Skiatook First United Methodist Church

Methodist

Messenger Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world!

1007 S. Osage P.O. Box 910

Skiatook OK 74070 www.fumcskiatook.com

Email: office@fumcskiatook.com

918-396-2519

Fax: 918-396-7973

May 2016

Pentecost in Skiatook

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own

language being spoken. (Acts 2: 5-6 NIV)

This second chapter of Acts, detailing the Pentecost story, is one of the great stories of the Bible. It has an inter-esting cast of characters, drama, an unexpected twist, and a surprise ending! Pentecost is the culmination of the Great 50 Days of Easter, signaling and celebrating the fullness of God’s promises in Jesus Christ. This day repre-sents the whole sweep of Christ’s death and resurrection, his ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit with all God’s gifts and commissioning power for our ministries.1

The Pentecost story is actually, in a way, a reversal of the Tower of Babel story found in the 11th chapter of Gene-sis. In this story, the people were divided on the basis of language. They were dispersed around the world in dif-ferent groups speaking distinct languages. Communication became difficult if not impossible. On the day of Pen-tecost, we see people from all over the world, coming together in Jerusalem for a festival celebration. That day, they are brought together by languages. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples are able to reach a broad multitude of people because they are able to understand the Gospel story each in their own language. The division that occurs in Genesis is reversed in Acts! The story of Pentecost is a call to us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, as it did in the lives of the Disci-ples. They became empowered and emboldened to share the Gospel in a new way, reaching people they never dreamed they could reach. It was the beginning of the Church; a day when everything changed—diverse people with little in common coming together and believing the Good News of Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday, I challenged us to live as Easter People. This month, I challenge us to live as People of Pente-cost. People of Pentecost long to bring others to Jesus. People of Pentecost believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to change and transform the world. People of Pentecost desire to bring unity and love to those they encoun-ter. During this season of Pentecost, as we celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit, will you be in prayer about how we are called to live out Pentecost in our daily lives? Who are we being called to show unity and love to? Who are we being called to reach? How are we being asked to live into our gifts given by the Holy Spirit? Join us on Sunday, May 15, as we celebrate the Season of Pentecost.

Happy Pentecost!

Pastor Susan

___________________ 1 Hickman, Hoyt in Handbook of the Christian Year, p. 235.

May Children’s News

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of

Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Third Grade

BIBLE PRESENTA-

TION

May, 22nd, 2016

10:30 am

Please help me to make sure I have a complete list

of those finishing 2nd grade this year!

Miria ~ 405-850-2253

children@fumcskiatook.com

05/22/2013, following 10:30 worship

Open to anyone 3rd grade & older!

NO MOVIE NIGHT IN MAY.

PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE FOR THE JUNE MOVIE NIGHT DATE.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

4 years old to 4th grade

9:30 am (LAF building or next to nursery)

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

During the 10:30 service (LAF building)

***CAMP DATES***

SONSHINE (1st & 2nd graders) June 11-12, July 9-10

GROWN’ IN GRACE (3rd—5th graders) June 27-29, July 18-20

JOY (3rd—5th graders) July 8-10

OKUMCMINISTRIES.ORG

Thanks to all those who helped with Camp Sunday,

and made contributions in one way or another! We

appreciate your help in getting our kids to camp! If

you did not get a chance to give, we will continue

taking designated donations through May. Just

write “camp” on your check or giving envelope!

Misc. Happenings

Servant Spotlight Thanks to:

George and Glenda Guil-foyle and Ron and Rosemary Hill for plan-ning and putting on the birth-day celebration for our “90-somethings”.

Dale Cooley and Tom Weath-ers, for their recent work up in the balcony area, working to secure our computer equip-ment.

Our Green Teams (numerous people!) who keep our grounds looking nice.)

Vern Fuller for working on weather-stripping the doors in the LAF building.

Administrative Council Board During the first 2016 administrative coun-cil meeting on February 7, 2016, tentative dates for future meetings were scheduled.

The next meeting was tentatively set for Sunday May 1st 2016 immediately after the 10:30 church service.

Due to various members’ schedule con-flicts, this next meeting is being re-scheduled for Sunday May 15th after the 10:30am church service. Please plan to attend if possible.

MINISTRY MARKET June 4

benefiting SFUMC Youth Ministries

Shop and find interest-ing gifts for you and

your family. Venders include home-made crafts and baked

goods, yard sale items, products like

Thirty-One, essential oils, and more!

Rent booth space now

OR Plan to shop on June 4

Early Bird booth rental available until May 8. Contact the church

office for more information

Gifts are given... To the LAF Building Fund by Judy Supernaw; to the glory of God .

Congratulations to Jeremy & Alicia Linker, who welcomed Baby boy Dean Edwin Linker on April 28,2016. He weighed 7 pounds and 9 oz, and is 20 in. long. We can’t wait to meet him.

Lost and Found:

If you have been looking for an item possibly lost or forgotten at the church, please check with Ka’Lu in the office. There are a number of items that will be donated if not claimed soon.

Eye glasses, a Bible, a necklace, and sweaters and a jacket left on the hall coat rack are just a few of the items

UMW: United Methodist Women will meet

Tuesday May 10 At 10am

Special Guest: Linda Tucker There’s a Hymn for That!

Linda will be speaking about Charles Wesley and the impact his hymns and

sacred poems have on Methodism today.

All women are invited to attend this education and informative meeting.

Trustees Meeting The Trustees will not meet during the month of May. They will resume their regular schedule on June 12th.

5th Sunday Brunch

Join us on Sunday, May 29 for our 5th Sunday Brunch at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School classes will not meet that day,

and we will come together in the Old Fellowship Hall to enjoy food and fellowship. Bring a dish and come join us!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship

12-2:00: Youth

2 11 am: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

3 5:30: Weight Watchers 7:00 Boy Scouts

4 11 am: level 1 yoga 3:00 FIX

5

1:00 CHUMS Game Day

4:30Chair Yoga 6pm Level 2 Yoga 7pm Bible Study

6 10:00: Yoga No School—

ASAC Closed

7

8 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship

12-2:00: Youth

(Mother’s Day)

9

11 am: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

10 10:00: United Methodist Wom-en 5:30: Weight Watchers 7:00 Boy Scouts

11 11 am: level 1 yoga 3:00 FIX

6:30: United Methodist Men

12

1:00 CHUMS

Game Day

4:30Chair Yoga 6pm Level 2 Yoga 7pm Bible Study

13 10:00: Yoga No School—

ASAC Closed

14

15 Pentecost 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45: Admin-istrative Council

12:00:Youth Sr. Sunday Promotion Sun-day/3rd Grade Bibles Baccalauraeate

16 11 am: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

17 5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

18

Noon: level 1 yoga

Last Day for Skiatook Public Schools Last Day for ASAC

19 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

Skiatook High School Gradu-ation

20 8:30: CHUMS

Breakfast

10:00: Yoga

21

22 8:30 Worship 9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 12-2:00: Youth

Acolyte Train-ing after church (Both services)

23

11 am: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

24

5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

25 11 am: level 1 yoga

26 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

27 10:00: Yoga

28

29 8:30 Worship

9:30: 5th Sun-day Brunch 10:30 Worship

12-2:00: Youth

30 Memorial Day—Office closed

11 am: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

31 5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

June 1 2 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

3 4

Ministry Market

fundraiser for

SFUMC youth.

Annual Conference in OKC —-Monday-Thursday

Skiatook First United Methodist Church

1007 S. Osage

P.O. Box 910

Skiatook, OK 74070

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

RECYCLE PLEASE

News from Finance Committee

2015 was the best year we had financially in a number of years. Based on the pledges for 2016, and the giving receipts from last year, our 2016 budget was ra-ther ambitious! We actually budgeted 100% of our apportionments for the first time in several years, and also increased amounts for areas such as Children’s Ministry (VBS, Children’s church, FIX, etc.), mission, and repairs/maintenance.

The good news? After the first quarter’s giving report, we are on track to meet and fund our 2016 budget, though it is close. Thank you so much for your faithfulness. We are so grateful for you who made pledges, and those of you who may not have pledged, but are giving generously each week or month. We have also had some gifts to our Building Fund, which go directly to the loan principal to help pay off our debt! We also have the option of giving directly from your bank, so pick up a card from the office if you are interested in that. Thank you for your faithfulness!

Good-Bye to Bishop and Mrs. Dee Hayes

Many of you may be aware that Bishop Robert Hayes has been the Bishop of our own Oklahoma Annual Conference for the past 12 years. He has been a huge influence in our conference, and has personally supported so many ministries, and even helped start new ones. He will be retiring this summer after 12 years in Oklahoma.

In addition to supporting the ministries of the churches, Bishop Hayes has a pastor’s heart, and has truly been a “pastor to the pastors”. He even person-ally offered to pay for my airfare to Hong Kong 2 years ago when my husband Mark Whitley was so sick and having surgery over there.

There will be a special retirement reception for him at Annual Conference. If you would like to write a note, or prepare a card for him and Mrs. Hayes, let me know, and I will have an envelope that I will de-liver to him. We have been so fortunate in having him be our Episcopal leader for so long. There will also be a special offering taken at Annual Conference to start an endowed scholarship at Africa University in the name of Robert and Dee Hayes. If you have had a personal encounter with Bishop Hayes, I en-courage you to drop him a note of appreciation!