There is a white bag on my doorstep

If you find a white bag on your doorstep this Saturday, don’t throw it away.  There is something inside for you to keep and a note asking you to put out nonperishable food the following Saturday.

Yes, it is time for the community food drive held annually by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Scout Troop 310, and over the past few years, many student athletes as well.  Your donations help feed hungry people over the next few months.

Much of the food collected goes to fill Thanksgiving baskets for those who came up a little short this year.  Other food doesn’t wait until Thanksgiving to be consumed.  The Cumberland Presbyterian Church gives out food on a year-round basis.

Many are hurting this year.  Many who received before have been blessed this year.  These food drives are part of being a community.  Those who are blessed help those in need.

Please look for your bag this Saturday.  Please fill it with canned food and put it on your doorstep on 18 November 2017 by 9:00 a.m..  As always, please make sure that the food that you donate is not expired.

I would really like to go to Reunion Sunday, but...

Reunion Sunday – 29 October 2017 – For those who are still holding on to their excuses…

Whatever it was that has kept you away, it is in the past.

Didn’t like the preacher?  It’s not about the preacher.  It’s about worshiping God.

Didn’t like the last sermon you heard?  It’s not about edutainment.  It’s about being with other believers and worshiping God.

Didn’t like the food at the fellowship meal.  Hey!  That just didn’t happen.  Throw out that excuse.

Afraid that people will give you funny looks because you have been away so long?  It could happen, but you should understand that smiles and hugs and handshakes and “Welcome” are our language.

Can’t remember why you stopped coming?  You just stopped and one day you got comfortable not worshiping God with other believers.  Ouch!  The world desires to conform you to its ways.

You like the television preachers better?  Who wouldn’t.  They can polish a message and broadcast it to many.  They are a good supplement to hearing God’s word read live and in the presence of other believers.  The television pastor or listening audience probably won’t visit you when you are sick, pray with you, or do your funeral service.  You belong in a flesh and blood family of faith.  Hint:  DVR for the TV messages.

Didn’t get enough recognition for everything you did for the church?  Maybe it’s time for one of those sermons that you don’t want to hear.

Here’s the thing.  Worship is not a buffet.  You don’t come to worship to be fed or entertained or even educated.  You come to worship God.  You come to give your heart fully to God.  In the process, you are fed and sometimes entertained and educated and feel better than you think you have a right to feel.  Welcome to God’s love.

OK, let’s cover a few buts…

But, the Bible doesn’t say you have to come to church.  Correct!  It says don’t stop coming.

But, I can worship God at home or on the lake or even visiting my grandkids.  That’s exactly what the Bible tells us to do.  Our whole lives are an act of worship; however, those things and more are to be done in addition to gathering and worshiping God.  Most of our worship is done outside the church building.

But I grew up Baptist or Catholic or Pentecostal…    There is one church and Jesus is the head.  We worship the same God, follow the same Jesus, and have received the same Spirit.  While the names on the walls and some of the traditions are different, these bodies of believers as well as every believer since Jesus said, “On this rock I build my church,” and the Holy Spirit kicked it into action are all a part of the same church.

We are the church!  We who have professed Jesus as Lord and Savior are the church.  We who follow Jesus are the church.

And…   

The church is called to gather frequently and worship the Lord together.  Worship gets us a long way to living in one accord.

Worship liberates us from what the world seeks to make us.

Worship helps us enjoy fellowship with one another.

Worship helps us love one another.

Worship helps us put aside our petty excuses (I know they seem huge to you right now) and enjoy the abundant life that God desires.

Worship is something wonderful that God designed us to do. 

If you read this far, why not take the next step and worship with us this Sunday.  The Call to Worship is at 10:55 a.m.  We have a meal after the service.

Come and worship the Lord.

Come and enjoy the fellowship of his people.

Come and be blessed.

Walk a Block for Jesus scheduled for 8 July 2017 – Save the Date

Here is the thing.  You will actually walk more than a block.  We are planning on 100 believers to walk 100 blocks greeting people that they meet, giving out GOD LOVES YOU – LOVE ONE AN0THER wristbands, praying for the entire block or the school or the business or someone who asks for prayer.  Many people will walk the same blocks.  It’s not about metrics.

It is about sharing good news and fellowship and going into the world as we have been commissioned to do.  We have gospels and wristbands to give away, and a new twist for this year as well.

What’s that?

We will invite the people that we meet to walk with us for a block or two or for the entire morning.  Those people get an additional wristband that reads Walk A Block for Jesus 2017.

This is not just for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

This is not just for people in Burns Flat.

This is not just for people who can walk.

This is for everyone who professes Jesus as Lord and Savior.

OK, I’m in.  What do I do?

Meet at the Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church (just north of the traffic light).  This is for all who believe in Jesus Christ.  We will go into the world, for these couple of hours that will be Burns Flat, and pray block by block, leave gospels at houses, give out wristbands to everyone we see, invite those that we see to walk a few blocks with us, and then meet back at the church building for lunch by noon.

This is for all believers regardless of the name on the outside of your church building or if you are not connected to a church.  Come, let us walk together.

FAQ

What if I can’t walk very well?

We also have some support positions available such as driving and resupplying walkers with water and gospels, preparing lunch, clean up afterwards.  If you want to participate, there is a place for you.  Also, if you are on a walker or a scooter, you are welcome to participate.  This is not a race!

What if it is very hot?

Expect it to be hot, it is July after all.  Dress accordingly, drink plenty of water before you arrive and while you are walking.  Again, this is not a race.

What should I wear?

Please wear clothing suitable for walking.  If you have a Christian tee shirt or cap, you may want to wear it as well.

What if something happens while I am walking?

Every group will have plenty of phones and a watch will be maintained on the church phone.

What if I can’t make it by 9 am or must leave early?

If you come late, come to the church building and we will connect you with a group already walking.  If you must leave early, please inform your group leader and the person on watch at the church.  We do account for all who come to walk.

What if I have never done anything like this before?

Then it is time to take some first steps, and what better way to do it than with other believers.

Can children come too?

Children may certainly come with their parents.  Please don't just drop off younger children.  Come and walk together.  In may ways, children open doors and conversations that adults resist from other adults.  Who can resist a child asking, "May I tell your children that God Loves them and give them this wristband?"

Where do we meet?

Gather at the Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church (205 State Highway 44), just north of the town's one and only traffic light.  Be there by 9:00 a.m. for prayer and briefing.  We will divide into teams and then launch into the town from there.

Here is the basic 411:

• Meet at the Burns Flat CPC
• 205 State Highway 44, Burns Flat OK
• 9 am - Noon (lunch)
• Saturday, 8 July 2017
• Dress for hot weather
• Hydrate before during and after the event
• This is not a race
• Bring your friends
• Bring your children
• Lunch is provided following the walk

Town Wide Yard Sale Underway!

The town wide garage sale in Burns Flat, Oklahoma is already underway, at least at 323 Suwannee.  The Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Youth have already begun their sales and will continue through this Saturday.

Why?  Well jumping the gun is nothing new in the Sooner state, but there is more.

Once again, this is the sale of the century or at least the decade, surely of this weekend.  There are treasures galore and surely some with your name on it.  These sales help the younger elementary children get to church camp.  Church camp is very expensive but very valuable in shaping young lives; therefore, it is very much worth the effort to raise funds for sending our future servants and leaders and followers of Christ to camp.

Come today.  Come Thursday.  Come Saturday.  New treasures are brought out each day, and by the way, you are part of getting kids to camp.  That should make it worth the trip!

Walk A Block for Jesus set for 8 July 2017

The Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church announced today that this year’s Walk A Block for Jesus will be on Saturday, 8 July 2017 and begin at 9 a.m.  This is not just for the local congregation but for all who believe and would give three hours on a Saturday morning to walk with other believers in the Spirit of the Lord.  Notice follows:

All believers in Jesus Christ regardless of the name on the side of the building where you worship or where you live are called to WALK A BLOCK FOR JESUS on 8 July 2017.  Gather at the Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 9 am to walk the town praying, giving out wristbands and gospels to those we meet, and enjoying fellowship and lunch back at the church building at noon.  SAVE THE DATE.  8 July 2017 – 9 am – Burns Flat CPC – Just north of the town’s only traffic light.

