News of New Haven United Methodist Church

“Making Disciples for Jesus Christ in the world,

by being God’s Love in Action”

5603 S. New Haven Avenue, Tulsa, OK. 74135 918-743-6491

VOLUME XXVI Number 45 December 2, 2016

THE SPIRE

Our New Haven UMC Family Christmas Candle is Complete!

1) Breaking candles with drill press. 2) Collecting candle pieces by color. 3) Melting pieces in crock pots.

4) Preparing candle mold. 5) Setting candle wicks. 6) First layer of red wax ready.

7) Pouring red wax into mold. 9) Removed from cardboard mold. 10) Finished Family candle!

HANGING OF THE GREENS – FUN HAD BY ALL!

What a great time we had at our annual Hanging of the

Greens service! A highlight of the Advent season, we all

took part in pre-

paring God’s

house for the

coming of the

Christ Child.

Some of us

brought forth

poinsettias (our

first year to use

permanent plants),

others came for-

ward to place the

beautiful Chrismons on the tree. Still others placed candles

in our Sanctuary windows. Probably the most memorable

part of the morning was the hanging of the greenery around

the piano and organ sides of the chancel! Our creative men

and youth are given the opportunity to help with this every

year – and as usual – we weren’t disappointed by their crea-

tivity! (See picture!) Thank you so much to all who helped

prepare our Sanctuary for the best news of all time!

POT LUCK CHRISTMAS DINNER AND

MUSICAL EVENT

Come join us on Sunday, December 11th at 6:00 pm for a fun Christmas Pot Luck and a glorious musical event! We will hold both events in the gym, so we can all eat together as we en-joy the music! This year, we will be featuring our own talented Director of Music, Stephen Merrick, and Christmas ensemble. If you would like to participate in this musical extravaganza, please contact Stephen at: elephantmanmusic@gmail.com

Demonstrate Your Thankfulness this Season!

Each holiday season, New Haven UMC anticipates and relies

on a seasonal increase in contributions. It is through the donations of every individual and family in the congregation

that we are able to carry on our work now and throughout the year. If you need a convenient way to make recurring

contributions or plan to make an additional gift before the

end of the year, we encourage you to check out our elec-tronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up around

the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. To set up a recurring giving

schedule or to make an end of the year contribution, visit

us online (www.newhavenumc.org) and locate the Online Giving button. Or if it’s easier, complete a paper authoriza-

tion form and return it to the church office. Thank you for your generous support!

CHRISTMAS WITH UMPTEENAGERS!

O come, all ye faithful! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 20th for a delicious lunch followed by a holiday tour of Asbury UMC.

Plan to meet at 11am in the New Haven reception area and proceed to 11:30 lunch reservations. The Asbury tour will begin at 1:30 pm and should be finished by 3:00. (They have elevators!) Please plan to attend! Happy holidays!

Shirley Nelson 918-615-6247

DWAYNE HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!

Our own Dwayne Boyd was just

selected as the 2016 Self Advocate

of the Year by TARC.

He will receive his reward on Dec. 8th

at the 26th Annual Advocacy Awards

& Volunteer Recognition ceremony

and dinner at the Marriott Hotel.

Congratulations, Dwayne!!!

LOVELY HANDMADE ORNAMENTS FOR SALE

Regina LaGrone has made these awesome ornaments. Every ornament that is purchased

will benefit the Children’s Craft Ministry. Suggested

donation: $3/small and $6/large. They are located in the “Holy Grounds” Coffee area!

Corner

Exp

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ce It!

Come and

Mis

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Dear Missy,

I heard we are having a party for one of our own – Margie Chance! Let me know the details. I’m ready to celebrate her graduation from Exodus House.

Signed,

Party on

Dear Party on,

Margie Chance, our current resident at the Exodus House in Tulsa, is graduating on Tuesday, December 6 with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. at St Luke’s Redemption Church (1839 N Boston Ave). You are invited to attend!

The program will include a light dinner. We are asking New Haven members to bring finger sandwiches. Make sure you sign a card that will be on the hallway table on Sunday, December 4 to wish her the best. Come and enjoy this time of celebration with us. If you have questions, contact Jan Boyd at 918--691-1622 or revmumz99@cox.net.

Exodus House is a transitional living program supported by the Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (a ministry of the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church). These are small apartment com-plexes where people newly released from prison can live while they re-enter life successfully outside pris-on walls. There are two Exodus Houses – OKC and Tulsa. Each Exodus House has a case manager and a facility manager.

The Exodus House in Tulsa is located at 2624 E Newton Street. New Haven furnishes a one-bedroom apartment at the Exodus House in Tulsa – complete with linens, cooking and eating utensils, decorations and furniture. These apartments are provided free of charge, except for the cost of electricity. Upon com-pletion of the program, the resident may take all the furnishings and contents when they move. Once the resident moves, New Haven will paint, repair and replace items for the next resident.

Let’s join in on wishing Margie a happy graduation!

Blessings, Missy

MEMORIAL CHRISTMAS TREE

On Sunday, December 4th, we invite you to come help decorate the Memorial Christmas tree on the front lawn right after each worship ser-vice. This tradition began after Nathan Wof-ford , Kim Percival’s son, passed away. He was a dear boy that touched many lives here at New Haven UMC. Christmas was his favorite time of year and he was always in the Christmas spirit! This tradition has since grown to remember all our loved ones! You are invited to bring an or-nament to place on the tree, but we will also have others available for you to write a name on. If you prefer to do this in pri-vate, you are invited to do so. We will sing a song and then Pastor Cin-dy will lead us in prayer. Looking forward to sharing this tradition with you!

THE INTERLUDE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS INVITES ANYONE WHO DOESN’T HAVE A

CLASS AND WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND A FUN TWO MONTH STUDY CALLED

“THE REDEMPTION OF SCROOGE” TO COME TO THE CHAPEL THIS SUNDAY

AND ENJOY THIS BOOK!

IT WILL BE LED BY STACEY SCHIFFERDECKER AND INCLUDES VIDEOS.

IF YOU ESPECIALLY LIKED DICKENS’ “A CHRISTMAS

CAROL” THEN THIS IS THE PERFECT STUDY FOR

YOU!!!

SUNDAYS @9:45 AM IN THE CHAPEL

Welcome, Lindsay Morgan

New Children’s Nursery Director!

Mary Ann Cunningham, our current Nursery Director, has prayerfully de-cided to resign her position in order that she may be able to travel and care for her brother who is experiencing health challenges in the days and weeks ahead. Please join us in giving thanks to Mary Ann for her wonderful leadership and for her love for God’s children in our nursery program. Thank you, Mary Ann, for making a difference in our children’s lives for Christ!

As Mary Ann begins her new journey in caring for her brother, God has led someone to us to fulfill the position of Nursery Director. Please read this note from Lindsay Morgan:

“Hello New Haven family! My name is Lindsay Morgan, and I am thrilled to be our church's new Nursery Director. I am a life-long member of our church, and I am now raising my children here as well. I began working as nursery assistant while in high school, and I recently joined the team again

after the birth of my youngest daughter.

My husband Todd and I have 4 wonderful children; Kala, Bayleigh, Caleb, and Elaina. I am involved in many facets of New Haven, not only working in the nursery. I lead the children's choir, assist in W.E.B. (children's Bible study experience), and I also teach in our Day School. Other than my time at New Haven, I am also a group fitness instructor at the YMCA.

I am looking forward to continuing getting to know your children, and welcoming many more. I will provide a safe and loving environment, where children will have free-choice activities, art projects available, Bible stories, and music & movement. Please feel free to stop by and say hello!”

Please lift up both of these individuals in your prayers – for Mary Ann as she tends to her brother – and for Lindsay Morgan as she begins her new position in caring for our youngest children.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS AT NEW HAVEN UMC!

Tell one, tell all about our upcoming Advent and Christmas events at your awesome church! Mark your calendars!

December 4th

Second Sunday of Advent

Worship Theme: “Joseph of Bethlehem”

Blessing of the Angel Tree gifts

Memorial Tree after the 8:45 and 11:00 services

December 11th Third Sunday of Advent Worship Theme: “From Nazareth to Bethlehem” Children singing at both services 6:00 pm Christmas Dinner and Musical Event in gym

December 18th

Fourth Sunday of Advent Choir/Band Program at both services Liturgical Dancers at both services

December 24th

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services Worship Theme: “This Will Be a Sign For You” 5:00 pm Family Oriented Service: Children participate in the nativity story 7:00 pm Traditional Service: Children’s Felt Story Board

December 25th Christmas Day! Worship Theme: “Do You See What I See?” ONE SERVICE at 10:00 am Casual dress for all! Liturgical Dancers

Adult Sunday School Come join us at 9:45 am!

Room 185: Discovery Class Galatians

Room 209: Fellowship Class Adult Bible Study Curriculum

Room 210: New Friendship Class “The Lives of Great Christians” by

William Cook

Parlor: Christian Living Class Adult Bible Study Curriculum

Room 103 Interlude Class “Redemption of Scrooge”

Room 206: New Beginnings “In the Footsteps of St. Peter”

Gym: Roundtable “The Gospel

According to Starbucks” by Leonard

Sweet

New Haven Staff Members

Rev. Cindy Havlik Senior Pastor Rev. Suzanne Davis Retired Pastor Jennifer Payton Business Manager Stephen Merrick Music Director Patrick Grafton Youth Director Paula Fox Children’s Director Pat Bates Adm. Assistant Ann Martin Financial Secretary Mary Ann Cunningham Nursery Director Teresa Roberts Organist Rev. Jeanette Boyd Retired Deacon Kacie Kendrick Day School Dir. Joan West After School Care Oscar Sturgeon Custodian

The SPIRE (USPS 006-409) is published weekly except the last week of May, June, July, and December by New Haven United Methodist Church, 5603 South New Haven Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74135-4100. Periodical postage is paid at Tulsa, Oklahoma. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the SPIRE, 5603 South New Haven Avenue Tulsa OK 74135-4100.

Opportunities of the Week

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 8:45 am Contemporary Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 3:30 pm Liturgical Dance/Sanctuary 4:00 pm Tiger Cubs Pack 67/Gym 4:30 pm Celebration Singers 4:30 pm Disciple I/Parlor 5:00 pm W.E.B. (Children) 5:00 pm Jr. High Bible Study 6:00 pm Youth Fellowship Dinner 7:00 pm Sr. High Bible Study

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5 10:00 am Grief Recovery Group/Parlor 6:00 pm Writer’s Group/185 6:15 pm Bluegrass Band Rehearsal

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6 1:30 pm Women’s Grief Recovery Group 6:30 pm Exodus House Graduation 7:00 pm Boy Scouts/Gym & Parlor 7:30 pm AA/ 185,205,209,210

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 6:00 pm Youth Group 6:00 pm One Spirit Choir 6:00 pm Willow Creek Condo Board Meeting/Gym 7:00 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm ACOA/185

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 10:00 am Susanna Circle 10:30 am Advent Study/Parlor 11:45 am Advent Lunch/Parlor 6:00 pm Praise Band 7:15 pm Yoga/Parlor

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 7:30 pm AA/Gym

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 3:00 pm Respite Care/Gym

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 8:45 am Contemporary Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 12:15 pm Administrative Council/Parlor 3:30 pm Liturgical Dance/Sanctuary 4:00 pm Cub Scout Pack 67/270 4:30 pm Disciple I/Parlor 6:00 pm Annual Christmas Dinner/Gym

You may email articles for the Spire

(no later than Sunday evenings,

please.) Sending your article on a

“Word” document as an attachment

works best. Please email your arti-

cle to pat.bates@newhavenumc.org.

Please note “Spire Newsletter” on

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every effort to include your request,

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articles due to space availability.

ATTENDANCE

November 27, 2016

10:00 am - 128 Total: 128

“Hanging of the Greens” service at 10:00 am

(No Sunday School)

Day School Chapel- 83

PLEASE PRAY FOR. . . . Robin Stevens

Kelly Sartain

Greg Gotcher

Patrick Grafton

Friends & Family of New

Haven UMC Mark Nicholson; Peppa Smith;

Linda Gregory’s daughter-in-law,

Lea; Mary Ann Cunningham’s

brother, Bob; Carol Morgan’s

husband, Lee; the homeless; our

world, city, country, public serv-

ants & leaders.

Covenant Care

(prayers & visits appreciated) Marjorie Stewart

Ovella Followell

Rosemary Tarr

Dot and Kelly Haynes

Dorothy Koons

December Birthdays 7. Jim Harris 8. Seth Amos Evan Stevenson 13. Tammye Johnson Jennifer Lawrence Michael Foster 14. Kevin Scruggs 16. Linda Blackford Susan Lamkin 17. Kathryn Stevenson Dee Kemp 21. Cathy Amos Kelly Sartain 24. Mark Williams Linda Joyce 25. JESUS Christene O’Toole 26. Peppa Smith 30. Meghan Lamkin