OAKWOOD GREETINGS Oakwood Memorial Baptist Church July 2014

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1 OAKWOOD GREETINGS Oakwood Memorial Baptist Church July 2014 Here we are in the month of July the month in which we celebrate our countries independence. There will be parades and barbeques. There will be time spent at the beach or the local pool, and there will be time spent with families. Some are lucky enough to have a long weekend because the 4 th of July is a holiday for many, a time of much needed rest and relaxation. We will hear names that we have not heard since last July 4 th, Jefferson, Franklin, Hancock, and so forth. Many of us will take this time to ask ourselves, how we went from the God fearing nation of our forefathers to a country, which often ignores God. The debate will go on forever regarding our forefathers and their individual Christian beliefs, but there is no debate about this country being founded on Christian principles. Some will try to change this fact, but we are a country founded on the tenants of Christianity. We were not founded on the tenants of Atheism, Agnosticism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or any other belief. Our country is almost 240 years old, and in that time we have grown to be the nation to which all other nations aspire to become (whether they admit it or not). We are the richest nation on earth; we are the world s largest economic and military power. We have done more than any nation in the history of the planet to bring peace and stability to the world. We have done more than anyone else to bring freedom to those who have only known bondage. Yes, we have also done more to bring the true, living word of Christ to the world. Unfortunately, we have over the past several decades begun our needless destructive spiral. Our nation is on the verge of imploding because we have forgotten our God fearing roots. We as a nation are beginning to turn away from God and the consequences will soon be felt. Complete economic and social collapse is in our future. Our 240 years of success was because of God, not because of us. We as a nation are sick and on the verge of death, but God has given us a prescription for our illness. God has told us what medication we need to take: 2 Chronicles 7:14, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. As we celebrate our independence, let us not just remember the past but pray for the future. Our nation can be healed if we take the prescription God has written for us. Be safe and enjoy one another. Read your scripture. Humble yourself and pray that this nation will repent and seek His face. See ya in church! Pastor Jim DEACON OF THE MONTH SCHEDULE Karen Roach Esther Schwerdtfeger Norma Carlton July August September

2 DEACON OF THE MONTH Karen Roach Families: Kennetha Burgess, Norma Carlton, Bobbie Jahn, Bonnie Lukowsky, Lucille Nash, Salley Mae Pauley, Madeline Poole, Reba Poole, Dolly Rattie, Charles and Sara Tolley, Jasmine Washington TELLERS FOR JULY Robert Hudgins and Jan Harmon BUILDING LOCKUP FOR JULY July 6 July 13 July 20 July 27 Esther Schwerdtfeger Sharon Dyson Ed & Catherine Heath Gladys Grasberger USHERS FOR JULY July 6 Victor Bryant, Robert Hudgins, Mae Konwerski, Windell Wynn July 13 Jack Alley, Victor Bryant, Bill Gregory, Jan Harmon July 20 Victor Bryant, Robert Hudgins, Mae Konwerski & Windell Wynn July 27 Jack Alley, Victor Bryant, Bill Gregory, Jan Harmon MORNING COFFEE SOCIALS FOR JULY July 6 Hearing Hands Class July 13 Fellowship Class Team 1 July 20 Gleaners Class July 27 Fellowship Class Team 2

3 Announcements Prayer Meetings will be held on the 4 th Wednesday of each month. Dear Prayer Circle, Thank You Words cannot express the gratefulness and appreciation that I feel for all your prayers through these past months. God has answered them in that I am in remission. Continue to pray for me, as we all know God does answer prayer. Also, thank you very much for all the beautiful cards. They are very special as is your prayer circle. God bless you- Linda Youth News Anthem LemonAid Stand The children and youth of Oakwood will sponsor a Lemonade Stand to raise money for children who have cancer. Friday July 18, from 10 am.- 2pm. Located in front of Kroger s on Williamsburg road. Funds go to the Children s Hospital of MCV. Please come out and support them.

4 Volunteers Needed The youth department needs volunteers to help us for the Community Youth day August 23 rd. We need people to help register for door prizes, serve food, supervise games and set up that morning. We hope you will help and come out to enjoy the day with the neighborhood. Workers, greeters and happy smiles needed. Contact June Brooks Thank You Thank you all for your incredibly generous support of the Gray Haven s new Safe House this spring. We are very grateful --- for we could not do the work, we do without the support of church partners like you all! Thank you for being such a tangible part of impacting and blessing the lives of our clients. Many blessings, Addie Your Kindness is such a Blessing and so are you! Dear Oakwood Family Thank you for all the cards, prayers, and loving thoughts during my recovery from the fall. It is so good to be home finally. Thanks to Ken & Vickie, Jan, Gloria, Carol, Sharon and Esther for their visits, too. They really cheered me up. In Christian Love, Janice Miles

5 The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics By Francis Scott Key 1814 Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?