Post on 10-Mar-2020
transcript
2
On July 9th our senior group gathered in Fellowship Hall for
a delicious sharing of food and fellowship. One visitor, Mary Box
joined us. Hostesses were Patti Harris, Anick Smith, Donna
Brooks, and Joann Heath. As there was only a business meeting,
Joyce Statton did request ideas for programs. She reminded the
group of the upcoming fund raisers: Garage Sale on Saturday,
August 29th with set-up on the 28th - no furniture and clothing
please. The lunch fundraiser will be on September 13th.
Landon and Gerald have planned a full slate of upcoming
events, so get your “going clothes” ready. The Country Jamboree
is August 1st near Clinton. The Jewel Box is featuring the
musical “Chicago” from August 20-September 13. Upcoming shows at OCCC are Texas Tenors
on October 1st and Doc Severson on October 26th. September 26th is the Fin and Feather Craft
Show at Lake Tenkiller. October 20-22 will be the fun trip to Branson. This will include
Presley’s Country Jubilee, The Bretts, New Jersey Nights, Statler Brothers and Clay Cooper’s
Country Express, plus great food. The Senior Cabaret will be in November at Hillsdale Bible
College. Contact Gerald Krows or Landon Heath if you are interested in these.
Invite friends to join us for pot luck luncheons each second Thursday and for group travels.
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders from Moore 1st
UMC pose after attending Growing in Grace
Camp at Canyon Camp.
Hopefully, you are having
a blessed summer and fun
times with family. It is
also a time to recharge for
the come-back to a busy
fall. No general meetings
to attend until September,
when we will be enjoying salads, good company, and hopefully meet friends that you will invite.
UMW will start activities up with a team meeting in August for all the ladies that stepped up
to be a committee or circle chair – looking forward to seeing you again. Moore First will have
the honor of hosting the District Annual Meeting this year, and Joyce Peters is organizing
hospitalities for the event. With the new school year, please remember to bring tissues and
hand sanitizer to support our teachers at Central again. This is a simple way to show our
appreciation to the teachers and let the children know that we care. Then, it’s on to the Fall
Festival!
3
While I was going to seminary Trish was the youth pastor in Chickasha. In the back yard of
the parsonage was an apple tree. This tree had been neglected for years. The apples it pro-
duced were small, hard, green and sour. There were tons of them, but none were eatable. They
would fall to the ground in the heat of the summer and be ground up by the lawn mower blade.
The only thing that tree produced was a smelt mess and a couple swarms of wasps.
A couple years into our tenure there I went out early in the spring and cut the sucker
branches off of the tree. With the drain on it’s energy reduced, the tree grew taller and began to
produce larger fruit which stayed on the tree longer. The apples turned redder and were sweet-
er, but not quite eatable yet. The next year I trimmed any new suckers and pruned the branch-
es back severely. That year the tree shot 8 feet taller and the apples stayed attached to the tree
until that were ripe. The fruit was bright red and sweet enough to eat right off the tree.
After the tree had been trimmed and pruned the life giving energy of the tree which had
been spent on wasteful growth was transferred to the production of the fruit which the tree had
been created to produce. An amazing transformation happened in the backyard of that parson-
age throughout those years. There was just as many pounds of apples produced by the tree
each year. However the apples moved from being an abundant mess of shriveled, sour and un-
ripe apples, to full, sweet and delicious ones. And as an added bonus, the wasps and stinky
mess around the tree disappeared and the birds began nesting in it’s branches.
Pruning enhances the growth of a tree not only by eliminating the extraneous branches but
also by enabling light to shine on those branches that remain. I have no idea if the apples
which the tree is currently producing are still big, red and sweet, I suppose that would depend
on whether those who followed us continued to prune the branches or not. One thing I am sure
of is that the tree did not prune it’s one branches. Someone would have needed be proactive,
and have the initiative to get out the saw and cut out the dead wood and sucker branches that
were sapping the tree of it natural energy.
In John 15 Jesus proclaims that "I am the vine and you are the branches." Those branches
that "abide" in Christ, and that remain connected to the vine, will flourish and bear much fruit,
while those that are disconnected from the vine will wither and die. Flourishing and withering
are not a matter of rewards and punishments, but the result of our commitment to nurture our
own spiritual lives and the spiritual lives of others.
Your staff along with the SPPRC Committee have been examining ways to trim some of the
energy sapping waste from our job descriptions. So far our efforts have been fruitful. We hope
you will support us as we prune our way to a sweeter, more fruitful and more productive minis-
try here at Moore First. Your Church Council is hoping that some of this trimming of excess can
extend into our committees. There are several ways which a United Methodists church can or-
ganize its structure without ideas being bogged down in committees.
I also hope you will examine your life and find ways to trim those things which sap your
time, and energy, as well as your emotional and spiritual strength.
May we stay attached to the vine and may our blessings and fruit be abundant.
Pastor Rob
I ministered once a month with the Lexington Nursing Home. A group of five or so followers
of Jesus from the Lexington United Methodist Church – ranging from the very young to the
elderly – accompanied me. We brought the bread and wine. We brought the songs of praise.
Slowly, from both wings of the facility, residents made their way to the gathering place. We
sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” We sang “I Stand Amazed in the Presence.” We sang
“In the Garden.” Half of that congregation, cobbled together from different rooms, different
ailments, different life experiences, were lying down. Their eyes were closed. Some could not
even speak. Yet, when the old familiar hymns were sung, eyes were opening and toes were
tapping. Women who couldn’t speak (some of whom couldn’t even open their mouths) were
humming the melody lines.
After my homily, I welcomed everyone to the Lord’s Table for communion. I don’t know why
– isn’t that how traditions often work – but every month I offered communion to the residents of
the nursing home the pianist would begin to play a song called “Church in the Wildwood.” The
refrain goes like this: Oh, come to the church by the wildwood | Oh, come to the church in the
dale | No spot is so dear to my childhood than the little brown church in the dale.
There was a woman who always sat in the front row. As I walked through a room of aging
Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics, Atheists, and those who had come this far without placing
themselves in any religious or denominational camp, I asked the question “Would you like to
receive communion today?” We were singing Church in the Wildwood, the piano and the voices
were filling the room, so I had to lean in and ask the question right next to their ears. The
woman in the front row always said “Yes.” She was blind. I had to take the bread in one hand
and her hand in the other, and bring them together: the Body of Christ, broken for you. I had to
guide her hand to the cup of intinction: the blood of Christ, shed for you and for many for the
forgiveness of sins.
This monthly gathering of the saints made me yearn for a simpler time; a little brown church
in a valley, by the wildwood; guiding people’s hands to Christ’s body, leading their lips to songs
of praise. When you’ve been to the little brown church, so dear to your childhood (or the little
white church at NW 2nd and Broadway, or the growth of Church after WWII) it is difficult not to
yearn for such a day. As we continue to strengthen our presence in Moore, cultivate our
missions and ministries for growing God’s kingdom, live into a larger facility with more options
for worship, look to the future of what Church will look like in 10 years, 20 years…
We can still be a church, a spot, dear to the childhoods of many – “no spot so dear.” We can still
help those who pass “wing their way to the mansions of light.” We can still here the “ringing
bells on a clear Sunday morning.” There can be a “sweet, sweet Spirit in this place.” However,
we must confess together that the fish just are not jumping into the boat anymore. Things like
“attendance,” and “membership,” and “selflessness” don’t carry the weight they once did. We
have to start fishing again. Some of those fish will land in the sanctuary, with its high-standing
cross, stained glass windows, and organ. Some of those fish will land in our other sanctuary,
with a band, videos, lights, and communion every Sunday. Some of those fish will land in a
Church school class, while others might land in a HomeGroup. The wonderful thing about all of
these places and programs, missions and ministries, is that they are ours! They belong to the
whole community! There is no us and them. There is no this group and that group. There is
only Moore 1st United Methodist Church.
I still think back fondly and yearn for the little brown church in the dale, but I know in my
heart we must take church out into the community – we cannot simply wait for the community
to come to church. We can be a church that does new things, and does them well – there are no
less than four churches in Oklahoma and Kansas who are modeling their new small group
ministries after HomeGroups and their new worship services after The Moment Worship – and..
4
The church is experiencing dramatic change in the United States. Like many denominations,
United Methodism has been showing a declining influence. If Christ’s church is to survive,
we must be relevant for people living today, while maintaining the integrity of our faith and
beliefs from our past.
A recent Pew survey states: “The number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized
religion is growing.” The percentage of younger adults who describe themselves as Christians
has dropped. And the percentage of Americans who describe themselves as atheist, agnostic,
or “nothing in particular” has jumped significantly.
This is a wakeup call to all of us! Since 2010, total worship attendance in our local churches
has declined more than 5,500 people. This startling statistic is unacceptable!
On any given Sunday, fewer than one-fourth of Oklahoma’s United Methodists are at worship.
Do you wonder why I want to make increasing our worship attendance a priority?
But I know we can do better.
Let evangelism also be a topic that deserves the attention of those charting the course for each
new district. I do not doubt there will be a variety of ideas that spark innovative evangelism
and inspire worshippers.
Are we seeing success in any other areas of ministry? The answer is yes! Statistics prove we
are advancing in Spiritual Formation, as measured by ongoing classes and small groups that
promote spiritual vitality and discipleship.
And Oklahoma continues to be a denomination leader in Missions. We have doubled the num-
ber of people who take part in mission projects, from fewer than 13,000 in the year 2010, to
about 25,000 last year.
We’ve come this far. Let us remain committed to Spiritual Formation and Missions, and be-
come more intentionally focused on worship and evangelism. I believe gains in Stewardship
will follow. We must prepare our churches for the next generation of believers.
God is directing us. This is my vision — and I hope it is yours as well. Let us be a strong body
of Christ, excelling in all areas of church growth and effectiveness, bringing the life-saving
message of Jesus Christ to those who have yet to know him!
I envision stronger congregations, led by passionate clergy and laity — all on fire to serve!
...we can couch all that newness in the richness and vitality of our heritage and history as a
steady, solid people of faith. We cannot simply yearn for the little church in the wildwood. We
cannot simply look forward to new things without regard for the saints on whose shoulders we
stand. We must to both. We must do it together. We are three distinct services of worship on
Sunday morning, but we are one, big family of faith. “Yes, we’re the Church
together.”
Oh, come to the Church…
Rev. Adam Shahan
5
6
Join in an in-depth and very
personal examination of this
great story of threat and
deliverance. Beth Moore peels
back the layers of history and
shows how very contemporary
and applicable the story of
Esther is to our lives. If you've
ever felt inadequate, threatened,
or pushed into situations that
seemed overpowering, this is the
study for you. Just as it was
tough being a woman in Esther's day, it's tough today.
This portion of God's Word contains treasures to aid us
in our hurried, harried, and pressured lives.
This study will be offered on Friday mornings, 10 am—
noon, beginning Sept 4. Orientation will be held August
28. Sign up online, or by calling the church office.
For a complete list of our fall Bible
studies, and registration infor-
mation, visit our website on August
10th. Flyers will also be available in
Sunday School folders and the
Welcome Center on August 9th.
…
3 & 4 Year Old Sunday School— “I can learn & share
God’s Word” through exploring Favorite Bible Passages
including: The Shema, Psalm 23, John 3:16, The New
Commandment, and 1 Corinthians 13.
Tadpoles— During the 10:45 am worship service, our 3 &
4 year olds will be learning about Adam and Eve and oth-
er Favorite Bible Passages.
Kindergarten Sunday School— Our kindergartners will
be exploring Favorite Bible Passages including: The She-
ma, Psalm 23, John 3:16, The New Commandment, and 1 Corinthians 13.
Rotation Sunday School—Learning and discovering The Greatest Commandment.
All proceeds go towards our playground fund.
Most of Outreach Ministry is about planting
seeds. Sometimes we plant seeds and see a
change in people but more often than not, we
plant seeds and pray that one day those seeds
will take root.
Sometimes God knows that we really need to
see growth to encourage us to continue to
plant and He waters seeds right there in front
of us!
This summer, I saw a whole lot of watering
and growth at Project Transformation and it
had nothing to do with our rainfall in Oklaho-
ma.
Transformation took place in terms of reading
with every child maintaining their reading lev-
el or in most cases, increased their level. The
greatest transformation though was in the peo-
ple involved in PT.
Children who do not go to church elsewhere
refer this as ‘their church’ and tell us it feels
like “home”. Children who haven't been to
church before tell us that one day they want to
work here one day and love people like we do.
Children who received Bibles as gifts stayed
up late into the night reading their bibles and
told us they wanted to memorize the scrip-
tures we highlighted for them. Interns who
had left the church at a young age, discovered
a loving Jesus, an accepting church and are
now making this their ‘home’.
It is wonderful to see growth! It is wonderful
to feel God’s presence and I am encouraged to
continue to plant! Hope you will spread seeds
with me!
Sowing seeds everywhere,
Richelle Leibold
Director of Outreach and Welcome Ministries
If you need more encouragement about the difference
that PT made in lives, please stop by and ask. This
summer has been tremendous!
FOOD
SOUL
Feeding your appetite physically, mentally
and spiritually.
We offer a healthy option for those who are fol-
lowing the Daniel Plan, a gluten free diet, or
heart healthy diet. Please let us know if you
would rather have the healthier option than
the house option and we will make sure there
is enough each week for you.
Please do not choose both as we make limited
quantities so as not to waste food.
