The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas Texas 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas Texas and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter. PO Box 660275, Dallas Texas 75266-0275.

THE WORDan edition ofThe United Methodist Reporter

Two Sections, Section A / 039880 / Vol. 159 / N0 17 / August 24, 2012

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church1301 S. Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119

(918) 583-5181 - www.bostonavenue.org

Pastor’s column4A

Guys ‘n Dolls Dance 5A

Confirmation begins 8A

ThisSunday,August26th,at5:00p.m.,theReligion&RaceCommittee(representedbyPaulaGradney,standingleft,andMaeSmiley,right,willhosta“ComingHome”Vespers.Theywillbringfoodfromtheirculturalbackgroundsfora“tasting’”andDr.BillCrowell(right)willleadthelitany.SarahJenkins(center),VanaMatte(left),&ShaneFernandez(notpictured)-willsharehowtheiruniquebackgroundsintheirownethnicitiesbroughtthemtotheUnitedMethodistChurchandtoBostonAvenueinparticular.Allareinvitedtocome,learn,andenjoy!

Vespers to share ethnic faith perspectives

Open Tables aids understanding

Enhance financial skills at FPU!

Bolivia mission team has a great story to share this Sunday!

Open Tables, an interfaith effort to build relationships and in-crease understanding through shared meals, is beginning a new year! The program involves three potluck-style dinners - October 28; January 13, 2012; and April 28 - designed to share food and dialogue. All begin at 5:30 p.m. in Jubilee Hall. Participants agree together to make the dinners a priority, eat at tables with people from other faiths and enjoy educational presentations. Participants are asked to bring a favorite dish to share, an open mind, respect for the different traditions, and willingness to dialogue. Cost is $5 per person. Contact Vicky Langston at 918-307-1997 or revguyo@windstream.net for more information.

Financial Peace University (FPU), beginning September 23, is a great way to hone financial skills! The nine-week Sunday morning class will help everyone learn to manage money more effectively. Facilitators are Eric and Megan Linn would like to clear up a few common misconceptions about FPU: *FPU is only a program for those who are in financial trouble. *FPU is only for those who are financially sound and want to learn how to invest. *In class, we will have to air all of our financial “dirty laundry” in front of the other members. Ifthesearemisconceptions,thenwhoisFPUfor? “The answer is everyone,” Megan writes. “Your age, profession, income level, debt level or anything else by which we identify our finances does not

(Continuedonpage4A)

“What do you do when the team is a day and a half late? .... When the team arrives and their luggage does not?” writes Bolivia mis-

sionary Skip Hodges. In his blog, www.skiphodges.com, he then shares the story of our Bolivia mission team’s struggles, his adventures fording a river twice in a dilapi-dated van to retrieve their luggage, and their great spirit throughout their mission. “So why have I regaled you with this long and tiresome tale?” he asks. “I honestly think it was the strangest series of events to stike any of my teams so far, BUT they completely took it in stride. I could not have asked for a better group of folks. “They actually remembered that their mission of sharing God’s great love was more important than the “task” of putting on a medical clinic and repairing the build-ing. They shared with the community and

allowed the community to share with them. When the community saw that they were cold and without jackets, they brought them their own — freak-ishly biblical! The community didn’t come with their hands out begging from the ‘rich Americans,’ but came with open hands bearing gifts. “We saw patients, painted walls, redid wiring, and installed faucets, but more importantly, we built relation-ships. We shared with sisters and brothers in Christ from another part of the world. I’m so excited about what the Boston Avenue team will take back to that wonderful church!” Come see pictures and hear the

story our team has to tell this Sunday at 6:00 p.m in Community Hall! LindsleyAycockchecksvitalsignsattheclinic.

NancyChristy,alocalwoman,andLindaBullposeinafieldofwildflow-ers,amajorcropinBolivia.

Page 4A August 24, 2012

B.A. updateFrom the Pastor’s StudyMouzonBiggs,Jr.

Sunday we will begin the last season of the liturgical year, Kingdomtide. We anticipated the arrival of the baby Jesus during Advent. We celebrated his birth in Christmastide. The twelfth day of Christmas ushered in Epiphany (to reveal, to show, to make manifest), the season thanking God for revealing his Son to us Gentiles in the form of the magi’s reaching Bethlehem. Ash Wednesday began forty days of Lent, another season of anticipation before the suffering and crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. Easter is the supreme celebration that death does not have the last word. The crucified Jesus was raised by the love and power of God. Our joy spanned the next seven weeks. Seven weeks after Passover, the Jews filled their religious center, Jerusalem, for the Feast of Weeks, a “week of weeks.” The day after, the 50th - called “Pentecost” in Greek, God’s Holy Spirit came anew like “tongues of fire.” This last season, Kingdomtide, is for asking again, “Thy king-dom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” My sermon will be, “IS THERE A WRONG TIME TO DO A GOOD THING?” Come and help us fill our church!

A new choir year is off to a great start! Children, youth and adults are all welcome to participate! If you or your student are not yet enrolled, it’s not too late. In fact, this is a great time to get involved as all groups are starting on new music for the fall. Rehearsal times are: Academy Cherubs (4 year old-kindergarten) will be taught by Joan Hatley on Sundays from 9:40-10:40 in room 122. Academy Choraliers (1st-2nd Grades) will meet with Joan Hatley from 11:00 to noon in room 215. Academy Choristers (Grades 3-5) are taught by Ginny LeDoux from 11:00 to noon in the Little Choir Room Chapel Choir (Grades 6-12) is led by Dr. Joel Panciera on Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir (adult) led by Dr. Joel Panciera, rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Choirs provide a wonderful opportunity to : *Learn worship traditions, liturgy and sacred songs. *Learn music from cultures around the world to enhance un-derstanding and faith. *Develop leadership skills and confidence as worship leaders *Build a caring community of friends that support each other Students and adults are also invited to : *RING in a handbell ensemble (4th grade through adult) *Play an instrument in the orchestra Sign up in Bishop’s Hall on Sunday or email joelpanciera@bostonavenue.org or annwhite@bostonavenue.org.

A new choir year has begun!

Which will you choose? Want to learn something new this fall? Enroll in the classes of your choice this Sunday in Bishops’ Hall! Choices include: Financial Peace University - see page 1A EntreLeadership with Dave Ramsey - Our church is the site for a special, one-day simulcast class on Friday, September 21st. This is Ramsey’s premiere leadership training program, and he will personally teach individuals, teams and businesses how to grow leadership abilities or a business. Cost is $39 per person, and our church will pay the first $10 for B.A. members only. Box lunches are available for $8. Cyber Awareness Class - This Sunday, learn to be aware of dangers on the Internet and how to avoid them. Keep yourself and your children safe! The Internet is a marvelous invention, but hackers and predators can use it to harm you or someone you love. Operation Aware is offering an adults-only class, “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, the Internet” this Sunday, August 26th, at 9:40 a.m. in Jubilee Hall. Bring your laptop, Ipad or tablet to class and learn helpful privacy settings, rules and expectations for Internet use.

Bible studies: Three new Immersion classes invite students to journey inside the pages of scripture to meet a personal God who interacts with individual lives. Inspired by a new translation, the CommonEnglishBible, Immersion stands firmly on scripture and helps you explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of your personal faith. The Book of Mark will be taught by Marita Morgan on Wednes-days, 6:00-7:30, from September 12 to October 31. The Book of Genesis will be taught by Rev. Paul Staat on Mondays, 6:00-7:30, from September 17 to November 5. Galations, Ephesians & Philippians will be taught by Dr. David Robbins on Mondays, 6:00-7:30, from September 10 to October 15. Invitation to Old Testament, part of the Invitation Bible study series, will be taught by Tom Cox on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30, September 12 to November 7. Come hear the story of God’s calling of the people if Israel through the many “voices” of the biblical text. What does it mean to be God’s chosen people? Two studies, Left Behind and Journey, begin later in the fall. Left Behind? will be taught be Dr. Bill Crowell and will focus on what the Bible really has to be say about the end times. Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem - travel via Adam Hamilton video from Nazareth to Bethlehem in this fascinating study of the birth of Jesus Christ. This 5-session class begins November 5th with DVD’s filmed in the Holy Land. Led by Deanne McArtor.

