Advent Calendar

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

Nov 28 – Advent 1

welcome

This is the beginning of Advent… the 4 Sundays that lead us up to Christmas.

  • we are called into God’s presence
  • we are called to be together
  • we are called to wait with God
  • we are called to serve & bless others – those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who have not yet responded to God’s grace

God’s people at OCC

  • are meeting on-line – that’s right here;
  • we are also meeting Sunday morning in-person @ 10:ooam
    • OCCKids: K to Grade 5, Grade 5-8
    • Our nursery space is also available
  • Prayer via zoom from 6:30-7:30pm
  • High School students meet in person at 7:30pm.

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 or you call OCC (705.329.2139)
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to 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 until you are in your seat.

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…

  • get your coffee or tea, settle in, be still…
  • make sure you some bread and juice for the Lord’s Table during the service
  • 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.

teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 28 November.
This is the 1st Sunday of Advent

 

Zoom Prayer

6:30-7:30pm zoom link

Coming Up

Surviving the Holidays – November 30 register here

 

 

Wednesday & Friday – December 1 & 3 – 1-3pm

 

 

 

 

 

Advent

Advent begins Sunday, 28 November
join us in-person | 10am @ OCC | 64 colborne st e, orillia, on
or on-line | occweb.org

Into the Scripture – Nov 28

Ways Into Sunday’s Scripture from OCC

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.

  • Sunday’s Scripture
  • An introduction to the text
  • THEOLOGY – a theological question to get us thinking beyond the surface
  • VISUAL ART – a piece of visual art to mediate on
  • MUSIC – a musical interpretation of the text or a piece that invokes the meaning of the tex

TEXT

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

Introduction to the Text

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.

  • The “young woman” shall bear a son, “Immanuel” (“God is with us”) (verse 14).
  • The child shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse evil and choose good (verse 15).
  • Moreover, before the child knows how to refuse evil and choose good, the land of Ahaz’s two enemies will be deserted (verse 16).
  • God will bring upon Ahaz, his dynasty, and his people the power of the king of Assyria.

THEOLOGY

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?

VISUAL ART

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).

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUSIC

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!

SOMETHING FUN / CREATIVE

There are some advertisers that come up with some creative advertising [I do not necessarily endorse any of these products / companies]. Enjoy.

 

Nov 21 – Nehemiah 12-13

welcome

  • we are called into God’s presence
  • we are called to be together
  • we are called to serve & bless others – those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who have not yet responded to God’s grace

God’s people at OCC

  • are meeting on-line – that’s right here;
  • we are also meeting Sunday morning in-person @ 10:ooam
    • OCCKids: K to Grade 5, Grade 5-8
    • Our nursery space is also available
  • AGM after the morning service – both in-person & on-line
  • Prayer via zoom from 6:30-7:30pm
  • High School students meet in person at 7:30pm.

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 or you call OCC (705.329.2139)
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to 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 until you are in your seat.

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…

  • 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.

teaching

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

Zoom Prayer

6:30-7:30pm zoom link

Coming Up

Winter Clothing Distribution – Wednesdays & Fridays starting November 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Surviving the Holidays – November 30 register here

winter clothing distribution

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.

Nov 14 – Nehemiah 8

welcome

  • we are called into God’s presence
  • we are called to be together
  • we are called to serve & bless others – those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who have not yet responded to God’s grace

God’s people at OCC

  • are meeting on-line – that’s right here;
  • we are also meeting Sunday morning in-person @ 10:ooam
    • OCCKids: K to Grade 5, Grade 5-8
    • Our nursery space is also available
  • Prayer via zoom from 6:30-7:30pm
  • High School students meet in person at 7:30pm.

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 or you call OCC (705.329.2139)
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to 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 until you are in your seat.

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…

  • 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 Psalm 8

teaching

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

Zoom Prayer

6:30-7:30pm zoom link

Coming Up

Winter Clothing Distribution – Wednesdays & Fridays starting November 24

 

 

 

 

 

AGM – November 21 after the morning service

 Surviving the Holidays – November 30 register here

Nov 7 – Nehemiah 4, 5

welcome

  • we are called into God’s presence
  • we are called to be together
  • we are called to serve & bless others – those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who have not yet responded to God’s grace

God’s people at OCC

  • are meeting on-line – that’s right here;
  • we are also meeting Sunday morning in-person @ 10:ooam
    • OCCKids: K to Grade 5, Grade 5-8
    • Our nursery space is also available
  • Prayer via zoom from 6:30-7:30pm
  • High School students meet in person at 7:30pm.

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 or you call OCC (705.329.2139)
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to 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 until you are in your seat.

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…

  • 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 Psalm 8

teaching

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

Zoom Prayer

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

 

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. You can find all the ways to give here.

IDOP – PC

November 7, is the 2021 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

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