August 5th Chef’s Choice
August 12th Subs, Chips
Healthy Option: Turkey Craisin Spinach
Salad with Almonds
August 19th Tacos
Healthy Option: Tacos
August 26th Hammy Mac and Cheese,
Broccoli
Healthy Choice: Chicken Cheesy Quinoa,
Broccoli
Dry & Cool Indoor Walk with Friends
or Walk around the block! 6 - 6:45 pm
Musical Practices: Moment Band
Choir Returns! Bell Ringers Returns!
Childrens’ Chimes Return!
Watch for new Bible Studies coming soon! Feeding your appetite physically, mentally
and spiritually.
7
Did you know that we have many cancer
survivors within our church? They are waiting
to help those who have been recently diagnosed,
move through the treatment process
and support them. They are available
to meet when you need them. Rogene
Miller heads up our group and can be
reached at 794-4892 or contact
Richelle or Elaine at 794-6671 to let us know
how we can be apart of your recovery.
Au
gu
st 2
01
5
Su
nd
ay
Mo
nd
ay
Tu
esd
ay
Wed
nes
day
T
hu
rsd
ay
Fri
day
S
atu
rday
1
8:00
am
U
MM
Pra
yer
Bre
ak-
fast
8:00
pm
C
AM
Eve
nt
(ten
tativ
e)
2
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
6:30
pm
A
gape
You
th
3
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
7:00
pm
C
ub S
cout
Com
mit-
tee
Mtg
.
4
11:0
0 am
B
ridge
Any
one?
?
5
5:15
pm
A
gape
5:
30 p
m
Com
mun
ity M
eal
7:00
pm
H
omeG
roup
You
ng
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
6
9:30
am
R
etire
e H
omeg
roup
1:
00 p
m
Hor
izon
Cla
ss
6:00
pm
S
teph
en M
inis
try
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up
7:00
pm
T
oast
mas
ters
7:
00 p
m
Wes
ley
Circ
le
7
7:00
pm
H
omeg
roup
at
IHO
P
8
9
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
12:0
0 pm
W
orsh
ip C
omm
ittee
6:
30 p
m
Aga
pe Y
outh
10
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
11
1:00
pm
B
ridge
Any
one?
?
12
9:00
am
U
MW
Qui
lters
5:
15 p
m
Aga
pe
5:30
pm
C
omm
unity
Mea
l 6:
30 p
m
Cha
rla C
ircle
7:00
pm
H
omeG
roup
You
ng
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
13
9:30
am
R
etire
e H
omeg
roup
10
:00
am
Sen
iors
on
the
Go
6:00
pm
B
oy S
cout
s S
oone
r
Dis
tric
t Mee
ting
6:00
pm
S
cout
s M
eetin
g 6:
00 p
m
Ste
war
dshi
p C
om-
mitt
ee
6:30
pm
B
oy S
cout
Lea
der
Rou
ndta
ble
6:30
pm
Y
outh
For
ce D
esig
n
Tea
m
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up
7:00
pm
T
oast
mas
ters
14
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up Y
A
7:00
pm
H
omeg
roup
at
IHO
P
15
8:00
am
U
MM
Pra
yer
Bre
ak-
fast
16
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
6:30
pm
A
gape
You
th
17
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
7:00
pm
T
roop
291
Cm
te.
Mee
ting
18
1:00
pm
B
ridge
Any
one?
?
19
9:45
am
M
ary/
Ten
er C
ircle
10:3
0 am
A
cts
6 5:
15 p
m
Aga
pe
5:30
pm
C
omm
unity
Mea
l 5:
45 p
m
Edu
catio
n C
omm
it-
tee
6:15
pm
H
ospi
talit
y M
eetin
g 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up Y
oung
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
20
9:00
am
U
MW
Cra
fters
9:
30 a
m
Ret
iree
Hom
egro
up
6:00
pm
F
inan
ce C
omm
ittee
6:
00 p
m
Ste
phen
Min
istr
y 7:
00 p
m
Chu
rch
Cou
ncil
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up
7:00
pm
T
oast
mas
ters
21
6:00
pm
G
irls
Sco
uts
~ Y
ear
End
Cer
emon
y 7:
00 p
m
Hom
egro
up a
t
IHO
P
22
23
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
12:1
5 pm
U
MW
Mis
sion
Tea
m M
eetin
g 12
:15
pm
UM
W T
eam
Mtg
. 6:
00 p
m
Mis
sion
s 6:
30 p
m
Aga
pe Y
outh
24
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
25
1:00
pm
B
ridge
Any
one?
