The Springs. Sand Springs United Methodist Church. Rev. Don Tabberer November 9, God bless, Pastor Don

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1 Sand Springs United Methodist Church The Springs Rev. Don Tabberer November 9, 2011 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1, NIV) Can you believe that it s already the first of November!? Before long we ll be talking about Christmas! In fact, Christmas decorations are being put up in more than one store and the television is talking about Christmas gift shopping already. Gee whiz! Let s talk about Thanksgiving for now There are so many places in scripture where we are told to give thanks to God. We are frequently reminded that everything we have and all that we are is only on loan from God; nothing really belongs to us we re just privileged to be able to use the many gifts and graces God provides. This understanding should make us even more eager to give thanks to God for everything after all, we didn t create anything God allows us to use the wonderful things that he created. That s a pretty special blessing. We get to use God s wonderful Creation and God doesn t charge any interest on the loan! WOW! Try suggesting that particular arrangement to your favorite bank and see how far you get. Thanksgiving Day comes around every November. In school, our children hear about the Pilgrims and that first thanksgiving with the Indians. We see turkeys and cornucopia everywhere we go. We plan meals where too much food will be lovingly prepared and frantically enjoyed. We anticipate major football rivalries and plan the holiday around kick-off times. Some will get up early to watch the several parades that start the day; gotta see Santa s first official appearance. Many will plan their first Christmas shopping day by checking the ads in the newspaper. What s missing from this list? Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. The apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church, Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV) Paul didn t tell them to give thanks when God blesses you; give thanks when things are going your way; give thanks when you feel good; give thanks when you remember to; give thanks for all the good things in your life; give thanks for good weather and a healthy body. Paul told us to be joyful always, to pray all the time, and to give thanks in all circumstances. As we approach this traditional holiday of food, football, and family, I am reminded of a message I delivered a couple of years ago called, It s Good to Give Thanks. (It s available on my video pod cast channel if you d like to see it. The point of that message was that giving thanks is not about the thanks it s about the giving. It s about what we do with those things for which we are thankful. It s about realizing that to give thanks is to take action; it is to do something with the blessing God shares with us. The psalmist tells us that God s love endures forever; one of the ways that is possible is through the ministries of God s people by giving God s love away to others, we enable that love to endure forever. God uses us to spread his love around. The biggest part of our thanksgiving is the giving away of those things God allows us to use. You may have noticed that we did not have a big stewardship campaign this year. You didn t receive a letter asking you to commit your finances to the church for the coming year. There were no pledge cards to fill out and send back; there were no sermons or testimonials about how important your gift is to the ministry of the church. Instead, we have spent time talking about giving to God what has always belonged to God: all that have and all that we are. So, here we are Thanksgiving approaches food, family, and football; it s time to give thanks. Christmas isn t far away the season of giving ; it s time to give thanks. Give is an action word we are called to do something for God with the things God gives us to use talent, resources, prayers, skills all those things that God loans us without interest, without price. I could send you a letter asking for your commitment to tithe; I could preach a money sermon designed to encourage you to give more. You ve heard all of that before and you know that the church needs your financial support. The thing is, it s not about the church or the budget or the financial reports it s about worship. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. It s about enabling our church to do ministry in Jesus name. It s about doing God s will. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. God bless, Pastor Don

2 KidZone We had a great time harvest caroling last Saturday. The children and adults went to the homes of several of our shut-ins and sang some favorites songs. They also presented each person with a little basket made in children s church. Thank you to our children s ministry team for taking time out of their Saturday to teach the children about caring for others and reaching out to them. We continue our study of Ruth and loyal living. This seems to be something the children can really relate to. Children are welcome to join the Operation Christmas Child shoe box packing party on Sunday, November 13 at 12:30pm. See you Sunday! Bring an Ice Chest Next Sunday, November 13 to the Family Life Center to be used for the 18th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Delivery 18th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Delivery PLEASE bring ice chests to the Family Life Center next Sunday, November 13th. We have 64 turkeys being delivered Monday the 14th to the FLC. This is an immediate need. There will be more information in your bulletins the next two Sunday s. We need lots of help with everything, as always! You make this possible. Be sure to fill out the insert in Sunday s bulletin and turn it in and PLEASE DON T FORGET TO BRING AN ICE CHEST ON SUNDAY! Call Donna McLain at or Charlene Reeves at with any questions or to sign up to help. Operation Christmas Child National collection week is just a few days away. SSUMC will once again be a drop off location for those in the area wishing to donate a shoe box to Operation Christmas Child. We will use the FLC as our drop off site. We will be open to collect shoe boxes: Nov. 14-Nov. 18 from 6pm-7pm. Nov. 19 from 10am-2pm Nov. 20 from 12pm-5pm Nov. 21 from 9am-12pm. We need people to volunteer to work during these times. Please call Amy Miller at if you are interested. OCC Shoe Box Party It s a party! We re having an Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box packing party on Sunday, Nov 13 from 12:30pm-2:30pm at the FLC. Pizza will be provided. Anyone in our church who is interested in packing a shoe box can join us. Just bring some items you would like to include in a shoe box and join the fun. Empty shoe boxes are available in fellowship hall or you can pick up one at the FLC next Sunday. All shoe boxes must be filled and returned to the church no later than Monday, November 21.

