OLCC,P E-Newslink
April 10, 2020
From Pastor Paul
Greetings to you in the midst of this Holy Week unlike any other! First of all, I hope this message finds you doing well, staying safe and healthy! If at anytime that should change – if you or someone you know becomes ill, or needs support in securing basic needs like groceries or medications, or if you simply need someone to talk with or pray with as the days go by - please don’t hesitate to call either myself (412-445-4243), Pastor Linda (586-549-8657), or Faith Community Nurse Emily (248-346-7062). We are standing by and ready to be of service in any way possible!
As we have moved into this Holy Week, I’ve thought often of the situation Jesus’ disciples and friends experienced as events unfolded in Jerusalem long ago. They must have been confused, frightened, overwhelmed, and wondering what was happening around them! Even though Jesus had told them he was to be betrayed, rejected, and killed, it must have seemed like they were living out some strange, almost unreal set of events.
Hmmmm…sound familiar? Our current life journey has brought an unexpected and unwanted interruption in our life routine. Our hearts break for those ill and those who have seen loved ones, family members, and friends succumb to this deadly virus. Yet through it all, the one who suffered and died for us on the cross is walking alongside of us and offering us his comfort and peace. As we remember his sacrifice on Good Friday (be sure to watch the moving Good Friday video done by Pastor Linda)…as we keep the Easter vigil and remember the disciples who were isolated, afraid, and uncertain of what lay ahead…we also anticipate the message Sunday will bring: He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!
So remember – Jesus is alive and with us: in our living rooms and family rooms and places of isolation; with us in the face of uncertainty and anxiousness; with us to bring us the hope and expectation that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ! We are the church wherever we are…and we will gather on Sunday as a “virtual community of faith” to celebrate the Good News. As we do, remember the persecuted and imprisoned believers around the world who are with us celebrating in isolation! (You may download a copy of the April Prayer Force Alert at www.opendoorsusa.org to continue praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world)
As I’ve seen this week in different social media posts: “The church may be empty on Easter Sunday – but so was the Tomb!” Alleluia – Jesus Christ is Risen – Alleluia!
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Paul
Pray for one another...
Continued healing and health for: Elizabeth Belcher, Fiona Bell, Dodie Berry, Mary Bragg, Nancy Burton, Tom Conrad, Peter Cooper, Alan Coopland, Paul Hatcher, Jackie Johnson, Larry Lankford, Jim Mann, Nina Linebaugh, Bill Marvin, Trudy Morse, Lisa Pence, Bill & Joyce Pitchford, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Jack Rothley, Peggy Simon, Dara Sperstad, Melanie Telford, Doris Wiegert, Madie Zurkan.
• We are encouraged to pray for ...
- those who are sick and suffering;
- those who are grieving the loss of loved ones;
- medical personnel and others who work to help and heal;
- those who are subjected to racist abuse and discrimination;
- those whose livelihood is threatened by business closures;
- families learning to live, work, and learn together in close quarters;
- those who are not safe in their homes;
- those who are struggling with isolation, loneliness, or addiction;
- those separated from loved ones because of travel and immigration restrictions;
- churches seeking to discern new and faithful forms of ministry;
- and wisdom for leaders as they seek to respond to this crisis.
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 until Friday the 17th as which time I will give them to nurses. If after the 17th you need one, call and I will make one for you.
Helene King
5255 Greer Rd.
West Bloomfield (directly across from Grectchko school}
248-520-3190
From Emily Grakul, Faith Community Nurse
Hope this finds you well and while keeping a safe physical distance, still communicating by email, phone (maybe even a video chat), or sending cards or letters to friends and family. It is important during this challenging time to have that emotional closeness even though we can't reach out with a handshake or a hug. Eating healthy and getting some exercise will also help with the stress that comes with this uncharted territory. If you are able to get out, take a walk, and soak up some sunshine GREAT! If not, think about doing some SIMPLE exercises in your house. The link below comes from Senior Fit a free exercise program through St. Joseph Hospital. It includes a warm up, full body workout, and a cool down. These can all be adapted to your energy and ability. Do what you can and feel good about what you do!
Stay Well,
Emily
From Martha Piesko, Director of Children's Ministries
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
On Easter Sunday we celebrate that the tomb is empty and Jesus is risen. Our traditions for Easter my look different this year and it is OK to be sad about that. It is also good to be joyful and do something special and different this year. Below are some ideas for ways that you can celebrate Easter at home in addition to attending church on-line.
Read the Easter story in the Bible together as a family. This story changed the sad thing about the cross into a good thing. This story reminds us that God is always with us, no matter what. Even when we are feeling sad, scared, lonely, or anxious, we know that God is always with us.
Butterflies
The butterfly is often a symbol of Easter because the chrysalis looks like something dead, but beautiful new life emerges. Look at photographs of butterflies and all the different color patterns. Create your own butterfly to display in your home or on a window. Be creative-use paper and crayons/markers, play-doh, Lego, ripped up paper collage,melted crayon between wax paper, etc.
Wonder Questions
I wonder what Mary thought when she discovered the stone was rolled back and Jesus was not in the tomb.
I wonder what the disciples thought when they heard Mary tell them about what she saw.
I wonder about a time when you expected something and were surprised. I wonder how you thought or felt.
Prayer:
Dear God, we are so grateful that the cross and tomb were not the end of Jesus' story! The empty tomb gives us hope, shows us your love, and makes a sad thing into a good thing. When we find ourselves feeling sad, lonely, anxious, or unsure, help us remember that you love us always and are always with us! In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Thursday Classes
9:30 AM and 7:15 PM – Starting April 16th ONLINE!
“Minor Prophets and the least read Bible Books”.
Click here to email John Vermeulen for a Zoom Invitation
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.
Lakeside Coffee House, April 18th
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 (Dir. 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/