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

June 25, 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
- Jonah's God
- Praying
- Gathering
- Word Centering
- Incarnating Christ
- Blessing

JONAH'S GOD
God is trying to move us to serve the world freely and lovingly

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE WHALE Jonah's story is not about the whale. It's not even primarily about running from the call of God. It's about God being more merciful than advertized-and coming to grips with what that means for the likes of Jonah (i.e., us!). While Jonah wants to be a prophet of ultimate doom for people he deeply despises, behind God's word of judgment is hope for Nineveh's repentance.

A SPIRITUAL HISSY FIT After serving a "time-out" in the belly of a whale, Jonah goes and does God's bidding: he preaches God's judgment against the city of Nineveh. Jonah's condemnation is completely convincing. In response, the Ninevites repent-the whole lot of them. And God, in mercy, relents, sparing the city. Jonah's reaction? He gets so steamed at God for his mercy to the Ninevites that he throws a spiritual hissy fit followed by royal pity party.

JUSTICE AND MERCY Jonah, God's defender and mouthpiece, is "mercy challenged." Jonah's God, however, is merciful. Behind Jonah's condemnation is real spite. Behind God's judgment is real hope. Jonah's sense of justice requires full punishment for outrageous atrocities. The justice of Jonah's God, however, includes unfathomable pity. Jonah suspected God's saving intentions all along. In the end, he felt "used" by God and saw his own sense of justice shattered. While repentant Nineveh celebrates with thanksgiving, indignant Jonah pouts. Go figure.

DO WE GET THE POINT? The Jonah story ends unresolved. We're not sure if Jonah ever got the point. But his experience stands as a beckon to us all: Behind God's judgment is God's mercy, better than condemnation is confession, more important than preserving personal reputations is the repentance of sinners, and greater than salving wounded egos is the saving of people so lost they "don't know their right hand from their left."

I offer four basic observations from Jonah's story:

1. At the heart of Jonah's story and our story is a God of love who desires to save all from sin to live abundantly.

2. Our efforts to protect our reputations, feed our prejudices, and choose our preferred futures can land us in some strange and hurtful places.

3. We can do the right thing with the wrong spirit and miss the very joy we proclaim to others.

4. God is trying to move us to the point where we can serve the world freely and expectantly.

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 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 is home but continues therapy.
-- Pray continued healing for Mike Leak at home.
-- Pray encouragement for Guy Lane at Lakeview.
-- Pray healing for Ruby Hill at Plainfield Healthcare Center.
-- Pray grace for Mike, Heather and baby Sophia Grace Pierce as this family adjusts to home life with an infant.
-- 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 recovering from flooding.
-- Pray for peace in the West Indianapolis neighborhoods after a police action that killed a suicidal young man a few blocks from our church on June 14.
-- Pray for the Kids Kamp I and the WEMO children who are participating in it at Clay City
-- Pray wisdom and healing for individuals working through hard financial challenges.
-- Pray for the youth and guides who are preparing for the National Bible Quiz Finals at SAU, July 7-11.
-- Pray for Tim & Dirancy Foddrill and Jason Courtney as they continue on their mission trip to Brazil.
-- Pray for Johnny Carr as he prepares to participate in the Challenge Youth Indiana program next month.
-- 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.

GATHERING

SCAMPS @ INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS All 55+ are invited to join the SCAMPS attending the Indianapolis Indians baseball game together today, 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.

3 V 3 BASKETBALL TOURNEY TONIGHT All are invited to participate in or cheer for the WEMO Youth Ministry's 3 v 3 Basketball Tourney tonight, Wednesday, June 25, 6-9 pm at the bus barn (Wilkins & Tremont). Refreshments served. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the evening in the community.

N.I.T.E. BIKE RIDE Saturday, 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 Sunday, June 29, 5-9 pm @ Eagle Creek Park. This is an all-area Free Methodist Church event for all post-high school, college and career-age young adults and their friends. Pastor Mike Conkle hosts. Great food & fun.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES Please mark your calendar, save dates, plan for involvement and pray for:

- Young Teen Camp I - June 30-July 5
- Pre-Teen Movie Night - July 2, 6-8 pm
- National Bible Quiz Finals - July 7-11 @ Spring Arbor
- Kids Camp II - July 7-12
- Pre-Teen Bonfire & Hot Dog Roast-July 9, 6-8 pm
- SCAMPS Homebound Visit - July 7 1:30 pm
- Young Teen Camp II - July 14-19
- Pre-Teen Bowling Night-July 16, time TBA

- Wabash Family Camp - July 21-27 - Family Camp brochures are at each facility entrance. Enjoy family-friendly opportunities during this special week at Wabash Park Camp. NOTE: Rooms are available. Also, Cheryl Schrock plans to put a door between the front and back of her mother, Jackie Logue's cabin and wants to rent 1/2 of the cabin. It will be partially furnished with refrigerator, running water, port-o-potty, double bed and roll away. It's near the pavilion. Call 317.636.5119 for more information.

- WEMO Vacation Bible School - July 27-31
- Mission Indy Street Rally @ Indy First - Aug 10
- Fall Kick-Off Kids Fair - September 6

WORD CENTERING

ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK If you are at all able, please join us for Morning Worship on Sunday, June 29 at 10:30 am. I challenge you to make worship a continuing priority - even and especially during the summer. This is part of what it means to be the people of God.

SUNDAY SCHOOL Make this Sunday morning hour (9:30 am) 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 entrances.

JUNE VERSE "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." - John 14:3-4

INCARNATING CHRIST

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. Mark it, pray for it, and get involved!

COUNTRY STORE DONATIONS Country store could use "Dollar Store" items like squirt guns, balls, dolls, and other fun items. Also, if you would like to share in this ministry with Mike & Jan Leak while Mike recovers, please contact Jan.

NURSERY "PACK & PLAY" AVAILABLE Sheryl Wilkerson wants parents of infants and toddlers to know that a "Pack & Play" portable crib is available for use within the church building if you have a meeting or other need to use it onsite.

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! Let's encourage this effort in neighboring and 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.

WEDDING SHOWER FOR ABBY HAY All WEMO women are invited to a bridal shower for Abby Hay on Saturday, July19, 1-3 pm at Larrisons in Danville. Abby & Alex are registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target.

VOLUNTEER FOR PRESCHOOL Great hearing from our preschool children Sunday morning wasn't it? You can volunteer to serve these youngsters one hour every other month and make an important difference for them, for parents, and for our Preschool Coordinator Tara Saxon. Call her with your readiness to serve.

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT To all West Morris Street friends: John & Becky Hay and Steven & Deana Butler request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children -- Abigail Ruthann Hay and Alexander Steven Butler -- Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary of West Morris Street Free Methodist Church. Reception for all to follow in the Lower Level.

BLESSING

SOPHIA GRACE PIERCE We're rejoicing with Mike & Heather Pierce at the birth of a daughter, Sophia Grace, in Monday evening, June 16 at Hendricks Regional Hospital. She weighed 8 lb, 8 oz, was 21 inches long, and is a cutie!

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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