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VitalVitalVital Monthly Newsletter of Oak Forest UMC DECEMBER 2014DECEMBER 2014DECEMBER 2014
The Advent season is upon us. A time in which we prepare our hearts, our minds, and our souls for the birth of a Savior. A time of hope, joy, faith, and expectation which culminates in a celebration of the birth of a baby who is our King.
Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, or “a coming, approach, or arrival”. This Advent, as we wait on the arrival of the Christ child, I want each of us to explore a deeper understanding of what Advent means to us. What are we expecting out of this season? If we are looking for an “arrival” are we doing what we can to make sure we are ready for it? Are we grounding ourselves in Scripture? Are we preparing our hearts for what God has in store? We get excited about all of the materialistic goodies and trappings that this world offers us. What if we became excited about the things that God wants to give each and every one of us with the arrival of the Christ? How would that look in your life if you were as excited about what God had in store as opposed to what is in department stores? How would that ultimately change your life forever? This Advent season, I invite each of us to become more open to what God wants to do during this season. Advent: a season that is defined by a new birth can also be defined by a new birth for you, if you will just allow the Holy Spirit to “arrive” through you. How amazing it will be if, in a season of gifts, we allow God to change us forever! There would be no greater gift, I can promise you that.
Join us through the Advent season as we explore what Advent can truly mean to each of us. We have many activities and worship service through the Advent season. My prayer is that through the services you will begin to see an arrival not just on December 25, but for every day of your life. Allow God to open your eyes this season, and watch how “arrival” can take on a whole new definition for you!
Faithfully,
Darren
ConnectionConnectionConnection
Finance Committee Reports
Starting in December, the Pastor’s monthly message along with the Finance Committee’s monthly
finance report will be distributed in the second Sunday’s morning bulletin along with the FYI Flyer.
We hope to keep the congregation better informed of the financial needs of the church.
Building Fund Report: The
current loan balance as of
November 10th is $367,484.69.
Total giving in October was
$4,935.00. Through your
support of giving to the Building
Fund (which is separate of the
church budget) we are continuing
to reduce our building debt.
Everyone’s giving is appreciated.
Finance report for October
2014 is as follows: income from
tithes and offering: $18,085.00.
Income from other sources
such as building rental and etc:
$940.30 for a total income of
$19,025.30. Our expenses for
the month were $18,536.73 for
a monthly cash flow of positive
$488.57. Cash flow for the year
stands at (negative $3,131.33).
The congregation’s giving to the church over the course of 2014 has been as series of ups and downs. We
started the first 4 months of the year where our expenses were greater than our revenue, and this placed us in a
negative cash flow. This was followed by 2 months of positive cash flow, 1 month of a small negative cash flow, and
finally 3 months of a small positive cash flow. The numbers for November so far look as though we will have another
positive cash flow month.
With everyone’s help, we can erase this negative cash flow in November. Our church is just one “extra Sunday”
away from having a positive cash flow for the current year. If everyone would prayerfully consider giving just one more
Sunday’s worth of tithes and offerings, sort of a “6th Sunday in November”, we can have a positive yearly cash flow by
the first of December. Please consider giving just a little extra in November.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED
MAKE THE 2014 FALL FESTIVAL
A HUGE SUCCESS!
2014 Fall Festival Disbursements
General Budget $ 2,000.00
Helping Hand $ 2,500.00
Crisis Ministries $ 4,000.00
Davidson Medical Ministries $ 2,000.00
Building Fund $ 4,000.00
Hospice of Davidson County $ 1,000.00
Expenses 2015 Fall Festival $ 800.00
Rupert Bell Park $ 500.00
Empty Stocking Fund $ 200.00
Salvation Army of Davidson County $ 500.00
Total Disbursements $ 17,500.00
“to each one of us grace was given according
to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
– Ephesians 4:7
Youth ENVELOPE Fundraiser
for the 2015 Mission Trip has begun!!!
Take an envelope, fill it with the donation amount
that correlates with the number on the envelope &
return it. It’s as easy as that!
Help NC get 2 NJ!!!
2015 Committee Members & Council Officers LISTS are located in the Narthex, FLC Lobby, and on the table in a folder near the copier.
From January 1st thru
November 18th, the
Helping Hands
Committee
has provided financial assistance to 42
families in the North Davidson area
and has distributed $4,253 to needy
families!!! Helping Hands provides
financial assistance to families who
desperately need help with utility &
water bills, rent, groceries, and more.
