Oakland's Response
to the spread of COVID-19
From Pastor Jeff:
Once again, I am writing to keep you up to date on Oakland’s response to the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday, March 31st, Governor Henry McMaster ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses in South Carolina. While none of us would ever consider the church “non-essential,” we do recognize the work of the church can be conducted from a variety of places outside the church building.
In conjunction with our Deacon Chair Susan York, Personnel Chair Heath Sessions, and Finance Chair Carl Compton, we have made the decision to close the church office beginning Friday, April 3 until Friday, April 17. Ministers and staff will continue working from home during this time. The office will reopen on Monday, April 20th. Of course, this closure may be extended as we await the decisions of government officials in the coming weeks [...]
Click the button below to read the entire letter from Pastor Jeff about Oakland's response to the spread of COVID-19.
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There are many ways people are continuing to be the presence of Christ in their communities, even from a distance. Each week the Update will include three ways for you to be the presence of Christ in Rock Hill.
Over the next week we encourage you to do one or more of the following:
- Write cards and/or draw pictures for our friends who live alone. If you would like a list of people, click the button below and we will send you the names and addresses of four people.
- Have a meal delivered to a friend or neighbor who is not able to get out. A surprise pizza delivery would make anyone smile!
- Post a positive thought or favorite scripture verse for seven straight days on your social media account.
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Worship on Sundays
While we are unable to worship together in these days of social distancing, it is important that we still pause for a time of worship each week.
Everything you need for Worship and Sunday School will be available on our website by 7AM each Sunday. You will find links to a Worship Guide, a recording of Worship, and Sunday
School material for children, youth, and adults by clicking below on the button labeled"Sunday's Worship." You can access the links to prior weeks by clicking below on the button labeled "Worship Archive."
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Palm Parade
We may not be able to wave our palm branches in the sanctuary on Sunday, but we invite you make one of your own and join in our Palm Parade.
Below you will find a palm branch template that you can print and color (yes, adults you can do this, too!). Also, a quick google search will give you multiple ways to turn a piece of green construction paper into a palm branch. If you're not feeling crafty, a pretty green leaf from your yard will work just fine.
Whichever option you choose we do encourage you to have something green to wave as you worship. And make sure you join our palm parade by posting a picture on our
Facebook Page.
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Holy Week
Holy Week Devotions: Our 70th Anniversary Committee has created a Holy Week Devotional for you. Each day, from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday you will receive an email with a devotion written by members of OBC.
Maundy Thursday: On Thursday, April 10, both in the Weekly Update and in an additional email, you will receive a link to our Maundy Thursday Worship Service. During the service you will be invited to share in Communion, as we remember the Last Supper. We encourage you to have communion elements available, be they bread and grape juice, crackers and water, or even a powdered doughnut and gatorade. The actual elements are not nearly as important as sharing in the remembrance of Jesus' final meal.
Good Friday: On Friday, April 10 at 7AM, you will receive an email with a Good Friday worship experience. This template will guide you through a time of prayer and reflection, as you prepare your heart to sing
Alleluia on Easter Morning.
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Prayer and Encouragement
Wednesdays at 6PM
You are invited to join our ministers online on Wednesdays for a time of pray
er and encouragement. You can connect through your computer by using a Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser to open the following link:
meet.google.com/knr-vaxk-xez
. You can connect with your phone by dialing 1-516-654-4631 and then entering the following PIN: 487 500 557#
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Other Opportunities to Connect
ADULTS:
Sunday School classes are video conferencing and teleconferencing each Sunday morning. If you are not currently in a class, or your Sundays are generally spent teaching children and youth, we invite you to participate in one of our online classes. Email Leigh (lreynolds@oaklandchurch.com) and we will get you connected.
YOUTH: Join Leigh on Zoom each Sundays and Wednesdays at 7:30PM. We will check-in with each other, have a devotion and prayer. If you haven't received the meeting ID, email her (lreynolds@oaklandchurch.com).
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)
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The Good and Beautiful Community
study postponed
We had planned to begin our study of James Bryan Smith's
The Good and Beautiful Community on April 26. We have decided to postpone the final book of this three part series until the Fall. While we are doing our best to create community from a distance, to fully engage in this book we need to be together. Alternate Sunday School material will be distributed to teachers in the coming weeks.
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We Are Here For You!
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.
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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.
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Easter Lily Benevolence Fund
Even though we will not be gathering in a Sanctuary adorned with beautiful lilies on Easter, you may still make donations to the Easter Lily Benevolence Fund. All donations will benefit the Ministry Center which, when we are able to return to normal activity, will be busy with many who are in need of assistance.
To make a donation you can mail a check to the church, or use the "Donation" button below. Click on the "Easter Lilies" button below to let us know who your donation is being made in memory or honor of.
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It's a BREEZE
Have you connected with us on Breeze, our Church Management software? If not, click the button below and connect today! Breeze gives you easy access to people's phone numbers and emails. It also allows you to give online and easily view our events calendar (which is currently empty).
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Deacon Elections
Deacon elections will be moved forward one month. Nominations will take place in May with an election Sunday to be determined in June.
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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.
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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
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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
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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: POSTPONED
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.
- 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.
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#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.
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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 link which allows you to use your debit or credit card to make online contributions.
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April 5: Rachel Flenniken, Kathryn Johnson
April 6: Kaitlin Whitesell, Cooper Hartzog, Benjamin Hayes
April 7: Diane Marion, Libby Love, Nolan Faulkenberry
April 8: Lucy Ann Smith
April 9: Richard Sealy, Brian Fortenberry
April 10: Walter Johnson
April 11: Mack Jones, Jerry Couick, Nancy Snipes, Kathy Woodin, Gerald Timmons
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Click the button below to see what's happening at OBC this month.
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NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF PUBLICATION
March 29, 2020
Budget Total Receipts: $
Budget Needed Weekly: $18,389.00
Budget Required YTD: $
Budget Received YTD: $
Over/(Under) Budget:$()
Expenses YTD: $
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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.
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