Volume 20 Issue 8 August 2013

The First United Methodist Church

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.)

Friday - closed

CHURCH STAFF Rev. Dan Pulver, Senior Pastor Nicholas Lee, Student Ministries Laurie Pratt, Director of Children’s Ministry

Larry Clark, Minister of Music Kathy Caudle, Praise & Worship Leader

Jeana Malone, Office Administrator Kim Campbell, Secretary Matt Erickson, Facility Manager

15502 South Memorial Bixby, Oklahoma 74008

THE FLAME is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, 15502 S. Memorial Drive, Bixby, OK 74008. Phone: 918-366-4463 Fax: 918-366-4465 Website: www.fumcbixby.org Church E-mail: fumcbix@olp.net Newsletter: fumcbix@olp.net

The September 2013, issue of THE FLAME will be mailed on August 28. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 21, 2013.

SUNDAY SERVICES Praise & Worship 8:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wills and Trust Seminar

Christian Estate and Legacy Planning

One of our most important acts of stewardship is the final distribution of our life’s accumulation. How we distribute our estate speaks volumes about our values and our concern for our loved ones. On August 28 at 6:30 p.m., you will learn how an estate plan can shape your family’s legacy and your church’s future. This informative seminar will be held in Room 108. David Battles, CPA, Executive Vice President of The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, will lead the seminar. The seminar will cover the following topics and more:

Why do we need an estate plan? What are common family and planning goals? What questions do I need to ask? What are some estate planning strategies? Do I need a revocable living trust? What are some other estate planning considerations? How can an endowment for the church fit into my estate plan? What are some ways to make an endowment gift to the church? What else do I need to know?

There will be plenty of time for questions and individual consultations. A packet of information will be provided to each participant of this free seminar. Nursery provided during the seminar. Dinner will be served at 5:30 in the gym.

Open House at the Parsonage Our beautiful new parsonage will be open for a “come & go” informal viewing. The Pulvers have invited the entire church family to stop by for a visit. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, August 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday, August 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Please come and see the new parsonage you have provided for your Pastor and his family. 3194 E 144th Place, Bixby.

Page 2 The Flame

KINGS DOMINION

Rotation Sunday School

Kindergarten - 6th grade

King’s Dominion Call of the Disciples August 18 -- September 15th, 2013

Scripture: Luke 5: 1 - 11

Memory Verse: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 Concepts: 1. Jesus called 12 disciples out of a larger group of

followers. 2. The word “disciple” means devoted follower, a

person who adheres to and helps spread the teachings of Jesus. 3. Jesus called ordinary people. 4. The disciples immediately left everything to follow Jesus. 5. Jesus calls us to be disciples today.

Shepherd’s Fold Preschool

We are now enrolling for next Fall.

Information is available in the church

office if you would like to stop by, or you

can call the office at 918-366-4463.

After School Program

We are currently accepting enrollment for our Afterschool program. If you would like more information, you may call Ms. Susan or Ms. Laurie at the church to find out about this program. We have a few spots left for kids who attend Central

or Central Intermediate.

Kindergarten Blessing

Sunday, August 18 during worship, we will have a Kindergarten Blessing. We want to have a special time for our kindergarteners as they go off to their first week of school. If you have a kindergartener, please let Ms.

Laurie know. Thank You!

3rd grade Bibles

It is a great honor to present

Bibles to our 3rd graders. We

will be presenting them during

church on Sunday, September

8th. Please let Ms. Laurie know if

you have a 3rd grader so we can

make sure that we have a Bible

for your child. Thank You!

Our Preteen Sunday school class will be re-starting on Sunday, August 18th. We will be using part of our confirmation curriculum with this class. If your child is planning on participating in confirmation, it will be very beneficial to

attend this class on Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM.

Dr. William Hinson told the story of a teenaged girl who received an evangelism award from her local church, because she had successfully brought so many people into the life of her church. She was only 13, but she was very effective at bringing others to her church. One of the people she had brought into the church was a physician. When he was asked why he started coming to that church he said, “Our babysitter. Each time I picked her up to sit with our children, and took her back home afterwards, she was always so enthusiastic, talking about her youth group, the choir, the retreats, and the worship; she was contagious. I saw in her radiant countenance and enthusiasm, the qualities I wanted for my own children. I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted to raise my children in the same church my baby sitter attended. I wanted that contagious joy in my family.” She was only babysitting; but she was also telling the story of her church in a powerful way that made it attractive to others. When you speak of your church, what are you communicating? Are you even taking advantage of the opportunities you have to tell our story? With Facebook, Twitter, email, texting, and old fashioned face to face communication, we have so many chances to proclaim what God is doing among us with enthusiasm. One of the churches in my district last year had a web site that received about 700 hits per week; in other words, all those who were somewhat involved in the life of the church were good about checking the web site to receive what information they needed. One Sunday the pastor asked everyone during worship to get out their smart phones and check in on Facebook, letting people know they were in that church for worship. Their web site had 30,000 hits that week, with people checking it out to see why their friends were attending there. Did you know you had that kind of power to influence others? You have the power of influence, especially if you are an enthusiastic witness for what occurs in the life of this church. People just may want to come here, because you do. Several people have asked me what my plans are for Bixby First. They want to know how we will begin to grow again. It starts with you, being excited, being invitational. It really is contagious!

Daniel

Out of the

Lions’ Den...

THURSDAY, August 1 8:30 a.m. Quilters

FRIDAY, August 2-OFFICE CLOSED

SATURDAY, August 3 All Day Upward Practice

SUNDAY, August 4 COMMUNION SUNDAY

8:30 a.m. Worship Preparation Prayer- Chapel 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 5:00 p.m. Fusion JrH Worship 5:15 p.m. Ignite Youth Small Groups

MONDAY, August 5 9:30 a.m. Yoga 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 6:30 p.m. Scout Court of Honor 7:00 p.m. Scouts

TUESDAY, August 6 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 6:30 p.m. Stephen Ministry Meeting

WEDNESDAY, August 7 9:30 a.m. Yoga 6:30 p.m. Movie Night-”Home Run” 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir

THURSDAY, August 8 8:30 a.m. Quilters 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 5:30 p.m. OCU Office of Admissions 6:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl 7:00 p.m. Hospitality Team Meeting 7:30 p.m. Venture Scouts

FRIDAY, August 9-OFFICE CLOSED

SATURDAY, August 10 All Day Upward Practice

SUNDAY, August 11 8:30 a.m. Worship Preparation Prayer- Chapel 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Parsonage Open House 4:00 p.m. Serve Team 5:00 p.m. Trustees 5:00 p.m. Fusion JrH Worship 5:15 p.m. Ignite Youth Small Groups

MONDAY, August 12 9:30 a.m. Yoga 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Parsonage Open House 6:00 p.m. Abbett Dinner 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 7:00 p.m. Scouts

TUESDAY, August 13 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice

WEDNESDAY, August 14 9:30 a.m. Yoga 6:30 p.m. Ignite Youth Worship 6:30 p.m. Fusion JrH Small Groups 7:30 p.m. Praise & Worship Rehearsal 8:30 p.m. Adult Pickup Basketball-Gym

August, 2013

Circle of Care Western Lunch Sunday, August 25 11:00 a.m. & noon Donations are welcome

Phone: 366-4463

Fax: 366-4465

Contact Nicholas Lee

Rev19124@yahoo.com

Stitchers of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesday, August 13 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, August 8 & 22 6:30 p.m.

Chapel

WEDNESDAY, August 28 9:30 a.m. Yoga 5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Gym 6:30 p.m. Ignite Youth Worship 6:30 p.m. Fusion JrH Small Groups 6:30 p.m. Wills & Trust Seminar 7:00 p.m. Chanel Choir 7:30 p.m. Praise & Worship Rehearsal 8:30 p.m. Adult Pickup Basketball-Gym

THURSDAY, August 29 8:30 a.m. Quilters 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 7:00 p.m. Ladies Night Out

FRIDAY, August 30-OFFICE CLOSED 2:30 p.m. Afterschool

SATURDAY, August 31

Second Friday Club

We will be off for the

summer.

All activities will resume

in September.

THURSDAY, August 15 8:30 a.m. Quilters 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice

FRIDAY, August 16-OFFICE CLOSED 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Parsonage Open House

SATURDAY, August 17 7:45 Care Center Open 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Parsonage Open House All Day Upward Games

SUNDAY, August 18 Kindergarten Blessing 7:30 a.m. Worship Preparation Prayer- Chapel 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 5:00 p.m. Fusion JrH Worship 5:15 p.m. Ignite Youth Small Groups 5:30 p.m. Preschool Open House

MONDAY, August 19 9:30 a.m. Yoga 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 7:00 p.m. Scouts

TUESDAY, August 20 9:30 a.m. Preschool-First Day of School (Bixby) 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice

WEDNESDAY, July 21

9:30 a.m. Yoga 6:30 p.m. Ignite Youth Worship 6:30 p.m. Fusion JrH Small Groups 7:00 p.m. Chanel Choir 7:30 p.m. Praise & Worship Rehearsal 8:30 p.m. Adult Pickup Basketball-Gym

THURSDAY, August 22 8:30 a.m. Quilters 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 6:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl 7:30 p.m. Venture Scouts

FRIDAY, August 23-OFFICE CLOSED 2:30 p.m. Afterschool

SATURDAY, August 24 All Day Upward Games

SUNDAY, August 25 CIRCLE OF CARE SUNDAY 7:30 a.m. Worship Preparation Prayer- Chapel 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. & noon (2 seatings) Western lunch 5:00 p.m. Fusion JrH Worship 5:15 p.m. Ignite Youth Small Groups

MONDAY, August 26 9:30 a.m. Yoga 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice 7:00 p.m. Scouts

TUESDAY, August 27 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:00 p.m. Upward Practice

ATENDANCE FOR WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday, July 7 July 14 July 21 July 28

8:30 a.m. 51 54 51 76 11:00 a.m. 183 224 189 209

TOTAL 234 278 240 285

New Member Spotlight On July 14, 2013, Al and Dana Luft joined our church family. Please join me in welcoming them into the fold.

Al, baptized in the Lutheran faith; and Dana, in the Baptist faith, have been married for 25 years. They have one

daughter who is married and lives in Broken Arrow, and a Mainecoon cat named Skeeter McGee who lives at home.

They moved to Bixby in 2009, from Sacramento, CA when Al retired after 40 years in the Caterpillar business. He

went to work for the dealership in Missoula, MT after serving in the US Marines and fighting in Vietnam. Other Cat-

erpillar dealerships Al worked for, in the management area of parts and service, were in Billings MT, Midland, TX,

Tulsa, OK, Atlanta, GA, Madison, WI, Phoenix, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, and the last 8 years in Sacramento, CA. Al was

born in Williston, ND and was raised in Scobey and Missoula, MT. His hobbies are golf, fly fishing and art.

Dana was born and raised in Tulsa, where her mother still resides at 92 in Dana's childhood home. Following her

true love and soul mate throughout the US, she has worn many hats and was employed both in the private and

public sectors. Most recently in Sacramento she worked for a commercial real estate developer in the HR field.

She started her career in insurance then went into the oil & gas industry, in Tulsa. In Madison, WI, Dana had a

management position in workers compensation for the State of WI. While in Phoenix, she became a licensed real

estate agent for Caldwell Banker. Today, she enjoys being part of the Bixby Garden Spot Garden Club and her

retirement.

Submitted by Erin Fairfield

You will soon begin seeing Posters announcing that BFUMC is partnering with Lifetouch for

what will hopefully be our best-ever Membership Directory.

Photography sessions have been scheduled for eight days beginning Tuesday, October 1st

through Saturday October 5th and Monday through Wednesday, October 14th, 15th and 16th.

Photo sessions will be held on weekdays from 2:00 – 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday beginning at

10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

You may begin scheduling your family photo sessions on August 5th by contacting the church

office at 366-4463 or by going to the church website. Those scheduling online will receive an

automated email reminder with a $10.00 coupon to use at the time of their photo session. You

will also be able to sign-up manually using paper appointment sheets on the tables in the

Narthex before and after Sunday church services.

Those families who are photographed for the directory will receive a complimentary pictorial

church directory and a complimentary 8x10 portrait just for participating. You do not have to

be a member of BFUMC to participate.

If you are interested in volunteering to help man 3 hosting teams (2 persons each) per day for

2-1/2 hour segments during each of the 8 days photography sessions are scheduled, please

contact Paula Applegate at paapplegate@cox.net or 518-6330.

Please pray for these military personnel who are currently deployed:

Marines: SGT Brian D. Allen, grandson of John & Irene Allen, Afghanistan.

Army: Army: SPC Nathan Hamelund, Germany, grandson of Ken & Tommie Bond.

Please pick up a Strength of Service devotional book for your deployed loved one.

CHURCH COOKBOOKS

$10.00

Dear Church, We thank God for each of you and it was our privilege to work along side you for God’s kingdom. Thank you for the wonderful brunch, many acts of kindness, and the gift to Redemption Church and Exodus House! This truly is ministry for us. We love you! Blessings, Randy & Helen

SOCKS & UNDIES

Shhh! Don’t tell the kids but a new school year will be here before we know it. Our Care

Center and Circle of Care’s Child S.H.A.R.E. are in need of new socks and undies for children

from toddlers through 18-year old high schoolers.

Some of you have already noticed the request on the Sanctuary’s big screen, and we

appreciate your donations. With Pastor Dan we’ve set August 11 as our official donation day

for these new essentials. There will be a table in the north hall to place your donations.

Charlene Kaster and Diana Sample will divide the socks and undies between the two

organizations. Just as a brief reminder, our Care Center serves families from the Bixby

area; Tulsa Child S.H.A.R.E. serves foster families in the greater Tulsa area. Thank you for

supporting both these ministries!

Bixby UMC,

Thank you so very much for your

generous gift to Redemption Church in honor of Randy and Helen Mitchell. We

appreciate your kindness and are thankful for all you do. May God continue

to bless you.

Pastor Brantley Tillery

Come join us in fellowship!

Our last summer movie will be “Home Run”

Wednesday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m.

.

Freedom is Possible! Baseball all-star Cory Brand knows what it takes to win in the big leagues. But off the field, with memories of his past haunting him, his life is spiraling out of control. Hoping to save her client's career and reputation after a DUI and a team suspension, Cory's agent sends him back to the small town where he grew up. Forced to coach the local youth baseball team and spend eight weeks in the only recovery program in town, Cory can't wait to return to his old life as quickly as possible. As his young players help him experience the joy of the game, Cory discovers his need to find freedom from his past and hope for his future … and win back the love he left behind. With this unexpected second chance, Cory finds himself on a powerful journey of transformation and redemption. Based on thousands of true stories, HOME RUN is a powerful reminder that with God, it's never too late … freedom is possible

We will have special guests that evening. The executive producer Carol Spann Mathews

and music composer Scott Mathews will be joining us for our viewing. Carol Spann

Mathews is the daughter of Tom and Janice Spann. See you there!

10

Summer Hours Mon. through Thurs. 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Closed

August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

August Meeting Reminders:

(known meetings from the office calendar)

Stephen Ministry-Tuesday, August 6

Room 205 at 6:30 p.m.

Hospitality Team-Thursday, August 8

Room 203 at 7:00 p.m.

Serve Team-Sunday, August 11

Room 206 at 4:00 p.m.

Trustees-Sunday, August 11

Room 205 at 5:00 p.m.

Ladies Night Out

Thursday, August 29

at 7:00 p.m.

Dinner

Delta Café

11101 E 41 St

Tulsa

Erin at 918-366-6166 or

Laurie at 918-281-9997

SAVE THE DATE! GOLF TOURNAMENT!

Mark your calendars, September 20th 2013, for the Golf Tournament fundraiser benefiting the Music Department of FUMC, Bixby! This will be our second annual event. It will be at White

Hawk Golf Course for an 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Tee Time. Bring your own foursome or join one from the church. The Entry of $65 will include green fees, range balls, golf cart, and lunch. For more information please call the Church office 918-366-4463 or Ron or Lucinda Casteel at 918-369-5993

Bridal Shower

You are invited to a

Bridal Shower Brunch

in honor of

Ashley Williams

and Nathan Moody

Saturday, August 24

10:00 a.m. to Noon

FUMC Bixby—108/109

Ashley & Nathan are registered at

Target, Bed Bath & Beyond,

IKEA

Circle of Care Sunday

Sunday, August 25

Please join us for a Western Theme Lunch serving at 11:00a.m. & Noon

Guest Speaker, Rev. Mark Howard, Director of Residential Service for Circle of Care

Plan on attending to learn more about this important ministry

Upcoming Showers-Save these dates!

Baby Shower in honor of Jentry & Joshua Hamilton

Sunday, September 22, 2p.m-4p.m

Wedding Shower in honor of Johnny Paxton & Tyler Butler

Sunday, October 20, 2p.m.-4p.m.

More information to come

GET THE FLAME BY EMAIL If you would like to get your Flame by email instead of a paper copy (saving postage and trees)

please email the office at fumcbix@olp.net and request it, giving us any email addresses you would

like included. We will take your name off the paper-copy list and send it out by email!!!

Non-Profit Organization

Pre-Sort Standard

Bixby, Oklahoma 74008

Permit No. 18

August 2013

Or Current Resident

First United Methodist Church 15502 South Memorial Bixby, OK 74008 (918) 366-4463 email: fumcbix@olp.net Website: www.fumcbixby.org

Altar Flowers If you would like to honor a loved one with

the purchase of Sunday altar flowers,

please contact the church office to

reserve your desired date. The cost is

$40, and the honoree will be listed in that

Sunday’s bulletin .

Sermons Are Available on Our Website On our website, click on “Worship” then

“Worship Services/Service Recordings”

then - pick your desired date on the page.

Remember to Use the Paper Recycler in the Church

Parking Lot!