Update on John October 18, 2014

I thought I’d send an update on John so reports could be made at churches as many of you have requested.

 

He is doing so much better which, of course, is a relative term.  He is much better by comparison to his state 9 days ago.  And, the sepsis has resolved.  The pneumonia is almost gone.  However, his breathing is somewhat of a problem.  But, as he has proven thus far, he is a tough old coot and will continue to improve till he is back to his best state of health.  I, in fact, believe that he will be in such health as to be better than he has been in some time. 

 

PT has been walking him up and down the halls, but he hasn’t been allowed out of bed yet on his own other than to visit the restroom.  He is still very weak, although were you to converse with him, while he is lying in bed, you wouldn’t know.

 

He will be here through Monday at least (a final CT scan will be done that day) and then will go to The Commons for a week or so for rehab to regain his strength.  PT, OT, RT, etc. will have a go at him while there, which should help him even more.  He has been having respiratory therapy 4 times a day and will continue so.  Antibiotics are now being given orally.  His temp is staying down.  Just now his heart rate was up but we figure that’s because he’s still chewing on OU’s loss to Kansas State today!!!!!  J  J 

 

Kristy (Dr. Petersen) recalled that our home is two story.  When John said yes, she said he wouldn’t make it up the stairs and he said, “Watch me.”  J  J  J  Despite his yearning for home, he will go to the Commons.  Before closing, we MUST thank you for the cards, calls and prayers.  How wonderful it is to have dozens and dozens of people, either praying, dialing or writing.  Would that every sick person had such blessings.

 

Because of the threat of outside germs being carried in to him and causing a setback, no visitors is still the order of the day.  Perhaps when he gets to The Commons that can be set aside.

 

Blessed be, all of you………

Carolyn

 

UPDATE ON JOHN

Dear church family and friends:

Now that John is able to direct me as to how to use his email account, I bring you an update on his status as of today, October 14th

As most of you know by now, John has been hospitalized in the St. Mary Hospital ICU here in Enid since last Thursday with severe pneumonia and sepsis. Though we had some pretty scary days, he has now been moved to the PCCU (step-down unit) and we expect he will be released to home on Friday or Saturday. He has responded well to the treatment regimen and his vital signs are stable although he is still experiencing breathing problems. The sepsis has resolved and the pneumonia is on the way out!! Praise God for His eternal goodness.

John's recovery will be slow but he/we/you can do it. He with strength and patience, we with our unity as a couple and you through your prayers and abiding concern.

I will send out another update that won't be so long in the next day or so.

Please don't be offended that you haven't seen John. It isn't that, as in other times, John being his usual private self, was saying no visitors. His life truly was at stake and the higher numbers of exposure he'd have encountered by many visitors would have put him at greater risk. There were family and certain others who were allowed to see him in special circumstances such as pastoral care and personal nurture. We hope you can understand.

As he recovers at home, we may even send out a video email. Wouldn't that be something••••••we might just try it. Also, please know that Don, John, Brian, Sally, Kandy, Patricia and the rest of the staff will be (and are)keeping our church life rolling smoothly along.

You have meant so much to us during our time of ministry in Enid.
John and I are incredibly grateful that your prayers, love and caring hearts have brought him back. When he is well, we will be back among you, the most special church family any pastor and spouse have ever had•••••••each and every one of you. (Know, as well, that when I was texting out updates, it was never my intention to leave anyone out. I tried to let people know who would let people know, etc. <smile>

I know that this email is quite long!!!! I think the good news has generated a lightness of heart resulting in all these joyful words.
Blessed be, friends. God is with us through our faith and you, our beloved family.

I close with tears of gratitude and ask you to forward this email to others you believe may not have received current information.

From a blessed family,

Carolyn McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, October 8

Gracious God,

 

We seek after You. Our hearts journey into Your heart, as drops of water move into the sea. We pray You will receive us unto Yourself, Loving God. Certainly You are with us, but our relationship requires movement on our parts. May we seek to face You and proceed into Your eternal, yet ever-present embrace. Help us understand vital faith requires our action. May our efforts move us closer to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

______

 

Leo Conrady, Connie’s husband, passed away.

 

Please remember the families of Liz Beaty, Winston Shipley, Hank Harnish and the son of the Taylors.  

 

Barb Newton is having surgery today in OKC. Judy Mason is preparing for knee replacement surgery next week.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is failing health. His family is dealing with some major decisions about his continued treatment.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital.

 

Peggy Rountree is in Bass Hospital.

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

A number of emails have been going around asking for prayers for those being killed by ISIS. Many are Christians. Please pray for all those being accosted by these radical terrorists.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

 

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, October 7

O God of Grace,

 

We stand before You as Your children, longing for Your blessing. In a world that places high value on rugged independence and individualism, it is difficult to admit that we need love and acceptance. Often we look in the wrong places, finding only hurt and disdain. May we seek You, O Lord. You are faithful to us and worthy of our love and devotion. We confess our limitations, our sin, our high minded independence, and our fear of being rejected. May we feel Your embrace as we seek to be faithful to You. This we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

____

 

Leo Conrady, Connie’s husband, passed away this morning in Bass Hospital.

 

Please remember the families of Liz Beaty, Winston Shipley, Hank Harnish and the son of the Taylors.  

 

Ron Butler had a heart attack and is in the Integris Heart Hospital in OKC. They placed stints to open the arteries.

 

Laurie Bushman has asked for prayers for her mother, Lynn Jerome.

 

Barb Newton will have surgery tomorrow in OKC. Judy Mason is preparing for knee replacement surgery next week.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is failing health. His family is dealing with some major decisions about his continued treatment.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital.

 

Peggy Rountree is in Bass Hospital.

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

A number of emails have been going around asking for prayers for those being killed by ISIS. Many are Christians. Please pray for all those being accosted by these radical terrorists.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

 

 

Prayer for Today, Monday, October 6

Eternal One,

 

We pray for those around us this day, O Lord; our family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers. May we be a blessing to them. For those who are grieving, we pray for comfort. For those who are sick, we pray for healing. For those who are depressed and distraught, we pray for hope. For those struggling with debt, we pray for solid solutions. For those who are uncertain about their future, we pray for clear visions. In all things and in all ways, You are our God and Jesus is our Christ. May we follow his model of caring for others. AMEN.

______

 

Please remember the families of Liz Beaty, Winston Shipley, Hank Harnish and the son of the Taylors.  

 

Ron Butler had a heart attack and is in the Integris Heart Hospital in OKC. They placed stints to open the arteries.

 

Laurie Bushman has asked for prayers for her mother, Lynn Jerome.

 

Barb Newton will have surgery this Wednesday in OKC. Judy Mason is preparing for knee replacement surgery the following week.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is failing health.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital.

 

Peggy Rountree fell broke her hip. She had surgery and is in Bass Hospital.

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

A number of emails have been going around asking for prayers for those being killed by ISIS. Many are Christians. Please pray for all those being accosted by these radical terrorists.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

Prayer for Today, Sunday, October 5

O God of Light and Hope,

 

We reveal only a part of ourselves to others. There is much we conceal. Often there is a great difference between what others see and what we know we are. We long for trusting and honest relationships, but they are rare. Such circumstances call us to look beyond the human condition for comfort, solace, and even acceptance. You are there, O God. May we confess all that we are before You. May we repent, and feel the embrace of Your love. We are often blessed by temporal relationships. We celebrate family and friendships, but, ultimately, only You can fill the emptiness within us. Only You, Gracious God, can complete us and we give You thanks. We come to You now, O Lord, seeking to be enfolded in Your unconditional grace and acceptance. In Jesus' name we pray. AMEN.

______

TODAY the NW Area is hosting a Deacon Learning Event here at Central. Registration begins at 2:30 in the loggia. Worship and Communion will be at 3:00 in the chapel. Dr. John Imbler’s class is from 4:00 – 5:30 in the multipurpose room and a meal will be from 5:45 – 6:30 in the fellowship hall. The area is paying for the entire event, so there is no cost to the participants. The area has given a minimum number for the meal so come, even if you haven’t RSVP’d. I know 10 are coming from Cherokee. Let’s have a good turnout from Central.  If you are working with the Horn of Plenty Food Drive, then come when you can. The Spanish speaking church has graciously agreed to delay their evening worship until 6:30 P.M.

 

Please remember the families of Liz Beaty, Winston Shipley, and Hank Harnish.  

 

Ron and Shirley Taylor’s son died quite unexpectedly. The Taylor’s are good friends of many at Central and have sung for various of our groups on a number of occasions.

 

Ron Butler had a heart attack and is in the Integris Heart Hospital in OKC. They placed stints to open the arteries.

 

Laurie Bushman has asked for prayers for her mother, Lynn Jerome.

 

Barb Newton will have surgery on October 8. Judy Mason is preparing for Knee Replacement surgery the following week.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is failing health.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital.

 

Peggy Rountree fell broke her hip. She had surgery and is in Bass Hospital.

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

A number of emails have been going around asking for prayers for those being killed by ISIS. Many are Christians. Please pray for all those being accosted by these radical terrorists.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

 

 

Prayer for Today, Saturday, October 4

O God of Creation,

 

Hours turn into days, days into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, and years into a lifetime. We are blessed with the gift of time, O Lord. Forgive us when we do not use our hours in ways that honor You. May the storehouse of our blessings be filled as we bless others. May the value of our years be measured, not by what we acquire, but by what we have given away. May the tribute others offer to us be the result of our loving, our peacemaking, and our compassionate response to human need. You are our God. We thank You for the gift of time. May the image others see in us, through the years, be a reflection of You. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN.

______

 

TOMORROW the NW Area is hosting a Deacon Learning Event here at Central. This is a great opportunity to have fellowship with area Disciples and hear a presentation by Dr. John Imbler from Phillips Theological Seminary. Registration begins at 2:30 in the loggia. Worship and Communion will be at 3:00 in the chapel. Dr. Imbler’s class is from 4:00 – 5:30 in the multipurpose room and a meal will be from 5:45 – 6:30 in the fellowship hall. The area is paying for the entire event, so there is no cost to the participants. The area has given a minimum number for the meal so come, even if you haven’t RSVP’d. I know 10 are coming from Cherokee. Let’s have a good turnout from Central.  If you are working with the Horn of Plenty Food Drive, then come when you can. The Spanish speaking church has graciously agreed to delay their evening worship until 6:30 P.M.

 

Please remember the families of Liz Beaty, Winston Shipley, and Hank Harnish.  

 

Ron and Shirley Taylor’s son died quite unexpectedly. The Taylor’s are good friends of many at Central and have sung for various of our groups on a number of occasions.

 

Laurie Bushman has asked for prayers for her mother, Lynn Jerome. She said “She had an episode yesterday that looks like a heart issue, and went to the emergency room at the Heart Hospital.  She is going to have a stress test and an ultrasound next week.”

 

Barb Newton will have surgery on October 8.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is failing health.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital. Her son is with her.

 

Peggy Rountree fell yesterday morning and broke her hip. She had surgery and is in Bass Hospital. Yesterday Earl and their grandson were with her.

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

 

Prayer for Today, Friday, October 3

God of Grace and Glory,

 

Life is full of joys and disappointments. Sometimes it seems as though we experience more of the latter. Please forgive our shortsightedness, O Lord. Even when we feel beaten down, may we know You are there. Even when the struggle seems futile, may we feel Your love and embrace. The dark night is always broken by the rising sun. Each new day brings hope and the possibility for accomplishment and joy. May Your Spirit sustain us, Loving God. And may we rejoice. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

_____

 

This Sunday the NW Area is hosting a Deacon Learning Event here at Central. This is a great opportunity to have fellowship with area Disciples and hear a presentation by Dr. John Imbler from Phillips Theological Seminary. Registration begins at 2:30 in the loggia. Worship and Communion will be at 3:00 in the chapel. Dr. Imbler’s class is from 4:00 – 5:30 in the multipurpose room and a meal will be from 5:45 – 6:30 in the fellowship hall. The area is paying for the entire event, so there is no cost to the participants. The area has given a minimum number for the meal so come, even if you haven’t RSVP’d. I know 10 are coming from Cherokee. Let’s have a good turnout from Central.  If you are working with the Horn of Plenty Food Drive, then come when you can. The Spanish speaking church has graciously agreed to delay their evening worship until 6:30 P.M.

 

Liz Beaty’s memorial service is today at 2:00 P.M. in the sanctuary.

 

Ron and Shirley Taylor’s son died quite unexpectedly. The Taylor’s are good friends of many at Central and have sung for various of our groups on a number of occasions.

 

Laurie Bushman has asked for prayers for her mother, Lynn Jerome. She said “She had an episode yesterday that looks like a heart issue, and went to the emergency room at the Heart Hospital.  She is going to have a stress test and an ultrasound next week.”

 

Barb Newton will have surgery on October 8.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is failing health.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital.

 

Jeanette Heitfeld is being treated for blood clots in her leg.

 

I received the following email from Willo Clark “I’m Home At Last!  All is going well.  Many, many thanks to all who sent me cards and prayers the past month.  It really helped a lot to know that so many were supporting me in my recovery process.  I have met many good people, but the support of “old friends” can’t be replaced!  Thanks a million!   God bless!  Willo”

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

 

Prayer for Today, Thursday, October 2

Eternal One,

 

We seek You with our whole hearts, O Lord. You are like the vast ocean and we are but small drops, longing to be with You. Our journey is toward You. Forgive our detours we pray. Your Loving Presence invites us to surrender, to be devoted, and to commit our lives to service in Jesus name. Today, O God, we pray You will embrace us, lift us up, forgive us and make us new creations in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. AMEN.

______

 

Winston Shipley’s funeral is this morning 11:00 A.M. in the sanctuary. Liz Beaty’s memorial service will be tomorrow at 2:00 P.M. in the sanctuary.

 

Barb Newton will have surgery on October 8.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is undergoing dialysis.

 

Dorothy Gregory has moved to Greenbrier skilled nursing.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital.

 

Austin Wade has asked for prayers for his 28 year old granddaughter, Megan Pedilla, who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

 

Jeanette Heitfeld is being treated for blood clots in her leg.

 

I received the following email from Willo Clark “I’m Home At Last!  All is going well.  Many, many thanks to all who sent me cards and prayers the past month.  It really helped a lot to know that so many were supporting me in my recovery process.  I have met many good people, but the support of “old friends” can’t be replaced!  Thanks a million!   God bless!  Willo”

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

This Sunday the NW Area is hosting a Deacon Learning Event here at Central. This is a great opportunity to have fellowship with area Disciples and hear a presentation by Dr. John Imbler from Phillips Theological Seminary. Registration begins at 2:30 in the loggia. Worship and Communion will be at 3:00 in the chapel. Dr. Imbler’s class is from 4:00 – 5:30 in the multipurpose room and a meal will be from 5:45 – 6:30 in the fellowship hall. The area is paying for the entire event, but we need RSVP’s. Please call Kandy at 233-1214 if you plan to attend. I know 10 are coming from Cherokee. Let’s have a good turnout from Central.  If you are working with the Horn of Plenty Food Drive, then come when you can. The Spanish speaking church has graciously agreed to delay their evening worship until 6:30 P.M.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

 

 

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, October 1

O Rock of Our Life,

 

We give You thanks for our family and friends. It has been said that You are experienced in the depth and breadth of human relationships. We are blessed by those in our lives with whom we can confide, who love us, who accept us, and who stand by us. May the blessings we receive from these relationships, O God, be passed on by us, so that others may experience the love and grace which, ultimately, you have authored. We also give thanks for those who have gone before us, those who mentored us, encouraged us, lifted us up when we were down, and pointed us in the right direction. We are blessed by their influence. Empower us, Loving God, to look around us and identify the ones we might mentor. May we find ways of connection, witness and influence. In all things, Gracious Lord, we seek to honor You in word and deed. Bless us we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

 

Winston Shipley’s funeral will be tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. in the sanctuary. Liz Beaty’s memorial service will be Friday at 2:00 P.M. in the sanctuary.

 

Barb Newton will have surgery on October 8.

 

Nick Patrizi is at Highland Park Nursing Home and is undergoing dialysis.

 

Dorothy Gregory has moved to Greenbrier skilled nursing.

 

Phillis May is in Bass Hospital.

 

Austin Wade has asked for prayers for his 28 year old granddaughter, Megan Pedilla, who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

 

Jeanette Heitfeld is being treated for blood clots in her leg.

 

Please pray for all these family and friends.

 

This Sunday the NW Area is hosting a Deacon Learning Event here at Central. This is a great opportunity to have fellowship with area Disciples and hear a presentation by Dr. John Imbler from Phillips Theological Seminary. Registration and fellowship is at 2:30 in the loggia. Worship and Communion is at 3:00 in the chapel. Dr. Imbler’s class is from 4:00 – 5:30 in the multipurpose room and a meal will be from 5:45 – 6:30 in the fellowship hall. The area is paying for the entire event, but we need RSVP’s. Please call Kandy at 233-1214 if you plan to attend. I know 10 are coming from Cherokee. Let’s have a good turnout from Central.  If you are working with the Horn of Plenty Food Drive, then come when you can. The Spanish speaking church has graciously agreed to delay their evening worship until 6:30 P.M.

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore