1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

1st
The
FIRST EDITION
Of The First United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 350, Weatherford, OK. 73096
Lynn Brack, Pastor
November 10, 2014
United
Methodist
Church
THIS SUNDAY . . . NOVEMBER 16th
Liturgical Color . . . Green
7th Sunday in Kingdomtide
Text for the Day . . . Matthew 25:14-30
“Losing A Bundle on Jesus”
Bring Your Commitment Card to worship
this Sunday.
Place it in the “Treasure Chest.”
“Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.” (MT 6:21)
. Advent Study Begins Nov. 12th & 13th
“Under Wraps: The Gift We Never
Expected”
Sign-Up in the Narthex
. Tuesday, Nov. 18th
“Public Forum on the Islamic Religion”
7:00PM in the Fellowship Hall
John Kokalis, moderator
. Sunday, Nov. 23rd
50th Anniversary of the Sanctuary Building
1964 to 2014
One Worship Service Only at 10:30AM
Sunday School as Usual
Catered Lunch Afterwards in the Fellowship Hall
RSVP NOW for your FREE lunch ticket
Sign-Up in the Narthex or Call the Church Office
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TEEN TALK
Beginning this Wednesday, November 12th, the youth begin a new
study, “Under Wraps, The Gift We Never Expected”. This is an Advent study
that is part of 3-D Wednesday. While adults talk about this study, youth will
be discussing it as well. This gives parents a great opportunity to learn with
other adults while their youth learn with other youth. Then, they can go home
and talk about their studies together. “Under Wraps” is an exciting Advent
experience that explores four characteristics of God described in the Old Testament and then revealed
perfectly and completely through Jesus: God is Expectant, God is Dangerous, God is Jealous, and God is
Faithful. From the beginning, the Bible tells of a love story between God and his people. As the story works
its way through the Old Testament into the New Testament, there are twists and turns but the endings is
always clear—God’s plan is to rescue his people. And so God sent Jesus. God actually gift-wrapped himself in
human flesh and was born in a stable so he could come and live among us and offer us life and salvation that
we could never gain on our own. This is a four week study. Kelley Ramey hopes that parents will check it out
and send their youth. It is a great way to begin this Advent! Prior to the bible study, which begins at 6:30pm,
is a Devotion service that begins at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Worshipping God prior to Discipleship is a
great way to prepare our hearts and to get ready to listen as we study His word. Hope to see you there!
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. – Luke 2:12
You Are Invited!
SUNDAY
NOV. 23RD
10:30AM
ONE SERVICE ONLY
50th anniversary
of the sanctuary building
1964 TO 2014
FORMER PASTOR,
REV. KEN TOBLER, PREACHING
catered LUNCH
AFTERWARDS
rsvp for your
“free”
lunch ticket
sign-up now!!
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TH I S W EE K S EV E NT S
Thursday, November 13
2:30pm Kingdom Connection
4:30pm Advent Study
7:00pm Frances Good
Saturday, November 15
2:00pm CCYM @ Yukon
Sunday, November 16
8:30AM Worship Service
9:30AM Sunday School Classes
10:30AM Worship Service
3:30pm Wesley Board
4:30pm FUMY
Monday, November 17
7:00pm Prayer Shawl Ministries
Tuesday, November 18
7:00pm Islam Forum
Wednesday, November 19
4:00pm “Kids Like Me Kamp”
4:30pm Hand Bell Choir
5:15pm 3-D Wednesday
Requesting Prayers
James Ediger;
Linda Stengl; Dee Donwerth;
Alene Macaulay; Jason Mills
Paula Horsburgh;
Joy Gillingham;
The Dickey Brothers: Jack, David, Glenn;
Bennett (7 month-old) & Parents Ryan Kaci Lenaburg;
Jana Sexton, Phil Tannehill’s daughter
In Our Father’s House
Family of Linda Gragg, Friend of Jo Klingman
Family of Brody Sims
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Extended Care
Facilities & Homebound
Annette Dahlgren, (W’Wood #49)
Duane Rea (W’Wood) (Brother of Joyce Hamburger)
Ella Vogt (Corn, Corn #F7)
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Arlen Hamburger (W’Corn #38)
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Jack Phelps for Rehab (W’Corn # 36)
Jim Lovell (W’Corn #16)
Glassnell Smith (W’Corn #19)
Virginia Lantz (W’Corn #22)
Nellie Verhines (W’ford Living Center)
Dorotha Downing (W’ford Living Center #313)
Vanita Morris (Sterling House # 120)
Flossie Pray, (Sterling House #105)
Louise Wyatt (Sterling House #28)
Ernestine Wright, (Sterling House #13)
Evelyn Minton, (Sterling House #107)
Sharon (Segress) Raskin, (McKinney, TX)
Kaye Lee, Methodist Center, Clinton (Garla’s Mother)
Gene Hays, Elkwood Memory Care Center, Elk City
Gary Webb, Sterling on Council Rd., Bethany, OK
Curly McAlpin, Grace Center, Clinton
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Meri Whitaker – Cookson Hills Center, Cookson, OK
Dakin Cook and his wife, Bolivia
Kristen Brown
Christians & Missionaries
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Oklahoma State Legislature
Our Nation
Armed Forces & Military Service and their Families
All Police, Law Enforcements & Corrections Officers
Brent Webb, USAF
Lt. Col. Judy Webb-Hapgood, USAF
William Johnston, US Army serving in Iraq
Chris Bonner, son of Merle & Nelda Bonner
Charles & Autumn (Wright) Wood
Dakota Duree
Austin Baugh USMC
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MENU: Beef Stew, Corn Bread, dessert
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6:30pm Advent Study
6:30pm Chancel Choir
8:00pm HS Disciple
Thursday, November 20
11:30am City Employee Luncheon
2:30pm Kingdom Connection
4:30pm Advent Study
7:00pm Frances Good
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Frances Good Circle November 13, 2014 First UMC 6:30 pm Worship Bags 7 pm Devotional………………………….Marti Bessinger Program…Joyce T-Sophia Lee-Music Therapy Hostess……………..…..……..Marti Bessinger
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Missionaries
Those In The Service of Our Country
UP-COMING EVENTS
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Wednesday, November 12 . . .
6:30PM—3-D Wednesday Discipleship; Advent Study
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Thursday, November 13 . . .
4:00PM—Advent Study in Leadership Room
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Tuesday, November 18 . . .
7:00PM—Public Forum on Islamic Religion
Fellowship Hall with Refreshments
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Thursday, November 20 . . .
11:30AM—City of Weatherford employees’
Thanksgiving Dinner
Church of Christ; our church provides dinner rolls
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Sunday, November 23 . . .
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50 Anniversary of the Sanctuary Building—1964
One worship service at 10:30AM
Catered Lunch Afterwards in Fellowship Hall
2:00PM—Devotional Service at WeatherFORD Living
Center
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Thursday & Friday, November 27 & 28 . . .
Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
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Saturday, November 29 . . .
9:00AM—Worship Committee decorates Sanctuary for
Advent
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Sunday, November 30 . . .
First Sunday in Advent
“Noisy Offering” received in both services for
Circle of Care
6:00PM—Family Movie Night
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Found
Reading glasses and Sun glasses
Please claim them in the office.
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry item for
November is
Bread: Saltine, Graham Crackers
& Muffin Mixes
Women’s Shelter Items
(Frances Good Circle)
The items for November is:
Diapers; all Sizes, Baby Toiletries,
wipes, rash cream, powder
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NOTE FROM YOUR FINANCE COMMITTEE
Please Return Your “Treasure”
2015 Commitment Card
to the Church As Soon As Possible.
You may snail mail it, or drop it off at the
church office.
You may also bring it to worship with you and
place it in the collection “Treasure Chest,”
located at the entrance to the Sanctuary.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
“3-D WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE”
Kidz Like Me AfterSchool . . .
3:30PM to 4:00PM = Snacks in Fellowship Hall
4:00PM to 5:30PM = Class Sessions
Ju-Bellation Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal . . .
4:30PM to 5:30PM
Dinner . . .
5:15PM to 6:00PM
Devotion (Evening Vesper Service) . . .
6:00PM to 6:30PM
Discipleship (“Table Talk”) . . .
6:00PM to 7:30PM
Chancel Choir Rehearsal . . .
6:30PM to 7:30PM in the Sanctuary
50th Anniversary of the
Sanctuary Building
Sunday, November 23rd
Catered Lunch in Fellowship Hall at
11:30AM
Catered by Chef Kevin Hamburger
Main Meat . . . Pork Loin
RSVP in the Narthex or
Call the Church Office
GET YOUR FREE LUNCH TICKET
TODAY!
“WEE 3-D WEDNESDAY”
Younger Elementary Children (PreK, 1st & 2nd
Grades) . . .
6:00PM TO 6:30PM = Choir with Ms. Marti
6:30PM to 6:45PM = Recreation
6:45PM to 7:30PM = Kidz Bible
OLDER ELEMENTARY (3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades) . . .
6:00PM to 6:45PM = Kidz Bible
6:45PM to 7:30PM = Choir with Ms. Marti
NEW FALL ARRANGEMENT
THANKS TO GLENDA WALKER
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Just in time for our 50 Anniversary of the
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Sanctuary Building on November 23 , GLENDA
WALKER has once again graced our fellowship hall with
a gorgeous fall wreath hanging above the double doors
at the entrance. Kudos to Glenda!
KUDOS FOR THE GORGEOUS
ANGEL COURTYARD
The entire church wishes to extend their
heart-felt THANKS to all those who have worked so
tirelessly this summer in their partnership with God
in creating the beautiful botanical display in our
Angel Courtyard. High kudos are extended
especially to HELEN SWEARENGIN and her many
helpers, including JOHN & AGGIE KOKALIS,
EVERETT SWEARENGIN, and RICHARD VOGT.
UPDATE ON STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
As of Friday, November 7th . . .
90 Commitment Cards Had Been Received
Total of All Commitments To Date for
2015 = $322,600.00
THANKS & PRAISE TO OUR
GUEST ORGANISTS
We are deeply indebted to and sincerely
appreciative of our guest organists the past two
Sundays during Marti Bessinger’s absence. High
praise and grateful thanks to GLENDA WALKER
& SOPHIA LEE for blessing our worship
experience; you are appreciated!
Thank You Note
We want to thank you for the prayer shawl you
gave to Phil’s daughter Jana. She really liked it a
lot. Thanks to the Ladies that make them also, you
touch al of the lives.
With Our Love, Phil & Glennda Tannehill
NOTE TO CHURCH RECEIVED
FROM TAYLOR KINCANON IN WALES
Dear Lynn & Kelley—Thank you both, as well as the rest of the church family, for all of the support and
prayers you have provided during and before my time abroad here in Wales. I’m so appreciative of the support
system the Church provides and look forward to being back home soon.
Well wishes to all . . . Taylor Kincanon
(Taylor’s post card featured a breath-taking photographic image of the beach at
Worm’s Head, Rhossili, South Wales.)
I REMEMBER WHEN . . .
FIFTY YEARS AGO
The following is a letter from then
Bishop W. Angie Smith to our Church
February 3, 1964
My Dear Friends,
I congratulate you upon the completion of this beautiful building, and shall be praying that the Opening Service
will be one of the greatest spiritual openings The Church has ever known.
I know that this Church has finally come into being as a result of the prayers, the sacrifices, and the dedication of
both the ministry and the membership during these years. What you have done is an inspiration, not only to the lovely city
of Weatherford, but to our entire Oklahoma Conference and state. I trust that with this new church building you will be
able to reach far larger numbers for Christ and His Kingdom than ever in the past.
May God graciously and powerfully bless each of you, is my prayer.
Sincerely yours,
Bishop W. Angie Smith
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PUBLIC FORUM ON ISLAMIC RELIGION
TUESDAY, NOV. 18th, 7:00PM
FELLOWSHIP HALL
Our church will be sponsoring a “Public Forum on Islam” for members of our church as well as the
entire community of Weatherford. With the mixed messages coming from the Muslim religion (peaceful and
violent) and while mainstream Islam remains virtually silent regarding the violence and terrorism of their
extremist brethren, this forum will be particularly timely.
John Kokalis of our church is organizing the event and will serve as the moderator during the forum on
Tuesday, November 18th, 7:00PM in our Fellowship Hall.
The forum begins with the premise that Christians and Muslims wish to honor their faiths’ two central
commandments—love God and love one another. The goal of the forum is to cut through the myths and
conflicting information being circulated through the internet and the media about Islam that does not accurately
represent the 1.2 billion people who call themselves Muslim.
John has invited two professors from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, who are both of the
Muslim faith, to be our guest speakers at the forum. Presenting will be Muatasem Ubeidat, professor of
Biology from Jordan, and Faruk Khan, professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences from Bangladesh. You will have
an opportunity to ask questions.
Make plans to attend this most timely and informative forum. Refreshments will be served during the
break time.
MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
SANCTUARY BUILDING
1964 – 2014
Fifty years ago, the faithful and obedient members of the Weatherford First Methodist Church launched
a vision for a new church building. It came to fruition, at great sacrifice to themselves, in 1964 when they
moved into the new, ultra-modern facility at 817 N. 7th Street. We owe much thanks to these our forbearers of
the faith for their tireless and fearless efforts to provide future generations of Methodists with such a fine
church building that has served the entire Weatherford community for fifty years.
Members of our Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee, under the leadership of Shandelle Recker,
chairperson and with the assistance of Judy Sisson and Jamie Sisson, have put together a wonderful day of
celebration and thanksgiving.
