Category: Mission

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.

Give to the Max

 This November, Give to the Max!

Instead of giving unneeded “stuff” to loved ones this holiday season, consider making a charitable contribution in their honor. Do it November 1-16 at GiveMN.org, and your gift may get a LOT bigger.

Not only can you donate to your favorite MN charities during GiveMN’s Give to the Max event, but random gifts will also be selected for extra prize earnings. These include:

  • $500 Early Giving Golden Tickets 
    Starting November 1, one gift per day will win a $500 Early Giving Golden Ticket.
  • $500 Golden Tickets every 15 minutes on GTMD23
    On November 16, $500 Golden Ticket winners will be awarded every 15 minutes! 
  • $1,000 Hourly Golden Tickets on GTMD23
    On November 16, $1,000 Golden Ticket winners will be awarded every hour. 
  • $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket 
    The grand prize of Give to the Max, you could turn any gift of $5 or more into $10,000 for your favorite cause! This prize will be drawn from all gifts made during Give to the Max Day and Early Giving, from November 1-16.

Oak Grove pays higher transaction fees through this event so we don’t encourage you to make significant donations here, but it’s a great opportunity to make your annual per capita payment ($37.50 per person) or just give an extra gift for fun. 

Please turn out November 1-16 and support your favorite charities at GiveMN.org. Good luck!

Mission Update: Water for Good

Oak Grove supports many organizations through our Mission Committee. One organization we support is Water For Good.

Annual Oak Grove support: $1,500

Annual waterforgood.org budget: $7.1 million

Water For Good mission statement
Water For Good mission statement
Jon Allen CEO water for good
Jon Allen, CEO, waterforgood.org

Letter from CEO Jon Allen

Partners: As I reflect over the last year, I am amazed at the significant impact your generosity is making in the Central African Republic. I cannot thank you enough for supporting clean water projects this past year! Thanks to your donations, every day over 850,000 people are accessing clean, safe drinking water.

In 2022, your support employed 113 Central Africans who built and managed:
12 solar-powered pump systems
58 tapstands
32 handpumps
3,737 maintenance visits
4,000 hours of radio waterforgood.org airtime

Collections for VEAP

During Lent, we are encouraging each household to bring one item to church each week to help restock VEAP’s onsite pantry shelves. Each week we will focus on a particular item that is most asked for but least available. Donations can be brought to church on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings or during church office hours.

February 19–26: toothpaste, toothbrushes

February 26–March 5: sugar

March 5–12: cooking oil

March 12–19: laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap

March 19–26: toilet paper, paper towels

March 26–April 2: diapers

Checks, made payable to Oak Grove, are also acceptable. Please write “VEAP” on the memo line.

Sub Sandwich Youth Fundraiser Feb 12

Order a Sub Sandwich for the Super Bowl and Support Oak Grove Youth!

The youth are sponsoring a Super Bowl sub-sandwich fundraiser for our trip to Washington DC this summer! You will find order forms in the Sunday bulletins to create your own deluxe sub, to be made fresh on the morning of Sunday, February 12, and picked up after worship in the social hall!

No need to worry about what you’ll eat for the big game (the Super Bowl or the Puppy Bowl), or just an easy lunch that day. Each made-to-order sub is $10 (cash or check).

Simply drop your order form and payment in the collection plate, or hand it to a youth representative at the table in the hallway or call the church office (952-888-4621) by Wednesday, Feb. 8. What a delicious way to support our youth – thanking you in advance! Questions? Call Mary.

Christmas Joy Offering

November 27–December 18, 2022

When we give to the Christmas Joy Offering, we come together to support past present and future leaders embodying God’s perfect gift to us, Jesus Christ.

  • 50% of your gifts make it possible for students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
  • 50% of your gifts provide assistance for current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs.

You can donate by using the special envelope in the pew, write a check to Oak Grove with “Christmas Joy” in the memo line or online at  https://onrealm.org/oakgrv/give/xmasjoy.

Thank you for your generosity. If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!

Dream Day

Dream Day at Oak Grove: Saturday, December 3 (9 am to 12:30 pm)

Join us on Saturday, December 3, at 9:00 a.m. as we begin to answer questions, like: Where is God acting in the community, and where does God wish us to join in that activity? What does it look like for our future if we move toward the reality of where God is leading us? What ministries and mission are we being called to start, expand, or stop? During this phase we will engage in theological and prayerful consideration of what God’s future for Oak Grove as a faith community looks like.

Alternative Christmas Marketplace

Alternative Christmas Marketplace: Sunday, December 4 (9:00–10:30 a.m.)

Photo Gallery

Join us for a small marketplace in Gideon Pond Hall on Sunday morning, December 4, at 9:00 a.m. During this time, there will be coffee, juice, and cinnamon rolls to enjoy. There will also be entertainment from some of our very own Oak Grovers. Additionally, there will be a photo booth, and handcrafted items for sale. Also, we will have those who have shared their talents in the kitchen with items like baked goods, jams, pickles, and other items for sale.

Please note, the decaffeinated Mexican whole bean coffee is NOT available. If you have already returned your order form and purchased the decaffeinated Mexican coffee your money will be refunded. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Alternative Christmas Marketplace-2022

Once again, your Mission Committee is inviting members and friends of Oak Grove to gather as a compassionate community of faith and demonstrate our commitment to “loving all God’s people worldwide” and changing lives wherever we can.

Because many of us are still being very cautious due to Covid, the Mission Committee has planned our Alternative Christmas Marketplace to go forward in much the same way as last year. During the week of Nov. 14, you will find your marketplace booklet delivered to your mailbox. It will include everything you need to select those items you wish to purchase to honor family and friends. What a wonderful way for you to make your choices quietly and prayerfully in the comfort of your own home. However, this year we are offering two ways in which you can return your order form with a check or credit card.

You can simply mail the order form and payment in the return envelope provided in the marketplace packet. If you chose this option, please return to Oak Grove by December 2, or bring it to church on Sunday, December 4, when we will have available a small marketplace in the Gideon Pond social hall. During this time, there will be coffee, juice, and cinnamon rolls to enjoy as well as a little entertainment from our very own Oak Grovers.

While there will not be a silent auction this year, we would like to invite all crafters and those who want to share their talents in the kitchen by donating handmade art, crafts, baked goods, jams or other edibles for sale on December 4, to please contact Sharon Nolte at 952-884-1014 or sharonnolte@yahoo.com.

In 2021 your generous response to the marketplace was overwhelming and we were able to send more than $9,000 to the Presbyterian Mission Agency where small gifts make a big impact. Yet at the same time, we also supported some of Oak Groves own mission non-profits… “Loving God… Changing Lives” locally, nationally and worldwide.

Sept 24 Clearwater Woodcutting

Join us at Clearwater Forest for Oak Grove’s annual woodcutting event. There will be a lot of fun, fresh air, fellowship, and hard work. Families can treat this as an introduction to the property and a full weekend to hike, bike, kayak, swim and fish. We have campsites and some room with beds available if you would like to come up the night before and/or stay Saturday.

If interested in going or knowing more about the event, please contact Carrie Wilkens at carriewilkens@comcast.net or 952-240-5022.