Skiatook First United Methodist Church

Methodist

Messenger Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world!

1007 S. Osage

P.O. Box 910

Skiatook OK 74070

www.fumcskiatook.com

Email: office@fumcskiatook.com

918-396-2519

Fax: 918-396-7973

January 2016

Celebrating Generosity and Faithfulness in Skiatook

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his

name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all

generations.” Psalm 100: 4-5 NIV)

It is the beginning of a brand new year, and as humans do, we love to imagine a brand new start, a blank slate. It is

natural, and exciting to imagine new possibilities, new opportunities, and new reality. However, before looking

ahead to the exciting possibilities of 2016, I want to take a minute and celebrate some happenings of 2015!

2015 was a great year for Skiatook First United Methodist Church! We received twenty four new members, and

had fourteen Professions of Faith. We had several baptisms and our first Confirmation Class in a few years. Many

of our new members have already jumped right in and gotten involved in Sunday School classes, and even mission.

We continued strong in mission in many areas. Our youth participated in Youth Force, held in Guymon OK, this

past summer. We continued our pool lunch program, making approximately 50 bag lunches each week and deliv-

ering them to the pool. We furnished school supplies to over 200 children in Skiatook and Sperry, and coordinated

the Angel Tree and provided gifts to almost 300 children for Christmas. We had community help with these en-

deavors, and were pleased to be able to work with area businesses and churches to meet the needs in Skiatook.

Also, both the United Methodist Men and the United Methodist Women participated in giving and supporting vari-

ous ministries throughout the year. This church gave a love offering to the Ugandan Children’s Choir of approxi-

mately $1200.00

For the first time in several years, our giving actually exceeded our budget expenses! Not only was our fi-

nancial giving in 2015 very strong, we were able to pay 100% of our mission obligations. Even though only

50% had been budgeted, we had enough income to be able to meet all of our apportionment expenses! This is the

first time in several years this has happened, and it is due to YOUR generosity and faithfulness! Because of this,

many missional agencies will have their budgets more fully funded.

Our Legacy series in November resulted in increased pledges for 2016 as well. We had new first time pledges giv-

en, and received a total of $195,400.00 in pledges. This is significantly higher than in past years, and again, speaks

to the faithfulness and the spiritual growth and discipline of God’s people here! Additionally, we had some pledg-

es to the Building Fund, as we work to reduce the debt on the LAF Building.

We have so much to celebrate and be thankful for as a church. We celebrate God’s faithfulness, and God’s contin-

ued working in our midst. And we celebrate YOU—a congregation who is doing their very best to remain faithful

in reaching out to others, to spreading the Gospel to a hurting world, and to being the hands and feet of Christ. I

am privileged to be your Pastor!

New Year’s Blessings,

Pastor Susan

January Children’s News

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of

Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

SUNDAY SCHOOL

4 years old to 4th grade

9:30 am (LAF building or next to nursery)

rotational format

CHILDREN’S MOMENT /CHILDREN’S CHURCH

during 2nd service

MOVIE NIGHT!!!

Saturday, January 30th

6:00 pm—8:30 pm

Pizza, Pop & Popcorn

Drop your kids (4 years to 4th grade)

off, or stay and watch the movie!

Please RSVP:

Miria 405-850-2253

Special thanks to everyone who helped to make Christmas great for

the children of Skiatook FUMC!

Alan, Beverly, Sam, Bobby, Susan, Dianne, Lisa, Debbie, Jennifer...

Welcome to our new nursery worker, Caitlin Englehardt. She will begin in the nursery on Sunday, Jan 3.

Caitlin is also employed full time at Essentially Kids in Skiatook. She has her CDA in infants and toddlers,

and is also a Master Teacher for that age group. She is certified in CPR, First Aid, and Blood Born Patho-

gens. She has years of experience caring for children, and we are lucky to have her on staff. Please wel-

come Caitlin when you see her. We are still in need of an additional nursery worker, so if you know of

anyone interested, please have them call the office.

WELCOME!!!!!!!

Misc. Happenings

Servant Spotlight Thanks to: Sheril & Jerry Lewis and all

those who helped make the 2015 Community Angel Tree a great suc-cess! James Prather for re-fusing to quit painting un-

til the classroom was finished!

The Allreds, the Prathers and the Whitleys for hosting the Ugandan Kids Choir.

Robin Edens, Cathy Allred, Beverly Dollar, Travis Dollar and Dale Coo-ley for their Christmas Eve music.

The United Methodist Women would like to thank everyone for their support during the Theme Basket Silent Auction. Funds raised will benefit vari-ous mission projects through-out the year. Following are the winners of each basket. Baby boy - Saige Duty

Baby girl - Robyn Haley

Chocolate/coffee - Glynda Hunt

Italian - Julie March

Comfort - Glenna Long

OSU - Nita Whitney

Homemade stuff - Gloria Forbes Homemade stuff - James Prather

Doggie Goodies - Patti McKinney

OU - Jeni Snyder

Nail Care- Julie Guy

Movie - John Keeline

Road Trip - Mary Nelson

Thanks everyone!

Ministry Opportunities

There are still several areas in

need of help throughout the

church. If you have been praying

about where you can use your

time and talents, please call the

church office and visit with Pastor

Susan. Following are just a few

areas with a brief description of

ways you can assist in being the

church and the hands and feet of

Christ.

Greeters—On Sunday mornings,

greet the congregation with a

smile, pass out bulletins, and act

as usher during offertory.

Sign Changer- take turns

changing the lettering on the

church sign.

Run Sunday Slides—either ser-

vice, training is provided!

Cleaning—Help vacuum or clean

general areas on Friday morn-

ings, or when available prior to

Sunday worship.

The United Methodist Men ex-tend their gratitude to all who purchased raffle tickets for the Heavenly Holiday Meat assort-ment. Proceeds will benefit various mission projects throughout the year. The winners were Dick Allen, Retha Giles, and Ms. Stribling.

Gifts are given... In Memory of Eth-el Baker by her grand-daughter, Janet Baker-Estabrooks By Judy Super-naw, to the LAF

Building Fund, in memory of Junior Supernaw.

By Steve & Julie Guy, to the LAF Building Fund, to the Glory of God.

Wishing a hearty welcome to our new-est member! Verna Myers joined No-vember 29th by transfer of member-ship from Asbury UMC.

Wednesday Bible Study to begin.

Pastor Susan will be teaching a 6 week Bible Study beginning Wednesday, January 20, from 6:30-8 pm. It is titled “Namesake: When God Rewrites Your Story” by Jessica LaGrone. Each week will cover a different Bible charac-ter whose life and name was radi-cally changed and transformed by God. Participant workbooks are $10, and include a 5 day devo-tional/reading plan. Classes will be 3 weeks, with a 2 week break in mid Feb., and then three more finishing on March 9. Sign up or call the office if you are interest-ed and need a book.

Condolences...

Our love and condo-

lences go out to Mrs.

Willie Jones and her

family as they grieve

the loss of her hus-

band, Mr. James

“Butch” Jones. May

they be comforted by

God’s love.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Office Closed 2

3 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship

4

Noon: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

5 5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

6 noon: level 1 yoga

7

1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6pm Level 2 Yoga 7pm Bible Study

8 9

10

8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45 Trustees 11:45: Worship Cmt

12-2:00: Youth

11 Noon: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

6:30 Navigator’s Informational Meeting

12 10:00: United Methodist Wom-en 5:30: Weight Watchers 7:00 Boy Scouts

13

Noon: level 1 yoga 3:00: FIX 6:30: United Methodist Men

14

1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

15 8:30: CHUMS

Breakfast

16

17 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45—Finance Budget Meet-ing. 12-2:00: Youth

18Martin

Luther King, Jr. Observance Church Office

Closed

Noon: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

19

5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

20 Noon: level 1 yoga 3:00 FIX till Six 6:30—Namesake Bible Study Be-gins.

21 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

22 Youth Overnight

Winter Retreat

23

248:30: Wor-ship 9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship

12-2:00: Youth

318:30 Wor-ship 9:30: 5th Sun-day Brunch 10:30 Worship

25

Noon: level 1 yoga

6:00: Sewing Class

26 9:00: Sewing Class 5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

27 noon: level 1 yoga 3:00 FIX 6:30: Namesake Bible Study Ses-sion 2

28 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm Bible Study

29 30 Children’s Dept:

Movie Night—6

-8:30

Skiatook First United Methodist Church

1007 S. Osage

P.O. Box 910

Skiatook, OK 74070

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

RECYCLE PLEASE

Navigator’s Meeting There will be an informational meeting about

the Navigator’s Club in the Old Fellowship Hall

on Jan. 11, at 6:30 pm. Navigator’s is spon-

sored by Oasis Adult Day Services (not the

church) and is a private non-profit organization.

It is just one component of the services offered

by Oasis. The Navigator’s Club is specifically

designed for individuals with early memory loss

by offering structured activities that promote

brain health and memory enhancement.

It is designed to focus on the individual’s need

for increased socialization, physical exercise,

proper nutrition, memory enhancement, and im-

proved cognitive function. Caregivers receive

education and support, as well as a break from

the demands of caregiving. If you want to learn

more, please join us for the meeting on Jan 11.

A Special thank You Dear Church Family,

We want to thank you for the special way you helped us through a difficult time. Losing someone you love is a hard thing. It is especially hard when you watch them suffer.

With the help of you all-especially the Unit-ed Methodist Men, we were able to get through losing Nathan to our heavenly Father. We greatly appreciate the many prayers, phone calls, visits, and meals that you brought. The Men’s assistance in Nathan’s final weeks was truly a blessing.

We could not have managed without the love of our church family and friends, and we thank you. Your love and kindness can never be repaid, but will always be treasured.

In Christ’s Love,

Mrs. Rose Brehm & Family