LIFE TOGETHER ON WEST MORRIS STREET
A weekly information and prayer journal by Pastor John Hay, Jr.


May 21, 2008

Following Jesus - Crossing Borders - Loving Neighbors

OUR MISSION: "We are called by God to do whatever it takes to reach people in love, restore them in Jesus Christ, and return them to minister to a lost world."

CONTENTS
- 5 Marks of a Living Church
- Praying
- Gathering
- Word Centering
- Incarnating Christ
- Blessing

5 MARKS OF A LIVING CHURCH

SOULQUAKE IMPACTS Instead of a destructive earthquake, Pentecost shook the early church as a reconstructive "soulquake." The aftershocks from the epicenter of that incredible event keep reverberating in the hearts and lives of Jesus' followers today. These Pentecost aftershocks are 5 marks of a living church. May we so tune and train our hearts to catch each wave the Spirit sends our way.

1. Believers are OVERWHELMED by grace. Acts 2:1-4. How is God's truth, mercy and love taking hold of me, changing me, and challenging our shared life in Christ?

2. Babel is REVERSED. Acts 2:4-13. Language is no barrier when love is at work. What barriers am I free to cross or remove because of Christ's comprehensive work for all people?

3. Holy BOLDNESS replaces hesitation and fear. Acts 2:14-41. What are my opportunities to bear truth, understanding, and reconciliation in the face of deception, confusion, and division?

4. MISSION is clarified. Acts 2:14-41. What effective connections can I make between Christ's completed work, this hoping/hurting generation and the future God desires?

5. Community and COMPASSION reflects Christ. Acts 2:42-47. Am I following the heart of Christ in me to share what I have been given to reflect the relief, restoration, and liberation Christ desires for all?

PRAYING

CONCERT OF PRAYER Thursdays at 6:30; all are welcome to gather to pray earnestly together for our church. Meet in the East End (Coffeehouse).

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST All men are welcome each Wednesday morning at 6:15 am in Ellis Hall. Hot breakfast, table fellowship and earnest prayer. On your way by 7:15 am.

PRAY IN INTERCESSION Pray God's comfort, healing touch and answers for the following requested concerns:

-- Pray continued healing for Mike Leak as he continues therapy at home.
-- Pray grace for Guy Lane in rehab on Tibbs Avenue.
-- Pray healing for Audrey Hammock, who had a melanoma tumor removed from her arm last week and had follow-up procedure on Tuesday.
-- Pray healing for Anita Miller, who is scheduled to have a heart cath on Friday.
-- Pray healing for Jackie Logue in Methodist Hospital.
-- Pray strengthening for Vance Robbins, 95. Pray also for Viola, who attends to Vance at home each day.
-- Pray healing for Ruby Hill. Ruby needs to walk on her own to be released from Plainfield Healthcare Center.
-- Pray for Pat Strange, scheduled to have shoulder replacement surgery next Thursday.
-- Pray continued strengthening for Kathy Fryman.
-- Pray grace for Joe Black at Lakeview; also for Phyllis.

PRAY FOR BREAKTHROUGH With thanksgiving, pray for encouragement, wisdom and spiritual breakthrough:

-- Pray for the people of China after the earthquake that killed over 30,000 and left many more homeless last week.
-- Pray wisdom for our Governor, the State Legislature, and our elected, appointed and employed state officials.
-- Pray grace for students taking finals and finishing school.
-- Pray wisdom and vision for Free Methodist national and worldwide leadership.
-- Pray for families facing tough financial challenges amid the recession and high fuel prices.
-- Pray wisdom and power for preparations, activities and services for all weeks of camps at Wabash Park Camp in Clay City this summer.
-- Pray daily for our Free Methodist missionaries:
- Drs. Joel & Janette Miller (Mexico City)
- David & Sheryl Yardy (Bangkok, Thailand)
- Kay Stotts (Santiago, Chile)
- Michael & Maria Long (Athens, Greece)
Get updated news and prayer requests regarding these missionaries and their work with people at www.fmwm.org, the website of Free Methodist World Missions.

GATHERING

SPECIAL SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 25 Please note that we will NOT have Sunday School on May 25, due to Memorial Day weekend challenges in Indianapolis & Speedway. Breakfast Fellowship will begin at 9:45 am and we'll begin a pre-service patriotic-music sing-along and Memorial Day remembrances in the Sanctuary at 10:20 am, followed by Morning Worship at 10:30 am.

COLLEGE/CAREER COOK-OUT RESCHEDULED All college and career young adults are invited to this summer break kick-off event, Friday, May 30, 6:00 pm, hosted by Pastor Mike & Debbie Conkle at their home, 4357 Coatbridge Way. Fishing, swimming, and paddle boating. Friends more than welcome.

COFFEEHOUSE Enjoy weekly adult conversation with other Christians over coffee (or hot tea) and snacks on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm in the East End. Hosted by Anna Shepherd and Pastor Mike Conkle. You're welcome!

SOFTBALL The Comunidad Cristiana/WEMO softball season has started, but Tim Foddrill is still looking for more players. Give him a call to find out what's involved.

WABASH SCAMPS EVENT All 55+ are invited to a Wabash Conference SCAMPS Luncheon on Tuesday, May 27, 12:30 pm at Vincennes Free Methodist Church, $10. Mini-concert by Tom and Nora Ryan...door prizes, fun, singing. Contact Paul or Ruth Darrough to participate.

