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.

Monday, Dec. 1 6:30 p.m. Advent study begins

Wednesday, Dec. 3 6 p.m. Worship committee meeting

Sunday, Dec. 7 10 a.m. worship with Holy Communion

Monday, Dec. 8 6:30 p.m. Advent study continues

Sunday, Dec. 14 10 a.m. worship

Monday, Dec. 15 6:30 p.m. Advent study continues

Sunday, Dec. 21 10 a.m. worship with Holy Communion

Wednesday, Dec. 24 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship

Thursday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day!

Friday, Dec. 26 Office Closed

Sunday, Dec. 28 10 a.m. worship

Monday, January 12 Trustees Meeting 6:30pm

Wednesday, January 14 WNO Meeting 5:30pm

Administrative Council 6:30pm

In case you missed any of the worship services and messages, 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.

If you would like to purchase a poinsettia and have it displayed in the sanctuary this Christmas season, you are encouraged to do so. We will begin displaying them Sunday, December 14. If you wish to keep the poinsettia after Christmas Eve, please be sure and label your plant and take it with you following our 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship service, or if you wish to leave it for the church, that can be done as well.

Christmas: The Gift of Hope

Matthew 1:18-21

This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David's family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God's Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph and Mary were engaged and going through the traditional year of betrothal before their formal marriage could take place. They had not had the wedding ceremony yet, were not living together, and had not been physically intimate, but in the eyes of the community, they were as good as married. Then, out of the blue, Joseph received word that Mary was expecting! Jospeh surely was shaken and heartsick. But he was a kind man and loved Mary, so he decided that instead of publicly humiliating her, he would just break it off quietly.

As Joseph was making his decision, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said words to this effect: Joseph, don’t be afraid. Go ahead and take Mary for your wife. Your love for each other is unique and special. The Spirit is with her, bringing a new life. This child is of God. It is God’s will that she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

In the Bible, angels are messengers from God, so imagine the powerful effect of this message of hope. The angel told Joseph not to be afraid and not to abandon Mary, but instead to go ahead and marry her. The angel told Joseph that Mary would give birth to the Savior. And the angel told Joseph to name the baby Jesus. Don’t miss this now: the angel told Joseph what to name the baby!

There are so many remarkable images and lessons in this powerful section of Scripture that says so much to us about the gift of hope. His name shall be called Jesus – the gift of hope. He will save the people from their sins. Christ is the hope of the world. And hope is a Christmas gift that won’t break!

Become an instrument of hope to others. Give the gift of hope to those who need it by giving of yourself. As Christmas draws near, look for opportunities to become a messenger of good news and hope. Let us pray:

Dear God, thank You for the season of Advent and the gift of hope. Help us to prepare our hearts for your coming and to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Amen.

Pastor Laurie

Bunco will be held December 13th at 1:00 pm.

Come join us for fun and fellowship!

Sunday morning: 9:00 am (before church) in the library—Study: Starting December 7th "Let Us Go Over to Bethlehem"

Monday evening: 6:30 am gather in the library. “Let Us Go Over to Bethlehem” is available in the church office.

Books are available for both studies. All are welcome to attend.

Your Administrative Board at Wesley UMC is seeking help with our accounting/treasurer position. Don Armstrong would like to step down in the near future, but we want to fill his spot now so he can train you. If you have wondered what God is calling you to volunteer to do for your church and you have accounting/budget background, then you are the perfect fit! Please talk to Don Armstrong, Pastor Laurie or Bob VanDenOever if you are interested or have any questions. Thank you!

We are looking for someone to assist Brad and Bob in moving snow this winter! Please talk to Brad or Bob if you have any interest in this.

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 Home: Zelma Dean

23 Howard & Beverly Baartman

Finding Grace in the Garbage

A Reflection from Pastor Cindy

Based on Romans 12 & John 13

Creation Care Is Stewarding Others. Creation Care is Community Care.

If you remember Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street, you know what it feels like when life piles up — hurts, worries, unfinished hopes — and we start to feel like we’re living in our own spiritual “trash heaps.” But the good news of the Gospel is this: God walks right into the alley with us. God never calls us garbage; God calls us beloved.

Grace That Grows

In Romans 12, Paul paints a picture of what I call “the ecology of grace.” Love, humility, patience, compassion — these are the holy soil in which God grows new life. John Wesley called it social holiness: faith expressed in how we care for one another.

Love That Kneels

In John 13, Jesus kneels with a basin and towel, washing every disciple’s feet — even Judas and Peter. This is divine love in its purest form: love that serves, love that gets dirty, love that reaches us in our mess. Jesus still kneels beside us today, washing away fear, shame, and exhaustion with tender grace.

From Grouch to Grace: GroundWorks Connect

Just as Jesus models care that restores, GroundWorks Connect invites us to practice that same stewardship in our relationships — with God, with one another, and with our community.
Through reflection, conversation, and connection, GroundWorks Connect helps us sort through the “trash piles” we carry and discover what God is transforming into treasure. It’s a space where spiritual growth and creation care meet in everyday life.

Stewarding People, Planet, and Grace

Creation care isn’t just about tending the earth; it’s also about tending the hearts and lives God loves.
Every small act—calling a neighbor, forgiving someone, planting something new, picking up litter, or simply choosing kindness—becomes God’s love in motion.

God isn’t done with this world or with us.
The One who walked into Oscar’s alley walks into ours —
redeeming, renewing, and growing grace wherever we let the Light of Christ shine.

Pastor Cindy H Coates, executive director.

• General Budget Update @ October 31, 2025

  • Income Ten Months 2025...................................................................................... $105,104
  • Expense Ten Months 2025.................................................................................... ($ 98,968)
  • Income exceed expense @ 10/31/2025.................................................................. $ 6,136

Don Armstrong, Treasurer

• Building & Grounds

  • Balance 9/30/2025.............................................................................................. $ 5,215.65
  • Donations October 2025............................................................................................ 955.00
  • Interest earned October.................................................................................................. 1.82
  • Balance 10/31/2025............................................................................................ $ 6,172.47

Things you may want to know that occurred at our Charge Conference session Sunday, November 23 – 4:30 p.m. with out Dist. Supt. Brandon Vetter:

· Brandon shared a devotion on loving boldly (1 John 4:7-12; Matthew 28:18-20). Each table discussed how Wesley UMC ‘loved boldly’ these last 365 days then shared with the entire group.

· Clergy compensation incl. housing exclusion (tax purposes only) passed with a 3% cost of living increase

· Pastor Laurie will be staying through June 30 of 2026

· Brandon talked about the next incoming permanent pastor and where those discussions stood at this time.

· Nominations report presented and passed

· Finance report and proposed 2026 budget presented and passed (future permanent pastor salary/pension/health flex package unknown right now)

· It was agreed that Abby would continue her road to the ministry with Wesley UMC as her support

· A few additional questions and comments were asked and shared

· Concluded with John Wesley’s Wesleyan Covenant Prayer. Meeting adjourned.

· Shared in a potluck together

If you would like a more detailed Charge Conference booklet, let the church office know and we will print you a copy.

I want to thank everyone who filled Christmas Shoe Boxes. We filled 37 boxes this year which is amazing. That means 37 children will receive Christmas gifts who might not receive any gifts if it weren’t for your generosity.

Dawn Armstrong

Prayers:

Mary Poppenga and family as her brother Tony passed away recently

Lincoln

Joanne

Kathy- Hospice

Aleene Williams

Beth Stricker

Kolby

Easton Riddle

Ron Poppenga

Danielle

Ernie Griner and family

Our Country

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

While not a medically recognized diagnosis, Hurry Sickness is acknowledged by many mental and spiritual health professionals. It’s often linked to anxiety—one of the most prevalent chronic conditions of our time.

In his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, John Mark Comer outlines ten symptoms of this syndrome:

1. Irritability

2. Hypersensitivity

3. Restlessness

4. Workaholism or nonstop activity

5. Emotional numbness

6. Disordered priorities

7. Neglect of physical health

8. Escapist behaviors

9. Slippage in spiritual disciplines

10. Isolation

So, what can we do to counter this anxious hurrying and reclaim peace?

Let’s revisit Jesus’ words to Martha, who was overwhelmed with hosting duties while Mary sat at

His feet: “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:41–42

Where is our focus? Is it on God—or on ourselves, others’ perceptions, and the endless details

Some meaningful suggestions:

• Embrace interruptions as opportunities

• Center yourself through devotion, as distractions fray and frazzle us

• Prioritize presence over productivity

As we enter this busy season, I pray you won’t be in such a hurry that you miss the sacred opportunities to love and be present—for your children, spouse, parents, and members of our congregation.

Dawn Armstrong

Scripture says a lot about praying. I’ve always said you can never have too many prayers. Better to have too many than none at all! But when you pray, be open to God’s voice and nudges.

1 John 5:14 - We are certain God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 - Always be joyful and never stop praying.

Philippians 4:6 - Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts

offer up your prayers and requests to God.

James 4:3 - Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just

for selfish reasons.

We can get weary from waiting on God. Don’t lose heart. God is using this time to help us grow in character and maturity. He will use this time of waiting for our good and His glory. Without the work that is taking place in our hearts today, we won’t have the character we need to step into our dreams when the time is right.

We really could use your input! The Administrative Council will be meeting in January and part of their time will be brainstorming about what we envision for Wesley UMC in the future. We need your help. Please be praying about where God will lead Wesley UMC in 2026 and beyond. So I ask you: where do you see God working in this church and congregation and community?

Also in this newsletter, you will find a cut-out questionnaire (if you will) where you may give us your input. You may sign your name or not – your choice. You may cut it out and send it to the church, email it to the church (wumc1700@outlook.com), drop it off at the church, or place it in the offering plate on a Sunday morning worship time. It would be great to have your ideas by the end of the year. This church exists because of you and your love of God and wanting to be in service to God. We have so much more to do here! So let’s be faithful disciples because God is faithful to keep HIS promises. When we pray, we can find peace in knowing that God will answer our prayers (maybe not exactly in the way we prayed for them or in our time, but with God, all things are possible).

What would you like Wesley UMC to look like in 5 years?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are some ideas you may not have thought of – and you may have more:

Community Outreach:

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Caregiving of members:

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Congregational members involvement (including worship):

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Evangelism:

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Facililties/building (use of, maintenance, etc.):

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Children/Youth/Young families:

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Worship service (music, greeters, welcome packet, sermon ideas, etc.):

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Other:

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Name (optional)

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The Wesley Neighborhood Outreach team has voted to promote the collection of warm winter wear for the next few months. This includes warm socks, long underwear (especially for men), gloves/mittens, hats, coats and whatever you have to donate that will promote the feeling of being loved and cared about. The items need not be new but should be clean and mended. These items will be gifted to the visitors to the Nightwatch Canteen. A collection station will be located in the Narthex of the church.

Thank you for your support of the Terry Redlin pantry! Pastor Laurie blessed all your donation last Sunday. Your generosity was heartwarming and will bless the families we serve. We will continue to collect high demand items throughout the school year. A list of suggested donations is posted in the Narthex.

The Whittier Residents Association is hosting a dessert swap on December 6 in the Fellowship Hall. It's a lot like a Christmas cookie exchange but will include other items that people make to build memories during the holidays. You would bring your dessert to share and a copy of the recipe you use. If you are interested in participating, please give Mary P a call.

Please contact Pastor Laurie at 605-376-0752.