8100 NW 23rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73127 405.789.8812

March 19, 2019

SOUP FOR

THE SOUL

Sundays at 6:00 pm

March 24 Panel: Interfaith Trip to

Israel & Palestine

March 31 Dr. Imam Imad Enchassi

April 7 Dr. John Starkey

April 14 Rev. Dr. George Young

(Rescheduled)

Join us each Sunday evening during Lent for dinner and

guest speakers.

Shalom

Heroes of Faith

This Lent we are exploring various heroes of faith. Some you might find listed in the book of Hebrews, lifted up as just that, heroes of faith. They are the voices we discover throughout the Bible who encourage us, were we can feel empowered ourselves in our own faith journey. Sometimes a hero of faith comes in unexpected ways. I am trying to lift up those who have not always been seen as a hero, some might say they are not the “A-list” heroes of the Bible.

We started with Jonah, who tried running away but in the end overcomes his own prejudice and hatred to bring a message of love to a people he despised. Then there was Deborah who was a light of hope to the people, who rose against injustice, overthrowing a cruel ruler to lead the people to a time of prosperity and peace. She did this in part by helping the people to turn back to God.

As we continue to explore the heroes of faith, we might find some who were important voices but often in the shadow of someone well known. We might even take a look at better known individuals from the Bible who had to overcome great obstacles, or even those who denied, even doubted.

A hero is not someone who is never tried. A hero is not someone who does not face trials and tribulations, but instead are able to overcome their own shortcomings and stand as an example that we too can overcome. We too can have faith in God. That even though we may not have the strength of Samson or the Wisdom of Solomon, we can be empowered by these heroes of faith through the lessons of God’s love and grace.

Shalom,

New Members Fellowship

You are encouraged to join us during the coffee fellow-

ship on Sunday morning, March 31, to visit with our new

members. We are so happy to have them worship with

us and walk beside us as we minister to others.

What happened Sunday? There was a point in the 11am service when many

people looked confused, looked around and proba-

bly wondering, is something missing? Did we just

skip over something? There is something missing

today and I can’t quite remember what is missing.

There was. We did not sing the Gloria Patri.

Normally following the invocation we lift our voices

in song and sing, “Glory be to the Father, and to the

Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the begin-

ning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.” But we did not skip it. Instead, we do not

sing it during Lent.

Why don’t we sing this hymn during Lent? Did we

give up singing Gloria Patri for Lent and someone

forgot to tell me? No. Lent is more than just giving

something up for 40 days in attempt to direct our

attention to God. It is a time that is reminiscent of

40 days in the wilderness and 40 years wandering in

the wilderness. It could be described almost remi-

niscent of the times of exile when the Israelites had

strayed from God, were not singing praises to God,

but then discover the joy anew when they return to

God.

For us, as we journey through Lent we remember

that this is a time of penitence, a time to reflect on

the things we have done wrong in our lives, the

things that we would like to change and especial-

ly the things that prevent us from fully knowing

God.

The Gloria Patri or any hymn with an Alleluia cho-

rus is omitted during Lent to help us focus how

we can become better people, more authentic

believers in God. It is a time to focus on the com-

ing glory of God, and walk again in the wilderness

seeking, not celebrating the arrival of God’s King-

dom which we celebrate on Easter morning. The

hope is that it makes the singing of God’s glory

and singing Alleluia all the more sweeter when

we lift our voices praising God after spending 40

days reflecting and seeking God’s glory and God’s

grace.

Did you know, Advent is sometimes called a “little

Lent” in that it too is meant to be a solemn time

of penitence and a time to refrain from singing

Gloria Patri? We often forget this as we sing car-

ols and hymns celebrating the birth of Christ be-

fore the birthday. How is your Lenten journey

going?

Shalom,

Frank, James 3/17

Howry, Mandie 3/17

Beck, Dianne 3/18

Hughes, Jane 3/18

Schroeder, David 3/21

Hill, Edward 3/25

Young, Phillip 3/25

Jones, Taylor 3/26

Gray, Elizabeth 3/27

Storm, Marilyn 3/27

Wood, Duane 3/29

McCroskey, Rosa 3/2

Ruedy, Shirlee 3/2

Lunsford, George 3/4

Conner, Jodie 3/5

Mars, Joe 3/5

Mars, Joey 3/5

Joseph, Jamie 3/7

Bradley, Donna 3/13

Thorn, Stuart 3/15

Graham, Jack 3/16

Jewell, Miss Ella 3/16

Donate

40 Items

In

40 Days!

Please bring new or gently used items

that others would enjoy receiving.

Bring all

Items to

the Church

by April 24

Disciples Women’s Fellowship

SOUP

FOR

THE

SOUL

We were pleased to have Rabbi Abby Jacobson with us on Sunday, March 10th to give us her thoughts on the word “Shalom” (Peace).

Last Sunday our scheduled speaker had to cancel at the last minute. Howard Stein (husband to Nance Cunningham) graciously stepped in and blessed us with his thoughts on

“Shalom”.

Special thanks to everyone who prepared food for these two nights of Soup for the Soul.

Be sure to come next Sunday.

VBS is Coming!!! June 10 - 13

6 - 8 pm (registration 5:45 pm)

VBS will be here before you know it! And we need lots of volunteers for lots of different jobs.

Our VBS meetings for workers will be Sunday, April 7th at 5pm or Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30pm. This is for all adults who will be helping with VBS. You can come to either of the meetings . No need to attend both. For more information on how you can help, call Julia at 405-821-0108.

March 2019

21 Disciple Women 6:00pm 26 CWF Meeting and Lunch 9:30am 27 Bridge for Fun 1:00pm 27 Caring & Sharing Meal 4:30pm 31 Benevolent Sunday Family Event—Shrine Circus 2:00pm

March Committee Meetings 26 Evangelism 1:00pm

“Loving God, Serving our Neighbor”

8100 NW 23rd Street

Oklahoma City OK 73127

Church Staff

Senior Minister: Rev. Daniel U’Ren Daniel@woccdoc.org

Associate Minister: Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett Julia@woccdoc.org

Admin Assistant: Cindy Cannon office@woccdoc.org

Music Director: Dr. Ronald Manning ronald_manning@att.net

Youth Director: Rachael Hopkins

Pianist: Rosa McCroskey

Praise Band Leader: Ben Frantz

Praise Band Members: Brett Hawk, Cheyenne Pursley, and Natalie Griffin

Sound Technician: Alex Wilkinson & Charles Hogan

Custodian: Lawrence Johnson

Nursery Attendants: Shaylee White and Janet Harper

ATTENDANCE GIVING

3/3 9 AM 28 11 AM 83 General $1,745.00 Blessing

Fund $25.00

3/10 9 AM 32 11 AM 78 General $8,714.00 Blessing

Fund $25.00

10/7 9 AM 32 11 AM 84 General $5,034.00

Blessing

Fund $75.00

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