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

June 18, 2008

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
- Four Ways We Grow
- Praying
- Gathering
- Word Centering
- Incarnating Christ
- Building Community
- Blessing

FOUR WAYS WE GROW

FRAME YOUR LIFE WITH THESE PRACTICES Just a few years ago, it occurred to me that there are four essential ways we grow spiritually-both at a personal level and with others. Since then, I have tried to frame everything that I plan and do around these "four fronts of spiritual growth." Each edition of Life Together on West Morris Street reinforces these four practices: praying, gathering, Word centering, and incarnating Christ. Without exercising in each dimension, we weaken and atrophy. The best-laid plans that do not include these primary Christian practices may come to nothing. Through their continuous practice, however, we are enlivened by grace and become more like Jesus and the Body He intended us to be. This summer, I challenge you to begin afresh to build these four practices into your weekly schedule, routine and planning. Reshape your pattern of life so that it reflects these primary practices-whether you are working, volunteering, attending school, parenting, problem-solving, or planning for the future.

PRAYING

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.

CONCERTS OF PRAYER - SUMMER BREAK We will resume Thursday evening weekly Concerts of Prayer in September.

PRAY IN INTERCESSION Pray God's comfort, healing touch and answers for the following requested concerns:
-- Pray for Pat Strange who continues in therapy after shoulder replacement surgery.
-- Pray continued healing for Mike Leak as he continues therapy at home.
-- Pray encouragement for Guy Lane at Lakeview.
-- Pray continued recovery for Nancy Strange.
-- Pray healing for Ruby Hill at Plainfield Healthcare Center.
-- Pray grace for Mike & Heather Pierce as Heather nears delivery date for their firstborn child.
-- Pray grace for Joe Black at Lakeview; also for Phyllis.
-- Pray grace for Vance Robbins at home; also for Viola.

PRAY FOR BREAKTHROUGH With thanksgiving, pray for encouragement, wisdom and spiritual breakthrough:
-- Pray for the people of Indiana and Iowa who are trying to recover after last week's flooding.
-- Pray wisdom and vision for Free Methodist leadership.
-- Pray wisdom and healing for individuals working through tough relationship challenges.
-- Pray for the youth and guides who are preparing for the National Bible Quiz Finals at Spring Arbor University, July 7-11.
-- Pray for Tim & Dirancy Foddrill and Jason Courtney as they are now on a mission trip to Brazil with Covenant Christian High School.
-- Pray wisdom and power for preparations, activities and services for all weeks of camps at Wabash Park Camp. Counselors In Training (CIT's) are at the camp being oriented this week.
-- 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

PRE-TEEN GAME NIGHT 5th & 6th graders are invited to a game night, 6:00-8:00 pm at West Park on Wednesday, June 18. Wear clothes/shoes you won't mind getting wet and dirty.

SOFTBALL The Comunidad Cristiana/WEMO softball season is in full swing, games are Monday evenings. Call Tim Foddrill if you'd like to play.

SCAMPS @ INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS All 55+ are invited to join the SCAMPS attending 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:
- The Phil @ Garfield Park - June 19, 7 pm - last free outdoor orchestra concert
- Wabash Annual Conference - June 20-21
- Kids Camp I - June 23-28
- Senior Teen Camp - June 23-28
- N.I.T.E. Bicycle Ride - June 28 Join a group of WEMO friends who annually participate in this 20-mile night-time bicycle ride through Indy (along with 3,000 others!) from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am. Contact Pastor John Hay, Jr. if you plan to participate; we will meet at 10 pm at the Major Taylor Velodrome. You need to register for the N.I.T.E. Ride online at www.cibaride.org.
- College/Career Cook-out - June 29, 5-9 pm @ Eagle Creek Park. This is an all-area Free Methodist Church event.
- Young Teen Camp I - June 30-July 5
- National Bible Quiz Finals - July 7-11 @ Spring Arbor University
- Kids Camp II - July 7-12
- Young Teen Camp II - July 14-19
- Wabash Family Camp - July 21-27 - Family Camp brochures are at each facility entrance. Learn about the family-friendly opportunities and events of this special week at Wabash Park Camp. Camp Evangelist is Brenda Young, an outstanding Bible teacher and pastor in Ohio.
- WEMO Vacation Bible School - July 27-31
- Mission Indy Street Rally @ Indy First - Aug 10

WORD CENTERING

ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK If you are at all able, please join us for Morning Worship on Sunday, June 22 at 10:30 am. This is the Lord's Day - the first day of the week that we set aside to "put first things first" in our lives. "First things" for those who follow Jesus includes gathering together to praise God, explore the Word and share in Christian fellowship. There are many ways and settings in which we can do this, but none are more important or focused for us as a community of faith than our Sunday morning gathering. Please make this a continuing priority -even and especially during the summer. Also, when you are out of town or vacationing this summer, I encourage you to attend worship wherever you can. This is part of what it means to be the people of God.

SUNDAY SCHOOL Dedicated teachers share solid Bible lessons at 9:30 am each Sunday 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. Start your Lord's Day with Breakfast Fellowship in the Lower Level, 9:00-9:30 am.

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 Start now…you'll finish before the end of June 2009! Get a guide at our facility entrances.

INCARNATING CHRIST

BABY SHOWER FOR DAWN MILES All WEMO women are invited to a baby shower for Dawn Miles on Sunday, June 22 in the Lower Level, 2:00-4:00 p.m. A baby boy is due in July. Contact Denise Bowles for info.

FUGETT/HEATON WEDDING SHOWER All are invited (men, too!) to a come & go shower for MacKensie Heaton, fiancée of Brad Fugett, on from 2-4 pm on Sunday, June 29, from 2 to 4 pm in the Lower Level. They are registered at WalMart and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

WEMO VBS - SUPPLIES YOU CAN GATHER We are now recruiting volunteers and seeking supplies for our VBS. It is Sunday-Thursday, July 27-31. Please save and bring the following common items for use in VBS crafts:
- empty 12-ounce frozen juice cans (cardboard or plastic)
- cardboard boxes (various sizes)
- empty 2-liter bottles with lids
VBS Director Lana Reeser is counting on lots of us - MOST of us! - being a part of this great week of outreach and Christian education. Please clear this week, pray for it, and get involved!

BUILDING COMMUNITY

BUILDING PEOPLE & BEING HIGHLY MOBILE As we incarnate Christ, two of points of our WEMO mission are to be "people-building" and "highly-mobile." We look for ways to connect people to God, to one another and the larger community as an arena of transformation. We also want to free our participants to minister beyond the four walls of our "home base." Our mission necessarily includes understanding and caring for our neighbors and neighborhoods, as well as "building community" with them. Consider the following quote and the opportunities we have to incarnate Christ and make a difference through community building.

WHAT IS COMMUNITY BUILDING? "Community building is more an orientation than a technique, more an outlook than an activity. A community's own strengths, whether they are found in churches, block clubs, local leadership, or its problem-solving abilities, are central. Community building is based on the belief that urban neighbors and neighborhood institutions can and must be primary actors in efforts to solve the problems of their neighborhoods." - Lizbeth Schorr in Common Purpose

WEMO COMMUNITY GARDEN The WEMO Youth Ministry has started the WEMO Community Garden on a church-owned property one house north of the church on Tremont Avenue (it's behind the new picket fence). They've planted a variety of vegetables to grow and share in the community. There's also plenty of room for neighbors to plant. There's also room for your plants! The youth group is informing neighbors of this opportunity. They will tend the garden throughout the summer. Let's encourage this effort in community building!

WEST INDY FARMER'S MARKET You can get locally-grown fresh vegetables at the West Indianapolis Farmer's Market each Thursday evening, 4-7 pm through October 16. The Farmer's Market is on West Morris Street in front of Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center.

WEST INDY QUALITY OF LIFE PLAN Neighborhood, community, service and church organizations are cooperating together to develop and implement a Quality of Life plan for West Indianapolis. I am a part of this process and will update the church on it throughout the summer. Plans and decisions regarding the future of West Indianapolis residential life, economic development and resources impacts WEMO directly. The Quality of Life Plan, along with other up-to-date community information, is posted on a large bulletin board in the Pershing & Morris Street foyer. Or, you can immediately download it as a PDF file by going to www.greatindyneighborhoods.org and clicking on "West Indianapolis." You can also learn about the Great Indianapolis Neighborhoods Initiative (GINI) at the site.

WEST INDIANAPOLIS ONLINE RESOURCES One way to learn about what's happening in West Indianapolis and get involved in events, participate proactively, and discuss neighborhood issues is to go online. Go to: http://wiki.westindianapolis.org to access the community calendar, learn about the neighborhood's history, access the WINC (West Indianapolis Neighborhood Congress) "Sound Off!" Newsblog site, and more.

BLESSING

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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