Maranatha Class Website

I received a communication from Lynn earlier today asking for prayers for her friend, Rick, who was involved in a severe automobile accident while in Mexico. He suffered many breaks and head trauma which has left him in a coma. Apparently, Lynn’s friend is being held liable for the wreck and injuries to others; consequently, he is "under arrest" and being guarded by police. It seems to be a horrible situation. Lynn requests your prayers for Rick. We’ll ask Lynn to update us this Sunday.

Richard Wansley

Maranatha members,

Please plan on attending class this Sunday. Our guest teacher will be Dr. John L. Thomas, Jr., professor at Phillips Theological Seminary. The title of his lesson is "Acts 8:26-40: Multiculturalism in Ministry – What We Can Learn from Each Other”.

Remember: Sunday is a Brunch Sunday; you are invited to bring food to share with all others. Also, the church is still recognizing classes as attendance "achievers" during this month. Last week, we were one of only a couple of "super-achievers" at Boston Avenue. Let’s keep it up! We need your presence and bring family, friends, and others as your guests!

See you on Sunday. It will be "exciting"!

Richard Wansley

Thank you for all who have volunteered to help with mowing for the Staats. Karen has set the schedule for the first four mowings:
1st — Jim and Sam Embrey
2nd — Lynn and Shari Goodwin
3rd — Jeff Allen
4th — Eric Green
Karen will contact each of these and work out details for the exact dates. She has had offers from others she can contact if additional mowings are needed.

Thanks again for all of the offers to help.

Barbara

Message to Richard Wansley – Contact Brenda for any additional information:

"Could you please send out a prayer request for my new niece, Gracie, born yesterday. She is being brought to Tulsa today for a transfusion – complication of blood types.

Thank you,

Brenda Spencer"

Mary is back to work, Kate is back to school and Paul is working half days while building his strength up to begin chemo treatments this Friday. For now, they are doing well. It is their lawn that could use some help!

Mary is thinking one mowing every 10 days would take care of things. They have an electric mower in their garage, so it is light weight and easy to use. The task of love could be done any time, as they can leave the garage unlocked for the time period you request.

The first mowing would need to be done some time this week. Then we can schedule people every week or so, hitting somewhere between once a week to two weeks. If you would like to volunteer for mowing duty, please call my cell 625-5989.

Thanks so much,

Karen

"The news on Randy’s biopsy is good. The growth is called a "lentigo
maligna". Basically, this is a pre-melanoma that is non-invasive and is
expected to be a cure. When the doctor cut the growth out he cut deep and
wide enough to make sure he got "clear margins". This means that the growth
is contained inside the tissue removed and is not invading any of the
surrounding tissue. There is no "treatment" needed as there is nothing left
to be treated. We obviously are quite pleased with these results and
appreciate your interest, concern and especially your prayers.
Mary and Randy Elliott"

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because
without courage you can’t practice any other vitue consistently."
Maya Angelou

Not only was it a Great Day at BA but it was a great day at Maranatha! Our numbers in class swelled to 103 members and guests; we were recognized at the 11am service as being "superachievers"! Let’s keep it up for next Sunday; we need your participation, and please invite guests.

It was an unusual Great Day celebration because we also recognized 30 years of service by Dr. Biggs and his family to Boston Avenue. At the 11am service, Dr. Biggs received a standing ovation by the congregation, and we were honored to have all of the Biggs family members present as well. Thank you Dr. Biggs for the precious gift of your ministry to us for so many years! And, we look forward to your years with us yet to come!

In class, we recognized several who will have birthdays this week, including Jeff Allen (8/22), Albert Klein (8/25), and Jacque Gallegos (8/28), as well as one anniversary celbration, Dana & Stuart Solomon. Congratulaions!

Our Greeters this morning who also brough refreshments were Jacque Gallegos and Beverly & Mark North; thank you. Next week, it’s a "fifth Sunday"; so, it will be a Brunch. Please bring food to share with others, but if you can’t bring anything, please come to Sunday School regardless. There will be plenty to eat!

Visitors included Johnnie Romo, Will Johnson, Terry & Dino Todd, and Muriel Evans. Please join us again at any time; your always welcome at Maranatha.

We had a number of announcements. First, it was reported to all us who were unable to attend the the Maranatha 30th Anniversary Dinner last Friday evening that it was a rousing success! Our appreciation for making it so was expressed by the class to Pam Low and Pam Sherman. It was also reported that one exciting discovery revealed at the dinner was that Maranatha has donated over $250,000 to charities and the church over the years. Amazing!

The Kans and Karoke Party will be held at the Scotts this coming Saturday, beginning at 6pm. If you are a new member and wish to attend or you are looking for additional information, contact Skip Scott at scott (or scott at cimtel.net). Bring canned goods as a donation, and bring a lawn chair for outside (weather permitting). If you’re not certain whether you purchased at ticket to this party, contact Skip or Paula.

The Amish Dinner, an all member event, will be held on October 2nd; so, mark your calendars. Pam Sherman will give us additional information in the near future.

There were many Joys and Concerns expressed this morning, and if I don’t report them all here, please let me know and I will send out a supplemental report later in the week. Joys included an announcement by Denzil Tallent of the pending marriage (engagement) of their daughter; Richard Payton had his first "hole in one"; Kendall Carpenter told us her father has finally home after suffering a stroke, their son is in France and daughther setteled away in college. We were also asked to keep our nation’s veterans in our prayers, a joy for their service and a concern for sometimes failing to recall their service on behalf of us all.

Concerns were many, including for Megan Davis, diagnosed with MD; Nikki Smith who lost her employment; Randy Elliot who had a biopsy this last week; friends who died including Phyllis Blalock and Rick Garner; and concerns for Suzy Meredith-Orr’s grandfather. Following class, I received a message from Ginny Walker whose not been in our class recently, in part due to the failing health of her husband, Jerry. Please keep all these, their family, friends, and loved ones in your prayers.

Our Joys & Concerns prayer was delivered by Paul Staat. It was good to have Paul back in class and at the Church!

Professor Sandra Costen Kunz, Phillips Theological Seminary, was our teacher this morning. Her topic was "Christian Discernment and Christian Peace Education". Sandra’s teaching elicited questions and comments that continued for some time even after class was dismissed. Thank you, Professor Kunz, for your thoughtful lesson this Sunday and in the past.

Next Sunday, Professor John L. Thomas, Phillips Seminary, will be our teacher. We’ll have an abbreviated time for announcements, joys and concerns during our Brunch, then invite Dr. Thomas to deliver his lesson. It’ll be great! You need to be there!

See you Sunday! Many blessings!

Richard Wansley

This Sunday, August22nd, is "Great Day at BA". Maranatha has always been a leader in having large numbers for "Great Day". Let’s keep up the tradition. Be there; call other members to encourage their attendance; bring family, friends, and other guests!

Also, remember, Sunday is the day we honor the 30 years of service by Dr. Biggs and his family to our church. Our gift to him will be our presence at one or both of the Church Services. Please plan on showing your appreciation by being in church on Sunday!

Professor Sandra Costen Kunz will be our teacher on Sunday; what a "great day" it will be!

Richard Wansley

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Next Sunday, August 22nd, is "Great Day at BA"; it is also the day chosen to celebrate the 30 years of service by Dr. Biggs and his family to BAUMC. Your gift to Dr. Biggs in honor of his service will be your presence at Sunday School and Church on Sunday, August 22nd. Be there and contact other members to encourage their attendance!!

This Sunday, we had a great group of members and were glad to have everyone in class. If you weren’t able to be there today, make certain that you’re with us next Sunday if at all possible.

We recognized several people for their birthdays and anniversaries, including Richard Payton and Richard Wansley (both whose birthdays are on August 19th) and Lee & Pam Snodgrass whose anniversary is August 18th.

Johnny Romo was our only visitor; he is the new resident at the Maranatha sponsored apartment in Exodus House. Johnny tells us that he plans on being a regular at Sunday School and Boston Avenue. Welcome Johnny!

Friday evening, 6pm, August 20th, will be the Anniversary Dinner for Maranatha’s 30th; the dinner celebration will be held at the Church. Contact Pam Sherman or Pam Low for reservations and more information. I know that some of us (including Meredith and me) have prior committments that will prevent our attendance, but we’ll be thinking of our Maranatha friends. If possible, join your Maranatha family on Friday evening! Enjoy!

Suzy and Denny Meredith-Orr told us that the mission activity, serving at the Day Center, was successful. Photos of the service were placed on the Mission Board in the classroom. Thanks, Suzy and Denny, for organizing this and other mission opportunities.

Several concerns were shared with the class, including news that Michelle Place’s grandmother continues to have both good and bad days; Kirk Place’s mother, Margie, has learned that she has Stage 4 cancer; Jim Seymour’s mother, Theda, died earlier this week (services will be held for her on Thursday, August 19th, 10am, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1222 S. Guthrie); Jim Smryl’s mother, Kathryn who lives in San Antonio, has esophageal cancer; John Sherman’s friend, Steve "the Greek" Vaniadis died this week. Please remember all these people and their families and friends in your prayers. Christi Luks is travelling in Bolivia, visiting the shores of Lake Titicaca. Keep Christi in your thourghts and prayers, as well.

Jim Embrey led us in a prayer; thank you, Jim!

Keith Madden taught a interesting lesson on the crusades, and affored us ample opportunities to consider how contemporary times can mirror history. Thanks, Keith! After class was dismissed, I presented Keith with a Certificate of Appreciation for stepping up at the last minute to be our teacher.

Next Sunday, our teacher will be Professor Sandra Costen Kunz, Phillips Theological Seminary. Dr. Kunz has taught our class in the past, and we look forward to hearing from her next week.

Have a blessed week!

Richard Wansley

"Kdo jinemu jamu kopa sam do
ni pada"
(When you try to dig a hole for someone else, you usually fall in
it yourself!)

The above quote is a Czech wisdom, shared with me by my daughter-in-law who along with our son and grandson are visiting with us from their home in South Africa. It’s been a busy week for us with all our adult children, their significant others, and grandson under the same roof once again!

On Sunday, we had a great morning! If you were there, you know that already; if not, then we missed you, and hope to see you soon!

We celebrated two birthdays, Gene Martin (8/14) and Don Forsman, our teacher (also on 8/14), and several anniversaries, Jim McCann & Angie Dale (8/8), Kevin & Barbara Meehan (8/11), Rob & Frieda Reck (8/11), Paul & Ruth Giessen (8/13), and Rob Smith & Susan Morgan (8/13). Congratulations.

Our greeters who brought refreshments were Shari & Lynn Goodwin and Debbie & Neal Pascoe; thank you!

Next week greeters and providers of snacks are Ginny & Jerry LeDoux (guilt-ridden/set up) and Dana & Stuart Solomon (healthy/clean up).

Melanie Evans, a Maranatha alumus, joined regular members on Sunday.

Several announcements were made by members. Friday evening, August 20th, will be the date of our Maranatha Anniversary Dinner at the church. Check with Pam Sherman about details. Those who signed up for the mission, serving at the Day Center for the Homeless, on Friday, August 13th, please remember to be there; contact Suzy or Denny Meredith-Orr for details or if your plans have changed.

Concerns recognized by members included the death of Jim Seymour’s mother, Richard Payton’s aunt whose caretaker stole money from her, Kirk Place’s mother who was recently diagnosed with cancer, and Michelle Place’s grandmother who is seriously ill. Your prayers are requested for these families.

An eloquent, thoughtful prayer was prepared and delivered by Ed Payton.

Please note this important announcement: On August 22nd, it with Great Day At BA! It will also be the 30th Anniversary of Dr. Biggs at BAUMC. At Dr. Bigg’s request, there will be no grand event, but it is requested that we fill every pew and overflow the sanctuary with all of us who are members. So, please mark your calendars and be at BA on August 22nd!

Our teacher on Sunday morning was Don Forsman, who spoke to us about being a Christian "doubter". Thanks, Don. Don will be back with us at some date yet to be rescheduled in the next month or so.

Next Sunday, our own Keith Madden has agreed to be our teacher for a lesson on the Crusades; come join us for this interesting topic!

Have a great week.

Richard Wansley / Meredith Davison
Presidents