This first episode of the Advent Podcast features Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer, Associate Pastor of Connection & Digital Ministry reading parts of Week 1 of the Advent Devotional Guide for 2025.

The Advent Podcast will come out each Tuesday in December. Each week one of our pastors will read through a portion of the “Starry Nights” Advent Devotional Guide including scripture, prayers, musings on stars and the night sky, and more.

Advent is a season of waiting, watching, and wonder. Not like “waiting in line,” but rather like waiting for a concert to begin, a love letter to arrive, or the stars to come out on a cold, clear night. A time of anticipation, expectation, and excitement. A time of renewing our hope, peace, joy, and love, getting ready for the marvel on the way. Journey along together this Advent (the season leading up to Christmas) by utilizing the Advent Devotional Guide.

Pick up a printed copy at the church or download a digital copy at: https://ogumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-advent-starry-nights-digital-final.pdf

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=3328d0411f194865

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2025 at OGUMC

+ November 26th: Youth Christmas Tree Lot OPENS!

+ November 30th: 1st Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*

+ December 3rd: Service of Hope 6:15pm* (Sanctuary)

+ December 5th: Children’s Christmas Event 6pm (Fellowship Hall)

+ December 7th: 2nd Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*

+ December 13th: Christmas Concert 3:30pm & 6pm (Sanctuary)

+ December 14th: Christmas Concert 6pm* (Sanctuary)

+ December 14th: 3rd Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*

+ December 21st: 4th Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*

+ Christmas Eve - December 24th

3pm Children ’s Service (Sanctuary)

5pm* Modern Worship Candlelight Service (Fellowship Hall)

5pm* Traditional Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)

8pm Traditional Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)

+ December 28th: 11am* Worship only (Sanctuary)

*livestreamed at YouTube.com/ogumc

#christmas #advent #umc #ogumc

This preview episode features Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer, Associate Pastor of Connection & Digital Ministry introducing the Advent Devotional Guide for 2025.

The Advent Podcast will come out each Tuesday in December. Each week one of our pastors will read through a portion of the “Starry Nights” Advent Devotional Guide including scripture, prayers, musings on stars and the night sky, and more.


 Advent is a season of waiting, watching, and wonder. Not like “waiting in line,” but rather like waiting for a concert to begin, a love letter to arrive, or the stars to come out on a cold, clear night. A time of anticipation, expectation, and excitement. A time of renewing our hope, peace, joy, and love, getting ready for the marvel on the way. Journey along together this Advent (the season leading up to Christmas) by utilizing the Advent Devotional Guide.

Pick up a printed copy at the church or download a digital copy at: https://ogumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-advent-starry-nights-digital-final.pdf

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=3328d0411f194865

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

— 


ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2025 at OGUMC

+ November 26th: Youth Christmas Tree Lot OPENS!


+ November 30th: 1st Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*


+ December 3rd: Service of Hope 6:15pm* (Sanctuary)

+December 5th: Children’s Christmas Event 6pm (Fellowship Hall)

+ December 7th: 2nd Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*


+ December 13th: Christmas Concert 3:30pm & 6pm (Sanctuary)
+ December 14th: Christmas Concert 6pm* (Sanctuary)

+ December 14th: 3rd Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*

+ December 21st: 4th Sunday of Advent 830, 10.45* & 11am*



+ Christmas Eve - December 24th

3pm Children ’s Service (Sanctuary)

5pm* Modern Worship Candlelight Service (Fellowship Hall)

5pm* Traditional Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)

8pm Traditional Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)



+ December 28th: 11am* Worship only (Sanctuary)



*livestreamed at YouTube.com/ogumc 



#christmas #advent #umc #ogumc

Pathways to Spiritual Health // Episode 6: Making a Rule of Life 🎙️✨ with Hanna Cain & Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer

This is the final of 6 episodes that guide you through how you can evaluate and improve your spiritual health by looking at four areas of what it means to live a faithful Christian life: Worship, Devotion, Compassion, and Justice.

In this conversation Youth Ministry Associate Hanna Cain, along with Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer, talk about how to create and make a Rule of Life that helps you to live a more faithful Christian life. 

More information on different Rules of Life may be found at ruleoflife.com

You can download the ⁠Pathways to Spiritual Health Participant Guide here⁠: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6lqyrkkwxy6b4eqes0xup/2025-Pathways-to-Spiritual-Health-OGUMC-PARTICIPANT-Guide-FINAL.pdf?rlkey=t190k4t4oj65fegsqdk0slbtn&dl=0

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You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove: 8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall

*streaming online

#ruleoflife #spirituality #ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #pathwaystospiritualhealth

Pathways to Spiritual Health // Episode 5: Justice 🎙️✨ with Rev. Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts & Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer

This is the 5th of 6 episodes that will go through how you can evaluate and improve your spiritual health by looking at four areas of what it means to live a faithful Christian life: Worship, Devotion, Compassion, and Justice.

In this conversation Senior Pastor Beth LaRocca-Ptts, along with Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer, talk about what “Justice” means in our spiritual lives as we work to “make things right” in the world, just as God has intended and asks of us.

You can download the ⁠Pathways to Spiritual Health Participant Guide here⁠: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6lqyrkkwxy6b4eqes0xup/2025-Pathways-to-Spiritual-Health-OGUMC-PARTICIPANT-Guide-FINAL.pdf?rlkey=t190k4t4oj65fegsqdk0slbtn&dl=0

You can see the “Praying in Color” worksheets at https://prayingincolor.com/


New episodes will come out each Tuesday morning on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. 


__

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove: 8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall

*streaming online

#justice #spirituality #ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #pathwaystospiritualhealth

Pathways to Spiritual Health // Episode 4: Compassion 🎙️✨ with Krisy Kuo and Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer

This is the 4th of 6 episodes that will go through how you can evaluate and improve your spiritual health by looking at four areas of what it means to live a faithful Christian life: Worship, Devotion, Compassion, and Justice.

In this conversation Krisy Kuo, Director of Senior Adult Ministries, along with Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer, talk about what “compassion” means in our spiritual lives including examples in their own lives, families, and faith.

You can download the ⁠Pathways to Spiritual Health Participant Guide here⁠: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6lqyrkkwxy6b4eqes0xup/2025-Pathways-to-Spiritual-Health-OGUMC-PARTICIPANT-Guide-FINAL.pdf?rlkey=t190k4t4oj65fegsqdk0slbtn&dl=0

You can see the “Praying in Color” worksheets at https://prayingincolor.com/


New episodes will come out each Tuesday morning on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. 


__

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove: 8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall

*streaming online

#compassion #spirituality #ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #pathwaystospiritualhealth

Pathways to Spiritual Health // Episode 3: Devotion 🎙️✨ with Rev. Melissa Kime-Hall and Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer

This is the 3rd of 6 episodes that will go through how you can evaluate and improve your own spiritual health by looking at four areas of what it means to live a faithful Christian life: Worship, Devotion, Compassion, and Justice.

In this conversation associate pastors Rev. Melissa Kime-Hall with Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer talk about what “devotion” means in our spiritual lives including examples in their own lives, families, and faith.

The One Day Pathways to Spiritual Health Retreat is Sept 20th, 9:30am-2pm in person at OGUMC. Sign up at: https://oakgroveumc.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/d9714d17-9230-4c38-858b-4be38078f27b 


You can download the ⁠Pathways to Spiritual Health Participant Guide here⁠: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6lqyrkkwxy6b4eqes0xup/2025-Pathways-to-Spiritual-Health-OGUMC-PARTICIPANT-Guide-FINAL.pdf?rlkey=t190k4t4oj65fegsqdk0slbtn&dl=0

You can see the “Praying in Color” worksheets at https://prayingincolor.com/

--


New episodes will come out each Tuesday morning on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. 


You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove: 8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall

*streaming online

#ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #pathwaystospiritualhealth

Pathways to Spiritual Health // Episode 2: Worship 🎙️✨ with C.J. Lord and Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer

This is the 2nd of 6 episodes that will go through how you can evaluate and improve your own spiritual health by looking at four areas of what it means to live a faithful Christian life: Worship, Devotion, Compassion, and Justice.

C.J. Lord, (Director of the OG Youth Ministry) and Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer (Associate Pastor for Connection and Digital Ministry) share in conversation about how worship is something that we participate in as both an individual and as a community as we experience a sense of awe, reverence, and adoration toward God.

We’ll also discuss a little on the Theology of Line Dancing (yes C.J. should write that book), football (yes indeed), and how you can build in additional ways to worship God in your everyday life.

You can download the ⁠Pathways to Spiritual Health Participant Guide here⁠: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6lqyrkkwxy6b4eqes0xup/2025-Pathways-to-Spiritual-Health-OGUMC-PARTICIPANT-Guide-FINAL.pdf?rlkey=t190k4t4oj65fegsqdk0slbtn&dl=0

—


 New episodes will come out each Tuesday morning on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. 


__

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove: 8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall

*streaming online

#ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #pathwaystospiritualhealth

Pathways to Spiritual Health // Episode 1: What is a Rule of Life? 🎙️✨ with Hanna Cain and Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer

This is the first of six episodes that will go through how you can evaluate and improve your own spiritual health by looking at four areas of what it means to live a faithful Christian life: Worship, Devotion, Compassion, and Justice.

A spiritual rule of life is a purposeful, prayerfully crafted framework that guides how you live in alignment with your deepest values and relationship with God. Rather than being a rigid set of regulations, it is a set of guiding commitments or spiritual disciplines that help you order your days and decisions around your faith and spiritual growth. It is meant to be lived out faithfully, not perfectly, and serves as a gentle structure-much like a trellis supports a growing vine-to help you become the person God is forming you to be.

Hanna Cain, OG Youth Ministry Assistant and 3rd year seminarian, shares how she utilizes a rule of life in her own live in this conversation with Rev. Dr. Joseph McBrayer (Associate Pastor for Connection and Digital Ministry).

You can download the Pathways to Spiritual Health Participant Guide here.

—


 New episodes will come out each Tuesday morning on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. 


__

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove: 8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall *streaming online

#ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #pathwaystospiritualhealth

FALL Podcast 2025 // “The Wisdom of Older Adults" // EP 4 Chuck Rogers: a Life of Photography and Faith 📸 🎙️✨

Oak Grove Community member Chuck Rogers shares about his ongoing passion for photography and his 70+ years as a photo journalist. Chuck has had an amazing career working with NASA, National Geographic, and more: photographing 6 Presidents, celebrities, Space Rockets, and even Queen Elizabeth!

He and his wife Vee will this year be celebrating their 72nd anniversary!

Find Chuck’s new book here on Amazon: https://a.co/d/eYXC9eb

Chuck and his wife Vee’s video presentation at Emory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7c9jzICzX4

Chuck’s Website: https://crogersphoto.com

—

We will hear from folks about some of their spiritual practices, whether it’s photography and seeing the world through different “lenses”, devotion to a daily meditation practice, living out our faith through acts of compassion, or how lifelong involvement here at OGUMC has impacted lives of people in the community—both locally and globally. 


 New episodes will come out each Tuesday morning on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. 
 We hope you will tune in to hear the lived experiences of these sages among us!

__

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove: 8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall *streaming online #ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #fallpodcast #wisdom

“The Wisdom of Older Adults" // EP 3: Compassion w/ Barbara Adams & Krisy Kuo 🎙️✨

Church member Barbara Adams speaks with Krisy Kuo, Director of Senior Adult ministry, about life, faith, compassion, and faith in Jesus Christ. This is a great episode about the life and faith of Barbara Adams and her work in the Oak Grove Community.

We will hear from folks about some of their spiritual practices, whether it’s photography and seeing the world through different “lenses”, devotion to a daily meditation practice, living out our faith through acts of compassion, or how lifelong involvement here at OGUMC has impacted lives of people in the community—both locally and globally. 


New episodes will come out each Tuesday morning on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. 


We hope you will tune in to hear the lived experiences of these sages among us!

__

You can listen, watch, & subscribe to the Podcast on:

+ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OGUMC/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0nGIcxSt5ToGbAcs0dmua2?si=fe1da24b3c21492d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

+ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oak-grove-umc-podcast/id1695962000⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Worship at Oak Grove:

8:30 & 11am* Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

10:45* Modern in Fellowship Hall

*streaming online

#ngumc #umc #ogumc #fall #fallpodcast #wisdom