Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
This has been a rather challenging week for me. Many of you know that I have been struggling with bronchitis and laryngitis. After consulting with my doctor, I have made the difficult decision not to preach this Sunday. For more details about this, feel free to read my blog at http://robinsramblings.wordpress.com/. I am grateful for so many gifted and willing members at Oak Chapel who have stepped up to lead worship this weekend and I am looking forward to participating from the pew. Our Deaconess Pam Domer will continue the “Journey of Stones” series with a message titled “Upon This Rock,” based on Matthew 16: 13 – 20 and Rev. Jim Pfander will preside at Communion.
We are in the midst of a busy season in the church and many exciting things are happening. Our welcoming ministry held its first official meeting on Tuesday night and yesterday we mailed postcards to all households within a 3-mile radius of the church, inviting them to experience the love of our community of faith. Indeed God is at work among us and I pray that you can both feel it and are led to participate in that work.
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
From the Trustees
The Trustees need your help as we move forward with the parking lot project. Tomorrow – Saturday, April 5 at 9:00am – we will be removing the diseased trees between the parking lot and the road. Many hands make light work. Please come for even an hour or two. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone in need of firewood. Work on the parking lot itself will take place the week after Easter.
UMW Unit Meeting
This first United Methodist Women’s unit meeting for 2014 will be this Sunday, April 6 following the worship service. All women of the church are encouraged to attend. Bring a sack lunch and be prepared to be inspired by our speaker, Pam Domer, who will present a detailed overview of the trip to New York that is planned for September 25-29. Beverages will be furnished.
People to People Pantry Items
We continue to collect pantry items for People to People Ministries on the first Sunday of each month. Please consider bringing an item or two this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion.
Nursery Assistants
Terra Aten is our nursery coordinator and works in the nursery each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday is Tina Clevidence. Next Sunday’s (4/13) assistant are Joanne and Kate Jolliff.
Spring Plants to Decorate Sanctuary for Easter
Please consider ordering a spring plant (lily, daffodil, tulip or pansy basket) to help decorate our Sanctuary in celebration of the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday, April 20. Order forms were included in the Acorn, last week’s bulletin and are available in the Narthex of the church. The last day to order is this Sunday, April 6. The cost of each plant is $9.00.
Sunday Evening Lenten Series
Our final Evening Lenten Worship Service is this Sunday, April 6 at 7:00pm here at Oak Chapel, with Rev. Jim Pfander leading the service and preaching. Our United Methodist Men are in charge of the fellowship time afterwards. There will be an ice cream bar with all the fixings. You won’t want to miss it!
Easter Egg Hunt
The Outreach Committee is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for children in our community on Saturday, April 12 at 10am. The event, held on the parsonage lawn, will include a traditional egg hunt, games and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Please invite your friends and neighbors to this fun event. All are welcome!
Maundy Thursday worship
Join us on Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. as we remember Jesus’ final meal with his disciples. Pastor Robin’s message will be titled “Stones to Bread” based on Matthew 4: 1 – 11.
Good Friday Cantata
Members of the choirs of the Oak Chapel, Moreland and Wooster United Methodist Churches will present the Good Friday Cantata “We Were There on Friday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Oak Chapel. Inspired by the spiritual “Were You There,” this musical experience is based on several monologues by those who were at the cross. Please join us for this powerful and moving experience.
Art and Soul
If you have an interest in learning to express yourself through various art media as you grow spiritually, this new small group may just the thing for you. The group will meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The sessions will begin with devotions followed by the introduction of a specific art media and time to explore that media to create a piece of art that reflects the unique way God has created you. No particular artistic ability is needed, just a desire to explore different ways to express your spirituality through art. The next session will be Monday, April 7. April and Georgia will lead us in a beading project. Supplies will be provided. Please come and join us as we learn and grow together.
Holy Humor Sunday
On Sunday, April 27 we will celebrate Holy Humor Sunday. This custom is rooted in the musings of early church theologians that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. Come see what we have “up our sleeves” for that day and join in the joy and laughter, celebrating God’s love for us. Jesus laughed and we should, too!
Compass Group Mission Trip Informational Meeting
The Wayne County 5/4 Compass Group will return to New Jersey this summer to do relief and restoration work for those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Last year, four members (Natalie & Pete Bunt and Pam & Kim Domer) and Pastor Robin participated. Pastor Robin is organizing this year’s trip and we’d love to have more folks from Oak Chapel join us. The dates are Sunday, July 27 through Saturday, August 2. The cost of the trip is $350 per person. There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00p.m. at Oak Chapel UMC. There you will hear stories from last year’s trip and get details about this year’s trip. Please join us on April 29 and prayerfully consider this mission opportunity.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 4/6 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
United Methodist Women’s Meeting at 11:45am
Youth Groups at 6:30pm
Lenten Service – Oak Chapel UMC at 7:00pm
Monday, 4/7 – Retirees Breakfast – Milltown at 8:00am
Bible Study at 10:15am
Outreach at 6:00pm
Art and Soul at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 4/9 – Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Thursday, 4/10 – 4-H at 7:00pm
Saturday, 4/12 – United Methodist Men – Green Leaf at 7:30am
Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00am
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