? 6:
00 p
m
Girl
Sco
ut R
egis
ter
Eve
nt
6:00
pm
T
rust
ees
Com
mitt
ee 26
5:15
pm
A
gape
5:
30 p
m
Com
mun
ity M
eal
6:15
pm
F
amily
Life
Com
mit-
tee
7:00
pm
H
omeG
roup
You
ng
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
27
9:30
am
R
etire
e H
omeg
roup
7:
00 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Toa
stm
aste
rs
28
Gar
age
Sal
e S
etu
p
7:00
pm
H
omeg
roup
at
IHO
P
29
8:00
am
G
arag
e S
ale
30
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
6:30
pm
A
gape
You
th
31
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
Su
nd
ay
Mo
nd
ay
Tu
esd
ay
Wed
nes
day
T
hu
rsd
ay
Fri
day
S
atu
rday
1
8:00
am
U
MM
Pra
yer
Bre
ak-
fast
8:00
pm
C
AM
Eve
nt
(ten
tativ
e)
2
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
6:30
pm
A
gape
You
th
3
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
7:00
pm
C
ub S
cout
Com
mit-
tee
Mtg
.
4
11:0
0 am
B
ridge
Any
one?
?
5
5:15
pm
A
gape
5:
30 p
m
Com
mun
ity M
eal
7:00
pm
H
omeG
roup
You
ng
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
6
9:30
am
R
etire
e H
omeg
roup
1:
00 p
m
Hor
izon
Cla
ss
6:00
pm
S
teph
en M
inis
try
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up
7:00
pm
T
oast
mas
ters
7:
00 p
m
Wes
ley
Circ
le
7
7:00
pm
H
omeg
roup
at
IHO
P
8
9
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
12:0
0 pm
W
orsh
ip C
omm
ittee
6:
30 p
m
Aga
pe Y
outh
10
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
11
1:00
pm
B
ridge
Any
one?
?
12
9:00
am
U
MW
Qui
lters
5:
15 p
m
Aga
pe
5:30
pm
C
omm
unity
Mea
l 6:
30 p
m
Cha
rla C
ircle
7:00
pm
H
omeG
roup
You
ng
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
13
9:30
am
R
etire
e H
omeg
roup
10
:00
am
Sen
iors
on
the
Go
6:00
pm
B
oy S
cout
s S
oone
r
Dis
tric
t Mee
ting
6:00
pm
S
cout
s M
eetin
g 6:
00 p
m
Ste
war
dshi
p C
om-
mitt
ee
6:30
pm
B
oy S
cout
Lea
der
Rou
ndta
ble
6:30
pm
Y
outh
For
ce D
esig
n
Tea
m
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up
7:00
pm
T
oast
mas
ters
14
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up Y
A
7:00
pm
H
omeg
roup
at
IHO
P
15
8:00
am
U
MM
Pra
yer
Bre
ak-
fast
16
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
6:30
pm
A
gape
You
th
17
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
7:00
pm
T
roop
291
Cm
te.
Mee
ting
18
1:00
pm
B
ridge
Any
one?
?
19
9:45
am
M
ary/
Ten
er C
ircle
10:3
0 am
A
cts
6 5:
15 p
m
Aga
pe
5:30
pm
C
omm
unity
Mea
l 5:
45 p
m
Edu
catio
n C
omm
it-
tee
6:15
pm
H
ospi
talit
y M
eetin
g 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up Y
oung
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
20
9:00
am
U
MW
Cra
fters
9:
30 a
m
Ret
iree
Hom
egro
up
6:00
pm
F
inan
ce C
omm
ittee
6:
00 p
m
Ste
phen
Min
istr
y 7:
00 p
m
Chu
rch
Cou
ncil
7:00
pm
H
ome
Gro
up
7:00
pm
T
oast
mas
ters
21
6:00
pm
G
irls
Sco
uts
~ Y
ear
End
Cer
emon
y 7:
00 p
m
Hom
egro
up a
t
IHO
P
22
23
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
12:1
5 pm
U
MW
Mis
sion
Tea
m M
eetin
g 12
:15
pm
UM
W T
eam
Mtg
. 6:
00 p
m
Mis
sion
s 6:
30 p
m
Aga
pe Y
outh
24
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
25
1:00
pm
B
ridge
Any
one?
