OLCC,P eNewsLink
March 13, 2020
Covid-19 Update
From the Desk of Pastor Paul
Dear Church Family,
It has been quite a week! First and foremost, we received the news of the death of Mike Watts in Florida on Tuesday. Mike had a major heart attack several weeks ago and despite wonderful medical care and prayers for healing, he went home to be with the Lord! Keep Nancy, Tom, Ryan, and Erin in your prayers. Plans for a memorial service here in Michigan are pending so we can celebrate Mike’s life and express appreciation for his significant contributions to our life as a faith community.
Then on Thursday, following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency as well as community mitigation recommendations relating to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) emerging outbreak, the Rackham Choir made the decision to postpone their planned Sunday concert as part of Live! At the Lake. Plans regarding a possible rescheduled date and/or ticket refunds are still pending as well. We will pass along more information as we receive it.
Part of the Governor’s statement was a recommendation to consider postponing or cancelling any large group gatherings of 100+ people. Over the past 24-48 hours there has been a cascade of cancellations of a variety of events and activities in the educational, arts, entertainment, and sports arenas out of an abundance of caution. Schools will now be closed for an extended period of time by order of the Governor. Our Presbytery has recommended appropriate caution but left the decision of whether to continue with or cancel different church activities up to individual congregations. This is an extremely fluid situation where new developments are impacting decisions for schools, churches, and other organizations moment by moment.
At this time, after seeking input from members of the Session, we have decided to cancel all Sunday worship and education activities for Sunday March 15th. We are doing this out of an abundance of caution and erring on the side of safety. We have many older members, new cases of the virus are being reported daily, symptoms are often hidden for up to 14 days in someone who is a carrier, and even with precautions in place the only real protection is to limit interactions with larger groups. For us to continue to gather when so many others are choosing to follow the recommendations of health and government officials seems inappropriate and unwise. At this time, other smaller meetings and classes during the week will continue to take place, though the situation will be assessed daily as we go forward and updated as necessary. As of now, the church office will continue to follow normal hours during the week. Decisions about worship in the weeks ahead will be made as we move forward together.
I have asked Jennifer to post a copy of Sunday’s bulletin for anyone to use at home for a time of personal or family worship on Sunday. Linda and I are working to have her message for Sunday recorded and posted to our website and Facebook page so we can continue our Lenten journey of transformation. Many of you have copies of Jean Watson’s book and can continue each day to use these writings for your spiritual journey. Not being together in corporate worship is less than ideal, but given the unprecedented circumstances, we believe this is the best course to follow.
Of course, continue to follow all the precautions which have been widely communicated during this time: self-quarantine if you have symptoms such as fever, coughing, or shortness of breath (and communicate with your doctor about possible testing), wash and sanitize hands frequently, avoid large gatherings as much as possible, and keep apprised of new information and updates about events and activities.
Most of all, remember the most common imperative in the scriptures – “Do not be afraid!” Certainly as human beings we have some normal and natural degree of fear and anxiety when a new and unexpected situation breaks into our lives. But we also know that our God is with us and watching over us. When the disciples were caught in the storm on the Sea of Galilee and feared for their very lives, Jesus challenged them to have faith…to remember the he was with them in the storm-tossed boat…and that he would not leave them or forsake them. So to with us…Jesus is “in the boat” with us as these days unfold…he will not leave us or forsake us…and our prayers should be for our faith to be strong, for God’s presence and peace to be with us, for those who are ill to be healed, and for wisdom and strength and protection to be given to health care workers and those working around the world to control this virus that they might persevere and succeed.
Additionally, we would ask that you continue to offer your tithes and offerings either through the mail or by dropping them off during normal office hours during the week. We continue to appreciate and rely on the faithful giving of our members and friends to continue the ministry of Christ in this place. Also, please pass this information along to anyone you know who may not have access to email or electronic communications so they are aware of our plans at this time.
Peace,
Pastor Paul
Link to Sunday's Bulletin below...
Pray for one another...
- Continued healing and health for: Mary Bragg, Nancy Burton, Tom Conrad, Peter Cooper, Alan Coopland, Jackie Johnson, Larry Lankford, Nina Linebaugh, Bill Marvin, Trudy Morse, Bill & Joyce Pitchford, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Jack Rothley, Dara Sperstad, Melanie Telford, Mike Watts, Doris Wiegert, Madie Zurkan
Prayers for healing of those impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak, and wisdom for those seeking methods to halt its spread
- Mission: Prayers this week for Freedom House in Detroit caring for those “yearning to breathe free.”
- Prayers for those in East Africa where the locusts are threatening their food security.
Memorial and Honorarium Gifts Given January/February 2020
Gifts given in Memory of: Captain Ralph Jay Harting III
Gifts given by: William Girardot
Designated to the Harting Children’s Fund
Gifts given in Memory of: Kelly Fish
Gifts given by:
Connie Bernhardt
Paul & Jane Benson
Bette Coopland
Liz Droulard
Gary & Christy Forhan
Dorothy & Stephen Friedl
David MacDonald
Garey & Gloria MacDonald
Stacey & David McKay
Lynn Morgan
Nancy Ratajczak
Mark & Diana Simmons
Betty Singleton
Jan Wassemiller
Gifts given in Memory of: Betty Morgan
Gifts given by:
Dorothy Friedl
Garey & Gloria MacDonald
Betty Singleton
Gifts given in Honorarium for
Margaret Johnson’s
90th Birthday
Gifts given by:
Emily and Mark Grakul
Inga Schaerer Memorial Service has been postponed
OLCC, P Calendar
POSTPONED! Live! At the Lake presents "Singing and Sipping with Bach!"
Due to concerns over the COVID 19 virus outbreak. Sunday's concert has been postponed. Please see Patrice Steele about refund information between services. For refunds or questions, please e-mail Patrice Steele at patricemcsteele@gmail.com.
Quilters and Sewers-Canceled
The Quilter and Sewers meeting is canceled for Monday, March 16.
Prayer Shawl Meeting-Canceled
The Prayer Shawl Meeting in canceled for Monday, March 16.
Women's 2020 Winter Bible Study
Slaying the Giants in your Life
You can win the battle and live victoriously!
by Dr. David Jeremiah
Last Class, Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Listen! Can you hear thundering footsteps approaching? The Bible warns us of "giants in the land" -- and whether they're literal like Goliath or figurative ones like failure, fear, worry, guilt, anger, temptation, resentment or doubt, their goal is the same: to crush God's people.
Do you need the tools to slay these daunting foes? David Jeremiah shows you from scripture how to stand up to these bullies and win -- with God's help. These are daunting giants, but thankfully we have access to God's Word, which is a wealth of knowledge, encouragement, and power. We are not weak - we are empowered!
In each class, we'll watch a DVD message by Dr. Jeremiah, then discuss the day's topic. Each session stands on its own, so please join us when you can for this eight week study. Everyone is welcome.
Please contact Bonnie Horner, 248-880-2327 or bnnhrn@yahoo.com to sign up.
Lenten Series “Everything Can Change in 40 Days” by Jean Watson
February 27 – April 2. 9:30 a.m. or 7:15 p.m.
Do you long for change in yourself, in those you love, or in the world around you? Have you prayed for transformation to no avail? In Everything Can Change in Forty Days , Jean Watson encourages us to stop trying to create change and simply live a lifestyle of worship, allowing God to work in us and through us. If you feel discouraged or stuck, perhaps now is the time to set aside forty days to renew your faith and believe that, with Christ, everything can change! Pastors Paul and Linda to lead classes.
Christ In The Passover
On Tuesday, March 31st at 7:15 p.m. we will be privileged to have Rabbi Isaac Roussel from Congregation Zera Avraham in Ann Arbor with us to lead a presentation on “Christ In the Passover”. Ordained by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, Rabbi Izi is an engaging and enlightening speaker who will provide us with wonderful insights about the connections within the celebration of Passover that point to Yeshua, Jesus the Jewish Messiah who fulfilled all that God intended. Plan to join us for this wonderful presentation as part of your Lenten journey toward Holy Week.
Our Living Hope, Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday, April 5 at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services
Filled with the joy and promise of a world redeemed by the love and victorious resurrection of our great Savior. Our Living Hope, is the perfect foundation for what just might be your most powerful and compelling Easter service ever!
Featuring powerfully explosive songs of worship and praise and filled with testimony of the impact of God's love and mercy on our lives. Our Living Hope sets a new standard of excellence for contemporary worship choirs everywhere!
Holy Week 2020
Palm Sunday, April 5
Services at
9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 9
Service at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, April 10
Service at Covenant Baptist At 12:15 p.m.
Rev. Paul Thwaite preaching
Coming Soon in April!
Thursday Classes
9:30 AM and 7:15 PM – April 9th through May 28th
“Minor Prophets and the least read Bible Books”.
We will be studying, discussing the following Bible books of the minor prophets: Amos, Nahum, Hosea, Jonah among others. We will see when, how and why they did God’s will. Class Leader: John Vermeulen.
Women’s Bible Study
Wednesdays 10-11:30 AM, April 15th through May 20th
“The Secret of Contentment” by James Barcley
The temptation to be discontented is everywhere. 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. Contact Bonnie Horner at bnnhrn@yahoo.com to sign up.
Per Capita
Per capita is a fundamental way in which all Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations support the work of the wider Church.
Each year it costs OLCC,P over $30 for each member. When the full amount is not covered by the congregation, the money comes out of our Mission Budget. If all of the members of OLCC,P would prayerfully consider paying their own family’s per capita, it would allow your Mission Team to have more to give to others in need.
The 2020 Per Capita offering is $30.55 per OLCC,P member. To provide your per capita online, please visit the OLCC,P website, select the “Giving” tab, select “Donate Online” found on the top right side of the page, and follow
the instructions.
(If you use offering envelopes, a Per Capita envelope is included.)
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
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/