Friday, June 8, 2007

Help Wanted: Church News Reporter

Yup, I'm looking for an assistant (or two).  A couple of events this week made me realize that I'm not attuned to making note of the details that are important for a good news report.  Even worse, I don't have the necessary zeal to go chasing after the facts after the fact!  Now, since this is supposed to be a "newsletter" and not just an editorial page, I will certainly take steps to sharpen my skills in these areas.  However, I believe there are one or two of you in the membership who already possess these skills.  If you would like to contribute to this newsletter by reporting on significant events in the life of our church and its members, please email me, or call me (794-2723), or speak to me in church.  The help would be greatly appreciated.

The first event that I am referring to is the visit that Steve Phelps and members of his congregation, The Rock, made to Linden Street Church this past Sunday, June 3.  We were blessed to hear his words of encouragement, to hear his wife sing, and to interact with the visitors at our monthly Sunday fellowship dinner.  We appreciate the initiative shown by both Steve and our pastor Gary to make this happen.  You'll note, however, that I'm a bit short on details that would have made this news a bit more personal and informative.

The other event is a sad note.  At first it may seem less than profound, but anyone who has lost a pet cat or dog will understand.  Gary's pet duck was killed last week.  Again, I lack details, but we do want to express our sadness and regrets over Gary's loss.

Friendship Outreach

Our emphasis on ambassador training and friendship development continues.  Though we are a small church, or perhaps because of it, one of the gifts we have to offer others is friendship—not just friendliness, but true relationships.  One thing to keep in mind is that first contact with a visitor is not just the responsibility of the greeter, but of all of us.  This is important because friendship is built on common ground.  Someone else besides the greeter may have points in common with a newcomer on which a friendship can be built.

An important caution, however: Don't "push" on the first visit.  Some people like to remain aloof or "anonymous" at first until they determine if the church possesses what they are looking for.  Some come from hurting circumstances that they do not wish to reveal until they feel safe.  Personal recognition and a good smile are usually most appropriate for the first time.

When someone comes back a second time, they have seen something that they like.  And right there is where most churches fail.  On the second or third visit in many churches, the individual is no longer "new" and therefore starts to be ignored.  Really, it's at this point that it is most appropriate to lend a listening ear.  Find out what the person likes about the church and build on that.  (Again, there will be those who will need more time.  If this appears to be the case, recognize them by name, but allow them the space they need.)  If they appear to be reaching out for something, this is the time to begin building on that need.  Help them to feel important by suggesting how they might find what they are looking for here.  Offer your own friendship, if appropriate, or introduce them to others who can help.

Remember at all times that our ultimate goal is to introduce others to Jesus.  There will be some who visit who do not have a personal relationship with him.  Yet others may come who have been servants of Christ for a long time elsewhere.  In either case, our task is to be a "witness," as I wrote about last week.  We don't need a "formula" to win others to Christ.  We only need to share our personal experiences with him.  The Holy Spirit will take our words and "translate" them to the heart of the listener.  When we are faithful, the Lord will bless our words and our hearers.

The Trivia Question

Last week, because we were discussing languages, I asked a question: "Switzerland has four official languages.  Three of them are French, German, and Italian.  Do you know what the fourth is?"  I chose that question because I have traveled there, and Danita is hoping to go soon if her passport comes through.  (Prayers, please.)  The answer is Romansh, also spelled Rumantsch (not to be confused with Romanian).  Although it is the only "native" language of Switzerland, it is the first language of only about 0.5% of the population (about 111,000 speakers), spoken primarily in the large eastern-most canton of Graubünden.  It is derived from common Latin.

 

Map of Switzerland highlighting the canton of  Graubünden.






Till next week,
In Christ,
Linwood Kemp, Editor

Friday, June 15, 2007

From Gary:

Greetings from Linden Street Christian Church.  It's where to find Real People, Simple Worship and Warm Fellowship!
 
I pass along to you all how much The Rock Church enjoyed visiting with us on the first Sunday in June.  They felt embraced by our fellowship and a Spirit of Love seemed to be in evidence throughout the day.    Steve Phelps, The Rock pastor, and myself, are currently planning a second fellowship together, and as soon as we know the details I'll pass it along.
 
We have had several families visit us over the last weeks in addition to those from The Rock church.  I've been greatly encouraged to see them welcomed by you.
 
Thank you all for the wonderful expressions of sympathy at the loss of our pet duck.  I felt a little silly becoming so emotional over a duck, but so many of you seemed to sympathize from personal experience...thank you all very much for loving my family and me as you do.
 
Exciting things are in the works for Linden Street Christian Church...keep all these things in your prayers, and I'll see you Sunday!  (Bring a friend...we'll make room!)

