The United Methodist News Address Service Requested The United Methodist News · 2015-01-20 ·...

4
During the month of May, I will be preaching a three-sermon series based upon Leonard Sweet’s newest book, I Am a Follower. He describes Jesus’ first words to the disciples as being, “Follow me.” The first and last words that Jesus spoke to the disciple Peter were also, “Follow me.” The church is a community of followers. The jacket cover of the book offers these words, “Sadly this life-changing invitation has lost much of its original meaning. Immersed in a society that worships success, we have succumbed to a trendy fixation with leadership . . . Sweet explains how Christians in a twenty-first-century corporate-obsessed culture have shifted away from a Jesus art of following toward a popularized form of leading.” The sermons will be: May 6 “Following the Way” John 14:1-14; May 13 “Fol- lowing the Truth” John 15:9-17; May 20 “Following the Life” Luke 24:44-53. Retired pastor, the Rev. Bill Higgins wrote his autobiography, The Story of a Lifetime. The book also includes several of his sermons. Copies are avail- able in the church office for $10. Bill served here in the 1980’s and will be with us on May 13 and available to sign books for you. Finally, on May 27 we will be celebrating the Day of Pentecost, the end of the Easter Season and the beginning of the life of the church, gifted by the Holy Spirit. Many congregations will wear red, rings bells, or use images of descending doves to help commemorate the day. As we prepare to remember the pres- ence and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Poteau UMC, I offer this prayer for your use: O God, you sent the Holy Spirit to enkindle the zeal of Christ’s followers waiting in Jerusalem for his promised gift. Pour the same inspiration on your people here and on the Church of Christ throughout the world. Revive the power of the gospel in our hearts, that it may be to us a sacred trust for the blessing of all creation. Enable your Church to spread the good news of sal- vation, so that all nations may hear it in their own tongues, and welcome it into their own lives. Protect, encourage, and bless all ministers of the cross, and prosper their words and works, so that Jesus, being lifted up, may draw all people unto him, and the kingdoms of the world may become the kingdom of our Lord and of Jesus Christ. Amen. Grace & peace, What’s Inside First United Methodist Church 109 S. Harper Poteau, OK 74953 Non-Profit Org. Permit No. 40 Poteau, OK 74953 Address Service Requested VOLUME 20 NO. 5 MAY, 2012 SERVING GOD 119 YEARS Weekly Communion 9:10 A.M. Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10:30 A.M. Church Calendar.....................2 Finance Report .......................2 Welcome New Member...........2 Children and Youth ................3 Preschool Report....................3 Birthdays, Anniversaries .......4 Confirmation Class.................4 Women of Faith.......................4 e United Methodist News PASTOR TO PEOPLE REV. DR. GREGORY J. TENER

Transcript of The United Methodist News Address Service Requested The United Methodist News · 2015-01-20 ·...

Page 1: The United Methodist News Address Service Requested The United Methodist News · 2015-01-20 · church will offer the graduating seniors our final thoughts. If you would like to give

During the month of May, I will be preaching a three-sermon series based upon Leonard Sweet’s newest book, I Am a Follower. He describes Jesus’ first words to the disciples as being, “Follow me.” The first and last words that Jesus spoke to the disciple Peter were also, “Follow me.” The church is a community of followers.

The jacket cover of the book offers these words, “Sadly this life-changing invitation has lost much of its original meaning. Immersed in a society that worships success, we have succumbed to a trendy fixation with leadership . . . Sweet explains how Christians in a twenty-first-century corporate-obsessed culture have shifted away from a Jesus art of following toward a popularized form of leading.”

The sermons will be: May 6 “Following the Way” John 14:1-14; May 13 “Fol-lowing the Truth” John 15:9-17; May 20 “Following the Life” Luke 24:44-53.

Retired pastor, the Rev. Bill Higgins wrote his autobiography, The Story of a Lifetime. The book also includes several of his sermons. Copies are avail-able in the church office for $10. Bill served here in the 1980’s and will be with us on May 13 and available to sign books for you.

Finally, on May 27 we will be celebrating the Day of Pentecost, the end of the Easter Season and the beginning of the life of the church, gifted by the Holy Spirit.

Many congregations will wear red, rings bells, or use images of descending doves to help commemorate the day. As we prepare to remember the pres-ence and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Poteau UMC, I offer this prayer for your use:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit to enkindle the zeal of Christ’s followers waiting in Jerusalem for his promised gift. Pour the same inspiration on your people here and on the Church of Christ throughout the world. Revive the power of the gospel in our hearts, that it may be to us a sacred trust for the blessing of all creation. Enable your Church to spread the good news of sal-vation, so that all nations may hear it in their own tongues, and welcome it into their own lives. Protect, encourage, and bless all ministers of the cross, and prosper their words and works, so that Jesus, being lifted up, may draw all people unto him, and the kingdoms of the world may become the kingdom of our Lord and of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Grace & peace,

What’s Inside

First United Methodist Church109 S. HarperPoteau, OK 74953

Non-Profit Org.

Permit No. 40

Poteau, OK 74953

Address Service Requested

VOLUME 20 NO. 5 MAY, 2012 SErViNg gOd 119 YEArS

Weekly Communion9:10 A.M.

Sunday School9:30 A.M.

Morning Worship10:30 A.M.

Church Calendar .....................2Finance Report .......................2Welcome New Member ...........2Children and Youth ................3Preschool Report ....................3Birthdays, Anniversaries .......4Confirmation Class .................4Women of Faith .......................4

The United Methodist News

The United Methodist NewsPASTOR TO PEOPLE

PA S T O R T O PE O PL E

REV. DR. GREGORY J. TENER

Page 2: The United Methodist News Address Service Requested The United Methodist News · 2015-01-20 · church will offer the graduating seniors our final thoughts. If you would like to give

PAGE 2 MAY, 2012

THE UNITED METHODIST NEWSPublished by the Communications Committee

Carol Baker, Communications Coordinator/EditorFIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

109 S. Harper, Poteau, OK 74953Telephone 918-647-2217

e-mail: [email protected]: www.poteaufumc.com

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. • Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.Weekly Communion 9:10 a.m. except first Sunday

Bishop Robert E. HayesDistrict Superintendent Darrell CatesPastor Rev. Dr. Gregory J. TenerAssociate Pastor Rev. Obed AlbaYouth & Children’s Director Kimberly HardawayMusic Director Steve ClarkChurch Secretary Brenda FergusonLead Nursery Attendant Jayla CraigOrganist Wendy KellyCustodian and Door Opener Joe Powers

District web page: www.gbgm-umc.org/mc-dist/

ACOLYTES

6 Charles and Marilyn Meek13 John and Nikki Perry20 David and Patty Redhage27 Jerry and Mary Ford

6 Demi Gilliam and Jessa Craig13 Versile Johnson and Jaydon Bandy20 Angela Price and Tabi Zabala27 Kyson Hardaway and Katie Redhage

13 Kelsey Robinson20 Adult Reader27 Kendrick Hardaway

2 Logos Evaluation Team Meeting, 4 p.m., CFLC 5 Cavanal Chorale Concert, 7 p.m., Sanctuary 6 Cavanal Chorale Concert, 2 p.m., Sanctuary 7 Women of Faith Meeting and Luncheon, 10

a.m. - 12:30, CFLC Board of Trustees Meeting, 6 p.m., CFLC 8 Long Range Planning Committee Meeting, 5:15

p.m., CFLC12 UMM Breakfast and Meeting, 8 a.m., CFLC13 Potluck Brunch honoring graduating seniors,

9:30-10:15 a.m., CFLC16 Membership Care Committee, 1 p.m., CFLC19 Free Neighborhood Breakfast, 8 to 10, CFLC20 Potluck Appreciation Lunch for Greg, 11:4527 Oaks Worship Service, 2 p.m.28 Church Offices closed for Memorial Day

LITURGISTS

MORNING WORSHIPGREETERS

Poteau F.U.M.C. Report for March 20122012 Average Attendance Figures for March: 165

2012 Budget Requirements: $397,000.00Needed for Budget Each Week: $7,634.62

Needed through March: $91,615.44March Receipts: $26,124.65

March Expenditures: $30,450.08New Building Fund Figures:

Deposits: $1,180,584.66Expenditures: $2,547,937.74

MAY CHURCH CALENDARWORSHIP BULLETIN DEADLINE:

10 a.m. each Thursday

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:Third Friday of each month

• SUNDAY •Weekly Communion, 9:10 a.m., Sanctuary

(Except on first Sunday of the month)UMYF (CHAOS), 5 p.m.

• MONDAY • Boy Scouts, 7 p.m., CFLC

Christian Preschool Monday – Thursday,8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Education Building

• TUESDAY •Cub Scouts, 6 p.m., CFLC

• WEDNESDAY • Celebration Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.

Rev. Alba’s Hispanic Bible Study, 7 p.m.

• THURSDAY •Senior Café, 10:00 - 12:30, CFLC

Girl Scouts, 4:00 p.m.

Welcome New Member!We are happy to welcome Sharon Simmons

into membership. She joined on April 29. Be sure and let her know how happy we are to have her as part of our church family.

GRADUATESOur 2012 high school graduates are Megan

Harreld, Kelsey Robinson, Kenny Whitehead, Jake McMillin, David Oehlschlager, and Austin James.

Sarah Mixon will graduate in May from Okla-homa State University in Stillwater with a Bach-elor of Arts degree in Economics and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies.

Page 3: The United Methodist News Address Service Requested The United Methodist News · 2015-01-20 · church will offer the graduating seniors our final thoughts. If you would like to give

MAY, 2012 PAGE 3

News of Children and YouthBy Kimberly Hardaway

UMYF (CHAOS) meets Sunday evenings and is for all youth 6th through 12th grade.

The schedule is as follows: MAY 6 CHAOS 5 to 7 p.m.13 Senior Potluck Brunch, 9:30 a.m. No CHAOS20 Youth Council Meeting and Lunch, 11:45 Welcome Night to incoming 6th Graders27 No CHAOS JUNE 3 CHAOS 5 to 7 p.m.; VBS Mission Night

• • •GRADUATING SENIORS POTLUCK BRUNCH

On Sunday, May 13, there will be a Potluck Brunch for our graduating seniors. It will be held in the CFLC during Sunday School (9:30 to 10:15 a.m.). Come share in the celebration and share a favorite breakfast item as well. The se-niors will be recognized at the 10:30 a.m. wor-ship with a gift from the church.

LOOKING FOR ADVICEAs part of our Senior Brunch activities, our

church will offer the graduating seniors our final thoughts. If you would like to give the seniors some parting words of advice as they embark on the next phase of their lives, please submit your advice to Kim Hardaway by May 7th. I will compile it into a document for each senior and present it to them as part of their gift from the church.

• • •VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

This year’s theme: OPERATION OVERBOARD! Dare to Go Deep with God. VBS will be June 4 - 8, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., located at our church. Registration will begin May 1st. All type of help is needed: clerical, teacher, shepherds, decora-tors – there is something for everyone! A VBS volunteer meeting for all teens who will serve as “Dive Guides” will be June 3rd at 6 p.m. Come be a part of a ministry that reaches many kids for God.

• • •LOGOS midweek ministry has concluded

and will resume in the fall.A SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Jeramy O’Berry and Austin Christopher are students on scholarship at Carl Albert State College. They are also members of Wright City UMC. While working for Nina Ritchie, a member

of Poteau’s FUMC, they learned of the mid-week ministry of LOGOS.

For the past two years, despite a busy college course load and activity schedule, Jeramy and Austin wanted to be of service to the church, so they began volunteering in the LOGOS ministry every Wednesday. Austin was the surprise sta-tion leader the first year. Both Austin and Jer-amy were table leaders this past year.

Full of energy and patience, they are excep-tional in their service through the ministry. The youth and children enjoyed learning from them and just being with them.

Their time at CASC will end this spring and they will transfer to OSU in Stillwater to com-plete their college education. Before they start back in the fall, they are planning on being in June back in their hometown UMC of Wright City.

In a day when there are so many demands on time and an emphasis on self-interests, our church has been blessed by two young adults who made service and relationship building with younger kids their priority.

We will miss them and wish them well in their next endeavors.

The month of May brings the end to another wonderful year of preschool. The themes for May will be 1) Ocean Animals; 2) Farm Animals; 3) Summer Safety. The children will learn about the Fruits of the Spirit: Self-Control, Peace, Faith, Love, Kindness, Gentleness, Joy, Good-ness and Patience.

The preschool will be be visiting Poteau Pets and visiting Ms. Tracey’s farm this month.

The graduation celebrations are planned for Tuesday, May 15th and Wednesday, May 16th at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.

ByTracey Gilliam,

PreschoolDirector

The Membership Care Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Christian Family Life Center. They reach out to those who are homebound or are dealing with health issues or bereavement.

If you know someone in need of our care, call Virginia Stanley (647-2618) or Kay Thomas (647-3491).

Membership Care Committee Meeting May 16

Page 4: The United Methodist News Address Service Requested The United Methodist News · 2015-01-20 · church will offer the graduating seniors our final thoughts. If you would like to give

2 Kendrick Hardaway 3 Jessica Bridgman and Morgan Ward 4 Sarah Mixon 5 Steve Clark and Shirley Blackshare 6 Ryan Neurohr, Kevin Ramirez, and Makali

Kemp 7 Jeff Mixon and Jerry Kemp 8 Mandy Wilson, Kennedy Whitefield and

Jackelynn Guiterrez11 Robert Reed and Libby Bridgman13 Tori White14 Nicholas Roberts and Marie Hinton15 Tucker Garrett and Austin James18 Aiden Alexander and Stevee McMillin19 Jenci Quarry20 Hayley Redhage21 Emily Norgeot and Chris Brookfield22 Rhett Garner24 Eva Daigle25 Cash Balentine, Burke Perry, Brady Perry,

and Joni Griffith26 Kade McMillin and Katie Rust27 Freda Ogle and Kawika Santos28 Joey Hall30 Charley Clark, Daz DeCamp, Cora Rolens,

and Warrick Quarry

PAGE 4 MAY, 2012

May Anniversaries

May Birthdays

4 Will and Kela Miller14 Jim and Ruth Ann DeCamp Pete and Susan Norgeot15 Jerry and Mary Ford19 David and Lisa Barnes20 Chad and Jennifer Cravens22 Greg and Judy Tener24 Scott and Jennifer Miller28 Jerry and Jan Thompson29 Bob and Deanna Reed

We would like to make our Birthday and An-niversary calendar complete. If we do not have your family members’ birthdays and anniversa-ries, please give the office that information by calling 647-2217.

Women of FaithThe Women of Faith met April 2 and enjoyed

lunch and did some planning for the district meeting that was held at our church on April 21st with over 40 attending. There were about 10 from our church the other ladies were from other churches.

The attendees enjoyed breakfast snacks and a salad lunch. Several ladies commented about what good cooks we have at Poteau. Thanks to all who provided food.

We were all blessed with a devotion by Rev. Tener and communion. Speaker was from the Crisis Center and Rev. Amanda Lock-wood talked about Labyrinth. Sissy reported that the state of Oklahoma is the eighth in the nation for death caused by domestic violence. She said that the federal money does not cover any personal needs or money for a lot of sup-plies. The center depends a lot on churches, in-dividuals, and community to help supplement supplies, and even food. The center does help others in need like a family whose house had burned. The center helped them with clothes furniture and Christmas gifts for the children.

Rev. Lockwood talked about the Labyrinth that was designed by her husband and he also

2012 Confirmation Class

designed one for Camp Egan. She gave some labyrinth history and how it is faith-based and promotes God’s closeness.

The next meeting is May 7th with Andrea Skelton as hostess. The meeting will be from 10:00-12:30 in the CFLC.

The 2012 Confirmation Class was received into full membership on Sunday, April 15th. These youth participated in a series of classes which helped equip them to make their own faith decisions. During the classes, each was paired with an adult faith partner mentor. Pic-tured front row, left to right are Daniel Ambriz, Jake Sommers, Rece Ward, Jameson Shackel-ford, and Dawson Perry; back row: Lily Shore, Kylanna Hardaway, Kayla Alexander and Mor-gan Bandy.