Oak Grove Moravian Church
120 Hammock Farm Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Address Service Requested
With Christ as our foundation,
We are called to share our faith,
Through love and outreach to all.
Oak Grove Leaves
Rev. Matthew W. Allen Pastor
Oak Grove Moravian Church 120 Hammock Farm Road Winston-Salem, NC 27105 336-595-8167 E-mail: oakgrovemoravian@embarqmail.com
Angie Renigar Editor
Oak Grove Mission Statement Our mission is to glorify God through worship, bring people to faithful discipleship in Christ, equip them for ministry in the church and the world, and grow in our love for one another through fellowship.
June 2012
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walkertown, NC Permit No. 5
Worship With Us
Sunday Services Worship Service 9:45 AM 10:45 AM Sunday School
Congregational Text for 2012: Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.� and immediately they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:17-18
FROM YOUR PASTOR
FOUND Someone found a large key in the church parking lot. It is attached to a blue oval key ring that has “Myrtle Beach South Carolina” printed on both sides. It is in the blue Lost and Found box in the church office.
Will You Feed
and be Fed?
Laurel Ridge has a only $200,000 left to your tax-deductible online:
goal to raise $900,000 with raise by June 16th. Mail contribution or give a gift
www.laurelridge.org Feed my Sheep 119 Brookstown Ave, Ste 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Laurel Ridge Homecoming and Summer Camp Kitchen Dedication June 16th: Activities begin at 11:00 a.m.; Lunch starts at noon ($5 ea.) Kitchen dedication service at 2:00 p.m. Spend time walking the mountain, swimming, canoeing or just visiting with old and new camp friends. Call the camp office at 1-888-831-5922 to make a reservation for lunch. Overnight accomodations are also available at Higgins Lodge and in the Summer Camp cabins. We look forward to celebrating with you at Laurel Ridge!
I have just returned from my fourth and final mission trip to Mississippi. The Moravian Church will be ending its 6 year ministry there in July and the “mission” house will be sold. Many groups of Moravians and folks from other churches have stayed there over the past 6 years while rebuilding homes on the Gulf Coast. This year our group worked on two different projects. Monday through Wednesday we drove to Mobile, Alabama where we did exterior painting on a house built on stilts. The homeowner is Rhonda McAdams, whose house was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. To rebuild, new codes require new construction to be so many feet above sea level and on stilts. It was very difficult work, especially having to be on scaffolding that far off the ground. It was also very hot. But we got the whole house painted and on Thursday the house passed inspection and Rhonda was able to move in. It was great to be involved in helping with the last stage and see the finished project. We also enjoyed getting to know Rhonda and talking to her. The last two days we worked around the mission house in Ocean Springs. We did landscaping and laid a brick sidewalk. I had never done that before and it is hard work. The house is almost ready to be put on the market. Again, it was nice to see the almost finished product. Even though the work was hard I enjoyed it. It was great to help others and meet new people. Every trip has been different, but each has been spiritually rewarding. Thanks for your monetary support and your prayers. It is good to be back and I look forward to all the activities we have planned for this summer.
God bless and I’ll see you in church!
Matthew
Trinity Glen
APRIL
Open House & Dedication Service
STEWARDSHIP
April 2012
Jan.-April
$ 17,023.25
$57,328.01
Operating Expenses $ 12,492.54
$50,419.69
Ahead (Behind)
$ 6,908.32
Operating Income
$ 4,530.71
Lutheran Home—Winston-Salem and Lutheran Services for the Aging cordially invite you to a special Open House & Dedication Service to celebrate the Grand Opening of Trinity Glen, a 117-bed skilled nursing community in Winston-Salem. Trinity Glen is the first of two new skilled nursing homes to replace the Lutheran Home, across from Oak Grove. Sunday, June 10, 2012 2 p.m.—Dedication Service 2:30-4 p.m. Self-guided tours of the new building & Refreshments Trinity Glen 849 Water Works Road Winston-Salem, NC
Get ready for CHRISTMAS In JULY! The Youth Fellowship Group will be filling ATTENDANCE 1st……....158 8th...…..204 Easter 15th......…95 22nd.......98 29th……..96
shoe boxes with Christmas gifts to be given to the many impoverished children around the world. Your donations of small gifts & toiletries will be accepted in the Fellowship Hall until the Lock-In scheduled for Friday, July 13th. Our young people are reaching out to the less fortunate children of the world via Operation Christmas Child. Please say a prayer that the children who receive your generous gifts will feel Jesus’ love & seek Him.
