under the oak december 2010
DESCRIPTION
The December 2010 edition of Under the Oak, monthly newsletter for Oak Haven UMC.TRANSCRIPT
1) Christmas at the par-
sonage: Dec. 12th, 3pm
-5:30. Everyone is in-
vited to share in holiday
cheer with the pastor
and his family.
2) Christmas Cantata:
Dec. 19th, 10:45am.
Our choir has prepared
a meaningful selection.
3) Healing Service: Dec.
19th, 7pm. The holidays
can be difficult times for
many people; we are
offering Christ’s message
of healing and hope.
4) Christmas Eve:
A. Ashford Hall, 3pm
B. *The something new
Spanish Service, 5pm
A. English Service, 7pm
As we journey together
through the season of Ad-
vent (the Christmas season
doesn’t begin until Christ-
mas Eve) we are reminded
of the joyous promise of
Christ’s entry into the
world. Of course, that
promise wasn’t limited to a
day a couple thousand years
ago. Instead, we are able to
receive Christ each day, or
as we sing, “morning by
morning.” Amen!
With such a blessing how
can we keep from praising
God and celebrating? So,
during this time of year that
is exactly what we do. Our
church has scheduled sev-
eral events during Decem-
ber to remind us all of that
joyous promise.
Mark your calendars and
make sure to be a part of
these wonderful expres-
sions of Christian love and
fellowship. Contact our
church office or John
Fletcher for more informa-
tion about:
Something New at Oak Haven in December INS IDE TH IS
I S SUE :
13 Bad Attitudes
Of Killer UMC
2
Calendar 3
Prayers,
Scripture, Ushers
& Acolytes
4
UMM Review 5
Words From
Wesley
6
Birthdays 7
Don’t Forget
the Apples
7
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0
V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1 1
Under the OakUnder the OakUnder the OakUnder the OakUnder the OakUnder the OakUnder the OakUnder the Oak Oak Haven United Methodist Church NewsletterOak Haven United Methodist Church NewsletterOak Haven United Methodist Church NewsletterOak Haven United Methodist Church Newsletter
“Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us.” Joshua 24:27
How will you prepare for the
Christmas season?
Here it is, the most wonderful time of the year! What makes Christmas so much fun
is experiencing traditions old and new. Here’s an old one. When I was a kid, the
start of the Christmas season officially began the moment the Sears Wish Book hit
the mailbox. My sister and I would lie on the floor and go through page after glossy catalog page of plastic wonderment in joyful
anticipation of receiving all the things we never even knew we wanted. It was exciting! Not that we ever received all that stuff.
That wasn’t the point. The fun was in the anticipation..the receiving..the surprise. Yes, when I was a child, I thought like a child.
Christmas is, after all, for children.
Today we realize that Christmas isn’t about shiny things wrapped in paper, but about celebrating the day the gift of salvation
came to mankind wrapped in swaddling clothes. Talk about the perfect gift! Thank You Jesus! Freely we have been given, so now
we freely give…..well, sort of. The old tradition of looking for things to receive as a child has been replaced by looking for things
to give as an adult, and it’s anything but free - oh joy. What do I get my father-in-law? Does my sister really —See Hope on pg7
Hope Sunday by Susan Stewart
P A G E 2
Everyone is invited to
our monthly Chips, Dips
and Discussion time.
We will gather in the
church meeting room.
Paul Perrin will lead our
discussion. Join us Friday
Dec 17 at 7:00 pm.
You’ve seen the com-
mercials. Perhaps you’ve
even pictured yourself
driving along the rugged
path, treading through
dangerous territories and
winding curves in the car
or truck the commercial
advertized. What’s more
is that your driving fanta-
sies can become a real-
ity—for the right price of
course—if you had that
kind of car. Then you
notice something. Bur-
ied in small print, during all
the action of the commer-
cial, there is a warning: Pro-
fessional Driver. Do Not
Attempt This. In other
words, there is no way you
could do any of this! Ouch
and ugh. Back to my mini-
van I go.
Many people recognize
Christ’s command of disci-
pleship. However, there is a
misunderstanding that the
life Christ shows is best left
to be understood by the
professionals—funny because
they’re referring to me! That is,
there is no way I could do any
of this. Well, Scripture isn’t a
fancy car commercial. You may
not be able to live like Christ, by
yourself. That’s why we have
Scripture and the Holy Spirit
promised to us. God shows us
how to do what we can’t seem
to, and how to live like we think
we can’t. With God all things
are possible, even you.
Blessed Beyond Belief,
Means of Grace
These are different ways we
experience the grace of
God. For example we ex-
perience God: through the
Bible; by receiving Commun-
ion; in our baptism; by
prayer; and in our giving;
Theological Word To Know
Professionals Only?
Victoria District Superintendent
(SWTX Conference) recently shared
13 bad attitudes of first killer UM Church. Tell us what you think:
1) Don’t pray for church leaders especially the pastor. If she/he is called they should
already be prayed up!
2) Find fault; it will improve things. Find fault especially before PPRC meetings of all
the things that the pastor and staff need to do to improve. In fact, call all the peo-
ple you can and find out what they don’t like about the pastor and the church.
3) Don’t give financially—somebody else will give. After all, things are tight. What do
they do with all that money anyway?
4) Don’t show up for meetings! There are too many meetings anyway.
5) Fight to prove your point and protect your turf.
6) Don’t allow new people to serve on boards. New people don’t know our ways.
7) Don’t change the music. What’s wrong with the old, old, old hymns?
8) Don’t reach children or youth. Children will only make noise and scuff your floors.
9) Help people fail. People ought to experience failure; it’s good for them.
10) Don’t change the worship service. The worship service is perfectly fine the way it
has always been. It was good enough for mother and her mother before her
mother and her….
11) Don’t share your pew! Don’t share a classroom!
12) Don’t ever invite people to church. We know everybody and we are comfortable
just the way things are.
13) Don’ pay apportionments. What do they do for us?
13 Bad Attitudes of Killer UM Church
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
Office h
rs. 10-2
7Choir R
ehearsa
l
2
10 Bible S
tudy
7 Busy B
ees
3
Office h
rs. 10-2
4
5Communion
Hope S
unday
4:30 Youth
6
Office h
rs. 10-2
7
7Dinner a
t Ron &
Pattie’s
7:30 Discip
le I
8
Office h
rs. 10-2
7Choir R
ehearsa
l
9
10 Bible S
tudy
10
Office h
rs. 10-2
11
12
3:30-5 Christm
as @
the p
arso
nage
13
Office h
rs. 10-2
7UMW
14
7:30 Discip
le I
15
Office h
rs. 10-2
7Choir R
ehearsa
l
16
10 Bible S
tudy
7 Busy B
ees
17
Office h
rs. 10-2
7Chips, D
ips &
Discu
ssion
18
19
Christm
as C
antata
4:30 Youth
7 Healin
g Service
20
Office h
rs. 10-2
21
7:30 Discip
le I
22
7Choir R
ehearsa
l
23
10 Bible S
tudy
24
3 Ashford Hall
5 Spanish
Service
7English
Service
25
Christm
as D
ay
26
27
28
7:30 Discip
le I
29
7Choir R
ehearsa
l
30
10 Bible S
tudy
31
December 2010
December 2010
www.oakhavenumc.org
Oak Haven United Methodist Church
Oak Haven United Methodist Church
Oak Haven United Methodist Church
Oak Haven United Methodist Church
P A G E 4
Ushers and Counters
Scripture Readings
...prayerfully united... ***Please help us keep this list updated***
Sue Nungesser, Marie Pittman, Connie Ramsey, Nadine Jester, Valerie Milano, Martha Davis, Jesse
Ford, Lorene Ingham, Ellie Ruiz, Michael Vogan, Mr. & Mrs. Dennie Foster, family of Bonnie Simons,
Ray Lowery, family of Curtis & Sandra Doyle, Martha Davis, New church choir director(s), Marry Allen,
David Austin, Jeanie Davis, Roger Dalton, Debra Randle, Wesley Burks, Avis Jordan, Charles Chilton,
Bea Baker, Brian Deskin, Lorene Hall, Mike Burns, Jim Hallworth, Ruth Ann Wilhoite, Jo Sutter, Shanna
Acton, Chris McDade, Denise & John Butler, Susanne & Dick Ramsey, Pat Buttery, Herschel Mixom,
Louis Munoz, Carl Ryser, Norma Hernandez, Teri & Shane Higgs, Shawn Koogler, Ryan Kinnan, June
Montgomery, Bill Glass, Scott Quintana, King family, Bobby Garza, Walburga Kerner, Sue Harris, Nad-
ine Justin, Mike & Michelle Cummings, our missionaries & military
For the eyes of the Lord
are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to
their prayers.
