Conference E-Newsletter
January 2020 - Volume 3, Issue 1
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The purpose of the Oklahoma Conference is to
"Proclaim, Disciple, Live With Christ
"
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Make plans to attend one of the ministry opportunities taking place throughout Oklahoma both at the conference and local church level.
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Hope Channel International has partnered with Southwestern Adventist University and the Dinosaur Science Museum to create a thought-provoking mini documentary series, The Dig. The six-part series will premiere on January 3, 2020 and all episodes will be available to watch on-demand using the Hope Channel app. Episodes will also be broadcast weekly on DirecTV 368 and the Hope Channel website, starting January 3, 2020 at 9PM EST.
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God poured out His Spirit in Pentecost power after His church spent 10 days together, pleading for His promised blessing. He is ready to do it again today!
“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” -Acts 4:31, NLT
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If you are a Sabbath School teacher or simply like working with children, this is your opportunity to be trained and meet other people with the same passion for children as you. Training topics include: "Understanding Children" and the new Vacation Bible School Program called "Heroes."
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The ASI Southwest Chapter is one of nine regional chapters that comprise the ASI national organization. The chapter is committed to supporting the work of pointing souls to Jesus in tangible ways. Consider being part of this amazing weekend.
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Come join us at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center for National Family Retreat, April 1 - April 5. Online registration will open on Sunday, January 26. It is going to be a spiritual feast! Come and experience "God’s Word, the Culture that Counts." Everyone planning to attend must register. For more information visit RIonline.org/NFR.
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Southwestern Adventist University is pleased to announce a new
Southwestern Union Freshmen Scholarship. This
$5,000 Award is for
FRESHMEN only and will be applied over and above any other scholarship you may receive. There is a cap on the funding of this scholarship. If SWAU is your #1 choice, you must submit your commitment deposit of $100 soon to ensure the award. For more information, email enroll@SWAU.edu or call (817) 202-6408.
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Training will be provided to prepare small churches and small groups to reach and minister to Native Americans in your community. Various resources and opportunities will be presented to fit the varying type of volunteer group sizes and capabilities. Contact Native Ministries Director Jim Landelius by calling (918) 706-8733 or email him at jiml@nativeministries.org.
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Want to have fun during summer and serve others, all while making money? Search no more! At Wewoka Woods Adventist Center you will have the opportunity to help change lives, share your faith, meet new people, learn leadership skills, and have lots of fun.
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Mod Podge Plates
for Christmas
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OKEENE, OKLA.
- During the afternoon of November 17, seven ladies met at the Okeene Seventh-day Adventist Church for a craft class. In order to participate, each lady had to furnish two dozen homemade cookies. The group made Mod Podge plates for the Christmas Community Food Baskets which are distributed just before the holiday. The homemade cookies were placed on a plate and included as a personal touch in each of the food baskets. The ladies were so enamored with the craft that each of them made two additional plates to take home. They also voted to make this endeavor an annual event.
By Donald Robinson
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Muskogee Academy Brings Christmas Carols to Residents
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MUSKOGEE, OKLA.- On
Monday, December 16, the Muskogee Seventh-day Adventist Christian Academy
went to Greenleaf Apartments in Muskogee and sang Christmas songs and played chimes. Several students also played their instruments: piano, violin, saxophone, banjo, flute. It was a small audience; however, they enjoyed it very much. The students distributed Christmas cards to the residents after the program.
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CLAREMORE, OKLA.- November 13, 2019, brought a windy, cold day for the Salvation Army Bell Ringers! But that didn’t stop the students of Claremore Heritage Adventist School! They stood bravely against the wind to ring the red bell for donations and invite people to the annual “Festival of Lights“ at the Claremore Seventh-day Adventist Church. The students did enjoy greeting the customers and wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving, although after two hours of cold, windy weather, they were ready for a hot cup of chocolate.
Thank you students and parents for sharing God’s love!
By Cheri Robinson
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Out Of The New Age
And Into The Light
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CHOCTAW, OKLA.
- Tanya Cagle had a lovely family—her husband Jesse and their beautiful little daughter, Grace—but something seemed to be missing. Tanya had felt a void in her life as she entered her teen years, and she began to try to fill that void with New Age practices such as using crystals and tarot cards. Nothing seemed to help. As she reached adulthood and married Jesse, she still felt that something was missing, and she continued to search for that one thing that would make her life complete.
After she and Jesse were married and Grace was born, Tanya began to research the New Age movement and came to realize that all their practices ultimately led to Satan. She knew she needed to find something to replace her current lifestyle. One day as she was driving, crying, and listening to K-Love, a Christian radio station, a song came on that touched her heart. The song referred to chains being broken, and as Tanya listened, she had the feeling that chains were falling from around her life, and that there was something better awaiting her.
Jesse came from a Seventh-day Adventist background, so the family began searching for an Adventist church in the Oklahoma City area, and their search led them to the Choctaw Church. They began attending, and the members immediately embraced them and began including them in church activities. They began making friends with the members. Tanya realized that she needed to discard the things that linked her to the New Age movement, so she got rid of the books she had used in her old lifestyle, and she became interested in what the Bible had to say.
One day as Tanya talked to Linda Lambeth and Pastor Walter Martinez, they suggested that she begin Bible studies, and they began studying together. Later Pastor Samson Sembeba began studying with her, and she made the decision to be baptized on Sabbath, November 2. Jesse and little Grace happily came to the front of the sanctuary to be as close as possible as Tanya was baptized by Pastor Martinez. The church, which has fallen in love with the whole family, clapped and said “Amen!” most vigorously as she came up out of the water. Jesse, Grace, and Tanya are already an important part of our church family. Tanya makes clothing, curtains, and other things for church members and for use at the church; little Grace makes us all smile; and Jesse pitches in to help with church maintenance. It’s as if they have always been at our church, instead of having arrived less than a year ago!
We praise God for our new family members!
By Robin Sagel
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Southwestern Union
Young Adult Cruise
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In early December, 76 people, mostly young adults with some families, boarded the Enchantment of the Seas ship on their way to Mexico (16 were from Oklahoma). Southwestern Union Young Adult director, Pastor Helvis Moody had been organizing this trip for over a year. The theme of this young adult cruise retreat was,
Cruise Connected. While the ship traveled, the young adults enjoyed great seminars and presentations that covered practical topics such as finances, leadership and connecting with the local churches, including a special presentation by professional counselor Aislinn Ridley titled, The Blessing of Art Therapy.
While on port, one day in Cozumel and one day Costa Maya, they enjoyed a variety of excursion and adventures including snorkeling, hiking, sailing, swimming, cave exploring, visiting ruins, eating authentic Mexican food and so much more. During these adventurers, the young adults had an opportunity to make new friends and strengthen old friendships.
The overall goal of this special retreat was to encourage young adults to stay connected with each other, with their local church, and ultimately with their God. Pastor Moody is already working with conference youth directors for the next SWUC young adult trip which is tentatively scheduled to be a ski trip. Stay tune for information coming later this year.
By Daniel Ortega
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Tulsa Adventist Academy
Year-End Inspiration
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TULTS - Tulsa Adventist Academy students have enjoyed a busy semester with more than academics. Students visited museums, attended a Shakespearean play, volunteered at the Community Food Bank, mentored each other, played in basketball games with other Christian schools, attended ACROfest, and were immersed in November's science fair. High school students gave homemade cookies to neighboring businesses (thanks to home ec teacher Amber Ruszenas!). They even studied hard for classes, with many students earning honor roll, principal's honor roll and president's honor roll.
After all those activities, students wrapped up the first semester of the 2019-2020 school year with a special music program, "Into the Light," directed by Mrs. Kristie Creitz and a special Christmas chapel program on the last day of school. "Into the Light" featured students from all grades as narrators, actors, and singers as the story of the birth of Christ was re-imagined. Senior Kyle Mather accompanied the choir with flute and cello during several songs, and freshman Michael Jobe played the drum for "Little Drummer Boy." Many guests commented that the last song, "Here I Am to Worship," was their favorite part because they sang with the students as they worshiped Jesus through song.
On the last day of school, students dressed up in cheerful colors to celebrate the meaning of Christmas, the end of finals, and the upcoming holiday (not necessarily in that order). Pastor Werner Gil from the Gentry, AR church spoke to students about Jesus being a gift to the world. Follow TAA on Facebook or at tulsaacademy.org to learn how Christian education is shaping our children's lives.
By Caroline A. Fisher
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This unique Amazing Facts Bible reading plan makes it easy and fun for you to read through God’s Word in one year. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- You can start at anytime! Each month has 25 days of reading, giving you extra days to catch up if needed.
- Each day includes passages from the Old and New Testaments, helping to reinforce the incredible unity of Scriptures.
- May God bless you as you open His precious Word each day. Remember to pray for His guidance as you read!
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Journey Through the Bible Bookmarks
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Encourage the children in your life to spend time with Jesus every day with the Journey Through the Bible bookmarks. Each bookmark has a 30-day, easy-to-read Bible reading plan. They come in both English and Spanish. The bookmarks are great for personal devotions, family worship, classroom reading, and so much more.
Click the button below or call 888-664-5573 to order today.
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I
n
The Connected Family,
Paul and Carolyn Rayne present a practical 26-step program designed to help parents make their children a priority, lead them to make a commitment to God, and teach them the tools for Christian living.
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Stupid Money TV
Episode 1 - Budgets
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Have you ever done something crazy, almost stupid, with your money? We may not want to admit it, but most of us have with a story to prove it. “Stupid Money” is a program that shares stories, insights, interviews, and ways to manage your money. Join
John Mathews
,
Vivian Johnson
and
Diana Santos
for 13 episodes of “Stupid Money TV.”
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Adventist Church Leaders Approve Plan For Tithe Parity Among Divisions
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Historically, the North American Division (NAD)—the birthplace of the Seventh-day Adventist Church—has contributed a greater percentage of its tithe to the General Conference than other Divisions. As recently as 2012, the NAD was contributing eight percent of its tithe allocation to the GC, while the rest of the divisions were contributing two percent. By 2030 every world church division will contribute the same base percentage of tithe to the General Conference.
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Some of the Davis Seventh-day Adventists Church's Vacation Bible school kids and volunteers in 2007!
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Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut- Butter Cup Cheesecake
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups raw cashews (soaked for at least four hours or preferably overnight, drained and rinsed in cool water before using)
- ½ cup canned full-fat coconut milk
- ⅓ cup (111g) pure maple syrup
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Please share your church and school activities by emailing pictures and stories to
Communication@Okla-Adventist.org. Invite others to sign up to receive our
E-Newsletter by visiting our conference website at
www.okadventist.org. The sign-up form is at the bottom of the home page.
Daniel Ortega,
Communication Director
Yesenia Ortega,
Newsletter Manager
Caroline A. Fisher,
Newsletter Editor
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Communication@okla-adventist.org
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