Under the Oak December 2010 by John Fletcher

Under the Oak Oak Haven United Methodist Church Newsletter “Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us.” Joshua 24:27 D E C E M B E R V O L U M E

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Something New at Oak Haven in December INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 13 Bad Attitudes Of Killer UMC

Calendar

Prayers, 4 Scripture, Ushers & Acolytes UMM Review

Words From Wesley

Birthdays

Don’t Forget the Apples

As we journey together through the season of Advent (the Christmas season doesn’t begin until Christmas Eve) we are reminded of the joyous promise of Christ’s entry into the world. Of course, that promise wasn’t limited to a day a couple thousand years ago. Instead, we are able to receive Christ each day, or as we sing, “morning by morning.” Amen! With such a blessing how can we keep from praising God and celebrating? So, during this time of year that is exactly what we do. Our church has scheduled several events during Decem-

How will you prepare for the Christmas season?

ber to remind us all of that joyous promise. Mark your calendars and make sure to be a part of these wonderful expressions of Christian love and fellowship. Contact our church office or John Fletcher for more information about:

1) Christmas at the parsonage: Dec. 12th, 3pm -5:30. Everyone is invited to share in holiday cheer with the pastor and his family. 2) Christmas Cantata: Dec. 19th, 10:45am. Our choir has prepared a meaningful selection. 3) Healing Service: Dec. 19th, 7pm. The holidays can be difficult times for many people; we are offering Christ’s message of healing and hope. 4) Christmas Eve: A. Ashford Hall, 3pm B. *The something new Spanish Service, 5pm A. English Service, 7pm

Here it is, the most wonderful time of the year! What makes Christmas so much fun is experiencing traditions old and new. Here’s an old one. When I was a kid, the start of the Christmas season officially began the moment the Sears Wish Book hit the mailbox. My sister and I would lie on the floor and go through page after glossy catalog page of plastic wonderment in joyful anticipation of receiving all the things we never even knew we wanted. It was exciting! Not that we ever received all that stuff. That wasn’t the point. The fun was in the anticipation..the receiving..the surprise. Yes, when I was a child, I thought like a child. Christmas is, after all, for children. Today we realize that Christmas isn’t about shiny things wrapped in paper, but about celebrating the day the gift of salvation came to mankind wrapped in swaddling clothes. Talk about the perfect gift! Thank You Jesus! Freely we have been given, so now we freely give…..well, sort of. The old tradition of looking for things to receive as a child has been replaced by looking for things to give as an adult, and it’s anything but free - oh joy. What do I get my father-in-law? Does my sister really —See Hope on pg7

Hope Sunday by Susan Stewart

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Professionals Only? You’ve seen the commercials. Perhaps you’ve even pictured yourself driving along the rugged path, treading through dangerous territories and winding curves in the car or truck the commercial advertized. What’s more is that your driving fantasies can become a reality—for the right price of course—if you had that kind of car. Then you notice something. Bur-

Everyone is invited to our monthly Chips, Dips and Discussion time. We will gather in the church meeting room. Paul Perrin will lead our discussion. Join us Friday Dec 17 at 7:00 pm.

Theological Word To Know Means of Grace These are different ways we experience the grace of God. For example we experience God: through the Bible; by receiving Communion; in our baptism; by prayer; and in our giving;

ied in small print, during all the action of the commercial, there is a warning: Professional Driver. Do Not Attempt This. In other words, there is no way you could do any of this! Ouch and ugh. Back to my minivan I go. Many people recognize Christ’s command of discipleship. However, there is a misunderstanding that the life Christ shows is best left to be understood by the

professionals—funny because they’re referring to me! That is, there is no way I could do any of this. Well, Scripture isn’t a fancy car commercial. You may not be able to live like Christ, by yourself. That’s why we have Scripture and the Holy Spirit promised to us. God shows us how to do what we can’t seem to, and how to live like we think we can’t. With God all things are possible, even you. Blessed Beyond Belief,

Victoria District Superintendent (SWTX Conference) recently shared 13 bad attitudes of first killer UM Church. Tell us what you think: 1) Don’t pray for church leaders especially the pastor. If she/he is called they should already be prayed up! 2) Find fault; it will improve things. Find fault especially before PPRC meetings of all the things that the pastor and staff need to do to improve. In fact, call all the people you can and find out what they don’t like about the pastor and the church. 3) Don’t give financially—somebody else will give. After all, things are tight. What do they do with all that money anyway? 4) Don’t show up for meetings! There are too many meetings anyway. 5) Fight to prove your point and protect your turf. 6) Don’t allow new people to serve on boards. New people don’t know our ways. 7) Don’t change the music. What’s wrong with the old, old, old hymns? 8) Don’t reach children or youth. Children will only make noise and scuff your floors. 9) Help people fail. People ought to experience failure; it’s good for them. 10) Don’t change the worship service. The worship service is perfectly fine the way it has always been. It was good enough for mother and her mother before her mother and her…. 11) Don’t share your pew! Don’t share a classroom! 12) Don’t ever invite people to church. We know everybody and we are comfortable just the way things are. 13) Don’ pay apportionments. What do they do for us?

13 Bad Attitudes of Killer UM Church

Sun

5Communion Hope Sunday 4:30 Youth

December 2010 Thu

3 Office hrs. 10-2

Oak Haven United Methodist Church Wed

2 10 Bible Study

Fri

1 Office hrs. 10-2

7 Busy Bees 10 Office hrs. 10-2

Tue

7Choir Rehearsal

9 10 Bible Study

17 Office hrs. 10-2

Mon

8 Office hrs. 10-2

16 10 Bible Study

7Chips, Dips & Discussion

15 Office hrs. 10-2

7 Busy Bees

6 Office hrs. 10-2

7Choir Rehearsal

13 Office hrs. 10-2

7:30 Disciple I

7Dinner at Ron & Pattieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7:30 Disciple I

7UMW

Sat

25 Christmas Day

23 10 Bible Study

7Choir Rehearsal

24 3 Ashford Hall 5 Spanish Service 7English Service

7:30 Disciple I

30 10 Bible Study

20 Office hrs. 10-2

7Choir Rehearsal

www.oakhavenumc.org

3:30-5 Christmas @ the parsonage 19 Christmas Cantata 4:30 Youth 7 Healing Service 26

7:30 Disciple I

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...prayerfully united...

***Please help us keep this list updated*** Sue Nungesser, Marie Pittman, Connie Ramsey, Nadine Jester, Valerie Milano, Martha Davis, Jesse Ford, Lorene Ingham, Ellie Ruiz, Michael Vogan, Mr. & Mrs. Dennie Foster, family of Bonnie Simons, Ray Lowery, family of Curtis & Sandra Doyle, Martha Davis, New church choir director(s), Marry Allen, David Austin, Jeanie Davis, Roger Dalton, Debra Randle, Wesley Burks, Avis Jordan, Charles Chilton, Bea Baker, Brian Deskin, Lorene Hall, Mike Burns, Jim Hallworth, Ruth Ann Wilhoite, Jo Sutter, Shanna Acton, Chris McDade, Denise & John Butler, Susanne & Dick Ramsey, Pat Buttery, Herschel Mixom, Louis Munoz, Carl Ryser, Norma Hernandez, Teri & Shane Higgs, Shawn Koogler, Ryan Kinnan, June Montgomery, Bill Glass, Scott Quintana, King family, Bobby Garza, Walburga Kerner, Sue Harris, Nadine Justin, Mike & Michelle Cummings, our missionaries & military

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers. 1Peter 3:12

Acolytes

Ushers and Counters Dec 5 (Team 3)

Dec 12 (Team 4)

Don Kent Mike Matkin Ben Shemo David Triggs Sub: Rebecca Wheeler Counters: Mary Lou Campbell, Stella Jones

Ricky Campbell Stella Jones Don Kent Rebecca Wheeler Sub: Mary Lou Campbell Counters: Steve Perrin

Dec 19 (Team 1)

Dec 26 (Team 2)

Mary Lou Campbell Ricky Campbell Ronnie Crow Don Kent Sub: Stella Jones Counters: Mary Owen, Bonnie Perrin

Mary Lou Campbell Jonathan Perrin Rob Scully Rebecca Wheeler Sub: Mike Matkin Counters: Ann Kent, Steve Perrin

Dec 5-Lissette Garcia & Haley Stephens Dec 12-Mya Garcia

Scripture Readings

& Nelson Norris Dec 19-Ashlei Fletcher & Jade Vela Dec 26-Brittani Fletcher

Dec 5 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15: 4-13 Matthew 3:1-12

Dec 12 Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 1:47-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11

Dec 19 Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25

Dec 26 Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23

& Hanna Stephens

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UMW Bring the Blues? Our November meeting began with the reciting of the purpose, followed by our cares and concerns. After the prayer, Rebecca Wheeler gave a very inspiring devotional and Micki Triggs read the missionary birthdays from the missionary birthday calendar. After the business meeting we were served delicious refreshments provided by Dorene Taylor. Dorene also provided us with a meaningful program entitled Advent. Thank you ladies for all you do. The December meeting will be held on Monday, Dec 13 at 6pm at Minnette Puckett’s home (1907 Douglas Circle). Please bring a dish for our potluck dinner. In lieu of gifts, we are accepting donations to benefit the Irving Police/Fire Departments’ “Blue

Christmas” project which helps buy toys for disadvantaged children. They are in particular need of toys for ages 10 and up. If you would like to give your gift by check, please make it payable to: Oak Haven United Methodist Women with a notation “Blue Christmas” or cash is always welcome. If anyone needs a ride to Minnette’s home, please call me. As a reminder, our “Christmas Card for Inmates of Texas Prisons” will continue through the holidays. There is a collection box near the nursery. All donations will help this project. Our other ongoing projects have donation boxes available. They are: Campbell’s Soup labels for Dallas Bethlehem Center; toiletries, current year magazines, puzzles and games for Ashford Hall. Our January meeting is scheduled for Jan 11 at 7pm at the church. I hope to see all of you at Minnette’s home soon and at our January meeting. I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you and your families a very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and love.

The United Methodist Men adjourned early from their November 18th meeting to the ham smoker to finish loading and unloading hams. We had no other business or discussion—just hams! A very special thanks to all the men who offered their time in helping with the hams and turkeys. Don’t forget, we’ll need your help again this month (our Dec 16th meeting will be at the smoker). If anyone would like to purchase a ham or turkey for Christmas, contact Steve Perrin for more information.

Mary Lou Campbell, President

Join us for a blood drive dedicated in special honor of Don Kent, enjoying his 7th year with his new heart. Let’s make this a great one! Invite your friends and neighbors to help bring life to those in need. Date: Saturday, December 11 Time: 10am-2pm Look for the Red Cross bus stationed in the church’s north parking lot. Sign up today by stopping by the office to add your name to the schedule or by contacting Minnette Puckett. There is still room and need for you. We are excited to have this opportunity to celebrate and share with Don and his family the blessing he received 7 years ago. So, even if you can’t give blood (If you can then we know you will want to) maybe it’s a good time to to let the Kents know how grateful you are to God for their lives.

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General Conference Delegates Stay the Same

Stories on this page are provided by United Methodist Communications. Summaries of stories, UMTV videos and other information from the United Methodist News Service are received via a weekly email digest. Access the complete versions of the stories at http:// umns.umc.org.

PANAMA CITY, Panama (UMNS)—The Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist announced Nov. 5 that the number of delegates for the 2012 General Conference will be near the 1,000-delegate limit. "Although a variety of opinions have been expressed, I've heard strong pleas to retain similar numbers as before, and I believe any significant reduction in the number of delegates should occur in concert with a more comprehensive look at the whole process,” said Reist, who is secretary of the quadrennial legislative gathering. “It’s essential that we not undermine the level of trust. With so many substantive changes expected to be considered during the 2012 General Conference, it is important to avoid any perception that a reduction in the number of delegates might somehow be intended to influence outcomes.”The exact number of delegates will not be available until calculations have been completed, but the secretary of each (regional) annual conference will be notified by Dec. 1 how many delegates their conference will have. General Conference will meet in Tampa, Fla., in spring 2012.

Words from Wesley

SMU Breaks Ground

Simple Living?

DALLAS (UMNS) — A star-studded array of officials from the last presidency turned out Nov. 16 to break ground for the George W. Bush Presidential Center at United Methodist-related Southern Methodist University. The former first couple, both United Methodists, were joined by their pastor, the Rev. Mark Craig of Highland Park UMC, in lifting shovels full of dirt symbolizing the start of work on the 225,000-square-foot brick and limestone presidential library center, scheduled to be completed in Feb 2013.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — More than 500 United Methodists recently answered a survey from United Methodist Communications on how they felt about simple living, using the definition: “a lifestyle characterized by consuming only that which is required to sustain life.” For many, the answer is: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Short-term Missions Available for Youth in 2011 Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Next summer United Methodist youth from the United States can participate in weeklong mission work experiences in Nashville that help children, older adults, the homeless and people with special needs.For the second year, the youth mission trips will be sponsored jointly by Young People's Ministries, a division of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, and YouthWorks!, a multidenominational youth-mission organization. The program will be hosted at McKendree United Methodist Church in downtown Nashville.The mission experience is open to youth who will enter the seventh grade in the fall of 2011 through current high school seniors. Eight weeklong sessions will be available in 2011, beginning the week of June 12 and ending the week of July 31. Cost is $248 per person. More information is available at www.youthworks.com by clicking on the link for “UMC churches” in the left column.

Hope, Cont from pg1

need a pair of bunny slippers? What if they already have an electric quesadilla maker? What size does Aunt Mavis wear? And as I stare at the blinking red and green lights of the far distant traffic signal, I wonder how long I’ll have to wait in this long caravan of wise men on I-35 who are following that star to Sears, and Macy’s and Best Buy in order to purchase gifts to bear to somebody who, like me, is probably also wishing for all this Christmas “joy” to finally be over, bah humbug! Well at least we still have catalogs, and internet. Using these tools certainly makes Christmas shopping bearable... sigh. One day, I was surfing the net looking for that perfect gift for I forget who, when I came across a catalog I had never heard of before. It was the World Vision Gift Catalog. “Ooooo, I bet this is full of organic goodies,” I said aloud just as the ghost of Christmas Catalogs Past sat down on my shoulder. Yes, it was filled with organic things alright. But instead of kidskin gloves and leather coats, there were pictures of live goats, and real cows. They had rabbits and chickens, ducks and donkeys, sheep and…. children? Yes, sad children, serious children, hurt children. What in the world? Then the ghost of Christmas past began to whisper in my ear. “What was the best gift you have ever received in your life?” he asked. “That’s easy,” I thought. “The best gift was Jesus. He gave me salvation, hope, peace and a future.” “Then wouldn’t it make sense to give to them,” he said pointing at the children, “what Jesus gave to you, something truly meaningful? A hope and a future?” “Wait, who are these children?” I asked. “Those lambs are who Jesus calls “the least,” he responded. The girl is Poverty, and the boy is Injustice. “What about their guardians, the people who are supposed to care for them?” I asked. “Where are they?” “Oh, they could be anywhere,” my spiritual informant shrugged. “At the mall, McDonald’s, at home sitting in front of a computer screen paging through catalogs. Why, on December 5 th, they could even show up at Oak Haven United Methodist Church for Hope Sunday.” “What’s Hope Sunday?” I asked. “Hope Sunday will be an opportunity for those who have experienced the gift of salvation to give the gift of hope to a child who desperately needs it. You know, following in the footsteps of Jesus and all.” “But what about my sister’s bunny slippers,” I protested weakly. “Won’t she be disappointed?” “What about them?” the Christmas spirit asked with a twinkle in his eye. “You could give her a pair of fake bunnies or……..” “OR I could give a pair of REAL bunnies to a family to raise for food and warmth in her name!” “Brilliant!” exclaimed my new found Christmas friend. “Believe it or not, that’s exactly what separates the sheep from the goats. And, won’t your sister be surprised! Yes, it’s time to start a new tradition Sis….Dad….Aunt Mavis. Merry Christmas Everyone!

We have three upcoming projects we would like your input and cooperation with. 1) Do you have a particular question about the Bible, faith or God? Our pastor would like to put together a series of sermons centered on questions you have. So, submit 3-5 questions to John. 2) Our pastor would like to host a monthly Sunday School teaching series. Suggest 1-2 topics for consideration. 3) We would like to add a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) video segment. to our church website. Guests can read through commonly asked questions and responses. A personal touch would be to have members of the church answer those question themselves. Think of how you would answer some of those common questions. For more information about any of the projects above, please contact John Fletcher.

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Dec 7 Stephen Siegel Dec 14 Lynda Johnson

We are giving every effort to update our list. If your name should be here, please let us know. If you know of a name we have missed please contact Minnette Puckett or John Fletcher.

Oak Haven United Methodist Church 1600 N. Irving Heights Irving, TX 75061

UNDER THE OAK

DECEMBER 2010

You can download this publication at www.oakhavenumc.org

Phone: 972.438.1431 | Fax: 972.554.1686 | Sunday School 9:45 am |Sunday Worship 10:45 am www.facebook.com/oakhavenumc.org

Faith is Fun

Reading With the Pastor The Way Home You’ve read a lot this year (Haven’t you?). Let’s watch a movie this month. The Way Home is a story of a community coming together during a family’s most tragic moment—a story of prayer, hope and faith. What do you think? John blogs at: www.anotherjohn.com

We are a church family prayerfully united by the Holy Spirit, boldly committed to sharing new life in Jesus Christ.