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

office@oakforestumcnc.org

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