B.I.N.G.O!!!

Ms. Annabelle Willis

Salvation Army Citadel Corps loves senior citizens!

Shouts of glee, moans of defeat, fierce competition and the sheer joy of winning; what do these all have in common? I found them all at The Salvation Army Citadel Corps, our Midtown church, last week. The last Wednesday of every month, senior citizens gather at the Citadel to play Bingo and socialize. I don’t know about you, but when I think about senior citizens playing bingo, I think about people who are half asleep and who are more interested in drinking coffee than playing the game. Well… I was wrong.

These were 24 of the rowdiest senior citizens I have ever met!

These are just a few of the Bingo prizes.

I was able to share a table with Ms. Annie and Ms. Jean who both have been coming to the senior program almost every Wednesday for five years. Ms. Annie is a sweet, tiny lady who is very soft spoken and Ms. Jean is a spitfire who loves winning.This monthly bingo game is part of the Citadel’s senior program, led by Captains Jay and Jamie Spalding. I was able to chat with Captain Jamie about the program and she told me that program participants are game for anything. Sometimes programs are health related, such as blood pressure and diabetes screening clinics, and sometimes activities are just for fun, such as watching movies together. One of the purposes of the program is to serve as a way to help keep senior citizens engaged in their community and to have interaction with others.

According to Wikipedia, the term “citadel” means a fortress or a safe place. And that is how our Citadel serves the seniors, in addition to having fun, it’s a place they can go to and know they are cared for and are safe.

 -Jenny
PS-Captain Jamie said the Citadel could always use more volunteers to help with the Seniors Program. If you have any special skills or knowledge you would like to share with this group, please call me at 918-587-7801 to volunteer.

If you know a senior citizen who would benefit from attending The Citadel Seniors, they meet every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is served for $1. The Citadel is located at 3901 East 28th St., just north of Eisenhower Elementary School.

Salvation Army Easter Services

Easter is here already, can you believe it? It seems like yesterday I was writing a post about Christmas. How do you celebrate Easter -- by hunting brightly colored eggs, eating the ears off of chocolate bunnies, going to church? Maybe all three?  No matter how you celebrate Easter, have you thought about what Easter is or even how in the world the Easter bunny lays eggs?

Let’s start with the easy one first. Easter is the holiday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion. Okay, now for the slightly harder question, how did an egg-laying bunny come into play? Well, the first mention of Oschter Haws  (i.e the Easter Bunny) was mentioned in German writings back in the 1600s. Oschter Haws is a rabbit that lays a nest full of brightly colored eggs and candy for good boys and girls. The idea of Oschter Haws was brought to America in the 1700 by Dutch settlers.

Rabbits are known for their fertility especially during the spring (when we celebrate Easter) and eggs have been regarded as a symbol of new life since early Roman times. Put them both together and you have the Easter Bunny. A symbolic representation of the new life we have through Christ who died but rose again.

If you are looking for a church service or maybe a lovely Easter lunch then please consider joining us at one of our Corps.

Tulsa Citadel- 3901 East 28th Street, Tulsa.  Sunday School 10a.m., Morning Services 11a.m.

Center of Hope-102 North Denver Ave, Tulsa.  Easter Lunch 11a.m. -2 p.m., Evening Service 6:30 p.m.

Broken Arrow Corps- 1400 West Washington, Broken Arrow. Sunday School 9:45 a.m., Morning Services 11 a.m.

Sand Springs Corps-4403 South 129th West Avenue, Sand Springs.  Breakfast and fellowship 9:15 a.m., Sunday School 10 a.m., Morning Service 11a.m.


-Jenny

“Crafty Treasures Bazaar” starts Friday!

Beautiful handcrafted jewelry. Authentic  Native American pottery. Scrumptious baked goods. Hillbilly handicrafts. WHAT? Something doesn’t fit into the much-anticipated Crafty Treasures Bazaar and it looks like it is the hillbilly crafts of  Captain Jay Spalding (photo below right). The bazaar will be held at Area Command and is organized by the Citadel Corps where Jay and his wife Jamie are officers. “Please don’t make it sound like the whole bazaar is some kind of redneck craft show,” asked Capt.  Jamie and the Citadel’s busy assistant, Charity Mitchell.

I promised I wouldn’t  as we checked out the websites of some of the vendors. I’m going to be doing some early Christmas shopping at the jewelry booths if they are as wonderful as they look on line. (photo above left) The bazaar was also held last year, but this year it has expanded from the gym of the Citadel to The Salvation Army’s Area Command at 924 S. Hudson. Charity and Capt. Jamie have been planning the Crafty Treasures Bazaar for months and are proud of the elegant crafts that the hand-selected vendors will be selling.

Porn n Pancakes

Lots of churches have pancake breakfasts. Some churches hold discussions about the harmful effects of pornography. But we are the only church I know of that combines the two on Mother’s Day weekend! Saturday, May 12, 9 - 10:30 a.m., Captain Jay Spalding, minister of the Citadel Corps (church), will flip pancakes with his men’s group and lead a discussion about the damaging effects of porn on young people, marriages, and on the hearts of men, including Christians.

It’s free and open to any men who want to attend. It’s at the Tulsa Area Command, 924 S. Hudson. "What better gift to give the women in your life this Mother's Day weekend than making a pledge as a Christian man to not view pornography?" Capt. Spalding said. He said there would be no pressure to commit to a pledge, it's just an option.

Captain Jay Spalding

The event is for MEN ONLY, ages 15 and older. Boys 12 and older may attend with a father. In talking to Capt. Spalding, the thing that interested me the most was that he is going to buy magazines that every kid with a little cash can buy and talk about how some of the images, photographs and ads, are pornographic. He’ll also bring a Victoria's Secret catalogue. One of the first questions my son ever asked me about sex was if I thought it was "bad" that he kept "dad’s Victoria magazine" under his bed. 'As long as you tell dad you took it, and you know that real women don’t look like that, I think it’s ok,' I said. Although my son has turned out really well, that could have been the wrong answer. I just wish Captain Spalding had been around to ask then!  Call him to make reservations at 918-851-0263.

 -Sallie

Trash to cash

At last - a really, really easy way to recycle, topped with a gift for The Salvation Army. I want to be an conscientious recycler but I live in a condominium where the city doesn’t pick up my recycling. I sometimes just throw it in the back of the car and take it to a Metropolitan Environmental Trust (MET) Recycling Center. But there some things that the MET doesn’t recycle – plastic bottles with a 3, 4 or 5 on the bottom; styrofoam.  I was excited to learn about the "Feed Mr. Murph" bins where you can take almost anything to be recycled and you don’t even need to sort it. I learned about feeding Mr. Murph when American Waste Control, the company that started the program, called to say they had a check to donate to The Salvation Army.

Hooray for Day of Caring!

Day of Caring got off to a great start with luchadores greeting participants at the door of the Exposition Building at the fairgrounds. But participants were also greeted warmly at the six Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs, Area Command and the Citadel Corps. Our site directors think about projects they need to have done all year long and it’s exciting to see months of preparation come to fruition. Some major projects were: BOK employees painting the exterior of Area Command, TD Williamson employees painting murals at the BA Boys & Girls Club and a pouring a concrete wheelchair ramp at the North Mabee Boys & Girls Club. Walmart employees painted the BA locker rooms while rocking out to music. All of the Boys & Girls Clubs hosted heroes who cleaned out storage rooms and sheds. There were at least two “first times” that we learned of: University of Tulsa employees got to all be together for the first year by doing four jobs at the Sand Springs Boys & Girls Club and the Citadel Corps participated for the first time when IBM downtown employees painted the chapel. Stay tuned for some facts and figures about Day of Caring that are still coming in.Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the companies who helped us. We are blessed to have you volunteer! 

 -Sallie

Exciting Events @The Citadel

Just got some exciting updates from The Tulsa Citadel.  Not only do they offer numerous opportunities for praise and worship, but they always have exciting events going on.  Stop by, see what they are about and support some worthy causes!  The Tulsa Citadel is located in the Heart of Midtown!  31st and New Haven area at 3901 E 28th St Tulsa OK  74114

Spaghetti Dinner - TOMORROW!
Friday, October 1 6:30 pm Women's Ministries is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for the Mexico Children's Homes in the cities of Veracruz and Chihuahua. Cost is $5. Children under 5 , $2. All you can eat!  Salad and bread provided as well.

Crafty Treasures Bazaar
Join us as we celebrate fall and welcome the Christmas season!  Local vendors showcasing jewelry, home decor, sewn creations and other types of handmade goodness.
This bazaar is a fundraiser for the Tulsa Citadel Salvation Army's support of 2 Mexico Children's Homes in Veracruz and Chiuahua.

Friday October 29 is Preview Night from 6-8 pm.
Saturday the Bazaar is open from 9-4pm.

Teen Ministry will be serving concessions.

We still have a few spots available for vendors! If interested in becoming a vendor or if you have questions, contact the Citadel office at 918-747-8844 or email charity_mitchell@uss.salvationarmy.org   

Get out there folks! Join us! ~Lindsay

Rally Day at The Citadel

Sound the battle cry! THE SALVATION ARMY TULSA CITADEL IS  CALLING  ALL SOLDIERS REPORT TO BATTLE!

Rally Day, Sunday, September 5th 

SPECIAL GUESTS

MAJORS JIM & APRIL TAYLOR

CORPS LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW

Looking for MIA Junior & Senior Soldiers; bring your Army memorabilia and join the festivities!
The Citadel is located at 3901 E. 28th St., Call 918-747-8844 for more information.

Barbecue for the World

The Tulsa Citadel Men's Club is hosting a barbecue to support the Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) and it's life-changing programs across the globe.  The men will be cooking up ribs, brisket and chicken with cole slaw, baked beans and dessert! I believe this is the perfect dinner for a Friday night, when you just want to relax with family and enjoy a good meal without cooking!

The Club welcomes you to join them on the lawn and enjoy the meal and fellowship with friends and neighbors or they can box up your dinner(s) to go.  To pre-order your meals (preferred) call or email Captain Robbins before June 16: john_robbins@uss.salvationarmy.org or 851-0263.  

When?
June 18th starting at 5p.m.

Where is The Citadel?
3901 E. 28th St., Tulsa
Right behind Eisenhower/Tulsa School Board Building (31st & Harvard area)

How much is the dinner?
$7.00 for adults, $3.50 for children 10 and under.


What is SAWSO?
At present there are 50,000 indigenous Army officers, employees and professional staff working in developing countries. SAWSO assists these persons and local leaders to identify the root causes of their problems, formulate solutions, and develop the skills necessary to plan and sustain programs in their communities. In addition to specific program area training, SAWSO provides training in project planning and management, leadership and community development.

SAWSO also helps to provide material assistance, such as food and clothing, in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. In an effort to move these communities from relief to development, SAWSO promotes and supports longer term assistance, such as health services and income generation projects for those affected by disasters.

Since its inception, SAWSO has channeled more than $100 million in goods and services obtained through donations, contributions and government grants to developing countries around the world. These operations are directed by a board of trustees composed of senior leaders of The Salvation Army in the United States.

~Lindsay

Worship with us this Easter

Happy Easter to all of our supporters.  Below is a listing from each area Corps and The Citadel about what they are doing to celebrate this special holiday.  We hope you can attend one of the many events across Tulsa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow and Sapulpa!

Sand Springs Corps
4403 S. 129th W. Ave.
245-2237
Thursday - 6:30pm Home League- Worship program focusing on Easter
Friday - 6:30pm "Good Friday" Service- We will be viewing the movie "Passion of The Christ" with a short service beforehand (Parents may bring children, but have been notified about the graphic  nature of the film; We will be providing an alternative movie for the kids to watch)
Sunday - 7:00am We are planning on participating  in a "Sunrise" service with Sand Springs United Methodist Church, after which a light continental breakfast will be served at their church. Upon finishing breakfast, we will be returning to our Corps for the following:
9:45am Sunday School Preliminaries
10:00am Sunday School Classes
11:00am Holiness Meeting

Tulsa Citadel
3901 E. 28th St., Tulsa
747-8844
Thursday, April 1st-Corps Dinner 6:00 pm.  Revival with Dr. Captain Roni Robbins to follow (Children will be given activity book for first half and will go out for activities with Captain Robbins during sermon)
Friday, April 2nd-Corps Dinner 6:00 pm.  Revival with Dr. Captain Roni Robbins to follow (Children will be given activity book for first half and will go gout for activities w/ Captain Robbins during sermon)
Sunday, April 4th- SONrise Service 8:00 am, Breakfast 9:00 am, Egg Hunt 9:45 am, Praise Celebration 10:30 am, Morning Worship 11:00 am 12:30 Teens Desert Auction

Broken Arrow Corps
1400 W. Washington
258-7545
The Broken Arrow Women's Auxiliary is having their Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on Thursday, April 1st at 5:30 pm.  They will hold Easter Services on Sunday Morning at 11:00 am.

Sapulpa Corps
1721 S. Hickory
224-4415
Friday Afternoon we will have a Good Friday Service starting at 1:00 pm. This will be a walk-through of prayer stations that will conclude at the cross. This is intended to be very interactive and personal.
Saturday Evening we will have an Easter Egg Hunt and showing of the movie "Passion of the Christ". Egg hunt is for the children, while the adults/young adults are watching movie. These events start at 5:00 pm. The Easter Bunny will also be there!

Sunday, we will be having a SONrise service at 8:00 am, followed by doughnuts and coffee. At 10:00 am, we will have Sunday School and at 11:00 am we will have an Easter Celebration featuring a special singing guest.  Following the Easter Service there will be a lunch, everyone is asked to bring a vegetable or dessert.



ONE MORE THING:  Friday and Saturday the teens with Broken Arrow and the Citadel will be holding a Flea Market in the BA gym.  Tables are still available for rental to sell your stuff, only $10! Come shop from 10am-2pm on Friday or Saturday and find a special bargain! Call 747-8844 for more details.