Month: September 2020

Prayer – September 9

Pray that God’s people will join with Habakkuk in crying out to God.

Lord, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known;
    in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2

Prayer – September 8

We like to make excuses about why God should call someone else. Pray that we will be obedient to what God is calling each of us to.

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”
Exodus 4:13-17

register for church

This Sunday, we’ll be regathering at OCC at 10 am!
 
To help us adhere to the 30% maximum capacity requirement, those who wish to attend must register either online through the link below, or by calling OCC. Registration will close Friday morning at 8 am, to give us time to set up properly. If we reach capacity, those hoping to attend will be added to a waiting list. Those on the waiting list will be given first chance at registering for the next Sunday (and will be contacted if there are any cancellations). Please plan to come a bit early to facilitate the seating process. The doors will open on Sunday, September 13 at 9:30 am.
Registering is easy!
  1. Go this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/september-13-worship-service-10am-tickets-118776795593
  2. Click the “Register” button
  3. Indicate the number of people attending from your family in the drop-down box and hit the orange “Register” button.
  4. Record your name and email address in the boxes provided and hit “Register.” Done!
If you’re unable to register online, call the church office and leave a message with your name and the number attending (705.329.2139).
It’ll be great to be together again to worship and learn from God’s Word. This walk-through video will give you a glimpse into what the Sunday experience will look like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rypLdAxcQ4M&feature=youtu.be
We’ll continue to have the service and OCCKids resources posted online for those unable to join in-person right now.
(If you do not feel well – or anyone in your home is exhibiting any Covid symptoms – we’d ask that you choose to join us through our online resources.)
For answers to some frequently asked questions see the attached document. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send an email back this way.
P.S. If you’re scheduled to serve in a ministry role on Sunday you will automatically be added to the attendance list. However, if you have family members who would like to attend please register them through the online link.

Prayer – September 7

Because God is described as he is in Nehemiah 9:17, we are called, as his children and followers, as people redeemed by Jesus, to live in God’s grace.

They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,
Nehemiah 9:17

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Romans 6:1-2

 

Parables – September 6

welcome

We are glad you are here…

We trust and pray that as you read and listen that you will be blessed.
Take a few minutes as you prepare to watch the video

  • to be still
  • to be aware of the presence of the Lord with you
  • to prepare your heart to listen and receive
  • Read Psalm 99 as you enter into worship

worship & message

Today, Ray & Brenda, along with Alan and Ryan, lead us in worship
and pastor Mike looks at the Parables in Luke 14.

 

giving

Thank you for your faithful and generous giving.
Because of your generosity, we have been able to give to

  • the Sharing Place Food Bank,
  • FSA [Friendship Support Association – under the leadership of our friend G] for relief work in the Afar as a result of Covid-19 and locust invasions,
  • Greenhaven Women’s Shelter,
  • as well as to a network of churches that help with benevolence requests.

Here is the January to August financial summary

You can find all the ways you can give here.

re-gathering – 13 September

Next Sunday – 13 September – we are officially meeting together in our building.

  • There are some things we have to do (i.e. wear masks, keep physically distant) and some things we can’t do (no hugs or handshakes, no coffee, no singing).
  • We are limited in the number of people that can attend – so we will have a registration process set up (you can sign up with Eventbrite or call that church office).
  • Watch for an email/post this coming week with the link to register.
  • Here is a pdf of  What To Expect.pdf

We will continue to offer our worship services via video and other activities via Zoom.

benediction

God, we thank you for your grace
For your reaching down from heaven
To touch our ordinary lives
In unexpected places
When we might feel anxious
Vulnerable
Disorientated
Wondering what is next

God we thank you for your presence
As Paul prayed for the Ephesians
May the eyes of ours hearts be enlightened
In order that we may know the hope to which he has called us
The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
And his incomparably great power for us who believe.
May we know the power that is the same as the mighty strength
He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead
And seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms

God open the eyes of our hearts
To see you beside us
Wherever we are
Your grace seeing us
Loving us
Your encouragement energising us
To commitment
To a partnership
That will see your promises of a new Kingdom come
And your will being done on earth as it is in heaven

God we take hold of your promise
To stick with us until you’ve done everything you promised

May we sense that presence, grace and promise
We offer ourselves to it

In Jesus name
AMEN

Prayer – September 6

As we live the walk of faith, we live as scripture calls us to… being “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. Pray that this shapes our lives, our thoughts and our actions.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20

August $ update

year to date

Month Jan-Aug 2020 Jan-Aug 2019 change
Giving 143,073.24 164,447.42 -21,374.18
Expense 147,247.68 160,459.39 -13,211.71
Income over Expenses -4,174.44 3,988.03 -8,162.47
CEWS 32314.44
total 28,140.00

Prayer – September 5

Sometimes we get so caught up in the stuff around us that we forget God’s mercy and compassion. The psalmist reminds us to remember. As we pray today, pray that God’s people would be aware that God who has worked in the past, still works today and will work tomorrow.

Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Psalm 77:9-12

Prayer – September 4

God has mercy on those who take refuge in him. Pray for God’s children, especially those in places where believers are persecuted for their faith in Jesus, that they will seek refuge in God.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 57:1

Prayer – September 3

God is a forgiving God, that is his nature. Pray that people would turn in repentance and receive that free gift.

They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them
Nehemiah 9:17

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9