CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Nov. 13: INTEGRIS Presents: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

Integris Pastoral Care presents, “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse” for clergy and clinical staff. Tuesday, November 13, 2018 from 9 a.m. to noon at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Auditorium. No registration required for this free program.

No one should feel manipulated, controlled, shamed or condemned within the walls of their own churches or places of worship. But places of shelter and encouragement become abusive when spiritual leaders begin to use their authority to meet their own needs for importance, power or spiritual gratification. Those attending this presentation will learn how spiritual abuse develops, the subtle ways leaders and systems “hook” and control believers, scriptural help in recognizing healthy spiritual relationships and effective strategies for escaping abusive situations.

Presenters:
Jeff Van Vonderen is a highly sought after speaker and consultant both nationally and internationally. For more than 35 years, individuals, families and organizations have benefited from his skills and understanding in the areas of addiction, family systems and recovery. Van Vonderen is a featured interventionist on the A&E network’s Emmy-winning documentary series, INTERVENTION. He is the author of six books and numerous journal and magazine articles.

David Johnson is the senior pastor of Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minn. A widely recognized speaker, his Growing in Grace radio broadcast is syndicated internationally.

This activity is provided through INTEGRIS Health for 3 contact hours of continuing education.

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:36:31-06:00Oct 29, 2018|Clergy News|Comments Off

Youth Sunday 2018 at First Christian Church Pauls Valley

The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pauls Valley had an amazing Youth Sunday on October 28, 2018. They had 18 children in attendance who led the church in all aspects of worship.

The children provided key elements of worship such as the Call to Worship, Devotional messages, serving as Diaconate during Offering and also assisting with the Invitation to Communion and Offering.

The highlight was the children singing with song leader, Matt Howsley, two special songs: “Sanctuary” and “God is So Good”.

Pastor Elaine Howsley and Elder Teresa Begley assisted the group as well as many of the children’s parents and grandparents. It was a blessed event for FCC Pauls Valley’s congregation and a continuance of their monthly group known as Chalice Kids.

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:36:59-06:00Oct 29, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Pre-Order the 2019 Just Women Bible Study Before Dec. 1

Pre-Orders for the 2019 Just Women Bible Study are now being accepted.
2019 Theme: The Church: Mission Possible

Click HERE to order until December 1, 2018. The 2019 Bible Study will be mailed in January 2019.

This study will highlight some of the most important lessons of the early church and challenge us to apply those lessons. Although the gospels mention the word “church” only a few times, beginning in the Acts of the Apostles, the New Testament is filled with repeated stories of the first century church, along with instructions on what it means to be the church.

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:37:30-06:00Oct 29, 2018|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts Continue

Chaplain Jacob George (Hillcrest Medical Center, Tulsa, OK) is in Panama City, Florida volunteering his time to those impacted by Hurricane Michael. He has been assigned to Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart in Panama City.

The hospital sustained structural, roof and water damage, as well as cooling and plumbing issues, loss of information system, etc. All of the in-patients have been evacuated. The ER is being kept open with staff from sister hospitals across the country. The hospital has about 1,700 employees, most of whom have been been impacted.

Jacob has been assigned to provide spiritual care and support to employees and their families, serve as ER chaplain and to work alongside other relief agencies. The people have expressed gratitude for safety and provision as well as painful accounts of loss and tragedy.

If you feel led to provide hurricane relief support you may so do through Week of Compassion.

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:38:00-06:00Oct 29, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Annual Fund 2018

October 2018

There is great joy in…

connecting Disciples to God, to Jesus Christ, to one another!
equipping Disciples to serve others!
empowering Disciples to lead others to the love of God!
and giving generously to the church!

Will you make a contribution to the Regional Church’s Annual Fund? This gift may be your first or one of many. We need your investment in the Regional Church to connect, equip, and empower pastors and congregations to make Disciples who love and serve like Jesus.

The Oklahoma Region has had a wonderful year of ministry, and with your gift the Regional Church is looking forward to another faithful year of ministry in 2019 as we continue to provide leadership and guidance for Disciples, both pastors and lay persons.

The Commission on Faith in Action is already planning two mission trips to Caminante and launching Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism training throughout the Region.

The Commission on Youth, Children, & Young Adults is planning another Intersections trip for adults, and new ministries for 2019 include a Family Camp and a youth Mission Trip to South Texas in partnership with Reach Beyond Mission.

The Commission on Evangelism has been resurrected and training has begun to start new congregations.

The Regional Executive Committee has just approved a new  Commission on Immigration and Refugees. It will provide education and resources for our congregations to embrace and provide important ministry with our brothers and sisters.

Leadership Training School will take place on February 23, 2019 with our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens as our preacher.

Your generous gift to the Regional Church’s Annual Fund  continues to provide excellent leadership for all these ministries, and more.

Our ministries connect and equip and empower Disciples around the Region as we seek to deepen our faith and to put our faith into action to transform the world, one place, one person, one heart at a time.

It is a joy to give, and the Region thanks you for your gift!

May God’s blessing continue to be upon each of us and all of us as we seek to love and serve like Jesus Christ.

Peace & God’s grace,

Pamela G. Holt, Regional Minister

P.S. You may support the Region’s ministries and faith in action with your online donation.

Jeffrey and Olivia participated in International Affairs when they were seniors in high school. As seniors in college, they joined the Intersections Trip in September, 2018, where Jeffrey, in the lobby of a New York City hotel, knelt down on one knee, looked up at Olivia, and asked, “Will you marry me?” Such joy!

CONNECTING

We are going to be rededicating our sanctuary with its improvements next Sunday. As boring as that sounds, there might be another good reason to be here on that Sunday. We have a baptism planned in worship for Mildred who was born in August of 1920. She has never been baptized. I really feel this need to scream the news from the rooftop!

EMPOWERING, Rev. Andrew Campbell, Minister, Yale Avenue CC, Tulsa

During the mission trip to Caminante in the Dominican Republic, I saw the face of God in multiple places. The volunteers who went out of their way to make sure that we were treated fairly and that we were comfortable during our stay. While we were in the day camp, we were swarmed with children and teenagers who welcomed us with open arms. They played and talked to us without any judgment. This truly touched me. These kids helped me remind myself that sometimes we have a hard time accepting others whole heartedly, but that we need to keep ourselves in that mindset of being more open with everyone we meet.

EQUIPPING, Deborah Touthang, Young Adult, Yale Avenue CC, Tulsa

The church has been such a blessing to our family. It is a joy to bless the church with our giving.

GIVING GENEROUSLY, Larry & Diane Brown, Members, FCC Chickasha

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:38:35-06:00Oct 22, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Foundation Sunday: October 28, 2018

Disciples Foundation Sunday, a day to celebrate the ministry of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation and the Christian Church Foundation during worship.

This information is our gift to your church to help lift up this ministry and offer our services. The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation is a local, home-grown Foundation within Oklahoma with offices in the Disciples Center in Oklahoma City. The Christian Church Foundation is National in scope and located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

A two-page Bulletin insert (please cut in half) can be downloaded here. Please use inserts in your Worship Service programs and in areas where you have other pamphlets and literature. A sample stewardship moment is attached here.

The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation has additional information on its webpage at https://okdfdn.org. Or please, view our Mission Video and our legacy society video The Chalice Society. Please click here to be added to the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation weekly eNewsletter mailing list.

The Christian Church Foundation has additional information on its website at www.christianchurchfoundation.org.

Please mark October 28, 2018 on your calendars, and prepare to lift up the ministries of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation and the Christian Church Foundation.

For questions or to schedule a presentation at your church contact Julie Bowers at 405-525-6530 or [email protected]

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:39:30-06:00Oct 18, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Northeast Area ODW Fall General Meeting: Nov. 3, 2018

The Northeast Area Oklahoma Disciples Women will meet on November 3, 2018 from 9am – noon at Forest Park Christian Church for the Fall General Meeting.

Click HERE for the flyer.

Contact Deloris Guess with any questions: 918-695-4039

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:41:13-06:00Oct 17, 2018|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Hurricane Michael: Update from Week of Compassion

An update from Week of Compassion:

Hurricane Michael made landfall around 12:30CDT 10/10/2018 as an extremely strong Category 4 storm near Mexico Beach, Florida. The storm, which has produced sustained winds of 155 mph, is the strongest on record to hit the Florida Panhandle. Week of Compassion is in touch with our congregational, Regional, and ecumenical partners.

We will continue monitoring this storm’s impact and stand ready to assist with solidarity grants for Disciples churches and families as may be needed, along with other relief through our partners in affected areas. To support this response, you can designate gifts to Week of Compassion, “Hurricane Relief” DONATE HERE

Please keep all those in the path of this storm in your prayers, along with those first-responders who are offering care and protection to others through the storm.

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:41:40-06:00Oct 11, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Canceled: Oct. 13 Oklahoma Disciples Women Board Meeting

The Oklahoma Disciples Women Board Meeting scheduled for this Saturday, October 13th has been canceled due to the forecast of heavy rains and flooding. Check out the Oklahoma Disciples Women web page HERE for continued updates.

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:42:28-06:00Oct 10, 2018|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Disciples Christian Church Owasso Celebrates Diversity

Disciples Christian Church Owasso celebrated the diversity of church on October 7, 2018. Two faith communities nest in the same building and worshiped together.