JULY 21, 2010
VOLUME LVI NUMBER 23
YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO CUBA
Ten high school youth and four adult leaders will be on a pilgrimage to Cuba July 14-26. Since the Cuba Partnership Mission Group was formed in 2000, a group from Oakhurst has traveled annually to Cuba, but this is the first time for a group of Oakhurst youth. The first four days will be spent in Havana, hosted by co-pastors Daylins Rufin and Luis Carlos Marreno and the members of our partner church, Iglesia Bautista de Alamar, ministering to residents of a large apartment complex of 100,000 residents in the suburbs of Havana. After that, we will spend two days with our partner church Iglesia Bethania, located in the town of Perico, about four hours southeast of Havana in Matanzas Province. We will join with the members in helping to paint the church, bringing painting supplies with us that are difficult to obtain in Cuba. From there; our group will be in Matanzas, where Paco Rodes (Lisset’s father) and local Baptist churches are planning activities to develop relationships between our youth and Baptist youth in Cuba. This will include a day at a national gathering of the youth of the Fraternity of Baptists at a camp in Guanabacoa, near Havana.
Youth, parents and leaders have worked hard at fundraising supported by church members. There were also special gifts, including a workshop that Bill Stayton led for sex therapists and donated the proceeds of over $1500. The youth and leaders are grateful for the support of the church in raising over $8000. We are grateful to the Cuba partnership Mission group, and especially Wayne Grinstead, for their encouragement and support.
Hold us in your prayers as we journey on what will surely be a transformative experience. Youth going are Emma and Ollie Aberle-Grasse, Traver Batson, Larson Collier, Maya Davis, Grace Herndon, Nick Huber, Jesse Kirlin, Patrick Massey, and Cameron Spencer. Leaders are Terry Fletcher, Rachel Frank, Nikki Noto, and Lanny Peters.
SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS
Sunday, July 18, 2010
9:30 a.m. Storytelling for children (Library)
9:30 a.m. Church School for adults; Seminary on Sunday (Chapel)
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:30 p.m. Rules of Procedure (Library)
2:00 p.m. Georgia Chin Baptist Church Worship (Sanctuary)
Monday, June 19, 2010
7:30 p.m. Spirituality Mission Group
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
12:00 p.m. Centering Prayer (Chapel)
No Wednesday evening activities
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Messenger deadline
9:30 a.m. Storytelling for children (Library)
9:30 a.m. Church School for adults; Seminary on Sunday (Chapel)
11:00 a.m. Worship
2:00 p.m. Georgia Chin Baptist Church Worship (Sanctuary)
7:00 p.m. Conflict Transformation Task Force (Parlor)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
No Wednesday evening activities
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Alliance of Baptists Convocation
Sunday, August 1, 2010
9:30 a.m. Storytelling for children (Library)
9:30 a.m. Church School for adults; Seminary on Sunday (Chapel)
11:00 a.m. Worship
2:00 p.m. Georgia Chin Baptist Church Worship (Sanctuary)
WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAMS RESUME AUGUST 11
Remember that our Wednesday evening activities take a summer break. Family supper and prayer meeting will resume August 11.
NO SIGNS
Please don’t post signs around the building to announce your meeting or event. Tape damages paint and wood, and sign clutter can be confusing and unattractive. We have special clear plastic containers for signs by the front and back doors. Please give your sign to a member of the staff, or leave it in one of their mailboxes to post for youCHOIRS
RESUME REHEARSALS IN AUGUST
Both the Sanctuary Choir and the Gospel Choir have been taking a well-deserved break during the month of July, but rehearsals will resume in August:
Beginning on August 8, the Sanctuary Choir will meet each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 103 (where the choirs usually rehearse) to rehearse the anthem for that Sunday. Sanctuary Choir will resume weekly Wednesday night rehearsals on September 1, 7:40-9:30 p.m., in Room 103.
The Gospel Choir will resume weekly rehearsals on Sunday, August 8, 1:00-2:30 p.m., in Room 103. (Bring a bag lunch and join us in the Fellowship Hall, 12:30-1:00 p.m.)
If you’ve been thinking about joining one (or both!) of the choirs, this is a good time to take action! We’re at the beginning of a new choir year, and there is a place for you. So, if you love to sing good choral music in a variety of styles, if you can carry a tune and sing in harmony, why not join us as we begin another year of joyous music-making?
For more information, please contact Karen Shipp, (karen.shipp@oakhurstbaptist.org; 404-378-3677, ext. 228) to set up an appointment. Come, join us as we make a joyful noise!
GEORGIA CHIN BAPTIST CHURCH AND CHIN PARTNERSHIP MISSION GROUP
On June 13, 10 people from the Georgia Chin Baptist Church (GCBC) and eight people from OBC had our first GCBC/OBC Partnership Mission Group. Within an hour after Van Thawng, chairman of GCBC, led us in prayer we had a name game so we could learn how to pronounce one another’s names. We listed a number of events we could do together in the next year, determined some needs of the Chin partners, and had a one-on-one conversation opportunity.
A few of the brainstormed events included a once-a-year joint worship service, a sharing of pulpits and/or music groups, shared meal, an arts and crafts show.
The group will be responsible for working out problems that may arise around building use, particularly use of the fellowship hall. We are setting up Saturday or Sunday afternoon English Practice or ESL sessions, since the International School in Clarkston has ESL sessions only during the daytime M-F and is closed on weekends.
A picture directory of the group with names and contact information has been prepared. Those not present on June 13 will have their pictures and info added within a few weeks. The planning meeting was a very good start to a true partnership.
—Kathy Stayton, convener
DONATIONS OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS
The FOURTH SUNDAY, July 25, is the day to bring in household goods for GCBC (GA Chin Baptist Church). They are in particular need of microwave ovens. Any unused workable ovens out there? Any workable window air conditioners? Window fans? Of course other household items and clothing are welcomed as well.
School supplies and bookbags given during this month will be helpful for the beginning of the school year. This was suggested by Sally Sandidge, and affirmed by others from OBC. Sally Sandidge will help to organize this. It will be helpful if you put such items in a plastic bag marked with appropriate grade of child.
Remember, bring items only on the 4th Sunday of the month.
Women of the Women’s Fellowship of GCBC have beautifully made skirts, scarves, ties, bags (purses), Bible covers, even a man’s sport coat, size 40, and now are ready to sell them as a fundraiser. Keep your eyes and ears open for an opportunity to see and possibly purchase any of the items.
MESSENGER BY EMAIL
If you are still receiving the Oakhurst Messenger by “snail mail,” we invite you to sign up to receive it electronically. It saves money, trees and time, and you’ll receive it more quickly. Send your request and email address to leslie@oakhurstbaptist.org.
THANKS FROM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY/DEKALB
Please express to the whole congregation our sincere appreciation of your donation of $200 to Habitat for Humanity–DeKalb, Inc. We are truly thankful for your support as we seek to eliminate substandard housing in DeKalb County. It is because of donors like you that we are able to make affordable housing possible across DeKalb County.
Habitat for Humanity is people-helping-people to build houses in order to make decent shelter available for as many needy families as possible. Your help and assistance is essential for our collective efforts to succeed. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Dear Oakhurst friends:
“I have been the recipient of many cards, calls, meals, birthday gifts plus many extra ordinary birthday cards. Many of you have offered encouragement to “get better and back in my chair.” I truly have missed being in services and greeting all of you. The doctor’s orders are not specific beyond the 15th, but I am surely working to be up and about after that date. A heart full of thanks and God’s grace and love to all.
Louise and Mel (my support) Griffis
OAKHURST BAPTIST CHURCH
222 East Lake Drive
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Every member a minister
404-378-3677 • fax 404-378-3225
www.oakhurstbaptist.org
Oakhurst Recovery Program
404-371-0590; fax: 404-371-0577
Lanny Peters Pastor (lanny@oakhurstbaptist.org)
Melanie Vaughn-West Pastor (melanie@oakhurstbaptist.org)
Karen Shipp Minister of Music (karen.shipp@oakhurstbaptist.org)
Leslie Withers Interim Church Administrator (leslie@oakhurstbaptist.org)
Rachel Frank Assistant Minister
Peter Junker Custodian
Joe Canzoneri Editor, The Oakhurst Messenger