Not as it Appears. The eyes of faith always sees opportunities for grace, possibilities for hope, potential for redemption.

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1 April 30, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World s Fair in Paris. The contract for the design went to Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel s company. While Eiffel himself often receives full credit for the monument that bears his name, it was one of his employees a structural engineer named Maurice Koechlin who created the concept. (The two would later work to create the metal armature for the Statue of Liberty.) The Eiffel tower stands about 105 stories tall, although you might never know it. Because there are no nearby buildings, the tower looks deceptively small in isolation from points of reference. The name of the tower was debated before the eponymous label was selected. It could have been called the leaning tower of Eiffel. In the summer heat of the sun, the sunny side heats up and expands. The hot size expands up to 6-7 inches taller than the other side, creating a leaning effect. Because of the large size of the tower, the naked eye cannot detect the lean, but the laser alignment tools on the tower can. Those tools can also can detect several inches of movement in gusty winds. Not everything is as it appears. Mary Magdalene saw an empty tomb, and she believed she saw theft. Instead, she witnessed Resurrection. Cleopas and a friend thought they saw a stranger walking with them on the road, but instead they saw Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread at the table. Not as it Appears What is happening in the world around you? Do you see disaster or opportunity? The eyes of faith allow us to see beyond the obvious to the possibilities of what might be. Take a look at this very moment. What do you see? Can you see opportunity for redemption? Possibility for transformation? The eyes can play tricks on you, but so too can the heart. A heart shut off from God cannot see the great potential of the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul says that all things work for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. This does not say God causes all things; it says that God can use all things for good. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but he rose to power in Pharaoh s courts. When he used his position to help his brothers he told them, What you intended for evil, the Lord used for good. The eyes of faith always sees opportunities for grace, possibilities for hope, potential for redemption. Not everything is as it appears.

2 8:30 and 11 a.m. ORDER OF WORSHIP April 30, 2017 Third Sunday of Easter Gathering Music Prelude on St Columba Raymond Haan Welcome and Announcements (Please complete and pass the red friendship pad at this time.) Dr. Glenn Ethridge *Hymn of Praise The Church s One Foundation UMH 545 *Affirmation of Faith UMH 888 (8:30) Rev. Susan Allen Grady (11:00) Dr. Amy Morgan 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. Call to Prayer Open My Eyes, That I May See UMH 454 Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! Intercessory Prayer and The Lord s Prayer (8:30) Rev. Allen Grady (11:00) Dr. Morgan Response: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 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. Sacrament of Holy Baptism (11:00) Dr. Ethridge Dr. Morgan John Marshall Peters, son of Jennifer and Jeff Peters Congregational Pledge With God s help, we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that Marshall, 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 Marshall, Marshall, 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. Marshall, Marshall, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you, too. Anthem (11:00) Fairest Lord Jesus Camp Kirkland Chancel Choir and Oak Grove Orchestra

3 *Hymn of Preparation Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation UMH 559 Tune: Angels from the Realms of Glory (At the 11:00 a.m. service, children in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade are invited to attend Children s Church after the Anthem. Pickup is in room 227.) Scripture Acts 2:42-47 Mr. Jack Ginn The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Honor a mom for Mother s Day Sermon Eyes to See: Dr. Ethridge Can You See God in the Church? The Stone Congregation Our Tithes & Offerings I Love To Tell the Story Oak Grove Orchestra Mr. Bob Unger, Dr. Elizabeth Unger, Mr. James Unger, Ms. Evelyn Unger, Mr. Kim Cody The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God in celebration of God s richest blessings on Dot and Jim Smith and their 60th wedding anniversary. *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. J. Cranfill *Doxology UMH 94 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *Sending Hymn I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord UMH 540 (Those who wish to join the church are invited to come forward.) *Benediction Dr. Ethridge *Postlude Nothing but the Blood of Jesus J. Cranfill Oak Grove Orchestra and benefit Wesley Woods Her children rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:28 This Mother's Day you can give a gift that honors a mom and provides care for a senior citizen in need. Mother's Day gifts will be given to Wesley Woods, a United Methodist system of facilities that provide residential care for senior adults. More than one-third of these adults live below the poverty line and 75% depend on financial assistance for their care. Please use the form below to make a gift of $25 (or any amount you choose) per person honored. An insert listing those honored or remembered will be included in the Oak Grove worship bulletin on Mother's Day. Please use one form per person to be honored/memorialized. Your name: Your address: Please make my contribution: In Memory of: In Honor of:

4 OAK GROVE NEWS April 30, 2017 Diaper Drive Please bring disposable diapers/pull-ups and baby wipes to church April 30 May 7 MAY 7 Our goal is to exceed the 4,200 diapers and 100 packages of wipes we collected last year! Beneficiaries are The United Methodist Children's Home and Caring for Clarkston (C4C). The Oak Grove Service Ministries Committee is sponsoring the fourth annual church-wide diaper drive, with the greatest needs for diaper sizes 4 and 5, pull-ups of any size, and baby wipes. C4C can accept loose diapers (packaged by size and labeled accordingly). We are seeking volunteers to sort diapers in Fellowship Hall after the 9:35 service on May 7. This is a great service opportunity for individuals or families. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Renita Anderson at or renita.anderson@gmail.com. Thank you to Oak Grove Christian School and the YCS for supporting these efforts by collecting diapers and wipes during the week of May 1-5! UMW Program Wed., May 3, 11 a.m. Please join the United Methodist Women on Wednesday, May 3, at 11 a.m. in the Parlor for guest speaker, Esther Segler. Lunch will be provided by the Akin and Friendship Circles following the program in Fellowship Hall. Mrs. Segler was the Chief of the Department of Nursing in the Army Nurse Corps and will discuss her exciting 30 year career. She will also speak about her church and community work in North Texas on HIV/AIDS. We look forward to seeing you! National Day of Prayer May 4, 2017 Mother s Day Gifts for Wesley Woods Wesley Woods serves the elderly with residential services in ten independent living retirement communities, as well as with assisted living services, skilled nursing, and specialized geriatric health care for conditions like Parkinson s and Alzheimer s diseases. More than 75% of the residents in the retirement communities are dependent on financial assistance, and more than 40% live below the poverty level. By contributing to the Wesley Woods Mother s Day Offering you help pay for housing costs, meals, and skilled care for residents who have nowhere else to turn. You are invited to make a gift of $25 or any amount you choose in honor or memory of your mother by utilizing the tear-off form in today s worship bulletin. Make your check payable to OGUMC and designate it for Wesley Woods Mother s Day Offering. You may also make a gift online at The deadline to have your gift included in the Mother s Day insert is Sunday, May 7. Please join in the 35-year tradition of North Georgia United Methodists to support charitable care at Wesley Woods. In observance of the National Day of Prayer, the sanctuary will be open for prayer from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please stop by and offer prayers for our country and our world. We will also have a special time of prayer and patriotic music as our program for Midweek on May 3. Upper Room Devotional Guides The May/June Upper Room Daily Devotional Guides are now available for pick up in the Portico Entrance, Grand Hall, and Narthex.

5 Register Now for the Mission Trip The Summer Mission Trip to Baton Rouge, LA will be Revive 225 Sunday, June 18, to Saturday, June 24, Cost is only $250. Register under Events, ( Deadline to register is May 14, Important Upcoming Dates Please mark your calendar with the following upcoming dates: Graduate Sunday is May 21, 2017, at the 11 a.m. service End of School Party is May 21, 2017, 5:30 7:30 p.m. OAK GROVE Monday, May 8 6:15 p.m. MENU: Steak, baked potato, salad, dessert, drink. $11 Jack Williams CEO of the IDEALS Foundation. We are honored to have Jack, a 1971 Georgia Tech graduate, as our guest speaker. Jack earned 3 letters as quarterback and was named team captain for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 3 years running. In addition to his athletic achievements, Jack has excelled in a leadership capacity. He currently leads the Apollo 13 Leadership Program where he is a motivational speaker in great demand by youth organizations and businesses alike. Join us as we welcome Jack and learn about how his program promotes responsible leadership in our youth, the future of tomorrow. North Georgia UMM Golf Tournament Friday, June 9, 2017 The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Men is hosting their annual Golf Fundraiser on Friday, June 9, 1:30 p.m. shotgun start at the Lake Spivey Golf Course. Proceeds help to fund various activities sponsored by the NGUMM. The cost to play will be $ for individual golfers or $ per foursome. This will include a Chick-fil-A lunch and chicken marsala dinner. For additional details and registration, contact Bill Widmayer, ( , bill.widmayer@gmail.com). Oak Grove Memorials IN HONOR TO THE BUILDING FUND IN HONOR OF Cathy Ethridge by John Miller IN MEMORY TO THE BUILDING FUND IN MEMORY OF Beth Benefield by Carol Bates George & Carolyn Jeffares Bob & Ginger Allison Gary & Marilyn Akins Jack & Rigby Duncan Lisa Bowling by George & Carolyn Jeffares Robert Fuller by Claud & Eloise Pounds Isla Hunter by Bob & Ginger Allison Don Minor by Barbara Adams TO THE MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF Beth Benefield by Bill & Lee Ann Ramsey Ed & Cindy Kallal Jonathan & Amy Merrill James & Ruth Primm Penland Perry & Cheryl Wilder Lisa Bowling by Matt & Megan Stambaugh Kara Moody Kim Angle Ann & Seth Davies James & Virginia Zachry Jonathan & Amy Merrill Eric & Jen Wahlen James & Ruth Primm Penland Beall family Baylake Pines friends William & Virginia Huguley Compass Rose Condominium owners Smoky & Zoe Hicks Sons of LaFayette male choir Bill & Lee Ann Ramsey Kimberly Neville Charles Glass by Sam & Mickey Hubbs Isla Hunter by J. L. Lyles Ladies of the bridge club Margaret Stone by Dixie Tempel TO THE MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF Beth Benefield by Scott & Juliana Stevenson Bob & Louise McCreary Thomas & Shirley Gurley Lucy Hinman Shirley Lee

6 PLEASE PRAY FOR In the Hospital Nancy Burton Emory Vera Roper Grady NICU New Concerns JoAnn McAuley New to Care Facilities Sara Bowles Dayes Adult Care Center Nell McCuen Budd Terrace Continued Prayers... Doris Atchison, Flo Baker, Dottie Bonnell, Kathy Brooks, Marshall Cartmill, Bill Cole, Barb Connelly, Marilyn Counts, Nancy Crovatt, Liz Darden, Jim Golden, Charlie Hamilton, Louise Hurst, Carolyn Jeffares, Tom Landers, Michele Lindner, Buddy McCloud, Lee McFall, Pete McKinnon, Dick Muth, Cindy Mynatt, Bill Narde, Hayes Nordberg, Elizabeth Pentecost, Alice Remigailo, Gladys Rhodes, George Riley, Ray Roper, June Row, Kristen Sanders, Karen Smith, Flo Strobhert, Chick Sward, Dawn Thomas, Paul Tuggle, Al Walker, Rob White, Virginia Whittemore, 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 New Baby... Congratulations to James & Lacey Unger on the birth of their daughter, Everly Jo Unger, March 15, Recent Baptisms... April 16, 2017 Taylor Reagan Hunnicutt April 23, 2017 Charlotte Grace Anderson April 23, 2017 Sarah Elaine Anderson Welcome New Members! Michael & Christie Lo; Eva, Lincoln Aaron & Joellyn Thompson; Kinsley Michael & Christine Brazeal Jeff & Tiana Mykkeltvedt; Ben, Nate, & Ada Save the Date! Labor Day Weekend Mission Trip September 1-4, 2017 Join us for a domestic Mission Trip at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC. This trip is for adults and families with children in 5th grade and above. More details available soon. May 3, 2017 Celebrate Oak Grove's observance of the National Day of Prayer as a church family with a picnic! Enjoy great food, fellowship, and a program that will include patriotic music and prayers for our country. We ll have activities for all ages, music, hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the fixin s! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets so we can enjoy the new courtyard together. This will be our last Midweek of the spring. Funeral Notifications at Oak Grove Oak Grove sends out s to inform the congregation about deaths in the church and service arrangements. If you do not have and want to be notified by phone, please call the church office and sign up with Sandee to be on the call list. Due to limited calling resources, we ask that only people without access use this service. For more information, please contact Amy Morgan ( , ext. 210). THIS WEEK S ACTIVITIES Oak Grove Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Sunday, April 30, :30am Coffee Fellowship Grand Hall 11:00am Newcomers Connection Grand Hall 2:00pm Youth Choir Choir Rm 218 5:30pm Youth Fellowship Youth Hall 5:30pm Disciple 1 Rm 237 6:30pm Wesley Ringers Sanctuary Monday, May 1, :30am Disciple 2 Rm :00am Church Bridge Rm 101 7:00pm Trustees Meeting Rm 102 7:30pm Adult Volleyball Heritage Hall Gym Tuesday, May 2, :30pm Grief Sharing Group Rm 238 7:00pm Building Committee Rm 102 7:30pm Boy Scout Troop 77 Meeting Scout Hall Wednesday, May 3, :30am WOW: Weekly Oxygen for Women Rm :00am UMW Program Parlor 5:00pm Chapel Communion Service Sanctuary 5:00pm Covenant Kids Rm 223 5:30pm Midweek Picnic Grand Hall 6:00pm Youth Activities Youth Hall 6:15pm Blessing Bags Youth Lobby 6:30pm Disciple 4 Rm 236 6:30pm Disciple 1x2 Rm 238 7:00pm Young Adult Bible Study Rm T01 7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary 7:00pm Evening WOW Parlor 7:30pm Aerobics Class Heritage Hall Gym Thursday, May 4, :00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Prep Kitchen 7:30pm Aerobics Class Heritage Hall Gym 8:00pm 9.35 Band Rehearsal Fellowship Hall Friday, May 5, :00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Delivery Away 3:00pm Eagle Scout Court of Honor Rice Sanctuary Our Presence April 19, 2017 Chapel Communion 21 Our Presence April 23, 2017 Church School 375 8:30 Service 116 9:35 Service :00 Service 376 3:00 Confirmation Service 301 5:30 Youth Fellowship 45 Total Worship this Week /23/17 Our Offerings Received to date Needed to date $773, $777, Over/Under ($4,788.72) DEEP ROOTS BUILDING CAMPAIGN RESULTS Pledged to date: $6,339, Given to date: $5,708,732.61

7 OAK GROVE NEWS Getting to Know Invitation Ministry Chairperson Rhiannon Brusco April 23, 2017 Starting in January 2017, Oak Grove welcomed new member Rhiannon Brusco into the volunteer position of Chairperson on Invitation Ministry. Rhiannon is a natural choice for this position because she came to Oak Grove through an invitation from Oak Grove member, Gwen Wilkinson. Get to know Rhiannon: "Having lived as a Catholic for the majority of my life, my introduction to Methodism has been a true blessing. After mentioning to my friend from yoga, Gwen Wilkinson, that I was interested in service opportunities in the community, she invited me to join in sandwich making for schoolchildren who were without lunch in the summertime. I came to the last session of the Smart Lunch/Smart Kid mission program and instantly felt really at home at Oak Grove. Everyone was very welcoming. Additionally, my four year old daughter fell in love with the children's Sunday school program. After attending the 9.35 service into the fall and becoming a member, my daughter began participating in choir while I joined a small women's Bible study group. I also serve as a greeter once a month for the 9.35 service. Our experiences here have been rewarding. I have not only made new friends and strengthened friendships with those I already knew, but I am exploring a whole new part of life and building my relationship with God. Sometimes you just know you are in the right place. The opportunity to serve the church as the Chair of Invitation Ministries was offered to me last fall. After contemplation and prayer, I accepted this opportunity as I felt this would be a good way to use my own gifts (an outgoing, approachable personality) to further introduce the community to Oak Grove. My goals are to 1) encourage those attending the church to explore becoming a member; 2) help those attending the church to better understand the opportunities for spiritual and personal growth that are offered by the church; 3) be a voice for new members and those exploring membership so that their questions and/or concerns may be addressed; and 4) invite folks to come, participate in, and check out what Oak Grove is all about!" Lunch Bunch A Long Connection to Oak Grove UMC: Old Dog Learning New Tricks Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall Bob, with Robin by his side, served as Senior Pastor of Oak Grove from 1994 to Please join us for this delightful time to enjoy and visit with old friends! Make reservations in the church office, in senior adult Sunday School Classes, or online ( The cost is $8.00 at the door. Everyone is invited and welcome, but reservations are essential. EXTRA Counseling Available through Oak Grove Going through a difficult time in your life? We can help! Oak Grove works with Care and Counseling Center of Georgia to offer counseling. Financial assistance is available. Addiction Help Available Oak Grove has a counseling grant especially designated to assist people dealing with addiction or chemical dependency. If you or someone you love could benefit from addiction help, please contact Amy Morgan. Grief Support Group Grief Sharing for anyone grieving significant loss Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in room 238 Led by: Stephanie Foxman, Licensed Professional Counselor There is no charge and newcomers are always welcome. For information on any of these opportunities, contact Dr. Amy Morgan ( , ext. 210 or amorgan@ogumc.org). Organ Renovations The church organ has been updated with new electronics and other internal repairs. On Sunday, May 14, the prelude, offertory, and postlude will be featured to allow you to hear some of the new voices of the organ that are possible because of the upgrades. The organ update is possible because of your contributions to the building program. Thank you for your generosity.

8 Text To Give You can text to give at anytime from anywhere you have service. 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. You must start with a dollar sign and use a decimal point. For example. $10.79 or $ 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, the money will go to Operating. Designation options will change. Currently you may choose from the following case sensitive choices: Building (building fund), Blessing (ongoing mission offering), and Other. If you choose Other, you can type in the ministry or event you are paying for in the box. 6. If you need to change information on the credit card you are using, type #edit and you will be directed to the website to make changes. 7. If you have any questions, please contact the 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 (11:00) Taylor Pendley Ushers: Jeanine Andrews, Mark Byrne, Tony Callaway, Carolyn Casarella, Greg Casarella, Bill Cole, Jack Graves, Tim Howard, Scot Macrae, Alec Morris, Max Neese, Davis Peacock, Phil Perry, Neil Sampson, Paul Siegel, Kirby Smith, Hodgson Thomas, James Trotti, Rob Welch Altar Guild: Regina Haynes, Sally Houghton 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 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 Executive Director 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).