OLCC,P eNewsLink
December 22nd
Sermon Series: What’s So Unique About Jesus Christ?
This Sunday's Message: Christ - The Lion of Judah
“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep.
See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
has conquered, so that he can open the scroll
and its seven seals.’” (Revelation 5:5)
This Sunday's Scriptures: Genesis 49:8-12, Luke 2:1-14, Revelation 5:1-7
From the desk of Pastor Paul...
Dear Friends,
This week is the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve day on the same day. It will be a busy day as we gather in the morning (remember – one service only at 10:30 a.m.) for worship, followed by our Keepsake Christmas event at 3 p.m. and Candlelight Communion services at 7 and 9 p.m. in the evening. I know most of us have many things on our agenda for the day…but make sure worship is given a prominent place in that agenda! After all, we wouldn’t even be celebrating anything if God had not loved us enough to send Christ into our world!
We will conclude our Advent series of messages on “What’s So Unique About Jesus Christ?” by looking at Revelation 5:1-7 together on Sunday morning. It’s a peek into the throne room of God, master control center for the universe. There we see God on the throne and follow as the scene unfolds around an unopened scroll, a weeping angel, and the Lion of Judah spoken of all the way back in the book of Genesis. Truly this redemptive story spans all of time and history, and we’ll reflect on the final scenes in that story as we worship on Sunday morning.
Remember to extend an invitation to someone to join you at one of the worship gatherings this Sunday!
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Paul
Pray for One Another
- Carmel Boley as she grieves the death of her husband, Doug.
- David Flammer as he continues to recover from his recent health episode.
- George Hunt as he prepares for his upcoming surgery.
Worship Schedule
December 24 - Christmas Eve:
- One morning worship service at 10:30am
- 3pm - “Keepsake Christmas” (see box below)
- 7 & 9pm - Communion Candlelight Services
December 31: One worship service at 10:30am
January 7: Regular services at 9am and 10:30am
Is God Calling YOU?!
As we approach a new year, our ministry and leadership teams (Session, Deacons, and Trustees) will be welcoming new members to their teams. The work of a healthy church is the work of everyone, not just the staff and elected officers – is God calling you? We would welcome anyone to participate in areas of ministry such as mission, music and worship, Christian education, fellowship events, care for our members, or for the care of our church campus and property.
Speak with Pastor Paul or elders Sue Sylvester (Mission), Don Lucking (Music/Worship), Heather Steggall (Christian Education), Janet Sables (Gathering/Fellowship), as well as Deacon Moderator Kay Carpenter (Deacon care), or Trustee Bruce Attar (Building and Grounds). Is God calling you to get out of the pew and into the ministry game? Doing so will deepen your faith, strengthen our faith community, and honor the Lord Jesus Christ!
Stewardship Reminder
All gifts to the church, intended to be 2017 gifts, must be postmarked or delivered to the church by December 31st. There will be a lock box at the west parking lot entrance (west side door) for contributions Tuesday, December 26 through Sunday, December 31st.
Thank you for your faithful support of Christ’s work in and through OLCC,P!
December 24 ~ 3pm ~ Keepsake Christmas
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.
New Learning Opportunities!
- Study and discussion of 1 Corinthians begins January 7 at 9am in the Board Room.
- The Christian Life and Learning Team is starting a new 5-6 week Andy Stanley series for adults Thursday morning at 9:30am or evening at 7:15 starts January 11.
You don't have to be a scholar to attend! Come and join us.
January 14 - CPR/AED Class
Why Learn CPR?
When the heart suddenly stops beating (cardiac arrest) or beats in a chaotic manner (ventricular fibrillation), CPR and defibrillation are two first-line treatments that increase chances of survival.
Why should you learn CPR?
- To know early warning signs of heart attack and stroke so that chances of survival can be increased through early treatment.
- To have the knowledge and presence of mind to know just what steps to take in the event of a heart-related or stroke-related emergency.
- To increase your own sense of well-being and confidence by learning rescue breathing and chest compression techniques.
Along with learning CPR, you will also learn how to use the automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment at OLCC,P. AED is a device that checks a person’s heart and delivers an electric shock if it has stopped beating.
Class will be held Sunday, January 14 at 12pm. The cost is $10. Please sign up in the Lakeview Area by January 10, 2018. Questions about the class? Call our Faith Community Nurse, Emily, at 248-346-7062.
Looking for your input...
The Christian Life and Learning Ministry Team is interested in building on the success we had with the Reformation Speaker Series. We are looking to conduct another Speaker Series next fall and are looking for input from the congregation.
We are considering having different speakers come in for 6 weeks to discuss topics of concern in our everyday lives. Some of these same topics have been discussed with the Stephen Ministers, but we are thinking many members of the congregation might like to hear about them as well. Below is a sample of the topics you might be interested in hearing about. If so, please email Sally Montera with the topics of your choice. Feel free to add your own topics.
- Addiction
- Caregiving
- Child Rearing
- Chronic Illness
- Depression
- End of life
- Finances
- Healthy Living
- Job Hunting
- Relationships
- Stress Management
- Work ethics
Other:
Saturday, January 20: OLCC,P Clean-up
An old church accumulates a lot of stuff over the years. Volunteers are needed to help OLCC,P start 2018 fresh. We’ll clean out closets, shelves, and more! All usable items will be donated to local charities.
Women's Bible Study
Per Capita for OLCC,P Requested by Jan. 24
Per capita is a fundamental way in which all Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations support the work of the wider Church. (To learn more about the importance of the per capita offering, click here.
Each year it costs OLCC,P over $25 for each member. When the full amount is not covered by the congregation, the money comes out of our Mission Budget. If all of the members of OLCC,P would prayerfully consider paying their own family’s per capita, it would allow your Mission Committee to have more to give to others in need.
The 2018 Per Capita offering is $26.33 per OLCC,P member. We would greatly appreciate your per capita on January 28. (If you use offering envelopes, a Per Capita envelope is included.)
Mom's Night Out - for ALL Moms!
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.
Found: Silver Bracelet
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/