Romantic love is blind to everything except what is lovable and lovely, but Christ's love sees us with terrible clarity and sees us whole. Christ's love so wishes our joy that it is ruthless against everything in us that diminishes our joy. The worst sentence Love can pass is that we behold the suffering that Love has endured for our sake, and that is also our acquittal. The justice and mercy of the judge are ultimately one. - Frederick Buechner

Dear NEO family,

It is Holy Week! I love hearing about all the special ways our churches are retelling the wonderful story of Jesus and his love during this most important week on the Christian calendar. Tonight some will be having a Tenebrae service, a somber service that focuses on the suffering and darkness associated with the death of Christ. These words from Christa Klosterman really spoke to me this week: “The darkness in worship reminds me that God walks into the darkest of places. Jesus knows the wounds of betrayal, the sting of rejection, the vulnerability of life. He did not avoid the darkness; He walked willingly into it.”

Gloria and I love to visit the churches of NEO. We haven’t shared some pictures for a few weeks. Here are some from January and February.

Bristow, January 24, 2010
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTNbg

Broken Arrow, January 31, 2010
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTNgA

Tulsa Hills, February 21, 2010
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTNTA


Pastor Alan McBroom has resigned from the Davenport Church to give himself full time to chaplaincy ministry. Alan and Melissa have served in Davenport for eight years and will be greatly missed by their church family. Alan works as a Hospice Chaplain for St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

Pastor Casey and Cynthia Hollingsworth report that Abigail Hope Hollingsworth came into our world on Thursday, March 25, a healthy and hardy 9 lbs., 1 oz. and 21 inches long. Abigail spent a short time back in the hospital with jaundice, but Mom and baby are now home and doing great!

Pastor Brad Farnsworth tells in his blog of some radical ways his congregation is reaching out to invite people to Easter services. Check it out! www.bradfarnsworth.org

Below is a link to SNU's Annual Report for 2009 in electronic format. I especially encourage you to look over the videos that are listed on the page. You may even choose to show some of them in your church. I hope you will enjoy them and feel even more "connected" to YOUR university.
http://www.snu.edu/connection

Here are some hi-lights from NEO pastors March report:

I WANT TO CELEBRATE…

David Stevens, Vinita…We had a wonderful day on March 28th. We held a dedication ceremony for a beautiful baby girl, and received 4 new members by profession of faith. In spite of the snow we had good attendance averages for the month. God seems to be closer than ever in my personal walk as well as in the Church services.

Wayde Normandin, Chelsea… Even though our economy is going through some economic hardships we have been able to pay our budgets in full and meet all financial obligations.

John Whitsett, Tulsa Central… Tremendous foot traffic for our Palm Sunday/Eggstravaganza/Family Day event. Also had our first All-Church Concert of Prayer on Palm Sunday evening … seemed to go very well … surprisingly good attendance (70-80 adults?) … will continue those on the 4th Sunday evening of every month. Our Prodigal God emphasis has been well received, although the small group resources were a bit disappointing.

Angela Bentley, Bristow… Great growth, both spiritually and numerically! People are inviting others to church and having spiritual conversations with unchurched friends and non-believers. We had 78 in our Palm Sunday service. We have 11 currently in our new membership class. We have started a new weekday women’s bible study with 14 involved. We are moving forward with our plans to build on our new property. God is building His church in Bristow and we are blessed that He has allowed us to be a part of His plan!

Jim Thornton, Tulsa Hills… Ladies Retreat to Branson coming up; our weekly food ministry serves approx. 30-40 people each Friday; Chapel service and food distribution. The men of Tulsa Hills are beginning to grow more convicted about prayer; Increased focus on Children’s Ministry; planning our Spring Edition of “Faith In Action” Sunday.

Gordon Smith, Dewey… (1) Evangelism course has been completed by 10 people, and we have gone out on “fishing trips” as a church family to areas and we have witnessed our faith! (2) Had a great Youth Missions Trip fundraiser! (3) A good amount of people coming for membership class

Jim Johnson, Barnsdall…As we celebrate Holy Week God is indeed blessing our church. The handicap accessible ramp has been completed, thanks to our hard working lay servants.
This week the installation of a new heat and air-conditioning system will begin.
We give God all the praise for the necessary funds to complete this project.
Our Wednesday night services have been wonderful. They have been well attended and our generous ladies provide a wonderful meal before the service begins. To God be the Glory!

Jim Wilson, Pawhuska…Our worship this Sunday was awesome, our worship team has been willing to step out of their comfort zone and really focus on worshipping with the whole of their heart, and it showed this week. We also needed a new projector (since the old one died) and a new one was acquired and installed for us at a savings of 50% off of the market value. In addition to this the Muskogee church and Pastor Rod blessed us with VBS materials this month, many thanks to them and to all who offered to donate to us.

Doug Gunsalus, Glenpool SoCo…We had an incredible month! God has really been moving at SoCo. We had several people respond to our series on Rest. We had about 8 adults that said that they have been putting God on the back burner so that they can build their own kingdom. Now they want to get that straightened out. Praise God! Our men’s and women’s small groups are really taking off, too. As far as finances go, God has been taking care of us by sending exactly what we need to continue. Praise God!

Casey Hollingsworth, Miami New Life… Had many seekers at our altars a couple of weeks ago. One young woman said that she was “tired of trying to do things on her own and failing miserably.” She gave herself over to Christ completely. Another young college student has felt the call to missions. It’s the first of what I hope is many young men and women accepting the call of God in their lives!


Cole Weston, Okmulgee… Our first Sunday School party and drive for more members. Our Sunday School Superintendent who is working hard to grow the church and SS. Steadily increasing attendance at morning service, with a family who seems to be returning among others.


Dan Hazelton, Pryor…112 at our Palm Sunday outreach event, 20 people handing out 500 Easter invitations door-to-door, gravel added for additional parking. I am getting better looking by the day.

Brad Farnsworth, BA Connection…Putting together Easter baskets for BA Neighbors; picking up new volunteers and leaders; plan to baptize 2-4 on Easter Sunday.

Don Cowan, Sapulpa…(1)The contemporary worship service on Sunday mornings. (2)The fellowship we have at our weekly bowling league. (3)The start of a Men’s basketball league. (4)Beginning of new Life Application Groups on Sunday evenings.

NEO DISTRICT LEADERS
March 2010 (weekly average verses last years monthly averages)

Sunday School/Discipleship
Broken Arrow First +60
Barnsdall +16
Tulsa Southwest +15
Bartlesville +11
Bristow +10
Okmulgee +7
Cushing +5
Vinita +5
Wagoner +3
Cleveland +2
Pawhuska +2

AM WORSHIP
Broken Arrow First +30
Tulsa Central +17
Bristow +11
Barnsdall +10
Okmulgee +9
Vinita +9
Pryor +6
Sapulpa +5
Cushing +4
Sand Springs +4


Have a blessed weekend as we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord! He is risen!

Dave McKellips