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Permit No. 281

The Tahlequah TestamentThe Tahlequah TestamentThe Tahlequah TestamentThe Tahlequah Testament

First United Methodist Church 300 W. Delaware Tahlequah, OK. 74464 Return Service Requested

Office: 918-456-6141 Web: www.tahlequahumc.org

will be impossible to collect. The wind will have blown them away.” “So it is with the lies we tell about our neighbors,” the rabbi said. “They can never be retrieved. They are like feathers in the wind.” This is true of all our words. Our words can either be used to encourage and build up, or they can be used to discourage, demean, and destroy. Sometimes we don’t mean to do harm, but because we are careless, we do harm just the same. Words ARE like feathers impossible to retrieve, and yet they are like rocks hurled at an unsus-pecting victim when used unwisely. Choose your words wisely my friends, and let us honor our United Methodist Heritage and John Wesley’s general rule to “DO NO HARM.” Instead, let’s “Do all the good we can!” Grace and peace,

Dear friends, I have been reflecting on the power of words; both their ability to do good and their ability to do harm. Once upon a time a man went to his rabbi with a question. “Rabbi,” he said, “I understand most all of the law. I under-

Rev. James Graham

stand the commandment not to kill. I understand the commandment not to steal. What I don’t un-derstand is why there is a commandment against slandering the neighbor.” The rabbi looked at the man and said, “I will give you an answer, but first I have a task for you. I would like you to gather a sack of feathers and place a single feather on the doorstep of each house in the village. When you have finished, re-turn for your answer.” The man did as he was told and soon returned to the rabbi to announce that the task was com-plete. “Now, Rabbi, give me the answer to my question. Why is it wrong to slander my neigh-bor?” “Ah,” the rabbi said. “One more thing. I want you to go back and collect all the feathers before I give you the answer.” “But Rabbi,” the man protested, “the feathers

September 1, 2015

Happy Birthday

Shirley Crawford 9/03

Katelyn Morton 9/03

Steve Worth 9/03

Sue Bingham 9/03

Janet Prewit 9/05

Molly Cushway 9/05

Josie Moffit 9/06

Lloyd Goodwin 9/07

Nanette Morrison 9/08

Peggy Kaney 9/09

Susie Williams 9/09

Calvin Klugh 9/10

Neil Morton 9/10

Joe Reed 9/11

Norma Henderson 9/11

Charlotte Benn 9/11

Hugh Purdy 9/11

Andy Hodges 9/12

Zach Zimbelman 9/12

Kris Cooper 9/13

Blaise Hicks 9/14

Joy Boren 9/14

Norm Wika 9/16

Patsy Morton 9/16

Connie Parnell 9/16

Alicia Gonzales 9/17

Ed Fite 9/17

Jill Farnik 9/17

Conner Nelson 9/17

Lori Jennings 9/18

Andrea Taylor 9/19

Rich Thomas 9/20

Britney Barnard 9/20

Norma Deaton 9/21

Patty Hall 9/22

Blane Heaton 9/22

Liam McAlpin 9/22

Betty Burchette 9/23

Pam Stern 9/25

Charley Wilson 9/26

Scott Wright 9/27

Delainna Percifield 9/28

Mary Geasland 9/30

When you enter His presence with Praise, He enters

your circumstances with POWER.

Ushers for September

Bob Parrish Gerald Stowers

Duffy Dry Antonio

GREETERS FOR SEPTEMBERGREETERS FOR SEPTEMBERGREETERS FOR SEPTEMBERGREETERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Cole & Courtney Martin Debbie Jensen

On September 2nd at 7:30pm, the Chancel Choir will resume rehearsals.

The choir has been on Summer Break since July. New members are welcome to join the choir.

For more information, you may contact Don Studebaker at the church, or just come to the

first rehearsal on the 2nd.

On September 9th, Don Studebaker and Judy Young Will lead the revival of the FUMC Jr. Choir.

It has been many years since the church had a Jr. Choir and we are anxious to add these young

voices to our worship services. The schedule for the children will be;

Drop the children off at the church after school (snacks will be provided)

rehearsal at 4:00, and parent pick-up at 5:00.

