OLCC,P eNewsLink
March 16, 2018
This Sunday's Message: Thinking About...Lust
This Sunday's Scriptures: 2 Samuel 11:1-5, Matthew 5:27-30, Romans 8:5-13
From the desk of Pastor Paul...
Dear Friends,
We are moving ever closer in our Lenten journey to Holy Week and, figuratively speaking, to Jerusalem with Jesus Christ. In fact, our series of Lenten sermons on “Sinning Like A Christian” reminds me - and hopefully each one of us - of our need as sinners for God’s redeeming grace in Jesus Christ. Even as believers we still battle what the Apostle Paul calls “the flesh” – that human sinful nature desiring to pursue selfish ends and desires rather than seeking to serve the Lord.
Perhaps that battle is most pronounced for many in our topic for this week – Lust. In our sex-saturated culture where it’s hard to find a TV show or movie that doesn’t have sexual overtones (let alone outright sexual intimacy), where Internet pornography is rampant, where the #MeToo movement and Larry Nassar have demonstrated the damage done by individuals pursuing the lustful desires of their flesh at the expense of others, this “deadly sin” that perhaps seems so “normal” is one deserving of our special attention.
Especially so, since the heart of God is the heart of a lover! Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for a friend. Is it possible we fixate ourselves on the fleeting pleasures of physical intimacy when God’s heart and desire are for a love toward God and others that encompasses a holistic and abiding sense of love involving body, soul, mind, and spirit? We’ll think about that when we gather Sunday.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Prayer for one another...
- Ainar Ayala for a speedy recovery from his heart valve replacement surgery last week.
- Jack Stinson for continued progress in his health care.
- Justin Smith and Burtzloff families for strength as they deal with the news of cancer.
Lenten One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
OGHS is a national effort of Presbyterian churches to raise funds to assist wherever disaster or suffering calls for Christ-like compassion and care.
For more information about the positive impact of this effort, please take a moment after the service to read the insert in Sunday's bulletin.
We will be receiving the OGHS offering next week.
How is your Lenten journey going?
Did you know...Walking was first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 3:8, “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” It was while walking in the garden that God typically spoke to Adam and Eve. As we continue our Walk to Galilee, how meaningful for us to walk through our neighborhoods, our parks, and our communities while talking to our Creator, the One who knows us best! We are making great progress. As of last week we have walked 1,108 miles. We will fly over the Atlantic and continue the journey from Casablanca on to Galilee.
Easter Lilies Available
This Sunday will be the last opportunity to purchaseEaster lilies, in honor or memory of loved ones, to decorate the sanctuary for Easter.
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.
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.
5th Grade + Mid-High Game Night ~ March 23rd 7 - 10pm
We would like to invite all of our 5th grade students to the last Mid-High Game Night of the year on Friday evening, This is an opportunity for the 5th graders to hang out with the older kids, have fun and get a quick intro to life as a middle schooler at OLCC,P. The cost is $5. Pizza is provided. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Belcher or Scott Hobart.
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.
OLCC,P Rummage Sale Dates
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!
Euchre Tournament April 14th 7 - 9pm
Calling all card sharks! Please join us in our annual tournament. $5 suggested donation per player. Snacks will be provided. Sign up in the Lakeview Area or call Janet Sables at 248-818-6350.
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.
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/