OLCCP E-Blast

Imago Dei

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness . . .” Genesis 1:26

The Latin term describing the creation of humankind in the image of God is “imago dei.” It is our theological belief that all humankind has the image of God stamped on them and in them.

The Rev. Carolyn Cranston suggests we often have trouble accepting or living into our createdness. Her words below remind us how our prideful ways lead us to chafe at the thought of being a part of God’s creation. She challenges us to embrace humility again and know true peace.

Cranston writes, “There is a great deal of truth in the statement by the 18th century enlightenment philosopher, Voltaire: ‘If God created us in his own image, we have more than reciprocated.’

That is, do you worship the God of creation or the God you created? We lead busy lives and map out our days to accomplish what is necessary. It is frustrating when our plan is not God’s plan.

Sometimes, in anguish, we question if our Trinitarian God is even listening. We have a perfect plan, after all, yet God fails to follow our instructions. This is nothing new.

Luke tells us that there were people in Jesus’ day who expected someone different. They hoped for a warrior to ride in on a mighty horse and free the Israelites from Roman oppression. Instead, they got Jesus, who healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and raised the dead.

This especially did not sit well with the experts in the law. The Messiah did not fit the Messiah of their creation. In fact, they claimed John the Baptist had a ‘demon’ and Jesus was a ‘glutton and a drunkard.’

Jesus described them as ‘children in the marketplace’: cranky children at that. In childish ways, they complained that John and Jesus weren’t dancing to the tune they were playing. Sometimes, we are those children. Have you ever been frustrated when Jesus got the steps wrong to the dance you created?

This Advent season, may we give ourselves to Jesus. Obedient to death on a cross, Jesus already covered us with grace and secured our salvation. As children of God, we are safe in God’s care.”

Please join us for worship at 9:00 am or 10:30 am. Livestreaming is at 10:30 am.

Pastor Rich will bring us the message, Traveling Together.

Click here for Order of Worship

Scripture Readings are:

Ruth 1:1-5, 15-22

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

For those unable to join us in person, OLCCP offers Live Streaming on Sundays at 10:30 am. Click here to join us online live as we worship together.

To access our church online options, subscribe to our YouTube channel on the link below.

Subscribe to YouTube.

Pray for these people on our Prayer List: Bev Ayres, Rev. Mary Bahr-Jones, Marion Benedict, Nancy Bedell, Suzann Brennan, Dennis Burton, Nancy Burton, Nancy Carter, Vangie Chase, Ellen Coffman, Tom Conrad, Judy Daulton, Ann DeMarco, Margaret Edwards, Eileen Fisher, Dorothy Friedl, Tom Gribbell, Steve Hauser, Herbert Jarvie, Diane Kennedy, Lee Knoblock, Lori Konecki, Laura Krzeczkowski, Karla Kurzweil, Kay Malaney, Bill Marvin, Mary Mehelich, Julie Morrish, Richard Mudge, Rebbeca Naftel, Sarah Robertson Nadeau, Shannon Paul, Janet Payne, Michelle Pryce-Laskos, Pat Rothley, Brian Russek, Rev. Anne Schaefer, Karen Schoonover, Jim Skeeters, Pat Sluka, Paul Stottlemyer, Brett Tremaine, Nancy Watts, Doris Wiegert, Bill Windscheif, Martha Windscheif, and Pamela Zimmerman.

OLCCP is a Stephen Ministry congregation, which means many of our members and friends have completed a 50-hour training course in peer counseling, listening, and referral. If you would like to meet regularly with a Stephen Minister for a listening ear, supportive prayer, and companionship in times of struggle or transition, see Steve Orr or email info@olccp.com

The OLCCP Stephen Ministers are: Bev Ayres, Dorothy Friedl, Sherry Orr, Steve Orr, Bob Siebert, and Pat Redner-Colvin.

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.

Please be sure to check the calendar before organizing an event at OLCCP.

Experience the magic of Celtic musical traditions and instrumentation this Christmas season!

We have overflow seating available if you were unable to get your ticket. See you tonight!

The Children and Youth of Orchard Lake Community Church are invited to the annual Christmas Party December 7 from 6 to 8pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Join us for Food, Games, and Fellowship!!

Please bring a wrapped gift( $10 ) for the White Elephant Gift Exchange.

Friends are welcome to attend!!

Once again the Shawl Ministry knitters are promoting our Head to Toe Campaign. During November & December we will be knitting hats.

In addition, all members and visitors to OLCCP are invited to donate hats and socks for distribution to various agencies in the area.

We are asking for all sizes of these items for men, women, and children. Please place your donations in the tubs in the church entrance, by Sunday, December 22nd , so that they can be distributed in time for this Winter.

See Doreen for more details!

Join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Quilt Room (Room 115) from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (drop in for any amount of time that you can). We also take a break for Chair Yoga at 1:00 pm. Any skill level is welcome to join us. These "I Spy" quilts are lovingly made for South Oakland Shelter (SOS) families and other children in need in the community. Please reach out to Helene King for possible evening get-togethers.

Contact Helene King at hmking56@gmail.com for more information.

We invite you to volunteer with Children and Family Ministries to foster a safe and enjoyable environment for the children and youth during worship. We are looking for caring and enthusiastic people to support our Sunday School (preschool-5th grade) and God Loves U (GLU) (6-12th grade) programs.

Prepared lessons and supplies will be provided. We rely on your participation to keep these experiences running, and it is through the dedication of church families like yours that the programs thrive.

PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING TO TEACH !!

Volunteer Application Process: To ensure a safe experience, all volunteers working with children must complete the Volunteer Application (https://www.olccp.com/childrens-ministries) and have a Background Check. Volunteers will attend a brief training before starting.

Join us for a Book Discussion on The First Christmas, What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’s Birth, by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. The authors, two Biblical scholars, explore these familiar stories historically and theologically, focusing on their meaning, both in the first century and today.

Discussions are Mondays at 11:00 am. Books may be purchased online. Contact Betsy Telford, discussion leader, at starryskys@comcast.net.

Join us on Zoom for an Advent Daily Bread Devotional during the moth of December, Monday through Friday at 9:00 am.

Click on this Advent Weekly Devotional link to read the material on your phone or computer/tablet. Once on the website, scroll down to find the readings for each week.

Click here for Advent Weekly Devotional link

A pdf of the entire devotional is a below on the PDF Advent of Devotional link.

Click here for PDF Advent of Devotional Link

The Zoom link is the same we have used for the Daily Bread series and will connect you with the group. Click here for ZOOM link

And to lead one morning, you can sign up here Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian: Our Daily Bread Devotional (signupgenius.com)

Contact Leida at the church office 248-682-0730 if you have any issue opening the links to the devotional. Stop by the office if you would like to print out the pdf copy.

Monthly Envelopes are now available to be picked up in the Lakeview area. If you do not see your name and would like a boxed set, please contact Stacey Cheff.

Meals On Wheels

685 Union Lake Rd, White Lake, MI 48386

(810) 632 -2155

(248) 698-2299

mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Bloomfield Township Senior Center

4315 Andover Rd. Bloomfield Township, MI 48302-0489

Public Building Hours Monday - Friday 7:00AM - 3:30PM
Office Hours 7:00AM - 3:30PM

(248)723-3500

seniorservices@bloomfieldtwp.org

Any questions, concerns or need assistance contact: Rebecca FCN, (248)-682-0730

Each year, Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian receives donations through the Kroger Community Rewards program. If you shop at Kroger and haven't already designated Orchard Lake Community Church , Presbyterian as your organization, please sign up.

Once you link your Kroger Card to Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card.

Use the link below to sign up:

https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

Contact Mike Starynchak for more information.

Do you need a ride? Deacon Transportation Services at OLCCP is staffed and able to take fellow members to medical or essential appointments.

Please contact Linda V. or Rebecca for information or email info@olccp.com.

The pantry is in need of the following food items: jelly, condiments, canned meat, tuna, soups, canned vegetables and fruits, canned chili, stew and baked beans, spaghetti sauce, pasta, boxed cereals, cake mix and frosting, crackers, and juice. This is an ongoing collection at OLCCP that is distributed weekly.

They accept all shelf-stable items. Any donation of food or hygiene products is appreciated. Items can be dropped off in the brown bench near the office.

Thank you for your continued support!

The Church Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Rev. Dr. Richard Lapehn (Pastor): In the office Monday through Thursday. May be reached by email at (pastorrich@olccp.com)or by phone at 248-682-0730.
• Leida Soto (Office Administrator): In the office Monday through Thursday or by email during office hours at (leida@olccp.com) or by phone at 248-682-0730.
• Stacey Cheff (Business Administrator): In the office Mondays and Thursdays or by email during office hours (stacey@olccp.com)
• Kelly Holquist (Children & Youth Director): May be reached by email during office hours at (kellyh@olccp.com) or phone at 248-682-0730.
• Rebecca Grice-Johnson (Faith Community Nurse) : Email at (rebecca@olccp.com) or call 248-682-0730.
• Bruce Snyder (Director of Music Ministries): (bruce@olccp.com)

Email: info@olccp.com
Website: www.olccp.com
Location: 5171 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, MI, USA
Phone: 248-682-0730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCCP/