Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
Happy Easter! It was wonderful to see so many people in worship last Sunday as we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ! I would personally like to invite you to worship this Sunday, April 27 as we celebrate Holy Humor. This custom is rooted in the musings of the early church theologians that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. On the Sunday after Easter, priests would often include amusing stories and jokes in their sermons to make the faithful laugh. After the service the people would gather to play practical jokes on one another and tell funny stories. This observance was outlawed by Pope Clement X in the 17th century. Perhaps the people were having too much fun! In 1988, the Fellowship of Merry Christians began encouraging churches to resurrect this Easter tradition to celebrate the grace and mercy of God through the gift of joy and laughter.
So come to worship this Sunday wearing a funny outfit or hat. And bring a joke or two to share.
After worship, the Trustees and the Finance Committee will hold a brief meeting to give an update on some of our current projects. The parking lot project is not yet fully funded and the Finance Committee is considering using the church’s line of credit to fund the remaining balance. We will also give an update on the lighting project and the exterior sign project. Please plan to attend this important meeting.
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Nursery Helpers
Terra Aten is our nursery coordinator and works in the nursery each Sunday morning. Her assistants this Sunday are Patti and Mark Ritchey. Her assistant next Sunday (5/4) is Phyllis Weaver.
Church / Parsonage Work Day
There will be a church / parsonage work day next Saturday, May 3 from 9am till Noon. We will clean the sanctuary windows as well as do some exterior / grounds work at the parsonage. Even if you can only come for an hour or two, all help is appreciated.
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.
Church Women United May Friendship Day
The annual Church Women United dinner will be held here at Oak Chapel UMC this Friday, May 2 at 6:00pm. The speaker is 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.
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. 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. 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 Humane 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!
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.
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.
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, 4/27 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship – Holy Humor Sunday at 10:30am
Congregational Meeting after worship
Spring District Conference – Medina UMC at 3:00pm
Monday, 4/28 – Bible Study at 10:15am
Prayer Shawl Ministry at 5:30pm
Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 4/29 – Mission Trip Informational Meeting at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 4/30 – Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Friday, 5/2 – Church Women United May Fellowship Meal at OCUMC at 6:00pm
Saturday, 5/3 – Church/Parsonage Work Day 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