September  2004

By Rodney Newman

 Focused

    Perhaps you have been enjoying, along with me, the broadcasts of the summer Olympic Games. These sporting events are all the more interesting this year since they are being held in Greece, the birthplace of the ancient games. While most athletes compete in beautiful new facilities in Athens, the shot put contest was held in the ruins of the original stadium in Olympia, linking past and present.

   Every time I view the opening ceremonies at these events, I marvel at the spectacle of people from almost every nation on earth congregating together in one place. While it reminds one of John the Revelator’s vision for the future gathering in heaven, the sight also causes me to whisper a prayer of hope, that peace on earth could be a possibility.

   Another striking aspect of the games is the talent and dedication of the athletes. There is no way to measure the commitment, the investment of hours of training, it takes to achieve this level of accomplishment. What seems to separate the medal winners from the others is the ability to be present in the moment. When a gymnast just misses sticking a landing the commentators mention that he lost focus. When a swimmer drives for the wall, touching just ahead of her competitors, it’s due to heightened concentration.

   Our growth in the Christian walk calls for the same elements: dedication, investing time, paying attention. You may wish to exercise your spiritual muscles by participating in our various ministries – sing in the choir, read a story to children, cook a meal on Wednesday night, join a Sunday School class. However we choose to respond, let’s give our best to the one who gave the best to us.

Wednesday Night Meals

Beginning September 8

 Our meals on Wednesday evenings proved very popular last year so they are back again! Starting at 5:30, you are welcome to enjoy a meal together with others in the Fellowship Hall. Adults eat for the low price of $3.00 and children for $2.00.

As an added feature, the Education Committee will host a series of speakers at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings during September. Leaders in our church will discuss different aspects of our ministry.  

Round Up Sunday

September 12

We kick off our fall programming on this special Sunday. We will enjoy a Sunday School rally at 9:45 in the Sanctuary, our Chancel Choir returns in the 11:00 service, and everyone is invited to stay for a lunch afterwards. 

Genesis Sunday School Brunch

September 19

 The Genesis Sunday School Class will hosting a Young Adult Brunch at 9:45 am on Sunday, September 19 in the parlor between the sanctuary and the nursery. All young adults, singles and couples, in their 20's and 30's are welcome. We would love for you to join us!

This Month In Worship

 Practicing Our Faith

There has been a revival of interest in Christian practices, intentional ways to develop one’s spiritual awareness and growth. In the sermons this month we will take a look at four different practices and how they can make a difference in our lives.

                                             Reverend Newman

Sermon Titles & Texts

 September 5     Decide to be Happy

                          Deuteronomy 30:15-19

                        Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 12   Household Economics

                        Romans 12:1-2

                        Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 19    Testify!

                        Jeremiah 1:6-9

                        Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 26    A Discerning Spirit

                        Psalm 119:97-106

                        Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

        Music Ministry

 Children’s Choir Rehearsal

  Parents please mark your calendars with the important change of our Children's Choir rehearsals to Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 6:55 p.m. in the Children's Library beginning September 8. This will allow us more time to prepare music for our children’s presentations on Sundays and give ample time to the preparation of our Children's Christmas Pageant scheduled for December 19. Please contact Mary, Alyssa, or George with any questions. 

Chancel Choir and Handbells

 Summer break is over and we have some wonderful music to

present this fall! Be ready to begin on Wednesday, September 8

(6:00-7:00 for Handbells and 7:00-8:30 for Chancel Choir). Please mark your calendars for the Christmas Cantata on December 12 (rehearsal on the 11th at 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). If you have considered joining one of our choirs, you’re welcome to join us.

Choir Anthem Dedication

We have recently received donations for two new anthems for this fall. You may provide an anthem in memory or in honor of someone for a donation of $50. Contact George for more information.  

Children’s Ministry

by Mary Altizer

We are excited about new opportunities in our ministry with children. On September 12 we will introduce our rotational model for Sunday School. This will offer different learning styles in interactive settings. We also are moving children’s choir rehearsal to Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. This will give us more time to work on the music while also enjoying other activities. Please contact me for more details.

I want to thank everyone who helped make Hero Quest Vacation Bible School possible! Everyone did a great job with the kids and doing their part during the week. Many people helped us at the last minute and many of you made scheduling sacrifices in order to be available to us. I truly appreciate your efforts. I also want to thank all those who registered on time. That helps so much in the planning and organizing of the event. If you do not have your T-shirt yet, or would like to pay for a shirt, just let me know. VBS collected 92 jars of peanut butter, learned a lot about being a hero, and put on an absolutely adorable performance during worship Sunday. Well-done kids, Jan, and Julie!

On August 29, during the Sunday school hour, from 9:45 until we are finished, we will have an open house in the children’s area. We will meet in the children’s library to distribute and discuss information concerning the new fall program. If you have questions about the new curriculum, new fall schedule, or new children’s choir program, this would be a helpful event. During this hour, the children will not have regular Sunday school. They will have an end of summer party with snacks and games outside so adults can visit.

