Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
The Wayne County Fair starts tomorrow. Are you getting excited? I am! Many thanks to all who signed up to park cars. This is a great fundraiser for our church and also gives us visibility in the community. Don’t forget to wear your green church T-shirts. Even if you are not parking cars, wear your church T-shirt to the Fair anyway. What better way to let others know about our faith community.
On Sunday we will complete our “A Fresh Start” sermon series. My sermon, “Each Day a New Beginning,” is based on Lamentations 3: 22 – 25. This will be our last Sunday with two worship services – Heritage at 8:30am in the Sanctuary and Celebration at 10:30am in Fellowship Hall.
This Sunday also concludes our combined adult study of Philip Yancey’s What’s So Amazing About Grace? with a lesson titled “Counterforce.” We will examine the ways in which God’s kingdom influence our world and reflect on how grace makes an impact. The lesson outline is attached for those wishing to review it before Sunday.
Rally Day
Saddle up your horses and join us for our Rally Round Up next Sunday, September 15 during 10:30am worship. We will recognize our Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, as well as give Bibles to those students entering 3rd grade. Pastor Robin’s sermon, titled “I Know the Trail I Want You to Ride,” will be based on Jeremiah 29: 11 – 14. After worship we will gather for food, fellowship, fun and some good ol’ horsing around at Grossniklaus Lake (at the end of Cherry Lane). You won’t want to miss the festivities! Wear your Western gear and bring a friend!
Coming Soon! New Testament 101!
This class, led by Pastor Jim, will take an adult look at the New Testament so that the readers might be able to use the Bible as a spring-board for prayer. Beginning October 2 and continuing for the next six Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30pm, these sessions will examine various books of the Bible in detail. There will be assigned readings beginning with the second session. At the conclusion of the six weeks, the participants will have examined: an overview of the New Testament; several gospels in detail; a brief biography of Paul; and several letters of Paul in detail. Please indicate your interest in this class on the attendance slip in this Sunday’s bulletin.
World Communion Sunday
On Sunday, October 6, we will join Christians around the globe in World Communion Sunday. Members are encouraged to dress is clothing that reflects your heritage or other countries you have visited as we celebrate the unity of Christ’s body in the four corners of the world.
Fall Worship schedule
We have enjoyed our Heritage and Celebration worship services this summer. We received a lot of positive feedback for both services. There is some interest in permanently adding an 8:30am service and that will be considered as we explore the possibility of adding multi-media capabilities and upgrading the sound system in the sanctuary. Next Sunday, September 15, we will return to one worship service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary. We look forward to worshiping together again, lifting our voices as one in praise to God.
Adult Bible Studies
The adult Bible study groups will start meeting again the week of September 22. The Sunday evening group meets at 6:30 pm in the church library. This group will focus on knowing, loving and serving God. The Monday morning Bible study group meets at 10:15 am in the church library and will be participating in a comparative study of the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. New participants are always welcome. For more information on either of these studies contact Pam Domer at 330.601.3926.
Blessing of the Animals
In recognition that God loves all of creation and that animals play an important role in our lives, we will have our second annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 6 at 3:00pm. We hold this event on the Sunday closest to October 4 – the Feast Day of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. We will gather under the oak tree for a time of thanksgiving and prayer, then Pastor Robin will pray for and bless each person and animal present. Please make sure your pet is on a leash or in a pet carrier. If you cannot bring your animal, bring a picture. Last year we blessed dogs, cats and a turtle. All animals welcome! In the event of inclement weather, we will gather in the Narthex.
Mark Your Calendars Now!
On Sunday, November 10, we will host a HymnFest in our sanctuary at 3:00pm. Oak Chapel UMC was selected by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship to host this event to introduce a new hymnal, Lift Up Your Hearts. Dr. Robin Knowles Wallace, Professor of Worship and Music at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, will lead a combined adult Sunday School class at 9:30am that day and will direct a “pick up” choir at the HymnFest that afternoon. We are very excited about this opportunity. More information and details will be shared in future Nutshells, Acorns and bulletins.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Tomorrow, Saturday, 9/7 through Thursday, 9/12 Wayne County Fair – See you there!
Sunday, 9/8 – Heritage Worship Service at 8:30am
Sunday School at 9:30am
Celebration Worship Service at 10:30am
Saturday, 9/14 – United Methodist Men – Green Leaf at 7:30am
Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
Itis a privilege to be your pastor and to serve among such an amazing community. See you in church!! AND … see you at the Fair!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin