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Methodist Messenger
Methodist Messenger
Prague/Arlington Charge June. 2009
As I am sitting here trying to write my first newsletter article to you, I’m aware that I want it to share something inspirational but all I can think about is packing up the rest of the house, picking up the moving truck, a garage sale Saturday, cleaning the house before we leave, etc. These thoughts don’t seem very spiritual or inspirational. My mind is full of the mundane and ordinary things that have to be completed in order for us to arrive in Prague in less than a week. Angie might say, "Writing about it won’t get us any closer. Now help me with this box," but she is much too nice to say what she is thinking.
When we think about the spiritual life, our journey of faith, we often think about the mountain tops and the valleys. This is appropriate because these are the most powerful experiences of God’s presence in our lives. A moment of experiencing grace given, sensing God’s support when our world is shattered by the loss of a loved one, when our children were baptized, when broken relationships are restored – these are the big moments of faith. When someone asks you to tell them about God’s work in your life these are the moments you share.
Most of our journey of faith is not as big or as memorable. Not every day does time spent in prayer warm our hearts. We don’t remember each Sunday School lesson, worship service attended, UMW meeting, UMM breakfast, etc. These are our ordinary times in the faith. Any one of them on its own might feel unimportant, just as any given step when walking a mile might not be memorable, but without all those steps our lives would be very different. Without all those steps we would be miles away from where we are today.
So today, as we are boxing up the house, we’re taking small steps in the big journey of faith that will lead us to be with you. Now that I think about it, these boxes are feeling more holy all the time.
Taking intentional steps on the journey,
Scott Keneda
UNITED METHODIST MEN
Information from president Robert Clark
The United Methodist Men of Prague and Arlington met Saturday, May 9, President Robert Clark presiding and seven men present. Reese Capron brought the devotional, "A Man and His God." The men nailed down the plan for Mother’s Day flowers. Children later helped distribute the lovely carnations to every mother in the congregations.
Randy Eby took on the task of mowing the Prague church yard for the month of June. If you are interested in taking a turn at mowing, please check the bulletin board for the sign-up sheet or with Robert Clark.
The men will next meet Saturday morning at 7 am, June 6, in the Prague Fellowship Hall for food, devotion, fellowship, and service. If you are a man connected in any way to the Arlington or Prague UM churches, you are welcome to attend.
STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Information from chair Richard Hefner
The SPRCs of both churches have been busy with our pastoral change this year. Many thanks to those who assisted with Dyton’s leaving this past week and to those who will be assisting with Scott’s arrival later this week. Dyton successfully packed up Thursday. Scott is expected to arrive this coming Friday (June 5). If you would like to be involved in that
effort, please contact the following people:
Moving muscle
Rodney Floyd (918-230-4846)
Food in first few days
Donna Smith (567-2529)
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Information from secretary MM Greene
Our UMW will not be meeting through the summer months of June, July, and August. A combined meeting of the Thursday group and the Sunday Circle will be held at noon (bring your own lunch) on Sunday, September 6. Sharon Capron will be bringing a program on mission: a Sunday Circle work day at Tahlequah Children’s Home and a new opportunity through the Christian Educator’s program for Sunday school curriculum in Bolivia.
Between now and then, please do not forget our monthly birthday parties at Parkland: June 18, July 16, August 20. Be at the nursing home mini-kitchen (accessed through the physical therapy room) at 1:30.
Also on the agenda are the following dates:
June 24-26, OK Conference School of Mission
August 1-2, Mother and Child Retreat
August 22, UMW finance committee meeting
Please mark your calendar now and be an active part of your United Methodist Women!
ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
How long has it been since you updated your will? Does it still express your wishes? Does it leave a gift to your church to carry on its ministry after your death? Consider naming your church as a beneficiary in your will or living trust. The gift could be a set dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, the remainder of your estate after other gifts are made, or a gift of that part of the estate left if designated heirs are deceased.
