Love God. Love neighbor.
The only thing that counts is faith
expressing itself through love.
Gal. 5:6
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News in a Nutshell
Week of July 1, 2020
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You may use these same links each week; they do not change.
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We will worship together
virtually
on July 5, at 10 a.m.
See links above.
In-person Worship is suspended until further notice.
See Guidelines from our Regathering Task Force below.
NOTE: "Not meeting in-person" does not equal "not meeting."
Worship, and most Programs, Committees, Music Rehearsals, Session, Deacons, Stephen Ministers, Women's Circles, and other groups continue to meet virtually.
The calendar on our website includes events as they are confirmed.
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Guidelines from Task Force on Regathering
On Mon., June 15, OAPC's Session, voted to approve the guidelines
created by OAPC's Task Force on Regathering.
When most people think of "reopening" or "regathering" as a church, they think we set a Sunday date, and then everything goes back to the way it used to be. Not so. OAPC's process for determining worship in the sanctuary will be guided by statistical data, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). Regathering will work in four phases.
For more detailed information, view the complete document, as approved,
here
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Church Office Closed on Fri., July 3
The Church office will be closed this Friday for the Independence Day Holiday, and will reopen on Mon., July 6, at 9 a.m. We wish you a safe and healthy 4th of July celebration.
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Photos from Parking Lot Prayers Chalk Event
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Coming together for Scripture, Prayers & Community
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The Ringing Bandits
Revelation Ringers
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Revelation Ringers Handbell Choir
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Choirs Continue to Zoom Along!
The Chancel Choir and Revelation Ringers have continued to gather each week by Zoom
to sing, pat out a few rhythms, or simply spend time in prayer for those in our congregation
and beyond. We've even played Choir and Bell Bingo and learned
more about ourselves through a little game of "Who Knows Me?"
We are blessed at OAPC with so many individuals willing to share their talents. BUT, there is still room for YOU to join us. If you've thought about joining the choir, bells or instrumental ensemble, and just haven't taken the step, please consider joining us to just try us out when we return to in-person rehearsals. There's room for ALL in our music programs and it's a great way to lead our congregation in worship and more importantly,
build relationships
with fellow OAPCers. I hope that you will prayerfully consider joining us in the Fall.
Ed West
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Backyard Bethelwoods "Camp in a Box"
With no in-person Vacation Bible School or on-site summer camp this year, Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center is offering “Camp in a Box.” Activities can be completed by children or families.
Each box will include the following;
5 Bible Studies.
3 Self Guided Activities.
Daily Challenges to earn points towards Bethelwoods Swag.
Talk Cards for the family.
Access to online Zoom meetings with their trained Summer Staff (by age group).
Classic camp craft supplies.
Additional online content (videos of games, songs, crafts, etc.), and access to their private
Facebook Group where they will be posting additional fun videos, announcements, etc.
The boxes are available for a donation of $20 (or more, to help extend this to additional families.) To order and find further information, click
here.
If you'd like to donate supplies for the boxes, they invite you to do that as well through their Amazon wish list -- click
here.
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Elona Street Stewart and Gregory Bentley Elected Co-Moderators of GA224
Teaching Elder Gregory J. Bentley and Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart were elected on
June 20, as Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Bentley pastors the Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama, and is endorsed by the Presbytery of N
orth Alabama. Street-Stewart is synod executive of the
Synod of Lakes and Prairies and is endorsed by the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. She is the the first Native American co-moderator, and is from the
Delaware Nanticoke
tribe
Both cite their own heritage and the dramatic influence of the PC(USA)
on their lives as the foundation of their desire to serve the wider church.
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HOPE Garden is Flourishing
This aerial view of the HOPE Garden was taken during the OAPC Parking Lot Prayers Chalk Event.
What a beautiful view of the handiwork
of God and His gardeners.
In early spring the gardeners were able to take a bountiful crop of carrots to HOPE House. Soon they will be able to take
green beans. Other crops which are doing well are
crowder peas and potatoes. Flowers are plentiful
if you know someone who needs cheering up.
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Providence Presbytery Virtual Music Festival
Have you watched the first Providence Presbytery Virtual Music Festival?
Or view on YouTube, click
here
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Rev. Mark Adams and his wife Miriam Maldonado,
with Frontera de Cristo and Just Coffee
"The border is not just a physical place. When you open your heart to it, it’s a place of encounter.” That was the challenge offered to Zoom participants in a recent “Coffee and Conversations” webinar hosted by mission co-workers, the Rev. Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado, serving with Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyterian border ministry located in the sister cities of Agua Prieta, Mexico, and Douglas, Arizona. Read the Article on
Presbyterian Mission.org
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You may continue to purchase delicious, fair-trade coffee, supporting our Mission Partners at Frontera de Cristo in Mexico. Pick up coffee in the Welcome Center, Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.-noon. Use payment envelopes (available in the coffee basket) and place them in the Registration drawer (on the right, just inside the office door, below the mailboxes).
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The STARmobil
e
Will Soon be on the Move
This summer, the STAR program is going to try a new way to keep our STAR students reading—we are going to loan two books to each STAR student every week, delivering them in the STARmobile (aka OAPC bus), along with a few other fun surprises! You can help us by donating gently-used books your children or grandchildren have outgrown. Or, you can buy some new ones you think would interest 1st through 5th graders!
If you still have books to drop off, please bring them to the plastic bin labeled "STARmobile Books" in the Welcome Center.
If you have questions,
or need a book pick-up, call Barb Penny. 803-322-5702.
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The quarterly devotionals, “These Days: Daily Devotions for Living by Faith” are available at the church. You may pick up one in the Welcome Center (on the table near the elevator,) request one by email:
[email protected]
,
or call the Church office, and we will mail one to you.
Click
here
for
July
daily devotions,
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Ways to Better Understand Racial Tensions in our Society
One of our sister churches in Charlotte, Myers Park Presbyterian, has issued a 21-day “Racial Equity Challenge” to its members and to other churches. The challenge is to read, listen, and notice issues we must not hide from. This challenge began on Pentecost, but you can still join. Go to
www.oapc.link/Racial-Equity
If you'd like to pursue further information on this topic,
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PC(USA) Offers Action Alert
in Response to Murder of George Floyd
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness has released a statement, expressing outrage about the death of George Floyd.
You are encouraged to contact your member of Congress demanding legislation that defines radicalized police violence as a hate crime. Click
here
to read more.
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New Stephen Ministers have Completed Training
The Final training class for new Stephen Ministers was held June 4, 2020 via Zoom. There are now three new Stephen Ministers. They are Stephanie Hyatt, Sally Shive and Spike Tilden. Congratulations to all three for completing 50 hours of training. They have been faithful, enthusiastic and have shown tremendous insight and compassion. We look forward to their service as Stephen Ministers at OAPC. We have not yet scheduled a Commissioning Service. We will schedule this once we have returned to in-person church worship. In the meantime please take some time via email, phone or a card to congratulate them.
Thank you also to the many instructors, Stephen Leaders, and Stephen Ministers who made it possible to conduct this training and learned new technology to allow us to continue the training even after the church had to suspend in-person meetings.
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OAPC Financial Update
Three months have passed since we last had physical in-person church. During this time, there has been much anxiety and uncertainty throughout all facets of life due to the Covid-19 (Corona) virus. The Finance Committee would like to report to everyone that our church is currently
on-track and on-budget financially through May. Our 2020 revenues ($481,000 actual versus $492,000 in 2019) and our expenditures ($425,000 actual versus $452,000 in 2019) are very close to budget and expectation. In times of uncertainty, your commitment to the stability of our program and mission is most important and appreciated. In addition, OAPC was able to apply and receive $121,000 through the CARES Act, which can be used to cover specific expenses over the next 4 months, if needed. If certain conditions are meet, it is quite possible that the money acquired through the CARES Act would be considered a grant and not have to be repaid. None of us knows what the future holds, so we need to remain faithful, be safe, and trust in the Lord.
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Mission Partners Need Face Masks
Material is available in the
OAPC Welcome Center (M-F, 9-Noo.n)
Martee Patton is making masks and "selling" each for a $10.00 donation to HOPE of Rock Hill.
Leave your donation and pick up your mask(s),
at the silver bucket on a bench just inside her carport,
1807 Sharonwood Lane, 29732. She's masks and a check for the donations to HOPE of Rock Hill.
If you or someone you know is in need of a facemask for protection from the coronavirus, please call the Church office or email:
[email protected]
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Financial donations are always welcome.
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Do you or someone you know need groceries, a meal, some errands run,
yard work done, or maybe a computer set up to watch OAPC worship?
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Your faithful financial support allows us to immediately minister to others
in the midst of this crisis.
You may giv
e remotely without passing an offering plate.
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on people's finances.
Fast, Simple Online/Mobile Giving to OAPC:
You may make donations or payments through our website:
www.oapc.net (Donate)
or through the Church Life app (Give) on your smart phone. Using either location, please indicate the purpose of your funds, (pledge, Pentecost or Mother’s Day offering, etc.) in the comment portion.
Text Message Giving is Fast and Easy:
Text OAPC to 73256; click the link you receive, then complete the amount, purpose and account information. We appreciate your support of the many ministries through OAPC
Snail Mail or Online Bill Pay:
You may also mail a check to 421 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730, or contact your bank to make arrangements through Online Bill Pay.
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Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church
421 Oakland Avenue
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-327-2006
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