We are looking forward to gathering some young singers together and giving them some ownership

in the worship of God. If you have any questions you may contact

Don or Judy.

DO YOU NEED A RIDE TO CHURCH AND/OR SUNDAY SCHOOL?

If you, or someone you know, need transportation to Sunday morning services please call the church office,

Monday thru Friday, (918)456-6141 and give the name and address of the person needing this service.

Pancake BreakfastPancake BreakfastPancake BreakfastPancake Breakfast UMC Activities BuildingUMC Activities BuildingUMC Activities BuildingUMC Activities Building

Saturday, September 5thSaturday, September 5thSaturday, September 5thSaturday, September 5th

7am7am7am7am----10am10am10am10am

$5.00 per person$5.00 per person$5.00 per person$5.00 per person----Children under 3 freeChildren under 3 freeChildren under 3 freeChildren under 3 free

Combined efforts of Kiwanis of Tahlequah Combined efforts of Kiwanis of Tahlequah Combined efforts of Kiwanis of Tahlequah Combined efforts of Kiwanis of Tahlequah

and United Methodist Womenand United Methodist Womenand United Methodist Womenand United Methodist Women

Menu: Pancakes, sausage, coffee, Menu: Pancakes, sausage, coffee, Menu: Pancakes, sausage, coffee, Menu: Pancakes, sausage, coffee,

milk & juice.milk & juice.milk & juice.milk & juice.

Help Wanted

Part time youth di-rector

Age 21 or older Must have working

knowledge of United Methodist

beliefs Send resume’ to:

FUMCFUMCFUMCFUMC

300 W. DELAWARE300 W. DELAWARE300 W. DELAWARE300 W. DELAWARE

TAHLEQUAH, OK. TAHLEQUAH, OK. TAHLEQUAH, OK. TAHLEQUAH, OK.

74464744647446474464

Everyone is welcome

to participate

in this event,

whether you walk, run, or just watch, Come on out and support

Camp Egan.

Sign up by September

7th.

Ministry Team

Staff:

Senior Pastor…………….………….………….Rev. James B. Graham III

Associate Pastor…….…..………………...…………….……...Shana Dry

Administrative Assistant…………………………………..Barbie Barnard

Choir Director…………………………….……….Dr. Donald Studebaker

Organist…………………………………………...………Ramona Frazier

Bell Choir Director………………………………............Linda Cheatham

Pre K/Kids Day Out Director……………………………....Brianne Travis

Custodian………………………...………………………..Elaine Funburg

Nursery………….…..... ……………………………………..Angelea Dry

Extension Ministries:

UM Children’s Home

Shana Dry, Director, NSU Wesley Foundation

International Missionary: Rev. Kristen Brown

WEB www.tahlequahumc.org 918-456-6141

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders4.. Psalm 9:1

District Youth EventDistrict Youth EventDistrict Youth EventDistrict Youth Event

Sunday Sept. 13thSunday Sept. 13thSunday Sept. 13thSunday Sept. 13th

3 to 73 to 73 to 73 to 7

Claremore MethodistClaremore MethodistClaremore MethodistClaremore Methodist

All 7th thru 12th grades

Are invited and Bring a Friend

Meet at the church at 2pm

Return home around 8.

The Schmegule

Wed. Sept. 2

5:30 TUMY Wed. Sept. 9

5:30 TUMY Sun. Sept. 13th

2:00pm Leave For Claremore Wed. Sept. 16

5:30 TUMY Wed. Sept. 23

5:30 TUMY Wed. Sept. 30

5:30 TUMY

We had a great time last Wednes-day evening, those that haven’t got to paint a block claimed and began their block painting and the others helped clean the mission and service room. School has started and TUMY is back full swing. We are meeting on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 for dinner and Bible study. All 7th through 12th graders are invited to come see what we are about. We have an exciting event coming up. We will be traveling to Claremore on Sunday Sept. 13th for a district youth event. We’ll leave the church at 2:00pm and return sometime around 8pm. This will be a fun time for everyone and you are welcome to bring a friend. We are still in need of volunteers to help prepare and serve dinner on Wednesday evenings. If you would like to help us, call the church office and talk to Barbie. Peace & Love,

Shana & TUMY