Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
This Sunday, April 3, is Holy Humor Sunday. It is a celebration of the fact that the resurrection of Jesus is God’s ultimate joke on evil and death. It is a testament to the God who the Psalmist says “sits in the heavens and laughs” (Psalm 2:4) at the foolishness of humanity and any forces that might seek to thwart divine purposes. I encourage you to join us for this second Sunday of Easter service that builds on the good news we celebrated last Sunday – that Christ is Risen! My sermon, titled “Peace (and Joy!) Be with You” is based on John 20: 19 – 31. During the service we will take some “joy breaks” in which worshipers will have an opportunity to share a funny story or joke if they feel comfortable doing so. Come, have your worries lifted, and laugh and smile with us.
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, 4/3 is Evelyn Silver. Her assistant next Sunday, 4/10 is Phyllis Weaver.
Art and Soul
Please plan to join us at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall the first Monday of each month as we explore varying art media and fellowship together. On Monday, April 4, We will make an origami butterfly table decoration. New art/craft ideas are always welcome. For more information, please contact Pam Domer.
Northwest Territory Concert
Reservations for the United Methodist Men’s All Sons Banquet are now closed. However, everyone is invited for the entertainment that evening: 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.
UMW Sunday
Next Sunday, April 10, is United Methodist Women’s Sunday. Our speaker will be Kelsey Desmond, director of The Seminary Hill Farm at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. The farm supplies food for the seminary cafeteria and students work on the farm.
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, borrowing the balance of $1,045 from our general fund. The new copier was delivered this week. Last Sunday we received some contributions and now only need $600 to repay the general fund. 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 next Sunday, April 10. We look forward to officially welcoming folks into our fellowship.
Special Fellowship Luncheon
On April 17 we will have a special Fellowship Dinner hosted by the Franks Clan—Eleanor, Esther, Betty, Betsy and Miriam. After dinner we will be treated to a slide show of the Wayne County Courthouse Renovation. It will be presented by Scott Wiggam, County Commissioner and son-in-law of the Grape Lady (If you have been an Oak Chapel-ite for a long time, you should remember her!) The same Fellowship Dinner rules apply- bring a dish or two to share and your own table service. It would be a great time to invite friends to Oak Chapel for our Sunday Service and dinner or even just to see the presentation.
Church Work Day
The Trustees invite all members of the church to participate in our church work day on Saturday, April 30. We will gather that day to do some general clean-up of the church building and grounds including cleaning windows, picking up sticks and raking. Many hands make light work. Please join us at 9:00 a.m. and work as long as you can. We should conclude by Noon. God has entrusted us with a beautiful facility and we want to be good stewards of it.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 4/3 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Confirmation Class at 6:00pm
Youth Groups at 7:00pm
Monday, 4/4 – Retirees Breakfast – Town Market at 8:00am
Bible Study at 9:15am
Art and Soul at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 4/5 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
Wednesday, 4/6 – Morning Circle at 9:30am
Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
Saturday, 4/9 – United Methodist Men – Green Leaf at 7:30am
Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
All Sons Dinner at 5:30pm
Northwest Territory Concert at 7:00pm
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