Prayer of John Baillie

Here is a prayer of John Baillie, to reflect on, to meditate on, to pray and make it your own this week. See some reflection questions at the bottom of this post.

 

O God, immortal, eternal, invisible, I remember with gladness and thanksgiving all that thou hast been to this world of men:
Companion of the brave:
Upholder of the loyal:
Light of the wanderer:
Joy of the pilgrim:
Guide of the pioneer:
Helper of labouring men:
Refuge of the broken-hearted:
Deliverer of the oppressed:
Succour of the tempted:
Strength of the victorious:
Ruler of rulers:
Friend of the poor:
Rescuer of the perishing:
Hope of the dying.

Give me faith now to believe that thou canst be all in all to me, according to my need, if only I renounce all proud self-dependence and put my trust in thee.

Forbid it, O Father, that the difficulty of living well should ever tempt me to fall into any kind of heedlessness or despair. May I keep it ever in mind that this human life was once divinely lived and this world once nobly overcome and this body of flesh, that now so sorely tries me, once made into thy perfect dwelling-place.

Show thy lovingkindness to-night, O Lord, to all who stand in need of thy help. Be with the weak to make them strong and with the strong to make them gentle. Cheer the lonely with thy company and the distracted with thy solitude. Prosper thy Church in the fulfilment of her mighty task, and grant thy blessing to all who have toiled to-day in Christ’s name. Amen.

~From A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie

Reflection:

  • Behold — Where are the eyes of your heart drawn into this prayer?
  • Believe — How is your faith strengthened in this prayer?
  • Belong — Who are you recalling as you pray this prayer?
  • Become — What is God inviting you to receive and thereby become as you pray this prayer?

Beatitudes

We’re starting a new series on 4 July on the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7).
Actually we are just looking at the beginning statements that Jesus makes: they are often called the beatitudes

He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Stage 2

Ontario is moving into Stage 2 on June 30. And with Stage 2 come some loosened restrictions.

Gatherings

  • Maximum 25 people for outdoor gatherings
  • Maximum 5 people for indoor gatherings

Services – including worship, weddings & funerals

  • Indoor permitted at 25% capacity of the room
  • Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres

We will still be adhering to the normal protocols

  • hand-sanitizing, physical distancing, wearing masks at all times indoors, staying home if you’re sick, etc
  • & you need to register: either by the eventbrite link on the home page, or by calling the church office: 705.329.2139

For the full list of what is open at what limits you can go here

27 June | UP – IN – OUT

welcome

We are now meeting in-person as well as on-line (we will continue to offer our service on-line).

  • Sometimes we feel stressed out by what we can’t do, and by what seems to be inconsistencies in government gathering regulations.
  • Some are feeling frustrated that they can’t get the hair done, or travel as freely as they would like.
  • Sometimes we get upset with some of the posts we see on social media.

But in these confusing, wearying times, we are confident that in the midst of all of this, God is with us. We remember that no matter what anyone says, no matter what anyone posts on social media. We remember that…

  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to be different and live differently in our world;
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to live lives that are filled with and empowered by God’s Spirit;
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to be signposts and movie trailers, pointing to what the Jesus life is like.
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to live in Christ, free to love, free to be kingdom people.

As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…

  • get your coffee or tea, settle in, be still…
  • 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 often we are not aware that he is,
  • Read Luke 6:12-19 as come to the service together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 27 June.
Today we are using some worship videos from Brooke Nicholls.
Today several people are sharing how they are living out UP – IN – OUT this summer.

OCCkids is meeting in person this week

prayer

Join us tonight from 6:30pm – 7:30pm as we pray together for one another, our city, our world.
  • We need to pray for Uganda – on a 42 day lockdown.
  • We need as well to pray for Ethiopia – elections are being held tomorrow.

zoom prayer link https://zoom.us/j/99544541247?pwd=cU9idG1RNzB3bjdZS3RUdThOalQydz09
Meeting ID: 995 4454 1247
Passcode: 4LKzLR

outdoor gatherings

This summer we want to gather in small, outdoor only, gatherings to encourage and build each other up.

Here is the Eventbrite link to register for a backyard gathering

Here is the event post with the dates & times

 

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.

  • Many give online – etransfer or paypal
  • Others mail or drop off cheques

You can find all the ways you can give here.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Here is a prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, to reflect on, to meditate on, to pray and make it your own this week. See some reflection questions at the bottom of this post.

Lord, make me an
instrument of your peace!
Where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood
as to understand;
to be loved
as to love;
for it is in giving
that we receive;
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying
that we are born to Eternal Life.

~St. Francis of Assisi

Reflection:

  • Behold — Where are the eyes of your heart drawn into this prayer?
  • Believe — How is your faith strengthened in this prayer?
  • Belong — Who are you recalling as you pray this prayer?
  • Become — What is God inviting you to receive and thereby become as you pray this prayer?

backyard gathering

Join us for backyard gatherings

There will be a limit of 10 people per backyard to keep within the provincial restrictions.
Bring your own coffee/cold drink (and a lawn chair if possible.)
The gathering will be cancelled if it’s raining.
If you’re unable to register for a specific time, it’s most likely the size limit has been reached for that gathering, but you can register for an alternate date. If you have questions, or any problems registering, send an email to info@occweb.org.
To register for one of the backyard gatherings:
  • Click the Eventbrite link:
  • Click the green “Register” button. A page will open with 5 date/backyard options.
  • Choose your preferred date, record the number attending from your family and click register.
  • Record your contact information and click register. Done!
The date and location options you’ll find at the Eventbrite link are:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 / 6:30 – 8 pm
Brent & Angela Hargreaves’ backyard | 3 Francis Road
THURSDAY, JUNE 24 / 6:30-8 pm
Hugh and Kim Bolton’s backyard | 275 Barrie Road
FRIDAY, JUNE 25 / 6:30-8 pm FULL
Ray and Brenda Scriver‘s backyard | 4327 Wainman Line
SUNDAY, JUNE 27 / 3-4:30 pm
Mark Singer’s backyard | 789 Woodland Drive

TUESDAY, JUNE 29 / 6:30-7:30 pm
David and Katy Gillett’s backyard | 2456 Warminster Road

Looking forward to being together!

20 June | 1 Peter 5

welcome

We are back to meeting in-person as well as on-line – and we will continue to offer our service on-line.

  • Sometimes we feel stressed out by what we can’t do, and by what seems to be inconsistencies in government gathering regulations.
  • Some are feeling frustrated that they can’t get the hair done, or travel as freely as they would like.
  • Sometimes we get upset with some of the posts we see on social media.

But in these confusing, wearying times, we are confident that in the midst of all of this, God is with us. We remember that no matter what anyone says, no matter what anyone posts on social media. We remember that…

  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to be different and live differently in our world;
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to live lives that are filled with and empowered by God’s Spirit;
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to be signposts and movie trailers, pointing to what the Jesus life is like.
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to live in Christ, free to love, free to be kingdom people.

As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…

  • get your coffee or tea, settle in, be still…
  • 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 often we are not aware that he is,
  • Read 1 Peter 5 as come to the service together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 20 June.
Ray & Brenda, along with Emily, Alan, and Aaron us in worship in song.
Pastor Mike’s message is from 1 Peter 5

The LIFEGroup notes can be found on our sermon page.

OCCkids is meeting in person this week

prayer

Join us tonight from 6:30pm – 7:30pm as we pray together for one another, our city, our world.
  • We need to pray for Uganda – on a 42 day lockdown.
  • We need as well to pray for Ethiopia – elections are being held tomorrow.

zoom prayer link https://zoom.us/j/99544541247?pwd=cU9idG1RNzB3bjdZS3RUdThOalQydz09
Meeting ID: 995 4454 1247
Passcode: 4LKzLR

outdoor gatherings

This summer we want to gather in small, outdoor only, gatherings to encourage and build each other up.

Here is the Eventbrite link to register for a backyard gathering

Here is the event post with the dates & times

 

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.

  • Many give online – etransfer or paypal
  • Others mail or drop off cheques

You can find all the ways you can give here.

Prayer of Thomas à Kempis

Here is a prayer of Thomas à Kempis, to reflect on, to meditate on, to pray and make it your own this week.
See some reflection questions at the bottom of this post.

Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know,
to love what I ought to love,
to praise what delights thee most,
to value what is precious in thy sight,
to hate what is offensive to thee.
Do not suffer me to judge according to the sight
of my eyes,
nor to pass sentence according to the hearing
of the ears of ignorant men;
but to discern with a true judgment between things
visible and spiritual,
and above all, always to inquire what is the good
pleasure of thy will.

~Thomas à Kempis

Reflection:

  • Behold — Where are the eyes of your heart drawn into this prayer?
  • Believe — How is your faith strengthened in this prayer?
  • Belong — Who are you recalling as you pray this prayer?
  • Become — What is God inviting you to receive and thereby become as you pray this prayer?

13 June | 1 Peter 4:12-19

welcome

We are back to meeting in-person as well as on-line.

  • Sometimes it seems like we don’t know what day of the week it is, or what day it is.
  • Sometimes we feel stressed out by what we can’t do, and by what seems to be inconsistencies in government gathering regulations.
  • Some are feeling frustrated that they can’t get the hair done, or travel as freely as they would like.
  • Sometimes we get upset with some of the posts we see on social media.

but in these confusing, wearying times, we are confident that in the midst of all of this, God is with us. We remember that no matter what anyone says, no matter what anyone posts on social media. We remember that…

  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called to be different and live differently in our world;
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called to live lives that are filled with and empowered by God’s Spirit;
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called and equipped to be signposts, and movie trailers, pointing to what the Jesus life is like.
  • as followers of Jesus,
    we are called to live in Christ, free to love, free to be kingdom people.

As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…

  • get your coffee or tea, settle in, be still…
  • 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 often we are not aware that he is,
  • Read 1 Peter 4:12-19 as come to the service together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday 13 June.
Dan & Sue, Sophia & Casey Adams lead us in worship in song.
Pastor Mike’s message is from 1 Peter 4:12-19

The LIFEGroup notes can be found on our sermon page.

OCCkids is meeting in person this week

There is also an OCCYouth zoom class lead by Neil & Barb Fox @9:15am

prayer

Join us tonight from 6:30pm7:30pm as we pray together for one another, our city, our world.
zoom prayer https://zoom.us/j/99544541247?pwd=cU9idG1RNzB3bjdZS3RUdThOalQydz09
Meeting ID: 995 4454 1247
Passcode: 4LKzLR

outdoor gatherings

This summer we want to gather in small, outdoor only, gatherings to encourage and build each other up. Are you interested in opening your yard for a maximum of 10 people (including yourself) let us know?

 

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.

  • Many give online – etransfer or paypal
  • Others mail or drop off cheques

You can find all the ways you can give here.

outdoor gatherings

This summer we want to help OCCer’s connect.

Right now and for the next few weeks we are only allowed a maximum of 30 people indoors for a Sunday service. And it is difficult to connect after the service.

So this summer we want to help make some connections.
Here’s what we would like you to do.
We would like to have multiple locations and various times of day available for people to connect.

We will follow strict guidelines

  • outdoors only
  • maximum of 10 people
  • if it rains, we cancel
  • we will encourage people to use the washrooms at their own place before coming
  • no food or drink will be provided
  • if people want something to drink, it’s “bring your own”
  • we will have someone take a couple of minutes to share something from God’s Word and maybe have a question or 2 to encourage sharing

The first week we would do this is the week of June 20

  • Let us know a day & time that is you would like to host
  • The OCC office will coordinate connecting people to hosts

Are you interested? Can you host a morning, afternoon, evening?
Call us at the church (705.329.2139) or email us: info@occweb.org.

If you cannot host but would like to be part of one of these gatherings… watch for days & times once we have our hosts… you can also let us know when works for you.