Church guide

Just a reminder that we will take up a Noisy Buckets offering this Sunday. Bring your spare change to help out Gideon's International in their mission to share the Good News.

Bring a favorite dish this Sunday to share at our potluck luncheon! Or just join us for a time of great food and fellowship. Our meal will begin after the conclusion of the 11:00 worship service.

PIANIST WANTED: Eden Chapel United Methodist Church, located at 9211 S. Fairgrounds Road, Perkins, is looking for a pianist with choir director experience. Position is part-time (pay per event). Individual will work directly with the pastor to plan worship services, serve as pianist during all worship services (Sundays and special services), and direct the choir. Normal week will include Sundays (11am worship) and Wednesday evenings (6pm choir practice). Send resume to [email protected] and/or [email protected] or mail to Eden Chapel UMC, PO Box 441, Perkins, OK 74059.

This Sunday at Eden Chapel: -We will take up a Noisy Buckets Offering for the “A Piece of Home from the Heart” Fleece Blanket Project. These fleece blankets are given to the elderly and those in need when they are hospital patients. -Pastor John will be teaching from Romans 12:12 with the sermon titled “Prayer Changes Everything.” -The children's Sunday School class will be meeting in the nursery and the intergenerational class will meet in the sanctuary due to issues with water in the basement.

Congratulations to Kerrie Shipley! Kerrie won the silver medal yesterday for bowling at the Special Olympics in Stillwater. Her Eden Chapel family always enjoys hearing about her accomplishments at this wonderful event. Way to go, Kerrie!!!

This Sunday, Pastor John will be teaching from 1 Timothy 4:11-12 with the sermon titled “There is Greatness in Everyone.” Every year the very last player selected in the NFL Draft is given an award: “Mr. Irrelevant.” Can you imagine getting tagged with the title Mr. or Ms. Irrelevant? But in Paul’s letter to Timothy it says: “Don’t let anyone look down on you!” Instead of thinking of yourself as Mr. or Ms. Irrelevant, why not try thinking of yourself as Mr. or Ms. Impact? If you have joined God’s team, you are already set apart for great work in your home, church, work, and community. Because of Christ, you are already a winner!

“Friends Will Make You or Break You.” This lesson, drawn from Proverbs 13:20 and 18:24, is our sermon title this Sunday. Wise friends help us navigate life successfully, but following foolish friends can get us into trouble. More important is being a wise friend who brings life to others. Do you make your friends better or hold them back?

Our Rise Against Hunger mission with local churches has exceeded our $30,000 goal! The final amount as of last Sunday is $32,255.51! Now we need people to pack all 90,000+ meals this Sunday, May 5, at First UMC in Stillwater. A minimum of 200 people is needed for each session. As of last Thursday, there were 150 people signed up for the early session and 93 for the late session, so more workers are needed! If you have not already signed up online or at EC but would like to help, you can register at: http://events.stophungernow.org/FUMCStillwater519. The two sessions are 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. If you are not able to pre-register, you may also go a little early on Sunday and sign up then.

The eggs are all packed and ready for our Easter egg hunt this Sunday! The egg hunt will begin at 10:30 AM, but don't miss out on our potluck brunch before that at 9:30. Our Easter worship service will begin at 11:00. Come enjoy a fun and meaningful morning as we celebrate our risen savior this Easter Sunday.

It will be Palm/Passion Sunday at Eden Chapel this Sunday. Join us as we commemorate Jesus's entry into Jerusalem and begin Holy Week. We will also study Luke 18:10-14 as Pastor John shares his sermon "Blind Spots." We all have them—things that we can’t see about ourselves that frustrate, annoy, hurt, or even anger others; flaws in our perception about who we really are that prevent us from seeing the truth. Often we can’t see that we have gaps in our attitudes or perceptions or even character that God wants to change. Sometimes what you don’t see can hurt you!

This Sunday’s sermon, “Tweet-Tweet,” looks at James 3:9–12. There is an old Italian proverb that states, “From listening comes wisdom; and from speaking, repentance.” Texting, emails, and social media have totally changed the ways we communicate. But when you see some of the stuff being sent out and how it instantly makes its way around the world we realize how careful we need to be with our words. So if you are going to practice speaking (or social media) you should also be prepared to repent because these options create a very powerful and permanent record. Let’s start practicing the art of listening, hearing, and understanding before we speak what is on our minds!

This Sunday will be a big day at Eden Chapel: -Pastor John will preach his sermon “Permanent Marker,” looking at Galatians 2: 19-21. In everything we do and say, we leave a mark on others. The question is, will it be a good impression or a bad impression? - We will have a potluck luncheon at noon. Bring some food to share and stay after church for a fine meal and fellowship. - We will take up our Noisy Buckets for Hope House, and they will be having a workday from 2-5pm.

This Sunday’s sermon will be “Gap-Free Living,” based on Proverbs 11:1-3. How often do we live completely differently than the image we try to convey to others? Gap-Free Living is just a different way of saying “What you see is what you get!” What would our lives look like if who we truly are on the inside and who we are on the outside lined up—if there was no gap between our beliefs and our behavior?

No more anxiety about money! With Financial Peace University, you will learn how to create (and stick to) a budget, save for emergencies, and make a plan for the future. Doesn’t that sound peaceful? Eden Chapel UMC is offering FPU just for you starting next Sunday, March 24. If you’re interested in learning more, send us a message! You can also visit https://fpu.com/1087456 to sign up!

This Sunday’s sermon, “Gap-Free Living,” will explore Proverbs 11:1–3. Back in the 1970’s when computers were rare and simple, there was a saying: “Garbage In; Garbage Out” or “GIGO.” It was important to not fill the computer with corrupt files or unnecessary information, for what goes into the memory will also come out. The concept of GIGO is even more powerful and life-changing when you apply it to your heart. GIGO can also mean “God In; God Out.” If you are putting God into your heart every day—thinking of him, studying his word, talking to others about him—then God will come out in your life. What is coming out of your life—God or garbage?

A couple of reminders for tomorrow: Daylight Saving Time begins this coming weekend. Set your clocks ahead so you won't miss out on the good things happening at EC! Also, the intergenerational Sunday school class, which meets downstairs, is starting a new study for Lent this Sunday. "The God We Can Know" will explore the "I Am" sayings recorded in the book of John. The study features short videos filmed on location in the Holy Land.

This Sunday’s sermon is “Be the Person You Want Others to Be.” In our scripture this week, 1 Corinthians 4:10-16, Paul says, “I urge you to imitate me.” Does this seem arrogant? He is telling people to imitate him! But perhaps it is a statement of accountability. Paul believed by allowing others to examine his walk it would and should cause him to live a Christ-like life. How about you? Is your faith in Christ real and authentic? Do you walk the talk?

Eden Chapel will begin the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday, March 6, at 6:00 PM. Join us for an observance of the beginning of this time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. You can learn a little more about Ash Wednesday here: http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/ash-wednesday