We will observe our 50th building anniversary on Sunday, November 23rd. On that day, there will be
only one, large worship service at 10:30AM; Sunday School will meet as usual. The Reverend (retired) Ken
Tobler, former pastor of this church from 1974-1979, will be preaching that day. The Chancel Choir, Children’s
Choir, and Ju-Bellation Hand Bell Choir will come together to provide special music that day. Following
worship, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a FREE catered lunch. You do need to RSVP and get your
lunch ticket so we can have an accurate head count for the meal preparation.
Don Hertzler will be preparing a special DVD presentation of some old photographs from when the
church was built in 1964, and photos of members from that time period. Don will also be securing a
commemorative tree, which will be planted that day to mark the occasion. Don will be planting a “Shurmard
Red Oak” from the Sunshine Nursery in Clinton. An Historical Table will be displayed in the Fellowship Hall
showing items and photographs from the period. Some of our folks have been asked to provide special
decorations for the occasion. Weather permitting, there will be several large blow-up toys for children to play
on that day. There will also be a “work day” on Saturday, November 22nd, so we can all work together to “spit
and polish” the building in preparation for our special 50th birthday.
Tell us if you were active in this church in 1964. We will want all those members who were here then to
sit together as a group so we can recognize you during the service. Lynn will be using the same basic order of
worship as was used in 1964 when they began worshiping in this Sanctuary with the Rev. Gordon Spencer.
It will be a grand day . . . you and your family will want to be here for the festivities. Be sure and
register your RSVP for your meal ticket by signing-up in the Narthex or calling the church office. Plan now to
attend!
OUR PASTORS IN 50 YEARS
1964 – 2014
1964-1965
Gordon Spencer
1965-1968
Lonzo Battles
1968 – 1973
Bob Edde, Jr.
1973 – 1974
Robert Wise
1974 – 1979
Kenneth Tobler
1979 – 1982
Charles (Chuck) Wallace
1982 – 1988
Phil Ware
1988 – 1990
Russell Bracy
1990 – 1994
Grayson Lucky
1994 – 1999
Clayton Hughes
1999 – 2002
J. Torrey Curtis
2002 – Present Lynn Brack
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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
“SHOE BOX GIFTS”
Fill a shoe box (Christmas wrapped so lid can be removed) with:
toothbrush, hair brush, soap, etc.
t-shirts, caps, sunglasses, hair lips, etc
hard candies
small dolls, stuffed animals, jump ropes, balls, toy trucks,, etc.
Pencils, erasers, small notebooks
Be sure to label the box showing gender and age group( boy or girl ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14) you are
buying for. Make it personal by writing a note and praying for the child who will receive it. Time is
running out – needed by November 17th. Thanks!
B.J.
CARING & SHARING
This event will be December 20 with a few changes this year: same location as last year
(PAC), except it will not be in the auditorium and there will be four shopping times instead of three.
We are buying for boys 5 – 7 and are partnered with Trinity Baptist. Collection receptacles will
be in the Ryden Center.
Jason needs help with registration (Nov. 10, 17; Dec. 18) from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Chamber of
Commerce. If you are willing to help, please call Jason (580-302-1371).
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Have any photos to help celebrate 50 Years of Church?
Anyone with photos or pictures of the building of or activity in our church when it was built 50 years ago
or from the 60’s and 70’s, please contact Don Hertzler so he can make copies for possible inclusing in
our celebration video. Don’s phone number is 772-2274. Email: [email protected]
THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL
“FIFTH QUARTER”
Thank you to everyone who helped make the “Fifth Quarter” such a success on
Friday, November 7th. We had 50 youth here. We appreciate everything you
did whether it was giving a donation, praying, setting or cleaning up, bringing
food or drinks, or being a sponsor during the “Fifth Quarter”. Without you this
“Fifth Quarter” would not have been possible! The following people are the ones
we know of that helped. If your name is not on the list, please excuse our oversight. But, please
know your generosity and your support is greatly appreciated! Thanks again everyone!
Kelley Ramey and the FUMC Youth Group
Tonya Adams
Michelle Agan
Jeanine Berrong
Ruth Boyd
Misty Carman
Chaz Franks
Reagen Lesperance
JoAnn McClendon
Pat Meyer
Richard Meyer
Michelle Ramey
Royce Ramey
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
817 North Seventh Street
Rose Ratcliffe
Kim Short
Glennda Tannehill
Joyce Teghtmeyer
Diana Walker
Drew Willis
NON-PROFIT ORGRANIZATION
U.S. Postage Paid
P.O. Box 350
Weatherford, OK 73096
(580) 772-5565
Web Address: http://fumcmethodistok.org
Permit #43
Weatherford, OK 73096
E-Mail: [email protected]
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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