Month: February 2021

Feb 28 – Philippians 3:12-16 – Run the Race

welcome

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live differently in this world.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be salt and light in this world – primarily online and via phone right now.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live lives that show and point people to Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to grow in Christ, individually and together, in koinōnia – that shared life in the Spirit that includes:

  • reading and thinking through Scripture,
  • prayer – both praying for and praying with,
  • serving the community – both the OCC community and the wider community around us, and,
  • caring for each other in love.

If you don’t really know Jesus, we trust and pray that as you connect, read, watch, you will be drawn into a relationship with Jesus.

If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, we pray that you will honestly seek and ask questions… watch for and sign up for online ALPHA this spring.

We encourage you to take a few moments as you prepare to watch the video

  • settle in, in stillness,
  • take 2 or 3 deep breaths… in and out breathe
  • invite the Lord to make himself present with you as you watch – he is with you – it’s just that a lot of the time we are not aware that he is.
  • prepare your heart to listen and receive
  • Read Philippians 3 as you enter into our time together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday 28 February.
Ray & Brenda Scriver, along with Alan & Aaron are leading us in worship today.
Pastor Mike’s message is from Philippians 3:12-16 – Run The Race

The study notes and all the other messages in this series can be found on our sermon page.

OCCkids is meeting online at @9:30am

There is also an OCCYouth zoom class lead by Neil & Barb Fox @9:30am

prayer

Sunday nights @ 6:30pm
zoom prayer https://zoom.us/j/99544541247?pwd=cU9idG1RNzB3bjdZS3RUdThOalQydz09
Meeting ID: 995 4454 1247
Passcode: 4LKzLR

LIFEGroup

Get connected to a LIFEGroup – it’s one of the best ways to grow in Christ.
The details are here.

Lent Sessions

In order to help us connect and to help lead us into Lent and toward Easter,
we will be offering a short connecting time on Wednesday’s @ 1:30pm and 6:45pm.
You can find all the details here.

 

 

 

 

giving

In this new way of being the church, we don’t practice giving by placing our offering in a basket as it is passed. OCCers are generous people. Thank you for your gifts.

  • Some of you give when you attend a service (there is an offering box)
  • Many give online – etransfer or paypal
  • Others mail or drop off cheques

You can find all the ways you can give here.

Simcoe Muskoka Grey Zone

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is moving back into the Grey Zone, effective Monday, March 1, for an unspecified period of time.
As OCC we were planning and looking forward to regathering on Sunday, February 28. But in light of the lockdown the next day, we have decided that is wise not to meet. OCC has been following all the recommended Health Unit precautions, but we want to be cautious and wise in light of the people that we connect with.

We will be following the same time table as we have so far this year.
So, this Sunday, February 28 we will be on-line:

Follow this page on our website or the OCC Facebook page for all the updates.

Bill C-7

Bill C7 is currently being debated by our Parliamentarians. The government wants to pass Bill C-7 by Friday, February 26th, which includes amendments that would make Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) more available than it currently is.

Here are some of the details:

With the Senate amendments, Bill C-7 will allow assisted death for Canadians who are not facing imminent death. The Senate majority voted to remove the requirement that a person’s death must be “reasonably foreseeable” in order to be eligible for Medically Assisted Suicide, (MAiD).  The bill establishes two streams of eligibility: those whose natural death is foreseeable, and those whose natural death is not foreseeable.

For those whose death is reasonably foreseeable, Bill C7 is removing some key safeguards that were established in 2016:

  • the 10-day reflection period between the request and the hastened death
  • the requirement that a person is able to consent at the time of the hastened death
  • the amendments seek to remove the current two witnesses to confirm a patient’s willingness, to one witness

For those whose death is not foreseeable:

  • the amended Bill also allows MAiD for those with mental illness
  • allows advance requests by a person before they are diagnosed with an illness

Prayer Focus:

  • Pray for the MPs that they will see the wisdom to oppose these amendments and the importance of applying stringent controls to this Bill.
  • Pray that the current reflection period of 10 days would not be removed.
  • That the current 2 person approval for a person requesting access to MAiD would not be removed to favour one person.
  • Pray that those who are living with physical disabilities would not feel that their lives are seen as a burden or feel threatened by these proposed amendments. Pray for a culture that honours and celebrates all life, from conception to natural death.

Feb 21 – Philippians 3:1-4 – confidence in?

welcome

As followers of Jesus, we are called to show and demonstrate love in the world
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be salt and light in this world – primarily online and via phone right now.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to point people to joy, confidence, hope and life… and more than that we point them to Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to grow in Christ, individually and together, in koinōnia – that shared life in the Spirit that includes:

  • reading and thinking through Scripture,
  • prayer – both praying for and praying with,
  • serving the community – both the OCC community and the wider community around us, and,
  • caring for each other in love.

If you don’t really know Jesus, we trust and pray that as you connect, read, watch, you will be drawn into a relationship with Jesus.

If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, we pray that you will honestly seek and ask questions… watch for and sign up for online ALPHA this spring.

We encourage you to take a few moments as you prepare to watch the video

  • settle in, in stillness,
  • take 2 or 3 deep breaths… in and out breathe
  • invite the Lord to make himself present with you as you watch – he is with you – it’s just that a lot of the time we are not aware that he is.
  • prepare your heart to listen and receive
  • Read Philippians 3 as you enter into our time together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday 121 February.
The Adams are leading us in worship today.
Pastor Mike’s message is from Philippians 3:1-4 – Our Confidence is in…

The study notes and all the other messages in this series can be found on our sermon page.

OCCkids is meeting online at @9:30am

There is also an OCCYouth zoom class lead by Neil & Barb Fox @9:30am

prayer

Sunday nights @ 6:30pm
zoom prayer https://zoom.us/j/99544541247?pwd=cU9idG1RNzB3bjdZS3RUdThOalQydz09
Meeting ID: 995 4454 1247
Passcode: 4LKzLR

LIFEGroup

Get connected to a LIFEGroup – it’s one of the best ways to grow in Christ.
The details are here.

Lent Sessions

In order to help us connect and to help lead us into Lent and toward Easter,
we will be offering a short connecting time on Wednesday’s @ 1:30pm and 6:45pm.
You can find all the details here.

 

 

 

CNOY: Coldest Night Of the Year

In this time of lockdown, there is still needs in our city. CNOY in Orillia raises funds for the Lighthouse. While there is no walk this year, there is a virtual walk (i.e. walk on your own schedule).

The date for this year’s walk was yesterday 20 February 2021. But you can still donate.

Here’s our team page: OCC

giving

In this new way of being the church, we don’t practice giving by placing our offering in a basket as it is passed. OCCers are generous people. Thank you for your gifts.

  • Some of you give when you attend a service (there is an offering box)
  • Many give online – etransfer or paypal
  • Others mail or drop off cheques

You can find all the ways you can give here.

praying for and with you

Prayer is one of the practices of followers of Jesus that is vital for our growth in Christ.

  • bringing our lives to him
  • talking with God
  • listening to God
  • bringing our needs before him

At OCC we offer several opportunities for prayer

  • Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been meeting on sunday nights @ 6:30pm to pray via zoom
    • for the needs of folks connected to OCCers
    • for our city, country and world
    • bringing our worship and praise before him
  • OCC Prayer Group (private) on Facebook (you can request to be added)
  • send an email to pray@occweb.org

We encourage you to join in as we pray.

 

 

Lent 2021 & Covid

What we are, and have been, experiencing changes everything.
It changes what we thought was desirable and what we deemed as necessary.
It changes our expectations of life and the degrees in which we find satisfaction.

We have had longer to ponder the “old normal” than we thought. One of the dangers, as this pandemic and lockdown season drags on, is that we might lazily find ourselves out the other end and have nothing nearly as exciting as the “new different” might be.
We are not called to go back to the “old normal.” We are not called to simply shine up the old ways, but rather, rebirth to an entirely new way to live.

So let me invite all of us to take Lent 2021 seriously.

There are so many passages in the Scriptures that can help us unravel this great possibility.

  • Most of Jesus teaching speak directly into this very time.
  • Jesus was asking the questions of first-century Galilee and Jerusalem.
  • The focus of Jesus teaching was our desires and ambitions. The things we put our life energies into.
  • The goal of Jesus teaching was that we would find ultimate soul satisfaction and find the deep secret of living as human beings.

Feb 14 – Philippians 2:14-18 – Let Your Light Shine

welcome

As followers of Jesus, we are showing and demonstrating love in the world
As followers of Jesus, we are salt and light in this world – primarily online and via phone right now.
As followers of Jesus, we are to point people to joy, confidence, hope and life… and more than that we point them to Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we grow in Christ, individually and together, in koinōnia – that shared life in the Spirit that includes:

  • reading and thinking through Scripture,
  • prayer – both praying for and praying with,
  • serving the community – both the OCC community and the wider community around us, and,
  • caring for each other in love.

If you don’t really know Jesus, we trust and pray that as you connect, read, watch, you will be drawn into a relationship with Jesus.

If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, we pray that you will honestly seek and ask questions… watch for and sign up for online ALPHA this spring.

We encourage you to take a few moments as you prepare to watch the video

  • settle in, in stillness,
  • take 2 or 3 deep breaths… in and out breathe
  • invite the Lord to make himself present with you as you watch – he is with you – it’s just that a lot of the time we are not aware that he is.
  • prepare your heart to listen and receive
  • Read Philippians 2 as you enter into our time together.

teaching


Here is the service for Sunday 14 February.
Alan & Elaine Jarvis lead us in worship today.
Pastor Mike’s message is from Philippians 2:14-18 – Shine Like Stars in the Darkness

The study notes and all the other messages in this series can be found on our sermon page.

OCCkids is meeting online at @9:30am

There is also an OCCYouth zoom class lead by Neil & Barb Fox @9:30am

prayer

Sunday nights @ 6:30pm
zoom prayer https://zoom.us/j/99544541247?pwd=cU9idG1RNzB3bjdZS3RUdThOalQydz09
Meeting ID: 995 4454 1247
Passcode: 4LKzLR

LIFEGroup

Get connected to a LIFEGroup – it’s one of the best ways to grow in Christ.
The details are here.

acts of kindness

February 7-14, 2021 Turn your compassionate spirit into action by doing some random (in the sense of unexpected) acts of kindness throughout the week, bringing some light and love to those around us.

There are many ways to let people know you care: Click here or on the image for some ideas.

 

CNOY: Coldest Night Of the Year

In this time of lockdown, there is still needs in our city. CNOY in Orillia raises funds for the Lighthouse. While there is no walk this year, there is a virtual walk (i.e. walk on your own schedule).

The date for this year’s walk is 20 February 2021.

Here’s our team page: OCC

You can go there to join the team if you want to raise support as you walk, or you can also donate directly. Let’s bless those who are in need in our city.

giving

In this new way of being the church, we don’t practice giving by placing our offering in a basket as it is passed. OCCers are generous people. Thank you for your gifts.

  • Some of you give when you attend a service (there is an offering box)
  • Many give online – etransfer or paypal
  • Others mail or drop off cheques

You can find all the ways you can give here.

hugs

OCCers are being “hugged”
If you didn’t get hugged, let us know… we will get you some hugs.

Feb 7 – Philippians 2:12-13 – Work Out Your Salvation

welcome

As followers of Jesus, we are to point people to joy, confidence, hope and life… more than that we point them to Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we are salt and light in this world – primarily online and via phone right now.
As followers of Jesus, we grow in Christ, individually and together, in koinōnia – that shared life in the Spirit that includes:

  • reading and thinking through Scripture,
  • prayer – both praying for and praying with,
  • serving the community – both the OCC community and the bigger community around us,
  • and caring for each other in love.

If you don’t really know Jesus, we trust and pray that as you connect, read, watch, you will be drawn into a relationship with Jesus.

If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, we pray that you will honestly seek and ask questions… watch for and sign up for online ALPHA this spring.

We encourage you to take a few minutes as you prepare to watch the video

  • sit still,
  • breathe in, breath out a couple of times
  • invite the Lord to make himself present with you as you watch – he is with you – it’s just that a lot of the time we are not aware that he is.
  • prepare your heart to listen and receive
  • Read Philippians 2 as you enter into our time together.

teaching

 

Here is the service for Sunday 7 February.
Judi & Stan Coates, along with Alan Jarvis lead us in worship today.
Pastor Mike’s message is from Philippians 2:12-13 – Work Out Your Salvation

The study notes and all the other messages in this series can be found on our sermon page.

OCCkids is meeting online at @9:30am

There is also an OCCYouth zoom class lead by Neil & Barb Fox @9:30am

prayer

Sunday nights @ 6:30pm
zoom prayer https://zoom.us/j/99544541247?pwd=cU9idG1RNzB3bjdZS3RUdThOalQydz09
Meeting ID: 995 4454 1247
Passcode: 4LKzLR

LIFEGroup

Get connected to a LIFEGroup – it’s one of the best ways to grow in Christ.
The details are here.

acts of kindness

February 7-14, 2021 Turn your compassionate spirit into action by doing some random (in the sense of unexpected) acts of kindness throughout the week, bringing some light and love to those around us.

There are many ways to let people know you care: Click here or on the image for some ideas.

 

CNOY: Coldest Night Of the Year

In this time of lockdown, there is still needs in our city. CNOY in Orillia raises funds for the Lighthouse. While there is no walk this year, there is a virtual walk (i.e. walk on your own schedule).

The date for this year’s walk is 20 February 2021.

Here’s our team page: OCC

You can go there to join the team if you want to raise support as you walk, or you can also donate directly. Let’s bless those who are in need in our city.

 

giving

In this new way of being the church, we don’t practice giving by placing our offering in a basket as it is passed. OCCers are generous people. Thank you for your gifts.

  • Some of you give when you attend a service (there is an offering box)
  • Many give online – etransfer or paypal
  • Others mail or drop off cheques

You can find all the ways you can give here.

Acts of Kindness

February 7-14, 2021

Turn your compassionate spirit into action by doing some random (in the sense of unexpected) acts of kindness throughout the week, bringing some light and love to those around us.

There are many ways to let people know you care: Here’s some ideas do get you thinking, we’re sure you have other great ideas!

  • Send a note/leave a note
  • Make a call
  • Thank a retail clerk
  • Make a porch drop off
  • Play a Zoom/online game with someone
  • Send flowers to someone for no reason
  • Run an errand for someone
  • Feed the birds
  • Leave happy notes wherever you go
  • Drop off hygiene items for the Light House at OCC
  • Order someone a meal/have pizza delivered
  • Give an unexpected compliment
  • Snow blow/shovel someone’s driveway
  • Support a local business
  • Let someone cut in front of you in line
  • Pay for the car behind you at a takeout window
  • Slow down so someone can merge in front of you in traffic
  • Let someone else take that prime parking spot
  • Put your phone away when a family member or friend is talking to you
  • Donate flowers to a nursing home
  • Leave a great coupon next to that item in the grocery store
  • Pick up a piece of litter on the street and throw it out
  • Pass along a compliment to a service worker’s boss
  • Take the time to write a great online review for a restaurant you love
  • Leave a positive comment on a news article or blog post
  • Give an extra tip when getting take out
  • Bring treats to your local fire station
  • Write a thank you note to your mail carrier
  • Smile at someone who looks sad
  • Participate in the Coldest Night of the Year walk
  • Become an organ donor
  • Bring in a prepackaged treat and leave it in the break room at work. (It’s extra fun if you do it anonymously.)
  • Compliment a colleague to your boss
  • Post sticky notes with uplifting messages on the office bathroom mirrors
  • Stay late for a co-worker who needs to get home
  • Write a thank you note to someone who has helped your career
  • Add a positive comment to the conversation if things are getting negative
  • Scrape the ice off a neighbour’s windshield after you’ve finished doing yours
  • Make a double batch of the cookies you’re baking and bring some next door
  • Make dinner for a someone who has just had a baby or surgery
  • Write a thank you note to your child’s teacher or to a teacher who made a difference in your life
  • Tell the principal how much you love your child’s teacher
  • Be on time
  • Call your mom or dad just to say I love you
  • Tell a friend what you love about their children
  • Send a message to a friend letting them know you appreciate them
  • Reconnect with an old friend you’ve lost touch with over the years. Share a memory you carry with you.
  • Forgive someone who has wronged you
  • Make amends with someone you have wronged
  • Bring your neighbour’s garbage cans up for him/her
  • Turn off the water when you brush your teeth and give the earth some kindness
  • Let your spouse sleep in when it’s his/her turn to get up early with the kids
  • Donate to a friend’s favourite charity in their name
  • Give a friend a book you think they would like
  • Send a print of a photo you took of a friend or their child
  • Write a letter of encouragement to a child you know is having a hard time
  • Send a friend a helpful or inspiring article that made you think of them
  • Write a sweet, encouraging note and put it under your child’s pillow or in a place they’ll easily find it
  • Be a good listener
  • If you need to go to the grocery store or pharmacy, call someone and ask if they need anything
  • Make a music playlist for someone with songs you think they’d enjoy
  • Respond to a social media post with a positive, uplifting comment

Send us a note (info@occweb.org) about what you did. We will publish the list of things done, without names.