From the Pastor's Desk

Dear Church,
       Jane and I want to thank each and every person who sent us a card with such warm words, and gifts from your heart.  We are truly blessed to be a part of this great fellowship.
       2017 has been a good year for Oakland.  I will share more about this in my state of the church message on January 7, 2018 during the morning worship service.  Again, I want to encourage you to be present that day.  As good as 2017 was, I believe 2018 can be a great year.  We serve a great God who wants to do great and mighty things.
I don’t know if you have ever read your Bible through, but whether you have or have not, let’s do it together this year.  Linda always includes a reading schedule in the newsletter for your convenience.  You may want to choose another listing - that’s your choice - but let’s be faithful to read God’s Word.  It is our directional book for life.  If you will read it, it will make a difference in your life and I believe others lives because of you reading it.
I have given 2018 a theme.  The theme is “Commitment”.  I Samuel 12:24: “Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things He hath done for you.”  Over this past year, I have seen many at Oakland give their whole heart to serving the Lord.  I wish I could list each one and say something related to their service to the Lord and others.  What would happen at Oakland if every person would give of themselves to serve the Lord, here?  Only the Lord knows, but I believe instead of saying we had a good year, we would be able to say we had a great year.

Serving the Savior, Pastor Mike