In A Nutshell | March 8, 2013

Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
This weekend is Daylight Savings Time. Set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night to be sure you are not late for church!
This Sunday’s worship will focus on a very familiar parable in the gospel of Luke –the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15: 1 – 3, 11b – 32). We will look at the context in which Jesus shares this story with his listeners and examine ourselves in our relationships with God and others. In my message titled “The Ending is Up to Us,” I hope to offer a new perspective on this well-known parable.
Why not invite a friend to worship with you this Sunday? Hope to see you there!
Blankets for Mountain Vision …
Cheryl Rastetter and Cathy Shallenberger are organizing a group to make blankets to be given to the children of Valley Head, West Virginia at our Mountain Vision Christmas Party in December. The fleece has been purchased and now needs to be cut. Please join us in Fellowship Hall tomorrow (Saturday, March 9) at 9am for a cutting party.
One Great Hour of Sharing …
On Sunday there will be a special offering for One Great Hour of Sharing. These gifts cover the operating costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), making it possible for UMCOR to use 100% of all other designated gifts toward the projects their donors specify. UMCOR is dedicated alleviating human suffering around the globe. They provide humanitarian relief when war, conflict or natural disaster disrupt life to such an extent that communities are unable to recover on their own.
Attention Treasurers and Leaders of church groups …
The Audit Committee has begun its work reviewing the financial records of each church group. Please submit your ledgers, bank statements & other supporting documentation to Gene Taylor as soon as possible. Should you have any questions, please contact Gene.
Church Directories have arrived …
Our church directories/bicentennial yearbooks have arrived. The directories are marked with each family’s name and will be available for pick-up in the Narthex on Sunday morning.
Easter Flowers…
Once again this year, we will decorate the altar with spring plants for Easter. If you wish to remember or honor a loved one with a lily, daffodil or tulip plant, the cost is $9.00. Order forms will be in this Sunday’s bulletin or can be picked up in the Narthex. Sunday, March 24 is the firm deadline to place your order. Please see Elizabeth Feldman if you have any questions.
Looking Ahead to Holy Week …
On Thursday, March 28 at 7pm we will have a traditional Maundy Thursday worship service. The word maundy comes from the Latin wordmandatum, meaning commandment, taken from some of Jesus’ final words to his disciples as he washed their feet at the Last Supper, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13: 34 NRSV). Join us that evening as we remember Jesus’ final meal with his disciples.
The following evening, Friday, March 29 at 7pm, Oak Chapel’s choir and others in the community will present For Such a One as This. This dramatic worship experience is a unique retelling of the greatest story ever told. You will not want to miss it. Invite your friends and neighbors to this meaningful and soul-stirring service.
Save the Date!
Our annual Super Hymn Sing will be held on Sunday, April 14 from 4 – 5:30pm, followed by a light meal. We will sing both old and new favorites and there will be special music. If you have a favorite hymn you’d like to sing, please contact Frances Boyer at (330) 264-5133 or greatlifeliveit@sssnet.com. Invite your friends and neighbors. All are welcome.
Next week’s calendar …
Sunday, 3/10 – Evening Lenten Service – New Pittsburg at 7pm
Monday, 3/11 – Bible Study – The Way at 10:15am
Girl Scouts at 6:00pm
Finance Committee with SPRC and DS at 7:00pm (in Fellowship Hall)
Tuesday, 3/12 –Outreach Committee at 10:30am
Membership Care Committee at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 3/13 – Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Thursday, 3/14 – Christian Education Committee at 7:00pm
Saturday, 3/16 – Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
Itis a privilege to be your pastor and to serve among such an amazing community. See you church!!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin

In A Nutshell | March 1, 2013

Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
On Monday evening we held our first session of Catch, a new invitational evangelism program that will help us become relentlessly outward focused in service and love. There was great attendance with a variety of ages and voices represented. I was encouraged by the energy in the room and the spirit of the conversations, and am excited about the potential for growth for each of us individually and collectively as a community of faith. We will meet for the second session on Monday, March 25. Consider joining the conversation as we prayerfully discern God’s will for Oak Chapel by thoughtfully answering these questions:
o  Why do people need Jesus?
o  Why do people need the Church?
o  Why do people need Oak Chapel United Methodist Church?
This Sunday we will celebrate God’s abundance through Holy Communion. The sermon, titled “An Open Invitation,” is based on Isaiah 55: 1 – 9. As you prepare for worship, please remember our monthly collection of pantry items for People to People ministries.
Why not invite a friend to worship with you this Sunday? Hope to see you there!
Church Locks Changed …
For a few months, the Trustees have been discussing rekeying the locks on the exterior doors of the church so that all of the doors could be opened with the same key. At the last meeting, they decided to move forward with this project and the work was completed this week. All four exterior doors now have the same key. These new keys are numbered and cannot be duplicated. Should you have any questions or need a numbered key assigned to you, please contact Ewing Giffin or Pastor Robin.
World Day of Prayer Service …
The Church Women United of Wayne County will host their annual World Day of Prayer Service today, Friday, March 1 at Zion Lutheran Church (301 N. Market St.) at 2:00pm. (Please note the time. It was advertised incorrectly in the bulletin. The correct time is 2:00pm). The speaker, Charlotte Marky, will share her story of a “Journey to Freedom.” All are welcome.
VBS Preview …
Vacation Bible School is scheduled for June 24 – 28 and we are getting excited! This year’s theme is “God’s Backyard Bible Camp” and we need your help. Jen Moser, VBS Director, will host a preview of the VBS materials this Sunday, March 3, immediately following worship. A light lunch will be served. Please come and learn how you might get involved in this year’s program.
Blankets for Mountain Vision …
Cheryl Rastetter and Cathy Shallenberger are organizing a group to make blankets to be given to the children of Valley Head, West Virginia at our Mountain Vision Christmas Party in December.  The fleece has been purchased and now needs to be cut. Please join us in Fellowship Hall at 9am on Saturday, March 9 for a cutting party.
Looking Ahead to Holy Week …
On Thursday, March 28 at 7pm we will have a traditional Maundy Thursday worship service. The word maundy comes from the Latin wordmandatum, meaning commandment, taken from some of Jesus’ final words to his disciples as he washed their feet at the Last Supper, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13: 34 NRSV).  Join us that evening as we remember Jesus’ final meal with his disciples.
The following evening, Friday, March 29 at 7pm, Oak Chapel’s choir and others in the community will present For Such a One as This. This dramatic worship experience is a unique retelling of the greatest story ever told. You will not want to miss it. Invite your friends and neighbors to this meaningful and soul-stirring service.
Save the Date!
Our annual Super Hymn Sing will be held on Sunday, April 14 from 4 – 5:30pm, followed by a light meal. We will sing both old and new favorites and there will be special music. If you have a favorite hymn you’d like to sing, please contact Frances Boyer at (330) 264-5133 or greatlifeliveit@sssnet.com. Invite your friends and neighbors. All are welcome.
Next week’s calendar …
Sunday, 3/3 – VBS Preview at 11:45am
                   Youth Group at 6:30pm
                   Evening Lenten Service –Bethel at 7:00pm
Monday, 3/4 – Retirees Breakfast – Milltown at 8:00am
                   Bible Study – The Way at 10:15am
                   Girl Scouts at 6:00pm
                   Candy Making at 6:15pm
Tuesday, 3/5 –Memorials Committee Meeting at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 3/6 –Morning Circle at Betty Franks’ at 9:30am
                   Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
Thursday, 3/7 – NO Worship Committee          as previously advertised
Saturday, 3/9 – United Methodist Men – Green Leaf at 7:30am
                   Make Blankets for Mountain Vision at 9:00am
                   Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
                   UMW Executive Committee at 10:30am
Itis a privilege to be your pastor and to serve among such an amazing community. See you church!!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin
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