Advent 2019: New Birth - Oak Hills Pres

Advent 2019: New Birth

“Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs up, do you not perceive it?” – Isaiah 43:19

Recently, I chatted with a friend who is pregnant for the first time. She shared with me her sense of excitement, but also her fear that she and her husband may not be ready for what’s coming. “You’re right,” I replied. “You’re not. No one ever is. But it’s OK. You’ll get there.”

Rarely are the circumstances surrounding a new birth perfect. In God’s providence, he is always interrupting the settled order of things with the unsettling arrival of new life. We see it in the birth of a child, whose parents now have to adjust their lives accordingly. And more broadly, we see it whenever our old, settled habits of life get interrupted by the ever-new movement of God’s spirit. Suddenly we find that things are changing. Life is springing up. Old patterns are giving way to the new direction God is opening up. Our job is to risk the loss of what once was, so that we can embrace the new.

I’ve seen this in my own life recently. God has been interrupting some of my usual habits with a call to trust him more deeply. I sense him working to birth a new spirit of faith in me, and old habits of worry and control are being dismantled. It’s not an easy process! Yet I hear his still small voice, calling me toward the newness on the other side of the struggle. Perhaps you also find God “giving birth” to something new in your life? Perhaps you also find the process unsettling?

Here at Oak Hills, God seems to be bringing forth new life in ways that I, and our elders, are still catching up to. As you’ll read in my annual stewardship letter (coming soon), we’ve had a growing sense that God is calling us out of a place of comfort and into a new season of fruitfulness, with the addition of new staff and a new challenge to serve the youth of our community. I hope you’ll read my letter, and then plan to join us for a special “family conversation” to hear more on Sunday morning November 10th. I look forward to sharing some of the ways in which God has been disrupting business as usual, and placing a new challenge before us that could shape our ministry for years to come. It’s an exciting time, but also risky. Unsettling. New birth is never easy. Like an expectant parent contemplating a big life change, a part of me wonders: are we ready? Can we make the changes we’re called to make? Do we trust that when God’s new direction disrupts our old patterns, he himself will carry us forward?

It all points me back to the story of another young couple contemplating a birth for which they were not prepared. A couple called to move forward under uncertain circumstances, to bring forth a child that God had promised, though nothing about it made sense. Praise God that Mary listened, and pondered, and yielded to God’s leading. Praise God that Joseph took a chance, and saddled up a donkey. Praise God for the new life that erupted into our midst on that silent night, and for the salvation we now know in him. Mary and Joseph weren’t ready for what God had called them to. Neither are we. Maybe we’re never quite ready when God calls. Maybe that’s OK. He’s God. If only we can trust him and obey, we’ll see him do “abundantly far more than all we could ever ask, or even imagine.” (Eph 3:20). This Advent, I pray we will have the courage to yield to the God of new life. As the Christmas story reminds us, we can trust what he has in store!

All for His Glory,

Jeremy

Jeremy Sanderson [email protected]

503-654-6173 (Pastor’s study)

November December

2019 Volume 17, Issue 6

Image by Karen Schwann

SUNDAYS

Volume 17, Issue 6 Page 2

November 3 “Setting Boundaries: Consumption” Matthew 13: 44-46

November 10 Communion

Vision Sunday: A Special Oak Hills Family Conversation

Matthew 25: 14-30

November 17 “The Discipline of Joy” Philippians 4: 4-7

November 24 Pledge Sunday

“The Discipline of Gratitude”

Colossians 2: 6-7

December 1

“The Prayers of Advent: The Prayer of Longing”

Isaiah 64: 1-9 Rev. Christy Polk

December 8

“The Prayers of Advent: The Prayer of Release”

Luke 1: 35-38

December 15

“The Prayers of Advent: The Prayer of Wonder”

Luke 1: 46-56

December 22 10:00am Service

Children’s Pageant and Carols

December 24 6:00pm & 11:00pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Communion

December 29 10:00am Service

Service of Praise and Testimony

January 5 10:00am Service

Lasanna Kanneh, special guest Music and Testimony

November & December Sermon Series Walking in the Way: The Spiritual Disciplines

Healing Prayer at Oak Hills

“Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.”- James 5:14

Seeking to take this biblical command seriously, the session of Oak Hills is launching two new prayer initiatives in our fellowship:

Those in need of special healing prayer and anointing for physical, emotional or spiritual ailments are invited to present themselves for prayer at the start of any monthly session meeting. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Please contact the church office by the previous Friday to have your name placed on the agenda.

In addition, beginning in January 2020, we will be making prayer available following each worship service on communion Sundays. A designated intercessor will be available for private prayer and conversation as needed. Those interested in training to serve as an intercessor are invited to attend a special one-time training with pastor Jeremy on Sunday, January 12th at 12:15 (following 2nd service).

Please contact Sue Munn, Adult Spiritual Nurture Elder, with any questions or to sign up for the training.


OHPC Children

Announcing the 2019 OHPC Christmas Pageant:

OHPC Youth

November Events

Monday, November 11th

(Veteran’s Day Holiday) @ 12:30-4:30pm

Day Off Day Out at Bullwinkle’s/Family Fun Center: $20 per student. Meet at church.

Sunday, November 17th

@ 6-7:30pm instead of youth group, come to the all-church potluck and hymn sing! Eat

good food and sing good songs! (Youth will sit

together.)

Holiday Events:

Carols and Cocoa

Sunday, Dec. 15th @ 6pm

(OHPC event: all-ages)

Youth Christmas Party

Sunday, Dec. 22th @ 6pm to 8pm. Brimg a friend!

Christmas Pageant

Sunday, Dec. 22nd @ 10am

(One Sunday worship service)

Don’t Forget:

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

6pm & 11pm , Tuesday Dec. 24th

~Rev. Christy Polk, Associate Pastor, Christian Ed., [email protected]

Sunday, December 22nd

@ 10am

All children 3 and up are invited to

participate. Sign up with Pastor

Christy

2 Rehearsals required:

Saturday, Dec. 14

&

Saturday, Dec. 21

9:30-1100am

2017 Pageant “Between Angels”

CHILDREN & YOUTH


Christmas Wreath Fundraiser Orders due and paid by 11/18

Pick up wreaths at church Saturday Nov 30 10am-2pm and Sunday Dec 1 9:30am—11am

Only $25 Proceeds benefit the Women’s Retreat

High-quality, fresh-smelling mixed greens wreath.

Great gift idea! Questions? Barbara Miller

2019 OHPC Crafter’s Marketplace

Saturday November 16,

9am—4pm

Perfect for Holiday Shopping!

Volunteers and Donations needed, sign up on the bulletin

Board.

~ Katie Cummings or Joan Spencer

Women’s Christmas Dessert December 5th, 7:00pm

“Christmas Memories” Ladies join us for our special holiday gathering to exchange your favorite

childhood Christmas memories. Please bring a dessert or cookie tray to share. Drinks will be provided. Oak Hills friends, family, and neighbors of all ages are

welcome to enjoy an evening of warm fellowship.

~Sue Munn

the community is invited to

Carols & Cocoa Sunday, December 15, 6pm

Caroling, Cookies, Hot Cocoa &

Holiday Sweater Contest! You are invited to bring a nonperishable

food item for the King’s Cupboard food pantry.

~Susann Smith

Advent and Christmas at Oak Hills Watch for information about Alternative Giving options for Christmas about Thanksgiving time.

Saturday, November 30, 9am, Greening of the Church everyone is welcome

Thursday, December 5, Women’s Christmas Dessert

Sunday, December 15, 6pm, Carols & Cocoa for all ages in the sanctuary.

Sunday, December 22, 10am, our Christmas Pageant

Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve, 6pm and 11pm,

Christmas Eve Candlelight services with communion.

Sunday, December 30, 10am, Worship time of Testimony

Greening of the Church

Saturday

November 30th at 9am.

All are welcome to help!


Backpack Buddies

We currently are providing weekend food for 59 students in 11 classrooms at Lot Whitcomb School, and 15 students at View Acres School. Tami Larson, Instructional Coach at Lot Whitcomb says she and all of the teachers so appreciate the work everyone does to support this effort! Thank you to the Cronettes for the beautiful quilt that is being raffled on November 17th to support BPB! Next packing sessions are Saturday, November 9 at 9am; Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00pm; and Saturday, December 14 at 9am. Thank you for the snack donations during October! Fruit Cups including applesauce, is the requested November donation.

~Jim & Louise Anderson

The Family Room

What a wonderful 3 months it has been partnering with OHPC to provide safe and quality family time for kids and parents navigating the foster care system. We have celebrated 10 children returning to

their parents care and are walking the journey with 8 more. Thank you for being a part of TFR’s mission! If you’d like to get involved, TFR

is hosting a New Volunteer training on Thursday, November 14th. ~Stacy Bellavia

[email protected]

Clackamas Service Center Christmas Dinner

On Wednesday, December 11th; 5-6:00pm We will be hosting the Oak Hills annual Christmas dinner at the Clackamas Service Center (8800 SE 80th Ave.). A volunteer sheet will be placed on the bulletin board for volunteers to donate turkeys and help with the dinner. ~Cathy Searles

Women’s Retreat

Another awesome women’s retreat is in the books! Thanks especially to Rev. Stasia Van Buskirk for leading our talks, to Barb Spisla for her extra work on meals, Cathy Searles for organizing registration, Susan Teague for creating signage, Barb Miller for special treat bags, Sarah Sanderson and Tanya Stojanovic for leading Sunday worship, and to all the women who showed up and made this a deeply special time. Join us next October!

