As I shared on September 5, God’s been convicting me over the past ten weeks to keep short accounts with others. Sharing quickly with others how they’ve impacted me—from a vulnerable place rather than anger—helps prevent bitterness from growing: “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15). I’m afraid Oasis has developed a culture of not keeping short accounts with each other. Many of us have held onto grudges rather than approach the person who hurt us. Or perhaps we went to them but when they didn’t respond appropriately or nothing happened, we refused to go back a second time, or a third time, or bring someone with us to mediate in love. Instead, we went to other people and told them how hurt we were. God’s inviting us to stop sharing with third parties how another has offended us. I’m convinced my refusal to keep short accounts has grown “up to cause trouble and defile many” of you. So, please forgive me. And join with me in going directly to the one who’s offended us in a spirit of compassion for the sake of each other, the mission of Jesus, and the Kingdom of God.
Oasis, it’s almost time for our Potter’s Wheel Retreat, October 15-17, 2021, at Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David. Potter’s Wheel Retreat is an inspiring opportunity for each of us to see how our story impacts us and why we struggle the way we do. This retreat provides a safe place for personal transformation and intimate relationships to develop. Potter’s Wheel Retreat also provides an opportunity for us to answer the question: “So, what’s God inviting me into?” Registration ends soon, so register now for $195/person. Your registration includes two nights lodging and six meals. To register or for more information, go here. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore God’s invitation!
Our next Potter’s Wheel 2 is January 24-28, 2022, and we have three spots remaining. If you’ve already been through Potter’s Wheel 1 and would like to learn how you can lead others along the path of wisdom, maturity, and dependence on God, join us by registering here. You'll learn how to help others identify disappointed longings, recognize their unhealthy and sinful relational patterns designed to avoid pain, invite them into repentance, and walk them toward dependence on God. Each morning we'll learn about the four stage/three shift model and each afternoon we'll practice what we learned during our lab. Use the code MEMBERRATE for singles or OASISCOUPLERATE for couples to enjoy the Oasis member-only discounts of 50% off.
On Sunday, we continued our new series, Job: How to Suffer Well, with a message from chapter two on Our Suffering and God’s Mercy. If you missed it, go here to watch or hear it. This Sunday, we’ll explore Our Suffering and God’s Invitation (Job 3).
I hope you have a wonderful week. I love serving as your pastor!
D'Amour home church celebrates September birthdays
Home Church Leaders of the Week Bob & Eva Koltanowski
Our home church meets on Wednesdays at 6:30pm in Rita Ranch.
Contact us at 520-850-2176.
Origins: Chicago (Bob) and Southern California (Eva)
Favorite teams: Chicago Blackhawks
Hobbies: Golf, tennis, and softball
Favorite vacation spots: Anyplace with water
Favorite TV: Golf channel (Bob), Anything home improvement (Eva)
Favorite music: K-Love, FamilyLife
Favorite movies: Hunt for Red October, Italian Job (Bob), The Proposal, Hitch (Eva)
Favorite food: BBQ (Bob), Hot Dogs (Eva)
Part of every Oasis offering supports the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, 425 churches in Arizona who work together to make disciples of all peoples in Arizona and around the world. One of the organizations receiving that money is the Arizona Baptist Children's Services & Family Ministries whose mission is to provide hope and care to hurting children and families through Christ-centered ministries. Here's a prayer request this week:
Please pray for Arms of Love Foster Care, a program of the Arizona Baptist Children's Services that's licensed and contracted by the state of Arizona to provide foster care and adoption services for those wishing to provide safe, loving homes for children in care. Services include monthly home visits, regular telephone contact, ongoing training, material support, foster care licensing and adoption certification. Pray that God will continue to raise up godly foster parents and people willing to provide respite to foster parents who need a break.
Finances
August Expenses
$23,118
August Contributions
Designated Funds: $4,310
General Funds: $23,681
Total: $27,991
August Savings
$0.00
Over/Under for August
$4,873
2021 YTD Income
$289,226
2021 YTD Expenses
$306,684
2021 YTD Over/Under $17,458
No Birthdays
Important Dates
10/15-17 Potter's Wheel Retreat
11/07 Serving teams luncheon
12/10 Annual Christmas Party
1/23 Beta Banquet
1/24-28 Potter's Wheel 2
We have $137,595 in long-term savings. We made $57 interest in September and didn't transfer money to savings.
Keep praying for God to intercede on securing a loan to build our first building.
If you aren't currently serving on a team, please consider joining our Camera Team. Members of the camera team volunteer on a rotating basis to operate the video camera at the back of the dining auditorium on Sunday mornings. They capture video of the service for those who join our livestream and who watch the message later. We'll provide all the training you need and it's easier than you think. If you're interested, please contact Clayton at cyclingclay@gmail.com.
Though it doesn't apply to the camera team, we have nursery workers available on Sundays at 7:30am, so you can always bring your small children with you when you serve!
One of our sister churches is Neighborhood Church, led by our friend, Kyle Coffin.
This week, Kyle asks us to pray for Neighborhood Church in the following ways:
Continued new growth that started a few months ago when folks started coming back to church gatherings “post COVID.” That growth has stymied a bit since I guess we’re not yet in “post COVID” mode…
Increased Home Group attendance (we like to be around 85% of members in home groups, but we’re probably closer to 60% right now).
We begin a new sermon series in October on “Biblical Family Roles,” and I’d love prayer for wisdom and courage to preach God’s Truth in Love.
Thank you for praying for our friends!
Our mission is to care for broken people so they learn to care for others through Jesus Christ.
Hall family baby announcement
We're a network of home churches committed to reproduce leaders for the Kingdom of God.
