Tee Ball Lessons

     A couple of months ago, the call went out at Villa Teresa Catholic School to sign-up for tee ball. Our daughter, Rachel, was the first in her Pre-K class to answer that summons. I was the next one to receive a call, asking me to coach her team of 5 and 6 year old boys and girls. The fact that I was a Methodist and that I had never played organized sports didn’t seem to disqualify me, so I accepted.

     The other parents and I agree that our goals are to keep everyone safe, to have fun, and perhaps to teach some basic skills along the way, in that order.

     Rachel’s first concern was the name of our team. Upon discovering that we would be the Cougars, her next question was what color our uniforms would be. Our practices consist of identifying which base is which, the meaning of the term “shortstop,” and following the flight pattern of the resident bumblebee.

     The games are grand events with lots of family and friends cheering every play (regardless of the outcome) and the best part of all, receiving a coupon for a drink at the concession stand after the game. I have the privileged position of preparing each one as they come up to bat. I try to get them square to the plate, the proper distance away from the tee, and focused on hitting the letters on the ball. They want to make sure Grandma is watching, to comment on how pretty the bat is, and inquire about when the game will be over.

     “Consider the lilies,” Jesus said, “they neither toil nor spin but God takes care of them.” Life is more than what we fit into our calendars – so much more.

    

Graduation Sunday

May 29

 We will honor our high school and college graduates in our worship services this Sunday. Everyone is invited to a reception in the Youth Room starting at 9:30 a.m. Our high school graduates this year are Jack Funk, David Krone, and Kelly Marose. John Bicket graduates from MIT in June with his Masters in Computer Science. Congratulations to all!

Project Transformation

 This is the third year for this very successful reading summer program sponsored by the United Methodist Church. We have been asked to help with volunteers at the Wesley UMC site, especially the week of June 27-30. Beginning at 10:00, the mornings are spent rotating between games, crafts, and reading. Volunteers help with the reading and crafts. If you want to be a part of this program, please contact Wesley UMC at 525-3521 or our church office.

 Annual Conference

 United Methodists from across the state will gather the week of May 29-June 2 for our annual meeting. Our Pastor will be attending along with Bob Anthony as the lay representative from our congregation. Everyone is invited. Some particular services of interest include:

•          Dr. Zan Holmes, Jr. preaching at worship services on Monday, May 30, at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

•          Former Bishop Dan Solomon preaching on Tuesday, May 31, at 7:00 p.m.

•          Bishop Robert Hayes at the Ordination and Commissioning Service on Wednesday, June 1, at 7:00 p.m.

These sessions are at St. Luke’s UMC. Other daytime sessions are in the Freede Center at OCU.

 

 

Memorial Gifts

 In memory of Helen Friesen

Stanley Kitchens

Carolyn Thomas

Mr. & Mrs. Wilburn Ogburn

Jeanette Posey

Jerry & Patricia Wetmore

 

In memory of Alice Eddings

Bob Green

 

This Month in Worship

We begin the month by considering two definitive events in the life of the patriarch, Abraham. We hear God’s call to leave his home and to take Isaac, the child of promise, to the place of sacrifice. We end with the presentation of the children’s musical and the beginning of a sermon series on the Ten Commandments.

Sermon Titles & Texts  

            June 5      Content to be a Pilgrim

                        Genesis 12:1-9

                        Third Sunday of Pentecost

 

      June 12      Anything But That

                        Genesis 22:1-14

                        Fourth Sunday of Pentecost

                       

       June 19      Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace

                              Children’s Musical Presentation

                        Fifth Sunday of Pentecost

                        Father’s Day

 

         June 26      We Begin With God

                             Exodus 20:1-7

                        Sixth Sunday of Pentecost

Children’s Ministry

by Mary Altizer

 Special Sundays Thanks

 Our children did an outstanding job leading the congregation in worship on Children’s Sunday, May 13. They played musical instruments, led in liturgy, collected the offering, recited Psalm 100, and sang an anthem. The next week we enjoyed the Endowment Sunday lunch with a moon jump and the return of Hillbilly Willie.

 

Upcoming Events

June 13-17 – Summer Music Camp. Registration will soon close for this week-long program filled with fun music and afternoon activities.

 

July 18-22 – Vacation Bible School. Round up all the

young’uns for the Circle G Ranch, right here in Crown Heights.

 Music Ministry

by George Massey

 

Weddings

 

Shauna M. Nealy and Steven Ford Sanders were married on May 14, 2005.

 

Audra Johnson and Clint Cook were married on May 21, 2005.

 

In our Prayers

 

Imogene Roush recovering from surgery.

Missions

All Church Flea Market

 May 14 was a beautiful day for fun, fellowship, and ministry. About 30 Crown Heights family members participated in the Flea Market to raise money for the Budaburum Refugee Camp in Ghana, Africa.

 Evelyn Phyffer and Taffy Fellingham will deliver the $550 raised when they go on their mission to Ghana in September. Thanks to the Genesis Class for their hard work coordinating the event and to all who participated.

 Whiz Kids Ends With a Bang

Cinco de Mayo was celebrated with great enthusiasm to end a great year with Whiz Kids at Crown Heights. Julie Armstrong greeted everyone with a colorful setting that drew an enthusiastic "It's a fiesta!!!" as they entered. Then all enjoyed a banquet fit for such heroes as the Whiz Kids and their tutors. We filled up on guacamole (from Cindy Krone’s kitchen), tamales (from a Whiz Kids' parent), chips, beans, and salsa from Julie, and apple flautas with ice cream. Then Anita Roesler, representing the Metropolitan Library System, gave gifts from the Library. The children also received gifts from Evelyn Phyffer and t-shirts from the tutors. The tutors received hand crafted pots of flowers from the Whiz Kids. The Latino Club from Classen School of Advanced Studies danced and taught a few steps to an enthusiastic crowd. Later everyone went to the backyard for a piñata with Glen Gean and candy galore. All went home happy, though sad to be finishing up such a good year of Whiz Kids. The next weekend the Whiz Kids and their tutors met at Crystal Lake for a day of fishing, games, food, and just general fun.

 We will begin Whiz Kids again in September. If you would like to mentor a child who needs help learning to read, and can clear a couple of hours in your Thursday afternoons, call Janet Kingsolver about becoming a part of this wonderful ministry.

Habitat For Humanity Day

17 clean people started out looking at 30 gallons of paint and caulking and ended up looking at a painted house and 17 painted people. The Habitat for Humanity Day was a huge success for all the participants and the homeowner who now has a home to live in. We learned how to caulk borders and prepare corners before beginning to paint. Aaron Gean came in real handy on the ceilings and Janet Kingsolver and Cindy Krone walked a little strange for a couple of days afterward because of the crouching to caulk so much of the house. Laughter and good conversation permeated the day, even during the clean up in buckets and buckets of 'clear turning to paint' water. When we returned to the church, all agreed it was a day to remember and to repeat in the future.