The Messenger: Campus Clean-Up Day – Saturday, March 7

CAMPUS CLEAN-UP DAY – We will have a campus clean-up day this coming Saturday, March 7 from 10am-5pm. There are multiple cleaning &/or light maintenance projects that we would like to complete. All are welcome to come for all or any part of the day that you are able. A bbq lunch will be provided. No need to RSVP, you can just arrive on the day whenever you are able to come. Thank you!

EASTER EGG HUNT – As has become our tradition, we will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for ages 0 to 3^rd grade on Easter Sunday, April 5 @ 10:30am (following the traditional service). In the past, we have requested donations of plastic eggs and candy and have gratefully accepted these. This year, we are requesting monetary donations only and staff and volunteers will make the necessary purchases to ensure consistency. Donations will be used to purchase any needed eggs, small and safe toys, and individually wrapped and allergy friendly treats. Please mark “Easter Egg Hunt” on the memo line of your check or on the envelope (for cash donations). Please turn in donations by Palm Sunday, March 29. Thank you so much!

SUNDAY ADULT STUDY – All are welcome to attend the Adult Study on Sunday mornings currently led by Wendell Webster. This study meets @ 10:45am in Button Hall.

MAYHEM – This recurring monthly gaming event serves as an outreach ministry to youth and college-age students. We are seeking prayer support, sponsors, and volunteers. Email justin.oneonta@gmail.com for details. Donations can be made out to Oneonta Congregational Church with MAYHEM in the memo line.

ROGUE IMPROV – This group meets every Monday evening at 7pm in the Tower Room. It’s a free, quality Improv Class taught by fantastic, skilled teachers, followed by fellowship and prayer time. This weekly event is open to adults of all ages and experience levels.

RELAY FOR LIFE – Our Oneonta Church Movers & Shakers Team is joining the South Pasadena/American Cancer Society Relay for Life for the 12^th year in its effort to Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back against cancer. The 2015 modified South Pasadena Relay will be held on April 25, 2015 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm in Garfield Park. If you wish to support our church team in this important community outreach effort, you can drop your check or envelope in the offering plate, stop by the church office or give your contribution to Carol Evans (Team Captain), Carole Abernethy or David Schwend by April 19. Checks should be made payable to: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY/2015 SO. PAS RELAY and please note “Oneonta Church Team” on the memo line. Thank you for your support! Carol Evans, Team Captain.

UPCOMING LENTEN EVENTS

The 2015 South Pasadena Ministerial Association Lenten Meal & Prayer Schedule:

• Sunday, March 8 @ 6pm – Calvary Presbyterian Church
• Sunday, March 15 @ 6pm – St. James Episcopal Church
• Sunday, March 22 @ 5pm – Assembly of God Church
• Sunday, March 29 @ 7pm – Holy Family Catholic Church

• Sunday, March 29 @ 9:30am & 11:30am – Palm Sunday Traditional & Contemporary Services and the OGHS collection for Church World Service
• Thursday, April 2 @ 7pm – Maundy Thursday Service in the Tower Room
• Friday, April 3 @ Noon – South Pasadena Good Friday Service at Holy Family Catholic Church
• Sunday, April 5 @ 9:30am Traditional Service, Sanctuary / 10:30am Easter Egg Hunt / 11:30am ONE Worship, Gray Hall – Easter Sunday! Celebrate the Risen Lord and Communion in these beautiful services

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

• Sunday, March 8 – DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS! (Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to sleep on Saturday night!) – Traditional Service @ 9:30am, Sanctuary / Coffee & Fellowship Time @ 10:30am, Tower Room / Adult Bible Study @ 10:45am, Button Hall / ONE Worship @ 11:30am, Gray Hall / Men’s Pick-up Basketball @ 1pm / Lenten Dinner & Prayer @ 6pm, Calvary Presbyterian Church
• Monday, March 9 – Rogue Improv @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Tuesday, March 10 – Christian Ed @ 7:45pm, Forum
• Wednesday, March 11 – Youth Group @ 7pm / Adult Bible Study @ 7pm, Forum
• Thursday, March 12 – Prayer Mtg @ Noon, Redwood Chapel / Chancel Choir @ 7:30pm, Button Hall
• Saturday, March 14 – Mayhem! @ 10am, Gray Hall / Handbell Team Rehearsal @ 3:00pm, Button Hall

• Sunday, March 15 – Traditional Service @ 9:30am, Sanctuary / Coffee & Fellowship Time @ 10:30am, Tower Room / Adult Bible Study @ 10:45am, Button Hall / ONE Worship @ 11:30am, Gray Hall / Men’s Pick-up Basketball @ 1pm / Lenten Dinner & Prayer @ 6pm, St. James Episcopal Church
• Monday, March 16 – Rogue Improv @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Tuesday, March 17 – Deacon’s Mtg @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Wednesday, March 18 – Youth Group @ 7pm / Adult Bible Study @ 7pm, Forum
• Thursday, March 19 – Prayer Mtg @ Noon, Redwood Chapel / Chancel Choir @ 7:30pm, Button Hall

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The Messenger: New Director of Youth Ministry

Justin Berkobien

I am delighted to announce the arrival of our new Director of Youth Ministry, Justin Berkobien.  As a member of the Christian Education Committee for several years, I’ve come to appreciate the dynamic relationship between the youth and their youth leaders.  When we began our search for a new DYM, we determined that our youth should be included in the process.  Our search committee consisted of Bob Worley, Corinne Thomas, Chris Ramirez, Wendell Webster, and me, as the Chair.  In addition to having two youth representatives participating in the interviews, we asked the finalists, as part of the selection process,  to present a lesson to our students at a Wednesday night Youth meeting.  With guidance from Rev. Lincoln, we observed Justin’s ability to connect with our students while teaching and sharing his testimony.  Rev. Lincoln also met with Justin one-on-one.

Justin received his Bachelor of Arts, in Theater, from Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan and continued professionally in theater, television, commercial and film productions. After living in the Chicago area for a few years, he arrived in Los Angeles, and moved into the South Pasadena earlier this year, after finishing a national tour with Mamma Mia.  Previously, he was the Director of Youth Ministry at Ascension Lutheran Church, working with the Senior Pastor and Education Chair for two years.  At the same time, he also worked at Holy Cross Children’s services for five years, providing guidance and advocating for support to troubled youth and supervised an Independent Living Program for youth.

With Justin’s passion for inspiring young people, and his extraordinary talents in music and drama, we are excited that he feels the calling to Youth Ministry.  Justin’s first day will be Wednesday, August 14^th.  In the true Oneonta way, let’s give Justin and his family a big welcome to Oneonta!

-Julie Angelo

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 – Rev. Lincoln Skinner will preach in both services on Sunday, August 18. His message is entitled “Mission: America” based on Acts 1:8.

FINAL RELAY FOR LIFE UPDATE – Congratulations! Oneonta raised $4,136.00 for the 2013 South Pasadena Relay for Life and the Fight Against Cancer. Our “Movers and Shakers” Team is again the first place South Pasadena fundraiser. Thank you for all the wonderful Oneonta support! -Carol Evans, Movers & Shakers Team Captain

LIBRARY NEWS – The Library has been given a large number of cookbooks for our Book Sale. The books will be on display this coming Sunday, August 18. Come and check it out!

PRAYER MEETING – All are welcome to our weekly prayer meeting held every Thursday @ noon in Redwood Chapel.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY – The Wednesday Night Bible Study will be taking a short summer break during the month of August. They will resume on September 4.

SAVE THE DATE: MOVIE NIGHT – Mark your calendars for our next Family Movie Night on Friday, August 30!  We will present Disney’s Mary Poppins at the Oneonta Family Center (corner of Garfield & Oak). Gathering will begin at 7:30pm, refreshments will be provided.  The movie will begin at dusk. Please bring blankets and lawn chairs.

FIRST ANNUAL ONEONTA SPIRITUALLY INSPIRED TEEN MUSIC FESTIVAL – We are looking for talented teens, to participate in our first Oneonta Spiritually Inspired Teen Music Festival. Our intent is to include trios, quartets, a capella groups, bands, as well as soloists. Instrumentalists will be encouraged to partner with singers. Music chosen must be personally inspiring to the teen artists and of special interest to agemates. August 18 will be the last Sunday for auditions (from 1:30-3:30 in Button Hall). A Dress Rehearsal/Concert will be held on Saturday, August 24 (concert @ 7:30pm). To make an appointment or for further information contact Ray Briggs.

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

• Sunday, August 18 – Traditional Service @ 9:30am, Sanctuary / Fellowship Time @ 10:30am, Tower Room / Adult Bible Study @ 10:45am, Forum / ONE Worship @ 11:30am, Gray Hall / OSITMF Auditions @ 1:30-3:30pm, BH

• Tuesday, August 20 – Deacons Mtg @ 7:00pm, Tower Room

• Wednesday, August 21 – Youth Group @ 7pm, Modular

• Thursday, August 22 – Prayer @ Noon, Redwood Chapel

• Saturday, August 24 – Oneonta Spiritually Inspired Teen Music Festival Concert @ 7:30pm, Sanctuary

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