Church of the Oaks,
Congregational
841 Rosita Road
Del Rey Oaks
California 93940
http://churchoftheoaks.com
831-394-8000
Oak Leaf Newsletter
March & April 2017
Easter
National Association
Of Congregational
Christian Churches
Congregational Church of the Oaks
841 Rosita Road, Del Rey Oaks, CA
Pastor
Bob’s
Minute
I spoke again at the Monterey Peninsula ecumenical service this
year. Since only a few of our members were present, I thought you
might want to know what I said:
When I was a boy, my father commanded, “When you get
married, she’d better be white, Protestant, and Republican.” When
I did marry, it was to a young lady who was able to change only
enough to meet two of those conditions.
Born and raised in the Philippines, my mother-in-law was a
staunch Roman Catholic who attended Mass at least once every
week, made sure all her children were baptized as infants, had a
little statue of the Black Nazarene in her bedroom and a framed
portrait of Jesus with the flaming heart on her living-room wall.
She used to rise long before the sun and pray for four hours every
morning. Some of her prayers were answered when I was
reconciled to the Christian faith.
What I’m about to say may offend many of you, although I
don’t think it will surprise you. Once her prayers were answered
and I gave my heart to the Lord Jesus, I still had great love and
respect for my mother-in-law, but I was convinced that she was a
Christian in spite of, not because of, being a Roman Catholic.
This assumption, which is pretty common among us evangelical
Protestants, was fatally challenged. It happened at my mother-inlaw’s funeral Mass. I was allowed to do one of the readings. One
of my brothers-in-law, raised a Catholic but a very strong
Pentecostal believer, urged me, “Bob, give them the Gospel. Give
it to them straight!”
So, I hijacked my assigned moment. After the Bible reading, I
said something like this: “I know that my mother-in-law belonged
to the Lord Jesus and is with Him right now not because she was
baptized as an infant, not because she attended Mass faithfully and
recognized the authority of the Pope, but because she had given her
whole heart and soul to the Lord Jesus. That is the only way for
anyone to be saved!”
Next, the priest spoke. I expected fireworks, condemnation,
outrage. But he simply said, “Everything my brother just said is
true. Baptism and faithful church attendance alone don’t save you.
You must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart and
know that you are saved only because He died for you on the
Cross.”
Judy’s
Garden
My daffodils bloomed early this year. As I gaze out the window
and spot the bright yellow bloom it reminds me of a ray of
sunshine and beckons me to come outdoors. As I venture outside, I
remember one cold morning in Klamath Falls, Oregon when the
daffodils were pushing up through the soft layer of snow that at
fallen the previous night. They grew strong in the warmth of the
sun. I feel like that sometimes. When I am faced with unforgiving
events beyond my control (really, can we ever control events) and I
turn to the Son, I feel less burdened. The events don’t change; I
change my focus and my attitude changes. I remember one of my
favorite verses “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me”. Like the daffodils, I can push through the dirt. Right now I
think I’ll help them by pulling a few weeds (literally and
figuratively.) The smell of the garden after a rain is refreshing.
Working in the garden lifts my spirits as well. If you are going
through a rough patch, take a walk in your garden and clear those
weeds of trouble. A different focus is what is needed. Remember
the hymn “I walk through the garden alone while the dew is still on
the roses…” Ah, roses, I see one rose - a yellow rose blooming
reminding me of fond memories of my sister. Morning is a
beautiful part of the day. Take a garden walk and see the love God
as planted for you. The spring flowers are amazing this year just
for you to enjoy.
God bless.
In honor of my Father.
How do you
share God with
others?
A preacher once asked an actor, “How is it you can present
someone to others and bring them to laughter or tears but when I
present someone from the pulpit to my congregation I can’t even
get an acknowledgement?” The actors responded thusly: “Actors
turn fictitious people into real people, but you in turn make real
people into fictitious people.
How do you present our Lord to others; is He real or fictitious?
Can people tell how you feel about someone by the tone of your
voice, the look on your face, or your posture? Can they truly sense
how much God means to you? Does your voice get just a little
stronger? Does a smile come to your face?
Look back at some of your most memorable moments in your
life and reflect on how you felt. I can think of two, no actually
three and now even four. The day I married, the day my beautiful
child was born, the days both my grandchildren were born, and
now the day my great-grandson was born. The joy and excitement
were mind boggling. I couldn’t talk about those events without
smiling and a mysterious glow shone in my face. For in those
moments God gave me gifts that no one else could come close to
giving me. It was God who blessed me such that everyone I came
in contact with knew something dramatically special had
happened.
When discussion turns to what’s been going on with us, or what
has happened lately we can always share what God has recently
done for us. The more we bring God into our conversations the
more people will see us smile, a change in our voice, and special
glow about us. God has always held a special place in my heart, I
just didn’t know it, but now it’s time for me to let everyone know
just how much God loves me and I He. Let people know how
much you love God.
Play
Learn
Grow
Preschool with Mrs. Liz
Children are a gift from the Lord. They are his reward.
Psalm 127:3
We feel very blessed that the Lord continues to fill every spot
with the children he desires for our ministry. We have 23 students
enrolled. March 16 was our picture day with Pastor Bob joining in
with our class photo. We also took graduation pictures as we get
ready for graduation June 11, 2017. March 17 we celebrated
“Everything Green Day” with children wearing green and we did
art, science, cooking, stories, etc. in green. We thank you for your
continued support and your prayers are always cherished. Please
feel free to visit us at any time.
In his service,
Elizabeth Valadez
Women’s
Guild
Four ladies attended our annual retreat, back to Apple Farm. We
so looked forward to our time, the message, and the quiet time that
we showed up way before our check in time, thus had to go
shopping downtown. If you were unable to make this year, as it
was midweek we are moving it back to a weekend so more can
attend. We look forward to more coming next year. Guild
meetings are now the second Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m.
with sharing and spiritual growth our main topics. We are already
starting on items for our Christmas Bazaar when the theme will
emphasize more handmade items. Please come out and share your
talents.
Jackie Little
Guild President
Easter Season
We are now in what I feel is the most important season of the year,
Easter. We are building up to the greatest crescendo of all times.
Someone who loves us is not only willing to give up his life to
save ours, but is willing to be tortured and humiliated beyond our
wildest imaginations. And yes I said “Is.” Het not only gave to
those, who were around 2000 years ago but He gave to save us and
those yet to come. Why is someone willing to do this for us? What
have we done to deserve such a gift?
Jesus knew prior to His decision to go to
Jerusalem that he would be going, for it was
written In Zechariah 9:9. He also knew why
He was going. Jesus was going to speak
peace to the nations. In the end cannot one
look at the miracles performed and the discussions that followed
and understand that Jesus message to all was that of peace and
love? Healing the sick was a means to His end. He is the real deal
and His message is peace and love. As Jesus entered Jerusalem the
crowds cheered and shouted “Hosanna.” As was the custom the
people of Jerusalem laid palm fronds and robes to travel over.
Jesus had to have known not all of the crowd were his followers;
some were just taken up in the moment.
One of the most fascinating things
about the last super is not just Jesus
letting the Disciples know He is about
to shed His blood for them but He gave
us all a way to bring Him closer to us
on a regular basis. We can participate in
this holiest of meals as if Jesus Himself was there next to us. What
thoughts go through a person as one orders a last meal and then
eats it alone? Are the person’s thoughts about presenting oneself
to others letting them know they are about to shed their own blood
so that others may find peace? This Maundy Thursday begin the
walk Jesus is about to walk. Reflect on what He gave us and find
your own peace that someone is willing to give His life for you.
Have you ever had a bad day, when all
was going wrong and you thought this day
will never end? Think about the day Jesus
had. It actually started the night before
when he was betrayed and arrested. Now
keep in mind jail was not like it is today in
the U.S.A. Cold, damp, and in chains,
Jesus was left alone with His own thoughts about what tomorrow
would bring. The people He came to bring peace to were now an
angry mob shouting, “Crucify Him.” If that wasn’t enough, Jesus
knew more was to come. As in the miracles Jesus performed that
only God could perform, Jesus was about to be brutally flogged so
that we would know, when He is with us and knows what we are
going through. He really does, for He has gone through a suffering
we could never imagine. To add insult to injury, Jesus then had to
carry His own cross to the hilltop with people shouting obscenities
at Him and probably even spitting upon Him. And we call it Good
Friday for He freely suffered this torture and humiliation because
He loves us. Even while hanging on His cross in great pain Jesus
is trying to bring peace and forgiveness to all. What a message we
can all learn from His granting peace and forgiveness even when it
hurts.
The following Sunday, which we now
know as Easter, played a significant role in
God’s plan. Romans 4: 24, I feel says it
best: “but also for us, to whom God will
credit righteousness—for us who believe in
him who raised our Lord from the dead.”
Our God who created us wants to make
sure we don’t forget who is in charge. Before Jesus was born God
talked directly to His servants here on earth. People knew exactly
who was talking to them and I’m sure they never really questioned
His authority until the birth of His son Jesus. Hebrews 1:1-2 “In
the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many
times in various ways, but in these days he has spoken to us by his
Son, whom he appointed heir of all things…” Jesus’ death on
Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter were truly the
culmination of God’s saving grace and our assurance of life ever
after.
How does one fathom love so great that
someone would create a place for us to
live and thrive in peace and harmony
surrounded by a beauty we are often
unable to describe? That is what God did
for us. In the beginning there was serenity
the like of which no one has seen since.
But in our infinite wisdom and use of free will we have destroyed
God’s dream for us. God still wants us to live in peace and
harmony and has left us the most beautiful home in the solar
system. All one has to do is look around in awe at the beauty
before us. God still wants his children to live with him forever; it
has just become a little harder for that to happen. Throughout the
Easter season God has given us hope for peace and hope for
everlasting life. God has shown us His ability to raise us from the
dead and even take us home. God continues to show His control
over death and the return to life death. For those who believe in
Him shall have life everlasting. Take the old oak tree, long since
dead, yet out of its heart springs new life and know too out of our
heart and faithfulness to God new life will come to us. Happy
Easter
FINANIAL STATUS
& OPPORTUNITIES FOR STEWARDSHIP
Financial status: Calendar year, 2017.
Estimated income 2017:
YTD income received :
$101,940.00
$ 14,495.00
Anticipated expenditures 2017:
YTD expenditures:
$101,940.00
$ 14,322.00
Income to the good:
Savings/C.D.
$
618.00
$ 41,971.00
Fair Share
Our Treasurer sent our fair share contribution to the home office of
the NACCC, supporting their operations and ministry. NACCC
does request each member contribute $15.00 yearly as their Fair
Share. If you have not contributed please do so. Make checks out
to Church of the Oaks.
WORSHIP SERVICES, BIBLE STUDY, MEETINGS
Poetry By: Josh Converse
The women went down weeping
Weeping they went down
But found no stolid soldiers
By a stone-sealed tomb.
From the tomb
Where they took Him
He arose and is arisen.
The women went up with joy shouting
Shouting they went up
From the undone tomb
Where He rose and is arisen.
Bible Study
Sundays, 9:00 a.m.
Adults & Children
Lectors
April: Deacon Bill
May: Judy Wilis
June: Josh Converse
Worship Services
Sundays, 10:30 am
Fellowship,11:30 am
Men’s Religious Studies
2nd & 4th Saturdays, 9:00a.m.
Women’s Guild
2nd Saturday monthly, 11:00a.m.
Communion Service
1st Sundays
Wednesday Evening
Church of the Oaks Prayer List
Updated March 31, 2017
Rafat Ajir
Louie Gompers
Leslie McCormick
Bruce Amor
Doc Hackney
Mary Miller
Dorothy Briggs
Shirley Hackney
Clint Selleck
Pat Carroll
Pat Knox
Linda Urrey
Jimmy Flavin
Jackie Little
Opal Yassany
Praise the Lord that Pat Knox is now able to attend church and the
Wednesday-night Bible-study-and-prayer meeting (to which
everyone is invited, by the way).
Reverend Parshall’s great-grandson Josiah, struggling with birth
defects, continues to need our prayers. Josiah is now at home;
however, he still must be fed through a tube.
Traveling mercies: Tom and Catherine Terry are flying to Italy.
Pastor Bob and Connie will go to Georgia in June, and to South
Africa in July. Virginia McCormick and her grandchildren will
also travel to South Africa in July.
Monterey Bay Christian School (especially faculty, staff, and
parents) needs prayer. Also thank God for Del Rey Oaks Christian
Preschool, and pray for its continued success. Thanks to Liz
Valadez, our preschool director, for hiring her nephew Fermin
Gonzales to cut down our weeds.
Opal Yassany has been diagnosed with anemia, and her son
Dwight has breathing problems.
Thanks to God that Jean Elder has graduated from the hospital to
convalescent care at Westland House. She is getting physical
therapy, and she is able to walk a bit and to climb stairs.
Barbara Peters asks for prayer for her friend Prashant and for his
mother, who has cancer. Prashant has traveled to India to be with
her. Barbara also asks that we keep her mother, Ingrid, and the rest
of the family in prayer, as they adjust to life without Bernie.
Pray for God’s comfort for Marge Tyzack (formerly Marge Hills),
whose husband of five months recently died unexpectedly.
Executive Council 2017
Officers: Pastor
Moderator
Vice Moderator
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Church Clerk
Rev. Dr. Bob Hellam
Gail Steffen
Deacon Bill Little
Stew Hobson
Deacon Bill Little
Pat Knox
Executive Council Members:
Virginia McCormick
Jean Elder
Linda Urrey
Brett Urrey
Stew Hobson
John Knox
Pat Knox
Deacon Bill Little
Josh Converse
Nonelected Members: Women’s Guild President
1st Usher
Social Media Directors
Jackie Little
Les Willis
Judy Willis