Wesley United Methodist Church

Announcements

• Water

  Friends,

  Very early Sunday morning, a warm nose touched my cheek letting me know they wanted to go outside. I got out of bed, and together Bingo and I raced down the stairs to the front door. I put him on his leash, and we went out. When we came back inside, I decided it was my turn. As I turned the tap to wash my hands, nothing happened. I raced downstairs and tried the kitchen sink with the same result. It was then I realized the pipes froze. I went into the basement only to discover that the house must have recently shifted, and the cellar door had come free. The door was only inches away from the water line into the house therefore causing it to freeze. I spent some time thawing the pipes and just as the sun was rising, water began to flow. However, even though the shower had returned to normal, some of the sinks still had very limited flow. Lo and behold, the dirt and sediment in the pipes had collected in the faucets and blocked the flow of water. I unscrewed the tips of the faucets and dark, rusty, gunk fell into the sinks. I was a bit disturbed by the possibility that Bingo and I would drink water from these taps.

  In my drive to church, I thought about both the frozen pipes and the dirty water. Not having access to water for a few hours was a mere inconvenience for me but imagine living for months without water from a tap or maybe having to walk miles just to have water to cook or wash clothes. I could not help but think of folks in war torn countries, such as Ukraine, living day to day without easy access to water. I also pondered the many places around the world where water is plentiful, but because of pollution or waterborne diseases, it is not safe to drink without treating it beforehand. Water, clean and fresh, is essential for all life. I pray that as our climate changes due to the increase of greenhouse gas emissions we find ways to make sure all people have access to clean water.

  Water is also important in other ways. Just like it is essential for all of Creation to thrive, it is also of great spiritual importance. As we begin the season of Lent on Wednesday, many church liturgies will pray Psalm 51 and say, “Create in me a clean heart O God” and “Wash me completely clean of my guilt and purify me from my sin.”  In the tradition of the Church, Lent has also been a time when those wanting to be baptized in water, are preparing to do so at the Easter Vigil service in a mere forty days. Therefore, not only do we need to fill fonts with clear and clear water for baptism, but all folks, baptized and unbaptized, should take time during Lent to spend time in prayer and doing acts of mercy. My prayer this week is that one such act of mercy is that we would work to guarantee that fresh, clean water is available everywhere and for everyone; to drink, to wash, and to be made clean.  

  “I heard the voice of Jesus, ‘Behold I freely give, the living water thou thirsty one stoop down and drink and live.”  Hymn text: Horatio Bonar (1846)

  Kawishiwi Falls- Photo K. Scheuer

  https://youtu.be/amDo-KqUjpA?si=8JlVJxfDRCgYMAzZ

  https://youtu.be/5dyhAeobPp0?si=RFIACWlqdgPFgPUL

  https://youtu.be/2Atfr07wPjc?si=LcPAmvytzlG_dJZv

   

  Announcements:

  Monday: Worship Committee 11:15

                 Choir Practice 5:00 pm

                 Mission Committee 6:15

  Tuesday: Finance Committee 6pm over zoom

  Wednesday:  Ash Wednesday Services; 8:00am and Noon- in the Chapel. All are welcome!

  Ad Council Meeting on Sunday- After Fellowship!

   

  Also: On March 12th at 7pm, Pastor John will share his personal journey of faith over zoom.  He is calling it, "At Home with Christ: An Adult Conversation of Faith, Recovery, and Sexuality." Since it is an adult conversation, he has decided to not do it from the pulpit on Sunday morning, but rather over zoom. There will be space left for questions immediately following the testimonial. After the zoom event, a recording will be uploaded to his Facebook page. 

  The zoom link is:

  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2258821750?pwd=JyRzJsp7d9VinFO0PceGZFq77JNUf3.1&omn=89663872869
  Meeting ID: 225 882 1750
  Passcode: e2q3wr