OLCC,P eNewsLink
November 15, 2019
From the Desk of Pastor Linda
Greetings friends!
It snowed this week! If you are like me I truly was not ready for the cold and the snow before we even have gotten to December! But as a owner of dogs we found it necessary, like every year, to shovel a little path to the back of the yard so we could take our dogs out to well, you know, do what dogs do outside! These pups of ours sure are blessed to be guided down a long path to their destination. This made me think of our scripture this week and the path and narrow gate Jesus says is before us.
Jesus, teaches that we are to go through the narrow gate or path. In Matthew 7 He was teaching His followers to focus on the path He was laying before them . If they did not follow this path, wandered from the teaching of Jesus, they would miss the narrow gate and therefore miss the life Jesus was opening up for them.
In taking our dogs out if they wandered from the path before them they seemed to be uncomfortable in the deep snow that became stuck in their fur and the pads of their feet were very cold and uncomfortable. Staying on the path is just a smart thing for these dogs!
As we strive to stay focused on the path of Jesus we have asked you to consider what your pledge will be this year? We know that through the gifts we are blessed with the path is broad and the gate wide open for how we might choose to use these gifts. However, as we seek Gods kingdom to be lived out each day Jesus reminds us to choose the narrow gate, and follow a path toward Him.
We look forward to worship Sunday and sharing a meal after worship as we strive to walk with Jesus through the narrow gate.
Peace,
Linda
Sunday's Scriptures
Pray for one another...
- Continued healing and health for: Elizabeth Belcher, Julie Blom, Nancy Burton, Nancy Carter, Marilyn Colton, Peter Cooper, Alan Coopland, Gail Copeland, Cheryl Flammer, Dorothy Friedl, Jackie Johnson, Mary Bahr Jones, Joyce Kilbourne, Larry Lankford, Nina Linebaugh, Adrienne Matthews, Bill & Joyce Pitchford, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Les Schoonover, Justin Smith, Dan Tyrrell, Madie Zurkan, as well as all those battling chronic health conditions and mental health challenges
- For stewardship decisions in our 2020 Stewardship appeal “Striving For God’s Kingdom”
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Mission: For the 7k Challenge in all the churches as we serve others
Please click on the link below to help the Presbyterian Churches in Northeast Syria
OLCC, P Calendar
Winter Weather Policy
Winter Weather Policy – below are our practices related to winter weather and church activities:
- If West Bloomfield Schools are closed due to snow/ice/extreme cold, our office and all activities for that day are cancelled
- If West Bloomfield Schools observe a 2 hour delay, our office will as well and scheduled activities will continue later in the day
- Any Sunday worship changes or cancellations will be publicized as needed
Lighthouse Thanksgiving
Once again this year, OLCC,P will be participating in the Lighthouse Thanksgiving Collection. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the blessings we have received with families in need in the Pontiac area, ensuring that they will have a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner. this Sunday, November 10th, some of our young people will be passing out grocery bags and "wish lists" as you leave after each service. If you can purchase these items as you are shopping for your own holiday celebrations, fill the bags, and return them to church by November 17th.
The bags can be placed in the area outside the office door on the lower level, as you enter the church. You may also write a check, to be used toward the purchase of turkeys. Checks should be made out to OLCC,P, with Lighthouse Thanksgiving written in the memo line, and turned in to the office, so Stacey can write one check to Lighthouse. Thank you for your generosity, and may God bless you and your families as we celebrate and give thanks for our many blessings.
Harvest Potluck Luncheon
Sunday, November 17th at 11:30 a.m.
Gathering around the harvest table for the OLCC,P community lunch. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing and beverages will be provided. We will only have one service at
10:30 a.m. this day so everyone can enjoy the luncheon. Bring your favorite salad, side dish or dessert to share. Reservations are not required, just show up and enjoy. A free will offering will be accepted.
Poinsettias
It’s time to order the poinsettias that decorate our Sanctuary each year. They are planted in 6-inch pots with 4 to 6 blossoms per plant in either red, pink or white. The cost is $10. Look for the sign-up sheet today in the Lakeview Area.
The deadline for ordering the plants is November 17th.
Pop Can Drive
Wreath Sale
Thank You
Quilters and Sewers
We have new church ministry for Quilters and Sewers. It requires no advanced skills. We meet the 3rd Monday of the month in the boardroom at 9:00 a.m. No need to sign up, just show up. Our next meeting is November 18th. Questions, contact Helene King 248-681-7855 or hmking56@gmail.com.
Prayer Shawl Meeting
Our meetings are the 1st and 3rd Mondays, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the library, and all knitters are welcome. The next meeting is November 18th
Be MedWise
Youth Group Mark Your Calendar!
Bible Study:
Armor of God Wednesdays from 7:00 –8:30 p.m. for high school students.
December 13th
Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Tickets $25. All Youth.
Sign up soon! For details contact Pastor Linda.
Springhill Payment is due now!
Life Principles by Charles Stanley, DVD series
Thursdays, November 21 and December 5-19:
9:30 a.m. or 7:15 p.m.
Led by Bonnie Horner
Dr. Charles Stanley has faithfully highlighted the 30 Life Principles that have guided his life, empowered his ministry, and helped him to grow in his knowledge, service, and love of God. This series has been designed to help you apply these timeless truths to your life and enjoy life at its very best. Each DVD message walks you through Scripture and shows you how to live the Spirit-filled, victorious life you were created for. We will cover these topics:
November 21 -God Will Show You His Will
December 5 -God Acts on Behalf of Those Who Wait for Him
December 12 -Fight Your Battles on Your Knees
December 19 -Victim or Victor?
Advent Bags
On November 24th or December 1st be sure to stop by the table at the front entry doors to pick up your child’s Advent bag. This bag contains a variety of items for you and your child to celebrate the Advent season. There are enough bags for each child in the household to have their own.
Thanksgiving Break
Welcome Inn Donation
It’s that time of year again! As you’re cleaning out your closets and trying on last year’s winter gear, please consider donating your unwanted items to the Welcome Inn Day Center.
Operated by South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless (501c3), Welcome Inn Day Center has been in operation since 2003 and is the only 'low-barrier' wintertime day-center in South Oakland County.
We’ll be collecting coats, boots, gloves, thermal wear, hand warmers, jeans, socks – anything you would use if you were to spend a day out in the cold.
This year We’ll be collecting women’s and children’s winter gear, new socks and underwear to share as we partner with other organizations in Detroit.
Please drop off your cold-weather donations in the church lobby – lakeside area – any time during the month of November.
Thank you for sharing your many blessings with others!!
Questions? Call Lindsey Kamerad at 586-242-9417 or see Pastor Linda
Open Door
The following items are in immediate need: Peanut butter and jelly, sliced bread, soup, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, size 5 and 5/6 diapers and baby wipes.
7K November Service Challenge
Our theme for this year is #BeLove, which is based on 1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another... because God is love.
Our goals this year:
7,000 hours of service in our communities!
300 conversations with people we serve.
We will strive to deepen our experiences this year by engaging in conversations with those we are serving. Having conversations with people we would otherwise not know takes our discipleship to a deeper level to truly express being God’s love in the world.
How will we do this?
We will Engage, Record & Celebrate.
We Engage by finding a place to serve. Any place/activity that is outside of the church involving helping someone in need, counts.
We Record by logging our hours online, using Track it Forward.
You may also put your volunteer hours in the box provided in the Lakeside area.
And finally, we Celebrate by posting pictures of what we are doing on social media with the hashtag #BeLove.
First Sunday in Advent
December 1st is the first Sunday in Advent. ‘The children will begin their study of the Christmas story. Afterward, they will create Christmas ornaments and other Christmas-themed items to decorate the hallway in the children’s wing. This is going to be fun!
Advent Candle Lighters are Needed!
We are looking for five families, groups, or committees to help lead us through our Advent journey by lighting the Advent candles for our Sunday services through Advent, as well as the Christmas Eve services. The words used during the lighting will be provided. Please sign up using the sheet in the Lakeview Area today or email Jennifer at jennifer@olccp.com.
