Peace in the Chaos: Oak Life Updates
 
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Peace in the Chaos

This week we continued our Advent conversation by lighting the candle of peace and engaging together on the peace that Christ both offers us and invites us to reflect. In a world that is increasingly not peaceful, remembering God's presence with us in the midst of our chaos is one of the gifts of the Advent season.  For an intro/devotional on Advent check out our latest blogpost hereAlso, if you missed this past week's service and would like to check it out, it was live streamed on facebook here.  This coming Sunday we'll be reflecting together on the 3rd theme of Advent, JOY.  We hope you can join in what should be an inspiring and powerful season.

As always there are lots of things going on beyond Sundays in the life of our community, be sure to check it all out!

Things Going on In and Through Oak Life:

ROOTS:

Childcare this Sunday!  Oak Life is stoked that we now have the resources to have childcare!  As we continue to grow, we currently have childcare every 3rd Sunday of the month during the sermon portion of our gathering.  Kids are welcome in service every other week. 

Holiday Gatherings/Hang Outs
There are a bunch of folks putting together community hang outs over the next few weeks:

Adam is hosting an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party this Friday night at 7:30.  There will be drinks, food, music, and good times!  Also, they will be collecting socks (new), new/used blankets or new/used jackets to be donated to a local resource.  Email Adam or check the facebook event page for more info.

The Normans are hosting their 3rd Annual Dice Game Party at their place starting at 4p! Food and drink will be provided, all you have to do is bring yourself AND any $10 wrapped gift. Email Gina for more info.

The Gentilin's are hosting their 2nd Annual Caroling evening at their place starting at 7p. Warm drinks and snacks will be provided, feel free to bring something festive to share! (We will be caroling IN our apartment, not door to door) Email Jesse for more info.

Discernment Meeting: Every few months we invite everyone from Oak Life to join our Leadership Team for a discussion about where we've been and where we're heading.  Anyone who feels any ownership of Oak Life is welcome and your voice matters!  Our next meeting will be Sunday, December 16th at the Oak Life Office at 1pm.


Christmas with Oak Life: We'll be celebrating Christmas at our normal Sunday gathering time and location on December 23rd.  Our good friends at Haven Church in Berkeley will be joining us in what should be a special time! 

Got a Prayer request? Every week, the Oak Life Prayer team spends time praying for Oak Life. If you'd like to have us pray for you during the week, please submit your prayer request here, http://bit.ly/oaklifeprayers . Feel free to include your Name and contact info if you'd also like one of us to reach out personally to you. For those who would like to know more info or to join the prayer team, contact monica.a.tzeng@gmail.com.  Also, the prayer team meets every 4th Monday at 7pm.

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


Life Groups: Fall groups are meeting at various times/locations.  To learn more click here

Generosity Towards Oak Life: Oak Life's roots and branches depend on the generosity of it's community members.  If you'd like to practice financial generosity towards Oak Life, which pays for our rent, staff, and ministry expenses- 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


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:

Myanmar Trip: Oak Life has been blessed to have many friends and partnerships with local communities in Myanmar.  In past years we've sent medical teams, donated computers to local schools, and supported various ministries.  This January a few folks will be going to visit and bring supplies on behalf of Bridges Myanmar.  If you'd like to learn more or join the group email Cory: eramcgarveyc@gmail.com

Project Peace Speakers Series:  Project Peace is an organization that Oak Life partners with to serve alongside others in the community.  They also organize important events that highlight various justice issues.  On Jan 30th at 7pm they will be hosting a conversation called "REMEMBERING RIGHTLY: MARK CHARLES, A NATIVE AMERICAN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE" at Berkeley First Pres.  For more info click here.

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 we heard Sacred Roots we were able to raise $397 (plus a 50 Lows gift card!) to support their work.  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.

Social Justice Team: We’re steadily building momentum on our first project! (details to come) We’ve also been developing relationships with other social-minded organizations including, OCO, LavaMae, and The Interfaith Council of Alameda. Our current focus is around how we can work toward impacting the housing crisis in our community. If you'd like more info you can contact Greg who will be helping to facilitate: greg@oaklifechurch.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