October 16, 2014October 16, 2014October 16, 2014October 16, 2014 Volume 19, Number 21Volume 19, Number 21Volume 19, Number 21Volume 19, Number 21

Newsletter

articles for the next issue are due in the church office

by noon Thursday,

October 9th

(You may e-mail articles to office@

eastcross.org)

East Cross East Cross East Cross East Cross

NewsNewsNewsNews

www.eastcross.org

Bi-weekly

publication of

East Cross United

Methodist Church

East Cross United Methodist Church 820 S Madison Blvd. Bartlesville Oklahoma 74006 918-333-0810

Sunday Worship Information: Sermon Series continues… Sermon Series continues… Sermon Series continues… Sermon Series continues…

Sunday, October 19th Sermon: “Strapped: Act Your Wage” Scripture: Proverbs 22:7, 13:7, 25:28, 21:5, 6:5 Pastor Jeff Burress

Sunday, October 26th Sermon: “Strapped: The Buck Starts Here” Scripture: Proverbs 6:6-8, 21:20, 234:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 3:10,

Matthew 25:16, 1 Timothy 6:9 Pastor Chad Perceful 8:30am Traditional Service 9:45am Traditional Service, Grace-Epworth, 706 SE 3rd St. Downtown 11:00am Contemporary Service

learning to follow Jesus, inviting others to join the journey

The Outreach Committee is sponsoring the annual “Mountain of Food Drive” which will begin this Sunday October 19th. The food will be distributed locally to the Concern Food Pantry, Agape, and the Lighthouse the week before Thanksgiving. The “Mountain” will grow in the narthex area until the drive is completed on November 9th. I am always proud and grateful at how generous our congregation is to help local people in need. To donate, see the insert in the newsletter, church bulletin, or in the narthex for the selection of food items. The items are listed by case quantity (number in one case) and price per case. Complete the form and make your check payable to East Cross United Methodist Church noting “Mountain of Food” on the memo line. You may place your order in the collection plate any Sunday, mail these to the church or drop it by the church office through Sunday, November 9th.

Kay Ruehlen, Outreach Committee

So you know...If you have classes

on the 3rd floor, be mind-ful of wet paint possibilities! Hallways are being painted this week and

next.

East Cross New s - page 2

Quarterly All Church Fellowship...Maybe you’ve noticed that we come together once every three months as a whole congregation, those who attend both services and now also Grace-Epworth will be joining us. Our time together for this Fall will be the first Sunday in November. That will be a big day. First off, we go back off of Daylight Savings Time, it is Communion Sunday, we invite everyone to attend and turn in their Estimate of Giving Cards as they come forward for Communion, and then we relax, and celebrate a great year of ministry and the bless-

ings of God over a wonderful meal prepared especially for us.

Sunday, November 2nd, will be a great day. Please save the date, make plans to attend worship that day, and please stay and celebrate, and get better acquainted with your Church family from all three services in both locations.

Pastor JeffPastor JeffPastor JeffPastor Jeff

On Sunday October 5th, the children and youth of East

Cross, accompanied by their parents, gathered for the

second annual bonfire. We had almost 100 in attendance! A special thank

you to the Butlers for hosting us.

Consecration Sunday, November 2nd, 2014...We will celebrate the end of our “Strapped” Stewardship campaign with an all church meal after the 11am service in the Christian Life Center downstairs. We are asking that you call the church office with your reservation for the meal or when you sign the registration pad on Sunday morning, just jot the number of your family attending the meal in the margin by your name. We will have a delicious meal prepared by Tammy Shepherd and her helpers and have lots of time to fellowship with one another. What a wonderful way to begin the fall holiday season - with all of your church family celebrating a joyous occasion in the life of the church!

In Matthew 18:3 (CEB), we read these words of Jesus: “I assure you that if you don’t turn your lives around and become like this little child, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of heaven.” These words came alive to me once again after hearing my daughter’s stories of her latest visit to Green Country Village with CIA. For those of you who do not know, CIA stands for Christians In Action and is the missions arm of our children’s program. Once a month, children from East Cross gather to do something for someone else, and they always have a

good time. This last Sunday afternoon, a group of 7 kids and 6 adults journeyed over to Green Country Village to lead their afternoon worship service and then did a reverse trick-or-treating with the residents—the kids got to give candy to the adults! How fun does that sound!

As she was telling me what all happened and the great time that she had, I was reminded of the calling placed upon us all to serve. Many times life seems to overtake us and we fight for every free minute that we can get. But what if we looked at the world differently? What if we changed our complex view of the world and saw those around us with the eyes of a child? What if we lived out passages like Luke 6:31 (CEB): “Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.” or Mark 21: 30-31 (CEB): “ love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength… You will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”? What if life was just that simple? It seems to be for our kids. So why don’t we try imitating them for a change and see God’s blessings flow through us. So this week—be a kid!

Blessings, Pastor ChadPastor ChadPastor ChadPastor Chad

Honoring Pastors & Clergy

East Cross New s - page 3

SSgt. William G. Ware Capt. Derek Smith Major Todd Abshire Sgt. Justin Smith Capt. Neil Gorham LTC Darrin Cox AB Jared Draney Sgt. Jared Seat Mark Hathaway LCDR Robert Staten SPC Gary Mabry Lt. Eric Rolfs A1C Alex Hedgecock Captain Daniel Smith Sgt. G. McKeehan Robbie Lawson

All persons serving in the military and their families.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES…

EXPERIENCE IT!

East Cross Family

Pray For…Val Cottle, Toby Kirch-

man, Ruth Baldwin, Dale Tolin,

Russell Williamson, Tony Waltrip

(Lesli Perceful’s father), Ethelyn

Forth (Grace Epworth UMC), Barry

Knuth, Cindy Wilcox (Curtis

McLaughlin’s daughter), Bob &

Monte Murnan, Pat Smith, James

Fitch, (Crystal Kirchman Fitch’s

son), Sue Ann Glasgow (Jeff Glas-

gow’s sister), Dee Uzzell, Marcia

Goode, Barbara Belbot, Irene Gey-

mann, Kent Brewer, Donna Sanders,

Wesley Anderson (Peggy Yelton’s

brother), Darlene Coe, Ken Salamy,

(nephew of Tootsie Bryan), Charles

Hill, Keith Hesslen (Liz McLaugh-

lin’s son), Joan Collins (friend of

Pam Knuth), Brian Smith (husband

of Ashley Hargis Smith), Bill & Allie

Zoldoske, Virginia Fugett (family

of Carolyn Fugett), Velma Roby,

Barbara Bryant (Rick Bryant’s sister-

in-law), Kaylee Weaver (friend of the

Kliewers), Mona Frailey (Jack

Clark’s sister), Jim Lindsey (Coleen

Oldfather’s son), Linda Colberg, Bill

Facker (Fred Facker & Mary Ann

Clark’s brother), Jocelyn Morris,

James Kuntz

Condolences to... Winona Schnitzer

and family on the death of Merrill.

Services are Oct. 16th at 10am at EC.

James Dover, Sarah Dover Mendez

and families on the death of their

mother, Jackie. Services were

Oct. 11th at East Cross.

Also, to Larry and Linda Shoemaker

and family on the recent death of

Linda’s brother, Mark Chaney in KS.

Rotation Sunday School – “Adam and Eve” Elementary aged children recently re-enacted the story of the serpent tempting Eve to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. They also used tissue

paper to create beautiful pictures depicting their interpretation of the Garden of Eden. Invite a friend to attend these

upcoming workshops and share the Good News that because of Jesus our sins have been forgiven!

Storytelling–The serpent has something to say! Come listen to his side of the story. Computer– Discover more about Adam and Eve using an interactive CD. Cooking – Mix a delicious salad using fruit from the Garden of Eden.

Christians In Action for Kids! Last Sunday seven members of CIA hosted a Halloween Party and lead the vespers worship service at Green County Village. They shared candy, conversation and laughter with many new friends including several East Cross members who reside at GCV. CIA for Kids is mission based and gives 2nd-5th graders opportunities to serve others by sharing God’s love.

CIA for KIDS! “Serving God By Sharing His Love!”

Wednesday Night Connections for Kids! Wednesday night is all about connecting with Jesus and with friends! Children K-5th are learning that Jesus’ teachings and miracles are amazing! Join us to hear how Jesus’ love can change anyone and how Jesus’ helps people to be friends. Left: A leper (Veronica McGill) is healed by the touch of Jesus’ (Lily Weimer) hand!

Sgt. Jared Seat has been deployed to Kuwait. His new address is on the Wall of Honor. Jared is the husband of Kendra Dietz Seat. Welcome

Sgt. Justin Smith to the East Cross Wall of Honor. Sgt. Smith is the brother of Capt. Derek

Smith. Both are nephews of Charlie and LeAnne Christensen. Michael Fitch has been discharged from the Marine Corps. Thank you Michael for your service. God Bless you and

good luck with your new endeavors. Michael Smith, Military Coordinator

Pray for our Military

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHEER 2014! We still have soldiers overseas in combat zones and non combat zones so we will again have OCC. Sign up sheets can be found in the narthex and your Sunday School class. Sign up begins Oct. 26th through Nov. 9th. Call or email me for more information or questions at 918-333-7413 or msmith1@ cableone.net. Thank you for your continued support of our military. Michael Smith, Military Coordinator

EAST CROSS NEWS (USPS 164-540) Published twice monthly Postmaster: Send address changes to:

East Cross United Methodist Church 820 SE Madison Blvd. Bartlesville, OK 74006-8533

PERIODICALS U.S. POSTAGE PAID AT BARTLESVILLE, OK 74003

USPS 164-540

East Cross News - page 4 Visi t our website at www.eastcross.org

Rev. Jeff Burress

Sr. Pastor

Chad Perceful Associate Pastor Drew Shahan Youth Director

Linda Smith Children’s Minister

Lesli Perceful Children’s Church Director

And Activities Paula Lindblom

Ministerial Coordinator

Rita Neff Treasurer-Membership

Coleen Williams Early Childhood Center Director

Aimee Bloom Nursery and Childcare Director

Ariel Ortega Music Director, 1st. Service

Margie Green Pianist/Organist Emily French

Music Director, 2nd Service

Seth Weimer Sound Tech

Nathan Snowden Building & Maintenance Coordinator

Church Office: 918-333-0810 FAX: 918-335-1664

E-Mail: office@eastcross.org Website: www.eastcross.org

Early Childhood Center 918-333-3814

STUDENT MINISTRY NEWS

Hey East Cross!

On Wednesday evenings at youth Connections, we've started a new 4 week series titled "Occupy All Streets," in which we're talking about how to make our lives centered around Jesus...accept the label He has given us and not the labels our culture tries to put on us, and to take advantage of every opportunity to make an impact on the world around us.

Come join us, and bring a friend!

DrewDrewDrewDrew

GRACE EPWORTH UMC

Every Sunday: 9:45 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Sunday School

Wednesday, Oct. 30th at 6:30pm. Bible study - Studying the book of Numbers.

Monday, Oct. 20th. at 6:30 pm. Prayer Shawl Ministry—you are invited to come and work on handwork (crotchet, knitting, looms, needlework, etc.) for mission. Call Emmalene Lennon 918-333-8276 for information & location.

Mt. of Food and Oct./Nov. Calendar

supplement this issue.

Our East Cross church family is invited to join United Methodist Women in gathering Christmas gifts for Cookson Hills Center, a Methodist mission near Tahlequah that offers social, educational, physical and spiritual services to those who are in need of such services. The primary target groups of the center's services are Native American people, most being of the Cherokee tribe.

Christmas gifts of ALL kinds, for men, women and children, are welcomed. Items are to be new and unwrapped and may include toys, clothing, hats, gloves, household items and tools but the possibilities are endless. Christmas wrapping paper and bows are needed as well. Donations are being accepted now through November 5th. A collection box is located under the coat rack by the church’s main entrance. The items will be delivered to Cookson the weekend of Cookson’s Toole Tyme event, November 7th-9th.