Lucas Tapp
Lucas Tapp was baptized on Mother’s Day, May 10, at the Prague church. Luke is the son of Terry and Melinda Tapp and brother to Ryan. Luke has grown up in this church, where he long served as acolyte. Luke will be an eighth grader at Prague Middle School in the fall. He is active in football and in playing trombone in the band. In his spare time, Luke enjoys playing video games. Prague UMC is proud and delighted to welcome Lucas among the baptized.
Several church folks assisted Dyton with his garage sale on Saturday, May 16, as he prepared to leave the parsonage and move to his Kansas appointment. His last sermon at both Arlington and Prague was Sunday, May 21. Services were followed by a potluck luncheon at the Prague Fellowship Hall.
Quest, the Prague/Arlington UMC Wednesday night program is officially "on break." However, that just means we will be meeting irregularly for fun events like movie and/or game nights or trips to private homes for barbeque or ice cream. Keep your eye on those bulletin inserts for updated information.
PRAGUE MEMORIALS COMMITTEE
Information from chair Janet Baker
The next meeting of the Prague Memorials Committee will be Monday, June 15, 6:30 pm in Morgan Parlor.
TFC
Information from director Tasha Sargent
Teens for Christ is NOT on summer break, although they may also be meeting at irregular times for extra events, such as mini-mission projects or fun trips. Coming up is a mini-mission trip to the Capron Farm to move sand (BYOSW – Bring Your Own Shovel and Wheelbarrow) this coming Wednesday, June 3. Coming soon is Stillwater District Camp, June 15 – 19. (We still need an adult male sponsor.) Contact Tasha by phone (405-589-6899) or check her out on Facebook for the latest news.
Do you have something that you just cannot do alone? Something some youthful muscle can help you with? Contact Tasha
Travis Baker, Ryan Tapp, Garrett Bradley, and
Marisa Thompson. Not pictured: Steven Hodge
The Prague UMC was proud to honor our five high school grads on Baccalaureate Sunday, May 17. Chair Lisa Hefner purchased the beautiful student bibles and arranged for the presentations as well as the reception in the Prague Fellowship Hall. Each graduate was presented a basket of congratulatory cards and gifts from congregants. We pray that each of these fine young adults will continue their walk with God as they face new adventure and challenge.
Delores Bradley Won!
Delores’ homemade bread won first prize in the Kolache day baking contest, qualifying her for a plaque and a fifty dollar prize. Delores also won second prize and a plaque for her kolaches. Congratulations, Delores.
PRAGUE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Summer time! The world is bright and warm and fun and … Who is going to Sunday school? The Prague church has a group of about four to eight grade-school-aged children who may or may not show up for Sunday school. That’s tough to teach. But what happens when a child or two arrive and there is no one here to lead them in the Way? Can we expect them to come back next week if no one is here this week? What happens when a visiting family arrives at 9:30? Must we say that we have three adult classes but nothing for their kids?
If you feel a gentle pull when you read this and can be flexible with a small group, maybe you are the one God is calling to stand in the gap. Please pray about being a summer teacher and give Sharon Capron (567-4538) or Delores Bradley (567-2846) a call. This summer happens only once in a child’s life.
  
Methodist Messenger
Prague/Arlington Charge April. 2009
OUT of MY MINDI love to laugh. I probably don‘t do it as often as I should or need to, but I do love to laugh. That‘s partly the reason I like watching comedy shows and certain stand-up comedians (not to mention, I learn something about delivery and timing from them).
Studies show that laughing is good for you. It increases the endorphins in our blood, which makes us feel good. Laughter improves heart and breathing functions. It takes dozens of muscles to frown, but only a few to smile (these are some of the reasons I don‘t hand around negative-/small-minded people…they‘re downers). So why don‘t we laugh more often? Why don‘t we seek out the opportunities to laugh and smile as often as we can?
Laughter is a gift of God. In fact, I think God laughs! The Bible mentions several times that God does laugh…but it is usually at the foolishness of our plans. Still, I do think God has a great sense of humor. Just look at some of God‘s creation: the duckbill platypus – is it a mammal or not? Or how about the albatross? The bird with the largest wingspan is pure grace when in flight; but when it lands, it is so clumsy it falls flat on its face. And I‘m fairly certain God laughs at us simply because we are good entertainment. Consider the poem by Langston Hughes:
God, in his infinite wisdom,
Didn‘t make me very wise,
So when my actions are stupid,
They hardly take him by surprise.
I agree whole-heartedly with Hughes…but also with Sebastian K. N. Chamfort who said, ―The most wasted day of all is that during which we have not laughed.‖
Not only is laughter good for us, it is also enlightening. It helps us discover things about ourselves we never considered, or at least not seriously. Laughter prevents us from taking ourselves too seriously.
Have you ever noticed how ―ha ha‖ and ―ah ha‖ are related? Just simple rearrangements of the letters and you have something completely different. Laughter and discovery go hand-in-hand.
So the next time you have a really good side-splitting, tears-to-your-eyes, rolling-on-the-floor laugh, remember not to take yourself so seriously, thank God and know that your day has not been wasted.
Still in One Peace,
Dyton
BISHOP ROBERT L. HAYES PREACHES at ARLINGTON & PRAGUE CHURCHES!
Bishop Hayes visits with youth director, Tasha Sargent, and friends at potluck dinner.
March 15, 09 was our BIG DAY when Oklahoma Conference Bishop Robert L. Hayes preached at both the Arlington and Prague UM churches. Bishop Hayes, accompanied by District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Burt Potts, and host pastor, Rev. Dr. Dyton L. Owen, began his morning at the Arlington church. Lindsay Friedrich acolyted. Lay Leader Jean Bradburn directed music, Barbara Holman filled in at the piano, Brad Bradburn assisted in the service, and OlaBon Fouquet delivered the offertory prayer.
At the Prague church. Dyton, Barbara, Robert Clark, Lisa Hefner, Stephenie Burleson, and Bob Holman had decorated walls & tables. Marisa Thompson and Kristian Brown sang before the service, accompanied by Tasha Sargent. Wanda Clark and Montrey Bond acolyted. Macyn Anderson sang a solo. The children‘s sign class interpreted Monet‘s The Lord‘s Prayer. Those children were Carlton Bond, Montrey Bond, Will Capron, Leslie Clark, Wanda Clark, Harley Hagar, Chris Wing, Erin Wing, and Leah Wing. Rev. Dyton Owen, Rev. Sharon Capron, Lay Leader Brian Baker, and Music Director Barbara Holman assisted with the service, while Robert Clark, Tina Thompson, and Marisa Thompson worked sound. Janet Baker headed up food preparation and service, assisted by Sharon Smith and Melinda Tapp. Numerous others cooked their best dishes and stayed to clean up after the potluck dinner.
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Both churches had a large crowd to hear Bishop Hayes deliver his inspirational sermon on John 3:16. Wonderful services and fellowship were appreciated by all in attendance.
UNITED METHODIST MEN
Information from member Jerry Opela
The United Methodist Men of Prague/Arlington met on Saturday, March 7, with ten members present. The men enjoyed breakfast together and Reese Capron led the devotional discussion on ―A Man and His Marriage.‖ President Robert Clark led the business meeting and read a thank-you note from Eagle Scout Tyler Hamm for the Boy Scout knife he had been presented last month. The men also discussed a possible future potato bar. The UMM met again on April 4. Regrettably, time constraints on publishing this newsletter necessitates that that meeting‘s report be in the May issue of the Methodist Messenger .
If you are a man regularly attending the United Methodist Church of either Prague or Arlington, you are cordially invited to join the gathering at 7 am on the first Saturday of any month in the Prague Fellowship Hall for breakfast, devotional, business, and mission. IMPORTANT NOTE:
The May UMM meeting will be on the SECOND Saturday of the month, May 9, to avoid conflict with Kolache Day festivities.
ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
Preparing an estate plan is good Christian stewardship—saying thanks to God, expressing your love and concern for family, and showing charity toward others. Did you know that, for purposes of estate taxation, there is no limitation on the size of a charitable gift that you may give to your church at the time of your death? No matter how large, the gift is deductible for estate tax purposes.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Information from members & secretary MM Greene
Our UMW is at it again, this time doing mission for the
Our district UMW Social Action representatives divvied up the list of needed food stuffs. Our Prague/Arlington charge agreed to supply the
UMW Sunday Circle project chair Lisa Hefner is now collecting
OSU Wesley Foundation. The Foundation feeds 200 - 300 college students every Tuesday. UMW president Stephenie Burleson, is chairing this project which meets a real physical need for many of the students, nurtures those who desire Christian fellowship, and also opens the door for real evangelism among our young adults. CAKE MIXES. Paper sacks are located in both church narthexes to receive your gift of cake mixes. The actual pounding will be at the Foundation on April 5 at 3 p.m. Missed the date? Bring in late mixes anyway!! The Foundation will be cooking all year. Whenever a few mixes pile up, Stephenie or her designee will deliver them. goodies for our deployed service personnel. Requested items include: AA or AAA batteries, pencils, current magazines, travel size lotions, hair products, mouthwash, toothpaste, tooth brushes, crackers & cheese, candies (chocolate mints), jerky, card decks, Sudoku & crossword puzzle books, phone cards, and personal notes from you. Look for the box in the church narthexes.
KOLACHE TIME AGAIN!
Remember that fresh-from-the-oven aroma? Recall that sweet cherry, delicate apricot, smooth cream cheese, delightful prune, and distinctive poppy seed. They are only fresh once. Want some this year? NOW is the time to place your
order with Jean Bradburn, 567-4183.
There will be four, rather than three bakings this year! (See calendar on last page of this newsletter for dates.) So, order a bunch, but get that order in ASAP, ‗cause the
ladies are going to be plum worn out before this is over and when it‘s over, it‘s over!
Speaking of order, half of our UMW cookbooks have been sold! The cost of the books has been met, so all money now paid for cookbooks are money for ministry! Stop by the church office (M-F, 9 – 1 pm) and pick up as many as you want for $15 each.
What happened to UMW Sunday? Our special speaker was unavailable for the selected date. Please keep an eye out for a new date sometime later this summer or early fall.
UMW May meeting dates are: Sunday, May 3, for Sunday Circle (tentative, bring a dish to share) and Thursday, May 7, (bring your own lunch sack) for the unit meeting.
PRAGUE MEMORIALS
Written by chair Janet Baker
The Memorials Committee met on 23 March 2009 in the Morgan Parlor.
The committee has enough designations of funds to complete the set of Disciple Pictures for the church.
Some projects that are still open are as follows:
Retaining Wall at South Entrance
Outside Shrubs and Flowers
Baptismal Font
Organ
Our committee wanted to remind everyone that if they have a project to add
to the above list, please contact the church office or any of the committee members.
Our next meeting will be held on 15 Jun 2009, at 6:30 PM in the Morgan Parlor.
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PALM SUNDAY, April 5
Children will open the Prague service by bringing in the palm leaves. Shortly
thereafter, an all-charge choir will raise their voices to sing the cantata, In Christ Alone.
Good Friday, April 10
This charge service, held at the
Prague church this year, will begin at 7 p.m. Each year, this service is different from previous years. This year‘s service will include a special video selection, as well as the bell choir‘s contribution, the Afro-American spiritual, Were You There? arranged by Douglas E. Wagner.
EASTER SUNDAY, April 12
6:45 a.m.
finished in time to make either the Arlington Easter service or the Prague Sunday school classes. The bell choir will play at the Prague service.
at the golf course #8 green, SE corner of 15th and Brunson. Join those brave enough to face the morning chill. Listen as the chatter of birds breaks the nighttime silence and watch as dawn breaks over the horizon. Sing Easter praises, and pray. Then move to the Prague church for homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee, and fellowship. You will be
7:00 p.m.
is the time for the Ministerial Alliance Community Easter Service at Calvary Way Church (west of Ken‘s Pizza on US 62). Bro. Tim Emmons of First Baptist will be preaching. The offering taken at this service funds almost half of the Alliance‘s annual budget for the poor and transient.
