Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
Do you remember the childhood adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me?” I vividly remember chanting that on the school playground when some bully hollered nasty names and my friends and me. Sadly, it was a childhood lie we all repeated to try to protect ourselves, but in reality, words hurt. Deeply. Words have power to harm in ways that are not fully known when they so easily slide out of our mouths. Their wounds can last a lifetime. In the same way, though, words have the power to heal. To build up. To encourage. How do you use your words? This Sunday we will explore this question through my sermon “Sticks and Stones and the Power of Words,” based on James 3: 1 – 12. I hope you will join us for worship at 10:30.
Please note the change in time. We return to our fall/winter/spring worship schedule this week with Sunday School at 9:30 and Worship at 10:30.
Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Fair Parking
We are still in need of help with parking cars at the Wayne County Fair (Saturday, 9/12 – Thursday, 9/17). This is a great fundraiser for our church and we need all hands on deck. Please contact Christy Rickard at 330-439-3201 to schedule your shift. Also, wear your church T-shirts when you park cars or even when you are just walking around the fair.
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, 9/13 is Cathy Shallenberger. Her assistant next Sunday, 9/20 is Evelyn Silver.
Bibles for Africa
This Sunday, 9/13 and next Sunday, 9/20 you will have an opportunity to share with young persons in Harrisburg, Liberia. Twenty-four Bibles are on a table in the Narthex. We encourage you to pick one up, take it with you to worship, use it during the scripture readings, pray over it and then write a note of encouragement on the inside cover. Two or more people can write in the same Bible. In October these Bibles will be shipped to Africa in a container that will arrive in Harrisburg, Liberia during Elizabeth Feldman’s next Farmer-to-Farmer mission trip in January. These Bibles are the same version (CEB) as those used in Oak Chapel’s youth program and that are given to our third graders. The kids in Harrisburg will be thrilled with them! We appreciate your participation in this.
Rally Day
Our Annual Rally Day is a day when we celebrate the Christian Education programs at Oak Chapel. It will be held next Sunday, September 20 and our worship theme will be “Get Into the Game!” Worship will be followed by a Fellowship Luncheon. Beverages and hot dogs with all the fixings will be provided. Please bring your table service and a dish to share. Bring a “Get Into the Game!”-themed dish and you could win a prize. There will be indoor and outdoor games to enjoy during the fellowship time. It’ll be a day full of surprises you won’t want to miss!
Candy Making – Coming Soon!
Our annual candy making tradition will start on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 in Fellowship Hall. New candy cutters are always welcome. No experience necessary – we will train you! Come join this great time of fun and fellowship. Also begin looking for sales on sugar. If you would like to donate sugar for this project, please contact Betty Princehorn at 330-262-5808.
New Study by Adam Hamilton
The Sing-Mar Adult Sunday School Class meets each week in the Sing-Mar Room next to the office. This fall, experience faith through Paul, Christianity’s greatest teacher and missionary as we study Adam Hamilton’s The Call. You’ll see where some of the most dramatic events in the spread of Christianity took place and gain an understanding of Paul’s missionary travels. All are welcome.
Call to Serve
Are you looking for a ministry that will allow you to answer God’s call to serve and yet fit in your already too busy schedule? We are looking for an individual who would be willing to take on the responsibility of managing the People to People donations. The ministry would involve boxing up the People to People donations on the first Sunday of each month and delivering them to People to People. Please contact Pam Domer in the church office if you are interested in serving our church and the community in this way.
Fall Festival at Wanake Ranch Saturdays, 9/26 and 10/3; 2 – 6:00 PM
Come celebrate the fun of fall. Join Wanake for pumpkin painting and pony rides, a kiddie hay maze and trick ropes, games on horseback and cowboy games, wagon rides and face painting! There will be food for sale and opportunities to make your own s’more over the open fire. Hot dogs, sloppy joes, coneys, nachos, carmel apples, pumpkin cake, hot cider, and hot cocoa are sure to please. This is a free event. No reservations necessary.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 9/13 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Tuesday, 9/15 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
ACORN Deadline!
Saturday, 9/19 – 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