DEC. 1, 2017

A PUBLICATION OFOAK HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

7815 Hwy. 290 W.Austin, TX 78736 • (512) 288-3836

Pastors Jim Roberts, Katy Fitzgold, Laura Smith Adam

Worship ServicesSunday, Dec. 38:45 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.Pastor Jim RobertsThe Redemption of Scrooge, Part 1: “Bah! Humbug!” — Luke 16:19-31

10 a.m. “Pathways”Pastor Katy FitzgoldThe Redemption of Scrooge, Part 1: “Bah! Humbug!” — Hebrews 12:1-2

Wednesday, Dec. 66:15 p.m. “ReCharge”Speaker: Scott Broberg

Sunday, Dec. 10 8:45 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.Pastor Jim RobertsThe Redemption of Scrooge, Part 2: “The Remembrance of Christmas Past” — John 4:7-19, 28-30

10 a.m. “Pathways”Pastor Katy FitzgoldThe Redemption of Scrooge, Part 2: “The Remembrance of Christmas Past” — John 4:7-19, 28-30

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Yes...It’s THIS SUNDAY!Bring a new teddy bear, or other new stuffed animal, to church on Dec. 3 to be given to a wonderful child in our neighborhood! Sit with your furry friend during worship and leave the critter in the pew when you leave. The bears will be an integral part of the Christmas Party to be held Dec. 10 at the Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill (8656 Hwy. 71).

If you wish to help out with the party, please contact Alison Talbert at (512) 657-2118 or alison.l.talbert@gmail.com. It’s going to

be a lot of fun! Come celebrate Christmas with our Oak Hill neighbors! ALSO: The Oak Hill UMC Preschool is sponsoring a drive to provide each child registered through the Community Center with new pajamas. Contact Alison for more information!

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Mark Anthony Cruz

Don’t miss hearing our special musical guest at the 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services Sunday, Dec. 3. Guitarist Mark Anthony Cruz, professor of guitar at Texas State University, will perform selections during the services and will have CDs available for purchase afterward—perfect Christmas gifts!

Mr. Cruz is represented by many important national publishers in addition to managing his own company, MAC Publications. He was the first-prize winner of the Austin Classical Guitar Society-sponsored composition competition in 2006, ‘07, ‘08, and ‘10.

He has received several commissions from large institutions, DMA students, and private artists. Mr. Cruz’s Triptych for solo guitar has been performed internationally by guitar virtuoso Adam Holzman. Such notable artists as Presti Trio, TxGQ, and the Hanser/McClellan Duo have also performed his work in addition to numerous high schools and universities across the country and abroad.

Mr. Cruz placed first in the 2013 Winfield International Fingerstyle Competition. He has been a featured artist at many important guitar festivals across Texas as a performer and lecturer. Five of his CDs have been featured on the internationally syndicated radio program “Classical Guitar Alive.” Two of his all-original CDs received positive reviews in the scholarly periodical, “Soundboard.”

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Don’t forget! We need COATS OF ALL SIZES by Friday, Dec. 8! Look for the donation barrel in Fellowship Hall.

Agape Christmas Market Sunday, Dec. 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Don’t miss our popular Agape Christmas Market, back for another year! Here you’ll find many opportunities to purchase unique, “alternative” gifts for family and friends. A partial list of gifts available includes:

— blankets for ARCH — supplies for Classroom Connection — books to establish a children’s library at Foundation Communities in Oak Hill — support for sanitation advances in Peru — water filters for Haiti — funding toward the Methodist Build for Habitat for Humanity — coffee/tea for UMW missions — Water to Thrive (wells for Africa) There will also be three fair trade vendors. Come see us!

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Theology PubSunday, Dec. 35 p.m.Waterloo Ice House, 9600 Escarpment Blvd.

You’re invited to dinner and discussion at our monthly off-campus gathering. Sunday’s discussion topic will be “Providence: Does God Plan Everything Out?” Please come and join us; childcare is provided at Waterloo by our church staff!

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Since Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year, there will be only ONE worship service that morning. Join us at 10 a.m. as we cele-brate the Fourth Sunday in Advent. Later in the day, Christmas Eve services begin with the family-friendly children’s service at 3 p.m. (note the earlier time!). Identical traditional Christmas Eve services with candlelight are offered at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., followed at 11 p.m. with a more intimate candlelight service with Communion.

CelebrateChristmasAT OAK HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

For more information,visit www.oakhillumc.org

Blue ChristmasA space for worship when grief accompanies ChristmasTuesday, Dec. 19, 7 pm

Christmas Eve3 pm Family Celebration7 pm Traditional Worship*+9 pm Traditional Worship*11 pm Candlelight Worship*~ * Candlelight ~ Communion + Interpreted for the Deaf

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Children’s News!— Looking for a little extra cash in time for the holiday season? Then consider joining our fantastic nursery team! That’s right: It’s a paying gig! For more information, contact Jenny Holm at jenny@oakhillumc.org.

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Youth News!What’s Coming Up?Dec. 8: Join us for our Parent Social. Anne and Ryan Tiedt will host this important get-together at their home. Pulled pork is the main entree; we are asking youth families to bring a side dish or dessert. We’ll eat, have fellowship, and talk about our youth ministry!

Link to sign up:http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4baeae2ba4f94-parentDec. 10: You won’t want to miss our Teddy Bear Christmas Party at the Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill from 1-4 p.m. Matt will be dressed as Santa! There are plenty of volunteer opportunities: We need Santa’s elves to help with photos, face painters, room decorators, bouncy house police, craft helpers, and more! NOTE: No Youth Gr0up following the party.

Dec. 17: Youth Christmas Party with a Missional Focus. Join us as we party AND make knotted blankets for a local nursing home!

Link to sign up:http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4baeae2ba4f94-youth5

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Judging by the photo above, kids feel right at home at Oak Hill UMC! Here, Trace Fontenot is asleep on the floor of Fellowship Hall during the recent Family Movie Night. His mom reports that he would be doing the same thing had he been watching at home!

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Order Poinsettias and Help Us Decorate!Every year in Advent the Sanctuary is decorated with poinsettias to celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons. Order forms will be in the bulletins Dec. 3 and Dec. 10. Order forms will also be located in the church office later this month. Orders will be accepted through Dec. 15. Cost is $15 per plant.

Are you ready to decorate? Join us Saturday, Dec. 2, as we decorate the Sanctuary for the Advent/Christmas seasons. Helpers are wanted at 10 a.m., and coffee and donuts will be provided! Questions? Contact Susan McBride at maddygin@austin.rr.com.

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Charge ConferenceSunday, Dec. 33 p.m.Sanctuary

All Church Council members are strongly encouraged to attend this important annual meeting. Members of Oak Hill UMC are welcome to attend and observe.

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What Are Your Gifts and Talents? Find Out Here!Please take a few minutes to fill out this very brief survey aimed to help connect you with ways to serve in your church and commu-nity based on your gifts and talents.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OakHillUMCdifference

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Sunday School Class Decorates Family’s HomeFrom Kristen Bridgeman: “The members of the Family Faith Sunday School Class, including all the children (see photos below), had a ‘Go’ day to help Maren, Eliza, and Brenn Williams decorate their home for Christmas. Owen is currently deployed overseas, so this holiday season is very challenging for the family. Maren invited the class over to help trim the tree and put up lights to turn what might have been a sad day to a happy one with lots of laughter (and in true Methodist style, we had a potluck with plenty of food to fuel the decorating)!”

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“Blue Christmas” ServiceTuesday, Dec. 197 p.m.Sanctuary

The first Christmas without a loved one, or having to endure unemployment and financial hardship, or struggling with a devastating illness...these are times when the joy of Christmas is difficult to find. Our “Blue Christmas” service offers an opportunity for those who are grieving to worship as they are, tears included.

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Angel Tree Prison MinistryFrom Don Roets: Each year we ask for 200-250 children for the Angel Tree Prison Ministry. This year we received 71, which usually means we will be able to contact 45-50. A few Sunday school classes and individuals have asked for children. There are a few families left on the tree, or if you want to get on the waiting list, please email me at donmroets@gmail.com with the number of children you want to buy for. I’ll keep the list first come first serve.

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Please Help Our Agape Meal ChainDo you enjoy cooking? Are you looking for a way to give back to the church that is flexible with your schedule? If so, helping out with our Agape Meal Chain may be a great fit! Church members occasionally need help with meals, whether due to a new baby, medical issues or just because, and that’s where the Agape Meal Chain group can help!

Volunteers should email jessicajwatts@gmail.com to have your name added to the distribution list. When the need arises, Jessica will send out a no-pressure email using Sign Up Genius asking for volunteers to provide meals that are conducive to your schedule. More questions? Call (254) 913-5185 (Jessica’s cell).

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Our PrayersLucy Cornell; Teagin Costanzo (great niece of Lynn Sampsell’s friend); Col. Jim Foster; Richard Grimmett; Vaughn Musgrave; Jon Nelson; Reggie Wilson

Stephen Ministers care for people facing tough times through confidential, one-to-one Christian care. They provide the emotional and spiritual care needed when someone is faced with a crisis or difficulty such as grief, spiritual needs, health issues, relationship problems, job situations, or other life challenges. If you are in need of someone to share your concerns, please email Rae Barho at raebarho@gmail.com or call her at (512) 589-5871 and ask about speaking with a Stephen Minister. For more information: www.oakhillumc.org/stephen-ministry/.

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UMW Book Club Thursday, Dec. 710 a.m.Panera Bread

Our next UMW Book Club selection is “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. This charming story about a cranky neighbor may inspire both laughter and tears. Join us for our next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. at Panera Bread on William Cannon. Please contact Diana Goodloe at dianagoodloe@gmail.com if you have questions.

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Crafty ChristiansThursday, Dec. 77 p.m.Fellowship Hall

Get in the spirit as this fun group focuses on Christmas! Many will be finishing a project started last month, but there will be time and materials to begin a new project too. For more information, contact Jan Roberts at janicec@bcm.edu.

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Mary Martha Circle Christmas Lunch & Preschool Children’s ProgramMonday, Dec. 1111:15 a.m.Fellowship Hall

Come join us! We will be blessed as our preschool children tell us the Christmas story, and as Kathy Gathright reads to them about Jesus’ birth. Sure to give us the true spirit of this season of love and giving. This will be a potluck salad lunch. Bring your special

salad to share and our hostesses will be providing desserts and drinks.

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Young at Heart Christmas DinnerThursday, Dec. 146:30 p.m.Olive Garden Italian RestaurantPlease join us for our Christmas dinner and fellowship! We will meet at the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, 3040 S., Lamar Blvd. Our annual Christmas gathering will include a “Brown Santa” unwrapped gift for teens and a “White Elephant” gift exchange for all who choose to participate.

This is always a fun event to start the Christmas season with good food, good friends, and a lot of Christian holiday spirit. Don’t be shy–if this is your first Young at Heart dinner meeting, you will want to come to all the dinners in 2018!

To RSVP or for more information about Young at Heart, please email Jeannie Moody at jmoody4515@aol.com with “Young at Heart” in the subject, or call Jeannie at 512-301-3305.

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Austin Handbell Ensemble Concert Thursday, Dec. 14 7:30 p.m. Oak Hill UMC Sanctuary

You’re invited to the Austin Handbell Ensemble’s 2017 winter concert at Oak Hill UMC. Nothing beats handbells during the holidays – so get in the spirit and join the festivities! It’s “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”

Concert admission is only $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. You can purchase tickets online athttp://www.austinhandbells.org/shop/ or at the door.

For more information, visit www.austinhandbells.org/event/winter-2017-concert-4/.

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Mark Your Calendars!Saturday, Dec. 2 — Sanctuary Decoration (10 a.m.) Sunday, Dec. 3 — Teddy Bear Sunday! (all three services) Sunday, Dec. 3 — Agape Christmas Market (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Sunday, Dec. 3 — Charge Conference (3 p.m.) Sunday, Dec. 3 — Theology Pub (5 p.m. at Waterloo Ice House) Sunday, Dec. 10 — Christmas Party at Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill (1-4 p.m.) Thursday, Dec. 14 — Austin Handbell Ensemble Concert (7:30 p.m.)Tuesday, Dec. 19 — “Blue Christmas” Service (7 p.m.)

Oak Hill United Methodist Church7815 Highway 290 WestAustin, TX 78736www.oakhillumc.org

The Cornerstone (USPS 012-959) is published by Oak Hill United Methodist Church at 7815 Hwy. 290 W., Austin, TX 78736. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Cornerstone, 7815 Hwy. 290 W., Austin, TX 78736. This newsletter issues weekly. Subscription rate: $12/year. OHUMC office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-Th and 9 a.m.-noon Friday. Submit announcements and articles to cornerstone@oakhillumc.org.

Ministers All members of Oak Hill UMCPastors Jim Roberts Katy Fitzgold

Laura Smith AdamDirector of Music Ministries Suzanne PenceAssociate Director of Music Ministries Kati CoxPathways Worship Leader Greg GrahamHandbell Choir Director & Accompanist Cathy IngersollDirector of Preschool Ministries Jennifer BarkisDirector of Children’s Ministries Jenny HolmDirector of Youth Ministries Matt VillegasFinancial Administrator Angie BraggFacilities Administrator Daniel UrrutiaOffice Manager Kathy WilliamsonDirector of Communications Don KerrAudio/Video Technician Evan Ingersoll