January 1 10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary No Sunday School Nursery and Children s Church available

Transcription

1 November 27, 2016 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT Advent New Year December p.m. Children s Christmas Around the World December 4 4 p.m. Service of Hope December 7 6:15 p.m. Cool Yule Children s Choirs 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 Church Office Closed

2 8:30 and 11 a.m. ORDER OF WORSHIP November 27, 2016 First Sunday of Advent Gathering Music Watchman, Tell Us of the Night arr. Ben Logan Welcome and Announcements (Please complete and pass the red friendship pad at this time.) Dr. Glenn Ethridge *Hymn of Praise O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH 211 Stanzas 1-7 Lighting of the Advent Wreath - The Hope Candle (8:30) Paul and Hannah Siegel (11:00) Jason and Blair Lewis The world is dark with violence and conflict. The Messiah brings justice and mercy, joy and peace, hope and grace. We light this candle as a sign of the hope that is ours in the promised coming of the Savior. Congregational Response O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. A Morning Prayer and The Lord s Prayer Dr. Amy Morgan 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. Our Tithes & Offerings (8:30) Voluntary on "Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine" arr. Carl Simone Ms. Leanne Herrmann, Organ (11:00) Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming/rose of Bethlehem Traditional Mr. Jake Moore, Tenor and Mr. Jack Moore, Tenor *Doxology While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks UMH 236 All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; goodwill hence-forth from heaven to earth begin and never cease, begin and never cease! *Hymn of Preparation Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates UMH 213 (At the 11:00 a.m. service, children are invited to come forward during the hymn.)

3 Children s Time (11:00) Rev. Susan Allen Grady (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) Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming/ Traditional Rose of Bethlehem Mr. Jake Moore, Tenor and Mr. Jack Moore, Tenor (11:00) Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine Norman Luboff Chancel Choir He came among us at Christmastide, at Christmastide in Bethlehem. Men shall bring him from far and wide, love s diadem. Jesu, Jesu; Lo, he comes and loves and saves and frees us. "Joseph, Dearest Joseph mine, help me cradle this Child divine. God reward thee and all that s thine, in paradise," so prays the mother Mary. "Gladly dear one, Lady mine help I cradle this Child of thine. God s own light on us both shall shine, In paradise," as prays the mother Mary. Peace to all that have goodwill! God, who heaven and earth doth fill, Comes to turn us away from ill, and lies so still within the crib of Mary. Scripture Isaiah 2:1-5 Ms. Bonnie Hoyt The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Sermon Sing We Now of Christmas: Dr. Ethridge Hopes and Fears of All the Years *Sending Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem UMH 230 (Those who wish to join the church are invited to come forward.) *Benediction Dr. Ethridge Postlude Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus arr. Jon Spong *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. 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 27, 2016 SANCTUARY IS OPEN Thursdays December 8, 15, and 22 7 to 9 p.m. 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. Advent Offering This Sunday, November 27, is the first Sunday of Advent, a season when we prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of the Christ child at Christmas. One of the ways that many people observe this season is by giving to someone in need. A wonderful way to do that is through the Oak Grove Advent Offering. Each year our Advent Offering funds mission ministries that meet the real needs of people. From feeding children at Montclair Elementary School to caring for low income senior adults at Mountain View Personal Care Home, your Advent offering makes a difference! Please use the special Advent offering envelope that was mailed or pick one up at church. Checks should be made payable to Oak Grove UMC and marked Advent Offering. You can also give online at or through Text-to-Give using the key word Advent. Thank you for your generosity! 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!, 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. Gloria! Christmas at Oak Grove Sunday, December 18, :30 p.m. & 7 p.m. One may reserve free tickets online ( through the church office ( ), or during Midweek dinners on Wednesday evening in Fellowship Hall. Don t miss this rare opportunity to experience the Advent and Christmas seasons through both the classics and your favorite carols. The program will feature the ensembles of Oak Grove with guest, Allegra Whitney, Soprano, and accompanied by a Double Brass Ensemble, Organ, and Percussion.

5 Christmas Tree Lot The tree lot is open! We are back in the BBQ lot this year. Continue (or start!) a family tradition and support the Youth Ministries! 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 sell trees, we always need volunteers! Please visit to register. Caring for Clarkston (C4C) Our next C4C Food & Baby Pantry will be on Saturday, December 3, Meet at Youth Hall at 8 a.m. We will return to Youth Hall about noon and then go to the Oak Grove Market for lunch. Please contact Jen Wahlen at wahlens@comcast.net if you have any questions or would like to help or donate items. We really need larger sized diapers (sizes 4, 5, and 6)! Donations can be left in the C4C cabinet in the corridor from Fellowship Hall. The December pantry day is always extra special with Christmas treats, crafts, and more. We need about 100 baked treats to share. Cookies, brownies, muffins, breads, etc. are all welcome. The baked goods need to be in a sealed package. If you would like to provide holiday baked goods, please contact Brooke Peck (brookecpeck@gmail.com). 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. S P R I N G 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! Cost: $375/room double occupancy. Additional charges for children: $75 per child ages 3-11 years old, $90 per child ages 11 and up. Children under the age of 3 are free. For information on financial assistance, please contact Rev. Susan Allen Grady (sallengrady@ogumc.org). All prices include rustic motel lodging, two breakfast and two dinner meals, and bonfires each night complete with s'mores. Please note that Saturday lunch is not included and will be on your own. Sunday lunch is not included but available at Forrest Hills. Check in starts on Friday, March 24, at 3 p.m., and the retreat will end following a worship service on Sunday morning. Saturday will feature a getting-to-know-you morning session with separate planned children s activities, lunch on your own, and an afternoon of free time to relax or explore North Georgia attractions. Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Retreat Center is about an hour and a half north of Atlanta. It offers motel style lodging with rooms large enough for the whole family. Each lodge has a communal kitchen, living room, outdoor space, and meeting room. You will be notified of your lodge assignment prior to arrival so you can plan snacks and drinks with others in your lodge, if you'd like. Register on the church website ( Limited spaces are available, so please register early. This is going to be a fun church family weekend for all ages! 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 ( December 9-11, 2016 Cobb Galleria Centre We need your help to pack over 1 million meals for starving children around the world! Over the weekend of December 9-11, 2016, Feed My Starving Children is hosting its Hope Filled Holiday meal packing event at the Cobb Galleria. It's a terrific new holiday volunteer activity that everyone can enjoy, even children ages 5 and up. In just a two-hour session, you and your family and friends will have so much fun packing thousands of meals for children suffering from severe malnutrition and starvation. If you are looking for a meaningful, fun, and user-friendly volunteer opportunity for your family over the holidays, this is it! Registration is now open online ( HopeFilledHolidayAtlanta). In addition to the meal-packing sessions held on Saturday and Sunday, December 10-11, we need 30 volunteers from OGUMC to help set up at the Cobb Galleria on Friday, December 9 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. OGUMC will be hosting its own Mobile Pack event in 2017, and the Hope Filled Holiday event is a great opportunity to see the entire process first-hand. If you are interested in helping with set up on December 9, please contact John Burgess (johnburgess822@gmail.com).

6 PLEASE PRAY FOR Due to an early publication deadline, we do not have a current prayer list. Amy Morgan Returns November 21 Oak Grove welcomes back Amy Morgan who has been on medical leave at the Mayo Pain Clinic to address chronic migraines. Amy begins part-time at Oak Grove on November 21, and she will have a paced transition to full-time. Staff Parish Relations Committee is happy to partner with her in her aftercare. During this transition period, Amy will not be starting any new projects. She will focus on providing staffing/clergy support of existing ministries, but if there are new projects, volunteers will need to manage those. SPR wants to protect Amy s time during her recovery. In the from Amy printed below she outlines the guidelines she received to help her manage her pain during aftercare. Thank you for praying for Amy s healing and supporting her continued recovery. Dear Friends, 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, November 30, 2016 Chapel Communion 5 to 5:30 p.m. covenant 5 to 5:45 p.m. 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Dinner Reservations and cancellations must be made by noon Monday before the meal ( or click reservations ). Standing reservations (through May 3, 2017) are encouraged. Menu for November 30, 2016 Baked Potato Bar, Soup, Cornbread, Salad Bar, Assorted Cookies 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). Submitting Articles to the Oak Grove News Please be reminded that Thursday 12 p.m. is the deadline for articles that you submit to the Oak Grove News. This will enable your information to appear in the following week s bulletin. Send items to oakgrovenews@ogumc.org. Thank you! THIS WEEK S ACTIVITIES Oak Grove Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Sunday, November 27, :30am Coffee Fellowship Grand Hall 4:30pm Youth Choir Choir Rm 201/218 5:30pm Disciple 1 Rm 216/237 5:30pm Youth Fellowship Youth Hall 6:30 pm Wesley Ringers Sanctuary Monday, November 28, :30am Disciple 2 Rm 216/237 10:00am Church Bridge Rm 101 7:00pm Church Council Meeting Grand Hall 7:30pm Adult Volley Ball Heritage Hall Gym Tuesday, November 29, :30am Disciple 1 Rm :00am Akin Circle Meeting Rm 101 6:30pm Grief Sharing Group Rm 219/238 7:30pm Aerobics Class Heritage Hall Gym Wednesday, November 30, :30am WOW: Weekly Oxygen for Women Rm 219/238 10:00am UMW Friendship Circle Rm 102 5:00pm Chapel Communion Service Sanctuary 5:00pm Covenant Kids Rm 202/223 5:30pm Midweek Meal Fellowship Hall 6:00pm Youth Activities Youth Hall 6:15pm Blessing Bags Narthex 6:15pm Midweek Program Fellowship Hall 6:15pm Children s Choirs Various 6:15pm Midweek Book Club Rm 114/136 6:30pm Young Adult Bible Study Rm T01 6:30pm Disciple 4 Rm 217/236 6:30pm Disciple 1x2 Rm 219/238 7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Choir Rm-201 7:00pm Evening WOW Parlor 7:30pm Boy Scout Troop 77 Meeting Scout Hall Thursday, December 1, :30am Turban Ladies Rm 102 1:00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Prep Kitchen 7:30pm Aerobics Class Heritage Hall Gym 8:00pm 9.35 Band Rehearsal Fellowship Hall Friday, December 2, :00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Delivery Away Saturday, December 3, :00am Caring for Clarkston (C4C) Away 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). Due to an early publication deadline, the financial numbers are not available.

7 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: Stephanie and David Mitchell 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).