1Peter 3:12
Acolytes
Dec 5-Lissette Garcia
& Haley Stephens
Dec 12-Mya Garcia
& Nelson Norris
Dec 19-Ashlei Fletcher
& Jade Vela
Dec 26-Brittani Fletcher
& Hanna Stephens
Dec 5 (Team 3) Dec 12 (Team 4)
Don Kent Ricky Campbell
Mike Matkin Stella Jones
Ben Shemo Don Kent
David Triggs Rebecca Wheeler
Sub: Rebecca Wheeler Sub: Mary Lou Campbell
Counters: Mary Lou Campbell, Stella Jones Counters: Steve Perrin
Dec 19 (Team 1) Dec 26 (Team 2)
Mary Lou Campbell Mary Lou Campbell
Ricky Campbell Jonathan Perrin
Ronnie Crow Rob Scully
Don Kent Rebecca Wheeler
Sub: Stella Jones Sub: Mike Matkin
Counters: Mary Owen, Bonnie Perrin Counters: Ann Kent, Steve Perrin
Dec 5 Dec 12
Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Luke 1:47-55
Romans 15: 4-13 James 5:7-10
Matthew 3:1-12 Matthew 11:2-11
Dec 19 Dec 26
Isaiah 7:10-16 Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Psalm 148
Romans 1:1-7 Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 2:13-23
UMW Bring the Blues? P A G E 5
Our November meeting began with the
reciting of the purpose, followed by our
cares and concerns. After the prayer,
Rebecca Wheeler gave a very inspiring
devotional and Micki Triggs read the mis-
sionary birthdays from the missionary
birthday calendar. After the business
meeting we were served delicious re-
freshments provided by Dorene Taylor.
Dorene also provided us with a meaning-
ful program entitled Advent. Thank you
ladies for all you do. The December
meeting will be held on Monday, Dec 13
at 6pm at Minnette Puckett’s home (1907
Douglas Circle). Please bring a dish for
our potluck dinner. In lieu of gifts, we
are accepting donations to benefit the
Irving Police/Fire Departments’ “Blue
Christmas” project which helps buy toys for
disadvantaged children. They are in particular
need of toys for ages 10 and up. If you would
like to give your gift by check, please make it
payable to: Oak Haven United Methodist
Women with a notation “Blue Christmas” or
cash is always welcome. If anyone needs a ride
to Minnette’s home, please call me.
As a reminder, our “Christmas Card for In-
mates of Texas Prisons” will continue through
the holidays. There is a collection box near the nursery. All do-
nations will help this project. Our other ongoing projects have
donation boxes available. They are: Campbell’s Soup labels for
Dallas Bethlehem Center; toiletries, current year magazines, puz-
zles and games for Ashford Hall.
Our January meeting is scheduled for Jan 11 at 7pm at the
church. I hope to see all of you at Minnette’s home soon and at
our January meeting. I would like to take this opportunity to
wish each and every one of you and your families a very blessed
Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and love.
Mary Lou Campbell, President
The United Methodist Men adjourned early
from their November 18th meeting to the ham
smoker to finish loading and unloading hams.
We had no other business or discussion—just
hams! A very special thanks to all the men who
offered their time in helping with the hams and
turkeys. Don’t forget, we’ll need your help again
this month (our Dec 16th meeting will be at
the smoker). If anyone would like to purchase a
ham or turkey for Christmas, contact Steve
Perrin for more information.
Join us for a blood drive dedicated in special honor of
Don Kent, enjoying his 7th year with his new heart. Let’s
make this a great one! Invite your friends and neighbors
to help bring life to those in need.
Date: Saturday, December 11
Time: 10am-2pm
Look for the Red Cross bus stationed in the church’s
north parking lot. Sign up today by stopping by the office
to add your name to the schedule or by contacting
Minnette Puckett. There is still room and need for you.
We are excited to have this opportunity to celebrate
and share with Don and his family the blessing he received
7 years ago. So, even if you can’t give blood (If you can
then we know you will want to) maybe it’s a good time to
to let the Kents know how grateful you are to God for
their lives.
P A G E 6
DALLAS (UMNS) — A star-studded array of
officials from the last presidency turned out Nov.
16 to break ground for the George W. Bush
Presidential Center at United Methodist-related
Southern Methodist University. The former first
couple, both United Methodists, were joined by
their pastor, the Rev. Mark Craig of Highland
Park UMC, in lifting shovels full of dirt symboliz-
ing the start of work on the 225,000-square-foot
brick and limestone presidential library center,
scheduled to be completed in Feb 2013.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Next summer United Methodist youth from the United States
can participate in weeklong mission work experiences in Nashville that help children, older
adults, the homeless and people with special needs.For the second year, the youth mission
trips will be sponsored jointly by Young People's Ministries, a division of the United Methodist
Board of Discipleship, and YouthWorks!, a multidenominational youth-mission organization.
The program will be hosted at McKendree United Methodist Church in downtown Nash-
ville.The mission experience is open to youth who will enter the seventh grade in the fall of
2011 through current high school seniors. Eight weeklong sessions will be available in 2011,
beginning the week of June 12 and ending the week of July 31. Cost is $248 per person. More
information is available at www.youthworks.com by clicking on the link for “UMC churches” in
the left column.
Short-term Missions Available for Youth in 2011
Stories on this page are provided by United Methodist Communications. Summaries of sto-ries, UMTV videos and other informa-tion from the United Methodist News Ser-vice are received via a weekly email di-gest. Access the complete versions of the stories at http://umns.umc.org.
General Conference Delegates Stay the Same
SMU Breaks Ground
Words from Wesley
Do all the good you can, by
all the means you can, in all
the ways you can, in all the
places you can, at all the
times you can, to all the
people you can, as long as
ever you can.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — More than
500 United Methodists recently answered
a survey from United Methodist Commu-
nications on how they felt about simple
living, using the definition: “a lifestyle char-
acterized by consuming only that which is
required to sustain life.” For many, the
answer is: The spirit is willing, but the
flesh is weak.
Simple Living?
PANAMA CITY, Panama (UMNS)—The Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist announced Nov. 5 that the
number of delegates for the 2012 General Conference will be near the 1,000-delegate
limit. "Although a variety of opinions have been expressed, I've heard strong pleas to retain simi-
lar numbers as before, and I believe any significant reduction in the number of delegates should
occur in concert with a more comprehensive look at the whole process,” said Reist, who is sec-
retary of the quadrennial legislative gathering. “It’s essential that we not undermine the level of
trust. With so many substantive changes expected to be considered during the 2012 General
Conference, it is important to avoid any perception that a reduction in the number of delegates
might somehow be intended to influence outcomes.”The exact number of delegates will not be
available until calculations have been completed, but the secretary of each (regional) annual con-
ference will be notified by Dec. 1 how many delegates their conference will have. General Con-
ference will meet in Tampa, Fla., in spring 2012.
need a pair of bunny slippers? What if they already have an electric
quesadilla maker? What size does Aunt Mavis wear? And as I stare at the blinking red and
green lights of the far distant traffic signal, I wonder how long I’ll have to wait in this long cara-
van of wise men on I-35 who are following that star to Sears, and Macy’s and Best Buy in or-
der to purchase gifts to bear to somebody who, like me, is probably also wishing for all this
Christmas “joy” to finally be over, bah humbug! Well at least we still have catalogs, and inter-
net. Using these tools certainly makes Christmas shopping bearable... sigh.
One day, I was surfing the net looking for that perfect gift for I forget who, when I came
across a catalog I had never heard of before. It was the World Vision Gift Catalog. “Ooooo, I
bet this is full of organic goodies,” I said aloud just as the ghost of Christmas Catalogs Past sat
down on my shoulder. Yes, it was filled with organic things alright. But instead of kidskin
gloves and leather coats, there were pictures of live goats, and real cows. They had rabbits
and chickens, ducks and donkeys, sheep and…. children? Yes, sad children, serious children,
hurt children. What in the world? Then the ghost of Christmas past began to whisper in my
ear.
“What was the best gift you have ever received in your life?” he asked. “That’s easy,”
I thought. “The best gift was Jesus. He gave me salvation, hope, peace and a future.” “Then
wouldn’t it make sense to give to them,” he said pointing at the children, “what Jesus gave to
you, something truly meaningful? A hope and a future?” “Wait, who are these children?” I
asked. “Those lambs are who Jesus calls “the least,” he responded. The girl is Poverty, and
the boy is Injustice. “What about their guardians, the people who are supposed to care for
them?” I asked. “Where are they?” “Oh, they could be anywhere,” my spiritual informant
shrugged. “At the mall, McDonald’s, at home sitting in front of a computer screen paging
through catalogs. Why, on December 5 th, they could even show up at Oak Haven United
Methodist Church for Hope Sunday.” “What’s Hope Sunday?” I asked.
“Hope Sunday will be an opportunity for those who have experienced the gift of
salvation to give the gift of hope to a child who desperately needs it. You know, following in
the footsteps of Jesus and all.” “But what about my sister’s bunny slippers,” I protested weakly.
“Won’t she be disappointed?”
“What about them?” the Christmas spirit asked with a twinkle in his eye. “You
could give her a pair of fake bunnies or……..” “OR I could give a pair of REAL bunnies to a
family to raise for food and warmth in her name!” “Brilliant!” exclaimed my new found
Christmas friend. “Believe it or not, that’s exactly what separates the sheep from the goats.
And, won’t your sister be surprised! Yes, it’s time to start a new tradition Sis….Dad….Aunt
Mavis. Merry Christmas Everyone!
P A G E 7
Dec 7
Stephen Siegel
Dec 14
Lynda Johnson
We are giving every
effort to update our list.
If your name should be
here, please let us know.
If you know of a name
we have missed please
contact Minnette
Puckett or John Fletcher.
Hope, Cont from pg1
We have three upcoming projects we would like your input and cooperation with.
1) Do you have a particular question about the Bible, faith or God? Our pastor
would like to put together a series of sermons centered on questions you have. So,
submit 3-5 questions to John.
2) Our pastor would like to host a monthly Sunday School teaching series. Sug-
gest 1-2 topics for consideration.
3) We would like to add a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) video segment. to
our church website. Guests can read through commonly asked questions and re-
sponses. A personal touch would be to have members of the church answer those question
themselves. Think of how you would answer some of those common questions.
For more information about any of the projects above, please contact John Fletcher.
Phone: 972.438.1431 | Fax: 972.554.1686 |
Sunday School 9:45 am |Sunday Worship 10:45 am
We are a church family prayerfully united by the Holy Spirit, We are a church family prayerfully united by the Holy Spirit,
boldly committed to sharing new life in Jesus Christ.boldly committed to sharing new life in Jesus Christ.
U N D E R T H E O A K
D E C E M B E R
2 0 1 0 www.facebook.com/oakhavenumc.org
You can download this
publication at
www.oakhavenumc.org
John blogs at: www.anotherjohn.com
The Way Home
You’ve read a lot this
year (Haven’t you?). Let’s
watch a movie this
month. The Way Home
is a story of a community
coming together during a
family’s most tragic
moment—a story of
prayer, hope and faith.
What do you think?
Faith is Fun Reading With the Pastor
Oak Haven United Methodist Church
1600 N. Irving Heights
Irving, TX 75061