, United Methodists show up to tie sandbags. When there’s a hurricane in Florida, United Methodists send relief teams. When there’s hunger in Sioux Falls, United Methodists stock the food pantry or develop means of gleaning food from gardens. When there’s grief, United Methodists show up with casseroles and candles and prayer. We do more than offer thoughts, we rebuild through action. That is the wall being rebuilt- that is rubble being re-worked into something constructive. That is the Spirit binding us together with chords that cannot be broken.

The world is aching for such a witness. GroundWorks Connect, with its focus on education and bringing communities together can and is a platform for healing. Wesley UMC is part of that! The world is longing for a people who stand shoulder to shoulder, who say with their lives: “Hatred will not have the last word. Violence will not have the last word. Division will not have the last word. Love will.” The world is keening for Creation to Care. We, as staff continue to serve you and the surrounding neighborhoods- hands in the soil, soil for the soul!

(Excerpts from Daryl Austin USA TODAY)

So, what do enzymes do? Enzymes are involved in virtually every biological process that occurs throughout the body. This includes but is not limited to the following essential roles:

Digestion. Digestive enzymes help break food down into absorbable nutrients. “Enzymes like salivary amylase, protease and lipase break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats into smaller molecules,” says Benjamin Bikman, a cell biologist at Brigham Young University. “Without them, our intestines couldn’t extract the energy and vitamins we need from our meals.”

Metabolism. Enzymes also regulate metabolic pathways that further generate energy from food. These include enzymes like hexokinase helping to convert glucose into energy, Bikman explains.

Detoxification. Enzymes in the liver help neutralize harmful substances like drugs and alcohol so they can be safely excreted.

Boosted immunity. Enzymes also aid in immune function by breaking down invading pathogens and managing inflammation, explains Holden.

Reproductive health and improved brain function. Certain enzymes regulate hormones critical for reproductive health while others help with brain function.

With such a wide variety of important functions, it’s no wonder that when your body is low on enzymes, you’ll experience a range of issues and dysfunction.

Digestive issues are usually the first sign that something is awry.

That’s because without enough digestive enzymes, your body won’t be able to efficiently break down food, which can lead to bloating, gas and poor nutrient absorption.

Beyond affecting gut health, inadequate enzyme activity can also lead to chronic inflammation and may even contribute to autoimmune problems.

Diminished cognitive function and fatigue can also occur.

Enzyme levels can also decline due to aging, as the body naturally produces fewer enzymes over time.

Poor diet is another major contributor, as failing to eat enough healthy foods or eating too many processed foods can limit the raw materials your body needs to make enzymes.

The good news is that many enzyme-related issues can be improved with proper nutrition and lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and managing your stress levels.

The best way for an individual to support the production and proper functioning of enzymes in their body is to eat a balanced diet with diverse protein sources. Aim to get protein in every meal and your body will thank you.”

Dawn Armstrong

Health Ministries Coordinator