―Faith is a footbridge that you don‘t know will hold you up over the chasm until you‘re forced to walk out onto it.‖
- Nicholas Wolterstorff
professor of philosophical theology , Yale University
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PASTOR’S PICK
Written by our pastor Rev. Dyton L. Owen
This month‘s Pastor‘s Pick is one I hope you will enjoy. It is written by an acquaintance of mine, Jim Palmer. It is entitled: Divine Nobodies: Shedding Religion to Find God.
Jim‘s story is very interesting. He was an up-and-coming pastor in a fast-growing church. But a troubled childhood and struggles in his adult life left Jim questioning his faith and wondering if there was more to this faith he had claimed and proclaimed for so long. In fact, he wondered if God was really with him. In fact, Jim left the ministry for a time and is now the pastor of an emerging church in Nashville (and a dedicated tri-athlete!).
The chance encounters Jim writes about in this book changed everything Jim thought he knew about God. Every person is a different chapter and every one is an ordinary person who sheds light on who God really is and how he impacted Jim‘s life.
Jim is a master storyteller and this book, along with his other works, are easy to read but full of depth and meaning.
Divine Nobodies was published in 2006 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. It can be found at any good bookstore or online at Amazon.com, Abebooks.com or Alibris.com.
ANNIVERSARIES
APRIL ANNIVERSERIES
09 Tim & Heather Short
22 Lawrence & Lorraine Sykora
EARLY MAY ANNIVERSERIES
05 Myron (Brad) & Jean Bradburn
Duane & Bonnie Smith
Bob & Tina Thompson
BIRTHDAYS
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
06 Jerry Opela
10 Cade Anderson
12 Nancy Redding
14 Danielle Morgan
19 John Coleman
21 Terri Tackett
23 Duncan Blackwell, Richard Hefner
24 Lena Pruett
25 Katie Hefner, Charlene Kimery
27 Ryan Hefner
EARLY MAY BIRTHDAYS
03 Carlton Bond
05 Robbie Ischy
CALENDAR
02 noon UM Women unit meeting
04 7 am United Methodist Men
05 noon UMW Sunday Circle
cutting up apricots
06 Kolache mixing day
07 Kolache baking day
10 7 pm Good Friday Service, at Prague
12 6:45am Sunrise service & breakfast
7 pm Ministerial Alliance service
at Calvary Way Church
17 5:30pm Kolache mixing evening
18 6:30am Kolache baking day
20 Kolache mixing day
21 Kolache baking day
27 Kolache mixing day
28 Kolache baking day
5/2 KOLACHE DAY
5/7 UMW Day of Prayer
5/10 Mother‘s Day
Mission
The United Methodist Churches of Prague and Arlington have as their mission
"Growing in Christ…
Making a Difference."
We are communities of Christians gathering to seek, celebrate, live and share the love of God for all creation.
Vision
We envision
being transformed by God
through worship, study and mission and
being in service to God
our community.
by serving
Method
We experience God‘s unconditional love, embrace hope, grow in faith, and become empowered by our passion for ministry and service in the world.
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A QUESTION for READERS (YOU)
When the newsletter comes out on the first Sunday of the month (as it does now), UMM & UMW news and some birthdays & anniversaries must be reported in the previous month or are they are history before they are news! Not good. What would you think of receiving your newsletter on the LAST Sunday of every month? For example, getting your May newsletter on April 26? It is a change and all the folks who contribute to this newsletter would be affected by that change, for it means that the deadline for news items would be the next-to-last Sunday of every month. That might be harder to remember. But wouldn‘t our news be timelier? Please let your editor know what you think. Rev. Sharon Capron, editor, 567-4538,
capron/@windstream.net 5
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