OGBF Service for June 14, 2020 at the Rourkes!

This coming Sunday, after being apart as a corporate group for over 13 weeks, we are finally looking to meet once more. We are planning to gather together at the “original” Oak Grove (where it all began, and where we meet each Fall for our anniversary) at the home of Ron & Diane Rourke. 

As an elder board, we wanted to take a moment to explain to you all why we feel it IS important to meet once more. To some, this may be obvious, but for others, perhaps not as much. 

While we are still a ways away from a “normal” routine, getting together as a Body is important, even if in limited capacity. We feel this is strongly supported in the New Testament. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to meet together in person, with a couple primary things in mind: 1) encouragement and stirring one another up for good works; 2) all the more as we see The Day. Both are critical for us at this time in our nation and world. As we also look at the passages dealing with spiritual gifts in the NT (see Eph. 4:11-16, 1 Cor. 12, 1 Pet. 4:7-11, Heb. 3:13), we see that each of us are given gifts not for our own benefit but for the “building up of the body,” for accountability, and for growth. Though this can be done remotely to some degree or another, it is much more expediently done in person, together, in regular interactive format. We are the Body of Christ. And we need each other to grow.

For this reason, as elders and shepherds of Oak Grove Bible Fellowship, we are making every effort to afford the opportunity to meet together once again. 

For this Sunday, when we meet at the Rourkes, there are a couple things to note. Though we are meeting in person once more, not everything is “back to normal” or at least as it was before COVID-19. We are still expected to follow the guidelines and expectations as set forward by the CDC, our State, and our County. We are also encouraged to put one another’s interests above our own. For this, we ask, out of the sake of love for one another, that each and every person attending do their best to try to adhere to the guidelines put forward. 

When we meet together, some of the following guidelines will be implemented:

• Hand sanitizing stations around the back yard
• Masks provided for those that would like them
• Porta-potties with hand-washing stations
• We will be partaking in Communion. For this, individual, self-serve communion packets will be handed out when you arrive with song sheets and any other announcements/bulletins/print for the day.
• CDC recommends we discourage handshakes and hugs at this time. Please be sensitive to those that do not feel comfortable doing so (and don’t feel offended if they ask that you don’t). 
• Expectation is that each family group or individual sit at least 6ft apart from other individuals and/or groups. Please bring your own chairs or blankets and spread out as you feel comfortable throughout the backyard; if you have extras, maybe bring a few along too (there won’t be chairs provided).
• Toddlers/pre-school/nursery will have care on the lawn immediately behind where the main service will be held. Toys will be sanitized before and after use. Other children ages 4 and up will be expected to stay with their parents during the service this week.
• The small wooden church for offerings will be located at the back on a table for those that would like to contribute to giving in person on Sunday
• If you are not feeling well or do not feel comfortable congregating together, please stay at home this week. 

As we look to the weeks to come, we will continue to keep you informed as to where, when, and how we continue to meet. We hope that the joy, encouragement, and strength in the small groups that have grown during this time will continue as we move forward as well. 

We are still trying to find a way as a leadership team to navigate these waters, so we would ask for patience and grace with us as we seek for ways to gather together in unity. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions you have regarding this. We are only an email or a phone call away. 

Till He returns or calls us home: In Christ Alone,

OGBF Elders
elders@ogbf.org


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Address for the Rourkes:
24416 Raccoon Way
Oak Run, CA 96069

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