“I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming,”

John the Baptist said to those at the water’s edge. (Luke 3:16)

A wonderful story from Pastor Tom Long reminds us that God is not done with us yet.

A couple years back, Long wrote, a friend gave my wife and me a lovely, single-stem orchid plant with a beautiful white bloom. The instructions for care read as follows: “it needs good light but cannot withstand direct sunlight.” The plant was carefully placed on a table near, but not under, a window.

Three weeks later, disaster. The bloom was gone, the few remaining leaves were crinkled and brown. The sad-looking orchid fell victim to a misunderstanding. I thought my wife was taking charge of the watering, and she thought I was.

“We’ll do better with the next orchid,” I said. “I’ll toss it in the trash.”

In the Gospel of Luke, John the Baptist had the same instincts for an unproductive life. On the banks of the Jordan River, John reminded his hearers about those who choose to ignore the life-giving love of God. Starkly, John said to them, “the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9).

Tom Long says that as he reached for the orchid to walk it to the trash, his wife stopped him and initiated a plan. She lovingly watered the orchid by stirring the soil, drizzling the water throughout, and patiently repeating her care for the plant for several weeks.

Two years later, the plant is full of life, bearing delicate white blooms.

Thankfully, God’s gardening instincts are even superior to those of Mrs. Long. For God allows us time to correct, recalibrate, and turn our lives back to the Lord every day we have breath to breathe. In those places in life where things seem hopeless, God continues to reach out, to care, to express patience for those who have yet to believe.

May the message of our lives communicate like the tender care of gently pouring the water of life into the hearts and minds of those we love. Just as God mercifully nurtures us, let us offer life-giving support to all whom we love.

Thankful for God’s patience,

Rich

Our Fall worship schedule resumes this Sunday, September 17 with services at 9:00 am and 10:30 am. See you Sunday!

Margaret Bell, Marion Benedict, Julie Blom, Barbara Broker, Nancy Burton, Nancy Carter, Barb Christoff, Bud Conrad, Tom Conrad, Judy Daulton, Jean Downing, Pamela Duplacey, Eileen Fisher, Dorothy Friedl, Maureen Gribbell, Paul Gribbell, Tom Gribbell, Steve Hauser, Herbert Jarvie, Margaret Johnson, Diane Kennedy, Kay Malaney, Bill Marvin, Brian Matthews, Julie Morrish, Jim Poppelreiter, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Alfredo Nenciarini, Pat Rothley, Brian Russek, Vera Sausser, Karen Schoonover, Lisa Sjoholm, Pat Sluka, Paul Stottlemyer, Gowan Thamer, Jeanne Thamer, Terry family, Ron Verduin, Doris Wiegert, Woodby family and Pamela Zimmerman.

OLCC,P is a Stephen Ministry congregation, which means many of our members and friends have completed a 50-hour training course in peer counseling, listening, and referral. If you would like to meet regularly with a Stephen Minister for a listening ear, supportive prayer, and companionship in times of struggle or transition, see Steve Orr or email info@olccp.com

The OLCC,P Stephen Ministers are: Bev Ayres, Dorothy Friedl, Sherry Orr, Steve Orr, Pat Redner-Colvin, Bob Siebert and Betty Singleton.

HAVEN helps domestic violence and sexual assault victims and their families escape abuse and create safer lives. Each new resident who moves into HAVEN’s Residential shelter receives a welcome basket with the items listed here (new items please) for use while in the shelter and to take with them when they move on.

The Mission Team has already purchased comforter and pillow sets. We are looking for your help to purchase baskets and the additional items needed to fill each basket.

Our goal is to fill at least 15 baskets. Contact the Mission team or Glen Christoff for more details. Place items on the table near the Church office.

Click here for a list of items needed.

Thank you for donating!

Mission Team

Our yearly flu shot clinic will be held this Sunday, September 17 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm in the west end of the Lakeview area. The vaccine is covered by most insurance.

Please bring your ID and insurance card with you.

We will have the HIGH DOSE flu shots available here for those 65 and older.

To keep the process efficient, vaccine information sheets and consent forms will be available outside Emily's door and in the Lakeview area prior to the clinic so you can fill them out in advance.

We will also be doing blood pressure checks this Sunday before and after the services. You may come for a flu Shot, a blood pressure check or both. See you Sunday!

QUESTIONS???

Call Emily Grakul RN, Faith Community Nurse

My heart is steadfast, O God;

I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations,

I will sing of you among the peoples…

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens

and let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 108: 1-5

We are always looking for new members to join Chapel Bells and the Chancel Choir.

Our choirs rehearse weekly and seek to lead and serve in our regular worship services. We encourage high school students to join the choirs too!

Our kick-off rehearsals are:

• Chapel Bells rehearse on Wednesdays at 6:15 pm in the Bell Room.

• Chancel Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 7:30 pm in the Choir Room.

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Contact Bruce Snyder for more information – bruce@olccp.com

Kim Hakala will offer her free Chair Yoga on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm starting September 20. Join us Wednesdays for a relaxing and energizing Chair Yoga class and consider donating a nonperishable food item to Open Door Outreach too.

Be sure to wear comfortable clothing, socks, and bring a water bottle and a food donation.

Please join us this Sunday, September 17 following the 10:30 am service for our Confirmation Class Orientation for parents, confirmands and mentors. Our Confirmation class will start on September 24 and is for all rising seventh and eighth graders. It’s not too late to sign up for the class.

Please contact Kelly Holquist in the Church office or via email at kellyh@olccp.com if your child would like to join the class or if you would like to be a mentor to be a confirmand.

This fall we will have new classes to study GOD’s word on Thursdays at 10:30 am.

The subject matter for the first six weeks will be from the Old Testament. What we learn from these classes is that GOD indeed is in control, even if it looks like He is not.

Thank you for your attendance and if you have never attended, make a point to come. It will be rewarding to learn more about GOD’s word.

Click here for more details

Coffee and Donuts will be provided.

Contact John Vermeulen with any questions.

Hope to see you there!

2023 FALL WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

DAVID -- Seeking a Heart Like His

By Beth Moore

Wednesday Mornings, 10 a.m. to Noon

September 20 - December 6

King David is one of the most well-known figures in history. We'll have quite an expedition before us as we tour the pastures, caves and palaces with him through scripture. We will quickly discover David's multifaceted personality. Our responses to his experiences will likely be as diverse as he was. He will make us laugh and cry. He will delight and disappoint us. He will make us want to be just like him at times and nothing like him at others.

David's life and times will cause us to have many responses, but boredom will likely not be one of them! He is sure to capture your interest, if you let him. And God is sure to change your heart, if you let Him.

This 10-week study includes both personal daily assignments and weekly group discussions including viewing DVDs of Beth’s dynamic teaching.

Mark your calendar now. Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your relationship

with God. Come and bring friends and neighbors.

--- Any questions or to sign up, call Bonnie Horner or email bnnhrn@yahoo.com. Workbooks will be available at our first class.

Join us on Zoom for Our Daily Bread Devotions during the fall months, Monday through Friday at 9:00 am. Free devotional guides are available for pick-up 24/7 in the Little Free Library outside our entrance or in the main lobby.

The Zoom link is

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88183107041?pwd=ZG9mSTIwYi9BaDRkOHdFWGpYRlpBdz09

And to lead the class, you can sign up here Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian: Our Daily Bread Devotional (signupgenius.com)

Please join the Deacons in supporting the Walk and Roll for Meals on Wheels on September 23, 2023 starting at 8:30 am at the Waterford Senior Center at 3621 Pontiac Lake Road. The flyer with all the details is located on the table near the message center in the Lakeview area.

See Duncan Galbraith or another deacon for the details.

Click HERE on link for more details

We still have copies of the new Chicken Soup for the Soul book, Well That Was Funny, for a donation. The book is packed with 101 heartwarming stories and it features a story by OLCCP member, Adrienne Matthews. A donation of $15 or more will help support Gathering Team/ Membership projects and enhancements.

You can sign up for flower dedications in 2023 in honor or memory of loved ones online by clicking here . Or we have brought back the sign up sheets located in the Narthex by the display case.

Please note: the cost of the chancel flowers are $40 this year.