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.

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

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!

Chewy Tuesdays is Underway!

Chewy Tuesdays kicked off its 6^th summer season today—Tuesday, 7 June 2016.  What is Chewy Tuesdays?

It is a ministry of the Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church conducted on every Tuesday in June and July to feed children in Burns Flat.  This year the ministry has expanded to include Dill City.  It is more than a food ministry.  It is a chance to tell children that God loves them.  Children do not heart that simple message enough.

Among the kid-friendly lunch fare are hot dogs, ham and cheese sandwiches, and the long time favorite—peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  There are some simple sides to go with this meal delivered in a decorated paper bag but among them the most valued is fresh fruit.

Fruit is something that many children simple do not get in the course of the summer.  Prices have precluded many families from purchasing grapes and bananas and even apples.  Regardless of the main course, each meal always includes fruit.

Ministry members have been contacting families that they know have children that might enjoy the Tuesday lunch but so many just don’t know about Chewy Tuesdays.   The only requirement to receive the meals is that the parents contact the church or the ministry leader, Don Foust and report any food allergies for any of the children receiving meals.  It’s just that simple.  Income level does not matter.  Every child needs to be told that God loves them, so it is important that the children are present to receive the meals. 

Ministry members also appreciate a phone call if the children will be out of town on any given Tuesday.  If you would like your children to receive these meals and this wonderful reminder of God’s love, please contact Don Foust:  (580) 660-6666.  If you would like to help support this ministry, you may contact Don or the church at (580) 562-4706.  If you can’t participate directly but would like to donate, please make your check out to CPC and put Chewy Tuesdays in the “for” line. 

The  Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at 205 State Highway 44 in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.  The mailing address is PO Box 8, Burns Flat, Oklahoma 73624.  The church motto is God’s Love in Action!

Church to host Easter Egg Hunt for 3rd consecutive year

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma announced today that the community Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, 26 March 2016 at 10:00 a.m.  That’s correct; the church is sponsoring the Easter Egg Hunt.

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.  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 pagan 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.  Strategy and tactics still play a role.

Sometimes people don’t answer their doors when they see the Christians coming with their good news, but they will bring their children to the community Easter Egg Hunt just like they bring them to Trunk or Treat on Halloween.

Church members give out plenty of candy at both events. Parents need not worry. Their children will still receive enough candy to give them stomach aches all night long and keep the dental profession in business for decades to come.

But the kids and adults will receive more than candy eggs or hollow chocolate bunnies. They will receive gospels, Bibles, Bible story books, God Loves You books, and more.  It will still be a blast for the kids, but in the midst of all the egg hunting, the message of Easter will be given to all.

Back to 2016:  Be at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 26 March 2015.  The hunt is for children up to age 12.

Donations by organizations, businesses, and individuals may be delivered to the church any time during March or mailed to Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Box 8, Burns Flat OK 73624.  Helpers will be needed to place the eggs at 9:00 a.m. that Saturday morning and to help give out prizes during the hunt.