Puppets in the Great Grape Garden

Transcription

1 A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tulsa Vol. 19, Number2 January 24, :00 am Traditional, Sanctuary 10:00 am Breakfast for Children 10:15 11:00 am Sunday School 11:15 am Common Ground Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm The Loft (1 st and 3 rd Sundays) What s in this Issue Youth Corner 2 JYF & Pastor s Class 2 Church Calendar 3 Member Birthdays 4 Snack Packs Update 4 Puppet Crafts 5 PTS Winter Talk 6 Let s Make a Date! 6 Pastor s Ruthie Class wilder Invitation - 7 Prayers facebookcatch & FCC on Facebook Cares 7 Wilder Side 7 Serving Schedule 8 Class News 8 Communion to Home- Centered Members will be served Sunday, February 9th. All Elders are to participate. Puppets in the Great Grape Garden JYF kids have been creating hand puppets and thinking of things for them to do and say as part of this Spring s Children s Ministry study of John Chapter 15, in which God is pictured as the gardener, Jesus as the vine and we are the grapes - or fruit of the vine. The lessons are based on a book created by one of the nation's most popular family entertainers, ventriloquist Dennis Lee, who has now expanded his many talents into writing children's books. Director of Children s Ministries, Beverly Vale Brown says the children are delighted to be working with the puppets which they have created themselves in craft class. Sparkle Box What was the first gift you opened on Christmas? The first gift is often the best or the one someone else is the most excited about giving. For many of our FCC children, the first gift they opened on Christmas was the sparkle box they made at the Advent Festival. The sparkle box was the place we could put our gifts for Jesus. Our church sparkle box sat under the tree in the foyer of the church for several weeks. Children and adults wrote their gifts to Jesus and put those gifts in the box. Here are some examples of what was given to Jesus and put in our church sparkle box: "helped my mom with the dishes," "said a prayer," "drew a picture for a sick person," "helped someone scrape their windshield," "passed out snack packs," "gave a hug," and "took flowers to a neighbor." Another person wrote "volunteered at Santa's workshop"! I can think of at least 30 people that could have written that one. I appreciate everyone for their help making Santa's workshop a success through donating gifts, organizing the room, helping the shoppers, and wrapping the gifts. With everyone's help, our children had the opportunity to shop for their family members and experience the joy of giving. I hope everyone had a very blessed season. Please watch for other outreach opportunities throughout the year. If you have ideas or a specific project you would like to see our church do, please contact Cassie Gray at cassieroby@gmail.com. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org

2 Youth Corner Since birthdays beyond our own seem to play a vital roll in our lives, what can we do to help make it the best day of the year for our loved ones? Especially if we have limited resources and time to make someone's birthday AWESOME! Here are some suggestions: 0 Make a coupon book for Mom or Dad with items such as free car wash, or free hug. 0 Make baked goods to take to friends at school. 0 Make cocoa cones (like the ones from advent festival) for winter birthday. 0 Pack your sibling s lunch on their birthday and include a special surprise, such as their favorite candy bar or a hand written note. 0 Draw a picture for your Grandma and have your parents frame it. 0 Does someone in your family love coconut? Go online and find a recipe for an all coconut cake, then make your new recipe! 0 Make a collage of photos of you and the birthday girl or boy! 0 Cook dinner for your mom/dad/ granddad/grandma/whoever on their birthday. 0 Make a friendship bracelet for a friend at school s birthday. 0 Write a poem about the birthday boy/girl. The list could go on and on. Birthdays are not just about buying something and sticking a bow on it. The important thing is that we remember birthdays are important to everyone and we should try and remember the birthdays of those we love. Gifts from the heart are the very best gift anyone could ever give. So look at your calendar, get creative and plan something nice for the upcoming birthday boy or girl you know! - Rev. Cassie Sexton-Riggs JYF Schedule & Pastor s Class Schedule Spring 2014 (Clip and Save!) Jan 26 JYF & Youth till 2:30 JYF Theme: Patience & Self Control Feb 2 Regular Sunday till 12:30 Feb 9 JYF & Youth till 2:30 JYF Theme: Love & Faithfulness Feb 16 Regular Sunday till 12:30 Feb 23 March 2 JYF & Youth Rollerskating at Skateland Pastor s Classes Start / Easter Garden Curriculum starts March 9 JYF & Youth till 2:30 March 16 Pastor s Class till 2:30 March 23 JYF & Youth till 2:30 March 30 Pastor s Class till 2:30 April 6 Pastor s Class till 2:30 April 13 April 20 JYF Theme: Peace & Joy JYF Theme: Goodness, Gentleness & Kindness Palm Sunday / Pastor s Class (No JYF or Youth) Easter Sunday - Confessions of Faith April 27 Pastor s Class till 2:30 May 4 Baptisms - One service at 10:30 Beverly Vale Brown First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org

