seeds for growth - oakwoodfl.orgi recently finished re-reading a bible study given to me by a friend...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 5 ~ Issue 4 February 20 – March 5, 2010
IN THIS ISSUE: (click on the article title to go to that article)
Seeds for Growth Membership Reception Prayer Time Family Fun Night Child Dedication Staff Commissioning Women’s News Youth Support Our Troops Sweetheart Dinner Missions Moment Haiti Relief Health Screenings Czech Republic English Camp Spring Forward General announcements
Seeds for Growth
What is the Condition of Your Soil?
I recently finished re-reading a Bible study given to me by a friend about the
“Parable of the Sower” from Matthew 13:1-9. The study made me re-thinks this
story from Jesus and look at it from another perspective. In the story the Seed
represents the Word of God and the soil represents possible conditions of the heart.
The seed (Word of God) is cast onto a number of different types of soil (heart
conditions).
It is either cast upon:
a. The Road, the seed gets trampled and is lost, and the soil is hard to God’s
truth, this is the heart disinterested in or antagonistic to the things of God,
this heart condition leaves us eternally separated from God
b. Rocky Soil: An initial enthusiasm to the Word but without a root that
sustains, the root of new birth is absent, again there is no eternal life
c. Soil infested with Thorns, congested, the Word gets choked by earthly
worries and pleasure, lukewarm, again... eternal life is questionable
d. Fertile Soil, the Thirty fold Christ-Follower: has a saving relationship with
Jesus Christ but is a half-hearted follower
e. Fertile Soil, the Sixty fold Christ-Follower: bearing fruit, but without full
obedience
f. Fertile Soil, the Hundred fold Christ-Follower: Living fully in the light
given, Full surrender, faith, and obedience are predominant. Although not
perfectly sinless, they live a Spirit-filled life that continues to mature over
time. Hundred fold should not be an unusual yield for my life.
When God’s seed was thrown on your heart was it lost, crushed, did it wither or
was it choked or is it producing fruit? I see myself in this story and there is room
for me to grow! What is the condition of your soil? Knowing may have eternal
significance for you. For those of us whose eternity is secure, re examining our
heart condition may help us to become the Hundred Fold Christ-followers the Lord
desires us to be. That is my personal prayer.
Chris Lehmann
Director of Worship Arts
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Membership Reception
Are you interested in finding out more about Oakwood Community Church and
considering membership? You are invited to join us immediately following the
Worship Service this Sunday, February 21, in the Education Center Library for
approximately 30-45 minutes. You will have opportunity to meet the elders, hear
about our vision and learn about the process of becoming a member of Oakwood.
Light refreshments will be served.
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Prayer Time
We don’t often know how prayer works but we know that it changes things. God
directs us to talk with Him regularly. Linking with God and other believers is even
more powerful. The Bible talks about where two or three are gathered to pray, it
takes on a more significant meaning. We encourage you to spend some time with
other Oakwood family members on Saturday mornings between 7:30-8:30 AM
asking God to do “far more than we could ever imagine or guess or request in your
wildest dreams” (Eph. 3:20, The Message).
Beginning March 7, we will be moving Prayer Time to Sunday mornings at 8:00
AM. We will meet in the church library to pray for 40 minutes leading up to the
family time of worship. Again, plan to come earlier on Sundays beginning March 7
and join us as we ask God to help us love Him more.
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Family Fun Night
Movie Premiere
Veggie Tales
Pistachio, The Little Boy
That Woodn’t
Everyone is invited to join us for an evening of
fun this Friday, February 19, 7:00 PM in the
TreeHouse.
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Child Dedication
On Sunday, February 28, we will have a Child Dedication Service during our
Worship Service. Any parents interested in dedicating their children are asked to
contact the church office by noon on Monday, February 22.
Information on the meaning of Child Dedication can be obtained by clicking the
link below.
http://www.oakwoodfl.org/wp-content/uploads/Child_Dedication_Information.pdf
Pastor Paul will meet with any parents planning to participate in the Dedication
Service on Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 PM in the Education Center – in the Quad,
the classroom at the end of the hallway. Participating parents need to read the
Child Dedication Information prior to this meeting.
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Staff Commissioning
On January 31, the members of Oakwood
overwhelming approved the recommendation
from the Elders for Dave Dorsey to join the
church staff as Director of Ministries. He
began work on February 1 and on February 14
was publicly commissioned to serve in this
position.
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Women’s News
Ladies Bunco Night
Friday, Feb 26th 7:00 PM
Oakwood TreeHouse
Bunco is an interactive game that’s easy to learn and
fun to play.
Bring a snack and a friend!
Upcoming Women's Event in Tampa
Living Proof Live Conference featuring Beth Moore will be coming to Idlewild
Baptist Church on April 16-17, 2010 (Friday evening and Saturday morning). This
event will include live teaching from Beth Moore and worship led by Travis
Cottrell. Cost of the tickets is $60 and can be purchased at lifeway.com (click on
“events”) or by calling 800.254.2022. Oakwood attendees are invited to meet
together for lunch after the Saturday session (location to be announced). Come and
hear God's message for you!
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Youth
Student Leadership
Any high school students who would like to be a leader should let Pastor Mike
know. We are in the process of building a team of student leaders.
________________________________________________________
Challenge
2010 Conference
June 28 - July 3, 2010
Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio
Revised Information
Go to www.challengeconference.com for all the current information on
Challenge ‘10
Total Cost: $682 per person includes housing, transportation, conference
meals (does not include travel meals or spending money)
Registration begins Jan. 4, 2010
Transportation Deposit: $50 due January 17
Theme: UNDO: You cannot follow Jesus and remain the same. Jesus guarantees
to change both your life’s desires and trajectory. Life that is truly life flows from the
soul that has been "undone" by the all-consuming love of Christ. His burning
presence leads to an undoing of all that has defined your place, purpose, and
priorities in this world. And yet, it does not merely expose the artificial but also
awakens your imagination to dream of a way of life and love that cannot be
confined by the systems of this world. To be undone is both a desperate cry and a
costly call. UNDO!
CHALLENGE 2010 exists to help students redefine what it means to love
God and love others as seen through the lens of the Beatitudes.
Challenge is an every other year growth level conference for junior and senior high
students. Each day it combines great worship and challenging speakers with youth
group dynamics for ministry outreach in the site city, training sessions on pertinent
topics and recreational activities. It is an opportunity for youth groups to travel
together, to worship and learn together, to serve together, to play together and to
be challenged to grow in their faith as individuals and as youth groups - to become
effective Christ followers who impact their world for Jesus Christ.
Challenge's Compassion Project this year will be making and filling 5,000
backpacks for kids in the Congo. Find out... http://fb.me/45Uv1Ew
________________________________________________________
Youth Band Worship practice…
Every Wednesday from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in PowerHouse.
High School Guys Basketball
Every Wednesday afternoon from 5:00 – 7:00 PM in PowerHouse.
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Support Our Troops
Remember to pray for our troops. One of our own, Geoff
Andrews, son of Bob & Karen Andrews, is currently
stationed in Afghanistan. He has very limited internet
access: 30 minutes at a time on a military PC after waiting
in line. Anyone who would like to write to him can use
http://www.motomail.us. Your email will be printed at his
base and delivered to him. His address information for
MotoMail is FPO AE 09510-3873, B Co. LSP, LCpl.
Andrews, Geoffrey Ross. Once you've set up your free
MotoMail account it's very easy to use.
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Sweetheart Dinner
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We played games -- we ate -- we
had fellowship! The Fourth
Annual Sweetheart Dinner was
held last Saturday, February 13,
with our largest crowd ever.
Thanks to chef Luke Piazza for
providing a wonderful meal.
Missions Moment
Philippines Missions
AETAs are an indigenous people who live in scattered, isolated mountainous parts
of Luzon. They are considered to be Negritos, and are thought to be among the
earliest inhabitants of the Philippines, preceding the Austronesian migrations.
There is a three-year project established to help the Aetas with their health issues
as the Wycliffe Bible translators continue to work in translating the New
Testament in their dialect. Medical Ambassadors Philippines, Inc. (MAPi), a non-
government organization, will assign a nurse who will live with the Aetas in the
mountains of Tarlac. The nurse will not only provide medical care and health
education but will also share the Gospel. Roger and Vangie Stone of Wycliffe are
thankful for this program, an answer to prayer!
Feeding program for children. Out of a tragic loss of an adopted daughter age 5,
the parents of this child started a feeding program for their daughter's friends. The
feeding has grown from a small group of 5 friends to 200 children coming every
week to get a meal. A few months later, a local church duplicated the feeding
program in the other remote barrios of Tarlac. This program has a captive audience
who can use the “waiting time” (as children wait in line for food) to be told of how
Jesus loves them. Two portable television sets equipped with DVD/speakers were
provided for the feeding programs. The “JESUS” film will now be shown in their
own dialect this month. More DVD videos are needed to proclaim the gospel to
these children.
Shekinah Christian Academy of Bulacan (SCAB). Scholarship money of $25 a
month will sponsor a student covering 50% of the cost of tuition and books/year.
The school provides good (private) Christian education from kindergarten to high
school. The goal is set to have 50 sponsors for 2010. Without the scholarship, there
are fewer and fewer students who can afford the Christian education.
Short- term medical mission, January 2011. “Squatters” in the province of
Pampanga were relocated by the government to a resettlement area. Now, these
8000 families, each family living in 200 sq ft rooms may be served well with a
Medical Mission with emphasis on evangelism.
If you are interested to know more about these ministries, please contact Maria
Cariaga (813-977-3246).
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Health Screenings
The Blood Mobile will be at Oakwood on Sunday, February 28 from 8:30 AM
– 12:30 PM. If you are at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, are in good
health and haven’t donated in the last eight weeks, you are eligible to donate.
Blood pressure checks can also be done at the Blood Mobile.
Blood pressure checks Sunday, March 7 in the kitchen following the Worship
Service. Don’t miss this important health screening.
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Haiti Relief
In response to the devastating earthquake in
Haiti, many are looking for ways to help.
Below are some organizations that we are
currently aware of that are accepting
monetary donations to help with relief.
The Elder Team is also encouraging the
Oakwood family to fast one meal per week
and set aside the money that you would have spent on that meal. We will have a
donation bucket at Church that you can put your donation in and it will be sent to
the EFCA to help with the relief effort. The EFCA has already received over
$543,000 from individuals and sister churches. PLEASE NOTE – THIS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, WILL BE THE LAST DAY WE ARE
COLLECTING THESE FUNDS.
The purpose of the fast is to use that time to pray for those whose lives have been
forever changed by this disaster and to pray for those who are ministering to help
these Haitians.
Evangelical Free Church of America
Donate online through the EFCA to help the people of Haiti at:
https://my.efca.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=359&des=Earthquake%20Re
lief%2021709-3970
Donations can be mailed to:
EFCA
Earthquake Relief #21709-3970
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300
If you use a Bill Pay service, you can set up to give as follows:
EFCA
Account #21709-3970
Biller Phone: 800-745-2202
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300
Bible Basics International
http://www.biblebasics.org
Campus Crusade through Global Aid Network
http://www.gainusa.org
Wycliffe Bible Translators
http://www.wycliffe.org
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Czech Republic English Camp
Outreach English Camp
The Czech Republic
July 17-24, 2010
Would you like your life to be changed?
Consider serving as one of the 12 members of
the summer 2010 Outreach English Camp team
from Oakwood and Candlewood Community
Churches. Since 2000, Oakwood Community
Church has partnered with the Brno
Evangelical Fellowship in the city of Brno,
Czech Republic, by providing English teachers
for their outreach English camps. Candlewood
Community Church, a daughter church of
Oakwood, has participated since its birth in
2007. The teachers have been people like you
who stepped out of their comfort zones in order
to serve fellow Czech Christians as they witness
to their family, friends, co-workers, and
neighbors.
The purpose of the English camp
The Brno Fellowship wants to see the Czech Republic impacted for Christ. The
Czech Republic is a country with a rich Christian heritage, and was the site of
much fighting between Catholics and Protestants during the 30 Years War. After
WWII, however, the Czech Republic came under the influence of Russia and
communism. The Czech Republic now has more atheists per capita than most
Eastern European countries.
The Czech Republic gained its independence in 1989 in the Velvet Revolution.
Since then it has looked Westward, to Europe and the United States, joining the
European Union in May 2004. The attempt to become a Western democracy has
made knowledge of English vital for academic, political, and business reasons.
English camps give the Brno Fellowship an opportunity to meet a felt-need of their
compatriots, and the opportunity to share about Christ.
What the team members do in the English camp
The American team arrives a few days before the week long camp to meet the
Czech team and to acclimate to the new country and time zone. During the camp
the team teaches classes in conversational English, from the entry level to the
advanced level. The Czech team provides each class with a Czech speaking
language helper. The language helper can translate English into Czech when
needed, and also helps the English teacher be aware of cultural issues or spiritual
opportunities. Each day the American team also provides two hours of
conversational English practice to elementary school children, and one hour for
younger children. These classes consist mainly of games and fun activities.
Because the English camp is advertised as an opportunity to learn English and to
learn about Christianity, we also have an opportunity to share our own faith, when
culturally appropriate. We do this formally when we provide content for an evening
meeting. We can also do this informally, as God leads, and with the help of our
Czech team language helper. Our first priority, however, is to provide excellent
conversational English teaching as our service to the Brno Fellowship.
What preparation is required
Few of us are teachers, let alone teachers of English as a second language. For this
reason, all lesson materials are already prepared. Team members only need to
gather the teaching aids (such as pictures, objects, and so on) and practice teaching.
Team members will meet for 12 training meetings between March and July. During
these meetings, we will learn about the Czech Republic, learn about the Biblical
basis of short-term missions, practice teaching to each other, prepare an evening
evangelistic program, and grow together as a team.
The cost of the trip
Depending on travel costs, the cost of each team member going is between $1500-
2000. Team members are expected to provide for some of the cost from their own
resources and from fund-raising letters. Both Oakwood and Candlewood will hold
special collections for the English Camp trip.
Signing up
Pick up an application packet, available at Oakwood and Candlewood. The
application process will involve writing about your reasons for being part of the
team, writing about yourself (the gifts and experiences you bring to the team). You
will also need to write a short description of your faith journey and provide a
recommendation from someone who knows you and your spiritual life well—a
pastor, community group leader, accountability partner, and so on.
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Spring Forward
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 14. Remember to
turn your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on
Saturday night.
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General announcements
The Oakwood ACORN is a bi-weekly E-newsletter from Oakwood Community
Church, published to keep our church family and friends informed about events
and people at Oakwood. Articles may be submitted via e-mail to
[email protected]. Article deadlines and publication schedule is:
Deadline Publication date News for dates including…
Feb 26 Mar 3 Mar 6 – Mar 19
Mar 12 Mar 17 Mar 20 – Apr 2
Mar 26 Mar 31 Apr 3 – Apr 16
Do you know someone at Oakwood with a noteworthy achievement? Send the
information to [email protected] and we’ll include it in a future article.
If you have received this email in error or want to be removed from our e-
newsletter distribution list, please hit the reply button and put “unsubscribe” in
the subject line and you will be removed immediately.
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11209 Casey Rd � Tampa, FL � 33618-5306
phone: 813-969-2303
facsimile: 813-969-0468 email: [email protected]
web: http://www.oakwoodfl.org