justice, kindness, love

God Meets Us In Unexpected Places

2011-11-28T22:25:00.001-06:00

"God meets us in unexpected places at unexpected times. God of noise and of silence, surprise us." ( the Unfolding Journey)

Today we were suppose to put our Mary & Joseph in the quietest place in our house, and sit there for a few minutes in prayerful silence, what do we hear?

Mary and Joseph are sitting on a stack of puzzles at www.brostl.org, we started our toy distribution today. We will be giving out toys to over 4,000 children. It was quiet when M&J were here.

I confess I didn't sit silently in prayer, I was the only one and it was quiet, not sure what I heard, but I did feel anticipation about the day. How would it go. We received a phone call that a couple of major players for the day wouldn't be in due to illness. Yikes ! How would this play out! But God appeared in the form of a group of retired teachers and other volunteers who pulled together and took care of what was needed, and we had a delightful day.

God was there in that simple day of toy packing in the basement of the Presbytery and the 400 children we served today will have a brighter and more hopeful holiday.

"He said," Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."
1Kings 19:11-13.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Advent Journey

2011-11-27T18:32:00.001-06:00

Presbyterian Today has published a wonderful Advent Calendar for 2011

"The Unfolding Journey" by Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartmann and John Blair Hartmann III

The First Week: Wonder and Wander

Readers are invited to use their Mary & Joseph from their family Nativity set to wonder and wander and prepare and pray as we discover the ways we are called to live out Christ's message in our lives.

We place Mary and Joseph on our porch or in our yard and think about how they might feel as they start their journey.

Mary and Joseph are in a flower pot in my yard, in the rain, in the dark. It's cold. I think about frightening times on the highway in unfamiliar locations, in the pouring rain, at night, wondering where the next exit might be. What if the car breaks down, what if, what if. I try to remember God is with me and
God will help show me the way.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Psalm 25: 4-5

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let its door be rugged and strong to turn back the tempter's power, but open and inviting to those who are your guests.

2011-07-22T14:39:00.001-05:00

Ryan and Laura cleared off this shelf, we've decided it hasn't been moved since 1982. And surprise, cool windows. We had forgotten they were there, silly us.

Checking the old paint cans for keepers.

Wendy and the CLIPBOARD.

Cool piece of furniture lurking in the old bathroom, make us an offer!

Carolyn measures twice and cuts once!

Brendan and Ryan are .......... ( you fill in the blank).

Josh checks out the exhaust fan and Ryan .......(fill in the blank here, as well).

Look, there will be two sinks in this bathroom!

Century Mark

2011-07-21T15:24:00.001-05:00

Doing our best to keep our volunteers cool!

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Make the threshold of this house smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, or barrier to the elderly and disabled.

2011-07-21T11:02:00.000-05:00

We’ve ( the “Royal” we) have been studying the plans carefully, and we’re making progress. With the assistance of a “real” plumber and “real” electrician and our top-notch site manager, Josh, and talented and willing and able volunteers and support volunteers, we are making progress. If you attended Oak Hill in the late 1950s early 1960s, you will be amazed by the transformation of the Annex Building.

You might remember a restroom on the second floor. We are transforming that room, and the room to the North of it ( to the right, facing the rest room) into two restrooms. Each containing two shower/dressing areas, double sinks and toilets. Also, amazing is the amount of “stuff” that we got rid of. It’s hard to let go. I found an old goose neck lamp that had a metal tag attached with a twist tie. It was stamped with the name and address of a long time member and church worker, Bob Kalhorn. My immediate thought was that we needed to save it. After counsel with Pastor Chris that Bob had plenty of light where he is now, ( Heaven, no doubt), and the pros and cons of hoarding, I decided to keep the tag, and we put the lamp next to the dumpster. I think Bob would have liked that. Bob was like so many of us, he loved finding a treasure in the alley, and was known to go “dumpster diving” with another member, Dave. I hope the lamp has found a home.

Some of our support volunteers catch up on dvds while mom and/or dad are busy, they are called out to haul light weight stuff and sweep and hammer!

Some of our support volunteers help set out meals and clean up and keep the cooling station stocked with beverages and snacks.

When not preparing a meal, some of us catch up on blog posts, MCU ads on photoshop and other "important" stuff.

O God, make the doorway of this house narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride, and strife.

2011-07-19T14:57:00.001-05:00

We passed our framing inspection! The frames are up, and the showers are roughed in. We love our plumber and our volunteers!

It's hot, but the workers are staying hydrated. We have some wonderful volunteers bringing ice, and iced tea, and breakfast, lunch and dinner!

O God, make the doorway of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship

2011-07-19T08:02:00.000-05:00

During a Staycation week, we can bring our own airconditioning to the worksite and not have to haul it 1,000 miles!

What!? Two air conditioners?! This is a high class operation!

Looks are deceiving! Volunteers came in before our work week and got ahead start on some of the demolition and plumbling prep work.But there is still plenty for this volunteer group to accomplish this week. Let's rip out this stuff.

And this stuff!

Then, the Home Depot Guy shows up with the supplies! Here's what we've been waiting for....the showers. ( I know, we can't put them in YET.)

Let's get started!

MCU - CITY

2011-07-03T18:40:00.003-05:00

We're working on a new ad for the upcoming MCU Directory. What do you think?

Annex Renovation for Mission

2011-06-28T17:27:00.005-05:00

OHPC Youth Mission Trippers

2011-06-17T15:21:00.000-05:00

More From Denver!

2011-06-16T15:46:00.001-05:00

Check out our blog on your smart phone. These photos reposted from cell phone photos on facebook!

Food Pantry Adventure

2011-06-15T15:09:00.000-05:00

Wait! I think they have been overworked and underpaid! LOL! Our youth hard at work at the Food Bank of the Rockies. We are proud of their efforts! And where have you seen the Face of God today? Right here on this blog post, if you ask me!

These photos are being reposted from facebook from our folks on the road!

Working at a Day Camp

2011-06-13T14:47:00.000-05:00

The youth group is hard at work in Denver. Here are a few photos via facebook!

Denver!

2011-06-12T21:27:00.000-05:00

Hmmmmm...... the group made it to Denver! (sorry, cell phone photo, reposted from facebook)

Keep the group in your prayers as they work with Door Ministry in Denver, Colorado.

OHPC Youth Mission Trippers

2011-06-11T15:54:00.000-05:00

The Youth Group is heading to Denver to work with Door Ministry

Summer worship 10 AM

2011-06-03T14:44:00.001-05:00

Don't forget! Church starts at 10AM.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T17:21:00.001-05:00

Christ is risen, indeed!

Prayer Vigil

2011-04-23T23:10:00.001-05:00

May God's Blessed Assurance Be with you in this hour as you wait for and welcome the risen Christ in your life.

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-23T12:18:00.001-05:00

An alternative venue for our hunt this year, while the southside missed the storms, it's still a bit damp in Tower Grove Park.

You can't go wrong in the church basement!

Ok, maybe you can.

The Easter Bunny was very creative.

We had lots of fun with friends and family.

Nap time!

Annex Renovation for Mission

2011-04-14T19:36:00.001-05:00

Join us

2011-04-13T22:59:00.001-05:00

For worship during
Holy Week

The Time For Disciples

2010-09-05T13:50:00.001-05:00

The Disciples keep getting younger and younger!

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Georgia Mission Team

2010-08-02T20:30:00.001-05:00

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

2010-07-31T15:31:00.001-05:00

We met this very nice man and his dog while sitting on I 75. There had been an accident a few miles ahead and Bumper the dog was barking madly at us out the window.

We discovered that Bumper has been on the road with his driver for 11 years. She's called Bumper because when she was a pup she kept bumping into the side of the truck when she tried to jump in.

Bumper has only jumped out once in their 11 years together. Her person thinks it was too big of a jump and that she didn't want to do it again!

We chatted a few minutes and Bumper got a walk down the median. In our conversation we told Bumper's person about our mission trip. He gave us $20 towards our next trip.

Keep Bumper and his buddy in your prayers, as well as the accident victims.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Fun stuff

2010-07-28T18:32:00.001-05:00

Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Mission Trip Views 2010

2010-07-28T08:36:00.001-05:00

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

On The Road

2010-07-25T06:41:00.001-05:00

Heading out to www.calvincenter.org in Hampton, Ga. Check back for more adventures!

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Christ is risen, indeed!

2010-04-04T07:46:00.001-05:00

A beautiful Cardinal is singing brightly in the tree in front of Oak Hill. It is 7:24 am and our sunrise service has just concluded. Be Amazed, and tell the good news!

There was darkness over the earth before creation;

There is darkness in the womb before birth;

The seed grows in darkness before it meets the light;

There is darkness in the tomb before resurrection.

But now Christ is risen!

The dawn has come.

A new creation has commenced.

The world is born anew.

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Thanks be to God!

Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Amen!

-

Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Juniata St,St Louis,United States

The Great Easter Vigil

2010-04-03T22:20:00.001-05:00

While Saturday morning may have been filled with sunshine , laughter and an Easter Egg Hunt, the congregation at Oak Hill turns prayerful again in the afternoon with an Easter Prayer Vigil.

Starting at 1pm, individuals and families take turns attending to prayer in our sanctuary. This will continue throughout the day and night until our Easter Sunrise service at 6:30 am.

It is almost startling to be here at 10 pm, in silence. much of my church experience is about being busy, with prayer almost as a background noise.

Pastor Chris Davis provides us with scripture, and other study materials, my favorite is Ann Weems "Psalms of Lament". I enjoy prayerful art journaling and singing during this time as well.

Hopefully you will join me in prayer.

We are alone, Jesus is not sitting with us, we wait. May God's Blessed Assurance be with us in this hour as we welcome the Risen Christ into our lives

Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Oak Hill Ave,St Louis,United States

More Urban Egg Hunters

2010-04-03T10:35:00.001-05:00

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Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Southeast Dr,St Louis,United States

Hunting the Urban Easter Egg

2010-04-03T10:30:00.001-05:00

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Southeast Dr,St Louis,United States

Relay in the park

2010-04-03T10:12:00.001-05:00

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Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Main Dr,St Louis,United States

Easter egg hunt relay

2010-04-03T10:08:00.001-05:00

Tower Grove Park the fun begins

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Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Main Dr,St Louis,United States

The Way of the Cross: An Act of Blessing A Walk of Faith and Prayer in the City

2010-04-02T15:46:00.000-05:00

Good Friday found members of Compton Heights Christian Church ( Disciples of Christ), Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, St. John's Episcopal Church, St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship, St. Paul's United Church of Christ, and Tyler Place Presbyterian Church participating in their annual Way of The Cross: A Walk of Faith and Prayer in the City.

Members of Oak Hill's Membership and Evangelism Commission decided to record the event via live blog posts from the walk. There was no editing of photos and blogging took place while walking the route. We wonder how ancient people recorded their journey without the benefit of iPhones and the internet. You will need to scroll down the page and perhaps click on older posts to get to the beginning of the journey. Won't your pray with us as you follow our path as we Prayed in the City on Good Friday.

Jesus is buried

2010-04-02T14:38:00.001-05:00

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Oak Hill Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus is taken from the cross

2010-04-02T14:37:00.001-05:00

Mann School

Jesus is the model of God for those who follow him. As Christians our concern is that every child will know goodness, love , righteousness and justice, that each child will know they are loved by God.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Oak Hill Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus dies on the cross

2010-04-02T13:49:00.000-05:00

Into your hands I commend my spirit

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Oak Hill Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus is nailed to the cross

2010-04-02T13:40:00.002-05:00

We are witnesses and commentators on the life and death events of our world , our words and actions matter,

How do we choose to use the voice God has given us? Peace? Violence?

The Hartford Coffee company serves coffee from family farmers in South America. Here you have a choice to be good stewards of God's creation.

Our actions and words matter.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Hartford St,St Louis,United States

Jesus is nailed to the cross

2010-04-02T13:40:00.001-05:00

Location:Hartford St,St Louis,United States

Jesus is stripped of his garments

2010-04-02T13:29:00.001-05:00

When Jesus was crucified the soliders took his garments and divided them.

How have we stripped others of their dignity and self - worth in the name of progress and cleaning up the neighborhood?

-we pray for those who have lost their homes or been displaced by progress. We pray for those who have caused this pain.

Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:McDonald Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus falls a third time

2010-04-02T13:15:00.001-05:00

We pray for victims of violence. We look for God' presence. We hear the stories of the victims of violence. At this location a man was stabbed to death delivering groceries to a friend, there appeared to be no motive , we are filled with Many of the same emotions of the disciples, anger, sadness, despair,

Where is God's presence?

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:McDonald Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus meets the weeping women

2010-04-02T13:04:00.001-05:00

We pray for women every where
We pray for all women in Jerusalem today , Jews, Christians, Muslims, Palestinians, Arabs, Israelis, Armenians, and others,

We pray for all people who have fled terror, left families, lost those they loved.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Grace Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus falls a second time

2010-04-02T12:57:00.001-05:00

Let us pray for those who suffer physical and mental weakness and fatigue , for those who are lonely, depressed, or in despair, for those who are persecuted.

We pray for those who find comfort here at this community center. And for those who help us, friends and strangers on our path.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Potomac St,St Louis,United States

A Woman Wipes the Face Of Jesus

2010-04-02T12:50:00.001-05:00

There are those in our community who are called to help those who are despised , living in pain , or are lost. They comfort those with HIV/Aids or comfort children born with addictions. The people at The Well Community Church are such people, may peace be with them.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Grace Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus helped by Simon of Cyrene

2010-04-02T12:34:00.000-05:00

What would it look like if we tried to help those in our community who need assistance, do we have the courage or faith to help those who are suffering?

WIC for women infants and children at 3646 McDonald across from Fanning School , sharing space with The Well Community church

Location:McDonald Ave,St Louis,United States

Jesus meets his Mother

2010-04-02T12:33:00.001-05:00

We give thanks for our mothers and family and friends who have cared for us.

We pray for families in the Grand / Utah neighborhood in South St. Louis.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:S Grand Blvd,St Louis,United States

Jesus falls for the first time

2010-04-02T12:23:00.001-05:00

We pray for refugees in our community who face hardships and misunderstanding.

We pray for those who are despised and persecuted.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:S Grand Blvd,St Louis,United States

Jesus carries the cross

2010-04-02T12:16:00.001-05:00

Mokabes on arsenal at grand

Amazing grAce

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:S Grand Blvd,St Louis,United States

The Way of the Cross

2010-04-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

Starting at St.John's Episcopal Church on Arsenal near Grand.

Jesus is Judged
We are reminded that we are not God when we are faced with ou own judgments of God's people.

Lord have mercy.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Arsenal St,St Louis,United States

Metropolitan Congregations United

2010-03-28T15:10:00.001-05:00

Help generate $75 million for public transportation in the St. Louis area. A group from Oak Hill braved the chilly spring air at a rally at the convention center in support of Prop A. Whatever your opinion be sure to vote April 6.

- Posted using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:N Market St,St Louis,United States

Mardi Gras Pancake Supper

2010-02-16T19:09:00.000-06:00

A lively group met at OHPC to celebrate Mardi Gras and raise funds for Isaiah 58 Ministries. Mask making , beads and pancake flipping, and trivia kept the crowd entertained while they stuffed themselves with pancakes! A grand time was had by all !

There was also a few studious participants!

-
Posted from The Oak Hill Church basement
using my iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Oak Hill Ave,St Louis,United States

OHPC Candy Making Night

2010-02-12T20:10:00.000-06:00

We're at OHPC tonight having chocolate fondue and other goodies, and making candy! Join us next time!

- Posted from Oak Hill Presbyterian Church,using iPhone and Blogpress.

Location:Connecticut St,St Louis,United States

What Do Presbyterians Believe? A chance to learn more.

2009-08-18T18:36:00.000-05:00

What Do Presbyterians Believe?
A Chance to Learn More

On Sunday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m., the Adult Sunday School Class will begin a six-week series on basic Presbyterian beliefs. Our focus will be the Study Catechism that was adopted by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1998. A catechism is a statement of faith in question-and-answer form. Catechisms have long been used by various groups of Christians, especially for teaching the faith to young people in confirmation classes. They are helpful, however, to any new church members, church officers, and anyone wanting to look carefully at the most important things the church believes.

You may have heard of the Westminster Shorter Catechism that forms part of our Book of Confessions. You may even have learned to recite some or all of it:
"Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever."

(That's about all that most of us remember!) But, the Westminster Shorter Catechism is NOT what this series of classes will be about.

Instead, we will be looking at this NEW, contemporary catechism. It was produced in three forms: a First Catechism for young children, one for use in confirmation classes, and the Full Version for use with adults. We will use the Full Version that comes complete with Biblical references. This version can be downloaded for free, in .pdf document form, from the Presbyterian Church (USA) website. The address:
http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/confession/biblical.pdf
If you have trouble downloading the catechism, let the church office know and we will help you get a copy. The catechism is also found in book form in the Book of Catechisms: Reference Edition, published by Westminster John Knox Press and available from Cokesbury.

If you can, please get a copy of the catechism and bring it with you when you come to class, and read questions 1 through 10 before the first class on September 20. Bring your own questions, comments, observations, complaints, etc. Make notes on your copy of the catechism. Highlight or underline what you think is particularly interesting or puzzling or annoying or inspiring.
Fellow learner Alan Meyers will facilitate our study. Alan would be happy to talk to you about any questions about it.

See you on September 20?

Mission Trip 2009 & More

2009-08-04T15:06:00.000-05:00

Mission Trip Eolia Kentucky 2009

2009-07-26T17:59:00.001-05:00

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If photos are not showing, click on the link to see the latest!

Power of One

2009-07-08T10:05:00.000-05:00

OHPC Mission Trip Fund Raiser

2009-07-06T15:18:00.000-05:00

We're getting ready for our annual mission trip! We're heading off to Eoila, Kentucky http://www.mcc.org/swap/locations/eolia/ We'll be working with the Mennonite Central Committee of the Great Lakes Region, in their program known as SWAP, Sharing With Appalachian People. We're leaving July 27 and will return August 1. We have ( at last count) 21 people going. This is pretty amazing since the size of our congregation is about 138 members.
So why the Music Man tickets to the Muny and the Albert Pujol Doll? Well, it's a raffle to raise some gas money, of course.
Muny tickets are box seats, for Music Man, Tuesday July 21. If you aren't a church member of don't plan on being at church before the show, we'll get these to you in time, if you should win! The Pujols doll, we'll mail anywhere in the world. ( Our blogmaster will mail it to you!)

Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Tell us which raffle you want your tickets to go in, and we'll see they get in the right drawing. Interested in donating on-line click here

Indicate in the message section the number of tickets you want to go to each raffle. Thanks!

