An Update From your Pastor's Desk - 12.11.2020
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!
Preparing and Waiting
As the Hebrews needed to be reminded of their response to restoration so, too, we followers of Christ need reminding. Responsibility goes with salvation. Our experience cannot simply be reduced to a day and place. Such an experience demands a continual response. We seek to be faithful to what restoration means and how it defines us each moment we live. We too are called to become a living illustration of what it means to be blessed and restored by God. Perhaps then all may see and come to such blessing and restoration.
When the tragic events of 9/11 happened, we could not believe it was happening on our soil. After that dark and yet heroic day, we began to rally as a nation to one another. We realized how much we needed one another as a nation and as a community. Such events, even tragic ones, shape us and define us individually and collectively. Such was the case of the restoration of the Jews to Jerusalem. God through the prophet wants the people to understand that this is a defining moment in their lives both individually and collectively. The events of restoration are a turning point for them as God seeks to use God’s work in history. God molds who people are and who people become.
In preparation and waiting may we come to realize and to answer for ourselves how this birth at Bethlehem might shape and mold us. May its power claim us and transform us. Maybe this Christmas we will be open to what it is God is seeking to do in us. Could it be that this Christmas God wants to know what difference this birth makes to us? Will God be able to tell the difference? As important, will anybody else?
Reprinted from Ministry Matters
November 24th, 2020
By Travis Franklin
UMYF Youth Meals
Youth Group Meals are needed for December 16th, January 6, 13, 20 and 27th. The Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board.
UMW / Dorcas Circle
Neither UMW nor Dorcas Circle will meet in December.
Birthdays 🎉
December 11 Jacquelyn Marshall
December 13 Steve Kraus; Cheryl Miller
December 14 Joyce Pedersen
December 16 Trenton Raile
December 17 Deanna Castle; Shannon Metcalf; Janelle Walter
December 19 Gabe Moore
December 20 Casey Alstrom; Mick Barth; Blake Garner; Hayley Lewton
December 21 Delbert Erickson
December 22 Kay Danburg; Emma Merrill
December 27 Jacque Elwood
December 28 Wiley Farr; Linda Hollowell; Addison Mathews
December 29 Mark Scott
December 30 Valisha Raile
December 31 Lila Keenan
Anniversaries 🎉
December 21: Lyle and Leona Hilker
December 24: Cole and Alyssa May
December 28: Joe and Candy Dejmal
December 29: Glen and Kristin Stragey
December 30: Jordan and Whitney Tally
December 31: Jerry and Melissa Chambers, Robert and Robyn Rouse, Stosh and Jill Seller
Please be in Prayer for 🙏🏼
All residents and staff of Good Samaritan Society – Decatur County; all staff and all patients - Decatur Health Clinic and Hospital; Cathy Bouts; Jessica Luck; Brogan McCorkle and family; Wilbert Dennis; Minnie Dawn Purdy; Marian Fraker; Larry Ishii; Barry Richards; Brady and Ellie Ginther and baby; Doris Sloan; Hannah Abbott and family; teachers, administration, staff and school board members; our County, City, State and National leaders.
Prayers for the family and friends of Phyllis Hasty, mother of DS Don Hasty and your former Pastor Doug Hasty.
Christmas Eve Worship Services 🎄
2020 has been a year you’ll never forget (but probably wish you could!) Don’t let the holidays add to your stress this year. Find some peace and hope instead. We want to help.
Join us this year for Christmas Eve at the Oberlin United Methodist Church. Great music, a hope-filled message, and some Christmas nostalgia that will make you feel at home. Please consider this your invitation - we’d love to share Christmas with you.
Due to Covid-19, we will be limiting seating at each service. This allows us to spread out our seating and offer a safer environment. We are requiring everyone to reserve a free ticket to our Christmas Eve Services to ensure we don’t exceed our capacity.
You can reserve your spot for either service by calling the church office (785.475.3067), via email (hello@oberlinumc.org) or Online. (If reserving via Phone or Email, please tell us what service you would like to attend and those who are joining you.)
We will also be streaming both services on our online campus.
Online Tickets
5:30 PM Service - https://christmas.oberlinumc.org/530-service
8:00 PM Service - https://christmas.oberlinumc.org/8-service
For Your Calendar 🗓
Friday, December 11 – Pastor Gordon Day Off
Sunday, December 13 – Third Sunday in Advent
Friday, December 18 – Pastor Gordon Day Off
Sunday, December 20 – Fourth Sunday in Advent
Children’s Christmas Program during Worship
Wednesday, December 23 –
School Christmas Break to Jan. 4, 2021
No UMYF
Thursday, December 24 – Christmas Eve
5:30 PM Worship – Reservation Required (Click here to Register)
8:00 PM Worship – Reservation Required (Click here to Register)
Friday, December 25 – Merry Christmas / Office Closed
Sunday, December 27 – First Sunday after Christmas
Friday, January 1 – Happy New Year / Church Office Closed
Sunday, January 3 – Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
Worship Online 💻
Did you know you can worship with us wherever you go? Head to https://online.oberlinumc.org/live to worship LIVE with us on our online campus on Sunday's at 10:45 am. Or rewatch our services anytime anywhere with our on-demand content available on our online campus - head to https://online.oberlinumc.org.
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