Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
What a gorgeous Autumn day! I’m grateful for the sunshine and the beauty of nature as I continue to prepare for this Sunday’s worship. My sermon, based on Luke 18: 9 – 14, is titled “Honoring Honesty.” I hope you’ll join us as we worship together in community.
Below you’ll find details about upcoming service opportunities and fellowship events for your consideration.
Fall Bazaar
Our annual bazaar is tomorrow, Saturday, October 26! The United Methodist Women have been busy preparing. There are crafts, baked goods, pantry items and nearly-new things. And of course, there’s lunch! You know you can’t resist our soups, ham loaf and shredded chicken sandwiches. Invite your friends to shop and eat.
Trunk or Treat
Our third annual Trunk or Treat is this Sunday, October 27 from 3:30 – 5:00pm in our parking lot. It’s not too late to get in on the action! Even if you have not planned to decorate your trunk, come anyway. This is a fun outreach event for our community. Dress up if you wish. There will be cookie decorating and door prizes. Don’t miss the festivities. Invite your friends and neighbors!
Church Work Day
The Trustees are hosting a church work day next Saturday, November 2, beginning at 9am. The projects include window washing and some general cleaning. Many hands make light work. We have a beautiful church facility and it takes all of us to keep it that way.
Elizabeth Feldman is going to Liberia, West Africa!
Elizabeth Feldman is going to Africa through the Farmer to Farmer program for two weeks in January. This is an exciting mission opportunity for her. She is selling stock certificates for $10.00 each. When she returns from her trip, the Outreach Committee will host a stock-holders dinner at which she will share her experience. Please consider buying stock certificates to support Elizabeth’s mission work.
Plain Township Sunday School Convention
The 136th Plain Township Sunday School Convention will be Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 7:00pm at Reedsburg Lutheran Church. (Please note corrected location). There will be a short business meeting and bluegrass music by Pearly Gates, followed by refreshments and fellowship. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
All Saints Sunday
On Sunday, November 3, we will celebrate All Saints Day during worship. This special day on the liturgical calendar is a time to remember those “in the company of heaven” with whom we always worship and share the Lord’s Supper. We will read the names of and light a candle for those who have died since All Saints Day last year. If you would like your loved one included, please contact Pastor Robin.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
We will be ringing bells for the Salvation Army on Saturday, November 23 at the K-Mart on Portage Road. A sign-up sheet is available in the Narthex. This is a great way to share the joy of the Christmas season. Please see Janet Kauffman for more information.
HymnFest
On Sunday, November 10 at 3:00pm Oak Chapel UMC will host a Hymn Festival. The purpose of this event is to promote singing the whole story of God and God’s people through vibrant congregational song and participation of all ages through a new ecumenical hymnal: Lift Up Your Hearts. This event is made possible through the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
That morning, Dr. Robin Knowles Wallace, Professor of Worship and Music at The Methodist Theological School in Ohio, will lead an adult education session on worship at 9:30am. Rev. Kathy Smith, the Associate Director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, will preach at our worship service at 10:30am.
Dealing with Change in Worship
As part of our Hymn Fest weekend, on Saturday, November 9, Oak Chapel UMC will host a workshop for area pastors, music directors and interested laity from 9am – Noon. In this workshop, led by Rev. Kathy Smith, Associate Director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, we will learn about the dynamics of change in congregations, the effects changes can have on worship, ways in which worship can be the means for healthy change, and wisdom for leaders as they guide churches through changes in worship. There is no fee for this workshop but pre-registration is requested. For more information or to register for this event, please contact the church office at (330) 264-2537 or oakchapelumc@yahoo.com.
Elder-Beerman Fundraiser
Oak Chapel UMC is selling Elder-Beerman coupon booklets. These booklets cost just $5.00 and include up to $500 in savings at Elder-Beerman’s Community Days on November 15 – 16. Oak Chapel gets 100% of the profits from the booklet sales and proceeds will benefit our outreach activities. Packets of five booklets each are available in the Narthex. Please take some to sell to your friends, neighbors and co-workers. Booklets can also be purchased online at http://bit.ly/14juwdl. The booklets will be shipped free and coupons can be used at any Bon-Ton store. E-mail the link to your friends. We appreciate your support of this fundraiser.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 10/27 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Church-wide budget meeting after worship
Trunk or Treat at 3:30pm
Bible Study at 6:30pm
Youth groups at 6:30pm
Monday, 10/28 – Bible Study at 10:15am
Prayer Shawl Ministry at 5:30pm
Candy Making at 6:15pm
Wednesday, 10/30 – New Testament 101 at 6:30pm
Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Saturday, 11/2 – Church Work Day at 9am
Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
Itis a privilege to be your pastor and to serve among such an amazing community. I look forward to seeing you in church on Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin