Thanksgiving. I pray that the spirit of gratitude will continue, not as a one week celebration, but as a perpetual attitude of living.

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1 November 20, 2016 THANKSGIVING SUNDAY Thanksgiving A few years ago our family went to Alaska for a summer vacation. Cathy hoped for a cruise from British Columbia to Alaska, and in my mind we would fly with a bush pilot to Fairbanks then set out on a survival journey in a tent. We compromised with a cruise followed by a self-guided land tour. During the cruise, one of the naturalists told of her experience living in Alaska for almost 25 years. She went to Alaska with some trepidation, but the state captured her heart. One of my favorite parts of her story was the custom of her village concerning a moose hunt. A moose is one of those animals that is larger than anyone might imagine, and killing a moose launches a long process of harvesting meat. She recalled her husband s first successful moose hunt. He came home excited at his success even on guided hunts a 25% success rate is considered good. Once his team brought the large beast home, the entire village gathered to butcher the animal. This process took hours. The family made room for the vast quantities of meat they expected would soon fill their home. Instead, they discovered that a successful moose hunt was not considered an individual success story. Instead, it was considered a village success story. The entire village shared in processing the animal, and the entire village feasted for two days on the animal. Usually, after the feast, the village divided the remaining share of meat with the person who killed the animal getting a double share. The end result: two days of village feasting and about five pounds of meat for the freezer. She said that as someone who lived in the continental US, the moose hunt was her first introduction to village life. The community had a common goal of survival, and collaboration and cooperation were essential to living in Alaska. Even in the lower 48, Thanksgiving is a community celebration of giving thanks, sharing bounty, and offering to God sincere thanks. Among the many blessings my family will count this year, one will be the people of Oak Grove who have been so gracious and kind to us! As a community, we will share a meal, offer gifts to the poor, and offer praise to God. I pray that the spirit of gratitude will continue, not as a one week celebration, but as a perpetual attitude of living.

2 8:30 and 11 a.m. ORDER OF WORSHIP November 20, 2016 Thanksgiving Sunday Welcome and Announcements (Please complete and pass the red friendship pad at this time.) Dr. Glenn Ethridge Prelude Intrada: Adoration and Praise Claude T. Smith Oak Grove Orchestra *Hymn of Praise Come, Ye Thankful People, Come UMH 694 *Psalm of Thanksgiving Psalm 100 Rev. Susan Allen Grady Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God: it is he that made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations. Thanksgiving Prayer For the fruits of this creation, thanks be to God; for good gifts to every nation, thanks be to God; for the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, future needs in earth s safe keeping, thanks be to God. Cantor: For the love of friends and fam ly - Congregational Response (R): Thanks be to God Cantor: For the kindness of a stranger (R) Cantor: For God s mercy undeserv-ed (R) Cantor: For relief from earth s dark sadness (R) Cantor: For the beauty that surrounds me (R) Cantor: For a lift to human spirits (R) Cantor: For a pause from earthly turmoil (R) Cantor: For the strength to face life s troubles (R) Cantor: For a harvest good and plenty (R) For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God; for the good we all inherit, thanks be to God; for the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God. Sacrament of Holy Baptism (11:00) Dr. Ethridge Rev. Susan Allen Grady Charlotte Ann Cook, daughter of Mary and Collin Cook Congregational Pledge With God s help, we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that Charlotte, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal. God Claims You TFWS 2249 Charlotte, Charlotte, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you, too. We this day do all agree a child of God you ll always be. Charlotte, Charlotte, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you, too.

3 Our Tithes & Offerings (8:30) Let All Things Now Living arr. David Cherwien Ms. Leanne Herrmann, Organ (11:00) For the Beauty of the Earth arr. John Rutter Ms. Terese Sanders, Soprano *Doxology All Creatures of Our God and King Let all things their Creator bless, and worship him in humbleness, O praise ye! Alleluia! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, And praise the Spirit, Three in One! O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *Hymn of Preparation We Gather Together UMH 131 (At the 11:00 a.m. service, children are invited to come forward during the hymn.) Children s Time (11:00) Ms. Kim Cody (At the 11:00 a.m. service, children in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade are invited to attend Children s Church after the Children s Time. Pick up is in room 206.) Anthem (8:30) For the Beauty of the Earth arr. John Rutter Ms. Terese Sanders, Soprano (11:00) Psalm of Thanksgiving Williams/Martin Chancel Choir Scripture 1 Chronicles 16: 28-30, 34 Ms. Ann Marney The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Sermon The Lord is Glorious and Strong Dr. Ethridge *Sending Hymn Now Thank We All Our God UMH 102 (Those who wish to join the church are invited to come forward.) *Benediction *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. Dr. Ethridge Postlude Praise Medley arr. Camp Kirkland Oak Grove Orchestra Ministry of the Christmas Poinsettias You are invited to support the Ministry of the Christmas Poinsettias. Each year, volunteers visit approximately 50 homebound members and present them with a cheerful, fresh poinsettia plant on behalf of the congregation. Additional poinsettia plants will be placed in our sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. All contributors and their designees will be recognized in our bulletin on December 18. We invite you to make a gift of any amount in memory of or in honor of someone dear to you. Your generous contributions will offset the cost of the poinsettias as well as other seasonal decorations in the church. Please fill out the form below and place it in the offering plate or deliver it to the church office NO LATER THAN NOON ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12. Your Name: (Use one form for each person memorialized / honored) Please make my contribution: In Memory Of: In Honor Of: Please indicate your interest in the following: Use my contribution for poinsettias for the homebound and decorations for the church. I will help deliver poinsettias to the homebound on December 10 or 11. I would like to pick up a poinsettia after 9:35 a.m. worship on December 18. I would like to pick up a poinsettia after 11 a.m. worship on December 18. Phone number

4 OAK GROVE NEWS November 20, 2016 UMM Barbecue Proceeds Meeting The United Methodist Men (UMM) will hold a budget meeting inviting church members and staff to make a presentation for funding from the Barbecue proceeds Sunday, November 20, at 12:15 p.m. in room 236. Written requests are also accepted and should be submitted to the UMM by Wednesday, November 16. We invite the entire church to participate, as they helped us earn the money. The UMM wishes to thank all who participated in this year s Barbecue. Christmas is a time of joy, but sometimes recent loss, life struggles, or memories from the past can cloud the joy of Christmas. Our Service of Hope offers people the opportunity to be honest about the difficult feelings that are stirring at the holidays while claiming the hope we have in the Christ who comes at Christmas. Please invite friends and family to join you for this Service of Hope. Have you submitted your pledge card? Please remember to submit your pledge card to the church. Your pledges represent a spiritual commitment for you. For the church, pledges help us plan our budget so that we can be responsible stewards. Pledge cards are available in the church office or online ( SANCTUARY IS OPEN Thursdays December 8, 15, and 22 7 to 9 p.m. Advent and Christmas will be here before we know it! As your calendar starts to fill up with shopping, parties, and travel, take a little time to breathe at Oak Grove! The Sanctuary will be decorated for the season, and you are invited to come on Thursdays December 8, 15, and 22, for Time to Breathe, a quiet time to relax, pray, and reflect on the season. Mark your calendars now; this is a wonderful opportunity to invite someone to Oak Grove! For more information, contact Carson Wiggins (ctwiggins@yahoo.com) or Rev. Susan Allen Grady. November Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving December p.m. Children s Christmas Around the World December 4 4 p.m. Service of Hope December 18 4:30 & 7 p.m. Christmas at Oak Grove December 24 3 p.m. Children s Service 5 p.m. Contemporary Candlelight Service in Fellowship Hall 5 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service in Sanctuary 8 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service in Sanctuary December 25 10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary No Sunday School, no Nursery, no Children s Church December December Church Office Closed Church Finance Office Open January 1 10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary No Sunday School Nursery and Children s Church available January 2 Oak Grove s Holiday Schedule Church Office Closed It s Angel Tree Time! Once again we have the opportunity to make Christmas a little brighter for families in our Angel tree area. Our gifts will support families through DFCS, the United Methodist Children s Home, the Carrie Steel Pitts Home, Murphy-Harpst Children s Centers, and New American Pathways. You can help sponsor a child by visiting the table in the portico commons beginning November 27, or by contacting Phil Perry ( or philipperry@bellsouth.net).

5 Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Potluck TONIGHT! Help celebrate Thanksgiving the Charlie Brown way! Join us for a potluck dinner at Youth Fellowship on Sunday, November 20, at 5:30 p.m. in Youth Hall. Bring a Peanuts-inspired side dish (popcorn, toast, jelly beans), a more traditional side (mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, dressing, mac & cheese), or a dessert (pumpkin pie, brownies). We ll provide a meat and drinks. Pick-up at 7:30 p.m. Christmas Tree Lot O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! How we love thee! And the youth love selling them to support our youth programs! We are back in the Barbecue parking lot this year. Trees will be delivered on Saturday, November 26, at 9 a.m. and the sale will start as soon as they are unloaded. Small trees (6-7 ft.) are $55; medium trees (7-8 ft.) are $65; large trees (8-9 ft.) are $85; and wreaths are $25. If you would like to help set up the tree lot on Sunday, November 20, help unload on Saturday, November 26, or help sell trees, please visit and register. LAST CALL for Journeys of Paul Trip Glenn Ethridge will lead a trip following the journeys of Paul March 28 April 7, We will see Athens, Greece, Ephesus, Corinth, and Philippi. We will see some of the beautiful Greek Isles, including Patmos, where John wrote the book of Revelation. The deadline for registration is coming up in December. If you would like more information, please contact Glenn ( or gethridge@ogumc.org). Oak Grove Memorials IN HONOR TO THE 9:35 WORSHIP SERVICE MUSIC IN HONOR OF Matt & Celia Henson by Neal & Jean Henson TO THE BUILDING FUND IN HONOR OF Mary Riddle by Bob & Louise McCreary Barbara Adams, Marilyn Counts, & Bill Tomlinson by Cherrie Baskette IN MEMORY TO THE BUILDING FUND IN MEMORY OF George Nash by Clint & Jenny Ginn Rachel Still by Annie Ruth Anderson Claud & Eloise Pounds Betty Whatley by Grady & Lynn McWhorter Bob & Louise McCreary Bill & Elizabeth Richardson Al & Wilma Walker Clint & Jenny Ginn TO THE LIBRARY BOOK FUND IN MEMORY OF George Nash by Molly Darby Nancy Rood by Max & Blackie Scott Neese Joyce Wildman (Bill Wildman s mother) by Thom Roach Grab your passport and travel around the world to learn about Christmas traditions in countries near and far! Make fun crafts, sample cookies, hot cocoa, and visit the Manger! Invite friends, neighbors, and bring the whole family for this Christmas celebration in Oak Grove s new Grand Hall! Sponsored by OGUMC Children s Ministry Team. Please bring a donation of disposable diapers to the event. Donations will be distributed to families through the Caring4Clarkston and the United Methodist Children s Home foster care missions. Thank you for your support! Guest Speaker, Dr. Andrew Zangwill You are invited to the Christian Fellowship Sunday school class on November 20 (9:45 a.m., room 236) to hear Dr. Zangwill (Ahavath Achim Synagogue) on the topic, Do Jews Confess Their Sins?, TO THE MISSIONS FUND IN MEMORY OF George Nash by Annie Ruth Anderson Drama Ministry Auditions for the Musical in February The Drama Ministry will produce a large-scale, family friendly musical this February, and we want everyone to join us! We need actors of all ages moms, dads, teens, kids. We ll have parts for people who love the spotlight and parts for folks who like to play in the chorus. Production dates are February 9, 10, and 11. Rehearsals will begin right after the new year. Our first round of auditions will take place on Sunday, December 11, and Monday, December 12. No need to prepare anything complicated just come ready to sing a hymn or other familiar tune. Time and place to be announced, but mark your calendars now. Lee Knippenberg (lknippenberg@ogumc.org) if you have questions.

6 PLEASE PRAY FOR In the Hospital Flo Baker Emory Care Facilities For a complete list of persons in care facilities, please contact the church office. Continued Prayers... Cherrie Baskette, Beth Benefield, Dottie Bonnell, Sara Bowles, Lisa Bowling, Bill Cole, Nancy Crovatt, Liz Darden, Sherry Farr-Mus, Jim Golden, Charlie Hamilton, Valerie Harper, Dot King, Carol Linder, Michele Lindner, John Long, Fred Lott, Maurice Maige, Nell McCuen, Lee McFall, Dick Muth, Cindy Mynatt, Jeannine Nash, Anne Patterson, Dan Riedford, Ray Roper, June Row, Kristen Sanders, Karen Smith, Chick Sward, Dawn Thomas, Elaine Thurston, Paul Tuggle, Jane Webster, Rob White, Pete Williams, Bill Wolfe, Gene Worth Our Homebound Members... For a complete listing of homebound members, please contact the church office. Serving in Our Armed Forces... Petty Officer Steven Jones, 2LT Thomas E. Penland, SSgt. Joshua Portwood, Col. Janet Seufert NO Midweek meal or programs on November 23. Hanging of Greens the Wednesday, November 30 We invite you and yours to join us on Wednesday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall as we prepare for this wondrous Christmas season by decorating the church with greenery and light! You will enjoy fellowship with others, refreshments, and Christmas music as we "hang the greens." If you have any questions, please contact Bryna Wiggins (bryna.wiggins@yahoo.com). THIS WEEK S ACTIVITIES Oak Grove Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Sunday, November 20, :30am Coffee Fellowship Grand Hall 12:15pm UMM Budget Meeting Rm 217/236 3:00pm Eagle Scout Court of Honor Sanctuary 5:30pm Disciple 1 Rm 216/237 5:30pm Youth Fellowship Youth Hall Monday, November 21, :30am Disciple 2 Rm 216/237 7:00pm Serving Ministry Meeting Rm 102 7:00pm Finance Team Meeting Rm 216/237 7:30pm Adult Volley Ball Heritage Hall Gym Tuesday, November 22, :30am Disciple 1 Rm 102 6:30pm Grief Sharing Group Rm 219/238 7:30pm Aerobics Class Heritage Hall Gym Wednesday, November 23, 2016 Church Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday Thursday, November 24, 2016 Church Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday Friday, November 25, 2016 Church Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday Saturday, November 26, :00am Christmas Tree Delivery BBQ Parking Lot S P R I N G New Baby... Congratulations to Jeff and Jennifer Peters on the birth of their son, John "Marshall" Peters, November 2, Dear Friends, An Important Note from Amy Morgan Thank you for your patience and understanding while I have been away at Mayo. Our days here have been long and intense, but I am learning much and finally getting some answers. For years I have tried every imaginable migraine treatment with no success. I finally know why; I have an underlying chonic pain condition called Central Sensitization Syndrome. There is no cure for CSS, but the Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Program is teaching me skills and methods for managing this condition. When I leave the program I will have the tools I need to continue healing. There are several things that you can do to help me as I come back to work and regular life. 1. Please do not ask me how I am feeling. Asking about symptoms or talking about my condition are reminders that stir up pain. A major tenet of pain rehab is that I no longer talk about my condition or its symptoms. 2. On days that it is obvious to you that I am having symptoms, please do not comment on what you observe. Instead distract me with positive conversation. 3. Pray for me I will continue to covet your prayers; however, please do not tell me you are praying for me as that too reminds me of my condition (see number 1). I feel tremendously blessed to be part of such an amazing church family. I have truly felt your love, support, and prayers during my time at Mayo. I look foward to returning and rejoining you in ministry! peace, March 24-26, 2017 Join us for a weekend full of fun, bonfires, hiking, kids activities, free time, and fellowship at Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Retreat Center in Dahlonega, GA! Online registration is open ( now. For information on financial assistance, please contact Rev. Susan Allen Grady (sallengrady@ogumc.org). Limited spaces are available so please register early. This is going to be a fun church family weekend for all ages! Our Presence November 9, 2016 Communion Chapel 31 Our Presence November 12, 2016 Leadership Academy 132 Our Presence November 13, 2016 Church School 457 8:30 Service 173 9:35 Service :00 Service 424 5:30pm Youth Fellowship 104 Total Worship this Week /13/16 Our Offerings Received to date Needed to date $2,051, $2,190, Over/Under ($139,187.68) DEEP ROOTS BUILDING CAMPAIGN RESULTS Pledged to date: $6,339, Given to date: $5,269,137.80

7 Oak Grove United Methodist Church Men's Fellowship November 20, 2016 REPORT The UMM would like to thank all who bought or sold tickets or worked at the 55th Annual Oak Grove Barbecue and helped make this year s event a big success. 4,809 meals were served. Our profit was over $29, That money will be distributed next year. The following 28 church organizations, community causes, and mission projects have benefited this year from the Barbecue last year. OGUMC UMW New Hope Liberian School $1500 Villa International $500 OGUMC Senior Adult Council (Lunch Bunch) 300 North GA Conf UMM Missions-Eric Owen 500 OGUMC Children's Ministry 2000 North GA Conference UMM 950 OGUMC Youth Choir 1200 Good Samaritan Health Clinic 500 OGUMC Boy Scout Troop Action Ministries Smart Lunch/Smart Kid 1500 OGUMC Cub Scout Pack The Breakthru House 750 OGUMC Youth Program 1500 Hinton Rural Life Center 750 OGUMC Christmas Angel Tree 500 Murphy-Harpst Children s Centers 500 OGUMC Honduras Mission Trips 2000 Montclair Covenant Kids 1500 OGUMC New American Pathways Ministry 1250 United Methodist Children s Home 500 OGUMC UMMF Monthly Programs 2500 Toco Hills Community Alliance 2000 OGUMC Barbecue Equipment & Pit Repairs 1266 Young Leaders International 750 OGUMC Youth Ministry C4C Ministry 1500 Mountain View Personal Care Home 500 OGUMC In As Much Montclair Elementary 1000 OGUMC Church Library 400 Total Donations $30,516 Clayton Webster

8 United Methodist Women Bake Sale To our OGUMC bakers thank you for your wonderful cooking talents your gifts produced sales of $3, THANK YOU! Not one item was left to be sold! Hallelujah! Many thanks to Rick Adams and Oak Grove Market for donations of our pies. Thanks also go to WOW for their help in baking, serving, and selling the cobblers as they have so faithfully done for years. To our faithful women, who always step forward to assist in preparation and sales, bless you one and all. Start looking now for that special recipe to bake for the 2017 Barbecue Bake Sale! Michele Riedford 2016 Barbecue Comments Just when you think it can t get any better. It does! The 55th Annual Oak Grove Barbecue was a huge success. The UMM raised over $29,500.00, which beat last year s record amount. Those funds will be distributed next year to numerous mission and community outreach programs supported by Oak Grove. The day was perfect and the volunteer enthusiasm was even better. It is such a pleasure to work with so many great people and willing volunteers giving up the many hours to make this such a great success. We could not do this without the phenomenal crew chiefs that make the magic come to life. They provide such great leadership and direction. I often say, I have the easiest job in the world leading this team. Wallace Moreman, chair United Methodist Women Arts & Crafts Sale Our UMW Craft Sale was a big success! Thank you to all of our talented women and men who made beautiful craft items to sell at our Barbecue. Thank you, United Methodist Men, for letting us be a part of such an outstanding event. This year we raised $2, for missions. A special thanks to Zoe Hicks for contributing the monies from her new book toward our UMW missions. We are blessed by her talent and generosity. We thank Ding and Lilyc Lau for their contribution of beautiful Chinese writings. We appreciate all who made this day so special. Thank you to everyone who provided us with lovely items to sell, everyone who made purchases, and everyone who worked so faithfully that day. We are grateful to be part of a loving, serving church and we give God the glory. UMW Craft Committee: Barbara Adams, Vicky Graves, Dale Miller, Tara Merchant, and Barbara Woolard

9 Text To Give You can text to give at anytime from anywhere you have service. It is very easy! 1. Enter in the TO line. Remember this is a text, not an In the message line, enter a dollar amount of at least $3.00 using this format $ After the last digit insert one and only one space then enter designation, e.g. Blessing. 4. FIRST TIME ONLY You will receive a link to Vanco where you will securely enter your information and confirm your transaction. Once you successfully register, you will receive a text and confirmation of your gift as well as an option to refund. 5. In the future, you need only to text the dollar amount and the designation. Unless you designate a fund, then the money will go to Operating. Designation options will change. Currently you may choose from the following case sensitive choices. Building (for the building fund), Blessing (for our ongoing mission offering). 6. If you have questions, please contact Church Administrator, Dale Smith (dsmith@ogumc.org). Troubleshooting 1. Make sure you enter the dollar amount in the proper format using the $ and a decimal. 2. In registering your name and in the initial registration remove any extra spaces. If you have a space at the beginning or the end, the system will not accept your donation. 3. Check the spelling on designated accounts. The words are case sensitive. Today s Worship Servants Sound: (8:30) Billie Williams 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, Brenda Toebben Children s Church: Pam Reynolds and Susan Holt 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 CHURCH INFORMATION Church Office Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Emergency Contact After Hours ext. 9 Dr. Glenn Ethridge Senior Pastor ext. 211 Rev. Susan Allen Grady Associate Pastor ext. 212 Director of Administration Dale Smith ext. 225 Children s Ministry Kim Cody ext. 218 Oak Grove Christian School YCS (Young Children s School) Dr. Amy Morgan Pastor of Nurture and Service ext. 210 Rev. Mary Lou Gilbert Pastor to Senior Adults Music Ministry Ed Scruggs ext. 226 Organist Leanne Herrmann Youth Ministry Andy Webb awebb@ogumc.org Dir. of Contemporary Worship Atticus Hicks ext. 208 How to Stay Connected with Oak Grove: Information on our ministries, news, and upcoming events through our Constant Contact congregational list Specific information about our ministries or membership Change of address or contact information Log into our website, Like Oak Grove UMC on Facebook Contact Susie Mobley, Membership/Database Admin., (smobley@ogumc.org or ext. 221).