Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
This Sunday is our Annual Compass Group Pulpit Exchange. I will be preaching at Smithville UMC at 8:30 and 10:45. The Rev. Chuck Kaliszewski from Rittman UMC will preach at Oak Chapel at 10:30. His message titled “Action and Truth” is based on 1 John 3: 16 – 24. You will not want to miss this service for two reasons: Chuck is a great preacher and Mark Ritchey will be the musician. Mark will provide all the music for this Sunday’s worship including accompanying the hymns. You will surely be blessed!
Below you will find announcements and important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Church Work Days
Don’t forget our church work day tomorrow – Saturday, April 25. At 9:00 a.m., we will gather to plant new shrubs on the north side of the building. Then next Saturday, May 2, we will gather again to spread mulch around the new plants and other areas around the building. Many hands make light work. Please join us at 9:00 a.m. on either or both of these days. God has entrusted us with a beautiful facility and we want to be good stewards of it.
Children’s Sunday School Assistants
Terra Aten leads the young children’s Sunday School class that meets during worship each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday, 4/26 is Cathy Shallenberger. Her assistant next Sunday, 5/3 is Evelyn Silver.
Spring District Conference
Our Annual Spring District Conference will be held at Wadsworth UMC this Sunday, April 26 from 3:00 – 4:30pm. At this meeting we worship, hear about ministries at various churches on our district and elect district delegates to our annual conference session for 2016. All church members are invited to attend.
Church Women United May Friendship Dinner
The CWU May Friendship Dinner will be held Friday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church. There will be a carpool from Oak Chapel at 5:30 p.m. The speaker is Mark Welty, Ph. D. He is the Central Regional Director of The Village Network. Tickets cost $7.50. There will be an ingathering of paper products for The Village Network. Please see Joanne Jolliff by Sunday, April 26 to get your ticket.
All Daughters Brunch – Saturday, May 9 at Noon
Calling all women of the church! Bring your mothers, sisters, daughters and friends! Our Annual All Daughters gathering is just around the corner. The theme is “I do…Through the years.” A light lunch will be served and a freewill offering taken. Please bring a wedding picture, memorabilia or story to share. There will be games and other surprises. You won’t want to miss this time of fun and fellowship. If you are willing to lend dresses or other wedding items to the church for this occasion, please contact Phyllis Weaver at 330-264-0875 or phylbyw@gmail.com.
Change the World
Along with other United Methodists around the globe, Oak Chapel will participate in Change the World on Saturday, May 16. There will be three activities encompassing all skill and ability levels. We will once again send a group to volunteer at the Humane Society. Another group will offer their services to help at Hilltop Villa. For those who wish to remain at the church we will have Health Kits and Flood Buckets to be assembled. If you cannot attend that day you can still help by donating items for the Health Kits and Flood Buckets. Check out the board in the Narthex listing items that are needed for this. We will meet in Fellowship Hall at 8:30 a.m. for a light breakfast and ‘sending forth.’ Groups will return to the church at 11:30 a.m. for a light lunch and to share their experiences.
Friends Together
The Membership Care Committee is considering organizing Friends Together groups. These groups of six people would meet for dinner, discussion and devotion. These sessions can be hosted in homes or the group can go out to eat. If you would like to participate in this program, please indicate your interest on this Sunday’s attendance sheet in the bulletin.
Akron Rubber Ducks Game
Save the Date! The United Methodist Men will sponsor a trip to the Akron Rubber Ducks game on Saturday, May 30. The game is at 6:30pm. We will leave the church by 5:15pm. More details soon.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 4/26 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
District Conference – Wadsworth at 3:00pm
Monday, 4/27 – Bible Study at 10:15am
Prayer Shawl Ministry at 5:30pm
Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 4/28 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
Wednesday, 4/29 – NO Choir rehearsal
Friday, 5/1 – Church Women United Dinner at St. James Episcopal carpool at 5:30pm
Saturday, 5/2 – 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 next Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin