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Greetings Oak Hill Church,
Being the sports fan that I am, my attention has been tuned into many of the talks and discussions surrounding the potential return of live sports in the weeks and months ahead. Even if you could care less about when or if the NBA or MLB will return, the reality is that we can all think of things in our lives where a void has been created due to the coronavirus pandemic. To borrow a common sports phrase that might accurately sum up this experience that we have all been facing in the past months: “There is no playbook for that…” A playbook is pretty essential to any successful team. The playbook houses a wealth of information, strategy, and direction that gives a team a recipe for success and victory in any given match or game. Not having a playbook can lead to some very interesting and unknown outcomes. Having a playbook can bring predictability, security, and assurance. In the days that each of us have spent navigating the changing times, this saying has kept popping into my mind. There clearly is no playbook for what we are going through and experiencing. This was unexpected. Not too many of us have ever gone through an experience like this before. Each of us as individuals, as families, and as the church have had to just do our best to react, plan, and move forward as more information is known, more directives and recommendations are passed along, and as the Lord continues to lead and guide us through this time. With all that to be said, our team of leaders at Oak Hill has continued to seek the Lord and process what our next steps could look like in the weeks and months ahead. There has been a lot of recent movement and information given that gives us further indication of what our post-COVID world could look like as we emerge from shelter in place. One thing is obvious: Things will be different. Nearly every aspect of our lives will look differently than it did before. Whatever thoughts we might have had even two weeks ago about timelines and guidelines have probably been reshaped. The same goes for us as Oak Hill Church. We have tried to do our best to continue to balance caution and faith. Our intent is to continue to be good citizens as members of this world and of God’s Kingdom. Our desire is that we would be led by God’s best timing, ways, and procedures. While we have not been perfect in that, He is still very much guiding this process for us even when we don’t always get it right. As we continue to pray, process, and prepare for resuming our in-person gatherings, worship services, and other various ministries, would you join us in praying about these decisions and all of the details and logistics that need to still be worked out? We all need to be bringing this before the Lord as we seek to honor Him and honor one another in these discussions. There is no time like the present for us to be unified and supportive of one another. We all need to extend a fresh dose of grace and truth to one another that is supportive, encouraging, and understanding as each of us process what this looks like for us as individuals, as families, and as a congregation. The Apostle Paul encourages us with similar words as he reminds the believers in Ephesians 4: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Let this be our prayer and pursuit as we walk through this together as a group of sinful people radically changed and renewed by God’s grace. May He guide us, strengthen us, and shape us as His children. Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth Oak Hill Staff Update
Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elder Board
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Greetings Oak Hill Church,
I am sure that there have been many lessons, reminders, and realities that have become reinforced or cemented in your minds and hearts during these weeks of sheltering in place. As we collectively begin to move the dial seemingly back to some semblance of normalcy (whatever that may mean), it will be interesting to see how some of these learned principles go with us. For example, you may have grown accustomed to this new rhythm that we have been on. In speaking with many of you, the additional time to not have to be running around chasing schedules, due dates, and timelines has been a welcome relief. For others, the increased time investing in family has been refreshing (Of course, you may also be ready for a break from some members in your family, but looking back you will definitely have appreciated this time nonetheless…) Even the inner introvert in all of us might have appreciated these quiet moments to one degree or another as well. Regardless of where you are at on the spectrum, one of the true joys for me during this time, and one that I have heard countless times from others, is the greater connection that each of us are experiencing with God’s Word. Whether you were in a normal rhythm of going to His Word and taking in the promises of Scripture or not, there is no doubt that this time has given each of us the opportunity to be strengthened in our faith or be still before the Lord and take in what He is trying to show and teach us during this time. We have all had opportunities in these past weeks to be shaped by a fuller realization of His power, His provision, and our reliance and need for who He is and what He does. Like all of the previous things I have mentioned, I hope that this does not phase out once we come back into a post-COVID world. I hope and pray for me, and for you, that this time would bear fruit in thankfulness to God for how He carried us through these times and a reminder of the power and presence of His Word that guides our lives, calms our hearts, and refreshes our spirit. This week, we continue in our series on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossian Church and we get to Chapter 2, which houses our theme verses for this series. In verses 6 and 7, Paul writes: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Let our prayer be that we have been built up and strengthened in our faith during this time and let our lives coming out of this be continuously shaped by the gift of faith and new life that allows us to overflow in thanksgiving to those around us for what has been done for us and given to us by Christ. Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth Congregational Meeting Tonight
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In Christ, Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elder Board Greetings Oak Hill Church,
If you are like me, you like it when things are buttoned up and sure. I appreciate when all the details and facts are ironed out and fully understood. There’s a certain level of peace, comfort, and confidence that comes when the uncertainties are erased, the loose ends are tied up, and there are no unanswered questions or “what-if” scenarios to be played out. Now the reality is that this is not how real life typically plays itself out. Not too many of life’s circumstances and situations are like this at all. One of the challenges within all of this is that in those times of uncertainty, we can try to assume control of our own lives and the circumstances surrounding them. Far too often, you and I can be tempted to try and take the reins and attempt to hold things together in our lives. And when we do that, we often realize our inadequacies and our inabilities to really offer much control or stability. Have you been there? I know I have many times. This week, we continue in our study of the book of Colossians and we focus in on verses 15-23 of Chapter 1. We see Paul’s reassuring reminder and encouragement for the believers to continue living in and out of their faith which is “established and firm.” There is immense hope that the power of God’s Word and the Gospel creates in our lives. There is a supreme amount of comfort, peace, confidence, and clarity that resides in a Source that is outside of ourselves. Paul points us to the reality of Who is in control and sustains our life. When we are tempted to think that it is up to us, Paul points us to Someone bigger and greater: it’s Jesus Christ, the Son of God! In verse 17, Paul tells us this about Jesus: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” This verse brings an immense sense of relief to my life. The fact, truth, and reality are that I can’t do this on my own, but I also don’t have to. Everything holds together in Christ. He literally holds everything, all my worries, doubts, fears, challenges, successes, and joys, together in His hands and He alone sustains all that is happening within me and around me. I hope that brings us immense comfort today to know that God’s control and His ability is far above what we can muster up on our own and exactly what we need to trust and hope in. Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth Online Services
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