Update

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

• Join us for our Sunday services which stream online at 10:30 am through YouTube or our website.
• 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.

 
RightNow Media

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

 
Giving

• We thank you for your continued giving and generosity even in these unique days of not being able to gather collectively.
• 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 with a credit/debit card.)

 
Connection Groups

• Are you looking to join a small group or a Bible study? We have several options of groups that are continuing to meet remotely. Use the list below to contact the group leader to join in on studying God’s Word. These also serve as some good social outlets too.

• Sunday
  • 6:30-7:15 pm on Zoom
  • A Study of the Holy Land by Ray Vanderlaan
  • Digital study guides available for purchase ($7)
  • Contact Janelle Baird (janellevesta@hotmail.com) or Tom Bothun (tbothun@design1ep.com)
• Monday
  • 7:00-8:30 pm on Zoom
  • Contact Tom Seaver (tomseaver@live.com)

• Tuesday
  • Women in the Word
  • 10:00-10:45 am on Zoom
  • God of Creation by Jen Wilkin
  • Contact Janelle Baird (janellevesta@hotmail.com)
• Wednesday
  • 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom
  • The Book of James
  • Contact Dave Erickson (daviderickson72@gmail.com)

• Wednesday
  • Women in the Word
  • 6:30 pm on Google Hangouts
  • IF: Gathering 2020 sessions (5-week study began April 29)
  • Contact Sara Brue (sarannemootz@gmail.com)
• Thursday
  • Young Adults
  • 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom
  • 2 Corinthians
  • Contact Ben Bigaouette (benbigaouette@myoakhillchurch.com)

 
Community Involvement

• If you are looking for ways to serve and support local efforts in the metro area, take a look at some of the following options:
  • Help at Your Door – Shop for groceries at the Bloomington Cub Foods for those not able to go out and shop for themselves. (https://helpatyourdoor.org/volunteer/)
  • Hospitality Center for Chinese – Sign up to be a virtual conversation partner for a Chinese student/family at the University of Minnesota. (https://hcchinese.org/)
  • Salvation Army (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/ways-to-give/)
  • VEAP (https://veap.org/)

In Christ,
Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elder Board