June 22 update

Greetings Oak Hill Church,
 
            What are some things that you are thankful for? This might seem like an odd question as November and Thanksgiving Day are still months away, but what sorts of things come to your mind? I know I have been in a reflective mood this past week and the Lord has really given me eyes to see, notice, and appreciate things in my life that I am extremely thankful for. I think of my wife and kids and the joy that they bring to my life. I am thankful for the close relationships with family and friends that have been renewed or strengthened even during these past months of quarantine and social distancing. I am thankful for the many ways that God has provided and cared for me. I am thankful for you as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for the opportunity and ability we have to gather together both in-person and online as the Church.
            On Sunday, June 28, we will be continuing in our series on the Psalms and we will be looking into the Psalms of Thanksgiving. Our very own Josiah Militzer will be bringing God’s Word to us and I am super excited for you to get to hear his passionate and genuine spirit as he shares the message this Sunday. We will each have the opportunity to be reminded of God’s great and mighty deeds that He does for us each and every day. It is out of His care and provision for us that we respond in thanks to Him.
            Many of you know that this past Sunday, we were able to host our first in-person worship service since COVID made its presence known this past March. It was such a joy to share in this experience together and I hope and pray for more days like this in the weeks ahead as we continue to navigate this time together. We will continue to need to be patient, gracious, and flexible as the landscape changes week-to-week with the pulse and recommendations that are being encouraged. Please know that we are doing our best to create a situation that is appropriately safe for those of you joining us in-person. Please also know that we are doing our best to provide our worship service in an effective way online for those that will be continuing to worship with us in this way. Even though we may have a different viewing platform for our worship services, we are all united in Christ. In Him and because of His Spirit living inside of us, we are one.        
                                                                               
Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth
                       
In-Person Worship

• As we continue gathering for in-person worship on Sundays, here are some additional reminders and details to keep in mind:
  • We ask that you practice proper social distancing of at least 6 feet between persons of a different household.
  • If you are someone who is at-risk because of your age and/or health condition or if you are uncomfortable being in groups at this time we kindly encourage you to worship with us online.
  • If you, or someone in your household, is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, we kindly encourage you to worship with us online.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout our building and our restrooms will be stocked with soap for proper hand hygiene.
  • Masks are recommended but are not required.
  • Upon arrival to church you will be led to your seat by one of our ushers. We ask for your patience and understanding as we look to appropriately accommodate all who are in attendance.
  • Offering baskets will be available near the sanctuary doors
  • There will be no nursery or Children’s Church during our service. Our infant nursery will be available for nursing mothers and/or for diaper-changing space.
  • There will be no food or beverage served, but you are welcome to bring your own from home.
  • We will not have Bibles, hymnals, pens/pencils, or activity bags available at this time. Please be sure to bring what you need from home.
  • Due to our limited space and capacity, we are encouraging all socializing to be done outside in the parking lot or on our lawn following our worship service.
• We want to make sure that we are able to properly accommodate as many of you as possible this Sunday. If you are planning on worshipping with us in-person on Sunday, June 28 please let us know that you are coming by filling out the following form: https://myoakhillchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/141842

Online Services

• Join us online for our Sunday services. A recording of our Sunday service will be posted on our website and our YouTube channel shortly after the conclusion of our live in-person service.
• Check us out on YouTube or on our website to see the latest sermon or go back and watch some from our archives under the “Messages” tab on our main webpage.

Media Team Volunteers

• As we continue to utilize the potential of technology in our worship services, we need your help to continue making this a reality. If you have interest, gifts, or skills in sound production, visual media, or helping film/record our worship services, please contact the church office so we can get you plugged in to continue making these videos and service recordings accessible to our congregation and effective for broader ministry.

RightNow Media

• Sign up to join our subscription for the largest online Christian digital library in the world.

Giving

• We are extremely thankful and grateful for your financial gifts. Your support goes to further ministry in building God’s Kingdom at Oak Hill and around the world.
• There will be offering baskets placed near the sanctuary doors to receive cash or checks from our in-person worship services.
• Checks can be mailed to the church office at 8901 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431
• Check out the link for our online giving on our main webpage. Just a few simple clicks and you’re supporting God’s ministry at and through Oak Hill. (Hint: If possible, we encourage you to set up your giving through your bank account (ACH transfer) as this involves a lesser fee per transaction compared to a credit/debit card.)

Prayer Chain

• Do you have a prayer request or something you would like us to pray for as a church? Email the church office with your prayer request and we will send it out to everyone to cover your request in prayer.

CLBA Convention

• The 2020 CLBA Convention has been cancelled, but there will be mail ballots that will be delivered to each congregation’s delegates for the synodical-elected positions. Please contact Pastor Ben or the church office if you have an interest or willingness in being a delegate of Oak Hill.

 
In Christ,
Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elder Board