? 6:
00 p
m
Girl
Sco
ut R
egis
ter
Eve
nt
6:00
pm
T
rust
ees
Com
mitt
ee 26
5:15
pm
A
gape
5:
30 p
m
Com
mun
ity M
eal
6:15
pm
F
amily
Life
Com
mit-
tee
7:00
pm
H
omeG
roup
You
ng
Adu
lt 7:
00 p
m
Hom
eGro
up-
Edm
ond
7:00
pm
In
terc
esso
ry P
raye
r 7:
00 p
m
Pra
ise
Ban
d R
e-
hear
sal
7:30
pm
C
hanc
el C
hoir
Re-
hear
sal
27
9:30
am
R
etire
e H
omeg
roup
7:
00 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Toa
stm
aste
rs
28
Gar
age
Sal
e S
etu
p
7:00
pm
H
omeg
roup
at
IHO
P
29
8:00
am
G
arag
e S
ale
30
8:15
am
H
erita
ge W
orsh
ip
9:30
am
C
hurc
h S
choo
l 10
:45
am
Her
itage
Wor
ship
10:4
5 am
T
he M
omen
t Wor
-
ship
11:0
0 am
T
adpo
le T
ime
6:30
pm
A
gape
You
th
31
1:00
pm
S
taff
Mee
ting
6:00
pm
B
aske
tbal
l 6:
30 p
m
Hom
e G
roup
7:
00 p
m
Boy
Sco
uts
Children’s choir time will be a
culmination of activities that
encourage the positive spiritual growth of kids grades
K-6th.
A snack will be provided upon the children’s arrival at
church. There is a $20 registration fee per child per se-
mester to assist with the purchase of snacks, as well as a
LEAP t-shirt.
Children’s choir will take place from 4:00-5:30pm on
Wednesdays during the school year. Children may begin
arriving at 4:00pm for snacks and free play; music and educa-
tional activities will begin at approximately 4:30pm.
Important Dates:
August 19th: First day of
L.E.A.P.
October 14th : NO L.E.A.P.!
(Fall Break)
November 25th: NO L.E.A.P.!
(Thanksgiving Break)
December 16th: Last day of
L.E.A.P. for fall semester
For 4th—6th graders:
Children’s Chime Choir will be offered on Wednesday evenings, 6:15-7 pm – for
4th – 6th graders. To sign up, contact Amy Graves or Bobbie Pierro.
Transportation: Transportation from school (MPS only) to choir will be available in some cases. We will do our
best to accommodate as many children as possible, but transportation may not be available from your child’s school. IF
WE ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, WE WILL CONTACT YOU ON AUGUST 18TH.
If you are willing to participate in a carpool from your child’s school, please check the appropriate box on the reg-
istration from.
All children need to be picked up from choir no later than 5:30. ADULT SUPERVISION CANNOT BE PROVIDED
BEFORE 4:00 AND AFTER 5:30PM ON WEDNESDAYS. All adults and children are invited to stay on Wednesdays
for Soul Food, a community meal served at 5:30pm. $1 per person (first time free!)
Participation in Worship:
Children’s choirs will be arranged as follows:
Cherubs: K-2nd
Sonshine Singers: 3rd-6th
Each choir will sing at least once per month in worship. Choirs will alternate between early and late wor-
ship (both traditional and contemporary in late worship).
If you would like to donate your time or resources to the children’s choir ministry, please see a list of opportunities on the registration form.
If you have questions regarding the children’s music ministry, please contact:
Bobbie Pierro, Director of Music Ministries
Moore First United Methodist Church
Phone: 405-794-6671
bobbie.pierro@moorechurch.com
10
Please check below if you would like to be contacted about volunteering in any of the following capacities:
____ I am available to participate as a driver in a carpool from my child’s school
____ I would like to assist during children’s choir time on Wednesday with my presence as an adult leader (stay with a group for
all activities)
____ I have piano accompaniment skills I am willing to offer
Inclement Weather Notification
Please provide an e-mail at which you can be reached concerning cancellation notices due to inclement weather. If you would like
to receive text messages concerning cancellations, please ALSO provide a phone number.
Email: _________________________________________________________
Phone with text capability (optional): _______________________________
____ I DO NOT wish for my child’s photograph to be included in church publications
I hereby authorize First United Methodist Church of Moore, OK to provide care and/or treatment in the event of a medical emer-
gency and/or to provide transportation to a qualified healthcare provider and/or facility in the event of a medical emergency. I
release First United Methodist Church of Moore, OK, and its staff from any and all liability associated with the medical care and
treatment of my child by a qualified health care provider. Unless otherwise specified above, I grant permission for photographs of
my child to be used in publications of First United Methodist Church of Moore, which may include, but not be limited to, electron-
ic communications. I understand that membership in children’s choirs is at the discretion of the director of music ministries and
other church staff. I understand that any action of mine or my child’s that hinders the learning or safety of other children can re-
sult in dismissal from the program. I grant permission for my child to ride church provided transportation, and hereby release
First United Methodist Church of Moore, OK, from all liability including transportation in a church-arranged carpool, should I so
choose to participate in one.
___________________________________________________________
Parent Signature Date
Please fill out a form for each child and return with $20 registration fee, by August 10, to the church office:
*Scholarships available. To apply, contact Amy Graves.
Child’s Name: ______________________________________________ Grade: _____ School: ___________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Cell phone: __________________ Home Phone: __________________ Work phone: _________________
Shirt Size: ____________ E-mail: ____________________________________________________
Adults (other than parents named above) allowed to sign out this child:____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Emergency contact name and phone number:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Allergies (or other health issues you feel are important we
know):___________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____ I would like assistance with transportation for my child to rehearsal, if available.
11
12
We are finally back from a busy and successful summer.
We have made so many wonderful memories together, and
feel closer to God!
10 Agape members participated in Youth Force OKC and
served & changed lives
30 Moore First UMC representatives attended OKC
District Camp and grew closer together while strengthening
our relationship to Christ
8 Agape members went to Denver, CO for our annual
mission trip and sacrificed, learned, and served deeper than
ever Connor McReynolds, our Agape Vice-President,
attended CYME - which is the OKUMC Leadership camp
for senior high students, and he continues to help lead our
youth group to become stronger and more intentional.
As the leader for our wonderful Agape Youth Group, it is one of the highest honors of my life
to be able to be in ministry with these students. They bring so much joy, laughter, humility,
and knowledge to my life. Thank you, for allowing me to continue this ministry at Moore First
UMC!
We want to extend and ENORMOUS - THANK YOU - to each and every one of you who
donated to our Scholarship Fund. There were 10+ students who would not have been able to
participate in summer activities without your help. Because of YOU we experienced the Holy
Spirit, while extending that to others in our community, and in God's Church. THANK YOU!
Donations to our Scholarship Fund are always needed. We have many activities we participate
in, so your financial help is appreciated MORE than you know!
Beginning August 19th, we will start back with our normal Agape schedule, see below for
meeting times.
Please check The Link & the Bulletins for updates on special activities.
Sundays:
9:30 – Sunday School
8:15 & 10:45 - Worship
5:30-7:30 - Agape (Dinner,
Games & Devotion)
Mondays: 5 Loaves Lunch returns
Wednesdays:
4:00 – Homework & Hangout
5:30 – Soul Food Dinner
6:00-7:30 – Games & Devotion
Check the Bulletin each Sunday for
updated meeting times.
August 9th @ 1:00pm in the Youth Room, I will
be hosting an informational meeting for any
adults who feel called to help serve our youth
group. This could be anything from driving a van
and participating in special events, to feeling
called to be a regular adult leader to our activities.
If you would like more information on how you can
serve our Agape Youth Group, please attend our
Adult Leader Informational Meeting. We look for-
ward to being in ministry with you!
13
Do you receive the Link via U.S. mail and would rather receive via email? Do you receive the
Link via email and would rather receive via U.S. mail? Email Hayley at
hayley.leibold@moorechurch.com or call the church office at 794-6671 and let us know if you
would like to make the switch.
Our Church Council would like to invite everyone
to their quarterly meeting on Thursday, August 20th
at 6:00 p.m. in the Christian Life Center. This will be
more than a business meeting – it will be a celebra-
tion of the work our church has accomplished in 2015
and we will look together at what our church can ac-
complish in 2016, by 2020, and by 2025.
We have a great desire to hear everyone's dreams for
our church and hope you will come share your
thoughts with us. Our answers will aid the work of
the Long-Range Planning Team as we prayerfully vi-
sion what Moore 1st UMC will look like in the coming
years. Even better, we will do all of this over a lovely
steak dinner! Really, it is a free steak dinner (with
option for those with dietary restrictions).
Please go to moorechurch.com and register for the
dinner and celebration. If you do not have a comput-
er, you can register in the Welcome Center outside
the sanctuary or the CLC lobby. You can also register
by calling the church office at 405-794-6671. Deadline
for registering is Sunday, August 9th.
14
August 9th at 1:00pm in the Youth Room,
Aly Shahan will be hosting an informational
meeting for any adults who feel called to help serve
with our youth group. This could be anything from
driving a van and participating in special events, to
feeling called to be a regular adult leader to our
activities.
If you would like more information on how you can
serve with our Agape Youth Group, please attend our
Adult Leader Informational Meeting. We look forward
to being in ministry with you!
August 8th & 9th
India Mission Team Reunion/
Boys Ranch Mission
You are invited to go on a mission trip to Gore, OK to
spend an afternoon of fun, games and quality time
with the boys at the Boys Ranch. The only cost to you
is for your meals. If this is something you might be
interested in, or would like more information on,
please contact Harriet Parmar or
Julie Jones.
There are still several dates to provide
flowers for our sanctuary altar. If you
would like to furnish flowers please
sign up on the calendar located in the
work room located across from the
front office. It can also be a plant
instead of flowers. We appreciate
your willingness to help beautify our
altar. The dates are:
August 30
Sept. 27
Nov. 8,15,29
Dec. 6
August 23, 12:15 pm
Team meeting for all UMW chair
ladies;
September 19
District Annual Meeting, hosted
at Moore FUMC;
September 3, 6 pm
General meeting.
15
Join the team of people who help to make
Sundays a wonderful worshipful day for God!
We are very much in need of training some
more people to run the videos during worship
for the summer months, especially in the
10:45 Heritage service. If you are able to push
‘Enter’ on a computer, and be present in
worship, you are needed! Contact Hayley at
794-6671. God and we need you!
Our paper recycling bins have been removed
but we still have loads of paper to recycle.
If you are interested in continuing to recycle,
we will collect our used papers in our offices,
bulletins in the Welcome Center but need
someone committed to pick them up weekly
and take them to the recycle center. If this
person is you, please contact Tim at 794-6671.
Soul food is blessed by many wonderful
volunteers in the kitchen and we have seen
this ministry grow. After dinner, there is still
so much to do! Please consider being one of
our crew that picks up salt and pepper
shakers, wipes down tables, folds chairs
and/or rolls away tables. No need to apply, all
are accepted! Many hands makes light work.
Our goal is to be complete by 6:40!
Drivers to either drive their own car or a
church van each Wednesday (we can rotate
drivers if we get enough volunteers) to schools
to pick up children at 3:25 or 3:50 and bring
them to the church.
Snack Servers to offer up the snack of the day
at 4 pm each Wednesday.
Reading Partners to read with kids, help with
homework or assist with activities from 4—
5:30.
This month, we have many of our servers on
vacation. If you have a food handlers card, we
need your help on August 5, August 12th and
August 19th. Some of those Wednesdays we
may have only 1 server of our usual available,
please call Richelle at 794-6671now to say you
are available from 4—7:00 pm (after August
3rd, please talk with Elaine in the front office
as Richelle will be out).
Mark your calendar for Monday evenings, at 7:00 PM,
from July 6th through August 24th
Grief occurs following a variety of losses. We lose family members that we are very close to
and friends that we love. We may experience grief after a natural disaster, a serious illness,
a job loss or almost any event that causes change in our life.
The church would like to offer a safe place to learn, to be aware of resources, and to share
with others the experience of grief. Using a resource entitled Beyond the Broken Heart,
published by Abingdon Press, the group will focus on and discuss how the author’s experience
and faith can help us understand more about our own unique grief.
We will meet in room 102 by the east side Education entrance. Call the church office
(794-6671) or contact Kathleen Frye fryekate@gmail.com to register; allowing us to have
enough books and handouts available.
Periodical “The Link” is published the 1st Monday of each month by the First United
Methodist Church, 201 West Main, Moore, Oklahoma 73160. Periodical
Postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
(USPS 587-440) THE LINK-POSTMASTER,
PLEASE SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
201 West Main
Moore Oklahoma 73160
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Pastor Rob Harris
Rev. Adam Shahan
Rev. James Hunt
Kenny Quenzer
Amy Graves
Richelle Leibold
Tim Adair
Renee Alton
Elaine Prior
Hayley Leibold
Aly Shahan
Sharla Payne
Bobbie Pierro
Eddie West
Phyllis Nichols
Judy Rogers, Christie Akers,
Becky Lawton, Belen Mancilla, Jordan Thomas
and Karen Salgado
Please email September Link
submissions to
hayley.leibold@moorechurch.com
by Saturday, August 15th.
Please call the church office at
(405) 794-6671 if you would like to
be taken off The Link mailing list.
If you would like to receive The
Link by email, please send your
Email address to
hayley.leibold@moorechurch.com.
MEMORIALS AND
HONORARIUMS
Through July 21, 2015
In Honor of Kathy Sylvester
From: Gerald and Jean Krows
In Honor of Susie Pierce
From: Gerald and Jean Krows
In Honor of Rob and Wendy
Krows
From: Charles and Geneva Hogan
In Memory of Mary Underwood
From: Gerald and Jean Krows
Ruth Stults
Mildred Stults
Doral Hopper
Linda Starling
In Memory of Eileen Grassman
From: Doral Hopper
In Memory of Naoma Thomas
From: Doral Hopper
Jack Dreessen
Fred and Sandra Thomsen