March 19, 2020
You have already heard it said by many people, including us, but it bears repeating. We are walking through uncharted territory. None of us know how long this will last, or all that might be required of us, but we do know that God is with us. As so many things are changing, uncertain, and unsteady, Oakland Baptist Church is here to be a calm and steady presence for you. The way we interact with one a nother will look different, but we are still here!

Like every other church, we are learning what it means to be church through a pandemic: worshipping completely online and ministering completely through phone and email. We have begun offering ways to maintain our sense of community and we will continue to add to those as we learn best practices. Some of this will be trial and error. We appreciate any feedback and ideas you may have to offer.

Please connect with us on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/obcrockhill). We are daily posting devotions, activities and questions that we hope you will interact with. If you do not have a facebook account, but are interested in setting one up, check out the instructions and tutorials below.
Connecting through Facebook

If you are interested in creating a Facebook account but are not sure where to start, here are a few YouTube tutorials that could be helpful.

Do not let these videos overwhelm you. It is not necessary to immediately upload a profile picture or fill in information, such as your high school gradation date. The important step is signing up so that you can join our OBC Facebook Community.

Once you have created a profile, click here to connect to our page. Under each post there is a box that says, comment here. We encourage you to comment! We want to hear from you as we seek to continue being a community from a distance.
CLICK HERE to read the most recent letter from Pastor Jeff concerning OBC's response to COVID-19.
Worship on Sunday

On Sunday, though we will not gather in the Sanctuary, it is important that we all pause for a time of worship. You will receive an email on Saturday with an order of worship, a link to the recording of the service, and Sunday School material for children, youth and adults. Worship will be pre-recorded, so you can watch it whenever you would like, but we do encourage you to treat it with the same sacred spirit that you would if we were together. Take a break from whatever else you are doing, silence your phone, and perhaps put a cross or candle where you are worshipping.

Links to worship will also be available on our website and social media pages.
Other Opportunities to Connect

ADULTS: We are offering Sunday School classes the opportunity to connect with each other through a video conferencing platform. If "video conferencing platform" sounds like Greek to you, do not worry! As a class member all you will have to do is click on a provided link to connect. Teachers, please contact Leigh (lreynolds@oaklandchurch.com) by Friday at Noon if you would like to use this option.

YOUTH: Leigh will have virtual Youth Group on Sunday night at 8PM! This will be an opportunity to check in with each other, pray together and brain storm fun and creative ways to continue to "meet" together.

CHILDREN: Kim is reading stories and providing devotions periodically on the OBC Children's Ministry Page.

Unfortunately, this is likely a marathon rather than a sprint. Our staff will continue to do everything we can to utilize technology and keep us all connected. If you have ideas, feel free to share them with us! You can email ideas to Leigh (lreynolds@oaklandchurch.com)
We Are Here For You!

As Pastor Jeff said in the letter that was emailed earlier in the week:

If you need to speak with someone, please reach out to a minister or your deacon. Also, you can still use the minister on call number (803-328-3864, Ext. 0). We are here to listen and help in ways that we are able. 

For those in need of grocery assistance, we have set up a delivery system. We understand that elderly and vulnerable individuals may not feel comfortable venturing to the store. Please let the church office know if you are in need and would like groceries delivered to your home. 
The Ministry Center drop box is closed until further notice. Please hold your donations until our volunteers are able to be back together to receive and sort them. As always, thank you for your continued support of this great ministry.
Habitat Workday
Saturday, May 2

We do not know when life will return to normal, but go ahead and put May 2 on your calendar. After all these days of being away from each other, what could be better than sharing in a day of fellowship and community service as we participate in Habitat for Humanity Group Build. All skill levels are welcomed! Click the corresponding buttons below to learn more about the homeowner and how you can help, to sign up to help with construction, and to sign up to provide snacks. As we get closer to May 2 we will have a better idea of whether this opportunity will be able to take place but we appreciate you holding the date on your calendar.
VBS at OBC
Registration is now open!

