Newsletter

Newsletter

For the United Methodist Churches at

Stuart & Gerty, OK October 2007

“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.” - John Wesley

Our church families are warm, welcoming, and informal. When we say we have “open hearts, open minds, and open doors,” we are open for YOU – so come on in! We have good resources to help you in your spiritual development, but as a visitor, you don’t have to say anything, sign anything, give anything, or do anything uncomfortable. Come as you are and enjoy a time of worship, preaching, and prayer. Everyone is welcome.

Sun OCT 7^th -- lots going on!

· STUART’s morning service at GERTY

· Annual Charge Conference

· World Communion Sunday - special offering received

· SPECIAL EVENT at 6pm: Gary Horton

1. Combined Service, Pot Luck & Charge Conference at Gerty UMC * 11:00 am * The Gerty church will host the Stuart church for a service together with our District Superintendent, Dr. Sandy Wylie, who will preach and preside over Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome! The Annual Charge Conference of the two churches will follow the service and the pot luck lunch. Gerty UMC is W of Hwy 75 at E150, South on Elder to 6^th Street.

2. Special Offering for World Communion Day. “World Communion Sunday calls the Church to be the catholic inclusive church.” -The Book of Discipline Six times throughout the year, United Methodist congregations celebrate Church-wide Special Sundays with offerings. Your support is critical to the survival of these important ministries and for sharing God's gifts around the world. Our prayer is this: "O God, we are so grateful for your abiding love. We pray that we may embody a spirit of love and self-discipline, grounded in the power of your grace. We are taught in so many ways — some subtle ways; some blatant ways — to fulfill all our wants by consuming things. Remind us during this moment that we are called to invest in you. We join Christians around the world today who proclaim Jesus Christ as Savior. May we draw strength from this unity and from this act of sacrificial giving. In the name of one God, who offers grace, mercy, and peace, we pray. Amen

3. SPECIAL! Poetry & Praise Gary Horton

October 7^th at 6:00 p.m. (Gerty)

At 6:00 p.m., Gerty UMC will host a special poet, Gary Horton with his “Poetry in Praise”. This award-winning, published poet will bring his Collection of Gospel and Heartfelt Poems to bless us. Invite your friends – he is worth hearing! Read more about this special event in the local papers in the religion section. CDs of his poems will be available for $15 after the service. Please invite people to this “special guest” service. Nothing like throwing a party and nobody comes….

>>>> Change of Service Times <<<<

Gerty UMC: Worship 9:30

Bible Study 10:30 / Sunday School 11:00

Stuart UMC Welcome time 11:00 / Worship 11:15

(Sun and Tues at 6pm as announced)

St. FRANCIS' BLESSING of the ANIMALS

Sun. OCT 14 (Stuart) 4 p.m. In honor of St Francis of Assisi, we will have a time of blessing of the animals on the front lawn of the Stuart UMC. So bring "kitty” or "spot" and let’s thank God for the wonder of animals that God has given

FREE CONCERT

“SOUTHERN SONLIGHT”

Sun. OCT 28 (Stuart) 6 p.m.

Southern SONlight, from the Ada Area, is going to bless your socks off! Led by Randall Christy, President of The Gospel Station radio network (KTGS 89.5 FM), this southern gospel group has been singing across Oklahoma and in surrounding states for many years at numerous churches and community events. They are also hosts of The Konawa Gospel Singing held each summer. Southern SONlight sings many of today's top Gospel songs, older gospel classics and original songs written by Randall Christy, who is also the pastor of the Union Valley Baptist Church. The group includes `Big' Jim Miller, Sharla and David Frederick, and Mike Lane. Their beautiful harmonies and inspiring songs, and will delight both young and old.

Please invite people! All gospel music lovers are invited!

All seats are free and a love offering will be received.

HARVEST FESTIVAL & COSTUME PARTY

Wed. Oct 31 (Stuart) 4 -8 p.m.

This will be a fun time of celebrating autumn and dressing up in friendly costumes (adults too!). Traditional games will be played (inside and out) like 3-legged races, a piñata bash, and fun activities are planned. There will even be a costume parade. Adults, if you would like the kids to have this safe-place to enjoy the games, prizes and treats, please bring a bag of candy to the church on Sunday 11:15 - 5:00 or leave it at the door. It will be a GREAT time! VOLUNTEERS are NEEDED.

Women’s Conference : “Amazing Freedom!”

Fri-Sat, NOV. 2-3 Ford Center OKC

The Women of Faith... you've got to be there to believe it. This is a group of gifted speakers, inspirational story-tellers, wonderful singers and hilarious comediennes. "Our 2007 special guests are talented, witty, compassionate and deep. They're to share life-changing messages of God's love and His plan for your life."

Special Guests: Allison Allen, Nicole Nordeman and Lisa Smith

Come and bring your friends for a time of refreshing and a new look at the joy of our Christian living. Over the course of the conference, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Renew your spirit with messages of hope and humor from the Women of Faith speakers

Recharge your spiritual batteries with drama that tickles your funny bone and touches your heart (at the same time!)

Rejoice with music from top Christian music artists

Reconnect with God and each other as the worship singers lead an arena full of women in praise to God

Revitalize your life with resources that will help keep the conference experience alive all year

Relax in the comforting knowledge that God loves you – right where you are.

One attendee said, “I had never attended anything like this in my life and, to be honest, I was not prepared for the enormous spiritual lift that I received in those two days.”

Pre-Conference Only (FRI 9a-3p): $50

Conference Only FRI 7p-9:30p and SAT 9a-5p

(Group) Premium Seats $75 Standard Group Seating: $55

or ALL 3 EVENTS + Box lunches: $109 (standard group seating)

Contact me right away if you want to go with us. Lodging is not included in the registration cost. Let's go together and have a GREAT time strengthened in our spirit, mind and body, and benefited from all the talents these Women of Faith have to offer us.

WANTED: Musicians, Singers for worship and a Youth Band (Stuart) The Stuart Church needs worship singers to form a choir (or at least a 4-part ensemble.) We’re also seeking musicians who can play traditional church hymns and gospel songs.

ATTENION YOUTH: We’re forming a youth band so that ‘tweens, teens, and college age can worship God with their style of music. Be on the starting line! Wanted: singers, musicians, and sound/light techies.

Angel Food in Stuart? a ministry of groceries at a low price

Let's help the people in and around Stuart! Angel Food helps people to have enough to eat and to save a lot of money for other expenses. People who want a box of fresh food pay only $25 (worth about $60!). We would need VOLUNTEERS to assemble the food into boxes and have a distribution site and time each month. Another comparable ministry is Heartland Share which costs people $20. The church would receive some of the order funds to cover the administrative and overhead costs. It's a WIN-WIN opportunity. I will apply for consideration to be a host site.

Wanted: Christmas Singers/ Groups doing Programs

It’s very early to mention the “C” word, but Christmas DOES come around every year. Do you know someone that will be in a Christmas musical program? It’s a shame they only get to do it once or twice. HOW ABOUT DOING IT AT OUR CHURCHES? Contact us soon.

FREE Guitar Lessons are Going Great

Sundays 3pm at Stuart; 6pm at Gerty.. Rita is teaching basic guitar (and piano) to several kids and adults at the 2 churches using her 30+ years of playing. This beginning level will run 4-5 weeks. At the end, you’ll have the chance to do a recital for the church and your family and friends. Lessons last about an hour. Bring a guitar and your enthusiasm! You'll be up and playing in no time!

New Welcome Center at Stuart UMC

The Stuart UMC has converted an overflow room to be a cozy welcome center. Now people can follow the scent of brewing coffee to enjoy some goodies and greet each other. The room now has a wing-back chair, a clock, new pictures, welcome packets, reading material (including literature about the church), plus comfort items like hard candy, tissues and hand lotion. Free Bibles are available here too. The main attraction is the drink and snack area with a coffee-maker, toaster, water pitcher, mugs, snacks perfect for before and after services! Kids have a rocking horse and their own kiddie pew. The nickel colored table lamp gives a gentle glow to the room making it comfortable for meeting, talking, eating, praying, or giving a child a place to snooze or relax.

New at Stuart UMC : Swing set for the kids, BBQ grill for feeding our guests, Kitchen gadgets and appliances, Updated entry room/ doors sanded and fixed, Updated and decorated restrooms, Conversion to propane for the stove and central heat, ready for winter, and Wall heaters were installed in the fellowship hall and by the bathrooms.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS: TURN CLOCKS BACK Nov 3 eve.

WANTED: Painter, landscaper, decorator/designer, light installer, electrician, craft person, snack maker/cook, coordinator for women’s, men’s activities, youth time, and food outreach coordinator and helper for any of the special events listed above.

WISH LIST: 50’s memorabilia for the remodel of the Stuart fellowship hall into a retro style red and black “50s diner” motif. Put your name and address on it if we can't use it and you want it back. Also wanted: MagicBullet mixer/blenders, sound system (speakers, sound board, monitors, microphones...etc.), 2 full-length mirrors, CD and DVD players, futons, large TVs or TV projection systems, 4’ x 8’ plywood or sheet metal for our church sign.

COMING EVENTS:

Downloadable sermons from the church websites, Sermons on CD for locals and truckers, Ping-Pong table restored for play at Stuart

Repainted fridge and BBQ at Stuart

Ideas for special events:

Planting a Fall garden for the community ● Hot Rod / Resto-Rod Day – with hot dogs of course ● Trucker Day (to reach the gas field workers and OTRs) ● Biker Day (as in Harleys, hogs, rolling thunder…) ● Gatherings at the church after school home games in Stuart ● A Gospel Sing / Hymn Sing ● A Big-Band/Swing Music Night ● TV: Monday Night Football ● Saturday Football ● Women’s retreat or spa day at the church ● Adopt-a-Block for community development & improvement ● Seminars / workshops to address life’s issues ● Worship and Prayer Service for Healing ● A labyrinth of prayer ● Silent Prayer & Meditation to focus on the peace of God ● Wednesday after-school service from 3:- 5 pm for study time, quiet areas, recreation, and fellowship followed by a simple meal, and a message and music that will encourage them. Let me hear your input.

New Supply Preacher: Rita Bosico

July 8^th started a new charge with Rita as the supply preacher for the Stuart and Gerty Methodist Churches. Her education, experience, and calling equip her to bring Bible messages alive, as well as to sing and play guitar leading a time of worship. During her 10 years in Tulsa, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Old Testament and music, as well as a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts in Biblical Literature; all at Oral Roberts University. While living in Ada for over 8 years, Rita helped to establish and direct a Bible Institute, and directed an ecumenical outreach to feed and clothe the needy with a monthly program called Matthew 25 Mission. Check out her website at pizzrita.1hwy.com.

Her experiences with losses and grief make her compassionate to those who are hurting and hiding who need prayer and solace; they also make her extremely grateful for life and to view every moment as precious, living in the now, and viewing problems in the light of eternity and God’s faithfulness. Her faith has been tested in the mountains and valleys of life and she has found that God is good, faithful, and constantly loving. Rita desires to help the churches at Stuart and Gerty to use their faith in showing God’s love to their communities through outreaches to be a blessing wherever they are.

“I believe that focusing on Christian relationships and service to the community fulfils Christ’s basic law to love God and love people.” Methodist priest John Wesley put it this way: ‘I look on all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.” And his famous rule for life is my encouragement, I am here to bless the churches and to equip, empower and lead them into blessing their communities. Through that, we’ll come closer to God and see that the love and power of the God are accessible to everyone.

Calling all People

If you have ever been a part of the Stuart or Gerty United Methodist Churches, come on back. Rita is the new supply preacher and we are eager to see you again. Single, married, widowed, divorced, single parent, young, old, kids, no kids, working, retired, whatever…come.

Looking for a place to belong

No, that’s not a question; it’s a fact. We all need:

to know another, and to be known,

to love another, and to be loved,

and to have a place to belong.

Come join us.

All Saints' Day... remembering our loved ones.

Observed Sun. NOV 4

This is a day to celebrate Holy Communion and to experience the creed's affirmation: "I believe . . . in the communion of saints . . ."

Sunday, November 4th, we'll do 2 things - first we will have turned our clocks BACK 1 hour the night before, and on Sunday, we will have a day of giving thanks and remembering those from the congregations who died (especially during the last year) in the context of the great parade of men and women who were made holy by the Holy Spirit. You are invited to bring a picture of your loved one. And, if you'd like to participate, bring a flower bulb of your choice (or we will have some on hand) so that planting a bulb in their memory will bloom each spring showing the hope of our resurrection and reunion.

Coming up in November:

1. Women-of-Faith Event in OKC Nov 2-3

2. All Saints’ Day observed Nov 4

3. Veteran's Day, Nov 11

4. * Stuart: After-Game gatherings * at the church hall (Nov 3, 7, 14, 16) Basketball Game time is 6:30 p.m. NEEDED: Volunteers and food

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS: Turn clocks BACK 1 hour NOV 3^rd night

5. Advent Preparations (Hanging of the Greens - Either in late Nov or early Dec ) - A service of preparation for Christ's coming, which includes hanging greenery traditionally associated with everlasting life. Greens such as cedar for royalty, fir and pine boughs for everlasting life, holly symbolizing Jesus' death and ivy representing the resurrection are used.) HELP NEEDED: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (big or mini lights), boughs, wreaths, a tree, advent wreath, symbols and signs of Christ — ruler, prophet, priest (stars, crosses, triangles, the "alpha" and the "omega" to remind us of his identity, his story, and of the holy Trinity), Outdoor lights need to be tested and put in place in October before the weather moves in. Clean off and prepare the nativity sets and decorations. For a description of the liturgy and meanings, go to www. gbod.org and type in hanging of the greens.

6. Hanging of the Greens – Time/Date TBA. Reception to follow. Bring along some snacks and drinks.

7. Pre-Thanksgiving Devo and Desserts (Stuart) Tues. Nov 20 6p Let’s all enjoy a time of counting our blessings with an evening devotion and an early Thanksgiving together by bringing out the "harvest of desserts".

Coming up in December:

1. Advent starts SUN DEC 2 (Rotation to Year A in the lectionary)

2. SPECIAL CONCERT: 300^th Anniversary of Methodist Hymn writer Charles Wesley's birth (around Dec 18^th)

3. CHRISTMAS CONCERT: TBA

Updated Websites for the Churches

Well if you’re plugged into the World Wide Web, check out our new websites. The addresses are: stuartumc.1hwy.com and gertyumc.1hwy.com for more info and pictures

CHURCH CONTACT:

Rita Bosico

501 E 10^th Street,

Ada OK 74820

Ph 580-399-0137

e-mail ritabosico@yahoo.com

Website: pizzarita.1hwy.com