Our Blog

Worship - August 2019

Church Family,

This month, I want to leave you with an article written by a man named David Santistevan, who serves as the Worship Pastor at Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh. In his article, he writes about the importance of corporate worship, and why we all need the Church. I would invite you to read this article, and to consider the role of corporate   worship in your own life. We all need the Church! Here is his article:

“More than a few times I’ve heard from people who don’t care to attend church because they can have their “time with Jesus” at home. There’s nothing wrong with “Jesus time” at home. But if it’s a replacement for the gathered singing of the people of God, it is a problem. And I don’t think Jesus would be happy with your decision.

But let’s be honest. Sometimes connecting with God is a challenge in church. Sure, it’s amazing when you’re in a room full of passionate people pursuing an all-glorious Savior. But there’s something beautiful and necessary about the mess of your church on Sunday. It’s awkward. It’s inconvenient. And it’s beautiful.

Of course, it doesn’t look like a Casting Crowns tour. Your band isn’t that good. Your production isn’t that good. Your budget isn’t that big. But do you know what makes the CHURCH impressive? It’s not necessarily the creativity and production. It’s the fact that we are the BRIDE of Jesus – the inheritance of an all glorious, Savior. We are misfits from many walks of life gathered under ONE NAME. We are sinners who’ve screwed up our lives, gathered under ONE CROSS where there is mercy. We are orphans embraced under ONE FATHER, now called sons and daughters.

We are the large, we are the small. We are the rich, we are the poor. We are the smart, we are the uneducated. We are the talented, we are the glossed over. We are the brilliant, we are the broken. We are the church.

And we need your voice in the corporate gathering. And you need that beautiful distraction in your life. It’s a fairy tale to only listen to Bethel records in the comfort of your home. Whether you like the songs or enjoy your band or not, you need Church. And the Church needs you.”

If you would like to read more from this author, visit www.beyondsundayworship.com. See you Sunday!

In Christ,
Jared

Worship July 2019

Church Family,

I hope the summer is treating you well and you are all having lots of summer fun with your family and friends! It’s been a busy season of ministry here at Oakhill, as we have seen God move in big ways this summer! We are just coming off an incredible week of VBS, and we hope you and your family were here to enjoy it. As I reflect on our time in VBS, I can’t help but think of the great times we had at the worship rally as our kids danced, sang, and worshipped through music! It’s always a joy to hear a child speak and sing about Jesus.

If you’re like me, you wish you could hear children worship like this all year long. The good news is that you don’t have to wait until VBS every year to worship with your children! Worship with your children can happen any day, and any week. Yes, it may look and sound different. You may not have the fun VBS songs, the crazy lights, or dance motions, but you have the opportunity to teach your children more about what worship truly is. You have the opportunity to teach your children that worship doesn't come through your singing or dancing, but true worship comes through your heart. Here are 3 ways to worship with your children every day and week.

#1) - Bring your children to church on Sunday mornings. This may seem like an obvious answer, but this is a guaranteed time to worship together once every week. Here at Oakhill, we have our   Children’s Worship, and we also have our corporate worship times. Come and be a part every Sunday.

#2) Worship in the car. This may seem different, but we all have CD players, iPods, etc., and these are all great  resources to worship with. Find out some of your kid’s favorite worship songs, or show them some new worship songs. Play these in your car, and encourage your family to sing along. Take the time you have in the car to talk about what the songs mean. Lead your children in worship while you are in the car together.

#3) Find time for family worship in your home. In the evenings, in the mornings, whenever works best, find a time to gather around with your children and worship. You don’t have to play an instrument, but you can sing some songs that they can easily learn. Amazing Grace is a great hymn to teach your children. And have your Bible with you. Take 20 minutes to read scripture together, pray, and sing. It will be well worth your time.

We don’t have to wait for times like VBS to worship with our children. Opportunities are all around us, we just have to take advantage of them!