CHURCH OFFICE HOURS SUNDAY SERVICES Monday - Thursday Praise & Worship 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. (Closed for lunch 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.) Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. Friday - closed The First United Methodist Church 15502 South Memorial Bixby, Oklahoma 74008
CHURCH STAFF Rev. Dan Pulver, Senior PastorThe Flame Rev. Matt Thompson, Associate Pastor Hannah Birney, Director of Children’s Ministry Shelly Thompson, Director of Youth Ministry Anita Hayes, Chancel Choir Director ZaQue Hutchings, Keyboardist Jeana Malone, Office Administrator Kim Campbell, Secretary Matt Erickson, Facility Manager
Volume 19 Issue 7 July 2017
You are invited to gather together Wednesday Evenings at 6:00 pm beginning July 12th for Beth Moore's newest study "Entrusted". Led by Laurie Pratt and Linda White, this six week study will focus on 2nd Timothy. Please sign up and join us!
This study is for you if you want to:
Support and encourage other believers in Christ, as they in turn encourage you Realize you’ve been entrusted with the gospel and the gift to serve Discover why mentoring is a pivotal part of the faith jour- ney Increase your effectiveness as a Christian Learn how to continue in ministry despite hardships Challenge yourself in the discipline of daily Bible study
If you have any questions, talk to Linda White, Laurie Pratt or Carrie LoPresti.
*Please sign up at the Welcome Table in the Narthex.
We thank Judy Williams and her volunteers: Linda and Charlie White, Audrey Spring, Julie Noftsger, Joyce Lovitt, Dana Luft, and Pat Holder, for cleaning, straightening, and re-organizing the church library. Our Church library was initially created in memory of Charlie and Linda White’s daughter, Erin. We have re-named it the Erin White Library, and hope you will take time to go upstairs, follow the signs, and spend some time looking at our books and curriculum available for your use. Books are color coded according to content. No need to check in or out-simply take a book and then return it to the shelf or lay it on the desk. Be sure to take a look & a book!
THE FLAME is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, 15502 S. Memorial Drive, Bixby, OK 74008. Phone: 918-366-4463 Fax: 918-366-4465 Website: www.fumcbixby.org Church E-mail: [email protected] To submit information: [email protected]
Out of the Lions’ Den...
A friend of mine gave me the gift of knowing how connected I am to John Wesley. I was ordained in 1981 by Bishop John Wesley Hardt, who was ordained by Bishop A. Frank Smith, who was ordained by Bishop William Newman Ainsworth, who was ordained by Bishop John Cowper Granberry, who was ordained by Bishop Robert Paine, who was ordained by Bishop William McKendree, who was ordained by Francis Asbury, who was consecrated as Bishop by Bishop Thomas Coke, who was consecrated Bishop by John Wesley in 1784. In other words, there are only 8 generations of bishops separating me from John Wesley. Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury were chosen by John Wesley to be his first two bishops of the new denomination here in the United States. The rest of the Bishops since that time were elected by a Jurisdictional Conference. I had no idea the chain between me and brother John Wesley was so short. As a Pastor, I have served under 6 Bishops: Milhouse, Hardt, Solomon, Blake, Hayes, and now Bishop Nunn. It occurs to me how much I have been influenced by the Bishops I have served. Each one has been distinctly different from the others, leading from their own strengths, unafraid of their unique weaknesses. They have led our Conference in an effort to make each local church as successful in being the Body of Christ as possible. They have appointed me to the churches I have served, who have encouraged, challenged, blessed and questioned me, helping me become the pastor I am today. They are the churches who raised my children, provided a home for us, and demanded more from us than we thought we could give. The chain between Jesus and me is much longer, spanning 1,988 years. But those years are filled with the lives of real people: those in the first generation who knew Jesus as a man, and the following generations of people who knew him in the same way I have come to know him. Jesus has revealed himself to all of us in powerful moments of worship, awe-inspiring looks at creation, genuine loving care received from other believers, and in quiet, unassuming moments of prayer where He nudged me, and I could almost hear him breathe. Our life of faith is a connected one. We are part of the long line of heritage, of people who have been touched and loved by Jesus. When I was ordained in 1981, there were seven men who laid hands on my head and shoulders: Bishop Paul Milhouse, Bishop John Wesley Hardt, Bishop Emerson Colaw, Bishop Paul Galloway, Dr. Bonner Teeter, Dr. Lloyd Peters, and my Dad, Merle B. Pulver. Bishop Hardt died this month, the last of those seven men to enter the Church Triumphant. Milhouse, a man of quiet, softspoken faith; Hardt, a man who remembered all the names of those he served; Colaw, a man who was a gifted storyteller; Teeter, a devoted Pastor; Peters, a great sense of humor; Pulver, who loved deeply. I like to think my ordination connected me to them. It’s great being part of a connectional Church, linking us to those who have shaped our lives into the image of Christ. Who is shaping your life right now? ~Daniel What’s Happening at “On the Edge”? Our downtown Bixby facility on Dawes Ave. has been really busy this summer. We’ve been feeding over a hundred children and their family members each day. On Wednesdays, as you see in the photo, the main room is set up with tents for children to curl up and read, with tables for playing games, and tables for drawing pictures. We have extra volunteers on Wednesdays to read with children, or to play or draw with them. We’re having about 10 to 12 children that choose to stay and have fun with us, rather than just grabbing their meals and leaving. It gives us the chance to love the children at a deeper level than simply feeding them. We’re feeding not only bodies, but souls. You can volunteer to help any weekday, but especially on Wednes- days. Sign up at the Welcome Table outside the sanctuary. How Are We Paying for It? Our church provides the Upper Now that our construction to water seal our facility with new roof, new siding, and improved Room Daily Devotional book to aid grading to our grounds, we have nearly $1,000,000 to in prayer and meditation. pay off over the next six to ten years. Where does that money come from to pay our loan at the bank? Please pick up your copy in the I’m glad you asked!! We are paying $6,000 per Narthex just outside the Sanctuary. month on our note, with an additional $4,000 paid on the principal each month. All those monies come from you and your second-mile gifts to our Raise the Roof Fund. The money you give to Raise the Roof needs to be over and above everything you already contribute to the Church. It will take every one of us to accomplish this. It will take weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual gifts. It will take a child’s allowance and some adults remembering us in their wills, to get this debt paid. The sooner our debt is paid, the sooner we can move forward, using God’s resources for other projects of mission and ministry. This is important! Are you helping?
We still have one more youth camp this summer, Trek3. Shelly, Pastor Matt and Mike Spring are all going as the leaders, Pastor Matt and Shelly are the deans for this backpacking camp. We have 7 students attending and we are very excited to see God move in their lives out in the We sent 19 people to Camp United this year. Five adults & 14 students. Shelly helped to dean the wilderness. camp. Jodie Sweet, Maci King, Peter LoPresti, & Hannah Salas all went as cabin & small group leaders. What happens at It was a tremendous time learning how to have Fearless Faith! camp...changes lives!
Thank you Thank you, Thank you!
July Sunday School What an awesome week of VBS . I can not express my appreciation and gratitude to all who helped July 2: Elijah & the ravens make this year a success.. Thank you to the children, teachers & staff, set-up & clean-up crews, and everyone July 9: Elijah & the prophets who donated money, time, talents, and especially prayers. July 16: Jonah & the fish There were 65 volunteers working with about 140 July 23: Elisha & the widows jars children. We all truly discovered our strength in God! ~Hannah July 30: Elisha & the servant girl
Do Good Seek Peace And Go After It! Psalm 34: 14b Growing: Deep and Wide C
E Celebrate Baptism On June 11, Chloe Vaca was baptized. L She is pictured with Pastor Matt before her E immersion.
B
R Chloe and her parents Stephen & Carol. A Congratulations! Celebrate new friends Laurie & Fred Madland were T welcomed into membership on June 11. So glad they are here! E
Local Missions/Operation Hope Prison Ministry Operation Hope Prison Ministry shares hope and encouragement to families affected by incarcera- tion by serving men & women inside prisons and their children residing in Tulsa and surrounding communities. Our mission is to reduce recidivism by assisting ex-offenders navigate the obstacles they face in securing their basic and immediate needs, such as housing and employment.
Over 2,000 men, women and children were served in 2016. Volunteers are needed to help continue and expand services such as: Play Days for children to visit their incarcerated Mothers and Grand- mothers; Bedtime Stories for incarcerated Dads and Grandfathers to read and record story books to their children; Angel Tree & Christmas Party; Incarcerated Veterans Programs; Post release Mentoring, Scholarships and teaching classes in prison.
In 2016 Operation Hope Prison Ministry was awarded “Volunteer Organization of the Year,” by the State of Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections. Bixby First United Methodist Members serve in a leadership capacity at OHPM and are involved in several events coming up! More information will be provided by church-wide email.
Members may contact Cheri Buschmann, OHPM Director at 918 599-0663 or Al Nordean, Bixby FUMC member, 918-510-4790 for more information. Monthly Meeting Reminders: Second Friday is on vacation! (known meetings from the office calendar)
No June, July, or August events.
Trustees-Sunday, July 9 Look for us in the Fall. 5:00 p.m.
Mission Ministry Council-Sunday, July 9 6:00 p.m.
Admin. Board-Sunday, July 16 6:00 p.m.
Stitchers of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our very own Pastor Matt has several writings July 11 & 25, 10:00 a.m. published in this new book. If you know someone who is need of a prayer shawl To find out more go to www.vinculinc.com we have several available. He writes under the Please contact the church office. name Matthew Bryan Thompson. Be sure to check it out! First United Methodist Church,
A special thank you for your support and contributions to the continued growth of our organization.
Bixby Outreach Center, Natalie, Connie, Angela and Michelle
ATTENDANCE FOR WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday, June 4 June 11 June 18 June 25 8:30 a.m. 121 77 97 11:00 a.m. 244 181 152 182
TOTAL 244 302 229 279 One service
Sermons are available online www.fumcbixby.org July 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 prayers for my church
2 Communion 3 prayers for my church 4 prayers for my church 5 prayers for my church 6 prayers for my church 7 prayers for my church 8 prayers for my church 7:30 a.m. Worship Prep. & Prayer 7:00 p.m. Scouts Independence Day 9:30 a.m. Yoga 8:30 a.m. Quilters 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Praise Band 9:30 a.m. Preschool 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 6:00 p.m. Youth 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice Study
Sonshine Camp,
Egan, July 8 & 9 Church Office Closed Church Office Closed
9 10 prayers for my church 11 prayers for my church 12 prayers for my church 13 prayers for my church 14 prayers for my church 15 prayers for my church 7:30 a.m. Worship Prep.& Prayer 9:30 a.m. Yoga 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:30 a.m. Yoga 8:30 a.m. Quilters 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. Scouts 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl 6:00 p.m. Praise Band 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 6:00 p.m. Wed. Evening Study 5:00 p.m. Trustees Study-Entrusted by Beth 6:00 p.m. Mission Ministry Council Moore
16 17 prayers for my church 18 prayers for my church 19 prayers for my church 20 prayers for my church 21 prayers for my church 22 prayers for my church 7:30 a.m. Worship Prep. & Prayer 9:30 a.m. Yoga 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:30 a.m. Yoga 8:30 a.m. Quilters 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. Scouts 6:00 p.m. Praise Band 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 6:00 p.m. Youth Study 6:00 p.m. Admin. Board 6:00 p.m. Entrusted
Study 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice Trek-3, July 22-30
23 24 prayers for my church 25 prayers for my church 26 prayers for my church 27 prayers for my church 28 prayers for my church 29 prayers for my church 7:30 a.m. Worship Prep. & Prayer 9:30 a.m. Yoga 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:30 a.m. Yoga 8:30 a.m. Quilters 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. Scouts 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl 6:00 p.m. Praise Band 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 6:00 p.m. Entrusted Study
30 31 Study
7:30 a.m. Worship Prep. & Prayer 9:30 a.m. Yoga Growin’ In Grace, Egan, July 24-26 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. Scouts 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 6th Grade camp, Egan, July 24-28 First United Methodist Church Non-Profit 15502 South Memorial Organization Bixby, OK 74008 Pre-Sort Standard (918) 366-4463 Bixby, Oklahoma 74008 email: [email protected] Permit No. 18 Website: www.fumcbixby.org
July 2017 The Flame
Or Current Resident
Please pray for these active duty military personnel :
Air Force: Senior Airman Kyle Seaman, Son of Lee & Jean Seaman Serving at Shaw AFB, South Carolina
Air Force: CJ Griffith, Son of Eric Griffith Grandson of Joyce McKenzie
Air Force: Joe McMath Son of Carol McMath
Army: Conner Walcher, Great Nephew of June & David Skaggs Serving in Germany
Army: Sergeant E-5 Tony McAmis Son of Rick & Sarah McAmis Serving in Hawaii
Army: Anthony Halbauer Son-in-law to Carol Mcmath & brother-in-law of Beth & Ryan Hilton, Lexie McMath Serving in Africa
Marine: Staff Sgt. Brad Towery Grandson of Bill & Loeta Towery Serving at Camp Pendleton, Ca
Marine: Lt. Col. Rob Carlson Grandson of bill & Loeta Towery Serving in NC
Marine: Jake Brookshire Nephew of Becki Freeman & Maria Rhodes Bootcamp
Navy: Kole Hilton Son of Ryan & Beth Hilton, Grandson of Carol McMath Serving in the Middle East with the Marines
Navy: Lt. Scott Sides Brother of Melissa Morrow, Brother in law of Phillip Morrow
Navy: Lt. Cmdr. Clay Cooper Son in law of Susan McKinney
Okla. National Guard: Wyatt Ritter Son of Jacque Griffith Serving in Ukraine