Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
Last night at the Maundy Thursday service, we shared in Holy Communion to commemorate Jesus’ final meal with his disciples. Today is Good Friday, a day where we remember Jesus’ crucifixion and death. While the actual events of that day were anything but “good,” we call this day “good” Friday because of our hope that God will transform our pain and work “good” even into the darkest and bleakest situations and our belief in the resurrection. I often say that we cannot fully appreciate the light unless we have experienced the dark and we cannot fully appreciate the resurrection unless we have experienced death. This evening you have the opportunity to see and hear firsthand the events of that dark day when Jesus was crucified. Members of the choirs of Oak Chapel, Moreland and Wooster United Methodist Churches have prepared a moving cantata titled “We Were There.” I hope you can come at 7:00 p.m. for this meaningful event.
On Sunday, our celebration of the resurrection begins at 7:30 a.m. with the youth Sunday School class and Saplings leading us at the Sunrise Service. Breakfast, prepared by the Sing-Mar class, will be served at 8:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Enjoy the fellowship and stick around for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., followed by our formal resurrection celebration at 10:30 a.m. I hope to see you there!
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Church Work Day Tomorrow
The Trustees are hosting a church work day tomorrow to beautify our facilities for Easter Sunday. Projects include both indoor and outdoor needs. Please plan to join us at 9:00 a.m. We hope to conclude our work by Noon, but even if you only have an hour or two to give, we would be grateful. Many hands make light work.
Nursery Assistants
Terra Aten is our nursery coordinator and works in the nursery each Sunday morning. Her assistants this Sunday are Bill Stuart and Pam Domer.
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. Bring a joke or two to share. Jesus laughed and we should, too!
Congregational Meeting Next Sunday, April 27
Following worship next Sunday, The Trustees and the Finance Committee will hold a brief meeting to give you an update on some of our current projects. To date, we have received $8,355 toward our parking lot fund, with another $3,000 anticipated this week from a donor. The cost of the project is $15,925 and the Finance Committee is considering using the church’s line of credit to fund the remaining balance. The project will not move forward until we have a commitment for its funds. We will also give an update on the lighting project and the exterior sign project. Please plan to attend this important meeting.
United Methodist Women’s Day
Sunday, May 4th is United Methodist Women’s Day. Canal District UMW President Nancy Campbell will be the speaker. Women are encouraged to bring items for layettes and health kits. The list of items can be found on page five of the UMW Program Booklet.
Table Tennis
Starting in May, a group with gather in the Fellowship Hall each Tuesday evening for table tennis. Join us on May 6 at 7:00 p.m. for a rousing good time. For more information, please contact Bill Stuart at 330-347-4130 or loopy@sssnet.com.
All Daughters Brunch
Rumors floating around all point to a fun time at the All Daughters’ Brunch this year at 11:00 on Saturday, May 10, 2014. You won’t want to miss all the activities that our coordinator, Betsy Bower and her cohorts, have in store for the event. ALL women are invited. Be sure to invite your sisters, mothers, daughters and granddaughters and come prepared to enjoy the gathering. The theme for the brunch is “Saturday Morning Cartoons.” Be prepared to enjoy the items on the menu, including a Breakfast Burrito Bar and other tasty choices, as you fellowship with your guests and friends.
Change the World
On Saturday, May 17, Oak Chapel will join with other United Methodist churches around the globe in the fifth annual “Change the World” weekend. This day of service will challenge us to make a difference in our community and world. There will be service opportunities for people of all abilities including projects at the Wayne County Human Society, Wayne County Children’s Services, Wooster Hope Center, and making layettes and health kits at Oak Chapel. We will start and end the day with some reflection time and lunch will be served. How many hands does it take to change the world? Yours!
What Does It Mean to Be United Methodist?
Have you ever wondered what it means to be a United Methodist? Do you have questions about what United Methodists believe or how our denomination is organized and structured? Then we have a class for you! Pastor Robin and Pam Domer are leading a one-day class on United Methodism. This session will include a brief history of the church, our core beliefs ranging from salvation to sacraments, and helpful information about our polity. Those interested in joining Oak Chapel UMC are especially invited to attend. And even if you have been a member of Oak Chapel or a United Methodist your whole life, this class will challenge you to live out our Wesleyan heritage. You won’t want to miss it!
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2014
Time: 9am – 1pm
Place: Fellowship Hall
A light lunch will be provided and the day will end with the celebration of Holy Communion. Childcare will be provided.
Church Women United May Friendship Day
The annual Church Women United dinner will be held here at Oak Chapel UMC on Friday, May 2 at 6:00pm. The theme is “Through God Our Hands Can Serve” and the speaker will be Lydia Stahl, the Executive Director of People to People Ministries. The cost of the dinner is $7.50. There will also be an Ingathering of paper products. Reservations can be made by calling Nancy Norton at 330-262-6439. For more information, please see Joanne Jolliff.
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, 4/20 – Easter Sunrise Service at 7:30am
Breakfast by Sing-Mar Class at 8:15am
Sunday School at 9:30am
Resurrection Worship at 10:30am
Monday, 4/21 – Bible Study at 10:15am
History& Records Committee at 6:30pm
Trustees at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 4/22 – Membership Care Committee at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 4/23 – Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Thursday, 4/24 – Sunday, 4/27 United Methodist Women’s Assembly
Saturday, 4/26 – 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