Oakdale Newsletter
Minister of Students
Dear Students and Parents,
I am sending this information from Heartsong 2010 where I am with some of the Youth Choir members for worship and arts camp and we are having a blast. The students are learning a lot about different things that can be included to make our worship more creative and Christ-centered. No doubt this is going to be a great experience for those here.
YOUTH
I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came and got their cars/trucks washed at our car wash. Special thanks also to the adults who came and helped wash, supervise, collect money, and hold Bethany. Also a big thank you to all those who have donated money to help some of our students be able to attend Centrifuge.
Sunday School
Beginning Sunday morning June 20th our Sunday School time for Youth will transition to 2 coed classes: One class for Junior High (7th-9th grades) and one for High School (10th-12th grades). This Sunday June 13th we will finish our current study “What’s So Spiritual About Your Gift”, so don’t miss our final class regarding this study about the Holy Spirit and how to understand it and be obedient to Its leading in your life. I will also be giving more information regarding our coming transition.
Ministry Teams
Students be sure that you fill out a Ministry Team Interests sheet soon because during the summer we will begin assembling and utilizing some of the ministry teams we have been discussing. We will be utilizing time on Sunday evenings soon to begin these teams. Don’t waste away your Summer and your life do something for God!
Centrifuge
For all those going to Centrifuge (June 13-17 @Mississippi College) we will meet at church Sunday afternoon @ 2:30 to leave for MC. Everyone be sure to get their paperwork completed; if you haven’t received it yet you can download it at http://fuge2010.s3.amazonaws.com/PPMC.pdf. If you are on Facebook keep checking the Youth page and the events section for more updates on camp information.
CHILDREN
AWANA
The Children’s Council will be meeting this month to determine the Lord’s direction concerning this program for our Children and will announce our decision concerning this thereafter. We are excited to see what God has in store for our Children’s Ministry over the course of this summer and in the coming church year.
StudentLife (Shocco Springs)
For those going to kids camp at Shocco just a reminder on those dates: July 16-19. More info coming on this event.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
Duncan Out
A Word From The Pastor
Dear Church Family,
As I write this the church is filled with children. We have over 140 children enrolled in our church Vacation Bible School this year, and about 120 children in VBS during our Summer Kamp. Add the workers, and over 200 people are at Oakdale VBS this year. Tuesday night I spoke with several of the older classes about accepting Christ. A number prayed to receive Christ. We will contact their parents and let them know about each decision. Praise the Lord.
This Sunday we will baptize six or more new believers at the start of the second service. Four of these are adults. Those who attend the first service are invited to stay for the baptism. God is good to add to His church regularly.
Some of our youth are at William Carey University in Hattiesburg for Heart Song where they are being trained to use their musical abilities to serve the Lord. Pray for adult leaders, Duncan and Paige, and Paul Fortenberry, as well as the nine youths.
Thank you for your generosity to donate food for Lakeshore Baptist Church in Waveland MS to distribute to those in need. The food was delivered ten days ago, just as the pantry at Lakeshore emptied. The church workers rejoiced at your goodness. We also mailed a check this week for $780 donated to buy food. The workers at Lakeshore will buy the needed food. The pastor, Don Elbourne, Jr. sent his thanks.
Also, thank you for giving to assist those going to Romania at the end of the month. Please pray that many will come to faith in Christ on this medical mission trip. Eight from Oakdale will travel with Gary and Norma Bowlin and twenty two others on June 29 and will return July 9. Going from Oakdale are: Ray and Barbara Downey, Nola Griffing, Rick and Mindy Henson, Kaye Myers, and David and Kaye Stodghill. On Sunday July 4, Claude Shufelt will preach in my absence.
This Sunday we continue the sermon series, Little Books with a Big Message. Sunday we look at the Old Testament book of Haggai, whose theme is the rebuilding of God's Temple in Jerusalem after the return from the exile. Please read this book before Sunday. To find Haggai, turn to Matthew and go left three books.
See you in church this Sunday,
In Love, On Fire, Not Ashamed,
Rick Henson
Notes from the Music Minister
Saddle Ridge Ranch News...Music at “Campfire Creek” (VBS) has been exciting! The kids have had wonderful times as they sang the first night about how wonderful God made us, then the second night about how He cares for us, then the third night about accepting Him as Savior and Lord and not becoming blown about like a Tumbleweed. It has been a real privilege to sing with the children.
Speaking of Singing...Meanwhile, our adult choir has already begun singing our 2010 new music for church. Now’s a great time to join with us and learn the new songs! We meet each week at 7 PM (or after prayer meeting and the 6 PM activities dismiss).
South of the Rio Grande...We’re trying to get ready for our Mexico trip on July 9. Now, perhaps you are not going with us, but you’d still like to help our trip be successful. There are some real needs that those of you at home could meet for us. Please see me about some of these and become our partners in missions.
Our trip is July 9-16. We will go to two VBS sites at the same time, minister to kids in a children’s home, visit with friends in several different churches, and in general, be open to being used of God. Pray for us as we help in sharing God’s word with Mexican children.
We will be holding a Planning Meeting for our Mexico VBS on Sunday night, June 27, in the Old Fellowship Hall.
See you on Sunday!!
Mike
