Local Church News - August

End-of-Summer Ministry Kickoff 
The First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater hosted their Children's Ministry Kickoff on Saturday, August 24. Children in grades five and under participated in a fun evening of water games as families enjoyed a yummy taco bar and time to fellowship. It sounds like a pleasant way to end the summer!

Catholic Church Offers GriefShare
Losing a loved one is truly one of the most difficult things in life. Support is crucial to healing and rebuilding. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is offering a bereavement support group on Thursdays, September 19 - October 24, and restarting on February 6 - March 13, 2025. The weekly seminars are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will be held in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Parish Hall.

Blood Drive Opportunity
The Church of Christ is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at 821 N Duck St. If you are willing and able to donate, there's a critical blood shortage, so please schedule an appointment online with the American Red Cross Blood Donors, or scan the QR code listed on the church's bulletin online to register.

Helping Hands Needed!
Help build a house for a family in need! Join the community in the Sunnybrook Christian Church's parking lot at 421 E Richmond Rd on Friday, September 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided. Work will resume on Saturday, September 28, from 8 a.m. to noon, with donuts and coffee provided. Saturday is family-friendly, with plenty of jobs for everyone. The project is for Habitat for Humanity. No tools are needed, just hands– so come on down!

Group Study on Managing Anxiety to Meet
Starting on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:30 p.m., Sunnybrook Christian Church will begin an 8-week group study on managing anxiety. The cost is $20 for the workbook, and the room is still to be determined. Go online to the church's "form" page to sign up. 

Saints Alive Seniors
The New Covenant Fellowship Church holds a monthly potluck for members ages 60 and above each 2nd Wednesday from 6-8:00 p.m. The potlucks are held at a member's home. Please get in touch with Jim Kloeckler at (918) 285-1529 for more information. 

Zion Lutheran Church Mortgage Burn
The congregation of the Zion Lutheran Church has paid off a tremendously large mortgage and is ready to celebrate! A mortgage of million dollars was taken out in 2014 and 2015 for renovations to expand worship and classroom spaces, add a student center and enlarge the front entryway. Generous gifts helped pay off the mortgage an incredible 10+ years early!

The mortgage burning event will occur during each service time of 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 29. A celebratory potluck meal will be held between services. All of us at Stillwater Lokal Life, along with the entire community, wish you our heartfelt congratulations to your congregation!

Shower Ministry
Free showers are offered through the First United Methodist Church's Family Life Center on 401 West 7th Ave. Showers are available every Thursday from 2-3:30 p.m. Appointments aren't needed to use the facilities at this time.

Churches Come Together To Feed Those In Need for Free
Several churches take turns providing free meals every week. What a blessing! On Mondays, Stillwater Nazarene Church at 1023 East Will Rogers Dr. hosts a meal from 6 to 7 p.m. On Tuesdays, Cardinal's Love for the Homeless serves meals at Strickland Park, behind CVS Pharmacy, from 1 to 3 p.m. On Thursdays, the First United Methodist Church at 316 West 8th St. offers a meal from 5 to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, the First Presbyterian Church will serve food from 11 a.m. to noon on the corner of 6th & Duck St.

Service Auction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding its 2nd Annual Relief Society service auction on Tuesday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. at 2324 W. 26th Ave. No money is needed; the auction is point-based and will include the Meridian, Pioneer, and YSA wards. Please bring an item or service for the auction and a dessert to share!

Blaire’s Religious Run-in
I recently made a Facebook Marketplace purchase and drove down to Edmond to pick it up. A kind gentleman helped load the piece in my car and asked me if I "could use any prayers today." Happily surprised, I mentioned that I could and needed and had been looking for a job. He responded enthusiastically, asking for my name. I thought and assumed he'd pray for me later in the evening. However, he surprised me again when he responded, "Will you join me in prayer?" And, just like that, he began saying a heartfelt prayer on my behalf. It was such a sweet prayer for a person he'd only just met and dealt with on such a brief business level. He asked God if He'd bless me with a job where I'd find fulfillment and happiness and prayed for me by name. Of course, I gratefully prayed too and afterward, warmly thanked him. Such kindness was so touching and meaningful to me and will not be forgotten. Thank you again, Chuck McDowell.