The Olive Branch APRIL OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)

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1 The Olive Branch APRIL 2019 OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) Richard D. Cline, minister Web Address: Susan C. Fournier, secretary Office Address: (Church Office) Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM 1:30PM WELCOME NEW MEMBER! Janice Ryan joined OBCC on Sunday, March 3, We welcome her to the OBCC family! FAITHFUL PRAYER At the last church board meeting, I shared some of the characteristics of a faithful church. In particular, I lifted up the importance of fervent prayer. As a church, we should be enthusiastic, almost passionate, in our prayers for those within and outside our community of faith. Thankfully, we are. We are a church that believes in prayer. We are a church that requests prayer. We are part of a faith community where we ask people to pray for us and know that they will. We are a church that has witnessed answered prayer. Last month I visited a member of our church who is in residential care. Over the years there has been a gradual and constant decline in her health. Her vision has dimmed, her hearing is weak. But she still loves to talk! When it was time to leave, I asked if she would join me in prayer, and if she would begin. Without hesitation, she started. She prayed for her fellow residents, she prayed for her roommate, she prayed for the sick, she prayed for strength and the ability to continue to serve the Lord. What an incredible experience to be in prayer with her! I was humbled, as here was a person who could have easily focused only upon her own situation and needs yet she prayed for others, and prayed to be used by God. It was a humbling experience. I don t need to mention the names of those within our church family who need our prayers. You know their names, you know their needs. All I ask is that as a brother or sister in Christ, you commit to making a fervent and faithful prayer life part of your membership in the body of Christ. If you do, I promise that our Lord will empower your prayers and requests, prayers will be answered, and Olive Branch will be the church Jesus called us into existence to be. What better time to begin a structured prayer life than now, during Lent. Blessings, ~Pastor Richard BOARD APPROVES RENOVATION PROJECT SUBJECT TO CONGREGATION APPROVAL: At its recent meeting, the OBCC Board approved a motion to renovate the upstairs ladies restroom in the education building with an estimate of $11,500. To spend this amount requires approval from the congregation. There will be a special business meeting called in the next few weeks to vote on this renovation. ~Doug Dill, Board Chair PRAYER VIGIL SIGN UP AVAILABLE: A member of the OBCC Youth Group has made a prayer vigil sign up poster, which now hangs in the narthex of the Sanctuary building. Please consider when you can sign up and note (HOME) after your name if you will be praying from home rather than in the church sanctuary. The vigil starts at 8PM on April 18 & concludes at 7PM on April 19. 1

2 CWF NEWS SAVE-THE-DATE REMINDERS Saturday, May 18 th : 2019 CWF LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW 11:00 AM-2:00 PM, New Fellowship Hall Delicious salads, gift basket drawings, door prizes, and fashions from Christopher & Banks are on the schedule. If you would like to be a model or make a basket for the drawing, please call Marney Brickhouse Friday May 31 st - Sunday June 2 nd : CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S RETREAT Lynchburg, VA Sponsored by Olive Branch Christian Church CWF The theme is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (Love the Lord, Love yourself, Love each other) This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to work together and enjoy a spiritually uplifting retreat. Please call Marney Brickhouse ( ) if you need more information and/or would like to attend. CWF TUESDAY MORNING CIRCLE The Tuesday circle met at Interlude on March 12, with 13 attending. We missed those who were unable to attend. If you have never attended, you will enjoy our time together, a great lunch, and a very good lesson given by Elaine on the twelve disciples. Our most recent lesson was about Andrew. We learned a lot about him. Come and see which disciple we will be studying next. Our next meeting will be April 16, a week later than usual, as many are going to see a special Noah event in Hampton. If you have any questions, please call Elaine Henk ( ) or Donna Haulsee ( ). AFTERNOON DELIGHT See you there, ~Donna Haulsee The April 2nd meeting will be at 2 PM at the Schmidt home. ~Dick & Betty Barber MONDAY CWF TO MEET APRIL 15 AT 7 PM The study will be Breaking Free from Fear. There a several extra books, in case you need one. In April, the group returns to its evening meeting time of 7 PM. ~Carole Kerr YOUTH GROUP We meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 PM. All 5 th -12 th grade folks are welcome to join our discussions. Please invite the youth in your life to come! ~Kelsey Creech, Youth Outreach Ministries BOOK CLUB: Our next book, Forgotten God by Francis Chan, is the topic when we meet on April 6. The next 2 chapters will be discussed. ~Kelsey Creech SAVE THE DATES: On April 28, the first opportunity to order a Mother s Day blanket will appear. On June 23, OBCC will gather for its annual picnic in the New Fellowship Hall. COMFORT MINISTRY SUPPORT GROUP The breakfast is held on the second Saturday of the month at Jimmy's Grill in Norge at 10:00 AM. If you are on a grief journey, please join us. We have a good meal and laugh a lot. Call Judy Eley at , if you would like to attend. FAMILY NIGHT RESUMES AFTER EASTER: Good food, great fellowship, grand learning.all part of the evening outing. Come any Wednesday! HOSPICE HOUSE SENDS THANKS: Please see the big thank you note on the Education Building bulletin board. This organization relies on the generosity of the community for its operations. They receive no government funds or insurance payments. Stays in the House cost guests nothing.

3 April 07 April 14 April 21 April 28 April 07 April 14 April 21 April 28 SERVING THIS MONTH Elders Marney Brickhouse, Ralph Hutton Norm Harbour, Missy Harbour Kim Riffle, Harold Barker Joshua Fulgham, Elaine Henk Deacons Donna Haulsee, Boyce Mason, Donald White, Tracey Hutton Mel Watson, Kaye Watson, Steve Garrett, Linda Garrett Tracy Creech, Dale Teagle, Patty Barker, Susan Rinehart Will Hatcher, Jane Hatcher, Mel Watson, Kaye Watson Deaconess Irma Gustafson Worship and Wonder (Ages 3-8) April 07 April 14 April 21 April 28 April 07 April 14 April 21 April 28 Missy Harbour, Kim Riffle Landa Simmons, Kelsey Creech Linda Williams, Carolyn Hunt Kim Riffle, Patty Barker OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN Church Family: Pat Allred, Harold Barker, Charles & Betty Boy, Mel Bryant, Jr., Robert Higgins Family, Phillip Day, Doug Dill, Phyllis Gardner, Lucy Hall, Norm Harbour, Elaine Henk, Dick Ivy, Joyce James, Lena Jeffries, Gail Key, Penny Marsh, Mac McWilliams, Dallas Mitchell, Joann Mitchell, Charlie Pruitt, Robbie Robertson, Donald White Family and Friends: Professional and volunteer women and men who protect and defend us, our nation, Jason Arthur (Lorraine Beasley s son), Gene & Mary Ballthazar (Irma Gustafson s friends), Rob Berclaw (Karen Marrow s friend), Chris Burrows (friend of Pergers), Paul Chisari (Sue Rinehart s friend), GJ Gerner (Stacey Mullins co-worker brother), Shaun Hooker (Don White s son), David Hunt (Jim Hunt s brother), Roger Manganiello (Gene & Cheryl Johnson SC friend & neighbor), Angie Maricotte (Gene & Cheryl Johnson SC friend), Ethan Moore (friend of Jackie), Marolyn Pierce (Carolyn Hunt s sister), Megan Raikes (Phyllis Gardner s great niece), Quentin Roane (David & Carol Pitts friend), Pam, Mark & Brooks Saunders (Jim & Paula Thacker s daughter & family), Brenna Schumacher (Barkers niece), Paul Smith (Susan Kohlman s brother-in-law), Trevor Smith (Larry & Louise Smith s grandson), Mel & Paula Tenenbaum (Irma Gustafson s friends), Jerry VanCleave, Arnold VanDyke, Walter Via (Janet Neal s friend), Margaret Wilhelm (Elizabeth Ripley s sister) The OBCC Family sends condolences and prayers to the Robert Higgins family on the passing of his brother, Robert Higgins. A funeral service and internment were held on Wednesday, March 13, in Hampton & Suffolk. Memorial contributions can be made to the Robert W. Higgins Memorial Fund; c/o R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home; 245 S. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA

4 01 Jeanne Bell 02 Corey Hooker 02 Shaun Hooker 03 Jonathon Griffin 06 Larry Smith 08 Judy Jones-Wanner 11 Ann Bradshaw 12 Betty Barber 16 Donald Morse 16 Nancy Sheppard 16 Louise Smith 17 Chuck Sheppard 19 Dr. John H Speegle 20 Marney Brickhouse 21 Brett Matschke 24 Donna Perger 25 Jack Heslink 26 Tyler Hutton 26 Lynn Onesty 26 Maggie Sheppard 30 Jeryl Dieleman 30 Christy Jensen 07 Richard & Christina Jones 17 Harold & Patty Barker 17 Doug & Emily Dill 18 Dwayne & Rhonda Davis 19 Richard & Lynn Onesty 29 Mel & Kaye Watson FOOD SHARING PROGRAM UPDATE Old Mother Hubbard was doing her spring cleaning. She discovered her cupboard was bare. We recognize that some of our neighbors face bare cupboards daily. What good does it do to tell our neighbors who experience bare cupboards to go in peace, stay warm and eat heartily if we do not acknowledge their physical needs? Your generous donations to our food sharing box & basket provide the essential food to supply our neighbors who experience empty cupboards. Every Sunday we pray in our worship service to give us our daily bread. Your food donations are answered prayers for our neighbors who face empty cupboards. Thanks for your loving response. ~Will & Jane Hatcher OBCC TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY: wants volunteers to provide rides to some of our members who are unable to drive themselves to worship services, nearby appointments, and/or Bible Study sessions at church. Please consider serving as a volunteer driver! Contact Robbie Robertson to volunteer ( ; rrcrmia@icloud.com). Need a ride? Please contact Robbie Robertson. If you can help to develop van policy/procedures, please let Pastor Richard know. OUR CHURCH VAN IS IN USE!! There are still some details to take care of. We need some volunteers to make that happen. If you are interested in being a part of our van ministry, please let Pastor Richard or the church office know. Ways to be of help: develop ride & driver policies, van maintenance (monitor and execute), coordinate scheduling, driver (clean driver record required). WORLD OUTREACH NEWS: WEEK OF COMPASSION FINAL REPORT: Generous OBCC folks contributed $1946 to this important work. UPCOMING GIVING: Judas Bags will be available for your thirty pieces of silver. Bags will be collected on Easter morning on the cross in the yard or in the collection plate. Easter Giving is set for April 14 & 21. In Gratitude, ~Sheila Yeatts

5 CHILI COOK OFF-GREAT SUCCESS: We raised $ Part of the money went to stock our Church kitchen and the rest went to Kelsey s youth group. Thanks! ~Abby Matschke SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKES & BINGO! OBCC PROGRAM PLANNING TEAM (PPT) REORGANIZED: Team members have been selected. Those who are serving & mission purposes are: PPT Chair, Kim Riffle Outreach/Mission, Sheila Yeatts Demonstrate God s love Christian Education, Patty Barker Educate God s people Worship, Susan Kohlman Celebrate God s presence Membership, Marney Brickhouse Care for God s family Evangelism, Joshua Fulgham Communicate God s work Youth & Recreation, Abby Matschke Connect youth to Jesus The PPT team s focus will include: -Coordinating the church s schedule of activities, special events, & use of facilities -Advancing Pastor Richard s ideas & programs -Celebrating the victories & blessings from God, while bringing Him the glory All suggestions for new ministry opportunities are encouraged and welcome! ~Kim Riffle, PPT Chair TIME AT OBCC IS COMING: Are you ready to step up to help make a successful week? Many opportunities are waiting! Coordinator(s) will decide a theme and guide volunteers to a successful week Cooks will provide dinner each night Helpers will cut, paste, draw, and prepare materials for the week s experience Teachers will lead lessons for ages 3-adult Where do you fit???? Decide how you can help; contact Patty Barker ( ; pbhbjb@verizon.net) Tentative dates: August 2-5, 2019 Questions?: Contact Missy Harbour or Abby Matschke Dale Teagle wins at Bingo!

6 VAN OUTING SET FOR APRIL 9: Members will travel to Hampton Towne Center to have lunch and see a special film about Noah. They will travel with Noah as he fulfills God s command, even amidst seemingly impossible odds & the scrutiny of onlookers. This extraordinary Bible story comes to life as Noah leads live animals inside the Ark with sets towering four stories above the stage! Filmed before a live audience, viewers will watch as Noah escapes the treacherous flood. Watch for the next van outing opportunity! MARK YOUR CALENDAR UPCOMING OBCC EVENTS: (Save these dates & watch for details in newsletters and bulletins) 04/3,10,17 Lenten Services 04/14 & 28 Dominion Village Sundays 04/2,9,16,23,30 Youth Group Meets 04/11,25 Girl Scouts Meet 04/4,11,18,25 Disciple Men s Group 04/1,8,15,22,29 Prayer Group 04/02 2:00 PM Small Group Meeting 04/06 10:00 AM Book Club 04/13 10:00 AM Comfort Ministry 04/14 Easter Offering, Palm Sunday 04/10 10:00AM-2:00PM Our Day Out 04/15 7:00 PM CWF Monday Eve Circle 04/18 5:00 PM Burnt Ordinary Meal 7:00 PM Tenebrae Service, prayer vigil begins 04/19 7:00 PM Good Friday Service, prayer vigil ends 04/21 Easter Offering, Easter Sunday-3 services, Breakfast, Easter Egg Hunt 04/25 11:00 AM Naomi s Lunch Bunch 04/28 Blanket Offering Orders 04/29 6:30 PM Elders Meeting OUR DAY OUT There isn t enough space available in this Newsletter to convey the importance of Our Day Out to all who volunteer and to those we serve. The fun, the fellowship, the inspiration, & the pure love we experience is beyond any emotion that can be written down. I will share a few of the highlights from our March gathering that might spark some interest & cause you to come and feel for yourself. More than St. Patrick's importance to the people of Ireland, we spoke of the Triune God and how He is actively involved in all of our lives today through His Holy Spirit. We spoke of our responsibility to follow in the footsteps of all Disciples to carry the message of Salvation wherever we walk. We spoke of faith, hope & love that the shamrock reminds us of, and how those things bind us together in our community of faith as we journey together. The path may be challenging at times, but we have our faith in our Father & in each other to help us along. We all need to be reminded that we are never alone and, at ODO, we are there for one another. That offers us hope and security, knowing the prayers we pray for each other are done out of love. Becky Watson of Music for Wellness reminded us once again that touching, seeing, and hearing through different expressions of music and instruments stimulate our minds and make us joyful, happy, cheerful, and blessed. We celebrated with Irish style over corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and apples at festive tables colorfully dressed with daffodils. The Craft project involved the drawing of butterflies which will, in future meetings, be transformed into beautiful, framed pictures. Bingo is always great fun for those who are winning prizes, and even for those who complain about their cards or the caller (they are obviously not winning!). There is always lots of laughter in the NFH when we are there. We have many talented people, who are happy and willing to share their gifts and themselves to make ODO meaningful for all. Janice Ryan, new OBCC member, joined us a volunteer, and, along with Martha Nicholas, returning from last month, soon felt right at home and can't wait for next month. We seem to have that effect on most people. We hope it's contagious. We're always looking for new folks to join us, bringing their gifts & talents to grace and help us become even a better version of who we are already. Love in Jesus name, Louise Smith, Co-Coordinator

7 2019 COMMUNITY SERVICES GRAMMA S KITCHEN IN FULL SWING: Gramma s Kitchen is for our young people from ages three through the 5th grade. Our young people cook pancakes with the assistance of one of the seven Grammas that help also with setting up a proper table, saying grace, sharing in a meal and then having a story. These pictures show some of our young ones participating. We will want to invite you for breakfast in Grammas Kitchen soon. Please wait for an invitation to join us one Sunday during the Sunday School hour for pancakes and the joy in sharing the love of children and grammas. April 3 Lent Service 6:00/7:00 PM Williamsburg Mennonite Church 7800 Croaker Road, Williamsburg Rev. David Lehman Speaker: Rev. Alex Creager I Thirst From Stone House Presbyterian Church Offering Benefits: Williamsburg Retreat Center April Judas Bag Distribution (find an envelope in a basket in the NFH and Narthex) April 10 Lent Service 6:00/7:00 PM Stone House Presbyterian Church 9401 Fieldstone Parkway, Toano Rev. Alex Creager Speaker: Rev. Alex Witt It is Finished From Our Saviour s Lutheran Church Offering Benefits: Proclaiming Grace Outreach April 14 Palm Sunday Easter Giving Service: 8:30 AM Dominion Village: 9:30 AM Sunday School: 9:45 AM Service: 11:00 AM Worship & Wonder: 11:00 AM April 17 Lent Service 6:00/7:00 PM Hickory Neck Episcopal Church 8300 Richmond Road, Toano Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly Speaker: Rev. Robert A. Whitehead, Sr. Father, Into Your Hands From New Zion Baptist Church Offering Benefits: Angels of Mercy Clinic April 18 April 19 April 21 Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service: 7:00 PM Prayer Vigil begins at 8:00 PM Good Friday Prayer Vigil Ends at 7:00 PM Service: 7:00 PM Easter Sunday Easter Giving Sunrise Service: 6:30 AM (Sanctuary East Steps) Breakfast to follow Service: 8:30 AM Sunday School: 9:45 AM Service: 11:00 AM Worship & Wonder: 11:00 AM Hang Judas Bags on the Cross or put in the collection plate Easter Egg Hunt

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10 Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Norge, VA Permit No. 2. The Olive Branch published by Olive Branch Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 7643 Richmond Road Williamsburg, VA (757) Electronic Service Requested Note: No longer wish to receive our newsletter? Address changed? Please contact the church