Deaths Linda Loughridge died August 16, 2012. Services were held August 21 at Bos-ton Avenue with Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr., officiating. Survi-vors include her husband, Dr. Bill Loughridge; daughters and sons-in-law, Laurie and Matt Wollmershauser, Amy Loughridge and Jay Acquaviva, and Lisa and Eivind Olsen; grandchildren, Bailey, Justin, and Tyler Wollmershauser, and Gunnar and Talle Olsen; and brother, James Harrell. Gene Womble died August 13, 2012. Services were held August 17 at Stanley’s Memo-rial Chapel in Tulsa. Survivors include his daughters, Martha and Robert Hutton, Sara and Frank Dale, and Julie and Dan Anderson; seven grandchildren; and sister, Alma Price.Weddings Andrew Grimm and Grace Grothaus were married at Boston Avenue on July 21, 2012 with Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr., officiating. The groom’s parents are Bill and Sharon Grimm.Hospitalized Last Week St. John - James Leake, Pearl Thurston St. Francis - Marie Cog-gins, Steve Eaton, Roy Hanson St. Francis, South - Frank McGee

TheyouthChapelChoirfilledthechoirloftSunday!

matter. “The truth is that FPU is an opportunity for education and empowerment. It’s a tool to help us all take charge of our finances, no matter where we are along our journey. “Please take a moment to drop by our table one of the next few Sundays - we’d love to visit with you about what our class is really about and how you are guaranteed to benefit from what it has to offer.” Classes meet Sundays from 9:00-10:30 a.m. For more an-swers to frequently asked ques-tions about FPU, email bill-crowell@bostonavenue.org or visit http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/faq/

Financial Peace(continued)

Twenty classes earn honors Twenty classes earned recognition on the first Sunday of the 2012 attendance campaign. Those who surpassed their average Sunday last year include Tenth Grade, Twelfth Grade, College& Career, New Frontiers, Horizons, Maranatha, Disciples, Pilgrimage, Roundtable, Heri-tage, and Wesley Fellowship. Those who beat their best Sunday last year during this period are Preschool 2, Ephphatha, and Seek & Discover. Those who reached 110% over their best Sunday last year are Infants/Toddlers, Nursery 2, Sixth Grade, Seventh Grade, Ninth Grade, and our young adult Journey Class. Congratulations!

Come enjoy a Senior Adult Summit! All senior adults are invited to the Senior Adult Summit September 10-12 at beautiful Camp Egan. Bishop Hayes will lead the opening worship and classes include Oklahoma Folklore, Why Study History?, Genealogy, Yoga, Planning with Kids, and Balance and Fall Prevention. Enjoy Oklahoma-themed meals and fun! Contact Rev. Paul Staat, 918-699-0133 or pdstaat@msn.com.

August 24, 2012 Page 5A

Youth News!! . . .

Sunday WorshipAugust 26, 2012

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

12:10 p.m. Holy Communion & Service of Healing 5:00 p.m. Vesper Communion Dinner 6:00 p.m. Bolivia Mission Team Report

Prelude: O Praise Ye the Lord .......... arr. Kenneth Lowenberg Dr. Susan Panciera, Organist Anthem: Panis Angelicus .......................................... César Franck David Reck, French horn (8:30 & 11:00)Offertory: Allegretto in C ......... Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Anthem: How Firm a Foundation ............ arr. Emma Lou Diemer The Chapel Choir (8:30) Gloria ................................................. composer unknown The Chancel Choir (11:00)Postlude: Toccata on “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” ............... Albert Travis

UMW NewsBy Janet McCutchen Graham

Memorials

9:30 a.m. Communion Service9:40 a.m. Sunday School8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services Sermon: “IS THERE A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING?” Luke13:10-17 Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr.Music:

Senior High news

6th, 7th and 8th Grade

The United Methodist Women’s Mission Tea will be Saturday, September 22nd, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the home of Sheila and Royce Parr. The Oklahoma Confer-ence UMW Annual Meeting will be Friday-Saturday, Octo-ber 5-6 in Elk City. Besides the Friday night district training session, the 2013 mission stud-ies will be on the agenda. The featured speaker will be the Rev. Jeremy Bassett, head of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries.

