OLCC,P eNewsLink
March 9, 2018
This Sunday's Message: Thinking About...Greed
This Sunday's Scriptures: Luke 12:13-21 Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
From the desk of Pastor Paul...
Dear Friends,
We are heading into an exciting weekend here at OLCC,P!
First, on Saturday evening, we welcome the Calvin College Capella Choir in concert as part of our wonderful “Live! At The Lake” series. This choral group has sung with professional orchestras here in Michigan and in concerts both nationally and internationally. I hope you’ll plan to attend and invite some friends to join you. There is no ticket charge but a free-will offering will be received to offset expenses incurred by the choir for their tour. Then, Saturday night, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Saving Time to begin!
On Sunday morning, we will have one joint worship service at 10:30 a.m. Our Lenten series of messages on “Sinning Like A Christian” will continue as we look at the deadly sin of Greed. Author William Willimon votes for this as the most common of the Seven Deadly Sins in our particular culture. We will look at Luke 12:13-21 where Jesus cautions us not to think life consists in the abundance of our possessions. God wired us to have passions and desires - the challenge being to direct those passions and desires toward the right things. We’ll reflect more on what that means on Sunday morning.
We’ll also announce our progress on our March Mortgage Meltdown Challenge. Led by a generous anonymous donation of $35,000, we are hoping to “meltdown” our remaining mortgage debt of $65,000 to $0 by Easter Sunday, April 1. Please prayerfully consider how you can help us meet that challenge!
See you Saturday and Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Prayer for one another...
Ainar Ayala for continued strength as he has heart valve replacement surgery this week.
- Sherry Orr on the death of her mother, Dorothy Surma.
March Mortgage Meltdown Challenge
We are prayerfully working in March to meltdown our remaining mortgage debt. A very generous anonymous gift has left $30,000 of remaining debt. We hope to respond to that gift with additional gifts during the month of March. Pray about what God would lead you to do and then offer your gift specifically marked “March Mortgage Challenge.” Watch the poster in the Lakeview Area each week to see our progress. With God’s blessing, we’ll celebrate our mortgage debt being paid on Easter Sunday, just as we celebrate our debts due to sin being paid by Jesus Christ on the Cross!
This Saturday! Calvin College “Capella” Choir ~ March 10 ~ 7pm
Capella is a soprano, alto, tenor, and bass choir that performs nationally and internationally. Since the fall of 2014, the choir has been directed by Pearl Shangkuan. The choir has earned a pair of third-place medals in an international choral competition in Tours, France. It has been featured in several American Choral Directors Association state conventions and is frequently invited to sing for professional symphony orchestras in Michigan. Capella has traveled to churches and international schools in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Manila, Singapore, Spain and Portugal.
(This is not a ticketed event. A free-will offering will be taken to help Calvin College defray their travel expenses.)
Better Safe Than Sorry...Donations of Salads, Casseroles, Cookies Requested
We will be feeding the 45 members of the Calvin College group a light dinner prior to the performance and providing a reception following the concert. We think we have enough salads, casseroles and cookies, but its always better to have too much than too little. If you feel inclined to help provide food, please text/call Patrice Steele at 1-248-762-5450.
How is your Lenten journey going?
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your might." – Deuteronomy 6:5
Our hearts are healthier and our spirits stronger because as a group we walked/prayed 342 miles this week toward our goal of Galilee by Easter.
Pray: Lord, thank you for the gift of our bodies and spirits. Make us mindful of those precious gifts each time we move throughout the week. Help us to celebrate our bodies by encouraging us to eat healthfully and challenging us to keep moving. Amen!
Easter Lilies Available
Easter lilies, in honor or memory of loved ones, can be purchased to decorate the sanctuary for $9. After Easter you are welcome to take them with you.
Checks should be made payable to OLCC,P with ‘Easter Lily’ in the memo line. You can drop a check in the offering plate or in the mail.
Stephen Ministry AA Presentation ~ March 15 ~ 7pm
Everyone is invited to join our Stephen Ministers on Thursday, March 15th at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall to hear a presentation on the work of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Chris Fellin, a member of the AA group hosted by OLCC,P, will talk about the current status of the group and how the work of AA impacts the lives of those needing support. All are welcome to this Stephen Ministry Continuing Education presentation.
Spring Luncheon ~ March 18
After a hard winter, join us in celebrating the approach of Spring with our annual luncheon on March 18. The luncheon will be held immediately after the second service in Fellowship Hall. Ham, potatoes and bread will be served. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert.
Easter Bunny Brunch ~ March 24
You are invited to join us at our annual Easter Brunch for OLCC,P Kids (Grandkids!), families and friends on March 24th from 10am - 12pm in Heritage Hall. We’ll have crafts, games, goodies and of course, our Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn of the church. Please remember to bring your Easter basket. For elementary-age children, there will be a Lord’s Prayer Station activity as well.
March 29 – Maundy Thursday “A Journey to Hope” 7pm
The OLCC,P and community choir members will present “A Journey to Hope.” This major sacred work is musically inspired by traditional spirituals and tells of the ministry; passion and resurrection of Jesus through familiar re-purposed tunes; narration and scriptures. Come, bring a friend, and enjoy the chamber orchestra and narration.
March 30 – Community Good Friday Service
12:15pm Orchard United Methodist Church 30450 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334
April 1 – Easter Sunday
7:00am Sunrise Service
7:45am Continental Breakfast
9:00am Worship & Child Care
10:30am Worship & Sunday School for children 3 - 8 years old. Children 9+ years old can sit with their parents during the service.
New Women’s Bible Study Begins April 2 ~ 7pm
We will begin a new study from the book “In Knowing God by Name: A Personal Encounter” by Mary Kassian. This study focuses on 35 Hebrew names of God that describe His character, His relationships, and His purpose. As you learn the significance of each ancient word, you’ll be awestruck by the Lord’s magnificence and your heart compelled to worship and praise Him.
We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings of each month. The cost of the class (including the book) is $5. Please sign up in the Lakeview Area or contact Sally Montera for more information.
Open Door Outreach Pantry Requests
The Deacons are asking the Roadside & Lakeside to unite for the Open Door Food Pantry by bringing in the items listed below to the church by Friday, March 16. These items will provide Easter dinners for those in need in our community.
- Canned fruit/vegetables
- Jello
- Gravy
- Box Potatoes
- Stuffing Mix
- Mac & Cheese
- Easter candy, baskets, egg coloring kits
- Donations for Easter hams/turkey (checks to OLCC,P with ‘ham’ written in memo line.)
OLCC,P Rummage Sale Dates Have Moved!
This annual mission fundraising event for the OLCC,P Presbyterian Women’s Association will be held in April this year. The sale will be held:
- Wednesday, April 18 ~ 5pm - 8pm
- Thursday, April 19 ~ 9am - 5pm
- Friday, April 20 ~ 9am - Noon
If you would like to volunteer to help set up (April 16/17) work during the sale or help clean-up on the last day, contact Nina Linebaugh 248.673.2144 or 248.904.5667.
More details to come next month, but start saving your “treasures to share” now!
Rebuilding Together ~ Saturday, April 28
This is a national event that is held every year which typically involves painting, repairing, cleaning, landscaping, whatever needs to be done for a senior or someone who can't do the work on their own. We need a crew of 50-75 to help make this successful. To be a part of this activity, please register at the OLCC,P team link.
HAVEN Annual Report Available
Save the Dates!
- April 18 – 20: Rummage Sale
- April 20 – 22: Women’s Retreat
- April 28: Rebuilding Together
- June 1: Tigers Game Toronto Blue Jays
- June 10-17: South Oakland Shelter (SOS) guests
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
Follow 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/