Wesley Methodist Church of LaGrange

06/06/2026

President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered this prayer following the Allied troops invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas — whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them–help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.

06/04/2026

Happiest of birthdays to our very own Page Estes! She is a blessing to Wesley Methodist and we cherish her.
Join me in wishing her an amazing day!

(She will likely revoke my posting privileges after this 😂)

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” —Jeremiah 3:15

😇Wesley Methodist Church was blessed this weekend by the presence of two of God’s dedicated shepherds: Bishop John Pena Auta and his beautiful wife, T**i. After a very long trek from Nigeria, Bishop and Mrs. Auta began their visit to LaGrange with a guided tour and lunch at the Biblical History Center with Jay and Martha Allred and Elaine McCook. Then they joined a band of brothers, the Orien Hall Soul Connection Group, that meets weekly for fellowship and prayer. Later in the evening, the Autas met with members of the Missions Committee to discuss how Wesley can expand our partnership efforts in Nigeria.

✝Sunday was a glorious day, beginning with Bishop and Mrs. Auta on the floor…literally!...with our Children’s Elementary Sunday School Class where they discussed the Great Commission. That theme punctuated throughout the worship service as Bishop Auta reminded us that the mission of the church flows from the mission of the Trinity: the Father sends the Son; the Son sends the Spirit; the Triune God sends the Church.

🎁Lay Leader Bobby Carmichael presented Bishop Auta with a check totaling $13,135 from Wesley Methodist to support the operations of the Jalingo (Nigeria) Hospital. In 2024, Wesley was challenged to provide $5000 annually toward medical staff salaries. This year, an additional $8,135 was raised to help purchase a much-needed x-ray machine.

💝Mrs. Auta received a travel tote bag from Wesley children who made a heart with their thumbprints and added a Bible verse for inspiration. She also received a beautiful shawl from our Prayer Shawl Ministry team. The vibrant teal shawl was knitted by Beth Riviere.

🌎The last stop was dinner at the Carmichael Home with representatives of Wesley’s Vision 2028 Committee. Good food, discussion about the future of Wesley and the Global Methodist Church, prayer, and an appearance by John Wesley himself (as a bobblehead!) capped our special weekend with these truly special servants of God!

05/25/2026

Billy Graham once shared a touching story from his visit to a young boy in Korea who had been severely injured by a shell blast. Despite the devastating news that his spine was irreparably damaged, leaving him unable to move and destined to spend his life lying on his stomach, the boy’s spirit was undaunted. He bravely told Dr. Graham, “It was worth it if it will keep America free!” This profound declaration brings home a truth we often hear but might not fully appreciate: freedom is not free.

As we reflect on those who gave their lives for our national freedom, may we also never forget the One who gave His life for our eternal freedom. Jesus fought His battle on a hill called Calvary and won the victory for us!

Let this Memorial Day be more than a moment of remembrance. Let it be a moment of rededication to living a life marked by sacrificial love—at home, in church, and in our community.

05/22/2026

There are a lot of Christians in the world who are no longer involved in the church. Some of them left for very specific reasons. But some of them didn’t leave for any reason at all—they simply fell away. Maybe they just didn’t feel like going one Sunday morning. One week turned into two, and two weeks turned into three. Before they knew it, they had been away from the church for years. Now they are afraid to come back. They are afraid they will be scolded and criticized. Are you or someone you love wondering right now, “If I come back, will you welcome me with open arms?” The answer is a resounding "yes!" at Wesley Methodist Church. Make this Sunday the day you are welcomed home to Wesley! Service begins at 10:30 am!

05/19/2026

🍿Wesley went to the movies! More than 100 gathered for a private showing of "A Great Awakening" at LaGrange 10 AMC Theatre. Huge thanks to Taylor Benefield and her team for making the event possible!

🎬This powerful film tells the story of America’s first great spiritual awakening— a pivotal event in the establishment of the United States of America long before it even declared independence.

🗽It will serve as the inspiration for our summer "God & Country" sermon series throughout June. Join us as we explore the fundamental truths that established this great country as we lead up to celebrating our 250th birthday!

05/18/2026

Sixteen 🔥Flames and 🚀Rockets graduated from the first semester of Ignite: Kids on Fire for Jesus! Many of the students sang their session theme song, “Mighty to Save,” for the congregation on Sunday. What a great reminder that when we trust and follow Jesus, we are never lost—he saves us and leads us!

🙏Dr. John reminded us that we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved to the uttermost!

05/15/2026

🍕How to celebrate the end of our latest session of Ignite? A pizza party, of course!

🔥Our 16 Flames and Rockets completed their Rescue Ready lessons by study the ultimate rescuer—Jesus! He came to rescue us from sin and bring us back to God.

🚀When we trust and follow Jesus, we are never lost—He saves us, leads us, and invites us to be part of His rescue mission!

05/12/2026

What happens when more than 80 women gather for a spring salad luncheon?
🌷The room radiates beauty and friendship!

What happens when those same women pray together and learn more ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus?
🙏 Lives are transformed!

⛪Under the leadership of Shirra Rogers and Carolyn Mitchell Wynens, our Wesley Methodist Women boldly witness within their families, our church, and the greater community, including volunteering with Paul Stedman and Jennifer Cason of LaGrange Personal Aid who provided the day’s featured program.

Thank you, ladies, for serving Him!