Maranatha Class Website

Thanks so much to Ruth Weston for her interesting, informative presentation on Celtic Spirtuality last Sunday, November 21st. The class members appreciated the refreshments provided by the Lows and Paytons (Judith and Ed). Much appreciation to Judith Payton for a thoughtful prayer.

Next Sunday, snacks will be provided by the Russells and Shermans.

We recognized birthdays during this week – Sandi Gardner, Lynn Goodwin, Karen Holmes, and Mark Lee, as well as anniversaries – Mary & Ray Adams and Patti & Gary Smith. Happy, happy!

On Sunday, November 28th, we will begin Advent at Maranatha. Our study guide is entitled, "Blessings of the Manger", and it is based on the Revised Common Lectionary. The topics and primary presenters for the next five Sundays are: "The Blessing of God’s Future (Janet Purinton)"; "The Blessing of Peace (Paula Scott)"; "The Blessing of Waiting (Pam Low)"; "The Blessing of God With Us (Michelle Place)"; "The Blessing of Light (Barbara Loyd)". Thank you, so much, for voluteering to lead the class during this important season in our Christian year!

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday and every Advent Sunday to follow; invite your family and friends who will be visiting with you over the holidays to join us at Maranatha!

Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

Richard Wansley

On Sunday, November 21st, our Maranatha teacher will be Ruth Weston, a Boston Avenue member; her lesson will be on "Celtic Spirtuality". See you Sunday; bring your family, friends, or other guests! We love visitors!

Richard Wansley

"Huge OOPS! The Maranatha Auction committee just didn’t think. Having a raffle at the church is against church policy. No problem, the Maranatha Belles will regroup and come up with Plan B that is within church policy and procedures. Fortunately, no raffle tickets have been sold for the pre-auction Flemming’s gift certificate. If anyone has any questions or hesitations regarding the auction, please feel free to visit with Lynn Russell or me.

Michelle Place"

Please accept my regrets for not providing you with a complete report for last Sunday, November 14th. I left for a business trip immediately following Sunday School, returning only late yesterday. And, I’ve not been able to get caught up yet. It is possible, regretfully, that I may not get a report out before this coming Sunday.

I am thankful to Dr. Paul Kent who taught last week. He did an amazing job with a wonderful lesson; and, I thank Ed and Judith Payton for making the arrangements for Paul to be with us.

Moments, ago, I forwarded a E-mail to you regarding the Christmas party and auction. The orginal message was from Michelle Place, and it contains an attachment (an auction form). If you have questions, contact Michelle directly or others as indicated in her E-mail.

See you on Sunday!

Richard Wansley

"Ray Latchem’s father died unexpectedly this morning in Louisiana. Ray and family will be traveling to New Mexico for the service this weekend. His name was Charlie Latchem."

"Just received word tonight that Jacqui Gallegos’s parent’s house burned to the ground night before last. They live in Florida. They both got out and were not physically injured, but they now have only the pajamas they were wearing. Both are around 80 years old. Jacqui asks that we all keep them and all her family in our prayers.

Thanks,

Shari Goodwin"

Please see the following updates, one from Michelle Place regarding Rex Ball, and a report from Skip Scott.

"Rex Ball is improved but his condition is still grave. The pneumonia is successfully being treated and the respirator is stepping down but still necessary. He remains heavily sedated because he becomes very agitated with the tube in his throat. There are still kidney issues but they can’t do anymore for them until he is able to move more. Stephen has returned to Tulsa for a few days for work and two other family members remain with Rex in Memphis. Michelle Place"

"To All, Thank you for your prayers, everything went well at the dentist’s office, i have my teeth implanted now, though a little sore i’ll be fine in a few days.
Thanks,
Skip Scott"

"I would like to make a prayer request. My best and dear friend James lost one of his sisters, (Natisse) Bambi, 53, very unexpectedly last night and the entire family is somewhat in shock. Naturally he is taking it extremely hard. She has lived and worked as a freelance musician in California for the past 30 years. James’ family is very close even though 3, now 2 sisters live in LA. His family had a band in the late ‘70’s, early 80s’ called the Honey Bees. It was he and his 4 sisters and ex-wife, managed by his parents. They toured Japan, Canada, Hawaii, and Tahiti and was one of the leading local bands of North Tulsa at the time, right behind the GAP band. I just ask that you keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this time. Thank-you.

Sharon Bookout"

"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