A monthly newsletter from the Oak Arbor Church

Faith is a Matter of Will

By Derek Elphick

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah...I say to you that you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16: 15-18

At what point does a person become an adult, and according to whom? In America you must be 18 years of age to vote and join the military, and 21 years of age to purchase alcohol. Scientists say the frontal lobe of the brain which is responsible for things like self-control and judgment isn’t fully developed in men and women until the early twenties. So when does a person become an adult? We may not be able to pinpoint the precise beginning of adulthood, but we do know this – it spans the longest period of our lives on earth making our infancy, childhood, and adolescence but distant memories by comparison. If being an “adult” is the hallmark of “maturity” how should this maturity manifest itself in our marriages, parenting, and neighborly interaction with others? The strongest proof is probably the strength of our faith. Our faith contains belief and trust and as these mature and grow and become “rock solid,” the truth we know is admitted not simply into our mind but into our heart too. In fact, faith’s final destination is the will, for our will needs to embrace truth. At its deepest level, faith is an internal acknowledgement of the truth. Over time this acknowledgement grows in strength and maturity; then the Lord can say to us, “on this rock I will build My church.”

Further reading: Faith 1, HD 110-111

April 2018

FROM THE PASTOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

THIS MONTH

Holy Supper Vespers - March 29

Easter Family Service - April 1

Vespers for High Schoolers - April 8

Pancake Breakfast - Apr. 22

Youth Group Activity - April 22

For all our April events see our online calendar at www.oakarbor.org

Oak Arbor Church495 Oak Arbor Circle West, Rochester, MI 48306248-652-3420www.oakarbor.org

OakArborChurch

Pastor Derek Elphickdelphick@oakarbor.org, ext. 101

Assistant Pastor Elmo Actoneacton@oakarbor.org, ext. 102

Newsletter Submissions: office@oakarbor.org

Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday, March 31st, 2 - 4 PMWe’re excited to provide this fun, FREE event so that our community can experience what Oak Arbor has to offer. Join us, and bring your friends! Ages: 12 and under. Crafts, activities, and the Easter Bunny will be throughout the event!Volunteers needed to help in various ways. Please contact Alex Sandstrom if you’d like to help: ajsandstrom@att.net. You can join and share the event on Facebook (Oak Arbor Easter Egg Hunt).

Easter Sunday Service, April 1st, 10:30 AMCome and celebrate the joy and hope of Easter with us! Everyone is invited to bring an offering of flowers to decorate our church. These flowers will be distributed to friends and neighbors in need after the service through the Meals on Wheels program at the OPC (Older Person’s Center) in Rochester. Cut or potted flowers are accepted, although small potted plants are the easiest to distribute.There will also be a Adult Vespers Service with Holy Supper, at 7:30 PM on Thursday March 29th.

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

Kirk & Rebecca BarryApril 20, 2001

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Church Volunteer Schedule April 2018Get involved by volunteering at an upcoming Oak Arbor worship service. Please contact the church secretary at

248-652-3420 or office@oakarbor.org.

Date Usher Greeter RefreshmentsNursery-

kindergarten teacher

1st-3rd grade teacher

4th-6th grade teacher

7th & 8th grade

teacher

High School teacher

Apr. 1EKA

Easter 10:30 AM

Dale Steen Pam Steen Pam Steen

Apr. 8DPE

Worship, 10:30 AM

Brent Genzlinger

Carlie Maddox

Francis & Heidi

vanLoosbroek

Apr. 15DPE

Worship, 7:30 PM

Dale Genzlinger

Nancy Genzlinger

Liane de Chazal

Aryn WilleBrent

GenzlingerCamille Rodda

Kim de Chazal

Sulie Tyler

Apr. 22DPE

Worship, 10:30 AM

Alex Sandstrom

Cara ClayAnn-Marie McCardell

Catherine Lykins

Erika Hyatt Kelly WilleLaura & David

CattermoleAmy Elder

Apr. 29EKA

Worship,10:30 AM

Dale Steen Pam Steen Pam SteenNicole

SandstromKelly Wille Judi Pafford

Liane de Chazal

Pam & Dale Steen

May 6DPE

Worship, 10:30 AM

Dale Genzlinger

Nancy Genzlinger

Aldon & Carlie

MaddoxSarah Pellani Erika Hyatt Kelly Wille Judi Pafford

Rebecca Barry

Jarrett Buikema Apr. 1

David Cattermole Apr. 1

Connor Bowyer Apr. 2

Karin Childs Apr. 2

Alan David Apr. 4

Chloe Steen Apr. 5

Leah Bowyer Apr. 7

River Elder Apr. 11

Logan Synnestvedt Apr. 11

Bob Bradin Apr. 12

MacKay Mahrle Apr. 16

Anwyn Brock Apr. 19

Kelly McCardell Apr. 19

Christian McCardell Apr. 22

Kevin McCardell Apr. 24

Kelly Wille Apr. 27

Corben van Loosbroek Apr. 28

Lon McCardell Apr. 29

Family Services - no Sunday School

Mindful Moms,Wednesday April 11th at 9:30 AM

Medieval Summer Camp at Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, PATWO SESSIONS June 18 – 22 & June 25 – 29, 2018If you are 9 or 10 years old you are invited to Glencairn Museum to learn about life in the Middle Ages. Celebrate medieval times by participating in activities that include cooking, crafts, boar hunts, sword play and archery. Glencairn Museum’s outstanding medieval collection will be used to illustrate stories from the Bible and to study the religious art of the Middle Ages. The daily program will begin with a Christian prayer and reading from scripture. FESTIVAL TIMES Monday – Friday, 8:45am–12:45 pm QUESTIONS For more information contact Christine McDonald at christine.mcdonald@glencairnmuseum.org or 267-502-2995. www.glencairnmuseum.org 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA 267.502.2600

Principal, Olivet School Olivet School, a Pre-K-5 school aligned with the Olivet New Church in Toronto, is currently seeking a Principal to oversee day-day-operations of the school. Reporting to the Pastor of the Olivet New Church, the Principal is responsible for leading school faculty and staff in the implementation of a New Church Education, and is accountable for managing all administrative functions, including the school budget, admissions policies and procedures, health and safety, student discipline, and human resources. A Master’s degree in Education/Education Admin. or equivalent experience is required. Previous experience, both in the classroom and as an administrator, in an elementary or middle school is essential. A background in the philosophy of New Church Education is strongly preferred. Requires outstanding educational and administrative leadership skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; a strong financial aptitude; the ability to serve as a role model for students, faculty, and staff; and the ability to work cooperatively with all members of the Olivet New Church and extended community.For a more detailed job description and to apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Valerie Younan at val.younan@olivetnewchurch.org by May 27th, 2018.

Soles4Souls Collection coming up next monthSave your used footwear!

Save the Date! Lakeville Mill Sales have been scheduled for June 15th & 16th Donation and workdays to be announced closer to the time.

Stoney Creek High School Musical: “Fiddler on the Roof” 6 shows!April 27th & 28th at 7 PM, April 29th at 2 PM, May 4th & 5th at 7 PM, May 6th at 2 PMTickets are available online starting March 30th, at www.ShowTix4U.com (type “Stoney” into the search bar, click on “buy tickets”). Students involved are Cooper Barry, Anwyn & Jency Brock, Shaina Childs, Evelyn & Zach de Chazal, Matthew McCardell, Chloe Steen, Trevor & Noland van Loosbroek.

Memorial Day Canoeing and Camping Trip - May 25th-28thIf you are doing anything other than rustic tent camping this year, please call the campground ASAP to reserve your cabin/glamping/RV option: LUDINGTON EAST / PERE MARQUETTE RIVER KOA, 800-562-6350. Mention "Oak Arbor/Brent Genzlinger/ Group Reservation". Lydia will take care of you. When you have made a reservation, please mention it to Brent (brent@genzlinger.com)

Jacob’s Creek Family Retreat: July 22 – July 25, 2018The Camp is located at the Laurelville Mennonite Church Center in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. This Year’s Theme is: Let Your Light Shine: Sharing The Good News. Get your registration forms online at: jacobscreekfamilyretreat.org. Friend us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JacobsCreekFamilyCamp. Or you can contact Julie Uber at 412-782-2710 (h) or jacobscreekfamilyretreat@gmail.com to receive forms by mail.

UPCOMING EVENTS

GENERAL CHURCH

Now Enrolling!The Oak Arbor School is now enrolling for 2018-19!We warmly welcome inquiries about our school for grades pre-K-8.Call to schedule a tour and receive information. We invite you to learn about how Oak Arbor School can feed the mind, touch the heart, and prepare for life.Call 248-652-3420 with any questions.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser - Sunday, April 22ndCome and enjoy a hot breakfast before church! Oak Arbor School’s 5th - 8th graders will serve you in the Social Hall from 9 until 10:15 AM.Please make a donation in the basket when you arrive. Proceeds will benefit school field trips. Thank you!

School Benefit What a great, smoothly run event thanks, in part, to our young people for their good work throughout the evening. And a huge thank you as well to all the volunteers who came together to make the evening the success that it was. Sincere thanks to you all!

“The REAL Story of Little Red Riding Hood”What a fine performance the 5th - 8th graders put on last month! Excellent work! Thanks to the staff and volunteers who worked so well together to produce another great Oak Arbor performance! Such great memory making experience for our young people!

Jeans on FridaysLast Month: The pre K-K class raised $40.24 during their month of collecting quarters every Friday! The organization that the boys wished to donate to was Heifer International. They picked out a flock of chicks and a flock of geese for families in need. They learned that the chickens and geese are used to help in farming. They eat insects, remove weeds and fertilize crops. They also produce a large egg supply. The eggs can also be sold at the market so that families can earn a small income and also provide families with much needed foodThe 5th graders’ March collection of Friday Jeans money has been used to purchase a Flock of Hope (geese, ducks & chickens) also for the Heifer International Organization. Thank you staff and students for your support!

FROM THE OAK ARBOR SCHOOL

5th-8th grade student helpers at the benefit.