Oak Pointe Church • Novi

Reclaiming Christmas, Week 4: Love All The culture we live in today is enamored with images, and typically those of celebrities: the famous, the flashy, the latest and the greatest. Yet Scripture paints a different picture. In fact, the birth story of the Messiah sets the tone for how Christians would see themselves and others. The nativity of Jesus was not first announced in palace courts for royalty to hear. Rather, it was declared to shepherds in a field. This small detail has big implications for our lives! It exemplifies that we are to love all people this Christmas season and beyond. Speaker: Adam Mashni, 707 High School Ministry Pastor

Reclaiming Christmas, Week 3: Keep It Simple At the beginning of Matthew chapter two, some wise men enter Jerusalem and have a council with the reigning king, Herod. Each party left that meeting seeking a new king, but for very different reasons. In the end, the Magi honored Jesus as King and their lives became simple. Herod honored himself as King, and his life became complicated. If we want to become like the Magi and have our lives simplified this Christmas, exactly what questions should we be asking ourselves? Speaker: Rick Barry, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor

Reclaiming Christmas, Week 2: Worship Fully Distractions are a normal part of life. We shouldn’t be too surprised when they show up at Christmastime - one of the busiest seasons of the year. This week we continue exploring the theme of Reclaiming Christmas by observing the responses Mary and Joseph had to their unique circumstances. They chose to worship God fully, even when their situation could have caused confusion, chaos, and stress. So, how can we lessen distractions and lean into God’s story for our lives this advent season? Speaker: Adam Mashni, 707 High School Ministry Pastor

Reclaiming Christmas, Week 1: Shift Your Focus In the story of Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:21-38), we see the focus of their lives was waiting for the coming messiah. Similarly, we can prepare to worship Christ at Christmas by being present, standing in awe, thanking God, then telling the world. Speaker: Rick Barry, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor

A New Community, Message 3: Unity The Apostle Paul made a passionate appeal to the Corinthian church to live in harmony with one another, and "to let there be no divisions in the church." It's a couple thousand years later and, unfortunately, unity is still an issue. Is it even possible for the Church to "all be one" as Jesus prayed? It depends on what we believe about our savior and our enemy, the condition of our hearts, and the sharpness of our focus on God's purpose. Speaker: Rick Barry, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor

A New Community, Week 2: Humility Do you ever feel like holding on tightly to your rights? As we continue our series A New Community, this week we learn about humility and the impact it has on our life together. More importantly, we will fix our eyes on the one who displayed perfect humility, the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow Scripture’s admonition to imitate his humble mindset. He did not hold on to what was rightly his, but humbled himself in order to restore our humanity and ability to love. Guest Speaker: Pastor Jon Morales

A New Community, Week 1: Love What does it look like to live together as the family of God? In this new series, we'll dive into some of the fifty-nine “one another" commands found in Scripture to see how we are called to live together as the Church. This week we'll look at Jesus' command to love one another. Jesus reveals the way we love one another will show the world that we are His disciples. This is a marked character trait of Jesus’ followers and the community that gathers in His name. Speaker: Rick Barry, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor

All In Sunday It's All In weekend at Oak Pointe where we celebrate the faith commitments of individuals who are being baptized and families who are dedicating their children. During the service our Oak Pointe pastors explain more about why and how we practice these ordinances and traditions. Speaker: Charlie Koopman, Worship & Creative Arts Pastor

We Are The Church, Week 6: Mandate Although we have come to Christ singularly, we do not live in Him separately. Our mandate is to not only come to Jesus, but to be transformed by Him; to not only belong to Him, but to proclaim Him. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:10 Guest Speaker: Pastor Sonny Smith, The Detroit Church

We Are The Church, Week 5: Members When it comes to the church of Jesus Christ, every member matters. God has given each of us gifts. He has a plan for those gifts, and He calls you to utilize yours. However, His goal for those gifts is not just to have individual members fulfilled, but to unify the body and to build His church. As a member of God's church, you are essential! So...where are you serving and giving? Speaker: Rick Barry, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor

We Are The Church, Week 4: Mission Everybody wants a mission in life. That makes sense because "mission" implies purpose and focus. But what about the mission Oak Pointe Church has to know Jesus and make Him known? This week Pastor Charlie explores the church's mission statement, and the results may not be exactly what you'd expect. However, should you choose to accept it, this mission will change your life and those of everyone around you. Speaker: Charlie Koopman, Worship & Creative Arts Pastor

We Are The Church, Week 3: Message Since the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and beginning with the apostles, the message of the Gospel has been passed down from generation to generation of believers. But to keep it moving on to future generations, three questions always need to be answered: What is the gospel? Why do I share it? How do I share it? Speaker: Rick Barry, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor

We Are The Church, Week 2: Method God works in and through the community of believers. In Acts 2:42-47, we see the early church gathering in community, teaching one another, regularly sharing meals together, and praying frequently and fervently. The result? God added to their numbers daily (v. 47). Our greatest personal growth happens in community. As we grow, the community of faith grows as well. This week Pastor Adam shares ways we can be a family of believers on mission much like the early church in Acts. Speaker: Adam Schultz, Grow and Restore Ministries Pastor

We Are The Church, Week 1: Movement It all started way back in the Old Testament when God made a promise to Abraham to build a holy and set apart people to bless the nations. In the New Testament, it was commissioned by the risen Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Today it continues as the most influential and world-shaping movement in history. Of course, we're talking about the church. So, what’s next for this movement of God? Why should we commit ourselves to be part of it? And just how do we take our next step? Speaker: Charlie Koopman, Worship & Creative Arts Pastor

In Step, Week 9: Self-Control Self-control literally means the ability to direct one’s will. This is also known as will power – keeping our emotions, impulses, or desires in check. The self in us is very strong, and that's what makes self-control difficult. But self-control is far more than exertion of sheer discipline to keep from doing certain things...like eating donuts. Self-control is really about submitting your will to Jesus, then allowing His Spirit to direct your life. Speaker: Adam Schultz, Grow and Restore Ministries Pastor