Methodist Messenger Prague/Arlington Charge July. 2011

It is amazing to me just how God works to lead His people and how, if we keep ourselves

open, God will persistently, gently push us where He wants us to go. This is the overwhelming

affirmation I feel, as we step closer to the community youth center becoming a reality.

Sometime ago, Ola Bon Fouquet shared with me how several years earlier, he had talked to a

group of ministers about opening a youth center for the kids of the community. For one reason or

another it did not catch on. While disappointed, he didn’t let go of the idea. Sometime after he

shared with me his disappointment, someone else talked to me about the need for such a youth

center. I told them, “You know, there are others who feel the same way.”

Soon we began conversation with others, wondering out loud what it would take to make

something like this happen. Then came word of the Anderson/Sprayberry gift to the church to

support the church’s ministries with children and youth. Finally, the Prague Heat and Air building

became available, and several people stepped up to contribute the money to purchase and remodel

the building for this purpose. And when the idea was shared at the Church Council meeting, it was

approved and supported. We are scheduled to take possession of the building August 1st and to

begin remodeling it for the center.

Now the question is this: did all this just come together by coincidence or was there something

more going on? I believe there was something more, named God at work. Sometimes God plants

seeds that are just waiting for us to do the cultivation, to water, and to allow the light of day in order

to grow. If we don’t give up on the seeds, then when the timing is right, God does God’s thing and it

grows.

I believe this is just one of the many wonderful things that God has in store for us. I think

God is dreaming up wonderful things for us as a people, and I pray that we will have the ear to listen,

the courage to share, the wisdom to know when we need to run catch up with what God is doing or

to wait until God has the timing right to move forward. It is where the gifts and resources of our

lives and the needs of the world meet that we find God’s calling.

Grace and Peace,

Scott

PENTECOST SUNDAY at PRAGUE

On Pentecost Sunday (June 12) both the Arlington and the Prague churches celebrated by wearing flaming colors of red or orange. What a colorful mix to remind us of the Spirit’s movement and the birth of the church!

REV. T. SCOTT KENEDA REASSIGNED

to ARLINGTON/PRAGUE

Scott & Angie reception goodies Ordained elders itinerate, that is, they move at the bishop’s discretion, as confirmed by the conference. Their appointments are re-considered annually and are historically known to change with relative frequency.

It was therefore an occasion of great celebration on the first Sunday after Annual Conference to welcome back Rev. T. Scott Keneda with his wife, Angie, to the Arlington/Prague charge for a third year. Daughter Anna continues her studies as a junior in Political Science at Emery University in Georgia. Son Thomas, a 2011 Prague High School grad, will begin his collegiate studies at the University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond) this fall. Welcome home, folks! 2

UNITED METHODIST MEN

Information from member Jerry Opela

The United Methodist Men met Saturday, June 4, in the Prague Fellowship Hall. Randy Eby presented the devotional, “Masculine Sexuality” and also presided over the business meeting. The lawn mowing situation was again discussed. No volunteers have been secured for the months of July, August, or September. The sign-up sheet is still available on the Prague bulletin board. The next potato bar was set for July 17. Stan Redding was elected as Vice President, replacing Ron Lansing, who has returned home to Oregon. Stan will preside at the July meeting, as Randy will be on vacation. All men associated with either the Arlington or Prague churches are invited to attend the next UMM meeting, Saturday, July 2, 7am, for breakfast, fellowship, and service.

PRAGUE FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Prague finance committee will meet July 14 at 6:30 in Morgan Parlor.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The UMW is on summer break, but that doesn’t mean things aren’t happening. The regular birthday party at Parkland Manor will be Thursday, 2:30 pm, July 21. Also, the Sunday Circle is busy planning for the first Prague/Arlington family retreat at Camp Egan. The camp is scheduled for Thursday evening through Saturday lunch of fall break, October 20-22. The Valentine’s Dinner provided funds for programming and may help with other camp expenses. Registration forms with a chart to help figure expense for each family will be available later this month. Our form lists a wide variety of possible activities for all age groups including group sports, group quilt, home-made boat race, rubber ducky race, game night, nature crafts, clay modeling, skits/talent show, low ropes course, nature hiking, hike (or car ride) to the cross, scavenger hunt, free-play in the creek, teen search for the Holy Grail, intergenerational dance contest, hymn sing, Abraham’s altar, group worship, and an opportunity to nominate your own favorite activity. Actual activities provided will depend on which ones participants select on their camp application forms. Whatever your age or family situation, please do not miss this opportunity to join with your church family for a memorable weekend.

