OLCC,P eNewsLink
February 7, 2020
From the Desk of Pastor Paul
Dear Church family,
As this week comes to a close, the promise of an early Spring by Punxsutawney Phil has not yet come to fruition! Fortunately, we have had a relatively mild winter season to this point, so a bit more snow and cold are something we can endure knowing the days are slowly getting longer and the days of winter are growing shorter!
We will continue our series of messages on the Sabbath this coming Sunday by looking together at Deuteronomy 5:12-15, the complementary version of the 4th Commandment found in Exodus. As I said last week, each version has its own focus – the Exodus passage connects the Sabbath with God’s action in creation, while the Deuteronomy passage connects the Sabbath with God’s action in delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
In Exodus, we “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy” by connecting with creation – our own creative acts on a day set apart, appreciating the beauty of creation, caring for the creation by our restful quiet. In Deuteronomy, we “observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy” by choosing to lay aside our anxious striving and “slaving” at the normal rhythms of daily living.
Are there things in our lives that enslave us? Are we held captive by our devotion to work…technology… accomplishment…worry…possessions…financial success? Are we more “human doings” than we are “human beings”? These are some of the ideas we will explore as we open God’s word together Sunday and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say about Sabbath and Redemption.
A reminder as well…we will also gather next Saturday, February 15, for a Memorial Service celebrating the life of Hal Joerin. Hal was a member and Stephen Minister here at OLCC,P who died this past November in Washington state where he had gone to live near his daughter. The service is at 11 a.m. and all who knew and loved Hal are invited to attend!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Pray for one another...
- Continued healing and health for: Elizabeth Belcher, Dodie Berry, Nancy Burton, Tom Conrad, Peter Cooper, Alan Coopland, Jackie Johnson, Mary Bahr Jones, Larry Lankford, Nina Linebaugh, Bill Marvin, Trudy Morse, Lisa Pence, Bill & Joyce Pitchford, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Inge Schaerer, Peggy Simon, Dara Sperstad, Chuck Storey, Melanie Telford, Doris Wiegert, Madie Zurkan
- Sympathy to the Justin Smith family and the Betty Morgan family (Kelly Fish’s mother), on their deaths this past Sunday
- Mission: the work of the Open Door ministry in White Lake, who received support from our Souper Bowl contributions last Sunday
OLCC, P Calendar
Winter Cleanup
Youth Mission Trip
A meeting for parents and our 8th - 12th grade youth will be held on February 9th at 11:45 a.m. in the youth room. This meeting is to discuss the Mission trip will be June 20th to Virginia Beach.
Women's 2020 Winter Bible Study, until March 18
Slaying the Giants in your Life
You can win the battle and live victoriously!
by Dr. David Jeremiah
Wednesdays,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.
Fort Street Open Door
Join Pastor Paul and others in serving those less fortunate at the Open Door Outreach at Fort Street Presbyterian in Detroit, Thursday, February 13th. Meet in the OLCC,P parking lot at 7:30 a.m. No experience required, only a heart willing to serve others!
Thursday Classes 9:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.
“Drive thru History Holy Land” DVD series with Dave Stotts lead by Sally Montera.
Dave Stotts speeds through the ancient world of the Bible, delivering a fast paced and even humorous encounter with the people, places, and events that have shaped our world and the Christian faith.
ROMEO Group, February 13th at 11:30 a.m.
Join other Retired “Old” Men Eating Out (ROMEO)
for conversation and food (What more do you need?) on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of each month.
Location: The Grill on Orchard Lake Road in Sylvan Lake.
See Dave Dutton for more information.
J.U.L.I.E.T.s February 13th at 11:30 a.m.
J.U.L.I.E.T.s meet for lunch on the second Thursday of each month for friendship, fellowship and food. Our invitation to join us for lunch is extended to ALL ladies of every age, who attend or are members of OLCC,P. Greek Jalapeno Restaurant located at 6636 Cooley Lake Road in Waterford Twp.
Rides can be provided. See Jorgann Cornwall for more information.
Lakeside Coffeehouse Valentine Event
Save the date for the Lakeside Coffeehouse Valentine Event on Saturday, February 15th. We will be featuring musicians, Bekah Brudi and Nate Veldhoff.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., fun begins at 7:30pm.
All-in Sunday
February 16th will be an "all-in" Sunday. There will be no Rotation Sunday School. Preschool and nursery will be offered.
Lenten sermon series “Everything Can Change in 40 Days” by Jean Watson
February 27 – April 2
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.
Snow Shoveling
We are looking for volunteers to shovel the sidewalk as needed on Sundays. Please let Pastor Paul if you are willing to do so. Thank you.
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.)
Open Door
The following items are in need:
Sizes 4, 5 and 5/6 diapers, Hamburger Helper, Sloppy Joe mix, pudding, laundry soap, dish soap, toothpaste, and Women’s deodorant.
Chancel Flowers for 2020
Pick your date(s) to sponsor flowers for the chancel to honor or in memory of someone. The sign-up sheet is in the Narthex next to the elevator. The cost is $36.
Prayers from our Children
All children and youth are invited to create a drawing, write a prayer, poem, or letter to God (younger children may need extra support from their families). Their entries will be illustrated by an artist and compiled into a prayer book. Copies will be made for the entire congregation to enjoy. Feel free to be creative. Please submit all entries to Martha by March 1st.
Parable Festival
The Parable Festival will take place on March 8th in Fellowship Hall, immediately following the second worship service. Come and cook, garden, build, and create as you learn about the "Prodigal Son", "The Lost Sheep", The Lost Coin", "The Good Samaritan", The Wise Man and Foolish Man, and "The Mustard Seed" Please RSVP to Martha at <<martha@olccp.com>> by March 1st. Lunch will be served. All are welcome to attend.
Live! At the Lake presents "Singing and Sipping with Bach!" Sunday, March 15th at 3:00 p.m.
The Rackham Choir and Chamber Orchestra will perform two of Bach’s most contrasting choral pieces — the festive and sacred Cantata 29, a celebratory work sung in German, and the charming secular Coffee Cantata, written in the style of a comic opera and sung in English. The performance will highlight the musicianship of former Rackham intern soloists Ryan Hurley, Aurora Haziri, and Dominik Belavy, accompanist Joseph Jackson, and celebrated conductor, Suzanne Acton. As a "hook," Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company has offered to donate artisan coffee, so that patrons may sip coffee during Bach's Coffee Cantata, thus the title "Singing and Sipping with Bach."
The Rackham Choir has set the ticket prices at $25. Tickets are available at www.olccp.com/live-at-the-lake, and in-between services on Sunday.
Lent 2020
Ash Wednesday is February 26th
Service at 7:00 p.m.
Palm Sunday is April 5th
Services at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m
Good Friday is April 10th
Service at Covenant Baptist at 12:15 p.m.
Rev. Paul Thwaite preaching
Our Living Hope, 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!
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/