Oak Forest United Methodist Church

"I had a great time visiting Oak Forest United Methodist Church! One of the unique things about this church is that Sunday morning services begin at 10:30 a.m. Most services around here start at 11, and a few at 10, but if 10:30 is right for your schedule – it’s nice to have the option to attend here. You enter the church by way of the fellowship hall (which is in the old nave) and proceed straight ahead to the new sanctuary in the back. This church offers bulletins, which include the pastor’s cell phone number and email address on the front. The inside contains the order of service and announcements. The back lists birthdays and prayer requests. Hand sanitizer and face masks are available, though no one wore a mask the morning I visited. There is, however, ample room in the sanctuary if you wish to sit distanced from others. Everyone in the congregation also passed an offering plate toward the end of service. There were about 50 people in attendance the morning I visited. After announcements and opening prayer there were two hymns; I was grateful to see everyone in the congregation stand and sing collectively. Hymn numbers were provided, but you also have the option of using the projector screen (though the projected lyrics suffered one timing mishap the morning I was there). The pastor invited people to approach to the altar to pray together for needs in the community and about half of the congregation went forward. The church has a nice nursery with a window to the sanctuary and plenty of children’s classrooms. The children’s spaces look colorful and inviting. After the music, kids were dismissed to children’s church and the sanctuary was quiet for the sermon. The Sunday I was there Rev. Tim Lee preached about discovering Jesus on the journey to Emmaus, as recounted in Luke 24. There is laughter in this church. Even the pastor fit humor into his message a few times. Rev. Lee came across as gentle, well-spoken, and friend-like. His sermon was easy to understand; also, the volume and duration were just right. Pastor Lee wore a clerical collar and glasses. He has Steve Martin hair – silver before its time. He told me he grew up in the Asheville area and that he’s been at this church only a matter of months, though judging by the way he fits in, one could be mistaken for thinking he’s been here longer. Pastor Lee also delivers the 9 a.m. sermon at Hickory Stand United Methodist Church in Brasstown each Sunday before arriving here. The eight-person choir sang one song without the congregation toward the end of the service. The morning ended with the doxology and benediction one hour after the service had started and Rev. Lee greeted folks as they departed. This church has a website, is active on Facebook, and livestreams its services. The building has plenty of space, a large basement, and a nice-looking sanctuary filled with scarlet carpet, flowers, and stained glass. A Moravian star hangs over the cross in the apse. This is the only church I’ve seen that keeps a Moravian star in its sanctuary and I thought it was a nice touch. There is a cemetery, an outdoor basketball court, a picnic table, and a basic play place in the backyard. I would definitely return here and I hope you get to visit, too."

"God is great"