What to Expect
Our goal is to provide a dynamic worship service every Sunday of the year. The worship service starts at 10:30, and is preceded by Sunday School classes, which are offered for all age groups, starting at 9:30. While you’re on your way to the sanctuary, don’t be surprised if a few folks offer a warm handshake and sincere welcome to Oakland. Be sure to grab a bulletin, which can be found on the white pillars by each doorway to the sanctuary, and are often being handed out by deacons. By the way, don’t worry about what to wear; you’ll find a diverse style of dress at Oakland, from people wearing shorts and a t-shirt to suits and ties.
Modern worship music is played through the sound system before the service to help set an upbeat mood for the worship service. If you make it into the sanctuary early, don’t just sit in a pew – shake some hands! Oakland prides itself on its down-home, everybody-knows-everybody atmosphere that has existed for nearly one hundred years. If there aren’t any baptisms that morning, also look for Lead Pastor Tim to be out and about greeting guests.
The service kicks off with a short welcome, and then any baptisms that are scheduled for that week. Some weeks also include a musical rendition by Oakland’s sanctuary choir or praise team to get things going. The next item is another minute or two of open greeting and mingling time, to make sure nobody’s hand goes unshaken. This is followed by a time of congregational praise, which includes a blend of contemporary Christian music and traditional hymns. Lyrics to each song sung during this time are displayed on the video projection screen for your convenience.
A time of giving is typically followed by the children’s sermon, where kids in grades kindergarten through third gather at the steps of the altar for a quick lesson on Biblical principles on a level that they can understand. They are then sent to Children’s Church, which is held in the Old Fellowship Hall/Children’s Wing, for the remainder of the service. Children’s Church is designed to expand on principles discussed in the children’s sermon in engaging learning styles. All Children’s Church workers have had proper background checks to ensure that your children receive the best and safest Christian care.
Back in the sanctuary, a member of OBC delivers a powerful song to help prepare the mood for the upcoming study of God’s word. Pastor Tim then presents the message in an exciting way, taking principles found in stories from the Bible, breaking them down, and seeing how they can be applied to our daily lives. There are NIV Bibles located in each pew for your convenience, and the scripture used is also displayed on the video projection screen. The message is concluded with a time of invitation, where those wishing to make public decisions — professions of faith, recommitment, church membership, etc. — are welcomed at the altar by Pastor Tim. After the decisions are recognized, a few announcements for the week are made and the service is dismissed.
If you’re a first-timer to Oakland’s Sunday worship service, expect the service to last a little more than an hour, although we do not force the Holy Spirit into a timeframe. Also, know that there’s a lot more to Oakland than just Sunday morning. We have a slew of ministries that meet at various times throughout the week. Call the church office to see where you can get plugged in. Don’t forget about our Wednesday night adult Bible study and Children’s/Youth ministries, either! We look forward to seeing you stop by soon.