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Kid's Happenings December 2016

Hello Church Family,

I want to start off this article by thanking everyone that has helped our children’s ministry in the year of 2016.  If you are someone that helped in nursery, kids worship, 2:42 class, AWANA, Upward, kids choir, hugged a child, taught them about Jesus’ love for them, or helped pay for a child to go to camp, etc. Please know that you helped to make a difference in the life of a child and in the life of our children’s
ministry.  Thank you for being the hands and feet of God.

The month of December will be very busy for our church and for every individual within our church family.  With Christmas being on a Sunday morning it can be very tempting for parents to stay home with their kids.  You will be tired from your late night of preparation and early morning of waking to enjoy watching your little ones open presents.  You’ll look around and find mounds of wrapping paper all over the house and kids not wanting to get ready for church because their new gifts are something they won’t want to part from.  This Christmas is the perfect opportunity for parents to show their children what the true meaning of Christmas really is.  Being with loved ones in church on Christmas morning, worshiping our Lord, and remembering his birth.  There isn’t anywhere else you should want to be on that day.  As parents we need to lead by example.  Don’t be tempted by all the worldly Christmas happenings to miss out on the best part of that very special day.

I would also like to encourage you to take part in our Christmas Eve service.  I know it may be late for the little ones and a bit of an inconvenience, but go ahead and give baths, dress them in their Christmas pj’s and attend one of our services.  I can assure you, you will not regret it.  It is the perfect way to prepare your child’s heart for Christmas Day. 

My family and I are so thankful to be able to share in our faith at Oakhill.  I love being able to love on all the children and serve alongside each of you as we help families to raise up the next generation of our church.  I pray you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

God Bless,
April Sharp

November 2016 Pastor's Points

Our church has been on my mind lately.  I am so thankful for our church family!  I personally do not know how people get through life without the fellowship and accountability of a local church.  I love our church, which is to say I love our people!  There is not a gathering of believers that I would rather be a part of.  We have the greatest opportunity to grow and be all that God wants us to be as we are active in the life of our local body.  At Oakhill, we have an expectation that our members are going to commit four things.  Worship, Grow, Serve, Give.  We ask our members to commit to these as our basic understanding of how we will live together in community at Oakhill.

This is a call for those who are our members to make a conscious commitment to be engaged in this local church.  I recently read an article by David Mathis and he shared these words about membership in the local church.

“One of the most counter-cultural things you can do is become an engaged member of a faithful local church.  In our flighty and noncommittal age,
neither non-Christians nor Christians are naturally inclined to find a place to put down roots and make longstanding, objective commitments for the good of others.  We want to keep our options open and, above all, preserve our own freedom of choice, rather than make a covenant for the long haul and embrace a framework for real-life in all its ups and downs.  But what if you went against the grain and became part of the solution to the modern problem of being so noncommittal? What if you joined the rebellion, and pledged your loyalty and engagement to a Bible-believing, gospel-cherishing local church?”

If you are a member of Oakhill, ask yourself… Am I truly an engaged member of Oakhill?  Do I consistently prioritize worshipping with my church family?  Am I actively involved in a bible study group or the growth initiative?  Do I actively serve not just when it is convenient, but am I willing to serve others even if it is an inconvenience for me?  Do I sacrificially give of my time, talent, and treasure?  Or do I give without truly
sacrificing?

The local church matters so much to God that He gave his son Jesus for it.  I pray Oakhill matters to you!!  We are all pulled in so many different directions in life, but I am begging you to make sure that you prioritize your involvement in this local church family.  Not just to do something religious, but to make an eternal investment in yourself, your family, and others.

I love you and I love being your pastor!