Pictorial Directory
Pick Up Your Free 8x10 and New Date, December 4th
We recently had a Lifetouch photography event. If you elected to have your complimentary 8x10 sent back to the church for pick up, the photos are in the Lakeview Area. If your picture is not in the current shipment, it means it will be coming in a future shipment .
We also have a new date for those of you on the wait list. We will have a photography session, Wednesday, December 4th from 2:00-8:40 p.m. You must sign up online to be a part of this new date. To schedule your appointment, go to the Lifetouch link:
Live! At the Lake: And There Was Light
Mark your calendars for a very special Christmas Concert.
Combined choirs, orchestra, and four award winning Christian artists will be performing Friday, December 6th at 7:30 p.m. and also Sunday, December 8th at 4:00 p.m.
This show is a gift to our community. There will be a freewill offering. Bring your friends and family.
Grace Centers of Hope Christmas Tree program
We will again support the residents of Pontiac and Grace Centers of Hope with donations of Christmas trees.
Sign ups will be in the Lakeview area. In addition to providing our friends in Pontiac with a Christmas tree, we are also accepting donations of used Christmas ornaments and tree stands. The trees will be cut down church members on December 7th and then delivered to Pontiac the same morning-along with the ornament/tree stand donations.
Any questions? Contact Jim Lemon at 248-520-9977.
Art in Advent
The children in Rotation Sunday school will learn about the Christmas story through art on December 8 & 15, as they paint a nativity scene on canvas and create other beautiful Christmas-themed works of art for the Glory of God. These activities will be led by Ms. Laura Wass, art teacher at Eagle Creek Academy (Oakland Township).
Presbyterian Men's 38th Annual Communion & Advent Breakfast
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Grosse Pointe Memorial Presbyterian Church
16 Lakeshore Dr. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3725
7:30 a.m. Welcome
8:00 Communion Celebration
8:30 Breakfast and Fellowship
9:30 Presentation of the George Irwin Service Award
Tickets Must be Purchased by December 7, 2019 Purchase your tickets on-line at http://pbydetroit.org/On-LineDonations.htm and scroll down to the bottom of the page
Or Purchase your tickets by mail by following the steps below. Make checks payable to: Presbytery of Detroit (Memo: Presbyterian Men)
Mail participants’ names and check to:
Presbytery of Detroit
Attention Sandy Jensen, Director of Operations
17575 Hubbell, Detroit, MI 48235-2708
Birthday Party for Jesus
On December 22nd, the children will have a birthday party for Jesus. It will take place during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. They will decorate Christmas cookies, play games, and have lots & lots of fun!
Children’s Christmas Eve Service
The children’s Christmas Eve service will take place at 3:00 p.m. on December 24th. Please contact Martha at <martha@olccp.com> if your child would like to play their musical instrument (and the song they would like to play) or is interested in reading a scripture passage. You may sign up in the hallway in front of Martha’s office, starting November 17th.
Christmas Eve Service Times
7:00pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
9:00pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Lollipop Preschool
Contact Us
Rev. Dr. Paul H. Thwaite (Sr. Pastor): paul@olccp.com
Rev. Linda Cochran (Temp. Supply Assoc. Pastor) linda@olccp.com
Margaret Bell (Organist): mtbellmusic@gmail.com
Afsoon Berenjian: (Nursery Attendant)
Stacey Cheff (Business Administrator): stacey@olccp.com
Emily Grakul (Faith Community Nurse): egrakul@yahoo.com
Martha Piesko (Director of Children’s Ministries) martha@olccp.com
Bruce Snyder (Dir. of Music Ministries): bruce@olccp.com
Jennifer Taub (Office Administrator): jennifer@olccp.com
Doug Wilson (Sexton)
Follow us on Facebook at Orchard Lake Community Church
Email: info@olccp.com
Website: https://www.olccp.com/
Location: 5171 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, MI, United States
Phone: 248.682.0730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCCP/