entering 2020

Happy New Year. Welcome to a new year, a new decade.

Here are a few reminders.

Events

You can always find out what is happening at OCC by checking our events page and our news and events page.

Prayer

  • You can share prayer requests and answers to prayer through the OCC Prayer Group on Facebook. Contact Melanie to be added to the group.
  • Most months, the first Sunday night of the month is set aside for prayer and communion. Why not start 2020 off by joining us this Sunday, 4 January 2020 at 6:30pm for 1 hour.

Finances

Online giving is available through our online giving page. You can still make a year-end donation before the end of 2019.

One

Watch for details about one in 2020. In January we will be collecting food for The Sharing Place. They are always low after Christmas and New Years.

Reading Through the Bible in 2020

If you are planning on reading through the Bible in 2020, here is an excellent 5-day reading plan. It has several features I like:

  • It covers the entire text of the Bible during the course of the year.
  • It is a pseudo-chronological plan that takes you through the text of the Bible in roughly the order the events happened. For example, the Psalms come at appropriate moments in the life of David, the books of Kings and Chronicles are read in harmony. This helps us understand events in their historical context. While part of the reading is chronological, it’s only pseudo-chronological. There are Old Testament and New Testament readings each day and the gospels are interspersed through the year.
  • It is a 5-day plan. I like a 5-day plan (as opposed to a 7-day plan) as there is always a chance to catch up.
  • It is a free plan. They’ve got a nice little print-out you can download, print, fold in half, and put inside your Bible. It’s got boxes to tick as complete each day and each week.

Advent Readings 4 – Joy

Joy is one of the surest signs of the kingdom of God.

Joy, deep joy, not simply happiness or gladness but joy.

  • Isaiah 35:1-10
  • Psalm 95
  • Romans 1:7, 15:13
  • Matthew 1:18-25
  • Luke 2:1-14

Advent Readings 3 – Love

This Messiah will demonstrate and embody Love.

Jesus, the Messiah, loves in a way that that goes far beyond how we often view love.

His love extends to all.

  • Psalm 146:5-10
  • Luke 1:46-55
  • James 5:7-10
  • Matthew 11:2-11

Advent Readings 2 – Peace

The promise of the coming Messiah is that he will bring Peace – not just the wish for peace, but a peace that includes justice, breaks down the walls between people, and declares that there is a new way of living.

  • Isaiah 11:1-10
  • Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
  • Romans 15:4-13
  • Matthew 3:1-12

 

No Room At The Inn

The “No Room At The Inn Project” gives us a fun way to connect outside the church walls by symbolizing the journey of Mary & Joesph from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

    • Our Mary and Joseph figures want to visit as many homes as possible on their way to OCC’s Christmas Eve service! So …
    • You sign up to have the Mary and Joseph figurines stay for a night at your home.
    • The family who hosts them before you will bring the Mary and Joseph figures to you, and take time to enjoy a cup of coffee/tea with you.
    • After their stay with you, your household takes Mary and Joseph to their next host and enjoys some time together with them.
    • This is repeated until the final family brings Mary and Joseph to church on Christmas Eve.
    • If possible, as you pass Mary and Joseph on, take a picture and post it on your social media using the hashtag #noroomattheinnproject and send it to OCC at info@occweb.org

Sign up to be part of this journey.