Month: April 2020

Here’s a selection of worship songs for Palm Sunday, selected by pastor Brent with OCCKids in mind

Yancy & Little Praise Party – Hosanna Rock

Let it Be Known

Shout Hosanna – Kristian Stanfill

Yancy – To God Be The Glory / Doxology

OCCYouth – Gospel of John
John 16

Join us Sunday evening at 6:30pm for a Zoom Prayer Gathering

Date: Apr 5, 2020
Time 06:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting 

Meeting ID: 897 395 716

A couple of notes on using zoom

• if you are using zoom on your phone or tablet you will need to download the app
• if you are using it on your laptop or desktop computer, when you click on the link, it will automatically open in a new tab in your browser

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. |
No one gets to the Father apart from me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.
From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting different people in different ways.

• Teachers and their students are navigating massive educational changes.
• Healthcare workers are facing an increased workload.
• Small business and restaurant owners are shut down.
• Church leaders are exploring new ways to minister to and serve others.
• And virtually everyone—both in the immediate and long term—will deal with the financial fallout from this pandemic.

Years from now, each of us will tell different, yet universal, stories about this consequential time.

The biblical books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (we call them the gospels) tell us about Jesus’ life, ministry and his final week before going to the cross and then rising from the dead. Though these books tell the same general story, they each tell it a little differently, highlighting different details that show us slightly different angles on who Jesus was, what he did for us, and what our response should be. They’re all true and all inspired by the same Holy Spirit of God. And when we take each of them the way they were intended, we grow in understanding the Savior of the world.

What’s more, this Savior isn’t some historical “dead guy.” Jesus died—but then he also rose from the dead. And he is every bit as much alive today as ever. That makes these stories, which are told by Jesus himself through the gospel writers, something like letters from a friend who is saying, “Remember that time when I… ?” These stories help us grow to know the living Lord of the world in a wonderfully personal way.

Next week, we will be encouraging us to look at Jesus’ life and ministry of that final week through the gospel writers. We will post a passage each morning and some reflection questions. As we read and reflect, we will get a fuller picture of how Jesus knew anxiety, endured suffering, and remains with us today as we and our neighbours face fears and struggles.

God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

Drawing near in a time of Physical Distancing: A Prayer Guide

In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic we are encouraging intentional times of prayer both individually and as a church family by way of video conference and social media platforms. As you pray, here are some ways you could seek the Lord in unity around some important praises and petitions.

• Praise for God’s steadfast faithful love (Psalm 31:7; Lamentations 3:32).
  Calm your hearts as you praise Him for His loving presence and provision. He is always with us but especially close when we are afraid, broken-hearted, or distressed. Praise Him for His steadfast love and grace in times of trouble. Praise Him for hearing our prayers and worship.
• Prayer and praise for the peace of God that passes all understanding (Isaiah 26:3-4; Philippians 4:4-7).
  Acknowledge His power to guard our thoughts and hearts in the face of uncertainty and fearful circumstances. Pray for the peace that transcends bad news, rapidly changing situations, or knowing exactly what to do. Pray that people would go to God’s word afresh and find a peace anchored in a renewed mind and an eye set past the short-term and toward eternity.
• Pray for our leaders and governing officials (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-4).
  For wisdom, for cooperation, for God’s grace to guide them in all decisions. For church leaders to be a beacon of calming peace and cool-headed advice in their communities in this time of uncertainty. Pray for pastors who are being bombarded with needs, uncharted territory for serving the flock, and potential shortfalls in finances.
• Pray for opportunities to witness, serve, love our communities and neighbour (Matthew 5:16; John 13:34-35).
  To be appropriately careful but not isolate those who most need us. To open our hearts, our homes, and our churches to those in need. To provide prayer and care to those who are panicked, poor, or persecuted. To bring Jesus, the Gospel, and an eternal perspective into conversations with family, friends, and co-workers. To look for ways to minister creatively in light of suspended events and services.
• Pray for our international churches, their people, and their countries (Psalm 33:8-12; Luke 12;30-31).
  Pray for those in churches in other nations, especially our brothers and sisters in the most hard-hit areas and in those places where we have connections (Ethiopia, Uganda, Guatemala). Pray for aid, for containment of the virus, for any outreach from the churches that serve the communities. Pray that God might start a redemptive work in unbelievers and families struck by this and the communities reeling under this physical threat. Pray for a revival as people face mortality here and around the world.
• Pray for those who are most at risk, most isolated, and most overwhelmed (Psalm 9:9-10; Luke 4:18-19).
  Pray specifically for the elderly, those who have heart conditions, diabetes, and other conditions that make them particularly vulnerable. Pray for areas where health care is not good, or areas overwhelmed with cases. Pray for those who have had tests or procedures postponed. Pray for Gospel hope and God’s grace to sustain their hearts and contain this epidemic.
• Prayer and praise for health workers and scientists (Psalm 46:1; Daniel 2:30).
  Intercede for those trying to contain and care for those infected. Pray for the men and women caring for so many who are testing positive. Pray they would not contract the disease, that they would get the test kits, medicines, protective gear, and help they need. Pray for the cleaning staff. Pray for a breakthrough in developing a vaccine and a cure for those infected. Praise God for the rapid response of the schools, churches, and other intuitions who are trying to flatten the curve of contagion. Most of all praise God for being in control, never changing, and our ever-present help in time of need.

Let’s join together in prayer and anticipate God’s answers as we cry out together for the good of our city, nation, world and the glory of God.

Gospel of John
John 13

You are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord,
    a tower of refuge to the needy in distress.
You are a refuge from the storm
    and a shelter from the heat.