News
As we enter the summer we are amazed and grateful for the good things happening at OSC! What seemed like a long, slow return from the COVID-19 Pandemic 18 months ago has transformed into a season of tremendous growth and blessing, with new families going our community every month.
June at OSC marks the end of our fiscal year, which means it’s time for our annual membership drive. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we can only operate by the generosity of our supporters. So just like your favorite public radio station, once a year we invite you to become a supporting member of OSC.
Why do we gather on Sunday mornings? Why do we sing the songs, prayer the prayers, light the candles, preach the sermons? What’s the point of all this? Is church just another enterprise that demands our attention? Are we here to build the next boutique brand? Join us starting January 15th as we embark on a new teaching series called “Building A Community of Love.”
Along with Advent, Christmastide, and Epiphany, our year-end fund drive is upon us! But what exactly are we asking you to give toward? First and foremost, The Oceanside Sanctuary is a church! Every Sunday, we worship together in a safe and inclusive community of faith that welcomes all people. But that is not all we do!
Last Sunday’s 147th anniversary celebration was an especially sweet time. As we reflect on the gathering, we are struck by the remarkable community of welcome and care God is building at our church. For us, more than ever, last Sunday morning felt like home. Community seems to be our theme during this season of OSC’s congregational life.
We’ve learned a great deal together over the past eight weeks from scripture about the Art of Community: the priority of connecting with God’s transformational presence, how God liberates us from fear to embrace our differences, and how a community of difference empowered by the Spirit acts in genuine caring and loving ways. This is just the kind of community we hope to build at The Oceanside Sanctuary!
On May 2nd, national news media reported a leaked document indicating the Supreme Court of the United States would likely overturn Roe v. Wade. The next Sunday, we announced to the congregation that women at OSC would lead our church through this discussion. On June 24th this leak proved to be true.
There is so much going on I need to share with you! But I don’t want us to miss the spirit of what is happening in our congregation right now, so stick with me. In my sermon last Sunday I argued that Christ’s ascension in Acts Chapter 1 was necessary. Jesus knew that if he remained, his followers would never grow up and learn to be empowered, themselves, by the Spirit of God. Specifically, he said…
