Page 1 The Calling June 19, 2020

VOL 25 | ISSUE 8 | June 19, 2020

SEMI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ARDMORE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“I lift my eyes to the mountains---where does my

help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip---he who watches over

you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor

sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you----the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you

from all harm—he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and

going both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121 (NIV)

No doubt that the season we find ourselves in is very disconcerting. The Coronavirus

continues to be an issue and the struggle of equality in our nation has taken center

stage. All of us are looking for answers in the medical field and for how we are to

treat and care for one another as human beings and as followers of Jesus Christ. I

work hard at being a both/and person. I try not to allow any person or situation to box

me in to an either/or proposition. Sometimes it takes longer and is not as easy, but

the finished product can be mutually beneficial to all people.

I am blessed to have medical people in our church that give me and the leadership of

our church good information and direction, for how we began to open up our church

for in-person worship, and eventually Sunday School, other meetings, and events. I

strongly encourage you to continue to be wise and diligent in observing the protocols

that have been prescribed for our congregation. Also, I strongly encourage you to

wear a mask in worship, but no one will be forced to wear one. It is a documented

fact that when we sing, droplets from our mouth can carry the Coronavirus. So I trust

you to be aware of those around you when you are in worship.

If you are ill or feeling ill, please stay home and watch the service online. I am so

grateful for the work that Mike Dees, Chris Hopper, Bob Pfau and others have done

these last three months. We learned a lot about recording services and I pray that, in

the days ahead, our experience will assist us in creating worship services that bring

even more glory to the Lord and to His kingdom. Thank you for inviting your family

and friends to tune in to our streamed worship services. As we go forward into the

summer, please know that it will take all of us together to come out on the other side

of what we are experiencing. Whether we are live streaming the service or here in

person, we need everyone to be praying for our church to be what God is calling us to

do and be.

Respecting and honoring each and every human being is who we are as followers of

Jesus Christ. Each person on this planet is created in the image of God. That calls

each of us to a love and respect for every person, regardless of color, origin, creed or

background. Any type of demeaning or dehumanizing attitude toward another human

being is not what we, as followers of Christ, should ever have in our daily lives. If

there is a time we are humble, respectful and willing to listen to other people and the

experiences of their lives, it is now. Continued to Page 2

June 23 Finance Committee

12:00pm Room 205

& Admin. Church Council

6:00pm Sanctuary

June 28

Senior Sunday

July 17-19 Declare Camp

Colvert Ministry Center

Church Events

Page 2 The Calling June 19, 2020

SACK LUNCH MINISTRY UPDATE

For several years, our church has been making sack lunches available on Wednesday mornings for those in our community who are in need of a meal. We have continued with this ministry during the time of the COVID-19 quarantine, but have re-oriented the way we do it to make the process safer and easier for the preparers. We have begun purchasing gift certificates from Jimmy J’s to hand out to those who drop by our church on Wednesday mornings to pick up a meal. Our purchase price is $6 per certificate and it is good for a burger or a wrap at Jimmy J’s discretion. Our Executive Committee voted to purchasing an unlimited amount, so that no one is turned away. We distribute anywhere from 20-30 each week.

If you would be interested in helping with this ministry to our community, please feel free to make a contribution in any amount to the church by check, cash, or online giving through PushPay. Just make a note on the check or app that it is for the “Sack Lunch Ministry”. Thank you so much for your willingness to help feed those in our community who might not otherwise have a meal. There are many ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus and this is a wonderful way to show the love of God to Ardmore.

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS AT FUMC PRESCHOOL

We have officially closed out the school year in the preschool by ending with a parking lot parade for our teachers and students to say goodbye for the summer! It was a joyous time to celebrate all that this school year brought for our little school and our families. We have a few openings left for fall enrollment! If you would like more information visit fumcardmore.com or email or call Emily at emily@fumcardmore.com or 580-223-3672 . Starting in August, we will also have a few part time teaching positions available and are

always looking for substitutes! Please contact Emily if you are interested in either of these positions .

Continuation from Page 1 CCDC CHURCH SERVICES Jail Ministry News

“The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ' “Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:40-41

“Miss Kim, you have no idea how many fights have been avoided because of these lessons.” M. In early May, one of the men released from jail asked if we could meet in Central Park to go over the weekly jail lesson. We planned to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Well, he did not show up alone. Each week since, we have had 5-10 people coming for Sunday school in the park. Not all are former CCDC participants, but I have enjoyed seeing the men and women blessed by this ministry while in jail. This past Sunday, one of the young men thanked me for the jail lessons. When he made the statement, another young man agreed. They both proceeded to explain how the Holy Spirit used the lessons to diffuse arguments and battles within the Blocks. What a powerful God we serve! Though it never occurred to me the lessons would be used by the Holy Spirit to diffuse explosive tempers, I realized that by stopping the men from fighting, He was protecting our jailers as well. We never really know how our obedience to help “the least of these”, will be magnified by the Holy Spirit. We can be certain, the Savior is watching. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Because of the heat, we will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. beginning 6-21-20. You are always invited to join us.

Every Spiritual Blessing, Kim Hunt-Jail Ministry

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WOULD

LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, OTHER THAN SUN-

DAY MORNING CHURCH SERVICES, THE MAIN CHURCH BUILDING IS AVAILABLE ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, 9:00 AM-

11:00 AM, SHOULD YOU NEED TO DELIVER OR PICK UP ITEMS.

OTHER TIMES ARE AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

The only One that can bring peace to our relation-

ships is Jesus of Nazareth.

In the days ahead, our congregation will be joining

in conversations with our African American

community, our city leaders, other churches and

organizations, to answer the call to be salt and

light for all people. It won’t always be easy, but by

the grace and mercy of God, we will overcome.

God bless you.

Jesus is Lord, Pastor David L. Daniel

Page 3 The Calling June 19, 2020

Christian Joy - Air Force (Deployed)

Jerry Bright - Navy (Little Creek, VA)

Seth Haynes - Air Force (Deployed)

Paxton Killblane - Army (Fort Bragg, NC)

Wesley Patzkowsky - Army (Deployed)

Tyler Black - Army (Iraq)

Julie Miller - Air Force (Little Rock AFB)

Silas Howell - Army (Fort Carson, CO)

Daylon Tilghman - National Guard (Mexico Border)

Jonathon (JD) Frank - Army (Africa)

Major Ben Winston - Air Force (Ramstein AFB)

Lt. Col. Thomas Hutton - Air Force

Erik Marshburn - Navy

Todd Marshburn - Army

Michael Marshburn - Air Force

Joshua Tolbert - Army (Ft. Knox, KY)

Jeremy Simpson - Navy

OKUMC ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO 2020 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent on June 1.

Dear Members of the 2020 Annual Conference:

This is the third time we have written to you with updates related to our upcom-ing annual conference session. These words from John the Solitary in the fifth century seem timely, “Do not make hard and fast decisions over anything in the future … decide in whatever matters you have to reach a decision, but without fixing in your mind that you will not be moved to other things.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our lives and most certainly our plans in ways we could have never imagined just a few months ago. As of this writing, nearly 6,350 of our friends and neighbors have been infected with this horrible virus and over 325 people have lost their lives. Our churches, communities and families are forever changed by the coronavirus.

This letter is to inform you of our most recent plans for conducting this year’s session of annual conference…. There will be no conference business conducted on June 20. We now plan to meet on Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City. This decision was made in the best interest of all who might be attend-ing conference. Please note, if you cannot attend the session, it will be live-streamed….

We know you will have questions. Please direct those to the email address ac2020@okumc.org and we will get those answered as quickly as we can. As you might imagine, this is a changing situation and we will have to remain in contact with one another until we make our way through it…. You will find every piece of information you need at our website – okumc.org/annual_conference. The draft agenda and the Pre-Conference Workbook have been uploaded for your viewing. Download the Conference materials and bring your digital device with you to Conference.

As we say in one of our creeds. “God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.”

Grace and peace,

Bishop Jimmy Nunn Rev. Derrek Belase – Director of Connectional Ministries & Conference Agenda Secretary Rev. Dr. Joe Harris – Director of Communication, Assistant to the Bishop, Conference Secretary & Statistician Randy Compton – Interim Treasurer https://www.okumc.org/newsdetail/okumc-announces-updates-to-2020-annual-conference-14023454

FACILITY NEWS

Hello Church Family!

So glad to be back in church again. I hope and pray everyone is well - those of you that were able to make it to church and those that joined us online.

I know many of you watching via livestream experienced some sound issues on Sunday; I apologize for that. I try to go over various scenarios beforehand, but there are still those technical issues that pop-up unforeseen. I strive to improve or at least maintain the technical aspects of each worship service - both online and in-house.

If you happen to experience technical issues with our streamed broadcast, missed it, or want to rewatch one, you may do so from the website or Boxcast app. Please know, most of the time, the backup recordings will be uploaded to correct issues, and can be viewed within an hour or two after the original service time, on our website. All of our services are posted on the website for 90 days and can be viewed at any time.

Blessings, Mike Dees

Page 4 The Calling June 19, 2020

First United Methodist Church 501 W Main Ardmore, OK 73401

Celebrate Recovery Stephen Ministry Surrendering the Secret Prayer Groups Small Groups Bible Studies

Sunday Services 9:00 am Traditional 10:00 am Sunday School 11:05 am EPIC

Televised at 11:00am on CableOne, Channel 56, Broadcast at 9:00am on KVSO AM

David Daniel, Senior Pastor John Hollon, Associate Pastor

Prayer Chain

Lenny Frank 580-465-7515 frank.lennylisa@yahoo.com

Wadell & Sheila Altom 580-223-7272

Call or email us: (580) 223-5390 | info@fumcardmore.com

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid

Ardmore, OK Permit No. 183

www.fumcardmore.com

What Legacy will you leave?

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of your attorney or financial advisor, you can include language in your Will or Trust specifying a gift to be made to the First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund as part of your estate plan.

A bequest can be made in several ways: Gift of a percentage of your estate; Gift of a specific asset; Gift of the residue of your estate; Bequest of an IRA; Bequest of Insurance Policy. Please contact Renny Collins or Pastor David Daniel with any questions.

Tell your story to a Stephen Minister.

Please call Louise Daniels at 580-465-5958

or the church office at 580-223-5390.