Meet our newest members Bruce Caple joined Sun-day. He has two grown children and a young son, Chandler.

Hymns: 160 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart 427 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life 422 Jesus, Thine All-Victorious Love

Have a prayer request?Call our prayer line

at 918-699-0158

Get Set, Confirmands, to begin this new journey of faith! Classes start Sunday morning to help you prepare to become a member of Boston Avenue UMC. It is a great way to set your in-ternal compass on the right path. Your teachers are prepared and ready to greet you in your classroom in the confirmation suite. All confirmands will be treated to a pizza lunch and acolyte training at noon Sunday. Confirmation parents will meet on the third floor, with child care for siblings on the first floor Children’s Building. Parents will meet the leadership team, get acquainted with each other, learn about important dates, and have time to ask questions. If you have not yet registered your confirmation-age student, Sunday would be a good day to come join our class. Get Set, 7th and 8th grade, for another great Sunday. Be-cause we want you to be knowledgeable and stay safe, we are presenting a class on Cyber Safety this Sunday morning. Opera-tion Aware leaders will lead this class, with information and time for questions. You can also sign up to serve as a mid-high officer! Cyber Safety for parents and interested adults will be offered Sunday morning in Jubilee Hall at 9:45 am. If you have a teen-ager using the Internet in your home, this class is for you. Get Set to serve others this Sunday at St. Luke’s UMC. Mid high and parents are providing and serving dinner. E-mail lists have been sent to each home showing ways you can help. We will meet at St. Luke’s at 4:30. If you need a ride, call Debbie. District Youth Meeting is Sunday, 2:00-3:30 at Sand Springs UMC to elect district officers. Want to be a mid high leader? Let me know this week and I will get you an application and details. Since the meeting overlaps some of our Sunday activities, you do not have to be present to be considered for an office. Be part of the connectional church and serve on district. Positively yours - Debbie

ScenesfromtheGuys&DollsSockHop

GENERAL ENDOWMENTIn memory of Lloyd Parker By: Richard and Ann GibbsIn memory of Gwen Mitchell By: David and Karen JohnstonIn memory of Wanda Franks By: James and Jane Newth and JoAnn PriceMISSION ENDOWMENTIn memory of Gwen Mitchell By: Wesley Fellowship ClassIn memory of Miriam Easter By: Wesley Fellowship Class

Cyberdangersdoexist!Learnhowtokeepyourselfandyourfamilysafe.TheInternetisamarvelousinvention,buthackerscanuseittoharmyouorsomeoneyoulove. OperationAwarewillleadanadultclassthisSundayat9:40a.m.inJubileeHall.

Cyber safety class Sunday

Bringyourlap-top,Ipadortabletandlearngreattips!

This Sunday, August 26th...GET SET to be informed about CYBER Safety. The best defense against internet creepers is EDUCATION. Operation Aware has a class just for us during Sunday School in 420. Bring your smart phones, laptops or tab-lets to class if you have them. The adult-only Cyber Safety class will be held Sunday in Jubilee Hall during Sunday School as well. We are excited to form two new girls’ groups! This Sunday at noon, Freshmen and Sophomore girls will meet on the 4th floor over lunch! Michelle Phillips and Holly Raley will lead our freshmen and Karen Tankersley and Kelly Loud will partner with Sophomore girls. Both groups will form new UMW circles - a new generation of UMW leaders! If you know a freshmen or sophomore girl who would like to be part of this missional group, contact me immediately! We ALWAYS have room for more! At 2:00 p.m. Sunday, all youth are invited to District Youth Council in Sand Springs. We will leave from B.A. at 1:30 and return by 4. Officer elections will be held. If you want to run for office, let me know and we will be sure your application is completed before the meeting. You are encouraged to be part of the many committees as well. We are a connectional church and work hard to stay connected with other churches in our District! Other stuff to sign up for...Bolivia Spring Break Mission, OCCJ Facilitator Training, and Bible Academy beginning Sept. 9. Thanks to the Luks for hosting our “Bounce back into Fall” event Sunday! It was great to cool off after Bounce U! Senior high youth are ready to LEAD! We have a leadership structure and are ready to elect officers. If you are interested in holding an office in the youth group, pick up an application on 4th floor, download from Facebook or let me know and I’ll send you one! I am excited for our youth to step up in leadership and share their faith in many ways! Elections will be held by ballot on September 9th and 12th. Applications are due by September 5. Sharing the love of Christ never stops!! Audra See you in Sunday School....your class is counting on you!

Page 8A August 24, 2012

Class News . . .

Weekly Calendar

Sunday School at a glance...Adult Classes for Sunday, August 26, 2012

Visitors are welcome in all classes.

Sunday - August 26, 20128:30 a.m. Worship Service9:30 Communion Service9:40 Sunday School9:40 Faith Academy9:40 Cyber Safety Class10:40 Children’s Worship11:00 Worship Service12:00 Mosaic rehearsal12:00 Confirmation parent orientation12:00 Acolyte training12:10 p.m. Communion5:00 Vesper Communion6:00 Bolivia VIM reportMonday - August 276:00 p.m. Men’s basketball 7:15 Troop 20

Tuesday - August 2811:00 a.m. Building Committee5:00 p.m. Budget Committee5:30 p.m. Finance Committee6:30 Administrative BoardWednesday - August 295:00 p.m. Snack supper5:30 Mid High Advisory Team6:00 Chapel Choir6:00 Yoga7:00 Senior High youth7:30 Chancel ChoirThursday - August 3010:00 Staff Meeting6:00 PCCT Parenting ClassesFriday - August 315:30 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous5:30 GamAnon

Dr. Biggs’ Class - Greatest Bible stories and passagesCollege & Career - to be announcedCornerstone - Tom Campbell, “Three Facts of Life”Disciples - Adam Hamilton series, “Why”Ephphatha - Mike LimasHeritage - Brenda Reed, “Faith from the Backside”Homebuilders - Handy Waychoff, “Trouble with Resurrection” Horizons - Class officer electionsJourney - Dr. Bill Tankersley, “Environmental Issues”Maranatha - Dr. Gary Peluso-VerdendNew Covenant - The Thompsons’ report on Bolivia MissionNew Frontiers - Judy Rowell, “Mary and Martha”Pilgrimage - Jackie NeelRoundtable - Class orientation and Committee 2013 sign-upSeek & Discover - Dr. Howard Plowman, “Law Requirements”Wesley Fellowship - Richard Wansley, “Faith & Mental Illness”

Cornerstone Thanks to Tommy Sharp for getting the Day Center for the Homeless meal together. Tom Campbell returns this week to finish our discussion on “Three Facts of Life.” We welcomed Kasi and Ross McLaughlin. Our condolences go to Tommy Sharp on the passing of his grandmother.Disciples We had a room full on Sunday, but we still have room for you. Our lesson is interesting, our treats delicious, and our conversation fun. Two more have kids who have left for college and two more are going through confirmation. Come find out which ones.Ephphatha Mike Limas will be our teacher this Sunday. We appreciated another great lesson last week from Carol Bean.Heritage Brenda Reed will continue her series this week. Thanks to Evelyn McPher-son for our treats last week. The Duncans will bring them this week.Homebuilders Handy Waychoff will con-clude his very interesting series on “The Trouble With Resur-rection” this week. We thank him for teaching us. Please keep Patsy Brown and June Cleary in your prayers. Our music was led by Donna Cartwright and Rich-ard Gibbs. The Rubottoms furnished the coffee and the Setsers the treats.Horizons Class elections will be held this Sunday, August 26. Thanks to all who helped with Lindsay House. The work is complete. This week the Fernandezes will bring our treats. Happy birthday to Tricia Hoyt and Kirsten Stovall. Thanks to Rocky for step-ping in to give our lesson in lieu of elections. We thank the Davises for our treats. We will have a brunch on

Sunday, September 2.Journey We will be participating in “Downtown For Good” as a class this year. Make plans to join us on September 29. Dr. Tankersley will con-tinue his lessons this Sunday.Maranatha Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend will speak to us about work again this Sunday. Welcome to our new class members, Clark and Mary Bundren. Come and be counted! New Covenant Football reports will be forthcoming each Sunday from Dr. Reese Boone. This Sunday we will have a report from the recent volun-teer in mission team to Bolivia. Keep Carolyn Krueger, Bob Lees, Joyce Byrne Roy Hanson, and Wilma Gilliland in your prayers. Maxine Lees is celebrating a birthday. Thanks to Rev. Ken Tobler for an excellent Bible series. Thanks to Dot Kelly for our treats, and Dorothy Nix and Ruth Boone for the music.New Frontiers Thank you to Judy Rowell for her lesson on the universal theme of love as exemplified by the story of blind Bartime-aus. We look forward to Judy’s lesson this week on the story of Mary and Martha. The Sextons will be pro-viding our snacks this week. Be sure you are counted for the fall attendance cam-paign. We look forward to seeing everyone in class.Pilgrimage Check out the wealth of classes offered this fall to learn more about the Bible, finan-cial matters, UMW, and choir. These are wonderful ways to grow in your faith. Our speaker Sunday will be Jackie Neel. We welcomed Dr. Blue’s husband, Jim Wilson, as our guest last week. Our thanks to Dr. Ellen Blue for her lessons on Meth-odist women in New Orleans. September 29 is your opportunity to be a part of

Downtown For Good. Sign up in Bishops’ Hall or give the church a call. Roundtable This week we will have a class orientation and 2013 com-mittee sign-up. Happy birthday to Dick Pinkstaff and Lloyd Zelewski. Last week Michelle Place finished her lesson on “Good and Evil.” Thanks to Sybil Tyler for our refreshments.Seek and Discover Go to Vespers this Sunday, August 26, and immediately afterward see the movie about “Laura and Friends in Bolivia.” Rev. Howard Plowman will conclude his discussions on what “church-goers” believe and live by this week. Last Sunday we talked about the insights we gained from Bible stories of old. Every choir was full of excited happy Methodists. Way to go, classmates! Happy birthday to Jim and Sandra.Wesley Fellowship Ed Monnet gave the devotional-prayer, then intro-duced our speakers, Dr. Richard Wansley, Steve Jacoby and Mike Brose, who gave our les-son and will continue this week. Please come help our atten-dance record. Keep Doris Combs, Faye Dean Bath, Alice Grubb, Ray McLain, Betty Taylor and Mary Ward in your prayers of heal-ing. We were glad to see Ilene Kennon back with us. Happy birthday to Erma Spann, Sylvia Byers, Dan Rog-ers, Linda Wallace and Marge Neal. Make a note that the Ice Cream Social will be Friday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. in Com-munity Hall. Thanks to Twila, Harold and Philelle. Blessings -

Psalm71:1-6Isaiah5:1-7Luke13:10-17

Hebrews12:18-29

August 26, 2011

Lectionary Readings

New Confirmation Class begins Thirty-onesixthgradersbeganConfirmationClassinearnestlastSunday.ThestudentsandtheirparentsmettogetherforacovenantserviceinRoseChapel,ledbytheRev.GuyLangston(center).ThestudentswillworkwithDebbiePetersonandtheconfirmationteamthisfallandenjoyaretreattoCampEganSeptember7-8.TheywillbeconfirmedonNovember11.