Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,

I trust you have fared well in the ups and downs of our crazy weather this week. Though I love living in a place where one can experience all four seasons, it seems rather odd to experience all of them in the same week! The sun was warm and bright on Tuesday afternoon and I enjoyed my first convertible ride of the season while doing some visits. I’m looking forward to Spring and the new growth that season represents. I pray that it will be a season of new spiritual growth for us as individuals and as a congregation at Oak Chapel UMC.

I’m excited about worship this Sunday and I hope you will be there for us to experience it together. Our District Superintendent, The Rev. Dr. Valerie Stultz, will preach a sermon titled “Lambs to Sheep, Sheep to Shepherds” based on John 21: 15 – 17. Valerie is an excellent preacher and she has a way of engaging the congregation to live out the scriptures. She will also join us for our fellowship luncheon following the service and you will have an opportunity to greet and chat with her then. Please bring a dish to share and your table service.

We are also hosting the first Sunday evening Lenten service at 7:00pm.

Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.

Terra Aten is our nursery coordinator and works in the nursery each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday, 3/16 is Miriam Zech. Next Sunday’s (3/23) assistant is Dick Silver.

Pastor Robin will be away next week from Monday, 3/17 through Friday, 3/21, and she will not have access to phone, texts or e-mail. For pastoral emergencies, please call Pam Domer at 330-601-3926 or Rev. Jim Pfander at 216-470-0703.

Our Sunday evening Lenten worship services begin this Sunday, March 16. Join us as we continue this tradition with the Moreland and New Pittsburg UMCs. There will be a time of fellowship after each service. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, March 16 – Rev. Tom Fish preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Sunday, March 23 – Rev. John Heavilin preaching at Moreland UMC

Sunday, March 30 – Rev. Robin Dillon preaching at New Pittsburg UMC

Sunday, April 6 – Rev. Jim Pfander preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

The UMW annual Call to Prayer & Self-Denial service will be at Shreve United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 27 at 6:00pm. The evening begins with a light supper. We will met at Oak Chapel at 5:30pm to carpool. Please make reservations with Evelyn Silver by March 24.

Georgia Taylor has given Pastor Robin and the congregation a challenge. Georgia thinks she can finish knitting her long-awaited prayer shawl before we have 100 people in attendance at worship for three consecutive Sundays. Pastor Robin thinks we can easily have 100 people in worship before Georgia finishes her shawl. Betsy Bower upped the ante and suggested that the “winner” get to throw a pie in the face of the “loser.” How do you think this challenge will end? Come to worship and find out!

The Outreach Committee is offering gift baskets for members of the congregation to share with families moving into your neighborhood. These baskets include homemade bread, jelly, a copy of the Wooster Weekly News and information about our church. We are collecting baskets to use for this project and welcome volunteers to bake bread or donate homemade butter, jams or jellies. Please contact Pam Domer or Ann Kahrig to help with this project or if you have a new neighbor to whom you would like to give a basket.

The annual All Sons Banquet sponsored by the United Methodist Men is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2014.  The 5:30pm catered dinner includes Swiss Steak, trimmings, and home-made pie.   The after banquet speaker is Joshua Johnson, a thirty-one year old cancer survivor from Youngstown.  Joshua’s presentation “I Ride For Those Who Can’t!” will touch on his life’s journey so far; ranging from football player, teacher, charity cyclist, and husband/father to be. He will illustrate how his faith in Christ has anchored his choices in life.  A lively Question and Answer period will follow the 6:30 presentation. The 6:30 after-dinner presentation is Free Admission.  Dinner reservations ($10) are required. Please sign up on the clipboard located in the Narthex. For more information, please see Pastor Jim Pfander or Bill Braucher.

Oak Chapel United Methodist Women Trip to New York City

The United Methodist Women (UMW) are planning a trip to New York City this Fall. The cost is $450 per person which includes transportation, seminar, and lodging. Lodging will be at the Alma Matthews House which is owned by the denomination-wide UMW.

$100 deposit due March 30, 2014 – non refundable, but transferable. The remaining $350 is due prior to travel. Please also plan about $100 extra as spending money for meals, subway/cabs, and any entrance fees or theater tickets.

Sunday, 3/16 – Sunday School at 9:30am

                        Worship with Rev. Valerie Stultz at 10:30am

                        Blood Pressure Screenings after worship

                        Fellowship Luncheon after worship

                        Youth Groups at 6:30pm

                        Lenten Service – Oak Chapel at 7:00pm

Monday, 3/17 – Bible Study at 10:15am

History and Records at 6:30pm

                        Trustees at 7:00pm

Wednesday, 3/19 – Vacation Bible School Planning at 5:45pm

                        Bible Study at 6:30pm

                        Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm

Saturday, 3/22 – Weight Loss Support Group             at 9:15am

                        All Sons Banquet at 5:30pm

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

Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,

As I write this morning, the sun is shining brilliantly and the forecasters predict a high temperature of 50 degrees today. Spring is in the air! Spring offers us the promise of new life and warmth after a cold season of latency. It should be noted that the liturgical season of Lent runs parallel with the promise of Spring. Lent offers us a time to journey inward and grow spiritually as we prepare for Christ’s resurrection on Easter.

During this season of Lent, I am doing a sermon series titled “Journey of Stones,” based on a series by Rev. Steven Molin. The series began at our service of ashes on Wednesday night and will conclude on Easter Sunday. Each week worshipers will have an opportunity to lay a stone at the foot of the cross, a symbolic gesture of the letting go of sin in our lives and other things that hold us back. This Sunday’s message is titled “Rejected Stones” based on Psalm 118: 1 – 9; 19 – 29 and Mark 12: 1 – 12. I hope you will join us. Why not invite a friend to accompany you on this Lenten journey?

Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday morning and you don’t want to be late for church!

Terra Aten is our nursery coordinator and works in the nursery each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday, 3/9 is Jim Pfander. Next Sunday’s (3/16) assistant is Miriam Zech.

Our District Superintendent, The Rev. Dr. Valerie Stultz, will retire on June 30. We have appreciated her ministry on our District for the last six years, and wish her well in her retirement. We will have an opportunity to personally thank her for her leadership when she worships with us and brings the morning message next Sunday, March 16. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for worship and our fellowship luncheon that day.

Georgia Taylor has given Pastor Robin and the congregation a challenge. Georgia thinks she can finish knitting her long-awaited prayer shawl before we have 100 people in attendance at worship for three consecutive Sundays. Pastor Robin thinks we can easily have 100 people in worship before Georgia finishes her shawl. Betsy Bower upped the ante and suggested that the “winner” get to throw a pie in the face of the “loser.” How do you think this challenge will end? Come to worship and find out!

The annual All Sons Banquet sponsored by the United Methodist Men is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2014.  The 5:30pm catered dinner includes Swiss Steak, trimmings, and home-made pie.   The after banquet speaker is Joshua Johnson, a thirty-one year old cancer survivor from Youngstown.  Joshua’s presentation “I Ride For Those Who Can’t!” will touch on his life’s journey so far; ranging from football player, teacher, charity cyclist, and husband/father to be. He will illustrate how his faith in Christ has anchored his choices in life.  A lively Question and Answer period will follow the 6:30 presentation. The 6:30 after-dinner presentation is Free Admission.  Dinner reservations ($10) are required. Please sign up on the clipboard located in the Narthex. For more information, please see Pastor Jim Pfander or Bill Braucher.

During the season of Lent, we will continue our tradition of gathering for evening worship with the Moreland and New Pittsburg United Methodist Churches on Sundays at 7:00pm. There will be a time of fellowship after each service. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, March 16 – Rev. Tom Fish preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Sunday, March 23 – Rev. John Heavilin preaching at Moreland UMC

Sunday, March 30 – Rev. Robin Dillon preaching at New Pittsburg UMC

Sunday, April 6 – Rev. Jim Pfander preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

The Outreach Committee is offering gift baskets for members of the congregation to share with families moving into your neighborhood. These baskets include homemade bread, jelly, a copy of the Wooster Weekly News and information about our church. We are collecting baskets to use for this project and welcome volunteers to bake bread or donate homemade butter, jams or jellies. Please contact Pam Domer or Ann Kahrig for more information.

Oak Chapel United Methodist Women Trip to New York City

The United Methodist Women (UMW) are planning a trip to New York City this Fall. The cost is $450 per person which includes transportation, seminar, and lodging. Lodging will be at the Alma Matthews House which is owned by the denomination-wide UMW.

$100 deposit due March 30, 2014 – non refundable, but transferable. The remaining $350 is due prior to travel. Please also plan about $100 extra as spending money for meals, subway/cabs, and any entrance fees or theater tickets.

Sunday, 3/9 – Sunday School at 9:30am

                                    Worship at 10:30am

Monday, 3/10 – Administrative Council at 7:00pm

Tuesday, 3/11 – Outreach Committee Meeting at 6:30pm

Wednesday, 3/12 – Bible Study at 6:30pm

                                    Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm

Thursday, 3/13 – 4-H at 7:00pm

Friday, 3/14 – Girl Scout Lock-In overnight

Saturday, 3/15 – 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

Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,

This has been a challenging week for many in our congregation. Several are dealing with illness personally or within their immediate and extended families, and others are facing grief and loss in a variety of situations. As a community of faith and the Body of Christ, we are committed to praying for and supporting one another on our life journeys. I encourage you to be gentle with each other, offering a hug (if welcome) and a kind word or two (often just a few words are best) for we never really know what difficulties and challenges others are facing.

This Sunday we will gather for Sunday School at 9:30 and worship at 10:30. Together we will share the sacrament of Holy Communion and I will give a brief meditation on Matthew 17: 1 – 9, the story of Jesus’ transfiguration. I hope to see you there.

Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.

As was mentioned in worship last Sunday (and publicized in the March Acorn), Georgia Taylor has given Pastor Robin and the congregation a challenge. Georgia thinks she can finish knitting her long-awaited prayer shawl before we have 100 people in attendance at worship for three consecutive Sundays. Pastor Robin thinks we can easily have 100 people in worship before Georgia finishes her shawl. Betsy Bower upped the ante and suggested that the “winner” get to throw a pie in the face of the “loser.” How do you think this challenge will end? Come to worship and find out!

Beginning this Sunday both the Saplings (Grades 3 – 6) and the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (Grades 7 – 12)  will start meeting on the first and third Sundays of the month with a combined youth group meeting on the fifth Sundays, as they occur.  Both groups will meet at 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm and welcome all youth grades 3-12.  The Saplings are creating a time line of the major events of both the Old and New Testaments.  The UMYF is participating in a program entitled Dare to Dream.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent.  Next Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00pm, we will gather in the sanctuary to mark this occasion. Pastor Robin will preach on Exodus 32: 1 – 24 with a message titled “Written in Stone.” There will also be the imposition of ashes.

During Lent (beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5 and ending Easter Sunday, April 20), Pastor Robin will do a sermon series titled Journey of Stones. Begin praying about friends and neighbors you can invite to join you for this upcoming series.

If you have an interest in learning to express yourself through various art media as you grow spiritually, this new small group may just the thing for you.  The group will meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  The sessions will begin with devotions followed by the introduction of a specific art media and time to explore that media to create a piece of art that reflects the unique way God has created you.  No particular artistic ability is needed, just a desire to explore different ways to express your spirituality through art.  The first session will be Monday, March 3.  At that session, we will be working in polymer clay.  If you have clay or clay tools please bring them with you. If not these items will be provided.  Please come and join us as we learn and grow together.

Our District Superintendent, The Rev. Dr. Valerie Stultz, will retire on June 30. We have appreciated her ministry on our District for the last six years, and wish her well in her retirement. We will have an opportunity to personally thank her for her leadership when she worships with us and brings the morning message on Sunday, March 16. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for worship and our fellowship luncheon that day.

The annual All Sons Banquet sponsored by the United Methodist Men is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2014.  The 5:30pm catered dinner includes Swiss Steak, trimmings, and home-made pie.   The after banquet speaker is Joshua Johnson, a thirty-one year old cancer survivor from Youngstown.  Joshua’s presentation “I Ride For Those Who Can’t!” will touch on his life’s journey so far; ranging from football player, teacher, charity cyclist, and husband/father to be. He will illustrate how his faith in Christ has anchored his choices in life.  A lively Question and Answer period will follow the 6:30 presentation. The 6:30 after-dinner presentation is Free Admission.  Dinner reservations ($10) are required. Please sign up on the clipboard located in the Narthex. For more information, please see Pastor Jim Pfander or Bill Braucher.

During the season of Lent, we will continue our tradition of gathering for evening worship with the Moreland and New Pittsburg United Methodist Churches on Sundays at 7:00pm. There will be a time of fellowship after each service. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, March 16 – Rev. Tom Fish preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Sunday, March 23 – Rev. John Heavilin preaching at Moreland UMC

Sunday, March 30 – Rev. Robin Dillon preaching at New Pittsburg UMC

Sunday, April 6 – Rev. Jim Pfander preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

Elizabeth Feldman and Jean Brugger from Wooster UMC are currently on a Volunteers in Mission trip to Harrisburg, Liberia, Africa. In addition to the much warmer weather, the hospitality and relationship building is also warm and wonderful. The program is called Farmer to Farmer – Changing the World, One Farmer at a Time. The work is being done in the home town of retired UM pastor, Pryde Bass of Cleveland Heights, and in relationship with St. John’s UMC in Harrisburg. There will be a celebration of the trip on Friday, March 7 at Strongsville UMC with pictures and stories from the whole team. The cost for dinner is $10. There is a poster with more information on the bulletin board. Continued prayers are appreciated for the team as they finish their work and travel home March 2 and 3.

Oak Chapel United Methodist Women Trip to New York City

The United Methodist Women (UMW) are planning a trip to New York City this Fall. The cost is $450 per person which includes transportation, seminar, and lodging. Lodging will be at the Alma Matthews House which is owned by the denomination-wide UMW.

$100 deposit due March 30, 2014 – non refundable, but transferable. The remaining $350 is due prior to travel. Please also plan about $100 extra as spending money for meals, subway/cabs, and any entrance fees or theater tickets

Sunday, 3/2 – Sunday School at 9:30am

                                    Worship at 10:30am

                                    Youth Groups at 6:30pm

Monday, 3/3 – Retirees Breakfast—Milltown at 8:00am

                                    Bible Study at 10:15am

                                    Art and Soul at 7:00pm

Wednesday, 3/5 – Ash Wednesday Worship at 7:00pm

Saturday, 3/8 – United Methodist Men – Green Leaf at 7:30am

                                    Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am

                                    United Methodist Women Executive Committee at 10:30am

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

Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,

We have quite a weekend ahead of us at Oak Chapel UMC. Tomorrow evening, Saturday, February 22, the United Methodist Men will host an evening of table tennis in our Fellowship Hall. Bill Stewart will offer a demonstration on the rules of play and techniques. Please join us and invite a friend for this evening of learning, fun and fellowship!

Then on Sunday morning, we will have our Sunday School Explosion. The day will begin with a hot breakfast served in Fellowship Hall at 8:30am. At 9:00, I will be doing science experiments! Those who witnessed my infamous children’s message last May will want to come for the repeat entertainment. And those who were not there will not want to miss it this time. Come see what all the fuss was about.  I have been finalizing the details for each demonstration, preparing and mixing all sorts of liquids AND I’m going to attempt to burn some money, too. There will also be games and prizes. Invite someone new to join you for breakfast and Sunday School this week. It is sure to be a blast!

This Sunday in worship we will conclude the “Upside Down: A Different Way to Live” sermon series. My sermon titled “Love the Ones You Hate” is based on Matthew 5: 38 – 48. Hope to see you then!

Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.

If you have an interest in learning to express yourself through various art media as you grow spiritually, this new small group may just the thing for you.  The group will meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  The sessions will begin with devotions followed by the introduction of a specific art media and time to explore that media to create a piece of art that reflects the unique way God has created you.  No particular artistic ability is needed, just a desire to explore different ways to express your spirituality through art.  The first session will be Monday, March 3.  At that session, we will be working in polymer clay.  If you have clay or clay tools please bring them with you. If not these items will be provided.  Please come and join us as we learn and grow together.

The annual All Sons Banquet sponsored by the United Methodist Men is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2014.  The 5:30pm catered dinner includes Swiss Steak, trimmings, and home-made pie.   The after banquet speaker is Joshua Johnson, a thirty-one year old cancer survivor from Youngstown.  Joshua’s presentation “I Ride For Those Who Can’t!” will touch on his life’s journey so far; ranging from football player, teacher, charity cyclist, and husband/father to be. He will illustrate how his faith in Christ has anchored his choices in life.  A lively Question and Answer period will follow the 6:30 presentation. The 6:30 after-dinner presentation is Free Admission.  Dinner reservations ($10) are required. Please sign up on the clipboard located in the Narthex. For more information, please see Pastor Jim Pfander or Bill Braucher.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. On Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00pm, we will gather in the sanctuary to mark this occasion. Pastor Robin will preach on Exodus 32: 1 – 24 with a message titled “Written in Stone.” There will also be the imposition of ashes.

During Lent (beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5 and ending Easter Sunday, April 20), Pastor Robin will do a sermon series titled Journey of Stones. Begin praying about friends and neighbors you can invite to join you for this upcoming series.

During the season of Lent, we will continue our tradition of gathering for evening worship with the Moreland and New Pittsburg United Methodist Churches on Sundays at 7:00pm. There will be a time of fellowship after each service. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, March 16 – Rev. Tom Fish preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Sunday, March 23 – Rev. John Heavilin preaching at Moreland UMC

Sunday, March 30 – Rev. Robin Dillon preaching at New Pittsburg UMC

Sunday, April 6 – Rev. Jim Pfander preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

Oak Chapel United Methodist Women Trip to New York City

The United Methodist Women (UMW) are planning a trip to New York City this Fall. The cost is $450 per person which includes transportation, seminar, and lodging. Lodging will be at the Alma Matthews House which is owned by the denomination-wide UMW.

$100 deposit due March 30, 2014 – non refundable, but transferable. The remaining $350 is due prior to travel. Please also plan about $100 extra as spending money for meals, subway/cabs, and any entrance fees or theater tickets

Beginning in March both the Saplings (Grades 3 – 6) and the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (Grades 7 – 12) will start meeting on the first and third Sundays of the month with a combined youth group meeting on the fifth Sundays, as they occur.  Both groups will meet at 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm and welcome all youth grades 3-12.  The Saplings are creating a time line of the major events of both the Old and New Testaments.  The UMYF is participating in a program entitled Dare to Dream.  This inspiring program draws on the Bible and a lifetime of ministry to help teens learn how to develop a life mission statement that helps them fully commit to a God-directed lifestyle.

Interpreter magazine and The Upper Room are launching a new series of articles and webinars exploring the means of grace, practices in which Christians have traditionally engaged to grow in their relationship to God. The one-hour premiere event is a webinar this Thursday, February 27 from 8:00 – 9:00pm Eastern Time. The deadline to register is this Wednesday, February 26 at 1:00pm. Please check out the following link for more information. http://shop.umc.org/means-of-grace-overview-webinar-february-2014

Sunday, 2/23 – Sunday School Explosion Breakfast at 8:30am

                                    Sunday School at 9:30am

                                    Worship at 10:30am

Monday, 2/24 – Bible Study at 10:15am

                                    Prayer Shawl Ministry at 5:30pm

                                    Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 7:00pm

Tuesday, 2/25 – Membership Care Committee at 7:00pm

Wednesday, 2/26 – Bible Study – John at 6:30pm

                                    Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm

Saturday, 3/1 – 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

Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,

Happy Valentine’s Day! On this day when we tell the special people in our lives how much we love them, I want to take a moment to tell all of you how much I love and appreciate you. I am grateful to be a part of this community of faith. Even more importantly, though, I want to remind each of the extravagant and never-ending love of God. God’s love for us is immeasurable and I hope that you will take a few moments (or more!) today to sit in quietness and let God remind you of that love. May you feel wrapped in God’s amazing love and presence today!

This Sunday in worship I will continue the “Upside Down: A Different Way to Live” sermon series. My sermon titled “A Higher Standard” is based on Matthew 5: 21 – 37. Hope to see you then!

Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.

The dates for this year’s Vacation Bible School are July 14 – 18 from 5:30 – 8:30pm. The theme is “Jungle Safari: Where Kids Explore the Nature of God.” On Sunday at our Fellowship Luncheon, there will be a preview of this year’s materials. Come and bring a dish to share, then discover how you might help with VBS this year!

On Saturday, February 22, the United Methodist Men will host an evening of table tennis in our Fellowship Hall. Bill Stewart will offer a demonstration on the rules of play and techniques. Please join us and invite a friend for this evening of learning, fun and fellowship!

Next Sunday, February 23 we will host a Sunday School Explosion. The day will begin with a hot breakfast served in Fellowship Hall at 8:30am. Entertainment during the breakfast hour includes “Science Experiments with Pastor Robin.” There will also be games and prizes. Invite someone new to join you for breakfast and Sunday School that day. It is sure to be a blast!

The United Methodist Women (UMW) are planning a trip to New York City this Fall. The cost is $450 per person which includes transportation, seminar, and lodging. Lodging will be at the Alma Matthews House which is owned by the denomination-wide UMW.

$100 deposit due March 30, 2014 – non refundable, but transferable. The remaining $350 is due prior to travel. Please also plan about $100 extra as spending money for meals, subway/cabs, and any entrance fees or theater tickets

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. On Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00pm, we will gather in the sanctuary to mark this occasion. Pastor Robin will preach on Exodus 32: 1 – 24 with a message titled “Written in Stone.” There will also be the imposition of ashes.

It is not too late to join Pastor Jim’s Bible Study on the Gospel of John. The sessions are one hour (6:30-7:30 PM) on Wednesday evenings: two more sessions before Ash Wednesday (February 19 & 26) and three sessions after Ash Wednesday (March 12, 19, 26).  Session two and three will look at stories unique to John. After the break for Ash Wednesday, session four will view John’s “I am” statements and John’s use of “signs.”  Session five will focus on the Last Supper discourse and the last session on John’s after-Easter stories.  The entire purpose of this study is to discover John’s view of Jesus and how it can relate to us today.  The sessions will have lively discussion as well as reflections on each session reading assignment.  No sign up is required, but if you need a ride, please call the church office and we will have someone pick you up! Bring a copy of the Bible and a friend!

During the season of Lent, we will continue our tradition of gathering for evening worship with the Moreland and New Pittsburg United Methodist Churches on Sundays at 7:00pm. There will be a time of fellowship after each service. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, March 16 – Rev. Tom Fish preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Sunday, March 23 – Rev. John Heavilin preaching at Moreland UMC

Sunday, March 30 – Rev. Robin Dillon preaching at New Pittsburg UMC

Sunday, April 6 – Rev. Jim Pfander preaching at Oak Chapel UMC

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

During Lent (beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5 and ending Easter Sunday, April 20), Pastor Robin will do a sermon series titled Journey of Stones. Begin praying about friends and neighbors you can invite to join you for this upcoming series.

Sunday, 2/16 – Sunday School at 9:30am

                             Worship at 10:30am

                             Blood Pressure screenings after worship

                             Fellowship Luncheon after worship

                             VBS Preview during Fellowship Luncheon

Monday, 2/17 – Bible Study at 10:15am

                             Trustees at 7:00pm

Wednesday, 2/19 – VBS Planning Meeting at 5:45pm

                             Bible Study – John at 6:30pm

                             Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm

Saturday, 2/22 – Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am

                             Table Tennis at 7:00pm (sponsored by United Methodist Men)

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

Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,

I trust you are staying warm in this cold winter weather. As much as I enjoy the four seasons and the variety of weather that comes with living in Ohio, I admit that I am ready for some warmer weather – at least for the temps to rise above single digits on a consistent basis!

This Sunday in worship I will continue the “Upside Down: A Different Way to Live” sermon series. My message titled “You Can Change Your World” is based on Matthew 5: 13 – 20. I hope you will join us as we continue to explore the words of Jesus that challenge and call us to a completely different way of life.

Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.

September 25-29, 2014 (Thurs-Monday)

The United Methodist Women (UMW)are planning a trip to New York City this Fall. The cost is $450 per person which includes transportation, seminar, and lodging. Lodging will be at the Alma Matthews House which is owned by the denomination-wide UMW.

Below is the tentative travel schedule:

Thursday – Travel day – bring sack lunch

Friday – Seminar on Human Trafficking at Church Center for United Nations

Saturday – Free for walking, sightseeing, shopping or theater, or whatever

Sunday – Church together; then more free time

Monday – Travel home

$100 deposit due March 30, 2014 – non refundable, but transferable. The remaining $350 is due prior to travel. Please also plan about $100 extra as spending money for meals, subway/cabs, and any entrance fees or theater tickets

Pastor Jim will conduct another Bible Study, this time looking at the Gospel of John.  The sessions will be one hour (6:30-7:30 PM) on Wednesday evenings: three sessions before Ash Wednesday (February 12, 19,& 26) and three sessions after Ash Wednesday (March 12, 19, 26). Session one will be an overview of John’s Gospel and how it differs from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Session two and three will look at stories unique to John: Wedding Feast at Cana, Woman at the Well, Lazarus, etc.  After the break for Ash Wednesday, session four will view John’s “I am” statements and John’s use of “signs.”  Session five will focus on the Last Supper discourse and the last session on John’s after-Easter stories.  The entire purpose of this study is to discover John’s view of Jesus and how it can relate to us today.  The sessions will have lively discussion as well as reflections on each session reading assignment.  No sign up is required, but if you need a ride, please call the church office and we will have someone pick you up! Bring a copy of the Bible and a friend!

The dates for this year’s Vacation Bible School are July 14 – 18 from 5:30 – 8:30pm. The theme is “Jungle Safari: Where Kids Explore the Nature of God.” In conjunction with our Fellowship Luncheon after worship on Sunday, February 16, we will share a preview of the materials. Come discover how you might help with VBS this year!

On Sunday, February 23 we will host a Sunday School Explosion. The day will begin with a hot breakfast served in Fellowship Hall at 8:30am. Entertainment during the breakfast hour includes “Science Experiments with Pastor Robin.” There will also be games and prizes. Invite someone new to join you for breakfast and Sunday School that day. It is sure to be a blast!

Our Compass Group will return to New Jersey this summer to do relief and restoration work for those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Last year, four members (Pete & Natalie Bunt and Pam & Kim Domer) and Pastor Robin participated. Pastor Robin is organizing this year’s trip and we’d love to have more folks from Oak Chapel join us. The dates are Sunday, July 27 through Saturday, August 2. The cost of the trip is approximately $350 per person. We will have some fundraisers this Spring to offset this cost. Please prayerfully consider this mission opportunity.

Sunday, 2/9 – Sunday School at 9:30am

                             Worship at 10:30am

Monday, 2/10 – Finance Committee at 7:00pm

Wednesday, 2/12 – Morning Circle at Betty Franks’ at 9:30am

Pastor Jim’s Bible Study – John at 6:30pm

                             Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm

Saturday, 2/15 – ACORN Newsletter deadline

                             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

Hello, Oak Chapel Friends,

This Sunday I will begin a new sermon series titled “Upside Down: A Different Way to Live.” Make no mistake, Jesus was and is different.  The things he said shocked. The way he lived surprised. The people he associated with offended the religious leaders of the day. Jesus turned the expected on its head. If the predictable was right-side up, then Jesus turned things upside down.

And he still surprises today. He calls us to a completely different way of life. It is the life we have been looking for, but it feels upside down to the world around us.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives in rapid-fire succession an outline for how those who choose to follow him are to live and believe. It was a countercultural message then, and it is a countercultural message now. The series begins with a study of the Beatitudes, in which Jesus reverses our typical understanding of happiness, showing us the blessings that come in the midst of grief, hopelessness, and humility. My message titled “Happiness Redefined” is based on Matthew 5: 1 – 12. I hope you will join us and bring a friend.

Below you will find announcements and other important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.

Pastor Jim will conduct another Bible Study, this time looking at the Gospel of John.  The sessions will be one hour (6:30-7:30 PM) on Wednesday evenings: three sessions before Ash Wednesday (February 12, 19,& 26) and three sessions after Ash Wednesday (March 12, 19, 26). Session one will be an overview of John’s Gospel and how it differs from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Session two and three will look at stories unique to John: Wedding Feast at Cana, Woman at the Well, Lazarus, etc.  After the break for Ash Wednesday, session four will view John’s “I am” statements and John’s use of “signs.”  Session five will focus on the Last Supper discourse and the last session on John’s after-Easter stories.  The entire purpose of this study is to discover John’s view of Jesus and how it can relate to us today.  The sessions will have lively discussion as well as reflections on each session reading assignment.  No sign up is required, but if you need a ride, please call the church office and we will have someone pick you up! Bring a copy of the Bible and a friend!

Terra Aten is the main leader in our church nursery. Thank you to all who volunteered to assist her. This Sunday’s nursery assistants are Mark and Patti Ritchey. Next week’s (February 9) assistant is Phyllis Weaver.

There will be a blood drive at St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Pittsburg on Tuesday, February 4 from 3 – 7pm. Please give the gift of life.

The dates for this year’s Vacation Bible School are July 14 – 18 from 5:30 – 8:30pm. The theme is “Jungle Safari: Where Kids Explore the Nature of God.” In conjunction with our Fellowship Luncheon after worship on Sunday, February 16, we will share a preview of the materials. Come discover how you might help with VBS this year!

On Sunday, February 23 we will host a Sunday School Explosion. The day will begin with a hot breakfast served in Fellowship Hall at 8:30am. Entertainment during the breakfast hour includes “Science Experiments with Pastor Robin.” There will also be games and prizes. Invite someone new to join you for breakfast and Sunday School that day. It is sure to be a blast!

Our Compass Group will return to New Jersey this summer to do relief and restoration work for those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Last year, four members (Pete & Natalie Bunt and Pam & Kim Domer) and Pastor Robin participated. Pastor Robin is organizing this year’s trip and we’d love to have more folks from Oak Chapel join us. The dates are Sunday, July 27 through Saturday, August 2. The cost of the trip is approximately $350 per person. We will have some fundraisers this Spring to offset this cost. Please prayerfully consider this mission opportunity.

Sunday, 2/2 – Sunday School at 9:30am

                             Worship at 10:30am

Monday, 2/3 – Retirees Breakfast – Milltown at 8:00am

Wednesday, 2/5 – Morning Circle – at Betty Franks at 9:30am

                             Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm

Saturday, 2/8 – United Methodist Men – Green Leaf at 7:30am

                             Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am

                             Chocolate Spa – Wooster UMC at 9:30am

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