The Kerusso – November | 2022 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Gratitude by Max Edwards October 2022
The days roll by … the shadows lengthen toward the sunset of another year. The crisp air turns the leaves to bronze as Thanksgiving Day draws near. It will soon be here, and soon be gone … will we even pause to pray, And give thanks to our gracious God for the gifts He sends our way? Or will we take the lazy path, - just let it come and go … Have our meal with kith and kin, focused only on things below? No! Let’s choose to take the extra time, like some have done before us, To demonstrate true gratitude in a warm and thankful chorus. A chorus not of voice alone, but of hands, and feet, and heart … To serve and give out of gratitude is the perfect place to start. In Jesus’ story of nine unthankful, the challenge is clear to see. The path is yours and mine to walk… how thankful will we be? Let’s make our thanks robust this year and act with God as guide, “Do unto others…”, it’s not so hard, let’s set aside our pride. Let’s act, and do so joyfully. Let’s live what we believe. Gratitude proves the axiom true, tis “more bless’d to give than to receive.”
The Kerusso - November | 2022
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC November Missions Offering 2022
In the EMC, Fall is a time when we think about missions. Churches often hold Fall mission conferences, and the Board of World Missions receives the annual November Missions Offering from EMC congregations and members around the USA. We EMCers may be small in number compared to other denominations, but we all love missions, and we want to thank God for growing his Kingdom in the U.S. and in the five EMC Global Conferences. You are aware of the tribulation that Myanmar faces every day—they are in survival mode economically, but spiritually they are leading the way. One pastor wrote to me that revival is starting in Myanmar, because it used to be hard to win a lost soul, now they are seeing many Buddhists come to Jesus and undergo public baptism. However, basic living gets harder and harder. Due to the war, very few people can work, therefore tithes are down, and that affects conference support. Most pastors and missionaries cannot draw their pay. Food insecurity is a rapidly growing problem because many fields have land mines instead of crops. Asia Pacific (headquartered in Manila, Philippines) is pushing hard to regain the church planting momentum they lost during the pandemic. Superintendent Reyes says they are building church planting teams. Some 80% of the EM churches had to close. Although the Philippines is open for business now, it will be some time before the economy recovers and people have normal income. Pastors serve on the front line. Often, we think of giving money for evangelism and church planting, but they also need to help care for pastor’s families. There’s not enough space here to also describe situations and recount victories in Mexico, Christ for all Nations, and South Africa. Each of them has ministry endeavors and we have the opportunity again to bless them. Please give generously, asking God what He would have you give this November and through the end of the year. Perhaps you will sacrifice something for a few weeks and give to the Offering what you would have spent. Perhaps when you plan your Thanksgiving Day budget, you can add a tenth more to give to the Offering. Include your children and grandchildren in the generosity as a fun way to orient them toward missional generosity. There are many ways to be creative but, “Let every person give whatever they decide, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7a) You may give through the special offering received at your church, or you may contribute directly by mailing your gift to EMC International Headquarters, PO Box 17070, Indianapolis, IN 46217 or online at https://emchurch.org/onlinegiving, and choosing item #18, “November Missions Offering.” Your EMC missionaries and Board of World Missions co-chairs
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The Kerusso - November | 2022
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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Medical, Evangelistic, Dental, Surgical - MEDS (Philippines 2023) More Workers Needed Rev. Jun Mateo and his wife, Marlene are making preparations for MEDS 2023 and are in need of 4 to 6 more workers willing to go and serve in the Philippines. You don’t have to be a medical professional! There are plenty of ways for non-medical people to help. Reserve these dates: January 25 - February 9, 2023. I promise you will be jet-lagged, run-ragged, inspired, heart-broken, and sweaty. You will laugh and cry. You will have late nights and early mornings. You will experience an incredibly beautiful country and be loved and appreciated by even more beautiful people. You will eat rice—lots of rice, and you will eat some of the best fruit you have ever tasted. You might just learn a few phrases in Tagalog. Beyond all that, your participation in 6 MEDS locations over 16 days will help open new areas where the EMC is not yet established. You will help pave the way for the Gospel of Salvation and the message of Scriptural holiness by selflessly loving as Jesus loved. Rev. Jun has provided the current pricing for the Philippines segment of the trip. The cost for 16 days in-country is $1960 (meals, lodging, travel) this does not include the cost of airfare. Most US participants will fly together from a west coast airport; those arrangements will be made by Rev. Jun. There is an option to shorten your involvement if you are unable to commit that many days; this will also lower your in-country expense. For more information, or to reserve your spot contact: Jun Mateo: junmateo@yahoo.com (916-224-3783) or Bill Walker: billwalkeremc@gmail.com (706-255-3450). If this trip is not for you, please mark your calendar anyway, and set reminders to spend time each of these 16 days in prayer for MEDS 2023!
If you’d like to contribute to help with supplies and medication, designate your gift as “MEDS 2023” and send it to: EMC Headquarters PO Box 17070 Indianapolis, IN 46217.
The Kerusso - November | 2022
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Keeping in Touch with our Global Partners EMC Myanmar Conference
You Are Invited to a ZOOM Meeting The General Board of World Missions is inviting you to a weekly ZOOM meeting with the some of our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. If you can join us via ZOOM on Wednesday nights at 10pm Eastern, we welcome you, even if you can only join occasionally. If you cannot, please take time to pray, and include Myanmar in your prayer list. Feel free to contact Bill & Lisa Walker for further infor mation. billwalkeremc@gmail.com | lisawalkeremc@gmail.com Zoom Meeting ID: 838 6265 4366
Password: 596321
Evangelical Methodist Women - EMW Tote Bags During the EMC General Conference at Ridgecrest this past July, the EMW hosted a Ladies Luncheon. Each lady present at the luncheon, was gifted with a very special EMW tote bag (pictured on the right). The EMW is happy to announce that there are 16 tote bags available for purchase at $20 each, plus tax and shipping. For more information or to place an order, contact Kelly Davis at whiskersstitching@gmail.com and she will be glad to help you. Please note that orders will be filled on a first come - first serve basis.
r ate s fo D e h t S ave 2023 y e n r u Jo ie w - L ake v 4 2 & , CA 23 M a rch l , L a k e E ls i n o re Ch ape - G rac e 1 2 & N 0 Ap r i l 2 y, Me m ph is, T t i C ommu n sula - Pe n i n WA 6 2 & , M ay 25 y, Mo s e s L a k e t i n k, C ommu r o s sL i n C 9 Ju ne 8 & o rd C o l le ge , NC f Ru t he r