 A Note from Pastor Tom—

I have been on mission trips to Africa and to Mangum.  Some people have never ventured around the block in the name of the Lord.  This is a chance for those in Burns Flat to reach out to their neighbors and to those in surrounding areas to take some first steps in the mission field.  You don’t have to go to the other side of the world but a Saturday trip to Burns Flat makes for a nice first step.

Come from wherever you live and walk with other believers.  You will be blessed, and fed afterwards!

Walk A Block for Jesus

9 – Noon

Saturday, 8 July 2017

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

205 State Highway 44

(Just north of the one and only traffic light)

Burns Flat, Oklahoma

Easter Egg Hunt Blesses Many

The weather cooperated and more than 150 egg hunters arrived from places near and far, mostly near, as over 5,000 colored eggs full of candy and prizes awaited children up to the age of 12.  Supplies were gathered and eggs were stuffed in the weeks preceding the event.  At 8:30 on Saturday morning, over a dozen volunteers under the direction of Missions Team Leader Heather Spence assembled at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and distributed the eggs into four age specific sections.

This was a community event sponsored by the church but it was not about honoring the Easter Bunny.  Prizes included children’s Bibles, wristbands, erasers, and other prizes with messages reminding the recipients that God really does love them.  Volunteers circulated among the adults and children with that same message:  God loves you!

The methodology was to lure the children to the event with eggs of all colors, candy, and prizes; then to ambush them with God’s love.  Several years ago, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church adopted the Easter Egg Hunt as a mission.  It has been embraced by the community.  This year, monetary donations exceeded $1,100.  There were also many gifts-in-kind.

Local Businesses that donated were Crown Geochemistry, Washita State Bank, Great Plains National Bank, Gret’s, Burns Flat Hardware, Pendleton’s Truck Stop, and Long John Silver’s of Clinton.  MODA once again donated prize baskets.  Individual donations included the Leon Williams family, the Donna Townsend Family, the Robert Wascom Family.  Donations in the form of Memorials were made in the names of Tonia Duncan and others in the names of Barbara and John Wascom.

(Above:  Drew Walker finds many treasures).

(Right:  Libby Spence helped sort and stage prizes for Saturday morning.)

(Left:  The youngest children seemed to have the most fun.)

Community Easter Egg Hunt set for Saturday at 10 am

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat announced that it would once again host the Community Easter Egg Hunt.  The event is scheduled for Saturday, 15 April 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
15 April 2017 on the church property.

The Easter Egg Hunt is for the youngest of children all the way up to those 12 years of age.  Many in the community have been quite generous and there will be many eggs and many prizes.  The Cumberland Presbyterian Church invites you to come and be blessed!


Where is the Cumberland Presbyterian Church?  It is at 205 Highway 44 (Just north and east of the traffic light).

What if my child doesn't have an Easter Basket?  Not to worry, there will be baskets on hand just for that purpose.

What should I wear?  Check the weather that morning, but the current forcast is for temperatures in the 70's and some clouds.  Please wear shoes not sandals as there may be an occasional grass burr in the field.

WARNING!!!  Someone will tell your child that God loves them!

Kendra Walker recognized as Unsung Hero at WOFCC banquet

Two ladies from Burns Flat, Oklahoma were recognized Tuesday evening, 15 November 2016 as Unsung Heroes.   One of them was Kendra Walker.

Kendra Walker (left) after the WOFCC Banquet

 An Unsung Hero, as the title suggests, is someone who day in and day out do the things than need to be done to make a cohesive, safe, and viable community out of whatever their surroundings may be.  These may be police, service men and women, emergency workers, or the person who climbs the power poles in the ice storm to get the power back on.

These people do what they do not for recognition or accolades, but because of a unique call to service that has come alive in them.  The Western Oklahoma Family Care Center recognized Kendra Walker at its fundraiser banquet last night in accordance with the following citation.

Kendra is the mother of 4, a full-time student at SWOSU, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, and Scout Leader for Pack 310 of the Cub Scouts.  She also got the pack established from the ground up several years ago.  She has been kitchen coordinator for Wednesday night services, choir leader, and drama team member.  When there is a funeral, she is always ready to put together a dinner for the family and friends of the deceased.  These things she does without accolades, medals, or monetary incentive.  She is the epitome of the unsung hero.

Kendra has also been crucial to the overwhelming success of the Backpack Ministry.  She is not only a leader, but a dedicated shopper who has a keen eye for bargains on school supplies in the off season stretching donations for this ministry to the point of a modern-day miracle.  She also has the mettle to shop for school supplies for more than 100 children in the melee that is the back to school rush.

Kendra is an unsung hero and truly deserving of this recognition.

Laci Stegall recognized as Unsung Hero at WOFCC banquet

Two ladies from Burns Flat, Oklahoma were recognized Tuesday evening, 15 November 2016 as Unsung Heroes.   One of them was Laci Stegall.

Laci Stegall (right) following the Unsung Heroes Banquet

 An Unsung Hero, as the title suggests, is someone who day in and day out do the things than need to be done to make a cohesive, safe, and viable community out of whatever their surroundings may be.  These may be police, service men and women, emergency workers, or the person who climbs the power poles in the ice storm to get the power back on.

These people do what they do not for recognition or accolades, but because of a unique call to service that has come alive in them.  The Western Oklahoma Family Care Center recognized Laci Stegall at its fundraiser banquet last night in accordance with the following citation.

Laci is the mother of 2, finishing her student teaching next month, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, youth leader with her husband Garrett for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, church camp counselor, and key member of the newly formed Parks and Recreation Committee for the Burns Flat community.  She is also found working the church kitchen, singing in the choir, and taking her turn in the nursery or attending to a special needs child.  She is also frequently engaged assisting her husband in many ways as he coaches various youth sports in the community.  These things she does without accolades, medals, or monetary incentive.  She is the epitome of the unsung hero.

Of all the things that she pours herself into, her role on the Parks and Recreation Committee for the town has resulted in revitalized baseball fields, a new skate park, a color run, and most recently a town birthday celebration that truly promoted a sense of community more than anything the town has done in 2 decades.

Laci is an unsung hero and truly deserving of this recognition.

Scouts and Students Kick off Fall Food Drives

Saturday, 12 November 2016.  Gathering at 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning may be a challenge for some but not for all.  Over two dozen students gathered with a few adults at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat to go out into the community to collect food to begin the fall food drives.  This event was sponsored by Scout Troop 310 but truly was a community event because of the student involvement.

In less than two hours, food was collected, checked for expiration dates, and sorted by type.  Food drives at Will Rogers Elementary and the BFDC High School typically add to this so that the needs of those who might otherwise go without are met.  Participation of the students not only made the tasks of the morning go quickly, it is also training in service and helps to promote compassion in the generations to come.

Much more food is needed, so please support the school food drives or bring your donations in person to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat.

Backpack Ministry Helps 101 Local Children

The generosity of the Burns Flat-Dill City community reached 101 children this year with a full complement of school supplies.  This Monday, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church gave out 98 backpacks to children of families that needed a little extra help this year.  Another 3 were helped the next day.  If annual patterns hold true, a few more will come seeking assistance over the next two weeks.

How does this all come together?  First the Cumberland Presbyterian Church budgets $1000, then the Vacation Bible School dedicates its offering to the Backpack Ministry, and then local businesses and individuals are led to add to that amount.  In the end, every child that came for supplies was given a new backpack and a grade specific bag—and sometimes tub—full of supplies.

While the economy may still be a little rocky in these parts, generosity still prevails among those who remain.  The Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church wishes to thank all donors and helpers.  We have once again been blessed to be a blessing!



... A little post script.  As of 15 August 2016, the number of children helped was 105.

Big Yard Sale for a Great Cause begins Thursday

The town-wide yard sale does not officially begin until this Saturday, but nobody told the Cumberland Presbyterian youth that.  They are holding a yard sale at 323 Suwannee in Burns Flat beginning this Thursday and continuing through Saturday. 

Why a 3-day sale?

The answer is because they have too much to sell in one day.

Why should I go to this yard sale?

The answer is that these sales help send elementary youth to church camp this July.  Camp is a place where many transformations take place but it costs $300 per child to go to camp.  It is expensive but well worth it.

So what are those who can’t afford it to do?  Raise money!  Selling hotdogs at Atwoods, silent auctions, and yes—a 3-day yard sale helps these youth earn their way to camp.

These youth belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.  You may have seen them handing out Gospels of John or blue wrist-bands that say:  God loves you – Love one another.  This week they need a little boost to get them to camp.

Donations are being accepted now.  The sale begins on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m.  Donate something that you don’t need anymore.  Buy something that you can’t live without.  Send a kid to camp!

Yard Sale

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday

9-11 June 2016

323 Suwannee

Burns Flat, Oklahoma 73624

Fantastic turnout for Community Easter Egg Hunt

Burns Flat, Oklahoma, 26 March 2016:  The sun was shining, the wind was light, and helpers were plentiful as the final preparations were made to host the Community Easter Egg Hunt.

For the third consecutive year the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma hosted the event.   Thousands of eggs, hundreds of prizes, candy a plenty, and hunters galore were all in place by 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

Following a prayer of thanksgiving, hunters were grouped by age and led to their respective areas and then the fun began.  Thousands of colored eggs full of prizes and surprises filled hundreds of baskets to overflowing.  Children and adults alike enjoyed the event.

But wait a minute—a church is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt, really?  I though the church had a different Easter message.   Not sure if that is a dichotomy, an oxymoron, or a paradox?  Don’t decide until you hear a little bit of the story. 

Three years ago the Cumberland Presbyterian Church stepped in at the last minute and with the help of several donors, put on an Easter Egg Hunt that had previously been sponsored by the now defunct Chamber of Commerce and then by various individuals.  It was not going to happen otherwise.

Then, the real story began. The church session voted to adopt the Easter Egg Hunt as a ministry.

Hold your holy horses!  Hunting Easter Eggs is not about the real Easter story. Why is a church adopting this pagan pageant for kids?  Why indeed?

Does this church not know that the world is invading Christianity? How could they do this?

Actually, the world is not invading Christianity. Christianity is invading a lost world. The truth that Christians carry is being marched in to community after community around the world. That invasion has been underway for 2000 years.

It is not carried out with tank divisions and air strikes but with messages of how much God loves you.  In addition to the many prizes the children received, they also received a Gospel of John, stickers with a message of love, and pencils proclaim how much God loves us.

Heather Spence, the missions committee chair, engaged every helper with not only specific assignments, but the charge to convey the love of God in every encounter.  Robert Wascom and Don Foust roamed among the children with stickers and pencils and messages of “God loves you.”  Susan Manuel and Nora McCullough took names of children that might be blessed with a bicycle.  Adults and children put in names other than their own of children that might not ever have a bicycle otherwise.  Two bikes were delivered shortly after the egg hunt concluded.

Many worked for weeks in advance stuffing eggs and staging donations among them were Alice Callahan, Dora Westreicher, Buffy Westreicher, Victoria Glover, and Tom Collins.

This event truly reflected the generosity of the community. Linda Wascom was the donation coordinator.   Among the many donors were Burns Flat Auto Service Center, Washita State Bank, R-N-R Roofing, Heavenly Bodies, L&S Equipment, The Shop, Crown Geochemisty, Inc., Keith’s Butcher Shop, MODA, Advance America, Burns Flat City Hall, Great Plains National Bank, Bessie COOP, Rystic Star, Rudy’s Superette, Gret’s, Walmart Elk City, and many individual donors.

Church Kids to Raise Money for Camp with Yard Sale

It’s time to do some spring cleaning and to donate some things that have become clutter to you.

But I’m not up for a trip to Christi’s or the Mission House this week.

No problem.  Just drop off your donations at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church or 323 Suwannee beginning 10 March 2016.  The Elementary Youth will be having a yard sale to raise money for church camp.

It is a chance to clean out.

It is a chance to give.

It is a chance to help send a kid to church camp and maybe be a part of changing a life.

The sale will begin on 12 March 2016 at 323 Suwannee, Burns Flat, Oklahoma.  More details to follow…

Backpack sign up set for Friday, 7 August 2015

School enrollment is underway.  The stores are stocked with supplies.  The aisles are full of parents searching desperately for the specific brand of a specific marker for a specific class.  It can be stressful.  It can be really stressful if you are one of those parents and after you find as many of the supplies as you can you don’t know if you have enough money to pay for them.

There is help.  The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma is once again conducting the backpack ministry.  Parents who cannot afford to buy school supplies this year and who have children attending Will Rogers Elementary School should come by the church building from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, 7 August 2015.  The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at 205 State Highway 44 in Burns Flat; that’s just north and east of the traffic light.

Children do not need to attend the sign up but must attend the pickup.  It is at the issue of supplies where the ministry takes place.  Children help children pick out a backpack while other helpers bring the supplies to the family and all gather for prayer to bless the family and the school year ahead.

When do my children pick up their supplies?  Pick up is scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August 2015.  Each family will be given an appointment so as to minimize the waiting time.

What about children who attend the junior high or high school?  They may sign up as well and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church will provide some help.  Unlike elementary grades, standardized school supply lists published in advance are not available but the church will work with these students in meeting specific needs as identified.

Why does the church do this?  It is about being God’s love in action—taking his love to the world.  In this instance, this part of the body of Christ thought that a very good way to love one another was to help with school supplies so that every child could get off to a good start this school year.  Yes, there is an agenda here but it is far from a hidden agenda.  Everywhere these followers of Jesus go, they remind people that God loves them and that we are to love one another.

Backpack Ministry underway--seeking donations

For teachers, school is just a month away.  Students have a few days longer before their return to the classroom, but for those involved in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Backpack Ministry, school is in session now.

For the past several years, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has helped children with school supplies.  Normally, between 80 and 100 children are helped each year.  The church budgets a significant amount of money each year for this ministry.  The Vacation Bible School offering goes to purchase school supplies for children in our own community.  Often the Burns Flat – Dill City Ministerial Alliance makes a contribution, but most of the funds that make this ministry possible come from the generosity of individuals in the community.

If historical trends hold, the Backpack Ministry will need $5,000 to accomplish the mission this year.  For the past 7 years, every child that has come for help received help with almost 100% of their required supplies.  That means that many who have been blessed chose to bless others.

That will need to continue this year if those in need are to receive help once again.  For those parents who are able to purchase school supplies for their own children, please consider purchasing supplies for 1 or 2 more children.  It costs about $50 to outfit a child with a backpack and the supplies to fill it.

If you would like to donate to this local mission, you may make a check out to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and note “Backpacks” in the “for “ section of your check.  Drop the donation by the church building at 205 State Highway 44 in Burns Flat or mail it to PO Box 8, Burns Flat OK 73624.

Sign up dates for those needing help with school supplies will be announced soon.  Now is the time to call upon the generosity of the community once again as the school year approaches.

VBS begins next week

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church announced today that Vacation Bible School will be from Monday, 6 July through Friday, 10 July 2015.  This will once again be an evening format with registration beginning at 5:30 pm on Monday while the remainder of the week will have a 6:00 pm kickoff time.  Sessions end at 8:00 pm each day.  Parents are required to come into the sanctuary to claim their children.  No children will be released to walk home.  Children may not register themselves.  Parents must be present.

This year’s theme is SonSpark Labs VBS and will use a science theme as the kids go from Genesis to resurrection and life in Christ.

The Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at 205 State Highway 44 in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.  That is just a hundred yards north of the town’s only traffic light on the east side of the highway.

The SonSpark Lab Techs eagerly await leading area children to a relationship with Jesus and helping them to understand the ongoing  relationship that leads to abundant life.

Back from Africa Report to be held this Wednesday

Tom Spence and Rick Ellis have returned from leading conferences for pastors and church leaders in western Kenya and in Uganda.  They will host a mission report at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 27 May 2015 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.

The event will begin with a one pot meal at 6:00 p.m. and then transition into the report and slideshow shortly thereafter.  The public is invited to attend.  The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at 205 State Highway 44 in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.

Egg Hunt hits target

Burns Flat, Saturday, 4 April 10 a.m.

The sun was shining and the breeze was light, quite the blessing of great weather for hunting plastic Easter Eggs.  Much planning had taken place under the chairmanship of Heather Spence as she coordinated supplies, helpers, and people just to walk around and tell others that God loves them.

By 10:00 a.m. this past Saturday morning, leaders were walking groups of children out to their respective starting points for the Community Easter Egg Hunt that originated in the late 1980’s with the United Methodist Church in Burns Flat, was quickly transferred to the Chamber of Commerce, and last year was adopted as a mission of the Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The children that arrived were not much interested in the history of the event but the two acres of colored eggs got their attention right away.  Following a prayer by Tom Spence and a briefing by Heather Spence, guides took their groups to their assigned areas and hunting began shortly after 10:00 a.m.

Some hunted fast and some took their time but with almost 2000 eggs scattered across the acreage, every child found plenty of eggs.  That translated into plenty of candy, tickets to pick gifts or candy from the “Bunny Basket,” hamburgers, pizzas, and soft drinks courtesy of Rudy’s and Gret’s, as well as some dollar coins, colorful erasers, and GOD LOVES YOU – LOVE ONE ANOTHER wristbands.

There were of course prize baskets and hollow chocolate bunnies and all of the stuff that has become associated with modern day Easter Egg Hunts; but there were also erasers shaped like a cross, Golden Books of Prayers for Children, God Loves You books, children and adult Bibles, and a gospel of John for every person that walked on the property, and many other prizes that said, “Easter is about so much more than the Easter Bunny can do for you.”

There were a few stickers in the field, fewer now as some participants took some home with them, but children and adults found the occasional thorn to be worth the trip.

There are many people and businesses and groups to thank for making today’s event a success.  The Cumberland Presbyterian Church committed last April to adopting this event so the question of “Will there be anyone to sponsor this?” was answered a year ago and the church primed the well with a healthy contribution.

MODA, Great Plains National Bank, and Washita State Bank were early contributors.  Rudy’s and Gret’s contributed just before the event, and at the very last minute, Walmart of Elk City donated some bicycles to the community, one of which was put up for a special type of drawing.

Neither children nor adults could enter themselves or their own children.  All were asked to think of another child who could use a bike but could not afford it.  Entries were for another child to be blessed by the blessing that the church had received from Walmart.  Initially, there was only a girl’s bike available, but at the last minute; Tony Dorman of Burns Flat donated a boy’s bike.

Winners were drawn at 10:45 a.m. and will be announced upon delivery to the children.

While the real meaning of Easter lies in the love of God that was so great that he sacrificed his own Son to take away our sin; the Community Easter Egg Hunt sure was an example of the abundant life that we can know by believing that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead.

That’s good news on top of a wonderful event.  The church encouraged all to worship God Sunday morning in one of our community churches.

FAQs

How many people came to the event?

Over 200 Gospels of John were given away and some families only took one copy for the entire family.  Best guess is about 250 people counting parents and helpers.

Will the church sponsor this even next year?

The plan has been to adopt this event, so the answer is most likely YES!  Should another group desire to take on this event, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church would certainly be willing to discuss passing the torch, but only if that group has a passion for such endeavors.

Will there be stickers next year?

Between spraying and mowing the church is working to eliminate as many as possible, but this is Oklahoma and those pesky burrs put up a good fight.

Do I have to be a member to come to worship at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church?

Absolutely NOT!!!!  You are most welcome to worship at the CPC.  You will also find that the other churches in Burns Flat will welcome all who seek God and his kingdom.

What is the church’s position on the Easter Bunny?

Let’s start with the hollow chocolate ones first.  Our position is that we eat those “ears first.”  Enjoy the festivities of this part of this special day, but know with certainty that you were bought at a price.  That price was the blood of Jesus.  He lived and died as a man.  He had to struggle with dying a terrible death nailed to a cross.  He endured as much pain and anguish as you or I would.  But now he is at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us.  That means that he knows what it is to live as a flesh and blood person.  He has literally felt our pain and so much more.  He died out of love for us.

So eat the bunnies and the Peeps and all the chocolate eggs that you want, but know in your heart that this special day is about a love that goes beyond what we can imagine.

God is love and we know God in the person of Jesus.