Worship Services. Blue Christmas Service Hwy. 290 W. Austin, TX (512) Pastors Jim Roberts, Katy Fitzgold, Laura Smith Adam

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1 DEC. 14, 2018 A PUBLICATION OF OAK HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 7815 Hwy. 290 W. Austin, TX (512) Pastors Jim Roberts, Katy Fitzgold, Laura Smith Adam Radical Hospitality at Oak Hill UMC: A desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ. Worship Services Sunday, Dec. 16 8:45 a.m., 10 a.m. Pathways, and 11:15 a.m. Pastor Jim Roberts What Then Shall We Do? Luke 3:7-18 Sunday, Dec. 23 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Pastor Jim Roberts Mary s Song Luke 1: a.m. Pathways Pastor Laura Adam Until That Time Micah 5:1-5 Blue Christmas Service Tuesday, Dec p.m. Sanctuary

2 Are the holidays one of the most lonely, difficult times of the year for you? Join us in the Sanctuary on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. for Blue Christmas, an opportunity to acknowledge your feelings and to invite God s healing presence into the midst of your sadness and pain. Christmas without a loved one, unemployment and/or financial hardship, a devastating illness, a broken relationship these, and a multitude of other situations, are times in life when the joy of Christmas is difficult to find. Blue Christmas offers us an intentional space for quiet worship in the midst of everyone else s joy. Come as you are and bring who you are, tears included. You are not alone! Pictured above are some of Oak Hill UMC s best volunteers! That s Greg Graham as Santa kissing Mrs. Claus (Kim Graham). Also shown are Adam Matustik; the party planning team of Carrie Mathews, Alison Talbert, and Kristin Hall; Pastor Jim; and George Kennebeck. Christmas Party Was a HUGE Success! More than 300 teddy bears (and kittens/puppies/rabbits/lambs and two angry birds) were given to Oak Hill-area children at the annual Christmas party hosted by the Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill on Saturday, Dec. 8. Members of Oak Hill UMC led a group of more than 40 volunteers that included social workers, Travis County law enforcement officers, and, of course, Santa.

3 A total of 115 families with 340 children participated in the event and were given gifts. The final tally: 300+ teddy bears/kittens/puppies/rabbits/lambs plus two angry birds (all finding new loving homes) pajamas for almost 100 children 20 gift cards for teenagers more than 200 coats for children of all ages 200+ bananas and cutie oranges donated by our friends at Central Market 240 breakfast tacos gallons of orange juice and coffee almost 20 dozen sugar cookies Together, Oak Hill UMC and the local agencies shared a morning of radical hospitality with our brothers and sisters in the Oak Hill community. Thanks to everyone for your help! Thanks for the Coats! The Coats for Kids drive this year was the best we have ever had! Thanks to the support of the Oak Hill UMC Preschool, the congregation, and the financial support from two Sunday School classes, we collected over 200 coats! More than 125 families now have warm, happy children. Thanks! George Kennebeck Sage Eden Fitzgold Makes Her Oak Hill UMC Debut! Pastor Katy and baby Sage paid a visit to Oak Hill UMC Tuesday, Dec. 11. Everyone agreed that Sage is a cutie! Precious was heard frequently. Pictured below with Katy and Sage are Kathy Williamson, Jenny Holm, and Pastor Jim. Children s News Wonderfully Made is a faith and sexuality program for preteens that covers physical development and spiritual connection while helping preteens establish a foundation for their life in Christ. The class will be held Jan For details or to sign up your 5th or 6th grade child, please contact Jenny Holm or Jennifer Barkis in our Children s Ministry. Class size is limited.

4 The terrific Kingdom Kids, directed by Kati Cox, performed with lots of spirit Sunday, Dec. 8, as they presented The Christmas Carol Special Report. Thanks for the entertainment! Youth News Dec. 16 Sunday School with Lisa and Nikki. Join the fun at 10 a.m. Youth Group meets from 5-7 p.m. Coming up: Wednesday, Dec. 19 Youth Christmas Party 6-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 Texas Stars Game (Price $20) 6-10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6 Back 2 School Surprise Trip 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 Wedding Shower for Matt and Val 5-7 p.m. For information on the above events, contact Matt at matt@oakhillumc.org. Like us on Facebook: For all the latest info check out our Parent Info App: REMEMBER: The Youth Sunday School Class has partnered with the Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill to collect food and other personal items all year long. Donations will be delivered monthly to the center. Look for the collection bin in the hallway between the coffee bar area and the Youth Sunday School classroom.

5 The Oak Hill UMC Caroling Squad sang Christmas carols and spread good cheer at the Legacy Oaks and Ledgestone senior living centers. Good times! Don t Miss the 2019 Men s Retreat! Jan , 2019 Wellspring Retreat Center in Blanco Attention, Oak Hill UMC men: The annual United Methodist Men Men s Retreat will be held Jan , 2019, at the beautiful Wellspring Retreat Center in Blanco. Stay tuned for more information. The Wellspring Retreat Center is a luxurious facility with a 360-degree Hill Country view. The general event format will be the same as in previous years: We gather on Friday evening for dinner; meet for one or two talks after dinner, and conclude the evening with a short worship service. Saturday morning breakfast is served around 7:30 and is followed by several talks and a brief communion service. Lunch is served before everyone departs around 1 p.m. Stay tuned for more specific information on our theme, the menu, and what to bring. There will be no break-out discussions, group hugs, or ice-breaker exercises, but you will have a chance to relax, hear some really good talks, and maybe get to chat with a few men that you haven t met before. For more information, contact Richard Reeves at or rgreeves@sbcglobal.net. United Methodist Men Have a Facebook Group! Are you a Facebook member? Are you interested in what s going on with the Oak Hill UMC UMM? It s easy to join the group; simply go to click Groups on the left menu, and request to join! Oak Hill UMC Receives Habitat for Humanity Award The Austin chapter of Habitat for Humanity presented Oak Hill UMC its Volunteer Group of the Year Award at its 2018 Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party. The church was recognized for providing lunches at Habitat work sites. Donna Holt and Ernest Rebuck (pictured on next page) accepted the certificate on behalf of the many Oak Hill members who have provided lunches to Habitat for over two decades. This ministry started when Jerry Morford, who coordinated Habitat activities for the church, asked Margaret Jones to provide Habitat lunches. He explained that volunteers were leaving Habitat work sites at noon to get lunch and didn t return. Serving lunch would keep the volunteers at the work site for the day. Margaret willingly recruited church members and began providing lunches on the second Saturday of each month. Years later, the program continues with Ernie coordinating OHUMC Habitat construction volunteers and Donna coordinating groups

6 and individuals to provide lunches. Margaret continues to help serve. Groups include Sunday school classes, Chloe and Mary Martha Circles, the Wednesday Morning Study Group, United Methodist Men, and others. These groups and individuals, at their own expense, purchase, prepare, deliver, and serve lunches on the second Saturday of each month. If you are interested in learning about volunteer opportunities with the church through working a Habitat work site or helping to provide meals, contact Ernie at ecrebuck@gmail.com or Donna at dholt3@hotmail.com. Our Prayers, Our Presence, and Our Gifts Presence (Dec. 2): Sunday School 206 8:45 a.m a.m :15 a.m. 250 Legacy Oaks 38 Sodalis 10 Worship Total 530 Gifts (Dec. 2): General Fund $47,385 Building Fund Debt Reduction $100 Benevolence Fund $200 Burke $340 Central Texas Food Bank $1,462 Endowment Fund $1,000 Habitat for Humanity $835 Heifer International $565 Missions (Teddy Bears/Party) $55 Missions (PJs) $230 Missions (Homeless) $320 The Refuge $520 Foundation Communities $350 Music $20 Water to Thrive $1,763 UMW Hugs $250 Presence (Dec. 9): Sunday School 171 8:45 a.m a.m :15 a.m. 203 Legacy Oaks 38 Worship Total 449

7 Gifts (Dec. 9): General Fund $37,180 Building Fund Debt Reduction $185 Central Texas Food Bank $110 Endowment Fund $50 Heifer International $35 Memorial Fund $175 Missions (Homeless) $30 The Refuge $190 Foundation Communities $180 Water to Thrive $130 Prayers Anita Barton; Bob and Fran Batch; Alex Bennett; Ruth Anne Bush (Lois Rice s friend); Jim Chionsini (Jennifer Cortez s father); Les Conley; Carole Cortez; Jean and Larry Cortez (Marc Cortez s parents); Cathy Ingersoll; family and friends of Cathy Ingersoll (her father, Brad Davis, passed away Nov. 26); Amy Kadlecek; Carl and Mary Ethel Moore; family and friends of William ( Bill ) Pampe (Bill passed away Nov. 20); Karen Seuser; Cherrie Shoemaker; Teresa Talley (Lynn Sampsell s daughter); Anne Tiedt; Rick White (Karan and David Stripling s son-in-law); Janet Whitworth (Susan Shineldecker s friend); Reggie Wilson. Stephen Ministers Are Available for Prayer The holiday season can be a very difficult time of year. Those who are grieving or struggling with personal or family issues may find this to be a time of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness. Whatever you are feeling, a Stephen Minister is available to you for prayer after every church service. They are waiting to listen, hold your hand, offer a welcome hug, and extend God s love through prayer with you. Please contact Alana Oehler if you would like a Stephen Minister to meet individually with you. Alana can be reached at or also@austin.rr.com. And for more information, visit It s a Wedding Shower for Matt and Val! Sunday, Jan p.m. Fellowship Hall The Oak Hill UMC Youth will serve as special hosts for a wedding shower honoring Youth Ministries Director Matt Villegas and his bride-to-be, Valerie Gonzales. All are invited! Matt and Val s wedding date is Feb. 16, They are registered at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond. Target: tgt.gifts/vivavillegas Bed Bath & Beyond: Help is needed for set-up, decor, and finger foods! Sign up here: Contact Maria Longley with questions or to volunteer to help. Contact info: mplongley@gmail.com,

8 The Cornerstone (USPS ) is published by Oak Hill United Methodist Church at 7815 Hwy. 290 W., Austin, TX POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Cornerstone, 7815 Hwy. 290 W., Austin, TX This newsletter issues weekly. Subscription rate: $12/year. OHUMC office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-Th and 9 a.m.-noon Friday. Submit announcements and articles to cornerstone@oakhillumc.org. Oak Hill United Methodist Church 7815 Highway 290 West Austin, TX Ministers All members of Oak Hill UMC Pastors Jim Roberts Katy Fitzgold Laura Smith Adam Director of Music Ministries Suzanne Pence Associate Director of Music Ministries Kati Cox Handbell Choir Director & Accompanist Cathy Ingersoll Organist Sheryl Stack Pathways Worship Leader Nick Andrews Director of Preschool Ministries Jennifer Barkis Director of Children s Ministries Jenny Holm Ass t Director of Children s Ministries Nicole Roesler Director of Youth Ministries Matt Villegas Financial Administrator Angie Bragg Facilities Administrator Daniel Urrutia Office Manager Kathy Williamson Director of Connections and Service Vicki Matustik Director of Communications Don Kerr Audio/Video Technician Evan Ingersoll Announcing Bee Free Yoga Classes! Every Friday 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall All are invited to attend these welcoming, donation-based community classes for all levels, with inspirational messages, eclectic playlists, and fun, accessible flows! Instructor Inger Myhre is a long-time Austin resident and mother of three whose goal is to facilitate balance, strength, flexibility, and spiritual grounding in a supportive environment. Bring some water, your yoga mat, and yourself! Text your name to to get on Inger s weekly texting list to receive info about any schedule changes, the theme for the week, and an inspiring quotation! Mark Your Calendars! Dec. 18 Blue Christmas Service (7 p.m.) Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Family Service (3 p.m.) Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Cantata (7 p.m.) (childcare available; interpreted for the deaf) Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Cantata (9 p.m.) Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion (11 p.m.) Jan. 6 Theology Pub (5-7 p.m. at Waterloo Ice House) Jan United Methodist Men Men s Retreat (Blanco) Jan. 13 Wedding Shower for Matthew, Our Youth Director, and Val (5-7 p.m.)