NOV E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 6 Oakbridge

4 0 5 . 7 8 9 . 8 8 1 2

W E S T E R N O A K S C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

It is that wonderful time of the year again: Thanksgiving very soon -- and then Christmas. Con-sequently, the ad hoc Committee on Christmas Be-nevolence has been resurrected and we invite you to participate in helping our church families and our neighborhood families during the time leading up to and during this advent season.

Beginning Sunday, November 20th through Sunday, December 4th, in our west foyer (after early service) and south Narthex (after second service) will sit a colorful Christmas Gift Box from which all in the congregation may draw a tag containing the gender, age, and gift preference of some girl, boy, woman or man, who needs a good measure of our affection and assistance during this Christmas sea-son. Without your help, these individuals within our community might not otherwise have a gift to open at Christmas. All gifts purchased for these families must be returned by Sunday, December 11 to the space designated in the coffee fellowship area.

The tags also contain a letter of the alphabet (designating the family to be helped) and a number (designating the person in that family to be helped). Please place your unwrapped gift or gifts in a bag. It is essential that you staple your tag stub to the bag containing the unwrapped gift (s). That proce-dure will allow our committee to match the gifts to the proper persons. If this is confusing, don’t wor-ry. We will have attendants at the gift box table to assist and explain everything. And, if your health and/or time constraints will not allow you to shop for gifts, we have a bank of volunteer personal shoppers to assist you.

Please also note that you may (are encour-aged to) take more than one tag—as many as your budget and your heart allow. Again, the gifts we bring may be the only ones these families receive at Christmas. You are also invited to bring gift wrap-ping paper, bows, and ribbons. Some of us may even need to purge our closets of an overabun-dance of these materials!

In addition to this opportunity, you will also be afforded an occasion to bring toys for the Reach-ing our City Christmas Toy Drive starting now and ending on December 4, 2016. And once again, the Education Committee is throwing a big Birthday Par-ty for Jesus on December 11, 2016, and you may bring a baby gift for that event. All Birthday Party gifts will be delivered to the Infant Crisis Center.

You may give and serve and offer someone or a number of someones a dose of affection—whether it be a spoonful or a whole cupful. Loving God and serving our neighbor. That is our motto and this is our mission.

Grace and Peace,

Ad hoc Committee on Christmas Benevolence

Pat Brown, Chair Linda Cobb Hope Lairson Rev. Daniel U’Ren

P A G E 2

Date ATTENDANCE

10/30/16 9:00 AM 37

11:00 AM 93

11/6/16 9:00 AM 47

11:00 AM 98

Date GIVING

10/30 General $5551.15

Blessing Fund $125.00

11/6 General $5,934.00

Blessing Fund $110.00

As I am preparing for Sunday and reading over the Lectionary texts for Sunday I got a chuckle at the irony in the Gospel reading from Luke. Jesus is telling them about a day that will come, an end to things as they know it, and I thought, “How fitting this is for this week.” Tuesday is the end to the election season. For me it could not come soon enough. Then in Luke it says “when you hear of wars and insurrection, do not be terrified” but how could those things not ter-rify you? No matter who wins the election, there will be people upset. No matter who wins the election, people will say something is not right. But the truth is, no matter who wins the election it is up to us to remember the most important thing, we are first and foremost children of God. As Disciples of Christ we are called to seek unity in all things. Barton Stone used the phrase “Unity is our Polar Star” it is what guides us. Sometimes that is difficult, but when we strip away all the little things that divide us, what truly matters is that there are people in the world who need to see God’s compassion in action. There are people who are hungry and in need of nourishment. Children in need of free education. Families in need of healthcare. I am proud to be here at Western Oaks where we try to be the hands and feet of God, a beacon of hope to the community through the way we come together to help with these needs. Through Whiz Kids we offer educa-tion. The health fair we offer connections to health information and services. Refuge Church and mobile meals we feed the hungry. Our benevolent program we help out those who are struggling financially. These are some of the things that Jesus tells us to do, to be living examples and a model for the world of what it means to be united through our love. Thank you to all of you who make this church an amazing place to worship and live out the Gospel.

Shalom, Daniel

They will know we are Christians by our rules power

righteousness movies politics LOVE!

Practice for the Children’s Christmas play: The

Best Christmas Present Ever, is under way. We had a

good turnout for our first practice. We still have a few

parts left and invite all children and older youth to par-

ticipate. We will continue play practice on Sunday No-

vember 13th. We will have lunch and then practice the

play until 2 p.m. for the month of November and the

first Sunday in December. The play will be a part of our

worship service on Sunday, December 11th. There are

possibilities for many parts. All are welcome!!!

Any questions, please call or text Julia at 821-

0108. If you would like to provide a meal for one of

our practices, please call Julia or the church office.

Thanks for your help!!!

Thursday, Nov. 10 is

the last day that Apple

Pies will be made. This

Sunday, Nov.13, the

pies will be available

for sale for $20 a pie.

P A G E 3

Holiday Events

11-Nov-13-Nov Qahal/Koinonia Fall Youth Retreat

20-Nov Thanksgiving Feast after 11 a.m. Service (no 9 a.m. Service)

21-Nov-23 Nov Decorate for Advent-help Jimmy Ille and the Advent Committee prepare.

24-Nov-25 Nov Thanksgiving-Office Closed

25-Nov Christmas Decorating

27-Nov Hanging of the Greens Service @ 11 a.m. Service

4-Dec Tasting Party and “The Ballad of King Windowglass”

10-Dec Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing

11-Dec Children’s program @ 11 a.m. Service, Birthday Party for Jesus following worship

14-Dec Caring & Sharing Eat Out

16-Dec Staff Christmas Party @ U’Ren home 6:30 p.m.

17-Dec U’Ren Open House, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

18-Dec Christmas Cantata, Congregational meeting

24-Dec Christmas Eve Service, 6 p.m. Midnight Christmas Service, 11:30 p.m.

25-Dec Christmas Day Service, 9 a.m. (no 11 a.m. Service)

1-Nov Shalee Houchin 2-Nov Fern Melton 2-Nov Judy Walker 3-Nov Irene Fowler 3-Nov Alana Millman 4-Nov Virginia Johnson 6-Nov Mike Starr 7-Nov Roy Avants 8-Nov Skylar Frank 10-Nov Vickie Moore

11-Nov Jordan Boyd 11-Nov Melanie Ellis 13-Nov Steve Teter 16-Nov Vernon Cook 16-Nov Larry McDown 16-Nov Tricia Spencer 16-Nov Scott Word 17-Nov Elaine Baty 17-Nov Dave Brown 18-Nov Millie Cress

19-Nov Matt Schiske 21-Nov Amy DeKinder 21-Nov Judith Steele 22-Nov Ted Nickel 22-Nov Payton Scagnetti 23-Nov Brody White 25-Nov Debi Maxwell 28-Nov Dwaine Bradley 28-Nov Debby Newell 28-Nov Robert Wilkerson

P A G E 4

The Worship Committee invites you to

please come and be a part of making

our church beautiful for this Christ-

mas Season. Help is needed Novem-

ber 21st-23rd to prepare for deco-

rating the church for Advent. On Fri-

day, November 25th, we need help to

decorate. If you have a nativity scene

you’d like to share with your church family, please bring it with identification of who it

belongs to and why it’s special.

Join Whiz Kids!

Tutors needed. Contact Cathy Routon for more information!

Trunk-or-Treat was a big hit!! We had many children and adults (with all kinds of costumes) come and visit our park-ing lot for tricks and treats. A BIG thank you goes to all those who donated can-dy, fluffed cotton candy, prepared a game, and/or set up a trunk. This event would not be possible without your dedication and hard work. Many fami-lies were appreciative of a safe place to come and enjoy the Halloween spirit. Let us continue to open our doors and hearts to these guests, so they always feel welcomed to spend time with us!

P A G E 5

Dear WOCC,

Thank you so much for celebrating

my work here at the church through Minister Apprecia-

tion Sunday. I have enjoyed the gorgeous flowers leaving

a wonderful aroma in my house. A special thank you

goes to those who took time to write me a card. I feel

overwhelmed with love and appreciation! It is truly a

blessing to grow with all of you. I appreciate the oppor-

tunity to work closely with the youth of this congrega-

tion; they bring me such joy. I have gained so much in

my time here. I will be forever grateful for Western Oaks

and this strong community. I look forward to continuing

our work together in bringing the kingdom of heaven to

earth by offering peace, justice, and love to all of those

around us. "Church is not an organization you join; it is a

family where you belong, a home where you are loved,

and a hospital where you find healing."

Thanks,

Hope Lairson

Dear Friends

Thank you for your kindness and

support during and after my recent sur-

gery. I enjoyed the food, the cards, the

phone calls and all your thoughtfulness.

I especially appreciated all the prayers and

visits. I’m so happy to be a member of such a

caring congregation.

Love and Prayers,

Verona Burke

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I

appreciate your thoughtful cards, the beau-

tiful flowers, gift card and wonderful meal

with the Jewels during pastor’s appreciation

month. Your love and support of my family

through this first year has been a blessing to

us!! I feel blessed to be a part of a loving

church family where we are able to work

together with and for our children and

youth.

Blessings,

Julia Jordan Gillett

Gratitude

Dear Western Oaks,

It is such a pleasure to share in ministry

with all of you at Western Oaks Christian Church. I

greatly appreciate all of the gratitude that has been

exhibited during the month of Minster’s Apprecia-

tion. I just want you to know that I appreciate all

that you do and your involvement in this wonder-

ful church. Together may we continue to be a bea-

con of hope of God’s Love to the community and to

the world around us. Thank you for the cards, the

kind notes, and every sign of appreciation.

With Gratitude,

Daniel

Church Staff

Senior Minister: Rev. Daniel U’Ren Daniel@woccdoc.org Associate Minister: Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett Julia@woccdoc.org Interim Youth Director: Hope Lairson

Administrative Assistant: Mari Riera Office@woccdoc.org Music Director: Dr. Ronald Manning ronald_manning@att.net Pianist: Rosa McCroskey

Volunteer Organist: Verona Burke

Praise Band Leader: Todd Newell

Praise Band Members: Brett Hawk , Hope Lairson, Jeff Newell, and Rosanne Rowe

Sound Technician: Vincent Pinazza

Custodian: Lawrence Johnson

Nursery Attendants: Aanika Gillett and Kiersten Hamill

Upcoming Events

11/8: GO VOTE! 7a.m.-7p.m. Elders Prayer Breakfast @ 7:15 a.m. Elders Evening @ 7 p.m.

11/9: Ad hoc Committee Meeting @ 10:15 a.m.

Sharing & Caring Eat Out-Swadley’s BarBQue @ 5 p.m.

(4000 N Rockwell,)

Choir & Cantata Rehearsal @ 6:30 p.m.

11/10: Apple Pie Making @ 2 p.m. Play Rehearsal @ 7:30 p.m.

10/11: Veterans Day Qahal/Koinonia (Friday p.m.-Sunday a.m.)

11/13: Committee Meetings @ 12:30 p.m. Youth ROCK Sunday: 4-5:30 p.m.

11/14: Whiz Kids @ 3 p.m. Refuge Church @ 4p.m.

11/15: Admin Meeting @ 7 p.m.

11/20: Thanksgiving Service @ 11 a.m. followed by dinner (No 9 am service)