March 30th update

​Greetings Oak Hill Church,

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it sure makes the rest of you lonely.”
 
This quote, which is popularly attributed to late Peanuts creator and native Minnesotan, Charles Schulz probably goes a long way in describing how many of us are feeling in these days of quarantine and social distancing. No matter what your normal relational rhythms or preferences have been, this unprecedented level of isolation has had its challenges.
 
Thankfully, we live in a time where technology can help bridge the gap a bit when it comes to our new “normal” these past few weeks. But even FaceTime, Zoom, phone calls, and texts don’t ultimately solve the issue or fill the void that many of us are experiencing. This is because God did not create us to do life alone. He created us for relationships; with one another and with Him. He made us to enjoy and rely on the support, encouragement, and joy that we experience with close friends and family, and as a church family.
 
At Oak Hill Church, we have been continuing to navigate these days balancing both caution and faith in God’s provision. We have had to use creativity, innovation, intentionality, and technology in new ways to help provide some consistent avenues of engagement as we continue to connect lives in grace and truth. As the uncertainty surrounding the actual timeframe of the coronavirus marches on, we are continuing to look to recommendations made by our state and local government and health care officials regarding large group gatherings due to stopping the spread of this virus and the potential it has to put extra strain on our health care system.
 
It is with these recommendations in mind that we will be extending our cancellation of all on-site activities at Oak Hill Church until further notice. We will continue to update you regarding our ability to gather in person again as more information is shared and the recommended restrictions are lifted.
 
In the meantime, we will continue to encourage you to take advantage of several of these opportunities to stay connected with Oak Hill in the days and weeks ahead:
 
Online Worship Services

• Live stream our worship service on Sundays at 10:30 am. You can access this through our website or our YouTube channel.
• Video and audio of each sermon will be uploaded to our website following the live stream.

 
Giving

• Checks can be mailed directly to church (8901 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431.) You can also drop off your gift but please call ahead to make sure someone will be there to meet you. Please call or email the church office if you need envelopes or stamps.
• Give online by clicking on the Planning Center Giving icon on our main web page or by downloading the Church Center app and creating your account through Oak Hill Church.

 
Prayer Chain

• Call or email the church office or Pastor Ben with any prayer requests you would like us to email out to everyone each week.

 
RightNow Media

• Sign up to join our church’s subscription to RightNow Media on our website. Click on the icon on the main page and begin browsing thousands of videos for Bible studies, personal or family devotions, and videos for kids.

 
Online Connection Groups

• We encourage you to continue to connect with your small groups using various video conferencing options (Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc.)
• Also feel free to use these for some social time, online game nights, etc. with folks from Oak Hill.

 
Benevolence Fund

• As a reminder, our church does have a Benevolence Fund for members of our congregation that could use some extra financial assistance. During these uncertain times, please call or email the church office or Pastor Ben if you need any financial assistance (gas cards, Cub Foods cards, medical expenses, utility payments, rent/mortgage, etc.)

 
As always, we encourage you to stay up to date on all of this information and more on our website, social media (Facebook and Instagram,) and through your email.
 
Even though we may be experiencing a physical absence from one another, let us continue to be in prayer, be encouraged, and be joyful in expectation for the day when we can all return together. What a celebration that will be!
 
Let me leave you with these words from the prophet Isaiah. The reassuring part about this passage is the comforting reality that we are loved by a God who is never distant. He is always near. He is bigger than any social isolation and He is greater than any loneliness that we may be experiencing. He invites you to rest in His promises, He desires to comfort you with His power and His presence, and He calls us to trust His provision as we go from day to day.
 
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)
 
In Grace and Truth,
Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elders