Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
I am looking forward to a great weekend with the community of Faith at Oak Chapel United Methodist Church! Tomorrow is our 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off sponsored by the United Methodist Men. All are welcome to come to the Fellowship Hall between 5:00 and 7:00pm to taste samples of the entries and vote on your favorite. You can also enjoy a bowl of chili prepared by last year’s winner, Erica Boyer.
On Sunday during worship we will celebrate the baptism of Daniel Patrick Clevidence. My sermon is titled “The Mission of Servanthood,” based on Isaiah 49: 1 – 7. After worship we will have our monthly fellowship luncheon. Please bring a dish or two to share and your table service. During the luncheon I will offer a brief “State of the Church” address and cast my 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. We hope you will join us.
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Nursery Care
We have an exciting “problem” at Oak Chapel UMC and are in need of adult volunteers to staff our church nursery during worship on Sunday mornings. Pam Domer is organizing a rotational schedule so that volunteers will serve once Sunday every other month. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and indicate your willingness on this Sunday’s attendance sheet or contact Pam at pamdomer@gmail.com.
Hospitality Corner
Last Sunday we re-started 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.
Pulpit Exchange
The churches in our compass group are having a pulpit exchange next Sunday, January 26. The Rev. Tami Toothman-Shoup from Sterling United Methodist Church will preach and worship with us at Oak Chapel. Pastor Robin will preach and worship at New Pittsburg UMC.
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.
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.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 1/19 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Blood Pressure Screenings after worship
Fellowship Luncheon after worship
Casting Congregation vision during luncheon
Youth Groups at 6:30pm
Monday, 1/20 – Bible Study at 10:15am
Trustees at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 1/22 – Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Saturday, 1/25 – District Leadership Training at Wooster UMC at 9:00am
Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
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