Sand Springs Singer-Songwriter Darin Shipley Places 2nd in National Competition
/Sand Springs singer-songwriter Darin Shipley recently took second place in CMUnited’s quarterly writing contest for the last quarter of 2023.
Read MoreSand Springs Couples Host 6th Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss 5K
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Left to Right: Matt Barnett, Cassie Barnett, Paige Ryan, Austin Ryan. (Courtesy).
Pregnancy is often greeted with a great deal of celebration and excitement. Couples plan photo shoots for their announcements, followed by maternity photos. Baby showers have become elaborate affairs, and gender reveals have reached comedic and even dangerous magnitudes.
But what few people want to talk about is how many of those children will never celebrate their first birthday.
According to the World Health Organization, 10 to 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and nearly 2 million babies are stillborn each year.
The level of loss and heartache that a parent goes through in these situations can’t be measured, affects everyone differently, and often leaves the parent feeling alone, confused, betrayed, and any other number of emotions.
And far too often they go through that pain without the community support that they had during their pregnancy. Folks turn out for baby showers, but there are no stillbirth showers.
That’s why two Sand Springs couples are hosting an annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss 5K.
“This is the second one we’ve been involved with,” said event co-organizer Matt Barnett.
“We just partnered in with Austin and Paige Ryan. They’ve been doing this for a couple years after they lost their first kid. Paige and my wife got close after we lost our first child.”
Jacob Austin Ryan was stillborn on January 23, 2018 and the Ryan family started the 5K and Fun Run that year in his honor.
Matt and Cassie Barnett lost their daughter, Elizabeth “Elle” Jane Bartnett to stillbirth on August 28th, 2021 and joined the Ryans in co-hosting the event last year.
“We started doing the run with them last year and it went well,” said Matt Barnett. “We added HillSpring into the mix and our church really got behind it. And then unfortunately we lost another kid.”
Paxton “Pax” Brently Barnett was also stillborn on March 23rd, 2023.
The Barnetts, who are both on staff at HillSpring Church in Sand Springs, often speak from the pulpit about the loss of their children and how it has affected both their faith and their marriage, shining a light on a difficult subject that’s rarely discussed publicly.
They hope the 5K will help bring attention to the issue and let other parents dealing with loss know that they’re not alone.
“Find community,” said Matt Barnett. “I would beg people, don’t do it alone. Find a community. Find a MEND group, find churches, find organizations that you can lean on and people who have been through the same experience.”
“Grief is long and it’s weird and it’s just unpredictable. It’s not fair to do it alone, so we need people to help.”
Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (MEND) is one of two organizations that the 5K is raising money for.
“MEND is an organization that really helps put support groups together for families who have went through infant and pregnancy loss,” said Barnett. “They were really helpful for my wife when she went through this.”
The other organization is Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which provides families going through a loss with newborn photography sessions.
“Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a weird one for us” said Barnett. “I didn’t know if I wanted that the first time we lost somebody, but I never realized how much I would cherish that. It’s just another example of how they were real and how they mattered.”
The 2023 race on October 7th drew 78 entrees for the 5K any many more participated in the fun run at Case Community Park.
11-year-old Canyon Carnahan, of Sand Springs, won the race handily with a time of 22:01. Greg and Kiera Barnes, of Mannford, finished second and third in 23:36 and 24:17.
“It’s been really successful,” said Barnett. “I think last year we raised around $8,000 or so. That’s the most we’ve ever raised and we’re hoping to get close to that or more this year.”
The race drew everyone from avid runners to supporters of the cause to families who have experienced their own losses.
“It’s beautiful,” said Barnett. “There’s a lot of community involvement. The City’s involved with this, local churches, we have about 20 sponsors for the event. It really is a lot of people coming together so it’s really cool.”
5K Results
Men
22:01 Canyon Carnahan
23:36 Greg Barnes
24:22 Jeff Parks
24:41 Kory Brown
27:19 Kenny White
27:19 Caleb Smith
28:16 Shuan Adams
30:18 Bryce Beall
32:08 Christopher Matthews
32:19 Cayden Holder
33:24 Kevin Rouk
34:29 Bradley Potts
35:07 Kaidyn Cowan
35:13 Bobby White
35:48 Kurtis Crawford
36:10 Eli Beall
36:11 Daniel Henderson
37:20 Scott Emigh
43:44 Justin Carnahan
46:17 Keaton Smith
46:27 Ryan Johnson
49:23 Jacob Rupp
54:49 Ron Mayes
55:22 John Sommers
58:07 Bobby McIntosh
58:47 George Stabler
58:50 Andrew Arms
59:19 Shawn Smith
59:25 Nick Julkowski
1:05:22 Chris Wilson
Women
24:17 Kiera Barnes
27:24 Chezney Kelley
27:29 Audrey Fincannon
28:09 Shelby Champ
28:26 Shannon Hamilton
28:43 Katelynn Castleman
28:45 Kassie Billingsly
29:11 Ashley Cox
29:25 Nancy Vanderburg
32:50 Victoria Buchanan
33:24 Kelly Holder
33:38 Kynlee Carnahan
35:54 Patricia Harsley
37:23 Victoria Middleton
38:42 Alison Holder
41:47 Andee Sage
43:10 Charity Emigh
43:42 Heather Carnahan
44:27 Sericca Walters
44:27 Kara Enkey
45:24 Regan Pidcock
45:27 Madison Smith
45:42 Amber Cowan
48:08 Haylee Dewberry
48:44 Tiffany Rowe
49:16 Michelle Key
49:23 Savannah Lytle
54:01 Emily Smith
54:03 Casey Arms
55:20 Heather Sommers
56:41 Kendra McIntosh
57:05 Karen Smith
58:07 Carolynn Canfield
58:37 Kaylee Kendall
58:38 Natasha Odom
58:44 Shannon Strabala
58:45 Claire Julkowski
58:49 Meoldy Hilligoss
58:49 Piper Brooks
58:50 Ashley Vanderburg
58:50 Hannah McGarvey
58:55 Lindsey Julkowski
59:41 Pam Jackson
1:03:26 Lana Greenfield
1:04:05 Paulette Bennet
1:04:05 Theresa Greene
1:04:10 Randy-Lynne Wach
1:05:22 Tamara Boyles
Sand Springs Couples Host 6th Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss 5K
/“Grief is long and it’s weird and it’s just unpredictable. It’s not fair to do it alone, so we need people to help.” Matt and Cassie Barnett and Austin and Paige Ryan co-host the annual event in honor of their children.
Read MoreWest Tulsa Church Planning “Day of Giving”
/Cognizant Church invites Tulsans in need to a “Day of Giving” Saturday, December 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 4050 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74107.
Read MoreReach Church celebrates 40 years in Sand Springs, 10 years under lead pastor Chad Stewart
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A version of this story was originally written for the Sand Springs Leader.
40 years ago, 1402 N 81st W Avenue was an empty field on the Sand Springs - Tulsa line. Today it’s a thriving church celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the 10th anniversary of its current pastor, Chad Stewart.
Reach Church has been reaching people in Sand Springs, Tulsa, and around the world for nearly half a century, but for most of its history it was known as Word of Life Fellowship.
In August of 2018 they changed their name to Reach, but the mission has always been the same. “Go to Sand Springs, raise up a New Testament church, and from there you will touch the world.”
Those were the words that David Emigh heard God speak to him while the 28-year-old was pastoring alongside his wife Sharon in Rosebud, Missouri.
The Emighs founded the church in 1981 in a former QuikTrip building at 619 E 10th St. that then became the church’s Depot Youth Ministries building when they built their new facilities.
Emigh led the church for 30 years, writing three books, founding dozens of satellite churches, airing an AM radio broadcast, and founding a bible school and international ministerial organization. Many Word of Life churches are still operating around the globe to this day, in countries like the Philippines and Myanmar.
The church never got to celebrate its 30th anniversary, however.
On June 15, 2011, David Emigh died in a motorcycle accident, and Associate Pastor Chad Stewart was thrust into the leadership role.
Stewart came to Word of Life as the College and Careers Pastor, and served briefly as the interim youth pastor before being promoted to Associate Pastor a few months before Emigh’s death.
Moving a church forward after the death of its founding pastor was far from an easy task. Stewart had to honor the legacy of the church’s founder, maintain the church’s existing identity, while simultaneously following his own passions and calling.
On September 11th, over 90% of the church’s members voted to promote him to the lead role, and ten years have proven that he was the right man for the job.
The church has seen a number of changes over the past ten years. The name change was a big one. The youth ministry is now at the main church building, and the old Depot building was sold to The Stronghold church.
But at its heart, Reach Church is still the same. Touching the world from a home base in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
The church meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and has youth services on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. They actively participate in the Sand Springs Local Church Network, they serve the local school districts, host community events, and continue to support missionaries and satellite churches around the world.
The congregation will celebrate their 40th anniversary on September 19th, 2021 with two services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. with guest speakers at each. There will also be a cookout and church picnic following the services.
HillSpring Church provides hurricane relief in Lake Charles, Louisiana
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While most high school students were relaxing and hanging out with friends on Fall Break last week, students at HillSpring Youth Ministries were getting their hands dirty in Louisiana. HillSpring Church in Sand Springs sent a group of 26 on a relief mission to aid in cleaning up after Hurricanes Delta and Laura, and half were teenagers.
Hurricane Laura was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana in over a century and was listed as a Category 4 when it hit on August 27. That storm caused an estimated $14 billion in damages, and was followed just six weeks later by the Category 2 Hurricane Delta, causing an additional $2 billion in damages.
The HillSpring group partnered with Lakewood Bible Fellowship in Lake Charles to help with clearing debris, mucking out flooded houses, removing downed trees, mowing lawns, as well as offering prayer and support for families who were affected, said Executive Pastor Will Holder.
“I enjoyed getting to go meet all these different people,” said Jacob Dennis. “Their homes and surroundings are ruined, trees fallen everywhere. It was just good to go out and help them - bring a little light into their world in a dark time.”
Brooklyn Taber’s favorite part of the trip was the impact it made on the hurricane victims, and seeing them happy. “Their world just got ripped apart,” said Taber. “We made it just a little bit better.”
“For me personally, it was just something fun to get to go do,” said Dalton Wilcox. “The benefit of people’s smiles was incredible, and I always enjoy a good hard day’s work.”
“Our goal and our hope is that students would make a difference, not just in their neighborhood, but the world around them” said Associate Pastor Matt Barnett. “This was a week where we got to get them out of their element. 90% of them were new missionaries, first time on the mission field. They went out and really saw the world outside of themselves, saw the devastation, saw pain, saw hopelessness, and they got to bring just a little bit of hope to each of these families. What’s really cool is a lot of the kids got to talk with the people and pray with the people.”
HillSpring Church meets at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings with Student Ministries every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 8801 West 41st Street. For more information visit http://www.hillspring.tv/
Sand Springs Local Church Network to hold drive-through Back 2 School Bash
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The Sand Springs Local Church Network will be hosting its annual Back 2 School Bash on Sunday, August 9th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will look far different from normal.
In past years the event was held at the Tulsa Tech location on Charles Page Boulevard, and included free haircuts, snow cones, food trucks, inflatables, and even a mini car show. This time around it will be held as a drive-through giveaway of backpacks and school supplies.
Instead of Tulsa Tech, Case Community Park will be host the giveaway. Students must be present to receive backpacks.
Sand Springs Church Service Times and Locations
/Angus Church - 4401 South 129th West Avenue
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Connection Groups.
10:30 a.m. Adult and Children’s Service.
Wednesday
6:00 p.m. Infant through 5th Grade.
6:30 p.m. 6th through 12th Grade.
Broadway Baptist Church - 1000 North Adams Road
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Bible Study Groups.
10:30 a.m. Morning Worship.
6:00 pp.m. Bible Study.
Wednesday
6:15 p.m. AWANA Kid’s Club (during the school year only).
6:15 p.m. Student Worship.
6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting.
Calvary Baptist Church - 18807 West Wekiwa Road
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Sunday School.
10:45 a.m. Morning Worship.
6:00 p.m. Evening Worship.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Evening Worship.
Church That Matters - 3 West 41st Street
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Adult and Children’s Services.
11:00 a.m. Adult and Children’s Services.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Youth Service.
CrossPoint Church - 4600 South 129th West Avenue
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Morning Worship.
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Evening Worship.
Delaware Missionary Baptist Church - 6808 North Highway 97
Sunday
10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service.
11:00 a.m. Children’s Church.
6:00 p.m. Youth Service.
Wednesday
5:45 p.m. Wednesday Evening Dinner.
6:00 p.m Wednesday Evening Service.
First Assembly of God - 501 North Grant Avenue West
Sunday
10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service.
6:00 p.m. School of the Bible.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Adult and Youth Services.
First Christian Church - 501 North Main Street
Sunday
10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service.
First Church of the Nazarene - 516 North Cleveland Avenue West
Sunday
9:45 a.m. Sunday School.
10:45 a.m. Sunday Celebration Service.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Bible Study for all ages.
First Presbyterian Church - 222 North Adams Road
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Fellowship Time
10:00 a.m. Children’s Sunday School.
10:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School.
11:00 a.m. Worship Service.
Fisher Baptist Church - 4008 South 137th West Avenue
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Bible Study.
11:00 a.m. Sunday Service.
6:00 p.m. Night Service.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Bible Study.
Garden Heights Freewill Baptist Church - 3415 Summit Boulevard
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Worship Service
6:30 p.m. Evening Service.
Wednesday
7:30 p.m. Night Service.
HillSpring Church - 8801 West 41st Street
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Morning Service.
11:00 a.m. Second Service.
Wednesday
6:30 p.m. Student Ministries.
6:30 p.m. Adult Service (first Wednesday of the month only).
Keystone Hills Baptist Church - 161 New Prue Road
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Sunday School.
10:45 a.m. Worship Service.
Wednesday
5:30 p.m. Fellowship Dinner.
6:15 p.m. Student Ministry.
6:30 p.m. Midweek Bible Study.
Landmark Tabernacle - 4700 South Highway 97
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Sunday School.
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship.
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship.
Wednesday
7:30 p.m. Evening Worship.
Mission Christian Church - 400 East 12th Street
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Sunday School.
10:30 a.m. Sunday Service.
Wednesday
6:30 p.m. Evening Service.
Mountaintop Worship Center - 7709 West Cameron Street
Sunday
10:30 a.m. Morning Service.
6:00 p.m. Evening Service.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Evening Service.
New Covenant Bible Church - 4800 South Yukon Avenue
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Sunday School.
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship.
6:00 p.m. Evening Worship.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Evening Worship.
Thursday
7:00 p.m. Youth Night.
New Life Tabernacle - 13107 West 41st Street
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Sunday School and Morning Worship.
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship.
Wednesday
7:30 p.m. Evening Worship.
Olivet Baptist Church - 155 North 65th West Avenue
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship.
9:40 a.m. Small Group Bible Study.
10:50 a.m. Blended Worship.
Wednesday
6:30 p.m. Student Ministry.
7:45 p.m. Young Adults.
Prattwood Assembly of God - 401 West 41st Street
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Morning Service.
10:40 a.m. Second Service.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Evening Service.
Reach Church - 1402 North 81st West Avenue
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Adult and Children’s Services.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Youth Services.
Restoration Church of God of Prophecy - 8120 Old North Road
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Hospitality Breakfast.
10:00 a.m. Sunday School.
10:50 a.m. Morning Worship.
11:00 a.m. Children’s Church.
5:00 p.m. Evening Worship.
Wednesday
6:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study, Young Adult, Youth, and Children’s Ministries.
Sand Springs Church of Christ - 4301 South 113th West Avenue
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Bible Class.
10:30 a.m. Worship.
5:00 p.m. Small Groups.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Bible Class.
Sand Springs United Methodist Church - 319 North Main Street
Sunday
8:45 a.m. Contemporary Service.
10:00 a.m. Small Group Studies.
11:00 a.m. Traditional Service.
Sar Shalom Synagogue - 1124 East Charles Page Boulevard
Saturday
10:30 a.m. Weekly Service.
Seventh Day Adventist Church - 721 North Cleveland Avenue
Saturday
9:45 a.m. Sabbath School.
11:00 a.m. Worship Service.
Solace Church - 7314 West 41st Street
Sunday
9:15 a.m. First Service.
11:00 a.m. Second Service.
Wednesday
6:45 p.m. Children’s and Youth Services.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church - 3210 South 113th West Avenue
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship.
10:45 a.m. Sunday School.
6:30 p.m. Prayer and Bible Study.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church - 601 North Lake Drive
Sunday
10:30 a.m. Sunday Service.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church - 204 East 4th Street
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Mass.
Monday
8:30 a.m. Mass.
Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Mass.
Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Mass.
Thursday
8:30 a.m. Mass.
Saturday
5:00 p.m. Mass.
The Stronghold - 619 East 10th Street
Sunday
10:30 a.m. Morning Service.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Evening Service.
True Baptist Church - 410 Terrace Drive
Sunday
9:45 a.m. Sunday School.
11:00 a.m. Morning Service.
5:00 p.m. Evening Service.
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Bible Study.
To submit a change in service time or to have your church added to this list, please email Sanditepridenews@gmail.com
Sand Springs minister dies from COVID-19 complications
/Jim Schrepel, right, died from complications due to COVID-19 on Tuesday.
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed its fourth victim in the town of Sand Springs. Jim Schrepel, 74, passed away Tuesday after a month-long battle with complications arising from the virus. Schrepel was the co-founder of In Jesus Name Ministries International which hosted the annual Unity Praise gathering in Sand Springs.
Less than five months earlier, Schrepel’s wife, Stephanie, contracted the virus and was one of the first cases in Oklahoma. SEE RELATED: Surviving COVID-19 in Sand Springs.
Jim Schrepel was diagnosed and hospitalized with the virus and bilateral pneumonia in early July. He was able to return home early on, but required oxygen. Eventually his symptoms worsened to the point that he had to be admitted to the COVID intensive care unit.
Although he was virus-free by the 29th, the disease and the pneumonia had already caused severe damage to his body and he suffered a small stroke on the 30th. He passed away Tuesday surrounded by his wife and children.
Schrepel’s funeral will be held Saturday, August 8th at 10:00 a.m. The service will be held outside at Reach Church at 1402 North 81st West Avenue. Face masks will be required. The church has launched an online donation link to assist the family.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 1,101 new cases Wednesday with 645 hospitalizations and 6,598 active cases statewide. There have been 17 additional deaths, bringing the statewide death toll to 583.
Two in Caddo County, one female and one male in the 65 or older age group.
Two in Cleveland County, one male in the 50 - 64 age group and one male in the 65 or older age group.
One in Grady County, one female in the 65 or older age group.
One in Kay County, one male in the 65 or older age group.
Two in McCurtain County, two females in the 65 or older age group.
One in Payne County, one female in the 65 or older age group.
Six in Oklahoma County, one male in the 50 - 64 age group. Three females and two males in the 65 or older age group.
Two in Tulsa County, two females in the 65 or older age group.
Sand Springs reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases to a record-high 46. The city of Tulsa has 953 active cases and Tulsa County has 1,414.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting 4,748,806 cases nationwide with 156,311 deaths. There have been 49,988 cases and 1,107 deaths in the past day. Oklahoma ranks 32nd in total cases (33rd per capita) but is 19th in new cases in the past week (13th per capita). The state is 34th in total deaths (39th per capita) and 23rd in deaths in the past week.
The World Health Organization is reporting 18,354,342 cases worldwide with 696,147 deaths. There have been 206,709 new cases and 5,116 deaths in the past day. The United States continue to lead the world in total cases, followed by Brazil with 2,750,318 and India with 1,908,254.
HillSpring Church holds "Serve Day 2020" in Sand Springs with 200 volunteers
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HillSpring Church held its sixth annual Serve Day Saturday in Sand Springs. Approximately 200 volunteers dispersed around the city to assist in 26 community service projects.
Some of the projects were held at the church campus, like installing a new volleyball court for the youth. They also cooked more than 50 meals for Kirkwood Senior Complex.
One crew built a new wheelchair ramp at an elderly woman’s new home, and helped her paint several rooms inside the home. Another elderly woman needed help clearing out a dilapidated shed that had to be removed.
A massive dead tree was removed from one yard, and the church stopped and volunteered to help another family trim up a tree that had been growing over the sidewalk.
HillSpring partnered with A-1 Rental & Supply to rent equipment for their many projects, and partnered with Sandite Nutrition to provide meal shakes for their volunteers. They also partnered with Sand Springs Community Services to provide the food for Kirkwoods, and helped out at Sand Springs Care Closet.
At the Salvation Army workers cleaned up an overgrown section of fencing behind the facility. They had a similar project at Charles Page High School along the fence on 10th Street near the high school track. At Limestone Elementary they painted the basketball goals to bring them into the black and gold “Sandite” color scheme.
A team of youth volunteers partnered with the American Legion to clean up the headstones of veterans at Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery and also decorated the community in chalk art.
One crew painted office space at the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce business incubator downtown, and another cleared out overgrowth in Case Community Park to improve the river view along the walking trail.
Several local government officials helped out with the projects, including Sand Springs City Council members Brian Jackson, Mike Burdge, and Phil Nollan, State Representative Jadine Nollan, and Sand Springs Superintendent of Education Sherry Durkee.
In addition to their big annual event, HillSpring continues working in the community throughout the year with smaller serve days, youth events, and free meals for the needy.
HillSpring meets Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. with youth services on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 8801 West 41st Street South. For more information, visit them online at http://www.hillspring.tv/
Surviving COVID-19 in Sand Springs
/Stephanie and Jim Schrepel.
On March 7th there was only one official, confirmed case of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma, and less than 1,000 cases in the country. The virus that has now infected over 1.5 million Americans was still just a distant rumor for most Oklahomans, and the nationwide shutdown of restaurants, stores, schools, churches, and parks was something few saw coming.
That was the day Stephanie Schrepel began to get a sore throat. She had recently returned to Sand Springs from a family trip to Disney World, with layovers in Atlanta and Houston, making it hard to say where exactly she was exposed. Fortunately, she was the only member of her family to contract the virus, and her husband, Jim, left on another trip before she could potentially infect him.
“Jim was scheduled to fly out to California to help take care of my parents,” says Stephanie. Her mom had recently undergone surgery, and Jim volunteered to help take care of his in-laws while Stephanie’s sister was on vacation.
While Jim was spending over a week and a half in California, his wife was back home, going about her usual business with nothing more than a scratchy throat and some mild exhaustion, which she assumed were caused by allergies and jetlag. She attended her Monday night Bible study at her son’s house, but midway through the meeting, she began to feel feverish and left.
“I get home and I take my temperature and it’s 100.5. Overnight I started getting worse, and the next morning I emailed my primary care physician.” Her doctor called on Wednesday and told her to go to the health department for testing, but the health department didn’t have any tests either.
At the time Stephanie was beginning to become symptomatic, the entire nation was facing a shortage of COVID tests, and they were reserved for people who had traveled overseas, or who had been in recent contact with an international traveler.
By Thursday Stephanie had alerted her pastor that she was sick and had been in physical contact with fellow church members through her Monday night Bible Study group. The church board made the decision to cancel services at Reach Church the following Sunday, weeks before the statewide shutdown was mandated by the Governor.
Finally, four days after the onset of her fever, she was finally approved by the state epidemiologist for a test. “I was literally the poster child for what could go wrong with testing. I went to a drive-through at OSU, they did the test, it went to Saint Francis, and it sat over the weekend and wasn’t prepped the way it should have been.”
After the test was improperly processed, the specimen was no longer valid and Stephanie had to be retested a full week after first becoming feverish. It was another ten days before the results came back and confirmed she had the virus.
On March 7th, when Stephanie began to feel symptomatic, there were 946 cases in the country. By the 28th, when she was officially diagnosed, there were 14,855 in the country and 377 in Oklahoma.
The 28th was also the first day Stephanie was fever-free. By that time, Jim had returned from California, and he was put up in the Hampton Inn for eight days to avoid being exposed. They celebrated their 41st anniversary with her inside and him on the porch.
The fever was one thing, but Stephanie also suffered a sinus infection and pneumonia as a result of the virus. She never got sick enough to require a ventilator, and because of her medical background she was able to check her oxygen levels and heart rate at home.
Stephanie is the Director of Respiratory Therapy at Cleveland Area Hospital, where she is now helping her fellow COVID survivors to regain proper lung function. Stephanie herself is still struggling with shortness of breath from walking more than short distances. “We’ve had patients who have been in a hospital bed anywhere from two to three weeks. We get them to a place where they can go home and function independently.”
“I was probably one of the few that should’ve gone to the hospital that didn’t. I just feel like God protected me. Some of it was not my own common sense. I probably should’ve gone ahead and called an ambulance, but in my mind I was thinking ‘I’d have to turn off the alarm, I’d have to go open the front door,’ and I was having a hard time just walking ten feet to the bathroom.”
The Schrepels will have an opportunity to thank God for that protection this Friday at 7:00 p.m. when they host the fourth annual Unity Praise event at Case Community Park. Together, the couple runs In Jesus Name Ministries International, which puts together the non-denominational worship gathering every year.
The event will feature live music from Roger Rister, Darin Shipley, and Eddie Preas, with preaching from Jim Schrepel and Negiel Bigpond. “Whether you’re Charismatic, Free Will Baptist, Church of Christ, the main focus is that we need Jesus,” says Stephanie.
The event will be held on the two-acre Great Lawn at Case Park, which should provide plenty of room for attendees to social distance and maintain their safety while celebrating the aspects of their faith that transcend denominational differences.
Case Community Park is located at 2500 South River City Park Road in Sand Springs.
The inaugural Unity Praise event was held in 2017 at CPHS Memorial Stadium.
Cyber Monday deals on Sandite Pride photography - average markdown of 22%
/Sandite Pride News will be marking down our photography collection by an average of 22% in recognition of the Cyber Monday holiday shopping event. All day Monday, December 2nd, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., discounts will be available on prints, downloads, wall art, and keepsakes.
Sandite Pride’s photo galleries include high school sports (basketball, football, softball, volleyball, etc.), community events (Boo at Case Park, Great Raft Race, Meet the Sandites, Chillin & Grillin, Herbal Affair, etc.), and government meetings (Board of Education, City Council).
Our SmugMug photo site offers paper prints ranging in size from wallets to 30x50 inches, canvases, metal art, refrigerator magnets, coffee mugs, photo panels, keepsake boxes, puzzles, buttons, luggage tags, mouse pads, coasters, postcards, playing cards and more.
High resolution single-photo downloads will be discounted from $2.00 to $1.50.
4x6 paper prints will be discounted from $1.28 to $1.00.
16x20 paper prints will be discounted from $34.80 to $27.27.
5x7 traditional canvas prints will be marked down from $110.24 to $95.34.
16x20 high gloss metal wall hangings will be discounted from $164.32 to $128.79.
Large refrigerator magnets will be discounted from $15.13 to $11.86.
Mouse pads will be discounted from $17.30 to $13.56.
6x6 ceramic tiles will be discounted from $26.01 to $20.39.
Coaster sets will be discounted from $43.42 to $34.03.
Sand Springs gearing up for 2nd Annual Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration
/Although Christmas is still 42 days away, the Christmas season in Sand Springs is already underway. Many Sandites took advantage of last week’s warmer temperatures and hung their Christmas lights with care to beat the winter weather.
The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce’s celebrations will kick off in less than a month, with the 37th Annual Festival of Lights.
The Festival of Lights Christmas Parade was cancelled due to winter weather last year, but will return on December 6th at 7:00 p.m. with a theme of “The Sweetest Season of All.” Applications for the parade will be accepted till November 22nd, with $20 fee.
The parade hands out six awards each year. The defending champions are New Life Tabernacle (Best in Show), Studio B Hair and Nail Salon (Best Use of Theme), Miss Tirita’s Dance Studio (Best Marching Unit), Tulsa Tech (Best Use of Lights), Garden Heights Freewill Baptist Church (Best Church), and Cub Scout Pack 63 (Best Showmanship).
The Chamber is also encouraging local businesses to get involved in sprucing up Sand Springs by offering the “Sharp Award” for best-dressed store front. There is no application fee, and competition is not limited to Chamber members. All your business has to do is notify the Chamber that you are participating by December 10th. Judging will take place on December 13th.
On Saturday the downtown area will be filled with music, food trucks, and other activities for the Second Annual Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration.
Wonderland Stage Schedule of Events
2:00 p.m. Northwoods Elementary Choir
2:35 p.m. Garfield Elementary Choir
3:10 p.m. Pratt Elementary Choir
3:55 p.m. Ms. Tirita’s Dance Studio
4:25 p.m. Limestone Elementary Choir
5:00 p.m. Clyde Boyd Middle School Choir
5:35 p.m. Charles Page High School Choir
6:00 p.m. Santa Sing Along
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Band, Charles Page Jazz Band, Clyde Boyd Middle School Band, and Sand Springs Community Band.
From 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. there will be carriage rides, a free Santa zone where children can meet St. Nick, and a Kids Zone with free activities provided by local churches.
The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum will be open for an Ornament Workshop, and Cookie Crawl Passports will be available for pickup. Families are invited to take a passport from the museum and to fill it with stickers from local businesses (who will all have free cookies), then return the completed passport to Santa for a prize. Businesses who wish to be included in the passport should contact the Chamber by November 22nd.
The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 918-245-3221 or via email at info@sandspringschamber.com.
One tradition that will not be returning this year, at least not officially, is “Snapped in Sand Springs.” For the past two years the City of Sand Springs encouraged local businesses, churches, and other organizations to set up Thanksgiving, Fall, Winter, and Christmas-themed photo booths and backdrops at their facilities. More than 30 organizations participated each year.
While the City has elected not to organize the event in 2019, businesses can of course still choose to put up photo booths unofficially. Any business doing so is encouraged to let Sandite Pride know so we can share it on our website/social media.
Church That Matters opens free Mobile Medical Clinic in Sand Springs
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Good Samaritan Health Services and Church That Matters held a grand opening and ribbon cutting at their new Sand Springs Mobile Medical Clinic Tuesday. The free bi-monthly clinic will provide comprehensive medical care for the uninsured at 3 West 41st Street.
Church That Matters Pastor Rusty Gunn, Good Samaritan President John Crouch, and other individuals involved in the clinic spoke at the grand opening event. A line of patients was already forming well before the doors opened for the first time.
“We are so very delighted to be in the Sand Springs community,” said Crouch. “We have seen that Sand Springs is a community that really cares and shares and really helps each other.”
The clinic will be open to the public on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, opening at 4:30 p.m. The only requirement for patients to receive medical care at the clinic is that they have no health insurance. Walk-in patients are welcome. Any person wanting to receive medical care at the clinic should arrive at 4:30 p.m. Patients will be triaged and as many patients will receive services as resources will allow. Anyone unable to see a physician on the day of the clinic will have a future appointment made.
Each clinic will provide quality comprehensive medical care for approximately 10 to 12 people. Gunn hopes to be able to bring the clinic to Sand Springs weekly in the near future.
“Our church’s mission is to be a church that matters to God, to each other, to our city, and to our world,” said Gunn. “We’ve just seen this great need for health care for those who don’t have access to that. Oklahoma is 47th in overall health, 49th in cardiovascular disease, 44th in preventable hospitalization, and 43rd in diabetes. We know that there are people within this city…who sometimes have to make a choice between getting healthcare, and eating.”
Volunteers from Church that Matters along with Good Samaritan staff members will operate the clinic. This is Good Samaritan’s 13th Mobile Medical Clinic location in the greater Tulsa area. Good Samaritan’s Mobile Medical Clinics provide medical care at over 5,500 patient visits each year. Many individuals in the greater Tulsa area have come to rely on these clinics as their primary care provider.
“Our church will always have more vision than we have resource to accomplish,” said Gunn. “It takes community partners and those who are willing to jump in on those causes.” Gunn praised local philanthropists Montie and Betty Box for contributing to the clinic, as well as Ron and Pat Halcomb, and Green Country Federal Credit Union. Susan Hood will be the Site Coordinator for the clinic.
“A big thanks to the people of Church That Matters who are willing to take risks, willing to do things outside of the box, willing to do whatever it takes to see that mission accomplished. So many people from our church have jumped on board to volunteer.”
Church That Matters is known for pioneering nontraditional ministries. The church operates the Prattville Market and Southside Coneys in the same shopping center as fundraisers for their various charities and ministries. They also own the Lee’s Charburgers food truck, which is currently closed but expected to resume operations in the future.
CTM is an active member of the Sand Springs Local Church Network and is frequently involved in community events. They are one of the first churches in the state to offer a special service on Sundays geared specifically towards families with special needs children. They also operate a free coat rack at Prattville Market during the winter months, and have been extremely proactive in helping the community recover from the historic May flooding that devastated multiple neighborhoods along the Arkansas River.
SEE RELATED:
Sand Springs woman opening free health clinic in Sapulpa
SouthSide Coneys holds grand opening, owned by Church That Matters
Church That Matters opens free Mobile Medical Clinic in Sand Springs
/Good Samaritan Health Services, in partnership with Church that Matters of Sand Springs, celebrates the opening of a free Mobile Medical Clinic location. This clinic will provide quality comprehensive medical care for uninsured and underserved individuals living in the Sand Springs area. Pastor Rusty Gunn led the effort for his church to partner with Good Samaritan Health Services to offer this valuable and much-needed service in the Sand Springs community.
Church That Matters and the free clinic are located at 3 West 41st Street in south Sand Springs, also known as Prattville. A Ribbon Cutting event will be held at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 22nd, on its first day of operations.
This clinic will be open to the public on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, opening at 4:30 p.m. The only requirement for patients to receive medical care at the clinic is that they have no health insurance. Walk-in patients are welcome. Any person wanting to receive medical care at the clinic should arrive at 4:30 p.m. Patients will be triaged and as many patients will receive services as resources will allow. Anyone unable to see a physician on the day of the clinic will have a future appointment made. Each clinic will provide quality comprehensive medical care for approximately 10 to 12 people.
Volunteers from Church that Matters along with Good Samaritan staff members will operate the clinic. This is Good Samaritan’s 13th Mobile Medical Clinic location in the greater Tulsa area. Good Samaritan’s Mobile Medical Clinics provide medical care at over 5,500 patient visits each year. Many individuals in the greater Tulsa area have come to rely on these clinics as their primary care provider.
Church That Matters also operates the Prattville Market and Southside Coneys in the same shopping center as fundraisers for their various charities and ministries.
SEE RELATED:
Sand Springs woman opening free health clinic in Sapulpa
SouthSide Coneys holds grand opening, owned by Church That Matters
Oklahoma churches invited to free security seminar in Claremore
/The Oklahoma Church Security Association (OCSA) will host a Basic Church Security Seminar in Claremore Saturday, November 16, 2019 and Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2019 at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, 1921 Holly Rd, Claremore, Oklahoma 74017. This seminar is the first unit in a one year church security volunteer training program offered by the OCSA.
This seminar is directed toward church security team and hospitality/greeter staff. Pastors and senior staff may opt out of the afternoon hands on training. If a sufficient number of pastors request it, OCSA will provide a separate executive briefing for pastors which provides more content concerning the need for church security, basic organizational and leadership principles and legal issues.
Total enrollment is limited to 100 participants. Only pastors or senior staff can enroll for the morning only session. Morning only enrollment is limited to 50 participants. Because of the hands on nature of the instruction, enrollment is limited to 25 participants each in the two afternoon sessions. Local participants should enroll in the Sunday afternoon session to allow people who are travelling from out of town to attend the Saturday afternoon session and not have to spend the night.
This is not a public event. Enrollment is by invitation only after submitting an application. You may apply by email to okbizlaw@cox.net or by telephoning 918-381-9792. Prior approval is required for all attendees. Enrollment will be closed 7 days before the seminar date and no “drop ins” or last minute enrollments will be allowed. Public record background checks will be conducted on all prospective enrollees. The OCSA reserves the right to refuse enrollment. Attendees will be required to sign a complete release of legal liability. CLEET certified LEO’s and Security personnel should notify OCSA in advance so that they can contact CLEET about possible Continuing Education Credits.
There will be no charge for the seminar but a love offering will be taken to help defray the expenses of the instructors. The OCSA does not sell or promote books, DVD’s, so called “church security kits” or any other such material.
The Oklahoma Church Security Association is an unincorporated association of retired military and law enforcement veterans. OCSA board members and instructors must be veterans of a combat arms or military police branch of the US military or have served as an armed law enforcement officer. All board members and instructors must be certified in the subjects they teach and show evidence of a call by the Holy Spirit to the ministry of protection. OCSA instructors serve as force multipliers to the church security community by providing security consultation and professional level training to select church security volunteers.
For more information or to apply to enroll email okbizlaw@cox.net or telephone 918-381-9792.
Church That Matters to host Porn and Pizza event
/Church That Matters will host an event called Porn and Pizza on Sunday, October 13 at 6 p.m. at 3 W 41st Street in Sand Springs to bring to light and start an open conversation about pornography and its effects on men, families, children, and our community.
The event will include Andolinis Pizza and some straight talk porn and the issues surrounding porn, from someone who gets it: speaker – Blaine Bartel, author of Death By A Thousand Lies and former pastor at Church On The Move in Tulsa. The event is open to men and boys in junior high and up.
Tickets will be required for the event and space is very limited. Tickets are on sale now online at churchthatmatters.com/pornandpizza or at Church That Matters’ Worship Encounters at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $5 and include pizza and a drink.
Just a few facts about pornography in our culture:
Seventy percent of men ages 18 to 34 view porn at least once per month.
There are 420 million pornographic pages online.
Every second over $3,000 is spent on internet pornography.
Every second over 28,000 people are viewing internet porn.
Porn revenues are greater than the combined revenues of all professional football, baseball, and basketball franchises.
Oklahoma ranks 5th in the nation for online pornography subscriptions.
Rusty Gunn, Lead Pastor of Church That Matters, says “This MATTERS! Addiction to pornography is destroying marriages, threatening jobs, and damaging lives and we want to do something about it. What begins as an “innocent look” and a moment of pleasure leads many men to a path of destruction they cannot get off of. Pornography rapes the mind and robs men and women of the sexual intimacy and pleasure they are intended to get from their spouse. More than half of divorces today name online pornography as a primary reason for the marriage break-up.”
“No one is immune to the temptation of pornography. Many addictions to pornography begin by accidentally going to a porn site by misspelling a website domain or by clicking on something inadvertently that leads to a porn site.
Seven out of ten men are looking at porn and no one wants to talk about it. Most men feel extreme guilt and shame because of it. Most men want to stop but can’t. It’s time to get it out in the open. It’s time for a change.”
During the event, key Note Speaker, Blaine Bartel will share his story of losing his ministry, marriage, and almost losing his life due to his addiction to pornography.
The event will offer hope to those who are ensnared by pornography and some tools to win the daily battle. For those who are not currently struggling in this area, tools to stay free from the traps of pornography will be given as well as ideas on helping friends who are in slavery to an addiction to porn.
Gunn says “Porn and Pizza will be a fun event that every man will be able to relate to and then will have some hard hitting truth that will challenge and inspire every man to win the battle we all face. We promise we won’t make you sing and there will be no holding hands! And to top it off, you get to tell people you went to Porn and Pizza. What more needs to be said?”
He adds “Wives need to encourage, maybe even require their husbands to attend this event and not be offended if they do. Dad’s need to bring their teenage sons (Jr. high and older) and get the conversation started before it is too late.”
For more information on the Porn and Pizza event being hosted by Church That Matters, contact Church That Matters at 918-512-1486 or see churchthatmatters.com
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church preparing for 59th Annual Tulsa Greek Festival
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is gearing up for its 59th Annual Greek Festival next month in Tulsa. The four-day event will run from Thursday, September 19th through Sunday, September 22nd.
Thursday through Saturday the event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with free admission for all before 6:00 p.m. and free for kids all day. After 6:00 p.m. adults will be $5. On Sunday it will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a $5 cost all day.
All weekend long there will be live music, Greek folk dancing, and games. Guests will be invited up on the stage and instructed in traditional dances. There will also be tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity church, shopping at the popup boutique and market place, and a KidZone with games, arts and crafts, an inflatable playground, and more. The KidZone will charge a $5 admission, benefiting Emergency Infant Services.
Author Gina Michalopulos Kingsley will be speaking and doing signings of her new book, “A Magic Carpet Ride.”
The event will feature several gourmet authentic Greek foods including:
Loukaniko, a pork sausage served with sauteed peppers and onions on toasted pita.
Greek Salad, with romaine lettuce, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, red onions, bell peppers, and house-made Greek Vinaigrette.
Keftedes, fried meatballs garnished with lemon wedges.
The Athenian Special, a sampler box of feta, olives, dolmades, and keftedes.
Saganaki, flaming cheese.
Ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur, and other imported beer, wine, and spirits. For the first time, they will also be serving pina coladas and frozen lemonade made with Ouzo.
Imported Greek soft drinks.
Gyros, beef and lamb gyro meat grilled and served layered in a pita with veggies and tzatziki sauce.
Calamari, breaded and fried squid, served with fresh lemon and cocktail sauce.
Greek Fries, french fries tossed in Greek seasonings topped with feta cheese and tzatziki. There will also be a french fry eating contest.
Lamb Dinner, roasted with garlic and herbs, tzatziki, rice, and Greek style green beans.
Chicken or Pork Souvlaki Dinner, shish kabobs on pita with rice pilaf, green beans, spanakopita, and tyropita.
Greek Green Beans, stewed in a savory tomato sauce.
Spanikopita, a flaky pastry of filo dough filled with spinach.
Tyropita, a flaky pastry of filo dough filled with cheeses.
Baklava, a flaky pastry of filo dough with spiced nutty filling soaked in sweet syrup. Also served a la mode.
Galaktoboureko, a creamy custard filling inside layers of filo dough with an orange syrup.
Kouroummbiedes, a buttery Greek wedding cookie dusted with powdered sugar.
Koulourakia, a twisted biscuit cookie best served with coffee.
Melomakarona, a nutty crumbly holiday cookie.
Loukoumades, AKA Honey Puffs. Fried balls of dough soaked in honey and dusted with cinnamon.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
1222 South Guthrie Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74119
(918) 583-2082
Phoenix Academic Center opens in Sand Springs at former Moriah Christian building
/The Phoenix Academic Center will soon be opening its doors for its first school year in Sand Springs. Previously known as Cornerstone Tutorial Center, the home-school resource recently relocated from Tulsa to the site of the former Moriah Christian Academy at 680 East 41st Street.
The school was founded in 1990 and was previously located at Eastwood Baptist Church in the 11th and Mingo area. Along with the move, the school is also changing up the curriculum and rebranding.
The school offers a-la-carte classes for parents who struggle with teaching certain subjects, as well full course loads. Preschool and early elementary students can attend five days a week, with the option for parents to attend with them and collaborate with the teacher.
The school focuses on STEAM-based curriculum, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. They also will be offering basic life skills classes such as car maintenance and financial literacy. Those workshops will be held on Saturdays and open to the public.
The school will also offer a study hall and tutor to help students with homework between classes.
“It’s not a six hours a day, five days a week thing,” says Head Administrator Angela Leasman. “You can get so much more done as a homeschooling parent. My kids would have all their required work done by noon if they got up early, and they could sit in their pajamas to do it.”
Leasman has one child still in the system and her two oldest children are now teachers at the school. She also had grandchildren and cousins in the school. She joined the school as a parent volunteer four years ago and has since taken the reigns of the organization.
The Phoenix Board of Directors maintains Christian values, but is nondenominational and doesn’t require its students to be religious, nor do the teachers preach religion in class. “We accept everybody as long as they understand we are faith-based,” says Leasman. “I want everyone to be aware of (our faith) but I want them to also understand that we don’t expect them to believe what we believe.”
The school will be holding an Open House Saturday, August 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Parents are invited to tour the school, meet the teachers, and fill out an application. The school isn’t too restrictive, but requires an interview process to make sure that the school is a good fit for each kid. “We don’t want anybody to enroll and then regret it later,” says Leasman. She also plans on inviting some other local home school groups to the event. “We all offer different things. There’s really no competition.”
Sand Springs churches hold free back-to-school bash with school supplies and checkups
/The Sand Springs Local Church Network hosted its annual Back 2 School Bash Sunday afternoon at the Tulsa Tech Sand Springs campus. The free event is open to the public and offers all kinds of back-to-school items and services.
The Tulsa Lions Club provided cholesterol screenings, BMI checks, blood pressure checks, and vision testing. Children were checked for lice and given free haircuts by licensed professionals. A Better Smile provided free dental screenings. Volunteers from numerous local churches helped to distribute free backpacks and school supplies
In addition to the necessities, fun was also on the menu. Sandlot Sno-Balls, popcorn, balloon animals, and the Tulsa County Reading Roadshow were on hand, as were an ambulance and three classic police cars for the children to explore.
