Love Your Enemies. It s Extremely Difficult EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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1 July 15, 2018 EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Love Your Enemies It s Extremely Difficult Jesus and I get crossed up at times. There are things he said with which I struggle. Enemies is one of the topics where he and I have different views. I need enemies. It helps me maintain my oversimplified world of black and white. Either they are my friend or my enemy. But Jesus says I am to love my enemies. A teaching to tolerate the intolerable would be tolerable, but to love them seems extreme. I could probably find room in my heart to forgive them provided I get to define forgiveness in such a way that it does not expect too much of me or require a measurable level of discomfort. But Jesus says to love my enemies. If you are expecting a tidy resolution to the dilemma within the ~274 words on this page, you will be disappointed. The human need for enemies is too complex, and the radical notion of loving enemies can be insufferable. If Jesus would have moderated his views, it would be easier. If Jesus would have advocated for tolerance rather than love, for forgetting rather than forgiving, for civility rather than mercy, for fairness rather than grace, then it would be much easier to be a Christian. I can be tolerant and civil and fair, but to be loving, merciful, and grace-filled is much more difficult. Then again, Jesus was never one for moderation. He was extreme in his love. He was extreme in his grace. His crucifixion was extreme. His Resurrection was extreme. And his teaching to love our enemies is extreme. It is an extremely difficult teaching.

2 8:30 and 11 a.m. ORDER OF WORSHIP July 15, 2018 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Gathering Music Adagio in D Minor Bach-Vivaldi Mr. Scott Morris, Guest Organist Welcome and Announcements (Please complete and pass the red friendship pad at this time) Dr. Glenn Ethridge *Hymn of Praise Love Divine, All Loves Excelling UMH 384 *Affirmation of Faith 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 and Colossians 1:15-20 Dr. Joseph McBrayer This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared first to the women, then to Peter and the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God, the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead, in whom all things hold together, in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell by the power of the Spirit. Christ is the head of the body, the church, and by the blood of the cross reconciles all things to God. Amen. A Morning Prayer and The Lord s Prayer Dr. McBrayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Mission Moment Ms. Helen Roberts-Evans Missionary to Liberia Our Tithes & Offerings (8:30) How Firm a Foundation from American Folk Hymn Suite for Organ Michael Burkhardt (11:00) My Shepherd Will Supply My Need Ms. Susan Hodges, Soprano; Mr. Randy Thrower, Baritone My Shepherd will supply my need; Jehovah is His name. In pastures fresh He makes me feed beside the living stream. He brings my wandering spirit back when I forsake His ways, and leads me, for His mercy s sake, in paths of truth and grace. When I walk through the shades of death, Thy presence is my stay; A word of Thy supporting breath drives all my fears away. Thy hand, insight of all my foes, doth still my table spread; My cup with blessings overflows; Thine oil anoints my head. The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; O may Thy house be mine abode, and all my work be praise! There would I find a settled rest while others go and come; No more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.

3 *Doxology UMH 95 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Hymn of Preparation Freely, Freely UMH 389 (At the 11:00 a.m. service, children in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade are invited to leave for Children s Church during the Hymn of Preparation. Pick up is in room 227.) Duet (8:30) My Shepherd Will Supply My Need Ms. Susan Hodges, Soprano; Mr. Randy Thrower, Baritone Anthem (11:00) Children of the Heavenly Father Edwin Liemohn Chancel Choir Children of the Heavenly Father safely in His bosom gather; Nestling bird nor star in heaven such a refuge e er was given. God His own doth tend and nourish; In His holy courts they flourish, from all evil things He spares them, in His mighty arms He bears them. Praise the Lord in joyful numbers; Your Protector never slumbers, at the will of your Defender ev ry foeman must surrender. Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne er forsaketh, His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy. Scripture Matthew 5:43-48 Mr. James Trotti The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Sermon Upside Down: Dr. Ethridge Love-Enemies *Sending Hymn Beams of Heaven As I Go UMH 524 (Those who wish to join the church are invited to come forward.) Charles Tindley wrote Beams of Heaven As I Go in Born in Maryland 1851, his father was a slave, and his mother was free. His mother died young, and his aunt took him in to preserve his freedom. Tindley was largely self-taught. He moved to Philadelphia in 1875 and took correspondence courses toward becoming a Methodist minister while working as a church janitor. He served a series of small churches. In 1904, he returned to the church where he had served as janitor. Twenty years later the church moved to the eponymously named Tindley Temple, where membership grew to about 10,000. His hymns and sermons reflect the challenges of earthly life, a commitment to peace, and a deep faith in God s deliverance. *Benediction Dr. Ethridge *Postlude Festive Trumpet Tune David German *Congregation stand as able. UMH: United Methodist Hymnal / TFWS: The Faith We Sing Large print hymnals and bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available from an usher. Children s worship bags are available in the narthex and parlor side door. Nursery care is available in room 123.

4 Oak Grove NEWS July 15, 2018 This Week s Activities Sunday, July 15, :30am Coffee Fellowship 12:30pm Youth Tubing Trip Grand Hall Away Monday, July 16, :00am Seekers Class Bridge Rm 101 7:30pm Adult Volleyball Heritage Hall Gym Tuesday, July 17, :30am Smart Lunch Smart Kid Fellowship Hall 2:00pm Senior Adult Council Meeting Rm 102 6:30pm Grief Recovery Group Rm 238 7:00pm Building Committee Rm 102 Wednesday, July 18, :30am Smart Lunch Smart Kid Fellowship Hall 5:00pm Midweek Communion Service Grand Hall 7:00pm Young Adult Bible Study (YABS) Rm T01 8:00pm 9.35 Band Rehearsal Fellowship Hall Stage Thursday, July 19, :00am Needles & Prayers Rm :30am Sonsational Tween Day Away 1:00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Prep Kitchen Friday, July 20, :00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Delivery Away Oak Grove s Vision Every Member will... Mention Oak Grove Church once weekly. Invite someone to Oak Grove and offer to meet them at church once quarterly. Participate in a small discipleship group every year. Share in a domestic mission project every year. Participate (as able) in an overseas mission project once every five years. Food Packing Event Help us reach our goal of packing over 150,000 meals! Register online ( Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack Saturday, August 25, 2018 Register and Donate NOW! Join your family and friends on Saturday, August 25, to literally give life to children around the world by packing 150,000 non-perishable meals! To pack that many meals, we will need 750 volunteers (including children ages 5 and up with a parent) and $33,000. Invite friends and family members to join you in volunteering for a 2-hour shift and donating money toward our goal. Register now by logging into the church website ( or by calling Sandee Edmondson ( , ext. 228) in the church office. The passcode to register on our Feed My Starving Children website is oakgrove. You may donate on the website or by making your check payable to Oak Grove UMC with Feed My Starving Children on the memo line. Parents can make a reservation for childcare by ing Tricia Fazio (tfazio@ogumc.org) in advance with the names/ages of the children (under 5 years) and the shift you will be working. If you have any questions, contact Amy Morgan (amorgan@ogumc.org or , ext. 210). Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 10 a.m. Join us for story time at the Oak Grove UMC Library! A guest reader will share fun children s story books along with an activity too. Invite a friend and bring a Pillow, Blanket, & your love of Jesus! Target age: 2 7 years old; children must be accompanied by an adult. You can make sandwiches to feed hungry kids this summer! Assembly Dates Tuesdays and Wednesdays July July Nearly 1 million kids in Georgia lose access to lunch when school ends for the summer. As part of Smart Lunch, Smart Kid, we want to make sure that children in our community have the food they need. For 4 more days this summer we will meet in Fellowship Hall at 10:30 a.m. to enjoy fellowship, refreshments, and a devotional. We will then make sandwiches and assemble 600 sack lunches. Sign up in the Portico, online ( or by calling Sandee Edmondson in the church office ( ). Smart Lunch, Smart Kid is a great intergenerational service opportunity for individuals, families with children, and other groups. Monetary contributions are needed too!

5 OGUMC Youth will be going to see the Braves take on the Dodgers on Sunday, July 27! We will meet in Youth Hall at 4 p.m. and travel on buses to Suntrust Park. The cost of the trip is $15 and covers transportation and ticket. Please bring money for snacks, dinner, or souvenirs. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and we will stay for fireworks after the game! Registration ends July 22. Bring a friend and join the FUN! Sunday School July 15, 9:45 a.m. Youth Hall Tubers July 15, meet in Youth Hall, 12:30 p.m. No Youth Fellowship July 15 Open Gym Wednesday, July 18, 2 5 p.m. Sunday Funday July 22, 5:30 7 p.m. Youth Lunch Out meet at Fellini's Thursday July 26, Noon Parent Potluck Sunday August 5, Noon September 7 9, 9th 12th Grade is heading to Awanita Valley Retreat Center in South Carolina for an awesome weekend of fun, new friendships, amazing worship times, bonfires, zip lines, Hummer rides, hay rides, games, and fellowship. October 5 7, 6th - 8th Grade is heading to Camp Glisson Retreat Center in Dahlonega, GA to take part in the Rooted Retreat. It will be an awesome weekend full of powerful worship, off the wall activities, new friendships, games and fellowship. THE UPPER ROOM The July/August Upper Room Devotional booklets are now available for pick up in the Narthex and on the table beneath the quilt hanging in Grand Hall. Please pick one up today as a guide for your daily devotional time. SplashPad, Lunch and a Movie Who: Rising 4th, 5th and 6th graders What: SplashPad at the Big Splash in Suwannee Town Center Park, and Movie (Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation) at the Suwanee Movie Tavern When: Thursday, July 19 10:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Where: Pick-up and Drop off in the Church back parking lot Cost: $14 for movie ticket & transportation. Bring a brown bag lunch, extra $ for movie refreshments, bathing suit and towel RSVP: online ( by Friday, July 13. Questions? Contact Stephanie Mitchell (smitchell@ogumc.org). Oak Grove Memorials IN HONOR TO THE DRAMA MINISTRY IN HONOR OF Lee Knippenberg by Theatre Works IN MEMORY TO THE BUILDING FUND IN MEMORY OF George Jeffares by Smoky & Zoe Hicks Dick Muth by Milton & Velera Eades TO DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY IN MEMORY OF Dick Muth by Smoky & Zoe Hicks TO THE MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF Adell Butterworth by Harriet Moore Denise Wood TO THE TRADITIONAL MUSIC FUND IN MEMORY OF Harriet Tuggle by Clint & Jenny Ginn Smoky & Zoe Hicks Nell McCuen DeDe Slappey Fred & Marilyn Hill Charles & Julie Malmquist Bob & Louise McCreary Elaine Thurston Madere Mullen Olivar George Riley by Lou Ann Harkleroad Jared Ivey Bill & Lynda Wallace George & Phyllis Eckard James & Debbie Seligman Dan & Melissa Raudebaugh Cristian Voicu Clint & Jenny Ginn Smoky & Zoe Hicks Salem Camp Meeting On Monday, July 16, Oak Grove will take a group to participate in Salem Camp Meeting. We will enjoy open air worship with great preaching and favorite hymns followed by a delicious southern cooking lunch served family style. Salem is located between Conyers and Covington, GA, and we will provide bus transportation to the event. Meet at Oak Grove at 9:15 a.m. Please register with Sandee Edmondson in the church office ( ). Everyone will need to complete the Medical/Permission form to ride the bus. The cost for the trip is $12, which covers lunch. For more information contact Amy Morgan (amorgan@ogumc.org).

6 PLEASE PRAY FOR Due to an early publication deadline, we do not have a current prayer list. Recent Baptisms... We celebrate the recent baptism of these children who have been initiated into Christ's holy church and the Oak Grove family! Sophia Jane DiGiuro, Anna Olivia DiGiuro, Tegan Kathleen Cesa-Harrison Lunch Bunch REWIRE YOUR LIFE Tuesday, August 7, :30 a.m. Fellowship Hall Rewire your life for retirement with service, travel, exercise, and learning! Enjoy new interests and let your heart sing from within: Hosted by Alfred Kirkwood, Oak Grove member, physician, and artist. Enjoy a veritable fair of interesting people and projects to consider revving-up your outlook for the future! Activities,Topics, Guests, Hosts: Meet Fran Dotson, Branch Manager, Northlake-Barbara Lane Library. Discover new senior programs available from our Dekalb County Public Libraries. Meet Victoria Kingsland, Director of Central DeKalb Senior Center. Hear about weekly classes, exercise, and events! Learn extreme gardening with Hugh Denny. Reach out to serve through mission to others with Mary Lou Gilbert. Travel the world, travel regionally, and travel locally with Tom Landers. Continue to learn through the Senior University with Alice Remigailo. Quilt with Laura Palmer. Enjoy studio arts with Alfred Kirkwood. Cost is $8.00 at the door make reservations online ( in the church office ( ), or in Senior Adult Sunday school classes please honor your reservation. M I DW E E Mark your calendars for our first Midweek of the year. MIDWEEK kicks off Wednesday, August 15, Children s Choirs and other Midweek programs will begin Wednesday, August 22, K Summer Midweek Communion Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Midweek Communion goes on all year! During the summer months, childcare is available by reservation only. If you would like childcare for this service, contact Tricia Fazio (tfazio@ogumc.org) by Monday morning before each Wednesday you plan to attend. All are welcome! 57th Annual Oak Grove Barbecue: Saturday, October 20 The 57th annual Oak Grove United Methodist Men s Barbecue will be held on Saturday, October 20. Please put this date on your calendar now so you can plan your fall activities around this important church-wide time of food, fun, music, and fellowship. Last year, 4,785 meals were served and $29, was raised for church and mission projects at the 56th annual UMM Barbecue. This year we will have day-long music, including old time Bluegrass and Gospel outside in the tent on the Grand Lawn. The bake sale, craft sale, and book sale will again be a feature of this exciting day. Please tell your friends and neighbors who look forward each year to participating as we bring the community together. Tickets and volunteer information will be available in September. Scott Walters OAK GROVE Monday, August 13 6:15 p.m. Fellowship Hall Join us as OGUMM welcome Scott Walters, Executive Director of Mobility Worldwide. Find out how this international humanitarian Christian charity provides mobility, freedom, and dignity to those living in developing lands through the manufacture and distribution of this life-changing method of personal transportation. See how this marvelous three wheeled cart has given the gift of independence to thousands who were previously homebound, through the efforts of countless volunteers who support this mission. A cart, which will perform where a wheelchair will not, will be there for you to see (and test drive, if you like). MENU: country fried steak, smashed potatoes, green beans, yeast rolls, dessert, and beverage. The price is $8.00. Make your reservations by Wed., August 8, in your Sunday school class, at 9:35 worship, Grand Hall, Portico Entrance, in person, or by phone in the church office ( ), or online ( PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVA- TIONS EARLY! Our Presence June 20, 2018 Midweek Communion 21 Our Presence June 24, 2018 Church School 326 8:30 Service 95 9:35 Service :00 Service 308 Total Worship this Week 598 6/25/18 Our Offerings Received to date Needed to date $1,237, $1,208, Over/Under ($15,778.40) DEEP ROOTS BUILDING CAMPAIGN RESULTS Phase 2 Given to date: $1,990,967.55

7 Today s Worship Servants Sound: Taylor Pendley Ushers: Louis Barksdale, David Bell, Bill Berg, Mike Brooks, Barry Cox, Saxon Dasher, Judd Davis, Jack Ginn, Sonny McCoy, John McMillen, Hugh Means, Jonathan Merrill, Bob Pratt, Tim Ramsey, Bill Rembert, Michael Smith, Clayton Webster, Barbara Woolard, Hank Woolard Altar Guild: Regina Haynes, Judy Kirkwood, Carol Wright Children s Church: Leslie and Ed Flowers Our Worship Times 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Sanctuary 9:35 a.m. Sunday School Various 9:35 a.m. Contemporary Worship Fellowship Hall 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Sanctuary Our Pastors Dr. Glenn Ethridge Senior Pastor ext. 211 Dr. Amy Morgan Pastor of Nurture and Service ext. 210 Dr. Joseph McBrayer Pastor of Invitation and Discipleship ext. 212 Rev. Mary Lou Gilbert Pastor to Senior Adults Dr. Dana Everhart Theologian in Residence Our Program Staff Dale Smith Executive Director ext. 225 Pam Reynolds Director of Finance ext. 224 Kim Cody Children s Ministry ext. 218 Bryan Bontrager Youth Ministry ext. 202 Ed Scruggs Music Ministry ext. 212 Leanne Herrmann Organist Atticus Hicks Dir. of Modern Worship ext. 208 Submitting Articles to the Oak Grove News: Please be reminded that Thursday 12 p.m. is the deadline for information that you would like to add to the Oak Grove News. This will enable your article to appear in the following week s bulletin. Send items to oakgrovenews@ogumc.org. Articles will run TWO times and may be edited for space. Indicate the two editions you prefer when the article is submitted. Thank you! Check the Oak Grove website for up-to-the-minute news on all events: Make Sure You Stay in Constant Contact Information on our ministries, news, and upcoming events is shared through our Constant Contact weekly congregational . If your address changes during the year, please contact Diane O'Steen, Membership/Database Admin., (dosteen@ogumc.org or ext.221) Our Church Information Church Office Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Emergency Contact After Hours ext. 9 Address 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur, GA Website Our Schools Oak Grove Christian School YCS (Young Children s School) OAK GROVE ROAD DECATUR, GEORGIA 30033