On Sunday, July 13^th we were privileged to receive twenty-one persons into the ORUMC Family!  We give thanks to God for each of these new members and pray we will grow together as followers of Jesus Christ.  Two persons received the sacrament of baptism!  May we continue at ORUMC through God’s grace and guidance to be a place to Begin, to Belong and to Become!

One of our ten (10) ORUMC strategies (derived from the five (5) components of our Vision Statement) is that of working intentionally to make certain that we offer three(3) distinct and unique worship service opportunities at our church.  A sub-committee recently met and has helped us pave the way to ensure that this strategy is carried out.  Our 8:30am service will continue to be our Traditional Worship Service.  Part of our Christian, and Wesleyan tradition includes the serving of The Lord’s Supper every week.  This would provide us the opportunity to receive the sacrament of our Lord every Sunday.  For example, if someone missed the first Sunday service there would still be opportunities to receive this blessed sacrament throughout that same month.  Beginning on Sunday, September 14^th we will offer The Lord’s Supper during each and every Sunday during the 8:30am worship service.  We will continue to offer Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month during all three of our worship services.  We will also be discontinuing our Children’s Moments Time during the 8:30am worship service, while retaining this during our 11am service.

Our 9:45am Crosswalk Service will continue to offer a contemporary worship opportunity and our 11:00am service will become a more Blended Worship Service.  We hope this will only serve to enhance our worship experiences to the honor and glory of God, and at the same time, deepen our spiritual walk with God and with one another.

Finally, our “God’s Playlist” Worship Service and Sermon Series continues through Sunday, August 24^th.  We continue to look at various Psalms (Hebrew Hymns) that may be on God’s Playlist as we imagine God listening to His i-Pod as He rules the world!

Again, I give thanks for the ministries and missions that happen all year round in the name of Jesus Christ in and through ORUMC!

A Fellow Servant in Christ,

Michael

WORSHIP SERVICES AND SERMON THEMES/EVENTS

August

3^rd    - Holy Communion;  God’s Playlist Series – Psalm 23;  Rev. Dr. Michael Kurtz

10^th - God’s Playlist Series – Psalm 51:  “Plea For Forgiveness”;  Rev. Dr. Michael Kurtz

17^th – God’s Playlist Series – Psalm 32:  “The Joy of Forgiveness”;  Rev. Dr. Michael Kurtz

24^th - God’s Playlist Series – Psalm 84:  “God is our Joy!”;  Rev. Karen Kurtz;  New Members’ Class Begins

31^st - 5^th-Sunday-Singing-Service;  Special Guests:  “Children of the World” at ORUMC during all three (3) worship services!!  Invite your neighbors, family and friends!

September

7^th - Homecoming at ORUMC!  We will have one combined worship service outside on our back lawn (weather permitting) at 10:00am, followed by a covered dish homecoming meal!  BACK TO SCHOOL BASH on our campus on this same afternoon from 3pm until 7pm.  What a wonderful opportunity all day long for outreach in Jesus’ name to our community!

14^th – Holy Communion at all three (3) worship services