OLCC,P eNewsLink
December 20, 2019
From the Desk of Pastor Paul
Dear Friends,
This Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Advent, we continue to “Embrace the Unexpected” as we turn to Matthew 1:18-25 in our time of worship together. These verses focus our attention on Mary and Joseph, a couple probably in their teens, who are about to have their lives unexpectedly turned completely upside down!
Ever been there? A pink slip in your pay envelope? A phone call from the doctor? A voicemail from one of your children? All of us have had life throw unexpected things at us, and as believers we are not exempt from that reality. In Mary and Joseph, we see unexpected recipients of God’s call to fill a unique role in the drama of redemptive history. Thankfully, they each are willing to follow God’s unexpected call in their lives and welcome into the world the eternal Son of God now become a human being!
We will revisit their story on Sunday as we move ever closer to Christmas Day. Remember our service times on Christmas Eve – a 3 p.m. Family Service followed by Candlelight Services of Lessons and Carols at 7 and 9 p.m. It’s a busy day for many with family gatherings and dinners, but please also make gathering with your faith family a priority in planning your schedule for the day. We don’t want to repeat the “no room in the inn” experience of Mary and Joseph by having no room in our lives for worship!
I close with a word of congratulations – Friday will be graduation day from the Michigan State Police Academy for Will Grakul, son of Emily (our Faith Community Nurse) and Mark Grakul! After a rigorous 6 month training program, Will graduates and will be posted to the State Police barracks in Jackson, MI. I am planning to attend the graduation ceremony on behalf of our congregation to extend our best wishes. Please keep all of our first responders in your thoughts and prayers as they answer the call every day on our behalf!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Sunday's Scriptures
Pray for one another...
- Continued healing and health for: Elizabeth Belcher, Nancy Burton, Nancy Carter, Tom Conrad, Peter Cooper, Alan Coopland, Cheryl Flammer, Dorothy Friedl, Jackie Johnson, Mary Bahr Jones, Joyce Kilbourne, Larry Lankford, Nina Linebaugh, Trudy Morse, Lisa Pence, Bill & Joyce Pitchford, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Les Schoonover, Justin Smith, Chuck Storey, Dan Tyrrell, Laurie VanSwearingen, Doris Wiegert, Madie Zurkan.
- Safety for those travelling at Christmas and the peace of Christ to those far away from family and friends during the holidays.
OLCC, P Calendar
Church Library News
During Advent you will find our collection of Christmas books in the bookcase near the wall- side seating in the gathering area. Check out is simple, just put the book title, date, and your name in the notebook on the shelf. Then cross your name off when you return the book to the shelf. Happy reading!
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!
Christmas Eve Service Times
7:00pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
9:00pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
2020 Faith Promise Cards
If you have not already returned your Striving For God’s Kingdom 2020 Faith Promise Card, please do so as soon as possible. Additional Faith Promise Cards are available in the sanctuary or through the church office. Thank you!
Open Door
The following items are in immediate need:
Peanut butter and jelly, sliced bread, soup, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, size 5 and 5/6 diapers, and baby wipes.
New Church Office Hours
Beginning in January, there will be new hours for the church office. The office will be open beginning at 9:00 a.m. (changed from 8:00 a.m.) until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. (changed from 8:00 a.m.) to 12 noon on Fridays. Business Administrator Stacey Cheff will only be in the office Monday through Thursday. Please make note of these changes beginning in January. Thank you.
Xpujil 2020 is a Go!
We have a team of seven who will be travelling to Xpujil, Mexico from February 25 - March 3 to come alongside Mexican villagers to help build cisterns for a safe source of drinking water for their families. There's room for three or four more people on the team; if you've been thinking this is something you'd like to do, we're more than happy to have you.
The week includes four "work days", an opportunity to visit local Mayan ruins and other sights of interest, getting to know the family of Todd Luke's wife Maria, who feed us wonderfully, worshiping on Sunday with the Presbyterians in Xpujil (in the church OLCC,P helped build), and an afternoon and evening of "r and r" in Playa del Carmen, before flying home from Cancun. If you're interested in going, or just want more information, please contact Dodie Berry (248-363-4471).
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
Please click on the link below to help the Presbyterian Churches in Northeast Syria
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
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/
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.