Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,
It is good to be back in town after our week of Annual Conference at Lakeside! It was a wonderful week of holy conferencing and meaningful worship with other United Methodists in East Ohio! Special thanks to those from Oak Chapel who traveled to Lakeside on Tuesday evening for the ordination service. Your presence means more to me than I can articulate. My heart was filled with great joy as three Bishops laid their hands on me that night. We will show a video of that portion of the ordination service during the ordination party on Sunday, July 5.
Today my heart is still bubbling with joy, yet it is also heavy with grief over the act of terror/racism in Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday night. During worship this Sunday we will make time to reflect on this situation in the light of our lectionary gospel passage from Mark 4: 35 – 41 with my message titled “The Calm AFTER the Storm.” I hope you will join me for this meaningful worship at 9:30 a.m., then stick around for Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.
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 leads the young children’s Sunday School class that meets during worship each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday, 6/21 is Cindy Mykrantz.
Ordination Party
On Sunday, July 5, at 11:30 a.m., following Sunday School, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is hosting an ordination party for Pastor Robin. Please plan to attend (sign up on the attendance sheet). If you are willing to bring food, please see the sign up sheet in the Narthex. If you have questions, please see April Aten or Georgia Taylor.
Shoe Collection for People to People
A collection of shoes will be part of a mission project for the children at VBS this year. Instead of bringing canned goods and pantry items on Sunday, July 5, please consider donating an old pair of shoes. These shoes will be given to People to People Ministries. Should you have any questions, please see Kim Domer.
Golden Agers Luncheon
Our Annual Golden Agers Luncheon will be held Tuesday, July 7. Gather in the Fellowship Hall between 11:00 and 11:20. Lunch will be served at 11:30, followed by musical program titled “Irving Berlin – A Daughter Remembers” presented by Damaris Peters Pike from Hiram. This invitation is extended to friends of Oak Chapel and the community who are 60 years of age and older. Even if your spouse or the person bringing you is not yet 60, please bring them along. Please RSVP to church office by Monday, June 29.
Ohio Light Opera Music Series
Oak Chapel has been given the opportunity to host Ohio Light Opera musicians this summer. For four weeks (July 12 – August 2), we will have special music provided OLO musicians. The series will be partially funded by our worship and music budget and partially funded by donors. Should you wish to make a contribution toward this music series, please see Jen Moser or Pastor Robin.
Protection of Assets and Identity Theft
After Sunday School on July 19, we will have a carry-in fellowship luncheon with speaker Attorney Glen Buttacavaol. He will provide important information about identity theft and other scams. Please plan to attend this event hosted by the Membership Care Committee.
Compass Group Mission Trip
Niagara Falls, New York
August 9 – 13
The clergy in our Compass Group are organizing our summer mission trip to serve in the Niagara Falls area. We will be leaving Sunday, August 9 in the afternoon and return in the evening on Thursday, August 13. We will be working at the Community Missions serving in the Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, Furniture Giveaway, and helping with some painting and light carpentry. Community Missions was formed in 1925 to serve the poor and preach the Gospel through deeds and words. They are a Christian organization that believes in an approach to individual wellness and health that is holistic and includes physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, economic, and social dimensions. For more information visit: www.communitymissions.org.
We will stay at the Joshua Connection Mission House. This is a partnership between two churches which are in ministry together and is set up to provide housing for those doing mission work in the area. There are 4 sleeping areas, restrooms with showers, a kitchenette, a game room, and a large living room. Those going on the trip will need to bring sleeping bags or bedding. We will plan meals as we get closer to the trip date, and provide a list of any other supplies that may be needed.
We are limited to 16 people for this trip. The cost is $175 per person. The first 16 people to send in a $75 deposit will be on the list to go. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastor Robin. To register, send your deposit to Pastor Kenn Curren at Apple Creek United Methodist Church P.O. Box 265 Apple Creek, OH 44606.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 6/21 – Worship at 9:30am
Sunday School at 10:30am
Blood Pressure Screenings
Youth Groups at 6:30pm
Monday, 6/22 – Prayer Shawl Ministry at 5:30pm
Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 6/23 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
Thursday, 6/25 – Ohio Nomads Dinner at 6:00pm
4 – H at 7:00pm
Saturday, 6/27 – 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