Oak Grove Community Church - Meridian, MS

Oak Grove Community Church - Meridian, MS "Believers in one heart, experiencing the one true God." Welcome to the official page for Oak Grove United Methodist Church! Rev.

Phillip Dearman - Pastor
Grant Brown - Laity Leader
Rie Moulds- Music Leader
Frances Kidd - Pianist

Sunday School: 9:30 AM
Morning Worship: 10:30 AM

Tuesday night Choir practice: 6:00 PM
Family Supper: 7:00 PM
Bible Study/Youth: 7:30 PM

Second Sunday of the month: You can bring a canned food item for our food pantry and a contribution for our Improvement Fund. Also join us for Family Dinner po

tluck lunch after worship! Fourth Sunday: Lost and Found for God Collection: Did you find some loose change or a dollar or two that you thought you had lost? You can donate it to our Lost and Found for God fund! Monies from this fund are used to help those in need. Each Sunday, bring some loose change for our Penny and Quarter March. Money collected by our children directly benefits them through Vacation Bible School and opportunities to attend church camp. We'd love to see you at Oak Grove United Methodist Church! We're the church on the hill at the end of Valley Road in Clarkdale!

06/18/2026

Helping Others Learn to Pray

Our prayers open doors for others to encounter God more deeply.

June 18, 2026

Luke 11:1-4

1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ``Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." 2 And He said to them, ``When you pray, say: ` Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 3 `Give us each day our daily bread. 4 `And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"

After hearing the Lord pray, the disciples recognized they had much to learn about communicating with the Father. So they asked Jesus to teach them. With the Lord as our role model, we can try to motivate our loved ones to develop a prayer life that will endure. Since an example can be even more effective than an explanation, it’s beneficial for them to see and hear us as we talk intimately with God.

When we bring our concerns to the Lord, our family and friends will see how He answers prayers. They’ll also recognize that He’s our provider, protector, and guide. Learning how God responds to our requests can encourage people to take their concerns to Him as well (Philippians 4:6-7).

Fellow believers also need to understand that prayer is not just a list of requests. Rather, it’s a conversation that builds a relationship with the Lord. When they hear us praise and exalt Him, they’ll realize praying should be God-focused rather than self-focused. And as they observe us reading the Bible and letting it guide our requests, they’ll learn to pray according to God’s will.

Sometimes prayer can be challenging, but remain committed. Never forget that you can influence others through your example of faithful prayer.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 39-43

06/17/2026

Hindrances to Accepting God’s Love

Is something in your life preventing you from accepting God's unconditional love?

June 17, 2026

1 John 3:1-3

1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Do you ever struggle to embrace the pure love of God? What might prevent a believer from accepting this wonderful blessing?

Our own relationships. Ironically, the way we love each other can distort how we perceive the heavenly Father’s love. As imperfect people, we exhibit imperfect love.

Guilt. Our remorse over sinful behavior might convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love. However, we have the assurance of Scripture that our Father loves us completely.

Legalism. Many people view the Bible as a rule book. However, God gave us His Word for instruction and inspiration, not as a measuring stick by which He distributes love or punishment.

Misinterpretation of divine discipline. God is a trustworthy and caring Father; His discipline and love are intimately connected (Hebrews 12:5-6). He corrects our behavior when necessary for our benefit, not as a form of punishment. Jesus already redeemed us from our sin; God doesn’t continue to hold anything over our head.

Is something in your life preventing you from fully experiencing the joy and exhilaration of God’s unconditional love? If so, lay it down before Him today and receive the amazing grace He so freely offers to His beloved ones.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 35-38

06/16/2026

The Unconditional Love of God

God's love isn't something you can earn or lose. It flows from His nature, not your performance.

June 16, 2026

Romans 5:6-8

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

New believers may find it difficult to accept that God loves them just as they are. After all, much of the world operates by conditional love, which offers approval and acceptance on the basis of performance. So when we first come to Christ, there is often a natural tendency to assume we must strive to “earn” blessings.

Divine love can never be gained by human effort. There’s nothing we can do to make our Father love us more. Nor can we do anything to make Him stop loving us (Romans 8:38-39).

No matter what has occurred in your past or what you’re struggling with right now, God’s love is freely given to you. Our heavenly Father pours His love upon us without exception. It’s not as if He postponed loving you until the moment you invited Him into your life. In truth, the Lord never began to love you at all; He always has. From the creation of the world, God knew you and loved you (Psalms 139:13-16; Ephesians 1:4-5).

Rejoice in the Father’s love. Experience His peace instead of focusing only on what-ifs, and embrace a life characterized by purpose rather than fear. It’s available as soon as you prayerfully open your arms to His unconditional love.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 29-34

06/15/2026

Understanding the Christian Life

Do you understand what it means to be saved?

June 15, 2026

Galatians 1:11-17

11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

A change in both lifestyle and understanding should result from salvation (Romans 12:2). Shortly after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul pulled away to Arabia for a time. Before he could start his ministry, he needed to learn from the Lord. Similarly, new believers coming into faith need to understand what salvation really means. Let’s look at some terms that help explain what is meant by “being saved”:

*Born again (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Rebirth is a starting over. We become new creations in Christ, with new spiritual life and identity.

*Converted (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Converting something means changing it, like money that’s exchanged from one currency to another. The Christian life involves many different changes.

*Receiving Christ (John 1:12). We often think of salvation as something God gives us, but it is more than that. When someone trusts in Christ, that person welcomes the Lord to live within his or her being.

Think about how you thought and lived before you knew the Savior, as compared with now. In what ways do you see genuine change? Ask God to reveal areas in your life where Christ could become more evident.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 23-28

06/14/2026

Complete Obedience

God desires complete obedience for our good, not to burden us.

June 14, 2026

1 Samuel 15:1-35

1 Then Samuel said to Saul, ``The LORD sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel; now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. 2 ``Thus says the LORD of hosts, `I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. 3 `Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'" 4 Then Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. 5 Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley. 6 Saul said to the Kenites, ``Go, depart, go down from among the Amalekites, so that I do not destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the sons of Israel when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 7 So Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8 He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. 10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 ``I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands." And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all night. 12 Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel, saying, ``Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal." 13 Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, ``Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the command of the LORD." 14 But Samuel said, ``What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" 15 Saul said, ``They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed." 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, ``Wait, and let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, ``Speak!" 17 Samuel said, ``Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, 18 and the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, `Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.' 19 ``Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD?" 20 Then Saul said to Samuel, ``I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 ``But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal." 22 Samuel said, ``Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 ``For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king." 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, ``I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice. 25 ``Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the LORD." 26 But Samuel said to Saul, ``I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel." 27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. 28 So Samuel said to him, ``The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you. 29 ``Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." 30 Then he said, ``I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God." 31 So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. 32 Then Samuel said, ``Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites." And Agag came to him cheerfully. And Agag said, ``Surely the bitterness of death is past." 33 But Samuel said, ``As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal. 34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 35 Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

One of the most common ways we step out of God’s will is through partial obedience—doing most of what He asks but holding back in other areas.

King Saul fell into this trap. After God ordered the Israelites to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions, they spared the best livestock and the leader, Agag. When Samuel arrived, Saul announced he’d done as commanded. But on further questioning, he shifted blame to the people (v. 15)—though he was king, and no big decision was made without his approval.

Then Saul offered what seemed like a reasonable explanation: The animals had been saved to be sacrificed to the Lord. It must have sounded righteous. But Samuel wasn’t fooled. He identified Saul’s action for what it was—rebellion (v. 23).

We can do the same thing. Our reasons for partial obedience may sound perfectly logical to us. We might even convince ourselves we’re honoring God. But the Lord doesn’t evaluate our obedience by our intentions or justifications.

Have you been rationalizing a decision that doesn’t quite align with what God wants? Partial obedience may feel like a reasonable compromise, but it keeps us from experiencing the fullness of walking in His will.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 19-22

06/13/2026

Getting Out of Step

Pride creates distance from God—and that distance causes us to miss His blessings.

June 13, 2026

1 Samuel 13:5-14

5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits. 7 Also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 8 Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, ``Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings." And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. 11 But Samuel said, ``What have you done?" And Saul said, ``Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, 12 therefore I said, `Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.' So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering." 13 Samuel said to Saul, ``You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 ``But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

Saul had everything going for him. Besides being the son of a highly respected man, he was tall, handsome, and impressive in appearance (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Since God chose him to lead Israel at a time when the nation faced formidable enemies, we can surmise he was also courageous and charismatic. Even the prophet Samuel spoke admiringly of him: “There is no one like him among all the people” (1 Samuel 10:24).

But Saul spent much of his reign out of step with God. His errors in judgment stemmed largely from an inflated sense of self-importance. One blunder set off a chain reaction of sin, as we see in his desperate, jealous quest to kill David.

When people think more highly of themselves than they should (Romans 12:3), they stop relying on divine guidance. Saul thought he knew better than God; he ignored the law and offered a pre-battle sacrifice in Samuel’s place—despite explicit instructions to wait for the prophet. Because Saul refused to submit to God’s command, the Lord gave the kingdom to someone who would obey (1 Sam.16:13-14).

Pride always drives us away from God’s path. But the Lord gladly welcomes back the wayward. Blessing and joy await those who walk in step with Him.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 15-18

06/12/2026

When God Disrupts Our Plans

God can use trials to redirect our path—what feels like disruption might be divine intervention.

June 12, 2026

Psalms 119:71-72

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Perhaps you’ve seen a TV show where a man is about to step in front of a moving vehicle. Then someone else races onto the scene, tackling him to prevent catastrophe. Stunned and indignant, the near-victim fumes at the rescuer—until realizing he’s just been saved from a far worse outcome.

Our trials can serve a similar purpose. It’s easy to get so caught up in daily routines or consumed by chasing a goal that we miss what God has in mind for us. When we’re this focused on our own desires, we become more vulnerable to making choices that don’t align with His Word.

But our heavenly Father wants the best for His children. He’ll go to great lengths to position us for blessing. That’s when we may suddenly find ourselves facing unexpected difficulty—a job loss, a health crisis, a broken relationship. We wonder, Why is God letting this happen to me?

Does this sound familiar? It may be that He’s protecting you from something you can’t see. Or drawing you back to Himself. The psalmist understood this and wrote, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (v. 71). If you’re going through a trial, consider whether God might be redirecting you—disrupting your plans so He can implement His.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 8-14

06/08/2026

How to Pass Down Our Faith

Do you know someone who needs the hope your testimony could bring?

June 8, 2026

Deuteronomy 4:9-10

9 ``Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. 10 `` Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, `Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'

Being a role model of faith in Jesus Christ is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer our family and friends. Placing trust in the Savior is something each person must decide for himself, but we can share the biblical truths that have shaped our own walk with God. Consider these foundational truths that have sustained you.

Salvation is found only in Jesus (Acts 4:12). The most important relationship we'll ever have is with the Lord. As you continually experience His grace, your example will reflect Him to others.

Everything that exists was created by the Lord, and He owns it all (Psalm 24:1). Understanding ourselves as stewards rather than owners has freed many believers to invest in God's kingdom.

God has a purpose for each of us (Philippians 2:13). When opportunities arise, share what you're learning about God's plan for your life. Your story may encourage someone who feels directionless.

God provides what we need in order to carry out His plan (Philippians 4:11-13). Our heavenly Father equips us with talents and spiritual gifts to achieve His purposes—and often uses our testimonies to strengthen others.�
Each day presents opportunities to speak about our Savior. Who might benefit from hearing how He's worked in your life?

Bible in One Year: Job 31-34

06/06/2026

The Courage to Obey

The grace of our Savior strengthens us to share boldly and endure faithfully.

June 6, 2026

2 Timothy 2:1-3

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

In today’s passage, the apostle Paul tells us to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (v. 1). He knew the Lord stood by his side and strengthened him so that the good news would be spread. And Paul moved forward in faith (2 Timothy 4:17).

In the same way, the Holy Spirit gives us the courage and power to obey God’s commands, so we can rely upon His might to carry us. As believers, we should …

Share knowledge. The church not only possesses the good news about salvation; it also has the full riches of God’s Word. Many people have listened to biblical teaching and experienced the Lord intervening in their lives. To keep those lessons to oneself can leave unbelievers in harm’s way and deprive fellow Christians of necessary wisdom.

Suffer willingly. Hardship is part of the Christian experience. Jesus tells us we will face tribulation, but we can take heart because He has already “overcome the world” (John 16:33). It is little wonder, then, that Paul reminds Timothy to stand strong in the Lord and see to it that the teaching is shared (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

Paul encouraged Timothy to “remember Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:8). This also applies to us. When we focus on the Lord, His grace strengthens us to share boldly and endure faithfully.

Bible in One Year: Job 22-25

06/05/2026

The Father’s Good Gifts

Every answer God gives to our prayers is worth celebrating because He always acts for our good.

June 5, 2026

Matthew 7:7-11

7 ``Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 ``For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 ``Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 ``Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 ``If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

One of God’s most generous assurances to His children is found in today’s passage. Not only are we granted permission to come to the Father with our requests, but He also promises to answer our prayers. However, you may be thinking, If this is true, why hasn’t He given me what I asked for?

The key to understanding this passage is verse 11: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” The God who made us is more keenly aware of our needs than we are (Matthew 6:8).

We may ask for what we perceive as good and necessary when it isn’t truly in our best interest. But our Father gives what He knows is more beneficial. The qualities of Christlike character are among His best gifts, and these develop through trials and testing.

When it seems the Lord isn’t answering your requests, remember that He’s a loving Father, and consider what good gifts He is giving instead. Although it may take years to gain a godly perspective, in time you’ll say, “Lord, You were right. Thank You for giving me exactly what I needed.”

Bible in One Year: Job 17-21

Address

6884 Valley Road
Meridian, MS
39307

Opening Hours

Wednesday 6pm - 7:30pm
Sunday 9am - 12am

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