Maranatha Class Website

"Commandment number one of an truly civilized society is this:
Let people be different."
David Grayson, Journalist/Author

Johnnie Romo, class member, shared his perspective in this morning’s lesson, entitled "The Four Principles of Reintergration". It was a well thought out presentation sprinkled with Johnnie’s humor. Well done, Johnnie! Thank you!

We had a large number of members present this morning, including some whom have been away from the class for various reasons over the past month or so. It was great to have all of you there with your church family! We also had several visitors, including Bethany Willyard, Leona Hogue, and Mark Shoup. Hope I got the name correct. If not, please come back again and make sure you give me the correction. You’re welcome to be with on any Sunday and at any of our events!

We had a number of announcements. There will be an all-church potluck dinner on the evening of November 28th, beginning at 5:30pm, that will also include an intimate communion service. Thanksgiving leftovers are welcome. A Veterans Day Celebration, Thursday, will be held at the Elks Lodge (contact the Lodge to get more details).

November 13th is the date for the "Gourmet Dinner", announced by Lynn Russell. If you purchased this event at our last Christmas party, then you should receive an invitation, but contact Lynn for more information if you’re not certain that you’re on the list. It should be great! Speaking of the Christmas Party, mark you calendar for December 10th. Pam Sherman will share details in the future.

November 21st, the class will enjoy the Baytroupe production at the church as our next Social Event. Likely, we’ll plan to gather together after the production to share some social time. Contact Pam Sherman for more information.

Suzy Meredith-Orr announced that our next mission opportunity will be with Neighbor for Neighbor. Check with Suzy and/or the Maranatha website for additional information.

We had Joys and we had Concerns. The Wansley’s announced the birth of their newest grandchild (grandson), William James Wansley, born last Tuesday in Pretoria, South Africa. Skip Scott let us know that tomorrow will be the day that he finally has his long-awaited dental implants put in place (we look foward to seeing the results). Kate Thomas reminded us of the good work done by Tulsa’s social service, United Way agencies.

Bethany Willyard asked for our prayers in support of her continuing recovery. David Carpenter’s mother is seriously ill, and needs our prayers for her and the family. Sharon Earley’s stepneice, Megan, is having surgery. Judith and Ed Payton’s friend, Rebecca Brown, is suffering from cancer. Ginny LeDoux asked that we remember the heartaches of violence and abandoment that we have in our community. Please keep these people and their family and friends in your thoughts and prayers this week.

Rob Reck led us in prayer. Thank you, Rob; we appreciated your thoughtful words!

Advent 2010 begins on Sunday, November 28th. We have chosen an Advent study guide entitled, "Blessings of the Manger" for five Sundays including day following Christmas. Volunteers, either individuals, couples, or teams of members are asked to volunteer to help with these lessons. You will be provided the study guide as an outline for presenting each Sunday. Contact Meredith or me if you are interested in helping out. We’ve already got some potential volunteers but we need even more.

Next Sunday, November 14th, our lesson will be delivered by Dr. Paul Kent, Executive Director of Tulsa’s Habitat for Humanity. Don’t be surprised if Paul’s lesson is something other than simply a description of Habitat. As a former church pastor who has a doctorate in divinity, our invitation to Paul has been to teach the lesson of his own choosing. So, I’ll let you know Paul’s presentation title later this week. Thanks to Ed Payton for arranging for Dr. Kent.

Have a blessed week; see you next Sunday!

Richard Wansey

Join us tomorrow to hear our teacher, classmate Johnny Romo, give his lesson, entitled "The Four Principles of Reintergration". It sounds like an interesting topic for all of us. See you tomorrow!

Richard Wansley

"The doctors have given Stephen some pretty grim news. Some of Rex’s organs are beginning to fail, he still has pneumonia, & he did suffer some slight damage from the heart attack on Monday. He has a 60% to 80% chance of mortality. On the other hand that is a 20% to 40% chance of survival. The family asks for continued prayers. Valerie Carpenter, who is working on her Masters at the University of Mempis, is working on Rex’s floor at the hospital this week. Valerie has definitely brought a ray of sunshine to some Boston Avenue members who are far from home. It’s wonderful to watch our Maranatha children grow up and have a continued impact on our lives. Thank you Valerie, we are proud of you!

Michelle"

"Rex has suffered a heart attack this afternoon and he has pneumonia in one lung that is being treated with antibiotics. The surgeons are not surprised about the heart attack yet have reassured Stephen that Rex has the very best team of doctors attending him. The surgeon urged Stephen to continue with prayers and then hang onto his seat for a bumpy ride.

Michelle"

"Within our daily world, in every human face,
love’s echoes sound and God is found,
hid in the common place."
Excerpted from How Can We Name A Love, a hymn with words by
Brian Wren (1973) set to a traditional English melody

Today, it was a Brunch Sunday at Maranatha. The food was great, and the decor was decidely oriented to Halloween. Thanks to all who brought delicious food and "treats"!

Several important dates were recognized, including Birthdays by Suzy Meredith-Orr (10/31), Cisco Maldanado (11/2), Maryellen Niblack (11/5), and Rob Davis (11/6), as well as Anniversaries celebrated by Lydia & Ralph Jackson (10/31) and Jill & Bob Thomas (11/2)! Enjoy your special days!

We had an update on what seemed to be a great Halloween Party on Saturday evening. Denny Meredith-Orr encouraged us to bring items for the "Angel Car" next Sunday (see our website, Missions, to learn more about how you can help the Tulsa Car Clinic).

The 1st Advent Sunday is November 28th, and we are looking for volunteers (either individuals or couples) who would agree to give the Advent lessons. We will provide the background curriculum for you to use so that we have a consistent set of lessons over the 4 Sundays. Contact me (richard.wansley) if you are willing to volunteer; the first four volunteers will be asked to deliver our lessons.

We had a number of expressions of Joys and Concerns, beginning with reminders of news that we had heard earlier in the week: Roger Rowe’s brother, Robert, is improving; Lynelle Lancaster’s stepfather, Bob Bowker, is seriously ill; Rex Ball is recuperating following surgery; Nancy Arrowsmith’s granddaughter, Charlie, has health problems; Mickey Maus’ stepmother died this week; Ginger Smyrl’s grandfather is very ill.

Joys included the continued improvement of Paul Staat; Kendall Carpenter’s return home from Paris next week; Maryellen’s mom whose health is doing better; Ginger’s son who has had a joyous experience as a football player.

Pam Sherman’s daughter, Bethany Willyard, gave a testimony regarding her challenges in life, asking for our prayers. Bethany, you are welcome to be with us at Maranatha anytime, and should call on us for your support!

Please keep all these and their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Paul Loyd led us in prayer this morning.

Next week, Bob and Lynn Russell will be arranging a program from Redemption Church for our lesson. Have a blessed week; see you next Sunday at Maranatha.

Richard Wansley

"Hello Class,

My stepdad, Bob Bowker, is in Room 736 of OSU Osteopathic Hospital at 11th and Houston in Tulsa. He will be in Continuous Care for the next six weeks as they treat his bedsores and work with his nutritional needs. Considering that they have already done 2 surgeries he is in amazingly good spirits! Thank Goodness! Both he and the family will appreciate your prayers.

PS

My broken foot seems to be healing well.

You’ll are awesome!

Lynelle Lancaster"

"Charlotte and I haven’t been able to be in class much lately, but wanted to pass along an update on my brother, Robert. The short story is that your thoughts and prayers have been very effective and most appreciated. After having been discharged from the hospital for his stroke he had a very bad bout with colitis. This landed him back in the hospital for a period of time, where he became very weak and emaciated. Once that was under control, he was dispatched to a rehab facility where he has been for a couple of weeks now working on rebuilding his overall strength and health. We are seeing progress both physically and mentally and most grateful for your support. Roger Rowe."

"Rex Ball’s surgery went well and he is headed to ICU for two to five days.

Michelle"

From Shari Goodwin on behalf of Nancy Arrowsmith:
"Shari could you please ask for prayer at the Church and in the Maranatha class for my Granddaughter Charlie born last Thursday night. She is in critical condition. A friend of my son’s has set up a facebook page called praying for baby Charlie. We really need all the prayers we can get. Thanks for your help. Nancy"

Ray Earley writes:
"Sharon is heading up the Downtown For Good work at Exodus House this
Saturday, and among the tasks is re-painting stripes on the parking
lot. If anyone has a high pressure power washer they could loan for
this please let us know asap:

Ray & Sharon home 492-1803
Sharon Cell 629-5327
Ray cell 606-3046"