OLCC,P eNewsLink
December 15th
Sermon Series: What’s So Unique About Jesus Christ?
This Sunday's Message: Christ - Good Shepherd and Lamb
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.
And I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
This Sunday's Scriptures: Isaiah 53:4-9, John 1:29-36, John 10:11-18
From the desk of Pastor Paul...
Dear Friends,
This Sunday, December 17th, is the 3rd Sunday in Advent. Of course, Christmas music and advertisements and merchandise have been bombarding us for many weeks now. But it’s important to remember the significance of Advent and not just rush right to Christmas – remembering Jesus’ promise to return again at a time we can’t predict to vanquish evil (and there’s plenty of that around these days, as there was at Jesus’ first Advent in Bethlehem) and usher in a new heaven and earth where righteousness is at home!
We’ve been focusing this Advent on what’s unique about Jesus Christ – he’s both humble baby and exalted Lord, as well as being fully human and fully divine – and only he can claim these realities among the billions of people who have ever walked this earth! This Sunday we will reflect on John 10:11-18 – Jesus as the Good Shepherd for his flock, but also the one who would lay down his life as the sinless Lamb of God (a lamb being a sheep under 1 year old). Another amazing and unique combination with eternal implications for you and me!
Please take note of our upcoming schedule of services on Christmas Eve and New Year’s eve as these both fall on Sunday this year. We hope you’ll join others at these worship opportunities – and remember those who are not necessarily “spiritual” are much more open to things of the Spirit at this time of year!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Pray for One Another
- David Flammer as he continues to recover from his recent health episode.
Is God Calling YOU?!
As we approach a new year, our ministry and leadership teams (Session, Deacons, and Trustees) will be welcoming new members to their teams. The work of a healthy church is the work of everyone, not just the staff and elected officers – is God calling you? We would welcome anyone to participate in areas of ministry such as mission, music and worship, Christian education, fellowship events, care for our members, or for the care of our church campus and property.
Speak with Pastor Paul or elders Sue Sylvester (Mission), Don Lucking (Music/Worship), Heather Steggall (Christian Education), Janet Sables (Gathering/Fellowship), as well as Deacon Moderator Kay Carpenter (Deacon care), or Trustee Bruce Attar (Building and Grounds). Is God calling you to get out of the pew and into the ministry game? Doing so will deepen your faith, strengthen our faith community, and honor the Lord Jesus Christ!
Merry “Alternative” Christmas
Don’t know what to get that family member or friend who “has everything”? Do you want to make Christmas about more than the gifts under the tree on Christmas morning? Try “Alternative” Christmas approaches this year:
- Many care and relief organizations publish Alternative Gift catalogs unique giving ideas for things you can give in honor of or in memory of a loved one. These can be a wide variety of items where you choose an appropriate gift and amount and then a card is sent to the recipient telling them what has been given in their name. You can check out World Vision or Heifer International. (Feel free to take a copy of these catalogs found on the Welcome Desk in the Lakeview Area.)
- Don’t want to cruise the malls and get “malled”? How about the gift of service? It can be very meaningful to gather your family or a group of friends together and offer to spend time serving others as a special Christmas gift. Many places would appreciate the help and the experience you share just might be one you will never forget. Making a visit to a care facility (nursing home, assisted living facility, etc.), sorting food at Gleaners, helping serve a meal at Fort Street Presbyterian’s Open Door or Grace Centers of Hope.
You probably have some other thoughts or ideas you can add to the ones above to make this Christmas season stand out as a bit different or unique. Let’s redeem the Christmas season from the mad rush to acquire more stuff for ourselves and make it a season where we truly remember and celebrate the One who came “not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”
Open Door Outreach Center December Requests
Roadside: Mac & Cheese, Box Potatoes Lakeside: Ramen Noodles
Christmas Services
December 24 - Christmas Eve:
- One morning worship service at 10:30am
- 3pm - “Keepsake Christmas” (see box below)
- 7 & 9pm - Communion Candlelight Services
December 25 (services not held)
December 31 One worship service at 10:30am
January 7 - 9 & 10:30 am (Regular services)
Keepsake Christmas ~ December 24 ~ 3pm
During this engaging, one-hour, interactive program, families will hear a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story from cast members onstage. They’ll hear from Mary, Joseph, and an angel how the amazing events unfolded on that first Christmas. Plus each family will create their very own Keepsake nativity scene to cherish for years to come.
If you have a teen (or college student home for the holidays) who would like to help out with this program, please visit this flier for more information. We need volunteers to perform before the program, help with the project during the program and make ahead a few samples. Contact Elizabeth Belcher with questions or sign up in the Lakeview Area or Youth Room on Sunday.
Would you like a lift?
The church recently received a power-lifted recliner chair. If you know of someone who has difficulty getting out of a chair and would be interested in the chair, please give Emily, our Faith Community Nurse, a call 248-346-7062.
We also have gently used medical equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, and shower chairs in our Caring & Sharing Loaner Closet. We also have packages of adult disposable briefs (Depends) in various sizes. If you or someone you know could use any of these medical aids, please give Emily a call.
Looking for a church home?
Are you curious what it means to be an OLCC,P member? Beginning in February, an informal series will be held to provide answers to questions you may have. Look in Sunday's bulletin for more information or call the church at 248.682.0730.
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
Like 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/
Poinsettia Payments
If you’ve not had a chance to make the $9.50 payment for your poinsettia, we’d appreciate your payment at your earliest convenience Thanks!