-- Gary Sheely

Now I Know Why They Call It the Bible Belt

Because of the weather of biblical proportions, that's why!  If it's not tornadoes, hail, and grass fires, it's floods!  I'm thinking I should have stayed in New England where we only had blizzards and hurricanes instead.  (Well, to be honest, we had our share of floods there, too.)

When Jesus spoke of the end times in Matthew 24:6-8, he said, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."  The popular thinking about about these words is that Jesus was indicating that there would be an increase in natural disasters as we approach the end times.  If you read the words carefully, however, you will see that he was actually saying just the opposite.  There will always be wars and natural disasters.  Don't let these things alarm you.  "The end is still to come," i.e., these are not signs of the end.  Rather, the sign of the end is this:  "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)  That means the end is definitely approaching, doesn't it?  In God's timing, that could be today or it could still be a thousand years more, but it is the preaching of the gospel that is the indicator, not the climactic events of nature or the affairs of men.

Jesus is also telling us with these words that we are not immune to the events of the earth.  Christians are not exempt.  The difference is that we are not alone.  One of Jesus's names is Immanuel, which means "God with us."  He has also given us his Holy Spirit, as we have recently read in the Book of Acts in adult Sunday school.  God does not remove us from hard times, but he goes with us through them.  Hebrews 13:5: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”

Well, I trust the Lord to take care of us, but that being said, I would still prefer to avoid disaster than go through it.  So, as far as prayer may prevail, let us pray for those who have suffered flood damage and pray that the Lord may stay the waters from rising further and causing more damage.

Pardon me, while I go catch dinner from my deck.

Help Still Wanted

No volunteers for an assistant yet.  Allow me to clarify.  I'm not looking for a writer or a data entry person or a reporter.  What I need is a reference contact--someone who knows the members of the fellowship better than I so that when I lack a name or a detail, I can call on that person to either fill in the blanks or track down the particulars for me.  What will you get out of it?  Well, your name in print, for starters.  Let me know with a note to webmaster@lindenstreetdisciples.org, or speak to me at church.

Sincerely,
Linwood Kemp, Editor

Friday, June 22, 2007

The Next Two Sundays:

Often, we don't know what Gary's sermon will be about until he begins it on Sunday morning.  However, this week, through my amazing powers of prediction and prognostication, I will actually tell you the name of Gary's sermon for this Sunday in advance.  It will be . . . "Staying Out of Your Own Way, Part 2"!

Speaking of foretelling the future, all of us have come up against difficult situations at one time or another, and as believers we have wondered, "If only I knew what God's will was in this situation."  In reality, that is what Gary's two-part series, "Staying Out of Your Own Way," is about.  It is human nature when faced with choices to wonder, "What should I do?", "Which way should I turn?", "When is the best time?", or "Who should I speak to?"  We want specific answers, and when we pray, that is usually what we ask for.  However, when God speaks through the writers of Scripture concerning his will, he says less about who, where and when, and much, much more about the why and the how, that is, about our character and conduct, our motives and our methods.  God does not look on the outward actions, but on the heart.

That is what these two sermons are about: our personal goals and attitudes--in other words, our character and conduct, the whys and the hows of living in God's will and God's blessing.  Do you want to know what the will of God is?  Do you want to know what pleases God and what will make life more fulfilling for yourself.  Then be sure to hear and heed this Sunday's sermon.

Did you miss last week's sermon?  Need to review?  Then check out the Sermon Summary in The Upper Room.

Then, on Sunday, July 1, Steve Phelps and his congregation from The Rock Church will be returning.  This time they will will take charge and lead the entire service for us.  We look forward to that time of worship.

The Latest Profiles

As I mentioned previously, I plan, over time, to create a directory of profiles of the members of Linden Street Christian Church.  Today I am privileged to present to you two of the "pillars" of our church.  The term "pillars of the church" has become a cliché, but in this case it is most appropriate, because Mary Jo was a charter member of the church from childhood, and she and her husband Larry and their whole family have not only been active in the church in the prosperous years, but have been instrumental in sustaining the church through the lean years.  I present to you Larry and Mary Jo Stansbury.

Larry Stansbury
I was born in Louisiana but grew up in Dallas.  I was a member of the Presbyterian Church there.  I came to Tulsa in 1963 to attend the University of Tulsa and after graduating from T.U., I attended Graduate School there.  My most significant job was at Sooner Pipe and Supply in Tulsa where I served as Vice-President for a time.
 
When I was Purchasing Agent at Sooner Pipe & Supply, one of my responsibilities was to purchase vehicles at Denton-Easterling Ford in Sapulpa.   I met Mary Jo while she was working there in 1970.  I have attended and been a member of Linden Street Christian Church since 1971.  Through the years, I have been a deacon, an elder and a lay leader of the church and also participated in the N.E. Area Christian Church of Oklahoma (Disciples of Christ) activities.  We have two living children, Brad Stansbury and Brandi Reed.  I have been privileged to watch them grow in the church and be baptized here.  They both attend the church with their families now.

Mary Jo Stansbury
I am a native of Sapulpa, having been born here as Mary Jo Williams in 1944.  I am a Charter Member of Linden Street Christian Church which was founded in 1949.

I began working in Tulsa at Pure Milk Producers and stayed until they moved the Credit Union to Oklahoma City and I didn't want to move.  I began work immediately at Denton-Easterling Ford in Sapulpa as Office Manager and Bookkeeper.  I remained there until the birth of Brandi.  I helped with audits and inventory after I retired from there.  I was a substitute teacher at Lone Star School while our three children went there.  In 1984, we bought The Flower Shop in Sapulpa.  I loved being with the public every day and helping people in times of happiness and times of grief.

In the City of Sapulpa, I served as President of the Women's Chamber of Commerce twice.  I am now a Sapulpa Chamber Ambassador.  I was honored as the Woman of the Year in American Business Women's Association in 1972 and went to Miami Beach, Fl. to receive my award.  In 1992, I was honored as Boss of the Year.  I have worked with Church Women United and Christian Women's Fellowship in Sapulpa as well as representing Linden Street Christian Church in the Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance.

God blessed us with three wonderful children, Lawrence Bradford (Brad), Bart Joseph (Bart) and Brandi Michelle.  Bart is in heaven and his children live in Tulsa.  Brad and Brandi are raising their children in Sapulpa.  We are blessed to have seven wonderful grandchildren: Kelci, Lauren, Mollie, Jacob, Madeline, Blake & Emily.

Larry and I continue to be a part of Linden Street Christian Church not only because our family is here but because we love the people.  We come to learn from Pastor Gary Sheely and also the teaching of Dr. Dale Peterson.

----------------------

Until next week,

In Christ,
Linwood Kemp, Editor

Friday, June 29, 2007

The Hereafter

As I get older, I spend a lot more time thinking about the hereafter.  I often find myself going into a room and thinking, "Now...what did I come in here after?"

The Rock Church Ministers this Sunday

As most of us are aware, Steve Phelps and members of the Rock Church will be joining us in worship again this Sunday, July 1.  This time, they will be guiding our worship, and Steve will have a message of instruction.  Come prepared to give God the glory as our two congregations honor the Lord together.

And, as is customary on the first Sunday of the month, there will be a fellowship dinner following the service.  Plan on meeting and talking with someone new this Sunday.

Real People?

A few weeks ago, Pastor Gary Sheely suggested a motto for our church, which we have since added to the home page of our Website: "Real People . . . Simple Worship . . . Warm Fellowship."  (A wag in Sunday school asked, "Did you say, 'Real worship . . . simple people'?")  The second and third elements in this motto are readily apparent in our church.  Our worship is uncluttered and our friendliness is evident.  But I got to wondering about that first item--what does it mean to be a "real person"?  How do you tell the difference between "real people" and "fake" ones?  Obviously we're not talking about flesh and blood vs. papier mâché.  Everyone who sits in a pew on Sunday morning looks real enough, living, breathing, moving (usually).  So we must be talking about character, not physical attributes.  So then, assuming that there is a way to tell the difference, is it true that we really are "real people"?  Is Linden Street Christian Church a congregation of "real people"?

It is commonly agreed in society that a person who is not "genuine" is someone who appears to be one thing on the outside and something else on the inside--in other words, a hypocrite.  Jesus had a lot to say about hypocrisy, singling out the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees as prime examples: "You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean."  (Matthew 23:27)  These were people who appeared to do the right things, say the right things, and teach the right things, but did them to bring glory and praise on themselves while belittling and oppressing the very people they were supposed to be leading to holiness.

Last week I wrote that the Will of God is not found first in what we do and say, where we go, and who we are with, but rather in the godly motives (the "whys") that determine those things.   That is what distinguishes a "real person" from a hypocrite.  A genuine person seeks to develop a godly character from within that determines all of his actions, at home, in business, and in the marketplace, as well as at church.  He does not have to change his mask when he comes off the street and enters the church building.  And within the church fellowship he neither seeks a position of power, nor is he a mere spectator.  He participates to serve and encourage, "so that the body of Christ may be built up . . ." (Ephesians 4:12).  He exhibits the Fruit of the Spirit, not the works of the flesh, in all his dealings (Galatians 5:16-24).  And when he falls short, he humbles himself before God; it is interesting that in I John 1:7-9, the Apostle John ties confession of sin with the ability to "fellowship with one another."

It is character that God desires, godly character, not just appearances.  No, we're not perfect.  As the bumper sticker says, "God isn't through with me yet."  But is the work progressing?  And are you helping him?  If so, then you are one of the "real people."

So then, what about Linden Street Christian Church?  Is it truly a fellowship of real people?  What would you say?

Sincerely, in Him,

Linwood Kemp, Editor

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