Church Community Newsletter

CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER A Bi-Monthly Publication – Issue Date: July 7th, 2015 St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Thomas Hoffmann, Pastor Jose Estrada, Associate Pastor

Our Mission Statement: “St. Matthew’s Tulsa is a United Methodist congregation that brings Christ to people of all nations in our community.” Our Slogan: “Every Person/Every Nation/All Together/One Location”

Passion

A strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept. (Merriam- Webster)

David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” – 1 Samuel 17:26

One of my favorite characters from the Bible is King David. I believe that his devotion to God was one of the keys that allowed him to accomplish heroic deeds in the name of the Lord. God said about him that he had a heart after his own heart. But by reading the book of Psalms we can understand the level of passion for God that he had. When he heard that Goliath was insulting not just the army or the nation, but the Israelites’ God, David found that to be unacceptable. It is our nature not to take lightly when somebody offends a loved one, and for King David, God was a loved one.

Passion in my opinion marks the difference between the ordinary and excellence. In any discipline that humans can engage it is the passion that drives those who excel, in sports, education, relationships, music or other arts, religion, engineering and so on. It is your passion of what you do what keeps you going.

Another of the many passionate people for God was Paul the Apostle; he did not just love God but he was passionate about him. That’s why he traveled so many miles preaching that message that he liked to call, “my gospel.”

These are times in which we should not only be in love with our God, but we need to also be passionate about Him. It is time to let our actions do the preaching, time to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us into a passionate relation with God through his people. Because the more passionate we become in our relation with God, the more passionate we become in our relationships with everybody and with everything that we do, and that is exactly what is going to drive us to accomplish heroic deeds in His Name and for His Glory.

Let’s be passionate for His Kingdom,

José Estrada

Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 1 of 9 Requests from the Pantry

For some time the Food Pantry has had no requests, but now we have needs to be able to It’s Breakfast Time! Sunday July 19th fill a sack properly. Hungry for pancakes? Biscuits & sausage Needed are: breakfast items (Oatmeal, cereal), gravy? Cheesy scrambled eggs? French peanut butter and jelly: 12 - 16 oz., dried toast? Come on down! The VIM Team will be beans, spaghetti, macaroni (still have mac & serving their down-home, freshly-made cheese), noodles. breakfast on Sunday, July 19th. Your We still have soups, and canned vegetables. favorites will be hot and ready for you from We could also use spaghetti sauce and pancake mix. 7:30-9 a.m. The VIM Team wants to thank you for your support. Thanks for your help…if you have other ideas, all items are appreciated Meet you at the breakfast table Sunday!

And will be put to good use.

Barbara McDowell

July Birthdays August Birthdays

4 USA 26 Bonita Young 5 Arnold McDowell 17 Richard Bachelder 6 Harry Arnold 27 Tawnya McCammon 6 Tom Vannoy 18 Tom Robison 8 Vivianna Rodriguez 25 Brittany Stilwell 20 Capy Catterton 28 Zai Ramos 8 Linda Johnson 29 Jan Colvin 24 Jeanine Keller 30 Meredith McCammon 8 Robert Stage 30 Rusty Colvin 16 Bri Parker-Clary 16 Summer Litsey If you want your birthday listed in the newsletter, 16 Rita Robison 16 Fernando Rodriguez contact Alon at 622-7006 If you want your birthday listed in the newsletter, contact Alon at 622-7006

Ronald McDonald House – Sarah’s Circle Those furnishing Main Dishes for Ronald McDonald House on July 22, 2015 We are reading from Who Am I, God? By Marjorie are Deborah Worman and SuzannePfeifer. Holmes. Join us on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 for The ladies furnishing desserts on study and refreshments. this date are Bonita Young and Andrea We have several 2015 UMW books on the shelf in the Laney. Parlor. Those of you who read some or all of the books will be given special recognition at Thank you to you ladies. the Annual Meeting. Don't miss out on these good books. Jeanine Keller Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 2 of 9

Acts 6:7 – “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Please continue to pray for healing for those who are once again fighting allergies, flu, virus, colds, and pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections.

