Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
As I write this morning, the sun is shining brilliantly and the forecasters predict a high temperature of 50 degrees today. Spring is in the air! Spring offers us the promise of new life and warmth after a cold season of latency. It should be noted that the liturgical season of Lent runs parallel with the promise of Spring. Lent offers us a time to journey inward and grow spiritually as we prepare for Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
During this season of Lent, I am doing a sermon series titled “Journey of Stones,” based on a series by Rev. Steven Molin. The series began at our service of ashes on Wednesday night and will conclude on Easter Sunday. Each week worshipers will have an opportunity to lay a stone at the foot of the cross, a symbolic gesture of the letting go of sin in our lives and other things that hold us back. This Sunday’s message is titled “Rejected Stones” based on Psalm 118: 1 – 9; 19 – 29 and Mark 12: 1 – 12. I hope you will join us. Why not invite a friend to accompany you on this Lenten journey?
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Spring Forward
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday morning and you don’t want to be late for church!
Nursery Assistants
Terra Aten is our nursery coordinator and works in the nursery each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday, 3/9 is Jim Pfander. Next Sunday’s (3/16) assistant is Miriam Zech.
March 16 Worship with Valerie Stultz
Our District Superintendent, The Rev. Dr. Valerie Stultz, will retire on June 30. We have appreciated her ministry on our District for the last six years, and wish her well in her retirement. We will have an opportunity to personally thank her for her leadership when she worships with us and brings the morning message next Sunday, March 16. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for worship and our fellowship luncheon that day.
Georgia’s 100 Challenge
Georgia Taylor has given Pastor Robin and the congregation a challenge. Georgia thinks she can finish knitting her long-awaited prayer shawl before we have 100 people in attendance at worship for three consecutive Sundays. Pastor Robin thinks we can easily have 100 people in worship before Georgia finishes her shawl. Betsy Bower upped the ante and suggested that the “winner” get to throw a pie in the face of the “loser.” How do you think this challenge will end? Come to worship and find out!
All Sons Banquet
The annual All Sons Banquet sponsored by the United Methodist Men is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2014. The 5:30pm catered dinner includes Swiss Steak, trimmings, and home-made pie. The after banquet speaker is Joshua Johnson, a thirty-one year old cancer survivor from Youngstown. Joshua’s presentation “I Ride For Those Who Can’t!” will touch on his life’s journey so far; ranging from football player, teacher, charity cyclist, and husband/father to be. He will illustrate how his faith in Christ has anchored his choices in life. A lively Question and Answer period will follow the 6:30 presentation. The 6:30 after-dinner presentation is Free Admission. Dinner reservations ($10) are required. Please sign up on the clipboard located in the Narthex. For more information, please see Pastor Jim Pfander or Bill Braucher.
Sunday Evening Lenten Series
During the season of Lent, we will continue our tradition of gathering for evening worship with the Moreland and New Pittsburg United Methodist Churches on Sundays at 7:00pm. There will be a time of fellowship after each service. The schedule is as follows:
Sunday, March 16 – Rev. Tom Fish preaching at Oak Chapel UMC
Sunday, March 23 – Rev. John Heavilin preaching at Moreland UMC
Sunday, March 30 – Rev. Robin Dillon preaching at New Pittsburg UMC
Sunday, April 6 – Rev. Jim Pfander preaching at Oak Chapel UMC
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Outreach
The Outreach Committee is offering gift baskets for members of the congregation to share with families moving into your neighborhood. These baskets include homemade bread, jelly, a copy of the Wooster Weekly News and information about our church. We are collecting baskets to use for this project and welcome volunteers to bake bread or donate homemade butter, jams or jellies. Please contact Pam Domer or Ann Kahrig for more information.
Oak Chapel United Methodist Women Trip to New York City
September 25-29, 2014 (Thurs-Monday)
The United Methodist Women (UMW) are planning a trip to New York City this Fall. The cost is $450 per person which includes transportation, seminar, and lodging. Lodging will be at the Alma Matthews House which is owned by the denomination-wide UMW.
Below is the tentative travel schedule:
Thursday – Travel day – bring sack lunch
Friday – Seminar on Human Trafficking at Church Center for United Nations
Saturday – Free for walking, sightseeing, shopping or theater, or whatever
Sunday – Church together; then more free time
Monday – Travel home
$100 deposit due March 30, 2014 – non refundable, but transferable. The remaining $350 is due prior to travel. Please also plan about $100 extra as spending money for meals, subway/cabs, and any entrance fees or theater tickets.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 3/9 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Monday, 3/10 – Administrative Council at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 3/11 – Outreach Committee Meeting at 6:30pm
Wednesday, 3/12 – Bible Study at 6:30pm
Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Thursday, 3/13 – 4-H at 7:00pm
Friday, 3/14 – Girl Scout Lock-In overnight
Saturday, 3/15 – 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