2009--In the History Books

People in Central Oklahoma who, along with Bing Crosby, have always dreamed of a White Christmas, got their wish this year. The news reported that the day before Christmas we got 14 inches of snow and it was indeed white. I don't know how they measured it because the wind was blowing at blizzard rates. Around our house there were drifts several feet high and along with these drifts there were spaces where the grass could be seen through the snow. But if they say we got 14 inches, I certainly don't know enough to question them. We got that much snow and it was a White Christmas.


I don't need another one. That kind of snow disrupted Oklahoma City and the entire metro area, including Norman and even including down here in Goldsby. (We aren't sure we should include ourselves in the "metro.") Families could not get here for the holidays, either because of the roads or because there were concerns of having to walk on ice once they got here. Many of us missed out on seeing loved ones, but we had a White Christmas. I can do without the snow and do with a little more of being able to get around. The snow even disrupted the orderly functioning of our own household.

Becky worked on Christmas Eve. They closed the bank at 1:00 pm and it took her two hours to drive home. There were several wrecks on I-35 on the river bridge and either end of it. She sat on the bridge so long that her tires froze to the road. I was at home with the kids. I couldn't leave them and go for her, neither could I take them out in that weather to try to help her. I would probably not have been all that much help anyway. And we no longer own an SUV, so the car I drive wasn't any more efficient in the ice and snow than hers. It is one of the few times I have ever worried about the weather and travelling.

It was a beautiful White Christmas. I for one don't need another.

2009 FINAL POSTING

I started this blog to encourage the members of our Sunday School class in their daily living. I saw it as an extension of the class itself, especially when it could be used to make a comment now and then on the activities and studies of the class. I never intended it as a news outlet for the class, although we have had some occasions to pass on a little news. The previous posting did look a little at what was going on with members of the class and was intended overall as a positive view, a look at current events in our lives which would give us reason to be thankful.

I have tried to write in a positive manner. I have tried to make it an attractive site, one you could appreciate and one which would benefit you, supplementing your class experience. I am struggling now whether I should continue it. I don't really know whether it is needed or wanted. And I don't want to be divisive in what appears here. So, I am thinking about the efficacy of continuing. I will make my decision later.

Right now, give thanks that we survived 2009. If you have, give thanks that you have enjoyed good health during the year. If you have, give thanks that you have recovered from health concerns. If you have, give thanks that you took the opportunity to do something kind for another person and that you had that opportunity. That you uplifted someone rather than diminishing their spirit. Give God thanks for your blessings. And look forward to the next year, 2010.

Welcome 2010 with warm-hearted affection like the little baby which is its symbol. Knowing that when it leaves it will be represented by an elderly man wearing a long white beard and walking with a staff, assure the little baby that you are there to help, not hinder, that you are there to make it a good year, that you will do all within your power to bring it up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Some Brief Notes

The last two Sundays we had lessons I entitled Baby Jesus and Santa Claus. Thank you for allowing me the freedom to do such things during class. I enjoyed it and I hope we all got something from the presentation.

Next Sunday, 12/27, we need to elect class officers and we need to discuss what we are going to study now. We could finish the final two chapters of Mark. We veered away from Mark for the last two weeks simply because it seemed inappropriate for the season. That was my decision and I hope you don't mind.

Bill Dalke has asked to present a series on Lands of the Bible. He would like to do this January 10, 17 and 24. The lessons will be illustrated. We can discuss this more completely next Sunday, but I for one would look forward to such a presentation.

If Bill does his study, we will need someone to volunteer for a class of his/her choosing for January 3.

It has been a pretty good year. We have studied several books from the Bible. I guess it was earlier this year I did the Lessons from the Bible Jesus Used. I was pleased with that study and thank you all for your kind words relating to it.

We have had some illnesses this year, some serious illnesses. It is good to have Susan Hill back with us. She is a dear woman who brings a certain radiance with her. Judy Scott has battled back her cancer and appears to be doing well. She tells us Jack is not well now, diagnosis uncertain at this time, and it is slowing him down. Ginny Barton is valiantly fighting her illness and she needs our prayers. _____________ has had his run in with illness but seems to have won the battle. Steve Corley is struggling with Alzheimer's and this is placing a great responsibility on Pat. They both need our prayers. And what can I say of our dear George Needham? I miss George, his pert and pithy remarks in class. His always being there on the left side of the room, front row, first chair. They came to this class following both their retirements and we had him for several years. These years were a blessing. Ann, like Pat Corley, has her hands full. These men they have loved for so long have been taken from them, leaving behind only a semblance of what they were not all that long ago.

What can I say about Stan Bauman, ____________________ and Rhana True? All have had their bouts with bad health, but their conditions, thankfully, do not appear life threatening. For that we are grateful. If I have omitted mentioning anyone it certainly was not intentional and I apologize for the oversight.

There have been no deaths in our class this year, except parents of class members, the most recent being Karen Dihrberg's mother. Our condolences go out to her. And we are thankful the chilling hand of death has not reached into our immediate family for some time now.

It has been a good year and I look forward to 2010. It, too, will be a good year. I look forward to teaching class now and then. I even look forward to a few social functions with the class, not too many as I have many other things on my mind occupying my time, but now and then it is good to get together. Come be with us Sunday and help us make a few plans for the coming year. We need you and surely we can be a positive influence on your lives as well.

Yes, Virginia, There Was a Baby Jesus

Yes, Virginia, there was a baby Jesus. He was born 2,000 years ago of humble parents in what is today Israel. I know that today you hear a lot of people say "happy holidays" and "seasons greetings." And you see an awful lot about Santa and decorated trees. But there are more than 7,000 of us who still say "Merry Christmas" and display the Nativity scene.

This baby grew up to be a preacher and through his example as well as his preaching he taught us to give food to hungry people, give clothing and shelter to those in need, minister to the suffering and love one another. There were very few things he did not like. Most everything he saw was beautiful and positive. He tried to love everyone and everything. One thing he couldn't abide, though, was anything that divided people. He didn't want us to sit in judgment of each other, criticize each other or hate each other because of the color of our skin or because of our different stations in life. He told us to forgive each other and respond to evil by doing good. He told us to be kind and considerate to everyone and to be patient. He told us to love and obey our parents. There is a great deal more that he had to say and a great deal more he did.

People who knew him personally loved him and wrote about him. They really believed that if God should ever decide to walk among mankind, he would surely walk in the form of this preacher.

As they were telling his story, two of his followers wrote the story of his birth. They were so in love with this person that they used every literary device they could think of to help us appreciate the absolute awe and wonder that surrounded him. They told us about shepherds watching their flocks at night, about angels appearing from heaven and singing beautiful songs announcing his birth. They wrote about a star over his birthplace and about wise men coming from the east to worship him. They wrote about his father and especially about his mother who gave birth in a barn behind a hotel. And when they were through telling the story, the barn became a shrine that had housed a sacred child.

We don't place nativity scenes depicting this wonderful moment on our public squares anymore. That's all right. What matters is that we don't display his birth and tell these wonderful stories in our homes like we should.

Virginia, for many of us this day is a holy day and this season is a holy season. So if your mom and dad forget in the hustle and bustle of the season to tell you about the Christ child, perhaps you could get them to slow down and allow you to tell the story to them. Because, yes, Virginia, there was a baby Jesus. And, that's what this holiday season is really all about. Merry Christmas, Virginia.

Baby Jesus and Santa Claus

Our lesson in Sunday School yesterday was "Baby Jesus and Santa Claus." While there was something of a light hearted nature in this class, it is a serious subject. I originally intended to present this in one session, the Sunday before Christmas. But, there is just too much there. (And I am somewhat verbose, especially when I am using a powerpoint presentation to illustrate the story being told.) We did not finish yesterday and will continue the topic next Sunday and possibly the next.

I am comfortable placing the story of Santa in the Christmas story, even the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. Come worship with us at McFarlin and come to Sunday School next week as we continue this brief study.

Candlelight Carol Service. For those of you who attended the Candlelight Carol Service at McFarlin last night, you were truly blessed. Twenty-five years ago we attended our first such service and were so pleased with it that that service, along with dis-covering the Searchers class, played an important part in our decision to become members of the McFarlin United Methodist Church in Norman. Each year I look forward to this event.

Children's Choirs

Wesley Choir

The Children's Choir and the Wesley Choir show just how many children we have and how involved they are. Their directors and leaders are all volunteers and they do a tremendous job. The voices of these young people surely cause the angels to pause and listen.

High School Choir

The High School Choir (they have another name but I do not remember it) was striking in its performance. Look at the large number of high school kids. I only hope you were there to hear them sing. What a beautiful sound of praise and adoration. Dr. Richard Zielinski is the interim director of the adult choirs and his presence is certainly felt. An instructor at the University of Oklahoma, he brings years of expertise in directing choral groups and in a very short time he has left his impression on our musical department. He directed the High School Choir and this is the best performance that group has ever given.


The adult choirs were their same wonderful selves! As was the bell choir which performed. We have come to expect these groups to give professional quality performances and we have never been disappointed in them.

It was a wonderful night and I hope you were there. If not, or even if you were, start making plans to attend next year. I promise you, you will be blessed for having been there.

(I apologize for the quality of the pictures of the choirs. These were taken from the balcony and this was asking quite a bit of an iphone camera.)

Thanks, Tino

We had a wonderful class yesterday. Tino Harrera taught the class and did a wonderful job. I found what he had to say very interesting. I only wish we had had more time for him to do his thing.

The next two Sundays I intend to teach on the subject of "Jesus and Santa Claus." We will necessarily start with a lesson on the birth of Jesus. I was going to do this the Sunday before Christmas, but I felt I needed more time to do it right. Please come and be with us the remainder of December.

My thanks to Bill Dalke for agreeing to move to January to teach the class.