Our Congregation has a Camp Scholarship Fund to help defray the costs of Summer Church Camp and Work Camps for our children and youth. We offer $25 for every camper, and more for those who need extra help.
Please consider making a special contribution to this fund.
Week-long camps are an excellent way for people to experience faith, service, community, and independence. Look for Summer Camp brochures soon. Please contact our camp ambassador, Jerry Anne Kines for more information.
EAD is an ecumenical conference held in the DC metro area each year. The Church of the Brethren is one of the ecumenical sponsors, and through worship, theological reflection, and learning, EAD seeks to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy. This year’s theme is “Breaking the Chains: Mass Incarceration and Systems of Exploitation.” For more information, contact Nate Hosler, Director, Office of Public Witness, at .
2 pounds Brussels sprouts
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces pancetta or bacon, cut crosswise into ½-inch-wide strips and separated
salt and freshly ground black pepper
* Using a sharp knife or mandolin, thinly slice the Brussels sprouts crosswise, discarding the ends.
* Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat; add the pancetta or bacon and stir. Cook until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.
* Reduce the heat to medium high; add the Brussels sprouts, and cook, stirring often, until they are bright green and tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
* Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Christmas was a wonderful experience for us all. The times of worship, the caroling, the Christmas Eve service, the children, the music, and the beauty of God’s gift to us wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
December is a month of celebrating Christmas, and now in comes the New Year and we move into Epiphany, Lent and Holy Week. I want to share some words that both look back and ahead to the vision and mission Jesus called us to follow.
The stark nakedness of a cross
has little significance to many people today,
some even see it as a negative image.
After all, it was a means of capital punishment.
The cross is also a symbol of Jesus’ love, even as he suffered.
Jesus never asked us to worship a cross,
but to take up our cross and follow him.
Jesus could have walked away from Jerusalem
but his mission led that direction and so
he set his face toward Jerusalem.
Jesus faced the cross and saw beyond the cross.
He saw a greater vision and mission,
to the joy set before him, a vision of life for us all.
Abundant life that shimmers with grace and beauty and joy
reflecting the new creation in resurrection life.
Followers of Jesus are called to set their face beyond the cross,
to reach for the vision and live the mission
trusting God who is greater than the cross.
The cross is in the past, the resurrection is now!
-Richard Shreckhise
May we always celebrate the great works God has done.
May we ever rejoice in the moments now when we experience the nearness of Christ.
May we pay attention to the vision and mission ahead in the leading of the Spirit.
Oakton Church was aglow with a brass ensemble, beautiful voices, and precious children as we prepared for the birth of Christ at our Christmas Festival on December 7, 2014.
Upon arrival at the church, much to everyone’s surprise the church parking lot entrance and sidewalks were bright with illuminated candles. The evening started outside with the Comer Brass Ensemble, comprising of Joel, Chandler, Casey, and Cortland. These gifted musicians serenaded us with Christmas carols as we sipped cider and hot chocolate served by Sue Comer and enjoyed the warmth of the “Yule log” prepared by Kenny Judd. This definitely set the tone for a remarkable evening.
The Christmas Festival began with hanging of the greens, a symbol of life and renewal, as we sang Deck the Halls. Many thanks to the following people who beautifully brighten the sanctuary windows with candles, pine, and holly: Bridgette Beach and Karl Wilkerson, Jan Burket and Carol Keirsted, Pearley and Shirley Carr, Edna and Orville Knicely, Bev Levesque and Evelyn Supinger, Amanda Lowe and Kelley Wine, Matt, Leah, and Benjamin Landes, and Karen and Ryan Richardson.
The program continued with “A Christmas Pageant” wonderfully narrated by Miller Kines, Hannah Seidel, and Evan Strong that told the story of the nativity through scripture, song, and pantomime. The talented Oakton children brought the story to life and each did an excellent job of playing their parts. Esri Lowe and Darius Kianersi were Mary and Joseph, respectively, and displayed the reverence of Jesus’ birth as they took their places by the manger. There were a multitude of heavenly angels played by Sary Burket, Hanna Cline, Grace Gill, Kennley Judd, Charlotte Kosek, Ava Lowe, Lydia Richardson, and Joanna Wuhrman, led by Katelyn Judd as Gabriel. The shepherds were Jonah Cline, Donovan Gill, Carter MacKinnon, and Bobby Wuhrman and made us believe they truly were on a hillside that special Christmas night. The majestic Wisemen – Eric Finet, Jack MacKinnon, and Kara Misdom – listened intently to Herod, played by Cyrus Kianersi, and ignored his orders to bring back news of the Christ child.
But what really tied the program together and made for an exceptional evening were the musical talents of many members of our congregation. Rob Powell and John Eddy’s extraordinary renditions of Mary’s Boy Child and O Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem were poignant moments in the program. In addition, Rob and daughter, Olivia sang a verse of O Holy Night, which provided special meaning to the nativity story. Also sharing their lovely voices were Ellie Kosek, Celeste Phillips, Olivia Powell, and Seth Strong singing an a cappella version of What Child is This?. It was a special treat to hear Angels We Have Heard on High played by the bell ensemble. And the final touch was all of the children singing Away in a Manger together.
The evening concluded with the traditional Christmas meal, delicious and beautiful cookies, and lots of fellowship with each other. Thanks to Mary Ellen Judd and Pat and Marvin Reed for your hard work to ensure another fantastic dinner.
A heartfelt thanks to Elliot Phillips, Davin Kines and Landon Kines for their expertise with the lighting; to Kimberly Judd and Missy Burket for assisting with the program; to Michael Judd for being the photographer; to Jan Fischer Bachman for playing the piano and leading the Junior High singers; to Debbie Seidel for directing the children’s choir; to Mary Beth MacKinnon for leading the congregational singing; to Shanna Spangler for operating the sound system; to Pastor Randy for offering the blessing; and to everyone else who worked behind the scenes to make the evening possible and a resounding success. As remarked by many attendees, it truly was a “special” Christmas Festival that opened our hearts to this wonderful season and prepared us for the true meaning of Christmas. May you keep Christmas with you throughout 2015.
Merry Christmas and a Joyous Happy New Year!
Debbie Herring and Kim Ferrari
Worship Committee has a need for additional Sanctuary Partners. These couples or individuals share a month of duties that include prepare the altar candles, send the acolyte forward at the proper time, usher or recruit ushers, count attendance, and clear the pews after the service. If you are willing to consider this service to our congregation, please email or call Jan Burket or Mark Wilkerson.
Oakton Church was aglow with a brass ensemble, beautiful voices, and precious children as we prepared for the birth of Christ at our Christmas Festival on December 7, 2014.
Upon arrival at the church, much to everyone’s surprise the church parking lot entrance and sidewalks were bright with illuminated candles. The evening started outside with the Comer Brass Ensemble, comprising of Joel, Chandler, Casey, and Cortland. These gifted musicians serenaded us with Christmas carols as we sipped cider and hot chocolate served by Sue Comer and enjoyed the warmth of the “Yule log” prepared by Kenny Judd. This definitely set the tone for a remarkable evening.
The program continued with “A Christmas Pageant” wonderfully narrated by Miller Kines, Hannah Seidel, and Evan Strong that told the story of the nativity through scripture, song, and pantomime. The talented Oakton children brought the story to life and each did an excellent job of playing their parts. Esri Lowe and Darius Kianersi were Mary and Joseph, respectively, and displayed the reverence of Jesus’ birth as they took their places by the manger. There were a multitude of heavenly angels played by Sary Burket, Hanna Cline, Grace Gill, Kennley Judd, Charlotte Kosek, Ava Lowe, Lydia Richardson, and Joanna Wuhrman, led by Katelyn Judd as Gabriel. The shepherds were Jonah Cline, Donovan Gill, Carter MacKinnon, and Bobby Wuhrman and made us believe they truly were on a hillside that special Christmas night. The majestic Wisemen – Eric Finet, Jack MacKinnon, and Kara Misdom – listened intently to Herod, played by Cyrus Kianersi, and ignored his orders to bring back news of the Christ child.
But what really tied the program together and made for an exceptional evening were the musical talents of many members of our congregation. Rob Powell and John Eddy’s extraordinary renditions of Mary’s Boy Child and O Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem were poignant moments in the program. In addition, Rob and daughter, Olivia sang a verse of O Holy Night, which provided special meaning to the nativity story. Also sharing their lovely voices were Ellie Kosek, Celeste Phillips, Olivia Powell, and Seth Strong singing an a cappella version of What Child is This?. It was a special treat to hear Angels We Have Heard on High played by the bell ensemble. And the final touch was all of the children singing Away in a Manger together.
The evening concluded with the traditional Christmas meal, delicious and beautiful cookies, and lots of fellowship with each other. Thanks to Mary Ellen Judd and Pat and Marvin Reed for your hard work to ensure another fantastic dinner.