MICHELLE LEAK OPEN HOUSE Our church family is invited to the Graduation Open House for Michelle Leak on Saturday, May 31st, from 12 noon to 4 pm at the home of Gary and Donna Lauinger, 5357 W. Jackson St. This is in Leak's neighborhood; turn south onto Biltmore from Rockville Road. Party straight head!

GRADUATES' HONOR SUNDAY We plan to honor all high school and college graduating seniors on Sunday, June 1 with a special Graduates' Breakfast with their families at 9:30 am and recognition at the beginning of Morning Worship at 10:30 am. Lee O'Connor will be the guest speaker at the Graduates' Breakfast.

SOCIETY MEETING We will have a brief West Morris Street Free Methodist Society Meeting at 12:00 noon on Sunday, June 1, in order to elect three new Trustees and other annually-elected servant leaders.

SCAMPS @ INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS All 55+ are invited to join the SCAMPS as they attend the Indianapolis Indians baseball game together on Wednesday, June 25. Meet at the church at 1 pm to carpool to the 2 pm game at Victory Field. Tickets are $9; give your $ to Wally or Mary Murray by June 22.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES Please mark your calendar, save dates, plan for involvement and pray for:
- Youth Mission Trip to New Orleans - June 6-15
- Wabash Annual Conference - June 20-21
- Kids Camp I - June 23-28 All camps are at the Wabash Park Camp in Clay City, Indiana, a facility supported and operated by the Wabash Conference of the FM Church.
- Senior Teen Ministry Camp - June 23-28
- Young Teen Camp I - June 30-July 5
- Kids Camp II - July 7-12
- Young Teen Camp II - July 14-19
- Wabash Family Camp - July 21-27
- WEMO Vacation Bible School - July 27-31. VBS is Sunday-Thursday this year. Lots of volunteers in a wide variety of ministry areas are needed. Say "Yes" when asked!
- Mission Indy Street Rally @ Indy First - August 10

WORD CENTERING

SUNDAY SCHOOL Dedicated teachers will share insightful Bible lessons at 9:30 am each Sunday (except May 25!) for students at all levels - children, youth and adults. Make this hour a part of your weekly Bible exploration and application -- a key component of a life of discipleship.

SUNDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY You can participate in the weekly Sunday evening Bible Study that Steve Strange leads at 5 pm in the Chapel Conference Room. This is open to all. Currently exploring: the book of Exodus.

SERVICES & SERMONS ONLINE Recent Morning Worship services and sermons are available for online listening. Go to the WEMO website (www.westmorrisfm.org) and click on "Sermons Online." Also online: four years of Word insights and application through "The Compass."

READING THROUGH THE BIBLE? If you haven't started the Read the Bible in a Year plan, you can start today! Don't wait for January to roll around. Get a guide at our facility entrances and start today…you'll finish before June 2009!

INCARNATING CHRIST

CLOTHING MINISTRY We welcome your volunteer involvement in our Clothing Ministry. Sorting is every Monday morning, 8:30-11:00 am. Volunteers prepare and serve a hot meal on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm. We will show you how to help with the meal or in the clothing pantries. God bless you as you serve.

BRING GROCERIES Thanks for sharing food. Please help us continue to replenish our food pantry so we may assist neighbors. As you are able, bring some dry and canned food with you one Sunday a month. God bless your compassion.

CELEBRATE THE NEIGHBORHOOD The West Indianapolis Community Day is Saturday, June 7, 11 am to 3 pm. What an exciting event this was last year! WEMO has opportunity again this year to demonstrate Christ's caring presence and our long-term commitment to love this community. Please mark this date on your calendar to participate. You can volunteer for children's games, information distribution, and several interactive activities. More info soon.

DEMOLITION WEEKEND AT WABASH CAMP Volunteers are needed on Friday, June 6 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and 7 (9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) at Wabash Park Camp in Clay City for a demolition weekend to tear down 7 cabins to help beautify the campground and prepare for the memorial gardens. About 35 volunteers are needed for both days. Any time you can offer will be appreciated. Meals and lodging will be provided. Bring good work gloves and boots, and if available, shovels, pry bars, hammers, rakes and chainsaws, along with bedding, towels, and other personal items if staying overnight. Clean wood will be burned; the rest placed in large dumpsters. Please contact the Wabash Conference office as soon as possible if you will be able to help: (317) 831-0022 or wabashfm@aol.org.

YOUTH MISSION TRIP SUPPLIES NEEDED Please consider offering some of the following supplies for the upcoming Youth Mission Trip to New Orleans, June 6-15. Leave supplies at church facility entrances. 4 large powder Gatorade (from Sams Club); 3 large powder Lemonade(from Sam's); 6 cases bottle water; 2 12 pk paper towels; 4 150 pk paper plates; 2 12pk toilet paper; 1 commercial size box plastic tableware; 2 150 ct napkins; 2 bundles work rags (white not red); 3 boxes filtered masks (for work in mold areas); paint brushes; paint bucket; work gloves. Thanks much!

BLESSING

LEAKS SAY THANKS "We would like to thank our church family for the wonderful expression of love and concern. Your prayers, cards, meals, and financial support have been so very helpful. We love all of you so much. - Sincerely, Mike, Jan and Michelle Leak"

BENEDICTION May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

West Morris Street Free Methodist Church
2302 West Morris Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46221
John Hay, Jr., Senior Pastor
Phone: 317.632.8311
Office e-mail: wmsfmc@juno.com
Website: www.westmorrisfm.org

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