September 26, 2018Editor: katrina.spalding@bartlesvillefirstchurch.com

Family CampoutOctober 5 at 6 p.m.

A DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE

FAMILY CAMPOUTFellowship and Family Life Committee is hosting a Family Campout at our campsite! Everyone is invited to enjoy this evening of faith and fellowship. Bring your tent and camping equipment to set up starting at 5 p.m. If camping is not your thing; that’s ok! Join us at the campground for hotdogs, s'mores, and singing around the campfire! Please bring a side to share with everyone for dinner.

As many of you know, we will soon be facing an important time in the life of our United Methodist Church. On February 22-24, 2019, a special General Conference session will be held in St. Louis, Mo. with the purpose of discerning the direction our church will go regarding the human sexuality questions we have debated over many years. We encourage every United Methodist in Oklahoma to be in prayer concerning this conference. We also have available a weekly devotion (written by Oklahoma leaders) that can supplement your prayer time. These resources can be found at okumc-reg.brtapp.com/28WeeksActsDevotions

You are invited to attend a run through of the plans scheduled to be presented at General Conference. This discussion and presentation includes members of the Oklahoma delegation as well as Bishop Nunn. This important gathering will be held on Friday, Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s UMC Christian Life Center (CLC) in Oklahoma City. There is no charge to attend, however, if you plan on attending you are asked to register to assure adequate seating and handouts. Register at okumc-reg.brtapp.com/OklahomaDiscussionon2019GeneralConference .

We want to thank you for your prayers, concerns and continued commitment to our beloved church. As challenging as this discussion may be to some, it also offers us hope for a future that will best reflect our ongoing commitment to making disciples for the transformation of the world. We look forward to seeing many of you on Oct. 5.

- Rev. Linda Harker, Chair Oklahoma Delegation- Rev. Joseph Harris, Assistant to Bishop Nunn- Dr. Don Kim, Oklahoma Delegation

If you are not able to attend, we will live stream this important discussion here at Bartlesville First Church. The church will be open 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 for those interested. Rev. Tari Carbaugh will be present to help answer any questions during the discussion.

FALL FESTIVALJoin us for a Fall Festival on October 14! We will be kicking off the festival with a Hymn Sing at 3:30 p.m. where we will sing hymns we all know and love. At 5 p.m. we will serve chili and hot dogs while having fun at the Pumpkin Patch. There will be a bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course, a petting farm, yard games, and pumpkins. This is a FREE come and go event. Invite your friends, family, and even complete strangers!

PUMPKINS, KIDS, AND FUN!

Jane Phillips students are coming to the Pumpkin Patch and we need your help to make these field trips a success! Pre-K classes are joining us October 15, 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. Kindergarten classes are joining us October 22, 9:30 - 11:45 a.m.

We will have a variety of stations for the students to enjoy such as story telling, crafts, washable tattoos, bounce houses, petting farm, and horseback riding. Each student will receive a small pumpkin to take home. We need volunteers to help with these activities. Please sign up in the church Atrium. If you have questions, you may contact Nancy Farmer at bfarmerok@aol.com.

SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 7Rev. Dr. Greg Tener - 405-635-5068Rev. Tari Carbaugh - 918-914-9001You are welcome to speak with one of ministers anytime.

Van Ministry:September 30 Bob Tull and Jordan TomlinOctober 7 Rusty and Heather Cutts

Ambassadors:September 30 8 a.m. - Roger Himstreet and Harry Farnsworth

10 a.m. - Mary and Thad FriedmanOctober 7 8 a.m. - Steve and Linda Gregory

10 a.m. - Karel and Frank Riehart

Flower Delivery:September 30 Kent and Kayleen ThomasOctober 7 Tom and Judy DeSalme

Green Country Village Vespers:September 30 Bob FarmerOctober 7 Dr. Greg Tener

’’One of the things I love about motorcycles, whether I’m riding or a passenger behind Kent, is the uninterrupted thinking time. For someone known to talk a lot, I am falling in love with times of quiet when I can think deeply, and where I rejuvenate my body, mind and spirit.

September 9th, seven of us rode our bikes to Howard, KS, 80 miles there and back. We ate lunch at Toots Drive-In (which makes immature Tari giggle….Toots….hahaha). Apart from lunch, I spent 1 ½ hours each way in silence and thought. I experienced peace and gratitude and I wondered what you all do to blow out the cobwebs of the day to day grind; to refresh and recharge and refuel.

Too often we think that if we take time out for ourselves, we are not doing all that we can for others. We think we are being selfish. I’m learning that mindset is a big ole lie we tell ourselves.

There is a parable you’ve likely heard about two woodsmen who were competing to be the best lumberjack. The competition was to see who could fell the most trees in one day. They both “swung” into action, but one would stop every 45 minutes for a 15-minute break. The other, not wanting to miss a moment of chopping, kept going. At the end of the day, winded and exhausted, the second woodsman, the one who never stopped, stood proud of his pile of trees, certain he had given his best and convinced he had won the competition. It was determined, however, that the lumberjack who had stopped repeatedly had actually cut more than the other. “How was that possible?” the first lumberjack asked. “Well,” responded the second lumberjack, “every hour when I rested, I also sharpened my axe.”

Dear precious, beautiful friends, what are you doing to “sharpen your axe”? What are you doing to blow out the humdrum of the day to day, and replace it with wonder and appreciation and joy and happiness? As Mary Oliver asks in my favorite poem "A Summer Day", what are you doing with your one wild and precious life?

The commandment in scripture which is supposed to be #1, is to love the Lord your God, with all our heart, soul mind and strength. The second most important commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Too often we hear the “love the neighbor” part and ignore the “as we love ourselves” part.

At church we are always offering plenty of ways to be in ministry. Right now, you are invited to help unload pumpkins, work the pumpkin patch, bake cookies for the Kairos Prison Ministry weekend, attend a conversation on human sexuality, help at Jane Phillips, serve meals at Agape Mission, and so much more. Those are all important and good ministry and we hope you will participate, but please don’t forget to refill your own cup along the way. You’ll be able to do so much more for others when you actually have some reserve from which to draw.

Motorcyclists offer each other a greeting, that for me means, “enjoy the freedom, let the wind clear out the junk, don’t get caught up in the monotony, relish the ride, and I offer it to you now…

Ride it like you stole it, friend.

Hugs & Love & PrayersTari Carbaugh

MIDWEEK MENUSeptember 26

NOMIDWEEKMESSAGE

October 3Chicken and noodles

Mashed potatoesApple cobbler

October 10Potato soupBread Sticks

Cookies

Suggested Donation:Adults - $5

Children under 12 - $3Family of 4 or more - $15

YOU CAME INTO PRISON AND YOU VISITED MEKairos Prison Ministries is a international ministry in which men and women volunteers bring Christ's love and forgiveness to prisoners and their families. The next Kairos weekend is in Hominy at Dick Connors Correctional Center, Oct. 4 - 7. During this weekend, the residents personally experience the love that Christ has for them and lives are changed in the process. The focus is to build the church within prisons. To make this happen, we need your help.

• Cookies: Churches across the US pass out 60,000 cookies during Kairos Weekend! We need chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal cookies. These cookies can not have nuts, raisins or sprinkles. Our preferred recipes can be found in the Atrium at the church. If you can make a dozen or a few dozen, it will bless the lives of the residents tremendously. We can use both homemade and store bought cookies.• Prayer: Kairos is a prayer driven ministry. We need your prayers. One outward and visible sign of these prayers is the prayer chain. In addition to the prayers behind it, this chain is a sign to the residents that there are people outside who care enough about them to take time to pray for them. God uses that to touch their hearts in a very special way. Sign up sheets for the prayer chain are in the church Atirum.

FAITH FIVE FIRESFaith Five Fires is a cross generational small group. It is geared towards growing relationships through faith and backed by neuroscience. Using the Share, Read, Talk, Pray, Bless process, all ages come together to learn the wisdom of the elder and remember the wonder of the child. Every generation has a gift to give and a gift they need. Although the curriculum and original intent is geared towards nuclear families this is something the greater church family can benefit from, so all are welcome. The first Faith Five Fires will be held at the Family Campout on October 5.

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:• Paula and Warren Barnes on the death of Paula's mother, Patsy Rowland, who passed away

on September 12.• Bill and Cheryl Buckles on the death of Bill's sister, Nancy Witts, who passed away on

September 13.

CARNATION IN CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF:• Jaeanne Marie McClain, who was born on September 5. Jaeanne is welcomed by her

proud parents, Kim and Patrick McClain, grandparents Wayne and Sue McClain and great grandmother Arlene McClain.

• Griffin August Thornhill, who was born on September 10. Griffin is welcomed by his proud parents, Chase and Sarah (Mitchell) Thornhill, and grandparents Kent and Jane Mitchell.

• Louisa Charlotte Blakemore was born on August 31. Louisa is welcomed by her proud parents, Scott and Bethany Blakemore, siblings Jesse, Joshua, and Bridgette and proud grandparents David and Nancy Blakemore.

• Anna Grace Martin, who was born on September 14. Anna is welcomed by her proud parents, John and Nonya Martin, big brother Andrew, and proud grandparents Don and Holly Martin.

TRUNK OR TREATSave the date for Trunk or Treat on Halloween night, Oct. 31, 6 - 8:30 p.m.! Bring your friends and family and enjoy a fun FREE event in a safe environment. This year we are adding a trunk decoration contest, hotdogs, and popcorn! Of course there will also be candy for all! We have 54 parking spots to fill! Keep your eyes out for information coming soon.

MEMORIALS:

Elsie AndersonVBSDonna BogleJohn and Marsha PedersonJohn and Maurine PedersonKenneth and Linda Widel

Doretha BowserLloyd and Kay Sowers Jerry Bylander Debt ReductionDave and Mary Alice Sigmon

Hugh Farmer Bob and Nancy Farmer

MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMJULY AND AUGUST

Scott FoosheeLloyd and Kay Sowers

Helen FinneyFrances WhitehornBob and Nancy FarmerBillye Bumpas – 20th Century Small GroupAnn PlatnerLloyd and Kay SowersJon and Mary RinehartAdrienne Weis

Bob JardineLloyd and Kay Sowers

Duane MarquisAnimal MinistryDon and June PetersFrances Whitehorn

Bob and Nancy FarmerLloyd and Kay Sowers

Meril MonteeLloyd and Kay Sowers

Bob Ramsey Lloyd and Kay Sowers

Neva Sears Lloyd and Kay Sowers

Jerry StahlLloyd and Kay Sowers

Irene StewartBob and Nancy FarmerLloyd and Kay Sowers

Non ProfitOrganization

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PUMPKINS GALORE!The pumpkin truck will arrive on Oct. 6! We need your help that day starting at 10 a.m. to unload pumpkins and set up the patch. This event is the First Church Student Ministries main fundraiser of the year. All proceeds will go towards helping with summer camp scholarships, mission trips, and much more!

The Pumpkin Patch kicks off this fall on Oct. 7 and will continue through Oct. 31. The Pumpkin Patch will be open weeknights from 4 - 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sundays 1 - 6 p.m. Additional daytime opportunities during school hours are available for childcare centers and young elementary children with prior arrangement. A variety of family events and activities will be held throughout the Pumpkin Patch with an assortment of activities, including a Trunk or Treat on Halloween.

The Pumpkin Patch will again be entirely staffed by volunteers, With your help and the help of local youth and corporations we will ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Coordinators are currently scheduling volunteers for all aspects of the event.

If you or your organization would like to participate through donations or volunteer time please sign up in the Atrium. If you have any questions or would like to help please contact Stephen Bumgarner. stephen@bartlesvillefirstchurch.com