3 FCC Activities and Opportunities Wednesday, January 22 10:00 Staff Meeting, EFH Midweek Peak 5:30 Light Supper - $5 FH 6:00 Bible Study, FH (Carol) Adult Choir Program 7:00 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Rm. Thursday, January 23 11:00 Happy Timers, FH - Program: New View Oklahoma Friday, January 24 No events scheduled Saturday, January 25 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity concludes Communion Preparation: Bob and Sue Parks 10:00 AM Noon NEACCO Disciples Women Planning meeting, EFH Sunday, January 26 - Week of the Laity begins NEACCO Prayer Calendar: Fellowship Christian Church, BA Shane Hickey 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary Deaconsʼ Training Meeting afterward 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 10:15-11:00 All Sunday School classes 11:15 Worship in Common Ground, Fellowship Hall CHILDRENʼS PROGRAMS (Pre-K 5 th grades) Noon 2:30 (Junior Youth Fellowship) 3 rd floor childrenʼs rooms YOUTH PROGRAMS (6 th 12 th grades) Noon 2:30 (Chi Rho and CYF) 4 th floor Youth Rooms Monday, January 27 Elder of the Week: Helen Pummill 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, FirstWatch, 8101 E. 68 th St., Devotion: Helen Pummill Tuesday, January 28 9:30 Prayer Group, Library Wednesday January 29 Rev. Michael returns from Holy Land and launches new Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark. 10:00 Staff Meeting, EFH Midweek Peak 5:30 Light Supper, FH - $5.00 6:00 Bible Study, FH According to Mark Adult Choir Program 7:00 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Rm. 8:00 Choir gathering, Friendship Rm. Thursday, January 30 No activities scheduled Friday, January 31 No activities scheduled Saturday, February 1 Communion Preparation: David and Maggie Thompson Sunday, February 2 NEACCO Prayer Calendar: First Christian Church, BA Glenn Davis 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 10:15-11:00 All Sunday School classes 11:15 Worship in Common Ground, Fellowship Hall NO AFTERNOON CHILDREN OR YOUTH PROGRAMS NO LOFT SERVICE THIS EVENING Monday, February 3 Cassie at PTS Winter Talk Feb. 3-5 Vision to be published Elder of the Week: Brian Knight 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, FirstWatch, 8101 E. 68 th St. Tulsa, OK, Devotion: Brian Knight Tuesday February 4 9:30 Prayer Group, Library Wednesday, February 5 10:00 Staff Meeting EFH Midweek Peak 5:30 Light Supper, FH - $5.00 6:00 Bible Study, FH According to Mark Adult Choir Program 7:00 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Rm. Thursday, February 6 No activities scheduled Friday, February 7 No activities scheduled Saturday February 8 Communion Preparation: Don Swanson and Wayne Rumley 10:00 2:00 Ebony Fisher having Birthday Party, EFH Sunday, February 9 Communion to Home-Centered NEACCO Prayer Calendar: Federated Church, Checotah 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 10:15-11:00 All Sunday School classes 11:15 Worship in Common Ground, Fellowship Hall CHILDRENʼS PROGRAMS (Pre-K 5 th grades) Noon 2:30 (Junior Youth Fellowship) 3 rd floor childrenʼs rooms YOUTH PROGRAMS (6 th 12 th grades) Noon 2:30 (Chi Rho and CYF), 4 th floor Youth Rooms DEACONSʼ TRAINING MEETING Sunday, January 26 following 9:00 worship service in Sanctuary GIFTS GIVEN Endowment Trust Fund In memory of Barbara Griffin, given by Berneita Semones Beverly Southard Puppet Crafts Crafts in Childrenʼs Ministry Page 3

4 Sunday, January 12, 2014 Attendance and Gifts Sunday, January 19, 2014 Worship 9:00 Sanctuary 11:15 Common Ground The Loft na Total Adults Children Total Worship Attendance 222 Sunday School Preschool 16 Elementary Youth Adults 91 Total Attendance 174 Finances General Fund $ 11, Sunday School Loose Offering Total $11, WWBS Fund $ Grateful Hearts Dear FCC, Thank you once again for the scholarship help this semester. It truly is greatly appreciated. I hope everyone has a blessed year. Thank you and God Bless. Jennifer Koljack University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts What a nice surprise to receive that beautiful poinsettia plant. I appreciate it so much. I would like to thank Sue Trimble for delivering the plant to me. Pauline Adkins Give to Camp Christian Update Page 4 Worship 9:00 Sanctuary 83 11:15 Common Ground The Loft Total Adults 146 Children Total Worship Attendance Sunday School Preschool Elementary Youth 17 Adults 75 Total Attendance 141 Finances General Fund $ 8, Sunday School Loose Offering Total $8, WWBS Fund $ Feed my sheep Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me? He said, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my sheep. John 21:17 Concerned for all the homeless and hungry people that entered our church doors asking for food, Sandra Lewis had a vision for ministry. What if we, First Christian Church, Christ s church, could provide a small snack and some cool water to drink, wouldn t we then be following Christ s mandate to feed the hungry? So, what began as a small outreach ministry, over four years later has turned into one of the biggest projects we as a church have undertaken. This ministry has grown from four to five snack bags a day to 1,000 per month or an average of per day. The cost for this ministry has been totally dependent on donations (it is not a line item in any budget) and runs about $21,000 per year. Snack bags are handed out by volunteers from 10:00 am 12:00 noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We are the hands and feet (and mouth and bank) of Christ. Please consider participating in this Outreach Ministry by offering your time or your treasure, I believe you will be blessed beyond measure. Jesus says, Do you love me? then Feed my sheep. Joyfully serving, -- Carol Lawson January January 24: Sam Miler January 25: Kelli Knight January 26: Donna Ackenhausen, Catherine Cameron, Hailey Mallett, Rosalina Mendoza Smith January 27: Emma Bowlin, Don Hoover, Selena Mendoza Smith, Terri Phillips, Cesar Zuniga January 28: Rihab Garner, Ariel Gibbany January 30: Tamara Goltra, Ben Satterlee February February 1: Kevin Gray February 4: Darrell Blackburn, Woodrow Wilson February 5: Vera Winston February 6: George Hauger, Susan Prabhu February 7: Jim Gray, Les Warehime February 8: Jim Baird, Audrey Gray, Sophie Gray, Sarah Jane Sackett February 9: Betty Keys Snack Pack Assembly Line

5 Children s Ministries - Hand Crafted Puppets Alexia Armando Jayla Cameron Jedidiah Amandre Fourth & Fifth Graders Michael Caroline Haven Reigha Page 5

6 REPORT OF THE TRUST OFFICERS OF THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH TULSA FOR YEAR END 12/31/2013 Value 12/31/2013 Deposits for Year Disbursements Hayden Trust $ 11, $ Wheeling Trust $1,244, $ 48, Endowment Trust Fund $3,236, $ 79,635.66* $107, Trust Company of Oklahoma continues to manage and provide investment advice for all Trust Funds mentioned above. The Trust Officers provide this report to the Ministry Council and Congregation per the Bylaws of First Christian Church Tulsa. The portfolios are managed to provide income and some growth in account value. *Large gift from residual of Gladys Eaton Estate to FCC Endowment Trust Fund this year Submitted by Trust Officers, Tom Rorschach, Bob Garner and Thom Layon Winter Talk 2014 February 3-5 Phillips Theological Seminary A three day conversation on the Christian Doctrine of Discovery (DOD) and its influence on Christian theology and polity, with an emphasis on and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and its relationship with American indigenous tribes and peoples. Winter Talk is hosted by Phillips Theological Seminary and a team of theologians and researchers dedicated to opening the conversation based on the DOC s 2013 General Assembly invitation to begin a path of research and study. Winter Talk is an important time for American Indians and non-indians, to gather to eat and talk about the Christian Doctrine of Discovery. This is a space of accountability to American Indians where the Indian voice is the principle voice in an exploration of the past, an understanding of the present, and a visioning of the future. Phillips Theological Seminary 901 N. Mingo Road - Tulsa, OK Switchboard: (918) Let s Make a Date! In youth group on January 12, 2014 we did a calendar event to see what dates are important in the lives of our youth group. My giant desk calendar pages are now filled with important events in the lives of our youth. Items our youth included were holidays, birthdays, etc. But upon looking at the calendar when the event was all said and done, we found some very interesting things. Birthdays of not just our youth but their families are very important to them, even if it is the birth of a sibling. Sometimes youth even labeled these dates as days of creation Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 2, 2014) is a must-celebrate holiday That everyone should be excited that Spring begins on March 20th Church Holidays, such as Palm Sunday and Easter are must attend Sundays in church That the celebration of Cinco de Mayo is important in the life of at least a few of our youth We have seniors graduating from High School in May We should also celebrate and be thankful for our Moms Anytime that school is out it is a BIG deal Summer can t start early enough! We should also celebrate and be thankful for our Dads and father figures We have no youth with birthdays during camp this year Thanksgiving is important across the board because there will be LOTS and LOTS of food involved (I think teenagers are always hungry. It must be a perpetual state for them) On December 21 winter begins and all the youth wrote on this date was :( (Personally, I can t agree more with that perspective!) What an interesting outlook our teenagers have on the coming year. Rev. Cassie-Sexton Riggs Page 6

