Volume 16 Issue 12

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

Rev. Matt Thompson, Associate Pastor Hannah Birney, Director of Children’s Ministry Shelly Thompson, Director of Youth Ministry

Larry Clark, Minister of Music Jeana Malone, Office Administrator Kim Campbell, Secretary

Matt Erickson, Facility Manager Henry LeBourgeois, Custodian

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 To submit information: fumcbix@olp.net

The January issue of THE FLAME will be mailed on December 22. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, December 17.

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

Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. On the Edge Worship 4:00 p.m.

The Flame 15502 South Memorial Bixby, Oklahoma 74008

December 2014

Bixby First United Methodist Church

OH HOLY NIGHT Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

5pm / 7pm / 11pm December 24, 2014

All Church Christmas Brunch & Talent Show-Dec. 14th at 9:45 am Children’s Christmas Program-Dec. 14th at 6:00 pm

Christmas Cantata-Dec. 21st during 11:00 a.m. Worship service

Christmas Eve Services & Communion-Dec. 24th 5pm Contemporary

7pm Traditional 11pm Acoustic

ATTENDANCE FOR WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday, Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov.16 Nov. 23

8:30 a.m. 64 73 76 80 11:00 a.m. 218 216 162 230 OTE 12 10 7 9

TOTAL 294 299 245 319

Out of the

Lions’ Den...

I heard the story of a 16 year old young man, who finally had his own car and worked to make the

payments and pay the insurance. For the first time in his life, he would be able to purchase a Christmas

gift for his mother with his own money. He took off work on Saturday and went shopping to find the

perfect gift for his single mother. He owed her everything; she had been the love and stability in his life,

and he wanted to express his love and gratitude in a perfect way.

Finally he found the perfect gift and had it gift wrapped at the store. He came home with it hidden

in a plain store sack. Some people were waiting for him on the front porch as he arrived home. It was the

police and his pastor. His mother had been killed in a car accident. The next several months were a

chaotic mess. He was whisked off to live with relatives he didn’t know. His school work suffered; he lost

his job and his car. He was angry and acted out in all kinds of ways.

Every day he came to his room and saw the unopened gift on his dresser, a reminder of love lost,

that his life had been forever changed through the carelessness of another. One day, he came home to his

room, looked at the unopened gift on his dresser and asked, “How different would my life have been if that

gift had just been opened?”

When we consider the true gift of Christmas is about what God has done in Jesus Christ to change

the world and all of our lives in the process, I wonder if that gift lies unopened in far too many of our

homes. We find ourselves miserable, frustrated, angry, lonely, and without a purpose; all because the gift

has never been opened.

In the midst of all your shopping and gift giving this Christmas, find a time to stop and examine if

God’s gift to you has been opened. How would it have changed the lives of the people you love, if only

you had been on the receiving end of unconditional love, forgiveness, and hope?

There are so many ways for you to receive your gift from God this Christmas – the Children’s

Program, the Choir Cantata, Christmas Eve services at 5:00, 7:00, or 11:00. This is my prayer for you –

May God show up in your life, right where you are, in your humble condition, to give you the gift of

Himself in a way so overwhelming your life will be changed forever. And may the gift be one you want

to share with friends and family. Amen.

-Daniel

On the Open Road I am a big fan of a cappella groups. THE TRUTH COMES OUT! I truly love vocal groups that use no

instrumentation at all. My favorite is probably the Pentatonix because their group is so individually gifted.

They all have really cool talents that, when brought together, makes a music that is almost unexplainable.

One or two of them have solo projects that haven’t moved forward quite as

well as their a cappella group. It’s not that they are bad – they just don’t

have the power and passion of the Pentatonix. The body of Christ can be

explained in the same way. We are all exceptionally gifted and blessed by

God. When we work together to do ministry we can accomplish so much.

When we all come together to mix our gifts into a group of believers

spreading the gospel we can make such a bigger splash than going it alone.

So figure out how you fit and where you fit and then...start fitting.

-Pastor Matt

APOSTLE ART IN THE NARTHEX

It began more than two thousand years ago when Jesus said, “Follow me,” and the people came. From the

many that followed Him, Jesus chose twelve apostles to walk beside Him and learn, firsthand, the good news of

God’s kingdom. After His resurrection He sent the twelve into other nations to spread the gospel and make

disciples for Christ.

In January 2015, you’ll begin to see an exciting addition to our church narthex, a physical reminder that Jesus’

commandment to the apostles so long ago is still our commission today. The Encouragers’ class is making a

gift to the church of paintings by Kenneth Wyatt from Tulia, Texas, a series the artist calls “The Apostles.”

When all the artwork is placed, there will be a portrait of Jesus, Paul and each of the twelve apostles.

Accompanying each of the apostle’s portraits will be a framed legend about the disciple explaining how the

artist chose the model for his painting and also the story of the apostle drawn from the Bible and church

tradition. Over time within the Church, symbols came to represent the life and death of each apostle. Kelly

Sample learned of the symbols and was drawn to create them for our church. The resulting hand-carved

shields, made of a combination of domestic and exotic hardwoods, will be placed with the twelve portraits.

Kelly will teach a Wednesday night class in January about the

process of making the shields and about the lives of the apostles.

Each week of class he’ll talk about two apostles, their symbols

and artwork, and then he’ll place those items on the west narthex

wall, until all twelve join the portraits of Jesus and Paul.

There will be more details soon from the Grow team about this

and other Wednesday night classes.

Make plans to join us for an exciting new year of classes!

From the Oklahoma Blood Institute:

“What a life-saving difference FUMC Bixby made by hosting a blood drive. With your support, patients in 150 hospitals

across our area and their loved ones had one less thing to be concerned about while facing a serious health crises. Susan

Arenson, beautifully coordinated all aspects of this event. In the end, 27 caring people stepped up to help. They are to be

commended for sharing their valuable time and life-saving gifts. Your spirit of concern and willingness to step up by

hosting this blood drive are greatly valued now and in the future.” Ruth Herring, Blood Program Consultant

GROW

KINGS DOMINION

Rotation Sunday School

A Shepherd’s Christmas

November 23-December 21

Scripture: Luke 2: 1-20 Memory Verse: “Jesus said I am the

light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Concepts: Listening and responding to God’s message/messengers. Witnessing and testifying to the glory of God. Returning to give thanks to God for all things.

Children’s Corner

Mark your calendars for these special Holiday Events:

Bixby FUMC Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.

Join the children afterwards for refreshments in the gym

Preschool Christmas Program Thursday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m.

Advent Studies

Just a Reminder that this year our Advent Study is:

“Under Wraps” The Gift We Never Expected

An all-church Advent experience that explores the character of God described in the Old Testament and then revealed through Jesus Christ. Through small group resources for all ages, teaching video, worship ideas and visuals, sermon lead-in videos, and preaching guides, all areas of church life weave together for an exciting, new Advent celebration. Each week centers on a key word that describes a characteristic of God that is evidenced in the Old Testament and then seen more clearly through Jesus: faithful, dangerous, expectant and jealous. Adult & Children’s Study– Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Youth Study– Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m.

YOUTH

Christmas Caroling and Christmas Party

Sunday, December 7 1:00 p.m.

*Please check Main Calendar for December schedule updates

Questions about any of our Youth programs: Shelly Thompson

sthompson@olp.net 918-366-4463

Wonderful Wednesdays

GROW

The Wonderful Wednesday Dinner and Bible Studies take place every Wednesday evening. Dinner is served in the gym at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family.

Classes follow dinner.

Breath Prayer Holy One, Awaken us to your Presence.

Advent Devotionals Pick up your copy in the Narthex, starting in November.

Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2014 is a booklet of daily devotions for Advent that helps people step back from the bustle and stress of the season and prepare heart and mind to rejoice in God’s loving gift, Jesus Christ. Each daily devotion includes a recommended Scripture reading, a Bible verse, an inspiring message, and an uplifting prayer. The season of Advent provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal for followers of Christ. But often what happens is that we get so caught up in the hurry and rush, the hustle and bustle, the frantic pace of the season that we emerge more spiritually exhausted than refreshed. The purpose of Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2014 is to help the reader focus on the things that truly matter and experience spiritual renewal. Devotionals are on the Welcome Table right outside the sanctuary.

