S T . S TEPHEN ' S U NITED M ETHODST C HURCH T HE M ESSENGER F EBRUARY 2015 V OLUME 38; I SSUE 2 M OELLING ’ S M USINGS : A W ORD F ROM P ASTOR K IRT “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16 Our Current Sermon/Study series is focusing on Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (with a book by UM Bishop Robert Schnase). These are PRACTICES, things that vital, growing congregations DO. So as we go through the series, we want it to not just be an intellectual exercise, but a spiritually formative event for our church. We want to “practice what we preach” and engage what we study – and we look for input from our groups. So far we have covered the practices of Radical Hospitality and Passionate Worship. Radical Hospitality is that “invitational attitude and exceptional welcome” vital and growing congregations have. We laughed about how NOT to welcome folk. Yet, while we are a welcoming church in many ways, do we sometimes focus on our friends and unintentionally ignore guests and visitors? Yes. Do new people sometimes have to “break in” to various groups in our church, rather than being drawn in by an invitational attitude? Yes. Are visitors STILL sometimes redirected away from “my seat” in the sanctuary? Yes. And just as important, are our facilities welcoming AND fully accessible? We have made considerable physical improvements along these lines, with our entry, sanctuary restroom and Coffee Corner upgrades; and I know our attitude of welcome and inclusion will only improve. Remember, when we welcome new people, we welcome Christ! Passionate Worship is the second practice we tackled. An important element involves the worship leaders, choirs, liturgists and technology folks bringing their “A game” and very best as an offering to God. Excellence in what leaders do is important. But just as important is worshippers bringing themselves and offering their best; bringing an anticipation and focus on encountering the holy; coming with an openness to receiving God’s word and being changed by it. Passionate worship involves emotion and action, but it also engages silence and contemplation. The God who gives all deserves worshippers who do the same! We must remember WHY we gather every Sunday. In coming weeks, we’ll engage three more practices of vital, I NSIDE THIS ISSUE : C HILDREN ’ S M INISTRIES 3 Y OUTH M INISTRIES 4 A DULT S TUDIES 5 C ALENDAR 8 A LL IN THE F AMILY 10 V OLUME 38; I SSUE 2 We Do Not Lose Heart P AGE 2 - continued from page 1 growing, fruitful congregations: Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity. In all of these practices, the descriptive words are important. Fruitful churches don’t just offer hospitality, but radical hospitality; not just worship, but passionate worship. I hope you will participate as we explore and engage these practices. Becoming a more fruitful congregation is not easy, but we do not lose heart! If my rough figuring is correct, by the end of January 2015, Set Free to Serve will have paid about $320,000 of principal on the FLC note. That is AMAZING! I recall when I first looked at that note balance in the fall of 2011, not long after I arrived; it was about $875,000 – YIKES! In another month or so, it should be below $500,000; and by the end of the campaign (in another 15 months) I’m hopeful it will be below $400,000. If we continue paying our SFTS pledges, we should get mighty close. WOW! I am VERY PROUD of YOU! We are eating that elephant Set Free to Serve Update one bite at a time – and have already saved over Unless you are really unobservant, you have noticed $300,000 in interest, to boot! and enjoyed the wonderful entry and sanctuary I guess the point of all this is that even though we face improvements accomplished in 2014, all made possible by challenges that seem insurmountable, both as a church our ongoing Set Free to Serve capital stewardship and in our personal lives, “we do not lose heart.” We campaign. Most of you, too, have participated in our know that “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke excellent (and award-winning!) SFTS Mission Weekends, 1:37), and that we, as a church and as individuals, are also made possible by your continuing campaign gifts and “getting renewed day by day.” I believe God has much in sweat-equity. What an excellent outreach – and another mind for St. Stephen’s as a strategic base for Christ’s event is coming this Spring! But we know the main ministry. We will not lose heart! reason we began Set Free to Serve was to address the Keeping the faith – with you, significant remaining debt on our Family Life Center. We PASTOR KIRT wanted to be set free from the debt so we can better serve God’s mission – and we are making progress! M USIC & C ARE M INISTRIES - S HERYL C ORY Music - A big THANK YOU to those who have donated money to our organ fund over the years… we have (almost) reached our goal! I’m so excited to have the new organ console here, and I know you will love how it sounds in our newly remodeled sanctuary. As Joanna gets to know this new instrument, you will hear more and more of it. It’s a lot to learn. The (almost) part is related to the speaker system that goes with the console; we still need about $9,000 for that to have the completed organ package, so feel free to continue donating to the organ fund. I would also like to thank the Parsons for their donation years ago of the previous organ. It served us well for many, many years, bringing us options and a depth to our music that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. We have been blessed by its gift of sound, and pray that it can continue to bless another church in need. Care - Do you know what a Cluster (at St. Stephen’s) is? Do you know that you are a part of one? Our congregation is divided in smaller groups, known by geographic areas, defined as Clusters. This is a way to create involvement in each other’s lives, enabled by proximity. It helps us care for one another as a congregation. Every active participant of St. Stephen’s is assigned to a Cluster. I have spent the last year mapping our congregation and reworking the Clusters so that they are evenly distributed, since our membership has grown and shifted since the original boundaries were drawn. This should enable us to more effectively care for our people and help us to get know each other better, regardless of which service we attend. T HE M ESSENGER P AGE 3 Pinewood Derby on Sunday, February 8! The children and youth have been working on their cars, getting ready for the big race on Sunday, February 8, beginning at 4:00 pm in the Family Life Center! (Children and youth choirs will rehearse at their usual times that day.) Come and enjoy the races and then stay for snack supper at 6:00 pm. Lent Event on Sunday, February 22! 3:30-5:30 pm in the Family Life Center For ages 3 to 93 February 22 is the 1st Sunday in Lent, a season of the Christian Year where we focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. Our activities and crafts will explore some of the symbols of Lent and Easter. Younger children will need an adult to stay and help. Summer, 2015 Camp Dates As you plan this summer, be sure to include Children’s Camps at Camp Egan. The grades listed below will be for the 2015-2016 school year. If you think you might be interested in going to camp as an adult leader, please contact Becky Price. There is a Safe Sanctuary application required by the Oklahoma Conference in addition to the St. Stephen’s Safe Sanctuary application. Joy Camp for 3rd through 5th graders July 10-12 This camp has an emphasis on the arts in worship. Sonshine Camp for 1st and 2nd graders July 11-12 An adult shepherd from our church is required for every 5 children; male shepherds if we send any boys, and female shepherds if we send girls. Growin’ In Grace for 3rd through 5th graders July 22-24 Tweens Discover for 6th graders July 20-24 Need Childcare for Your Meeting? We will provide childcare for most meetings and activities as long as we know in advance that we’re needed. Please check with the leader of your group, or contact Laurie Richard to make reservations. Garage Sale March 6-7 The Weekday School Garage Sale is set for March 6 & 7 in the Family Life Center. We are now accepting your donations of furniture, home décor, kitchen items, tools, knick-knacks, toys and games, books, DVD’s, and all the other great stuff you would like to donate! (No adult clothing, please.) Call Becky Price at church, 918-455-4202, if you need us to pick up your donation, you have furniture to donate, or to arrange a drop-off time. Sunday Night Activities for February Children’s Activities from 4:30-5:30 pm Children’s Choirs from 5:30-6:00 pm Snack Supper from 6:00-6:30 pm Feb 1—No Sunday pm activities (Super Bowl) Feb. 8—Pinewood Derby **beginning at 4:00 pm** Feb. 15—usual schedule; see above Feb. 22—Lent Event **from 3:30-5:30 pm** Mark Your Calendars for VBS! June 29—July 2, 2015 Happy Birthday to Katya L., Kenzy M., and Ruthie A. February in Sunday School Our unit this month is “Miracles.” Lessons include The Wedding at Cana, Jesus Walks on Water, Feeding 5000, and The Man Beside the Pool. Our scripture verse for this month is, “Jesus replied, My Father is still working, and I am working too.” John 5:17 For more information, contact Becky Price: Phone: 918-455-4202 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.children-ssumcba.org V OLUME 38; I SSUE 2 P AGE 4 Y OUTH M INISTRIES - R ANDY M C C URDY YOUth Should Know Boy Scout Troop 990 Meets Monday nights at 6:30 in the Seek & Serve Worship Services are Sundays at 8:30 am room, Room 121. The Troop is looking for new and 11:00 am. scouts! Come join the fun of scouting! Sunday school 9:45 am, Youth Room, FLC 264 A continental breakfast is served in the youth room. Announcements about upcoming events and activities are discussed and celebrations and concerns are shared. The group divides by school groups for Sunday school in the Jr. High (6-8th grade) and Sr. High (9-12th grade) rooms for lessons. The theme for Jr. High is Faith—Nature of Faith, God, in Whom We have Faith, Saved by Faith, Living Faithfully and Faith Eternal. The theme for Sr. High is Call-Nature of Call, Gifted and Called, Called to Follow and Call to Bring Change. Sunday Night Youth Group 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Youth Room, FLC 264 Feb. 2, Super Bowl Party 5:00 pm-9:00 pm. Guys bring drinks, Gals bring snacks! Feb. 1, Pinewood Derby 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. The churchwide Pinewood Derby in the Family Life Center! Feb. 15, Bible Study & Worship 6:30 pm -8:00 pm we will take a look at God’s word and worship together. Feb. 22, Lent Event, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Children, Youth and Adults will prepare for the season of Lent with activities and projects in the Family Life Center. Youth Handbells Sundays at 5:00 pm in Sanctuary https://www.facebook.com/groups/39482476263/ Join to see pictures from our events and hear about upcoming events! There are forms and the latest Youth Should Know Newsletter in the files section. It is a closed group for St. Stephen’s Youth and their families. Youth Council Monday • February 16 • 6:30 pm • Room 262 Valentine's Dinner Dance Saturday, February 14 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Family Life Center Set-up will be on Friday, February 13, 6:30 - 9 pm All youth need to be at the FLC at 4:30 pm on Saturday, February 14 to finish the last minute set-up and prepare for the dinner. 2015 Camp Dates Youth Force OKC June 7-12 Wilderness Camp June 18-24 Tulsa District Camp July 13-17 CYME July 27-31 Hoop’n It Up Youth Basketball 7:30-9:00 pm • Family Life Center The 2015 basketball season is in full swing and will continue through February. All games are played on Saturdays at First UMC in downtown Tulsa. Practice is held on Thursdays in the Family Wednesday Night Youth Group 6:00-7:30 pm Life Center at St. Stephen’s UMC. A snack supper ($3), recreation and life skills training is the focus of the Wednesday night Game Schedule youth group sessions. Feb 7th 1:30 pm vs. Jenks YL Feb 14th TBA Youth Choir is at 5:30 pm. Feb 21st 2:30 pm at First Baptist Church vs. No Youth on Feb.18, Ash Wednesday Service Redeemer Covenant Feb 28th 2:30 pm vs. FUMC Tropics Randy McCurdy: Office: (918) 455-4202 • Cell: (918) 607-9281 • Email: [email protected] T HE M ESSENGER P AGE 5 Adult Studies & Activities Ida Circle Bookworms Wednesday February 11 9:30 am Henderson Hall February 19 1:30 pm • Parlor The book for discussion is “The Madonnas of Leningrad” by Debra Dean, an outstanding first novel about the fate of valuable works of art in Russia during World War II. The characters woven into the story are people who seem real in a plot that makes history come alive. If you have questions, contact Beverly Schwarzkopf or Barbara Purtell. Lydia Circle Sunday • February 22 • 3:00 pm • Parlor Women of St. Stephen’s, please join our growing group for fellowship, worship and missions. We will welcome you! Women of St. Stephen’s are welcome! Men’s Fellowship February 19 • 6:00 pm 6:00 pm • Family Life Center For more information contact Gordon Beck (918) 409-9033 choosing the right Lenten study has just gotten easier! Beginning February 22, the first Sunday in Lent, there will be three Lenten study opportunities for adults. Sign up in Henderson Hall beginning February 1. Childcare will be available on Sunday mornings and by reservation for the Sunday evening study. Sunday mornings – 9:45 am - 10:45 am Join the Seek & Serve Class, room 121, as they explore Easter From the Back Side by J. Ellsworth Kalas. The author looks beyond the traditional gospel scriptures to connect the story of Christ’s resurrection with other stories and scriptures throughout the Bible. Also on Sunday mornings, the Peacekeepers class, room 242/244, will be embarking on Will You Come and Follow Me?, a study of the text of several Lenten hymns. Each session will challenge adults to work through the meaning of the texts, learn more about the hymn writers, and discover how the text relates to them today. Sunday evenings – 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Adam Hamilton’s 24 Hours That Changed the World will be the focus of this study. Pastor Kirt will expand on his sermon series based on this book and lead participants as they follow Jesus’ last day through DVD visits to the Holy Land where these events took place. Note: Some of our Home Study groups may elect to continue to meet during Lent as well. Check with your group leader for details. Contact Becky Price if you would like to journey through Lent with one of these groups. Prayer Room Open During Lent Beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 18 and continuing through April 1, a Prayer Room will be available each Wednesday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm. in the parlor in Henderson Hall. Candles, quiet music, and other resources will be provided as participants focus on prayer during this Lenten season. V OLUME 38; I SSUE 2 P AGE 6 Care Ministries Have you seen people lay money on the altar rail and wondered, “What’s that all about?” Or have you seen the blurb in the bulletin on Communion Sundays that says “Money left at the communion rail is used by the Care Ministries of St. Stephen’s to assist individuals in times of need” and thought, “I wonder who those people are?” The answer to that is: YOU! Did you know that the Care Ministries of St. Stephen’s does not have a budget? It depends solely on your donations. So, what do we do with that money? There are times when people come to the church needing assistance with gas, or groceries, or utilities. When we have funds, we like to be able to help those in our community who are in critical need. We also care for our congregation, with meals, cards, flowers, prayers and other help as we are able. Have you seen the CareNotes rack in the breezeway? It has pamphlets with helpful resources for people dealing with all kinds of issues, from caring for a dying loved one, to coping with illness, raising children and teenagers, and learning how to pray in difficult circumstances. Resources like these, and others, Care Ministry training, the aforementioned items all take money. Please consider making a donation to the Care Ministries of St. Stephen’s, either at the communion rail or designated in the memo line of your offering check, and help us care for YOU. 5 Weeks, 5 Practices: A More Fruitful Congregation 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 Youth Worship Rehearsal Children’s Fellowship Time (Ages 3-K, 1-5 grades) Youth Handbells Children’s Choirs Snack Supper in the FLC ($3 adults $2 children) Youth Group Adult Handbell Rehearsal* *Childcare is available as needed Snack Supper Schedule February 1 No Snack Supper • Super Bowl February 8 Sermon Series Continues Home Discussion Groups in session It’s not too late to join a group. For more information contact Becky Price • (918) 455-4202 Peacekeepers • Grilled Cheese, Soups & Breads February 15 Baked Potato Bar & Hot Dogs • Inquirers February 22 Sub Sandwiches • Outreach / Missions T HE M ESSENGER P AGE 7 reach out to our community. Our annual pancake breakfast will be held in the Family Life Center and Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) blood drive in Henderson Hall. Walkins are very welcome to both events. Outreach & Missions 1 Peter 4:10 says “as each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 2015 Mission year at St. Stephen’s is off and running! Once again we have the opportunity to “Feed and Bleed” February 21st joining with Fellowship Committee to Always remember we have our weekly Tuesday morning mission time doing various projects from 8:30 am to 10:00 am, Manna Meals on Fridays and trips to Cookson Hills Mission, the third Wednesday of each month. Blessings, Sandra Hibbert, Outreach/Missions Chair (918) 361-1581 Monthly Missions Mission Time: Tuesdays 8:30 am 10:00 am, Parlor Cookson Hills Mission: 3rd Wednesday each month, meet at the church at 8:00 am Manna Meals: 4th Friday each month, leave the church at 10:15 am to go to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church to feed the hungry Monthly Outreach Items Re me mb e r o u r mon t h ly donation bins in the breezeway for Broken Arrow Neighbors, Emergency Infant Services, Day Center for the Homeless and United Methodist Committee on Relief. Broken Arrow Neighbors Day Center for the Homeless Emergency Infant Services Cake Mix Gravy Packets Coats Tums Baby Blankets UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) New Children’s Underwear *Childcare Available Sundays: 8:30 am Worship* 9:45 am Sunday School* 11:00 am Worship* 4:30 pm Children’s Fellowship Time 5:00 pm Youth Handbells 5:30 pm Children’s Choirs 6:30 pm Adult Handbells* 6:30 pm Youth Group Mondays: 9:30 am Weekday School (M-Th) 1:30 pm Staff Meeting Tuesdays: 8:00 am Missions Time 7:00 pm Herald Ringers 7:00 pm Friendship Quilters Wednesdays: 5:30 pm Youth Choir 6:00 pm Youth Group 7:00 pm Adult Choir* Thursdays: 7:00 pm Basketball / Open Gym Fridays: Offices Closed 8:30 am Food For Kids Packing Ongoing Weekly Activities 400 West New Orleans St. Broken Arrow, OK 74011 St. Stephen’s UMC 3p Lydia Circle 3:30p Lent Event 22 2:30p Joe & Stacy McIlvain Baby Shower 15 23 17 7p Fellowship 10 3 Tue 25 8a Cookson Mission 7p Ash Wednesday Service 18 