7 Pastor s Class 2014 It is time to extend an invitation to participate in Pastor s Class This year will be a joint effort between our Senior Minister, mentors from the FCC family and myself. Letters of invitation to the children/ youth will be sent out this week listing the dates, class schedule and topics of study and discussion (see page 2). We are now seeking mentors to journey with these Pastor s Class participants as they use a curriculum called Walk of Faith to explore important topics like: Jesus, Holy Spirit, Communion, Gifts & Ministry, Spiritual Life and Practices, Baptism and Faith. Prayers and Cares HOSPITALIZED OR RECENTLY RELEASED Hillcrest South: Louis Hayward Oklahoma Surgical Hospital: Ruth Reather HEALTH John Ackenhausen Kay Bauter Bernie Bowers Marcia Boyd Sam Burkardt Jerry Carlton Pat and Jim Dalby Jeff Daniel Della Davidson David and Beth Dunning Carolyn Dyer Jerry Gay Les and Marcia Hames George Hauger Louis Hayward OTHER Turner and Anderson families Hugh Henderson Brandy Iliff Dan Kimes, organ tuner Paul Moffett Rossie Patterson Ruth Reather Veda Riggs Sarah Jane Sackett Mark Smith, brother-in-law of Rex Daugherty Beverly Southard Libby Stoppard Vicki Vandivort Les and Wanda Warehime Anne Webb Sharon Wright Arthena Young Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to support our children and youth as they grow in their personal faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. Many of you who have been Adoptive Grandparents in the past might really enjoy reconnecting with the children and youth though this experience starting March 2 May 4. Contact Beverly Vale Brown for more information or to sign up. Thank you! beverly@fcctulsa.org Ext.116 The Wilder Side I chatted with Susan McKee Sunday, and she said Rick is living his dream! He is still working in Orlando and has just written all the music for three Sea Worlds. They will open in March. He also wrote music for Japan s Disneyland. Just think... we knew him when!! It is so nice to have a big, full Sunday School class again. The Double Ring and the Homebuilders have merged. We now have a room full of shiny, smiling faces. A woman walked into the kitchen and saw her husband swatting flies. Any luck? she asked. Yes, he said. I killed three males and two females. How can you tell them apart? Three were on that beer can, and two were on the phone! A patient complained to his doctor, I ve been to three other doctors and they don t agree with your diagnosis. The doctor calmly replied, Wait for the autopsy. Then we will know who was right. LOST: Small grey cat; answers to electric can opener. We had a cat like that when we moved from here to El Reno. He ran away and our whole family was on the front porch in our PJ s the first night, running the can opener. We never saw him again. See ya in church, Ruthie First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org Page 7

8 The First Christian Church VISION (USPS ) is published semi-monthly for its members by First Christian Church at 913 South Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK, Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISION, 913 S. Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK Sunday School Class News Aga-Patrian Next Sunday: We will meet and continue our lesson on Romans. Class Concerns: Keep all those who couldnʼt be at church today in your prayers. 7 present. RG Serving Schedule Sunday, January 26 Elder Prayers: 9:00 Richard Lawson, offering; Betsi Phillips, communion Scripture Reader: Mollie Krumme Elder of the Week: (January 27) Helen Pummill Communion Preparation: Bob and Sue Parks Deacons serving communion: Darlene Blackburn, Margaret Culley, Susan McKee, Kate Northcutt, Thressa Northcutt, Tom Nulf, Bob Parks, Sue Parks, Elizabeth Utley, Hunter Blackburn Greeters: Liz Utley and Ruthie Wildman Flowers for Sunday, January 26: The flowers are in memory of Marlene Galusha, given by her husband Dr. J. Harley Galusha, and their daughters, Cheryl, Laura and Karen. Marleneʼs birthday would have been February 1st. Flower delivery week of January 26: David and Maggie Thompson Double Ring Last Sunday: Joe and Charles played piano and pan flute. Jack Elswick led our prayer; Sharon and Joan led the singing, and Charles Hargrove was our teacher. Class Concerns: Ruth Reather, Paul Moffett, Hugh Henderson, Shirley Plemons, and George Hauger need our prayers. 53 present. RL Catch First Christian on Facebook our site is at Serving Schedule Sunday, February 2 Elder Prayers: 9:00 Nicholas Cox offering; Sandra Lewis, communion Scripture Reader: Richard Lawson Elder of the Week: (February 3) Brian Knight Communion Preparation: David and Maggie Thompson Deacons serving communion: Charles Crews, Mary Lynn Howard, Barbara Iverson, Vi Kennett, Wayne Rumley, Winnie Stanbery, Don Swanson, David Thompson, Maggie Thompson Greeters: James and Mary Lynn Howard Flowers for Sunday, February 2: The flowers are given in honor of the 87th anniversary of the Married Peopleʼs Class, which disbanded in Flower delivery week of February 2: Paul and Mardell Campbelll You ll find lots of photos and comments posted by our staff and members of the congregation - like these: Page 8 First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org