OLCCP E-Blast
April 12, 2024
Pastor Rich's Weekly Devotional
Creation and the Piety of Pleasure
John Calvin, the 16th century Protestant Reformer, not only asserted we can find truth in a variety of places, but if we don’t accept the truth we find, we actually disgrace our God. At that time Calvin was thinking of the philosophers who were not intentionally writing to glorify God, but whose writings clearly pointed out the majesty of our Creator.
Since Lucretius – one of the many philosophers Calvin studied – contemplated “natural philosophy” (the name for science until the 1830’s), it’s really not a stretch to say that Calvin could see scientific insights of his day offering glory to God.
Several books analyze Calvin’s views on nature in which Calvin proposed the beauty of creation is a witness to God (see Ravished by Beauty, by Beldon Lane).
At the heart of science is a deep appreciation for the natural world. Calvin believed that the beauty of creation, and the pleasures we enjoy amid creation, were means to reflect God’s goodness.
Calvin wrote, “The Lord clothed the flowers with the great beauty that greets our eyes, the sweetness of smell that is wafted upon our nostrils . . . . Did God not render many things simply as attractive to us, apart from their necessary use?” (Institutes III.9.2)
Calvin found that appreciating positive pleasures was deeply spiritual. Put another way, relishing the beauty of creation is an act of spirituality, or “piety,” in Calvin’s words.
“For in this world God blesses us in such a way as to give us a mere foretaste of his kindness, and by that taste to entice us to desire heavenly blessings with which we may be satisfied. As soon as we acknowledge God to be the supreme architect, who has erected the beauteous fabric of the universe, our minds must necessarily be ravished with wonder at his infinite goodness, wisdom, and power” (John Calvin).
Sunday Worship & Scriptures
Our Sunday worship times are 9:00 am & 10:30 am.
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Rich brings us the message, The Beautiful Gate.
New Testament Lesson: Acts 3:1-10 & Acts 3:11-19
Live Streaming Sundays at 10:30 am
To access our church online options, subscribe to our YouTube channel on the link below.
In Our Prayers
Pray for these people on our Prayer List:
Mary Bahr-Jones, Marion Benedict, Julie Blom, Dennis Burton, Nancy Burton, Nancy Carter, Vangie Chase, Ellen Coffman, Bud Conrad, Tom Conrad, Jorgann Cornwall, Sandra Crane, Judy Daulton, Ann DeMarco, Pamela Duplacey, Eileen Fisher, Dorothy Friedl, Carol Froling, Maureen Gribbell, Tom Gribbell, Ariel Goldman, Steve Hauser, Jim Horner, Herbert Jarvie, Brenda Johnson, Diane Kennedy, Lee Knoblock, Karla Kurzweil, Kay Malaney, Bill Marvin, Mary Mehelich, Julie Morrish, Richard Mudge, Rebbeca Naftel, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Shannon Paul, Jack Rothley, Pat Rothley, Brian Russek, Karen Schoonover, Jim Skeeters, Pat Sluka, Paul Stottlemyer, Terry family, Brett Tremaine, Jeanne Thamer, Ron Verduin, Nancy Watts, Doris Wiegert, Bill Windscheif, Martha Windscheif, Woodby family and Pamela Zimmerman.
On Sunday, May 5th, following our next celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Extended Communion will be taken to members unable to be present with us in worship. The Church office is presently compiling a list of those who desire to receive the Sacrament.
If you are aware of someone who may wish to receive the Sacrament on the afternoon of May 5th, please forward their name to the Church office or speak to the Pastor.
The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, May 19, at Orchard Lake Church. Please speak with Pastor Rich if you would like to learn more.
Stephen Ministry
OLCCP 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 OLCCP Stephen Ministers are: Bev Ayres, Dorothy Friedl, Sherry Orr, Steve Orr, Bob Siebert, Pat Redner-Colvin, and Betty Singleton.
OLCCP Calendar
Our calendar is available to browse live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at OLCC,P Calendar. You can browse all events coming up. You can also subscribe to the calendar on the same page.
Please be sure to check the calendar before organizing an event at OLCCP.
Over 500 pairs (20 bags) of shoes were collected!
Thank you to all of you who donated shoes to support our OLCCP Youth Mission trip to Copperhill, Tennessee.
Thanks again for your support and generosity!
Registration now open! Volunteers needed!
We are so excited to announce that our Vacation Bible School will take place July 8-11 from 9:30 am to 12 noon. This year's theme is Compassion Camp, “What Every Living Thing Needs” and it is geared for children in grades preschool through 5th grade.
“What Every Living Thing Needs” explores what all living things need to live: shelter, food, water, air, and community; and how we can have compassion for the living earth, especially in our local ecosystems.
Please contact Kelly Holquist, Director of Children and Youth Ministries at the church office to learn more or if you would like to volunteer to help at VBS at 248-682-0730 or via email at Kellyh@olccp.com.
We are thrilled to welcome Rev. Mary Bahr-Jones to lead a special Bible Study on the fascinating Old Testament book of Job. Each Thursday morning class on Job will begin at 10:00 am. All welcome to join us!
Pastor Rich is leading an evening discussion on the video teaching of NYTimes bestselling author Bob Goff. The evening study focuses on the God-ordained vision and dream implanted in your heart and sealed in our fellowship of faith. Join us Thursdays at 7:00 pm.
Our Daily Bread Devotions
Join us on Zoom for Our Daily Bread Devotions during the spring 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)
Historical Field Trips-UPDATE from Gary
April - We had 29 people participate in our first trip to the Detroit Historical Museum on Saturday, April 6th. A good time was had by all! (Ask the Guys in the car photo below.) Thanks!
May - Our 2nd trip will take place on Saturday, May 18th. The initial plan was to visit the Underground Railroad Living Museum but they can no longer accommodate us on that date. Another trip will be scheduled for May 18. Stay tuned!
June - Our 3rd trip will be on Saturday, June 15th. Stay tuned!
July - On Saturday, July 13th, we will be going to the Detroit Tigers baseball game at Comerica Park. The Tigers are playing the Dodgers at 1 pm. I have purchased 44 tickets at $35 each. I am arranging bus transportation to and from Comerica Park so you don’t have to worry about parking and driving. Because the Tigers require payment in full at least 30 days in advance, I need everyone who wants to go to claim their tickets and pay for them as soon as possible. If you want to go, please email garyforhan@ameritech.net with your name and the number of tickets you need. Then, make out a check to OLCCP, write “Tiger Tickets” in the memo line, and turn drop it off in the church office. The first 44 requests will get the tickets. If more than 44 tickets are requested, I will start a waiting list.
More details to follow.
If you have any questions, please email Gary at garyforhan@ameritech.net
Stay tuned for future field trip announcements.
Gary Forhan
God's faithfulness continues to guide the Campbells
The Campbell's vision for a chapel on the shores of Orchard Lake.
As summer life continued for the Campbell family, it got to be that their island would have so many residents and guests that they wouldn't all fit in their front parlor for worship services. The Campbells wanted to include their friends that lived on the mainland, as well. In 1865, when General Copeland turned his "castle" home into a summer resort, Colin and Caroline knew those visitors would also want a place to worship. Their good friend, Peter Dow, donated some of his land on the north shore of the lake for the purposes of building a little chapel. In October of 1871, the cornerstone was laid. Their daughter Jeanie was engaged to a young architect, Mr. Henry T. Brush, and he drew up the plans for the chapel.
Next Up: The Panic of 1873 and the dedication of the completed chapel in 1874.
I hope you are doing well. With tax season in full swing, I wanted to remind you that any donations made to the Church, a Qualified Charitable Organization acknowledged by the IRS, can be tax deductible. If you are over 70, the Tax Act of 2019 has made it easier for you to transfer funds from an IRA or 401k directly to the Church, without incurring taxes on the amount transferred to the Qualified Charitable Organization.
If you need any assistance with this process, your financial advisor can offer guidance and the church office can provide documentation if required.
Thanks,
Mike
Why do we ask for Per Capita contributions?
Each year, the Session of the Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, asks its members to donate toward Per Capita.
In 2024, the amount requested is $35.90 per member. This money does not stay with our local congregation but is added to the Per Capita donations of our sister congregations to help support the work of the Presbytery of Detroit, the Synod of the Covenant, and the General Assembly.
Through the Presbytery of Detroit, we undertake efforts to meet concerns in southeastern Michigan. Through the Synod of the Covenant, we extend college scholarships, support campus ministries, and provide enrichment opportunities for pastors. Through the General Assembly, international mission efforts take place, a bi-annual gathering is held, and curriculum developed.
The Per Capita donation confirms the connectional nature of our denomination. This annual donation provides the administrative tie to bring us together to work as one. The support, guidance, and resources provided by our Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly are available to all congregations, large and small. Thanks to Per Capita donations, we can serve as the church together.
Thank you for your support.
The purpose of the Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative is to strengthen the witness of the Church to the good news of Jesus Christ, by identifying, training, and providing ongoing support to emerging preachers. Across the eleven presbyteries of the Synod, there are numerous ruling elders and other church leaders who are called and gifted to preach the good news. The aim of the Initiative is to cultivate these gifts through rigorous training in biblical interpretation, reformed theology, and sermon preparation. The Initiative aims to add 140 or more trained preachers across Synod over four18-month training cycles, beginning in June of 2024 and through 2028.
The link for more information or to apply is below:
https://www.synodofthecovenant.org/cultivating-the-gift-of-preaching
Open Door Outreach Food & Household Item Collection
Open Door Outreach Collection:
The pantry is in need of the following food items: jelly, condiments, canned meat, tuna, soups, canned vegetables and fruits, canned chili, stew and baked beans, spaghetti sauce, pasta, boxed cereals, cake mix and frosting, crackers, and juice.
This is an ongoing collection at OLCCP that is distributed weekly. They accept all shelf-stable items. Any donation of food or hygiene products is appreciated. Items can be dropped off in the brown bench near the office.
Thank you for your continued support!
Deacon Transportation Service
Do you need a ride? Deacon Transportation Services at OLCCP is staffed and able to take fellow members to medical or essential appointments.
Please contact Emily G. or Linda V. for information or email info@olccp.com.
Contact Us
The Church Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Rev. Dr. Richard Lapehn (Pastor): In the office Monday through Thursday. May be reached by email at (richard.lapehn@gmail.com)or by phone at 248-682-0730.
- Leida Soto (Office Administrator): In the office Monday through Thursday or by email during office hours at (leida@olccp.com) or by phone at 248-682-0730.
- Stacey Cheff (Business Administrator): In the office Mondays and Thursdays or by email during office hours (stacey@olccp.com)
- Kelly Holquist (Children & Youth Director): May be reached by email during office hours at (kellyh@olccp.com) or phone at 248-682-0730.
- Rebecca Grice-Johnson (Faith Community Nurse) : Email at (rebecca@olccp.com) or call 248-346-7062.
- Margaret Bell (Organist): (mtbellmusic@gmail.com)
- Bruce Snyder (Director of Music Ministries): (bruce@olccp.com)
Email: info@olccp.com
Website: www.olccp.com
Location: 5171 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, MI, USA
Phone: 248-682-0730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCCP/