GOD

A Sermon Series featuring the Psalms

The Psalms are the prayers of the Hebrew people and run the gamut from praise to gut-wrenching pleas for help. Throughout this poetry runs a thread - we can trust in God to hold our lives. In this summer series, we take a break from the worry, anxiety, and distress that life can bring and let Holy Assurance hold us fast.

Sermons include:

God is Holding Your Life Surely Goodness and Mercy Desert Blues Into Your Hands There Is A River God’s Love Endures Forever

Our journey through the Psalms culminates in a litany of thanksgiving and assurance that the love of the Holy Living Creator endures forever. God is Alpha and Omega, the All-in-All, the One who has, does, and will, lead the people out of their despair and discouragement. All generations proclaim trust in God!

August 10th

Church Wide Lunch to celebrate

the completion of The VISION

I lift up my eyes to the mountains- Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, The Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you- The LORD is your shade at your right hand; The sun will not harm you by day, Nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life; The LORD will watch over your coming and coming Both now and forevermore.

A Note From Pastor Hamill August provides a watershed time for the ministry of Grove FUMC! More than a year ago we launched an ambitious effort to expand staffing, and now the searching part is complete. Full implementation of all these staff is just now ready to begin.

What this means is we not only have a staff person (Zeke) tasked with leading worship music in the LifeLine worship service, but our Youth Ministry will also launch forward with a band and another young adult staff will help facilitate youth ministry. What’s more, our Assistant Minister (Walter) will now be able to invest fully in pastoral things rather than primarily leading a band in worship music.

The Children’s Ministry and Communications have been blessed now for more than a year with a delightful and highly productive staff (Mekala). These three young and talented staff are the ingredients of THE VISION—staffing to lead our mission. What remains is all of us filling our mission, but ’Building Christian Community…” That effort cannot be accomplished by staff alone, but by all! The purpose of a pastor and staff in any church is to lead, feed, and equip the entire church for actually ’doing’ the ministry.’ Pastors and staff are to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, that the entire body might be built up” (Eph. 4:12-13). The Saints—-that would be you!

Now is the time for all of us to roll up our sleeves, open our hearts and hands, and get to work. This effort needs prayer, financial support, and workers. It needs all of us to fulfill our mission of ‘building Christian community’ in this wonderful place of God’s calling. Are you willing? We can do this. Now let’s get with it!

THE VISION is Complete

THE VISION is complete with the employment of Zeke Daniels, our new Contemporary Worship Leader and Youth Ministry Assistant. Zeke, his wife Sandy and four children arrived in Grove last Tuesday. They are busy establishing their new home and we are excited to have them in Grove and at our church.

We will celebrate the completion of THE VISION - Staffing to Lead Our Mission and numerous other staff transitions on Sunday, August 10th with a Church Wide Luncheon. We hope you can join us to celebrate this accomplishment of expanding our staff to be better equipped to fill our mission of “Building Christian Community where the love of God is freely shared, the gospel of Jesus Christ is fully encountered, and the Holy Spirit transforms life.”

Master Site Plan Committee

If you have kept up with the latest church news, you know that we have initiated a Master Site Plan Committee (MSPC). Due to the accepted name given the Committee, there could be some confusion about the Committee’s purpose and final work product. With your assistance and input, the Committee will be focusing on two general aspects of the Church’s future.

One is to begin to look at and assess how we can best utilize the 23 acres north of the church complex in the near term as well as in the longer term. But, the Committee’s work is not just about the 23 acres. The Committee will also be looking for opportunities to better utilize the existing facilities as we carry out our ministries and to assess if there are needs to improve or modify our facilities as we pursue implementation of our Long Range Plan.

The “MSPC” members have been and will continue to be in prayer for discernment of Gods will for our Church. We ask that the entire Church be in prayer.

We covet your prayers

Randy Barker, MSPC Chair

Several hundred people arrived on the hilltop Thursday Evening, July 3rd to enjoy the Grove

City Fireworks. We welcomed them with popcorn, cold water and open arms. This event was a

huge success. Thank you to the many volunteers who worked hard to make sure that every guest

felt welcomed & loved.

2nd Annual

Independence Day

Lunch & Parade

Page 3

Financial Spotlight Thru June

General Fund Offering Report

321,216 Needed for Ministry Plan

306,216 Contributed

(15,000) Shortage

As part of your Finance Committee’s ongoing effort at open communication, once a month E-News as well as printed church

newsletter will contain a “Financial Spotlight” showing the most current General Fund status.

“Needed for Ministry Plans” shows the contri-butions needed thru the end of the specified period to fund our planned church expenses. “Contributed” is our giving for the same peri-od. When “Needed” and “contributed” are equal we are fully funding our planned minis-tries. A “Shortage” indicates we must either

use our cash reserves to fund our ministries or reduce our expenses. A “Surplus” indicates we are build-ing our cash reserves.

Coleman Darby— Finance Committee Chair

United Methodist Women

Regular UMW unit meetings will

resume on September 4th at 1:00pm, in Fellowship Hall. Mission

U reviews will be our program, with Isabella Circle hosting.

Three of our own UMW members attended a conference this summer.

Linda Tayrien, Sherri Price and Jean Carney attended the One Day Plus

Mission U in July at OCU. Items were taken for the UMCOR flood

buckets, one of our Mission Pro-

jects. Three classes were offered: How is it with Your Soul?, The

Church and People with Disabilities, and The Roma of Europe. Thank

you ladies for your investment into

this ministry!

UMW Update

Fall Rummage Sale

October 4th

THE VISION - Staffing to Lead Our Mission

“THE VISION - Staffing to Lead Our Mission” initiative was conceived and

implemented to provide the initial funding for expanding our staffing base to allow us to grow our ministry and fulfill our mission. Our congregation faith-

fully responded to the challenge of funding the first 18 months of THE VI-SION staffing expansion by committing contributions over and above regular

giving. Happily, with the addition of Zeke Daniels as Director of Contempo-rary Music/Assistant Youth Leader, the third and final envisioned staff addi-

tion has been accomplished.

Recently, a letter was sent to church member regarding “THE VISION.” Thank you for your responses to that letter which enabled our treasurer, Te-

resa Raymond, to verify The Vision commitments and set the final goal for contributions at $147,485.

As we enter the “Home Stretch” of our Vision funding initiative, your Finance

Committee thanks you for your support and contributions. We also ask that you prayerfully consider the part you are able to pay in helping to meet the

December 31st contributions goal. Every contribution, whether fulfilling or exceeding a commitment, or even made without prior commitment is im-

portant and appreciated.

Please be sure to designate “VISION” on the memo line of your check or select the “VISION Contribution”

for online giving.

The following is the status of our congregations’ finan-cial commitments to The Vision as of July 23rd:

Commitments Exceeded

Commitments Fulfilled Commitments Pending Fulfillment

Total Number of Financial

Commitments to “The Vision”

7

49 45

101

Page 4

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3

9am Sanctuary

10:30 Lifeline

4

5pm OA Mtg 6pm Trustees

5

6pm Master Site 7pm Men’s B-ball

6 Thrift Store

Work Day 12pm Rotary

6pm Bible Study 6pm E3 Youth

7

9am Exercise 7pm Praise Band

8

Thrift Store Work Day

9

10 9am Sanctuary

10:30 Lifeline

All Church

Lunch

11

5pm OA Meeting

12

7pm Men’s B-ball

13

12pm Rotary 6pm Bible Study

6pm E3 Youth

14

9am Exercise

7pm Praise Band

15

Thomas Class Ice Cream Social

16

17

9am Sanctuary

10:30 Lifeline

18

5pm OA Meeting

19

5:30pm Child Share 7pm Men’s B-ball

Grove 20

School Starts

12pm Rotary 5:15 Handbells

6pm Bible Study 6pm E3 Youth

7pm Choir

21

9am Exercise 7pm Praise Band

22 23

24

9am Sanctuary

10:30 Lifeline

25

5pm OA Meeting

26

Run Off Primary Election

7pm Men’s B-ball

27 12pm Rotary

5:15 Handbells 6pm Bible Study

6pm E3 Youth 7pm Choir

28

9am Exercise 7pm Praise Band

29 30

31

9am Sanctuary

10:30 Lifeline

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Thrift Store Work Days

August 6th & 8th

September 17th & 19th

If you have questions or need more information about this ministry, please contact:

Sharon O’Neal at 918.314.8203

or Judy Bradley at 918.786.6540

Page 6

Jack Moseley

Dear Church Family,

Letting go of my mom and the kids’ “Gammy” broke our hearts. And while I don’t understand why this happened, I am assured of one thing. God is right here with us. I saw Him in each of you, my brothers and sisters who reached out to us in our darkest hours. You fed our family, held us in prayer, wiped our tears and cried with us. Your condolences and gifts of love brought us such reassurance. I am overcome when I think of the outpouring of love, God’s Love. I still tear up recalling all the many ways you loved our family, and somehow that love comforts me in a way I can never explain. You are each so special to me (& my family). I’m Forever Grateful, Mekala Smith & Family

1 Sheila Bridgewater

2 JoAnn Gregory

2 Barbara Killion

2 Sean Monroe

3 Bonnie Lane

3 Madeline Heffelman

3 Jennifer Osterberger

4 Casey Merciez

4 Anthony Facio

7 Janice Dooley

8 Joann Brice

10 Charlie Shaw

10 Ralph Weeks

10 Ann Scrogham

12 Carol Merciez

13 Brittany Dugan

15 Betty Ipock

15 Annie Maxson

15 Olivia Anderson

17 Evelyn Porter

17 Darline Lungren

18 Mariel McGehee

19 Joan Vermaire

21 Marvin Groff

21 Linda Clouse

23 Vickie Wright

23 Tom Henry

26 Bob Ellis

26 Sara Denney

27 Betty Tewksbury

28 Sandra Miller

31 Vernon Brady

Mariel McGehee, former Office Manag-er, will return to her post on August 1st. The Staff-Parish Relations Com-mittee and Pastor are overjoyed for this development. Shirley Talley has been in the role temporarily since Sep-tember 2013 when Mariel had to leave the role due to a tragedy in her family. We are thrilled as well that Shirley will resume her former role as Assistant to the Pastor. A unique feature of the Office Manager role this time is that both staff members Shirley Talley and Terrie Wimer are also approved as offi-cial substitutes for Mariel when she needs to be away. The FUMC office is in very good hands. Alyssa Raymond, Student Office Manager, will remain in her summer role through August 8th.

Aura Rodriguez has officially retired from her former role as part time cus-todian at FUMC. She has recovered nicely from her extended illness and surgeries, but will not be able to re-sume the workload of this role. Evelyn Porter, Nursery Supt., has filled Aura's role temporarily since fall, 2013, and is now filling the role on a more perma-nent basis. We welcome Evelyn fully to this role. Evelyn's husband, Bill Por-ter, is also our Superintendent of Build-ing and Grounds. Both of their roles are less than full time.

Nursery Committee Summer Mission Project

As part of a summer mission project, the nursery children invited the congregation to collect and donate gently used or new shoes to donate to Tennessee Hugs. HUGS stands for Help Us Give Shoes.

You answered by donating 66 pairs of shoes. These shoes will be delivered to homeless shelters and disaster areas all over the world. Thank you for giving to HUGS!

WOW! Workshop of Wonders a Success

Vacation Bible School took place the week of June 30th through July 3rd. What a fun week learning to Grow with God, Walk with God, Learn with God, Imagine with God and Build with God. Over 80 children attended the 4 day event with over 40 volunteers. Rotating from Bible Story to Music, from Crafts to Science, the children worked hands on to explore the Wonder of God. Thank you for your love and support of VBS, we are already planning for next year!

Camp Egan

Seven children attended summer camp at Camp Egan this Summer. Casey Brice took her daughter Holly and Emalee Gregg to Sonshine Camp in June. In July, Mallory Deakins and John Cloud attended Joy Camp. And just last week, Katie Ann, Mary Jane and Jeffrey Wright attended Joy Camp. Thank you parents for investing in your child’s spir-itual journey.

No Summer Break for Youth

While many of us have taken a break this summer, vaca-tioning or enjoying the lake, the Youth haven’t taken any time off. They continue to meet each week, enjoying fel-lowship, and worship with each other.

Single Parent Family Gathering August 15th - 17th

Camp Egan Register Online at:

Www.okumc.org/camps

or call Norm Wasson

1.580.383.6387

Page 7

Non-Profit – Third Class U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Grove, Oklahoma 74344 Permit No. 8

CAR RT SORT

Senior Pastor…...…......………………... Randall R. Hamill

Assistant Minister..………..……..….……....Walter Sizemore

Assistant to the Pastor……….…...……......Dr. Shirley Talley

Director of Care Ministry………....…..Dr. Richard Dayringer

Director of Youth Ministry……....……....…..Randy Mathews

Director of Children’s Ministry…..……............ Mekala Smith

Director of Traditional Music…….…….….....Nancy Lungren

Director of Contemporary Music………..……..Zeke Daniels

Office Manager…………………...………….Mariel McGehee

Worship Coordinator……….…...….………......Terrie Wimer

Treasurer/Financial Secretary…….……...Teresa Raymond

Director of Communications……….…..……...Mekala Smith

Nursery Superintendent……………...………...Evelyn Porter

Nursery Attendant………….....…...….…....Penny Geasland

Nursery Attendant……………................……....Cindy Kelley

Pianist/Organist…………………..…………...Nancy Flowers

Building Superintendent…………..…...…..…...Bill Porter

Custodian……………………….….........Israel Rodriguez

Custodian/Setup…………..……...…..…….…..Bill Taylor

First United Methodist Church 1005 Leisure Road ~ Post Office Box 450387 ~ Grove, OK 74345

www.groveumc.org ~ Office: 918.786.5148

Grove First United Methodist Church Staff

Heritage Childcare & Preschool

Post Office Box 450387

Grove, OK 74345

918.786.5889

Director………………..…….…..Paula Honeyman

Administrator……..…………..…..….Eddisu Barker