Trunk or Treat set for 31 October 2019 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma announced today that this year’s Trunk or Treat will be held on Thursday, 31 October 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Trunk or Treat offers games and gifts for all children, greetings of God loves you, and plenty of candy. 

Trunk or Treat also goes by the name of Love Ambush #2.  The church is called out of the world, set apart from the world (made holy is the term) and sent back into the world with good news of life in Jesus Christ.  Sometimes going out involves door-to-door visits, setting up during an event, and even using social media to reach people.

The most effective way to reach people is face-to-face.  While the world is celebrating that which is gruesome, grotesque, and sometimes just gaudy; the church has set an ambush that we believe many will walk into. 

A military ambush is designed to kill the enemy.  Our ambush is designed to help people move from death to life.  While people are out and about in their getups, they are invited to come to the games and events at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

We will tell your kids that God loves them.  We will tell parents that God loves them and that among the chief of their parenting duties is bringing up a child in the way he or she should go.  That means learning about God and how much he loves us through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Yes, there will be enough candy to keep your kids in cavities for years to come.  There will also be gospels and videos and other items to remind you that God loves you long after the candy is gone.

Most of all, we want to talk with you about God’s love.  The games and candy motivate the kids and adults to come.  Our motivation is that we want to share good news with you.

In this world where every statement is debated and ridiculed and where acrimony and vitriol are the social media standard, come and know these things to be true.  Know it first hand from other disciples.

God is good.

God loves you.

Jesus is Lord.

You can turn away from and leave behind a godless world for the Kingdom of the one true God.

Once you have done that, you will be compelled to share the good news whenever and wherever you are.  On the 31^st of this month, that just happens to be at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, America.

Once you realize that you may have started your day conformed to the world, you may desire to live in response to the overwhelming grace and favor of God by his simple command that we love one another.

Candy is temporary.  The cutest kid’s costume is soon related to a photo that’s lost among the memes and diatribes of today’s media.  The world does not love you but God and his people do.  Let’s have a conversation about what’s important.

Your day might start out with costumes and pranks but we want it to end with saving grace and a desire to serve the Lord.  Let’s talk.  It will be the most important thing you do on the 31^st.

Many Thanks to All Who Made the Egg Hunt so Successful

How do you get 7,000 plastic eggs out of a grass field?  Turn a couple hundred kids loose on them, that’s how.  That is exactly what happened on Saturday, 20 April 2019 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat.  The church calls it Love Ambush #1.  It’s an Easter Egg Hunt with a twist.  The kids were ambushed by many people telling them that God loves them.  There were also plenty of prizes that helped send that message home.

Most of the candy and prizes were funded by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but many in the community also gave generously and turned this into a community event.  Businesses and organizations that contributed were Walmart, Washita State Bank, Great Plains Bank, Burns Flat Hardware, MODA, Grets, Rudy’s, Pendleton’s, Monterey Restaurant, and Ace Hardware (Cordell). 

Other donations of money and in-kind donations were made by the following families:  Fleming, Price, Schneberger, Murray, Walker, Lovell, Hose, Thompson, Spence, Ferkins, Foust, McConiha, and Wascom.  A thank you is also due to many volunteers who worked many hours in preparation and worked the Saturday morning event.

What’s next for the CPC and its involvement with the community?  Chewy Tuesdays.  Beginning 4 June 2019, the church will deliver kid-friendly meals to children who will be home on Tuesday.  This is for every child in Burns Flat.  The parents just need to contact the church sometime during May.  There are no requirements to participate, but a conversation with the parents is needed to make sure that all food allergies are noted.  Deliveries may also be made to those who cannot get out on their own.  In any case, each meal is delivered with love and with a message of God’s love for us.

If you were wondering why this egg hunt is titled, Love Ambush #1, it’s because in the fall, there is Love Ambush #2, also known as Trunk or Treat.  There will be more on that at the end of the summer.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at 205 State Highway 44.  The phone number is 562-4706.

Voter Registration Deadline is March 8, 2019

The following announcement comes from the Washita County Election Board.

Friday, March 8, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the April 2, Municipal and School General Elections, Washita County Election Board Secretary Leah Jones said today.

            Jones said that persons who are United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 18 years old may apply to become registered voters.

Those who aren’t registered or need to change their registration may apply by filling out and mailing an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form in time for it to be postmarked no later than midnight Friday, March 8, 2019.

            Jones said applications postmarked after that time will be accepted and processed, but not until after April 2nd.

            The County Election Board responds in writing to every person who submits an application for voter registration.  The response is either a voter identification card listing the new voter's precinct number and polling place location or a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application for voter registration was not approved.  Jones said any person who has submitted a voter registration application and who has not received a response within 30 days should contact the County Election Board office.

            Oklahoma Voter Registration Application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 111 E. Main, First Floor Courthouse, Cordell, OK, and at most post offices, tag agencies and public libraries in the county. Applications also are available at www.elections.ok.gov.