Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
Today is Good Friday. By all standards, the events of that day were anything but “good.” Jesus was beaten, tortured and suffered a horrific death. As Christians two thousand years later, we now view this day from a different perspective; we view it in light of the resurrection, knowing that God can indeed transform even the most difficult and tragic circumstances and make something “good” come out of it.
We have a busy weekend ahead of us at Oak Chapel as we remember Christ’s death on the cross and celebrate his love for us and triumph over death. This evening, the combined choirs of the Wooster area United Methodist Churches will present the cantata “Jesus, Son of God” in our sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. Tomorrow morning is our annual community Easter Egg Hunt on the parsonage lawn. Come get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny and join us for the festivities at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday morning you won’t want to miss the early service led by our confirmation class and youth groups at 8:00 a.m. Afterwards the adult Sunday School classes will host our Easter Breakfast in Fellowship Hall. Sunday School is at 9:30, then stay for our traditional resurrection celebration with Holy Communion at 10:30. The scripture for the day is John 20: 1 – 18 and my message is titled “Alleluia, I Go.”
Below you will also find other announcements and 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, 3/27 is Cathy Shallenberger. Her assistant next Sunday, 4/3 is Evelyn Silver.
Holy Humor Sunday
Many American churches have resurrected an old Easter custom begun by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity. For centuries in Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant countries, the week following Easter Sunday, including “Bright Sunday” (the Sunday after Easter), was observed by the faithful as “days of joy and laughter” with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, told jokes, sang, and danced. The custom was rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. “Risus paschalis – the Easter laugh,” the early theologians called it. On Sunday, April 3, we will honor Holy Humor Sunday at Oak Chapel UMC. Come see what we have “up our sleeves” for that day and join in the joy and laughter, celebrating God’s love for us. Jesus laughed and we should, too!
All Sons Banquet
The United Methodist Men will host the All Sons Banquet on Saturday, April 9 beginning at 5:30 p.m. All men are invited! Please reserve your spot with Kim Domer by Easter Sunday, March 27. The entertainment for the evening is Northwest Territory Bluegrass Band. This band has traveled both nationally and internationally and their music not only includes bluegrass, but gospel, country and folk as well. The program, which is sure to please, will begin at7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
New Copier
The church has been in need of a new copier for quite some time. Last year, the Finance Committee set up a copier savings fund and each month we have been putting money aside for this purpose. To date, we have saved $1,200. Over the last few months we have received quotes from various office equipment companies, and at their meeting on March 21, the Trustees voted to purchase a new Xerox Color 6655 machine for $2,245 from ComDoc in Wooster. We are seeking contributions totaling $1,045 to complete the purchase. Should you wish to donate to the copier fund, please make your check payable to Oak Chapel UMC and note “copier fund” on the memo line. Thank you for your ongoing support of our church and its ministries.
New Member Sunday
We will receive new members at Oak Chapel UMC on Sunday, April 17 during worship. Anyone wishing to join the church that day should contact Pastor Robin by Sunday, April 10. We look forward to officially welcoming folks into our fellowship.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 3/27 – Early Worship at 8:00am
Easter Breakfast at 8:45am
Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Monday, 3/28 – Bible Study at 9:15am
Prayer Shawl Ministry at 5:30pm
Tuesday, 3/29 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
Wednesday, 3/30 – Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
Thursday, 3/31 – Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 7:00pm
Saturday, 4/2 – 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