~Cathy Searles

Backpack Buddies Quilt Raffle

Tickets are available now—$5 for One or

$10 for Four. Winning ticket will be drawn November 17. benefits Backpack

Buddies at Lot Whitcomb & View

Acres Schools. ~Sue Howard

Ministry Partners

Looking to serve or give this Christmas?? Contact one of our Oak Hills Mission Partners to find out how you can help! Backpack Buddies: Jim or Louise Anderson Clackamas Love INC: Joan Jones, 503-655-4223; clackamasloveinc.org Empart USA: Alison Finstad, 720-357-3326; [email protected] The Family Room: Stacy Bellavia, familyroomoregon.org King’s Cupboard Food Pantry: koklutheranorg/KingsCupboard, 503-659-0990; Lahash International: Krista Harper, [email protected]; lahash.org North Clackamas Schools Volunteer Opportunities: Kathy Harrison, 503-353-6019; [email protected] Safe Place Romania: Pam Rigdon, safeplaceromania.com Thiessen Roadhouse Ministries: Linda Thornton Wycliffe Bible Translators Kent and Kim Rasmussen: Kent- [email protected]; John and Jody ilson. ~ Sylvia Totzke


Worship Worship Worship Volunteers Volunteers Volunteers

*Communion Service*Communion Service*Communion Service ~Hank Brown, Sound Coordinator,

~Tom Heimburger, Worship Elder,

Date Worship Leader

Nov 3 Susann Smith

Nov 10* Eben Polk

Nov 17 Stasia Van Buskirk

Nov 24

Dec 1 Jim Anderson

Dec 8 Carolita Feiring

Dec 15 Eddie Mensinger

Dec 22 Dave McGowan

Dec 24*

Dec 29 Linda Mensinger

MEN’S BREAKFASTS

FIRST SATURDAYS

BREAKFASTS

NOVEMBER 2ND &

DECEMBER 7TH

@ 8:30AM

~Larry Totzke,

Prayer Walk Around the neighborhood.

November 16th, 9am December 21st, 9am

~Jim Anderson

Prayer Chain You are invited to join our telephone or email Prayer

Chain, to commit to pray for those who have requested

prayer for themselves or their loved ones.

~Joann Devlin, [email protected]

Art for the Heart Let your spirit rest, reflect, renew. Join us at the church on Tuesdays from 10am-noon. Bring whatever art or craft you are working on and be a part of this time of fellowship

and prayer. Bring a friend and join our fun.

~Stasia Van Buskirk

Women’s Association Will meet Thursday, November 14th at 9:30am and December 12th at 10am. The December meeting concludes with a potluck luncheon. We continue our study Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments. All women are welcome!

~Louise Anderson

C a n y o u h e l p w i t h

S u n d ay C o f f e e H o u r !

All it takes is some of your time before and after one of the services. The food is provided and you will have excellent support with any questions you may have. Sign up on the bulletin board and take one of the “Coffee Tasks” bookmarks. Please contact me with questions. ~Carrie Walker, [email protected]

Interested in serving on our AV or MediaShout

team? Contact Pastor Jeremy, 503.654.4321

Hymn Sing

Join us for an evening of

singing your favorite hymns.

November 17th

6:00pm Potluck Dinner

6:45pm Sing

Getting More Out of the Bible: Adult Sunday Classes Pastor Jeremy delivered another excellent message last Sunday as he discussed the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” But did you know that during both services on Sunday, there were adult classes taking place in which participants got to take a deeper dive into the sermon theme, helping to flesh out the Bible’s wisdom for daily life? Led by trained Bible instructors Eddie Mensinger (9:15 hour) and Larry Totzke (11:00 hour), these classes happen each Sunday morning in the Latte Room in the CE building. They give participants an opportunity to get more out of the Bible than they can by just listening to the sermon. They also allow for discussion and sharing that enriches our lives and deepens our relationships with one another. Both Eddie and I invite you to extend your Sabbaths by one hour to take advantage of these valuable opportunities. God’s Word is worth it! Come join us… ~Larry Totzke

Please sign the Thanksgiving cards for our homebound members. They are posted on the hallway bulletin board. They will be mailed on November 19th.

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

27

9:15-11am Worship & Class 2-5pm Iglesia Shalom

5-8pm Youth Halloween Party

28 Office Closed

29 10am Art for Heart

1:30-6:30pm TFR 6:30pm Iglesia Shalom

30

7:30pm Choir 7:30pm AA

31

Halloween

6pm Praise Team

1


2 8:30am Men’s

Breakfast

3 9:15-11am Worship & Class 2-5pm Iglesia Shalom

6pm Youth Group

4 Office Closed

5 10am Art for Heart 1:30-6:30pm TFR

6:30pm Iglesia Shalom

6 7:30pm Choir 7:30pm AA

7

6pm Praise Team

8 1:30-6:30pm TFR


9 9am Backpack

Buddies


No Youth Group

11 Office Closed 8am-3pm Wycliffe



13 9:30am Staff

Meeting 2pm Mission & Caring Team


14 9:30am Women’s Assoc

6pm Praise Team

15 1:30-6:30pm TFR


16 9am Prayer Walk 9am-4pm Crafter’s

Marketplace

17 9:15-11am

Worship & Class 2-5pm Iglesia Shalom

6pm Potluck

6:45pm Hymn Sing

18 Office Closed



7pm Session Mtg


21 6pm Praise Team

22 1:30-6:30pm TFR

6:30pm Ig Shalom

238:30am—Noon

Quilt Group 7pm Ig Shalom Youth


6pm Youth Group

25

Office Closed

269:30am piano

tune-up 10am Art for Heart


27 9:30am Staff Meeting

7:30pm Choir 7::30pm AA

28 THANKSGIVING Office Closed

29 Office Closed 6:30pm Iglesia

30 8:30am Quilt Group

9am Greening of the Church

7pm Iglesia Shalom Youth

Oak Hills Presbyterian Church 5101 SE Thiessen Road | Milwaukie, OR 97267

503-654-4321 | [email protected] www.oakhillspres.org

SUNDAYS Contemporary Worship 9:30am | Traditional Worship 11am

Nursery, Children’s and Adult Classes 9:30 Nursery, Children’s Choir, Adult Classes 11:00am

Youth Class 11am | Youth Group 6pm

Iglesia Shalom (Hispanic Worship) 2-5pm

Volume 17, Issue 6 Page 7 (Events subject to change.)

2019

NOVEMBER

G a t h er … G ro w … G l o r i f y

O AK H IL LS O AK H IL LS

P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C HP R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 5101 SE Thiessen Road | Milwaukie OR 97267

503.654.4321 | www.oakhillspres.org

Rev. Jeremy Sanderson, Pastor ([email protected]) Rev. Christy Polk, Associate Pastor, Christian Ed. ([email protected])

Sue Howard, Administrative Assistant ([email protected])

Volume 17, Issue 6 Page 8 (Events subject to Change)

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 9:15 &11am Worship & Sunday School Classes

2-5pm Iglesia Shalom

No Youth Group

2 Office Closed



7pm Backpack

Buddies


5 6pm Praise Team 7pm Women’s Christmas Dessert

6 1:30-6:30pm TFR

7pm Iglesia Shalom

7 8:30am Men’s Breakfast

8 9:15am & 11am

Worship & Sunday School Classes


6pm Youth Group

9 Office Closed



11 9:30am Staff Meeting

1:30pm Mission & Caring Team


12 10am Women’s Assoc

6pm Praise Team

13 1:30-6:30pm TFR

7pm Iglesia Shalom

14

9am Backpack

Buddies

15 9:15 &11am

Worship & Sunday School Classes


6pm Carols & Cocoa

16 Office Closed



7pm Session

18

7:30pm Choir

7:30pm AA

19

6pm Praise Team

20 9:30am Piano Tuning/Cleaning 1:30-6:30pm TFR

7pm Iglesia Shalom

21 9am Prayer Walk

22 10am Christmas Pageant


6pm Youth Christmas Party

23 Office Closed

24 6pm & 11pm Candlelight Services

25

7:30pm AA

26

27 1:30-6:30pm TFR

7pm Iglesia Shalom

28 8:30am Quilt group

7pm Iglesia Shalom Youth

29 10am Testimony Service


No Youth Group

30 Office Closed

31 New Year’s Eve


1 New Year’s Day! 2020 Office closed 7:30pm AA

2 6pm Praise Team

3 1:30-6:30pm TFR

7pm Iglesia Shalom

4 8:30am Men’s Breakfast

2019

DECEMBER

Documents

Advent 2019: New Birth - Oak Hills Pres