United Methodist Church
"The Little Stone Church with the Big Heart"
2415 Fair Park Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72204
OPEN MINDS, OPEN HEARTS, OPEN DOORS
• Be sure and see "Our Gatherings" page for a church calendar of events!
We invite you to join a congregation that is taught by pastor, Russ Breshears. He tells the Oak Forest story and you will find out where we've
been, where we are going and why we do the things we do at Oak Forest. You will walk away with a message of hope and encouragement for the week ahead.
At the conclusion of the every service, you get the opportunity to join the
church. Call us at 663-9407 to find out more, for our doors are always open.
a note from our pastor... Hope that you and your family join us for worship this coming new year. Invite your neighbors and friends who do not have a church home to join us. We are so grateful for the love and support our members and friends have offered during this year. Oak Forest is truly a special place. With God's help, we offer much love to a hurting world. Consider joining us in celebrating a simple New Year with God, family and friends. Come, join us, we have a place for you! Dr. Russ Breshears, Pastor Scripture of the Week  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me." John 21:15-19
Just what does it
mean to become a disciple of Jesus Christ? Is it a willingness to walk
down a church aisle, submit to either being submersed in water or have
it pour over your head, and then go to church when it is convenient? Is
it just having our ticket stamped so we have entry into heaven? No, it
is a daily decision and Jesus is graciously reminding Peter that we so
not live in the past but in the present. Three times, Jesus asked Peter
if he loved him. Three times Peter answered yes. It isn't enough to
say you love Jesus, real love has hands and feet. Real love means we
feed, tend, feed, and follow. Join us in our missions.... Listen....are you being called to serve?  The People of Oak Forest United Methodist ChurchHelp people in their community Accept you for who you are Offer a place to belong Care for and support each other Show respect for other religions Support people facing difficulty Welcome diverse opinions and beliefs Guide others to find deeper meaning.  "Barnabas House" a counseling and social work center is now open at Oak Forest United Methodist. 
click on the blue link above to learn exciting Oak Forest news! • Relaxation class Tuesdays - from 6 pm to 7:30  Shepherd’s Hope Neighborhood Health Center 2404 S. Tyler Little Rock, AR 72204 ...has seen 1,457 patients in 2012 so far, with 551 visits in the 3rd Quarter. 2011 had 1,222 patients all year! Since July 2006, Shepherd’s Hope has been offering Christ in the form of medical and spiritual care for the working uninsured. In 2010, our dental clinic came online and then our vision clinic opened in 2011. Some of our patients have been with us since we first opened our doors while new patients arrive each Thursday evening. Shepherd's Hope Newsletter click here email: info@shepherdshopelr.org web site: http://www.shepherdshopelr.org  FOR OUR TINY MEMBERS... NURSERY NOW AVAILABLE ! THANK YOU MISS TERESE! CHURCH
NURSERY NEEDS YOU!…Safe Sanctuary guidelines are to have two workers
in the nursery at all times. We
need volunteers to take turns helping with these wonderful children during
worship each Sunday.
 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Calling all 20 and 30 somethings... Oak Forest is blessed to have some young adults among us. We'd like you to get to know each other.  FOOD PANTRY UPDATE From Linda… I thought you should see how we are doing in all areas and the decreases or increases. I found it very interesting to note that the unemployed rose each month and the number of adults over 65 rose also. This month I had several households where the grandparents had the grandchildren because the parents were in jail. So sad. I took a quick glance at the invoices and I am so happy to say we are serving more people for less money. God Bless you all, Linda   | 
Sharing Faith that Makes a Difference… Making Disciples of Christ through Ministries of Hospitality, Hope and Healing MAY Events  Sunday School Classes 9:30a.m. The Workbook of Living Prayer 9:30 SANCTUARY CHOIR REHEARSAL -.Every Wednesday: 6:30p.m. HANDBELLS REHEARSAL Every Monday: 6:30 p.m. PRAYER GROUP Every Monday 10:30 a.m. FOOD PANTRY Every Thursday: 10-12:00 a.m. SHEPHERD’S HOPE MEDICAL & DENTAL CLINIC . Tuesday & Thursday Evenings: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. BART’S PLACE EYE CLINIC By Appointment BARNABAS HOUSE Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuesday Evenings 5:30–8:00 p.m.  Pentecost Sunday, May 19Wear Red to worship as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.  PRAYER STUDY GROUPS See Dorothy Johnson for details • Be sure and see "Our Gatherings" page for a complete church calendar of events! ENRICH YOUR PRAYER LIFE Throughout scripture we are exhorted to pray, yet many of us feel inadequate or wonder just how important our prayers are to the work of God’s kingdom. Prayer was significant enough for Jesus to engage in it and to command his disciples to do likewise after He left them. If you’d like to increase your understanding of prayer, become more comfortable with it and gain confidence in your personal prayer life, we invite you to join us January 27 for a six-week study of THE WORKBOOK OF LIVING PRAYER by Maxie Dunnam.  or Pam Fish at 351-6929 (pxfish@gmail.com.)
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13   Join Oak Forest UMCIt is simple. Membership at Oak Forest UMC is something that is sacred and serious, because
membership in the church is an expression of discipleship to Jesus.
Jesus’ call to his first followers, “Follow me,”has been carried
throughout the world and down the ages by the Spirit of Christ, and is
now offered to you. Our doors and hearts are open. We have a place for you. 
Composed
in the 1779, this hymn is probably the most popular hymn in the English
language. John Newton was a slave trader before coming to Christ. We
are all sinners who have a choice to be saved by God’s GRACE, as Mr.
Newton writes about below.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.  John Newton, the composer of this hymn said: Though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor yet what I hope to be, I can truly say I am not what I once was . . . . By the grace of God I am what I am.  |
Our Choir
Each December the Oak Forest Choir celebrates the birth of Christ with a Christmas Cantata that features new favorites and classic carols.
Please contact Dave French, our Minister of Music at 663-9407 to find out how you can be a part of our Oak Forest Choir. Both men and women welcome, no audition is necessary...or just come Wednesday nights at 6:30!
Hand bell ringing is a wonderful art form and brings a very special and different dimension to our worship time. Learning to ring hand bells requires commitment, teamwork, and fun – and this group evidences all of these traits in their playing! If you would like to learn how to ring, beginner training is available.
Hand bell choirs appear to be thriving in many churches. In fact, some directors say this is a boom time for bell ringers. "I think hand bells are catching on a lot more than they were when I
started 30 years ago," said Pat Finnegan.
Just come Monday nights at 6:30!
