Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
In our United Methodist tradition, today (May 24) is Aldersgate Day. On this day in 1738, John Wesley experienced the ‘confirmation of his salvation by the grace of God’ during a meeting on Aldersgate Street in London. According to his journal, Wesley was discouraged that his enthusiastic gospel message had been rejected by his Anglican brothers and he went to a society meeting that evening“very unwillingly.” While at that meeting, someone read from Martin Luther’s Preface to the book of Romans, and Wesley writes that his heart was “strangely warmed.” He says, “I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
My prayer for you each of you today is that you, too, have an Aldersgate experience and receive confirmation and assurance of your salvation by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday and we will explore our Trinitarian beliefs during worship at 10:30am. The scripture is Romans 5: 1 – 5 and the sermon is titled “Say What?” Don’t forget our annual Memorial Day service at the Warner-Pioneer Cemetery at 9:30am during which we will honor Paul Shaffter and others who have faithfully served our country. Special thanks to Arden Boyer for coordinating this service.
Peace with Justice Offering
This Sunday, May 26, we will have our Peace with Justice Sunday offering. The Peace with Justice gifts change lives in places where the joy of knowing Christ is mixed with the tragedy of violence. This offering aids young and old disciples who are indeed changing lives and changing the world, inspired by Christ’s gospel of love and liberation.
Kids Day
Oak Chapel UMC is excited to participate in Wooster Kids Day (sponsored by Main Street Wooster) on Saturday, June 1 from 1 – 4pm. We will decorate cookies with the children and have information about our church and Vacation Bible School available. This is a great way to show our community the joy of God’s love for all people. If you would like to help with this event, please see Pastor Robin.
Compass Group Mission Trip –Update
Our Compass Group is doing a mission trip to Ocean, NJ to help with relief efforts after Super Storm Sandy last Fall. The dates of this trip have been changed due to the accommodations needed for our large group. The new dates are Sunday, August 4 –Friday, August 9. There will be an informational meeting at Apple Creek UMC on Monday, June 10 at 6:30pm. Anyone interested in the trip should attend. The cost is $325 and this includes overnight accommodations at a local church, food and transportation. Pastor Robin and others from Oak Chapel UMC are going and we’d love for you to join us. This is a great opportunity for us to put our faith into action.
Church T-Shirts for Sale
Our church T-shirts are selling like hotcakes! We currently just have youth sizes and Small, Medium and Large left, but we can order more. If you would like to order a size that is not currently available, please see Pam Domer. She will be placing another order soon. Shirts are just $10.00 and are the perfect attire for outreach activities and other events like Fair Parking.
Flood Bucket Offering
On Sundays June 2 and 9, we will have a special offering for flood buckets for UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief). Flood buckets and other kits offer care for the most vulnerable during times of crisis. They provide vital support for UMCOR’s global development work and make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Your gifts to this cause will be taken to Annual Conference to be loaded on a truck bound for UMCOR’s Midwest Distribution Center.
Pastor Robin away
Pastor Robin will be teaching classes on worship and the sacraments to new pastors at Licensing School at Mount Union University during the week of June 2, leaving after worship on Sunday, June 2 and returning on Thursday, June 6. She will have full access to e-mail and will be available for emergencies via cell phone (330-485-6878) during that time.
Next week’s calendar …
Sunday, 5/26 – Memorial Day Service at cemetery at 9:30am
Worship at Oak Chapel at 10:30am
Tuesday, 5/28 – Catch Study at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 5/29 – NO Choir rehearsal
Saturday, 6/1 – Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
UMW Executive Committee at 10:30am
Wooster Kids Day Downtown at 1:00pm
Itis a privilege to be your pastor and to serve among such an amazing community. See you in church!!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin