OLCC,P E-Newslink
September 18, 2020
From Pastor Linda
Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 12 Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. 13 When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.
Dear OLCC,P Family,
This Sunday is another joyful day as we will be welcoming our Confirmation Students into the church family by way of Confession and Affirmation of their Faith. Because of the events of these past 7 months we were not able to Confirm them in the spring as we are accustomed, but here we are, 1 year since they began their journey in Confirmation class. Over this past year, stories have been told, questions have been asked and these young people have had the opportunity to voice their thoughts as they interpret scripture and the world around them. The goal of Confirmation class is not just to learn a few things but to instill in the hearts and minds of these students a desire to be intentional about their journey of faith, reflective on their life, and seeing the world around them through the eyes of Jesus. We hope we have offered a “suit case” for their journey that will support their questions, their struggles, their decisions and their love of God as they travel.
Special thanks to Jan Forhan who helped teach the students over these last 12 months. Also, a “thank you!” to the parents of these young people for the sharing of their own faith and bringing their children to class each week! And we also thank and give a “shout out” to the Confirmation Mentors: Amanda Poxon, Jenni Hatcher, Mark Carpenter, Bob Seibert, Gary Forhan, Louanne Stinson, Rob Elliot! These seven faithful OLCC,P members have walked along side these students building relationships and guiding them in their faith.
I encourage you to attend worship this Sunday whether it is in person or via you-tube. As you watch these 7 young people lead the worship service please know these things: This last year with the 7 youth, 7 mentors, Jan and myself has been messy as we all try and mesh our schedules of work, school and extra-curricular activities. This last year these 7 youth went on a weekend retreat to SpringHill where they were confronted with 1000 other young people their age, singing, and clapping and praising God, being exposed to a more exuberant way to worship for certain! (that is not the norm for them typically 😊) They have come early on Sunday morning for class and over the year each one was able to be the liturgist on a Sunday morning and that can certainly be out of one’s comfort zone, but they did it. We took a pause during the spring while we where in quarantine in our homes though we tried to connect via zoom. This summer we have met outside in the parking lot wrapping up a few lessons and working on their Statement of Faith. This has been their journey and it really is most people’s journey of faith isn’t it? Our faith journeys are often messy at best, complicated at times when we allow “life” to get in the way, and it also takes fortitude and commitment. I am wondering if we can all relate?
Whatever these 7 awesome young people learned this year they have journeyed with perseverance, patience, kindness and openness. What a blessing to see their hearts and minds opening to God.
Peace friends and see you Sunday!
Pastor Linda Cochran
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.
Pray for one another...
- Continued healing and health for: Fiona Bell, Alexander Bogaerts, John Brannon, Nancy Burton, Ron Carlson, Rebecca Caufield, Bud Conrad, Tom Conrad, Peter Cooper, Alan Coopland, Judy Day, Irene Guymer, Harold Jacobsen, Herbert Jarvie, Jackie Johnson, Larry Lankford, Jim Mann, Bill Marvin, Jean Mattinen, Bruce & Pam Miller, Trudy Morse, Joyce Pitchford, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Jack Rothley, Greg Sables, Dara Sperstad, Doris Wiegert, Morgen Wright, Robin Wright, Madie Zurkan.
Keeping in Touch
Schedule for Worship:
Schedule for Worship: Please note our upcoming worship schedule.
- We will be having services September 20th and 27th at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. outdoors under the tents, weather permitting.
- Beginning Sunday October 4th, the Session has authorized returning to worship in the sanctuary with appropriate physical distancing, mask protocols, and health screening still in place. Session reserved the right to revise this decision according to recommended state guidelines or changing health conditions before October.
Flu Shots
Flu Shots: You will have convenient access to the flu vaccine at our annual Flu Shot Clinic today, September 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost of the shot is covered by most insurance. Please bring your insurance card and identification with you.
Chapel Bells
Third Grade Bibles
Please email Martha if you have a child/grandchild who will be entering the the third grade. We would like to recognize and give them a Bible on September 27th.
Children's Sunday School is Back
If OLCC,P begins indoor worship, Children's Sunday School (preschool-5th grade) will begin in Fellowship Hall on October 4. For reasons of health and safety, children will sit in family groupings with their parents/grandparents. Sunday school will begin at 9:30 and end at 10:15, in time for the second service. All health protocols will be observed.
In the event OLCC,P continues with online worship, we will begin a new virtual Sunday School program, using the Rotation Model. This will begin Sunday October 11. A packet of supplies will be provided for each family. These materials will be available for pick up after both worship services on Sunday September 27. You will receive a lesson video each week to share with your children the following Sunday morning.
Nursery
Youth Group Coming Attractions
Wednesday, September 23, Youth Group Nite,
Middle School 6th-8th 6:30 -7:30
High School 7:00 – 8:15
Wednesday, September 30, Youth Group Nite
Middle School 6th-8th 6:30 -7:30
High School 7:00 – 8:15
Sunday, October 4, Sunday Retreat: After church to Howell Nature Center
OLCC,P Pictorial Directory
We have received our pictorial directories from Lifetouch and have been giving them out on Sundays after services and from the office on Wednesdays. Unfortunately, we discovered an error with Eva Stone and Chuck Storey's addresses. Labels are available from Nancy Ratajczak or the church office to cover up the errors or you can just update your directory as follows:
Eva Stone
4254 Crestdale Ave
Orchard Lake MI 48323-1128
Chuck Storey
168 Mockingbird Hill
Plant City FL 33565
Bible Study Thursday Classes
9:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. through November 22
11 weeks “Minor Prophets and the least read Bible Books”. We will be studying, discussing the following Bible books of the minor prophets and the least read books of the bible. And how God’s hand is in all of them. Classes will be held via Zoom.
1. Malachi
2. Haggai
3. Joel
4. Jude
5. 2 John
6. Song of Songs
7. Micah
8. Habakkuk
9. Has the Bible historical significance (book and video)
10. Philemon
11. 3 John We will see when, how and why they did God’s will.
Class Leader: John Vermeulen. E-mail John to get the Zoom link, fc12oneton@gmail.com.
“Hope Out Loud and other things to celebrate…” By Pastor Linda Cochran
*NEW "Hope Out Loud" small groups will be forming to read and journey through the book, The Cup of Our Life: A Guide to Spiritual Growth by Joyce Rupp. In October we will begin, Prayer, Meditation, and Hope groups! This may just be the quiet, grace-filled moment you need as we travel through the coming months! We will try and offer this at varying times to include all who wish to participate! The time together will be approximately 30 minutes, as we pray, share and listen for God's voice of hope.
Cost for the book: $10.00
Sign-up on Sunday morning, email Pastor Linda: linda@olccp.com
or call the church office.
Small groups will begin the week of October 12th
Monday 10:00 a.m. Lakeview Area
Thursday 10:00 a.m. via Zoom
Opening to adding other times as well!
Stephen Ministry
Distinctively Christian Care: We are all living through very stressful and challenging times – anxiety, uncertainty, depression, worry, anger, abuse, sadness, grief have all been increasing during these times. Stephen Ministers are available to offer one-on-one confidential care and support for anyone who is struggling. Call Pastor Paul for more information.
Confirmation 2020-2021
Looking forward to a great year of exploring their faith journey!
Mary Martha Circle is Collecting School Supplies for HAVEN
Open Door Donations
Open Door continues to serve the needs of our community during these times. We will have the collection bins by the tents on Sunday mornings for your donations to help serve others. Items recommended include: Cereal, Peanut Butter / Jelly, toiletries, canned chicken / tuna, pasta sauce and noodles, soups, and the ever popular mac n’ cheese! Thank you in advance for your support!
Community Bible Study will be online
The Gospel of John is an eyewitness account of the life of Jesus Christ. The apostle John was transformed by the years of close friendship he spent with Jesus, and he wanted everyone to experience that same joy. John 20:31 says he wrote the book “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
REGISTER SOON, SPACE IS LIMITED:
3 ways to register:
Phone: Lynn Green at 248.396.8899
Email: lynngreen122@gmail.com
Online: https://orchardlakeeve.cbsclass.org
To register for the six week class offering, email or call Lynn Green. If you’d like to officially register for the entire 30 week course, you can go online at the web address above or contact Lynn Green.
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
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 September/October 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.
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:
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.
Office Hours
Our church office will continue to operate on modified hours through the month of September. Those hours are Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 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.
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/