It’s hard for us to read the story of Mary and Martha without finding fault with Martha. That’s been the traditional Christian interpretation for many years. But we’re not fair toward Martha by finding fault with her – any more than Martha was fair with Mary when she complained about doing all the work. […]

  I feel like I’m beginning to emerge from a long tunnel. After 15-months of slogging through the dark, I’m beginning to see glimmers of light. I might even call it “normalcy.”  I’ve gone out to eat – twice. I gathered with friends on Memorial Day. We sat around, visited, and laughed. This Sunday Oak […]

This Sunday is Pentecost. Pentecost began as a Jewish festival 50 days after Passover. It commemorates the giving of Torah to the Hebrews as they journeyed through the wilderness after slavery in Egypt. For Christians, Pentecost comes 50 days after Easter. It recalls when God sent the Holy Spirit upon the 1st disciples in Jerusalem. […]

Three things about worship this Sunday: ·      First, the sermon is based on the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). I chose the passage, because it shapes my understanding of what our ministry is about at Oak Hill. I encourage you to read and reflect on the passage before Sunday morning. Listen for how God speaks to your life through this story. […]

Have you ever been worked up about something? I mean, REALLY worked up. Not necessarily angry, but upset or worried or afraid or troubled by whatever is happening around you. Or within you. Have you ever been worked up about something … and has your best friend, your spouse, your mom or dad looked up to ask you what the […]

This Sunday, we focus on a portion of what is known as Jesus’ “farewell address” to his disciples. This farewell encompasses a jam-packed two chapters in John’s Gospel, beginning with Chapter 14. It is here that we find the last of Jesus’ “I AM” sayings:  “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinegrower.” Not long before, Jesus and […]

June 14 is United Methodist Men Sunday at OHUMC, so all the participants in this service you will be men. We will be blessed with a wonderful message by two men that have a close relationship with our community: Chris Baker and Drew McAngus. Chris is the chief executive of The Other Ones Foundation, an organization currently based on our campus, that […]

Anyone who thinks that church is boring never heard about Pentecost. The “Birthday of the Church” was one wild party. The followers of Jesus did not plan this party.  No committees met, there was no strategy session, it just happened. Pentecost happened to them. The only contribution they made was their presence together. “The disciples were all […]

On June 9, layperson Mike Trujillo preaches on Acts 2:1-21. 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as […]