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Special Worship Events
Over the course of the year, Oakton Church conducts a variety of special worship events. Some, like Christmas Eve services or our Prayer Vigil, are annual events while others are more opportunistic. Take a look at what some of our more recent events have been, and plan on joining us at an upcoming event. For a list of upcoming events click here.
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Christmas Eve Services
December 24, 2009
Oakton Church has many traditions as we prepare for Christ's coming. The first Sunday of Advent is based on an old English custom, known as Hanging of the Greens, where we decorate the church with many kinds of greenery traditionally associated with everlasting life. Greens such as cedar symbolizing royalty, fir and pine boughs for everlasting life, holly symbolizing Jesus' death and ivy representing the resurrection are all used in our rendition of this old world custom. The second Sunday of Advent is normally celebrated with a traditional Christmas Tea, sponsored by the United Methodist Women. While the third Sunday of Advent is marked with the much awaited Christmas concert presented by our Sanctuary Choir. On the fourth and final Sunday of Advent, we fill the sanctuary with hundreds of poinsettias which become the backdrop to our Christmas Eve Services. Oakton Church offers three services, 5:00pm (family service), 7:30pm (candle light service and communion) and 11pm (candle light service). Come celebrate the joy and wonder of the Christmas Season at Oakton Church.
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reCONNECT, a special sermon series, ran from Sunday September 20, 2009, through Celebration Sunday, October 25th. The basic study and worship schedule for this program follows:
Sept. 20 Longing for Connection
Sept. 27 My Connection with God's Power
Oct. 4 My Connection with God's People
Oct. 11 My Connection to God's Generosity
Oct. 18 My Connection to God's Transformation
Oct. 25 My Commitment-- Making the Connections
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New Look at Favorite Bible Stories
July 26 and August 9, 16, & 23
July 26 Daniel & The Lion
Aug. 9 Samson & Deliah
Aug. 16 Jonah & The Whale
Aug. 23 David & Goliah
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June 7, 14, 21, & 28
June 7 The World of the Bible
June 14 The Search for Truth
June 21 The Search for Beauty
June 23 The Search for Good
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Making Marriage Work
April 19 - May 31
April 19 Venus & Mars - In the Beginning
April 26 Youth Sunday - What Teenagers Know About Love
May 3 What Women & Men Wish They Knew About One Another
May 10 After the Honeymoon is Over
May 17 The Habits of Unhealthy Marriages
May 24 God's Plan for Intimacy
May 31 Making Love Last a Lifetime
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Good Friday Service
Seven Last Words Of Christ
April 10, 2009 Noon to 3:00pm
Reverends Donna Johnson, Chris Bowman, Dr. James Hoffman, Dr. Edward Bauman, Ray Brill, and Marable Southall-Vess have agreed to preach about the seven last words of Christ at this annual community event. All are invited and childcare will be available. Holy Week concludes with Easter Sunday services: 8:30am in the Chapel and 10:55am in the Sanctuary. Sunday School for ages at 9:45am. Childcare available for the 10:55am service.
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Prayer Vigil 2009
March 6th, 4:00pm - 10:00pm Musical Program at 7:00pm
March 7th, 6:00am - noon
Oakton Church's Prayer Vigil has its origins in the World Day of Prayer which dates back to the 19th century when Christian women of the United States and Canada initiated a variety of cooperative activities in support of women's involvement in mission at home and in other parts of the world. These activities related to a number of areas, including:
· Concern for women and children
· The role of prayer in mission work
· A vision of Christian unity
· Belief study was everyone's responsibility
In1920, the first Friday of Lent was established in the United States as a joint day of prayer for missions. Due to the enthusiastic facilitation of local denominational and interdenominational women's groups, the day of prayer spread rapidly throughout the country. In 1926, the idea was adopted internationally and in 1927 a World Day of Prayer for Missions was issued.
Join us to explore new ways to meditate and pray. In past years, Oakton Church's version of World Day of Prayer encompassed the following activities:
· Quite, reflective time in our specially decorated, candle lit sanctuary provided an unparalleled time during which the Holy Spirit gently ministered to our hearts and souls.
· A program of Song and Prayer sponsored by the church's music department on Friday evening, included an evening liturgy, TaizJ chants, call and response, and vocal and musical instrument solos.
· A Chartres Cathedral style labyrinth enabled spiritual reflection as each person slowly walked the circular path from the outside to the center of the labyrinth. After resting and reflecting at the center, they slowly reversed their steps and experienced a new-found sense of hope and peace as they returned to the outside world.
· Meditation binders contained Scripture, color photos, meditative prayers, and sections for personal journaling.
· A Resource Center provided 8 prayer stations with meditative books, music on CDs, and other meditative resources.
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Bring a Friend to Church Sunday
September 14, 2008 was designated as "Bring a Friend to Church Sunday". Regardless if you were 7 or 70, members were encouraged to bring friends, family and neighbors to worship with them. Other members of the local community were also invited to attend via our web sit and other advertising venues. That evening, we returned to the church with our friends--new and old-- for a casual pot-luck dinner and to take pleasure in the inspirational music of 4tified. Their second visit to OUMC, 4tified's music reflects the eclectic tastes of these men, including southern gospel favorites, soulful a cappella hymns and medleys and a number of original songs written and arranged by the group. Together the tell the story of what drives them to spread the good news of the Gospel! This was a wonderful special worship event full of good food, fellowship, worship and praise!
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