Tickets will also be availale at the Simple Supper on July 8 and at the Outdoor Coffee Hour following worship on July 12. ( By the way, you're invited to both. Supper is at 6:30 pm on the second and fourth Wednesday, Worship is at 11am Sunday.)

Oak Hill Summer Music Camp

2009-06-21T21:27:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

SPRING FEST

2009-04-23T22:24:00.001-05:00

2009-03-24T12:20:00.000-05:00

Free Concert

Jon Troast

April 16, 2009
7:00 PM
Oak Hill Presbyterian Church

4111 Connecticut
Saint Louis, MO 63116

For more information
office@brostl.org

A free will offering will be collected to benefit the

BRO Holiday Toy Drive for Families in-need

Your donation of new/used toys and books are also welcome.

For more information about Jon and his music visit the following link below

http://www.jontroast.com/

www.brostl.org

2009 Book Club

2008-12-26T18:44:00.000-06:00

Join us in 2009 for Oak Hill's Book Club.

January 6, 2009 we will be meeting at Mattingly Brewing Company, and reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. We're looking forward to the discussion and love dinner or appetizers at one of our favorite restaurants on the South Side of St. Louis. Mattingly's has a great conference room upstairs and the best wait staff, with an never ending refill on Diet Coke. ( We're especially fond of our own Matt McMullin who is the manager!)

We'll be meeting at various venues around town, so check back for details.

Here is a list of the books scheduled for discussion in 2009

January : Three Cups of Tea, Mortensen and Relin

February: Anne Frank : The updated edition

March: Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury

April: Sepent's Tale , Ariana Franklin

May : The Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs

June: Water for Elepants, Sra Gruen

July: Masie Dobbs , Jacueline Winspear

August: Book club will not meet

September: The Lion , Andrew Jackson, Jon Meachem

October: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie

November: A Spot of Bother, Mark Haddon

December: Voting for 2010 selections

Hope to see you!

What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church? A Parable.

2008-11-08T11:34:00.001-06:00

Something to think about!

Blessing of the Animals at OHPCUSA

2008-10-20T19:38:00.000-05:00

“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless these pets. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

Roller Derby - Adult Fellowship!

2008-09-14T22:57:00.000-05:00

It was a fun night at roller derby Saturday. Have you ever been? One of the women at our church plays in this roller derby league. Very cool. Our adult fellowship group, wandered out for a new adventure. We were impressed by their abilities and strength and the camaraderie and support the women gave each other. ( Great sportswoman ship as well!) Our favorite was MIDWIFE CRISIS. She's the greatest! Check out her DH cheering her on!

We'll have to do this one again, hope you can join us for all the action!

http://www.archrivalrollergirls.com/

Rally Day 2008

2008-09-04T17:13:00.000-05:00

Join us for Rally Day on September 14, 2008...that's Sunday! After worship we'll grab our bikes, balloons and motor scooters and have a great parade over to Tower Grove Park.( you can see it on our map on our side bar below) A nice easy walk, complete with police escort. We'll shower the on lookers with candy and church flyers, and invite them along to our picnic, complete with hotdogs and brats. Bring a side dish to share, if you can. Hope to see you!! Fun and games as well as food!

These photos are from 2007, check back later for pics from this year!

Gulfport Mission Trippers 2008

2008-08-02T22:27:00.000-05:00

Gulfport Mission Trip - 5

2008-07-29T14:52:00.000-05:00

Before construction can ever begin, the flooded/damaged home must be removed. Some of the residents we worked with lost their homes due to rain after the roof had been blown off by the wind. They may have had black mold growing, making it unsafe for habitation, or the home may have been blown off of concrete pillars and damaged beyond repair. Keep in mind, these residents own their property.

At this particular site, our volunteers, Scott and Jimmy worked with a youth group from a community center in Toledo, Ohio. The resident here had been living in a tent, as the second FEMA trailer provided to her was contaminated by formaldehyde and she was only able to stay inside for 5 minutes at a time without becoming ill.

The youth finally over powered the trailer, got it torn down and all the debris stacked into dumpsters. There being a shortage of dumpsters and an obviously high demand, sometimes they had to wait for the dumpster transfer to occur. While the photos are out of order....you can see....they got the job done! Now, construction crews can come in and get the foundation ready and work can begin and this homeowner should be in a new home with in the next 2 months!

Gulfport Mission Trip - 4

2008-07-29T13:40:00.000-05:00

A grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation/MS Hurricane Relief Fund paid for frame and trusses for the twenty two homes. Triple D Truss, an Amish construction company in Pennsylvania worked with PMDR to provide pre-fabricated frames and trusses at cost for the new home construction projects.

Volunteers with the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Storm Aid Group installed foundations, and Amish, Mennonite and Brethren volunteers staying at the MDS Storm Aid Camp in Pass Christian and at local Presbyterian Churches assisted in the construction.

Here we are, unpacking and installing a closet door and frame. How many Pres-bees does it take to hang a door?

Gulfport Mission Trip - 3

2008-07-29T09:58:00.000-05:00

Twenty-two homes were started in November 0f 2007 through a partnership between Presbytery of MS Disaster Recovery (PMDR) and International Relief and Development-US (IRD-US) formed through the Harrison County Long Term Recovery Coalition ( HCLTRC).

The IRD case managers work with homeoweners and present cases to the HCLTRC Unmet Needs Roundtable. PMDR manages new home construction projects from start to finish. PMDR works with volunteer labor and funding from HCLTRC funding partner agencies to payu for construction supplies and subcontractors for HVAC, plumbing and electrical work.

The funding partners for these twenty-two homes include The Gulf Coast Community Foundation, The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army. Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response, and local Presbyterian Churches from around the country.

More than 3,000 Presbyterian Volunteers from seventeen US states spent a week at a time working on various stages of the homes, including adding landscaling and their own personal touch to some of the homes.

Our team added their own special touches to the Spaulding home, flower boxes and a door mat....we hope the flower boxes last a long time and look forward to the Spauldings adding their own "Welcome" mat when they move in!

Gulfport Mission Trip - 2

2008-07-28T15:14:00.000-05:00

We measured the trim for the door, cut carefully ( we still have fingers) and LOOK, it fits! This was at the McGrew Family Home.

Gulfport, Mission Trip - 1

2008-07-28T12:34:00.001-05:00

We arrived in Gulfport on Saturday evening, scoped out the accomodations, had dinner at Lookout 49, and hit the hay. We were up early Sunday morning and some of us took a quick trip to the beach before church. After church it was lunch and another quick trip to the beach to build sandcastles and chat on the phone with the folks at home. We soon met Lynn, our leader and "taskmaster" for the week, and got ready for our week of mission!

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Mission Trippers study the jelly fish, sting rays and horse shoe crabs.

Pastor Chris enjoys a quick phone call with Rita.

Will Brandt and Josh Smith model their customized do-rags made by Carolyn Moody, exclusively for our trip!

Photos may not be quite in order, and may not have all the sites we worked, we'll work hard to collect photos of our different adventures...since we had photographers at all the scenes on our journey. Check back for more exciting details!

Mission Trip to Gulfport Mississippi July 19 - 26 2008

2008-07-16T22:24:00.000-05:00

Saturday July 19, 14 of the 16 OHPC Mission Trippers will meet at the Oak Hill parking lot, and head south to Gulfport to work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in rebuilding the Gulf Coast region, still recovering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. ( Two of our group are heading out on Friday, on their motorcycles) Check back here for mini updates and photos. You can also check for twitter updates at http://bonniebluedenim.blogspot.com/. A special thanks to Iris and George Soscia who will be forwarding "twitter" updates to our blog from our on the scene reporter, Donna Cook. We hope this works. All of us know only enough( about the computer and our cell phones) to be dangerous. Keep all of us in your prayers and we'll be back July 26! Have a great week!

Edited July 28, 2008

We moved our twitter pics and twitter updates to our side bar....and will be posting new posts above about our trip! Please be patient while we catch up!

Habitat Blitz Build - 4

2008-07-12T16:45:00.001-05:00

To God Be The Glory!

Habitat Blitz Build -3

2008-07-12T16:41:00.001-05:00

We had about 15 people, and what is amazing is most of the folks took a day of vacation to work with OHPC's Mission Team at the Blitz Build. It was a little hot and humid...ok ....it was real hot...and humid, but we had lots of ice and water, and lunch provided by Orlando's.

Habitat Blitz Build - 2

2008-07-12T16:36:00.000-05:00

It was a beautiful day in St. Louis, a few showers in the morning, but the sun was out by the time we started work. Our group put up the roof and insulation on the exterior of house #14.

Habitat Blitz Build

2008-07-12T16:29:00.000-05:00

Oak Hill Presbyterian Church spent the day on Friday July 11 21008 at the Habitat For Humanity Blitz Build.

Habitat will build 27 homes during the 2008 build season. Their build will take place in a familiar stomping ground for many of the Habitat Volunteers, the JeffVanderLou (JVL) neighborhood. Habitat built 20 homes in 2004 and another 20 in 2006 in JVL. Those homes were built on Bacon, Coleman, Garrison, & St. Louis Ave. This year's build will be near the intersection of Grand Ave. and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., roughly six blocks south of the 2004 and 2006 build locations.

