OLCC,P eNewsLink
December 15th
Sermon Series: What’s So Unique About Jesus Christ?
This Sunday's Message: Christ: Human & Divine
“...the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David
according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power
according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead,
Jesus Christ our Lord...” (Romans 1:3-4)
This Sunday's Scriptures: Isaiah 9:2-7 Mark 1:1-8 Romans 1:1-6
From the desk of Pastor Paul...
Dear Faith Family,
We move into the 2nd week of Advent this Sunday continuing our series of messages on “What’s So Unique About Jesus Christ?” Last week we reflected on Jesus Christ as both a humble baby born 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, and as the exalted Lord, “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great glory and power” to vanquish all evil and restore righteousness to the earth! No one else can claim that combination!
Neither can anyone other than Jesus Christ claim the combination we will focus on this Sunday – Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine. Now this begins to scramble the brain cells of our finite human minds! But it’s an important affirmation which has been discussed, fought over, and debated through the centuries. As our passage in Romans 1:1-6 affirms, Jesus is both descended from David as a fully human person, and declared as Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. As we shall see on Sunday, we need both these aspects of Jesus’ nature if our hope in God’s salvation for us and for our world is to be trustworthy.
Join us on Sunday to hear more…and invite a friend or neighbor to come with you to worship this week!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
2018 Stewardship Update
Our All Things Are Possible 2018 Stewardship campaign is continuing to unfold. As of December 4th we have received 122 Faith Promise Cards for 2018 with promises of $370,944 toward our Faith Promise goal of $505,000. 41% of these promises show an increase from 2017! There are 7 new promises from folks who hadn’t made one previously, while 67 people/families who promised in 2017 have not yet returned 2018 Faith Promise Cards. Stewardship packets are available in the office and Faith Promise Cards can be found in the sanctuary or you can ask an usher to give you one. Please return your 2018 Faith Promise Card as soon as possible trusting that All Things Are Possible through our awesome God! Thanks for your generosity!
Advent Devotionals Now Available
Supporting Baldwin’s Christmas Store
The Baldwin Center in Pontiac opens a Christmas Store each year so needy families may choose new gifts to give to their loved ones, ensuring some Christmas joy, even in the midst of bleak times. OLCC,P helps make this possible by donating new, unwrapped gifts.
This Sunday is the last day to drop off new, unwrapped gifts.
2017 Annual Reports for all Church Ministry Teams
Information concerning annual report submissions will be distributed in the next few weeks to the team’s chairs. Each ministry team is required to provide a report for the congregation. Please begin to prepare your information for submission in early January. This will ensure the annual reports can be written and printed prior to the annual Congregational Meeting scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2018.
Advent Candle Lighters Are Needed!
We are looking for 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 in the Lakeview Area on Sunday morning or call the church office.
Open Door Outreach Center December Requests
Roadside: Mac & Cheese, Box Potatoes Lakeside: Ramen Noodles
Christmas Services
December 24 - Christmas Eve:
- One morning worship service at 10:30am
- 3pm - “Keepsake Christmas” (see box below)
- 7 & 9pm - Communion Candlelight Services
December 25 (services not held)
December 31 One worship service at 10:30am
January 7 - 9 & 10:30 am (Regular services)
Keepsake Christmas ~ December 24 ~ 3pm
During this engaging, one-hour, interactive program, families will hear a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story from cast members onstage. They’ll hear from Mary, Joseph, and an angel how the amazing events unfolded on that first Christmas. Plus each family will create their very own Keepsake nativity scene to cherish for years to come.
If you have a teen (or college student home for the holidays) who would like to help out with this program, please visit this flier for more information. We need volunteers to perform before the program, help with the project during the program and make ahead a few samples. Contact Elizabeth Belcher with questions or sign up in the Lakeview Area or Youth Room on Sunday.
Caring & Sharing Loaner Closet
In addition to gently used medical equipment such as wheel chairs, crutches, walkers, and shower chairs, a power lift and recline chair has recently been donated to our closet. We also have packages of adult disposable briefs (Depends) in various sizes. If you or someone you know could use any of these medical aids, please give Emily a call 248-346-7062.
Looking for a church home?
Are you curious what it means to be an OLCC,P member? Beginning in February, an informal series will be held to provide answers to questions you may have. Look in Sunday's bulletin for more information or call the church at 248.682.0730.
Contact Us
Rev. Dr. Paul H. Thwaite (Sr. Pastor): paul@olccp.com
Elizabeth Belcher (Dir. of Children’s Ministries): elizabeth@olccp.com
Margaret Bell (Organist): mtbellmusic@gmail.com
Afsoon Berenjian: (Nursery Attendant)
Stacey Cheff (Business Administrator): stacey@olccp.com
Scott Hobart (Dir. of Youth Ministries): srhobart@att.net
Emily Grakul (Faith Community Nurse): egrakul@yahoo.com
Lynn Lotoczky (Office Administrator): lynn@olccp.com
Bruce Snyder (Dir. of Music Ministries): bruce@olccp.com
Like us on Facebook at Orchard Lake Community Church
Email: lynn@olccp.com
Website: http://s15611.wixsite.com/orchardlakechurch
Location: 5171 Commerce Road, MI, United States
Phone: 248.682.0730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCCP/