Following in the Footsteps of Jesus We all have different journeys, but we all end up at the CROSS.
2015 - Volume 1
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As the Lenten season approaches, we will begin to reflect faithfully through our sermon series entitled “Following in the Footsteps of Jesus.” During Lent, the 40 days preceding Easter, God calls us to remember the story of Jesus’ life and death. We’ll recall the ways that Jesus traveled to places like Nazareth and Jerusalem, and healed the blind and restored life to the dead. We reflect and we also examine our own lives to see where God would have us prune or nurture the habits of our hearts to help us love God and others more fully. Such reflection will prepare us to celebrate with deep joy the risen Christ on Easter Sunday.
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McFarlin UMC PO Box 6390 Norman, OK 73070 www.mcfarlinumc.org
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We often say, “Be the hands and feet of Christ,” and what I see happening in the life of McFarlin this spring shows that we really mean it! From our all-church gathering in January to discern where it is that God is leading our church to change lives, to our upcoming Lenten sermon series, “Following in the Footsteps of Jesus,” to the annual Spring Break mission trip our youth are set to take in March, McFarlin is a church that is answering God’s call to live faithfully. We began to plan faithfully last month when more than 200 of us gathered for our all-church Vision 2020 discussion. Tables of eight brainstormed then shared with the whole group specific ideas for how McFarlin can take bold steps to reach more people with the Good News of the Gospel. In coming weeks, our dedicated Vision Team will prayerfully weave those ideas into concrete plans that will form our church “to do” list for the next five years.
Sandy Huse, Communications Director shuse@mcfarlinumc.org 405-321-3484 ext. 116
Dear McFarlin Family,
PLUS... DON’T MISS ALL THIS
Changing Lives that Change the World
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Finally, in March, members of our church, both youth and adults, will go out and serve faithfully in very poor areas in South Texas. In addition to our annual week-long Spring Break mission work of repairing homes and ministering to often-overlooked families, this year a team of adults will travel down a week in advance of the youth to build a home from the ground up. These trips show us over and over that God uses faithful service to change lives – those of the families we serve and those of the mission team members. We’ll have the opportunity to hear these stories of changed lives from the Spring Break trip, our local outreach ministries, and more information about our upcoming Haiti mission in the March edition of “Alive.” I feel absolutely certain that when we come together to plan, reflect and serve faithfully, God delights in our effort and will allow us to be part of the exciting work of Changing Lives that Change the World. That gives me hope and great joy, and I pray that it offers you the same!
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Reflection from Pastor Tino Herrera
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Summer at McFarlin UMC
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Upcoming Events
- Shrove Tuesday
Blessings to You,
- Parents Night Out
- All Things Bright & Beautiful Art Fair
Pastor Linda www.mcfarlinumc.org
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A week after that experience, we hosted an all-church meeting in Fenn Hall called “I Dream of a Church.” As a whole church we asked and began to answer, “Who are we as a church, and what is God’s mission for us?” We did it again the following week, and then distributed questionnaires to our Sunday school classes and small groups. Through all of this, we were able to hear the voices of hundreds of children, youth and adults from throughout our congregation. At our Charge Conference in 2011, the church elected Kevin Kelleher and Karen Hill to establish and co-chair a Vision Team. Guided by prayer, the team worked with Pastor Linda and other staff leaders to build a team of lay people representing as many different areas of our church as possible. The task of the team was to consider all of the responses from those “I Dream of a Church” meetings and begin to discern what specific mission God had in store for McFarlin. The group relied on a resource called “Church Unique” to guide the process.
An Update from Karen Hill and Michael Andres On January 25th over 200 of us came together for an all-church conversation to dream and share what God had placed on our hearts in response to this question: “What does God want McFarlin to look like in five years?” Our tables had children as young as eight with adults in their 90s; families that had just recently started attending McFarlin alongside of those whose involvement with our church stretches across generations. Excitement and anticipation for the Holy Spirit’s work filled the room!
This conversation was the next step in the visioning work we began just over four years ago when a group of McFarlin laity and staff attended the Leadership Institute at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. On the final day of the Institute, after workshops and inspiring speakers, our team came together, overwhelmed by the love and power of the Spirit. We prayed and began to ask, “Who is it that God wants McFarlin to be?” 44
Changing Lives that Change the World
At the end of this two-year process, our identity and mission as a church became clear: Christ has called McFarlin to be in the business of “Changing Lives that Change the World.” For the last year and a half, in all of our ministry areas, we’ve focused on living out this mission. We’ve offered vital worship services and received new people into membership. continued on next page www.mcfarlinumc.org
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We’ve practiced Jesus-like generosity in our financial giving, and we have reached out to meet the physical needs of people in our community and the world. There is still more work to be done, more lives to change, more people to reach with the Good News of Jesus. Jesus calls us to continually find ways for more people to connect person-to-person. That’s how we Change Lives that Change the World. So now we’ve asked, “What’s next? What does God want our church to look like in 2020? What is the vision that God has for us that will shape and steer our ministries over the next five years?” Participants have provided more than 360 individual responses to this question through the all-church conversation and the online survey available on our website. This month the Vision Team will review and analyze those responses, pray and begin to discern God’s leading. Next, the team will put together a draft of a five-year plan and meet with Sunday school classes, ministry teams and committees, small groups and circles, and many more to ask clarifying questions, to hear concerns and identify points of confusion. By summer, the team expects to have a five-year strategic plan that will help us as a church realize God’s vision for McFarlin. If you haven’t already, be sure to log onto our website and complete the Vision 2020 survey. This is an exciting time in the life of McFarlin. It’s even more exciting to think of all that God has yet to do in and through us as we live out our mission of Changing Lives that Change the World.
McFarlin’s Vision 2020 Team: Michael Andres Chad Eley
Sr. Pastor Linda Harker Pastor Tino Herrera Karen Hill (Chair) Tara Koetter Missy Louy
Scott Meier
Eric Melton
Pastor Shyloe O’Neal
Karen Hill, Vision Team Chair
Bob Warner
Michael Andres, Executive Minister 66
Changing Lives that Change the World
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Ash Wednesday
marks the beginning of Lent, the forty days of reflection and self-examination in preparation for Easter. Ash Wednesday services will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at the following times and locations here at the church. All services will include the imposition of ashes. Please make plans to join us on this Lenten journey and attend one of the worship services.
6:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Breakfast in Fenn Hall For breakfast please RSVP to bisanders@cox.net by Feb. 15
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Changing Lives that Change the World
12 - 1:00 p.m.
Self-Reflection Service in Martin Chapel (Come and go)
4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Children’s Service in the Sanctuary
7:00 p.m.
Sanctuary Worship Service www.mcfarlinumc.org
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“When it came close to the time for his Ascension, he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem” Luke 9:51 (The Message)
The Season of Lent is like a roller coaster ride of emotions and convictions as the story of our salvation makes plain our sinful ways and the cost of our redemption. It is a time where we experience the temptations of Jesus and remember our own. The season of Lent heightens our awareness of the human condition. It is a season of self-examination through which we are invited to enter a deeper intimacy with Jesus. We are invited to think and reach past our own self-centered desires and to discover, or perhaps, rediscover, the depth of joy that comes from serving others. One of the discipline, I’ll practice during this season will be taking time each day to reflect on those things that hold my attention and command my time. Will I find myself distracted or tempted by things that seem good, but do not come from God or result in a deeper relationship with God? As this season begins with ashes pressed upon our foreheads, my prayer is that we as a church will immerse ourselves into Jesus’ life, death, and ultimately, his resurrection. This is a journey worth taking. Blessings, Pastor Tino
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Changing Lives that Change the World
Welcoming Ministries Invites YOU!
Orientation & Appreciation Lunch
Sunday, February 22 | 12:15-1:30 PM | Room 209 Looking for your place to connect and get involved at McFarlin? The Welcoming Ministry invites you to an Orientation & Appreciation Lunch for Greeters & Hosts. You’ll meet others who already find it a blessing to greet and welcome people into God’s house and help visitors find their way around McFarlin. If you are interested in being part of this friendly team, please contact Teddi Herr, therr@mcfarlinumc.org or 405.321.3484 ext. 130.
Connections Ministry
McFarlin offers adults many opportunities for bible study and fellowship. Whether you’re looking for a Sunday morning class, bible study group, or small group we’ll help you connect! Contact Eve Hawley, ehawley@ mcfarlinumc.org or 405.321.3484 ext. 180. www.mcfarlinumc.org
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This Spring Break marks our 22nd mission to the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. For the first 17 years teams of middle school and high school students, college students, young adults, parents, and adults served in Nuevo Progreso, Rio Bravo, Reynosa, Santa Polina, and La Posta, Mexico. These teams constructed casitas (small, cinderblock homes), worked on church buildings, added on to a school, and built a kindergarten.
Four years ago we began serving in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas near the towns of McAllen, Pharr, and Edinburg. The first two years we repaired homes that were damaged in Hurricane Dolly in 2009. The past two years we have continued to repair homes owned by people who struggle each day to make ends meet. Many of them work long hours at minimum wage and seasonal jobs. Through our efforts we have helped families realize a safer, more secure home able to withstand the harsh elements of South Texas. Last year we began working through an organization called Arise, which works with families in the colonias of South Texas in an effort to bring a holistic approach to life. From after school tutoring programs for children, to training people to advance themselves in the workforce, Arise sets up programs in the communities so that families don’t have to travel far to receive their services. In working with Arise we are able to ensure that we aren’t just putting a band-aid on a bigger issue, but are helping a family better their overall circumstance. One person at a time, and through our partnership, God is changing lives. This year, we add a new component to the Spring Break mission as we will build a home from the ground up. A group of adults will travel to the Rio Grande Valley (March 8 through 13) to start the home, literally from the foundation up. When the rest of the Spring Break team arrives they’ll finish the home as a part of their mission. All this is in addition to 8 to 12 houses we will repair. Hundreds of people over the past twenty-one years have traveled to serve, ranging in age from 4 years old to over ninety years old. In addition, each year the people of McFarlin contribute thousands of dollars to our Fund A Project effort to help us build and repair homes. All along the way lives have been changed and as a result the world has been changed!
You are invited to join us once again. Whether you travel, pray, encourage, or contribute funds, we want and need you to be a part of the Spring Break mission! Yours in Christ, Scott Meier, Director of Student Ministries 12 12
Changing Lives that Change the World
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner will be Tuesday, February 17th at 6 pm. We will serve pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, orange juice and coffee until 7 p.m.
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Parents’ Night Out is February 20th from 6-9 p.m. Registration and fees are due by Wednesday, February 18th at 5pm. We welcome ages infant to 5th grade. Come join us for food, friends and fun! For more information, contact Amy Watson at awatson@mcfarlinumc.org
Need something fun for your elementary children to do all summer? Send them to Summer Spectrum! Summer Spectrum is our summer program for children exiting Kindergarten through 5th grade. A summer spent with us will include daily games and activities based in Christian principles, weekly field trips and swim days, and a ton of laughter and fun. Summer Spectrum 2015 will run June 3rd - August 7th, from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Taylor Concialdi at 321-3484 ext. 173 or tconcialdi@mcfarlinumc.org. Join us this summer at Children’s Day Out! We will hear Bible stories, sing songs, make arts and crafts and make new friends! Children’s Day Out is for children from 6 months to 6 years. Our summer session will run from June 3rd -August 7th, 9am-2pm. For more information contact Amy Watson at 321-3484 ext. 124 or awatson@mcfarlinumc.org. 14 14
Changing Lives that Change the World
The CDO & DayCare Art Fair is February 25th at 5:30 p.m. Come join us for refreshments and a display from Norman’s finest young artists. Each child’s creations will be on display as well as class projects available for silent auction. Join us in celebrating the talents and hard work of our children. All funds raised will go towards large motorskills equipment. www.mcfarlinumc.org
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McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church 419 S University at Apache, PO Box 6390 Norman, OK 73070 405.321.3484 www.mcfarlinumc.org
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Sunday worship Sanctuary Worship 8:30 & 10:55 AM Lifeline Worship in Fenn Hall 10:55 AM Sunday School for All Ages 9:40 AM