Open Hearts – Open Minds – Open Doors.

Wakarusa United Methodist Church

From the Pastor...

Why is there a Wakarusa United Methodist Church?  Why do people attend?  Why do they support this church with their time, energy and resources?  Why does this place exist?

             As a United Methodist, we turn to the Book of Discipline (2008) to guide our thoughts on these questions.

             In paragraph 120, the ministry of the church is stated: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.”

             Our focus as a church is to carry out our mission.  Paragraph 122 states: “We make disciples as we:

· Proclaim the gospel, seek, welcome and gather persons into the body of Christ;

· Lead persons to commit their lives to God through baptism by water and the spirit and profession of faith in Jesus Christ;

· Nurture persons in Christian living through worship, the sacraments, spiritual disciplines and other means of grace such as Wesley’s Christian conferencing;

· Send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel; and

Continue the mission of seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ.”

 

Paragraph 125 describes the ministry of all Christians: “The heart of Christian ministry is Christ’s ministry of outreaching love.  Christian ministry is the expression of the mind and mission of Christ by a community of Christians that demonstrates a common life of gratitude and devotion, witness and service, celebration and discipleship.  All Christians are called through their baptism to this ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment.”

As members of the Body of Christ, we are accountable to one another.  Paragraph 129 challenges us all to be faithful to the high calling we have in Christ.  “The people of God, who are the church made visible in the world, must convince the world of the reality of the gospel or leave it unconvinced.  There can be no evasion or delegation of this responsibility; the church is either faithful as a witnessing and serving community, or it loses its vitality and its impact on an unbelieving world”

The church exists because Jesus has called us into existence.  The Wakarusa United Methodist Church is not our church, it is Christ’s Church.  We are no longer our own, but His.  Our reason for being is to be about the work of Christ.

May our eyes always be focused on Jesus.  May our lives reflect the truth, forgiveness, and love that we have received from Him.  May we always strive to live out the life to which we have been called. As parts of this Body of Christ, the Wakarusa United Methodist Church, may we be faithful and true disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Men’s Group

             The Men’s Group continues to meet each Wednesday evening at 6:45 p.m.  All men are invited to be a part of the group.

             All men are also invited to meet for breakfast once each month.  The day , time and place will be announced.

Invite a Friend to Church

                 During the Fall, people are generally receptive to the idea of starting to attend church.  Is there someone you know that you could invite to church?

             Last year, a poll was done of residents of the state of Indiana.  On one Sunday afternoon, the pollsters called a random sample of Indiana residents and asked them if they had attended church that weekend.  This poll was only taken on this one Sunday.  The results of the poll were surprising.  30% of the residents called reported that they had attended church sometime that weekend.

             There are many Hoosiers who are not regularly attending church.  Who could you invite to attend church with you?

Charge Conference:

Nov. 5, 2009, 7:00 pm,

at Nappanee UMC

                 Our Charge Conference will be held on Thursday, November 5, 7:00 pm, at the Nappanee UMC.  The Charge Conference will be a cluster Charge Conference with five other churches.  The members of our Administrative Council are invited to attend our Charge Conference.

New Small Groups

   Being Developed

                 At Annual Conference this year, Adam Hamilton made several presentations on church leadership and vision.  Our Bishop, Michael Coyner, is urging each local church to seriously reflect on Hamilton’s presentations and apply any conclusions to each church’s context.

             We are currently in the process of developing several small groups that will review and discuss Hamilton’s presentations by viewing a 30 minute DVD, and then sharing thoughts and questions.  Anyone from the church is welcome to be a part of these discussions.  It is anticipated that the small groups will meet 4-6 times, meeting for about an hour to an hour and one-half.

             If you would like to host one of these groups, or participate in a group, please call Pastor Ed at the church office, 862-2863.

 

Upcoming Youth Events

             The Youth Group is up and running for fall and winter activities.

             One of the new leaders is Tim Hershberger.

             The Youth Group will meet Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m.  If a Youth activity is planned for Saturday, there will be no meeting on Sunday.

             During the month of October, the group will help with Project Playground on Saturday, October 10.  On Sunday, October 18, the group will bowl at Strikes and Spares.  On Saturday, October 24 there will be a hayride followed by a bonfire held at the home of Dan and Beth Pogue.  More information about each event will be available at a later date.

We hope if you are in Middle School or High School, you will become a part of our Youth Group.