June Workers ACOLYTES
NURSERY WORKERS 3. Patrick & Carrie Linville 10. Jane Farmer & Bonnie Peddycord 17. Susan, Sarah & Laura Price 24. Hazel Beasley, Marion Clark & Hanna Smith
FLOWER CALENDAR 3. available 10. available 17. Steve Price 24. Anita Linville
3. Riley McCracken 10. James Peddycord 17. Katrina Stevens 24. Kelsey Wolfington
USHERS Gerald Peddycord Mike May Bobby Wolfington, Jr. Steve Price
CD MINISTRY 3. Lib Westmoreland 10. Bonnie Peddycord 17. Betty Seivers 24. Jane Farmer
Youth Fellowship
Youth Fellowship gatherings continue to grow! Maybe it’s the cookies...NAH! It MUST be God at work in the hearts of the youth, an answer to prayer! The church doors are open to Oak Grove’s youth and visitors every Wednesday night from 6:30-7:30. FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! Lindsey Hooker played the guitar and sang with Sidney & Jadyn Hooker the contemporary Christian song, “The Motions” by Matthew West. Good song. Good performance. Good message: pray for the Holy Spirit to make you FEEL something so you’re not just going ‘through the motions’ for God. The elementary group finished their ‘God created the heavens’ craft & opted to wear them as dread locks wigs on the playground. Aaahhh, youth…. The first suggestion arrived in the Suggestion Box: Video Games. The preschool bunch enjoyed some additional attendees at their Bible story, craft and playtime.
CRISIS CONTROL MINISTRY Soap & Shampoo
May God bless each young person and work in every heart in this delightful ministry!
JUNE What Happened at the Intersynodal Gathering? On the way home from the Southern Province’s Intersynodal Gathering held April 27-28, one person exclaimed, “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” When asked what he took home from the event, another person mentioned the sense of solidarity with those from other congregations in situations similar to those of his own church. One person explained she learned that our churches need to let go of some of our traditions. Another person in the conversation partially disagreed saying that we just need to adjust some of our traditions to fit our current culture more effectively. Some wished for more specificity in the discussion topics and ideas. Many were delighted by the worship led by those from Moravian Seminary, by the ideas, albeit broad, that were developed and by the sense of encouragement felt by their brief time together. It should be noted that the Friedland Congregation did an incredible job of hosting this event attended by more than 200 people from 8 of our 10 fellowships and 50 of our 56 congregations. Friedland was a most welcoming and generous host in every way. Ideas that came out of the discussions included: *development of curricula that cover Moravian liturgies and history
Continued next page
2. Helen Hester 3. Les Bowman 6. Arnold Reeves Bob Clark 7. Kevin Mounce 9. Kay Fulp Laura Hedrick 10. Allison Hester 11. Janice Church 14. Linda Shore Chris Fulp 18. Marie Motsinger
1. 5. 6. 10. 13. 17. 18. 19. 24. 25. 26. 30.
20. Merry Mounce Mandy Holloway Eric Weber 21. Barry Hester Jeff Styers 22. Susan Price 23. Henry Sell Steven Bowman 24. Jesse Styers Noah Linville 25. Patrick Linville 28. Lucy Gardner 29. Denise Jordan
Gerry & Katie Peddycord Jerry & Robin Hancock Gary & Tina McCracken Tony & Melanie Edwards David & Gwenda Hooker George & Ann Seivers Tony & Sandra Barkley Kenneth & Stephanie Kennedy James & Mary Hull Michael & Sara Wood Jeffrey & Mary Alice Vanhoy Odell & Ruby Walker Bob & Phyllis Williams
Continued from previous page
Newsletter Notes From around the Southern Province
One more Easter report: It was a bustling Holy Week at Oak Grove. Six young people joined the church. The new graveyard arch and fence were dedicated. Services regularly had the largest crowds “in 20 years.” Then on Easter Sunday itself “a large and joyful congregation processed to God’s Acre and through the new gate for the first time.”
*meetings with RCCs and congregations by representatives of the PEC and/or BCM on the new structure *development of methods for better communication *local leadership training *asset mapping leadership *efforts toward evangelism *resources for local ministry *spiritual formation
Mayodan has opened its brand-new cremation section in its God’s Acre. Looking to the future, it will assure new burials in the graveyard for many years to come. Looking to the past, the Choir system, so beloved in Moravian Church heritage, will also be used in the new cremation section as well as continue in the regular section of the graveyard. Union Cross’s mythical groundhog has reappeared to announce that “some varmints carried off the air conditioners.” Only the bare concrete pads remained. Hopefully insurance will cover most of the replacement costs. Don’t forget: Moravian Church Night 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Winston-Salem Dash baseball game. Our own Rev. Dr. Bishop Righty Wayne Burkette will throw out the first pitch to the cheerful accompaniment of the Moravian Lower Brass Band. — Richard W. Starbuck Moravian Archives
*stronger relationships with the Florida District RCC Part of the purpose of the Intersynodal Gathering was to examine our success in implementing the structure adopted by the Special Synod of 2009. Betsy Bombick of the PEC summarized the responses to a survey done in March when she said, “We’ve made progress, but we aren’t there yet.” The PEC will be studying the responses to that survey and the discussion summaries submitted at the Intersynodal Gathering to help shape the next steps in our provincial life.
(This insert is one in a series prepared by the Provincial Elders’ Conference about the organization and strategic direction of the Southern Province.)
ELDERS REPORT CONTINUED Graduates will be recognized on Sunday, June 3 during worship. A special insert will be put into the bulletin with the graduate’s name, parents, where graduating from, and future plans. The Pictorial Directory Committee will meet with LifeTouch again in August. Pictures will be made October 1, 2, and 3 from 2:30— 8:50 p.m. Dear Oak Grove, Thanks to everyone who helped with the Mission Awareness Dinner on May 6th. It was such a successful event thanks to each person who served by giving of their time and energy. Oak Grove truly “put it’s best foot forward” and made the dinner so enjoyable for the guests.
Oak Grove will participate in the Moravian Festival on September 8 at New Philadelphia. The band was given approval to host a “tea” in honor of Bob Clark’s 85th birthday and 22 years service as band director on June 3 after church. Pastor Allen’s mission trip and camp schedule dates were approved.
Sincerely, Andra Reeves
Dear Oak Grove friends, Thank you so much for hosting the Mission Awareness Dinner. The meal was delicious. It was obvious how hard everyone worked to make it successful! Even though you didn’t have to do it, you did it anyway. It was much appreciated. The Mission Society
The next Band Practice is Sunday, July 1st at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Inspiring a deeper understanding of true giving JOINT BOARD REPORT The Joint Board met Tuesday, May 8 in the Fellowship Hall. An update was given on the Memorial Prayer Garden. Over 100 memorial bricks have been purchased. Flowers and shrubs will be planted. Two benches will be affixed to the concrete slab and in the middle will be a mosaic of the Moravian seal made by Anita Linville. Pastor Allen gave a report on the recent Intersynodal Gathering that he and Tammy Lewis attended. The Communications Workshop held at Fairview for our RCC was reported on. Oak Grove is ahead of the game with our communications and advertising. Pastor Allen discussed the 8 characteristics of a healthy congregation and gave an update on the two that we are working on for 2012: leadership and mission. David Hester gave a report on funds raised for the Capital Campaign. Pastor Allen asked for ideas and direction from the board members to take back to the Building Committee. BOARD OF ELDERS REPORT The meeting opened with prayer requests and intercessory prayer by the pastor and board members. The Christian Education Committee reported that Youth Fellowship is going very well on Wednesday nights. Several mission projects and fun outings are planned for the summer as well as VBS. The Anniversary Committee reported that there will be a 4th of July picnic on July 1 at 12:30 p.m. The band has been asked to play patriotic music and the prayer garden may be dedicated. On Saturday, September 15 we will have an Anniversary/Lawn Party inviting our RCC. There has been confusion over the Christmas and Easter envelope offerings. It was approved that on a Sunday before Christmas and Easter a love offering will be taken for a benevolent cause. The special offering is to be put in the Christmas and Easter envelopes. Regular offerings are not to be put in these envelopes.
A Stewardship Moment JUNE 2012 Justice means exercising fairness in all our actions. The Old Testament prophets were profoundly emphatic about showing our obedience to God by being just, by being fair, in all our dealings as we live out our lives. The prophet Micah said: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) A Christian minister tells of sitting next to a woman in the waiting room of a hospital. He said to his wife later that he could scarcely remain in his seat because she reeked of the acrid smell of tobacco. But, when the woman said to her husband who was sitting on her other side, “I feel so sorry for my mother. She has so little money to live on,” the pastor had the following thought: “If she simply quit smoking and gave her mother the money she spent for a pack of cigarettes each day, she could at least help her mother have a meal or two daily.” Obviously, the woman had a kind thought regarding her mother’s welfare, but apparently she did not consider how she might help relieve her mother’s woes. Perhaps each of us should examine ourselves and consider how we are treating others. Are we concerned about justice for them? Are we kind and thoughtful to them? And do we practice being righteous in our lives to make sure we honor Christ in our everyday lives? Prayer: Lord, enable us to be complete stewards in every way. Help us to be found worthy of living in eternity with you. In your name we pray. Amen
Building Campaign Memorials and Honorariums In Memory of: Don Barneycastle Lillian W. Styers Nellie S. Ellis Mary Moore Alma Brown
Marie Poorman Kathleen Collins Irene Hayes Hazel Brenner
In Honor of:
Congratulations Class of 2012 !
Betty Hunter Jeannie Leahy Brenda Brown Mackenzie Leahy Loretta Grubbs Pauline Styers Sue Styers Thomas C. Hilton’s 20th Birthday
Austin Garrett May Son of Mike & Angie May Grandson of Gerald & Bonnie Peddycord Graduate of East Forsyth High School
Continuing The Vision……..
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Katie Jaymes Fulp Daughter of Jim Fulp Granddaughter of Evelyn Fulp Graduate of East Carolina University Jennifer Ashley Styers Daughter of Jeff & Amy Styers Graduate of Queens University of Charlotte
……..Building The Future
Update on Capital Campaign Funds From the beginning of our Campaign we have total donations of $237,197.55. There is a pledge balance of $43,617.00 that has yet to be received. Please continue to support our Campaign with your prayers and monetary gifts.
Have You Heard The Bells? It had been a long time since Oak Grove had rung the bell to announce Sunday morning worship, but recently you may have heard the bell ring on a Sunday morning. Thanks to the gentlemen who have renewed the joy of this reminiscence!
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Financial Update The Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012. The last month’s minutes were reviewed and approved, as well as all of the financial reports. There was discussion of the local Fire Department’s recent inspection. It was advised that the fire extinguisher in the Fellowship Hall be mounted on the wall, rather than set on the stage or floor. This has been taken care of. There was discussion about getting a water supply around to the front of the church for the sake of keeping the new Prayer Garden watered. The next Board of Trustees meeting is Tuesday, June 12, 2012.
You cannot have the peace of God until you first have peace with God. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Many Thanks to Mr. Robert Clark for
22 years of service as Oak Grove’s Band Director! Everyone is invited to a reception in his honor in the Fellowhip Hall on Sunday, June 3rd following worship.