Seventeen years ago Dixie Squires and her husband, Tommy, moved to England for his Phillips assignment. She writes of the experience:

“We moved to Yorkshire the first week of April, just as lambs had begun darting around the greening fields, and banks of daffodils had begun lighting both sides of every country road.

For the next three years, as a member of the local Women’s Institute (W.I.), I was involved in the annual autumn project of planting daffodil bulbs along the sides of designated sections of our local country roads to commemorate the lives of friends and family members who had died that year. Since the daffodils propagated each year in addition to the annual W.I. plantings, their collaboration created stunning Aprils in the English countryside.

First Church is blessed with so many potential “memorial sites” for our own saints: reflected along the backside of the lake, encircling the gazebo, lighting the walking path and driveway, or fringing our front signs. If each First Church family brings and plants a daffodil bulb for each of its own loved ones lost since last November or some time past, our living memorial gardens can begin to take root.”

If you would like to be part of the inauguration of this annual event, take a moment to count and remember those you have lost this year or in the past, purchase that many daffodil bulbs, place them in a paper bag in the crisper of your refrigerator, and join us on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at 10 a.m. to plant your own bulbs in the first segment of the First Church All Saints Memorial Gardens.

October 14, 2016 •Editor: desira.mathes@bartlesvillefirstchurch.com

BARTLESVILLE FIRST CHURCHEPHESIANS 2:19-20: YOU ARE MEMBERS OF GOD’S HOUSEHOLD, WITH CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF AS THE CHIEF

CORNERSTONEFirst Church All Saints

Memorial GardensNEW STAFF MEMBERSThe Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Music Ministry of Bartlesville First Church are happy to announce the hiring of Alex Rivera to the post of permanent Church Organist, and his wife, Callie Rivera to the post of Children’s Music Director.

Life has been abundant for the Riveras, who married in the summer of 2013! They are now a foster family with two children, ages 10 months and 15 years. We hope that you will welcome Alex and Callie and their children with open arms!

Alex is a Bartlesville High School graduate and is currently the Vocal Music Instructor at Madison Middle School, a position he was hired for after his graduation from Oklahoma University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree with Voice Emphasis. He is also the director of the newly formed Bartlesville Youth Chorus and has been Church Organist at another church here in town. You may remember Alex as a member of the choir here at BFC when he was in high school.

Callie (Hansen) Rivera is also a Bartlesville High School graduate, with a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma University in Multidisciplinary Studies with Emphasis in Music Education and Religious Studies. She has been a Vocal Music Teaching Assistant at Madison Middle School, as well as the Director of Music at another church here in town. We remember Callie as a member of the Sanctuary Choir when she was in high school, and as a fantastic intern in the Children’s Department during the summers of 2010 and 2011.

OCTOBER 23 - OCTOBER 30Minister-on-Call: 918-914-9001If you need to speak with one of our ministers, there is a minister-on-call available.

Van Ministry:October 23 Wayne Middleton and Shawn Prufer; Kent Carbaugh and Tom GravesOctober 30 Rusty and Heather Cutts; Kent Carbaugh and Tom Graves

Children’s Time:October 23 Rev. Tari CarbaughOctober 30 Javier Pollock

Ambassadors:October 23 8 a.m. - Bill and Patti Lundeen

10 a.m. - Mickey Ramirez, Wayne Middleton and Jathen HambrightOctober 30 8 a.m. - David and Karen Zink

10 a.m. - Charlie and Corky Bowerman, Bob Hasbrook

Flower Delivery:October 23 Bob and Nancy FarmerOctober 30 Connie Ellis

Green Country Village Vespers:October 23 Wayne MiddletonOctober 30 Tasha Hollopeter

Midweek Meals

October 19BBQ short ribs

Sun dried tomatoBow tie pastaGreen beans

7-layer Cookies

October 26Chili

Corn breadCinnamon rolls

November 2Fettuccine Alfredo

CarrotsRolls

Carrot Cake

Suggested Donation:Adults - $5

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

Ancient wisdom teaches us about sharpened focus. Think of a hand slapping a wooden log. Then, think of a hammer brought down with the same force on that wood. Instead of just noise (and perhaps pain in one’s hand), there is bark chipped away, because the energy is transmitted through the hammer head. Sharpen the effort even further by using an axe, with the weight and motion focused into the sharpened blade. Wood chips fly, and before long the log is cut in two.

This fall, we are asking you to join in a focused effort to help us do ministry in the name of Christ. The Capital Campaign to eliminate our debt is a way of asking you to join in directing funds

in a specific, powerful direction, so that we may respond to God’s leading in our ministries here. We could just make loan payments over the next 15 years or so, but the church is asking you to direct funds in a specific, sharpened way to wiping out this debt over a three-year period. This will enable us to ask, with opened minds and hearts, about the direction God is leading us in the near future rather than waiting for 15 years to do so.

The great preacher of a bygone era Harry Emerson Fosdick once said, “No steam or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined.”

LEARNING ALONG THE WAY: SHARPENING OUR FOCUSDr. Kevin Tully

Our Capital Campaign is an opportunity for focused stewardship in our church, and focused discipleship in our lives. I hope you will be focusing your thoughts, prayers, budgeting and commitment through this effort.

See you Sunday,Kevin

KIDS FIRST TRICK OR TREATFor years the children at kids first have enjoyed dressing up for Halloween to parade the church halls trick-or-treating! The staff of Bartlesville First Church and Kids First would love for you to join us on Oct. 28. Dress up if you want and bring your goodies to share. You can set up a small station around 9:45 a.m. and enjoy the terrifying parade of ghouls and boys beginning around 10 a.m.

PUMPKIN PARTYJoin us on Wednesday, Oct. 26 for carnival style games, costume contest, cool bible story mini-play, refreshments, and crafts at our annual Pumpkin Party! Dinner is at 5 p.m. and the party will begin at 5:45. Come in costume if you wish, but please no scary costumes, and no masks. We don’t want to scare the little ones! As always, parents are welcome to join their children and help out with the fun!

BE PART OF OUR NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORYDo you know the names of the people sitting around you in worship? Help us build a tool that will put names with faces. Be a part of Our new family directory program - we need you to make our new family album complete! Each participating family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free directory. Photography dates are Nov. 7-19. Sign up for your professional photography session at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays or online at www.bartlesvillefirstchurch.com beginning Tuesday, Oct. 18.

CHECK OUT A NEW CLASS: “THE ACT OF NEIGHBORING”In Matthew 22:37, Jesus instructs that the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

What would happen if we took the greatest commandment literally? Is it possible that solutions to our society’s biggest issues have been right under our noses for the past two thousand years? What if Jesus meant that we should love our actual neighbor? Let’s learn together how to apply this commandment in our neighborhoods. Colleen Runty will be leading a small group through a 6-week study of “The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door.” The group will meet on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Library starting Oct. 26. The dates for the study are: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7.

ALZHEIMER’S EDUCATIONAL CLASSWe are excited to offer a class that will be led by trained professionals from the Alzheimer’s Oklahoma Chapter and will give valuable information to family members and friends who have loved ones with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. Classes will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19 and 26, from 4-6 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. The Wednesday night meal ($5) will be available during the classes. The first session will be an explanation of symptoms and strategies to manage conditions. The second will cover how to improve communication. Support group(s) will be scheduled for the weeks to follow. For more information, contact Ann Woodin, 918-333-6476 or familyshoe@sbcglobal.net.

INTERESTED IN A NEW SMALL GROUPWe need to connect. We need to grow. We need to serve. These are all essential to who we are as followers of Christ. Are doing all we can do? Do we need a boost? Will you meet with Rev. Tari Carbaugh and have that conversation? Will you pray about this with us?

If you are interested, please meet Rev. Carbaugh on the back porch on Sunday, Oct. 30 for coffee and a quick conversation about starting a new Sunday morning small group where we will connect, grow and serve together at 11 a.m. (immediately following Altared) or 12:10 (immediately following the 11:10 service.)

Sometimes Making Disciples for Jesus Christ means making better disciples of ourselves.

WORLD COMMUNITY DAY CELEBRATIONWashington County Church Women United will host the World Community Day Celebration at Bartlesville First Church. Registration is at 9:30 a.m.; brunch is at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4. The guest speaker will be Sherry Smith, Executive Director of Agape. Theme for the Day is “Gathered at God’s Table,” focusing on sharing gifts at the table. Readers during the worship service are Pat Netzer, Marge Schonborg, and Marolyn Pierce. Jerry Freeman will be leading music.

World-wide Church Women United has a seventy-five year heritage of involvement in peace and justice issues. Currently, in Washington County, women from thirteen congregations are represented on the executive board. Members of all congregations are invited to join us for the World Community Day Celebration.

PUMPKIN PATCHThe Bartlesville First Church Pumpkin Patch will be open on weeknights from 4-7 p.m., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturdays and 12-7 p.m. on Sundays. The Pumpkin Patch is entirely staffed by volunteers, and the church coordinates with local youth and corporations to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Proceeds from this year’s Patch will be distributed among the Family Healthcare Center, CONCERN, and ministries within the church. A variety of family events and activities will be held throughout the Pumpkin Patch with specific activities on each Saturday while it is open. These will include a petting zoo, horse rides, a bounce house, yard games, and other family friendly activities.

THANK YOU!Donna Pyles and her brother Owen Grooms are pictured in front of the new lake side gazebo they donated in memory of their mother, Elizabeth Grooms.

The gazebo has become a popular teaching site for Kids First and children’s ministry, as well as a relaxing area for simply sitting. We are grateful for this gift!

SANCTUARY FLOWERS WERE GIVEN:• In loving memory of Tucker Harrison on his birthday, August 5, by Janice Harrison and family.• In memory of our parents, Johnny and Virginia Johnson, by Jan Nitzschke and Douglas Johnson.• In memory of Marti DeSalme Weber on her birthday, by Tom and Judy DeSalme and family.• In memory of Jack Phillips on his birthday, August 18, by Celeste Barrett.• In loving memory of Mac McClain, by Arlene McClain and Wayne and Sue McClain.• In memory of our parents, by Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Coon.• In loving memory of Cecil Oakley and Fairy Oakley, by the Oakley family.• In loving memory of our daughter, Sharon Cooper, on her birthday on, August 26, by Meril and Maxine Montee.• In loving memory of our son, Rev. Mark P. Smith, by Dave and Marilyn Smith.• In honor of our 49th wedding anniversary, by Dave and Mary Alice Sigmon.• In loving memory of my son, Tim Lynch, by Karen Lynch.

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:• Family and friends of Steve Wharry, who passed away on August 1. • Kathy Mitchell on the death of her husband, Merlin who passed away August 4.• Jon and Julie Clary on the death of Julie’s sister, Christy Suire, on August 6 in New Orleans.• The family and friends of Jean Wilkins who passed away on August 14.• Mary Kincaid on the death of her husband, Joe, who passed away on August 23.• The family and friends of Rufus Bandy Jr., who passed away on August 24.• The family and friends of Paul Wilkins, who passed away on August 26. • Kent, Tari, Rusty, and Loni Carbaugh on the death of Kent’s mother, Peggy Carbaugh, who passed away on August 30 in Colorado.• Ray and Marinel Woolrich on the death of his mother, Sarah Louise Woolrich, who passed away on September 2. • Rod, Stephanie, Emily Leupp on the death of their daughter and sister, Rebecca “Becca” who passed away on September 10.

ALTAR CARNATION IS IN CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF:Jack Sheridan Lundeen is welcomed by his parents Sarah and Rex Lundeen of Willis, TX. and his grandparents Bill and Patti Lundeen.

Cleo BeougherJason and Mary Carlson

Louis CanadayMr. and Mrs. R J Osborn – Garden of Eatin’

Jim CyrusBurrell College of Osteopathic MedicineMr. and Mrs. Glenn CoxHarold DuceDavid and Linda BaileyJesse J. Worten, III Inc.Michael and Mariet CyrusJim and Barbara AndersonCheryl BaberDon and Pam DillardAdele MusgraveCharles and Luree HudsonMr. and Mrs. Bruce MartinKenton and Cindy West

Barbara HollingsworthMr. and Mrs. Roger BrannonDona RobinsonDoris MeyerWolf Creek Employee Association

Tucker HarrisonAll undesignated gifts are to be given to Sanctuary Choir Bill and Cheryl BucklesEverett and Vicki StewartJanet GeweckeFrank and Karel RiehartLloyd and Kay SowersLyle and Pat DonCarlosShelby and Jan LawsonJoe and Carol WelchJohn and Margaret Williford

Bill LeetonLloyd and Kay SowersLarry and Esther Francis

Addie MilnerLloyd and Kay Sowers

Merlin MitchellStu and Linda FentonGene and Janice Hall – MissionsDon and Melanie StanleyAlice A Mitchell

Carroll RitchieLyle and Pat DonCarlosVon and Ann Snyder

Tom RogersAll undesignated gifts are to be given to Animal MinistryJohn and Georgalee Sawyer Kent and Kayleen ThomasJim and Barbara AndersonStu and Linda FentonJames and Eleanor FranksSparky GrayDave and Mary Alice SigmonAnonymous GiftDorothy FaulknerGlyn and Frances McFarlandLloyd and Kay Sowers

Judy Wierick – Buz Wierick’s SisterKent and Kayleen Thomas

MEMORIALS

SANCTUARY FLOWERS WERE GIVEN:• In loving memory of Tucker Harrison on his birthday, August 5, by Janice Harrison and family.• In memory of our parents, Johnny and Virginia Johnson, by Jan Nitzschke and Douglas Johnson.• In memory of Marti DeSalme Weber on her birthday, by Tom and Judy DeSalme and family.• In memory of Jack Phillips on his birthday, August 18, by Celeste Barrett.• In loving memory of Mac McClain, by Arlene McClain and Wayne and Sue McClain.• In memory of our parents, by Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Coon.• In loving memory of Cecil Oakley and Fairy Oakley, by the Oakley family.• In loving memory of our daughter, Sharon Cooper, on her birthday on, August 26, by Meril and Maxine Montee.• In loving memory of our son, Rev. Mark P. Smith, by Dave and Marilyn Smith.• In honor of our 49th wedding anniversary, by Dave and Mary Alice Sigmon.• In loving memory of my son, Tim Lynch, by Karen Lynch.

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:• Family and friends of Steve Wharry, who passed away on August 1. • Kathy Mitchell on the death of her husband, Merlin who passed away August 4.• Jon and Julie Clary on the death of Julie’s sister, Christy Suire, on August 6 in New Orleans.• The family and friends of Jean Wilkins who passed away on August 14.• Mary Kincaid on the death of her husband, Joe, who passed away on August 23.• The family and friends of Rufus Bandy Jr., who passed away on August 24.• The family and friends of Paul Wilkins, who passed away on August 26. • Kent, Tari, Rusty, and Loni Carbaugh on the death of Kent’s mother, Peggy Carbaugh, who passed away on August 30 in Colorado.• Ray and Marinel Woolrich on the death of his mother, Sarah Louise Woolrich, who passed away on September 2. • Rod, Stephanie, Emily Leupp on the death of their daughter and sister, Rebecca “Becca” who passed away on September 10.

ALTAR CARNATION IS IN CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF:Jack Sheridan Lundeen is welcomed by his parents Sarah and Rex Lundeen of Willis, TX. and his grandparents Bill and Patti Lundeen.

Cleo BeougherJason and Mary Carlson

Louis CanadayMr. and Mrs. R J Osborn – Garden of Eatin’

Jim CyrusBurrell College of Osteopathic MedicineMr. and Mrs. Glenn CoxHarold DuceDavid and Linda BaileyJesse J. Worten, III Inc.Michael and Mariet CyrusJim and Barbara AndersonCheryl BaberDon and Pam DillardAdele MusgraveCharles and Luree HudsonMr. and Mrs. Bruce MartinKenton and Cindy West

Barbara HollingsworthMr. and Mrs. Roger BrannonDona RobinsonDoris MeyerWolf Creek Employee Association

Tucker HarrisonAll undesignated gifts are to be given to Sanctuary Choir Bill and Cheryl BucklesEverett and Vicki StewartJanet GeweckeFrank and Karel RiehartLloyd and Kay SowersLyle and Pat DonCarlosShelby and Jan LawsonJoe and Carol WelchJohn and Margaret Williford

Bill LeetonLloyd and Kay SowersLarry and Esther Francis

Addie MilnerLloyd and Kay Sowers

Merlin MitchellStu and Linda FentonGene and Janice Hall – MissionsDon and Melanie StanleyAlice A Mitchell

Carroll RitchieLyle and Pat DonCarlosVon and Ann Snyder

Tom RogersAll undesignated gifts are to be given to Animal MinistryJohn and Georgalee Sawyer Kent and Kayleen ThomasJim and Barbara AndersonStu and Linda FentonJames and Eleanor FranksSparky GrayDave and Mary Alice SigmonAnonymous GiftDorothy FaulknerGlyn and Frances McFarlandLloyd and Kay Sowers

Judy Wierick – Buz Wierick’s SisterKent and Kayleen Thomas

MEMORIALS

AGAPE MISSION - A FUN PLACE TO SERVE!Three volunteers are needed the first Friday of each month from to serve at Agape from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. If you are interested in serving or have questions, contact Sandy Singleton at singleton@bartnet.net.

CONCERN FOOD PANTRY FOOD DRIVE We are collecting non-perishable foods and other needed items in the two rolling carts in the Atrium by the library. Items needed for the month of October are: dry milk, canned vegetables, sugar, coffee, tea, and jiffy corn muffin mix. Items needed for the month of November are: Any kind of soup, any kind of vegetables, dry milk, sugar, jiffy corn muffin mix, Mac n’ cheese. Some personal items, bar soap, toothpaste, and women’s hygiene products.

TOOLE TYME AT COOKSON HILLS, NOVEMBER 12Toole Tyme is an annual mission event sponsored by the Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Women. Join mission minded men and women as you gather in love and service November 12, to help Cookson Hills Center prepare for Christmas.

Cookson Hills Mission is located south of Tahlequah and provides all kinds of services to some of the poorest people in Oklahoma. At Toole Tyme, jobs will include setting up their Christmas store, baking cookies, cleaning meeting and ministry buildings, painting, chopping wood, simple carpentry repairs, building fences, raking leaves and clipping coupons. There is a job for anyone!

Pick up your registration form in the Atrium. Registration is due on Nov. 7 and should be submitted to Wayne Ford, in the church office with a $25 check with “Toole Tyme” written in the memo. Contact Sandy Singleton at singleton@bartnet.net for more information.

JANE PHILLIPS NEWS FALL 2016In January of 015 the Church Council of Bartlesville First Church chose to support Jane Phillips Elementary as part of our mission effort. We continue to support Jane Phillips Elementary in many ways that benefit the students and teachers. Here are some of the ways we can help.

1. Be a Reading Volunteer and read with a Pre-K through second grade student for 30 minutes weekly. The times vary depending onthe teacher’s schedule. There is a background check and a short training prior to starting the reading sessions.

2. Assist with a field trip to the Children’s Museum. The dates are Nov. 8 and Jan. 24. The students leave at 9 a.m. and will return about 2 p.m. Chaperones provide their own transportation. There will possibly be a church bus going to assist with the chaperones. Seedetails in the Atrium.

3. Assist the Kindergarten classes at the Pumpkin Patch on Oct. 24. Volunteers are asked to come from 9 -11 a.m.4. Continue to collect Box Tops and put them in the special box in the Atrium.5. Start collecting items for the Santa’s Shop which is held on December 10th at Jane Phillips Elementary. The students shop for

their families for Christmas gifts so gifts for women are needed such as lotion jewelry, scarves etc. Also gifts for men such as socks,tools, wallets etc. Finally, gifts for children such as dolls, new board games, action figures, books etc.

Please consider being a part of this important mission. The children and teachers appreciate you! Contact Nancy Farmer at bfarmerok@aol.com if you have questions or want to help!

OUR SERVICE COMMITMENT - WHERE CAN YOU PLUG IN?A Christian who affiliates with a United Methodist Church promises to uphold the church with his or her prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. One way to fulfill the service portion of that commitment is service within the local church. Our church has numerous opportunities for Christian service. Here are two examples.

For most of the year, we continue our Sunday discussion on Wednesday evening through prayer, study and, not least, a shared meal. Our food service staff could use the help of two or three members of the congregation each Wednesday for preparation, serving and clean up after the meal.

Our staff is busy and works pretty hard. Many of you have experienced the frustration of calling the church and finding that everyone is so busy that no one answers the phone. Similarly, many of you will have experienced walking into the church and being unable to find any staff to help you – not even anyone with whom to leave a message. We could use the help of congregation members to staff the welcome desk to welcome and direct visitors, receive messages for staff and answer phones.

If you would be willing to spend a few hours on Wednesdays assisting staff in preparation, serving and clean-up for an evening’s meal, contact Rebecca Brown. If you would be willing to spend a few hours a week sitting at the welcome desk to receive visitors, take messages and answer phones, contact Cyndi Chamberlin.

There are many other service opportunities. We need people to help with children’s ministries. We need people to help with youth ministries. We need people to drive on Sunday mornings and, sometimes, other days of the week. We need people to mow, edge, and trim. We need people to paint and touch up our building. We need people to help with filing. Whatever your interests and talents are, there is likely a need in the church that you could help fill. Call the church office and tell us how you are interested in Christian service.

AGAPE MISSION - A FUN PLACE TO SERVE!Three volunteers are needed the first Friday of each month from to serve at Agape from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. If you are interested in serving or have questions, contact Sandy Singleton at singleton@bartnet.net.

CONCERN FOOD PANTRY FOOD DRIVE We are collecting non-perishable foods and other needed items in the two rolling carts in the Atrium by the library. Items needed for the month of October are: dry milk, canned vegetables, sugar, coffee, tea, and jiffy corn muffin mix. Items needed for the month of November are: Any kind of soup, any kind of vegetables, dry milk, sugar, jiffy corn muffin mix, Mac n’ cheese. Some personal items, bar soap, toothpaste, and women’s hygiene products.

TOOLE TYME AT COOKSON HILLS, NOVEMBER 12Toole Tyme is an annual mission event sponsored by the Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Women. Join mission minded men and women as you gather in love and service November 12, to help Cookson Hills Center prepare for Christmas.

Cookson Hills Mission is located south of Tahlequah and provides all kinds of services to some of the poorest people in Oklahoma. At Toole Tyme, jobs will include setting up their Christmas store, baking cookies, cleaning meeting and ministry buildings, painting, chopping wood, simple carpentry repairs, building fences, raking leaves and clipping coupons. There is a job for anyone!

Pick up your registration form in the Atrium. Registration is due on Nov. 7 and should be submitted to Wayne Ford, in the church office with a $25 check with “Toole Tyme” written in the memo. Contact Sandy Singleton at singleton@bartnet.net for more information.

JANE PHILLIPS NEWS FALL 2016In January of 015 the Church Council of Bartlesville First Church chose to support Jane Phillips Elementary as part of our mission effort. We continue to support Jane Phillips Elementary in many ways that benefit the students and teachers. Here are some of the ways we can help.

1. Be a Reading Volunteer and read with a Pre-K through second grade student for 30 minutes weekly. The times vary depending onthe teacher’s schedule. There is a background check and a short training prior to starting the reading sessions.

2. Assist with a field trip to the Children’s Museum. The dates are Nov. 8 and Jan. 24. The students leave at 9 a.m. and will return about2 p.m. Chaperones provide their own transportation. There will possibly be a church bus going to assist with the chaperones. Seedetails in the Atrium.

3. Assist the Kindergarten classes at the Pumpkin Patch on Oct. 24. Volunteers are asked to come from 9 -11 a.m.4. Continue to collect Box Tops and put them in the special box in the Atrium.5. Start collecting items for the Santa’s Shop which is held on December 10th at Jane Phillips Elementary. The students shop for

their families for Christmas gifts so gifts for women are needed such as lotion jewelry, scarves etc. Also gifts for men such as socks,tools, wallets etc. Finally, gifts for children such as dolls, new board games, action figures, books etc.

Please consider being a part of this important mission. The children and teachers appreciate you! Contact Nancy Farmer at bfarmerok@aol.com if you have questions or want to help!

OUR SERVICE COMMITMENT - WHERE CAN YOU PLUG IN?A Christian who affiliates with a United Methodist Church promises to uphold the church with his or her prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. One way to fulfill the service portion of that commitment is service within the local church. Our church has numerous opportunities for Christian service. Here are two examples.

For most of the year, we continue our Sunday discussion on Wednesday evening through prayer, study and, not least, a shared meal. Our food service staff could use the help of two or three members of the congregation each Wednesday for preparation, serving and clean up after the meal.

Our staff is busy and works pretty hard. Many of you have experienced the frustration of calling the church and finding that everyone is so busy that no one answers the phone. Similarly, many of you will have experienced walking into the church and being unable to find any staff to help you – not even anyone with whom to leave a message. We could use the help of congregation members to staff the welcome desk to welcome and direct visitors, receive messages for staff and answer phones.

If you would be willing to spend a few hours on Wednesdays assisting staff in preparation, serving and clean-up for an evening’s meal, contact Rebecca Brown. If you would be willing to spend a few hours a week sitting at the welcome desk to receive visitors, take messages and answer phones, contact Cyndi Chamberlin.

There are many other service opportunities. We need people to help with children’s ministries. We need people to help with youth ministries. We need people to drive on Sunday mornings and, sometimes, other days of the week. We need people to mow, edge, and trim. We need people to paint and touch up our building. We need people to help with filing. Whatever your interests and talents are, there is likely a need in the church that you could help fill. Call the church office and tell us how you are interested in Christian service.

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WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

CHRISTMAS JARSWe’re inviting every church member of all ages, to save your spare change and then bring it to the church on Christmas Eve.

The collected money will replenish our Alms Fund, which goes directly to meet human need in and around the Bartlesville area throughout the year.

You’ll be surprised how much change you can generate and how much you can affect someone’s life.

Lana Sayler Ray and Marinel Woolrich Shanice Collins

Austin and Stephanie Curd; Ava Hunsperger and Tanner Curd

Aaron, Courtney, and Aiden Gones