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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
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"It is not easy to convey a sense of wonder, let alone resurrection wonder, to another. It's the very nature of wonder to catch us off guard, to circumvent expectations and assumptions. Wonder can't be packaged, and it can't be worked up. It requires some sense of being there and some sense of engagement." ~ Eugene H Peterson
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Saturday, April 9
9am
CoH/TCSL walking group
1pm
Tai-chi class
Sunday, April 10
2pm
"Was Jesus Sacrificed"
(Unity Church of Christianity)
4:30pm
Covenanted Companion class
(Pastor's office)
6pm
WORSHIP
"ROAD TRIP - Fifth Stop: Raising the Dead"
John 11:1-45
Rev. Bob Lawrence
Monday, April 11
5pm
Pastor-Parish Relations Team
6pm
Worship Team
(Worship space)
Tuesday, April 12
6pm
"Jesus Diaries" book study
(Worship space)
Wednesday, April 13
6pm
Beverly Duffield Memorial Crochet Society
(Home of Lizette and Jenny)
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Greetings!
This Sunday, our journey to Jerusalem with Jesus takes us just a couple of miles away from Jerusalem to the town of Bethany, where Jesus goes after a very good friend of his dies. Many of us have heard this story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This Sunday, we will hear from companions who have experienced something similar in their own lives. (If you'd like to read my perspective on it, please read this letter on my facebook page that I recently wrote for my 16-year old niece's high school class describing my personal Lazarus experience.)
I also invite you to check out the information on Lazarus Sunday as it is being celebrated in Africa by viewing the ONE web site.
Please join us this Sunday evening as we continue our journey to Jerusalem with Jesus and his followers.
bob |
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General Announcements
ROAD TRIP!!! Our Road Trip with Jesus continues. This Sunday we will journey with Jesus to Bethany, where a close friend his has recently died. For more information on our road trip, read our pastor's blog on the church's website. Interested in Becoming a Covenanted Companion? If you've wondered what it means to become a covenanted companion, please join us this Sunday (and each Sunday for the next 3 weeks) for class explaining what being a part of Community of Hope means. The classes will meet each Sunday (April 10, 17 and 24) at 4:30pm in the Pastor's office and will last for one hour. We will talk about the history of Community of Hope, what we believe, how we are organized, and how we make decisions. Then, on Easter Sunday, we will all participate in our Companioning Ritual and welcome our new covenanted companions! If you have any questions about these classes, please contact Bob Lawrence.
Book Study for Lent
Every Tuesday during Lent (March 15-April 12) we will be studying the newly-released "Jesus Diaries: Who Jesus is to Me," containing stories from the UCC Writer's Group about their personal understandings of Jesus. We will talk about what we have read, and share our own stories about who we understand Jesus to be. The books cost $6 each, and scholarships are available. Each session will be independent so you do not have to attend every session. Sessions start at 6pm.
"Was Jesus Sacrificed?"
The Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa, a group that our pastor has been helping to start, will have their inaugural event THIS Sunday, April 10 at 2pm at Unity Center of Christianity. The topic will be "Was Jesus Sacrificed?" and will be a video, panel, and group discussion on progressive understandings of the significance of Jesus' crucifixion. We will be using excerpts from the "Living the Questions" series on progressive Christianity along with a panel of local religious leaders (including our pastor). The event is free and promises to be quite informative. (If you are on facebook, be sure to "like" the page for the Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa if you'd like to be kept informed of future events.)
Beverly Duffield Memorial Crochet Society
This fun-based activity group will be meeting this coming Wednesday, April 13 at 7pm at the home of Lizette Merchan and Jenny Kucera. In addition to just hanging out and having a good time, we will be stuffing plastic eggs to be given to our Tables-to-Go families in time for Easter. Please bring a side dish to share and, if possible, $1 to help pay for the cost of the eggs and goodies.
Screening of "Panic Nation"
"Panic Nation" is an award-winning documentary film looking at the fear-based rhetoric around immigration issues in the USA, with a particular focus on the events in Oklahoma. The University of Tulsa Law School will be hosting a screening of this documentary on Monday, April 11 at 6pm, followed by a panel discussion that will include former Oklahoma State Rep Shane Jett and writer-director George Adams. The event is free and open to the public and will occur in John Rogers Hall on the TU campus.
Walking Group
As part of the UCC's Faithfully Walking Challenge (in response to First Lady Obama's healthy living initiative), we are partnering with the Tulsa Center for Spiritual Living (they worship in our space Sunday mornings) to form a walking group. Carla Mae Shupe (from TCSL) is organizing this group that will meet Saturday mornings at 9am in the parking lot at the church. The goal will be to walk 2 miles together. All are welcome!
New Tai Chi Class on Saturdays
A member of the community is offering Tai Chi classes on Saturdays at 1pm in our worship space. The form of Tai Chi being practiced is a very low impact style that is specifically designed for people with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese spiritual practice that is designed to help your body heal by using movement to assist in the proper flow of energy throughout your body. There is no fee to attend, although donations are accepted.
Newsletter to be Available Only On-line Starting in May
In order to be responsible to the environment, and to reduce unnecessary administrative expenses, we have decided to stop mailing a monthly newsletter starting in May. Our newsletters are available for viewing and download on our web site every month. We will make hard copies available for distribution to those who do not have internet access.
Goodsearch
Please be sure to use the Goodsearch Toolbar whenever doing internet searches. By downloading and installing that toolbar, and specifying "Community of Hope UCC Tulsa" as the agency you are sponsoring, we will receive 1 penny for every internet search. We will also receive up to 5% of the value of any online purchases to make with participating vendors. All of this is absolutely confidential, and totally FREE. In 2010, we received almost $70. It may not seem like much, but that will purchase 2 Angel Food baskets for our "Tables-to-Go" ministry. If you have any questions on how this program works, please contact Bob Lawrence.
Best Choice UPC Labels
Did you know that you can help us raise money simply by clipping the UPC bar code labels on Best Choice products? Once you clip the labels, bring them with you to church and place them in the "Best Choice Coupons" container. After we receive enough, we send them to Best Choice and they send us a check for $50. Thank you for helping!
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Upcoming Events
One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering
We will take up our annual special offering for the UCC's One Great Hour of Sharing campaign on Palm Sunday, April 17. For more information on this campaign its impact on our world, please visit the UCC web site.
Passover Seder Canceled
The Passover Seder we had planned for Thursday, April 21 has been canceled. However, we will still have a Maundy Thursday observance that evening, starting at 6pm. More details in the next Weekly Call.
Good Friday
As part of our Road Trip with Jesus, the worship team is planning a special, one-of-a-kind service for Good Friday this year, April 22. Please plan now to join us that evening starting at 6pm.
Easter Sunrise Service
We will, once again, share a joint Easter Sunrise Service with the Tulsa Center for Spiritual Living at sunrise, Easter morning (April 24). We would like to have a shared Easter pancake breakfast after worship. If you are able to help with the preparations or cooking for that breakfast, please contact Bob Lawrence.
Dining Out for Life
This year's annual Dining Out for Life campaign benefiting H.O.P.E. will be Thursday, April 28. On that day, a portion of the total cost of all meals in participating restaurants will automatically be donated to H.O.P.E. Please visit H.O.P.E.'s web site for information on participating restaurants.
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Ministry Opportunities
Help Purchase a Van for Bob Fultz
We are still in need of funds to complete our commitment to help one of our companions, Bob Fultz, to purchase a specially-modified van that will enable him to be more mobile. He has received the van and we still owe the seller a little over $300. Our fundraising goal is $1,000 and so far we have received about $625. If you'd like to make a tax-deductible cash donation to this special fund, please write "Van Fund" in the memo section of your check, or use the PayPal link in this message and type "Van Fund" in the comments section. Can You Help Provide Rides to Church? A couple of our companions need rides to church on a regular basis. If you are able to provide a ride to church, or back home after church, or both, please contact Julie Tate.
Interested in Volunteering?
If you are interested in volunteering for any of our ministries or teams, please contact Bud Abbott, Chair of our Coordinating Council, or Bob Lawrence, our Pastor. Not sure exactly what we need? Bud and Bob will gladly share with you the various ministry and team needs of our community.
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Denominational Opportunities
Join us for Synod Every other year, all churches within the UCC gather for our General Synod to set the policies and procedures for our denomination for the next 2 years. Our next Synod is the first week of July in Tampa, FL. You are invited to attend whether you are a voting delegate or not. Here's more information.
Be a Stillspeaking Voice Want to proclaim that you, too, believe "God is Still Speaking"? Join the UCC "Stillspeaking Voice" campaign by completing a brief questionnaire about ways in which you share the radical inclusivity of God. After completing the questionnaire, you will be mailed a packet of information on how you can express the ways God is still speaking here at Community of Hope.
Weekly UCC Information
The United Church of Christ sends out a weekly e-mail of various activities of the churches in our denomination and others, as well as information on events that impact the work of our church. Follow this link if you'd like to subscribe to Keeping You e-Posted.
Weekly Conference e-News
If you'd like to get a copy of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference's weekly e-news delivered to your e-mail inbox, please send a message to the K-O Focus Newsletter.
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| If you have items to be included in our next Weekly Call, please e-mail our Administrative Assistant, Julie M. Tate. |
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