If you are interested in helping to teach the new curriculum, or just want to know more about it, there is a training/information meeting scheduled for August 31, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We will have a simple meal at 5:30, presentations on the curriculum and multiple intelligences, with a chance to ask questions and plan the fall. I would really like for as many people as possible to attend so everyone will be well informed and will have a chance to experience the curriculum. It should be interesting and maybe even fun. Give the office a quick call if you plan to attend so we can know how many to expect for dinner and set up the room.

September 12 is the date for Round Up Sunday! We will recognize those children moving from the nursery into regular Sunday school and those moving from the children’s ministries into the youth program. If you have a child making one of these transitions, please call me then make sure you are in the 11:00 worship service that Sunday.

Many thanks to those who taught Sunday school and made summer a great time for everyone: Julie Armstrong, Carole Barnes, Lee Endicott, Jo Mullen, Ann Newman, and Julie Williams.

Mission News

Skyline Can Ministry

 Coming in October is Skyline Ministry month for our congregation. Start making plans now to bring your canned goods to the church to help in this vital ministry.

 Van Ministry

 You have an opportunity to make the day for some

special people in our community. From October to April,

on one Saturday a month, people from our church pick up some mentally challenged folks at their homes and drive them to a church service arranged just for them at Westminster Presbyterian Church. After an hour or so, we pick them up at the church and return them home. 

The driving starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends around 12:30 p.m. Here’s how you can make a difference: Two people are required each month – one driver and one other to give directions and help people into and out of the van. If you can participate for one month or for all seven, please call Greg Jorgensen at 840-1218. 

Skyline’s Clothes For Kid’s

Thanks to all who volunteered and donated cash and new clothing to this year’s Clothes For Kids mission. Crown Heights UMC provided over $1000 in back to school items to Skylines Urban Ministry’s McKee Center. The McKee Center served 700 children in four days before the Crown Heights volunteer team arrived Thursday evening, August 12. That evening the team helped 100 children pick out a new school outfit and shoes. All volunteers were exhausted, but filled with memories of happy, excited children and their smiles. Thanks again to everyone who helped contribute to this special mission.   

 Whiz Kids Begins September 16

 Whiz Kids is a faith-based, one-on-one volunteer tutoring/mentoring program focusing on first through fourth grade students who live in the Putnam Heights school area near our church. The city-wide Whiz Kids program focuses on areas which have some of the highest drop-out rates and lowest socioeconomic levels in Oklahoma City. Lee Roland, an Area Administrator in the OKC Public Schools, said of the Whiz Kids:

"Whiz Kids is one of those programs that will help save the next generation. Kids who have little positives in their lives are being given hope for success as adults and positive role models to pattern themselves after. It is the best program of its kind I have seen."

You can be a tutor/mentor at Crown Heights for a child who lives near the church. We meet each Thursday afternoon that school is in session. We pick up the kids at school around 3 p.m., and come back to the church for a snack before tutoring begins. The tutoring primarily consists of reading to and listening to the children read for 45 minutes. Then the kids are involved in games and Bible stories for 20 minutes before we take them to their homes around 5 p.m.  

Each tutor is trained before beginning the year and involved in short training sessions each week while the kids are enjoying games and Bible time. There is a need for both tutors and substitute teachers. 

Please, prayerfully consider becoming a Whiz Kids tutor this year. There is a kid in our neighborhood that needs someone like you to care for them this year. Call the church office at 524-8428 or Janet Kingsolver 524-3895 for more information.

Mexican Dinner For Missions on

Round Up Sunday, September 12

This year the Mission Team will be hosting the lunch after the 11:00 worship service. This will be a fundraiser for the CHUMC mission trip to Rio Bravo in December. El Chico restaurant will be catering the lunch while you enjoy the fellowship of your church family. A minimum donation of $5 per person will help buy materials to build the homes in Rio Bravo. 

Mission Trip to Rio Bravo, Mexico

15 CHUMC members have signed up to go on the mission trip to Rio Bravo December 27-January 2.  We are hoping another 15 will be joining the team soon. We will be building 2 small homes, and helping in a clinic during the week long stay. The cost looks to be about $250 per person, with some scholarships available. Along with the work we plan to do, fellowship with each other and with people from Rio Bravo is sure to happen. This is the time for you to expand your circle of friends from the church and around the world. It is also the time to say 'yes' to God's calling you to be in mission. Give Bruce Pitts a call at 843-7684 and visit with him about this wonderful opportunity for you and for our church.

Pumpkin Patch Begins

The United Methodist Women’s 7th Annual Pumpkin

Patch Fundraiser will begin Sunday, September 26 @

12:30 p.m. with the arrival of a semi trailer truck filled

with pumpkins, gourds, and fall decor. Please plan to stay

after worship service and join the Crown Heights’ congregational pumpkin chain. Lunch, children’s activities, and child care are being planned.

Each year the proceeds of this pumpkin patch help the UMW support children, youth, and music ministries of the church. The Pumpkin Patch proceeds fund scholarships to Crown Heights high school seniors, Mobile Meals, Skyline Urban Ministries, Neighborhood Services, and Cookson Hills Mission.

 

Please help the UMW raise money for these ministries by volunteering to work a 4 hour shift in the patch. Look for sign up sheets in your Sunday school class and after worship services or call Charlene at 524-5075 to schedule a shift.