3 Sunday Lists Sunday Volunteers November 13 Welcome Center TNT Head Ushers Lay Reader Roger Nelson Terrie Baker Young Disciples Lesson Marty David Children s Church Debbie & Marty Counters Howard or Betty Smith & Gary Dobbs Visitor Center Norma Jones & Friends Youth Dinner for Wednesday, November 9 Discovery/Crossroads Sunday Volunteers November 20 Welcome Center Head Usher Lay Reader TNT Class Roger Nelson Kent Warkentin Young Disciples Lesson Jami Warkentin Children s Church Marty & Debbie Counters Sondra Bogert & Dick For Visitor Center Norma Jones & Friends Youth Dinner for Wednesday, November 16 TNT Please Keep In Prayer Walter Speed, Francis Joslin, Wilbur Williams, Mel Jones, Ryder Herring, Ryan Bulmer, Gene Watson, June Horn, Mary Lea Forsythe, Ruth Weaver, Jo Nan Allen, Jim Bostwick, Virginia Vice, Jewel Williams, Martha Scudder, Bob Schmidt Acknowledgements & Information THANK YOU!!! Thank you Rev. Don for allowing God to work through you and finding the vision to pull off such a service as we had Sunday! It was a meaningful way to celebrate All Saints Sunday, Communion and the Time to Give campaign. Thank you Carrol Hamner and your Fellowship Ministry Team. What a wonderful group of people dedicated to always making these dinners special-each and every one! This certainly was no exception!! Finally to all who gave to make the FLC possible. It was your prayers, money, labor and commitment that built the Family Life Center. We should continue to build for our future. If you did not get a chance to peek in the kitchen Sunday, check it out next Sunday. Precious Ruby Fullum would be so proud! Tracey Ginn

4 Crumbs From The Cracker News: Are you on the Internet? Our youth are!! Stay Connected to The Awakening online! Crumbs From The Cracker Follow us on Twitter: theawakening_ Like Facebook: The Awakening Ssumc youth YouTube Channel: SSUMCTheAwakening Important info!!!! Students and parents please if you have not filled out the new Parent/Youth Covenant paper work for this year. Please be sure to fill it out and have it turned in as soon as possible. We want to make sure that we have the most up to date info on your students! Thanks!!! Youth will be filling Operation Christmas Child Boxes November 16 th. Please bring any or all of these items: TOYS: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc. SCHOOL SUPPLIES: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc. HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. OTHER: Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries) On Sunday our Youth Small Groups started to make Thanksgiving Day cards for the Thanksgiving day dinners. Our youth are planning on making over 500 plus cards to send out with our meals on Thanksgiving! We were able to complete We will be working extra hard to get them done next Sunday for small group! So bring your creative craft/card making skills and help us reach 500 next Sunday! Girls small group please bring chips, guys small group please bring drinks. Continued on following page...

5 ...Youth Continued from previous page Upcoming Dates: November 9 th - All In For The Community Jr. High 6pm and Sr. High 7pm November 12 th is Sanctuary Clean Up Day 9am- 12pm November 13 th is Small Groups in the Caleb House 6pm-8pm (Girls bring Chips, Boys Bring Drinks). Thanksgiving Day card making party! November 14 th is Charge Conference at 7pm November 16 th is Operation Christmas Child Box Filling (Everyone 6pm) November 19 th is Youth Movie Night!! 6pm-8: 30pm November 20 th we Start Advent Series called The Journey November 20 th is Small 5:30pm to go to Community Thanksgiving Harvest November 22 nd is a Restore Hope Service Project from 5:30pm-8pm November 23 rd the Youth will Debone Turkeys at 10am November 24 th -Any Help FLC Turkey Day November 27 th -No Small Group! (If you are interested in being apart of any of these upcoming events please do not hesitate to call me at , or me at gcollett@sandspringsumc.org) Weekly Youth Topics: This week, we will be completing our All In series with our final lesson on, All In For The Community. Our previous lessons were All In for The Church, and Jesus. This series has been a great chance for our students to put their faith into action by spending more time in God s word doing weekly devotionals, and starting to actively use their gifts to serve the church. As we conclude this series, we will continue to give our youth to be All In for Jesus, Church, and the Community! Fun Fact: Out of all the senses, smell is most closely linked to memory. Seniors In Action Our November activity will be a visit to Platt College's Culinary School in Tulsa for a tour of their facilities and eating lunch together at their lunchtime buffet! Janie Moore's son, Jay Moore, instructs there, and will be our tour guide. Lunch cost will be $8.63. Please meet at CHURCH for carpooling promptly at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 18th. Sign up with Max or Sharon Schuermann at church, or call UMW Goody Bags It's nearly time to make Goody Bags to help our college students get through finals week! The UMW Ladies will need snacks for about 20 of our own students, and for 80 bags we will make up for the Wesley Foundation. Almost any kind of individually - wrapped snack is needed, such as crackers, nuts, gum, candy, chips, hot chocolate mixes, tea bags, etc. We will meet Friday, Nov. 18th, at 10 a.m. to make up bags for our own students, and after Thanksgiving to make up the Wesley Foundation bags, so the students will have them in advance of Finals Week. If you have a college student who is not on our list, please turn their name in to Tracey Ginn. Please leave your snack donations in the foyer at church. Annual Church Conference Set for November 14th Mark your calendars now Our 2011 Church Conference will be held on Monday, November 14th at 7:00 p.m. in our Sanctuary at 4th & Main. This is an opportunity for all church members to receive ministry reports and participate in the decision-making process of the church. It will be Pastor Don s first church conference at SSUMC and it will be your first opportunity to meet the new District Superintendent, Rev. Dan Peil. While visitors are welcome to attend this meeting, only professing members of this congregation are permitted to have a voice and vote.

6 Mission Morsels The Tulsa Crop Hunger Walk was a success not to mention lots of fun. We had a beautiful day to walk, we raised money and awareness for the hungry, we burned some calories, and we exceeded our goal! The Sand Springs team had 14 walkers and two ghost walkers. Thanks to all those participating in the walk, fundraising for the walk, or sponsoring walkers! Our team goal was $1,000 and, at last count, we were at $1,499 including cash donations, online donations, and corporate matching gifts. Olivia Tackett has received word that we are getting a new Exodus House resident. Hopefully, our new resident will be able to come visit our church in the near future. Please make them feel welcome when you see them! November is full of opportunities to get plugged in with a missions outreach. Cookson Hills will be hosting their Tool Tyme to help them prepare for Christmas doing things like painting, raking, sorting, folding, decorating, etc. for the weekend of November If you are interested in participating, please contact Amy Miller or Jami Warkentin and we can get you more info on this. Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry is also coming up. This is an opportunity for you to touch a child's heart by sending them a shoebox of items at Christmas. Contact Amy Miller for more info. Additionally, the Thanksgiving community meal delivery is coming up. This year it will operate out of our Family Life Center. Please consider signing up to cook turkeys, make pies, or help deliver. Contact Charlene Reeves or Donna McLain to learn how you can get involved. Lastly, Sara Ashton is heading up a coat drive for needy families in our area through Destiny Heritage, Inc. (a non-profit organization). Look for coat donation boxes in the Narthex. Please consider helping with one or more of these very worthy causes. Thanks! Uprising Sunday School Class has Begun in Caleb House The Uprising is a new Sunday School class for college/young adults. They are exploring Christian Themes and Values in the Matrix Movie Trilogy. Coffee and donuts are provided and you can follow them on Facebook under Ssumc College/Young Adults. Buster Hall & Kristen Henry are teaching the class. Harmony Sunday School Class Study The Harmony Class is adding an Advent Study to our regular lessons beginning Sunday, November 27. Our Advent study is God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This is a great time to join us if you do not usually attend Sunday School. We meet upstairs at 9 a.m. Please know that all are welcome. Some members of our class are ordering personal copies of the book for $8. Please let Kristin Johnston know if you are interested. Dinner s For 8 Plus The Dinners for 8+ Dine Out Group will be eating at Judy Ann s in Cleveland on Sunday, November 13th at 12:20 p.m. All are welcome to go and dine with us. The owner called and said there are three more churches that want to eat there that day. She welcomes us but asks that I call her with a head count of our people. If you plan to attend, please contact Linda at or jadewoody@sbcglobal.net by Friday, November 11th. I took the latest reservation time I could get but we can arrive earlier. Just ask for Sand Springs United Methodist church tables. Lifeline Screening Just a reminder Lifeline screening will be here December 5th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sponsored by SouthCrest Hospital, this is a great and inexpensive opportunity! Call to find out more and pre-register at Mark Your Calendars Tell everyone you talk to, we are back in the Sanctuary on Sunday, November 20th. Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:30 a.m.

7 Wills Seminar Set for November 17 th On average, a person works more than 40 years to accumulate assets and spends ten years conserving what has been earned, but does not spend even two hours to plan for distribution of those assets. The chaos that often occurs following the death of a loved one can be burdensome. This burden can be eased, however, through proper planning. A key element of proper planning is the implementation of an estate plan. The basic document in any such plan is a will. Many plans also include a trust. On Thursday, November 17th, beginning at 7:00 pm, you will have a chance to learn how an estate plan can shape your family s legacy and your church s future. This free, informative seminar will be held in Sand Springs United Methodist church Family Life Center at 101 W 38 th Street. David Battles, CPA and Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, will lead the seminar. There will be plenty of time for questions and individual consultations. Please contact Pastor Don Tabberer or Dale Levy, , with any questions you may have about this seminar. A packet of information will be provided to each participant at this seminar. One publication to be distributed is A Guide to Planning Your Will and Trust. It will encourage you to think about how you want your assets to be distributed at death and assist you in gathering the information your attorney will need to prepare a will or trust that accomplishes your goals. This guide will be given out at the seminar and will be available at the church office for those who request it. It is also accessible online at okumf.org. Just click on Planned Giving and then on Create Your Own Plan. SOMEONE'S PRAYING, LORD... As we remembered our precious saints who passed from this earth last Sunday, we were reminded that the work we do now is not for us. God will send many people our way in years to come. Let us pray now for those who are hurting and searching, that they may find the peace and understanding that only God can give. May we always be ready to offer Christ wherever we are and however we can. And, may we always be open and ready to accept God's plan for His church and His people. Sunday, November 20 is BUSY Sunday, November 20th is the day we come back to the Sanctuary. However, it is also Council On Ministries at 2 p.m. and Church Council at 4:30 p.m. Also, the Sand Springs Community Thanksgiving Service is at 6 p.m. that night at the Harvest Church. Everyone is welcome to attend and our own Praise Team will provide music for the service. Come give thanks with the rest of the community. Trustee Meeting Changed Trustee meeting has been changed from Sunday, November 13 to Sunday, December 4th at 2 p.m. All Trustees should make that change on your calendars. Calendar Forms Nothing will be added to the calendar in 2012 without a calendar form. These are available in Tracey s office on the Mail Slots. Also, please check with Tracey before setting events. They can be penciled in on her official calendar until a calendar form is filled out but won t be put on public calendars until she has a form. It s Never too Early to Mark Your Calendars The Kingdom Kids and the Praise Team will present their Christmas Music on Sunday, December 11th and the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells will present their Christmas Music on Sunday, December 18th. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.

8 MARK YOUR CALENDAR FLC-Family Life Center Wednesday, November 9 7:30 a.m.-men s Breakfast Crescent Café 10:00 a.m.-exercise to Music-FLC 6:00 p.m.-jh Youth 7:00 p.m.-sh Youth 6:00 p.m.-chancel Ringers 7:00 p.m.-chancel Choir Thursday, November 10 11:00 a.m.-needlers 4:15 & 5:30 p.m.-weight Watchers 6:30 p.m.-cub Scouts Troop 601-Caleb House 7:00 p.m.-evangelism Committee Meeting Friday, November 11 12:00 p.m.-weight Watchers Saturday, November 12 9:00 a.m.-4th & Main Facility Clean Up Sunday, November 13 9:00 a.m.-sunday School 10:30 p.m.-blended Worship-FLC 11:45 a.m.-praise Team Practice 12:30 p.m.-dinners for 8 Plus-Judy Ann s In Cleveland 12:30 p.m.-operation Christmas Child-FLC 1:00 p.m.-finance Committee Meeting Monday, November 14 10:00 a.m.-exercise to Music-FLC 6:00 p.m.-operation Christmas Child 6:15 p.m.-ladies Book Club 7:00 p.m.-charge Conference-Sanctuary 7:00 p.m.-boy Scouts 101-FLC Tuesday, November 15 1:30 p.m.-staff Meeting 6:00 p.m.-operation Christmas Child-FLC 7:00 p.m.-al Anon-Upstairs Wednesday, November 16 7:30 p.m.-men s Breakfast-Crescent Café 10:00 a.m.-exercise to Music-FLC 6:00 p.m.-operation Christmas Child 6:00 p.m.-jh Youth-FLC 7:00 p.m.-sh Youth-FLC 6:00 p.m.-chancel Ringers 7:00 p.m.-chancel Choir Sand Springs UMC 319 N. Main Street/PO Box 336 Sand Springs, OK Fax Non Profit Org. US Postage Paid Sand Springs, OK Permit No. 16 Return Service Requested Label Here