September 2003

The Pastor's Column
by Rodney Newman

Back in the Routine

Oklahoma City public schools don’t start until after Labor Day this year and it’s thrown a lot of us out of kilter. Our six-year-old son is ready to start first grade, especially after his little sister started preschool August 18. We’re all eager for the return of the familiar routine that orders and shapes our daily lives.
That transition is coming at the church as well. It’s not that we’ve had a down summer; your attendance and financial contributions have been strong and we have welcomed several new visitors. It is just that now we begin the new season in earnest. Our Sunday school classes return with new energy and our choirs fill our sanctuary again with beautiful music. This year our programming expands with the addition of a meal being offered on Wednesday nights. This will offer new opportunities for fellowship and make it more convenient to participate in choir practices and other events.
This is a good time to rededicate ourselves to those good habits of being in church and perhaps to make a commitment to add another ministry or spiritual practice to our weekly routine.

Our Director of Children and Youth Ministries, Amy Curran, is leaving this position as of September 1 to pursue other interests outside full-time professional ministry. I am happy that she and Dillon plan to continue to be a vibrant part of the life of our church. This month we welcome Alyssa Lane as our new Children’s Choir Director. Alyssa is sophomore music major at OCU and comes from an accomplished family of musicians.
 

Fall Programming Kickoff

 September 7, 2003

Sunday School Rally
Everyone meet in the sanctuary at 9:40 a.m. for an opening service before going to their classes.

Adult Sunday School Classes Extend the Welcome Mat
Those looking for a Sunday School Class are invited to visit one of our classes.

Pastor’s Class
Our Pastor will begin a class on How To Read The Bible. This will be held during the Sunday School time throughout the month of September. Join him and others in the Youth Room at 9:45.

Potluck Lunch
Round-Up Your Favorite Recipes
Join the church-wide Round-Up Sunday
potluck lunch following the 11 a.m. service in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone bring a dish or dessert
to share.
 

Expanded Wednesday Night Program
Begins September 10

* Dinner at a reasonable cost served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Come at any point during this time period just for dinner and fellowship with others or while going or coming from other programs.
* Bell Choir practice from 6:00 to 6:50
*Chancel Choir practice from 7:00 to 8:30
* Disciple Bible Study from 6:00 to 8:00
Call to check on registration availability
 

This Month in Worship:

This Month In Worship

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

Perhaps you have seen the television com-mercials produced by the national United Methodist Church. I believe they have done a good job communicating in a few seconds the heart of our denomination. This month we will explore each idea in this slogan and how they together inspire us to live our understanding of Christianity with confidence.

Reverend Newman

 

Sermon Titles & Scripture Texts

• September 7  - Why I Am A United Methodist
  Romans 5:1-5
  Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
   
• September 14 -  Open Hearts
  2 Corinthians 6:1-13
  Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
   
• September 21 -  Open Minds
  1 Corinthians 2:6-10
  Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
   
• September 28 -  Open Doors
  Galatians 3:23-29
  Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
   

Children’s Ministry
 

Round-Up Sunday

This Sunday begins at 9:40 a.m. on September 7. Everyone, children, youth, and adults will meet in the sanctuary for a short service. The children and youth classes will advance to their new teachers. Feel free to dress in western attire. During the 11:00 a.m. service, we will dedicate our Sunday School teachers and present Bibles to our 3rd graders.

Acolyte Training

Children, 3rd grade and up, are invited to participate in our acolyte program where they bring in the light for our worship. This starts with a mandatory training where the kids will learn about their role in worship, why we light the candles, and how to light them correctly. The 2003 training is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14 at 12:00 noon. Pizza will be provided for all who participate. Please RSVP to the church office 524-8428.
 

Transitions

Deaths
Gene Hemry passed away July 22, 2003
Inez Marshall passed away July 31, 2003
Sue E. Meyers passed away August 2, 2003
Bill Peavler passed away August 16, 2003
Stanley Purdy passed away August 20, 2003

Baptism
Aaron Lee Puffinbarger, son of Bill and Nikki Puffinbarger, was baptized on August 24, 2003 with Reverend Newman officiating.

New Members
Alyssa Lane joined by profession of faith on August 17, 2003

Gabriel Lane joined by profession of faith on August 17, 2003.

Bill and Nikki Puffinbarger joined by transfer on August 24, 2003

 

Memorial Gifts

MOBILE MEALS PROGRAM
In memory of Bill Peavler
Mary Kathryn Munson
Stanley Kitchens

MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of Gene Hemry
Alta Fuller

In memory of Inez Marshall
Paul and Colleen Bicket
John and Sue Gabe

In memory of Sue Meyers
Leon Meyers

In memory of Bill Peavler
John and Jean Amick
Paul and Colleen Bicket
Margaret Bridges
Mike and Sue Brown
Irene Davis
Donald and Sally Ferrell
Larry and Gail Foster
Keith and Shirley Hinchey
Dorothy Hinckley
Carolyn Hubbard
James Loftis
Andy and Beth Noble
Dr. and Mrs. E.W. Foster
Wilbur and Kitty Ogburn
John and Imogene Roush
Betty Vanderford
Kelly West
 

United Methodist Women

The UMW is gearing up for our Autumn fundraiser. Sunday September 28 @ 4:00 p.m. the semi truck arrives with hundreds of pumpkins. Bring your children, friends and neighbors and help us unload these golden gifts of fall.

This is the UMW’s biggest fundraiser. Each year our proceeds increase. Last year we were able to support the children, youth, and music ministries of the church. We increased our support to Skyline Urban Ministries, Neighborhood Services, and Cookson Hills, and the UMW was able to support members of the mission trip to Africa. We gave scholarships to our youth graduates.

Help us keep this our #1 fundraiser. Sign up and work a shift when the UMW representative asks and, of course, buy a pumpkin.
 

Music Ministry

Bell and Chancel Choir resumes rehearsals on Wednesday, September 3.

Celebration Ringers mark your calendars with these ringing dates: October 19, November 16 (with Chancel Choir), December 7, and possibly December 14 (Cantata Sunday)

SonShine Choir & Youth Music

Our new children's choir director is Alyssa Lane, She is a double major (voice and violin) from Tulsa and attends OCU. The SonShine Choir will begin on Sunday, September 7.

Parents mark your calendars with these singing dates:
September 28, October 26, November 23, December 14 (Cantata Sunday), and special musical presentation on December21.

Select youth will participate in Sunday services on October 5, November 2 & 30.

Thanks, Jan

Very special thanks to Jan Zisman for her superb work with the SonShine Choir. Under her leadership, the membership in the ensemble went from a few children to over 25. Plus, with determination, her dream to acquire new children’s choir robes became a reality. Many, many thanks, Jan!
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