Interesting Info on the 2008 Build
Home style will be a combination of one-story, two-story, and one-and-a-half story homes
The one-story homes will be slab on grade, which is new for HFHSL this year
Exteriors will be a Nova Brick front and Pre-Finished Cement Fiber Siding
Exterior wall dimensions are 2' x 6' on 24" OC (on center)
Exterior wall sheathing will be 5/8" OSB (oriented strand board)
Foundations are a Pre-Cast Insulated Foundation System
Utilities will be underground
Roofs will be Foiled-Backed Roof Sheathing
..and Habitat will provide dishwashers to the 2008 homebuyers!

Share The Good News of Jesus Christ

2008-06-27T20:55:00.000-05:00

Here is the Good News! Sixty-four community children came to our VBS and learned about the power of Jesus in their lives! It was wonderful to work with these cool kids. We had volunteers from OHPC and other churches in the community, including Calvary & Tyler Place Presbyterian Churches and St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church.

Friday was our last day! We learned about Acts 1 - 47 the story of the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost, and heard the Gospel from Mark 16:15. "Go into the world and preach the Good News to Everyone!"

Our Beaker was filled to overflowing as we achieved our Daily Challenges

Professor Wilma tried to explain how sharing the word would look if we each told one, then two, then three...and everyone we knew!

Giant lightening bolts remind us to go out into the world and tell eveyone that Jesus loves them!

Our Global Mission Project was decorated soccer balls to be sent to Operation Kid - to -Kid for distribution to children in-need throughout the world. We wrote messages and prayed over each soccer ball and then presented them at our closing ceremony. For our local mission we collected baby supplies to help Isaiah 58 Ministries located at 2149 South Grand, St. Louis, MO.

We finished the day relaxing and visiting with parents and staff and enjoyed fellowship with a side order of hot dogs, chips, and ice cream sandwiches!

We hope all of you will join as at Oak Hill on Sunday morning at 10:30am. A happy and safe summer to everyone!

Jesus Gives Us The Power To Live Forever!

2008-06-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

It was another great day at Oak Hill's Vacation Bible School! We learned about how Jesus died for our sins, and came back to life, and how Jesus gives us the power to live forever! What wonderful Good News! We had a "heavy" discussion about sin in Bible Blast. Including a little conversation about Jesus and Mary and Joseph and all the saints and who was a sinner and who wasn't. You can tell that our friends at St. Margaret's of Scotland are learning their Bible Stories! A lot of our church members send their children to St. Margaret's and their friends and neighbors join us at Bible School. Everyone is welcome and we all learn a lot from each other! We all agreed that Jesus washes away our sins and we can live with him forever!

In Cinema Science we continued our story and learned what the "live forever" formula is!
During Wacky Crafts the Squeaky Beakers made Brainyboppers, and the bigger kids mad a Radical Rez....you'll have to ask the kids the story that goes with these cute crafts. In Hyperspeed Games more fun was had by all, and we hope the crew leaders were a little dryer.

Test Tube treats didn't disappoint us either, we had cool crosses made with Ritz Crackers and Cheese Whiz....don't ya love Cheese Whiz! They were pretty yummy, but then, we eat any and everything at Power Lab!

Every day at the Faith Fusion finale, we receive the Daily Challenge and then we discuss it the next morning during Sonic Sing and Play. Then if we have performed one of the daily challenges we get to put a balloon in our giant beaker! It's almost over flowing!

We hope everyone makes it back tomorrow for our last day! After Faith Fusion Finale we'll all have hot dogs and ice cream, come join us, and bring a friend!

Will It Float!

2008-06-25T16:41:00.001-05:00

No it's not an episode of David Letterman, and there were no Grinder Girls. But Professor Diane did ask us at the Faith Fusion Finale, today.....Will it float? Try this in your kitchen sink? Celery? Limes, lemons, potatoes, a unopened can of soda. Will it float or will it sink?

Of course there was a lot of singing and dancing going on, we learned "You Never Let Go", "Wherever You Go" and we sang some other great songs that you might hear on Sunday, if you join us in worship at Oak Hill. ( 10:30 AM)

Today our Bible Story was about Jesus giving Peter the courage to walk on water, and what happened when Peter's focus was distracted away from Jesus . ( I think there was some sinking goin' on that day!) The children survived the storm at sea, and only got mildly damp from the giant waves. Each child was able to summon the courage to walk on water, like Peter, but found it a whole lot more fun to sink....deep into our "ocean".

Who would have thought that 25 pounds of cornstarch and 2 1/2 gallons of water, and a little blue food coloring could be such fun. It was even therapeutic to mix it up, you had to use your hands, the spoon wouldn't work. And no, the Bible Blast Teachers do not have circulatory problems, their hands are naturally blue. Click here for a scientific explanation of the whole process

In Psalm 23 v. 4 we learned that "I will not be afraid for you are close beside me!" Sigh...that's a good thing to remember! Especially if you are the crew leader during Hyperspeed Games. Each crew was given 3 spray bottles....and the object of the game was to see how wet you could get the other crew leader. That sounds fun, doesn't it! They also did some other tricks, you'll have to ask your kids!

