Saturday, November 3, 2018

Liturgist List



 2024


January

7             Ethan Delp

14           Rick Reeves

21           Kathy Stegall

28           Kenzie Delp

February

4             Desarae Simmons

11           Larry Walker

18           Rick Reeves

25           Kendra Walker

March

3             Garrett Stegall

10           Gerald Stegall

17           Faith Schneberger

24           Gage Stegall

31           Desarae Simmons

April

7             Kenzie Delp

14           Kylie Denbo

21           Ethan Delp

28           Kaitlyn Denbo

May

5             Gage Stegall

12           Kristy Denbo

19           Kathy Stegall

26           Rick Reeves

 

June

2             Avery Simmons

9             Libby Spence

16           Emma Stegall

23           Kathy Stegall

30           Rodney Chilton

July

7             Larry Walker

14           Kathy Stegall

21           Garrett Stegall

28           Gerald Stegall

August

4             Young Adult Class

11           Elders

18           Kristy Denbo

25           Ethan Delp

September

1             Rick Reeves

8             Kathy Stegall

15           Ethan Delp

22           Larry Walker

29           Sharman Spence

October

6             Lori Schneberger

13           Danny Rush

29           Kendra Walker

27           Ethan Delp

November

3             Kristy Denbo

10           Garrett Stegall

17           Rick Reeves

24           Des Simmons

December

1             Kendra Walker

8             Laci Stegall

15           Kristy Denbo

22           Desarae Simmons

29           Rodney Chilton

 

On call

Lynn Ferrari


Liturgists for 2023

JANUARY

1              Ethan Delp

8              Rick Reeves

15           Kathy Stegall

22           Kenzie Delp

29           Desarae Simmons

February

5              Garrett Stegall

12           Lynn Ferrari

19           Rick Reeves

26           Danny Rush

March

5              Sharman Spence

12           Lori Schneberger

19           Kendra Walker

26           Luke Schneberger

April

2              Lynn Ferrari

9              Danny Rush

16           Kenzie Delp

23           Elementary Youth

30           Libby Spence

May

7              Laci Stegall

14           Kathy Stegall

21           Rodney Chilton

28           Gerald Stegall

June

4              Danny Rush

11           Faith Schneberger

18           Lori Schneberger

25           Avery Simmons

July

2              Dylan Walker

9              Gage Stegall

16           Emma Stegall

23           Gerald Stegall

30           Kathy Stegall

August

6              Garrett Stegall

13           Elders

20           Lynn Ferrari

27           Desarae Simmons

September

3              Rick Reeves

10           Larry Walker

17           Kylie Denbo

24           Kaitlyn Denbo

October

1              Dakota Walker

8              Candace Bond

15           Kristy Denbo

22           Ethan Delp

29           Rick Reeves

 

 November

5              Gage Stegall

12           Dylan Walker

19           Libby Spence

26           Lynn Ferrari

December

3              Ethan Delp

10           Garrett Stegall

17           Kathy Stegall

24           Young Adult Sunday School Class

31           Rodney Chilton


Liturgists 2022

January

2 – Danny Rush

9 – Ethan Delp

16 – Kathy Stegall

23 – Rick Reeves

30 – Garrett Stegall

February

6 – Desarae Simmons

13 – Kenzie Delp

20 – Lynn Ferrari

27 – Kristy Denbo

March

6 – Ethan Delp

13 – Libby Spence

20 – Kylie Denbo

27 – Kaitlyn Denbo

April

3 – Adult Sunday School Class

10 – Lynn Ferrari

17 – Desarae Simmons

24 – Kathy Stegall

May

1 - Rick Reeves

8 – Laci Stegall (Sr Sunday)

