April 2003 - Tower - Page 8
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We are now, in 2003, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley. To observe this important event, we plan to have "John Wesley" in our pulpit at First United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 22. He will deliver one of his sermons. He preached over 40,000 sermons in his lifetime, and he rode more than 250,000 miles on horseback, equal to 10 circles of the globe.
John Wesley was born on June 17, 1703, the 15th in a line of 19 children, to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. Three boys and seven girls survived.
It is interesting to note that John had a middle name, "Benjamin." No historian seems to know from where the "Benjamin" came. But Wesley did not have time to be bothered with a middle name. Another interesting note is that John's father, Samuel Wesley, dropped the "t" from his name when he moved to Epworth where John was born, and so Westley became Wesley.
It was in the dead of winter of 1709 that the Wesley family at Epworth was awakened by a fire in their house. John, who was fast asleep, was left behind. His father tried to rescue him but by now the house was filled with flames and smoke. John was now awake and ran to the window, crying for help. A man stood on another man's shoulders and John leaped into his arms. About that time the roof collapsed. His mother said that he was as "a brand plucked from the fire." After that incident she always felt that God had a special mission for him.
John Wesley had his "heart-warming" experience on May 27, 1738 while attending a service at a little meeting house on Aldersgate Street in London. He went on to become the greatest force for social reform of the 18th century, going outside of the Church of England to extend the word of God to the churchless masses and to show them Christ's love at work in the world. He ministered to the prisoners, established schools and infirmaries and a printing house.
On March 2, 1791, he died. Before he breathed his last, he was overheard saying to those by his bedside, "The best of all is, God is with us."
The Mission Committee met April 15 in the fellowship hall. We are currently studying the many service organizations in and around Newport News. As we examine these various mission ventures, we can better project ways to open more doors of volunteer opportunities for all of our church members.
In our discussion, we are planning for the potato luncheon, Christmas boxes, and PORT as well as others under discussion. As a church, there are continual mission activities in progress by the United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, Sunday school classes, and various other groups within our church. We are a Mission Minded Church! That is how it should be.
If you know of anyone interested in becoming a mission volunteer for the summer, for a month, or a year, please let us know. The Mission Committee will do everything possible to help them financially and spiritually. We are also looking for people wanting to attend mission events, conferences, workshops, etc. We will help, God willing, on this as well.
As a church member, as one of God's children, we are asked to help those in need, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, provide shelter for the homeless.
If you think you cannot make that kind of commitment, think again! Every one of us can contribute some part of our time, talents, efforts, money, ideas, and prayers. If you are willing -- there is a job for you and God is waiting for you to make the decision to do it.
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If you have any comments on any of these pages, please email me: Robert W.(Bob) Mckitrick, thanks.
Last update: May 2, 2003