At Test Tube Treats we tested to see if a cherry would float....in our grape soda pop floats (yummy ice cream)....will it float or sink? I think it got eaten before your could try it out! Hey I didn't get a cherry, not fair!

Of course in Cinema Science, the saga continues.....today we asked...."Will Chadder be able to stop Smardley? The Squeaky Beaker Preschoolers told us it was really scary!!!!!! One of those Squeaky Beakers was a little Sneaky and tried her hand( er...feet) at walking on water. ( OK, she is related to the blog master /Bible Blast teacher.)

We of course went to Wacky Works Crafts and Missions....and made Oozy Slime....very cool...we're not sure what they liked best....the oozy gooey mess, or the fun noise you could make with it when you stuck it back into it's beaker!

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us the power to be BRAVE!

Hope to see you tomorrow!!!

VBS - The Power to help others

2008-06-24T16:38:00.000-05:00

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.

That saved a wretch like me,

I once was lost but now I'm found.

Was blind but now I see

Another great time at VBS. Today's The power verse today was from Romans 12:13. "When God's people are in need, be ready to help them." Jesus gives us the power to Help Others! We talked a lot about trying to help others, sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's hard. We can only do our best, with God's help.

In Bible Blast Adventure we learned about Jesus giving sight to the blind man. You remember the story, it involves a hand full of dirt, mixed with a little spit, to make mud, and Jesus put it on the blind man's eyes. The man then washed the mud from his eyes at the pool and was able to see! We try to experience the real thing at VBS, so.....a little mud and spit in the eye....well, we were blindfolded, and tried to understand what being blind was like, our crew leaders smeared a little oatmeal on our foreheads...pretty gross really, and then they cleaned us up. We tried to understand how exciting it would be to be able to see , when we had never seen before. And we tried to understand how things such as, being busy, or distracted, stop us from helping others. A good story.....even if it was a little yucky, no real spit was involved, thank goodness,

We sang a lot in Sonic Sing and Play, our first station at Bible School. And we met our new Bible Buddy today, Sparki...pretty cute! "Amazing Grace" and "At The Name of Jesus" are great songs to sing.

And as usual we spent some time in Hyperspeed Games, playing Electic Attraction, Neutron Run, and Blind Basketball. Whewwww.....busy kids!

In Wacky Crafts we made a Gotcha Guy,the Gotcha Guy water bottle has two guys in it....and one is able to go down to the bottom and rescue the other....a great way to help some one! I

n Test Tube Treats we had some yummy Mucky Mud ( pudding and vanilla wafers, honest). And the question in Cinema Science.....What did Smardely turn into? ( You'll have to ask the kids!)

During Faith Fusion Finale ,"Light Woman" helped us discover that Jesus gives us the power to help others!!!! Check with your VBS attendees about the "Daily Challenge. More tomorrow!!

Monday at Power Lab

2008-06-23T14:39:00.000-05:00

Eewweehhhhhh!!!!! Those kids have got spots all over!!! Quarantine them quickly, before it spreads.

Bible School started out with a bad case of leprosy! Every single child and even the crew leaders had it. We kept them away from the village, and wrapped them in caution tape, and you know what! Jesus came along and pronounced them ALL clean. Oops we forgot to say thank you, but one child pointed out that Jesus loves everyone, no matter what, even if they forget to say thanks.

When we finally escaped the quarantine we had a great time at Wacky Works Crafts & Missions, where we made Buddy Beakers, cool key chains to hold our Bible Buddies. We got "Fizz" today. ( That cool guy in the photo to the left.) We decorated our beakers with glitter and stickers and markers. The Wacky Crafts lady promised the crew leaders that there would be no more glitter for the rest of the week! ( Oh darn!)

During the day we also attended Cinema Science and met our fave Bible School Teacher "Chadder" and we want to know ... Who is that in the secret lab????????

Mid-morning we headed off to Test Tube Treats. The preschoolers made our special treat for us today. "Thankful Faces!" Sugar cookies, with icing backgrounds M&M eyes and nose and an orange slice mouth, some of them were frownies and some were smilies...all of them tasted very yummy!

VBS would not have been complete if we didn't stop in at Hyperspeed Games. We made giant bubbles ....a hula hoop was our bubble wand. And played other games called 10 Bubbles and Thankful Acts.

Remember :

Always be thankful!
(Colossians 3:15)

Check back tomorrow for more Power Lab Adventures!

Vacation Bible School 2008

2008-06-22T16:15:00.000-05:00

Vacation Bible School begins on Monday morning. Be sure to keep the children and staff in your prayers during the coming week! There is a lot of excitment in store! Stop in and say hi!