Pastor's Message

     I love the fall! I love when we have those cool crisp mornings, the days get a bit shorter, and the leaves start to change their vibrant greens to more vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. Now children are back in school and getting into a new rhythm. The church gets into a different rhythm too. It’s a new start, a new year, a time to reengage and recommit to something new or step back into you might have put aside in the summer.
     Our mission is to know Christ, to grow in Christ, and to share Christ. This fall we are so excited to invite everyone to live into our mission through life groups. Life groups is our small group ministry where everyone is invited to be a part of a small group of people (12 or less) who commit themselves to doing life together through sharing their life together in prayer, care, and by being there for one another; by growing spiritually through studies (biblical and/or topical); by serving in missions together (the groups determine their own projects); and by socializing with one another- have fun! Life groups meet either once a week or twice a month usually outside the church.
     I can’t tell you how many stories I have heard over the years of the ways life groups have changed the lives of those who participate. This September we will launch our groups during the week of September 23rd. You can sign up through our website or through a bulletin insert.
     Fall also marks another important event in the life of our church- Our Fall Bazaar and Cruise-In on September 14th-15th. The event schedule is listed on the following pages. It is the largest fundraising effort we have at Oak Forest. As many of you know, all our proceeds go to wonderful, life-giving ministries and projects across our region and even world! So please support the bazaar by inviting your friends and neighbors to shop with us.

     Towards the end of fall, a group of 17 adults (wow!) will be travelling to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning Montana to serve in missions. We are going to serve our brothers and sisters with some building projects along with leading a marriage retreat for their community. Oak Forest is incredibly generous and one of the most missionally active churches in our area. We are looking forward to serving in a new way outside the walls of our church. But we need your help. We will have multiple opportunities to help the team financially as we prepare to serve in November. We have an envelope challenge, we are planning a spaghetti supper, just to name a few. You can be a part of our team even though you may not travel to Montana with us. The mission trip is Oak Forest’s mission trip and everyone’s participation is vital to making our work as successful as possible.
     Thank you for all you do! We are Oak Forest. We are God’s church! Thanks be to God!