Prayer of Henri Nouwen

Here is a prayer of Henri Nouwen, 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.

 

Listen, O Lord, to my prayers.
Listen to my desire to be with you, to dwell in your house, and to let my whole being be filled with your presence.
But none of this is possible without you.
When you are not the one who fills me, I am soon filled with endless thoughts and concerns that divide me and tear me away from you.
Even thoughts about you, good spiritual thoughts, can be little more than distractions when you are not their author.

Every day I see again that only you can teach me to pray, only you can set my heart at rest, only you can let me dwell in your presence.
No book, no idea, no concept or theory will ever bring me close to you unless you yourself are the one who lets these instruments become the way to you.

But Lord, let me at least remain open to your initiative; let me wait patiently and attentively for that hour when you will come and break through all the walls I have erected.

Teach me, O Lord, to pray.

Amen.

~Henri Nouwen

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?

August 29 – Persecuted

welcome

As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details

  • You still need to register… the link is available each week on the home page.
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to still wear a face-covering in our building.
  • At this point, we cannot serve refreshments, but you are welcome to bring your own coffee/tea/water, for the comfort of others, please do not remove your face-covering and drink until you are in your seat.

We will continue to offer our service on-line… that’s right here

As we meet let’s 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 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 Matthew 5:1-12 as we come to the service together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 29 August.
We are in a series on The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-12.
Today pastor Brent looks at: blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness
Today is also pastor Brent’s last Sunday with us.

 

OCCkids is meeting in person @ 10am

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.

Prayer Earth and Heaven

Here is a prayer from The Valley of Vision, 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 LORD,

I live here as a fish in a vessel of water,
only enough to keep me alive,
but in heaven I shall swim in the ocean.
Here I have a little air in me to keep me breathing,
but there I shall have sweet and fresh gales;
Here I have a beam of sun to lighten my darkness,
a warm ray to keep me from freezing;
yonder I shall live in light and warmth for ever.
My natural desires are corrupt and misguided,
and it is thy mercy to destroy them;
My spiritual longings are of thy planting,
and thou wilt water and increase them;
Quicken my hunger and thirst after
the realm above.
Here I can have the world,
there I shall have thee in Christ;
Here is a life of longing and prayer,
there is assurance without suspicion,
asking without refusal;
Here are gross comforts, more burden
than benefit,
there is joy without sorrow,
comfort without suffering,
love without inconstancy,
rest without weariness.
Give me to know that heaven is all love,
where the eye affects the heart,
and the continual viewing of thy beauty
keeps the soul in continual transports
of delight.
Give me to know that heaven is all peace,
where error, pride, rebellion, passion
raise no head.
Give me to know that heaven is all joy,
the end of believing, fasting, praying,
mourning, humbling, watching,
fearing, repining;
And lead me to it soon.

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?

August 22 – Peacemakers

welcome

As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details

  • You still need to register… the link is available each week on the home page.
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to still wear a face-covering in our building.
  • At this point, we cannot serve refreshments, but you are welcome to bring your own coffee/tea/water, for the comfort of others, please do not remove your face-covering and drink until you are in your seat.

We will continue to offer our service on-line… that’s right here

As we meet let’s 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 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 Matthew 5:1-12 as we come to the service together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 22 August.
We are in a series on The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-12.
Today pastor Brent looks at: blessed are the peacemakers 

 

OCCkids is meeting in person

Baptism

Today @ 4:30pm Baptism at Mark Singer’s… Bring a picnic lunch

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.

Prayer O My Saviour

Here is a prayer from The Valley of Vision, 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 MY SAVIOUR,

Help me.
I am so slow to learn,
so prone to forget,
so weak to climb;
I am in the foothills when I should be
on the heights;
I am pained by my graceless heart,
my prayerless days,
my poverty of love,
my sloth in the heavenly race,
my sullied conscience,
my wasted hours,
my unspent opportunities.
I am blind while light shines around me:
take the scales from my eyes,
grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief.
Make it my chiefest joy to study thee,
meditate on thee,
gaze on thee,
sit like Mary at thy feet,
lean like John on thy breast,
appeal like Peter to thy love,
count like Paul all things dung.
Give me increase and progress in grace
so that there may be
more decision in my character,
more vigour in my purposes,
more elevation in my life,
more fervour in my devotion,
more constancy in my zeal.
As I have a position in the world,
keep me from making the world my position;
May I never seek in the creature
what can be found only in the Creator;
Let not faith cease from seeking thee
until it vanishes into sight.
Ride forth in me, thou King of kings
and Lord of lords,
that I may live victoriously,
and in victory attain my end.

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?

August 15 – Pure In Heart

welcome

As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details

  • You still need to register… the link is available each week on the home page.
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to still wear a face-covering in our building.
  • At this point, we cannot serve refreshments, but you are welcome to bring your own coffee/tea/water, for the comfort of others, please do not remove your face-covering and drink until you are in your seat.

We will continue to offer our service on-line… that’s right here

As we meet let’s 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 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 Matthew 5:1-12 as we come to the service together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 15 August.
We are in a series on The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-12.
Today pastor Mike looks at: blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

OCCkids is meeting in person

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 also want to pray for Canada – there are important decisions being made

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

Baptism

Next Sunday 4:30pm Baptism at Mark Singer’s… Bring a picnic lunch

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.

Prayer of Augustine (You Over Me)

Here is a prayer of Austine, 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.

You Over Me

Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You, and desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You, and ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself.
Let me fear You, and let me be among those who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing save only to You,
And let me be poor because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me that I may see You, and for ever enjoy You. Amen.

~Augustine

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?

August 8 | Merciful (updated)

The video for today’s service has been fixed.
Thank you for your patience & understanding

welcome

As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details

  • You still need to register… the link is available each week on the home page.
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to still wear a face-covering in our building.
  • At this point, we cannot serve refreshments, but you are welcome to bring your own coffee/tea/water, for the comfort of others, please do not remove your face-covering and drink until you are in your seat.

We will continue to offer our service on-line.

As we meet let’s 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 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 Matthew 5:1-12 as we come to the service together.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 8 August.
We are in a series on The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-12.
Today pastor Mike looks at: blessed are those who are merciful.

A reminder you can send your questions to mike@occweb.org. We will be having some Q & A during this series.

 

 

 

 

 

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 also want to pray for Canada – there are important decisions being made

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

OCCKids – Youth event

 

Baptism

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.

UP – IN – OUT

Back on 27 June 2021 we had several people share what UP – IN – OUT was looking like for them. You can watch that service here.

Here’s the question:
How are you living UP – IN – OUT as the summer has progressed?

  • Where are growing
  • Is/are there area(s) where you could use some help?
  • Which aspect are you finding the most joy in?

Share some of your thoughts in the comments