Maranatha Class Website

Happy Halloween, Maranatha friends!

What a treat we had as Dr. Mouzon Biggs taught us throughout the month of October! If you missed any of his lessons, you can hear them at http://www.bostonavenue.org/maranatha.html .

Great lessons continue through November, beginning this Sunday with Ted Hinson, author of Beyond the Blindness: My Story of Losing Sight and Living Life. In it, Ted shares how his faith helped him get through becoming blind at age 27 and the accidental death of his oldest son at age 22.

Paula Gradney-Garner will teach us on Novemer 11th, followed by Rev. EvaMarie Campbell on the 18th. We will enjoy a Thanksgiving brunch on the 25th, then our annual Advent series, taught by our own class members, will take place during December.

CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to our visitors – the Harps, Gayle Biggs, and Janice Bowman.

Happy birthday to Melanie Shepherd yesterday, the 30th. Happy anniversary to Julee and Jim Embrey as well!

Rick and Roger are still working to fill the slate of officers for next year. Only four positions remain open! They include president, vice president of missions, news email, and Caranatha chair. Please consider where you can serve.

Kendall Carpenter announced that we have another $5,000 to disburse, and the class voted to do that now. Ed Payton suggested the Cookson Mission, which is having financial difficulties, and he said our help could make a real difference. Kendall will bring a recommendation to class soon.

Karen Campbell announced that next year’s social committee has already met and set five dates for class parties. Details can be found at the end of this email.

Dave Grim asked for volunteers for our meal at Redemption Church at St. Luke’s UMC on November 25. Our Christmas party at Neighbor for Neighbor is set for December 6.

Thanks to Bruce Chucoski for leading us in prayer Sunday, and to Bill and Susan Thomas for our snacks. Janet Purinton will have our prayer this week, recognizing our Maranatha mission team that will depart Monday, and Pam Sherman (setup/guilty) and the Chucoskis (cleanup/healthy) will be our hosts.

Many of our class members signed up to participate in prayer vigil tomorrow, November 1, All Saint’s Day. Thanks to all!

Our B.A. Care Ministry still needs volunteers to visit one of our over-200 homebound Boston Avenue members, many of whom have no family to care about them. A SilverLink volunteer training will be held this Sunday afternoon, November 4. Please consider taking part in this vital ministry.

JOYS AND CONCERNS – Please keep these in your prayers:

Remember our Maranatha Mission team as they serve in Texas next week – and continue to remember our church.

Our prayers are with the families and Jewish faith family of those who lost their lives in the shooting in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh. (Rabbi Sherman and his wife grew up in that neighborhood,) Maranatha was well represented at Tulsa’s memorial service last night at Congregation B’nai Emunah.

Pam Sherman’s grandson has moved in with them.

Charlotte Rowe’s sister Sandra needs our prayers.

Glenna Arnott has a friend who is in the last stages or cancer.

Roger asked for prayer that someone step forward – he and Rick will not be presidents next year.

Jennifer Hall is still battling cancer.

UPCOMING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES:

November 5-9 – Maranatha Mission Team will work in the Houston area

November 25 – serve dinner at St. Luke’s Redemption Church

December 6 – Neighbor for Neighbor Christmas event

SOCIAL EVENTS:

For those who purchased this auction item at last year’s Christmas party, the barbecue dinner with the Gardners and Dale/McCanns will take place on November 9.

Our Maranatha Christmas Party and Auction will be held on December 14.

Below is information about next year’s socials. Thanks for all you mean to our class!

– Shari

From Karen Campbell, 2019 Social Committee Chair:

Here is the 2019 Maranatha Social Calendar! First, please mark your calendars and plan to attend all five. Socializing is a very important part of community. It’s a time to meet folks and be a part of each other’s lives. Ten minutes of gathering time on Sunday mornings isn’t the true connection point, it’s the starting point.

Second, when you are planning auction items, look at the other 47 weekends in the year. We are asking that the five weekends planned for everyone in Maranatha be set apart. We don’t want folks to have to choose between two Maranatha events when prioritizing their weekend time commitments.

We truly appreciate your support and look forward to a very fun year. Now, let’s all get to planning our auction items!

February 3 (Sunday) Super Bowl Party

April 6 (Saturday) Progressive Dinner

June 14 (Friday) Potluck Dinner & Trivia Event

August 16 (Friday) Diner Dinner & Movie – Hamburgers & Hot Dogs in the Diner & Movie in the Theater

November 8 (Saturday) Pizza Dinner & Bunco

Charlotte and I have a pair of TU tickets for Saturday night’s football game against UConn. Kickoff is at 6pm. Free to first caller – (918) 496-0215.

Roger

In an effort to optimize the time available to our teacher, Dr. Biggs, I simply said “we’ve still got him!” to introduce him this morning. Here is the rest of the story that I would have shared given time…..

In 1980, Carl Leonard was the chairman of our administrative board. When Dr. John Russell was named a bishop as expected in early August, Carl and Armon Bost had this young vibrant preacher from Beaumont Texas squarely in their sites.

At either the August or September administrative board meeting (I don’t recall which), Carl came to the meeting and in his plain-spoken way announced they had succeeded in recruiting Dr. M. Mouzon Biggs with the simple statement “We got him!”

It was that memory that caused my introduction of this great teacher this morning.

Rick

Happy Wednesday, Maranatha friends –

We continue to have large crowds for Dr. Mouzon Biggs’s excellent series, “THOSE SEVEN OLDEST LETTERS,” – no surprise! He is such an outstanding scholar and teacher; we are blessed to have him this month. He is focusing on the writings of Paul, and this Sunday will be your last chance to learn from him this year. If you missed any of his first three lessons, you can hear them at http://www.bostonavenue.org/maranatha.html .

Future teachers and lessons include: Ted Hinson (Nov. 4th), Paula Gradney-Garner (11th), Rev. EvaMarie Campbell (18th), and a Thanksgiving brunch on the 25th, followed by our annual Advent series during December.

CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are so pleased that Rosa Castellanos has decided to join our class! We also welcomed several visitors again Sunday – Karen Gillis-Tinlin, Ed Stitt, Gail Biggs, and Janice Bowman. There was another couple who came in after the lesson started, and I was unable to find out their name. Welcome to all!

Happy birthday to Ed Payton today, October 24th, and to Terry Jones on the 26th. Happy anniversary to Terry and Bob Jones today as well!

This is the last Sunday to bring new, unwrapped gifts for Cookson Hills Mission’s Christmas store. It means so much to our neighbors in need to be able to shop for gifts for their loved ones at prices they can afford! A list of needed items can be found at the end of this email.

Our class will help host the Compassion Dinner again this Thursday, October 25th. Please come, even if you didn’t get a chance to sign up. Volunteers are needed from 5:00-7:30, but come when you can – it’s a wonderful way to serve and share God’s love.

This Sunday, October 28, we’re going back in time to 1893! The Brush Arbor Bash will have food and fun activities for all ages from noon-2:00 p.m., outside in the park and inside in Jubilee Hall. Take a photo under the brush arbor, try your skill at relay races or pumpkin painting, learn folk dancing, play checkers or dominoes and help put together “Boston Avenue puzzles” sure to delight everyone. Feast on hamburgers and hot dogs from the Boy Scouts’ chuck wagon and on "fairy floss" or popcorn from the senior high youth. Join in a flag football game or watch children squeal with joy while petting a lamb, taking a pony ride or milking a cow. This is a one-time event you won’t want to miss! Dust off your 1893 wardrobe and join us for a memorable, good time. Karen needs Maranatha volunteers to fill in various booths and areas. Please consider volunteering for a 30-minute shift (between noon and 2:00), and spend the remainder of the time enjoying everything offered. Please email her at k.brownlee to tell her your preferred shift. You can also call her at 918/625-5989.

Rick Evans and Roger are still working to fill the slate of officers for next year. Please consider where you can serve. All are welcome!

Our church will hold a prayer vigil on November 1, All Saint’s Day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You are invited to sign up for a 15-minute spot and participate.

Our Care Ministry needs volunteers to visit one of our over-200 homebound Boston Avenue members, many of whom have no family to care about them. A SilverLink volunteer training will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 4. All are encouraged to consider taking part in this vital ministry.

Roger shared a thank-you note from Neighbor for Neighbor on Sunday.

Thanks to Jerry LeDoux for leading us in prayer Sunday, and to Dee Dueck and Jenny and Jerry LeDoux for our snacks. Bruce Chucoski will have our prayer this week and Bill and Susan Thomas will be our hosts.

JOYS AND CONCERNS – Please keep these in your prayers:

It was nice to have Jim Griffin back in class.

Kendall Carpenter’s nephew sustained two inoperable hip fractures from a bad fall.

Scott Morgan thanked the class for our prayers for his and Debra’s son David, who has been having severe neurological episodes. Doctors decided to try him on a medication for multiple sclerosis, and that seems to be taking care of his symptoms, even though he doesn’t have MS.

Jennifer Hall is still battling cancer.

UPCOMING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES:

October 25 – Maranatha helps with the Compassion Dinner again.

November 5-9 – Maranatha Mission Team will work in the Houston area

November 25 – serve dinner at St. Luke’s Redemption Church

December (date tentative) – Neighbor for Neighbor Christmas event

SOCIAL EVENTS:

For those who purchased this auction item at last year’s Christmas party, the barbecue dinner with the Gardners and Dale/McCanns will take place on November 9.

Our Maranatha Christmas Party and Auction will be held on December 14.

OTHER

The Grammy-Award winning men’s choral ensemble, Chanticleer, will be singing at Boston Avenue this Friday, October 26, at 8:00 p.m. This is a rare opportunity! A few tickets are still available on the Sistema Tulsa website. If you enjoy great music, this promises to be a real treat!

Thanks for all you mean to our class and to our church. We’ll see you Sunday!

Shari

Here is the list of items needed at Cookson. All gifts must be new and unwrapped:

Clocks, clock radios – Can openers – Hair dryers, curling irons

Pots and pans – Sets of glasses and dishes, Coats (all sizes) – Hat and mitten sets– all sizes

Bath Sets – Batteries – Fishing Poles and Tackle Boxes – Toys and Balls for all ages

Stockings and Stocking stuffers (no candy) – Wrapping paper and gift bags, gift tags, bows, tape

Clothing, socks and underwear for Men, Women and Children (all sizes)

Tools and Tool Boxes – Crock pots, Coffee makers, Toasters – Quilted Flannel Shirts for Men

Hello, Maranatha friends –

Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr. shared the second lesson in his informative series on Sunday. He is focusing this series, entitled “THOSE SEVEN OLDEST LETTERS!” on the writings of Paul. We just have two more Sundays to learn from him. If you missed either of his first two lessons, you can hear them at http://www.bostonavenue.org/maranatha.html .

CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS

We welcomed several visitors Sunday – Judy Radkey, Sharon and Don Robinson, Gail Biggs, and Janice Bowman – as well as our class missionary to Washington, D.C, Nancy Christy! Rose Castellanos also visited us again. Welcome to all!

Happy anniversary to Ray and Shannon Latchem on October 16th, and to Sam and Sarah Smith on the 19th! There were no birthdays this week.

Karen Campbell announced the following: On Sunday, October 28, we’re going back in time to 1893! Come go with us! The Brush Arbor Bash will have food and fun activities from Noon-2:00 p.m., both indoors and outdoors, for all ages. Take part in some, or just watch and enjoy. Take a photo under the brush arbor, try your skill at relay races or pumpkin painting, learn folk dancing, play some checkers and dominoes and help put together “Boston Avenue puzzles” sure to delight everyone. Feast on hamburgers and hot dogs from the Boy Scouts’ chuck wagon and on "fairy floss" or popcorn from the senior high youth. Join in a flag football game or watch children squeal with joy while petting a lamb, taking a pony ride or milking a cow. This is a one-time event you won’t want to miss! Dust off your 1893 wardrobe and join us for a memorable, good time. The 125th Anniversary Committee has asked adult Sunday School classes to sponsor a booth/activity. As chair, I purposefully didn’t ask Maranatha to take on a specific area. Rather, I am hoping to use Maranatha folks to fill in various areas. Please consider volunteering for a 30-minute shift (between Noon and 2:00), and spend the remainder of the time enjoying everything offered. Email me at k.brownlee to let me know if you have a preferred shift. Thanks so much, Karen (918/625-5989)

Pam Sherman thanked all who helped with the Compassion Dinner last Thursday. Our class will host again on Thursday, October 25th, and Pam passed around a signup sheet. Please come, even if you don’t get a chance to sign up. Volunteers are needed from 5:00-7:30, but come when you can – it’s a great way to serve and share God’s love with others in need.

Rick Evans and Roger are starting to fill the slate of officers for next year. The list is on the board – please consider filling one of these hotly-contested positions. All are welcome!

Roger said that a new technology committee is being formed for the church. He is looking forward to seeing the many ways that committee will be helpful.

Thanks to Kendall Carpenter for leading us in prayer Sunday, and to the Tallents and Sam and Sarah Smith for our snacks. Jerry LeDoux will give our prayer this week and Dee Dueck (guilty/setup) and Jenny and Jerry LeDoux (healthy/cleanup) will be our hosts.

JOYS AND CONCERNS – Please keep these in your prayers:

It’s nice to have Janet Purinton back in class.

The Griffins have found an oncologist in Tulsa who will be able to administer Jim’s chemo, so Jim was heading home to Tulsa from Florida on Sunday.

Mary Staat and Kate Staat Barnes left this morning for Oregon, where they will spread some of Paul’s ashes on his favorite beach, per his request.

Nancy Christy was celebrating the marriage of her daughter, Christy.

Debbie Jacoby is celebrating the upcoming wedding of her daughter, Shannon.

Scott and Debra Morgan’s son David is having severe neurological episodes, and a team of doctors at Georgetown Hospital has not been able to diagnose what is causing them.

Jimmy Berg reminded us of the victims of Hurricane Michael.

Albert Klein was still in the hospital Sunday. His heart is better, but the hernia that caused him to go in in the first place is worse. He will have surgery to repair that tomorrow.

Paul Giessen is celebrating that his daughter Frances passed her exam to become a Registered Nurse, got a job at Saint Francis Hospital, and is now engaged.

Jennifer Hall is still battling cancer.

UPCOMING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES:

October 25 – Maranatha helps with the Compassion Dinner again.

November 5-9 – Maranatha Mission Team will work in the Houston area

November 25 – serve dinner at St. Luke’s Redemption Church

December (date tentative) – Neighbor for Neighbor Christmas event

SOCIAL EVENTS:

For those who purchased this auction item at last year’s Christmas party, the barbecue dinner with the Gardners and Dale/McCanns will take place on November 9.

Our Maranatha Christmas Party and Auction will be held on December 14.

OTHER

Chanticleer, one of the top men’s choral ensembles in the world, will be singing at Boston Avenue on October 26 at 8:00 p.m. This is a rare opportunity! Tickets are on sale on the Sistema Tulsa website. If you enjoy great music, this will be a real treat. If you know others who enjoy great music, please pass the word!

Thanks for all you mean to our class – we’ll see you Sunday!

Shari

This is a printable version of the shopping list recommended for the Cookson Hills mission effort this Christmas. We will have a table in class for you to deliver any gifts you choose to purchase. Rick

Christmas Store Needs List– all gifts must be new and unwrapped

• Clocks, clock radios
• Can openers
• Hair dryers, curling irons
• Pots and pans
• Sets of glasses and dishes
• Hat and mitten sets– all sizes
• Coats– all sizes
• Bath Sets
• Batteries
• Fishing Poles and Tackle Boxes
• Toys and Balls for all ages
• Stockings and Stocking stuffers (no candy)
• Wrapping paper and gift bags, gift tags, bows, tape
• Clothing for Men, Women and Children (all sizes)
• Socks and Underwear for Men, Women and Children (all sizes)
• Tools and Tool Boxes
• Crock pots, Coffee makers, Toasters
• Quilted Flannel Shirts for Men

Happy Wednesday, Maranatha –

What a treat it is to have Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr. teaching us this month! He is focusing this series, entitled “THOSE SEVEN OLDEST LETTERS!” on the writings of Paul. We always learn so much when he teaches our class!

CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to our visitors, Robert Chase, Gail Biggs, and Stefanie and Rick Kelly!

Happy birthday to Scott Morgan on October 7th, Jim McCann on the 8th, Jennifer Hall on the 11th, Karen Campbell on the 12th, and Mary Bundren on the 13th!

Meredith Davisson thanked all who helped with Operation School Bell last week, and reminded everyone that this month is our class’s turn to help host the Compassion Dinners – tomorrow, the 11th, and Thursday the 25th. Volunteers are needed from 5:00-7:30. Come when you can – it’s a great way to serve others. It’s great to have as many class members as possible.

Rick Evans’ and Roger Rowe’s “reign of terror” is coming to an end just 3 ½ months from now, and they’re starting to fill the slate of officers for next year. The list is on the board – please consider filling one of these hotly-contested positions. They say, “If it’s blank, you’re qualified!”

Thanks to Sharon Chucoski for leading us in prayer Sunday, and to the Dale/McCanns, Barbara Meehan, and Robert Chase for our snacks. Kendall Carpenter will give our prayer this week and Denzil and Lisa Tallent (guilty/setup) and Sam and Sarah Smith (healthy/cleanup) will be our hosts.

JOYS AND CONCERNS:

Congratulations to Karen and Art Campbell, whose daughter and son-in-law, Alexis and Chris McGeehee, are expecting a baby boy in March.

Bob Russell’s heart procedure was successful. There is still more to come.

Dave Shepherd and family are relieved that his brother does not have cancer.

Debbie Jacoby’s daughter Shannon is getting married this month in Turks & Caicos.

Albert Klein is still in Hillcrest Heart Institute on the fifth floor, but is in good spirits.

Charlotte Rowe’s sister’s husband has been battling an infection and needs prayer.

Jimmy Berg’s friend Rick Cook will have a kidney transplant, and neighbor Jerry Hunter is battling dementia. Also, Jeff Baker has some health problems.

Please keep our classmates, Jim Griffin and Jennifer Hall, in your prayers as they battle cancer.

UPCOMING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES:

October 11 & 25 – Maranatha helps with Compassion Dinners on these Thursday evenings.

November 5-9 – Maranatha Mission Team will work in the Houston area

November 25 – serve dinner at St. Luke’s Redemption Church

December (date tentative) – Neighbor for Neighbor Christmas event

SOCIAL EVENTS:

For those who purchased this auction item at last year’s Christmas party, the barbecue dinner with the Gardners and Dale/McCanns will take place on November 9.

Our Maranatha Christmas Party and Auction will be held on December 14.

OTHER

Chanticleer, one of the top men’s choral ensembles in the world, will be singing at Boston Avenue on October 26 at 8:00 p.m. This is a rare opportunity! Tickets are on sale on the Sistema Tulsa website. If you enjoy great music, this will be a real treat. If you know others who enjoy great music, please pass the word!

Seeking Seniors is hosting a tour of Holy Family Cathedral next Thursday, October 18. It will be led by Joseph Chavez, a well-known Catholic artist. Box lunches will be available at 11:30 for $5 for those who want to eat lunch before the tour.

Our church is now posting a daily devotional prayer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at 6:00 every morning. These devotionals will help us all prepare our hearts and minds to take our part in the annual stewardship campaign. You can also sign up for these prayers in the "Connect" section of our website.

Hope you’re having a good week. See you Sunday!

Shari

Dear Maranatha friends –

Thought you might like to read what Dr. Biggs had to say about the lesson series he will be teaching in our class during October, starting this Sunday:

He writes, "I will be breaking in a new series called, ‘Those Seven Oldest Letters!‘ When I earlier taught you the order of the 27 writings
in our New Testament, I gave almost all of the time to the four Gospels. This series will be designed to give Paul’s writings a much more detailed look."

Hope you can join us Sunday –

Greetings, Maranatha –

It’s a month we’ve been waiting for! The Rev. Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr. will teach us all month, beginning this Sunday, October 7. Everyone who has heard him before knows we’re in for a treat!

CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to Rosa Castellanos, our visitor Sunday. Rosa is the mother of one of our Sistema Tulsa students.

Happy birthday to Dan Blevins on September 30th, and to Nancy Morgan and Lynn Russell on October 5th. Happy anniversary to the Gardners and the Kleins.

Thanks to Richard Wansley for leading us in prayer Sunday, and to Glenna Arnott for our snacks. Sharon Chucoski will give our prayer this week and the Dale/McCanns (guilty/setup) and Meehan/Chases (healthy/cleanup) will be our hosts.

Thanks for your generosity! Our love offering Sunday brought in more than enough to purchase ten ukuleles needed for a music class at Burroughs Elementary, our adopted school. We also have plenty of volunteers to help fit needy students in uniforms at Operation School Bell this Thursday. Our class is truly a blessing to others, and to each other, thanks to each of you!

If you are willing to lead us in prayer on a Sunday morning, please contact Sharon Chucoski. She needs volunteers.

JOYS AND CONCERNS:

Al Klein’s heart surgery went well. He was moving from ICU into a room on Sunday, and was planning to go home soon.

Bob Russell will have a mitral valve procedure tomorrow, October 3, to fix a leakage. Please hold him in prayer.

Jim Griffin started his second round of chemo Monday in Florida, but he’s still trying to recover from the first round. Sherry returned to Florida on Monday to be with him.

Please remember Bill Hunt, a longtime church member who is on hospice and is dying.

Susan Day is working on selling her house, and her brother and sister-in-law are adopting a child.

Please remember the family of Kendall Carpenter’s friend, who was murdered in Memphis last week.

Please keep our classmate, Jennifer Hall, in your prayers as she undergoes chemo.

UPCOMING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES:

October 4 – Operation School Bell – help fit school uniforms, shoes, et. for our Burroughs Elementary students

October 11 & 25 – Maranatha helps with Compassion Dinners on these Thursday evenings.

November 5-9 – Maranatha Mission Team will work in the Houston area

November 25 – serve dinner at St. Luke’s Redemption Church

December (tentative) Neighbor for Neighbor Christmas event

SOCIAL EVENTS:

For those who purchased this auction item at last year’s Christmas party, the barbecue dinner with the Gardners and Dale/McCanns will take place on November 9.

Our Maranatha Christmas Party and Auction will be held on December 14.

OTHER

Chanticleer, one of the premiere men’s choral ensembles in the world, will be singing at Boston Avenue on October 26 at 8:00 p.m. This is a rare opportunity! Tickets are on sale on the Sistema Tulsa website. If you enjoy great music, this will be a real treat. If you know others who enjoy great music, please pass the word!

Seeking Seniors is hosting a tour of Holy Family Cathedral on October 18. It will be led by Joseph Chavez, a well-known Catholic artist. Box lunches will be available at 11:30 for $5 for those who want to eat lunch before the tour.

Our church is now posting a daily devotional prayer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at 6:00 every morning. These devotionals will help us all prepare our hearts and minds to take our part in the annual stewardship campaign. You can also sign up for these prayers in the "Connect" section of our website.

Hope you’re having a good week. See you Sunday!

Shari

From Richard Wansley:

At this week’s church administrative board meeting, Rev. Montgomery reported on the status of the Burroughs Apple Tree, the project which helps provide supplies and equipment to our partner elementary school, ensuring that the children have best possible learning environment. The "good news" is that nearly all of the "apples" have been picked, and likely many of our Maranatha class members are those who will provide needed items. The "bad news" is that there was one item which would enrich the school’s music program, 10 ukuleles, that no person nor class had picked due to the cost, about $500. At the board meeting, Sharon Earley, Shari and Lynne Goodwin, and I sat at the same table and almost simultaneously heard a calling (from Sara or an even "higher authority") that Maranatha should respond to this opportunity to serve! Therefore, we invite our classmates to join us by bringing your cash or check donation this Sunday to enable the purchase of these enrichment items – I know that we can reach the threshold of $500 and if or when we exceed this goal, we’ll work with the school for ways to supplement this gift to their music program as well. Thank you, and God bless you for your willingness to serve at this calling!

Roger