B J Moore had her shoulder surgery Monday morning (6-29) early. Praise the Lord for the doctor and his staff for bringing her through the ordeal. Continue to pray for healing and comfort.

Continued prayers are needed for the Hurst’s son & his wife during the remainder of her pregnancy. Also pray for Janie’s cousins who were in the car accident.

Continued prayers are needed for Barbara Patterson during her recuperation. She is in rehab and her address is: Forrest Hills Care Center, 4300 Houston, Broken Arrow.

Please pray for the St. Francis Volunteer secretary, Rita and her family who lost her husband.

Please pray for my niece who is undergoing tests for her heart.

Pastor Thomas is inviting us to be in prayer for the families, friends and faith communities of Charlotte, S.C. following the terrible act of violence that took place at a Wednesday night Methodist bible study. He is asking us to be in prayer for all people throughout our country because these acts affect everyone. Ask God to make us strong and faithful Christians regardless of the cost, so that we can be proactive peacemakers and ambassadors of reconciliation in this age of violence, separation and hate that even takes place in our churches. May God forgive and heal us all.

CONTINUED PRAYERS Mel Evans and Bonnie Dust, Creel Davis, Catherine Peters and Bear, Kendle Boyce friend Kirsten Plum and children, Chuck Wise sister and mother, Brent Utterback’s stepdad, Del, Pastor Laura Wolfe, Harry Arnold’s friends, Cherrish Campbell, Del & Sharon Gatzke & Del’s son, Elinor Bartleson and her daughter, Burkhalter’s cousin’s grandson Jenson, Theresa Brantley, her sisters Ethel and Linda, Austin and Kim Sleeper, Sherry Tolbert, Keile Farrel, Iva Flanagan’s family. Barbara N, Hime’s son-in-law Guy, Nancy Hoffman’s mom , Ann Marie’s brother Eric, Gordon & Judy Godfrey, Bud Loveless daughter Karen, Barbara Patterson and son, Andrea Laney’s mom.

BEREAVEMENT –Deanna Peterson’s family, Rita, Tom, & Corvan Robison in the loss of their daughter in-law/wife, Jeff Saville & family, Chuck Wise & family,The Flanagan family, Joy Barkat & family in the loss of her mother. Barbara Youngblood, Nancy Wilson and families in the loss of their mother Gladys Robertson.

Yours in God’s love Barbara Roderick

Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 3 of 9 UMW Calendar

All women at St. Matthew's are invited to any UMW events. Most meetings are the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30. Child care and rides are available upon request.

UMW DATES

July 17 – 19 Mission u at OCU, weekend session

July 19 – 20 Mission u at OCU, Sunday/Monday session

Aug. 1st Mission u at Boston Ave. UMC

Aug. 20 Women’s Fellowship 6:30 pm

Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 4 of 9 Mowing Schedule

July 9th Team 4 (Dr. Mike, Paul, Chuck, Ron) July 16th Team 1 (Del, Bubby, Mike Rutledge) July 23rd Team 2 (Bud, John, Andy) July 30th Team 3 (Rusty, Tracy, Harry) Aug. 6th Team 4 (Dr. Mike, Paul, Chuck, Ron) Aug. 13th Team 1 (Del, Bubby, Mike Rutledge)

From Suzanne Pfeifer

If anyone would like to receive their newsletters via email just send your email address to [email protected] and [email protected]. I will set it up. Thanks! Suzanne Requests from Debbie Gant

Jan Colvin is updating the church calendar. Please fill out the calendar form located in the main office and be sure Jan receives it. This keeps us from booking more than one event in the same room at the same time. There are many church groups and events, and outside organizations who use the facilities at the church. If you have a scheduled event from now until October, please fill out a scheduling form ASAP. Spot 31 Wish List

Clean up crew

Although the children and youth clean up their trash and their chairs after dinner, they have a scheduled bible study as soon as they finish eating. Their time is limited while they are here, and we would like for them to spend more time in bible study and less time cleaning up after dinner. We would love to have a team to assist Robert cleaning up after dinner. This consists of washing a few pots and pans, taking out trash, putting away left overs etc. Clean up starts about 6:15 and ends when everything is all put away.

Paper goods

Spot 31 could use donations of paper plates, plastic silverware, napkins and plastic cups. Please leave any donations outside of Debbie's office.

Thanks you so much for all your support.

Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 5 of 9 All-Church Worship Survey Being Conducted

Pastor Thomas, on behalf of the Worship Committee, is conducting an anonymous survey to find out your opinions about worship.

The best way to take the survey is online at this address: http://www.tiny.cc/smumc1. You can use your home computer, your laptop, or even your smartphone! If these are a problem for you, or if you simply prefer, there are paper copies available in the office. Just put the completed survey in Pastor Thomas’ mailbox located on his office door.

Your results will be combined with opinions from the neighborhood about what they are seeking in a church’s worship service. We will share these results with you, and then consider any changes that need to be made in order to make worship at St. Matthew’s as inspiring as possible.

Either the online or the written survey will take about 20 minutes to complete, or a bit longer if you have personal comments--which you are encouraged to share! If you have any questions about the survey, or are having technical difficulties, please contact Pastor Thomas at 918-346-9972 for help.

For this effort to mean anything, it is important that as many St. Matthew’s youth and adults as possible take the survey. This means YOU!  Thank you in advance for your help and your opinions.

Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 6 of 9 Pastor Antonio Porter to Preach at St. Matthew’s, Sunday, July 12th

St. Matthew’s is excited to welcome Pastor Antonio Porter to our pulpit for both services on Sunday, July 12th.

Pastor Antonio has been serving as a local church licensed pastor since 2011. He was appointed for the last 4 years to Rose Hill UMC. He has also served as the president of the Tulsa District United Methodist Men. Alongside his duties as a pastor, Antonio has 25 years as an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman. You may have heard his frequent voice on the radio or television as the Recruiter/Community Relations Liaison for the OHP.

Pastor Antonio earned the Bachelor of Science degree from Langston University in 1999, the Master of Science degree from Florida Metropolitan University in 2006, and the Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2014.

Most importantly: Pastor Antonio is married 31 years to his wife Vandra, and is the proud parent of three children. He loves the church and he loves the Lord.

Please join us this Sunday and give a warm welcome to Pastor Antonio Porter. He will bless you with his message.

Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 7 of 9 We Welcome Charlie Ludden to St. Matthew’s on Sunday, July 19th

We are happy to announce that Charlie Ludden, the Associate Director for Oklahoma’s Project Transformation, has agreed to preach our two worship services on Sunday, July 19th.

Project Transformation is no stranger to Oklahoma. Since 2001 it has been addressing three unique challenges: 1) how to meet the holistic needs of children from low-income communities, 2) how to provide ways for college students to explore ministry and leadership, and 3) how to help revitalize struggling urban churches.

Charlie is no stranger to Oklahoma, either. Following his graduation from OCU with a business marketing degree, he stayed on with his alma mater to help strengthen their association for young alumni. He then went on to direct St. Luke’s OKC’s “Studio 222 East” ministry (an arts-based after-school program) and St. Luke’s Older Children’s Ministries before coming to PT.

Come and join us for worship on Sunday, July 19th, and hear Charlie’s heart for kids, the scriptures, and God. You’ll be inspired.

Stmattsnewsletter.doc 7/7/2015 Page 8 of 9 St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church 12424 E. 31st Street Tulsa, OK 74146-2202 (918-622-8703) E-mail address: [email protected] Website: stmatts.us

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Mission Outpost 2 Prayers 4 Birthdays 3 Breakfast 3 Ronald 3 McDonald Church Rolls 2 *Sarah Circle 3 Food Pantry 3 *UMW 5

Pastor Message Stmattsnewsletter.doc1 7/7/2015 Announcements Page 9 of 9 6-9