PO Box 887 2100 McGee Drive Sallisaw, Oklahoma 74955

Phone: 918-775-2538 Fax: 918-775-2515 sallisawfumc@diamondnet.us www.sallisawfumc.org

Our Mission

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Pastor Rev. Al Potts

Director of Music Ministries & Children’s Ministries Keri Cousins

Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries Machell Trimble

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage Paid

Sallisaw, OK

74955

PERMIT NO. 106

Connect to God. Connect to Others. Connect to Ministry. Connect to the World.

First United Methodist Church

Get Connected!

AUGUST , 2015

NEWSLETTER The Connection FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Step Back So God Can Step In I saw in the news where an eighteen wheeler got stuck under

an overpass. Apparently the driver thought there was plenty of

clearance and just kept on trucking at a high rate of speed. The

trailer part stuck fast. They brought in a wrecker to try to dislodge

it but it would not budge. Then they brought in a bigger wrecker

and the two of them together could not get it unstuck. City

engineers were brought in to see if part of the bridge could be dismantled or if the

trailer could be cut apart. A little boy was watching all the action from the

sidewalk. When everybody stopped to scratch their heads and try to figure out

what to try next to get it unstuck, the little boy went up to a policeman and said,

“Why don’t they just let the air out of the tires?”

It was simple and brilliant. Letting the air out lowered the trailer and they could

pull it free. The little boy didn’t have any experience at this sort of thing or an

engineering degree but what he did have was perspective.

There are times when we find ourselves kind of stuck. We may be stuck in a

relationship or in a job or just feeling like we’ve lost our direction and motivation.

What we may need is perspective. Stepping back to let God step in may be the

starting place to solving the problem. Isaiah 40:31 says: But they who wait upon

the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Now waiting is not

doing nothing. It is actively seeking God while refraining from embroiling

ourselves in continuously frustrating or depressing situations. Get a new

perspective on things. Step back so God can step in. Rev. Al Potts

Wacky Wednesday Begins August 19th

New Schedule * New Classes * New Meal Plan

New Activities for Kids * New Youth Group Format

Sign up for kids begins August 1—Contact the church office

AUGUST , 2015 P AGE 2

Children’s Ministry

Wacky Wednesday Begins August 19th

New Schedule – New Classes

Class Schedule

3:00pm-4:00pm- Snack and Homework

3:45pm-3:55pm Pre-K and Kinder Music

4:00pm-5:00pm- Pre-K and Kinder Class time, lesson, and activities

4:00pm-4:30pm- 1st thru 5th Grade Music, Video, Lesson Intro, Games

4:30pm-5:15pm- 1st thru 5th Grade class time, lesson, activities

Family Life Schedule

5:15pm-5:50pm Meal Adults $3.00; Youth and Kids $2.00

Enjoy a delicious meal with your family (Max. of $10.00 per family)

6:00pm-6:30pm Family Life Ministries- Multi-Purpose Room

Own Your Own Life: In just thirty minutes each week you can learn to

apply Biblical principles that can change the quality of your life by

understanding and focusing on what you can control. This video series

may be just the thing you need to make things so much better in your

life. Led by Al and Irene Potts

6:00pm to 6:30pm: Game On – A time for kids to play games and

unwind at the end of the day while parents are in their class.

6:00pm to 7:00pm: Awaken Now Prayer Group For all adults

An inspirational video reminding us of the miracle working power of

God and what can happen when God’s people come together followed

by a time of prayer for our church and its ministries.

6:00pm to 7:30pm: Ruach Youth Group, 6th Grade thru 12th Grade

7:00pm to 8:00pm: Choir Rehearsal

Come Join the fun!

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S.M.I.L.E. News Senior Ministry Is Life Enhancing

Our S.M.I.L.E. group for senior citizens will meet Thursday, August 13 at the church for lunch. The menu is potluck.

Janie Hensley

Free Community Breakfast

Come and help with our Free

Community Breakfast on Saturday,

August 29. Cooks arrive at 8:00 a.m.

The Breakfast is served from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Prayer List New & Short Term Requests*

Louise Woodard. Deborah Dean for the loss of her son. The Family of Dayla Seal. Claudette Beauregard. Jo Cristel. Jennifer Rogers-Cooper and Adam

Cooper The Family of Perry Wheeler. Doris Johnson. Margaret Ward. The Family of Patti Kidd. Tammy Henson. Charles Sloan On-Going Needs

Louise Woodard Gary Griffin Dora Rojas Keith Brown Dean Trimble Erleen Long Nancy Fine Jaime Wright Leon Long

Our Service People Jeremy Rogers, MD Tim Hintz, Missouri Caleb Ganster, Japan Nathan Ganster, Texas Earl Plumlee, Pakistan Greg Luttrell, NC Sean Richard, Hawaii Jonathan Ganster, Arizona Jessica McMillian, Pensacola Richard Lopez, Afghanistan *Names on this list will remain for three weeks.

Call Anne Bottorff, (918) 775-2072, to start the Prayer Chain. If you want to add a name to this list, call the church office at 775-2538.

AUGUST , 2015 P AGE 6

Ministry Calendar Sundays 9:00 a.m. Connect Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:10 a.m. The Blend Worship Service 1:30 p.m. Connect Band Rehearsal Mondays 1:30 p.m. Covenant Group Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. Instruments of Praise Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Ruach Youth Group Thursdays 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Friday, August 7 UM Women’s meeting at 1:00 p.m. at Anne Bottorff’s house. Sunday, August 9 Children’s Committee meeting at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, August 13 SMILE lunch at noon. Wednesday, August 19 Wacky Wednesday activities begin at 3:00 p.m. Meal at 5:15 Ruach Youth Group at 6:00 p.m. Family Life Ministries at 6:00 p.m. Game On for kids at 6:00 p.m. Awaken Now Prayer Group at 6:00 p.m. Choir rehearsal begins at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23 United Methodist Men’s Breakfast at 7:45 a.m Saturday, August 29 Free Community Breakfast from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Outreach Committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. Visit out our website to get more information about upcoming events: www.sallisawfumc.org.

August Birthdays 1 Nathan Dickinson 2 Kelly Wright 5 Ray Dickinson 6 Will Reyna 8 Brennen Asbill 12 Hannah Branham 13 Debbie Bartel J. D. Harris 18 Kristi Trimble 21 Ben Kiger 23 Sherry Gean Kiersten Weaver 24 Sara Reyna 25 Jana Wood 26 Todd Martin 29 Nancy Wheeler 31 Megan Bartel

August Anniversaries 1 Bill & Suzanne Penn 5 Larry & Jean Oard 9 Gary & Linda Winton 14 Ross & Anne Bottorff

Mission Possible Amount Pledged $300,808.00 Received to Date $244,005.50

Come Dream with Us Amount Pledged $292,170.00 Received to Date $292,707.50 Loan Balance $377,744.61

THE CONNECTION P AGE 3

Music Ministry Thank you to Howard Davidson, Linda Millspaw, and Sarah

Bane for blessing us with offertory music during July. We

still have some more Sundays available in August if you

would like to sing/play from the heart! Contact me and I’ll

help you find the perfect Sunday.

Choir rehearsals will resume on August 19 at 7:00 p.m.

We will rehearse for a few weeks and begin singing in our

11:10 worship service on Sunday, September 13th. If you’d like to be a part of

our great choir, join us! We’d love to have you.

Make a Joyful Noise!

Keri Cousins

Connect with Us Irene and I are both on Facebook and publish devotionals and other information

that might be helpful to you. You can friend us at: Al Potts or Irene Potts. Then

like and share when you see something that might encourage others or get the

word out about church activities. It’s a great way to promote our church and it’s

free!

Also Pastor Al’s cell phone is 580.695.5015. You can call anytime and leave a

message if he is unable to take your call immediately.

Nursery Attendant Needed

The children’s ministry and SPRC are looking for a new Nursery At-

tendant. If you or someone you know are interested in applying for

this position, please contact the church office for an application or

more information.

Nursery Help is Still Needed! A sign-up sheet is outside the nursery door. Sign-up and help us care

for our youngest disciples.

AUGUST , 2015 P AGE 4

Connect to Others in a Small Group

Adult Sunday School Class - Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Teachers - Mary Sue Mos & Freda Lattimore. Join us as we continue a study by Ran Vander Laan.

Young Adult Sunday School Class-Sunday at 10:00 a.m. A class for married or single young adults with children or youth. Join us in August as we study “Simplify” by Bill Hybels. Discover ten practices to unclutter our souls. Meeting in the Parlor.

The Promised Land - Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Teacher - Kathy Allsup. Join us as we study Prophets and Kings, a discovery guide by Ray Vander Laan.

The Letter to the Romans - Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Teacher - Ann Davidson. Join us as we take a closer look at the Apostle Paul’s message to the Romans and learn more about the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Adult Bible Study Series - Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Teachers - Gary Winton & Anne Bottorff. Join us in August for our topic “Advocates of Justice for All.”

Youth Class - Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Teacher - Lisa Lessley. Our middle school and senior high students will study the basics of our faith. Join us for good fellowship as we grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Children’s Classes - Grow. Proclaim. Serve. - Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Teacher - Pat Heflebower. 4’s, 5’s, Kindergarteners & 1st Graders. Teacher - Linda Winton. 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Graders.

Covenant Group - Monday at 1:30 p.m. Teacher - Minerva Roberts. The women in this small group are currently studying Ezekiel. Our Covenant Group also prays for all of the prayer requests that are shared in worship.

Ruach: Youth Group - Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Youth Leader - Lisa Lessley. Our middle school students and senior high students gather on Wednesday evenings for a fun time of food, fellowship, and a meaningful lesson.

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Summer is quickly coming to an end and it’s time to get back to our Wacky Wednesday schedule starting August 19th. We’ll have new curriculum and activities. It’s going to be an exciting fall. Remember youth group is for those who are going into 6th grade through those going into 12th grade. So, let’s build our youth group this year. Here’s what we can all do:

1. Make sure we are here each Wednesday. Part of why we are here is not about us. It’s about others—being there for them and encourag-ing them.

2. Invite other youth. Talk to your friends. Share with them some of the great times you had this summer and how helpful the lessons and discussions can be.

3. Pray for the youth you invite. It might take several invitations. But , hey, this is not a bashful youth group and we know how to pray.

Volunteers Needed for

Wacky Wednesday Wacky Wednesday resumes on August 19

and volunteers are needed for the chil-

dren’s ministry. Here’s a list of places you

can use your gifts:

Table Parent: Eat dinner with and super-

vise the children from 5:15- 6:00 p.m.

3 needed

Kitchen Helper: Assist our cook in the

kitchen with food preparation, serving, and

clean up from 4:00– 6:30 p.m.

2 needed

A volunteer meeting will take place on

Wednesday August 12 at 4:00 p.m.

If you are interested in knowing more

about how you might be able to help, just

give Keri Cousins a call at the church of-

fice at 918-775-2538.

Five Year Plan Nearing

Completion

Recently our Church Council spon-

sored a church wide meeting to unveil

a five year plan for our church. Church

Council will take the feedback from

that and complete the plan. You can

get your copy of the presentation in

the foyer or in the church office.