Methodist Messenger Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Transcription

1 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 Fax: 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 interesting 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 represents 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 11 th chapter of Genesis. In this story, the people were divided on the basis of language. They were dispersed around the world in different groups speaking distinct languages. Communication became difficult if not impossible. On the day of Pentecost, 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 Disciples. 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 Pentecost. 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 encounter. 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. 1 Hickman, Hoyt in Handbook of the Christian Year, p Happy Pentecost! Pastor Susan

2 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 ***CAMP DATES*** SONSHINE (1st & 2nd graders) June 11-12, July 9-10 GROWN IN GRACE (3rd 5th graders) June 27-29, July JOY (3rd 5th graders) July 8-10 OKUMCMINISTRIES.ORG 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) 05/22/2013, following 10:30 worship Open to anyone 3rd grade & older! Third Grade BIBLE PRESENTA- TION May, 22nd, :30 am Please help me to make sure I have a complete list of those finishing 2nd grade this year! Miria ~ children@fumcskiatook.com 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! NO MOVIE NIGHT IN MAY. PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE FOR THE JUNE MOVIE NIGHT DATE.

3 Misc. Happenings Servant Spotlight Thanks to: George and Glenda Guilfoyle and Ron and Rosemary Hill for planning and putting on the birthday celebration for our 90somethings. Dale Cooley and Tom Weathers, for their recent work up in the balcony area, working to secure our computer equipment. Our Green Teams (numerous people!) who keep our grounds looking nice.) Vern Fuller for working on weather-stripping the doors in the LAF building. Gifts are given... To the LAF Building Fund by Judy Supernaw; to the glory of God. 5th Sunday Brunch Join us on Sunday, May 29 for our 5th Sunday Brunch at 9:30 a.m. Sunday 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! 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 Trustees Meeting The Trustees will not meet during the month of May. They will resume their regular schedule on June 12th. Special Guest: Linda Tucker There s a Hymn for That! MINISTRY MARKET June 4 benefiting SFUMC Youth Ministries Shop and find interesting gifts for you and your family. Venders include homemade 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 Administrative Council Board During the first 2016 administrative council 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 conflicts, this next meeting is being rescheduled for Sunday May 15th after the 10:30am church service. Please plan to attend if possible. 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. 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.

4 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 8 (Mother s Day) 15 Pentecost 11:45: Administrative Council 12:00:Youth Sr. Sunday Promotion Sunday/3rd Grade Bibles Baccalauraeate 22 Acolyte Training after church (Both services) 29 9:30: 5th Sunday Brunch Memorial Day Office closed :00: United Methodist Women :00 FIX 11 3:00 FIX 6:30: United Methodist Men 18 Noon: level 1 Last Day for Skiatook Public s Last Day for ASAC pm Level 2 Yoga 7pm Bible 12 6pm Level 2 Yoga 7pm Bible 19 6 pm: Level 2 7 pm Bible Skiatook High Graduation 26 6 pm: Level 2 7 pm Bible June pm: Level 2 7 pm Bible Annual Conference in OKC -Monday-Thursday 6 No ASAC Closed 13 No ASAC Closed 20 8:30: CHUMS Breakfast Ministry Market fundraiser for SFUMC youth.

5

6 Skiatook First United Methodist Church 1007 S. Osage P.O. Box 910 Skiatook, OK 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 rather 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 personally 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 deliver 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 encourage you to drop him a note of appreciation!