March, 2018 Volume 22 Issue 3 First United Methodist Church of Seminole IN THIS ISSUE: From the Pastor 1 Church Council 2 UMM & UMW 3 News 4 Calendar 5 Contact Info 6 THE CHURCH CONNECTION ATTENDANCE SS Worship Feb. 4 58 98 Feb. 11 38 69 Feb. 18 46 65 Feb. 25 53 72 AVERAGE SS — 49 WORSHIP — 76 As I sit to write these words, I am processing the news that beloved evan- gelist Billy Graham has passed away. He was 99 and according to a Facebook post by his son, Franklin, he had been preaching the gospel for nearly 80 years. Dr. Graham has been the spiritual advisor to presidents and potentates, had traveled all over the world sharing the love of Christ and an excellent example of a Christian believer. Yet what enamored me the most to Dr. Graham was his humility and his outlook on life. When Rev. Graham was diagnosed with Parkinson’s dis- ease he quipped, “You know what happens when you get Parkinson’s? Your handwriting gets illegible and your sermons longer.” That answer reflects Graham’s outlook and understanding of life. As I was reading through the many news articles, obituaries really, by hundreds of newspapers and magazines across the globe I came across a statement by Dr. Graham regarding his death. Please read this care- fully because it speaks volumes! “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will be gone into the presence of God.” That’s great theology but what else would you expect from America’s preacher. We seem to struggle against death, even those of us who have faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, removing the sting of death is what Easter is all about. Easter is all about resurrection. Our earthly body may wear out and stop but the triumph of Jesus over death assures us of a resurrection to eternal life. Graham says that we are merely changing our address, but I like to look at it as transferring my membership from this earthly life to life eternal. Our last breath here on earth is our first one in heaven. Someone asked Grant Wacker, a former church history professor at Duke if there might be another Billy Graham someday. Wacker quoted C.S. Lewis by saying, “The one prayer God never answers is, Encore.” God has received a faithful servant and we grieve the hole that Rev. Graham’s death leaves in this world but what an inspiration that life was to millions of people. Myself included! In Christ’s Peace, Pastor Mark
As I sit to write these words, I am processing the news that beloved evan-gelist Billy Graham has passed away. He was 99 and according to a Facebook post by his son, Franklin, he had been preaching the gospel for nearly 80 years. Dr. Graham has been the spiritual advisor to presidents and potentates, had traveled all over the world sharing the love of Christ and an excellent example of a Christian believer. Yet what enamored me the most to Dr. Graham was his humility and his outlook on life. When Rev. Graham was diagnosed with Parkinson’s dis-ease he quipped, “You know what happens when you get Parkinson’s? Your handwriting gets illegible and your sermons longer.” That answer reflects Graham’s outlook and understanding of life. As I was reading through the many news articles, obituaries really, by hundreds of newspapers and magazines across the globe I came across a statement by Dr. Graham regarding his death. Please read this care-fully because it speaks volumes! “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will be gone into the presence of God.” That’s great theology but what else would you expect from America’s preacher. We seem to struggle against death, even those of us who have faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, removing the sting of death is what Easter is all about. Easter is all about resurrection. Our earthly body may wear out and stop but the triumph of Jesus over death assures us of a resurrection to eternal life. Graham says that we are merely changing our address, but I like to look at it as transferring my membership from this earthly life to life eternal. Our last breath here on earth is our first one in heaven. Someone asked Grant Wacker, a former church history professor at Duke if there might be another Billy Graham someday. Wacker quoted C.S. Lewis by saying, “The one prayer God never answers is, Encore.” God has received a faithful servant and we grieve the hole that Rev. Graham’s death leaves in this world but what an inspiration that life was to millions of people. Myself included! In Christ’s Peace, Pastor Mark
THE CHURCH CONNECTION Page 2
NEEDED WEEKLY. . . . . . . .$ 3,360.00 RECEIVED
February 4………………… $ 2,317.00
February 11…………………$ 2,889.00
February 18…………………$ 1,328.00
February 25…………………$ 1,571.00
FINANCES If you have any questions about the fi-
nances of the church, please feel free to speak
with Mark Schell, Treasurer; or Lola Davisson,
Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Copies of the current budget are in the
display outside the Treasurer’s office.
MISSIONS PAID: %
We are still going strong on Wednesday evening with a great crowd every week, but we would love to have more people join us! We will begin a new study on March 7th. We will be journeying through Leslie Weatherhead’s “The Will of God.” This a great book to help us delve further into understanding God’s will for us as individuals and as a people of faith. We begin at 6:15pm so make plans to join us! Books have been ordered and they are $6 apiece.
Mark Out of the Office Our pastor will be out of the office from March 12th thru March 14th for meetings as a part of his work with the Oklahoma Board of Ministry. As has been the prac-tice in times past, Mark will not be able to take phone calls during the day but will answer texts on breaks. If you need to get in touch with him, please feel free to text him or contact the church office and Donna will get ahold of Mark.
The children are starting a service project to send care packages to soldiers stationed overseas.
They are writing letters and drawing pictures to include in the packages.
They need help getting items to include in the packages and help with shipping costs. See below
for a partial list of items than can be put in the packages. Any and all donations will be greatly
appreciated.
Peanut butter pretzels
Beef Jerky
Chex Mix
Small bottles of Mountain Dew
Nuts
Hard Candy
Playing Cards
Card Games
Word Searches
Crosswords
Cash Cards to use at Base Locations
For more information, please contact Dee Tedrick.
CARE PACKAGES FOR SOLDIERS
Saturday
March 10th
8:00am
ALL MEN
ARE WELCOME!
UNITED
METHODIST
WOMEN
Wednesday
March 21st
9:30am (UMW is now meeting on
the 3rd Wednesday.)
President. . .
LOLA DAVISSON
President. . .
WALLACE
GATES
THE CHURCH CONNECTION Page 3
Second Quarter — April 22, 2018
Third Quarter — July 15, 2018
Fourth Quarter — October 21, 2018
IF NEEDED — December 9, 2018
Dear FUMC Seminole. . .
We don’t know what we would do without our amazing church family! Devastation and
tragedy comes to us all at one time or another, but you all have been our light of hope in
what seemed to be a hopeless situation! Thank you for generously giving $200 to help us
restart our life. We are forever thankful that God brought us to Seminole FUMC!
With sincere gratitude and appreciation. We love you! Todd & Justin
SUPER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Yes, you read correctly! The McNeill family will be returning to Seminole to do a community concert on Saturday, March 24th @ 6:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to invite people to join you. A love offering will be taken. So share the news because you know from experience how good this family is. Invite a friend or two to join you, but don’t miss this exciting, Spirit-filled evening.
Return of the McNeills
Saturday, March 24th @ 6:30pm
A NOTE FROM TODD AND JUSTIN. . .
Page 4 THE CHURCH CONNECTION
Maundy Thursday Service Plans are being made to celebrate and remem-ber the events of Jesus’ last night on earth so make plans to be here on March 29th at 6:30pm. The service will include singing, praying, a short sermon, communion and foot washing. Hope to see you!
HOLY WEEK SOUP & SERMON
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Monday, March 26th through Friday, March 30th
12 noon
Different churches provide a short sermon and lunch each day.
Wednesday is Methodist Day!
Easter Sunrise and Morning Worship Once again, we will begin to celebrate Easter early in the morning with a sunrise service. The sunrise ser-vice will begin at 6:30am and Mark is hoping to have it at the Little cemetery, but firmer plans will be made as Easter Sunday gets closer.
The second service will begin at 10:45am on Easter Sunday and we would love to include some great special music. If you can play or sing (or know someone who does) then let Sandy know.
