The ViewPoint ISSUE 1. Your Stories of Sharing, Discipling, & Serving SPRING 17. The V i e w P o i n t

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1 The ViewPoint Your Stories of Sharing, Discipling, & Serving ISSUE 1 QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF WILLOW VIEW UMC SPRING 17 The V i e w P o i n t

The ViewPoint CONTENTS 4 ON THE COVER: Easter Lilies by Lesly

: www.willowview.org FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.

Robert Barron, LynnDe Funk, Lesly Broadbent, Ashley Kiper WRITERS:

2 The ViewPoint CONTENTS 4 ON THE COVER: Easter Lilies by Lesly Broadbent OUR AUDIENCE: Friends and Members of Willow View UMC 6 WEB : FACEBOOK GROUP: EDITOR: Emily Moody. EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Lesly Broadbent, Ashley Kiper 8 PHOTOGRAPHERS: Robert Barron, LynnDe Funk, Lesly Broadbent, Ashley Kiper WRITERS: Robert Baron, Lesly Broadbent, Emily Moody, Ashley Kiper. 10 MAGAZINE TEMPLATE: Any Town magazine template for Microsoft Publisher 2013, designed by David Haden.

3 The View Point Throughout the years and decades at Willow View we have been producing a monthly newsletter. The practice of a monthly newsletter entitled The ViewPoint dates back to the mid1980s. In recent years we have also started producing a weekly . But as the times change so too must our communication process in the church change. Whereas people once took more time to read printed materials, now most people read short articles and features online or in magazine formats. This fall we performed a study on the readership of our monthly newsletter. We found that although we were sending out more than 200 newsletters to people all around the country only fewer than 20 were actually reading it. Conversely we know that we send out our weekly to 220 addresses and around 90 people open and read the weekly s. This much higher readership rate for our weekly s has made us rethink how we are communicating our stories and passions at Willow View. So that is what has brought us to this 3 ISSUE 1 SPRING 17 issue of the ViewPoint. This issue of the ViewPoint is different than any issue that has ever been produced at Willow View. We are trying a new format with a new purpose. The purpose of this new format is to tell our story. We want to be able to tell the stories of our faith, stories of our congregants, and stories of our church. Through these articles and feature stories we hope to tell the great story of God s love in our lives and how we can respond to that love. We plan to send out this newly formatted ViewPoint quarterly. Although the format change will require much more work and planning for the staff, we believe we will be able to better share the passions and vision for ministry through the ministries and programs of Willow View. We hope these articles and feature stories will inspire you to see God at work in your own lives. Editorial Assistant of The ViewPoint magazine. The V i e w P o i n t

4 Easter: The Great Celebration BIG MONEY IN SMALL PLACES

5 Easter is one big celebration at Willow View, Rev. Lesly Broadbent, pastor of Willow View UMC said. From his first year at Willow View Easter felt different than he had experienced at other churches. From my first Easter at Willow View 13 years ago something just felt different here. There s an excitement, a hope, that is rare in so many other places. Broadbent tries to highlight for the church the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. I love what Paul says in I Corinthians 15. If Christ hasn t been resurrected then our faith is useless and even meaningless. But because of the resurrection we have been offered a new life, a new faith, a new hope. The resurrection teaches us that God has the last word. When evil seems to have defeated goodness, when darkness seems to have defeated the light, when hate seems to have defeated love, because of the resurrection we know there s more. God has the last word in it all. God is goodness, light, love and life. This is the very heart of the Christian faith. There have been varying celebrations of Easter over the years at Willow View. We ve had lots of different worship services at Willow View during Lent and Easter. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and especially Easter Sunday. They ve all been so important to understanding the greater story of Jesus. Each step during Lent is important. Ash Wednesday is necessary as we remember our humanity. Maundy Thursday helps us remember the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples, especially in the context of the Jewish Passover meal. Good Friday? Wow! You can t not be moved by any Good Friday experience as we think about the selfsacrificial love of God through the crucifixion of Jesus. And to top it all off, there s Easter Sunday, the biggest celebration of all. It s a busy time in the church, particularly for the staff and many volunteers. It can get overwhelming and tiresome, but it s all worth it in the end when we are able to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in such dynamic and lifechanging ways. Throughout the past 15 years Willow View has seen the importance of inviting guests on Easter Sunday. In the 1990s Easter Sunday worship attendance hovered around 250, more than the average for the year, but still far below what it is today. In the last three years Easter Sunday attendance has topped 400 each year. This is a testament to congregants inviting people to attend worship with them on Easter, Broadbent says. One of my favorite things, though, is the party poppers at the end of Easter Sunday worship. He brought the idea from one of his previous churches. The cleanup is sometimes difficult, but it s all worth the celebration in the end. Easter worship at Willow View will begin with a sunrise service on the east lawn of the church at 7:00 a.m. Both worship services at 9 and 11 will be full of joyful music, excitement, and wonderful messages of hope and inspiration. 5 The V i e w P o i n t

6 Maundy Thursday A Meal With A Special Meaning Robert Barron Methodists celebrate Maundy Thursday as a special day in the story of Jesus. It marks the Passover meal Jesus had with his disciples, when he washed their feet suggesting they live a life of humble service. It is a special day for members of Willow View United Methodist Church also. Every other year Maundy Thursday is marked by a readers theatre re-enactment of the Last Supper. This year Willow View's service will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday has a special meaning for Willow View member Whitney Hall. Maundy Thursday is the first time she attended Willow View United Methodist Church. Hall attended the dinner in I grew up a Baptist and attended First Baptist Church of Tulsa, a big church, she said. She knew James Lambert, former associate pastor at Willow View, and he gave her invitations every time the church had an event. I didn't know what it was, she said. During that evening she sat with Chris and Jessica Walker and their family. The group was so friendly and inviting she decided to try the church. While a student at Oklahoma State University, she had fallen away from regular church attendance and had been looking for the right place after moving to Enid to work for Oxbow Calcining. The Walkers introduced her to Kevin and Jordana Boulware who were Sunday school teachers. I liked the comfortable, friendly atmosphere. People cared I liked the friendly, about the church and the people comfortable there, she said. atmosphere. People cared Hall has a bachelors degree in science and masters degree in about the church and engineering technology the people management from OSU. there. Maundy Thursday stands out as the first one and a reminder to me, she said. Her Sunday school class has given her a look at real life and how people handle problems and turn to Christ to answer those problems. Maundy Thursday is a story that makes you think. If you go to the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter services, you will realize how the disciples' lives changed. Jesus

7 praying in the garden, then taken away by the soldiers, Peter denied Christ three times, I can't imagine the guilt associated with that. Shirley Gettings has been in charge of setting up the dinner for at least seven of the years she has been a member of Willow View. Her job involves lining up volunteers to help decorate and provide the food for the evening. Those attending will eat a Sader meal of fish and fruit. They will sit at tables decorated in the style of the time. A lot goes into getting ready. There's a lot of behind the scenes, having all the food in the dishes for the disciples, everything must be prepared and ready for everyone. There is always someone in the kitchen to assure everything goes smoothly, Gettings said. In the true spirit of Jesus, Gettings likes serving. I do it because I love it. I love to serve, and worship is my thing. Whatever helps other people have a meaningful worship service; love, communion, singing. I'm a bit of a control freak, she said. Gettings emphasized she could not do the job without the volunteers on the committee, and even volunteers who aren't on the committee. The worship committee is a hard-working committee and not many want to volunteer because it works hard. We depend on volunteers for the Maundy Thursday service and no one has said no yet, Gettings said. After that first experience with Willow View Whitney Hall has gone on to lead Willow View in many different ways. She is currently the President of the United Methodist Women, the past Chairperson of the Church Council, and a faithful volunteer in our children s ministries and in our sound technician booth. Advanced tickets are required for the Maundy Thursday readers theatre and meal. Tickets will be on sale on Sunday mornings or by calling the church office. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children. This is a great opportunity to invite those without a church home. The readers theatre and meal begins at 6:30 in the Family Life Center at Willow View. You also won t want to miss the Good Friday worship service at Bethany United Methodist Church (10th and Maple) at 7 p.m. on April 14. Beautiful singing with our combined choirs, Scripture readings, and the darkening of candles all make this a powerful worship experience. Shirley Gettings can be seen in multiple place around Willow View. She is the former Chair of Finance Committee and Treasurer. She has been active in the Worship Committee since joining WV in She is also part of The Blend Praise Team. 7 The V i e w P o i n t

8 lent A Fresh Start Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, March 1. On Ash Wednesday many churches hold a worship service in which ashes are imposed on the foreheads of attendees to remind them of their humanity, falleness, and need of redemption. Date of Easter The date of Easter changes each year because it is based on the phases of the moon rather than the calendar. Lenten Practices At Willow View there are a number of traditions during Lent. In 325 A.D. the Council of Nicaea determined the date of Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. The date of Easter often coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover, but because of the Jewish leap year every 2-3 years the holidays sometimes don t overlap. The dates of Easter are often different between the Western Church and the Easter Orthodox Church. The Eastern Church uses the Julian calendar while the Western Church uses the Gregorian calendar. Daily devotionals written by our pastor and staff have been a recent tradition. These daily devotionals are sent out by . If you would like to receive these weekday devotionals simply us as willowviewumc@sbcglobal.net Often Christians give up something during Lent. This tradition started with the thought of fasting in mind. To fast means to refrain from something in order to focus on God. The thought is that we will desire God as much as the item from which we are fasting.

What Is Lent? Lent is the 40 days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Mardi Gras is the day before the season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday.

During this time he was tempted by Satan and found clarity and strength to resist temptation. Afterward, he was ready to begin his ministry.

9 What Is Lent? Lent is the 40 days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Mardi Gras is the day before the season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday. This year Lent runs from March 1-April 16 (Easter). Immediately after Jesus' baptism He was sent into the wilderness by the Spirit where he fasted and prayed for 40 days. During this time he was tempted by Satan and found clarity and strength to resist temptation. Afterward, he was ready to begin his ministry. Lent is a great time to "repent" -- to return to God and refocus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. It's a 40 day trial run in changing our lifestyles and letting God change our hearts. You might try one of these practices for Lent: FASTING: You can fast not only food, but other things that may distract you from God including candy, tv, soft drinks, tobacco, meat, social media, the internet, games, etc. You might skip one meal a day and use that time to pray instead. SERVICE: Some Christians take something on for Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer once a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community. You can commit to help a different stranger, coworker or friend every day of Lent. PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can pray while you walk, create music or art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening. All can be ways of becoming more in tune with God. Top 10 Lenten Fasts There are a number of potential things to give up for Lent. According to a Twitter poll the following is a list of the most popular items given up during Lent Possible Acts of Charity for Lent Not only are we called to give up things for Lent we are also called to special acts of charity during Lent. 1. Chocolate 2. Social Media 3. Swearing 4. Alcohol 5. Soda 6. Sweets 7. Fast Food 8. Meat 9. Coffee 10. Sex 1. Offer to help an elderly neighbor with yard work. 2. Give blood. 3. Offer to read to elementary students at a local school. 4. Take flowers to a nursing home for the residents. 5. Make a special financial donation to the Shepherd s Pantry at Bethany UMC. 6. Purchase a meal for a military service member at a restaurant. 7. Volunteer for a ministry at church. 9 The V i e w P o i n t

10 MEGAN BOUDREAUX Miracle on Voodoo Mtn MEGAN BOUDREAUX visited Gressier, Haiti for only 45 minutes while on a mission trip to Haiti in August of Just five months later she moved there and started a feeding program for hungry children. It was God who spoke to Megan. It had to be God because Megan couldn t stop that nagging on her heart after that brief visit. She couldn t stop thinking about those hungry children, without education and without a way out of their poverty. So Megan did something bold, she quit her good paying job in the United States and moved to Haiti. She was 24 years old. In just the first year and a half Megan, along with countless volunteers and financial support from her friends in the United States, had started a feeding program, a sports program, an English class, and a full-blown school for elementary age children. What had begun as a short visit turned into a calling of God.

11 and part of her new family. You can read more about their story at 11 The V i e w P o i n t

12 Respire Haiti Over the past six years Respire has turned into a major source or renewal, education, support, and Christian discipleship for the people of Gressier and the surrounding area. Through the medical clinic and counselling center children are given treatment and tools to help them cope with the day to day struggle for existence in Haiti. One source of joy for the children of the school has been their sports programs. Willow View s own Gayle Healy along with Shannon Nakvinda and Shea Self brought to Respire the joy of tennis. With just a few tennis rackets and multiple tennis balls provided by Willow View Gayle and her helpers taught a few of the students the basics of tennis. Today there are 8 students who are nationally ranked tennis players. Our Tennis Program began almost two years ago. We have seen our 30+ students really grow not just in the sport but also in discipline. We have 8 children that are now nationally ranked and play in tournaments across the country.

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14 The students wear uniforms to school. Many of them have few other clothes. Most of their shoes are donated and previously used. Many of their shoes don t fit anymore. Some of the shoes have to be taped back together to finish the school year.

15 Walking miles to school each day is a thing of stories our parents and grandparents used to tell us. But for students in Haiti it is a daily reality. Narrow, steep footpaths are the only way many of the children are able to get to school. Walking miles a day to get to school is just one of the many obstacles the students at Respire face. But it is often a major obstacle, especially when your shoes wear out. This Easter Sunday, April 16, at Willow View we will be collecting a special offering to purchase shoes for students at Respire in Gressier, Haiti. Even if you have not been following along with our daily Lenten sacrifices you are encouraged to bring a special financial donation with you to church on Easter Sunday. Just $15 will buy a pair of shoes for a student. Our goal is to purchase shoes for 250 of the 500 students at Respire. 15 The V i e w P o i n t

Willow View United Methodist Church 3525 W. Purdue Enid, OK 73703 Non Profit Organization U.

16 Willow View United Methodist Church 3525 W. Purdue Enid, OK Non Profit Organization U.S Postage PAID Permit #175 ENID, OK Palm Sunday - April 9 - Palm Sunday in The Blend and The Oasis Maundy Thursday - April 13, 6:30 p.m. - Willow View FLC - Readers Theater and Sader Meal-Advanced Tickets Required Good Friday - April 14, 7:00 p.m. - Bethany UMC, 10th & Maple - Worship in song, Scripture, and candles Easter Sunday - April 16 7:00 a.m. - East Lawn of WVUMC - Sunrise Worship - Breakfast Following in FLC 9:00 a.m. - The Blend Easter Worship 10:10 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - The Oasis Easter Worship Easter Cantata - April 23 - The Blend and The Oasis - Choir Presentation of the Passion Story Easter Egg Hunt - April 23, 12:00 p.m. - All children 5th Grade and younger are invited

The ViewPoint ISSUE 2. Your Stories of Sharing, Discipling, & Serving. Summer/Fall 17

The ViewPoint ISSUE 2. Your Stories of Sharing, Discipling, & Serving. Summer/Fall 17 The ViewPoint Your Stories of Sharing, Discipling, & Serving Q U A R T E R L Y P u bl i c a t i o n O F W I L L O W V I E W U MC ISSUE 2 Summer/Fall 17 The V i e w P o i n t The ViewPoint CONTENTS 4 ON