revelations

revelations
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
June 2015
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
As the time draws closer for us to end our time together as your pastoral family, these last few weeks have
brought a lot of reflection on the past four years. One of those reflections is how God often works in
unexpected ways. We had planned on serving at Oak Grove for a few more years, and we were busily
working to execute some of the planning and visioning we have been doing the last year or so. Those plans
are moving forward, but we had anticipated being a part of them as they came to fruition. Having said that,
we go to our new appointment willingly, and we trust that as God has guided us in the past and as God
guided us to Oak Grove, we now trust that Philadelphia FUMC is where God would have us serve at this point
in our lives. Philadelphia FUMC is a great church with a long, rich history, and we trust in God’s timing that
now is the best time for us, for Oak Grove, for your new pastor Rev. Andy Cotten, and for Philadelphia to
make these changes in our lives.
A second point of reflection is around the many different conversations with many different people over the
last four years. Some have been public as in board or committee meetings, and some have been in private in
my office, home, or via e-mail. Sometimes the discussions became a bit heated and tempers flared on both
sides. However, not one time did I think the matter discussed was a purely personal agenda of one person,
and not one time did I think that the person or group with whom I was talking had any concern other than
what was best for the church. The concern has always been for the mission of the church as we have sought
together to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. You have been a model of faithfulness and authenticity for
me. I am grateful for your witness for Christ, and I carry that gratitude with me as I go to serve in
Philadelphia.
I have also thought about the different times I saw you welcome new people into the fellowship of this church.
I have seen you greet warmly both the college professor and those who walked through the doors looking for
help with food or gas. I have remarked to many people over the years that this church is the most genuinely
welcoming and accepting church I have ever served, and while I would love to be able to take credit for that, it
is just a part of who you are. It’s in your congregational genes, and it is a joy to see.
I am excited for both your new pastor family and for you as you begin ministry together in a few weeks. Andy
Cotten will be the pastor at Oak Grove effective June 16. Andy has had a long, effective ministry in the
Mississippi Conference, and as I have gotten to know him better over these last several weeks, I am firmly
convinced he is the right pastor to lead this congregation into what I believe will be the most exciting and
fruitful years in this church’s great history. I know they will receive the same care from you that you have
shown to us.
As we make these transitions, know that I am in prayer for you and for the Cottens, and I ask that you keep
our family in your prayers. The next few weeks will bring a lot of change, but that is a good thing! God is
working in our midst, and when we are faithful to God’s calling God has a way of bringing great blessings at
just the time we least expect it.
We are thankful we have been able to be a part of the life of this church these past four years. We trust God
is doing a great thing at Oak Grove UMC, and we believe the best is yet to come!
Chris
Adults
PRAYER TEAM
The Prayer Team meets each Wednesday at 5:30
pm in the Church Library to pray for our church, our
community, our nation and our world.
MEN’S CLUB
All men are invited to Men’s Club on Monday, June 1
at 6:00 pm at the Sims Family Lake. We will enjoy a
meal together and tour the facilities and plan for
Renewal Weekend which is scheduled for August 79.
MES CIRCLE
All ladies are invited to the MES Circle on Monday,
June 29 at 6:30 pm in the Family Life Center. We
will have a Pampered Chef Party with all proceeds
going to our church kitchen. Hostesses for the
evening are Jane Boudreaux, Trista Boudreaux, Erin
Dornan, Cindy Smith and Sharmon Wichman.
GOOD TIMERS
All Senior Adults are invited to Good Timers on
Monday, June 15. We will meet at Movie Star
Restaurant at 11:15 am and enjoy a delicious lunch
and fellowship. After lunch, we will return to the
Family Life Center and enjoy a special program,
“Music Serendipity.”
SIT AND BE FIT
Sit and Be Fit is an exercise class especially
designed for anyone over 50. Older adults are more
vulnerable to cardio-skeletal disease so this program
is dedicated to increasing the joy and health of
senior adults through physical exercise, social
interaction, and the discovery of a more purpose
filled life. The class meets each Tuesday at 10:30
am in the Family Life Center.
GROCERY BAG SUNDAY
June 14 is Grocery Bag Sunday. Bring a bag of non
-perishable food items to fill the shelves of the food
pantry. Much needed items: Canned Meat, Pasta
Sauce, Pasta, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned
Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Soup, Crackers, Cereal,
Mac n Cheese, Meat Dinners, Rice, Dried Beans,
Grits, Oatmeal, Powdered or Boxed Milk, etc…
SUMMER CHOIR REHEARSAL WILL BE WEDNESDAYS AT 6 PM.
The choir will not rehearse or sing in the services in July.
FESTIVAL SOUTH CONCERT
This year’s opening concert of Festival South featuring “Under the Boardwalk,” an
energetic tribute band that performs hits from the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye, Sam
Cooke, The Drifters, The Four Seasons and more, will benefit Edwards Street
Fellowship Center. This fun event is Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 pm at the Saenger
Theatre. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in the church foyer on May 31.
Contact Judy Brown at 601-307-2041 for more information.
EDIBLE EVEREST VBS FOOD DRIVE
The VBS Mission Project this year is to collect food for the OGUMC Food
Pantry. The children will be trying to reach the top of Everest with the food
collected. You can help them reach the top by donating a box of cereal, grits or
oatmeal. If the children reach the top of Edible Everest, they will get to snow
cover Bro. Chris in whipped cream!!!
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
The Health and Wellness Team will be doing blood
pressure screenings on June 7 and 21 at 10:00 am
in the Foyer.
KETTLEBELLS
Where can you get a great workout and have lots of
fun at the same time? Kettlebells! Every Tuesday
and Thursday at 5:30 pm in the Second Floor Foyer.
Rejoice in the Lord Always! Get excited to recharge, reconnect, and revive your spirits
at the OGUMC Renewal Weekend. Renewal Weekend will take place August 7-9. It’s
a great event for the entire family, so get ready for worship, food, and fellowship. Don’t
forget to ask a friend or family to join in on the fun.
Click here to learn more about the weekend and make sure you save the date!
CHILDREN
Students
Vacation Bible School
2015
SUMMER
SCHEDULE
Special Events:
Summer Kickoff: May 31-June 4; FREE
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Sunday-End of School Swim Party @Wichman Home
Monday-Instagram Scavenger Hunt
Tuesday-Tournament-Style Game Night
Wednesday-[one] Night
Thursday-Themed Movie Night
BaseCamp: July 6-10; $185
MOTION (High School): July 30-August 2; $170
June 7-11
5:30-7:30 pm
Register online @ www.ogumc.com
June

7th-11th: Everest Vacation Bible School: 5:30-7:30 pm:
Registration forms available in the church office and online at
www.ogumc.com. All children who attend VBS are welcome to
sing our VBS theme song and dedicate our Edible Everest for the
Food Pantry on the Sunday after VBS-June 14 in the 11 am
Service.
July

6th-10th: Camp Wesley Pines Grades 4-6: Register online at
www.wesleypines.com and pay in the church office
 10th-12th: Camp Wesley Pines Grades 1-3: Register online at
www.wesleypines.com and pay in the church office
(Scholarships are available to those in need who work at our
Faith and Flapjacks Fundraiser. All other participants in the
fundraiser will have a portion of camp tuition reimbursed. See Mrs.
Suzanne for details.)
 19th: Faith and Flapjacks Fundraiser

25th: Family Scavenger Hunt followed by Cookout/Marshmallow
Roast
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
Summer Stock 2015 presents
“Dancin’ on the Wind”
Friday, June 19: 7 pm
Saturday, June 20: 2 pm
Journey (Middle School): August 7-9; $75
Down Week: August 2-7
June Events:
Sundays:
 7th, 14th & 28th—Generation Groups
 21st—No Youth Activities
Wednesdays:
 3rd—[one] Night; 6PM
 10th, 17th, 24th—No Youth Activities
Thursdays:
 18th—Canoe Trip; 9AM-3PM; $25
 25th—Day at the Park; 10AM-3PM; $10
July Events:
Sundays:
 12th, 19th & 26th—Generation Groups
 5th—No Youth Activities
Wednesdays:
 1st—[one] Night; 6PM
 15th, 22nd & 29th—No Youth Activities
Thursdays:
 2nd—Bowling; 5PM-11PM; $30
 16th—Trip to Waterpark; 10AM-4PM; $30
 23rd—Laser Tag; 5PM-11PM; $30
Generation Groups: Relationships are important and are a big part
of the Student Ministries of Oak Grove UMC. Once a week, time is
set aside for students to connect in a more laid back way-Generation
Groups. In this environment, students can talk about life, faith and
the challenges we all face all while enjoying a fun, relaxing afternoon
with fellow students.
CONTACT INFORMATION
LINKS FOR LIFE
Oak Grove
United Methodist Church
Hospitality Creed
Since hospitality means “love of a guest” and
since Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you
took me in,” I will always remember to…
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
4915 Old Hwy 11
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Phone: 601-264-8850
Fax: 601-264-2308
Website: www.ogumc.com
Email: office@ogumc.com
Facebook: Oak Grove UMC, MS
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Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Friday, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
Worship Schedule
9:00 am Early Worship
10:00 am Sunday School
11:00 am Morning Worship
Church Staff
Reverend Chris Young
Pastor
Dr. Jamie Standland
Minister of Music
Margie Farlow
Pianist
Roy Windham
Student Minister
Dylan Carpenter
Student Ministry Intern
Suzanne Sanders
Children’s Minister
Eva Ratliff
Nursery Director
Laureen Tuck
Nursery
Gloria Watkins
Secretary
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
3 Sarah Young
5 Maci Bookout
7 Ashley Lamar
Jeff Sims
8 Jennifer Easterling
10 Bart Haddad
Laura Hojem
Rita Granberry Jones
Wade Maloney
11 Kirk Frazier
Nick Goff
Naomi Joy Iker
12 Gregory Carpenter
Becky Young
13 Patrick Fore
14 Lila Mathias
14 Braxton Waits
15 Peggy Bullion
Anna Lang
Tyler Standland
20 Olivia Farish
Anna Iker
Alicia Smelzer
21 Lynda Arban
Helen Chachere
22 Wanda King
24 Megan Mathias
25 Suzanne Copeland
Mark Vaughn
26 Cody Creel
27 George Nix
30 Dean Smith
HOSPITALITY CREED
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Oak Grove UMC, MS
Welcome others, especially the guest,
as though I was welcoming Jesus.
Receive no one merely as a stranger,
but rather as a dear friend.
Demonstrate through every means
available that my new friends are valued
and an integral part of our fellowship.
I gladly join with others at Oak Grove United
Methodist Church in affirming hospitality as
an integral part of the Christian witness.
“Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8
SERMONS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Oak Grove
Student Ministry
The Sunday morning sermons are now available
online by following the link found on the OGUMC
Facebook page, Oak Grove UMC, MS or on our
church website, www.ogumc.com.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
1 Johnny/Sherry Herron
2 David/Beth Bankston
3 Scott/Sarah Findley
5 Jack/Katherine Shelton
8 Dwain/Mary Ann Cox
15 Charles/Kathleen McCormick
18 Robert/Tess Hammond
Gregory/Donna Langford
19 Denny/Christie Sumrall
20 Tracy/Kim Daniels
21 Frank/Joyce Lee
25 Henry/Mary Farmer
26 Josh/Lyndsey Sims
29 Jim/Eva Ratliff
30 Frank/Peggy Woodruff
GREETERS
9 AM
1 Bill Norris
11AM
7 Esther Attkisson
14 Jane Boudreaux
21 Jimmy Carpenter
28 Wally Wesley
WELCOME CENTER GREETERS
9 AM
7 Rich/Dawn Nuss
14 Janell Hagenson/Jane Aultman
21 Mike/Susan McQueen
28 Tommy/Rita Burks
11 AM
7 Woodrow Gammel/Judith Biggert
14 Bobo/Lori Terrill
21 Dwain/Mary Ann Cox
28 Fred/Jane Boudreaux
ALTAR GUILD
7
14 Esther Attkisson
21 Anitra Turner
28 Belinda Jo Mathias
FOOD PANTRY
1 Betty MacFarlane
3 Susan McQueen
5 Adelia Powe
8 Evelyn Wesley
10 Carol Guidry
12 Mary Ann Cox
15 Judith Biggert
17 Lynda Arban
19 Dawn Nuss
22 Margie Farlow
24 Gloria Bynum
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