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September 9, 2026

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A Prayer Minister will be available at the

back corner of Dunlap Hall, for at least

15 minutes after the benediction.

Masks will be worn when requested.

Prayer Minister this week

is Nikki Griffin.

What’s in Your Hand? God Can Use It!

Exodus 4:1–5

“What is that in your hand?” — Exodus 4:2

Have you ever faced a challenge and wondered, “Do I have enough?” Moses knew that feeling. When God called him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery, Moses questioned whether he was capable of fulfilling such a great assignment.

God simply asked him, “What is that in your hand?”

Moses answered, “A staff.”

It was an ordinary tool from his everyday life. Yet God showed Moses that what may seem ordinary in our hands can become extraordinary when placed in His hands.

The same is true for us. We can become so focused on what we lack: money, time, abilities, or people that we overlook what God has already given us. Each of us has something to offer: our time, talents, resources, experience, prayers, encouragement, or willingness to serve.

Stewardship is not simply about what we give financially; it is about how we use everything God has entrusted to us.

There was nothing powerful about Moses' staff itself. The power came from God. Moses simply had to trust God and make himself available.

As a church family, we are stronger when each person brings what God has placed in their hands. One person's gift may seem small, but when many gifts are brought together and surrendered to God, they can accomplish something far greater than we could achieve alone.

So, instead of asking, “What don't we have?”, let us ask:

“What has God already placed in our hands?”

Perhaps it is your time, your talent, your resources, your experience, or simply a willing heart.

Whatever it is, give it to God and trust Him with the results.

Use what you have. Trust what God can do. When ordinary gifts are placed in God's hands, extraordinary things can happen.

Join Pastor's Bible Study

Bible Study: Courageous Faith — The Journey of Elijah

Thursdays beginning August 20 | 7:00 PM | Room 8

Join us for a seven-session Bible study through the life of Elijah and discover what

it means to trust and obey God with courage—even in seasons of pressure, uncertainty, fear, and opposition.

Together, we will explore Elijah’s journey and learn how to stand faithfully, pray boldly, reject spiritual compromise, hear God in the quiet, and finish faithfully while

investing in the next generation.

Primary Scriptures: 1 Kings 17–19; 21 and 2 Kings 1–2

Memory Verse:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

Come join us as we grow in courageous faith and learn to trust God in every

season!

“For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity— the man Christ Jesus. -1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

During the past several days we have heard and read, both Bruce and Pastor Kalamba illustrate the role of the Church as a “bridge.” They remind us that just as a bridge is made of components, the Church is comprised of many individuals, each doing their part to fulfill the mission to “Reach, Touch, and Serve.” As I listened to the message last Sunday, the words to Paul Simon’s song, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” came to mind.

It was 1969, a very troublesome time in our nation’s history. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. had both been assassinated, the Vietnam War raged on, and racial and civil unrest were at a fever-pitch. Like so many other Americans at that time, Mr. Simon longed for something to bring our nation together, and allow it to heal. It was then that he wrote, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” inspired by a line from a Gospel song.

Sound familiar? Here we are, almost 60 years later. There have been numerous attacks, and assassination attempts on our leaders. War rages on, racial, social, and political unrest has deeply divided us. Fear, hatred, and mistrust seem to be at an all time high.

But these are not new problems, are they? In fact, they have been around since that fateful decision that was made in the Garden. It was the decision to stop trusting God, to disobey Him, creating a void, a chasm of separation that humanity cannot cross without a bridge.

Jesus is that bridge. In writing to the Ephesians, Paul explains how Christ crosses dividing hostility between God and man, and each other; "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation." -Ephesians 2:13-14

That is good news. It is why we all need to be a bridge to bring people to Christ who is our Mediator between God and man. By his blood we no longer need to stand afar off, we can now enter God’s presence with boldness. I encourage you this week to be a bridge across someone’s “troubled waters.”

Have a blessed week,

Dave 09/09/26

Be a John Wesley Church Mouse

The JW ChurchMouse program is looking for a few more volunteers. This ministry supports our college students. Want to know more about this exciting opportunity? Contact Annie Anglin ANNIEKT4@gmail.com,

SHARING OUR BLESSINGS

IN SEPTEMBER -

COALITION MINISTRIES

Over many years, John Wesley has partnered with other churches to meet needs in our community. The needs continue and the JW congregation is generous in supporting these efforts. September’s donations will be shared with two wonderful programs that meet basic needs for many of our neighbors.

Augsburg Lutheran Church invites anyone to join them for a take-out dinner the third

Sunday of every month. They provide “Take and Make” meals such as frozen pizza, salad and cookies or frozen entree, vegetables and cookies. They also have a small food pantry where the participants can choose some items to take home. While numbers vary from month to month, they usually serve 45 – 50 families. The families are very appreciative of the blessings they share.

Practical Grace Non-Food Pantry: When Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church joined together with two other churches to form Resounding Joy Church, they all agreed that this wonderful ministry should continue. They continue to serve a large area at their location at 8735 Cheviot Road. Once a month, folks who are registered with the program can pick up a package of household items including paper and cleaning products, laundry detergent and personal care items. These are items not covered by food stamps

Two ways to donate to SHARING OUR BLESSINGS:

1. On Communion Sunday (first Sunday of the month), place donations in baskets on the front pews when you go up to receive Communion.
2. Any time during September bring a check with Sharing/Coalition Ministries on the memo line or cash in an envelope marked the same way and put it in the offering plate. You can also mail your donation to the church office.

Thank you for your support of these wonderful ministries!

SOUL PANTRY NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER

Thank you for your school supplies contributions to SOUL Pantry in June and July. The children were excited to see all the wonderful school supplies that were donated. I’m sure the parents were as excited and grateful for the donations also. As a retired teacher, I still get goose bumpy inside when I see school supplies! I bet some of you do also. Remembering our own back to school days.

The month of September we will be collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste for our SOUL clients.

Also the Mission’s Committee is collecting school and hygiene kits for Festival of Sharing which ends on September 13th.

Thank you everyone for all that you do and contribute to those in need. It is so appreciated.

JWUMC All Church Picnic

The church picnic will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, immediately following the service. Join us for fun, food and fellowship. The C3 team will provide meat and drinks. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Fellowship Carry-In Dinners will resume October 21, 2026.

JAVA CAFE NEWS

Thank you to our August Baristas: Susan DeNyse, Sharon Davis, Mindy Moser, Larissa Waldorf, and Nikki Griffin.

Welcome to our new Baristas for September: Sandy and Bruce Hayes, Betsa Marsh, Dave Medkeff, Hope and Ron Stetler.

Every Sunday morning from 9:00-9:50 we serve excellent coffee with a variety of flavored creamers, yummy hot chocolate, variety of teas, and water. Stop in the Cafe and join us for some fellowship before the 10:00 service.

Room Use and Calendar Update

If you have any questions about meetings, scheduling, or room use, please direct them to Tavane Cammarn at Tavane@jwumc.com

Keep in mind that all of our classrooms and meeting spaces are used by a variety of people throughout the week. No one group "owns" a certain room or meeting space so we all need to remember be kind and gracious as we work together to go about the business of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Recurring Monthly Meetings

Boy Scouts - Every Monday @ 7:00 PM - Youth Rooms

Missions - First Monday @ 1:30 PM - Rm. 8

C3* - First Monday @ 7:00 PM - Rm. 8

Creative Needles - Every Tuesday @ 9:30 AM — Library

Finance - First Tuesday @ 7:00 PM - Rm. 9

UWF - First Wednesday @ 10:00 AM - Rm. 9/10

Handbells Practice - Every Wednesday @ 6:30 PM - Rm. 7

Choir Practice - Every Wednesday @ 7:30 PM - Sanctuary

JW Men's Group - First Saturday @ 8:00 AM - Rm. 8

Wednesday Wizards Fix-It Group - Every Wednesday @10AM

Stephen Ministry - 2nd and 4th Sundays @ 6:30 PM Rms. 11/12