This week in our church wide bible reading plan we jumped from the Old Testament into the new.  I say jumped because there are roughly 400 years between the two testaments.  The Old Testament ends with the temple rebuilt, a wall around Jerusalem and judging from the book of Malachi, a sense that things weren’t the way they were supposed to be.

Into a fallen and floundering world, deity takes on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.  Though predicted by the prophets and longed for by the people, the angels heralding Jesus’ arrival first had to tell them “Do not be afraid.”  It’s not every day that someone is visited by an angel so this greeting seems appropriate.  As we consider the content of the angels’ message, we realize that the exhortation “do not be afraid” also applies to the future God has for Mary and Joseph.  Their obedience hinges on their ability to not succumb to fear.

Today we live in a world that isn’t as it is supposed to be.  And like God’s people at the end of the Old Testament, I find myself longing for the time promised by God when Christ returns.  It’s a time that ends with a new earth and a new heaven.  No more pain, no more death, no more fear.

Until that day, we as Christians have a job to do, just as Mary and Joseph had a job to do.  We have been redeemed to bear witness to our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, who is revealed most fully to us in Jesus Christ.  In a time of uncertainty and fear, one of our chief tasks as followers of Jesus Christ is to heed the angelic words “do not be afraid.”  We know how the story ends, so let us persevere in sharing Christ through our lives, in our communities and to the world.

Shalom, Pastor Jeff

Announcements 

Last week’s vote resulted in a strong affirmation for Chanda Jackson to serve as Youth Coordinator for the next 12 months, and for Kyle Slagell to continue as Music Coordinator for the next 12 months.  Thank you for your prayers and discernment.

Pastoral Survey Results ~In an effort to discern the congregations desire whether to call Pastor Jeff to another term of service, the elders asked for a response to a 3-question survey.  The results were very positive, averaging between “Agree” and “Strongly Agree”.  The elders are unanimous in their support to extend a call.  We are asking for one more step, which will be a vote of the congregation on August 23^rd.  Absentee ballots will be available Sunday, Aug. 16, and the process will end after the service on August 23^rd.  Please continue to be in prayer for this process.

 Sunday School ~The Elders and CEC are happy to announce Sunday School will resume, August 16th at 9:30 A.M. All classes are encouraged to practice good hand washing skills and social distancing. If you’d like to wear a mask, please feel free to do so.  Please be aware of all COVID-19 symptoms, and do not attend if you are not feeling well. 

• Children ages 2-5^th Grade
  • Meet your teacher in the sanctuary at 9:30 AM
  • Outside for singing time, after singing:
  • Ages 2-4 go to gym or playground
  • Pre-K-1^st go to their original room
  • Grades 2-5 go to the commons room or outside
• 6^th-8^th Grade will meet in their original room
• 9^th-12^th grade will meet in their original room
• Catechism will meet in the conference room
• Adult classes can meet in their original room

 

If you do not feel comfortable meeting in person yet, please do not feel obligated to attend Sunday school.  We want everyone to make good choices for their situation.  If you have any questions, please reach out to a teacher, a CEC member, or an Elder.

Nursery ~Along with Sunday school resuming, we want to make the  nursery available again. If you have helped in the past, but are not comfortable with helping at this time, please let me know. If you would like to volunteer for next Sunday, please visit with me. Kathy

Wednesday prayer meeting ~Join other believers in praying for our community, state, and nation, Wednesday, starting at noon in the chapel attached to Body Works, 424 E Broadway, Thomas. Everyone is welcome to come and pray!

Read the latest Oklahoma MDS letter on the bulletin board.

South Central Mennonite Conference (SCMC) update:  One of the new things that happened at the annual gathering this past July, was the decision to adopt a new structure for SCMC.  This new structure included hiring a part-time Network Director, something similar to what we have called a conference minister in the past.  SCMC is pleased to announce that  Howard and Cathy Wagler have accepted the call to serve as Network Directors of South Central Mennonite Conference for the coming year beginning September 1, 2020.  Howard and Cathy’s role as Network Directors will be to resource, encourage, and network SCC congregations and pastors; encouraging them to identify and accomplish their vision and purpose.  They will also be the connectors between SCC and broader church organizations.  For more information about Howard & Cathy and the process that led to their serving in this role, visit https://sccmenno.org/howard-and-cathy-wagler-to-lead-scc/. Next Sunday, more will be shared about this year’s SCMC annual gathering including more information on the new structure that was adopted as well as the exciting things that God is doing in our conference.

The Oklahoma Mennonite Relief Sale quilts and craft items will be sold online this year. All the information is on the bulletin board.

 Website Updates:  If you’ve not visited the church website in a while, check it out.  You can access our worship service live at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings or watch it later in the week, all from our home page with just a click.  This week, under the “Resources” tab, we added a way for you to easily replay recent worship services.  If there are things that you’d like to see added to our website, please let the church office know.

Shower ~A table is set up in the foyer for Riley Marie Miller, daughter of  Jason and Brittney, if you would like to shower her with gifts.

If you write using calligraphy or have great freehand writing, we can use your gifts. Periodically, we need persons to fill out certificates, etc for us. Let Kathy know and you will be added to the list of others who help.

Transition ~I have accepted a call to be lead pastor at Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka, Kansas. We plan to move in the next few weeks. Plans are for Kaiden and Sylace to move with us. We appreciate all your love, support, and prayers.    Gabriel and Christa Pennington

Today  August 9

    10:30 am Worship Service (also streaming live on pvmcok.org)

~ no organized Sunday School classes

~ no nursery with volunteers until further notice

~ no Sunday evening services until further notice

 

This week Aug 10-Aug 15

      Tues Etc Shop Tag day

      Wed 12 noon Prayer meeting in Thomas

      Wed 7:30 pm Missions meeting

      Thurs 2-4 pm ‘Come and go’ quilting time in room #112

Next Sunday ~Aug 16

   9:30 am  Sunday school classes resume. See announcement

 10:30 am Worship Service (also streaming live on pvmcok.org)

~ no Sunday evening services until further notice

        Absentee ballots available for Jeff Selzer’s continuing role as pastor

Upcoming Events        

    August 23 Vote on Jeff Selzer’s continuing role as pastor

    August 30 MDS Motorcycle Run ~See poster on bulletin board

    Oct 17 Heidi Chupp and Jordan Miller wedding

 

For our church family

• Courage to share the Gospel
• Justin and Stephanie Yoder & family ~Preparing for move to Hesston, KS
• Gabriel/Christa Pennington; Sylace and Kaiden-Upcoming move to Topeka, KS for Gabriel’s new role as pastor
• Al and Betty Coblentz ~Betty’s, brother in law, Joni (Joe) Yoder from Ohio passed away. He was a really good friend to Al and a cousin to C.J. Yoder, Bob Yoder, and Devert Thomas.
• Our church family as we continue to transition meeting again
• Schools and colleges starting in August
• Harvest
• Dwayne/Kerry Slagell & family and custom harvesting crew
• Local farmers and their employees
• Pastor Jeff /Dana & family; Hayden
• Elders & families
• Health Concerns
• Richard Waters
• Martha Zatarain ~Pray for full function of left shoulder
• Layman and Dorothy Slagell ~Dorothy’s health
• Mim Mast
• Edwin/Melissa Detweiler family; John
• Justin/Rachel Jefferson & Kai
• In a Home away from home ~ Beulah Switzer

 In our community   

• Those who need to be introduced to Jesus
• Our local, state, and national leaders
• Local Ministries: W’ford Food & Resource Center, Etc Shop, Hope is Alive, Branch 15, Agape Health Clinic, Arapaho Jail, Habitat for Humanity, 1st Choice Pregnancy Center
• Health concerns
• Donna Gray ~Surgery went great. Staying with sister, Ruby, until strength returns ~Clifford Zook’s sister
• Janet Slagell Kauffman ~ Praising God for health & strength
• Dixie Yoder

Around the world

~Serving in the US

• Corey/Brooke Makeever -STUMO
• Brooke Miller ~Summer Bible Memory Camps
• Oklahoma MDS

~Serving other countries

• Reggie/Angel Miller and family
• Kiran Paul & Lakshmi
• Global Disciples
• Rolly/Robyn Walter and Family