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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
#cnoy21
As followers of Jesus, we are to think and live differently than the culture.
As followers of Jesus, we can point people to joy, confidence, hope and life.
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 31 January.
Coates lead us in worship today.
Pastor Mike’s message is from Philippians 2:5-11 – The Mind of Christ
The study notes and all the other messages in this series can be found on our sermon page.
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)
As we end praying through the Fruit of the Spirit…
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no lawGalatians 5:22-23
Reflect on all that God has done and is doing in giving us life through his Spirit
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.Romans 8:11
These areas that we call the Fruit of the Spirit, are all integrated. It’s not a matter of chose which one you want to produce. God’s plan is that all of these become evident in our lives.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no lawGalatians 5:22-23
So let’s pray for one another that we walk by the Spirit
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.Galatians 5:16