The Visitor
We enter Lent together.
The season of Lent is the forty days prior to Easter morning. Like much of the Christian world, we will enter this season on March 2nd with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. We will have a pancake supper at 5:00 PM and our Ash Wednesday service at 6:00 PM. We know this tradition of Lent dates back to the early 10th century of the Church, and maybe even earlier. We enter the Lenten season as a time to prepare to meet the risen Christ with lives renewed by the breath of God’s Spirit.
We begin the process of self-examination, confession, and repentance anew. We seek God more through God’s Word and deeper conversation with God through prayer. We strive to be even more dedicated to God’s call to serve, love and prepare the way of the Lord.
As we enter this season, let us commit to worshiping God all the more; to love more; to share grace more. And finally, to be more like Christ with each passing day of the Lenten season.
May God bless us on this journey.
Dear church family:
Thank you so much for committing to pray for our son Miles and joining us on this journey as we raise our son. We could not be more grateful to be part of a community of faith that loves with such depth and joy. Jace and I are thankful for your love and your support! We want to offer a special thank you to Betty Unruh, who did what Dad forgot!
With love, Scout and Jace
Please lift in prayer
Curt Horrall, Teresa Taylor, Karen Bower, Margaret Merryman, Mike Wager (leukemia), Joe Glasgow, Bill Haley (Justice’s brother-in-law), Lonnie, (Lynn Bartel’s brother-cancer), Cherie Ward (Janet Lohmeyer’s friend), Dorothy Gregory, LeeAnn Rogers (friend of Judi Jorden-cancer), Noelle Kaufman (Valerie’s granddaughter-cancer), Tim Stelling (friend of Harry Hammonds—heart prob lem & leukemia), Nancy (Denny Krick’s cousin), Virginia Matthews, Ron Miller, Carol Fenton (Krista B’s mom-knee surgery), Sue Vandriver (Jason Miller’s sister), Beriece Castle (now at Green- brier nursing Rm. #4), Roger Groves (leukemia), Shirley West (surgery), Krista Taylor, Brandy Guyton, Jim in OKC (friend of Judi Jorden—4 bypasses), Josh Jorden (skiing accident), Shirley Salisbury (home), Jackie Batchelder, Scott West (Shirley’s son), Rusty Yoachum (friend of the Russel’s—cancer), the family of Rev. Sherry Shaw, the family of John Cain.
Thanks from the Enid Police Department
Central Christian Church:
I am writing to inform you of the great impact the work of the Disciples of Christ Churches (Central Christian Church, Church of the Covenant and University place Christian Church) has upon the Enid Police Department. Each month, these churches work together to drop off treats and snacks for our officers and civilian staff, along with thanks for the services our employees provide for the community.
Each time these donations are made, there is a noticeable difference in the morale of the department. While we often receive thanks from our our wonderful community, most days are spent with those who have a far less appreciative attitude.
Such support for law enforcement is in very short supply currently across the nation today. These efforts are priceless for our department. To have such support brings such joy and spirit to everyone at the department. It does not go unnoticed and often makes a great difference in the quality of an officer’s day.
We are humbled to have such support from these congregations and appreciate the devotion they’ve shown saying thanks.
Sincerely, Cass Rains, Public Relations Coordinator, EPD
The Pastor’s class
The Pastor’s Class will begin on March 13th and last until April 3rd. It will journey through many topics. The participants will engage in conversation about the Disciples of Christ denomination and explore meanings of Confession of Faith and identify their own beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Church. Participants will also be completing a Spiritual Gifts Inventory to explore their gifts for ministry, engage in a guided conversation with a family member or mentor about their baptism and explore ideas of covenant and community. We very much look forward to their baptisms on Easter Sunday.
Dollars for Mission March 6 is the Warmth Project
Food insecurity is a lack of access to enough food for every person in a household to live a healthy life. This could be temporary but could also be long term. Food insecurity impacts every community in the United States. One In five children go to bed hungry in Garfield County. The food insecure rate continues to rise each year. Having the power to improve the lives of others is a privilege we have. Our “Dollars for Mission” this month supports our community by supporting Loaves and Fishes.
Central Christian Church:
I wish to express my deepest thanks for the Disciples of Christ churches for their donations to the EPD over the past year.
I also want to convey how much our officers and employees appreciate the thoughtfulness of the group’s monthly donations.
We serve a wonderful community that supports us greatly, but the continuing support of these congregations goes beyond what we normally see as a police department. Their ongoing support has made an impact upon the morale of the department and is greatly appreciated by the more than 100 people working for our department. I give my sincerest thanks to these churches for their service to our department.
Chief Bryan Skaggs, EPD