In case you missed it, our At-Home Service for Sunday, March 29th, 2020 is now available here on the website!

Navigate to Resources>Home Church Guides>March 29, 2020 or simply click here to go to the page for the day. 

Invite someone else, and even join on phone or video chat (if you're so inclined) as we all worship together!

​The upcoming dinner/evening that was scheduled for the NewLife Missions team on March 29th is going to have to be postponed till later notice. Please stay tuned for updates. 

Hello Family!

As some of you already know, we are going to be encouraging an "at-home church service" tomorrow morning, March 22nd, 2020  at 10am. Originally, we had hoped this could be done in small groups, but with the recent mandates (as of Thursday evening), we are opting to encourage doing this in your own homes, by yourself or with those in your immediate household. 

We have created a three-part "service" which we are encouraging everyone to try to do around 10am (of course, if you aren't able to at that time, it's fine; it's just fun to know others are doing it at the same time!)

We have created a web page that will serve as the "home" for this going forward, should we continue for more than one week in this format. You can access it by clicking here, or you can locate it on the webpage by clicking "Home Church Guides​" from the "Resources" tab in the header. There will be links on the right side to the "March 22, 2020" service there, where you can either follow the guide online, or download the study guide to print and go through on your own. There are also links to download sheet music for the songs, a YouTube playlist with lyric-videos, and a guided prayer time that Churchill put together for us. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or need any assistance with this. I am hoping this email can get out to as many as possible (I have also posted on Facebook). 

In Christ alone we stand!

​- OGBF Elders

Dear Oak Grove Bible Fellowship,
​

As you are all aware, we are in a very interesting time in our nation, and our world, due to the current situation surrounding the coronovirus "pandemic" as it's been named by the WHO, known specifically as COVID-19. 
 
In this last week, the State of California (along with many other state governments) put regulations on public gatherings and meetings, and as of Friday, our nation was officially declared to be in a "state of emergency." Though we are under the "250 person" threshold, achieving a six foot per person "social distancing" is not feasible.  Many in our fellowship could be at high risk in our gatherings.
 
As an elder board, we have been deliberating in prayer over a proper response to this. We know first and foremost that fear has no place in the life of the believer: when we allow fear of any "thing" to dictate our lives, we put "that thing" on the throne of the universe and submit ourselves to it. This is why God tells us to fear Him alone: only He is the one ultimately sovereign over all, and the only One who can command that place. And that is a good thing! When He's at the top, His "perfect love casts out all fear" (1 Jn. 4:18), because nothing can rival Him! The essence of the first and greatest commandment is wrapped up in our response to God's love in this: loving Him in return (as we read this last week in Mark 12, Deut. 6, and Deut 11).
 
Yet, we are also called to be wise and discerning. And, more specifically, to love one another (as we also read this week, the 2nd greatest commandment in Mark 12). Our love for one another compels us to also take into consideration the impact of meeting together and potentially risking the health of some of our members.
 
With this said, we do not feel that meeting together this Sunday is prudent, and as a result we are going to put our Sunday service on hold for (at least) this week. We will see where things are in a week and keep you informed.  
 
We know we are called to stand for Christ, to stand against fear, and to be a light in this world. Choosing to postpone services for this Sunday should not change any of this: we are still called to be salt and light, to be united in love, and to demonstrate to the world the Gospel of our Lord. This should not be seen as a victory of the enemy, but simply as an opportunity God has placed before us: fight the fear the enemy throws at us with the love, hope, trust, and peace of the Gospel...and let it shine to those around you! Yes, we love to meet together, but sometimes God changes our plans around. Seek God's heart this weekend, and do not succumb to fear: "...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Tim. 1:7).
 
As an elder board, we would encourage you to first and foremost pray: there are incredible opportunities to come out of this, and we would desire everyone be in prayer seeking the Lord diligently for opportunities to share the hope of Christ in a confused and scared world. Take this time this weekend to honestly seek where God may want to use you in the midst of this.
 
Second, we can still meet together "in spirit" so please, do not forsake Sunday morning worship on account of this. Unite in prayer, read the Scripture for the day, and maybe even call or text a member or two; find creative ways to still unify in the Spirit we all have. But most importantly, take time to rest in fellowship with our God and Savior and renew your spirit in the Word and worship.
 
We will continue to keep you informed, and we will continue to trust. Till then, continue on in the faith, "till He returns or calls us home."
 
In the Name of our Lord Jesus,
 
-OGBF Elder Board