This ministry is only funded by a token
amount from the Fall Festival, as well
as memorials and donations from
individuals. For more info on this
wonderful ministry
and how to help,
please feel free to talk
to the chairperson,
Jane Brinkley or one of the Helping
Hands Committee members. *Please write
“Helping Hands” in the memo line of any donation check*
ASP was pleased to be able to make an
additional end of year budget donation of
$1,250, for a total yearly donation of $2000
to the church’s budget during 2014. Thank you to our
church family for your support of this ministry of OFUMC.
Oak Forest ASP Christmas 2014 Community Service
Every year during the holiday season, the After School Program kids do a community
service project in which they choose a charity and raise funds or collect goods for. In
years past, we have filled large stockings for the Salvation Army, donated toys to the
Baptist Children’s Home, and raised funds for Crisis Ministry of Davidson County and
World Vision, and many more. This year the kids have already helped collect 225 coats
for the Give-a-Kid-a-Coat charity! This is an opportunity for the kids to realize not
everyone is as blessed as they are and share God’s love during the holiday season. This
year the kids have chosen the Helping Hands Committee of OFUMC as their charity.
The kids will be making handmade snowmen craft decorations. These will be made
available for “purchase” for a donation to ASP Parents and then to the congregation of
OFUMC on Sunday December 7th and Sunday December 14th. You will find these on a
table located in the FLC lobby and Narthex on 12/7 and 12/14, along with a donation jar
and a suggested donation amount for the handmade decorations. The kids will also be
collecting monetary donations Monday November 17th thru Wednesday December 17th
in a donation jar located in the fellowship hall. Please join the ASP kids in supporting the
Helping Hands Committee this holiday season!
*Sunday Dec. 7th-Christmas Caroling 2-4 Dress Rehearsal starts at 4:00 when we get
back from caroling. Dinner will be provided
for the children following dress rehearsal.
* Sunday Dec. 14th - Christmas Program
* K-Life will resume a regular weekly
schedule in January.
* New night and time for K-Life! Beginning
Wednesday January 7th K-Life will be meeting
on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30. A snack
supper will be served. We are looking for-
ward to seeing everyone then!
PPAAGGEE Hope—"May the God of hope
grant that my children may
overflow with hope and hope-
fulness by the power of the
Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13)
Do you know where the first aid kits are located at Oak Forest UMC? The four first aid locations are as follows: above the microwave in the Family Life Center kitchen, in the closet across from the Fellowship Hall kitchen, and one in each bus.
NJ
Thank you for a great start on our 2015 YOUTH Mission Trip
Fundraiser! We are certainly on our way to meeting our financial goal.
Please don't forget to grab a green NJ envelope and help the
youth group reach our final destination!
Help NC Get to NJ!!!
1— Riley Sain
2— Robert Motsinger
4— Dawn Lunsford
4— Tammy Ferrell
6— Jay Vannoy
7— Grant Shoaf
7— Marilyn White
8—Terry Leonard
8— Ashleigh Stafford
8— Michael Smith
9— Amber Spence
12— Lindsay Cromer
12— Nancy Ratledge
13—David Smith
14— Larry Cromer
15— Kevin Motz
17— Pam Lowrey
17— Gina Kozee
19— Betty Hughes
19— Patsy Swain
21—Bree Adkins
22— Michael Lowrey
23— C.J. Wilkes
24— Kim Rudzinski
24— Peggy Danner
25— Wesley Adkins
27— Susan Brewer
29— Sean Killebrew
Church Office Will Be
CLOSED
Dec.24, 25, 26, 29 & Jan. 1
From Oak Forest UMC Up-to-date information about
what’s going on at Oak Forest can be sent to your phone! Text “@oakfor” to
9102997501,then follow the simple instructions. Standard texting rates apply.
The church sends
out various email
updates & this
monthly newslet-
ter via email. If you are not
currently receiving these emails
and would like to, please email
your request to be added to
the mass email list with your
current email address.
For Sermons and
More check out
our website
www.oakforestumcnc.org
“Fill the Christmas Box” for Crisis
Ministries of Davidson County. Dona-
tions are needed of new toys, clothes,
and Christmas present items for the
children of parents at Crisis Ministries. Please bring
unwrapped items and place in the Christmas boxes
located in the FLC lobby and Narthex. Parents at Crisis
Ministries will have an opportunity to pick Christmas
presents from the donated items to give their children
on Christmas. Deadline is December 15th! Thanks!!!
Rupert Bell Christmas Presents- December 18th will be our last time in 2014 to serve the community of Rupert Bell Park. We will be collecting items, along with the After School Program, to make Christmas care packages for the community. Listed below are the items for each bag (you are welcome to make a complete package or simply donate a bag of one of the items i.e. a pack of socks or a box of oatmeal cookies). Men, Women, Boy, & Girl Care Packages: 1 Pair of Gloves 1 Hat 1 Pair of Socks Individual packages of food Donation drop off in marked containers in FLC Lobby, Fellowship Hall, and Narthex.
Chicken Pies
For Sale $10
UMW invites all ladies (adult & youth)
to our annual Christmas Party on 12/8
in the FLC. Please bring finger food and
a $5 donation for our December mission
project. Come find out what you can
do for missions!
Wednesday,
Dec. 24
5:00 pm
in the Sanctuary
OPEN TO CHURCH FAMILY
December 12, 2014 6:00pm in Family Life Center
Dinner $14.00 per person and $10.00 Dirty Santa Gift
Monday December 8th @ 6:30pm
It’s That Christmas Card
Time of Year Again!
Want an easy and inexpensive way to send a card to the people in our church?
Just submit your favorite card with your name and any sentiment written on
the front of the card, plus $10. The cards will be reproduced in a booklet for-
mat and distributed to participants. Contact Linda Anthony for more info.
Cards will be collected starting Sunday, Nov. 30th through Sunday, Dec. 14th.
There will be someone stationed outside the Sanctuary in the Narthex after
the 10:30 am Worship Service and after the 8:30 am Power Up Service in the
Lobby of the Family Life Center on 11/30, 12/7, and 12/14 to help. Bring your
own Christmas Card or pick a card from the ones offered at the sign-up table.
Please mark “Christmas Card” in the memo line of any checks.
Oak Forest has teamed up with Midway UMC to help serve the
homeless community of the Rupert Bell Park area of Winston-
Salem one Thursday of each month. Rupert Bell Park is in one of the most impoverished
areas of Winston-Salem. This month, Oak Forest will provide the meal on Thursday,
December 18th. This is a mission connectional ministry designed by the Yadkin Valley
District. Thank you for being a part of this vital ministry!
GRAIN SUNDAY on December 7th
For Crisis Ministries of Davidson County
Each month the Missions Committee collects two pound bags of flour and sugar for the Food Bank. Please bring your donation of
these much needed items on the 1st Sunday of each month. Monetary
donations are also accepted— designate “Flour Fund.”
“Christmas Memories”
Dec 14th at 5:00pm
Church-wide Christmas Program, featuring
performances by Handbells, Damascus Road,
OFUMC Choir, PowerUp Praise Band, and including the Children of
OFUMC. All are welcome to attend this festive night and celebrate
the birth of our Lord with song and performances.
(Please bring finger food)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 9a– Lady Acorns Bowling
6p—Evangelism/
Communication
Committee Meeting
6:30p— Grief Bible Study
9:30a—Men’s Bowling
7p—Choir Practice
7:30p– Power Up Practice
Shelter Meal—
Fellowship Committee
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Grain Sunday
8:30a—Power Up Service
9:45a—Sunday School
10:30a– Worship Service
2-4p—Children’s Christmas
Caroling
4p—Christmas Program
Dress Rehearsal/Practice
4-6p—Combined Youth
Group Christmas Party
6p—Handbells Practice
NTO Senior
Ministries
Luncheon
6:30p—UMW
Christmas Party
9a– Lady Acorns Bowling
6:30p— Grief Bible Study
9:30a—Men’s Bowling
7:30p– Power Up Practice
6p—Builder’s SS
Christmas Party
Scout Lock-In
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 8:30a—Power Up Service
9:45a—Sunday School
10:30a– Worship Service
5p—”Christmas Memories”
church-wide Christmas
Program
Christmas Card Booklet Deadline
Christmas Box
Donation Deadline
6:30p—Handbells
9a– Lady Acorns Bowling
6:30p— Grief Bible Study
9:30a—Men’s Bowling
7p—Choir Practice
7:30p– Power Up Practice
5p—Rupert Bell Park
(Dinner)
Deadline for Rupert
Bell Park Christmas
Package Donations
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 8:30a—Power Up Service
9:45a—Sunday School
10:30a– Worship Service
9a– Lady Acorns Bowling
6:30p—Grief Bible Study
Communion
5:00p—Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
28 29 30 31 Jan 1 2 3 8:30a—Power Up Service
9:45a—Sunday School
10:30a– Worship Service
7:30p– Power Up Practice
Oak Forest UMC
Worship Schedule
Power Up Worship 8:30 AM
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Worship Service 10:30 AM