Join us June 15-19 for Vacation Bible School, as we take a ride on the Rocky Railway and learn all the ways Jesus' power pulls us through. VBS will begin at 9AM each day and end at Noon, and children currently in grades 4k- 5th grade are invited to register for this exciting week. Classes for Nursery and 2/3 year olds are available for parents helping during VBS. To sign your child(ren) up, click the "My Child Can't Wait" button below.

Volunteers are needed! If you can help lead children during VBS, please sign up by clicking the "I'll Help!" button below or by contacting Kim Shaw at kshaw@oaklandchurch.com
Save the date for a special ONE Worship and luncheon on July 12 as we celebrate 70 years of Oakland Baptist Church being the presence of Christ at the crossroads of life. Rev. Dr. Jay Kieve, Coordinator of CBF SC will be preaching. Please click "Sign Me Up" below if you plan to join us for lunch.

Sunday School: 9:30AM
Worship: 10:30AM
Lunch: Following Worship
Retreat With Us!

We hope you will take advantage of opportunities to retreat with your church family this year. Below are three opportunities. Please mark your calendar and let us know if you plan to attend.

  • Soul Training Retreat: June 26-28, 2020
It's a stay-cation retreat. We will gather at OBC on Friday evening and Saturday morning for food, fellowship, and faith development. James Bryan Smith's  The Good and Beautiful  trilogy is intended to be a catalyst for lifelong change. Throughout the weekend we will work on our own soul training plan which will guide us as we live as those in whom Christ dwells.

We will begin at 5:30PM on Friday evening with dinner and end at 1:00PM on Saturday with lunch. There will be childcare for those in 5th grade and below. The cost is $25/adult.

  • Marriage Enrichment Retreat: September 25-27, 2020
Join us for a weekend of renewal as we worship, fellowship, and study. Our sessions will be led by Rev. Dr. John Roy who is the senior minister at Pelham Road Baptist Church in Greenville, SC . We will be staying at the beautiful Terrace Inn which is surrounded by mountains and overlooks the lake. We have NINE rooms left . Sign up today to claim one of the remaining rooms. The cost is $350/couple. Please submit a $50 deposit to the church office to secure your spot.

  • Women's Retreat: October 23-25, 2020
Our 2020 Women's Retreat will be at Montreat Conference Center. We will be staying in the beautiful and historic Assembly Inn, enjoying the food, shopping, and nature that makes Black Mountain special, making new friends, strengthening relationships with old friends, and most importantly growing in our faith. The cost of this retreat is $150/person.

Please click the button below to sign-up for the retreats you plan to attend.
#growingatobc

We invite you to help share our story this year by posting pictures from events (Sunday School, Worship, Bible Study, Meals and more) and including in your caption #growingatobc. We would also love for you to tag us on Facebook and Instagram @obcrockhill when you post pictures from OBC.
Thank you for helping us be the presence of Christ at the crossroads of life through your financial contributions. Click the button to give online.  You will be directed to a secure PayPal link which allows you to use your debit or credit card to make online contributions.
March 22: Betty Lou Land, Marsha Stockunas
March 23: Blaine Lahrs
March 24: David Shrum
March 25: Neil Chastain
March 26: Caroline Krueger, Victoria Waldrop
March 27: Rosaline Cook, Van Perry
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Click the button below to see what's happening at OBC this month.
March 15, 2020

Budget Total Receipts: $35,580.34
Budget Needed Weekly: $18,389.00
Budget Required YTD: $202,729.00
Budget Received YTD: $194,976.80
Over/(Under) Budget:$(7,752.20)
Expenses YTD: $183,113.62
Got News?
If you have an announcement for the Weekly Update, please send it to the church office by Monday at noon!  obcoffice@oaklandchurch.com
Minister On Call

If you have an emergency or need to speak with one of our ministers after office hours or over the weekend, please call 803-328-3864 and press 0 to leave a message for the on call minister. Your phone call will be returned quickly.