From the Pastor – August 2020

Dear Oakhurst Family,

            I hope and pray this newsletter finds you well and joyful! To play off our newsletter, it’s time to turn over a new leaf. The last few months of 2020 has been difficult for all of us. The main reason it has been difficult is the uncertainty surrounding a new virus that no one knew how to treat. Part of the difficulty has been the flood of information whether good or bad through news media and social media and even from our different levels of government. It has just been overwhelming and difficult to bear and absorb. However, there is One who knows exactly what this virus is and knew it was coming well in advance of anyone else. There is One who is fully in control, always has been, always will be and there is nothing anyone can do to take Him off His throne. God has always been in control and we must trust Him in this time of uncertainty. While I understand this has most certainly been a health crisis, I’m confident this has become a faith crisis. Instead of trusting the Lord for a treatment and cure, instead of accepting the reality that death is certain, Christians have tried to rely on man and man is most certain to fail. Including myself. It’s time to turn over a new leaf. Yes, the virus is real. Yes, people have died, and no one is insensitive to that reality because death is always certain. Why is this? Because humanity is broken, but Jesus is still King!

I encourage us all to turn over a new leaf and begin trusting the Lord again in uncertain times. We need one another and I want to encourage everyone to come back to Church. All age groups of Sunday School are open, and the Nursery is ready for your little ones. Your family needs to be in Church. You need to be in Bible Study. You need to be in assembly with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ lifting up the name of Jesus with our voices. You need to hear from the Word of God for correcting in righteousness and for the training of the saints. So, turn over a new leaf and come back to Church. Call a fellow Church member, call a neighbor, call a friend, and encourage them come to Bible Study and Worship on Sunday and Wednesday. If you are scared, please, feel free to wear a mask and space out in the sanctuary. If they are scared, encourage them to wear a mask and we have plenty of space at OBC for all of us to gather to worship as the Body of Christ.

I want you to know, as your Pastor, I love you and want nothing but the best for you both physically and spiritually, but most importantly, eternally. I encourage you with 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.” May we no longer fear the things of this world, but fear God and trust Him to care for us. I look forward to seeing you in Bible Study and Worship on Sunday!

In Christ,

Bro. Mark

Verses of the Month: Colossians 3:12-17