Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
Whew! It’s cold outside! This weekend’s weather forecast is a frigid one, so why not come to church to feel the warmth of God’s love and fellowship with others. This Sunday my sermon is titled “A Glimpse of the Future” and it is based on Mark 9: 2 – 9. After worship we will have our monthly fellowship luncheon. Bring a dish or two to share, along with your table service, and spend time with your church family. I look forward to visiting with you then.
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Children’s Sunday School Assistants
Terra Aten is the leader of the young children’s Sunday School class (PreK to 2nd grade) that meets during worship each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday, 2/15 is Cathy Shallenberger. Her assistant next Sunday, 2/22 is Evelyn Silver.
All Sons Banquet
The United Methodist Men’s Annual All Sons Banquet will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m. The speaker is Mike McClintock, who will share his experiences of bicycling across the country. Please make reservations by Sunday, 2/15 on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. The suggested donation for the meal is $10.
Ash Wednesday Worship
Begin the Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday worship on February 18 at 7:00 p.m. This traditional service will include the celebration of Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes.
Lenten Hymn Study
Sing (or read!) your way through this Lenten season with “Will You Come and Follow Me? An Adult Lenten Study on Hymns.” This six-week study, led by Pastor Robin, will examine the texts of various Lenten hymns (one per week). Each session will challenge participants to work through the meaning of the text and how it relates to us today. We will also learn about the hymn writers. The first session of the study will begin with a light supper at 5:45 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, February 18. The remaining five sessions will be on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
The schedule is as follows:
· February 18 (5:45 p.m.) “Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days”· February 25 (6:30 p.m.) “Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)”· March 4 (6:30 p.m.) “Lord of the Dance”· March 11 (6:30 p.m.) “To God Be the Glory”· March 18 (6:30 p.m.) “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”· March 25 (6:30 p.m.) “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
Mardi Gras Madness
Remember last year’s “Sunday School Explosion”? Join us this year for Mardi Gras Madness next Sunday, February 22 at 8:15 a.m. Breakfast will include pancakes and sausage. Teams will build shoebox floats which will be included in our Mardi Gras parade. Prizes will be given for the winning float. Join us for other games, fun and fellowship to celebrate our church’s educational programs. Pastor Robin will also lead a children’s lesson during the 9:30 Sunday School hour that day.
Lenten Sermon Series
Many people give something up for the forty days of Lent. Often this “giving up” takes the form of food or a bad habit. But God desires more from us. And for more than forty days. Beginning Sunday, February 22, Pastor Robin will do a sermon series titled “Giving It Up,” inviting her listeners to consider giving up such things as control, expectations, superiority, enemies, popularity and death. Let’s give up more than chocolate this year!
World Day of Prayer
Church Women United will host its annual World Day of Prayer Service on Friday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Congress Community Church. The theme is “Prayer for All Occasions” with speaker Gayl Cottrel. There will be an ingathering of paper products. We will carpool from Oak Chapel, leaving promptly at 12:59 p.m. For more information, please contact Joanne Jolliff at 330-264-6658.
Save the Date! Prayer Workshop on March 14
On Saturday, March 14 from 9:30 a.m. till Noon, Pastor Robin and others will lead an experiential workshop on prayer. Participants will learn about various forms of prayer and spiritual disciplines including iconography, prayer beads, the Examen, journaling and walking a labyrinth. The season of Lent is a good time to incorporate new disciplines.
Sunday Evening Lenten Services
This year we will continue our annual tradition of Sunday evening worship services with other United Methodist Churches in the area. In addition to Moreland and New Pittsburg UMCs, this year Wooster UMC will join us for this time of worship and fellowship. The services will be on Sundays at 7:00 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
· March 1 – Rev. Tom Fish preaching at Wooster UMC· March 8 – Rev. Charlie Tobias preaching at Oak Chapel UMC· March 15 – Rev. Robin Dillon preaching at New Pittsburg UMC· March 22 – Rev. Jon Heavilin preaching at Moreland UMC
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 2/15 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Blood pressure screenings after worship
Fellowship Luncheon after worship
Youth Group (7 – 12) at 6:30pm
Acorn Deadline!
Monday, 2/16 – Trustees at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 2/18 – Lenten Hymn Study with Supper at 5:45pm
Ash Wednesday Worship at 7:00pm
Thursday, 2/19 – Table Tennis at 7:00pm
Saturday, 2/21 – Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
All Sons Banquet at 5:30pm
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