An Update From your Pastor's Desk - 08.07.2020
Hello there,
Greetings to you and your family. We hope that you are staying well and healthy. This email update includes important information of what's going on at Oberlin UMC. If you have any questions please feel free to contract us.
Thanks!
John planted zucchini this spring. These small plants he lovingly placed at the edge of his garden. He prepared the soil, made sure that the plants were gently installed in the ground, and watered them. Experience says that when they are given loving care, they flourish, and flourish, and flourish. This was the case for John — he realized that he was going to have far more zucchini than he would ever use, so he offered it to a neighbor — and then another, and another. The little village became recipients of his beautiful zucchini — bread was made from it, casseroles, salads, even a dessert. Nothing went to waste. The bread was shared with neighbors, the casseroles were brought to people in need, salads were in abundance, and the dessert was thoroughly enjoyed by all. John and his zucchini. Simple plants with a bounty that fed many people.
We may think that we don’t have much to offer — that our gifts, our talents are minimal. Jesus calls us to share our gifts and our talents. We never know what kind of influence and joy they will have with others. Your smile, a very simple thing to do, might cause others to smile and feel better. You may be called to be a reader of stories for children or for those whose eyesight is failing; you may be the one who organizes rides to doctor appointments. Whatever the case, you have so much that you can share — so don’t keep those talents and gifts hidden. Share! You will love doing it. In Jesus’ Name, share! AMEN.
Kleenex Ministry
The 2020-2021 school year is just around the corner. Oberlin United Methodist Church will again supply tissue to USD 294 schools. This year we need 650+ boxes. You may begin bringing them to worship or the church office at your convenience. Remember that when we have collected the tissues, we will pray over them and then make the delivery to the Elementary and High School. Thank you in advance for your contributions to this ministry.
Please be in Prayer for
The Family and Friends of Melvin Smalberger;
The Family and Friends of Gary Olson;
Pam Scribner; Holden Streit (great-nephew of Chris Hackney); residents and staff of Good Samaritan Society – Decatur County; patients and staff of Decatur Health; our schools, teachers, administration, staff and school board members; our County, City, State and National leaders; Bob Lund; Janell Shorman; Michael Shorman; Darlene Agan; Cheryl Metcalf; Lowell Moxter.
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Prayer for your week:
Forgiving God, the first offering you ask for is the giving of ourselves, loving you and others boldly, refusing to let our fear of the storms around us keep us from taking risks. Forgive us for times when you have called us to leave our places of comfort, and we’ve ignored the call. Forgive us when our giving has not grown beyond our safety zone, but you blessed our gifts and us anyway. For those times when we dared to put our foot outside the boat and then sank up to our knees, thank you for not taking your hand away. For all this, we give thanks in the holy name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
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Fresh Produce Boxes
Fresh boxes will be offered on August 14 and August 28. The boxes will be available at the Oberlin United Methodist Church parking lot, 102 North Cass beginning at 10:00 AM. There are no income guidelines and the boxes will be handed out on a first-come basis.
On delivery days, we ask that you stay in your vehicle and wear a protective face mask; the produce box will be put in your vehicle. We will be there to help you line up.
Thank you to local, regional and state partners for making this possible. A special thank you to Thomas County Health Department and the Colby United Methodist Church for working with us to be able to make fresh produce available to residents of Oberlin.
Christian Education
Christian Education for Adults begins this Sunday, August 9, at 9:30 AM Central Time in Fellowship.
Please watch the bulletin and future updates for the beginning date for Christian Education for youth.
Worship Online
We have been streaming online and working out the issues we have been facing to make worship more enjoyable online. We ask that if you do not feel comfortable in crowds, or feel ill that you join us online. You can join us online by going to https://online.oberlinumc.org or going to our website (https://oberlinumc.org) and click on Watch Online.
We also have our sermon archive online so you can watch any previous worship service starting from March 22nd 2020. If you know someone who is unable to worship with us and has a DVD player, please let us know so we can provide a DVD from them.
Please take care of yourself and each other,
Pastor Gordon