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.

F4 Fall 2018 - Spring 2019

Here is our F4 schedule for the months ahead.

F4 Activity Schedule
Fall 2018

ACTIVITY
NOTES
12 SEP
CLASSES
ORIENTATION IN CLASSROOM – Team 1
19 SEP
CLASSES
Team 1
26 SEP
CLASSES
Team 2
3 OCT
WORSHIP
Team 2
10 OCT
CLASSES
Team 3
17 OCT
DO NOT MEET
FALL BREAK
24 OCT
CLASSES
Team 3
31 OCT
DO NOT MEET
TRUNK OR TREAT
 7 NOV
WORSHIP
Team 1
14 NOV
THANKSGIVING MEAL
TALENT PARADE – Team 2 & 3

Totals:   5 classes              2 worship services                         1 special meal and talent parade

Spring 2019

DATE
ACTIVITY
NOTES
16 JAN
CLASSES
ORIENTATION IN CLASSROOM – Team 1
23 JAN
CLASSES
Team 1
30 JAN
CLASSES
Team 1
6 FEB
WORSHIP
Team 2
13 FEB
CLASSES
Team 2
20 FEB
CLASSES
Team 2
27 FEB
CLASSES
Team 2
6 MAR
WORSHIP
ASH WEDNESDAY – Team 3
13 MAR
CLASSES
Team 3
20 MAR
DO NOT MEET
SPRING BREAK
27 MAR
CLASSES
Team 3
3 APR
CLASSES
Team 3
10 APR
CLASSES
Team 1
17 APR
WORSHIP
EASTER CELEBRATION – Team 2
24 APR
WORSHIP
MEN AND WOMEN (1 & 2)
1 MAY
SPRING FINALE
DRAMAS & MUSIC - All

Totals:   10 classes                4 worship services               1 special meal and activities


Clean Up Teams: 
1 – Men and Younger Elementary
2 – Women and Older Elementary
3 – Jr/Sr Youth

Directions

Directions to the Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyter Church

The Burns Flat CPC is located at 205 State Highway 44.  It is just north and east of the town’s only traffic light.  The zip code is 73624 if that helps you locate us by digital media.

From Oklahoma City (about 1 hr 30 minutes)
Travel west on I 40 until you get to exit 53.  You will exit to the right.  Turn left at the stop sign.  You will go over the overpass.  Continue 6.6 miles.
The church is on the left (East) side of the road.  It is just BEFORE the stop light.

From Amarillo, Texas (about 2 hours 30 minutes)
Travel East on I 40 until you get to exit 53.  You will exit to the right and turn right.  Continue 6.6 miles.  The church is on the left (East) side of the road.  It is just BEFORE the stop light.

From Vernon, Texas (about 1 hour 30 minutes)

Drive North on Highway 283 / 44.  You will come to an intersection at Lone Wolf.  Turn to the right and drive a few miles to the flashing light.  Turn left (North) to continue to Burns Flat.  The church is just north of the stop light on the right (East) side of the road.

Monday, August 6, 2018

Feed the Players and Fifth Quarters for 2018



FEED THE PLAYERS – 5TH QUARTER SCHEDULE

DATE
FTP
DATE
5TH QTR
23 AUG
CPC


30 AUG
LW
31 AUG
LW
6 SEP
DC FBC


13 SEP
BF 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.

Friday, August 3, 2018

Are you running against the Wind?

Running against the wind?

Near the end of the Bob Seger song, Against the Wind, is the lyric I’m older now but still runnin’ against the wind.  Yes, I know that this is really an oldie for some of you, but the lyrics ring true with many today.


Do you feel like you are running against the wind?

Did you know that the word used in the Bible for God’s Holy Spirit also means wind?  Jesus compared the Spirit of God to the wind.  If it feels like everything—or too many things—seem to be going against you, consider if it is because you have chosen to resist the ways of God.  Ask, am I running against the wind?  Am I trying everything the world’s way instead of God’s way?

You might think, Well, I pray.  That’s good.  It is necessary but not sufficient.  God desires us to have more than thoughts and words.  He calls us to give our entire lives in service to him.  That doesn’t mean that we are all preachers, but we are called to love and serve him and to love others.  He calls us to action. 

Action led people to donate money for school supplies.
Action brought people together to purchase, sort, and package school supplies.
Action put Gospels in your children’s bags of supplies and a Bible in your hand if you didn’t have one.

The motto of this congregation is God’s Love in Action.  Action is to follow God’s Spirit and do the good deeds that he planned in advance for us.

You will have trouble in the world.  That is a promise.  It is not my promise but that of the Lord.  Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


How will you face the trials of this troubled world?  Will you do things your own way and run against the winds of God?  Will you seek God first and follow Jesus with other believers?  You can’t really follow Jesus and reject the fellowship of other believers.  We are counseled not to stop gathering together as so many have done.


It is time to find a family of faith and live as God’s people.  There is an abundant life in store for you.

Blessings to you,
Pastor Tom



That’s some compelling reasoning, but I have my reasons for not coming to worship.

The church just wants my money.  That’s not true, but let’s say that it is for the sake of your argument. Where did the money to buy school supplies come from?  That’s right, it came from the tithes and offerings of believers.  People gave generously and cheerfully.


Some churches say that I should give 10% of what I earn.  Churches don’t say that.  God said that.  It is called the tithe.  Tithe means tenth.  The tithe enables the church to do its work in this world and God blesses the giver.  Ask anyone who has tithed for many years if they would ever stop.  How could they?  God makes 90% go farther than 100%.  God does not play by human rules.  This church will never pressure you to give anything.  We will invite you to be blessed and know abundant life.  Jesus said that as long as you hold onto everything that you think is yours (it’s really all God’s) then you will never fully live.  You will only exist.  Living is better!

I don’t have anything to wear to church.  Wow!  You haven’t been here to worship, have you? While it is nice to dress up every once in a while, we welcome people as they are.  God sees the heart.  We do our best to do the same.  We would ask that you don’t wear shirts laced with profanity and obscenities, but God sees the heart.  You will be welcomed here.

I wasn’t brought up in church.  I don’t know enough to attend.  That’s all the more reason to delay no longer.  We are not in competition with each other.  The only competition that we have is with ourselves.  We want to be more like Jesus.  To do that we worship him, study God’s word, and as iron sharpens iron, we work with each other to understand how to put his words into practice.


I bring my kids and drop them off on Wednesdays.  Surely that punches my ticket.  We are glad to have your children with us, but they come with a message that you trust us but don’t really believe in this Jesus, love, faithfulness, and eternal life with God stuff. One day, your children will go into the world on their own.  When they think about church, they will remember that it was a place where you dropped them off and not a place that you led them into.  Children learn so much by example.  Lead them to the things and places and practices that are important.  Jesus said, Follow Me.  We must lead our families to Jesus if they are to know life and life eternal.

But Sunday is my only day off.  Then spend it in the fellowship of believers and be refreshed for your faithfulness to God.  God made the Sabbath for man, not the other way around.

Please join us for Sunday worship and education as well as our Wednesday program (F4)


Sunday Worship:  9 am & 11 am 
       Christian Education:  10 am


Wednesday Meal and Classes:  6:00 – 7:30 pm 
 - Continues to 1 May 2019