An Update From your Pastor's Desk - 09.24.2020
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!
Please be in Prayer for
Cody and Rebecca Hooker; Judy Gaumer, Marilyn Cantrel; Elijah Bearley; Brogan McCorkle; Chaylene, Drew and Haisley Buzard; Amira Barzak (Granddaughter of Donna Fortin); Violet Shaw; Jan Walters; Lila Keenan; Bob Hartzog; Russ Stanley; Pam Scribner; Holden Streit (great nephew of Chris Hackney); residents and staff of Good Samaritan Society – Decatur County; our schools, teachers, administration, staff and school board members; our County, City, State and National leaders; Darlene Agan; Lowell Moxter.
Next Week's Lectionary Scripture
- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
- Psalm 19
- Philippians 3:4b-14
- Matthew 21:33-46
Did You Know World Communion Sunday is over 40 years old?
United Methodist churches observe World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday in October. The observance focuses the attention of United Methodists on the universal and inclusive nature of the church. Offerings collected in United Methodist churches on World Communion Sunday are used to fund scholarships for young scholars and seminarians. Donations equip racial and ethnic-minority students in the United States and international students to transform the church and communities. One half of the proceeds from the offering is for World Communion Sunday Scholars administered by the General Board of Global Ministries. The remaining one half is to be used for the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program, which are administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
World Communion Day is a day of unity, a day when congregations throughout the United States and abroad will embrace a diverse togetherness throughout the world. This year on October 4, the first Sunday of every October, followers of Jesus Christ will gather in churches of all sizes, on lanes, streets and major highways, in modern buildings and makeshift sanctuaries, in rural and urban environments, all to receive the bread and cup of Holy Communion. Despite the differences in our denominations and traditions, we celebrate our unity in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior on this Special Sunday.
From a practical perspective, World Communion Sunday is one of the six Sundays of the year that the United Methodist Church has designated as denomination-wide Special Sundays, where special offerings are collected to serve specific ministry purposes in the church.
What does World Communion Sunday mean to you?
It is vital to recognize the global perspective this day brings, but this Special Sunday also touches people on a personal level. Hear what some of United Methodist pastors have to say:
“I grew up in the diverse multicultural congregation of New Dover United Methodist Church in Edison, NJ. I remember as a child on World Communion Sunday being amazed at the familiar tune, “Jesus Loves Me” sung by members of the congregation in various languages. Looking back, it was such a simple lesson that taught me about the diversity of the church and how we can celebrate the love Jesus has for each of us as the Body of Christ together.”
“We never celebrated World Communion Sunday growing up, but since becoming a Methodist, I quickly learned to love and appreciate this day. We celebrated it as a day in solidarity with the rest of the world. A day to remember to pray for people everywhere. A day to pray that all will come to know and experience God’s grace. And a day to thank God for and pray for our Christian brothers and sisters everywhere remembering that in Christ, we are many members of one body.”— Landen Wilson
“World Communion Sunday took on new meaning for me as a pastor. As I broke the bread and shared the cup in my New Jersey congregation, I was inspired by the fact that on this day, this one Sunday each year, Christians around the world gathered at the table and celebrate communion. That despite our many differences, here at the table we are one in Christ Jesus. World Communion Sunday is a reminder that what we do here is not for us alone, not just for family and friends, but it’s for all the world.”— Rev. Gina Yeske
For Your Calendar
Sunday, September 27 –
10:45 AM – Worship with us online today
Monday, September 28 – Pastor Gordon Clergy meeting
Tuesday, September 29 – Pastor Gordon Clergy meeting
Wednesday, September 30 –
9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study in Fellowship Hall
6:15 PM United Methodist & Community Youth Group
7:30 PM Praise Team Practice in Sanctuary
Thursday, October 1 -
7:00 PM Great Plains Laity Session of Annual Conference via Zoom
8:00 PM Extended Staff Pastor Parish Relations Meeting via Zoom
Friday, October 2 –
10:00 AM Clergy Session of Great Plains Annual Conference via Zoom
5:30 PM – 6:45 PM Great Plains Laity Session of Annual Conference via Zoom
Saturday, October 3 –
8:30 – 9:45 AM – Laity Session of Annual Conference via Zoom
Sunday, October 4 – World Communion Sunday
9:30 AM Adult Sunday School
10:45 AM Worship
Monday, October 5 –
7:00 PM – Dorcas Circle in Fellowship Hall
Monday-Friday, October 5-9 – Pastor Gordon Course of Study
Wednesday, October 7 –
1:30 PM – United Methodist Women in Fellowship Hall
Saturday, October 10 –
8:30-10:00 AM – Network Leader Meeting via Zoom
10:00-12:00 AM – Oberlin Network Meeting via Zoom
Sunday, October 11 –
9:30 AM Adult Sunday School
10:45 AM Worship
Worship Online
We have been streaming online and working out the issues we have been facing to make worship more enjoyable 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 for them.
Follow us on your favorite Social Media Network
Did you know that Oberlin UMC is now on Twitter, and Instagram, along with Facebook, and YouTube? Follow us on your favorite social media platform and stay connected with Oberlin UMC.
Facebook: @OberlinUMC
Twitter: @oberlinumc
Instagram: @oberlinumc
YouTube: Oberlin United Methodist Church
Please continue to take care of yourself and each other,
Pastor Gordon