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1 Page 1 The Calling VOL 24 ISSUE 3 February February 22, 22, SEMI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ARDMORE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Church Events February 22 Youth Mission Fundraiser Pancake Dinner 6:00-8:00pm Colvert Ministry Center March 3 United Methodist Women 3:00-5:00pm Colvert Ministry Center March 5 & 7 CDO Enrollment 9:00am--2:00pm Welcome Center March 6 Ash Wednesday Services 12:00pm McClure Chapel 6:00pm Sanctuary March 9 Emmaus Gathering & Commissioning 4:00pm Colvert Ministry Center March 10 Daylight Savings Time March 15 Friendly Neighbors 10:30am-1:00pm Colvert Ministry Center Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV To say that a few things are happening in the general church and in our society is an understatement. In a just a few days, United Methodist delegates from all over the world will gather in St. Louis, Missouri to decide what direction our denomination will follow in regards to the issue over homosexuality. It appears that it will be a very contentious gathering. If there was a time for each of us to be praying, it is now. Each delegate needs our prayers as they begin to pray, discuss, and decide our denominations future. The list of Oklahoma delegates is listed in this newsletter. The General Conference is February 23-26th. On Sunday March 3rd, we will gather in the Colvert Ministry Center at 10:00 am (our Sunday school time) for me to share with you the results of the General Conference. I hope to be able to have some hard copy resources to share with you that day. There will be a time for questions in that gathering. So please remember that all Sunday School classes are invited to come and join me on March 3 rd to hear the results of the United Methodist General Conference. In my faith journey, there came a time that I realized that when I gave my life to Christ that I surrendered all my rights to Him. There are days that I still try to call the shots, but ultimately if I am a follower of Christ, He is Lord of all. Since becoming a Christian pastor, I don't think any of the congregations I've served would say that I've ever politicized the pulpit. I've always been very sensitive to not using that very sacred place to address political issues. But an issue has risen up in our nation that I cannot be silent about anymore. I believe that we should do everything in our power to support and promote life and protection for the unborn and the mother and father. My experiences as a pastor have included counseling women and men who are making a decision about what to do with the conceived baby. My heart and beliefs are that each and every baby conceived is a gift from God. The women that I've counseled, who have had an abortion many times, struggle with guilt and shame for years before they know and experience the grace and mercy that God has for them. Continued to Page 2 READ ON YOUR DEVICE! DOWNLOAD THIS NEWSLETTER AT

2 Page 2 The Calling February 22, 2019 Continuation from Page 1 When I've addressed the issue of abortion from the pulpit or in a class, I've always tried to be very sensitive to the fact that many times I've had numerous women and men who have experienced abortions. I've walked with couples who desperately wanted to have a child but couldn't. I've held a stillborn baby in my arms and cried with the mom and the father that decided to carry that baby to term, even knowing it wouldn't live long on this earth. I'll be honest with you, I don't know why we would want to see a baby die at any time from the moment that they were conceived to the end of the child's third trimester. Everything I've been taught throughout my life is to be grateful for the gift of life I've been given. In turn, I've been charged and ordained to lift up the One who is the way, the truth and the life. We are all in need of prayer, forgiveness and the healing touch of God. Jesus is Lord, Pastor David Daniel FUMC CHILDREN S DAY OUT Our Children s Day Out program is one way our church reaches out to our church members and the community to build relationships with families by caring for their young children during the week. Children's Day Out meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30am to 2:50pm during the school year. Children ages 6 months through 3 years old are enrolled according to their birthday. All classes are led by two trained teachers who have been carefully screened and interviewed. Our FUMC staff is caring and loving and wants to establish a happy place for your child to grow and discover God s love. The enrollment date for the school year for church members will be Tuesday, March 5th from 9:00am -2:00pm in the church welcome center. Spots are available on a first come first serve basis. MEMORIAL In memory of Charles Grote, contributions have been received from Mack & Tommye Hailey and Thomas & Suzanne Hill for the Global Outreach Team - Faith Promise. In memory of Chris Castellow, a contribution has been received from Maytha Mead for the Youth Department. In memory of LaJuanna Dodd, a contribution has been received from Maytha Mead for the Sanctuary Choir. In memory of Libby Cole, a contribution has been received from The Albro Family for the Memorial Fund. In memory of Joan Snodgrass, contributions have been received from Anna Grissom, Wadell & Sheila Altom, Mr. & Mrs. G. Bridger Cox, Sam & Sharon Veazey, Wilson & Bana Roberts, J. Eugene & Martha Ann Hill, Jerry & Susan Henderson, Syble Roring, Jerome Westheimer Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Charles F. Williams, Harold Holden, Harry Spring and Jane Robbins for the Memorial Fund; and from Maytha Mead for the Building Fund. In memory of Evan Hisey, contributions have been received from Tom McGuire and Diane Barrett for the Memorial Fund. UNITED METHODIST WOMEN IS 150 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR In memory of Carol Sterling, a contribution has been received from the Friends Sunday School Class for United Methodist Women. In memory of Lillian & Clayton Cude, a contribution has been received from the Douglas Cude Family for the Memorial Fund. In memory of Tenel Tayar, a contribution has been received from Fred Tayar for the Memorial Fund. In memory of Robert & Dorothy Dottie Layhe, contributions have been received from William Layhe, Richard Layhe, and Doug & Martha Cude for Christmas 2018 and Easter Wow, how can this be?? On March 23, 1869, eight women gathered at Tremont Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston, MA, and organized the Women s Foreign Missionary Society would later become United Methodist Women. Those women raised money to send a doctor, Clara Swain, and a teacher, Isabella Thoburn, to India as missionaries to serve the women of that nation. This year the Ardmore FUMC UMW supported the following local and district activities: Support the Legacy Fund Endowment; Attend District annual meeting and workshop; Mission U - State Workshop at OCC; Operation Jingle Bells gathering items for NSO Cookson Hills program; Wednesday Night meals; Cookson Hills Mission - Cookson Hills Toole Tyme Mission; FUMC Clothes Closet; Volunteers at Food & Resource Center; Karios Ministry (volunteers on site and baked many, many dozens of cookies); Prepare and serve lunch for the Wesley Student Center at SOSU.

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5 Page 5 The Calling February 22, 2019 Report from Finance Committee For the Year 2018 Budgeted Actual All Giving Received: $1,585, $1,469, Expenses: $1,585, $1,506, % of Apportionments paid: 100% 100% The Church ended the year with a budget deficit of $37,276.69, which was made up from a surplus carryover from prior years. This carryover now has balance of approximately $10,000 as we head into Report from Finance Committee Through the Month of January Budgeted Actual All Giving Received: $121, $112, Expenses: $121, $113, % of Apportionments paid: 8.3% 8.3% January was a pretty good month. All of our apportionments and bills were paid as budgeted. We currently have a slight deficit of $ going into February. We appreciate the continued support of the congregation, and ask everyone to prayerfully reflect on their giving and support of the ministries of the Church.

6 Page 6 The Calling February 22, 2019 CCDC CHURCH SERVICES Jail Ministry News My servant Caleb thinks differently and follows me completely. Num. 14:24 (NCV) Recently, I read an article written by Rick Warren, How Real Servants Think. He stated, Real servants think like stewards and not owners. They remember God owns it all. Serving God requires our time and our money, both of which we are reluctant to give. Each of us has a mindset of what we will relinquish to those in need and should God require more, we have a list of reasons supporting our mind-set. Pastor Warren says, Servanthood requires a mental shift, a change in your attitudes. God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements. To date, the Holy Spirit has answered over 1600 written prayer requests from our county jail, over 400 letters from state prisons; provided Bibles, journals, hygiene, spiritual and educational study material, funds for career training and college education. We have ministered in our county jail over 120 Sunday mornings, assisted with finding rehab and re-entry facilities, and baked cookies for our jailers. But, these are merely achievements if our attitudes do not mirror God s intent to restore the men and women who have gotten so lost along the way, made so many wrong choices, and truly need our time, energy, and money. It can seem overwhelming, and if we are not careful, our hearts can become hardened, not only to the needs of others, but to the call of the Holy Spirit, simply because we have forgotten, God owns it all. Every Spiritual Blessing, Kim Hunt CROSS POINT WALK TO EMMAUS The Walk to Emmaus at Cross Point Camp is quickly approaching. If you have any questions or would like more information than what is provided here, please contact Pastor David or Pastor John. If you are interested in attending the Walk to Emmaus for the first time, please speak with Pastor David or Pastor John. The men s Walk is March and the women s is April 4-7. If you have previously attended a Walk and would like to volunteer, please complete a Volunteer Application as soon as possible. Both the men s and women s Walk are in need of more volunteers. Pilgrim, Sponsor and Volunteer applications are available at the Welcome Desk or online at RETIRED FLAGS CEREMONY Did you know that the FUMC Boy Scout Troop takes part in retiring old USA flags? When the United States flag (Old Glory) becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag, and the old flag should be "retired" with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire. Our troop will gladly accept any flag that needs retiring. You may contact Joel White or the BSA Office. Christian Joy - Air Force (Fairchild AFB) Jerry Bright - Navy (Little Creek, VA) David Seals - Army Seth Haynes - Air Force (Eglin Base, FL) Paxton Killblane - Army (Fort Bragg, NC) Wesley Patzkowsky - Army (Pilot, Deployed) Tyler Black - Army (Iraq)

7 Page 7 The Calling February 22, 2019 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES Join us on March 6, 2019 for two Ash Wednesday services! As a day of fasting, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It occurs 46 days before Easter. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches that were blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday. We will have a 30-minute worship service at 12:00pm in the McClure Chapel. Please feel free to attend on your lunch break and participate in the Imposition of Ashes. We will have a special service that evening at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. Children and Youth will be participating in the service with their parents. Nursery will be available downstairs, for ages 6-weeks to Pre-K. JOIN US FOR WEEKLY PRAYER OVER OUR STAFF, MINISTRIES AND COMMUNITY. Please join us, as we begin the Lenten season. OKLAHOMA'S GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATION Requests have been made for the names and contact information of the Oklahoma Conference Delegation eligible to go to the special called Conference, February in St. Louis. Below is a list of the delegates names and a google group link for you to send messages to the delegation Respectfully, Linda Harker To send a message to the delegation, ok-delegation@googlegroups.com. Clergy Linda Harker Joseph Harris Bob Long Jessica Seay Moffatt Samuel Powers Tom Harrison Brian Bakeman Clergy Alternates Aaron Tiger Wade Paschal Matt Judkins Jeff Jaynes DA Bennett Valerie Steele Fuxia Wang Ray Crawford Tish Malloy Lesly Broadbent Laity Don Kim Bill Junk Herschel Beard Chuck Stewart Janey Wilson Cara Nicklas Aly Shahan Laity Alternates Sarah Nichols Tom Junk Barbara Perry Kent Fulton Cindy Hull Briana Tobey Earl Mitchell Debra Davis Reece Player Ahnawake Dawson WATCH THE CONFERENCE LIVE ONLINE AT:

8 Page First United 8 Methodist Church David The Daniel, Calling Senior Pastor February 22, W Main John Hollon, Associate Pastor Ardmore, OK Sunday Services 9:00 am Traditional 10:00 am Sunday School 11:05 am EPIC Prayer Chain Lenny Frank frank.lennylisa@yahoo.com Wadell & Sheila Altom Call or us: (580) info@fumcardmore.com Televised at 11:00am on CableOne, Channel 56, Broadcast at 9:00am on KVSO AM Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Ardmore, OK Permit No. 183 Celebrate Recovery Stephen Ministry Surrendering the Secret Prayer Groups Small Groups Bible Studies Stephen Ministers have been trained to care for those who are suffering. Please call Louise Daniels at or the church office at