Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
Are you ready for our annual Chili Cook-Off? The men have challenged the women to see who can make the tastiest chili, and that challenge has been accepted! Join us tomorrow night in Fellowship Hall beginning at 5:00. Come taste the entries, vote on your favorites, then enjoy a whole bowl of chili prepared by last year’s winner, Simon Kitchen. Winners will be announced at 7:00. There is also still time to enter the contest. Bring your chili and your $5 entry fee to the church by 4:15 tomorrow. Whether you enter the contest or just taste the samples, it will be a warm night of fun and fellowship. Bring a friend for the festivities!
Don’t forget to come back to church on Sunday morning for Sunday School and Worship. My sermon titled “Jesus’s Mission Statement” is based on Luke 4: 14 – 21. I look forward to sharing this meaningful worship experience with you.
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, 1/24 is Cindy Mykrantz. Her assistant next Sunday, 1/31 is Cathy Shallenberger.
Super Bowl Subs
Our United Methodist Youth Fellowship will once again be selling Super Bowl Subs. The cost is $5.50 per sub and orders must be placed by Sunday, January 31. The subs can be picked up after worship on Sunday, February 7. Order forms can be found in the Narthex of the church.
Ash Wednesday Service
Begin the Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday worship on February 10 at 7:00 p.m. This traditional service will include the celebration of Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes.
Evening Lenten Worship Services
During Lent we will continue our annual tradition of Sunday evening worship with other United Methodists. This year, all five of the United Methodist Churches in Wooster will participate. The theme is “Finding Home” and offerings will go to Wayne County Habitat for Humanity. The services will be held at 7:00 p.m., except on Sunday, February 21 when Wooster UMC will host Tetelestai. That service will be at 2:00 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
Sunday, February 14 – Oak Chapel UMC with Rev. Tom Fish preaching (John 14)
Sunday, February 21 – Wooster UMC hosting Tetelestai (a Passion Play “It is Finished”) at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 28 – Moreland UMC with Rev. Kris Patt preaching (Joshua 24:15)
Sunday, March 6 – New Pittsburg UMC with Rev. Robin Dillon preaching (Psalm 84)
Sunday, March 13 – Church of the Cross UMC with Rev. Charlie Tobias preaching (Revelation 21)
Winter Rally Day
Mark your calendars now for our Winter Rally Day on Sunday, February 21. Our worship service and fellowship luncheon will be centered on the theme “It’s Snow Fun!” You won’t want to miss it. Look for more details in the February Acorn and upcoming bulletins.
Church Cancellation Policy
In the event of inclement weather or other emergencies, the decision to cancel worship and/or other church activities will be made by the Administrative Council Chairperson (currently Bob Troutman), the Trustees Chairperson (currently Kim Domer), and the Pastor. The details of the policy are as follows:
· Decisions regarding cancellation of worship will be made by Sunday morning at 7:00
· Church will automatically be canceled in the event of a Level 3 Snow Emergency
· Notifications of cancellation will be communicated via the following methods:
o Announced on Wooster Radio 104.5 WQKT
o Church-wide automated phone tree system
o Church-wide e-mail distribution
o Notice on the church website
o Notice on the church Facebook page
o The church phone voicemail message will indicate if worship is canceled
In circumstances in which the church remains open, parishioners are advised to be cautious and use their own best judgment and discretion regarding church attendance.
Women’s Day Apart
Recharge your energy, renew your spirit and ‘Laugh Out Loud’ with comedian and author Anita Renfroe during a day away for women on Saturday, March 12 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the John C. Myers Convocation Center at Ashland University. Renfroe is a comedian and musician who is bodacious in her faith and unashamedly real. She has appeared on Good Morning America and filmed a sitcom pilot, and she’s been featured in The New York Times, Readers Digest, Women’s Day and The Washington Post. The cost is $35 and includes lunch. If enough interest is shown, Oak Chapel’s women will car pool and attend as a group. (Georgia Taylor says she is definitely going and would welcome company. Contact her for more information.)
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 1/24 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Monday, 1/25 – Bible Study at 9:15am
Prayer Shawl Ministry at 5:30pm
Tuesday, 1/26 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
Membership Care Committee at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 1/27 – Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
Thursday, 1/28 – Winter Rally Day Planning at 7:00pm
Saturday, 1/30 – Canal District Leadership Training at 8:00am
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 worshiping with you in church on Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin