OLCC,P eNewsLink
March 2, 2018
This Sunday's Message: Thinking About...Sloth
This Sunday's Scriptures:
“All things are wearisome; more than one can express;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
or the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:8-9)
From the desk of Pastor Paul...
Dear Friends,
Well, I guess Spring hasn’t sprung quite yet. It was tempting this morning to just pull the covers over my head and stay cocooned in my bed! The snow on all the trees is beautiful, but I think we’re all ready to see flowers grow and hear birds singing once again!
Sometimes in life, as things weigh us down or wear us down, we can get to the point of saying “What’s the use?” I’ve had times as a pastor of wondering and questioning whether anything or anyone is really changing based on all the teaching and preaching and ministry investment. Perhaps you’ve faced similar thoughts yourself. It’s easy at times to want to say “What’s the use?” and just give in to despair and doubt and cynicism.
This week we’ll look at the deadly sin of Sloth. Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 and Colossians 3:23-24 will be our main scripture texts. One (Ecclesiastes) details the kind of attitude that leads to just saying “What’s the use?” while the other (Colossians) offers the guidance that counteracts that tendency to just give in. God’s gifting of us in unique and specific ways along with the call to do all things to the glory of God provides what we need to stand against the sin of Sloth. Come Sunday and be encouraged with this good news as we also gather together around the Lord’s Table.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Prayer for one another...
- 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!
Welcome to our newest members!
Last Sunday we welcomed the following individuals into our Community of Faith. If you weren’t able to do so last week, please seek out and meet with our new members this Sunday and make them feel at home at OLCC,P!
Lois Paquin-Hoffitz
I have been married to Philip for 14 years. I like cooking, gardening, horseback riding, serving in community bible study, cycling (bike & motor), symphony, opera and the arts. We have no children but rescue and raise animals—currently 2 rescue dogs, 3 cats, with one precious “costly” Yorkie. I also volunteer at Michigan Animal Rescue League (honoring my deceased mother-in-law), Red Cross and Gift of Life (honoring my deceased mom), belonged to 1st Presbyterian Birmingham and decided to join OLCCP after attending for many years knowing a lot of members. I hope to work with the children's group (I am helping raise my 7 year-old godson) and serve in the food/beverage area and grounds keeping (if possible). I work at Tam O’Shanter Country Club which lets me be an example to the Jewish community.
Joyce & Bill Pitchford
Joyce grew up in Keego Harbor and Bill in Pontiac. After high school, Bill served in the Armory Air Corp as a gunner on a B17. They met in college and have been married for 68 years! Joyce was a 4th grade teacher for 30 years. Bill worked at GM as an engineer as well as Ex-Cell-O Corporation. They both enjoy playing bridge. They were long-term members of New Life Presbyterian Church, formally known as Presbyterian Church of Utica. Looking forward to becoming active members of OLCC,P.
Ed Scritchfield & Alice Miles
We are past OLCCP members who have lived on Green Lake for 35 years. We have two daughters—both UM graduates. Alison lives in San Francisco and Emily in Manhattan. We were previously involved in OLCCP youth activities and the Deacons and Stephen Ministry. We look forward to once again being involved in the OLCCP community.
How is your Lenten journey going?
Collectively, the family of OLCC,P has walked almost 350 miles since Ash Wednesday. We make decisions daily regarding our physical, spiritual, and emotional health. It is easy to procrastinate and fill our days with everything but that which is good for us. As we continue on our walking/devotional journey toward Easter may we choose to be good stewards of the body God has given us and may we walk by faith and grow stronger spiritually and physically while spending time with our Heavenly Father. Congratulations on making the decision to come on this journey!
PS. There are plenty of “feet” to record your mileage in the office or next to the Walk To Galilee box in the Lakeview Area.
Easter Lilies Can Be Ordered
Sign up in the Lakeview Area Sunday morning or call the church office. Please indicate ‘in honor of’ or ‘in memory of.’ 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 mail it to OLCC,P. The lilies can be purchased for $9.
Help Serve the Homeless at Fort Street Presbyterian Church Thursday, March 8
On the 2nd Thursday of each month, Pastor Thwaite and OLCC,P members go to Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit to help serve meals to the homeless. If you are interested in this fulfilling experience and seeing an incredible architectural structure inside and out, please meet at the church at 7:30am.
ROMEO Group Meets ~ Thursday, March 8 11:30am
Join other retired “old” men eating out (ROMEO) for conversation and food (What more do you need?) on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of each month. Contact Dave Dutton for more information. Cost: Depends on what you order. Location: The Grill in Sylvan Lake.
Calvin College “Capella” Choir Saturday ~ March 10 7pm
Plan now to join us for this wonderful ensemble of over 40 college students. Pick up one of the flyers on the Welcome Desk and use it to invite your friends and neighbors!
(This is not a ticketed event. A free-will offering will be taken to help Calvin College defray their travel expenses.)
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. We need salads and casseroles for dinner, and cookies for the reception after the concert. If you can help in any capacity, please text/call Patrice Steele at
1-248-762-5450.
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.
Holy Week Services
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.
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. 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.)
Across Generations Women's Retreat ~ April 20-22 (Sign-up by March 11)
Join women from Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian and Northbrook Presbyterian Church for an uplifting weekend together as we explore this year's theme, "Across Generations."
We will reflect on the inspirational stories of biblical women, as well as share our own stories. We welcome women and girls of all generations – school-aged to seniors. We will enjoy large and small group discussions, crafts and other activities, as well as unhurried time for personal reflection.
Speaker: Rev. Jackie Spycher, Assistant Pastor at Northbrook Presbyterian Church
When: Friday Evening – Welcome 6 - 8pm; Program 8 - 9pm
Saturday (for those coming only for the day) – Welcome at 8am
Program 9am - 8pm (with meals and free time in between)
Sunday Morning – Service at 10:00; Departure by noon
Where: Faith Hope Love (FaHoLo) Retreat Center
3000 Mt. Hope Road; Grass Lake, MI 49240
See the Sunday bulletin for more information and registration form.
Please sign up by March 11.
Glasses Found
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!
Save the Dates!
- April 28: Rebuilding Together
- Friday, June 1: Tigers Game Toronto Blue Jay's
- June 10-17: South Oakland Shelter (SOS) guests at OLCC,P
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/