Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
I trust that you have survived the frigid weather we have experienced this week. Why not join us this Sunday for some warm fellowship at church? During worship we will celebrate “Baptism of our Lord” Sunday. My sermon, titled “Problems, Promises and Possibilities,” is based on Matthew 3:13 – 17. Hope to see you there!
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Hospitality Corner
This Sunday we will re-start our “hospitality corner,” during which we offer coffee and breakfast treats (donut holes, muffins, etc.) in our Narthex beginning at 9:00am. Grab a cup of coffee and a treat before going to Sunday School at 9:30. April Aten is coordinating this effort. If you are willing to bring treats and/or set up on Sunday mornings, please indicate your willingness on your attendance sheet this Sunday. We appreciate your assistance in providing a welcoming environment for our visitors and church family.
Acorn News Due!
Please submit your news for the February edition of our monthly newsletter, The Acorn, by next Wednesday, January 15. Upcoming events, family news and pictures are always welcome. Please submit via e-mail to oakchapelumc@yahoo.com or place a printed copy of your news in the Acorn mailbox in the church office.
Plea from the Church Office
Committee Chairpersons – Please be sure to mark your 2014 meeting and activity dates on the master calendar in the church office for inclusion in the bulletin, In a Nutshell and The Acorn. Also, please submit copies of minutes from all committee meetings to the church office for filing.
Chili Cook-Off
The 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by the United Methodist Men, is set for Saturday, January 18. Please see Bill Braucher for an entry form. The entry fee is $6.00 and entries are limited to the first fifteen registered. All are welcome to come to the Fellowship Hall that evening between 5 and 7pm to vote for their favorite chili and partake in chili prepared by last year’s winner, Erica Boyer. Macaroni and cheese will also be served as an alternate dish for children and others. Invite your family and friends to join us for this fun evening of food and fellowship.
Casting our Congregational Vision
Our focus on Sunday, January 19 will be visioning and future ministries at Oak Chapel United Methodist Church. During worship Pastor Robin will preach on “The Mission of Servanthood” based on Isaiah 49: 1 – 7. After worship we will have our monthly fellowship luncheon during which Pastor Robin will offer a brief “State of the Church” address and cast her vision for Oak Chapel UMC in 2014. Each ministry area of the church will also briefly share their plans and opportunities for involvement in the coming year.
Card Shower
Betty Franks will celebrate her 95th Birthday on January 22. Her address is 3140 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster, OH 44691.
Upcoming Sermon Series
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to a radically different way of life. For the four Sundays in February, Pastor Robin will do a lectionary-based sermon series titled Upside Down: A Different Way to Live based on these teachings found in Matthew 5.
Feb. 2: Happiness Redefined (Matthew 5: 1 – 12)
Feb. 9: You Can Change Your World (Matthew 5: 13 – 20)
Feb. 16: A Higher Standard (Matthew 5: 21 – 37)
Feb. 23: Love the Ones You Hate (Matthew 5: 38 – 48)
During Lent (beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5 and ending Easter Sunday, April 20), Pastor Robin will do a sermon series titled Journey of Stones. Begin praying about friends and neighbors you can invite to join you for these two upcoming series.
District Leadership Training
The annual Canal District Leadership Training Event will be Saturday, January 25 at Wooster UMC. Please see Pastor Robin for a brochure and let her know of your interest by next Sunday, January 12.
VBS Showcase
On Saturday, January 18 from 9am till Noon, Oak Chapel UMC will host a VBS Showcase. Cokesbury’s regional Community Resource Consultant, Tami Lynne Clark, will present materials from all seven VBS publishers. Christian Educators and VBS leaders of all area churches are invited to explore and examine the 2014 VBS materials. If you have friends who are involved in VBS at their churches, please invite them to this event.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 1/12 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Youth groups at 6:30pm
Monday, 1/13 – Retirees Breakfast – Milltown at 8:00am
Bible Study at 10:15am
Administrative Council at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 1/14 – Outreach Committee at 10:30am
Wednesday, 1/15 – ACORN NEWS DUE!!
Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Saturday, 1/18 – District UMW (Seville UMC) at 8:30am
VBS Showcase at 9:00am
Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
Chili Cook-Off at 5:00pm
It is 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