- Community Spirit

EE
FR
December 2004
Bethany FreeWill Baptist’s Annual Living
Christmas Tree to Be Presented December 1-5 — 100 North Olive in Broken Arrow
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contents
december 2004 volume 5 issue 9
f e a t u r e s
6
8
9
10
12
26
Bringing
Christmas to Life
Bethany FWB Living
Christmas Tree opens Dec. 1
Triple Espresso is
hilarious fun!
Journey to the Manger
at Evangelistic Temple
Searching for Santa
Angels in Transit
Brickman plays
to romantics
d e p a r t m e n t s
15
16
18
20
22
24
28
10
Restaurant Review Te Kei’s Chinese/Asian Kitchen
Senior Living Pat Bartlett’s Infectious Smile
Business Focus OnCore Encore
Good Stewardship Coping with Christmas financial stress
News Around Town
Community Store
Community Calendar/Classified Ads
PUBLISHER Tom McCloud
PRODUCTION MANAGER Steve Trickett
MANAGING EDITOR Tara Lynn Thompson
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Zik Jackson
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION AdGraf
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Heather Brooker, Eldora Palmer
Stephanie Reall, Jamie Sweeney
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Randy Cowell, Linda Mansur
TULSA SALES OFFICE
KWHB TV-47 Office Building
8835 S. Memorial, Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 307-2323 phone
(918) 625-5324 cell phone
(918) 307-1221 fax
DISTRIBUTION
Community Spirit is distributed to
churches, schools, restaurants, Christian
bookstores, and other businesses.
Call us today to deliver to your church.
4
8
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Community Spirit is published monthly
by McCloud Media
www.mccloudmedia.com
www.communitykidsmagazine.com
www.communityspiritmagazine.com
Copyright © 2004 by Equipment
Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction
without written permission from the publisher is
strictly prohibited.
Subscriptions are available at the cost
of only $28 for 12 issues. Purchase online
or mail in your check payable to
Community Spirit Magazine,
KWHB TV-47 Office Building,
8835 S. Memorial, Tulsa, OK 74133
Claims by advertisers and the opinions of
writers within this publication do not
necessarily represent the views of
Community Spirit or its publisher,
Equipment Publications, Inc.
6
THEY WELCOMED THEIR NEW CHILD
to the world on a cold evening, in a place
not fit for a King. But his birth was blessed,
the Savior entering the world, the Christ
child down from Heaven, to shine light
upon a world of darkness. This day had
been prophesied and God's divine plan took
form. In Bethany Church’s The Living
Christmas Tree, Christmas and the reason
for our celebration alongside Joseph and
Mary takes shape in a heartfelt musical.
See the enchantment come to life, read
more Page 6.
Special thanks to Bethany Freewill Baptist
Church for a Joseph and Mary who can
settle a 10-day old baby into peaceful
slumber and make a moment in time
priceless. And thanks to Don Kreutzweiser
of Kreutzweiser Photography for knowing
how to create glory from excellent lighting
effects. Don can be reached for senior
pictures, weddings, family portraits, and
other special events, 250-6967.
Visit our Website!
www.communityspiritmagazine.com
Check our our new website. You can download this
issue or any of the last three or four issues. Looking
for a distribution site? Simply type in your zip code to
find the ones closest to you. Also, visit our new Business Directory, a quick source for finding our recommended list of businesses.
Our Mission...
To glorify God by telling stories of individual Christians
whose good works testify to God’s active presence in
Oklahoma.
Through the telling of these true stories, we pray that...
Christians will be inspired to do more good works, the
Body of Christ will be unified,
and that all will hear the Good News — that God offers
everyone an abundant new life in Jesus.
DECEMBER 2004
Bringing
Christmas
Bethany FWB
Living Christmas
Tree opens Dec. 1
to Life
The sounds and sights of Christmas come to
life for the anxiously awaited production of
Bethany Church’s The Living Christmas
Tree, scheduled at 7 p.m., Dec.. 1-5. There
will also be 3 p.m. matinee performances on
Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5.
HOLIDAY SHOW BEYOND COMPARE
For the past seven years, Bethany Church
has presented a production many compare to
Holiday shows in places like Branson. Every
year has received rave reviews, but to most
observers, last year was the best ever.
6
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
The
focus of
the production is a 30foot artificial tree covered with thousands of
computer-controlled
lights. Approximately
80 people use the tree
as a stage for musical
numbers while scores
more provide dramatic support at the base of the
tree. Add to that artificial snow, special
DECEMBER 2004
lights, and other surprise effects, and you
have a very impressive production.
IT IS IN THE “W’S”
During the recently completed presidential
election, “W” became a common theme. It is
also meaningful to sports fans who pull for
their favorite teams. To Rev. Randy Wilson,
pastor of Bethany Church in Broken Arrow,
“W” has a very special meaning this time of
year. It is how he explains what drives his
congregation to put on the Eighth Annual
Living Christmas Tree production.
“The purpose of the Living Christmas
Tree can be summed up in two words,” Rev.
Wilson said. “They are ‘worship’ and ‘witness.’ We are worshipping a God who
loved us enough to come into our
world and our lives. And we are
also witnessing to others
about God’s love for them.”
NEW ADDITION
This may mark the
eighth year for Bethany
ment aspect to each performance, the main
purpose is to present the message of Jesus
Christ to those who might not come to a
regular Sunday service.”
KTPX TO TELEVISE PRODUCTION
For the third year, KTPX (PAX TV) will
broadcast Bethany’s Living Christmas Tree
on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Bethany’s 2004 Living Christmas Tree
production will air on Christmas Eve at 7
p.m. and twice on Christmas Day at 1 p.m.
and 4 p.m. The one hour show features the
music made popular by the main choir, Children’s Choir, Youth Ensemble, Adult
Ensemble and several soloists. Included is
the pageantry of the first Christmas and the
true meaning the season offers. The event
closes with a parade of fabulous, custom banners, one of the most stirring moments of the
production.
Church’s Living Christmas Tree production in the Tulsa area, but it is the first
time Matt Williams, new music director,
has participated in the annual extravaganza. The only other time Matt attended the
production was as a member of the audience.
“Several years ago while I was the Music
Minister at another church,” said Williams,
“one of my choir members gave my wife and
I two tickets to the Living Christmas Tree. I
had only heard of such a thing but never
imagined what it was.”
“When we attended,” he continues, “I was
completely wrapped up in the pageantry of
the entire production, but I also saw a complete dedication to the music ministry and
the power it has over people.”
Audiences experience many different emotions during a typical Living Christmas Tree
performance at Bethany Church. For Matt, it
became a calling. This Fall he was named the
Minister of Music at Bethany Church.
CARSON WAGNER TO PERFORM
What were you doing for Christmas when
you were 16? Carson Wagner will be seated at a bright
red piano in front of hundreds of enthralled people for seven very special
performances.
Last year, Carson
proved to be a wonderful
answer to an area of concern at Bethany Church.
Each year, Bethany presents
seven
performances of the Living
Christmas Tree. The
production is so popular, people begin
arriving an hour
before each show to
secure the best seats.
But then they would
just sit and wait.
Enter Carson Wagner. Last year, Carson
provided a very
entertaining preshow before each
Living Christmas
Tree performance.
What makes performing prior to the
Living Christmas
Tree so memorable is
the impact his music
had on early arrivers.
“It was very exciting
to see the spiritual
response to the presentation of the Living Christmas Tree
last year,” he recalled.
“While there is certainly an entertain-
PURCHASING TICKETS
Tickets for each Living Christmas Tree
performance are $5 per person and may be
purchased at the Bethany Church Welcome Center Monday through Friday from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets may be reserved by
phone at 252-5585. Bethany Church is
located at 100 North Olive in Broken
Arrow on the west side of 129th Street
between 71st and 81st.
DECEMBER 2004
Take the LASIK Challenge
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
7
Triple Espresso
is hilarious
fun!
BY ZIK JACKSON
The hit show Triple Espresso,
part of the Tulsa Performing
Arts Center’s Broadway series,
is billed as “a highly caffeinated comedy” and lives up to its
name. It is a two-hour extravaganza full of music, magic, quips, puns, and
gags sure to entertain while staying clean
and family friendly.
The Liddy Doenges Theater is set up like
a coffeehouse, with some audience members
seated at small tables in the front. Coffee is
offered before and after the show, and at
intermission, to keep the audience in character as well as the players. The story flows
around Hugh Butternut (Robert O.
Berdahl) and his 25th anniversary as a
pianist at the Triple Espresso coffeehouse.
As a surprise, Hugh
reunites his performing buddies
®
Bobby Bean ( Joe
Gautier) and Buzz
Maxwell (Charles
Peters) who haven’t
spoken to each other
for 25 years. The
trio gives a hilarious
retrospective of their
mishaps and foibles
trying to make it in
show business, leading up to the disaster that broke up the
group. Has time
healed the wounds?
For three people
on a stage with a
piano and a few
props, it is impres(Christmas
sive how funny and
(Christmas Items
Items Only)
Only)
entertaining such a
WHILE
show can be. The
SUPPLIES
players involve the
LAST
audience enough to
add to the fun without making it
uncomfortable, and
they use the running
gag of “Hugh’s parents” tastefully and
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8
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
sparsely. Audience interaction always leads
to a bit of improv, and the players handled it
masterfully. Mixing in familiar show tunes
and classic pop songs with original numbers
keeps the flow fresh, while always sprinkled
with a tongue-in-cheek vivacity intentionally
over the top. It is a roller coaster of non-stop
laughter, ranging from little giggles to
uproarious belly laughs.
The story line weaves around the nation
and the world, following Hugh, Bob, and
Buzz as they take their comedy troupe to
stages near and far. However, they had never
intended it to be a comedy troupe. By the
end of the show, one gets to know and love
the characters and cheer for the underdog.
Triple Espresso is an excellent show written by Bill Arnold, Michael Pierce Donley,
and Bob Stromberg. It is worth seeing more
than once because you never know what will
happen next, but everything stays true to the
underlying story line. True comedic talent
coupled with professional lighting and direction makes for a truly enjoyable show. It’s no
surprise the show has been running nonstop
in San Diego and Minneapolis for over
seven years, no doubt fueled by the most
common legal stimulant in use today – caffeine. Don’t miss it!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.tripleespresso.com
Tulsa PAC – Liddy Doenges Theater
Through Jan. 16
Tickets at select Homeland locations or by
phone at (918) 596-7111
www.tulsapac.com
Special group rates: (918) 477-7469
This Christmas take your own
Journey to the Manger
December 19, Evangelistic Temple
What will you unwrap this
Christmas? At Evangelistic
Temple Church on Peoria, they
hope to use this year’s Christmas
program to unwrap the true
meaning of Christmas. Journey
to the Manger is a variation of
the popular Christmas story of
Scrooge. But instead of visiting
ghosts, one man with a somewhat jaded view of Christmas is
taken back through time by
Mary and Joseph. This exciting
musical visits several time periods such as the Depression, Victorian England, the Renaissance, and ultimately Bethlehem
and the birth of Jesus.
“Tis the season to go bankrupt” the character of Nathan
( Joe Glenn) sarcastically sings.
But, through each experience,
his eyes are opened to what
Christmas really means.
“For a lot of people, Christmas isn’t much more than rushing from one party to the next,
endless shopping, and checking
items from one big ‘to do’ list.
But it wasn’t always that way”
Mary (April McLaurin) explains
to Nathan.
Christmas is all about the
manger and the tiny Christ
child who was sent from heaven
as a light to this world.
“Some people tend to get
jaded at Christmas time because
of all the commercialism Christmas brings. But we want to
remind people what it’s all
about. It’s about Jesus. And He
was
the
ultimate
Christmas
gift” said Pastor Ann Irwin of
Evangelistic Temple. Irwin said
she hopes as people journey
back through time with Nathan,
Mary and Joseph, they will see
for themselves how Christmas
traditions have evolved over the
years.
“It truly is a journey that we’re
taking. And there’s some interesting information about how
Christmas has evolved since the
manger” Irwin said. “And we
hope that those who might not
have Jesus in their heart, see this
musical and open their hearts to
Him. That is our goal, to spread
the Gospel. And what better
time than Christmas to do it?”
Journey to the Manger is
directed by Fine Arts Pastor Ann
Irwin and features compelling
performances by actors, dancers,
the ET choir, and a special youth
ensemble. The program is scheduled for two free performances at
10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Dec. 19. For
more information you can contact Evangelistic Temple at 7499971. The church is located at
5345 S. Peoria.
Irwin adds, “Everyone is welcome to come and unwrap the
true meaning of Christmas at
Evangelistic Temple this Holiday Season. After all, who doesn’t like presents!”
Evangelistic Temple School
is proud to announce the addition of a
High School
to our current Pre-K – 8th Grade program!
9th Grade—2004-2005
10th Grade—2005-2006
11th Grade—2006-2007
12th Grade—2007-2008
If you are looking for a school with a reputation
for excellence and a staff that is committed to the
academic and spiritual development of every
student, you’ll find it at Evangelistic Temple School!
Courses in art, music, Spanish, computers, and
physical education supplement the basics.
Accredited by the Association of Christian
Schools International.
Visit us at www.etstulsa.com or call
743-5597 to request enrollment information.
Now enrolling for 2nd Semester
Call 743-5597
1339 E. 55th Street
www.ETStulsa.com
Unwrap the best gift of all this Christmas… Jesus!
Join Evangelistic Temple on a
Journey
Manger
• Weddings
• Parades
• Engagements
• Proms
• Parties
• Anniversaries
TO THE
December 19th
10:00 am and 6:00 pm.
5345 S. Peoria
Sylvia Frost
918 486-4159
918 637-6374
[email protected]
749-9971
Carriage Driver may be dressed in your choice of Formal or Western Wear.
DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
9
a
t
n
a
S
r
o
f
Searching
for
Santa
g
Searchin
B Y TA R A LY N N T H O M P S O N
Yo Yo Yo!–
CS takes to the streets asking
“will the real Santa please stand up?”
Santa Claus. I’ve never met him. In fact, my
mother has continually assured me he is
nowhere to be found. His ambiguous location has continued throughout the years to
stop even the temptation of contacting the
merry man, despite my curiosity. I’ve
never written him a letter, an email,
received his newsletter, or known his
MSN instant messenger handle. We
haven’t sat down with a cup of
eggnog for a long winter’s chat over
the proper care and feeding of reindeer and I’ve never, ever baked him
a batch of cookies.
For nearly three decades I have simply
accepted the fact Santa is elusive if not
downright vacant. And as much as I wanted
to take my mother’s word for it, as much as I
wanted to put this nagging question to rest –
like the sightings of Elvis and little green
men or the
exchange rate for a
tooth under a pillow – I’ve decided,
for the sake of science, I can’t. I
need to know. I
WANT to know.
Where is Santa? Is
he real? If so, can I
request an interview? And why
red velvet?
I decided to do
a little information
super highway
search. If he could
be found, Jeeves
would know. I
signed onto
www.ask.com and
posed a simple
question – Where
is Santa?
Jeeves sent me
to www.claus.com
where I could
check my naughty
10
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
or nice rating and print out my own Elf
Diploma. Did Jeeves think this was a joke?
If Santa could be reached, these people welcoming me to the “merriest place in cyberspace” would not know. This was for children. I am a fully-grown, 5’9”, able-to-rideall-roller-coasters-and-sit-without-a-booster-seat adult. I don’t need permission or my
parents’ signature for anything and I certainly have no interest in the Nice-O-Meter.
This wouldn’t do.
I decided to reach out and touch someone. And that someone was the mayor’s
action line for “questions, problems, request
for service.”
“Hi. I’m Tara Lynn Thompson with
Community Spirit magazine, I’m searching
for Santa Claus,” I told the woman who
answered. “I know there are those who look
like Santa Claus in the parade each year.
How do you contact them?”
“Santa comes to us,” she replied.
“I need to contact them, ask them some
questions,” I explained, trying to sound sincere and yet not insane.
“I don’t know that we can give out that
information,” she said.
I was then transferred to Dee, who didn’t
know either. And furthered on to Linda and
her voicemail. What if one of these men
weren’t imposters? What if one was the real
deal? Could government red tape really be
the end to discovering the truth of Santa
Claus?
When all roads lead to nowhere, stop and
ask for directions. I approached my coworkers and gathered information. “Where
have you seen Santa Claus?”
I heard everything from the mall, the
museums, private parties (they must have
connections), and even a local donut shop.
Those were decent leads. Santa could be
hanging out at the museum or the mall, both
plausible. I took a chance and contacted the
Philbrook, speaking with a woman named
Rose or Rosemary or Rosalie, or maybe it
was Daisy. I told her my dilemma and desperate need to contact Santa.
“How do you usually contact Santa?” I
asked.
“We call the North Pole,” the flower said.
She had a good laugh after that response
and then we got down to business. She
transferred me to Cassie Reese, the fundraising events manager, and her voicemail greeted me. She quickly called me back and
informed me a volunteer serves as Santa
every year. Volunteer? That sounded mightily suspicious. Wouldn’t the real Santa want
to appear just another guy wearing a big suit
with white fur lining? But then again, what
man other than Santa would want to wear a
big suit with white fur lining?
Now I was getting somewhere. “Can I get
his number?”
The answer was momentary pauses and a
few “uh, well, um.” That was obviously not
going to happen so I compromised. I left my
name and number, asked Cassie to slip it
into this white-gloved hands, and hoped he
would call me back. I felt confident the real
Santa would. He, after all, loves to make
people’s Christmas wishes come true, right?
This was mine.
However, I’m not willing to leave it to
chance and good will – though that sounds a
little cynical for this particular holiday. I’ve
been waiting too long for this answer. Truthfully, I was just a little impatient.
This was not the end of the road. I brainstormed, grabbed my able-to-squashinsects-or-be-used-as-a-weapon-for-selfdefense phone book, plopped it on my desk,
and started flipping through pages. There
were no listings for Santa, elves, or even a
north polesk toy manufacturing plant. I
needed inspiration. I found diddly.
Instead, I took a shot in the dark and
called the Salvation Army. I know they have
bell ringers for donations during the holidays. Doesn’t Santa volunteer for that? I was
given the name of Brad Borror, Public Relations Director, and left him a message. He
never called me back, but then again, I don’t
blame him. It probably did sound a little
loony for a grown adult to be seeking Santa.
Nevertheless, pride aside, I was determined.
I called the Christmas Train and left a
message for Rita Morris who returned my
call. We chatted awhile about the possible
identity of Santa and she informed me he
was always a volunteer. Perfect. That sounded like him. “What is his name?”
She wanted to help and was more than
pleasant at trying to appease my strange
request. The name, however, could not be
given out. Yet again Santa’s security system
was prevailing. She took my name and number and assured me it would be passed along.
It was all I could expect. Thinking back on
it, he was the most recognizable figure in the
entire world. I’m sure obtaining his alter ego
identity would take more than a few phone
calls. How did Lois Lane learn Superman
was really Clark Kent?
But then again, it would take more than a
few dead ends to quench my curiosity. I still
had not contacted any of the malls. So,
referring back to my trusty phonebook, I
called a mall and requested information on
Santa. “What do you need him for?” a customer service representative asked. “For a
story I’m working on,” I said. I wasn’t a
stalker. Well, maybe I was.
I was given a number in Phoenix, his
media rep, and we had many conversations
back and forth over a week’s time arranging
a meeting with The Man. Finally, the day
dawned and it was time to meet Santa. I
went to the mall that morning, parking on
the opposite end of where he worked, and
walked the long hallway listening to my
shoes clopping inside. Eventually I made it.
He spoke to me briefly, wearing blue jeans
and a blue jacket, and then said he had to
get dressed. So I waited. And waited. I
watched the morning walkers and shoppers.
I stifled a yawn. I listened to my stomach
growl and thought about the breakfast I didn’t eat. I yawned again. And as I was meditating on the yogurt smoothies sold at the
food court, he walked up.
We chatted awhile. I asked questions,
innocent upon appearance, but telling. And
he answered honestly. There was a pleasant
lure about him but I was still torn. I wanted
the magic to happen and I felt nothing. He
liked kids, he said. And he smiled and waved
at the little ones gapping at him with
mouths open, but something was missing.
I left there listening to the sound of my
shoes and hearing it echo all the way to my
bones. Where is Santa? Was my mother
right? Would I never know?
Before completely giving up, I called one
last possibility. He agreed to meet me within
the hour and I drove east wondering if this
would be another disappointment. I arrived
at his workplace, waited yet again, and when
he walked into the room, I looked into those
blue eyes and knew, it’s him.
So here’s the skinny on Santa. Don’t
believe anyone else because I have the one
and only exclusive. He lives in Broken
Arrow. Yes, Broken Arrow. I’m not kidding.
He has a 6-inch white beard, soft eyes, and
I’m telling you, the belly is real (I poked him
in the stomach to know for sure). His alter
ego is Roger Hale, the route coordinator for
the Broken Arrow Public Schools. Santa
drives a school bus. Isn’t that fitting?
“I love kids. I love making them happy,”
he said, his voice like warm cinnamon. “The
joy of it is making the kids happy. That is
what I try to do every time I go out.” I
smiled like a buffoon during the entire interview.
“Making kids happy is the second thing,
knowing Jesus is risen is the first thing,”
Santa said. “Knowing he’s part of your life,
knowing you’re going to see him one day…”
He said that is the real reason for this season.
During the off-season, Santa lives his alter
ego. “When I get on the bus, all the kids ask
if I’m Santa Claus. I tell them, ‘You never
know where Santa Claus is. He’s always
watching you.’” When he walks into a room
the children hush, their eyes widen, their
mouth smiles, and he represents their innocence wrapped up in a 6'5" lovable fairytale.
Now that I knew the truth, I had some
questions.
“What’s your favorite cookie?” I asked.
“Chocolate chip and oatmeal,” he said. “Is
that together or separate?” I asked. “Separate.” “Do you drink it with chocolate milk
or plain?” “Plain.” “Whole milk or two percent?” “Whole” “Where do you keep the
reindeer?” “In Nebraska, it snows there.”
“Do you sleep with your beard inside or outside the covers?” “Outside.” “How old are
you?” “I’ll never tell.” “What’s your favorite
food?” “Mexican.” We both smiled on that
one. It was an odd response for a man who
was raised in the North Pole. But to each his
own. “What’s Mrs. Claus like?” “She’s very
nice. She keeps all the elves in line.”
We walked outside the transportation
department building to the nearby BA
Expressway for a picture. Cars honked,
semi’s honked, people yelled. I was standing
next to a superstar. It was humbling.
As we walked back to the building, facing
the cold wind, I noticed his cheeks began to
grow quite rosy. I think mine did as well.
And it occurred to me I had one last question to ask. Why red velvet? I started off
with an intro question instead. “Where did
you get your suit?” He smiled. “My mom
and wife made it.” Well, that was all the
answer I needed. No use asking the velvet
question, he had no choice in the matter.
Santa loves letters and welcomes them at
his home in Broken Arrow, 502 E. Galveston Drive, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma,
74012.
Go ahead. Believe.
DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
11
Angels
in
Transit
BY TOM MCCLOUD, PUBLISHER
“It is better
than TV” he
insisted.
“I refuse to sit
there all day
with the old
folks and
watch that
mess.”
“Where could I
find some
angels?” I wondered. If we
really do “pass by
angels unaware”
during our normal, seemingly
humdrum lives,
The Veteran of the Bus
where are they?
And if I prayed
about it, opened my eyes to the possibility,
might I actually find some?
I decided to go look for them in the most
common surroundings. I had often wondered who rides Tulsa’s Bus Transit system
and it seemed like a good place to look. So I
got on a bus one day in search of “Angels in
Transit.”
The rules I made for myself were simple. I
would ride the bus around Tulsa for an
entire day. I would be friendly but not
engage any conversation on my own.
Instead, I would just wait and see the people
God put in my path. And I prayed a simple
prayer, “God, you always have brought us
just the right stories for the magazine and I
believe you can bring incredible people into
my life today. Open my eyes to the stories
you want told. Amen.”
With that, I climbed aboard, put my
$1.25 into the slot, and found a seat. I didn’t
know where I was headed nor did I really
care. After all, I was just along for a ride.
THE KARATE KID
At first appearance, he looked pretty “streetwise,” not the kind of person with whom I
would typically strike up a conversation. The
young oriental man wore a bandana on his
head and large, nail-like brads pierced both
12
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
his eyebrow and his lower lip. His tall, muscular physic, combined with an obvious air
of confidence, made him menacingly stand
out from the crowd.
But for some reason, he smiled at me and
greeted me with a friendly hello. The conversation was politely shallow at first, but
gradually he began to share a bit of his story.
He had grown up in Japan and he and his
sister had come over to the United States
mainly for fun. With impeccable English, he
explained he was a black belt in Karate and
enjoyed competing over here. He said he was
riding the bus because his car had recently
been stolen.
We had been chatting for a while before I
noticed the W.W.J. D. (What Would Jesus
Do?) bracelet on his wrist. I said, “So, you
are a Christian?”
My question took him by surprise and
then he realized I was pointing to the
bracelet. “Oh… yes,” he stammered. “I
became a Christian about a year ago. When
I got to the states, I became good friends
with a guy who taught me and my sister
about Jesus. We had been raised Buddhist,
but Jesus has changed our lives.”
Almost apologetic about wearing the
bracelet, he explained that his sister insisted
he always wear it. “You see, I used to have
the tendency to street fight a little. The
bracelet reminds me that I don’t have to
fight anymore. What would Jesus do? I don’t
think he would be fighting and he has better
things for me to be doing.”
The bus pulled in to the downtown station and my new friend picked up his backpack and with a quick goodbye, was off to
another bus.
“An angel?” I thought. Naw, surely not but
truly a brother in Christ. I don’t know where
DECEMBER 2004
he was heading, but ultimately, God has a
special destination in store for this young
“Karate Kid.” And like the rest of us, he is
just traveling along, hoping somehow God
will lead him there.
THE VETERAN OF BUS 251
Life provides simple pleasures for 82 yearold Robert Young. Each day he gets dressed,
goes to the bus stop, and climbs aboard the
first bus. He has nowhere in particular he
wants to go for he too is just along for the
ride.
He sat down in the seat ahead of me and
we both winked and flirted with a cute baby
being held by her mother in the aisle across
from us. The man’s toothless smile made
both the baby and the mom laugh. And as
we rode along, he offered a bit of sage advice
to the mom. “Don’t take a single day for
granted. Try your absolute best to remember
every day with your baby, for they truly do
grow up way too fast. Soon, you will be old
like me.” The mom gave him a disinterested
look and I could tell she was too young for
his wonderful advice to really sink in. But he
realized his comment connected with me
and began telling me about his life, of kids
who never call, and of two wives he had
buried through a lifetime of hard work as a
heavy equipment operator.
He explained that he rides the bus every
day. Armed with a free senior pass, he simply
rides and watches life around him. “It is better than TV,” he insisted. “I refuse to sit
there all day with the old folks and watch
that mess. No, this is much more interesting.
And I see lots of crazy stuff on the bus that
those writers would never even be able to
imagine,” he said with a deep laugh.
Sometimes, Mr. Young gets off to walk
through the Zoo, the Mall, the
airport or something else that
might interest him, but for the
most part, he just rides, watches,
and looks for people to meet. I
hung on his every word and we
talked above the roar of the bus
about everything from politics,
life, the weather, and even about
Tulsa’s roads (he says he doesn’t
see much road construction
going on and wanted me to ask
the Mayor why).
I asked him if he was a Christian man and he proudly said,
“Yes, indeed I am.” “After riding
“You see, I used to
have the tendency
to street fight a
little. The bracelet
reminds me that I
don’t have to fight
anymore.”
The Karate Kid
the bus past ORU for years (He
said he always liked the looks of
that place), one day I decided to
get off and look around. Billy
Joe Daugherty had a meeting
going on over there and I
walked in and sat down. I
became a Christian that very
day and God completely
changed my life. Now, you
wouldn’t think that He could
change an old man like me, but
he did. I don’t have any fears
anymore. I know where I am
heading and I am willing to go
whenever God wants me. Until
then, I guess I will be on this
bus.”
“An angel?” I wondered again.
I honestly don’t know, but Mr.
Young surely has the heart of
one. And it makes me feel good
to know no matter what might
go on aboard our buses, and
what problems the individual
riders might have, this angel will
be there always ready to intervene.
SALVATION AT A BUS STOP
It had been a great day. I had
met some incredible people and
God had indeed blessed me
with some wonderful stories.
And I was beginning to get a little tired. I sat down on a bench
at the mid-town bus terminal,
pulled out the bus schedule and
started trying to chart a course
that would get me back to my
office.
A young American Indian
man sat on the bench beside me
and saw me looking at the
schedule. “Where are you trying
to go?” he asked.
I told him and he advised me
on what bus I needed to take. “It
will be along here in just a few
minutes,” he said.
“Why are you riding the bus?”
he asked. I explained I was
doing this story and trying not
to sound too elitist, I began to
tell him about my little adventure of putting away the independence of my own car and
riding the city bus instead.
“What is the magazine
about?” he asked. I told him it
was a Christian Community
magazine.
“Oh, so you are a Christian?”
he asked. “Yes,” I responded.
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DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
13
“Don’t you think that if
there is a God, He is going
to punish someone like me
for the things I have done?”
much He wanted to provide a way out for
us. He sent His son to earth to live a perfect
life.”
“Can you imagine anyone leading a perfect, sinless life?” I asked.
“No, I can’t,” he said.
“Well, Jesus did and yet he was hung on a
cross and he died a horrible death as payThe New Convert to Christ
ment for our sins. You see, nothing we could
ever do, no amount of money, no good
He paused for a moment then asked,
deeds, and no amount of personal sacrifice
“Why do you believe in God?”
on our part would be enough to pay for our
Taken back for a moment on receiving
sins. But the sacrifice of God’s son is enough
such a question from a stranger, I began to
and if you ask for forgiveness, you can have
tell him why I believed. I asked him to look
it.”
around at everything we could see from
“But you don’t know what I have done,”
where we sat, at all the colors, at the intrihe said through quivering lips.
cate design of his own hands, and how per“It doesn’t matter because God already
fect everything was. “Take your fingers for
knows what you have done and he loves you
instance,” I said. “Isn’t it amazing that we
anyway. He can make you clean and whole
have fingerprints so we can easily pick
again,” I said.
things up? Could that have just happened by
As we both wept, right there at that bus
evolution? No, I have to believe that God
stop, with the bus showing up any minute,
created us and everything that we see.”
we prayed and he asked the Creator, the one
“Do you believe in God,” I asked.
who knows everything about us but loves us
Tears weld up in his young eyes and he
anyway, to forgive this young man of his sins
said he did believe. But he asked, “Don’t you and to change his life. With his prayer, the
think that if there is a God, He is going to
man stepped out in faith in a sincere hope
punish someone like me for the things I
God could hear his prayer, wipe away the
have done?”
tears, the pain, and the guilt.
“That depends,” I said. “Surely, we all
His bus arrived and the two of us, from
deserve to be punished, but God loves us so
different sides of the tracks, from different
backgrounds, from
different lifestyles,
hugged and shared
the indescribable
common understanding that
though neither of us
are worthy, there is a
way out through
Jesus Christ.
“Plan Your Day in a Day”
Frustrated by the
Saturday, January 8, 2005 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
arrival of our individual buses, I
quickly asked for his
The Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center
name and contact
71st Street and Highway 169
information. “I
know a church right
Admission: $7 per person
next door to where
Fashion Shows on the hour beginning at 11:00 a.m.
you live. I will have
someone call you!” I
yelled to him.
“Promise? he said.
“I promise,” I yelled back.
So, we both went our separate ways and
hoped we would be able to meet again.
There was so much to say, so much I want to
tell him about our Savior.
SO WHAT ABOUT THE ANGELS?
Well, I can’t say I actually met any angels
during my ride. But I recall once interviewing a blind friend of mine and asking him if
he believed in angels. He immediately told
me stories of people who had done wonderful things for him as he traveled on buses
across the country. “I don’t know if they were
actual angels,” he said. “But maybe there is a
little angel in all of us, cause they sure acted
like angels.”
Like me, the people I met… the Karate
Kid, the old veteran of the bus, and the new
convert to Christ, are all on this incredible
journey. Someday, each of us will meet our
Creator. And hopefully, God will place a few
angels along our journey to protect us, to
encourage us, and keep us on the right track.
Keep your eyes open. For you too may
“encounter angels unaware.”
For the record...
I was impressed with the Tulsa Transit System. Though I had
heard from my homeless friends that the nighttime schedule is
almost non-existent, the daytime schedule is pretty impressive.
You really can get around to most anywhere you want to go. You
should try it sometime. I found the bus to be safe, clean, inexpensive, and easy. It is a shame many of us never utilize this form of
transportation. Instead, we get in our cars by ourselves, crank up
the radio and the air-conditioning, and go our own, separate
ways. And with the convenience, we miss out on the possibility
of making new friends… and maybe even an angel or two.
14
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
restaurant review
For great cuisine, try
Te Kei’s Chinese/Asian Kitchen
ZIK JACKSON
Ever had heaven
on a plate? Then
you haven’t been
to Te Kei’s Chinese/Asian
Kitchen on 16th
and Utica in
Tulsa. The chefs Dandan Noodles
there have come
up with some of
the most tantalizing creations;
you’ll know
you’re in a special
place. From the
grand palatial
architecture and
Hong Kong Lo Mein
fancy wood
sculptures adorning the walls, to the statuary
and lighting, the attention to detail is not
only in the atmosphere but especially in the
food.
Instead of limiting to one style of Asian
cooking, be it Szechuan or Japanese, there is
something for everyone at Te Kei’s. Chopsticks or fork? You choose. Like it hot and
spicy? Try the Chinese mustard or any of the
menu items with the flame logo, then have
your water ready.
Te Kei’s is an excellent place to take a
date, and it is also a good family restaurant.
Familiar show tunes play in the background,
creating a festive mood while the cheery and
helpful wait staff are always on hand to
make your dining experience enjoyable.
Make sure to check out the unique restrooms with the waterfall faucets and Japanese lessons over the audio speakers.
Our meal started with Te Kei’s potstickers, a unique twist on a Chinese staple.
Rather than the usual potsticker sauce, Te
Kei’s has its own soy-cream sauce that is a
new taste sensation. Traditionalists may be
surprised to have a creamy light pink sauce
rather than the usual watery brown juice in
which to soak one’s jiaozi, but it is still quite
tasty.
Next we tried the avocado spring rolls,
presented on a bed of lettuce. To say they
were “absolutely amazing” would not be an
exaggeration. Minced onion, chiles, lettuce
and garlic with a guacamole-like avocado
stuffing inside the crepes are a work of
genius. The ultimate touch is the chile-mint
Szechuan Rice Bowl
Sushi
dipping sauce, providing a cool, sweet layer
of goodness over each bite.
As with all good restaurants, food presen-
tation is as important as taste, and Te Kei’s is
no exception. The sushi we had, sashimi
tuna with wasabi and a smoked salmon with
rice were presented wonderfully on a unique
blue plate. Sushi is a good appetizer and a
lovely taste of culture, but won’t make a meal
or even a snack for a hungry patron. The
harmonious flavors of ginger and wasabi
dance and play on your tongue refreshingly.
A new menu items worth noting are the
dandan noodles – egg noodles covered with
sweet hoisin sauce, cool cucumbers, butter
lettuce, and just enough spice on the chicken
to make it flavorful and rich without being
overpowering.
Another new favorite sure to please the
palate is the Hong Kong lo mein, a medley
of crispy pan fried noodles with a slightly
smoky taste covering a bed of bok choy, baby
corn, shrimp, and chicken in a chickenbased sauce flavored with sake (rice wine).
It’s good for low-carb dieters or anyone who
likes a bit of crunch for lunch.
Lastly, the Szechuan rice bowl is for the
spice lover. Exactly 27 ingredients in the
sauce gives it a three-dimensional flavor: a
dry start, a hot middle, and a fiery finish.
This one packs a punch and is not for the
faint of heart.
In all, Te Kei’s is a wonderful treat, yet
very reasonably priced, which makes it an
excellent value.
DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
15
senior living
When you’re smiling...
For a lifetime, a smile
has been Pat Bartlett’s
umbrella
A picture of a dog with large teeth and gums
grinned mischievously from the wall. Pat
Bartlett said she sent that picture to her dentist for Christmas. It kept company with
pictures of a Cheshire cat, a horse with Mr.
Ed choppers, and a baby with a black mustache resembling Groucho Marx not long
after birth. She laughed with a smile that
lifted the entire room and made my own
smile reach into my eyes. You can’t help
yourself. Pat warms the insides. She welcomes you in, sits you at her kitchen table,
feeds you sweet tea and snicker doodle cookies—she said were “sanctified” since they
were left over from her Praying Grandma’s
class—and shows you the world through the
eyes of one living to make it better.
Sitting in her wheelchair, often shaking
aggressively from Parkinson’s disease, Pat
guides you into a journey she would simply
call her life. It consists of scrabble, Dr. Phil
in the afternoons, and a lifestyle proficient in
volunteerism. A handicap in mobility is only
a speed bump. Pat has work to do.
Tuesday afternoons the Praying Grandma’s from the Tulsa Bible Church gather in
her living room. “Not only do we like to
pray, we like to have fun. You need cookies,”
she said, explaining the use of the snickerdoodle. I nodded with my mouth full.
As a branch of the OASIS (Older Adults
Still In Service) Sunday school class, the
Praying Grandma’s get active lifting their
voice to heaven. On Tuesday morning,
prayer requests are emptied from the church
prayer box, given to Pat, and then the
Grandma’s do their thing.
“We praise the Lord first. We have, what
we call, popcorn prayers. Each person thanks
the Lord for what is meaningful to them
that day,” Pat said.
Then they roll up their sleeves, grab a
cookie, and get to praying. They receive
requests for people facing surgery, fighting
for survival on welfare, going before the
court system for possible jail time, anything
and everything, even thanking God for the
beautiful weather, as per prayer request.
“We pray for the President, the world situation, and the U.N.” On second thought
she added, “I guess we don’t pray for the
16
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
“We pray for the President, the
world situation, and the U.N.”
On second thought she added,
“I guess we don’t pray for the U.N.
We just hope they fall apart.”
U.N. We just hope they fall apart.”
The Praying Grandma’s started seven
years ago with women from their Oasis Sunday school class, a class for 70-plus. “No one
wants to come in there because we’re studying for our finals,” Pat said, bursting in effervescent laughter and making the smiling dog
photo even more fitting.
She hands life out like packages of candy
and tells everyone to pass it around. What
she has is given. And the joy behind the selflessness may be the mystery behind her
quickly reoccurring smile.
“I told the women in my prayer group, ‘If
the grandkids come over and you don’t know
what to do with them, throw them in the
pool,” Pat said, who use to be an avid swimmer. Her husband built a pool. Now her
daily laps are nonexistent so she shares the
facility in her backyard with everyone. “I
love to hear the kids squeal and laugh and
DECEMBER 2004
fight and cry.”
She has hosted birthday parties, nursing
home outings, mothers and daughters activities, church children, and her own dozen
grandkids. “You can’t stay on the sidelines.
You’ve got to put a suit on and I’ve got one
to fight any figure,” she tells her senior
friends. It isn’t an empty promise. Pat
shops at garage sales buying up swimming suits of any size, shape, and texture.
And for weekend retreats, she joyfully sends church groups and friends to
her home on Grand Lake. “I’m the only
one on the lake without a boat, golf
clubs, or six pack in the refrigerator,”
Pat said.
However, despite her activity and
giving nature, Pat said she is most
pleased and enthusiastic about teaching
the Instant Bible – a study guide she
created taking anyone from a child to
an adult through the labyrinth of the
Bible. “The Lord designed it, he just
used me,” Pat said. “People say there is
no such thing as an Instant Bible, but
in days of instant pudding, instant coffee, and instant replay, there ought to
be an easy way the Bible fits together.”
It is arranged in eight pieces with
questions, scripture and pictures that
help take the pupil from Genesis to salvation. And though brilliantly simple,
the journey does its job. “I’ve taught
Sunday school and Bible classes so
long, everyone always said the Bible fits
together like a puzzle. I sought to find out
how.” She had believed once her mission was
accomplished God would take her home.
That was 20 years ago. He had other plans.
“I thought the Lord was coming back and
knew my purpose was to get this thing out. I
thought as soon as I got it out I would die.
But I didn’t.”
While waiting, however, Pat has never
wanted for something to do. She assembled
a book of quotes and jokes about age, emotion, taxes, love, evolution, money, nearly any
Friends enjoy a cool afternoon
at Pat’s pool.
Pat sits beside busts of herself and late husband Pete Bartlett
at the OSU Bartlett Center.
subject imaginable and named it
“Pat’s Prized Potpourri.”
Approximately 100 copies had
been made, she said while flipping through the 99th book.
She also helped author the
book, “The Wild Bunch at
Gooseberry Junction,” about
funny stories that happened
during her 20-year volunteerism
with the nursing home. She has
been recognized, acknowledged,
and awarded nationally for her
willing service with framed certificates dating back to 1977
decorating her hallway.
And in honor of her husband,
OSU named the Bartlett Center
for the studio arts in his honor.
“We didn’t miss a home football
game in 40 years. We spent a lot
of time on that campus.”
She has accomplished a lot,
though she reminds everyone it
was spread over 82 years of living. And it isn’t over. She is
scheduled to teach more Instant
Bible classes next spring. Until
then, she’ll keep praying with
her fellow grandmas, eating
snicker doodles, and finding reasons to simply smile.
If they’re
not paying
rent, you
should
evict them.
665-2129
DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
17
by connecting
organizations
and opportunities like World
Relief, North
American Mission Board,
Local company makes international impact
BarnaFilms,
Smalley Marriage, Prison
In the hall hangs an aluminum sign letto Christ. “We want
Fellowship, and
tered... “We get a small taste of our purpose
to be in the center of
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as we help our clients and projects reach
God’s will, directly
them and their
The Elevate Conference was held in
theirs.” Below the quote is the attribution centered on what He February at the Charlotte Convention
congregation.
Tim Abare. He started OnCore, the market
wants,” said Abare.
“Because of
Center in North Carolina.
leader in Christian marketing and promoOnCore is part of
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tions. With more than 50 employees dedithe force behind movies like, “The Passion
doing to advance these great organizations,
cated to the cause, Abare connects Hollyof the Christ,” and “The Polar Express”.
we share a small part of the eternal reward wood, non-profits,
“Through these (movies)
and that makes it all worth it.” By working
and others with their
we really get to impact
to help their clients intersect with pastors
target audience; pasculture in some small
and church goers OnCore is experiencing
tors and churchgoers
way,” says Abare. They are rapid growth.
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Inside the brilliantly painted halls of
also working on The
in America.
OnCore Group, sporadically tagged with
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lines of inspiration, operates a spiritual
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pastors connect to
“We help translate what machine for the furtherance of Christ’s
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studios, networks, produc- message.
build their church”
ers, and ministries have to
Abare said. “We hapsay to church goers,”
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Abare said. Interestingly
most influential peoenough, the box office last
ple in the world are
year only earned $8 billion
not executives in Holdollars compared to charilywood but pastors!”
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In 2002, Abare
dollars in the same time
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period. Where should the
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tank–OnCore–after a
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successful stint at
who help shape society,”
Sean Hannity, host of a popular
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Abare said.
OnCore Group also handled promocore means being true radio show and Fox News ChanOnCore wants to help
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DECEMBER 2004
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COMMUNITY SPIRIT
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R A N D Y C . C O W E L L , M . S . , L U T C F, C F P, C S A
Just like the lyrics of the popular Christmas song, “It’s
beginning to look a lot like
Christmas.” Unfortunately,
not everyone conjures up
warm thoughts of friends and
family at Christmas. In fact,
recent findings indicate
Christmas is one of the most
stressful times of the year. It’s
not enough we have to rush
around meeting work and
family obligations, but we also
get to strap ourselves financially into next year. Instead of
thoughts of sugarplums dancing in our heads we are stressing out at the thought of our
newly amassed credit card balances. If you have a history of
overspending at Christmas or
if you are worried you won’t be
able to afford the “twelve days
of Christmas,” read on!
According to a 1999 American Bankers Association
study, it takes an average of
four months to pay off holiday credit card purchases. To
avoid this situation, there are
several steps you can take to
avoid this financial dilemma.
Make a list and check it
twice. Determining whom
you will be buying for is
essential if you want to control Christmas expenses. Preplanning will also help you
spot early bargains.
Shop early. Getting a jump
on the crowds will reduce
your stress and ensure a better
selection of merchandise to
choose from. You will find
sales associates are more helpful earlier in the season. Lastly, shopping early will also
reduce the risk of making
“last minute desperation purchases.”
Determine an amount you
are willing and capable of
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20
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
Retro Aluminum Trees
and Color Wheels
Old Christmas
Decorations from All Eras
Reproduction
Feather Trees
Antiques, Collectibles
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Thursday – Saturday 10 to 5
Sunday 12 to 4
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spending without going into debt. Set
limits on how much you will spend and
stick to it. It’s normal to want the best for
your family. This is wholesome and
healthy until the added burden of all that
consumer debt gives you an ulcer, causes
high blood pressure, or causes a family
breakdown. It’s okay to say “no.”
Get organized. Prior to shopping, use
envelopes to segregate your money for
each recipient. You will be amazed at the
ease and overall results you will have.
Give a gift of love. Many of my most
cherished gifts have been crafted with
love but costing the giver very little. You
don’t necessarily have to be “crafty” to
give a unique gift. My son recently
turned 20. His girlfriend recorded a
video of their friends wishing him
“Happy Birthday,” choreographed to
music. It was not monetarily costly but
truly heartfelt on her part, and he considers it priceless!
Remember the reason for the season.
The time between Thanksgiving and
Christmas is a special time in our household. Over the years, I have attempted to
take off as much time as possible during
the holidays. Getting caught up in the
hustle and bustle of the season with
friends and family is my kind of fun. The
lights and sounds of the holidays complete with magnificently delicious food
make this a truly wonderful time.
Remembering those things most important in your life will help your attitude
and perspective when lines are long and
nerves are shot!
Slow down and take the time to reflect
on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. If
you have never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, what greater gift
could you give yourself and those you
love. You will never be the same again
and this Christmas season will have a
new personal meaning!
Randy C. Cowell is a
columnist, author, and
president of ACT
Financial Services, Inc.
in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He recently published
his first book, God
Good-Debt Bad, and
welcomes your thoughts
and prayers. He can be
reached at 918-6640081 or by e-mail at
[email protected].
David & Terri
McAuliff
An independently owned and operated member
of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
Whether buying
or selling,
give us a call.
“We are a family
serving families.”
808-5498 - Direct Line
SOLD by the ROCK
A
C
T
Financial Services, Inc.
R.C. (Randy) Cowell, M.S., LUTCF, CFP, CSA
President
Financial Planning with a Personal Touch
(918) 664-0081
www.ACTFinancialServices.com
Securities and advisory services offered through:
Hornor, Townsend and Kent, Inc. A NASD/SIPC Member Firm.
PREPARE TO SUCCEED
Today’s business leaders, and those of tomorrow, are
learning the impact faith has on success. God has a plan
of prosperity and opportunity for every career, and the
ORU School of Business
can help you achieve that plan. The School of Business
combines leading-edge business practices with Christian
values and ethics, making employees more attractive
and employers more effective.
Degree programs include:
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Management: Human Resources
Master of Management: Non-Profit
The Non-Profit Management track is available in the
traditional residential format, or without the need to relocate
via online courses combined with modules on campus.
ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
DECEMBER 2004
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
800-643-7976
918-495-6117
[email protected]
www.orubusiness.com
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
21
News Around Town
TULSA
ORATORIO
CHORUS,
DEFINING
CHORAL
EXCELLENCE
Tulsa Oratorio
Chorus, now in its
12th season and
second under the
baton of Dr. Donald Studebaker,
continues to offer
performances of
the great choral
orchestral masterworks to Oklahoma and international audiences.
These 120 or so
singers have auditioned for and
been accepted into
this chorus not for the money (they are not
paid anything), but for the opportunity to be
a part of something very special. Over two-
thirds of TOC members sing regularly in
church choirs around the area, including
several from Boston Avenue Methodist, 1st
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22
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
Presbyterian, Trinity Episcopal, All Souls
Unitarian, and over a dozen other congregations.
The (TOC) Chamber Chorus and
orchestra will present George Frideric Handel’s oratorio “Messiah” in concert at
8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, in the
Union Performing Arts Center,
6636 S. Mingo.
This concert will feature TOC’s
Chamber Chorus, a 24-voice subset
of the full 110-member chorus.
Accompaniment will be provided by
a baroque-style chamber orchestra
whose instrumentalists are top
members of the former Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra.
The TOC Chamber Chorus will
be joined by a set of highly-accomplished soloists, soprano Emily
Truckenbrod, alto Celeste Barrett,
tenor Kim Childs, and bass Richard
Sutliff. While each of these soloists
have sung in opera, musical theater,
and recital all over the world, they
all have strong ties to the Tulsa area
TOC’s upcoming 2004-05 concert season includes a wide variety
of literature for the coming year,
including several great choral masterworks
from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and
20th Century eras. Other planed concerts
include:
Mar. 5, 2005—Sat., 8 p.m., Holy Family
Cathedral, 7th and S. Boulder Ave.
Full TOC and Orchestra, joined by soprano
soloist Roxane LaCombe for:
Arvo Pärt: “Silouans Song”
Morten Lauridsen: “Lux Aeterna”
John Rutter: “Requiem”
May 7, 2005—Sat., 8 p.m., Performing
Arts Center, Chapman Music Hall
Full TOC and Orchestra, joined by soprano
Camille King, tenor Robert Daniel, and bass
Burr Phillips, presenting Franz Josef Haydn’s
“The Creation”
Season tickets to TOC’s exciting ‘04-‘05
concert series are a great value at only $60
for adults and $40 for Students and Seniors
(60+). Individual concert tickets will be
priced at $17 for adults and $12 for students
and seniors. All seating, including those for
Concerts 1 and 4 at the Tulsa PAC Chapman Music Hall, will be by general admission. Season ticket holders will also have
first opportunity to purchase tickets to two
High Teas, one in the fall and one in the
spring, where TOC’s Artistic Director will
offer discussions on the concert music
accompanied by tea and fine cuisine.
More information about tickets, including
season subscriptions, is available from by
calling 231-0995. Individual tickets for Concerts 1 and 4 will be available from the Tulsa
PAC Ticket Office, in person, by phone at
596-7111, or on their website at www.tulsapac.com/tickets. Or, send your name and
phone number by email to [email protected]
and you will be contacted. Keep an eye on
TOC’s website, www.tulsaoratorio.org, for
the latest concert information.
CASCIA HALL CHRISTMAS WALK FUN
FOR EVERYONE
The 22nd Annual Cascia Hall Christmas
Walk on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m.- 4
p.m., features a tour of elegant homes in the
Utica Square area all beautifully decorated
by some of Tulsa’s best florists. It also
includes a tour of the renowned Cascia Hall
Monastery. Located at 2520 S. Yorktown
Ave., the Christmas Walk includes a bazaar
at the school featuring a gift boutique with
over 50 vendors, gift baskets, poinsettias,
wreathes, Cascia Café for lunch, and
Kringles. Tickets are $10 in advance at Cascia Hall, 746-2600, or on the day of the
event at school or any tour home. There is
no need for a ticket purchase to attend the
festivities at Cascia Hall. Transportation is
provided between Cascia Hall and all
homes. Sponsored by the Cascia Hall Parent
Faculty Association, proceeds will be used to
fund numerous projects enhancing the educational environment along with providing
funding for scholarships and teacher
enhancement.
SAINT PAUL AME CHURCH OFFERS FREE
MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIP
ENRICHMENT WORKSHOPS
Saint Paul AME Church Department of
Family Ministry is offering free workshops
to help residents with marriage and relationship skills. The workshops will begin on
Thursday, December 2 at Saint Paul AME
Church 648 East 46th ST North, from 6
p.m. – 8 p.m. Saint Paul AME Church is
offering free relationships skills workshops
in conjunction with the Oklahoma Marriage
Initiative (OMI).
The Prevention and Relationship
Enhancement Program (PREP) is the chosen curriculum of the Saint Paul Family
Ministry. Based on more than 20 years of
research, PREP relationship workshops
focus on teaching couples/people how to
better communicate, how to solve problems
as a team, how to manage conflict and still
maintain their friendship and commitment.
“These free workshops are open to the
public and individuals and/or couples are
invited to attend. The PREP relationship
workshops are not therapy or counseling, but
an opportunity for couples to learn practical
skills that can improve their relationships,”
said Pastor Hampton of Saint Paul Church.
“There is a role for the entire community
in strengthening marriages and reducing the
area’s divorce rates,” said Pastor Hampton.
“Everyone can benefit from these PREP
skills. We all have to deal with conflict,
whether it’s with a spouse, a co-worker or
friend. Learning these marriage and relationship skills will help participants in every
area of their lives.”
There is no cost to attend; reservations are
required, as space is limited. To register,
please call Saint Paul Church Family Ministries office, 425-4568, or e-mail [email protected].
TULSA ZOO ADVANCES TO FINAL
ROUND IN AMERICA’S FAVORITE ZOO
CONTEST!
The Tulsa Zoo has been voted one of five
finalists in Microsoft’s “America’s Favorite
Zoo” contest, which is being held in conjunction with the release of the popular “Zoo
Tycoon 2” video game. After being selected
as one of 15 semi-finalists by a panel of
judges, the competition switched to online
voting to narrow the pool to the top five
finalists. Microsoft officials indicated that
Tulsa Zoo received an overwhelming majority of votes in the first round of voting.
Tulsa
Zoo staff
initially
learned of
the zoo’s
nomination for the
contest in
early
August,
and was
challenged
with putting
together
an entry
that would
prove why
Tulsa Zoo
should be
America’s
Favorite
Zoo. The
answer was
a mad
capped
“audition
tape,”
which
takes the
viewer on a
whirlwind
tour of the
zoo; paying homage to the
Zoo
Tycoon
game, Bill
Gates, soap operas and The Blair Witch
Project along the way. To accompany the
video, zoo staff painted a three-foot penguin
sculpture – a smaller version of the popular
penguin sculptures found throughout Tulsa –
to resemble Bill Gates. Arrow Trucking
Company generously donated their services
to take “Penguin Bill” and the materials to
Microsoft Game Studios in Redmond,
Washington.
The top 15 finalist were determined by an
expert panel of judges, including: Jonathan
Gilmour, winner of the 2002 “Zoo Tycoon”
Ultimate Zookeeper Challenge, Bill Street
of the National Wildlife Federation, Shane
Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game
Studios and Adam Levesque, CEO of Blue
Fang Games LLC, which develops Zoo
Tycoon 2. Finalists were selected based on
their scores in seven different categories:
habitats/exhibits; educational programs;
awards and recognition; staff highlights,
recognition or commendations; community
events; involvement or service; other visitor
programs, activities or attractions; and organizational partnerships and affiliations.
Thank You for a Great Year!
“Air Assurance was recently awarded the “2004 National
Residential Contractor Of The Year” award by the Air
Conditioning Contractors of
America (ACCA), the nation’s “Air Assurance represents
the best of the best in the
largest trade association
heating and air conditioning
representing the heating,
industry. Their growth and
ventilation, air conditioning, success is directly related to
and refrigeration industry. their exceptional service and
customer satisfaction.”
We competed against 6,000 -Paul Stalknecht, ACCA
President & CEO
heating and air conditioning
contractors nationwide, and
were very surprised when our name was announced at the
annual conference in New Orleans.
The award acknowledged us for our commitment to the community, product sales, employee technical support, and training. They also recognized that 100 percent of our service
technicians were NATE* certified, which is the most
stringent technical training program in the industry.
DECEMBER 2004
Thank you ACCA. And a special thank you to
all of our customers – this award belongs to
you too!”
Our Family Taking Care Of Yours. All Day. Everyday.
258-HEAT 258-COOL
Or visit our showroom at 61st & 145 East Avenue
in Broken Arrow
*North American Technician Excellence, Inc.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
23
We are pleased to introduce
The Community Store featuring books,
music CDs and Christian jewelry all written,
performed, and designed by some of
Tulsa’s best. You can support these local
authors, musicians, and jewelers while you
provide Christmas gifts to needy children.
Great Gift Ideas for Your Friends!
Great Christmas Gifts for Your Family!
Great Thank You Gifts for Your Customers
and Business Partners!
day and listening to this CD will quickly
become one of your family traditions. The
CD includes nearly all of the classics from O
Holy Night to Silent Night.
$15.99 (plus tax and $2.00 S/H)
NEW RELEASE!!
Kind of Life
By TJ McCloud
Purchase on-line at
www.communityspiritmagazine.com
or by calling the Community Spirit office
at 918-307-2323.
Great Music CDs
by Local Artists
Highway to Your Dreams
By Daniel Kleefeld
A wonderful Christmas CD that you will
find yourself listening to long after the
Christmas
packages are
unwrapped.
Kleefeld’s
piano instrumentals combine relaxation
with inspiration. You will
love every
minute!
$15.99 (plus tax and $2.00 S/H)
A Grand Christmas
By Justin Knight
The soothing piano instrumentals of this
Tulsa
treasure
will
bring
you
peace
during
the holiCOMMUNITY SPIRIT
By Jim Stovall
In this book,
Jim Stovall
demonstrates
how to choose a
new life path that
will lead to success in every area
of your life. It
will help you to
dream big
dreams and
define success for
yourself. It will
also give you the
tools to make your dreams come true and
succeed on your own terms.
Hardcover Price: $20.00 (+ tax and $2.00 S/H)
I Saw Three Ships
24
You Don’t Have to Be Blind to See
This long-awaited solo album will be a
favorite of Tulsa’s many StephenSpeaks fans.
Recorded in a top studio in Nashville, this
CD has come a long way since he first
recorded such songs as Passenger Seat and
Out of my League (top 10 hits in the
Philippines). Sample the CD and his other
music at www.tjmccloud.com.
$ 15.99 (plus tax and $2.00 S/H)
Great Books by
Local Authors
More Than Mountains –
The Todd Huston Story
This book tells the personal story
of local businessman, Todd Huston.
The inspirational account explains
how he survived a boating accident
to become a world-record mountain climber. VERY INSPIRATIONAL!
Hardcover Price: $20.00 (+ tax and
$2.00 S/H)
DECEMBER 2004
By Steve Kime
The inspirational way that
this Tulsan
raised funds for
Special
Olympics provided the basis
for this wonderful book. He
writes about
running 397
miles across
Oklahoma’s historic Route 66.
Inspired to do so by a haunting dream, he
fulfilled the dream while making dreams
come true for countless
others. You will love
this book! It would be a
wonderful Christmas
gift!
Paperback $11.95 (plus
tax and $2.00 S/H)
Seeking God’s Heart
A Devotional Journey Through the
Psalms
By Frederick K.
Slicker
This thoughtful
devotional, written
by local business
lawyer, Fred Slicker, will lead you
through a search
for God with
practical insights
from a guy who
has seen both
sides of the fence
and has chosen to give everything to Jesus.
You will love this book more and more with
each passing day.
Beautiful
Christian
Jewelry
Buy from The
Community
Store and
Support
Operation
Christmas Child!
a. 14kt Yellow Gold
Diamond Cross Pendant
with an 18” chain
(3/4" tall) DJ- 792
$175.00
a.
Paperback $12.95 (plus tax and $2.00 S/H)
Standing Up for What’s Right
By Michael Del Giorno
If you enjoy
listening to his
morning radio
program, you
will love his
book. “The
only thing left
shocking in
life is the
TRUTH,”
says Michael.
And this book
will challenge
you to consider the truth on
a wide variety of subjects.
Hardcover $17.50 (plus tax and $2.00 S/H)
b. 14kt White
Gold High
Polished Cross
Pendant
b.
$45.00
c. 18kt White Gold
Fancy Design
Cross Pendant with
Rope Edge Center
God Good – Debt Bad
(1 1/2" tall) GLD-978
By Randy Cowell
$275.00
Community
Spirit columnist, Randy
Cowell hates
debt and he is
determined to
help you reach
the goal of
being debtfree! Armed
with Christian
values, he has
written this
book which
bridges the gap
between
spiritual truths and financial application.
If debt has crept into your life, this book
will help you to prayerfully turn things
around.
Paperback $10.99 (plus tax and $2.00 S/H)
(3/4" tall)
GLD-970
c.
Purchase
on-line at www.
communityspirit
magazine.com
#1 Buy from the store! 10% of the SALES
of these items will be donated to this
worthy Christmas cause!
#2 Then, fill shoe boxes with gifts to help
provide Christmas joy to kids across the
world!
Operation Christmas Child encourages
you to fill empty shoe boxes with toys,
school supplies, hygiene items, and a personal note. The gifts will be hand delivered to children worldwide suffering from
war, disease, poverty, and natural disaster.
Tulsa’s Operation Christmas Child
effort has a history of generous giving.
Last year, donors gave 23,363 shoe box
gifts through the Tulsa Collection Center.
These boxes went to children in 10 different countries around the world. Community Spirit Magazine hopes to help
make this year even more successful.
National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child 2004 will be Monday, Nov. 15 through Monday, Nov. 22.
Children, families, churches, and groups
throughout the United States and several
other countries collected more than 6.6
million shoe box gifts in 2003. The 2004
goal is 7 million.
As the world’s largest international
Christmas project for children, Operation
Christmas Child has preparations well
underway to bring hope and joy in the
form of shoe box gifts to seven million
children in some 100 countries – including children suffering in the Darfur
region of western Sudan and war-torn
Iraq.
Operation Christmas Child is a project
of Samaritan’s Purse, the international
Christian relief organization headed by
Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation
Christmas Child has delivered more than
31 million shoe box gifts to children in
more than 120 countries on six continents. For more information or to order
free materials, call 1-800-353-5949 or
visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
For information about the Tulsa Area
Operation Christmas Child Project, call
the Tulsa Collection Center at 1-800409-0974.
DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
25
NOW ENROLLING
FOR SCHOOL
YEAR 2005-2006
KATHERINE MCGREW, HEADMASTER
A MINISTRY OF IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
251-5422
400 NORTH ASPEN, BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA
Pre K — 8th Grade
Christ-Centered
Curriculum
Wireless Technology
Performing Arts
Program
Before and
After School Care
Vocal and
Instrumental Music
Program
Hot Lunch Program
Full Day Kindergarten
4-year-old Program
Athletic Program
Daily and Weekly
Worship
Active Parent
Program
National and State
Accreditation
Mabee Center
Welcomes
“The
Schoolboy
Tournament
of Champions
2004”
December 28 through 30
2pm, 3:30pm, 6pm, and 7:30pm
Tuesday times are varied
This year’s teams are
Oklahoma City Southeast
Edmond Sante Fe
Bartlesville
Wewoka
Ft. Cobb-Broxton
Edmond Oklahoma Christian
Tahlequah Sequoyah
Booker T. Washington
Tickets will be available on
tournament days.
For more information,
please call 918-495-6000.
26
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
Brickman
plays to
romantics
After over a decade of creating hit songs — from the classic
“Valentine” to the dreamy “Love of My Life” — and performing
thousands of concerts to audiences all over the world,
composer and piano sensation Jim Brickman made a
remarkable discovery: his distinctive musical style and
compositions not only uplifted and entertained his fans, but
offered an unexpected healing note as well.
Greeting longtime fans and
first-time audience members
after his concerts, Jim
Brickman learned demands
of the holiday season were
often stressful, and even the
most joyous aspects of the
holidays could also evoke
bittersweet feelings for
some. “I found that the
power of the music actually
relieved their worries and
concerns,” said Brickman.
That’s one reason why this
gifted pianist and songwriter
has struck such a deep chord
with audiences. His solo
piano artistry and familiar
hits like “The Gift,” “Peace,”
“Destiny” and “Simple
Things” are more than simply beautiful songs, but
soul-soothing ways of
tapping into the potent
power of the
live musical
JIM BRICKMAN
experience.
IN TULSA
The healing
Sunday, December 5, 2004
gifts of the
7:00 p.m.
musical
Tulsa PAC
experience
110 East Second Street
have been
Tulsa, OK
noted
Welcomed by KBEZ
throughout
history,
TICKETS GO ON
and Jim
SALE FRIDAY, OCT 1
Brickman
realized
PRICES
early in his
$50, $45, $40, $35, $25
career how
(handling fees may apply)
romantic
music creTICKETS
ated an
Tickets available at the PAC Ticket
atmosphere of
Office (Mon-Fri, 10-5:30).
Charge by phone at 596-7111 or
tenderness,
1-800-364-7111.
warmth and
Order online at www.tulsapac.com.
heartfelt emotion.
Groups call 477-7469, ext. 220.
His popular holiday concerts
had almost magical qualities
in evoking childlike delight,
a melting poignancy and the
soft comfort of unconditional love.
In Brickman’s current
concert tour, he artfully
combines America’s most
beloved holiday music with
signature songs from his
own remarkable repertoire,
recently collected for the
first time in a single CD,
Jim Brickman Greatest Hits.
Weaving these songs
together not only captures
the very special spirit of the
season, but also touches on
positive emotional chords
that delight, soothe, excite
and touch the very hearts
and souls of his audience
members.
Joining Jim Brickman
onstage will be 98 Degrees
heartthrob Jeff Timmons,
who has a new CD and single called “Whisper That
Way,” singer Kristy Starling,
the Today Show Superstar
winner and Oklahoma City
native who can be heard on
Jim Brickman’s holiday hit,
“Sending You A Little
Christmas,” plus Brickman’s
longtime touring cohorts,
vocalist Anne Cochran and
electric violinist Tracy Silverman.
The spellbinding night of
musical magic is more than
a celebration of the most
sentimental season, but also
an inspirational touchstone
for the rest of the year.
H42G 14kt
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H42L Pair of 14kt Matching
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H42H Pair of
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H42J 14kt Matching
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Tulsa’s Original
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Master Jeweler
Hours:
M-F 9-6
Sat. 9-4
$369
DIAMONDS & DESIGNS
6136 E. 51st Street • 622-1996
www.feltsdesigns.com
ONE OF THE BEST PROGRAMS FOR THE BEST PRICE IN TULSA
Victory Christian School is an interdenominational school currently serving
168 different churches in the Greater
Tulsa Metropolitan Area.
Programs for all ages six weeks
through high school.
Victory Kids – Ages six weeks
to five
Early Learning Center – three year
olds to 1st grade
Elementary School – Grades 2-5
Middle School – Grades 6-8
High School – Grades 9-12
Overall teacher to student ratio is 1:17.
Staff to student ratio is 1:12. Full sports
program, before and after school programs, summer school, and summer fun.
ITS NOT TOO LATE TO
SWITCH TO VCS!
WWW.VCSTULSA.ORG
918-491-7720
7770 S. LEWIS AVE. TULSA, OK 74136
DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
27
If all you get is MAD
after listening to
other talk stations,
try ours!
7:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Insight for Living
Chuck Swindoll
Family Life Today
Dennis Rainey
Focus on the Family
Dr. James Dobson
Point of View
Kerby Anderson
Money Matters
Crown Financials
New Life Live (Psychology)
Steven Arterburn
America’s Family Coaches Gary & Barbara Rosberg
TALK RADIO THAT MAKES YOU BETTER...
NOT BITTER.
COMMUNIDecember
TY CALENDAR
1 DivorceCare for Kids
Cedar Ridge Christian Church,
between Garnett Rd. and Olive Ave.
(129th) on 101st St., Broken Arrow,
6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, room
305. DC4K is a special group
designed to help children, ages 5-12
years old, to heal through biblical
teaching, from the hurt caused by
the separation or divorce of their parents.
3-5 Third Annual Christmas
Tour of Homes
Dinner Theater musical story set in
turn-of-the-century America, 1905,
three performances, Fri., 6:30 p.m.,
Sat., 6:30 p.m., Sun. 12, 2 p.m.
12 Annual Choir Christmas
Production
Woodlake Assembly Church, 7100 E.
31st, 6 p.m., For more information,
call 622-7100.
19 Celebrate the Season
by Joel Raney, East Side Christian
Church and Community Christian
Church choirs, 5 p.m. at Community
Christian, 8920 E. 31st, 7 p.m. at
East Side Christian, 1438 S. Indianapolis.
Asbury United Methodist Church,
6767 S. Mingo, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.,
shuttles depart beginning at 10:45
a.m., Tickets $8 in advance, $10 at
door, all proceeds benefit missions,
contact Janet, 392-1191
19 Christmas Music
Sunday service
3-5 Miracle Healing Rally
First Presbyterian Church, 709 S.
Boston Ave, 11 a.m.
Newness of Life Church, 4740 Mingo
Road, come to be healed, and made
whole. For more info contact Rev.
Henry Indiazi, 812-1712 or Pastor
James M. Phillips, 859-7587
3-10 Holiday Bazaar
21 Bach for the Holidays
Bethany Lutheran Church, 5324 E.
46th Street, 8 p.m., performed by the
Bethany Bach Choir, orchestra and
soloists.
Country Club
24 Christmas Eve Services
Country Club of Woodland Hills
Retirement Community, 6333 S. 91st
E. Ave (off of 61st street between
Mingo and Memorial), 10 a.m. – 3
p.m., 4th Annual Shopping Extravaganza. For more info, call 252-5451
Asbury United Methodist Church
sanctuary, 6767 S. Mingo, 5 p.m.
Children’s Service, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Carols & Candlelight with Dr. Tom
Harrison and the Chancel Choir,11
p.m. Candlelight and Communion
with Dr. David Thomas.
7 Stand in the Gap
Asbury United Methodist Church
sanctuary, 6767 S. Mingo, 6:30 p.m.,
Dr. Tony Campolo, among the most
celebrated and sought after speakers
in the US will be the guest speaker,
tickets complimentary, contact Doni
Moore, 392-1102
8 The Links
Presented by All Nations Fellowship,
Martin Regional Library, 26th and
Garnett, 7 p.m., community event
connecting cultures together. For
more info, contact Pastor John
Thompson, 289-6160.
10-12 “Four Tickets To
Christmas”
presented by SHBC Worship Ministry, 5590 S. Lewis Ave, a Christmas
24 Christmas Eve services
First Presbyterian Church, 709 S.
Boston Ave, 5 p.m, 7:30 p.m. and
11 p.m.
24 Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
First Baptist Broken Arrow, 100 W.
Albany, Broken Arrow, 5:30 p.m.
Send your event info to:
8835 S. Memorial,
Tulsa, OK 74133
or Fax us at 307-1221.
Please submit information
by the 10th.
December events at the Mabee Center
1
Mens Basketball vs. Loyola
Chicago 7pm
3 ORU Family Christmas
7:30pm
4 Bertha Teague Classic TU vs.
OU and
ORU vs. OSU
11 12 Victory Christian Center
Illustrated Sermon
28
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
13 Women's Basketball vs.
St. Gregory's 7pm
14 MBB vs. N. Colorado 7pm
25 Merry Christmas!
28 MBB vs. Utah Valley
28-30 Schoolboy Tournament of
Champions
7 p.m. at Calvary Messianic Congregation. 6610 S. Peoria 293-0290
Women’s Bible Study
Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at
Christ United Methodist Church, 3515
S. Harvard. Free childcare. Contact Kim
Hill at 747-8601.
2nd Friday of each month, 10:00 a.m.
to 11:30 a.m. at Southern Hills United
Methodist Church, 6160 So. Lewis, Ph
# 743-2013. Study material is “Jesus
and Courageous Women” by Elsa
Tamez. Please join us – coffee pot is
always on.
Single Hope Super Class
Every Tuesday Night, 6:30 to 7:30Single Hope Super Class for unattached
adults, divorced or widowed. Come
find freedom from the past, victory in
the present, hope for the future. Class
led by Dub Johnson, Single Life Skills
Specialist, St. Mark’s United Methodist
Church, 10513 E. Admiral Pl. 4374953, 745-5883
Messiah’s Dancers
Worship Dance for kids five and up.
Saturdays 2:00 p.m. No charge. Limited Spaces. Calvary Messianic Congregation, 6610 S. Peoria. 293-0290
Brookside Lions Club
Meets every Wednesday at 11:45.
Trade Winds, 51st & Harvard. 6224172.
Study About Hebrew Culture
Learn Hebrew Worship Dance, every
Saturday 2 p.m. and Hebrew Language
and Cultural Studies, every Wednesday
CLASSIFIED ADS
$25 for 1 Month
with discounts for pre-paid additional months. Deadline: 10th of
each month, Maximum of 25
words, plus maximum of six
words bold headline.
CLASSIFIED ADS
Support Group for Single Parents
Women’s TEA “Time Encouraging
Another”
Meets every 2nd Saturday. 9:30-11:00
a.m. Heartwarmers & Girl Talk with a God
base, floats locations. Call LeeAnn at
Southpark Community Church 663-2627.
Golden Eagle Business Connection
Second Tuesday each month at 11:30
a.m. at Marie Callender’s on 51st Street
east of Harvard Ave. Only $10 for a
delicious entrée or soup & salad bar,
drink and dessert. Free parking, special
speakers, and a chance to network with
other people. Call (918) 495-6610 or email [email protected] to RSVP.
Leadership NOW! Christian Business Fellowship
The focus of this Multi-Denominational
Group is to provide Biblically based
programs that will help you to “Bridge
the Gap” between your Faith & Work,
and to provide a fellowship of workplace believers. We meet the 1st & 3rd
Thursdays, at 12:00 noon. Current
Meeting Location: Promenade Mall
Food Court- Private Meeting Room.
For more information call 918-2969104, or go to our website at
www.leadershipnowtulsa.com.
International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen’s Luncheon
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Sarah’s Children
A support group helping women facing
fertility challenges. Come for prayer,
Bible-study and support. 2nd Tuesday
of each month. 6:30-8:00, Asbury
United Methodist Church. Call Robin
for more information at 742-2521.
Broken Arrow Ministerial Alliance
Luncheon Program
Christian-Based Company: Seeks FT or
PT reps. Work from home. Managers $80K average. Honest opportunity. Contact Lisa (918) 307-1635.
Transforming Grace
SEEKING SITTERS- Tulsa company looking for reliable and trustworthy babysitters
for on-call babysitting positions. Over 18
years only. Great pay and Flexible hours.
Must have child-care experience. Contact
[email protected] or 232-3588.
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Thursdays at 12:00 Noon, Holiday Inn
Select at 46th and Yale. Good food and
fellowship. Inspirational speakers.
Interdenominational - Everyone is welcome. Lunch is $10.00 per person.
PART TIME HELP WANTED- Fitness
Instructor For Children. Looking for energetic person who works well with children to teach health and fitness classes
to preschoolers! Call Stretch-n-Grow
(918) 639-8925
BRYAN PROPERTIES is seeking a REALTOR to lease and sell Tulsa-area houses.
Real estate license required. Commission-based position. Email
resume/inquires to
[email protected].
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MONTHLY
MEETINGS
Meets the second Wednesday of each
month (location varies). Contact: Bob
Green, President at the Broken Arrow
Assembly of God, 251-8591 ext. 30.
A Christian program for drug, alcohol,
and sexual addiction recovery, and to
reach out to addicts in our community,
by nurturing with the Word of God and
through group support. Thursday
evenings 7:00 pm. 1109 E. Memphis,
Broken Arrow, OK. Call 250-6462 for
more information.
Oil Capital Chapter of the American
Business Women’s Association
Second Tuesday 6:30 p.m., Holiday Inn
Select, 5000 East Skelly Drive. For
more information, please contact Marcel Davis at (918) 745-0225.
DECEMBER 2004
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
29
Mark Close Roofing
& Construction Inc.
Visit our 71st Street location (across
from Krispy Kreme) and buy a
4.00 LUNCH
$
(Small Sandwich, Chips, 22 oz. Drink)
Valid only at 10031 E. 71st Street
Coupon Expires 12-31-04
Quiznos
Celebrates
Christmas.
“Since 1988”
Residential
Commercial
Composition Shingles
Wood Shakes
Tile
Repairs
Hot Tar
Modified
Gravel
Repairs
Member
BBB
Offer expires Dec. 31, 2004
371-9677
Fully
Insured
300 $1000
$
We Care For Your Car
Inside & Out!
OFF
OFF
GOLD OR
PLATINUM
PACKAGE
COMPLETE
DETAIL
PACKAGE
RIGHT SIDE ELEVATION
Extra Charge For Oversize or Muddy Vehicles
4222 S. Memorial Dr.
6510 E. 71st Street
627-8015
494-6091
Ask about our Mobile Service—We come to you!
Limit One Coupon Per Visit • Not Valid With Other Offers • Must Be Present At Time Of Service • Expires 1-31-05
Tulsa’s #1 Choice for uniforms since 1987
5 OFF ofany$25purchase
or more
$
With coupon only, not valid on sale merchandise
New and Resale School Uniforms—New Medical Apparel
5557 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK
Ph: 918.627.3341 Toll Free: 1.877.627.3341 Fax: 918.627.3342
www.uniformcloset.com
Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00 Saturday 10:00-4:00
Expires 1-31-05
The Mustard Seed
Massage & Center for Health
$10.00
Off
Your First One Hour Massage
(expires 12/31/04)
Pregnancy, therapeutic, stress/pain relief & relaxation massage
Body wraps, paraffin dips, and ear candling
6333 S. Memorial Suite E. • (918) 459-9669
www.mustardseedmassage.com
“If ye have as much faith as a grain of mustard seed...
Nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20
30
Residential Renovation
and Construction
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
DECEMBER 2004
KITCHEN • BATH • ROOM ADDITION • PAINT • TILE • WINDOWS • DOORS
Call Today for a
FREE ESTIMATE
231-7211
BODY
DEFINED
Now Open! FITNESS
459.2639
• 24-Hour Access Gym
• No Sign-up Fee
• No Contract—Month to Month www.body-defined.com
• 81st and Memorial, North end of the Echelon Center
$40/month individual
$55/month couple
Chinese Kitchen
10% Off
10032 South Sheridan
Phone: 918-296-0667
Fax: 918-296-0876
Expires 12/31/04
Full Service Car Wash
Brushless Spot Free
Bonneville GXP
Canyon Crew Cab
Starting at $24,685
Put one of these
in your stocking
this year
The
exciting
new G6
Sierra
Crew Cab
Starting at $22,275
Fuel For
The Soul
Commitment to Quality
• Quality Service • Quality Products
Quality = Customer Satisfaction
We Are
Professional
Grade
www.buyferguson.com
258-1800
161st & BA Expressway
Faith Dreher always
respected her co-workers.
Especially when they helped her survive her breast cancer.*
An easy decision
A comprehensive treatment plan
When CTCA employee Faith Dreher
was diagnosed with breast cancer, there
was no question where she would be
treated. She saw the fighting spirit,
comprehensive care and innovation
every day on the job.
CTCA in Tulsa is one of the few hospitals in the Southwest offering
HDR brachytheraphy for breast cancer. CTCA’s unique integrative
approach blends such medical treatment with nutrition, naturopathy,
mind/body medicine and spiritual support all under one roof.
To learn more about innovative treatment options available in Tulsa,
call 918-496-5170 to receive your FREE breast cancer information kit.
A better option*
Faith discussed her options. She chose
to have a lumpectomy followed by
High Dose Rate Brachytheraphy. This
innovative treatment delivers a high
dose of radiation directly to the tumor
site. The entire treatment takes five to
seven days instead of the five to seven
weeks for typical radiation treatment.
Plus, Faith knew there would be less
damage to healthy surrounding tissue.
Before long, she was back to doing what
she loves. Making a difference at CTCA.
*No case is typical. You should not expect to experience these results.
Call now for your FREE breast cancer information kit
918-496-5170