October
October “RADICAL: What the Gospel Demands” The Beacon A Publication of Oak Hill Bible Church 2014 It has been said that with these words, Jesus turned away large crowds who were following Him. With grace and authority, Jesus beckoned potential followers to consider the demands of discipleship. That’s something all of us must do! In a world filled with turmoil and increasing distress – creation’s groaning is getting louder and louder – many people are standing firm in their faith in Christ, more resolute than ever despite the increasing persecution. These are not likely citizens of the United States! In numerous countries around the globe there is a war being waged for the hearts and souls of people. This isn’t just a flesh and blood battle. It’s the battle between good and evil, as the Adversary seeks to devour and dissuade those who follow Jesus Christ. This comes as no surprise. True followers of Jesus not only recognize the enemy’s presence and work; they also realize the price of following Jesus is costly. Here are two stories from people in other parts of the world and what their commitment to Jesus has cost them. A pastor and his family were attacked in their home in Sri Lanka by a village mob. The family had filed a complaint with police after four Christians who attended a prayer meeting in the pastor’s house were harassed. As the Pastor, his family, and the four harassed Christians waited for the police to come, they heard a public announcement calling the villagers to a meeting. Shortly afterward, 150 people surrounded the pastor’s home and began shouting, calling out slurs against the Christians. Before the police arrived, about 40 people from the mob broke through the security fence surrounding the house. Taking poles from the fence, they smashed the pastor’s van. Others poured into the home and attacked those inside, including the pastor’s wife. The pastor was knocked unconscious with a blow to the back of his neck. Suddenly afraid that they’d killed him, the crowd immediately fled. The police arrived 10 minutes after the crowd was gone. They took the Christians to the police station, where they were held for questioning for seven hours. Their attackers were neither questioned nor arrested. The pastor spent four days in the hospital recovering, and three others were hospitalized for two days. John Yakubu had nothing. When he and his family were forced to flee Attagara, a village in northeastern Nigeria, after a Boko Haram attack, they were just barely surviving in a refugee camp. Boko Haram terrorists have viciously killed thousands, destroyed villages, burned homes, businesses and churches, and kidnapped hundreds of women. With his family facing starvation in the refugee camp, John decided to make a quick trip back to Attagara to retrieve some of his animals hoping he could sell them to support his family. Though it was dangerous, there seemed to be no other choice. At home, he decided to pick up some of the family’s other belongings, including the family Bible. Boko Haram insurgents spotted him entering the house, and quickly captured him. “We know you’re John,” the militants said to him. “You must convert to Islam or else you will die a painful death.” When John refused, the men tied him to a tree binding his arms and legs. The men hacked both of John’s hands with a heavy knife and mocked him. “Can you become a Muslim now?” “You can kill my body, but not my soul,” John shouted in pain. For many of us, the price of following Jesus in these examples is too high. But it was also too high and the cost too great for those who heard Jesus speak about discipleship. Not too much has really changed in the last 2000 years! The cost of following Jesus has never changed. Neither has the price that people are willing to pay to follow Him! Do we in contemporary America realize the high price of following Jesus? Do we understand the great cost for all who call themselves followers of Christ? Maybe we need to take a closer look at the words of Jesus! “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33 NIV) That is not only RADICAL, it is also what the Gospel demands! Pastor Glenn “Transforming people into fully devoted followers of Jesus.” CONCERT OF HOPE Sunday, November 2nd we will observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Sunday, October 12, 2014 9:30 am Oak Hill Bible Church 40 Sacarrappa Rd. ◊ Oxford, MA 508-987-0287 FREE Admission! During the worship service on Sunday morning; October 12th at 9:30 am we will be treated to an encore presentation of this year’s Annual Concert of Hope. Please plan to attend and invite your friends and family as we hear about God’s love & the HOPE that can be found only in Him! Operation Christmas Child This Christmas, you can share the love and hope of Jesus Christ with a needy child by using a simple shoe box. Operation Christmas Child is an easy mission project that everyone can participate in by bringing a gift-filled shoe box to the church in November. Our congregation has been supporting this ministry with such a great response we would like to provide you with the opportunity to begin collecting items early to fill this year’s shoe boxes for our Operation Christmas Child shoe box collection. It is our hope that this will make the Christmas season less stressful filled with the joy of giving. Pre-wrapped shoe boxes are available for free. For complete instructions and gift suggestions and / or to receive a shoe box please see any member of the Board of Mission and Evangelism. (Bob Warfield, Kathy L’Heureux or Sandy Sherwood) Collection: Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and bring it to church at the designated Sunday service on November 16th. Coming Events: 5th Annual Hay Ride (Rain date if needed: October 25th) Saturday, October 18th at 6:30 pm the entire church family is invited to a fun fall evening out! We will be having a night of songs, tractor-driven hay rides, goodies & a camp fire at the Dudley home of Tim Kallgren’s parents, (64 Airport Road in Dudley— up the street from Park N’ Shop.) We would love to have you all there to enjoy some great fellowship! Plan to invite your friends, please sign-up in the lobby or contact the church office so we can plan our wagons accordingly! Save the Dates! Thanksgiving-in-a-Bag On November 12th at 6:30 pm the Wednesday night Kids program will be packing Thanksgiving dinners to donate to the Oxford Food Shelf. We will be collecting donations to be used for these packages through Sunday, November 9th. We are looking for items to be used specifically for Thanksgiving dinners such as: boxes of stuffing, cans of vegetables, cans of cranberry sauce, packages of cookie/dessert mixes etc. All items can be brought to the church office. If you have any questions please speak with Crystal Brown or Stacey Kallgren. This year’s Christmas Musical: “The Christmas Post” will be presented on Saturday, December 6th and on Sunday, December 7th (times to be determined) We hope to see you there! Thank you for your help with this important outreach. Christmas in October ~ 2014 Strengthening the cause of Advent Christian Missions throughout the world. Wednesday Night Kids Program This season we are using our Wednesday nights to prepare our Annual Christmas pageant for our church, families and friends to be presented on Sunday, December 14th at 2:00 pm. All are welcome to attend this special presentation! Offering will be taken on Sunday, October 26th Sponsored by the WHFMS of the Advent Christian Church Coming Events: Oak Hill Bible Church Holiday Craft Fair 9 AM—3 PM * Saturday, November 1st Crafters still needed! Come and join us for a day of fun, fellowship and creativity! Anyone interested in helping with this year’s Craft Fair or renting table space please print and fill out the forms below and return to Chris Rudman. Questions? Please see Chris! *We are in need of anyone willing to help: set-up and tear down for the Fair, and help set-up and price for Grandma’s attic. Also, if you are able to help distribute posters around the surrounding communities please speak with Chris Rudman. BOOTH REGISTRATION FORM (All applicants must include at least two photo samples of their work) NAME: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: EMAIL: OFFICE USE I would like to rent space (approximate size is ten feet, cost is $25.00 yes __ no I would also need to rent an eight foot table for $5.00 yes __ no I would also like electricity access if possible $5.00 yes __ no App. #: Postmarked: Check #: Amount $: Booth #: Please check the one category below that most accurately represents the items you wish to bring to the Fair. [ ] Christmas/Holiday Décor [ ] Candles/Potpourri/Glassware [ ] Soaps/Personal Care Products [ ] Needlework (quilting, stitchery, knit/ crocheted items) [ ] Accessories (jewelry, leather goods) [ ] Ceramics/Pottery [ ] Clothes (adult, children’s, doll) [ ] Wood Crafts/Metal Crafts [ ] Floral Crafts [ ] Candy/Popcorn/Condiments [ ] Drawings/Paintings/Photographs/Note Cards [ ] Toys /Stuffed Animals [ ] Other Additional details of the type of crafts I would like to display include:_____________________________ Return your registration form, photo samples and full payment Checks payable to: “Oakhill Bible Church” no later than October 15 th, 2014 Mail to: Oak Hill Bible Church Attention: Craft Fair Committee PO Box 277 Oxford, MA 01540 After all applications have been returned and the selections have been made, a written confirmation letter with your assigned booth number will be mailed to you if your application is accepted. (Check will be cashed only for accepted crafters.) (Applications received after October 15th deadline will be placed on the waiting list.) School News VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Lunch/Recess Monitors Game Night Fund Raiser (more details to follow) on Thursday November 13th from 6PM-8PM REMINDER All volunteers need to have a current background check in place in order to participate in any school activity COKE BOTTLE CAPS Coca-Cola is refreshing their commitment to supporting education with the new My Coke Rewards for Schools program, which gives schools the things they need to provide students with a well-rounded education. Schools can collect points donated by My Coke Rewards members and redeem them for a variety of rewards including playground equipment, creative supplies, classroom materials and more. Points are earned by entering codes found on packages from any of the twelve participating Coca-Cola products including Coca-Cola®, Sprite®, POWERade®, Dasani®, and Minute Maid®. WELCOME BACK TO MRS. GOODELL I am so happy to announce that Mrs. Goodell will be joining the OHCS team again this year every morning as the Pre-K teacher. Since 1996, the Box Tops for Education program has helped schools across America earn cash for the things they need. Support OHCS by cutting out and sending in your BoxTops and see what a difference you can make! CHAPEL Godly Character Trait CARING Caring people treat others with kindness. Ephesians 4:32 Coming Events: Sunday October 19th, 2014. 1. Location of start and finish: Oxford First Congregational Church. 2. Registration time for the walkers: 12:30 PM. 3. Walk is scheduled to begin: 1:00 PM. 4. Walk route: Please refer to the attached map file. We will begin and end at the Oxford First Congregational Church. The Crop Walk Host Church for this year is Grace Episcopal Church. Please see Kathy L’Heureux for more details! NEW SERMON SERIES: Fall Church Clean-Up Day Pastor Glenn will begin a new series under the theme “RADICAL.” Sunday sermons in October and November will focus on “Radical Demands” from Luke’s Gospel. Saturday, November 15th The trustees have planned an outdoor clean-up day for Saturday, November 15th. (Rain date: November 22nd) Please save the date and plan to help out as we clean and beautify our church grounds. October Birthdays & Anniversaries 1 Peter Dionne Jean Vezina John & Margaret Nelson Anniv. 2 Paul & Barbara Nichols Anniv. 5 Konrad & Debbie Wyszynski Anniv. Sydney Torres 6 Kurt Kauppinen Joey Kemp 7 Roger Fosgate 9 Bob & Kathy L’Heureux Anniv. Stacey Kallgren 11 Ken Towle Margaret Nelson Bruce & Sue White Anniversary 12 Tracy Powers 13 Teresa Kemp Bill Stevens 14 17 19 23 24 26 27 29 31 Jim Loghry Cassie Mongeon Sandy White Chris & Laurie Nelson Anniversary Trisha Wilson Jim & Miriam Loghry Anniversary Paul & Cheryl Sweeney Anniv. Eric Johanson Glenn Rice Laurie Nelson Derian Madaglia If your birthday or anniversary dates are not here, or are incorrect, let us know. Phone the church office at 508-987-0287. Children’s Corner for October: Nursery Program Cherub Church Junior Church Age: Birth - 3 years Age: 3 years—1st grade Age: 2nd-4th grade Coordinator : Ashley Bardsley Coordinator : Cassandra Raszka Coordinator : Crystal Crossman Service Time Volunteers Service Time Volunteers Service Time Volunteers 5th– TBD 5th– Hollie & Joey Forget, Rachael 5th- Wayne & Liz Gray 12th– Gene & Kristin MacKay 12th– Jean Carrascal, Ronald & Michelle 12th– Christine & Conor MacGinnis 19th– Paul Garon & Chris Rudman 19th– Tracy Potter, Shylynn & Kiana 19th– Bob Warfield & Peter Dionne 26th– Ashley & Isaac Bardsley 26th– Cassie Raszka, Joey & Rachael 26th– Pat Chalifoux & Peter Dionne OHBC Children’s Ministries Director of Children’s Ministries ~ Crystal Brown October is here and fall officially arrived on September 23. Awwwwww, there is nothing like the first cool morning when you feel the crisp air against your face or when you feel the crunch of fall leaves beneath your feet. God creates an appreciation for every season, so ejoy this Fall season because Christmas is right around the corner! Here is a list of top ten things you and your family can do to enjoy this wonderful fall season: Join our Wednesday Night Kids Club that started September 17, 2013 from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM as we begin practicing for our up-coming Children’s Christmas pageant “We Three Spies”. Anyone who is 4 years old through fifth grade is welcome to perform. Go apple or pumpkin picking. October 30th is Nation Candy Corn Day – so sweet! Rake up a big pile of leaves, and then jump in it. Go on a fall treasure hunt to collect leaves, acorns, and pine cones. Create a fall craft to decorate your home. October is also national pizza month, so eat up! Create your own family fall festival and invite other family members and neighbors. Go on a HAYRIDE! On October 18 at 6:30 on the Kallgren Farm in Dudley. Come join us for an evening full of hayrides, s’mores, hot chocolate, and sing-a-longs by the campfire. Thank Jesus daily for giving us such a beautiful season to enjoy. Happy Fall, Director of Children’s Ministries, Crystal Brown Youth Group Opportunities: OHBC Youth Groups Director of Student Ministries ~ Craig Hunt Youth Group Super Bowl ~ 2014 November 7th-8th in Springfield, MA ** (Craig is looking for adult chaperones, please speak with him directly if you can help out.) What to Expect: If the Superbowl were a restaurant, it would be an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of the most adrenaline pumping, mind bending fun ever contained in a 12-hour meal. Ice-Hockey, a gospel message, then we move into AMP Time where students compete on the ice in massive games, and then it is off to two more locations were you will participate in sporting and recreation activities. We give away thousands of dollars in prizes. We start the night at 7pm Friday night and do not end until 6am Saturday morning. This is definitely not for the weak of heart! General Event Schedule: 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 9:45 pm 10:45 pm Check-In Opens Springfield Falcons Hockey Game Gospel Message AMP Time Rally 12:00 am Head to After-Midnight Activities 3:00 am Transition to 2nd Facility 6:00 am Head Home The cost is $46/per person for people who go to church @ Oak Hill (your money is due to Craig Hunt by October 20th) College Care Packages In mid-October, the Youth Group will be sending small care packages to our Oak Hill college students. If you would like to be involved in packing or providing goodies to be included in these packages, please speak with Craig. October SUN MON TUE WED 1 THU 2 FRI 3 SAT 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 15 16 17 18 4 2014 WEEKLY EVENTS SUNDAYS 9:30 AM Worship Service 11:00 AM Sunday School 12:00 PM S.T.I.L.L. Group 1:30-3:30 PM Musical Rehearsal MONDAYS 7:00 PM Men’s Basketball WEDNESDAY NIGHTS 6:30 PM Adult Bible Study, Instrumentalist Rehearsal, Jr. High Youth Group & Kids Program FRIDAY NIGHTS 6:30 PM Sr. High Youth Group Trustee Meeting 6:30 pm 12 14 Official Board Meeting 7:00 pm Concert of Hope 9:30 am Eastern Regional Meeting Annual Hayride 6:30 pm 19 Annual Oxford Ecumenical Crop Walk 1:00 pm 26 WEEKDAYS Oak Hill Christian School 8:30 AM—3:00 PM 13 Christmas in October Offering 20 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 Board of Worship 6:30 pm 27 25
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