PO Box 887 2100 McGee Drive Sallisaw, Oklahoma 74955

Phone: 918-775-2538 Fax: 918-775-2515 sallisawfumc@diamondnet.us www.sallisawfumc.org

Our Mission

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Pastor Rev. Jim Hollifield

Director of Music Chase Miller

Youth Director Natalie Johnson https://clipartxtras.com

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage Paid

Sallisaw, OK 74955

PERMIT NO. 106

First United Methodist Church

September

Blessing

s

SEPTEMBER 2018

NEWSLETTER The Connection FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Advice from an Old Farmer Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong. Keep skunks and bankers at a distance. Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled. Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight. Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads. Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you. It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge. You cannot unsay a cruel word. Every path has a few puddles. When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty. The best sermons are lived, not preached. Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway. Don’t judge folks by their relatives. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. Live a good, honorable life… Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time. Don‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none. Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’. Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got. The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’. Always drink upstream from the herd. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in. If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you. Most times, it just gets down to common sense.

See you in church,

Jim H.

September 2018 Page 2

AVOIDING DIGITAL COMMUNICATION DISASTERS

Poor use of digital communication can cause problems in all areas of life, including our Christian walk. Church consultant Joel Snider offers seven principles that can serve Christians well when we communicate electronically. The following is condensed from the newsletter of the Center for Healthy Churches.

1. Use digital communication for information, but not for emotions.

2. Copy others wisely.

3. Share another person’s information (even prayer requests) online only after it is shared by the person involved or after you have asked if it is okay to post it.

4. Always ask for permission to share pictures of children.

5. Remember that the world is your potential audience.

6. Remember that digital messages are archived permanently.

7. Most important, abide by Colossians 3:17—”And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

NOTES FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE

Many of you ask me how I like being the church secretary. It is going

great! I’m still learning details of the job and I’d like to thank Sherry

Gean for always being just a text message away when I have questions.

We are working on a database with current contact information and

communication preferences

for all members and

constituents (those who

attend regularly but haven’t officially joined). Many of you

have already filled out the

survey, and we thank you! If

you haven’t had the

opportunity yet, please pick up a form and fill it out while

you’re here.

Sarah Bane

KEYS

The Trustees will be re-keying all exterior doors to match. If your ministry will need a key, please stop by the church office during office hours (Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) to register for one.

The Connection Page 7

Prayer List New & Short Term Requests* Family / Friends of J.T. Dickerson Family / Friends of Max Nimmo Vera Baker Heidi Sarratt Medessa Montgomery Clayton Ruark Kerry Bauer Raymond England Jessica Walters Cindy Gowen Lynelle Burrows Reece Hendershot

The Wesleyan Way: Join the Study!

Tuesdays @ 2 pm

Wednesdays @ 6pm

In our groups we’ll share together what we’ve been learning from our weekly readings from Mark, and pray for each other and our church.

Pick a group that works for your time schedule. If you have 3 friends that would like to start a group at a different time or in your home, contact the pastor.

On-Going Needs Marilyn Madsen Corey Byford Bea Anderson Tom Mitchell Faye Norlander Erleen Long Jaime Wright Jo Cristel Ruthann Gacey Leslie Stump Don Bickel Wade Allen Freda Roberts Yvonne Green

Our Service People Jeremy Rogers, MD Caleb Ganster, OK Nathan Ganster, CA Richard Lopez, FL Earl Plumlee, Philippines Dalan Legg, GA Jonathan Ganster, AZ Canaan Harrison, Germany Tim Hintz, NV Hobbs Stroud, KY Pearce Linker, AK Jennifer Rogers-Cooper, Pentagon Brett Sandum, Italy Tanner Ely, Italy Matt Walkingstick, WA Conner Bryan, TX

*Names on this list will remain for three weeks.

Call Anne Bottorff, (918) 775-2072, to start the Prayer Chain. If you want to add a name to this list, call the church office at 775-2538.

September 2018 Page 6

Ministry Calendar Sundays Connect Band Rehearsal at 9:00 a.m. Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. Worship at 10:00 a.m. Mondays Ladies Bible Study at 1:30 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous at 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays Wesleyan Way Share Group from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays Info for bulletin to church office by 10:00 a.m. Youth meet from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Kids’ Zone from 5:00-6:30 Dinner for everyone at 5:30 Wesleyan Way Share Group from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursdays Alcoholics Anonymous at 7:00 p.m. Saturdays Alcoholics Anonymous at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 9 Movie Night at 7:00 p.m. “In His Steps” Tuesday, September 18 Trustees Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 19 Submission date for October newsletter info Sunday, September 23 Men’s Breakfast at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 26 Administrative Council at 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 28 United Methodist Women’s meeting at 1:00 Saturday, September 29 Free Community Breakfast from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Outreach Committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 13 Green Country District Annual Conference from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Claremore First UMC

Visit our website to get more information about

upcoming events: www.sallisawfumc.org

Birthdays 1 Nikki Trimble 3 Jeffrey Brant 4 Linda Bickel 6 Emma Martin 8 Joshua Long 10 Anne Bottorff 10 Jessica Whitekiller 12 Donna Sandum 13 Craig Heflebower 14 Alex McMillian 16 Ella Ford 16 Kalyn Martinez 20 Trad Lattimore 24 Bennett Lessley 25 Steven Winton 26 Yvonne Green 29 Ellen Marie Farmer

Anniversaries

8 Ron & Carol Wyrick 14 A.O. & Carla Campbell 29 Ray & Lynn Dickinson

The Connection Page 3

We would like to express sincere appreciation to our church family for surrounding my father (J.T. Dickerson) and our family with love during his long illness and recent passing. Your prayers, texts, calls, and hospital visits, meant so much to Dad and to our family. Your continued visits, food, cards, flowers, and memorials following Dad’s passing truly touched our hearts. Words seem inadequate to express our love and gratitude. One evening while in the hospital, Dad said, “you never know you have so many friends until you go through something like this”. You lifted him and us during some very difficult times. Although the journey has been long and our hearts are sad in Dad’s passing, that same journey has been filled with so many blessings. Our family truly experienced the love of Christ through each of you. Thank you for each sweet expression of love and kindness.

Debbie Bartel, Ruth Dickerson and family

Thanks to all who have contributed to "Undies for Others." They will be most appreciated by the clients of Catholic Charities!

Saturday, October 13th, the UMW will participate in the Cruzin' 64 festival in downtown Sallisaw. Our booth will feature homemade crafts and other items. We always have Rada Cutlery for sale, but we're hoping to raise additional funds for our missions without having to keep asking members of the congregation. Anyone in the church may contribute items for us to sell at the festival.

At our Aug. 24 meeting, we chose officers for 2019 and were pleased to welcome some first-time visitors. We would enjoy having anyone interested come visit. Our meetings are the fourth Friday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the church parlor (Room 4).

Anne Bottorff

The Connection Page 4

Outreach members had fun serving

donuts and drinks to the students (and

staff) at Carl Albert. That sure is a busy

place! We hope to do the same thing next

school year….it’s becoming a tradition!

There’s still time to contribute to the “Undies for Others” mission. After the

dresser drawers display has been moved, feel free to place NEW underwear in

all sizes and colors in the Catholic Charities cart.

Movie night this month is Sept. 9, 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend. It’s a great deal:

free admission, free popcorn, free nursery, uplifting movie!

Don’t forget to bring your family and friends to Free

Community Breakfast. It’s always the last Saturday of the

month from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Workers arrive 8:00 a.m. if you

want to help.

Linda Millspaw

MOVIE NIGHT 7:00 P.M., SEPTEMBER 9

“What would Jesus do?” is more than just a slogan!

After a homeless man interrupts the comfortable routine of First Church of Raymond, life will never be the same. The church members who are convicted by the vagrant’s challenge set out to discover what life is like beyond “Christianity as usual.”

Based on the classic novel by Charles Sheldon.

September 2018 Page 5

This month’s Member Spotlight shines on James and Mary Jo Trudeau.

James was born in Oklahoma City and moved to Sallisaw in 1949. Mary Jo grew up in Milan, Tenn., and Memphis. They met when James attended optometry school in Memphis and were married in 1968 during his

last year of school. In 1969, they moved back to Sallisaw when James took over Dr. White’s practice, retiring in 2010. Meanwhile Mary Jo earned her master’s degree in Early Education and taught for 25 years. The Trudeaus have three adult daughters and six grandchildren. Mary Jo is currently being blessed by taking care of their granddaughter, Arlo. She tells Arlo every day that Jesus loves her and little Arlo just smiles!

Both James and Mary Jo love people, and this is reflected in their favorite activities. James likes learning new things, customs of other countries, and talking to people. A particularly memorable experience for him was the day he spent with General Norman Schwarzkopf and General Chuck Yeager. He likes traveling worldwide to hunt and fish and try new cuisine. Some of his favorite foods are Greek, French and Chinese. Mary Jo is enthusiastic about loving people and watching miracles, because they really do happen. She attends the ladies’ Bible study on Mondays and her favorite food is sweets!

Mary Jo experienced a major miracle as a teenager. Driving home after a Bible study on a rainy night, she and a friend were in a wreck and their car was wrapped around a telephone pole. As they waited for the police to come, she realized she could have died, and she asked the Lord to save her and come into her heart. Since then He has led her every step of the way in her life. What an amazing testimony!

Neither James nor Mary Jo could pick just one favorite Bible verse. James’ first choice was the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Matt. 7:12. Mary Jo’s first verse was “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths,” Prov. 3:5-6. These verses reflect how much they love people and trust in our Lord and Savior.

Grace and peace, Kathy Hendershot