A Publication of the Oak Hill United Methodist Church
October 1, 2021

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Worship Service

Sunday, October 3
facebook.com/OakHillUMC

8:30 Early Worship
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
Communion Sunday

Everyone is welcome.
No Facebook account needed.

Pastor Stephen
"The Church Welcomes"
Part IV of the sermon series "The Church at its Best"

Get the Sunday Worship Bulletin

Newsletter News

Biweekly has two meanings, either twice a week or every two weeks. In our case it means the latter. "The Cornerstone" newsletter is moving to a biweekly publication. Or as our British cousins call it, once a fortnight. Also, we are suspending the publication of "What's the Good Word" as of this week. We plan to transform it into a devotional series in the Cornerstone.

So, every other Wednesday, there will be one newsletter with all the church goings on that are fit to print. We look forward to continuing to provide you with up-to-date announcements, celebrations, thanks, and devotionals all in one publication. Be sure to check your inbox Wednesday, October 13 for our first biweekly edition.

If you missed out on the first session of the Visioning Process or just want a summary of what was discussed, please click here to be a part of the process so far.

Tomorrow, October 2nd is our next session. During this process we will engage in holy conversations that will help us listen for God’s vision for this congregation. If you would like to join us, please click here to RSVP.

The process is being led by Ann Jenkins, a professor of psychology who has led church planning for more than a decade. She led the visioning process at Pastor Stephen’s previous congregation, and he assisted in her work with other congregations. Ann brings rich experience, a commitment to the Church, and a deep spiritual life that will help us listen to God and one another.

We are meeting three Saturdays this Fall – September 18, October 2, and October 16. Each session runs from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The sessions will be distinct and will build upon previous sessions. We would like to encourage you to participate in the process, even if you cannot attend all three sessions. Childcare and a light lunch will be provided.

The visioning process is extremely interactive and provide time for each of us to share our hopes and dreams for Oak Hill.

If you are interested in being a part of the visioning process please click here to let us know you plan to attend. This will allow us to prepare accordingly.

Oct. 2nd Prayer Walk Canceled

This week's Prayer Walk has been canceled due to expected rain and thunderstorms Saturday morning. Details about rescheduling will be forthcoming.

Questions: Contact Vicki Matustik at vicki@oakhillumc.org

Early Risers Rejoice

It's finally here! This Sunday we add an 8:30 am service to our worship schedule. This additional worship experience will allow us to reach people who prefer an earlier worship time. It will also give more space to spread out as we continue to practice social distancing.

For the time being, our 8:30 am service will be very similar in style and format to our 11:00am service. We are excited about one difference: we will celebrate Holy Communion each week at the early service as one of the ways we give thanks for all that Christ is doing in our lives.

Our 11:00 service will continue to be livestreamed on our website and Facebook page for those unable to attend in-person.

Blessing of the Animals

This Sunday, bring your pets to church at 3 pm for the blessing of the animals. Bring your favorite four-legged, two-legged, no-legged, furry, feathered, slimy, or scaly friend for a special blessing. We'll meet by the outdoor chapel.

Hand-Made Hospitality

We are continuing this ministry and need your help. We have sustained this ministry for more than a year with your help and we ask again. Folks at Esperanza have experienced your generosity and the blessings of hand-prepared food that is nourishing for the body and tastes so great.

The food requirements in this sign-up are reduced somewhat from previous ones as some former residents have moved to other facilities (blessings be to them). Click here to Sign Up for meal delivery to the Esperanza Community on Friday, October 8.

Please contact me with any questions.

Richard Reeves, rgreeves@sbcglobal.net, 512-470-1894

Two Opportunities To Make a Difference

Two upcoming events through Oak Hill offer participants an opportunity to truly make a difference in someone’s life.

A Home of Their Own – Habitat Build
On Saturday, Oct. 9, Oak Hill will send a team to work on the 2021 Methodist Habitat build, working to make the dream of a home ownership a reality for an Austin family.

Every two years Austin area Methodist churches work together to provide funding and volunteer workers for a Habitat home. The 2021 Habitat home is under construction in NE Austin at 7101 Zachary Drive, 78724. Oak Hill UMC has fulfilled its financial pledge of $9,000. We now needs volunteer workers for our two assigned work days - Oct. 9 and Nov. 13. If you can paint, chalk, hammer, or operate power tools, you can help construct the 2021 Methodist build and help this family realize their dream.

Ernie Rebuck leads the Oak Hill effort and will be in the courtyard on Sundays leading up to the work day to answer questions. To participate, please register at https://austinhabitat.volunteerhub.com/lp/oakhillumc

Please remember to sign the required liability waiver when you register.

A chance to stay at home for elderly and handicapped

The following week, we will partner with Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) to rehab and paint an Austin home. Often the homeowners are handicapped, elderly, or both. All have limited financial resources to make the necessary exterior repairs to keep the home safe and allow them to remain in their beloved home. A team from Oak Hill will work weekdays Oct. 11-15 to replace siding and window frames, and power wash the property. On Saturday, Oct. 16, we will finish our work by giving the home a fresh coat of paint.  We need many hands for paint day.  Can’t make it all day?  No problem, a few hours will help. Matt Bales will lead the construction crew working weekdays and Vicki Matustik is the contact for the paint team.

Volunteers can work as many hours as they have to give on either team. Matt and Vicki will also be in the courtyard to answer your questions and sign you up.

Contact Vicki Matustik at vicki@oakhillumc.org for questions about either the Habitat Build or the Hands on Housing project.

It’s a busy time for everyone, but these two opportunities afford you to be part of a life changing event for the homeowners we serve.

Sunday Morning Youth Gathering

This Sunday morning at 9:45am we will be gathering in the kitchen (off of the fellowship hall) to take a page out of the book of James and become doers of the word. We'll use our gathering time this week to assemble casseroles for one of our feeding ministries as we address the real need of hunger in our community. Come join us for this service opportunity, and if you're in need of service hours, I will be happy to sign off on those for you, too.

MYF Sunday Evening

We're back on campus again this Sunday, and our 8th Graders & High Schoolers will be kicking off a new lesson series called The Big Questions that will address key questions about identity, belonging, and purpose. Meanwhile, our 6th & 7th Graders will begin their confirmation journey with a lesson on the Bible. We've also got some good eats in store from the Open Doors Sunday School Class who will be providing our meal (sloppy joes, tater tots, raw veggies, and cookies) this Sunday. And we'll Poop the Potato and have a Books of the Bible Challenge during our game time. It's going to be GREAT, and I hope you can join us! And don't forget to invite your friends!

Central Texas Food Bank

Oak Hill brings a team to serve at Central Texas Food Bank each month. Our most recent team is pictured above. Our October service date is Thursday, Oct. 21 from 8:30 to noon. To sign up for the October event, click here: https://cafb.volunteerhub.com/lp/oakhillumc/

Each month, our team serves in the food bank warehouse inspecting and preparing food to be distributed to the more than 70,000 Central Texas households who rely on this service to put food on their table. The September team helped provide almost 7,500 meals in their morning shift. Not a bad use of a Thursday morning!

Questions? Contact Vicki Matustik at vicki@oakhillumc.org

Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors, a non-profit law office, welcomes refugees and immigrants into our communities by providing free, high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. Lizzie Wright, daughter of former OHUMC pastors Barbara Ruth and John Wright, is the executive director of JFON. For more information and virtual gala tickets, please click here.

Join us for Theology on Tap

Looking for a casual setting to connect with others and grow in your faith?

Pastor Stephen will lead a weekly conversation at a local pub. Visit around the table over food and your favorite beverage as we have honest discussions about life and faith. We’ll base our conversations on the same scripture passage that is used in worship each Sunday.

The location has outside seating where we spread out to stay safe. Parents, there’s a large playground for kids. The meeting time allows parents to drop off and pick up teenagers from Youth Group at the church.

If you need childcare, please let us know by Friday at 6 pm so that we have adequate staffing.
Click here to register for childcare.

Where: Waterloo Ice House on Escarpment
When: Sundays, 5:15 - 6:45 p.m.
September 12 - October 17
Who: Anyone interested in making new friends and having
honest conversation
Cost: Whatever you order. Remember to tip generously.

A Call to Prayer

Our church is engaged in a visioning process to explore where God is leading the people of Oak Hill United Methodist Church. A vital part of this process will be for us to pursue the heart of God through prayer. Your pastors invite you to take a moment each day to specifically pray for God to place God’s vision for OHUMC upon our hearts.

More specifically, we want to unite in prayer at the same time every day from now through the end of October. We invite you to set an alarm, mark off time in your planner, or send yourself a reminder to pray at 7:15 (am or pm - you choose!). You are welcome to use your own words, or you can recite the Vision Prayer below. Let’s unite our hearts in prayer as we seek God’s guidance for our future.

To download the Vision Prayer click here.

Job Opportunities

Oak Hill United Methodist Church is looking to fill four new positions. For full details on the positions and how to apply, please click on the job title.

Office Manager (Part Time) - Support the mission of Oak Hill by performing administrative functions for the church in order to empower the congregation to serve its mission.

Technical Director (Part Time) - The Technical Director leads Oak Hill UMC in its online, audio, and video ministries. This ministry will enable the church to worship with excellence both online and in person.

Day Porter Position (Part Time) - We are currently seeking an energetic and highly motivated individual to join our team as Day Porter. The Day Porter will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing, meeting rooms, classrooms, restrooms, kitchen, dining room and other common areas.

Custodial Position (Part Time - Evenings) - The custodial person will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing, classrooms, restrooms, kitchen and dining room and all other common areas. The ideal candidate for this position is detail-oriented, flexible and willing to take on non-routine cleaning and special task as the need arises.

COVID Safety Protocols

Our Responsible Return Team has listened to the guidance of public health officials and made changes to our COVID safety protocols. Out of Christian love for those who are not yet vaccinated:

We highly encourage everyone including children over two-years of age to wear a mask when gathered indoors with others
We highly encourage everyone to wear a mask when gathered outdoors if you are not practicing social distancing.
All worship leaders, including pastors, musicians, and church staff will wear masks indoors if they are in close proximity to others
Everyone working with children and youth will wear masks when gathered indoors. If outdoors and not practicing social distancing they will also wear masks.

We strongly urge all to get vaccinated and to wear masks while indoors. We cannot make more clear our desire to ensure our congregation is safe. Until the threat of COVID passes, we need to work together to slow the spread of this disease. Let’s live into Jesus’ call to act in love by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask.

Sunday School Classes

If no building or time is mentioned, classes will meet in the Adult Education Building from 9:45 - 10:35 a.m. each Sunday.

Children's Sunday School Gathering - Meet in the parking lot in front of the Children's Building - In Person - Contact Jennifer Barkis.
Christian Fellowship - Room 202A - In Person - Contact Alice Wiley.
Family Faith - Room 201A - In Person - Contact Kristen Bridgeman.
Friends in Faith (FIF) - Room 205 - In Person - Will Zoom simultaneously if requested. Contact Tina Hart
Friendship Bible Class - Room 203 - In Person - Will Zoom simultaneously if requested. Contact Chuck Feuerbacher
Open Door - Room 206 - In Person - Will Zoom simultaneously if requested. Contact Vicki Matustik.
Regenerates - Room 102 - In Person - Contact Susan Coffman.

Zooming & In Person

Girl's Choir - Host Gillian Westerman - Zoom - Meets Sundays from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Hillside Ringers - Handbell Choir - Contact Sarah Walton - Meets every other Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Mom2Mom - Book Club - Contact Catharine Corder - Meets in person in members' backyards and porches every other Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
UMW Book Club - Book Club - Contact Diana Goodloe - In Person - Meets the last Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday Morning Study Group - Contact Meryl Kettler.

Stephen Ministers care for people facing tough times through confidential, one-to-one Christian care. They provide the emotional and spiritual care needed when someone is faced with a crisis or difficulty such as grief, spiritual needs, health issues, relationship problems, job situations, or other life challenges. If you are in need of someone to share your concerns, or if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please email Alana Oehler or call her at 512-289-1988. For more information click on:
www.oakhillumc.org/stephen-ministry