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A publication of :
First United Methodist Church
With Campuses at Caddo and Durant
5400 W. Main , Durant, OK 74701
P O Box 518, Durant, OK 74702-0518 580-924-4670 / [email protected] www.durantumc.org
Rev. John Breon—Senior Pastor Kim Vincent — Director of Children’s Ministries Pam Carey—Youth Director Nancy Breon—Director of Music Marylin Smith—Organist Dhon Bowen—Worship Technology Director Janice Balkenbush– Administrative Assistant
As of this writing, we’ve been dealing with the spread of COVID-19 for over six weeks. We’ve experienced new realities and learned new terms like COVID-19, novel coronavirus, social distancing (some say “physical distancing” is a better phrase), shelter-at-home, safer-at-home, etc. This new reality is uncomfortable, inconvenient, and annoying. But it can also show us what’s really important, what we can do without, and what we really need. It’s possible that we can get closer to God during this time. Maybe our character will take a more Christlike shape
through this experience.
Coinciding with this lockdown, I’ve experienced health issues. Back and neck pain that had come and gone for some time came to stay. After the pain was treated and pretty much gone, my feet started getting numb. On Palm Sunday, I fell going out of the house on the way to record worship at church. I fell again walking in the hall at church. That afternoon I went to the ER and wound up in a hospital in Plano. I was to follow up with a couple of specialists, but due to COVID-19 those appointments had to be put off. For over three weeks, I’ve been using a walker. This week (last of April) I go to a neurologist and hope to see a spine surgeon soon. In a way this was good timing. But all of this has kept me from doing things I could have done during quarantine. It’s been scary and frustrating. Thank you for your expressions of concern and your prayers. Thanks also to those who have told me about their own experiences with problems like these. Your recovery gives me hope.
So, a lot has changed in the past couple of months. But, as my brother wrote recently, in a way nothing has changed. After telling about how he came to faith in Jesus, Steve says:
In a very real sense, my life belonged to God. God took me in His hands and held me close. Even though I have had plenty of missteps along the way, God has always held me close. Still does. Nothing Changed. When the circumstances of the world changed—God was still God. When financial markets went goofy—God was still God. When sickness and death became the default for the news—God was still God. When I worried about (too much to list) God was still God. Nothing Changed. Nothing that ultimately matters. Nothing that keeps me in relationship with Jesus. Nothing that God wants to do in my life. You see, nothing can separate us from the love of God. (You have read that one in Romans 8). Though the world change, God remains. Nothing Changed. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
God bless,
Pastor John
The Tower is now being e-mailed. Please make
sure we have your current e-mail in our records. This
will ensure you receive our communications.
When Will We Worship Together Again?
That’s a great question that’s on all of our minds. And the answer is, we
don’t know. The state of Oklahoma is starting to open up some in May (with
various restrictions still in place). The guidance from our bishop and Conference leadership is to wait on opening churches. I've heard from
pastors in other denominations that they are receiving similar guidance. I’ve
sent updates from Bishop Nunn to our church Leadership Team and shared articles on Facebook. The best source of information for Oklahoma United
Methodists is www.okumc.org. I also found this article helpful: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/april-web-only/churches-reopen-older
-adults-coronavirus-risk-states.html?
fbclid=IwAR3gdbA7tXP8t6icy6PD_0OHPqUaoLwtVLnbHEKiURM1UrGZmhRL
CKv54Po. I keep urging patience. When the time is right and it’s safe for all
of us—over 65 and very young and everyone in between—to gather for worship, we’ll let you know. And we’ll have an amazing celebration in
worship of our good and glorious God!
May Sermons—Worship online with us:
3 “God Sent the Spirit” (Galatians 3:26-4:7) 10 “The Gift and the Gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) 17 “Water in the Wilderness” (Isaiah 43:18-21) 24 “Revealed by God’s Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) 31 Pentecost “The Holy Spirit Came” (Acts 11:1-8)
zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/5809166055?pwd=U28weWpZZTAwazFUdis0cWFlaERudz09
Services can be viewed at durantumc.org under the Sermon tab. We pray our normal service times return soon— Durant 10am and Caddo 11:00am.
Choir and Bell Choir will not meet for a few weeks. I will contact you when we're able to begin again.
