PO Box 887 2100 McGee Drive Sallisaw, Oklahoma 74955

Phone: 918-775-2538 Fax: 918-775-2515 sallisawfumc@diamondnet.us www.sallisawfumc.org

Our Mission

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Pastor Dr. Trevor Smith

Director of Music Ministries Keri Cousins

Youth Ministry Intern Shane Winford

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage Paid

Sallisaw, OK

74955

PERMIT NO. 106

Connect to God. Connect to Others. Connect to Ministry. Connect to the World.

First United Methodist Church

Get Connected this Summer.

JULY , 2013

NEWSLETTER The Connection FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Jesus began one of his most famous parables, “A farmer went out to plant seeds...” He frequently used illustrations from the farm to teach his disciples about growing spiritually, the practices that help us become deeply committed Christians, and the struggles we face in experiencing the joy of the Christian life. Beginning July 7, Dr. Trevor Smith will lead us in a study of Jesus’ lessons from the Farm and other New Testament teachings regarding the spiritual life.

We’ll consider how the relentless onslaught of weeds in a garden teaches us about the many challenges to the Christian life. We’ll learn how the process of putting up hay helps us understand one of the most important ingredients to spiritual maturity. We’ll consider the intriguing connection between manure and being a Christian. And we’ll look at how harvest time teaches us about the life that pleases God. Each message will include humorous stories and interviews with actual farmers from our church to help us understand these biblical principles for growth. You will not want to miss any of these messages as you seek to grow in the Christian life:

July 7 Stuck in the Mud Matthew 13:1-9 July 14 Putting up the Hay John 15:1-17 July 21 Weeds and Water Matthew 13:24-26 & II Peter 1:5-9 July 28 Re-Thinking Manure John 12:24 & Romans 5:3-5, 8:28 August 4 Harvest Time Luke 10:1-18

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Lessons from the Farm After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. - Luke 10:1-3 Both of my Grandfathers were farmers and ranchers in Alfalfa County. Grandpa and Grandma Smith lived on a farm in the country north of the Great Salt Plains Lake, and Grandad and Grandma Cochran lived in

Cherokee. When I was a boy, I loved to go and see my grandparents and help them on their farms. I would ride along on the tractor or the combine as they plowed their fields and harvested their wheat. During the wheat harvest, Grandma Cochran would make a home-cooked meal of fried chicken or chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, iced tea, and chocolate pie, pack it in her car and take it out to the field for Grandad and his hired hands. I also loved to go with them to feed the cattle hay and cake. I learned a lot of valuable lessons on the farm. In July we are going to focus on the illustrations from the farm that Jesus used to teach his disciples about growing spiritually. Each week we’ll hear interviews with some of the farmers in our church that will help us better understand how we can live lives that are pleasing to God. I hope you will invite someone you know to come with you and join us for this fun sermon series. On July 7 to 12, I am excited to go to Muldrow with nine of our youth and Shane Winford and Debbie Bartel to be serve at Youth Force, Sequoyah County. We will be working with United Methodists from all over the state to serve our neighbors and do basic home repairs. Howard and Ann Davidson will be sharing their know-how with a God Squad that will be working on a project in Sallisaw, and Lynn and Carol Allsup will be taking snacks around to the God Squads. Carol Mitchell has volunteered to be on call as the Youth Force Nurse. Our church will host a dinner for all of the Youth Force participants on Tuesday, July 9 at 5:00 p.m. I want to thank Anne Bottorff and all of our women who are helping with this meal. It is exciting to see the ways that our church is sharing God’s love with the people in our community. We will also be hosting a Prayer Vigil for Youth Force on Tuesday, July 9. You can sign-up in the foyer to pray for 20 minutes that day for all of the people who are helping with Youth Force. Talk to Jean Slater if you have any questions about the Prayer Vigil. In June, we had a wonderful Mission Madness. I want to thank Don Bickel, Howard Davidson, Mirna Duke, Machell Trimble, and Keri Cousins for the wonderful leadership they gave us on our mission projects. Also, thank you to each of the 40 children, youth, and adults who worked together to share God’s love with the people in our community. You are a blessing. I also wanted to say what a blessing it has been to send so many children, youth, and adults to church camp this summer. Thank you for the generous way you have supported our camping ministry which has allowed 7 children, 18 youth, and 8 adults to experience God’s love in new ways. I will look forward to worshiping with you in July, and I hope you will consider joining a small group or a Sunday school class. Blessings,

Dr. Trevor Smith

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Prayer List

New & Short Term Requests* Eddie Morgan, cancer surgery and treatment.

Carolyn Frazier, has been in the hospital, but is now home. Pray for health and problems in life.

Kenny and Patricia Slater’s grandmother, Linda Eggleston, passed away.

The Family of Bill Eaton.

The Family of James (Cherry) Farmer.

Richard Burgess, health is failing. Guy Jones’ neighbor.

Phyllis Branham, bone cancer screening.

Jamie Caudle, minor surgery turned into major problems. Jana Wood’s co-worker.

Kacen Copeland, diagnosed with HLH. Carla Campbell’s friend.

Norma Treat, heart surgery on June 23. Carl & June Rolston’s friend.

Hayley Seal, 16 year old seriously injured in car accident. Nancy Wheeler’s niece’s stepdaughter.

Owen Balmain, liver cancer, may need liver transplant. Lynn Allsup’s friend.

Shirley Crawford, cancer, JoAnna Rogers’ friend.

Storm Victims.

Barry Walden, injured in motorcycle accident, Bob Walden’s son.

Lou Rogers, recovering from foot amputation.

Hospitalized / Continuing Treatment Kim Edwards, lung cancer.

Shelby Hiser, rehab, Ruth Knight’s grandson.

Kyle Martin McGowan, leukemia.

On-Going Needs Pris Bartram Gary Griffin Jackson Probst Freda Cooke Kogi Christians Richard Hawkins Janet Luttrell

Our Service People Greg Luttrell, North Carolina Jessica McMillian Nick Hartsell, San Antonio Earl Plumlee, Pakistan Jennifer Rogers-Cooper, SC Jeremy Rogers, Maryland

*Names on this list will remain for three weeks.

Call Anne Bottorff, (918) 775-2072, to start the Prayer Chain.

S.M.I.L.E. News

Senior Ministry Is Life Enhancing Our S.M.I.L.E. group for senior citizens will have our monthly lunch on Thursday, July 11 at noon at the church. Please bring a covered dish, and come S.M.I.L.E. with us.

Janie Hensley

Back to School Giveaway

Help Our Church contribute 230 packs of Wide-ruled Loose Leaf Notebook Paper to the Back to School Giveaway. The deadline to turn in your paper is Sunday, July 28.

Free Community Breakfast

Come and help with our Free

Community Breakfast on Saturday, July 27. Cooks arrive at 8:00 a.m. The Breakfast is served from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

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Ministry Schedule Sundays 8:45 a.m. Praise Band Rehearsals 9:20 a.m. Connect Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 10:50 a.m. The Blend Worship Service 10:50 a.m. Sunday School 2:30 p.m. Connect Band Rehearsal

Mondays 10:30 a.m. Quilters

Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. Prayer Group 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous

Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. Covenant Group 5:00 p.m. Ruach Youth Group 6:00 p.m. Proverbs & Parables Adult Study 6:00 p.m. Instruments of Praise Band Rehearsal

Thursdays 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous

Tuesday, July 2 Spiritual Growth Team Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 7 to Friday, July 12 Youth Force, Muldrow

Tuesday, July 9 Youth Force Prayer Vigil Youth Force Dinner at FUMC at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 11 S.M.I.L.E. Lunch for Seniors at 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 27 Free Community Breakfast from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 28 United Methodist Men’s Breakfast at 7:50 a.m.

Thursday, August 1 United Methodist Women at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 8 S.M.I.L.E. Lunch for Seniors at 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 11 Bring-a-Friend Sunday

Tuesday, August 13 Little Disciples Preschool Begins at 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday, August 21 Wacky Wednesday Begins at 4:00 p.m.

July Birthdays 7 Allyson Smith 8 Gail Cullens 10 Bill Penn 12 Cindy Lattimore 14 Kerry Bauer 17 Freda Cooke 20 Trad Lattimore 25 Jennifer Basford 30 Tom Mitchell Janet Luttrell 31 Marilyn Elliott

July Anniversaries 3 Cheryl & Wendell Mills 9 Todd & Tami Martin 12 Kerry & Brady Bauer E. B. & Cherie Sanders 15 Lea & Leigh Ann Lessley 21 John & Jennifer Hart 24 David & Sherry Gean 29 Gearl & Janet Luttrell

Mission Possible Amount Pledged $300,808.00 Received to Date $242,503.50

Come Dream with Us Amount Pledged $292,170.00 Received to Date $107,633.00 Loan Balance $582,688.73

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Ruach Youth Group Hey everyone, the summer is here in full force, and we are excited about the things with which God has blessed us. Mission Madness and District Camp are behind us, but the results of God’s work through them are still very present. We had seventeen youth and six adults go to camp this year. I would like to personally say, “Thank you,” to the leaders that took part in these events. Thank you for leading and being the hands and feet of God. Youth Force (July 7-12) is approaching soon, and we as a church family have the opportunity on Tuesday, July 9th to take part in a Prayer Vigil. Contact Jean Slater for any additional information. The Youth are armed and ready to answer their call. Stay cool and God Bless,

Shane Allen Winford

Music Ministry Happy July everyone! This summer we are enjoying special offertory music in The Blend worship service from our church members. Special thanks to Shane Winford and Dustin Simmonds, our Hand Chimes Choir, Judy Blair, and Krista Potter. We are so grateful to have heard your beautiful music. Thank you for sharing it with us. There’s still time! If you would like to share a special song with us this summer during The Blend worship service, please let me know. I would be happy to help you in any way I can. See you at church!

Keri Cousins

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Connect to Others in a Small Group

God’s People Worship - Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Teachers - Gary Winton & Anne Bottorff. Beginning on June 30, join us as we study the prophet, Ezra, and talk about how and why God’s people worship.

Be Confident: Living By Faith and Not by Sight - Sunday at 9:30 & 10:50 Beginning on Sunday, July 7, join us for a 5-week study of the Book of Hebrews. This book was written by Christians, to Christians, and for Christians to encourage them to not lose faith during tough times. Respected pastor Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe will show you that by focusing on the reality of the unseen first, an overwhelming desire for intimate friendship with God will follow. Adult Class at 9:30 a.m. Teachers - Freda Lattimore and Mary Sue Mos. Adult Class at 10:50 a.m. Teacher - Tammie Shamblin.

Youth Class for 6th - 12th Grades - Sunday at 10:50 a.m. Teacher - Shane Winford. Join us on Sunday mornings as we study the Bible together and enjoy each other’s fellowship.

Grow. Proclaim. Serve. - Sunday at 9:30 & 10:50 a.m. Your child will learn about Jesus through Bible stories and crafts. 4’s, 5’s, Kindergarteners & 1st Graders at 9:30 a.m. Teacher - Pat Heflebower. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Graders at 9:30 a.m. Teacher - Linda Winton. Kindergarteners, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Graders at 10:50 a.m. Teachers - Lisa Lessley & Amber Long.

Prayer Group - Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. This group prays for all of the prayer requests that are shared in worship. The Prayer Group would like to invite you to join us for prayers. We meet from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Pris Bartram’s home at Green Acre Village #10.

Covenant Group - Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. The women in this small group share a devotion and study the Bible together.

Ruach Youth Group - Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Youth Intern - Shane Winford. Join us each Wednesday for food, fun, and fellowship.

Proverbs & Parables - Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Teacher - Ann Davidson. Join us for Proverbs & Parables — God’s Wisdom for Living. The principles of God’s wisdom are consistent and unchanging, yet there are some wonderful differences between proverbs and parables that makes studying them together even more beautiful and powerful. Join us for this engaging study. Childcare is available.

Coming on August 21 Wacky Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.

Wacky Wednesday is for children in Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. Sign up in the Church Office to enroll for the Fall Semester.

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United Methodist Men’s News

June has been a wonderful month for our Men regarding outreach and ministry. They served faithfully with our Mission Madness teams and did good works for Catholic Charities in Sallisaw. We took on a bit more technically challenging work this year and ended up with a full plate in the end, but all projects were completed with style. The folks at Catholic Charities were extremely appreciative of the work that was done. I learned that Don Bickel has many cracks, that I don't know which side is up, that our Pastor can brush-hog with his push-mower, that the coolest place to be is at the Church making care packages and paper caterpillars with Keri and Machell, and that you can get hurt in a wiffle ball game! I saw new leaders show up looking like deer in headlights and end up pointing fingers and directing work like traffic cops! I also saw children and youth dive into whatever was required and work with the men as one team. Our ability to work together through many generational gaps was a blessing to watch. I also saw a few of our Youth take it upon themselves to volunteer to work at Catholic Charities two days a week this summer. To sum it all up, we did much more than mere work. In the end, the men, women, children, youth, and new leaders found a way to represent the serving spirit of our Church and demonstrate our willingness to work together to do God's will. Our Men were one small part of this effort and served as mentors, advocates, and examples of what a true Methodist should be. Thanks to ALL of you! See you next month,

Howard Davidson

Mission Madness Dear First United Methodist Church: I cannot begin to express my thanks to all your parishioners for their labor of love at the Helping Center. I am truly astounded to see what fantastic work they have accomplished. The transformation in the food room is amazing! The tile looks great, and it will be so much easier to keep clean now! The baby room looks so much cleaner and cozier! And the holly bushes! I can't believe those pretty little bushes were hidden inside that jungle! The hygiene packets are always needed and appreciated, and the painting, cleaning and planting have beautified this place immensely! All of these things will help us serve the people more efficiently. I always say that the Helping Center is 'the Lord's place,' and I really mean it. I feel that He has provided this place to take care of those among us who are less fortunate and who may have fallen on hard times. To have people come and make it a better place is a wonderful testimony that shows how we can all work together to accomplish His plans. I also wanted to mention that I really appreciate all those wonderful railroad ties!!! That makes the parking area look so much neater! The old ones were totally wore out!! Thank you so much! Those are very heavy, and I know that really took a lot of hard work. God bless you!! Thank you so very much to all of you. May the Lord richly bless you for your efforts. You are truly making a difference in the lives of our less fortunate neighbors! Sincerely,

MaryLynn Lufkin