A new informal ministry began yesterday on the corner of 4th and Robinson at First Church!  One of our good members approached our Trustees Committee on Monday evening with an idea to help alleviate some of the suffering on the streets of Oklahoma City during the heat of the day. The idea was birthed by Tom Walbert to set up a “Cooling Station” outside at our picnic tables where we could offer people a cold cup of water in Jesus’ Name. A trial run was held yesterday and the plan is to operate this ministry from 10 – 3 PM Monday through Thursday staffed with volunteers. If you would like to come and be a part of it; especially over the lunch hour; please give Kim a call at the church.

What a great idea to meet a real need in these 100+ degree temperature days! It’s a visible and tangible way to show Christ’s love to anyone passing by our doors. We even have a biblical precedent for this ministry when Jesus said, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Loving others in Jesus’ Name is what this life is all about! I’m thankful to be a part of a church family that reaches out to others in creative ways!

Our Women Alive! Rummage Sale on Saturday July 28 is another great example of caring for others. All proceeds will go to The Food For Kids program of The Oklahoma City Public Schools to provide food for children on the weekends when many don’t get enough to eat. Be sure to bring your “marked” sale items with you this next week and leave them in the third floor storage room and then plan to come, work, and shop at the sale form 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday July 28!

You can also donate a pint of blood that weekend as OBI hosts a Blood Drive on Sunday morning July 29 in The Choir Room. You can sign up for a time slot this Sunday. Blood is especially needed during the summer months! That also happens to be “Southern Gospel Sunday” which will be a time of testimonies, singing and a BBQ lunch following Worship. Plan now to come and invite others to join us!

Wow! Fun opportunities for worship and service are happening at First Church. Be a part of what God is doing! It’s great to be back. I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday. Blessings!

Pastor Mark

PS – Please keep the South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church in your prayers this weekend. Delegates from 8 states are in OKC this week to elect and assign Bishops to several Conferences including Oklahoma. We hope to retain our Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr.