Skiatook First United Methodist Church

Methodist

Messenger Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world!

1007 S. Osage

P.O. Box 910

Skiatook OK 74070

www.fumcskiatook.com

Email: office@fumcskiatook.com

918-396-2519

Fax: 918-396-7973

March 2015

A Lenten Journey Towards Wholeness in Skiatook

“When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your

infirmity.” Luke 13:12 (NIV)

This verse in Luke refers to the physical healing of a crippled woman. She had a condition where she could

not straighten up, and had been bent over for 18 years. After calling her forward and physically healing her,

Scripture tells us she straightened up and began praising God. She was a woman who had been broken both in

body and in spirit. There are many such stories in the Gospels of the different ways that Jesus healed people---

physically, spiritually, and even emotionally, as he restores people back to health and wholeness and affirms

their worth and value.

Last month, Feb. 18, was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is the 40 days (not includ-

ing Sundays) that lead through Holy Week, and culminate in Good Friday, and then Easter—the Resurrection!

During this time, it is an opportunity for Christians to reflect on and consider the reality of God’s ongoing story

of salvation in our lives. Though we give thanks throughout the year for the work God has done and is doing

in our lives, Lent is a special opportunity to renew our commitment to God, and to examine our practices as

Christian disciples. It is a time to reflect on the healing we need in our own lives, and to examine the broken

places we may find from time to time.

We have all experienced brokenness in some form or another, at some point in our lives. All of us have been

brought low in some way, through our own suffering, or the suffering of family, friends, or co-workers. Even

Jesus suffered; both physically –as he was beaten and abused; and mentally—as he wondered if God had for-

saken even him. We see Jesus pray and weep in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before his death. Yet,

He arose from the grave and emerged victorious through the healing and restoring power of God. We too, can

come through the difficult times, and arrive at healing and wholeness.

During this Lenten season, we will be focusing on the healing and wholeness that faith in Jesus Christ can

bring, if we will allow it. We will be doing a sermon series called “Broken Yet Beautiful: A Lenten Journey

Towards Wholeness.” We will be sharing the stories of Bible characters who experienced brokenness either

through sin, choices, and sometimes the choices made by others. Yet, each finds redemption and healing in

some way. Join us, as we learn from these stories of Adam & Eve, David, Sampson, the Samaritan woman at

the well, and the woman caught in adultery. We will be using symbols of broken flowerpots, beach glass, river

rocks, and much more as we confront the brokenness in our own lives, and move towards Christ in a Lenten

journey of healing and wholeness. I invite you to use this Lenten time as a time to examine yourselves, identi-

fy your areas of brokenness or pain, and move deeper in your faith walk with Christ.

Lenten Blessings,

Pastor Susan

March Children’s News

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of

Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

NEW FIX SUNDAY SCHOOL!

We have started a new Sunday School class each Sunday at 9:30 for our FIX (5th and 6th grade) aged children. This is a unique age for “tweens”—they’re too old to be in Sunday School with the smaller children, but not quite ready for youth!

Leslie Allred has volunteered to teach this class. But we need one thing for this to happen. WE NEED YOUR KIDS! If you have a 5th or 6th grader, please encourage them to come to this new class.

Sunday School—each week at 9:30

March Lessons “THE FRUITS OF THE

SPIRIT" 1st— Self Control 8th—Honesty 15th— Forgiveness 22nd—Obedience 29th—Responsibility Please contact Miria Jones

Acolyte Calendar:

3/01 Oki / Gabe

03/08 Lexi / Mallory

03/15 Will / Tyler

03/22 Oki / Gabe

03/29 Lexi / Mallory

Acolyte training is available to anyone 3rd grade through youth. Please let Miria know if you have a

child who is interested.

Lenten Workshop—March 8th

Join us in the LAF building after 2nd service for lunch.

Following lunch we will come to the old Fellow-ship Hall for Lenten activi-ties. We will have several different stations of activi-ties as the children learn about the Easter story. All children of the church are invited! Bring a friend with you!

CONFIRMATION CLASS

Confirmation Class is meeting on Mon-

days from 3:15—5:00 in the Old Fel-

lowship Hall beginning 03/02/2015.

Exceptions will be 03/16 for Spring

Break and 03/30 for Holy Week. Con-

firmation Sunday is 05/17/2015.

Please keep our Confirmands in your

prayers.

Confirmation retreat at

Camp Egan:

Abby Younger

Layla Haley

Mallory Bertwell

Mary Rosser

Will Jones

No FIX or Confirmation the

week of Spring Break or Holy

Week! Enjoy your time with

family!

Spring Walks to Emmaus Coming Soon

The Walk to Emmaus is an inter-denominational weekend ex-perience based on United Meth-odist theology and understand-ing. The weekends last from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon, and are designed as an intensive time of retreat that draws one closer to God. This spring, the Walks will be held at Bixby UMC.

The men’s weekend will be April 16-19. Gary Tucker will be a leader on that team. The women’s walk is April 30-May 3. Pastor Susan will be the Spiritual Director, and Rev. Mark Whitley will be the Assis-tant Spiritual Director.

If you have ever wondered about Emmaus, please see Pas-tor Susan for more info.

Misc. Happenings

United Methodist Men News

Our United Methodist Men will be hosting a 2015

Spring Shooting Sporting Clays Event and Lunch-

eon on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.

Cost will be $125/shooter or $500 for a four man

team. This will include 100 target rounds, 100

shells per shooter (12 or 20 gauge), door prizes,

awards, and lunch.

Everyone on the range is asked to provide their

own eye and ear protection. Safety first!

Golf carts will be availa-

ble for those unable to

walk the course. Shoot-

ers are asked to indicate

the necessity on the

form. Round assign-

ments will be made on a

first-come, first-served basis, and there will be a

morning flight only.

There is an opportunity for company sponsorship,

with only 1 Gold Sponsor in the tournament.

Companies may also elect to become Silver,

Bronze, or Station sponsors. More information

and registration forms can be found on our web-

site at www.fumcskiatook.com under the Forms

tab.

Registration deadline for both sponsors and

shooters is Wednesday, April 23, 2015.

All donations are tax deductible, A receipt will be

furnished for your tournament entry.

Gifts are

Given…

To: the General

Endowment, in

memory of Glenn and Genevieve

Donnelly, by Gene and Jackie

Moss.

In memory of Clancy Burill by

Mike & Janine

Dodson.

Welcome to our newest members!

Welcome to Casey Moss, who trans-

ferred her membership from Asbury

UMC in Tulsa.

Also, welcome Erin Davis who trans-

ferred membership from Avant Unit-

ed Methodist Church.

REMEMBER YOUR CHURCH—OK UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION

One of our most important acts of stewardship is the final distribution of our life’s accumulation. How we distribute our estate speaks vol-umes about our values and our concerns for our loved ones. First, we must have a written estate plan, either a will or a revocable living trust. Over 50% of Americans die without a plan! Without an estate plan, we have no control of how our estate will be distributed, and may cost our estate between 15-40% of its value.

Bequests to our family members tell of our love and concern for their welfare. Bequests to our church affirms our belief in the mission and ministry of the church. As Christians, we need to be good stewards of that which God has provided for us, and this means having a written estate plan.

A bequest to our church expresses confidence in the future of our the church, and creates a lasting legacy. It makes a difference!

A bequest to your church can be made through your will or trust. This is the simplest method. It can be a certain dollar amount, or a per-centage of the estate. Many faithful people choose to tithe their es-tate. If you would like information on making a bequest to your church, please contact David Battles , CPA, at 800-259-6863, or your own attorney to find out your many options.

Reprinted with permission from OKUMF

Servant Spotlight

Thanks to:

** Vern Fuller, for being here and helping with the installation of our new video equipment.

**Gary Tucker and Keifer Jones for moving equipment, tables, etc. around in the balcony to accom-modate new equipment.

**Beverly Dollar, for leading and directing the handbell choir.

**Dale Cooley, for donating new chairs for some of our classrooms.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 8:30 Worship 9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45: SPRC meeting 2:00 Winter Jam 2015

2 Noon: Level 1 Yoga 3:15: Confirma-tion

3 5:30: Weight Watchers 7:00 Boy Scouts.

4 Noon: Level 1 Yoga 3:pm: FIX 5:15 Bells 6 pm: Chums to Nursing Home 6:30 pm: Lenten Bible Study

5

10:00 Prayer 1:00 CHUMS

4:30Chair Yoga

6pm Level 2 Yoga

7pm Bible Study

6 12 noon: CHUMS

Lunch

7

8 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45 Trustees 11:45: Lenten Workshop (Lunch provid-ed) 5:30 Youth Group

9 Noon: level 1 yoga

3:15: Confirma-tion

10 10:00: United Methodist Wom-en 5:30: Weight Watchers 7:00 Boy Scouts.

11 noon: level 1 yoga 3pm FIX 5:15pm: Bells 6 pm: Chums to nursing Hone 6:30: United Methodist Men 6:30 pm: Lenten Bible Study

12 10:00 Prayer 1:00 CHUMS

2:00—6:30 Red Cross Blood Drive 4:30Chair Yoga 6pm Level 2 Yoga 7pm Bible Study

13

No School—ASAC Closed

Youth GLOW party—8-10 pm

14

15 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School

10:30 Worship No Youth

16 Noon: level 1 yoga

17 St. Patrick's Day

5:30: Weight Watchers

18 noon: level 1 yoga 6:00 Chums to nursing home 6:30 pm: Lenten Bible Study

19

10:00 Prayer 1:00 CHUMS 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

20 8:30: CHUMS

Breakfast

21

22 8:30 Worship 9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 5:30 Youth Group

23 Noon: level 1 yoga

3:15 Confirma-tion Class

24 5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

25 noon: level 1 yoga 3 pm: FIX 5:15pm: Bells 6:00 Chums to nursing Home 6:30 pm: Lenten Bible Study

26 10:00 Prayer 1:00 CHUMS 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

27 28

29 8:30 Worship 9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship (Palm Sunday) 5:30 Youth Group

30 Noon: level 1 yoga

31 5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

1 5:30: Handbells

6:30: Lenten Bi-ble Study

2

Maundy Thurs-day Dinner: 6:30 pm

3 Good Friday ser-

vice of Tenebrae:

6:30 pm

4

S P R I N G B R E A K — A S A C C L O S E D — — — — — — — - >

Skiatook First United Methodist Church

1007 S. Osage

P.O. Box 910

Skiatook, OK 74070

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

RECYCLE PLEASE

Holy Week is always a special time in the life of the Skiatook church. Holy Week is a special time of reflection, prayer, and worship leading up to the joy of Easter Sunday. We believe that the joy of Easter is richer for having faced the pain of the journey of Holy Week. Please plan on joining us for our special services this week.

Sunday, March 29: Palm Sunday—We will enter with the traditional waving of the Palm branches.

Thursday, April 2: We will celebrate Maundy Thursday in the LAF Building with a shared meal and short drama. We will try to capture the mood of Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, and will end with

the sharing of Holy Communion. Be watching for more details—we will need lots of help in many ways. If you can help with the Maundy Thursday dinner, please let Cathy Allred, or the church office know.

Friday, April 3: We will have a Good Fr iday ser -vice of Tennebrae (light to dark) service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. This sobering service reminds us of the loving sacrifice of Jesus.

Easter Sunday, April 5: Our 8:30 service will be our service of Darkness-to-Light as we experience the unexpected joy of the Resurrection. Join us for a truly unique experience!

9:30: We will have Easter Brunch in the LAF Build-ing, with an Easter Egg hunt for the children imme-diately after eating, before the 2nd service.

10:30: Join us for a traditional Easter celebration with bells, music, flowers and a message of Resur-rection!