Anyone who would like to provide special music for our online services in the next weeks, please contact me. [email protected]
Kimberly Vincent-- 580-380-5458-- [email protected]
VBS is coming!! July 6th-July 10th
VBS will hopefully be here before you know it. This year join us as we venture into a frozen land in search of the King’s mighty
armor in Knights of the North Castle. If you would like to help in any way please let Kim know. I am still in need of a science teacher! If
you feel you could step into that role please let me know. All materials and plans are provided for you. Also please start to be in
prayer for this wonderful week of outreach! Thank you!
Summer Camps are coming-YAY! The church will pay ½ the cost of camp for any camper wanting to join in on this awesome experience.
Here are the dates so you can start planning your summer.
Sonshine: entering grades: 1-2 June 20-21 $89 Growin’ in Grace: entering grades: 3-5 July 10-12 $198
6th Grade camp: entering grade 6 July 10-12 $198
FUMC First Kids News
Come join us July 4th in front of the church for our 5th annual Lights
on the Lawn. From our front lawn you can see fireworks from all over
the city, as well as a great view of the show put on by Choctaw Casino,
without the traffic. There will be drinks and snacks provided by the
children’s department. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and some bug
spray and come join in on the fun. The festivities will start at 8:30.
We have had lots of fun playing Zoom Bingo, online
scavenger hunts and Pam’s weekly challenges!
Mission Trip
UMCOR Sager Brown Baldwin, LA
July 19th - 24th
Cost per person of the trip will be $150.00. This covers all meals, stay, our donation to UMCOR, and sightseeing trips. Please let me know if you are interested in going. Deadline to sign up will be May 24.
Cross Point Youth Camp
7th Grade- Graduated Seniors June 1-5 Monday - Friday
Cross Point Youth Camp is an experience your
youth will not want to miss. This week includes
lake side activities, challenge course fun and
most importantly spiritual experiences. You are
more than welcome to invite friends to go to
camp with you.
Your cost is $75 by May 10th and $100 after May
10th You will write your check to First United
Methodist Church in the memo write "camp for
____". To Register for Camp go to
okcamp.org be sure and check that you are with
Durant Church and you are paying through your
church. {Do not pay online.} If you have any
questions just ask Pam. This will be a great and
fun experience, hope everyone can make it!
1st place Josh Smith 2nd Place Hannah Balkenbush 3rd place Audrey Gordon
2nd—Beverly Nelson
7th—Arnold Walker, Raylei Garrett, Luke Willman
8th—Kale Mazzone 16th—Daniel Marcy
17th—Sam Sanchez 18th—Lydia Roper 19th– Betty Jones,
Jeff Shattuck 20th -Ashley Marcy,
Ivan Matthews 21st—Todd Anthony,
Wayne Mauldin
22nd—Marilyn Williams 23rd—Beth Boothe,
Addi Jackson 24th—Norene Shaffer
26th—June Sidles
29th—James Corley
Thank You for Your Generous Hearts and Continued Giving
We are truly humbled and grateful to all who continue to give despite the financial climate in our country right now and not being able to congregate and worship in person. While mailing cash or a check to our church office is always an option for giving, if you are looking for a safe and secure alternative to mailing your offer-ing, we encourage you to check out these additional options:
Online at our website: https://onrealm.org/durantumc//Give/URBNSPRIXD
text: FUMCDURANT TO 73256 Mail: P.O. Box 518 Durant, OK 74702-0518
The Upper Room devotional books for May-June 2020 are available. Please e-mail the church at [email protected] to request a copy. They will be mailed or delivered depending on the circumstances.
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First United Methodist Church
PO Box 518
Durant, Oklahoma 74702
Volume 24 May 2020 No. 5
Remember In Prayer Military Personnel
Travis Dill-stateside
David Dill –stateside
Tim Hanson-Germany
Micah Hanson –S. Korea
Mark Long– Ft.
Huachuca
Camaron Smith-
Stateside
Aaron McKinney
– Tinker AFB
Special Needs
Donna Milson
Sue Morris
Larry Marcy
Steve Kirven
Special Needs
Pastor John
Irene Michael
Jo Ann Howard
Peggy Shepard
Nursing Care
Myra Lester
Robert Rhoden
Esther Breon
Assisted Living
Janet Tompkins
Home Bound
Ann Endebrock
Jack & Johnnye McBee
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Please notify the church office of any
additions or changes to the prayer list.
