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Our Mission: To be the head , heart and hands of Christ!
A publication of :
First United Methodist Church
With Campuses at Caddo and Durant
5400 W. Main
Durant, Oklahoma 74701
(580-924-4670) (580-367-2415) Caddo
www.durantumc.org
Rev. John Breon—Senior Pastor Tim Ford—Associate Pastor & Youth Kim Vincent — Director of Children’s Ministries Nancy Breon—Director of Traditional Music Ivan Matthews-Director of Contemporary Music Dakota Marcy—Worship Technology Director Dalton Marcy– Sound Technician Lindy Hanson– Administrative Assistant
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake
of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of
the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for
whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that
I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a
righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—
the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know
the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take
hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself
yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward
what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:7-14 New International Version)
My friend David Daniel at Ardmore First UMC has invited me to be one of their Holy Week Luncheon speakers on Good Friday. He’s asking all the speakers to address the question, “How has the resurrection of Jesus Christ affected you and your faith?” Wow! That’s a big question that will take a lifetime to answer.
We could say with the apostle Paul that without the resurrection of Jesus our faith in in vain, we are still in our sins, and we’re without hope (1 Corinthians 15:1-19).
My first thought when I read David’s question was to go to another letter of Paul’s, the passage from Philippians that I’ve quoted at the top of this article. The thoughts I’m developing in answer to the question include the belief that being a Christian means knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection and participation/fellowship/sharing in his suffering. I often recall that verse when I take Holy Communion.
I’m also thinking about scholarly and skeptical challenges to belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus. I resist those challenges and I’m inspired by scholars who do hold to belief in Jesus’ literal, physical resurrection. Jesus entered a new kind of life and existence, but it includes his transformed body, it doesn’t abandon it.
The power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us now in the Holy Spirit.
Our hope for the future includes sharing a resurrection like Jesus’, being raised like him. Paul mentions this a little later in Philippians 3:20-21.
One of my favorite phrases about the resurrection, that I quote again and again is, “The joy of the resurrection renews the whole world.”
Pastor John
Please e-mail Tower news to: [email protected]
April Sermons April 2nd— “Lord, When Did We See You?”
Matthew 25:31-46
April 9/Palm Sunday- “Thy Will Be Done”
Matthew 26:36-46
April 13th/Maundy Thursday-7pm
April 16/Easter— “Fear and Great Joy” Matthew 28:1-10 April 23- “Weeping, then Rejoicing” Psalm 30 April 30/Confirmation- “God Confirms Us” 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Sermons can be heard at durantumc.org We welcome you to any of our three services Durant 9am and 11am and Caddo 11am
Sunday Happenings 9am Worship
10am Sunday School
11am Worship Caddo
5-7pm UMY
This will be the second community-wide prayer gathering and we’re hosting it at First UMC, Durant campus. Join fellow believers from all over the area to pray for each other, to pray for revival, to pray for our whole community. As host church, we’ll also need people to help with greeting, ushering, etc. Contact the church office to volunteer. 580-924-4670
Did you know prayer is so important that it is mentioned over 250 times in Scripture? Prayer is a way to acknowledge who is really in control of our lives.
Karen Chaffin –Guest Speaker
Karen is a nationally known author, speaker
and writer. She is from Ardmore FUMC
where she taught multiple Bible classes including
a large community-wide study. Passionate about
the Word of God, she desires to help others
discover the great adventure of loving God with
all your heart, mind, and soul.
Our donation this year is a gift card from
Walmart or Dollar General (please list the amount
on back of the card)
The van will leave FUMC Durant at 7:30am
April Birthdays: 1st– Bethany Erickson 3rd– Lou Anne Mullens, Eric Breon 12th– Lorie Rogers 14th– Margie Sue Simpson 16th—Christy Hamilton, Amy Hervey 17th—Jody Nelson 18th– Amy Shaffer 19th– John Breon 22nd--Jim & Pat Saunders 25th—Jack Burrage, LeeAnna Williams 27th– Ryan Green, Dennis Starbuck 28th-Natalie Mendez, Jill Reyna 29th-Wesley Robinson 30th-Keith Robinson, Patrick Robinson
Our Sincere condolences to the family
of Suzanne Garrison. She passed away
on March 1, 2017.
First Quarter Statements have been sent or emailed. Please check for accuracy and call Kay with any corrections or questions. Kay 580-924-3673
2017 District Youth Camp: June 5-9 Students are encouraged to join me this year at our yearly District Camp. Camp is designed to break
away from the busyness of our lives and refocus on God. This week-long camp creates lasting memories, such as teamwork through ropes course activities, fellowship through the free time at the beach, worship music at the tabernacle with a live band, learning times through small group activities, and most importantly time with God away from distractions. This week-long camp is designed for rising 7th graders through graduating Seniors and will challenge them to grow in their walk with Jesus. The cost for camp (Due by 5/20/17): $260. Leader (Adult in College or older):$150. Tim will have forms for camp; please contact him by email, phone, or see him at church if you are or your student is interested in camp. Also, if money is an issue and you need a scholarship, please let Tim know your situation. We will make a way if you’re interested in going. Tim 252-756-3126
2017 District Youth Mission Trip: July 16-22
Matt Taylor will be leading students from our district to a week of missions in Denver, CO. Any students who have completed 9th grade thru graduated seniors in high school and any interested adults are encouraged to join them for this amazing experience of serving this community through missions. Call Matt @ 580-320-0844 for more details. Limited space. Cost $450, due by June 1st.
CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS Experiencing God through
Painting
2nd & 4th Tuesdays April 11th & 25th
10:00 to 12 noon 6 Sessions -Spring 2017
Mar 14-to-May 9
FUMC Durant Campus Painting sessions using Scripture and
Devotions to Emphasize God’s Divine Creation
“In the beginning God created the Heaven and
the Earth” Genesis 1:1
co-leader… Becky Van Conett 580.364.3230
co-leader… Desiree Blankenship 580.380.1844
First United Methodist Church 5400 Hwy 70 West Durant, OK
office phone: 580.924.4670
The Children's department is
focusing on our Easter unit. We are
taking donations until the end of
April to help us purchase a Lamb
through Heifer International. This
animal will be donated to a family in
need in an impoverished country.
Offering taken each week during
Sunday School. Thank You!
Walk to Emmaus. This program is sponsored by the Upper Room and intends to strengthen discipleship and develop Christian leaders. The experience begins with a 72-hour (Thursday evening through Sunday evening) retreat that includes a “short course in Christianity,” worship, music, food, fun, and fellowship. The name “Walk to Emmaus” comes from the experience of two disciples on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day of Jesus’ resurrection (Luke 24:13-35). It’s not an actual “walk” (except for the walking necessary to get around the camp).
We’re associated with Cross Point Emmaus that holds these weekends at Cross Point Camp. The next set of Walks is April 27-30 (men) and May 4-7 (women). For the women’s weekend this time, Sharri Hiller is the Lay Director, Nancy Breon is music leader, and John Breon is one of the Spiritual Directors/speakers.
If you’ve been involved in Emmaus, this is a good opportunity to become active again through prayer and other support or sponsoring someone. If you’ve not been involved and would like to be, this is a good time to get started. To attend the weekend, you need to be sponsored by someone who has attended before. Contact the church office and we’ll get you connected to a sponsor.
FUMC First Kids News Palm Sunday April 9th the children’s choir will sing and also bring in the palms at both the 9 and 11 services.
Please have your children here about 5 minutes prior to service starting.
Join us April 12th for our annual Easter egg hunt. The fun will start at 5:30 and include a hot-dog supper, plenty of eggs and candy, the Easter
bunny and some great fun! We are, however, in need of plastic candy filled eggs. You can drop them off in Kim’s office or the main office at any time. If you would like I can do the shopping and stuffing for you, just make a
monetary donation. Please remember to tape your eggs closed, so they will not pop open when thrown on the ground.
Would you like to have a date night out, without the kids? Here is your chance. April 8th from 5-8pm drop your kids off at the church for a Parents
Night Out. The kids will get supper, play time, movie, snack as well as activities and a lesson. Cost is $5 per child or $10 for a family. Please let
Kim know by April 5th if you would like to participate.
Church wide picnic May 17th. Come for some good food,
fellowship, and fun and weather permitting a movie on the playground.
Mark your calendar for June 12th- 16th it will be here before you know it. If you would like to help teach, plan, decorate, navigate kiddos or anything related to VBS, please let Kim know. Please save boxes for VBS! I need all shapes and sizes of boxes, nothing too big or too small. You can drop them off in my office at the end of the children’s hall.
Summer Camps are coming! The church will pay ½ the cost of camp for any camper wanting to join in on this awesome experience. If we can know and get
your kiddo registered before April 30th we can save $20. Also I am excited to let you now I will help as a Co-dean this year at Growin’ in Grace. If you would like
to help send a kiddo to camp, we are in need of donations to help provide scholarships for those who are not financially able. Please see Kim or simply make a note on your check donation. We thank you in advance for these gifts, they have
helped both Tim and me send kids to camp who would have otherwise not been able to go. Please see the information below to find the camp that is
right for your kiddos:
Sonshine: entering grades: 1-2 June 24-25 cost $ 79 Growin’ in Grace: entering grades: 3-5 July 14-16 cost $187
6th Grade camp: entering grade 6 July 14-16 cost $187
Sundays: Sunday School @ 10am / Wednesdays: GPS @ 6pm Kimberly Vincent---- 580-380-5458---- [email protected]
Update - IN HIS IMAGE: As some of you are aware, we have been doing a campaign called “In His Image” and it’s had a huge impact on our kids. Many of our students have been constantly asking to know who adopted them. They have been overjoyed to know someone cares. Several prayer partners have not only sent notes, but also given small gifts to their students. That is greatly appreciated. With that in mind, we plan to place lockers in the welcome area with all of the students’ names on them. This will make it easier for each student to receive gifts, notes, or even little goodie bags. Those of you who would like to give your students something can place gifts in the lockers for them to pick up. If you are unable to give in this way, please
continue as a prayer partner. We will find a way for each student to receive something. I know this isn’t ex-actly as we had planned, but with the overwhelming number of members adopting our kids we have had to figure out a way to make sure everyone receives something. What has happened that wasn’t my intent is that some students have not been adopted and thus have not received anything and these students have felt left out. So, having lockers will allow us to make sure everyone receives something throughout the year.
Seder Service, April 9th, 6pm-7pm Each year as we head into Holy Week we celebrate the week by a very special service called the
Seder-which means order. This service is designed around a Jewish tradition that retells the story of God’s
plan of salvation for all people. We will be tasting, eating, and using all of our senses and experiencing God’s story that has been passed down from generation to generation. This service is open to students, parents, and anyone who would like share in one of the oldest Jewish traditions—and as Christians it is part of our heritage. The fact that God has adopted us into his family makes this our story as well. Join us as we begin Holy Week with what possibly could have been what Jesus and the disciples did at the last supper.
Graduation Sunday May 7th, Durant 9am Service, Caddo 11am Service: If you are graduating or have a student graduating from High School or College, please contact the church office. We want to make sure we recognize them for their great accomplishments and encourage them to continue in their pursuit of following Jesus in the years ahead. Please contact the office ASAP so we can begin to plan the service. The deadline to turn in forms and pictures is Sunday, April 30th.
Summer 2017 Schedule Forms: In the next month be looking for the Summer Schedule for all the Youth Summer activities. Be on the look out; it’s coming soon!
Promotion Sunday, May 7th, 12:30p - 1:30p: Students that are moving up into 7th grade will go with Tim the Youth Director to meet and greet for lunch. Tim will spend some time with them after church. We will load the church van, take them to eat, and get some ice cream. Students will be invited to join the youth from 5p to 7p to experience our Sunday Night Youth. From this point forward, those that have graduated (Rising 7th graders) are welcome to join us on all youth events, including all summer activities.
Upcoming Schedule: Sunday Night Youth—Prayer Rally, 5-7pm, Sunday April 2nd Seder Service, 6pm, Sunday April 9th No Youth—Easter Sunday (April 16th) Sunday Night Youth—Orange Event, 5-7pm, Sunday April 23rd Sunday Night Youth—Variety Show, 5-7pm, Sunday April 30th Sunday Night Youth Ends, April 30th, (Summer Schedule Coming Soon) Graduation/Promotion Sunday—Durant, 9am, May 7
th, Caddo, 11am, May 7th
Cross Point Camp, Monday June 5th—Friday June 9th VBS—Student Servants—Durant, Monday June 12th-Friday June 16th Power-House (Calera), 3-6pm, Every Monday, Last Day May 1st Power-House (Caddo), 3-6pm, Every Tuesday, Last Day May 2nd Power-House (Bennington), 3-6pm, One Monday a Month, Last Day May 8th Power-House (Durant), 6-8pm, Every Wednesday, Last Day May 2nd
Durant, Silo, Mead youth, join us each week.
Tim Ford contact me at [email protected] or call 252.756.3126. or Church 580-924-4670
Sunday School – 10:00-10:50am
Sunday Night Youth – 5-7pm
Wednesday Night UMY-5-7pm
UMY News: April 2017
Bible Journaling class is on
Wednesday 6pm. Cost of the
study book is $10 Contact
Peggy Shepard. 940-206-7347 or
Come and join us! God’s Word
and lots of fun.
Nursery Provided
Martha’s Circle, is collecting food for Martha’s Pantry, to help the needy. Durant is helping out too with a box at the west entrance for non-perishable items.
GriefShare- Thursdays in Youth Room. 6-8pm Cost $20 If you are struggling with grief due to a loss, this group meets weekly to do a video study to help you walk through these dark valleys. Contact: Tim Ford [email protected] or 252-756-3126
Have you remembered the Church in your will?
Healthy Living Classes 10 & 6pm $10
April 6– Gardening for Health and Sustainability–
April 7&8– Garden Show– Fairgrounds- Garden Tower on display
Apri 20– Natural Pain Solutions
April 27– Natural Remedies from the Garden
April 29– Saturday– Medicine Workshop- 4hour 9am-1pm $35 early registration- $40
Space is limited and Preregistration required
Contact: Desiree Blankenship 580-380-1844
Please send your updated contact information to the Church office so we can be sure to use the correct address and phone number. Thanks! Lindy
Blessed to be a Blessing --- 2017 Spiritual Doodling
Bible Study Meet 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon
at the Durant FUMC campus, in the Fidelis Classroom.
First and Third Tuesdays thru May 2, 2017
Co-leaders: Beth Boothe 580-916-6076 & Patty Wells
580-920-5919 [email protected]
and Patty at [email protected]
Nursery provided
The Southeastern Symphonic Chorus will present “Heroes of the Old Testament” on Mon., April 10th at 7:30pm at the First United Methodist
Church of Durant. The choir of college students and community members will sing stories of Elijah, Miriam, David, and Ezekiel set by Mendelssohn, Schubert, and others. The concert features SE music faculty members–
Jeremy Blackwood, baritone; Nereida Garcia, soprano; Kate Stubbs, piano; and Joshua Nannestad, conductor. This is open to the public. Come enjoy this Fiery music!!
Maundy Thursday, April 13, 7:00. Service will include Scripture Readings, Choral Proclamation, and Holy Communion.
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First United Methodist Church
PO Box 518
Durant, Oklahoma 74702
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
Durant, Oklahoma Permit No. 151
April Volume 21 No. 4
Remember In Prayer Nursing Care
Helen Eggleton
Jim Jones
Myra Lester Marcelle Jones
Military Personnel
Nathan Wright
Ryan Ball
Tim Hanson
Micah Hanson
Arthur Thomas
Special Needs
Sue Dill’s family- Chris Labat & Ronnie Wright Pat Mauldin’s son– Alan Laura Carter’s family
Mildred Coleman
Bruce Hammet
Lynda Brothers
Shelly Ford’s dad
Joann Howard
Linda Hensley
Special Needs
Shelly’s Uncle
Margie Simpson
Liz McCraw’s dad
Mary Jo Heron
Louise Roberts
Judy Starbuck
Sal Pedraza
Agnes Easterling
Assisted Living
Beth Harper
Lyn Fene
Odessa McKinney
Janet Tompkins
Robert Rhoden-Oak Ridge Rm 31
Home Bound
Christine Tillett Annette Carlton
TOWER DELIVERY If you would like to get your Tower online please do the following: Send an e-mail request to the church office: [email protected]
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
