Advent Calendar
24 things to do this advent season
we will post one each day leading up to Christmas on the OCCWEB facebook page
Or you can download the whole sheet Advent2021-Calendar
24 things to do this advent season
we will post one each day leading up to Christmas on the OCCWEB facebook page
Or you can download the whole sheet Advent2021-Calendar
This is the beginning of Advent… the 4 Sundays that lead us up to Christmas.
God’s people at OCC
As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details
We will continue to offer our service on-line… that’s right here
As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…
Here is the service for Sunday, 28 November.
This is the 1st Sunday of Advent
6:30-7:30pm zoom link
Wednesday & Friday – December 1 & 3 – 1-3pm
Each week during Advent, on Fridays, I will offer some ways into Sunday’s Scripture to help us grow, mature, and be formed or shaped spiritually.
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.” ~Isaiah 7:10-17
In this passage, we see that King Ahaz has proven himself to be a disobedient and idolatrous king. His life is summarized as one who followed after false gods, worshipping them in every way and in every opportunity. He had led the Southern Kingdom down this same path. For this reason, God had passed just judgment upon Ahaz and upon Judah.
To carry out this judgment the Lord sent The Northern Kingdom in alliance with Assyria to attack Judah. Thousands were killed and many more were taken captive. If the Lord had not interceded through the prophet Obed from the Northern Kingdom, Judah may have been entirely destroyed. (2 Kings 16; 2 Chron. 28).
Now the threat of another invasion is looming over Ahaz and Judah. God reaffirms His commitment to Judah and tells Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah not to fear and have faith. The enemy’s threats are empty words and they will not come to pass.
And yet Ahaz refuses to ask God for a sign.
Isaiah tells Ahaz that, despite his refusal to ask for a sign, God is going to give him one anyway. Isaiah begins by addressing Ahaz according to his dynasty’s name: “O House of David!” (see 2 Samuel 7). From there, God issues a number of promises and threats.
This passage puts a different spin on asking for a “sign“. Here it is the Lord, who tells King Ahaz to ask for a sign. And Ahaz refuses, and does so, in “spiritual” language – “I will not put the Lord to the test.” Which is another way of pushing God away and sounding spiritual doing it. Are there ways that we do something similar?
A stone relief sculpture, 1220-1240, on the exterior of the Cathédrale d’Amiens. It depicts Isaiah prophesying the Adoration or coming glory of Christ (Isaiah wearing cap, seated, indicating city representing Bethlehem or Jerusalem).
Here is a recording of one of my favourite Advent songs: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Sung by The Choral Scholars of Arundel Cathedral.
And for those of you who are thinking that is way too traditional… I give you William Shatner’s version!
There are some advertisers that come up with some creative advertising [I do not necessarily endorse any of these products / companies]. Enjoy.
God’s people at OCC
As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details
We will continue to offer our service on-line… that’s right here
As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…
Here is the service for Sunday, 21 November.
We are looking at the book of Nehemiah: rebuilding – renewing – restoring
Today we are wrapping up Nehemiah 13 today.
extra comments on Sabbath
Check out occweb.org/sermons for additional resources. We also encourage you to live out the text… get connected beyond Sunday morning (or whenever you watch this) with one of our LIFEGroups
6:30-7:30pm zoom link
On November 24, 26, Dec 1, 3 from 1-3pm we will be offering new or gently used winter coats, boots, scarfs, mittens to those in need.
We can use more donations, as well as help in hosting the event. If you can assist on one or more of those days, or earlier in the week to help set things up, contact us.
God’s people at OCC
As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details
We will continue to offer our service on-line… that’s right here
As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…
Here is the service for Sunday, 14 November.
We are looking at the book of Nehemiah: rebuilding – renewing – restoring
Today we are in Nehemiah 8: The Joy of the Lord is my strength
(sorry about some gaps – black, silent sections in the video…)
Check out occweb.org/sermons for additional resources. We also encourage you to live out the text… get connected beyond Sunday morning (or whenever you watch this) with one of our LIFEGroups
6:30-7:30pm zoom link
AGM – November 21 after the morning service
God’s people at OCC
As we can gather in larger numbers in our building, we remind you of a few details
We will continue to offer our service on-line… that’s right here
As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…
Here is the service for Sunday, 7 November.
We are looking at the book of Nehemiah: rebuilding – renewing – restoring
Check out occweb.org/sermons for additional resources. We also encourage you to live out the text… get connected beyond Sunday morning (or whenever you watch this) with one of our LIFEGroups
6:30-7:30pm zoom link
tonight we will be joining Open Door at 7pm to watch an interview with some Afghanistani Christians and learn how to pray for the Persecuted Church
Click on the date for all the details
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. You can find all the ways to give here.
That evening at 7pm there is a special event Open Doors Online: Unshakeable Faith!
With everything that has happened in Afghanistan in the last few months, I believe it is so important that we pray for our brothers and sisters there. Join us on November 7th at 7pm for a time of learning, prayer, and discussion focused on Afghanistan. You’ll hear from two believers in Afghanistan about their situation, a special song that was written for the persecuted church, ways that you can pray, and more.
The shocking images coming from Afghanistan are difficult to shake off. Neither do we want to. We want to stand next to the Afghani Christians in prayer. But how do we pray? It’s difficult to find words.
Unfortunately, Afghani Christians aren’t the only ones facing persecution for their faith. Around the world, more than 340 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ.
When we hear the stories of what’s happening in places like Afghanistan and hear the total number of Christians who face persecution for their faith, it can be overwhelming. We want to pray, but we don’t always know how.
That’s what the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is all about. It’s a day where we can raise our voices together in prayer for our sisters and brothers around the world facing persecution.
On Sunday, November 7th at 7pm, we’ll gather together to pray for our persecuted family.
Join us at 6:30pm on zoom for a time of connection and then we can watch and participate together.
Here is a video introduction to Open Doors