9:30a Ida Circle 6p Children’s Council 11 4 Wed February 14 5:30p “A Night in the Big Apple” 24 NO WEEKDAY SCHOOL 6:30p Youth Council 16 9 2 Mon Support the Youth Play Basketball! Come watch a game! Circle of Care Sunday 4p Pinewood Derby 5p Finance 8 No Sunday Night Activities 5p Youth Super Bowl Party 1 Sun 6p Men’s Fellowship 26 1:30p Bookworms 19 12 5 Thu Blood Drive February 21 8a-12p 10a Manna Meals 27 Newsletter Articles Due Pancake Breakfast February 21 8a - 11a 9a AARP Drivers Class 2:30p Youth BB Game at FUMC 28 8a OBI Blood Drive 8a Community Pancake Breakfast 2:30p Youth BB Game at FBC 21 5:30p Youth BB Game at FUMC 5:30p Valentine’s Dinner & Dance 14 13 20 Sat 1:30p Youth BB Game at FUMC 7 6 Fri T HE M ESSENGER P AGE 9 Saturday • February 28 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Henderson Hall & Room 121 Cost:$15 AARP members $20 non members Insurance Discounts Available with Completion of Course To Register Call: 918-455-4202 or sign up in the breezeway This class only has 30 spots available St. Stephen’s High School Youth 2015 Basketball Schedule February 7 • 1:30p • FUMC-Tulsa St. Stephen’s vs. Jenks YL February 14 • TBA • FUMC-Tulsa St. Stephen’s vs. St. James Sons of Liberty February 21 • 2:30p • First Baptist St. Stephen’s vs. Redeemer Covenant Generics February 28 • 2:30p • FUMC-Tulsa St. Stephen’s vs. FUMC Tropics Support Our Team! There will be lots of “changes” happening in the McIlvain home! Let’s help Joe & Stacy with diaper duty! Come to our diaper & wipes baby shower for Harper Lee! Born December 30, 2014 February 15 2:30 - 4:30 Henderson Hall V OLUME 38; I SSUE 2 P AGE 10 A LL IN THE December/January Birthdays ● David L ● Mason B ● Carlen B ● Betty B ● Grace B ● Nikki J ● Bob P ● Katie W December/January Anniversaries ● Art & Laura E – 45 Births ● John Steven, born to John & Traci G ● Harper Lee, born to Joe & Stacy McI Joys ● Friends and family visiting ● Katya L won her first basketball game ● New organ ● Jaxon R won his first ever basketball game ● Youth basketball team won their first game ● Camden R received 5 awards at his school Please welcome our newest member Ann Glenn F AMILY Recovering ● Leslie, Judi Ds’ daughter ● H family, friends of Veronica L ● John Steven G ● Jane W’s brother Concerns ● Adam P ● Sandra H’s mother ● Kori M’s friend ● Marjorie M ● Veronica L’s granddaughter Losses ● Jackie R’s grandfather ● Barbara W, Gayle P’s mother ● Jean W, Charlotte R’s mother ● Dick S Purchase altar flowers in honor or in memory of loved ones or to celebrate a special day. Available Dates February 8 & 15 March 8, 15, 22 & 29 Sign up on the chart in the church office or call Haydon. (918) 455-4202 T HE M ESSENGER P AGE 11 A Night in the Big Apple! Menu Appetizer Shrimp Cocktail Salad Caesar Salad Saturday, February 14, 2015 5:30—8:30 p.m. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church Family Life Center Entrée Seasoned Pork Loin Bacon wrapped Green Beans Rosemary Roasted Potatoes Dessert New York Cheesecake Music provided by professional DJ All You Can Eat Pancakes, Sausage, Juice, Milk, & Coffee! Tickets are $5 each. Proceeds will go to Missions. We will be serving unlimited pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee. We are asking everyone to sell at least 5-10 tickets each. This fundraiser is usually one of the biggest we have every year and should be growing each year. Please get some tickets and sell them. The food is delicious. We will be serving from 8:00 am -11:00am. Tickets can be picked up in the church office, Sunday school packets or from Randy. All money needs to be turned into Randy McCurdy. Also, if you would like to help with the event please contact Dave Berns or Michele Usrey. We need a lot of volunteers to help make this run smoothly. Thank you for your support! Fellowship committee St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church 400 WEST NEW ORLEANS ST. BROKEN ARROW, OK 74011 918-455-4202 Return Service Requested STAFF: KIRT E. MOELLING, SENIOR PASTOR SHERYL CORY, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & CARE MINISTRIES RANDALL E. MCCURDY, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES BECKY PRICE, DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES HAYDON ISHMAEL, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT VICKI COX, TREASURER JOANNA COOK, ORGANIST LAURIE RICHARD, NURSERY COORDINATOR JAMES LEONARD, CUSTODIAN Join Us for Worship! 8:30 am Worship Service 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service Newsletter Deadline is Noon, February 20th OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN MISSION Community Blood Drive Saturday, February 21 8am – Noon Henderson Hall www.obi.org - See Page 7 All You Can Eat Pancakes, Sausage, Juice, Milk, & Coffee! $5 - See page 11 for more details
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