The school year is over, many activities are winding down, and summer can become a season of pulling back from the hectic pace of our lives. It is a time to remember that God rested as a part of the creation activity described in Genesis. The gospel accounts all show how Jesus found regular time away from the crowds. We too need rest so that we can live more healthy lives and be renewed for those moments when we are led to serve God and our neighbors.

Summer time has become a season where I “change” my ser-mon preparation by concentrating on a topic or current book for several weeks. Even such a small change can provide some new focus or energy to my sermon writing process. Beginning on Sunday, June 5, I’ll be preaching a 7-week series based upon Martin Thielen’s book, “What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?” Thielen is a United Methodist minister in Ten-nessee. Previously, he served in the Southern Baptist Conven-tion but became United Methodist as the former denomination became more fundamental and less moderate. One of my reasons for using this book as a resource is to help us see what is essen-tial to our faith and what is non-essential. Thielen summarizes it this way, “First, Christians don’t need to believe in close-minded faith. Second, Christians do need to believe in Jesus. And third, our beliefs in Jesus answer many of life’s most important ques-tions” (page 155).

Grace & peace,

What’s Inside

First United Methodist Church109 S. HarperPoteau, OK 74953

Non-Profit Org.

Permit No. 40

Poteau, OK 74953

Address Service Requested

VOLUME 19 NO. 6 JUNE, 2011 SErViNg gOd 118 YEarS

Weekly Communion9:10 A.M.

Sunday School9:30 A.M.

Morning Worship10:30 A.M.

Church Calendar ......................... 2Finance Report ........................... 2Sympathy Note ........................... 2Children and Youth .................... 3Correspondence ......................... 4Birthdays, Anniversaries ........... 4UMW ............................................. 4

The United Methodist News

The United Methodist NewsPASTOR TO PEOPLE

REV. DR. GREGORY J. TENER

JUNE CHURCH CALENDARWORSHIP BULLETIN DEADLINE:

10 a.m. each Thursday

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:Third Friday of each month

PAGE 2 JUNE, 2011

THE UNITED METHODIST NEWSPublished by the Communications Committee

Carol Baker, Communications Coordinator/EditorFIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

109 S. Harper, Poteau, OK 74953Telephone 918-647-2217

e-mail: rogers2006@windstream.netwebsite: www.poteaufumc.com

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. • Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.Weekly Communion 9:10 a.m. except first Sunday

Bishop Robert E. HayesDistrict Superintendent Darrell CatesPastor Rev. Dr. Gregory J. TenerAssociate Pastor Rev. Obed AlbaYouth & Children’s Director Kimberly HardawayMusic Director Steve ClarkChurch Secretary Brenda FergusonLead Nursery Attendant Jayla CraigOrganist Wendy KellyCustodian and Door Opener Darren Waggoner

District web page: www.gbgm-umc.org/mc-dist/

ACOLYTES

5 Aaron and Betty Ridenour12 Keith and Kay Thomas19 Ben and Judy Curtis26 David and Patty Redhage

12 Adult Reader19 Youth Reader26 Adult Reader

• SUNDAY •Weekly Communion, 9:10 a.m., Sanctuary

(Except on first Sunday of the month)UMYF (CHAOS), 5 p.m.

• WEDNESDAY •Celebration Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m., Ed. Bldg.

Rev. Alba’s Hispanic Bible Study, 7 p.m.

6-10 Bible School, 9 a.m. to 12 nppn11 UMM Meeting, 8 a.m.15 Membership Care Committee, 1 p.m.18 Free Neighborhood and Church Breakfast,

8-10 a.m.26 Church Council, 3:30 p.m.Poteau F.U.M.C. Report for April, 2011

2011 Average Attendance Figures for April: 1982011 Budget Requirements: $350,000.00Needed for Budget Each Week: $6,730.77

Needed through April: $114,423.09April Receipts: $34,854.44

April Expenditures: $34,728.56

New Building Fund Figures:Deposits: $830,229.89

Expenditures: $1,437,829.90

LITURGISTS

Weekly CommunionAt 9:10 each Sunday

morning (except first Sun-day of the month) Rev. Tener serves communion following a short devotional message. Dismissal is in time for Sun-day School.

Everyone is invited for weekly communion.

MORNING WORSHIP GREETERS

5 Demi Gilliam and Baleigh Quarry12 Jaydon Bandy and Luke Wheat19 Kylanna Hardaway and Jessa Craig26 Katie Redhage and Tabitha Zabala

The Membership Care Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Christian Family Life Center. They reach out to those who are homebound or are dealing with health issues or bereavement. Under the direc-tion of the pastor, volunteers may offer Holy Communion to those who desire to receive it. They make a phone call, send a card, or visit in the home and share God’s love with someone.

Church members are encouraged to let us know of persons who are in need of our care. For more information, call Virginia Stanley (647-2618) or Kay Thomas (647-3491).

Membership Care CommitteeMeeting June 15th

Our SympathyOur sincere sympathy is extended

to the family of Ann Vaughan.

Remember that during the summer months of vacations and travel, the ministries of the church continue. Please keep your pledged giving up to date.

JUNE, 2011 PAGE 3

News of Children and YouthBy Kimberly Hardaway

UMYF (C.H.A.O.S.)CHAOS meets Sunday evenings from 5 to 7

p.m. for all youth 6th through 12th grade.The new Summer Schedules are available.

Please see the bulletin board outside Kim’s office if you need one.

JUNE 5 CHAOS 5-7 p.m. VBS Mission Night. (Meal:

Laurie Bandy and Terri Martin)12-17 YOUTH FORCE at Norman, OK12 CHAOS 5-7 p.m.13-17 6th grade camp at Camp Egan19 CHAOS 5-7 p.m.26 CHAOS 5 - 7 p.m. (Meal: Holt family)30 Float trip and lunch on the Illinois River.

$20. Leave at 9 a.m. and return aboud 6.JULY 3 No CHAOS

• • •

VACATiON BiBLE SCHOOLJUNE 6 – 10 FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON

We’re bringing kitchen fun to the kids at our Vacation Bible School Shake it Up Café: Where Kids Carry Out God’s Recipe! Your kids will become chefs-in-training as we discover God’s recipe for living. After a high-energy opening at the Shake It Up Café, the chefs make their way to Kitchen a la King. Interactive Bible lessons reveal five secret ingredients for living as a fol-lower of God, and your chefs will learn Bible bite memory verses that will boost their faith long after VBS.

The children will expand on what they’ve learned by participating in a variety of activities: making their own art projects at Tangy & Tart Arts, exploring science activities at Foodology Factory, participating in recreational activities at Spork Sports, and enjoying tasty snacks at the Takeout Treatery.

Let’s get cookin’! To register or to find out more about it, call the church office or visit the registration booth set up in the Christian Fam-

Jennifer Harreld, Morgan Ward, Zach Stubbs, Alicia Gilliam, Mallory Mixon, and Cynthia Stoughton.

ily Life Center. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO

CONTRiBUTED SUPPLiES FOR VBS. YOUR GENEROSiTY iS GREATLY APPRECiATED.

• • •LOGOS Wednesday ministry will resume in

September.• • •

SUMMER CAMP DATESYouth Force Mission work camp for grades 7th

– 12th will be June 12 – 17. This camp is based out of Norman’s Goodrich Methodist Church.

6th Grade Camp: June 13 - 173rd – 5th Grade Camp: June 13 - 151st – 2nd Grade Camp: June 23 – 24District Camp for 7th - 12th: July 25 - 29The church covers half the cost of camp for

each attendee.• • •

New MUSiCAL Campto be held at church in July

This July 11th to 15th in the mornings, un-der the musical direction of Matthew Houston, the church will offer a musical camp for those interested in the age range of completed first grade through high school.

From 9 a.m. to noon, the participants will work on the music, drama, and sets for a mu-sical then present it on the evening of Friday, July 15th.

Please see Matthew Houston or Kim Hard-away for more details.

2011 Graduating Seniors

Our new associate pastor, Rev. Obed Alba, has started a Hispanic Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the CFLC.

2 R.L. Sockey, Jr. 3 Michael Preston and Versile Johnson II 6 Donna Johnston and Lyndsay Murray 7 Debby Jarrett 9 Clifford England12 Gavin Garrett13 Phyllis Roberts and Stacey Roberts14 Martha Kidd and Marvin DeSpain16 Nikki Wigginton and Kenny Whitehead17 Robin Mason18 Paul Stottsberry and Jon Gaston19 Kaden McBeth20 Keith Thomas21 Shanna Johnson, Mary-Catherine Hallmark and

Sisnie Brookfield22 Vicki Mason23 Gene Wheat, Quincy Pate and Atticus Pate25 Betty Gillson, Amy Stubbs, and Connor Matos26 Victoria Nichols28 Linda Brown and Jesse Barnes30 Patrick Ford

PAGE 4 JUNE, 2011

June Anniversaries

June Birthdays

5 Ron and Marsha Cofer 6 Gene and Dana Wheat 8 Brian and Katie Shore10 Jake and Ashley Thompson15 Buddy and Pat Shelton17 Curtis and Dorothy James18 Ronnie and Becky Bell22 Wayne and Judy Moore24 Ronnie and Christy Oehlschlager25 Ben and Judy Curtis

United Methodist WomenBy Mary Ford, President

CorrespondenceDear FUMC Congregation,

Thank you so much for your outpouring of love for our mom and grandmother, Clyta Britton, as was witnessed through your visits, cards, phone calls, flowers and donations to her memorial fund and the Gideon-placed Bibles, as well as the delicious meal served to our family. Clyta loved her church so much, especially her Sun-day School Class and our Chancel Choir. Thank you Pastor Greg, Steve and Wendy for the lovely service for a lovely lady!

Sincerely,Jimmy and Rhonda Britton,children and grandchildren

Thank you for your sympathy, prayers, sup-port, and concern when they were needed so much. Love all you hold dear, precious is the time you share. Do not wait for tomorrow, for tomorrow may not be. May God keep you and bless you!

The family of Clyta Britton

Dear Methodist ChurchWe thank you for the pew bench for the free

clinic. It will definitely be of great use and looks so nice.

In His Service,The Christian Free Medical Clinic

Dear Methodist ChurchThank you for your support. We appreciate it.

We look forward for your continued support.2011 Treble Choir of Cavanal Chorale

The Celebration Choir and I would like to thank everyone for supporting our choir fund-raiser recently. We would especially like to thank the ladies from “Women on Fire” who served the food while we were singing. We hope everyone had a good time and please continue to give us ideas on new and different music.

The profit from the fundraiser is meant to help us pay for new and different music that we can share with the church. New members are always welcome in the choir and as the music in our church evolves there is always a need for new members with different musical tastes to help us in our ministry of music.

Thanks,Steve Clark, Music Director

We are breaking for the summer and will not have another meeting until August.

At our last meeting we had a speaker who explained how Grace Cottage works and we learned they are planning to open another home for girls where they can stay until they finish schooling and learn a way to make a liv-ing. They have found that the girls do not do well if they go back to the same environment that they came from.

The new cookbooks are now on sale for $15.00. The Women on Fire did a great job. Special thanks to all those involved.

They are planning to have a get-together this summmer just for fun. The last meeting was at Nina Sizemore’s home. Susan England spoke about the contributions of Christian women in our history throughout the ages.