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