Loving God. Loving People. Making Disciples In All Generations WELCOME Pastor Seth MISSION VIDEO GREETING Daniel Shayesteh CALL TO WORSHIP 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 WE SING I Sing the Mighty Power of God Congregation Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah O Come To the Altar WE BOW BEFORE HIM Blaine Adamson WE LISTEN He Is a Mighty Lord Oakdale Choir (previously recorded on Sept. 29, 2019) WE SING Psalm 62 Congregation The Glory Of the Cross WE REFLECT “The Severity and Mercy Pastor Jordan Hecox Of Jesus Christ” Revelation 3:14-22 WE RESPOND The Glory Of the Cross Congregation BENEDICTION Pastor Jordan Hecox You may place your offering in the donation box near the doors as you exit the building today. MAY 24, 2020 10:30 am 1207 450th St. Meriden, IA 51037 712.443.8385 [email protected]oakdalechurch.com Welcome To Oakdale! Vacation Bible School Registration - We are planning on holding Vacation Bible School on July 27-31, 2020 from 9am to noon for children 4 years old through 5th grade. We hope we will be able to meet together, but we will follow the current state’s guidelines at the time that VBS is held. You may register your children at https://oakdalevbs.myanswers.com/mystery- island/ or at the registration button on oakdalechurch.com and we will keep you informed of the plans. We will need volunteers to help with VBS, so please mark your calendars to be a volunteer during this fun week of learning about our Creator God. May is National Foster Care Month. As we are going through this pandemic, it is a great time to point out that May is National Foster Care Month. LSI covers the 30 western counties of Iowa. Every year hundreds of children are referred into foster care just in these 30 counties alone. In 2019, the number was 778. Because of the pandemic, everything has changed for families. Stress and anxiety have increased. There may be new financial concerns. Children are home. All of this is causing a rise in referrals. Please pray for: • families who may not have healthy coping skills • children who are not in a healthy environment • DHS workers who are making decisions for these children • foster homes who take in these traumatized children • workers who are supporting the foster families • more Christians to open their homes to children in need • children to hear about Jesus during this time
Transcript
Loving God. Loving People. Making Disciples In All Generations
WELCOME Pastor Seth
MISSION VIDEO GREETING Daniel Shayesteh CALL TO WORSHIP 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
WE SING I Sing the Mighty Power of God Congregation Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah O Come To the Altar
WE BOW BEFORE HIM Blaine Adamson
WE LISTEN He Is a Mighty Lord Oakdale Choir (previously recorded on Sept. 29, 2019)
WE SING Psalm 62 Congregation The Glory Of the Cross WE REFLECT “The Severity and Mercy Pastor Jordan Hecox Of Jesus Christ” Revelation 3:14-22
WE RESPOND The Glory Of the Cross Congregation BENEDICTION Pastor Jordan Hecox
You may place your offering in the donation box near the doors as you exit the building today.
Welcome To Oakdale!Vacation Bible School Registration - We are planning on holding Vacation Bible School on July 27-31, 2020 from 9am to noon for children 4 years old through 5th grade. We hope we will be able to meet together, but we will follow the current state’s guidelines at the time that VBS is held. You may register your children at https://oakdalevbs.myanswers.com/mystery-island/ or at the registration button on oakdalechurch.com and we will keep you informed of the plans. We will need volunteers to help with VBS, so please mark your calendars to be a volunteer during this fun week of learning about our Creator God.
May is National Foster Care Month. As we are going through this pandemic, it is a great time to point out that May is National Foster Care Month. LSI covers the 30 western counties of Iowa. Every year hundreds of children are referred into foster care just in these 30 counties alone. In 2019, the number was 778. Because of the pandemic, everything has changed for families. Stress and anxiety have increased. There may be new financial concerns. Children are home. All of this is causing a rise in referrals. Please pray for:
• families who may not have healthy coping skills • children who are not in a healthy environment • DHS workers who are making decisions for these
children • foster homes who take in these traumatized children • workers who are supporting the foster families • more Christians to open their homes to children in need • children to hear about Jesus during this time
Birthdays this week: Carrie Dunnette, Wyatt Wester (24th); Roland Deubner, Pastor Tyler, Mark Hecox (25th);
Greyson Johnson (27th); Lyndsay Wolfswinkel, Brielle Stauffer (28th); Christina Dobson, Cindy Godbersen (29th)
Sunday Worship Service Guidelines- We will continue to welcome people to meet together for Sunday worship services as long as we are able to meet the current IDPH guidelines. Please practice social distancing of staying six feet apart, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer, exit the building immediately after the service, and stand outside at least six feet apart if you wish to visit with each other. You are welcome to wear a mask or to use one of the masks that we have available for you in the foyer.
Wednesdays in the Park will begin on June 3 with a meal served from 6:00-6:30pm at the Oakdale Park (1 mile north of the church) followed by devotions and social time. The meal will be prepared and delivered using proper safeguards. We ask that you practice social distancing while enjoying the opportunity to be together. Please read the letter in today’s bulletin insert for more information on gathering on Wednesdays.
The Memorial Day services that were planned for the Liberty Cemetery and the Meriden Cemetery are cancelled.
Options for Giving - If you are not attending the worship service at the church, you may mail a check to the church office at 1207 450th Street, Meriden, Iowa 51037. You may also give online by going to www.oakdalechurch.com and click on “give online.” You may also text your donation dollar amount to 712-526-3580.
Summer Camp Scholarship Funds - If you are in need of financial assistance to help pay for the remaining balance of your child’s summer camp registration at Hidden Acres, you may email the church office at [email protected] to request assistance and to receive a voucher from the church to take with you when your child goes to camp.
Youth Bible Studies - The youth group (7-12th graders) have been meeting through Zoom on Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 7pm to study and discuss Scripture. For more information about the studies or how to join, contact Pastor Seth at [email protected].
If you are in need of spiritual guidance, please contact Pastor Tyler or Pastor Seth.
Pastor Seth WithrowAssociate Pastor of Youth and Outreach
Children’s Ministries Videos - We hope you have been enjoying the videos created by Children’s Ministries. This week, CM would like to create a video of children with their drawings of God’s creation that they see around them. Please text a photo of your child with their drawing by 6pm today to 712-539-9714.
What’s Happening this Week
Today Youth Group Bible Study on Zoom - 7pmContact is Pastor Seth at [email protected]
Wednesday All-church prayer meeting on Zoom from 6:15-7pm. A link will be sent through email and text.
Youth Group Bible Study on Zoom - 7pm
BIC meets on Zoom - 7pm
Thursday Paullina Men’s Group - 6:45amContact is Bob James at 712-229-3596.
Pray for Oakdale’s Ministry:. • Pray for Associate Pastor of Youth and Outreach Seth Withrow
as he begins his ministry at Oakdale. • Pray for the church leadership as they make decisions on how
to minister to the church family as the COVID-19 restrictions change.
Pray for Oakdale’s Family: • Pray for members of our family who are living in care centers:
Jim Halstrom, Sue Sedore, Elsie Wester, Lorraine Mortenson, Jo Linn, Bev Lemke, and Larry and Jeanette Johnson.
• Pray for David Wester’s recovery from surgery, and pray that all the cancer was removed.
• Pray for healing from the coronavirus for Jeff Patterson’s cousin, Klinton Patterson.
• Pray for healing from cancer for Carol Lane. • Pray for Pastor Tyler and Kris Badker as they are both serving
in locations in Iowa with the National Guard in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Pray for their families as they are away from home.
• Pray for Tiffany Harper’s recovery from surgery to treat cancer. • Pray for a speedy recovery from surgery for Dave Cooper. • Pray for healing from COVID-19 for Brenda Bird.
Pray for Oakdale’s Ministry Partners: Pray for their ministries to thrive, for opportunities of discipleship, and for strong relationships.
• Alicia Whitmore in Mexico • John & Wendy Gerhardt with Urban Impact in New Orleans • Les & Catherine DeRoos in Israel • Dave & Cathrin Osterhus in Austria • Hidden Acres Christian Center
Pray for our Neighbors and Nation: • Pray for the COVID-19 virus to diminish. • Pray for protection and wisdom for healthcare workers. • Pray for our nation’s leaders. • Pray for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been
called to serve in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Dear Friends: I was contemplating the past, where we left off and where we might be going in the near future. Wonder, was the book our older students left off reading before Spring Break. A young boy with facial deformities, thrust into school in 5th grade, taking on the task of convincing his classmates that he was an ordinary kid with an extraordinary face. Our students were challenged by this book to explore what kindness truly meant. After our months of wonder, (in the book, and now in life), I pray we can maybe pick up some of the thoughts we left with and know and show kindness with greater sincerity and learn that “extraordinary” can bring lots of positives!
Our younger students finished with a cooking day. Way back in mid March, Chef Marta discussed the meaning of Lent and the practice of some who “give up” something to remind us that Jesus gave up his life for us. They wondered with the question, “but what happens to someone when they die and don’t believe in Jesus?” The door opened to talk about heaven and hell, sin and forgiveness, and the choice God gives us. Marta finished by discussing how Jesus gives us comfort (and their homemade macaroni and cheese was a comfort food to remind us that Jesus is our comfort).
Wonder also describes God’s work....: a cause of astonishment or surprise: marvel: miracle. I’m thankful to know when our students left to these unexpected, extraordinary times, they were sent out with the knowledge and wonder of what it means to believe in Christ and know that He is our comfort.
The future has us wondering. Not knowing the future plans for our country and state, we move forward slowly but in preparation to meet with our kids in a summer program, in some way. Again, we look at the wonder of God. We have new space to utilize and will be able to have smaller groups in larger are- as! Our hopeful dates for summer will be June & July; it appears school may start early in August. If allowed, we will do what we need too, to work in smaller groups and provide opportunities for students!
Our Mission teams will not be coming as expected, so we will be in need of additional volunteers. Call our office if you would consider being involved and have questions; we will try to have some answers!!
Joyce Klopp, Director Hope at the Brick House Davenport, Iowa
Missions: Loving the Worker and the Work
Churches sometimes struggle with “loving the worker” without fully “loving the work.” In other words, churches can have a vital support relationship with the missionary that exceeds their concern for the Great Commission and the unbeliever's eternal fate. This happens easily . . . we know the missionary, in many cases they are family, and we care about their health, safety, and well-being while serving on the field. Our personal acquaintance with the missionary exceeds our familiarity with the unreached people. We can easily love the worker while possibly overlooking the work.
The Missions Committee hopes that viewing the missionary videos has given you a greater passion for the work. In recent weeks, we have heard . . .
• Les & Catherine DeRoos bringing the gospel to the Jewish people in Israel who believe that the Christ has not yet come.
• Dave & Cathrin Osterhus ministering to Austrian youth who understand modern materialism more readily than sin and salvation.
• Jim & Marissa Stamberg planting churches and building Christian community in the diverse locales of Alaska.
• Al & Edie Lewis training men and women around the world to independently parse the scriptures in their preaching and teaching rather than mimic what they have heard from others.
• Daniel Shayestah delivering the only Truth in the one true God and His Son to the Islamic people.
There are more video clips to be viewed! We will soon hear about Megan Coe remarkably giving the love of Christ to abandoned and disadvantaged children in Ecuador. We need to remember that we labor with the missionary, not for the missionary. We hope these videos give you increased appreciation for our missionaries and an expanded love for their work in spreading the unsurpassed greatness of His Gospel. May we all actively seek God's will for our part in supporting and encouraging His workers.
For the Missions Committee, Blaine Adamson, Elder
Wednesdays in the Park Begins June 3
To the Oakdale Family,
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5 This has never been more true than now in a time of unprecedented changes in our lives. And leadership continues to hear story after story of the love and good deeds you are doing for friends and neighbors. And knowing that your care for others has been abounding has been truly a blessing. We know this time has been very challenging for all of you, so leadership continues to look for ways to return to normalcy as we follow the Governor’s guidelines. So with the recent relaxing in policy for gathering we are going to start meeting on Wednesday nights in the park June 3. We will meet at 6:00 pm for a meal prepared and delivered using proper safeguards. That will be followed by a time of devotions and then social time. We feel that being outside will give us better opportunity to social distance and still have much needed fellowship. In doing this, we ask that you follow social distancing guidelines. We encourage you to wear masks for your safety but will not require them. And we ask that you respect others when interacting. Some of you will feel confident in attending while others will be anxious about meeting. Please show the proper grace to all no matter how they decide to participate. At the end of this email is a link to a very timely article from The Gospel Coalition discussing our Christian response to the pandemic entitled “Church, Don’t Let Coronavirus Divide You.” If you choose to join us, we want you to understand a couple of important things. First of all, your attendance could increase your chances of contracting Covid-19 so please be responsible. Second, since we will be in the park it will be much more difficult for your children to refrain from playing with other children. If that is a concern for your family, please choose your participation accordingly. We are excited about the opportunity to move back into meeting as a church family by adding this important ministry opportunity. Thank you for your patience as we navigate uncharted waters. But please know one important thing, even though we are apart for a season the God of the universe has never been closer to each of us.
