A Publication of the Oak Hill United Methodist Church
November 24, 2021

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Worship Service

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

Everyone is welcome.

Worship with us online at
facebook.com/OakHillUMC
or https://www.oakhillumc.org/live
The 11:00 service is livestreamed.

The Pastors' Corner

A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with our high school youth about what making a difference in the world looks like. Our discussion began with the big names who managed to garner a great deal of success in business, or who brought important technological advancements into our lives. But eventually we got to, “If you can’t make the biggest difference, what does it look like to still make a difference?”

After giving it a little thought, one of our youth mentioned a sign that used to hang on one of the bridges in town that simply said, “You Matter,” and how she appreciated the person who put it there because it offered an important reminder for her each time she passed by. This modest affirmation of worth—two words—carry so much depth when we try so hard to find our place in this world. These words remind us that no matter who you are in life, no matter how grand or not your accomplishments may be, no matter what career path you follow or how much wealth you accumulate…no matter what, YOU matter.

And God tells us the same thing over and over. There is no question that each of us is valued and treasured because each of us carries our own maker’s mark - God’s own image. And, as if that wasn’t already enough, God made it all the more apparent at the cross. So whether it’s a sign on a bridge, a friendly word of encouragement, or the familiar image of the cross, like our youth in this season of thanks I am grateful for the everyday reminders that each of us is appreciated, loved, and valued - that we ALL matter.

And as we look for a way to make our own difference in the world, may we each be met with an opportunity to be that reminder for someone else.

In God’s peace,
Pastor Ryan

Youth Mission Meeting, Sunday, Nov. 28th

Youth and parents interested in finding out more information about our 2022 summer mission trips, we will be holding a Mission Trip Meeting prior to MYF at 4pm on Sunday, Nov. 28th in the Youth Classroom to share details and allow you to ask all of your questions. Registrations are happening now, so we are eager to get our youth signed up and reserve our spaces for these incredible, life-changing service opportunities!

6th & 7th Grade: June 12-16 (Sunday thru Thursday)
High School & 8th Grade: June 19-25 (Sunday thru Saturday)

December Prayer Walk

Prayer Walk December 4 at 9 am, McKinney Falls State Park. Meet at 8 am to carpool or caravan from the church parking lot, meet at park entrance if meeting on site. The park is located at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, Texas. Listen to Onion Creek flowing over limestone ledges and splashing into pools. Follow trails winding through the Hill Country woods, all of this lies within Austin’s city limits at McKinney Falls State Park - what are you waiting for? Sign up today at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4eaead2cabffce9-prayer

Darden Smith kicks off The Listening Room

Austin singer-songwriter Darden Smith kicked off the inaugural concert for The Listening Room at Oak Hill before a crowd of church and community members. Smith performed his own songs and often read from his book, "The Habit of Noticing" between songs. He was a master at both the guitar and piano during the concert that included two sets of approximately 45 minutes. During the intermission break, audience members had an opportunity to visit and enjoy snacks on the courtyard. If you were there, you were blessed; if you were not able to attend, you missed a great evening of fellowship and music. Watch for the second presentation of The Listening Room coming in early 2022.

Youth Fundraiser for Mission Trips

We're going to be sending our youth on two mission trips in 2022 to put their hands to work serving our neighbors, and we need your help getting them there! Although our Live Wreaths are sold out, you can still support our youth making a direct contribution to our Youth Missions Designated Fund through the giving page on our church website. Click here to give. Just select "Designated Fund" and write "Youth Missions" in the note section.
Thank you!

Youth Glove & Beanie Drive for Esperanza

The youth are teaming up with our Oak Hill UMC Community Ministries folks for a Glove & Beanie Drive to help keep our homeless friends in the Esperanza community warm this winter. We will be collecting items along with personal notes of encouragement on Sunday, December 5th and again at our Christmas Festival following worship on Sunday, December 12th, so that we can gift our friends with something special and needed as the weather turns colder. If you would like to partner with us in this effort, we would love your support, and you can drop off your contributions at the Connections Station after worship or at the Community Ministries Table during the Christmas Festival on December 12th.

Decorating for Advent

The Worship Committee will be decorating the sanctuary for Advent on Saturday, November 27 at 10 am. If you enjoy decorating, the team could use your help. There will be snacks provided. Contact Susan McBride for more details.

Feast of Caring

As you prepare your Thanksgiving celebration, please pray for those whose Thanksgiving will include wondering if they will be able to find food that day. Thanks to a team of Oak Hill volunteers, many were surprised to find a gift of a delicious meal awaiting them yesterday.

We delivered a Thanksgiving meal, complete with dessert to residents at Garden Terrace, a Foundation Communities Property on William Canon Drive, and to residents at the Esperanza Community. The meals were delivered under the leadership of June Johnson and Richard Reeves.

On Monday, Feed My Sheep, led by Meryl Kettler and Donna Broberg delivered casseroles, fresh fruit and sweet treats to those depending on Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, for their daily meal. We will also be providing the rolls and cranberry sauce as part of a broader community effort to provide a meal on Thanksgiving Day to those who depend on Sunrise - and us - for food.

Thank you, Oak Hill - to the shoppers, the cooks, the assembly workers, the delivery team, and the leadership team for being the hands and feet of Christ. Your gifts to this church help assure that these ministries continue to show Christian love to our neighbors in need.

Christmas Poinsettias

Oak Hill is offering beautiful potted poinsettias for sale. The cost is $15 each. These festive flowers will be used to decorate the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve services. Orders can be placed filling out the card enclosed in upcoming bulletins. Poinsettias must be ordered by December 10th.

Checks can be dropped off at the church office, or you can use our online site. Simply go to the church online Giving website. Scroll down to "My Donation." Select "General Fund Non-pledged" from the "Fund" drop-down menu. Enter "Poinsettias" in the "Notes" box and enter 15 under "Amount." Enter the method by which you would like to pay and click submit to complete your order.

Poinsettias may be picked up on Christmas Eve after the 7 pm service. Any still in the Sanctuary after Tuesday will be donated.

Surviving the Holidays

Welcome to "Surviving the Holidays" at Oak Hill United Methodist Church! We are excited to offer this one-time seminar for you as you deal with the death of your loved one. The holidays, with their traditions and family gatherings, are especially challenging for those who are grieving. Whether that loss occurred long ago or recently, you may feel confused and alone - maybe even angry. You may have questions about what to expect as you wind your way through your grief. At "Surviving the Holidays," you'll find support and understanding, as well as help in creating a plan for how you might face the holiday season unafraid.

Your only cost is $5.00 for the Participant book, which is payable at the first meeting (cash or checks, please). Registration forms will also be completed at that time. Scholarships are available for the cost of the Participant book.

Please note: all safety & sanitation measures related to the COVID-19 virus will be observed. Face masks are recommended.

Come join us for "Surviving the Holidays," as we share this meaningful 2-hour seminar together. You need not make this journey alone. For God is faithful and healing is possible! Contact Diane Merwarth for more information.

Saturday, December 11^th from 10:00 a.m. – noon
Room 101A (Parlor) in the Adult Education Building

UMW Book Club

Our November/December combined selection is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Our meeting will be on Thursday morning, December 2, at 10:00. We plan to meet in person in the Adult Education Building Room 101 or by Zoom, if you prefer. If you are new to the group, I will be happy to add you to our email list. Contact me if you have any questions,
Diana Goodloe.

Coats for Kids

The cold weather is coming and it is time to get coats to the needy children. OHUMC has taken part in the "Coats for Kids" campaign in the past and we are asking you to help again this year. Search your closets and bring in slightly used coats. There is a barrel for coats in the lobby. Sizes needed are toddlers up to teenagers. The drive will end December 7th. Please help make this a warm Christmas for some needy child. Click here for the poster.

Thanks,
George Kennebeck

Gifts for the Christ Child

This year we are directing gifts for the Christ Child to benefit the Central Texas Food Bank. The food bank is currently serving 75,000 people weekly in its 21-county service area. People being served by the food bank include children, adults, and the elderly. Please prayerfully consider how you can help. If you would like to make a donation, simply click here to make your gift. Just select "Designated Fund" and write "Christ Child" in the note section. Specifics about our campaign this year will be coming soon.

Wednesday Morning Advent Study

The Wednesday morning Study Group invites you to join them in their Advent celebrations this year. Jeannine Inbody will lead Advent discussions each Wednesday—no book is necessary. We will meet December 1 and 8 at 10 am in Room A201. A potluck brunch, where the Preschool children will present us with a short program, will be held in the Fellowship Hall on December 15. We’ll provide the meat so a side or dessert that serves 4-6 people is plenty to bring along. We’ll be singing a few Christmas carols as we conclude our fellowship together. For more information, contact Marilyn Cannon.

If you sponsor a Burke Boy, please bring your Christmas gifts and cards so Alison can collect and deliver them. Even if you haven’t been able to attend a study in the past, you are welcome to join in any of these Wednesday activities and maybe even make a few new friends.

Help Support the Burke Boys' Foundation

Delightful hand painted ornaments and nativity sets will be available December 5th & 12th in the Courtyard. Ornaments are $4.00; Nativity Sets are $20.00. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Burke Boy’s Foundation.

Churchwide Christmas Festival and Dinner

After services on Sunday, December 12, let’s join together for a churchwide Christmas Festival from noon until 2 pm. There will be good food, Christmas carols, and lots of activities for young and old alike. The United Methodist Men will be cooking up some of their famous smoked barbecue. The United Methodist Women are asking that you bring your favorite side dish or dessert to complement the BBQ—It’s going to be an old fashioned covered dish affair.

There will be ladies in the Fellowship Hall accepting your delicious dishes that morning. Dinner will be held outside in the courtyard. For the youth and young at heart there will be cookie decorating and crafts. We’ll have a fire pit with smores aplenty, a gourmet hot chocolate bar, and an old time hayride. Let’s come together and experience joy this holiday season.

To sign up to bring a dish, salad, dessert or just to help setup, please click here. If you have questions or have time to help with some of the activities, stop by the Connection Station on Sunday morning or contact Vicki Matustik at vicki@oakhillumc.org

Oak Hill United Methodist Church is hosting another blood drive! Come lend a helping arm and save local lives. It’s easy, just click here to make an appointment online. We’ll be stationed in the Parking Lot.

If you have eligibility questions, check out We Are Blood’s website. If you have more specific questions or would like assistance signing up, call We Are Blood at 512-206-1266.

For questions specific to our drive, email Jennifer Freel, or call (512) 739-8414.

Mary Martha Christmas Luncheon

Please reserve Monday, December 13, 2021 from 11 am – 1 pm in the Fellowship Hall for a luncheon of the Mary Martha Circle. The children of the Oak Hill UMC Pre-School will provide the entertainment. We are asking each person to bring a salad or a desert to share, and to wear a face mask when going through the serving line.

If you have a nativity set you would like to use as a table decoration for the luncheon, please contact Mary Allen at 325-226-3121 or

mracha61@yahoo.com. If you can help with the set up and/or take down, please contact Carolyn Blackwood at 512-784-4462 or cblackwood@austin.rr.com. There will be a collection for the Burke Boys Center, if you would like to contribute.

Please RSVP by December 8 to Mary Aubra Tidwell at 281-844-6795 or maryaubra@gmail.com

Hope to see you on Monday, December 13!

Christmas Eve Is Only One Month Away!

Check out our Christmas website for all of the upcoming Christmas festivities, cantatas, worship services, special services, and activities. They're all here so make plans to join together this Christmas season.

Rada Cutlery Fundraiser

Christmas comes but once a year! The holidays are right around the corner. If you have people on your gift list that need some Rada Cutlery in their lives, please place your order today! Gift sets and stocking stuffers galore. Every purchase you make using the shopping link below helps Oak Hill UMC. Thank you for your support! Click here to browse the catalog and place your order.

The Freeze Shelter Returns

Cold weather is just around the corner. For our friends experiencing homelessness, freezing nights are potentially life threatening. Oak Hill, along with our partner ministries in the Oak Hill Community Alliance, are planning to welcome our homeless neighbors shelter from the cold with the return of our freeze night shelters.

Of course, our ability to offer this life saving ministry is dependent upon the status of COVID in our area. Currently, we feel safe in making plans. The shelter will be either at Austin Oaks Church or back at Oak Hill UMC.

There are jobs for on-site and off-site volunteers.
On-site jobs include serving on our teams for set up/clean up, food serving, evening and overnight hosts. Participants who prefer off-site service can help with food ministries by making casseroles or sweets at home or shopping for snacks and fruit to drop off. We will also need volunteers to pick up a bag of blankets or towels after the shelter closes to launder at home and return to church.

Can you help? If so, drop by the Connection Station on Sundays to chat with Vicki Matustik or send her email to vicki@oakhillumc.org and let her know what job you are willing to serve. If you have already responded, no need to repeat.

Job Opportunities

Oak Hill United Methodist Church is looking to fill four 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.

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 Precautions

We are thankful that the number of COVID cases has dropped significantly in Austin. Public Health officials have moved Austin to Stage 3.

While the situation is significantly improved, we still have among us people who are vulnerable to the virus, particularly children too young to be vaccinated. Out of Christian love for those 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.
The kitchen is open for use and holding meals in the Fellowship Hall is permitted. We ask that you only unmask while you are eating.

The Responsible Return Team continues to listen to the guidance of public health officials. As conditions improve, we will further adjust our guidelines.

We know this has been a difficult season for many of us. We are finaly starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s continue to act in Christian love and compassion for all of God’s children.

Sunday School Classes

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

Children's Sunday School Gathering - Meet in the Great Room 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) - Zoom - Contact Paul & Diana Nelson
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

Hillside Ringers - Handbell Choir - Contact Sarah Walton - Meets other Sunday at 4:00 pm
Mom2Mom - Book Club - Contact Catharine Corder - Meets in person in members' backyards and porches every other Thursday at 7:30 pm
UMW Book Club - Book Club - Contact Diana Goodloe - In Person - Meets the last Thursday of the month at 10:00 am
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