Author: Admin

Advent & Christmas 2023

Worship Services

Sunday, December 3, 2023: Worship with Communion at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 10, 2023: Advent Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 17, 2023: Christmas Pageant at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, December 21, 2023: Longest Night Service at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 24, 2023:
Advent Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 5:00 p.m.
The fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve fall on the same Sunday this year. Because of this special circumstance, the morning worship service will focus on the themes of Advent. There will be one Christmas Eve service with scripture lessons, carols, a time for children, and candle lighting. 

Sunday, January 7, 2024: Special Music Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
The Chancel Choir and a small instrumental ensemble will lead the service with special music to mark the end of Christmastide and Epiphany.

Events

Alternative Christmas Market, December 3 at 9:00 a.m.

Longest Night Service Dec 21

Thursday, December 21, 2023: Longest Night Service (7:00 p.m.)

This season can be a painful time for some. Our spirits sink as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. This might be the first year without a loved one who has recently died; it may be a time that brings up difficult memories.

We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us. But we also need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. Perhaps most of all, we need to know that we are not alone. For these reasons, Oak Grove Presbyterian Church offers a special “Longest Night” service. Join with others in sharing prayer, hearing scripture, and music that acknowledges God’s presence is for those that mourn, for those who struggle, and that God’s word comes to shine light in our darkness. The short service will be followed by a time for light refreshments and fellowship.

Glenn Pettit Memorial Service

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Glenn Pettit, who passed away on November 20, 2023, at the age of 103, leaving to mourn family and friends. Glenn joined Oak Grove in 1969. 

There will be a Memorial Service for Glenn Pettit at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The service will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook for those unable to attend in person.

Following the service, you are invited to join the family and friends in the church social hall for lunch and continuing conversation around the table. Internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

[ Bulletin ]

Glenn A. Pettit
07/18/1920 – 11/20/2023
Born in Michigan to Blaine and Viola Pettit. He had two sisters Mary Lou and Louise. Was employed at Michigan Chemical where he met the love of his life Phyllis; wife of 77 years. He served in the Army Air Force during World War 2, and will be buried at Fort Snelling Cemetery. They moved to Bloomington, MN in 1969 where he worked for Rosemount Engineering as an engineer. Previously he had worked for Barber Coleman in Rockford, IL where his children grew up. He also volunteered as an engineer at their church Oak Grove Presbyterian Church.

Glenn enjoyed scratch art, woodworking, hunting and fishing. He spent 50 years fishing with friends and family at Pelican Lake near Orr, MN. He loved working in his workshop repairing, creating and inventing. Glenn enjoyed celebrating with his friends and family in many places near and far; while sitting on his deck, on the porch at the lake, at a picnic table, or over a cribbage game with a beer. He never met a stranger. He was loved by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, two sisters, daughter Prudence and wife Phyllis. He is survived by his daughter Terry (Mike) Dooley; his son Bruce (Patricia) Pettit; three grandchildren Joshua (Carrie) Pettit, Alecia (John) Goode, and Chad Dooley; three great grandchildren Jackson, Jeffery, and Joseph Pettit; and lots of nieces and nephews.

Alternative Xmas Market

Our Alternative Christmas Marketplace will go forward in much the same way as last year. You will receive a Giving Catalog again in the mail around the middle of November to think about what you might like to give to. We have been told that families like to have the catalog at home with time to think and discuss what the family might like to support.

  1. You can simply make your choices and mail the order form and payment in the envelope provided. If you choose this option, please return to Oak Grove by Friday, December 1, OR
  2. Bring the form with your payment to church on Sunday, December 3, when we will have available a small marketplace in Gideon Pond Social Hall. During this time there will be coffee, juice, and cinnamon rolls to enjoy as well as some entertainment from our very own Oak Grovers, OR
  3. Pay by credit card. Click here for credit card link.

The marketplace event on Sunday, Dec. 3 will be very much like it was last year with those who want to share their talents in the kitchen by donating baked goods, jams, pickles, or other edibles. And we will have handcrafted items for sale. There will not be a silent auction.

We will also be selling coffee from Guatemala, but sadly Oak Grove is no longer involved with the Palestinian Olive Oil.

We hope all you crafters will have lots of handmade items for us to buy as Christmas gifts or just for ourselves. Contact Sharon Nolte if you have questions at 952-884-1014 or sharonnolte@yahoo.com.

Bill Cross Memorial Service

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bill Cross, who passed away on November 9, 2023, at the age of 78, leaving to mourn family and friends. Bill first joined Oak Grove in 2007. Services are pending, we will provide an update as we learn more.

Jeff Beattie Memorial Service

Direct link to Jeff Beattie Memorial Service video (YouTube)

A Memorial Service for Jeff Beattie will be held at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., with visitation at 9:30 a.m.

Following the service, you are invited to join the family and friends in the church social hall for brunch and continuing conversation around the table.

The service will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook for those unable to attend in person.

Obituary | Bulletin

Gilfillan Memorial Service Nov 11

Chris Gilfillan Memorial Service: Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Chris Gilfillan, who passed away on October 30, 2023, at the age of 76, leaving to mourn family and friends.

Christina grew up in Zumbrota, Minnesota and was a mother to Peter and Elizabeth. After raising her children, she went on to help others by becoming a Chemical Dependency Counselor for several years until she retired. She had many friends and was always ready to have fun whether it be taking up a new hobby, traveling, volunteering at church or spending time with her Red Hat friends She loved her cats that held a special place in her heart.

She is survived by children, Peter (Shannon) Gilfillan and Elizabeth (Dave) Jacobson; grandchildren Alex, Sarah, Alexis, Olivia, Kate, Lauren and Sophia; sister, Trish (Dave) Rasmussen and many friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Gill Brothers Funeral Home (9947 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington) with visitation at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Lung Association.

Bulletin

Adult Faith Formation: In-person & on Zoom

Adult Faith Formation meets each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. During this time, we welcome different speakers with different passions that relate to a life of faith.  This fall our theme is “Who Is My Neighbor?”  

There is also a zoom option if you would like to attend virtually.  You will find the link printed in the email announcements and it does not change.  If you would like to receive these announcements please send your request to ogpc@oakgrv.org.  Thank you!

Minnesota History Center Tour November 18

Our Home: Native Minnesota

Scroll down for Online Registration Form

As part of our ongoing efforts to go beyond our land acknowledgement you are invited to join fellow Oak Grovers (friends and other family members are welcome also) for a trip to the Minnesota History Center exhibit Our Home: Native Minnesota.

Learn about Native communities in Minnesota, including stories of survival, resiliency, and adaptation.

Native Americans — Dakota, Ojibwe, as well as people from other tribal nations — have dwelled in this area for thousands of years and still live here today. This exhibit shares their stories, enduring presence, and deep connection to the land.

This event will take place on Saturday, November 18th beginning at 11:00 a.m. with lunch at the Spirit Kitchen and a short presentation about NATIFS (Native American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems) in the Midtown Global Market. 

We will then meet at the history center for a guided tour of the exhibit at 1:30. After the tour you are welcome to spend additional time at the museum.

The cost is $10/person for the exhibit (MHS members get a discount on parking only). Lunch prior to the visit is at your discretion.

Sign up is available in the narthex, online at the church web site, or contact Ron Dubis. The deadline to register is November 5th. 

For more information, please visit https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter/activities/museum/our-home