Are You Shopping Online for Christmas? Several of the top online stores have made an agreement with The United Methodist Church, to give a percentage of your purchase back to your local church. Some of the stores are Old Navy, Kohl’s, Kay Jewelers, Overstock.com, Barnes and Noble, Guitar Center, Dayspring, JCPenney, Lowe’s, Fossil, Disney Store, Jared, and Amazon, among others. All you have to do is go to umcmarket.org and register through your email or Facebook account. Once you are registered, hit “get started,” and it will take you to the store of your choice where you can begin shopping. If you are going to do your shopping online anyway, this would be a way for our church to receive a percentage of your purchase to be used for ministry here in Bixby. Look into it and see if it meets your needs.

Christmas is quickly approaching but there is still time to contribute

to the Staff Appreciation Fund. The Staff Parish Relations

Committee (SPRC) asks for your assistance in contributing to this

Appreciation Fund, which will be given to the ministers and staff as

a Christmas gift.

We are blessed to have 19 dedicated and deserving individuals who

provide various duties to our church. Our church operates smoothly

due to the efforts they provide throughout the week and weekends.

Please help us to recognize and show gratitude to these hard

working ministers and staff. Please take time, between now and

December 7, 2014, to prayerfully consider giving, and mark your

check or envelope with "Staff Fund." The SPRC thanks you for your

loving support to our church, our ministers, and our staff.

Staff Appreciation Fund

Monthly Meeting Reminders:

(known meetings from the office calendar)

Stephen Ministry Team -Tuesday, December 2

At 6:30 p.m. in room 205

Connect Team - Thursday, December 4

7:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Grow Team-Tuesday, December 9

(Dec. 23 if needed– TBA)

At 6:30 p.m. in Conference Room

Trustees-Sunday, December 14

At 5:00 p.m.

SERVE

Stitchers of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry

Tuesday, December 9

10:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 11

6:00 p.m.

Christmas Party

If you know of someone who would like a prayer

shawl, contact the church office or see

Lydia Barnes

Christmas Holiday Hours

The church office will be CLOSED on:

Wednesday, December 24

Thursday, December 25

Friday, December 26

(Open Dec. 29 & 30, regular hours)

Wednesday, December 31, close at noon

Thursday, January 1

We will be back in the office

Monday, January 5

Second Friday Club Friday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. –Lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Enjoy the music of the season presented by the Bixby North Elemen-tary Swing Choir under the direction of our own Anna Rottschaeffer. Lunch will be served after the program. Bring a friend and enjoy a hot bowl of Taco Soup & cornbread.

Also, please bring items that we can donate to nursing home residents. For example: toothpaste, brushes/combs, shampoo, soap, lotion, chap-stick, socks, Kleenex, etc.

Wishing all A Merry & Blessed Christmas! Elaine

Fourth Annual FUMC Talent Show Sunday, December 14

Calling musicians and singers of all ages to bring your Christmas music to the Christmas Talent Show! Children, youth, adults, singers, ensem-bles, and instrumentalists are welcome to partic-ipate! Here is your chance to bless us with your musical talents! The Talent Show will take place during the all-church Christmas Brunch on De-cember 14 between 9:45 and 10:45. If you or your group want to perform a Christmas song in the show, please contact Melanie Trook at 918-693-2873, or email her at handsmel@cox.net by December 7.

Update Membership Information

Does our Church database have YOUR family member-

ship record correct?

Here is your chance to update YOUR record for our Guide

Book & Directory (if you haven’t already done so). Has a

change occurred in YOUR family over the past year?

It is time for us to update our database with any changes,

additions, or deletions that you may have.

Have you changed your phone number? Have you

moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Are all of your

children still at home and are they all included in your

membership record? Do you want your record published?

If you have not already informed the Church Office about

changes to your record, please let us know now so that

the information in the Guide Book & Directory (a publica-

tion coming next year) is correct.

The Church Office number is 918-366-4463.

Thank you for your help!

All Church Brunch Sunday, December 14 at 9:45

Please join us for brunch and music to celebrate the season! Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy the musical entertainment.

December 2014 MONDAY, December 1 9:30 a.m. Yoga 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 7:00 p.m. Scouts

TUESDAY, December 2 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 6:30 p.m. Stephen Ministry Team Meeting

WEDNESDAY, December 3 Wonderful Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Yoga 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Gym 6:30 p.m. Adult Classes 6:30 p.m. Youth 6:30 p.m. Children (3yrs-6grade) Classes 6:30 p.m. Praise & Worship Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir

THURSDAY, December 4 8:30 a.m. Quilters 9:30 a.m. Preschool 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible Study 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 7:00 p.m. Connect Team Meeting

FRIDAY, December 5 3:30 p.m. Afterschool

SATURDAY, December 6

SUNDAY, December 7 Communion Sunday 7:30 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. Youth Caroling & Party 4:00 p.m. On the Edge Worship

MONDAY, December 8 9:30 a.m. Yoga 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 6:00 p.m. Abbett Dinner 7:00 p.m. Scouts

TUESDAY, December 9 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl 6:30 p.m. Grow Team

WEDNESDAY, December 10 Wonderful Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Yoga 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Gym 6:30 p.m. Adult Classes-Methodism Class 6:30 p.m. Youth 6:30 p.m. Children (3yrs-6grade) Classes 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir 7:30 p.m. Praise & Worship Rehearsal

THURSDAY, December 11 8:30 a.m. Quilters 9:30 a.m. Preschool 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible Study 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 6:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Christmas Party

FRIDAY, December 12 10:30 a.m. Second Friday Fellowship

SATURDAY, December 13

SUNDAY, December 14 7:30 a.m. Worship Preparation Prayer- Chapel 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services 9:45 a.m. Christmas Brunch & Talent Show 4:00 p.m. On the Edge Worship 5:00 p.m. Youth 5:00 p.m. Trustees 6:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Program

MONDAY, December 15 9:30 a.m. Yoga 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 7:00 p.m. Scouts

TUESDAY, December 16 9:30 a.m. Preschool 3:30 p.m. Afterschool

WEDNESDAY, December 17 Wonderful Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Yoga 3:30 p.m. Afterschool 5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Gym 6:30 p.m. Adult Classes 6:30 p.m. Youth 6:30 p.m. Children (3yrs-6grade) Classes 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir 7:30 p.m. Praise & Worship Rehearsal

THURSDAY, December 18 8:30 a.m. Quilters 9:00 a.m. Preschool 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Preschool Christmas Program 3:30 p.m. Afterschool

FRIDAY, December 19

3:30 p.m. Afterschool

SATURDAY, December 20

SUNDAY, December 21 7:30 a.m. Worship Preparation Prayer- Chapel 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services 11:00 a.m. Christmas Cantata 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 4:00 p.m. On the Edge Worship

MONDAY, December 22 9:30 a.m. Yoga

TUESDAY, December 23

WEDNESDAY, December 24

Christmas Eve-Office Closed No Wonderful Wednesday Dinner/Classes 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services

THURSDAY, December 25 Christmas-Office Closed

FRIDAY, December 26

SATURDAY, December 27

SUNDAY, December 28 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. Youth

MONDAY, December 29

TUESDAY, December 30 WEDNESDAY, December 31 New Year’s Eve-Office Closes at noon No Wonderful Wednesday Dinner/Classes

Non-Profit Organization

Pre-Sort Standard

Bixby, Oklahoma 74008

Permit No. 18

December 2014

Or Current Resident

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

The Flame

Please pray for these active duty military personnel :

Air Force: Airman First Class Kyle Seaman,

Son of Lee & Jean Seaman

Serving at Shaw AFB, South Carolina

Air Force: CJ Griffith,

Son of Eric Griffith

Grandson of Jack & Joyce McKenzie

Air Force: Staff Sgt. Kyle Green

Son of Keith & Michelle Green

Serving in Romania & Kuwait

Army: Conner Walcher,

Great Nephew of June & David Skaggs

Serving in Germany

Army: Sgt. (E5) Nathan Hamelund

Grandson of Ken & Tommie Bond

Serving at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Army: Corporal Tony McAmis

Son of Rick & Sarah McAmis

Serving in New York

Christmas Blessings to you All-

Thank you for making this such a nice place to work & worship!

~The entire Bixby First Staff