15 – Gerald Stegall

22 – Sharman Spence

29 – Elementary Youth

 June

5 – Dylan Walker

12 – Gage Stegall

19 – Libby Spence

26 – Rodney Chilton

July

3 – Danny Rush

10 - Young Adult Sunday School Class

17 – Joe Thompson

24 – Dakota Walker

31 – Jr/Sr Youth

August

7 – Lori Schneberger

14 - Elders

21 – Faith Schneberger

28 – Danny Rush

September

4 – Rick Reeves

11 – Lynn Ferrari

18 – Luke Schneberger

25 – Kendra Walker

October

2 – Candace Bond

9 – Garrett Stegall

16 – Ethan Delp

23 – Kenzie Delp

30 – Young Adult Sunday School Class

November

6 – Joe Thompson

13 – Dana Ellis

20 – Lori Schneberger

27 - Sam McConnell

December

4 – Libby Spence

11 – Kristy Denbo

18 – Gerald Stegall

25 – TBD



Liturgists 2021

January

 3             Garrett Stegall

10           Rick Reeves

17           Danny Rush

24           Gerald Stegall

31           Robert Wascom

February

 7            Dana Ellis

14           Kathy Stegall

21           Rick Ellis

28           Rodney Chilton

March

 7            Lynn Ferrari

14           Sharman Spence

21           Joe Thompson

28           Lori Schneberger

April

 4             Kenzie Delp

11           Ethan Delp

18           Grace Schneberger

25           Dakota Walker

May

 2            Libby Spence

 9            Laci Stegall (Sr Sunday) 

16           Candace Bond

23           Luke Schneberger

30           Kristy Denbo

 

June

 6            Dyanne Thompson

13           Des Simmons

20           Larry Walker

27           Kathy Stegall

July

 4             Gerald Stegall

11           Dana Ellis

18           Danny Rush

25           Rick Reeves

August

 1             Gage Stegall

 8             Robert Wascom

15           Elders

22           Joe Thompson

29           Jr/Sr Youth

September

 5             Garrett Stegall

12           Dyanne Thompson

19           Kendra Walker

26           Kristy Denbo

October

 3             Dylan Walker

10           Garrett Stegall

17           Rick Ellis

24           Ethan Delp

31           Elementary Youth

November

 7             Des Simmons

14           Larry Walker

21           Sam McConnell

28           Rodney Chilton

December

 5             Kylie Denbo

12           Kaitlyn Denbo

19           Libby Spence

26           No Liturgist


Liturgists 2020

January
5                              Rick Reeves
12                           Garrett Stegall
19                           Larry Walker
26                           Robert Wascom

February
2                              Sam McConnell
9                              Danny Rush
16                           Gerald Stegall
23                           Kathy Stegall

March
1                              Rodney Chilton
8                              Robert Rush
15                           Ethan Delp
22                           Libby Spence
29                           Older Elementary

April
5                              Grace Schneberger
12                           Dana Ellis
19                           Lori Schneberger
26                           Candace Bond 

May
3                              Marcee Hose
10                           Laci Stegall (Senior Sunday)
17                           Gage Stegall
24                           Dylan Walker
31                           Joe Thompson

June
7                              Sharman Spence
14                           Lynn Ferrari
21                           Dyanne Thompson
28                           Luke Schneberger

July
5                              Danny Rush
12                           Rick Reeves
19                           Rick Ellis
26                           Kenzie Delp

August
2                             Camryn Bond
9                              Elders
16                           Kendra Walker
23                           Carl Hose
30                           Junior/Senior Youth

September
6                              Garrett Stegall
13                           Kathy Stegall
20                           Robert Wascom
27                           Rick Reeves

October
4                              Danny Rush
11                           Des Simmons
18                           Larry Walker
25                           Kylie Denbo

November
1                              Robert Wascom
8                              Rick Ellis
15                           Dana Ellis
22                           Rick Reeves
29                           Senior Adult Class

December
6                              Rodney Chilton
13                           Kathy Stegall
20                           Dyanne Thompson
27                           Joe Thompson

Follow this link for 2021 Liturgist assignments.





Liturgists
2019

 January
 6             Rick Reeves                      Pulpit Supply (Rev. Swint)
13           Garrett Stegall                   Pulpit Supply (Rev. Swint)
20           Larry Walker
27           Robert Wascom

February
 3             Danny Rush
10           Scout Troop 310
17           Gerald Stegall
24           Kathy Stegall

March
 3             Rick Ellis
10           Rodney Chilton
17           Ethan Delp                          Pulpit Supply (Rev. Nease)
24           Libby Spence
31           Elementary Youth

April
 7             Camryn Bond
14           Grace Schneberger               Palm Sunday
21           Dana Ellis                             Easter Sunday
28           Lori Schneberger
   
May
 5             Pam Kauk-Delp
12           Laci Stegall                          Senior Sunday
19           Dyanne Thompson
26           Kenzie Delp

June
 2             Joe Thompson
 9             Marcee Hose
16           Dylan Walker
23           Kristy Denbo
30           Jr/Sr High Youth

July
 7             Church Campers
14           VBS Students
21           Rick Reeves                           Pulpit Supply
28           Rick Ellis                               Pulpit Supply

August
 4             Sharman Spence
11           Gage Stegall
18           Robert Rush
25           Luke Schneberger

September
 1             Garrett Stegall
 8             Robert Wascom
15           Larry Walker
22           Des Simmons
29           Senior Adult Class

October
 6             Candace Bond
13           Kathy Stegall
20           Danny Rush
27           Grace Schneberger

November
 3             Camryn Bond
10           Veterans
17           Ashley Reeves
24           Joe Thompson

December
 1             Gerald Stegall
 8             Rodney Chilton
15           Lynn Ferrari
22           Dana Ellis
29           Elementary Youth



Looking ahead...


Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Not yet ready for Prime Time


In a letter dated 17 September 2018, the Moderator of the Arkansas Presbytery sent a petition to amend the CPC Constitution on matters relating to persons ordained as elders and ministers of word and sacrament with regard to marriage, ordination, and service to a particular church as a session member.  That letter was forwarded by our stated clerk to pastors in the Red River Presbytery.

While discussion began at this year’s General Assembly; this correspondence may accelerate the process.  It will surely be a topic for discussion at the Presbytery meeting this month.

My thoughts are twofold.  First, this petition in its present form is insufficient.  Second, a broader discussion is required before producing an amendment.

To the structure of the proposed amendments:

Why would these not be addressed in 2.6 and 2.7?  If these are criteria for satisfactory service on a session, why not address them as essential to ordination as ministers and elders?

Both may be necessary if this is to go forward.  Addressing only in 4.2 and 7.2 is flawed and will cause issues if the standard proposed is sufficient for self-disqualification but not applicable during the licensing and ordination process.

To intent and syntax:

4.2 

When persons find themselves – Is this intentionally self-disqualification?

makes those persons ineligible to serve as an elder on a session of a church:  Does the elder retain his/her ordination and is he or she eligible to serve elsewhere in the denomination.

7.02

When persons find themselves – Is this intentionally self-disqualification?

makes those persons ineligible to serve … in any of the [aforementioned] relationships on a session of a church:  Does the minister retain his/her ordination?  Are probationers and licentiates retained in their ministry programs?  May they serve elsewhere?

To the unstated but precipitating question:

This general language and the unstated context is obviously about ordaining as ministers of word and sacrament and as elders individuals who are homosexuals and bisexuals and who are sexually active in such partnerships.

These practices are sinful.  If they were not, grace need not be applied.  Read:  We are people of whosoever will not whatsoever goes.  We must minister to this community but not conform to the worldly model that states these practices are no longer sinful. 

The problem with the proposed amendments is that we create our own taxonomy of sin and set aside one group of people as especially sinful.  Yes, the word abomination is powerful.  The death penalty is prescribed by the Law of Moses.

But a stronger word than abomination or detestable is hate.  God hates divorce.  Should ministers who have been divorced disqualify themselves?  They have been forgiven.  They don’t continue in their sin, or do they?  They have not reconciled and been reunited with their original partner.

I understand that this line of thinking is contrary to the nature of our denomination who receive members, ordain ministers, and elders who have been divorced.  But if God truly hates divorce, should we ordain divorced men and women?  Should those already divorced be disqualified from further service should they desire to continue in that condition?

What if they remarry another partner?  According to Jesus, they have moved from their divorced status to adulterer status.  Adultery made the top 10 list, so this does not seem to be an improvement.  Instead of continuing in divorce, they continue in adultery.

What about shacking up?  Is that condition covered in the proposed amendments?  I see so many people these days with a 10-year fiancé who may or may not one day make this a sacred union, but the consummation of the present union is already complete.

What about the obese?  The proverb states that we should be so vigilant here that it would be like holding a knife to our throat whenever we ate more than we could metabolize.  Whoa!  That could thin our ranks (double entendre intended).

But that’s biblical wisdom, not law, and besides the context seems limited to dining in fine company.  So gorging at home is surely not as bad.  In our ordination of ministers and elders do we discount God’s wisdom and apply only those things prescribed by commandment or decree?

But God’s grace covers all of these things, well, except homosexuals who continue to practice?  

Continue to practice seem to be the operative words, until we want to forgive divorce or remarriage resulting in adultery but not the homosexual or bisexual lifestyle.

There should be a higher standard for ministers and elders but placing our own taxonomy on sin creates issues of hypocrisy.  I don’t think we can be myopic on this single issue of homosexuality while ignoring God's other counsel on marriage and produce a quality position on who may serve in an ordained capacity.  We might even have to look beyond marriage if we are to truncate grace with continuing in factors.

Personally, I don’t like the idea of homosexual pastors and elders, but I like even less institutionalizing hypocrisy. 

We need to have a full discussion on this issue before making changes to our Constitution.  The Arkansas Presbytery Petition may have jump-started the discussion, but it is insufficient to move forward in its present state.


The petition should be rejected in its present form and returned to Arkansas Presbytery for revision.


Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Church Year 2019

I have shared with many that I often do my annual sermon planning in late summer.  The Church year begins with Advent (end of November/first of December) and messages generally focus on this special season.  I have often used the lectionary.  I have preached the Confession of Faith for a year disguised as traditional sermons based on the supporting texts and have worked in the One Month to Live challenge, Paul’s letters, and other thematic seasons. 

First Light has been several years of working our way chapter by chapter through books of the Bible, including Leviticus, Proverbs, and the Psalms.

While I believe the Holy Spirit was at work in these planning sessions; He has also nudged me to change a message or two when the time came.

This Church Year (2018), we have moved topically in the traditional service, venturing into love, love and action, love and peace, and we will wrap up with rest. 

First light tackled Leviticus and then Hebrews, which will wrap up soon.

For the next Church Year, we will begin with Advent scriptures and then continue our topical journey with faith, truth, and mercy.

Next year’s First Light services will focus on Gifts and Gifts of the Spirit.

Some may just want to gather for worship and be surprised by the message.  That’s great.  Worship is truly about what you bring more than what you receive.  Others may want to have a general idea of what’s ahead.  Now you know.

Blessings,


Pastor Tom

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Moderator's Report for the 2018 Elders' Retreat

Moderator’s Report for the Elder Retreat
August 2018

We have been blessed with rain, but still pray for more.  This is Oklahoma.  Summer ministries are complete.  The school year begins to take hold of the community again.  Much is happening in the life of this body of believers.
Please talk with your elders about what’s happening.

Updates
Connecting the Disconnected.  We are still connecting.  We must not leave this as a fall event in which we check the box once or twice.  Connection is the starting point.  Inclusion is the goal.  We must have eyes to see the new faces in the congregation, meet with them, and start to get to know them right away. All should be equipped with gospels and GOD LOVES YOU wristbands.
Chewy Tuesdays was a success.  Pat and Marcee did a great job as coordinators.  Many were blessed!
Backpack Ministry. We gave out 92 backpacks full of supplies and made connections with many families.  The church spent $1000 from its budget and received other donations.  Donations made now help us buy in the offseason.
Online presence.  We continue online with a blog-based website and FB page.  Our FB live is hit or miss.  Church history is back online!  More to follow.
Coffee Talk.   Breaking until the fall.
Building Loan. The loan will be paid off before the end of the year!
Walk A Block for Jesus.  The turnout was average, but we prayed in many places, made many contacts, and had some attend worship the following Sunday.  The WAB came in slightly under budget.
October Presbytery Host.  Kathy Stegall and Robert Wascom are co-coordinators.  Please attend the worship service at 9 am on 20 October.
Food.  We continue to give out food and good news on a regular basis. 
Church Historian.  Carl Hose and Lynn Ferrari have stepped forward and become the new church historians.  I have challenged both to get the stories that make our history come alive. This includes oral and video.  Please help.
Session Clerk.  Pat Stuart has stepped forward to be the new Session Clerk.  We recognized Gene for his service at the retreat.  Thank you Gene Reeves!
Budget.  The FY 19 budget is $149,842.  We are blessed to be a blessing.

Challenges
Worship.  We still need a viable worship committee.
Memory Verses.  We continue these each Sunday but with less fidelity than at first.  They are not being recited in all Sunday School classes every week, and fewer children seem to be learning them outside of the worship service.  This is a matter of efficacy.  This is one way that we change direction in our community.  Let’s re-ignite the memorization fire.  This is God’s word!
2020 – The Year of the BibleAsk your elders about this.
A Time for Children.  A decade ago, the session asked that I do the children’s lesson, so the kids would get to know me.  I think that most of them have come to know me.  I will continue the memory verse with them but would ask that we look for qualified volunteers to do a short children’s message/object lesson.  I have materials but would like someone else to do a special lesson each (or most) Sundays.  Talk with Tom until we get an education committee.
Worship in Drama.  Except for the short dramas that Joe Thompson and I do, this ministry has atrophied due to many reasons, but mostly busyness.  Pray for this ministry. It reaches some that traditional messages do not.
Building & Grounds.  The session is still doing the work of the Building & Grounds committee. We need a viable committee.  Dean McConiha has stepped up to be the committee chair.  Now we need to fill out the committee.
Church Van.  So far, the van (1999 model) is holding up, but we need to plan for the future.
Education.  The session has been only level of oversight on curriculum.  There is no education committee.  Sunday School Superintendent needs to sit in on some classes, especially children and youth.  We need a committee.
Playground Project.  This is stalled again though the concrete is set, and the GaGa Pit is in place (and is being used).  Brian Schneberger leveled the dirt around the concrete base.  The basketball goal remains in the storeroom.  We have had an additional donation of $1500 and perhaps more on the way.
Southeast Corner Project.  This is still in concept phase. 
Reverence.  We are comfortable with each other and in God’s house but sometimes we forget we are to be reverent.  There is a lot of conversation during hymns, prayer time, and other corporate elements to our worship.  We love fellowship but sometimes it overshadows our worship.  (Leviticus 19:30)
Ministerial Alliance.  Pray for all the churches in our community.  The Church of Christ is without a pastor again.    All have challenges.
Security.  Cameras are installed.  Procedures need attention.
Local Benevolence.  We have helped many people this FY—more than all previous years.  We are generous.  With those in this body whom we help, we are extraordinarily generous. We are blessed to have funds to help those in need.  We have met local needs with over $2700 this Fiscal Year.
Connecting Senior Adults and Youth.  We talked about connecting our senior adults with our youth via technology (e.g. kids teaching grandma how to use a smart phone or watch our FB live service at home when they can’t make it in).  We need a champion for this project.


Opportunities
Breakfast for the Teachers.  We have added this as a recurring ministry.
Birthdays.  Larry Walker will remember to lead us to sing Happy Birthday on the last Sunday of each month.
Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home.  We will show some CPCH videos over the next few months. Perhaps the director will speak to us on 21 October.
Gayla Hite Israel Presentation.  Gayla will share pictures and stories of her Israel trip on 29 August 2018.
Children’s’ Choir.  We will seat the elementary school children in the choir section on the last Sunday of this Year.  This may become a recurring thing.


Tom Unique
Summer Routine.  If you don’t see my truck in the morning, stop in anyway.  I probably walked and plan to continue until the weather tells me otherwise.
Nominating Committee.  I am Mission Synod’s representative to the Denominational Nominating Committee and will be absent 1 Sunday each year to meet in Memphis, Tennessee.
Oklahoma Pastors Meeting.  The Oklahoma pastors meet at the Clinton CPC on 19 October (the day prior to Presbytery).
Other connections.  On 11 November 2018, I am preaching at the Marlow CPC.  It’s Veterans Day and the Marine is preaching unity. Service at 6 pm.
Vending Machine.  I am always on the lookout for ways to eliminate the transactional and increase the transformational part of our discipleship as a church. 
Pulpit Supply.  9 September – Gideons.
2019:  6 & 13 January – Rev. Amanda Swint
17 March – Meeting in Memphis – TBD

Monday, August 13, 2018

Feed the Players and 5th Quarter Schedules

FEED THE PLAYERS – 5TH QUARTER SCHEDULE


DATE
FTP
DATE
5TH QTR
23 AUG
CPC


30 AUG
LW
31 AUG
LW
6 SEP
BF FBC


13 SEP
DC FBC
14 SEP
BF FBC
27 SEP
COC


4 OCT
BF FBC


11 OCT
CPC
12 OCT
CPC
25 OCT
LW


1 NOV
COC
2 NOV
COC

Start time for Feed the Players is 6 pm.
Start time for 5th Quarters is immediately following the game.

Notes to churches:


DILL CITY FBC AND GRACE BAPTIST ARE ENCOURAGED TO REINFORCE THE OTHER 5TH QUARTER GATHERINGS.  FEW STUDENTS WILL TRAVEL TO DILL CITY.  MANY WALK, THUSLY ALL 5TH QUARTERS ARE IN BURNS FLAT.