OLCC,P E-Newslink
July 24, 2020
From Pastor Paul
Dear Friends,
The Thwaite clan is back after two very much appreciated weeks of vacation time. Since our annual beach pilgrimage was scuttled by C-19, we opted instead for a visit to the UP and some of its beautiful offerings like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Tahquamenon Falls. A word of caution – we also visited Mackinac Island for a day, but it was very crowded with many people not wearing protective masks. Still it was a relaxing and refreshing time with family in God’s beautiful creation!
As we return and continue our Summer outdoor worship services, I’ve learned that some people have been having a hard time finding the link to our recorded worship service. You can find the link to the worship video in each week’s eblast…or by going to www.olccp.com and clicking on the link there…or by going to YouTube directly and searching for Orchard Lake Community Presbyterian Church. We are recording the 8:30 outdoor service each week and posting it by Sunday afternoon. If weather cancels the outdoor services, we will record the service in the sanctuary and post it by Sunday afternoon. Please let us know if you are still having problems finding our video worship offerings.
Thanks to everyone for your cooperation in helping our outdoor services run smoothly. As a reminder, please arrive a bit early for a brief health screening and sign-in…bring your own chair for seating…bring a mask to be worn throughout your time in worship…physically distance from those other than your own family…remain home if you have signs of illness or have travelled to a C-19 “hotspot”. By everyone following these protocols, we believe we can worship safely in one another’s presence by our beautiful lake!
We will continue our “Summerin’ With Jesus” journey in worship Sunday. This week, we will be “In The Garden” with Jesus. In his ministry, Jesus used simple everyday activities and experiences to teach lessons. This week the lesson is found in Matthew 13:24-30 as Jesus talks about the weeds growing among the wheat. He asks the question which all gardeners ask repeatedly – “Where, then, did these weeds come from?” But the passage doesn’t really focus so much on the weeds as it does on the fact that Jesus is sowing good seed in the world…the sons and daughters of the Kingdom who are planted so that they might bear Kingdom fruit! How are we being fruitful for God’s Kingdom?
So if you want to bring your gardening tools to pull a few weeds on Sunday I wouldn’t complain! But most of all, come as we should each week - with a heart ready to worship our Lord Jesus, open to hearing the words Jesus wants to sow into our hearts as his disciples so we might bear fruit for Jesus in our everyday lives!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Video Worship
Each Sunday we worship outdoors, we will be recording the service to post on our YouTube channel as soon as possible. In the case of rain and cancellation of the outdoor services, we will record the worship service indoors and post it on our YouTube channel as soon as possible as well. We will continue to offer this video version of worship for all those who choose to remain home or cannot join us for in person worship on a particular Sunday.
Summer 2020 Sermon Series
“Summerin’ With Jesus”
July 26: In The Garden
August 2: On A Cruise
August 9: At The Hall of Fame
August 16 at Marshbank: On A Picnic
August 23 :Playing In The Rain
August 30: At The Theater
September 6: At The Beach
Pray for one another...
Continued healing and health for: Fiona Bell, Marcia Bearden, Robert Beauvais, John Brannon, Nancy Burton, Ron Carlson, Rebecca Caufield, Bud Conrad, Tom Conrad, Peter Cooper, Alan Coopland, Irene Guymer, Harold Jacobsen, Herbert Jarvie, Jackie Johnson, Larry Lankford, Jim Mann, Bill Marvin, Jean Mattinen, Trudy Morse, Bill & Joyce Pitchford, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Jack Rothley, Greg Sables, Marion Smith, Dara Sperstad, Melanie Telford, Doris Wiegert, Morgen Wright, Robin Wright, Madie Zurkan.
Office Hours
Our church office will continue to operate on modified hours through the months of July and August. Those hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Once again we ask that people call the office first before coming in person for a health screening and reason for needing to come to the office. Face masks are required and the person should ring the bell to gain entrance.
Message from Jennifer Taub, Office Admin
It has been quite a while since I have been able to be in the office, but I am working from home. Due to pre-existing heart condition that I was born with, I am sheltering in place at home because my high risk to contracting COVID-19. I am very thankful to the Personnel Committee and my fellow co-workers during this time for their understanding.
I am able to receive phone calls for myself from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. My cell number is 248-854-2124. If I don't answer, please leave a message. There are times my cell phone puts unknown numbers into voicemail or it doesn't ring on my end. I will call you back if that happens. You also can reach me at jennifer@olccp.com by e-mail.
Seeking Nominations
The Permanent Nominating Committee is seeking nominations from the congregation for people to serve as Deacons, Elders, Trustees, and Permanent Nominating Committee members beginning in 2021. Names may be submitted by email to PNC Chair Elder Steve Orr (sorr3_2000@yahoo.com), PNC Co-Chair Elder Carolyn Pender (cpender61@gmail.com), Pastor Linda (linda@olccp.com) or Pastor Paul (paul@olccp.com). Nominations are requested to be submitted by Friday July 31st. The PNC will meet on August 15th to nominate people for these positions.
From Martha Piesko, Director of Children's Ministry
Prayer Journals
Every child will receive a prayer journal when they come to church this Sunday. They are tailored according to age (one for children entering preschool & kindergarten, and another geared for those in elementary school). Each journal contains prayer prompts (along with plenty of space to write and draw creatively). The children are encouraged to use them at both church and home. In the event your child is unable to attend worship this Sunday, they will be available the following weeks. Please keep the prayer journal in your child's worship activity bag.
Paint and Praise! August 17, 6:30.-8:30 p.m.
Paint and Praise! (August 17, 6:30-8:30)
This one is for the grown-ups! Praise God and experience the 23rd Psalm in a new and different way. Art teacher, Laura Wass, will be here to lead us in painting an image of the 23rd Psalm (a beautiful and pastoral scene)on canvas. No prior painting experience is needed. Laura will guide us through the steps, all while leaving plenty of room for creativity and a personal touch.
For health and safety reasons, we will be meeting under the worship canopy in the parking lot (a beautiful and inspiring view). Painting tables will be physically distanced. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival.
The cost of this workshop is $20.00 per person). Please email Martha, <<martha@olccp.com>> by August 12 if you would like to attend. Payment can be made upon arrival at the workshop. See you at the lake!
Sign up form for Paint and Praise and/or Alleluia Art Workshop
Alleluia Art Workshop- August 18 & 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Alleluia Art Workshop (Animals of the Bible)
Alleluia Art will take place on August 18 & 19 from 6:30-8:30). This workshop is intended for children entering kindergarten through 6th grade. The children will learn and experience the stories of Jonah and the Whale, Daniel in the Lion's Den, the Baptism of Jesus (dove), and the serpent in the Garden of Eden, through painting, sculpture and other means of artistic expression.
The cost of the workshop is $20 per child (only $10.00 for each additional child in the family) For reasons of health and safety, parents will need to stay with their children during the course of the workshop. Families will sit together at their own table underneath the worship canopy in the parking lot. There is no cost for the attending adult(s). The tables will be physically distanced. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival. The most important thing is for your child to come and enjoy the workshop. Please contact Martha if the cost of the workshop is a hinderance to participating. Nobody is to be left out!
Please contact Martha at <<martha@olccp.com>> by August 12 if your family would like to attend. A registration sheet will be emailed to you in the next week. Hard copies will also be available on Sunday mornings. Payment can be made in advance or upon arrival at the workshop.
OLCC, P Video Project
We are embarking on a project to produce a short introductory video about OLCC,P. This video will be designed around our mission statement while highlighting the activities and ministries of the OLCC, P community. It will be posted on our website and other digital communication channels. We are also developing a separate video that highlights our "rentable" facilities. Christy Forhan is working with a professional video producer, Ryan Simmons, on this project.
We have a great archive of historic photos, and some more recent images, but given the constraints on church activities at this time, it is difficult to capture new images of "normal" church life. So we need your help.
If you have digital photos or short videos from the categories below, no more than 3 years old, please send them to Christyforhan@ameritech.net for consideration.
- Mission Trips - adult or youth
- Sunday School classes
- Bible Study/Adult Education class
- Worship service
- Choir, bell, special music performance
- Baptism, confirmation
- Church social gathering such as fireworks, coffee hour, Fellowship Hall meal, children's activities
- Community use of our facility such as scouts, music recital, bridal shower, etc.
Email Christy first if you have long video or more than 10 photos so we can use a more efficient sharing method than email.
All photos will be considered for this project, but not all photos will be used.
Select photos taken within the last 3 years.
Good photos for this project will show the context of the shot, not just smiling faces.
Contact Christy Forhan (christyforhan@ameritech.net) with any questions. Thank you!
Face Mask Offer
Greetings to all. Hope you are all well and safe. To be safer we are all asked to wear non-surgical masks when in public. I have been making masks and would like to share them with you. I will be putting them on my porch for your pick up. These are made from fabrics out of my closets so the prints are what they are.
If you have a tightly woven, 100% cotton fabric that you would like to donate, there will be a bin for that. Please put your mane on it so if it isn't used, it can be returned.
Please call before you come so I can tell you if there are some available or when they will be. I will leave them on my porch.
Helene King
5255 Greer Rd.
West Bloomfield (directly across from Grectchko school}
248-520-3190
The Unplugging Challenge
Take a moment each day and listen to god.
Share with your family or church family
“What you Learned about God”
SO HERE'S THE 6 DAY UNPLUGGING CHALLENGE:
Start today and unplug for 10 minutes and be completely alone with no distractions and meditate on the verse for that day, then 20 tomorrow, and so on. Write down one thing God teaches you or something you believe God is telling you. Each day you will find the time a little easier. Be prepared to share with your family and Pastors what God taught you during these six days.
DAY 1 – 10 minutes
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid, and do not panic before them. For the LORD, your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6
What I learned about God?
DAY 2 – 20 minutes
"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10
What I learned about God?
DAY 3 – 30 minutes
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
What I learned about God?
DAY 4 – 40 minutes
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5
What I learned about God?
DAY 5 – 50 minutes
Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27
What I learned about God?
DAY 6 – 60 minutes
"I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:1-3
What I learned about God?
By Youth Ministry 360/Richard Parker
Online Resources from The Upper Room
Resources for Spiritual Wellness in Anxious Times. For navigating the pandemic, this link makes available to you a robust list of timely practices—for individuals and families as well as your faith leaders. Included are digital devotionals, videos, eCourses, podcasts, etc., all of which can be accessed and distributed free of charge to everyone in your congregation.
A PDF File of the July/August issue of The Upper Room is available to our standing order churches. Because you are a paid subscriber, we want to provide this service to you since we realize many readers are currently reticent or unable to pick up their copy of the devotional guide because of the virus or closed church office. We encourage you to freely share with everyone in your congregation as a gift.
Resources for the Spiritual Work of Overcoming Racism. For addressing the spiritual virus of racism that continues to tear our society apart, we’re compiling and adding more content each week to this list of helpful resources. Included is my blog which sets the context for the formational work of anti-racism—Reaching In, Reaching Up, Reaching Out: The Spiritual Work of Overcoming Racism.
Women's 2020 Summer Bible Study
The Secret of Contentment by William B. Barcley
Wednesdays, 10 - 11:30 a.m., until August 19
The temptation to be discontented is everywhere, especially as we've recently been dealing with Covid-19. We are bombarded with advertisements telling us we are incomplete and unfulfilled. And yet the seeds of discontentment are already present in our own sinful hearts.
William Barcley addresses the heart of the matter -- the discontent that lies within. Based in the writings of Jeremiah Burroughs and Thomas Watson, he presents afresh these great Puritans' meditations on contentment for a modern audience. Above all, he seeks the wisdom of Paul, who declared in Philippians that he had found the "mystery" or the "secret" of being content.
Contentment must be learned, and Barcley reveals the secret, calling us to a contentment that comes from knowing God and delighting in his sovereign goodness and fatherly care.
Join us for this six-week study as we read and discuss our need for contentment. Of course, appropriate safety precautions will be taken for your safety.
Please contact Bonnie Horner, 248-880-2327 or bnnhrn@yahoo.com to sign up.
OLCCP History book now on website
Good news! Thanks to the dedicated typing of Nancy Rataczak and the photo scanning of Jim Horner, we now have a digital copy of the book, "The Story of Orchard Lake Community Church Presbyterian". This book was produced in 1958 and includes a wonderful history of the church going back to "Indian Days". Nancy and Jim completed their part of this project diligently, and it is my shame that I must admit it has taken me more than A YEAR! to add this to the website. Gordy Steele deserves credit too, He helped Jim find all the hard-copy photos in the archive room so Jim could scan them.
You can read it and see the photos here:
Mid-Michigan Flood Relief
Important Message from Forgotten Harvest
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up for the pop-up pantries. We have added 5 more sites; 4 in Detroit and 1 in Romeo. We are looking for volunteers to help collect information, direct traffic, and place boxes and groceries into car trunks. Please CLICK HERE to sign up.
The safety and well-being of our community, staff and volunteers are important to Forgotten Harvest. We are monitoring the situation and taking our lead from the Michigan Public Health Department and the CDC. Forgotten Harvest can provide PPE, which will include; gloves, face masks and optional face shields.
We are asking any person considering volunteering to please practice necessary safety precautions:
If this describes you, we are unable to have you as a volunteer:
- If you think you are sick, please DO NOT VOLUNTEER.
- If you have been knowingly exposed to or have been a caregiver for someone that has been diagnosed to COVID 19.
- If you have returned from foreign travel, cruises or traveling from out of state, we ask that you refrain from volunteering for at least 14 days while you monitor your health. This is in accordance with CDC recommendations.
- Groups more vulnerable to a dire outcome if they contract the virus include people 60 years of age or older and those with certain health conditions. We discourage these groups to not volunteer and, therefore, avoid exposure to the virus.
- If you are under the age of 18 years of age.
It is important to stay informed as these types of situations can be dynamic. If a volunteer opportunity is not appropriate for you and if you are interested in other ways that you can help, the latest information will be on our COVID-19 response page. https://www.forgottenharvest.org/COVID19/
As always, thank you for all you do to support our mission!
Nicole Peeples, Volunteer Manager npeeples@forgottenharvest.org
OLCC, P Calendar
Our calendar is available to browse live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at OLCC,P Calendar. You can browse all events coming up. You can also subscribe to the calendar on the same page.
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 (Director of Music Ministries): bruce@olccp.com
Jennifer Taub (Office Administrator): jennifer@olccp.com
Doug Wilson (Sexton)
Email: info@olccp.com
Website: www.olccp.com
Location: 5171 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: 248-682-0730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCCP/