December Events at Oak Grove - Oak Grove Church of the Brethren

Pastor:
Ed Woodard
THE
VISITOR
P u b l i s h e d
Director of Nurture
and Music:
Carol Elmore
D E C .
J A N .
2 0 1 3
2 0 1 4
b y :
Oak Grove Church of the Brethren
2 1 3 8 M c V i t t y
R o a n o k e , V A
R o a d , S W
2 4 0 1 8
Welcome Yvonne Gum!
DEADLINE
FOR
FEBRUARY
VISITOR
JANUARY 15
NEWSLETTER
COMMITTEE:
Rena Brown
Carolyn Broyles
Jonna Detweiler
Rita Evans
by Garland Brown
Oak Grove welcomes Yvonne Gum as our newest member.
Actually, we are welcoming her back to Oak Grove, as she
served as our choir director for 12 years starting in 1980. She
came to us from Colonial Presbyterian Church. After resigning
as director she sang in our choir an additional five years before
going back to Colonial Presbyterian for seven years, where she
served as their choir director on an interim basis. Yvonne taught elementary
school music in Roanoke County for 24 years.
She likes to read, has traveled to many places, and enjoys her five grandchildren. The last two granddaughters are now in college with plans to become Drs.
of Pharmacy. Yvonne has three children, a sister who lives in Dallas, and a brother who lives in West Virginia. She has been a widow for 28 years.
Yvonne is involved with the SW VA Walk to Emmaus and gathers regularly
with folks she has met through that ministry.
She will be a young 80 in June of 2014. Yvonne said, “At 78 I was doing
great, at 79 I am doing fine, and at 80 I will be that short old lady.” She remarked
about her return to Oak Grove, “I have come home.” What a joy to have Yvonne
as a part of our church family again.
December Events at Oak Grove
5:00 p.m.
Sunday
December 8
(See page 2 for information regarding
rehearsals)
Woodard Open House
Sunday, December 22
In the church fellowship hall
following morning worship
Nancy Hylton
Sarah King
Carla McCauley
Emily Nelson
Adult Choir Cantata
Sunday, December 15
11:00 a.m.
Coretta Smith
Ed Woodard
Handbell Choir
Sunday, December 22
11:00 a.m.
Sunday
December 22
5:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, December 24
7:00 p.m.
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Children/Youth
Christmas Program
2
Joyful Hearts Christmas Social
The Children and Youth Christmas Program will be on Sunday, December 8, at
5:00 p.m., followed by a potluck meal. All of our children, from toddlers through senior highs, will be participating.
All children, toddlers through 5th grade, and junior high youth will practice on Sunday mornings, December 1 and 8, in the fellowship hall after the children’s story. We will also practice on Wednesday
evening, December 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary,
and dress rehearsal will be Saturday morning, December 7, at 10:00 a.m. Please contact Martha
Gregory or Ellen Phillips if you have questions regarding the children in first grade through junior high.
Susan Gibson can answer your questions regarding
toddlers through kindergarten. Carol Elmore is coordinating the senior high youth and their practices.
We are looking forward to great participation from
our children, youth, and all those adults interested in
taking part in this celebration of Christmas.
Rescue Mission — We Give
So That Others May Receive
By Janice Shober
The Rescue Mission Wish List for Christmas includes many inexpensive gifts which we can donate.
These include bath towel and washcloth, children’s
socks, hat or headband, comb, lotion, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, bag of
chocolate kisses, 12-pack hot chocolate packets, and
$5 gift cards to McDonalds or Hardees. The mission
is also in need of good used coats for adults and children. Please consider these gifts and bring them to
the church by December 8.
Homemade cakes, cookies, and candy are needed for Christmas dinner at the Rescue Mission.
These should be at the church by December 22, and
they will be delivered to the Mission for Christmas
dinner. Please mark them for Rescue Mission.
Wednesday, December 11
at Sunnybrook on Plantation
Meet at 11:30 a.m. The price per person will be
$12.10, inclusive. We need to know by December 6 if
you plan to attend. Please call Joyce, Sarah, or
Janice.
The Pittmans are in charge of the program, which
is a special treat for all of us. Hope to see you there!
Salvation Army Stockings
The senior high youth will stuff 50 stockings
for the Salvation Army after morning worship on
December 15. You can put your donations in
the containers outside the fellowship hall.
Stockings are given to children, babies to 14
years old. Here are some items we can use for
the stockings:
 Coloring books
 Crayons/
 Sippy cups
markers
 Cars & trucks
 T-shirts
 Small games
 School supplies
 Action figures
 Small plush toys
 Toothbrushes
 Small books
 Bath gels
 Learning toys
 Shampoo
 Toothpaste
 Combs/brushes  Deodorant
 Jewelry
 Small dolls
 Gloves/mittens
 Hair accessories
 Socks & hats
 Nail care items
 Movie tickets
 Purses/wallets
Everything must fit in the mesh Christmas
stockings distributed by the Salvation Army.
This is a very meaningful outreach ministry of
the senior high youth, and they appreciate everyone’s help with donations.
After the stockings are completed, we will
have pizza for lunch.
Project WARM
Wood Delivery
Rescue Mission Wish
List for December:
$5.00 fast food gift cards
drip grind coffee
Saturday, December 21
Meet at the woodlot in Salem at 8:00 a.m.
THE
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3
Put on Your Calendar
For 2014 . . .
Oak Grove
Family Ministries
Welcoming the Stranger
and the Strange
Our December event is the Christmas Program on December 8 (see Martha Gregory’s article on page 2) at 5:00 p.m. A potluck dinner will
follow the program. Please invite all your family
and friends for an evening filled with love and
fellowship.
The December service project will be a time
of making Christmas cards for our shut-ins. We
will meet from 12:30–3:00 p.m. following the
morning worship service on December 15th.
Lunch will be provided for the children and their
families.
Contact Susan Gibson and let her know if you
plan to attend.
On the weekend of January 18 and 19,
Fred Bernhard will be coming to Oak Grove
to lead us in a special look at reaching out
to our neighbors and our community. Fred
is an outstanding speaker, and we look forward to this blessing.
Please pray in preparation for this weekend of renewal and visioning for outreach.
Winter Bible Study
Our Winter Bible Study this year will be
held on Wednesdays, January 22 and 29
and February 5, 12, and 19. We will begin
the evening with dinner at 5:45 p.m., and
Bible study will be at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Ed
will lead the adults in a study of Philippians.
Childcare will be provided for preschoolers, and there will be programs for the youth
and school-age children.
Staunton Avenue
Food Bank
The food bank at Staunton Avenue Church of
God is truly a neighborhood service. Many food
recipients there do not have transportation, and the
church is within walking distance of several neighborhoods.
The needed staples are canned vegetables,
cereal, crackers, and other non-perishables. On
some occasions there has been food distribution
that would serve 200 people or more.
There is a box for your food donations beside
our food pantry shelf across from the fellowship hall
doors.
Munch Bunches
By Dolores Huffman
A Munch Bunch is a group of about eight people who get together once a month for four months
to enjoy a meal together and socialize. The meal
can be in one’s home (with the group bringing food)
or at a restaurant. The hosts for the month choose
the eating place and the social activity.
The Bunches usually organize at the end of
January, with sign-up forms completed prior to that.
If you have questions or are interested in meeting with others to organize a Bunch, contact
Dolores Huffman.
THE
Kroger Gift Cards
by Carol Elmore
Do you have your Kroger Gift Card? We are
raising money for youth to go to workcamps and
National Youth Conference in Summer 2014!
Remember to reload your card BEFORE you buy
your groceries and BEFORE you pay for your
gas at Kroger.
Also, consider purchasing a Kroger Gift Card
from the youth for that “hard to buy for” person
on your Christmas list. You can go to Kroger
and add to the amount if you want to give more
than $5.00 in groceries. See Carol Elmore to
purchase your $5.00 card. We will be grateful.
Concert with Joe Blaha
and Jazz, Brass and Wind Ensemble
VISITOR
Thursday, December 5, 7:30 p.m.
Olin Hall, Roanoke College
PAGE
Church Council Update
4
What is
an Acolyte?
by Rhonda Marcum
Fall Council was held on Sunday, October 20.
Committee reports were heard, and the 2014 budget was approved as submitted.
Slate results were: 2014 Moderator – Leland
Flora; Asstistant Moderator/Church Board Chair –
Martha Gregory; Board 2014-2016 – Sharon
Hanger, Gloria Harmon Mark Harmon, Carol Jones,
Kurt Kramke, and Fred Widdowson. Annual
Conference – Carol Hambleton, delegate and
Sylvia Shepherd, alternate. District Conference:
Teresa Broyles and Kathie Robinson, delegates
and Deanna Knox, alternate.
Board Retreat
by Rhonda Marcum
Board Retreat was held Sunday, November 10.
Committee reports were heard and committees reorganized for 2014:
 Christian Education – Sharon Hanger, chair;
Rena Brown, vice chair; Gloria Harmon
 Evangelism & Membership – Dolores Huffman,
chair; Susan Lindsey, vice chair; Mark Harmon
 Finance – Emily Nelson, chair; Norm Pullen,
vice chair; Kurt Kramke
 Ministry & Worship – Kathie Robinson, chair;
Sara Blaha, vice chair; Bill Whitlow
 Missions & Service – Teresa Broyles, chair; David Conner, vice chair; Carol Jones
 Property – Mike Tyler, chair; Wayne Cook, vice
chair; Fred Widdowson
by Martha Gregory
The word “acolyte” comes from a word meaning “helper.” In our church the acolyte serves as a
helper during the worship service. They help minister to their church family by carrying the light of
Christ into worship at the beginning of Sunday
morning service to light the candles on the altar
and carrying the light of Christ back out into the
world at the close of the service.
If you are at least eight years old, you are welcome to serve as an acolyte. It only takes about
15 minutes to show you all you need to know to
help in this way. Most of you have watched your
friends be acolytes and have a good idea of what
you need to do. I will be glad to teach you and let
you practice as many times as you need until you
feel comfortable serving in this way. You may continue to be an acolyte through your high school
years.
Please let me know if you are interested. Remember, at Oak Grove an acolyte ministers by
lighting candles and bringing the light of Jesus into
the sanctuary and back out into the world.
Oak Grove Women’s
Overnight Retreat
We are considering offering a spring women’s
overnight retreat. The tentative date is April 25-26.
Please let us know if you would like to help this
happen.
Contact persons are Kathie Robinson and
Jonna Detweiler.
Nursery Schedule for December & January
Date
Babies
Preschool
Children’s Church
December 1
Pam Conner & Julie Chumbley
Randall Eakin & Arlene Kramke
No Children’s Church
December 8
Norm & Julie Ann Pullen
Jonna Detweiler & Tanya Pizzullo
No Children’s Church
December 15
Martha Gregory & Anna Hosey
Ben & Andrea Foutz
No Children’s Church
December 22
Kathie Robinson & Mary Jo Burris
Rick & Heather Prokopchak
No Children’s Church
December 29
Carolyn Broyles & Susan Lindsey
Beth Shearer & Katie Woodard
No Children’s Church
January 5
Rhonda Marcum & Mel Purcell
Keith & Kirsten Robinson
David & Pam Conner, Julie C.
January 12
Marc & Mary Wilson
Robin Craighead & Joan Simpson
David & Pam Conner, Julie C.
January 19
Rena’ Brown & Emily Nelson
Alli Broyles & Diane Tyler
David & Pam Conner, Julie C.
January 26
Joyce Bolender & Sylvia Shepherd
Sam & Ellen Phillips
David & Pam Conner, Julie C.
THE
VISITOR
Virlina District News
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5
Christmas Concert at Bethlehem
District Conference
by Susan Gibson
This year’s District Conference theme “Come Near
to God and He Will Come Near To You” came from the
scripture in James 4:7-8. The Forty-Third Virlina District
Conference of the Church of the Brethren began with a
powerful Friday night worship service which was led by
keynote speaker Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, 2014
Annual Conference Moderator of the COB.
Saturday morning’s session began with gathering
hymns as it brought us all together to begin the business session of the conference. Chairman of the
Board, Roy U. Turpin, spoke and encouraged us to
continue to work together to move forward with Christ,
because we are God’s hands and feet. Rev. Turpin also spoke about being useful in our calling and for us to
be servants to God and others. He stressed the importance of being involved in God’s work, loving the
Lord, and staying true to Him as we come together to
draw nearer to God.
Saturday’s business session included 20 individuals
who were called to various positions, with Dava
Hensley as Moderator–Elect. Other morning business
included Virlina District reports. The afternoon session
opened with a gathering of hymns, followed by denominational reports, and ended with remembering, sharing
and the installation of 2014 Conference officers.
Camp Bethel’s Director, Barry S. LeNoir, spoke encouraging each of us to be advocates for Camp Bethel.
He expressed heartfelt thanks to all who helped
throughout the year and said that when you are at
Camp Bethel, you are standing in the midst of grace;
rejoice in the Hope of God. The 2014 Camp Bethel
theme is “Get Real—Finding Your True Self In Jesus.”
District Executive, David Shumate, provided a lesson in the five P’s of the church that I found interesting.
These five P’s include 1) Prayer: Pray for one another,
because prayer is the foundation to our relationship
with God. 2) Presence: We are together and our presence builds relationships to God and to one another. 3)
Presents: They are important because we need everyone’s gifts, such as their wisdom, insight, and
knowledge. 4) Patience: Rome was not built in a day,
and we need to learn how to be patient with one another and ourselves. We must trust God, not by our own
sight, but by God’s redeeming plan. 5) Persistence:
This is a spiritual blessing, and David encouraged each
congregation to buy and read the new book “Give of
the First Fruits: A Study of Stewardship for the 21 st
Century Church.”
The theme for 2014 will be “Taste and See that the
Lord Is Good.” May we all continue to be guided by
God as we move forward.
THE
Ann Frysinger Shifflet, organist, of Harrisonburg
and Mary Alice Ankrum Bowman, pianist, of Boones
Mill will present a program, “Let’s Remember the
Reason and Enjoy the Season” at 3:00 p.m., on
Sunday, December 1, at Bethlehem CoB, 4250
Bethlehem Road, Boones Mill, VA. Come and enjoy the gift of music!
Camp Supporter Luncheon
On Saturday, February 8, from 12:00 until 3:00
p.m., all Camp Representatives, pastors, youth
leaders, friends, and supporters of Camp Bethel are
encouraged to attend our Camp Supporter Luncheon. Please ensure that at least ONE person from
your church attends. You do not have to be a
Camp Rep to attend.
After a free lunch in the Ark, we’ll share and distribute all the tools and information you need to interpret Camp Bethel to your congregation.
Sow the Seed Banquet
Plant seeds of FAITH in the lives of children,
youth, and young adults. The Sow the Seed Scholarship Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 6,
at 6:30 p.m. At $40 per person (larger gifts accepted), all costs and donations from the evening directly fund “camperships” and our summer camp ministries. Please reserve your place at the table by
February
27
to
992-2940
or
campbetheloffice@gmail.com. Payments will be accepted in advance or at the table.
Each year the need and demand for scholarships increases. Our base fee for a week of camp
in 2014 is $280. Your gift is tax deductible. Give
the gift of camp, an experience that can change a
life forever.
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage XVIII will be held March 14-16, at
Camp Bethel. The Pilgrimage retreat is a spiritfilled experience for adults of all ages who want to
take another step to draw closer to God.
For information, contact Karen Haynes at
haynesmk1986@yahoo.com. Brochures are on the
hall table.
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December Middle School Events
January 2014 ALL YOUTH Events
Sat., Dec. 7
10:00 a.m. — Junior High Christmas Play Dress Rehearsal
Sun., Dec. 8
5:00 p.m. — Junior and Senior High and Children’s
Christmas Program (be here at 4:15 p.m.), then potluck
meal
Sat., Dec. 21
8:00 a.m. — Project WARM — meet at the woodlot;
bring your parents and friends
4:30 p.m. — Meet at church to carpool to our Christmas
Progressive Dinner Party in the homes of Bolenders,
Phillips, and Tylers! Please sign up to bring something
to one of the homes.
Sun., Dec. 22
5:30 p.m. — Christmas Caroling (all church), ALL youth
Thur. & Fri., Dec. 29 & 30
Winter Camp at Camp Bethel — preregister with Camp
Sun., Jan. 5
6:00 p.m. — Jaret and Whitney Smith from Bridgewater College — “How to Choose a College”
Sun., Jan. 12
1:00 p.m. — Movie Day! Watch “The Butler” and discuss (fellowship hall). Grab lunch and come back for
the movie.
Sat., Jan. 18
8:00 a.m. — Project WARM — meet at the woodlot;
bring your parents and friends
Sat. & Sun., Jan. 18 & 19
Potluck dinner and guest speaker, Fred Bernhard (all
church). Come and learn how to be more welcoming.
Wed., Jan. 22
5:45 p.m. — Meal and Youth Winter Bible Study
Sun., Jan. 26
9:45 a.m. — Junior Highs, rehearse in Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. — Junior Highs LEAD WORSHIP
Wed., Jan 29
5:45 p.m. — Meal and Youth Winter Bible Study
December High School Events
Sat., Dec. 7
11:00 a.m. — Senior High Christmas Play Dress Rehearsal
Sun., Dec. 8
5:00 p.m. — Junior and Senior High and Children’s
Christmas Program (be here at 4:15 p.m.), then potluck
meal
Sat., Dec. 14
5:00 p.m. — Meet at church to carpool to our Christmas
dinner in the home of Joyce Harmon (35 Patsel Court).
Sign up to bring something,
Sun., Dec. 15
12:15 p.m. — Senior Highs stuff Salvation Army Stockings and have pizza after church
Sun., Dec. 22
5:30 p.m. — Christmas Caroling (all church), ALL youth
Sat., Dec. 21
8:00 a.m. — Project WARM — meet at the woodlot;
bring your parents and friends
Thur. & Fri., Dec. 28 & 29
Winter Camp at Camp Bethel — preregister with Camp
...that Ben Phillips (clarinet, 1st year)
and Jessy Wilson (trombone, 2nd year) are
in the Roanoke Junior Symphony?
THE
Looking Ahead . . .
February 2 — Souper Bowl of Caring
(bring and collect cans of food for the
food pantry)
March 15 — Youth Yard Sale (will work for two
weeks prior)
March 21-23 — Roundtable at Bridgewater College
(grades 9-12)
June 1 — Senior High/Graduation Sunday; plan
and lead worship
July 19-24 — National Youth Conference at Fort
Collins, CO (bus trip from July 15-26)
February 2
by Carol Elmore
“Yes, soup for you!” On your way to worship on
February 2, grab a few cans of soup, vegetables,
fruit, or spaghetti sauce for our church’s food pantry.
So, celebrate the SOUPER BOWL this year by
helping others.
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Sunday Morning Statistics
Date
Sunday School
Worship
Budget
Special Gifts
November 3
85
165
$6,433
$243
November 10
82
163
$8,449
$310
November 17
94
164
$6,747
$1,109
November 24
77
150
$4,926
$145
December 1
December 8
December 15
December 22
December 29
1st Sunday of Advent — “Incarnating His Coming” — Isaiah 11:1-10
2nd Sunday of Advent — “Mary and Elizabeth” — Luke 1:39-55
3rd Sunday of Advent — Adult Choir Cantata
4th Sunday of Advent — “Joseph” — Matthew 1:18-25
“Conquering Time” — Mark 1:15
January 5
January 12
January 19
January 26
“The God Who Creates a People” — Jeremiah 31:7-14
“God is Preparing the Way” — Acts 10:30-48
“Welcoming the Stranger and the Strange” — Fred Bernhardt
“The Price Tag of the Kingdom” — Matthew 4:12-23
Ed’s Episodes
by Ed Woodard
The world is
always attempting
to use religion for
its own ends. It’s
no different with
the celebration of
the birth of Jesus.
A peasant couple
so poor they give
birth to a baby in a
feeding trough in
a barn because
they are being
forced by the Empire to be counted
for tax purposes.
The eye witnesses
are
the
“nobodies,” the shepherds, the working poor who see a vision in the night sky so beyond their imaginations
that they are compelled to see this child for themselves. The wise men bearing gifts don’t even show up until
a year or two later!
So, what do we get from this picture? A worldly celebration that focuses on gift giving in order to give a
major boost to capitalism to sustain our own Empire. What we don’t hear is the idea of the God who comes to
the poor and powerless. What the world focuses on is the cute baby in the manger. It doesn’t dare focus on
the child who grows up and proclaims a different kind of “Empire,” a different kind of Kingdom where God’s will
is done. The world doesn’t focus on the young man who grew up and turned over the tables in the religious
establishment of the Temple. Nor does the world like to talk about what the Empire finally does to those who
offer a competing Kingdom.
So during this season remember that what we have to celebrate goes way beyond the nativity story. On
Christmas morning after the presents are unwrapped and most people collapse from exhaustion, our celebration is just beginning. For you and I are continuing to read His story . . . and if we believe . . . love and follow
him . . .
THE
VISITOR