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Dear
NEO family,
October
is Clergy Appreciation Month
With
the shepherd doing so much to encourage the flock, wouldn't it be nice if the
flock returned the favor? As teachers, counselors, comforters, and the
ones who unselfishly serve, your pastoral staff and their families could use
an extra pat on the back. So go ahead and find your special way to say
thanks. You'll be glad you did.
One
of our pastors told me this week, “My people think it is clergy appreciation
month all year long. “ I hope that is the case in every church. We have
an outstanding team of pastors in NEO!
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Radical
Together
I
receive confirmation every week that our theme for the year, “Radical
Together” is right. I recently read Francis Chan’s book, Forgotten God,
Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. Let me share a couple of
examples of his call to radical Christianity in the book:
When
we are referring to God, balance is a huge mistake. God is not just one thing
we add to the mix of life. He wants an invitation from us to permeate
everything and every part of us. ...
Let
me be clear. This is not a call to misinformed extremism, but an
acknowledgment that as believers we can never be 'done' with God. He is
infinite and we are finite; there will always be more of His character to
discover, more of His love to experience, and more of His power to use for
His purposes. (p. 21-21)
It
is a call to radical faith.
Jesus
is calling us to be willing to suffer anything and forsake everything for the
sake of the gospel. His call is to love those who have cheated us in
business; those who have spread nasty rumors about us; those who would kill
us if they could; those who disagree with us politically, practically and
fundamentally. His call is to consider everything a loss for His sake. His
call is for total surrender. He calls us to give up all that we have, to give
even to the point of offering up our lives as living sacrifice. His call
means realizing that His power is made perfect in our weakness, that when we
are weak we are also strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
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I
Want to Celebrate. . .
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It
has been so encouraging for me to visit with pastors across NEO in the past
week. I love hearing the reports of how God is working, from one end of the
District to the other - Country Faith to Miami New Life; Pawhuska to
Tahlequah. We serve a great God and he is interested in dwelling in and
working through a people who are sold out to His kingdom. Let’s be that
people! Here are a few words of celebration that our pastors wrote in their
monthly reports:
Larry
Allen, Bristow. . . Since we have begun a voluntary
Prayer and Fasting day once a week at Bristow, God has been marvelously
answering our prayers. We have seen people healed, saved and sanctified. Our
worship service is spirit-led and spirit-filled and new people and old
members keep showing up each Sunday. We have gone from barely making it each
month to having a surplus to get long overdue projects done. "To God be
the Glory great things He hath done."
Jason
Powers, Tahlequah. . . (1) We started a
"Night of Prayer" that focuses on our church being radical
followers of Christ! We are averaging 10! (2) We took 12 men to
Promise Keepers and are using it to launch our men's group using some great
material from Gene Getz! (3) We are taking 9 teens and 3
sponsors to Winter Xtreme "Hide God's Word in Your Heart" in
Branson over the Christmas break! (4) God is doing some great things as we
refocus our church on: reaching the teens of this generation and young
families; developing radical Christ-like leaders who develop others to be
Christ-like leaders!; discipling our church through SALT "Seven Areas of
Life Training" on Wed. nights!
Lowell
Clark, Davenport. . . Accepted 2 new members
in September.
Brad
Farnsworth, Core Church at Aspen Creek. . .
We had an awesome anniversary service with 430 in attendance (including 116
kids in the children’s ministry, 33 first-time visitors and 4 salvations)
celebrating 13 years of history and baptizing 5 people. Nearly 600 hotdogs
were catered by Gnarly Dawg for the tailgate party afterwards. We have also
sold 20 acres of our land and restructured our loan to a manageable
situation. God is so good!
Carl
Brown, Hominy. . . We have seen a wonderful increase
in our children in Sunday School as a result of VBS last month. God is
rebuilding and we are trusting Him to lead and teach. We desire to be Radical
for Christ and we Celebrate his great love for us. Can’t wait to see what he
will do.
Casey
Hollingsworth, Miami New Life. . . God's continued
blanketing of our congregation by His Presence! We continue to draw
near to God and He continues to be faithful in drawing close to us!
Gerald
Burch, Coweta Point of Grace. . . 16 children accepting
Christ in a three-week event involving our Children’s Ministry.
David
Stevens, Vinita. . . Our MIT Shea Barr has been giving
the devotional for Caravans. This past week he felt led to present the gospel
and give an invitation. Eight of the children raised their hands and prayed
the ‘sinner’s prayer.’ God is so good. In the small town Church we do not get
to see very many get saved on a regular basis. This encourages the entire
congregation.
Curtis
Martin, Mannford. . . (1) The city of Mannford
gave the final approval for us to "build". The outline of the
building has been marked off by our builder. He plans to move dirt in
the next week. (2) Several new families have begun attending and we hope this
will be regular attendance for them. (3) We are hosting our first major
car show with a carnival to raise funds for Mannford Elementary’s five
third-grade classes. It is this Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9-1 with trophies
being presented at 1:00 p.m. This project is to serve and support our
community. Will report the results in October. (4) We appreciate the
donation of additional padded chairs by the Sapulpa Church for our sanctuary.
Steven
Lester, Tulsa Central. . . We baptized 11 people
and received 31 members.
Tony
Siebels, Pawhuska. . . Two people have made
commitments to the Lord and will be baptized soon. We also have a few
people who will be going through a new member’s class. Praying that we
continue to grow and reach this community.
Scottie
Behm, Chelsea. . . We had a great month -- very
missional in our focus. (1) Our kids reaching kids and leaders had a
short service and then went out to witness to over 100 people at the first
night of the Chelsea Jamboree. (2) Cheyenne, the mother of a new family
coming to church, presented our church with “her best work ever” -- an
original colored pen artwork depicting the moment of salvation. We praise God
for His blessings He is sharing with Cheyenne and her family. (3) Our people
who are very generous in providing for the community mission hotdog event we
hold during our local Jamboree. What a blessing to serve with so many
wonderful people! The rain kept most of our visitors away from the Jamboree
and our service, but we were blessed through showing the Jesus film four
times that day. (4) Annie and Brandon Gaffney came and shared their witness
from their most recent mission trip. What a joy it was to hear them share
their stories of entire families coming to know Jesus. (5) Pastor Paul Stubbs
shared with great joy his personal witness of receiving healing. We
praise God together for the power of prayer and His healing
touch!
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NEO
September Statistics
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Attendance
for September
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2012-13
2013-14
SDMI
2944
2671
Morning Worship
3731 3632
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WORSHIP
- CAMP MEETING STYLE
OCTOBER 23, 10:30
A.M.
CENTRAL CHURCH OF
THE NAZARENE
SANCTUARY
7291 E 81st
Street, Tulsa, OK
FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
TO FOLLOW
PRE-PAID
RESERVATION NECESSARY - $6
PREACHER: DR.
STAN TOLER, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT, EMERITUS
SINGER: REV.
MONTY NICHOLS,
MUSKOGEE FIRST
PASTOR
PREPAID LUNCH
RESERVATIONS MAY BE MADE BY CALLING / EMAILING
JOHN WILLIAMSON –
918-859-3600
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Parenting Seminar at Tulsa Hills Church
Tickets are $20/person before 10/19; $25 after 10/19.
Groups of 10 or more receive $2 off per ticket.
Seating is limited so buy early!
To register, call Tulsa Hills church office: 918 445-1793
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Simulcast
live at SNU Tulsa
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