Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
I am very excited about our Rally Day service this Sunday, September 20 at 10:30. Come and get into the game! The children’s message will feature a head to head competition between Rev. Jim Pfander and me. The service also includes some other surprises, and the luncheon afterwards will include games and door prizes. Please bring a friend, a dish to share and your table service. Get into the game! See you there!
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, 9/20 is Evelyn Silver. Her assistant next Sunday, 9/27 is Phyllis Weaver.
Pastor Robin away / Church Office Coverage
Pastor Robin is going to Nashville for the Licensing School Directors Meeting at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. She will leave after church on Sunday and return on Wednesday night. The church office be staffed on Monday by Evelyn Silver; Tuesday by April Aten and Wednesday by Sandy Treece. If there is an urgent need, please contact Pastor Robin on her cell at 330-234-7717.
Church Women United Fall Friendship Day
The Church Women United Fall Friendship meeting will be held on Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Burbank-Trinity United Methodist Church. Joanne Jolliff is going and would like to carpool. Reservations must be made with Joanne by this Sunday, September 20.
Bibles for Africa
This Sunday you 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.
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.
World Communion Sunday
On Sunday, October 4, we will join Christians around the globe in World Communion Sunday. Members are encouraged to dress in clothing that reflects your heritage or other countries you have visited as we celebrate the unity of Christ’s body in the four corners of the world.
New Sermon Series beginning October 11
On Sunday, October 11 we will begin a four-week sermon series titled Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. During these four weeks we will explore what the Bible teaches about financial management. We’ll hear expert advice and stories about what others have learned by working through financial challenges. Each week we will provide you with some practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a biblical foundation. We hope you will join us as we look at how to manage our financial resources and truly experience simplicity, generosity, and joy.
Save the Date! Mark your calendar now!
Our annual Trunk or Treat will be held on Sunday, October 25 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. You can help by decorating your trunk and passing out candy or by bringing your children, grandchildren and neighborhood children to enjoy the fun. There will be cookie decorating for the children and plenty of treats for all. Please come and join the fun!
Art and Soul
Art and Soul meets on the first Monday of each month in Fellowship Hall. The group explores various art media and enjoys fellowship together. On Monday, October 5, Cathy Shallenberger will instruct us as we paint pumpkins for the fall season. We hope you’ll join us!
Church-wide meetings
In preparation for our annual Church Conference on November 8, we will hold two church-wide meetings after worship on Sundays, October 11 and 25. At the first meeting on 10/11, the Finance Committee will present the budget for 2016 and answer questions. The purpose of the meeting on 10/25 is to approve these items for our church conference.
Looking Ahead to Charge/Church Conference
Our annual church conference will be held on November 8 at 2:00pm at Apple Creek United Methodist Church. At this annual meeting with the District Superintendent and the other United Methodist Churches in Wayne County, we will review and evaluate the mission and ministry of our church, set pastoral and staff salaries, approve the annual budget, and elect members of the church council. All church members are encouraged to attend and church leaders are expected to attend.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 9/20 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Rally Day Worship at 10:30am
Fellowship Meal after worship
Blood Pressure Screenings after worship
Youth Groups at 6:30pm
Monday, 9/21 – Trustees at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 9/22 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
Wednesday, 9/23 – Choir Rehearsal at 7:30pm
Thursday, 9/24 – OC hosting new compass group at 1:00pm
Christian Education Committee at 7:00pm
Saturday, 9/26 – District United Methodist Women at 8:30am
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