Isabella enjoys the duties of an Acolyte. She brings smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts as she brings in the light of Christ.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
It's Not About Me
Why do we go to church?
For a long time I thought it was to be fed, instructed, encouraged, and enabled to make it through the following week with renewed spiritual strength. But that's just a byproduct.
Hebrews 10:24-25 reveals the main reason for attending church. "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another."
It's never about me. The second I put the focus on myself, I am outside of God's purpose. I should go to church for the good of other people. Who knows how God can use me as a blessing? But if all I'm thinking about is what I can get out of the service, it's likely I'll be of no use to anyone else, including God. When I look for ways to encourage others, that's when I am flooded with blessings from God.
We've had only 21 people in church the past two Sundays. The missing people aren't just home sleeping in. Some are very ill and others are recovering from operations. There are vacations and people who have to work on Sunday. A few were even missing for the district-wide youth fast in Weatherford.
If you haven't been able to come to church, know you are missed and we look forward to worshipping with you again soon.
For a long time I thought it was to be fed, instructed, encouraged, and enabled to make it through the following week with renewed spiritual strength. But that's just a byproduct.
Hebrews 10:24-25 reveals the main reason for attending church. "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another."
It's never about me. The second I put the focus on myself, I am outside of God's purpose. I should go to church for the good of other people. Who knows how God can use me as a blessing? But if all I'm thinking about is what I can get out of the service, it's likely I'll be of no use to anyone else, including God. When I look for ways to encourage others, that's when I am flooded with blessings from God.
We've had only 21 people in church the past two Sundays. The missing people aren't just home sleeping in. Some are very ill and others are recovering from operations. There are vacations and people who have to work on Sunday. A few were even missing for the district-wide youth fast in Weatherford.
If you haven't been able to come to church, know you are missed and we look forward to worshipping with you again soon.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Adminstrative Board Meeting, 10/3/10
Patrick opened the meeting with prayer.
Minutes from the September meeting were read and approved.
Treasurers report:
Building Fund----$7398.63
General Fund-----$2340.09
TOTAL-------------$9738.72
The stove sold for $50, new memorial gifts of $175.00 and an $11 rebate from Cotton Electric.
Committees:
Women's Circle got a $50 check from John Vana's daughter which will be used for future funerals and when someone needs help with their water bill.
Trustees sold the old stove for $50.00. We need to plan a work day to do a few things around the church. Ken Wellhouse has made 40 pew Bible holders.
Choir will do the Christmas Program that Virginia wrote several years ago. It has familiar songs and won't require much practice.
Pastor's Report:
Charge Conference is October 18 at 7:00 p.m. Please bring finger foods.
We will have the outreach lunch for Indiahoma High School students on Wednesday, October 27. The menu is BBQ brisket sandwiches.
The district wide food drive culminates on November 6th. We should plan an activity on that Saturday and disburse the food. Advertising ideas: put it on school Marquis and make fliers.
District Conference is Sunday, November 7th.
Small Churches workshop is THU November 11th in Elgin.
Our Invitation to the Old Testament will begin in January.
Fall singing in Snyder on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
No Old Business or New Business.
Virginia closed the meeting with prayer.
Minutes from the September meeting were read and approved.
Treasurers report:
Building Fund----$7398.63
General Fund-----$2340.09
TOTAL-------------$9738.72
The stove sold for $50, new memorial gifts of $175.00 and an $11 rebate from Cotton Electric.
Committees:
Women's Circle got a $50 check from John Vana's daughter which will be used for future funerals and when someone needs help with their water bill.
Trustees sold the old stove for $50.00. We need to plan a work day to do a few things around the church. Ken Wellhouse has made 40 pew Bible holders.
Choir will do the Christmas Program that Virginia wrote several years ago. It has familiar songs and won't require much practice.
Pastor's Report:
Charge Conference is October 18 at 7:00 p.m. Please bring finger foods.
We will have the outreach lunch for Indiahoma High School students on Wednesday, October 27. The menu is BBQ brisket sandwiches.
The district wide food drive culminates on November 6th. We should plan an activity on that Saturday and disburse the food. Advertising ideas: put it on school Marquis and make fliers.
District Conference is Sunday, November 7th.
Small Churches workshop is THU November 11th in Elgin.
Our Invitation to the Old Testament will begin in January.
Fall singing in Snyder on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
No Old Business or New Business.
Virginia closed the meeting with prayer.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Bridging the Gap
Today's scripture verses in celebration of World Wide Communion Day were I Corinthians 11:17-26.
Corinth was the ancient Las Vegas. Located on an isthmus. It had ports on both sides of the city, on the east was the Aegean Sea and on the west was the Adriatic. Sailors were constantly flowing in and out of the city looking for a good time and ready to blow off some steam. (Were the ancient times really that different from today?)
What a place for Paul to establish a church! But a city that definitely needed a church.
Chapter 11 of First Corinthians addresses the Lord's Supper and the way it was being abused. At that time the Lord's Supper was a full meal, not just a bite of bread and a sip of juice. Some people were abusing this sacred remembrance of our Lord. Instead of an act of reconciliation, they came for a party of gluttony and drunkenness. Having no concern for others, they ate and drank as much as they could without concern for anyone else.
The problem was self interest, self absorption, selfishness. Paul told the people that if they no longer have the healing blood of Christ in their hearts then they cannot be a part of the body of Christ.
Patrick went on to tell some interesting information about some of the famous bridges in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge, The Golden Gate Bridge, the Mackinac Bridge and Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge in Japan, the longest suspension bridge in the world. (Patrick said that in 1998 when the bridge was built, the construction cost 500 billion yen which at today's exchange rate is approximately $6 billion dollars.)
That's an expensive bridge! But the most expensive bridge is the altar of God. The gap between God and man is immeasurable. The cost to bridge that gap is the body and blood of Christ.
My hope is that if you were unable to worship and celebrate World Wide Communion Day with us this morning that this sermon summary will help bridge the gap of your absence. We missed you and hope to see you soon.
.
Corinth was the ancient Las Vegas. Located on an isthmus. It had ports on both sides of the city, on the east was the Aegean Sea and on the west was the Adriatic. Sailors were constantly flowing in and out of the city looking for a good time and ready to blow off some steam. (Were the ancient times really that different from today?)
What a place for Paul to establish a church! But a city that definitely needed a church.
Chapter 11 of First Corinthians addresses the Lord's Supper and the way it was being abused. At that time the Lord's Supper was a full meal, not just a bite of bread and a sip of juice. Some people were abusing this sacred remembrance of our Lord. Instead of an act of reconciliation, they came for a party of gluttony and drunkenness. Having no concern for others, they ate and drank as much as they could without concern for anyone else.
The problem was self interest, self absorption, selfishness. Paul told the people that if they no longer have the healing blood of Christ in their hearts then they cannot be a part of the body of Christ.
Patrick went on to tell some interesting information about some of the famous bridges in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge, The Golden Gate Bridge, the Mackinac Bridge and Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge in Japan, the longest suspension bridge in the world. (Patrick said that in 1998 when the bridge was built, the construction cost 500 billion yen which at today's exchange rate is approximately $6 billion dollars.)
That's an expensive bridge! But the most expensive bridge is the altar of God. The gap between God and man is immeasurable. The cost to bridge that gap is the body and blood of Christ.
My hope is that if you were unable to worship and celebrate World Wide Communion Day with us this morning that this sermon summary will help bridge the gap of your absence. We missed you and hope to see you soon.
.
Monday, September 6, 2010
September Admin Board Meeting Minutes
Call to Order---Daryl Perry
Opening Prayer---Patrick McPherson
Treasurers Report---
Herwannah gave Harold a check for $50 from Elsie Scott in memory of Susan Scott.
We will be at 50% of our apportionment this month.
Women's Circle is doing well. They have regular meetings and have enough money to help out when needed.
Trustees Report---The new stove has been installed, the old stove did not sell at the town garage sale. It is at Virginia's waiting for a good home somewhere.
Pastor's Report
New Business --- Betty Bigbow said that the Lawton Constitution still lists Judith Eichling as our Pastor. We'll get that fixed.
New Business --- The school Ice Cream Social is September 27th. We will provide toppings again this year. The FFA Hotdog Supper is September 28th.
Daryl asked, "Is there anything else?"
Collene answered, "I think we should close this meeting."
Daryl closed the meeting with prayer.
Opening Prayer---Patrick McPherson
Treasurers Report---
- General Fund = $11952.39
- Building Fund = $18752.13
- Buildingf total = $10704.52
Herwannah gave Harold a check for $50 from Elsie Scott in memory of Susan Scott.
We will be at 50% of our apportionment this month.
Women's Circle is doing well. They have regular meetings and have enough money to help out when needed.
Trustees Report---The new stove has been installed, the old stove did not sell at the town garage sale. It is at Virginia's waiting for a good home somewhere.
Pastor's Report
- Charge Conference is Monday, OCT 18 at 7:00 p.m.
- Staff/Parish Relations Committee meets Sunday, SEP 12 at 6:00 p.m.
- Finance Committee meets Tuesday, SEP 14 at 6:00 p.m.
- Nominations Committee meets Tuesday, SEP 14 at 7:00 p.m.
- Outreach lunch to Indiahoma High School is Wednesday, SEP 22.
- NOV 6 is Lawton District Food Drive.
- NOV 7 is District Conference at First UMC in Lawton.
- NOV 11 is the workshop on Small Churches at Elgin UMC, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
- OCT 9-10 is Lawton District Youth 30 hour famine & mission project.
- Plans to have Invitation to the Old Testament Bible Study on Sunday evenings beginning in November.
- Patrick is attending Financial Peace University, a Christian based money management course. He hopes to present the information to Snyder and Indiahoma in January.
New Business --- Betty Bigbow said that the Lawton Constitution still lists Judith Eichling as our Pastor. We'll get that fixed.
New Business --- The school Ice Cream Social is September 27th. We will provide toppings again this year. The FFA Hotdog Supper is September 28th.
Daryl asked, "Is there anything else?"
Collene answered, "I think we should close this meeting."
Daryl closed the meeting with prayer.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A Thought on the Holy Spirit
Part of our scripture reading in church today was: "If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked. But if you're knowingly attacking God himself, taking aim at the Holy Spirit, that won't be overlooked." (Luke 12:10, THE MESSAGE)
The more traditional translation states: "And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." (same verse, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)
Something to do with the Holy Spirit is the only thing that won't be forgiven. And yet we know so little about Him. Many many scriptures talk about God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Only a few mention the Spirit. I don't think the Holy Spirit minds. He doesn't need to be glorified or praised. (Is he a mother or what?)
Look at The Apostles' Creed. "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth." There are 9 lines stating what we believe about Jesus but all it says about the Holy Spirit is "I believe in the Holy Spirit."
What do you think about the little known Holy Spirit and the unforgivable sin of blaspheming Him?
.
The more traditional translation states: "And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." (same verse, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)
Something to do with the Holy Spirit is the only thing that won't be forgiven. And yet we know so little about Him. Many many scriptures talk about God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Only a few mention the Spirit. I don't think the Holy Spirit minds. He doesn't need to be glorified or praised. (Is he a mother or what?)
Look at The Apostles' Creed. "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth." There are 9 lines stating what we believe about Jesus but all it says about the Holy Spirit is "I believe in the Holy Spirit."
What do you think about the little known Holy Spirit and the unforgivable sin of blaspheming Him?
.
An Out of the Ordinary Sunday
This morning was Kaylee's first time to bring in the Light of Christ. She's been staying with Grandma and Grandpa (pictured). Patsy asked Kaylee in the children's sermon if she knew who Jesus is. Kaylee answered, "Yes, he's at my church too."
Daryl substituted for Patrick in
the pulpit this morning. Shirley substituted as Choir director for Herwannah who substituted for Janie on the piano.
We didn't have communion today though we usually do on the first Sunday of each month. We postponed it and our monthly church lunch and board meeting until next Sunday when Patrick will be back in town.
It's good to shake things up from time to time and do things differently. Variety is the spice of life.
Our closing prayer at the end of Sunday School was:
Lord, you have called us to serve others in response to your gift of eternal life. May your Spirit strengthen us for whatever situation we may face each day as we follow you. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a blessed week.
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