CHILDREN’S JULY ACTIVITY

Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum & Seminole Sprinkler Park Saturday, July 23, 2 – 6 pm

PK – 5th grade $8/person

Contact Tonya Clark (567-7198) or Rebecca Bond (567-5745) for more information or to sign up for the van ride. See youth article for MORE family/children events.

SIGN LANGUAGE

Written by teacher Rev. Sharon Capron

Although the children’s sign class is on summer break, the youth/adult class is vaulting over district camp, VBS week, adult vacation time, and teen activity schedules to study on and lovin’ it! The youth are starting on a new song and the adults have just begun their first one. We have finished unit 6 in our text and will begin the next unit Monday evening, 7 – 8 pm. Come join us, just for fun.

“PASSAGES”

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Exhibit of Ancient Bibles

You know a bit of biblical history,

perhaps that martyrs died for making bible

translations and that Luther translated the

bible while hiding out. Cuneiform tablets,

ancient papyri, early Aramaic (Jesus’ native

tongue) texts, right up to rare, early editions of

the King James: All that and much, much more

are on display at the Oklahoma City Museum of

Art. Our church van is making the trip. We

will meet Friday, August 19, at 8:40 am, in

the Prague church parking lot.

Museum entry, plus “Passages”

admission, is as follows: OKCMOA Members: $12 Adults: $31.95 Seniors (62+): $26.95 College Students (with ID): $24.95 Children (ages 6-18): $21.95 Children (ages five and under): Free Lunch in the Museum Café is extra. Call Mattie Sauter, 567-1710, to reserve your spot on the van for this unique opportunity to visit a world-traveling exhibition!

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2011! Chair Melinda Tapp Co-chair Susan Day Story Tellers: Sharon Capron, Robert Clark, Scott Keneda, Donna Smith, Tim Short Homeroom Teachers PK-K Angie Keneda with helpers

Wanda Clark, Carlton Bond, Sarah Martin

1st-2nd Genise Fridrich with helpers Montrey Bond, Logan Tolleson

3rd–4th Janette Smith with helpers Luke Tapp, Brock Tolleson 5th-6th Tonya Clark with helpers Keegan Chisholm, Kris Gile, Brayden

Burrows Opening/Closing: Jake Short, Luke Tapp Sound: Robert Clark, Robert Thompson Snacks: Paula Brauer, Delores Bradley, Debbie Martin, Sheila Powell, Janet Baker, Wanda Carlson, Sharon Immel Crafts: Diana Kinzey, Charlotte Fouquet, Rebecca Bond, Shayna Young Recreation: Tina Thompson, Thomas Keneda, Marisa Thompson, Robert Thompson, Reese Capron Music: Barbara Holman, Bryna Anderson Discovery Time: Rebecca Bond, Diana Kinzey Floater: Danielle Morgan

Director Melissa Tapp converses with homeroom mom Janette Smith and craft chair Diana Kinzey as they wait for the action.

Floater helper Danielle Morgan helps a new arrival register. 4

Some of the kitchen crew (Delores Bradley, Deb Martin, Wanda Carlson) visit with Rev. Scott as they wait for the first snacking group.

The kids sing out as they practice VBS songs.

“Discovery Time” enriches crafts as young people experience a bit of history and science in cooking.

Teachers, Donna Smith and Robert Clark helped provide the biblical connection.

In the first VBS lesson, a young Israelite

(Jonah Bond) eats his matza, standing with staff in hand, dressed and ready for a quick Exodus.

COSTA RICA MISSION TRIP

This message came via District Superintendent David Wiggs from VIM (Volunteer in Mission) coordinator, Richard Covington.

Volunteers for a possible mission to Belen, Costa Rica are now being sought. The mission date is January 20-28, 2012. This will be the second mission from Stillwater District to the Methodist Church there. The first team was in June 2009 led by Lee Denney. This will be a construction/VBS mission depending on the number of volunteers we have. The church there needs three classrooms built for children/adult Sunday school rooms. If you are interested, please contact Richard Covington in Chandler at richard_covington@sbcglobal.net or (home after 6pm) 405-258-2049. The details are being worked out for price/person and some of that will hinge on how many volunteers we have. The team is # 12-108. Thanks so much and blessings to all, Richard

OOPS!

IMPORTANT CORRECTION

RYDER CALE CARVER

Ryder Cale Carver, born April 11 to Ty and Danielle Carver, was baptized at the Prague church on May 1. The editor is very sorry for the incorrect name printed in the June Methodist Messenger.

UNITED METHODIST YOUTH

Information from director Robert Clark

What an exciting start to summer we have had! June 6 – 10 was district camp. The theme this year was "Altar Your Life from the Inside Out." The youth experienced radical hospitality, passionate worship, prayer life, and risk- taking mission. We had eight youth and three adults attend. We came back all hands on deck for a full week of VBS. The youth were supposed to be just helpers, but they were so camp-excited, they were eager for fuller participation with the younger crowd.

Next was the “abduction” (Moms and dads knew beforehand, but not the youth.) of sixth graders John Tolleson, Bryce Day, and Preston Fridrich, surprising them with a full youth group visit and hauling them off to a fun evening at Laser Zone in Ada.

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Our UMC youth, 16 strong with adult

sponsors, director Robert Clark and Marisa Thompson. New members: John is on extreme left, Bryce is seated center front, and Preston is hiding behind Zac (in black T) at far right.

Week three was movie night, pizza,

popcorn, and lots of fun for both children and youth. Youth watched one movie upstairs while children watched another in Fellowship Hall. The children took a long break to enjoy the great weather on the playground.

The children watched …then scrambled the movie,.. outside to play,..

…while the youth enjoyed their own movie upstairs.

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With June coming to an end, we still have a full summer ahead for youth, children, and whole families! Take a look and see where you fit in.

July 6 – Family event, pool party at Prague pool, 6 – 8 pm, FREE July 13, 20, 27 - youth Wednesday gatherings, 6 – 8 pm in the Prague Youth Room July 16 – Family event, “Big Fun Thing,” White Water 10:30 am – 8 pm, $25/person, register by July 1! July 23 – Children’s event, Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum & Seminole Sprinkler Park, 2 – 6 pm, $8, bring a swimsuit and a towel July 30, Family event, All day get-together at Stroud Lake, food, fun, and fellowship August 3, 10, 17 – youth Wednesday gatherings, 6 – 8 pm in the Prague Youth Room August 7 – Youth trip to Cushing Water Park, 5 – 10 pm, FREE August 13 – Family event at Frontier City, St. Yootz Day, 10 am – 7 pm, $20/person August 20 – children’s event at Cushing Water Park, 1 – 6 pm, $3.25/person August 24 (tentative) – Quest Kick-Off, Prague Park, 6 – 8 pm August 31 – regular Quest program resumes: 5:30 recreation, 6 pm supper, 6:30 class, 7:30 worship Contact Robert Clark (567-7336) for family or youth events; Rebecca Bond (567-5745) or Tonya Clark (567-7198) for children’s events. Detailed youth/children’s/family calendars are available from Robert. Thank you, Rebecca Bond for putting that calendar together!

A = Arlington church BD = birthday July, 2011 P = Prague church WA = wedding anniversary

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY EVERY SUNDAY 9:15 A-worship 10:30 A-Sun Schl

9:30 P- Sun Schl 10:45 P-worship

EVERY WEDNESDAY 6-8 pm Youth 8 pm bell choir

01

6 pm AA

02 7 am UMM

WA Levoy & Sandra Sue Dukes WA Lloyd & Janevieve Bishop

03

04

BD Mike Frost

NO Sign class

05 BD Buck Poteet 6 pm AA

06

6-8pm Family pool party, FREE

07 BD Norma Foreman

08

BD Maxine Lokey

6 pm AA

09

10

BD J.L. Stone BD Lester McCoy

11

7 pm Youth & Adult Sign

12

BD Sarah Fridrich BD Jonah Bond 6 pm AA

13

BD Jean Bradburn

14

6:30 Prague

Finance

15

BD Judy Ray 6 pm AA

16 BD Bryce Day 10:30-8pm, Family “Big Fun Thing.” See Youth article.

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POTATO BAR

WA Vincent & Juanita Coffey

18 7 pm Youth & Adult Sign

19 BD Cye Kahanek 6:pm AA

20

BD Robert Clark

21 BD Tina Thompson

BD Scott Keneda WA Terry & Melinda Tapp

WA Bruce & Doris Huff 2:30 Parkland Manor BD party

22

WA Tommy & Lori Blackwell 6 pm AA

23 BD Bev Azlin BD Wayne Stricklin

Jasmine Moran

Children’s Museum 2 – 6 pm

24

BD Gage Powell

25 WA Jade & Angie Parks 7 pm Youth & Adult Sign

26 6 pm AA

27 WA Ola Bon & Charlotte Fouquet

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29 BD Avis VanZant BD Rheta Smith

30 All day family thing Stroud Lake See Youth article.

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