June 13 June 26, 2015 ACORN Seeds For Growth Your First Ten Minutes & Ten Feet Rule Five times in the New Testament those who are in the Christian community are commanded by God to Greet one another with a holy kiss (such as Romans 16:16). Oh my! Hold on! In many cultures, family members and close friends exchange a kiss on the cheek. For most of us, this would not only make us uncomfortable, but the Christian brother or sister who receives our kiss as well. But oh what a warm handshake and smile or hug can do to warm another person s soul. Oakwood Community Church 11209 Casey Rd Tampa FL 33618-5306 813.969.2303 www.oakwoodfl.org The mission of Oakwood is to... Transform ordinary people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Oakwood is a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America. As Bev and I drive to Oakwood for Sunday Worship each week, we pray together that God will use us to express tender-heartedness to as many of our dear church family as we can. We also pray for those who are looking for God and/or a church home that God will use us to express a warm welcome. Why is this one of my weekly prayers? It is born out of my own experience many years ago. When I was actively seeking God, I went, uninvited, by myself to a Christian group. That s not easy to do. I came and then left without anyone expressing any personal interest in me. I never returned, yet remained a seeker without a relationship with God and His people. I urge you to practice Oakwood s Ten Minute Rule & Ten Foot Rule. For the first ten minutes following one of our Sunday morning Worship Services, before you connect with people you already know (though very important), reach out to people who may be new. Be especially aware of people who are within ten feet of you. It is only within those first few minutes that you will likely be able to communicate the love of Christ to our guests and newer people. After that, it will likely be too late. Obviously, we want to respect those who want to check us out without making personal connections. However, many first time visitors who are seekers of God want to feel that God s people personally value them. We want them to feel they are more than visitors but our guests who matter to us and to God. Introduce yourself and graciously ask them questions such as the following: Are you new to Oakwood? How did you happen to come to Oakwood today? Have you been in Tampa long? Do you have children or students? We have a great ministry to children called, TreeHouse & one for 6 th to 12 graders called PowerHouse. Etc. Inside this issue: New Message Series 2 TreeHouse News 3 Serve The World 3 Work Day 4 Czech Team News 5 AdventurE3:20 6-7 PowerHouse News 8 Kids Page 9 Calendar 10 Continued on Page 4 Find us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/occtampa
Page 2 New Message Series I will begin a new message series this Sunday, June 14 entitled I Am...Here For You. We all face times when our back is up against the wall and we don t know where to turn for help. The grand news is, God is always there for us! For just about every type of difficult situations we face in life, God reveals to us one of His special names. Through each of these names, God describes one of His characteristics that you can count on to meet your need and enable God to do in and through you what only He can do. Bring a friend to receive some encouragement alongside of you. Let s trust God to do things in and through us that only He can do! ~ Pastor Paul EFCA National Conference This year, the bi-annual conference of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), being held in San Diego June 16-18, will be significant in many ways. We will be celebrating the anticipated election of a new President, Kevin Kompelien, as well as expressing great gratitude for Bill Hamel who is retiring from this role after his many years of steady godly leadership. Bill, who has been a ministry friend of Pastor Paul and Bev Phair for many years, will be honored at the conference. Paul and Bev, along with Dave and Martha Dorsey, will be attending the EFCA One Conference at their own expense. Along with the transition of leadership, they will enjoy uplifting worship, challenging and encouraging Bible messages, leadership equipping workshops, and networking with other EFCA leaders across the nation and world. Following the conference, Paul and Bev will spend a few days with their son, daughter-in-marriage, and grandson in the Phoenix area before returning to Tampa on June 25. The Dorsey's will also take a few days of vacation in southern California and be back June 22. Please pray for good opportunities to worship, listen and learn.
Page 3 TreeHouse News Family Worship in June Just a reminder... On June 14, June 21, and June 28 the Kindergarten through 5 th graders will enjoy being with their parents (that s you) in the main Worship Service. There will be some special times in the service for the kids and also some activities available to keep them engaged. There will be a short children s message each Sunday that will be included in the service. This will let our kids see what it s like in big people worship and give you a great opportunity to talk with your child about the lesson from the day. If you are not on vacation, plan to be here in June for these special family services. Dave Dorsey TreeHouse Volunteers needed We have a number of TreeHouse volunteers who give of their time every week to minister to our wonderful children. We like to give this team of workers a break for the summer. Will you give us a hand and teach for a week, a month, or the summer? Please contact Dave Dorsey at 813-969-2303 or dave@oakwoodfl.org if you are interested in volunteering your time. Blood Pressure checks Blood pressure checks Sunday, June 14, in the kitchen following the Worship Service. Don t miss this important health screening. Opportunity to Serve the Church & World Naomi s Daughters is a ministry for single moms that provides clothing to the moms and their children. The Oakwood family, along with others in the community, provides donations of clothing, food and money to keep this ministry moving forward. Your continued donations of new or gently worn clothes and non-perishable foods are greatly appreciated. Donations can be left on the screened area in the back of the gray house on our property. There are bins provided for your donations along with tax deductible forms. Current needs: School supplies (all types) to help get the kids ready for school in the fall; clothing and shoes for all ages infant to adult. Pantry needs: cereal, canned goods, rice, pasta, paper goods, personal care items, etc. Please pray that we can continue to reach people in this ministry and show the hands and feet of the Lord to those who come through our doors.
Page 4 Seeds For Growth continued Introduce your newly discovered friend to others you know around you. If they appear interested, invite them to join you for lunch or into your home for coffee that evening. Invite them to accompany you the following week to our Sunday Morning CONNECTION group during the first hour (in the Education Center). Several years ago, one of our newer people to Oakwood wrote on our Connection Card the following: Just wanted to say that I was a little down today, when [one of your people] stopped by my chair and chatted for a minute. I smiled and felt better suddenly. Thank you for the joy and fellowship I ve never failed to receive here. I thank God that in coming here, I can be so blessed. Each week before you come to an Oakwood Worship Service, pray not only that you will worship God and be receptive to His truths, but also that God would use you to greet others with kindness and care, including those who are searching for God. You can be a difference maker in someone s day and even someone s eternity! ~ Pastor Paul Work Day We are looking for Small Groups, families and friends to work together on projects inside and out at Oakwood. We need people with trucks, rakes, rubber cleaning gloves, painting skills, and anyone handy to assist in putting in some new window panes. Please join us for work and fellowship on June 20 from 8:00 AM noon. If you have questions, please contact Luke Piazza @ (813) 451-4265. Online Giving Did you know that you can make financial contributions to Oakwood through our website? You can give one time or set up for recurring donations. Visit www.oakwoodfl.org and click Give Online on the right side of the menu on the home page. Financial Update 2015 Oakwood approved budget through April: $175,233 Oakwood Giving through end of April: $145,423 Amount over or (under) budget: ($29,959) (This report includes April giving and correction from reporting error in March)
Page 5 English Camp in the Czech Republic ~ July 6 23, 2015 Dear Oakwood Family, I am writing to invite you to join us in our ongoing ministry to the Czech Republic by financially supporting this year s team from Oakwood. La Verne Cluff, Laurissa Corrales (along with son Emilio and daughter Nadia), Cierra Jones, Alisa Linares, Margie Ramos and Kelsey and I (along with our two daughters, Elle and Cece) make up the 16 th team commissioned by Oakwood to serve as short-term missionaries to the Czech Republic this summer. In early July, we will cross the Atlantic to partner with our brothers and sisters from the Brno Evangelical Fellowship church to host a weeklong camp reaching out to over 60 guests invited by members of the Brno church. Considering the Great Commission found in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples of all nations, our ongoing mission to the Czech Republic represents one of Oakwood s most significant responses of obedience to the Great Commission given by Jesus. The two most meaningful ways you can join us in this ministry right now are in financial support and in prayer. There will be valuable information forthcoming to help you pray along with us, but the purpose of this letter is to inform you of how to financially support us. Please see below for different options available to you: We will receive a special offering this Sunday, June 14 during the Worship Service. If using a check, please write Czech on the memo line. If you would like for your gift to directly support a specific member of our team, you may add their name to the memo line as well. If you will not be at church this Sunday, you may drop a check off at the church office or mail a check to the office. You may give online at our website, www.oakwoodfl.org. Just click on the link at the top of the page that says, Give Online. You will see a clearly marked box indicating that your gift will be designated for the Czech Republic. Furthermore, if you would like for your gift to directly support a specific member of our team, simply write their name in the text box titled Additional Comments. Although this year s team travelling to the Czech Republic has already been assembled, this ministry continues to be a partnership between our entire church family and the entire Brno Evangelical Fellowship family. We value your involvement and support and believe that the role you play can be an important one. If you have any questions or thoughts please feel free to contact me anytime (robweyand@gmail.com). Thanks, Rob Weyand Team Tampa XVI
Page 6 AdventurE3:20 Lift Off! It s a lift off! Last Sunday, some 46 leaders along with others too, publicly expressed that they will devote the months of June & July to fasting and praying for God to do in and through us what only He can do. Those who are physically able to do so will also be fasting one day a week. There s still opportunity this Sunday and next (June 14 & 21) for you to express that you are teaming up with others to seek God s glory in Jesus name. Of course, you don t have to do so to participate with us, but you may encourage us all by writing your name on the AdventurE3:20 banner on the left side wall of the worship center (either before or after the worship service). You may also take home an AdventurE3:20 magnet as a reminder. We are not viewing this as a sacred vow to God but as a genuine expression of intent (with flexibility) that will encourage others. Last Sunday morning and evening, we experienced a very special communion with God and each other. We re each going to continue praying in June & July, and through the rest of this year. It is exciting to anticipate God s answers to our prayers to His glory and our celebrating in what He is doing in response. If you have a story to share, please email it to office@oakwoodfl.org, post it on Oakwood s Facebook, and share it with those in your community group. Below is a reminder of AdventurE3:20 s reasons, purpose, principles, how to s, etc. You may also use this as a weekly & daily guide to your Adventure of prayer. Seeking God to do in us & through us what only He can do! Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. The Power of Prayer To accomplish our mission to transform ordinary people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ it is essential that we experience the fullness of God the Spirit s power. Prayer s relationship to God s power is what rocket fuel is to a rocket. God will supply His power as we engage in earnest, loving, faith-filled prayer. God has chosen to make the prayers of His people, in Jesus name, a key means by which He will do that which, humanly speaking, He would not otherwise do. E.M. Bounds asserts that prayer puts God to work. Jesus promised to us, You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father (John 14:13, NLT). Relational Contexts for Our Prayers In each of the following settings, pray regularly and passionately for God to do what only He can do in and through in the following relational contexts: Your personal life Your family life Your community group Your ministry team Your Oakwood team As you pray, envision what God may direct you, and your group to do, that is well beyond your natural ability or that of your group. Then pray for His power in you and through you and the above groups, to the glory of God! Continued on Page 7
Page 7 AdventurE3:20 continued Petitioning God for the following (& more!): Principles for prayer from 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Financial provisions for accomplishing our mission People will be raised from spiritual death to life God s people to be liberated from defeating sins into greater measures of Christ-likeness Gospel & compassion ministries of unparalleled breadth & depth both locally & globally A Guide to Asking For a Miracle Based on principles from 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 1. Earnestly seek God the Father, vv. 3-4 2. Confidently appeal for God s grace, vv. 5-12a a. Appeal to him on the basis of who He is, v. 6 b. Appeal to Him on the basis of His past blessings, v. 7 c. Appeal to Him for a repeat performance, v. 12a 3. Admit your/our need for a miracle, v. 12b & v. 6 4. Focus on God not the obstacles, v. 12c 5. Trust God to do what only He can do in & through you/us, v. 17 6. Thank God in advance, v. 21-22 Practical Aspects of our Fasting & Prayer: Fast & pray one day per week for the months of June & July. ~ Wednesday is when most of us will do so, but you may select a different day at any time. You may choose to by-pass fasting if you are on vacation or for some other special reason. Abstain from eating food for one or two meals during your designated day. ~ Many of us will participate in a 24-hour fast. Fast from after supper Tuesday night; skip Wednesday breakfast and lunch. Break fast with supper on Wednesday evening. ~ Drink liquids, possibly juice or sugar soda (if you re vulnerable to headaches from fasting). Don t ask your children to participate. ~ If you are diabetic, pregnant, or have other health concerns, consider another form of fasting, such as abstaining from social media. ~ As you feel hunger let it serve as an expression that you love & serve God more than your pleasures & that you need Him more than anything (Mt. 4:4 & Jn 4:34).
Page 8 PowerHouse Schedule June 7-12 Serve in VBS 6:30 8:30 PM June 14 Food Bag Ministry & School s Out Party June 21 Father s Day No PowerHouse Evening Meeting June 28 Regular Evening Meeting School s Out Party Sunday, June 14 Joni us for the fun Food Bag Delivery Drivers Needed Our PowerHouse students have a monthly ministry assembling food bags that are distributed to medical clinics in Tampa, Lakeland, Haines City and Winter Haven. We are in need of people who can help with delivery of these food bags, especially to Lakeland, Haines City, and Winter Haven. The food bags are usually assembled on the second Sunday of each month, and need to be delivered on the Monday or Tuesday following assembly. The next delivery time is June 15 or 16. If you can help with delivery or would like more information, please contact Cindy Giannone at (813) 969-4136. Food Bag Ministry Our PowerHouse students have a monthly fundraiser assembling food bags that are distributed to medical clinics in Tampa, Lakeland, Haines City and Winter Haven? These bags are distributed to indigent patients at the clinic to provide some basic food needs of the patients and their family. PowerHouse teens can raise money for summer mission/conference trips by participating in our monthly Food Bag Ministry, typically on the second Sunday of each month. Our next Food Bag prep day is Sunday, June 14 right after the Worship Service. Teens can raise extra funds by helping shop for the food and/or helping with delivery of the food bags to the medical clinics. Shopping for the next fundraiser will be Friday, June 12. Meet at Aldi at Bearss & Florida Ave. at 5:00 PM (or contact Cam Whipple) if you want to help. For more details contact Cindy Giannone at (813) 969-4136.
Page 9 Kids Corner
Oakwood Community Church 11209 Casey Rd Tampa FL 33618-5306 813.969.2303 www.oakwoodfl.org Our Staff Lead Pastor - Dr. Paul B. Phair Director of Ministries - Dave Dorsey Director of Worship Arts - Andrew Reilly Coordinator of Youth Ministry - Dr. Paul B. Phair Coordinator of Children s Ministry - Dave Dorsey Office Manager - Martha Dorsey Secretary Melanie Hoglievina Our Elder Team Mark Beale Edson Bustamante Pete Kluck Paul Phair John Schneider Rob Weyand Our Deacon Team David Conner Larry Giannone Brian Johnson Luke Piazza Gigi Yuen-Reed Mike Wyatt Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Worship: Sundays - 10:00 AM Calendar at a Glance June 14 Special Czech Team Offering Blood Pressure checks following Worship Board Meeting PowerHouse Food Bag Ministry June 20 Work Day June 21 Father s Day Compassion Offering June 28 Evening Prayer Time for BUMP & Czech Teams July 3-12 PowerHouse Teens serving on the BUMP Team in Baltimore July 4 Church Office closed July 6-22 Team Tampa XVI teaching English Camp in the Czech Republic The Oakwood ACORN is a bi-weekly E-newsletter from Oakwood Community Church, published to keep our church family and friends informed about events and people at Oakwood. Articles may be submitted via e-mail to Office@oakwoodfl.org. Article deadlines and publication schedule is: Deadline Publication date News for dates including June 19 June 24 June 27 July 10 July 3 July 8 July 11 July 24 Missed a Sunday message? Listen online @ www.oakwoodfl.org/messages/