What If: Oak Life Updates
 
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What if...?

This week we continued reflecting together on a new year and what it means to live into the future with a rhythm connected to God's heart by asking the question what if...?  As we explored the ways we might be able to make a difference in the world we were reminded of the words of the Serenity Prayer: "grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
"  Our hope is that as we enter a new year we'll look at our lives and our world and imagine the ways in which we can change things and bring beauty, goodness, mercy, justice, and love.  Also, we were blessed to hear from our friend Phyu as she shared about her journey over the past three years.   Like most Sundays, our gathering was streamed on our Facebook page here.  If you'd like to read some of the anchor questions and prayers that helped frame our Futures conversation, check out our latest blogpost.  This coming Sunday will be a special Stories Sunday where we'll get to hear from the experiences of various community members. 

As always there are lots of things going on in our community beyond Sundays, so be sure to read below:

Note on end of Year giving statements:
Our finance team is working to send out donation receipts to those who've practiced generosity towards Oak Life online or through check last year.  Because our accounting was supported by CrossWinds Church for the first half of 2017, you might be receiving two receipts.  Feel free to disregard the duplicate from CrossWinds and be on the lookout for the one from us.  If you have any questions you can send them to Lilia:  lilia@oaklifechurch.com

Things Going on In and Through Oak Life:

ROOTS-


Trivia Night Hang at the New Parkway:  Every week our hosts at the New Parkway not only show awesome movies, but also put on lots of community activities.  On Thursday Jan 25th at 7pm we'll be joining for some pub-trivia.  If you're interested in hangin with us and joining a team, let us know!


Volunteering at Oak Life:  Pretty much everything that happens in Oak Life is a result of folks from the community participating in making us what we are.  We're currently in need of some more volunteers in areas like music, coffee, set up, and media.  If you're rooted at Oak Life we hope you'll commit to volunteer on one of these teams at least once every other month or so.  If you'd like to volunteer or get more info email Greg: greg.oaklife@gmail.com

Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Group:  Kevin Norman is re-launching a breakfast group for guys (anyone who identifies) to foster some deeper friendship and connections.  They'll probably be meeting on Saturday mornings, if you're interested in getting more info - let him know:kevindnorman@gmail.com

Life Groups: Life Groups take a break during the holidays and January, but will be opening back up in February! Stay tuned for more info. 

Generosity Update (a note from our financial team): One way to contribute to the Oak Life community is by helping us be a financially sustainable church plant. The volunteering efforts of many of you make us a lean, mean (in a Christian way :p) machine - so your donations and generosity go a long way, truly. Needless to say, so do your prayers and possibly most importantly, your fellowship. At our Sproutiversary, many of you shared your intention to continue supporting us in all these different ways. If your intention included a financial contribution - you can do so online through our website here.   There are options to give on a one-time, monthly or periodic basis.   If you have any questions regarding financial stuff at Oak Life you can send an email to the team: finance-team@oaklifechurch.com

Baptisms: Baptism is a beautiful way to outwardly show an inward faith in Jesus.  We're working on scheduling a baptism up at Lake Temescal soon, so if you'd like like to learn more about Baptism, just email us back!


Facebook Group:  Got a prayer request or community event you'd like to share?  Join our Facebook Group to keep the conversation going.  Also, most Sunday's we live stream part of the service!


BRANCHES- 

Third Sunday Giving Update:  Once a month we give away our entire offering to a local group or cause and it's been super encouraging to see the ways we've been able to join in good work in our community.  This month Oak Life gave $744 to Bridges Myanmar!  Also at our Christmas gathering we gave our offering away ($1221) towards the Alameda County Food Bank, which means that Oak Life has given $1,965 away to outside orgs in the month of December!  If you'd like to watch a thank you from some of our third Sunday partners click here.

Homeless Community Support: Oak Life is connected to a local camp community and we're always looking for donations to bring our friends.  Current needs include: bottle waters, clipper/bart cards, packs of socks, cold meds, and gift cards.  If you'd like to donate, just bring something in on a Sunday and we'll deliver it that week.

Project Peace Speaker Series: Project Peace is a wonderful organization that Oak Life partners with and supports to mobilize volunteers and seek the good of our region.  One of the things they do is facilitate discussions around justice issues through their Speaker Series initiative.  The next event is on Tuesday January and is called "The Lament Project: The Grief of Race, Overheard".  To register or lean more click here. 

Project Peace Day of Service: Throughout the year Oak Life joins hundreds of other folks in the area for Days of Service with Project Peace. The next one is Feb 24th, mark your calendars!

Continued Support for Fire Victims:  Cory has been organizing efforts and supporting folks that were affected by the recent fires in his home community in Mendocino County.  If you'd like to donate, he recommended this organization :https://www.ncoinc.org/


Social Justice Action Team (working title): We had a great first meeting, thanks to everyone who came out! If you'd like more info you can contact Greg who will be helping to facilitate: greg.oaklife@gmail.com



Other Stuff?  Got ideas for other ways we can serve our community?  Want to start a new group?  Interested in organizing a hike our outing? Oak Life is a community led church- so let's make it happen.  Just shoot us back an email.




That's all for now!



Grace and Peace, 


Chris Scott


Oak Life Church
www.oaklifechurch.com
Sundays 10AM at The New Parkway Theater
474 24th St, Oakland, 94612
Twitter / Instagram: @oaklifechurch

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Sundays 10AM at The New Parkway Theater
472 24th St. Oakland, 94612