Tag: persecution

1 November – IDOP

welcome – we are glad you are here…

We trust and pray that as you read and listen that you will be blessed.
Today we are focusing on praying for the persecuted church.

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 sometimes we are not aware that he is.
  • prepare your heart to listen and receive
  • Read 2 Timothy 3:10-12 as you enter into our time together.

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

You can find all the ways you can give here.

We are partnering with the Lighthouse to host the distribution of winter clothing. We are looking for donations of clothing, especially children and youth sizes. As well we are looking for people to help sort and organize supplies and to greet and help people find what they need. Distribution will be on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, starting November 9. Contact Judi Page for all the details.

worship & teaching

OCCKids are meeting in-person (physically distanced) in Theatre 1 at 10am.

prayer

Zoom Prayer @ 6:30pm Sunday evening
Here is the link

OCCKids & Youth

OCCkids are meeting in Theatre 1 @ 10am (during our morning service). Additional resources for those who cannot be present are available from pastor Brent.

  • OCCYouth are meeting Friday nights (7-8:30pm)
  • Jr High meets every 2nd Thursday night (7-8:30pm). Next Jr High is November 12.
  • More details are available here.

connecting

One of the best ways to learn how to live out the text is to be part of a LIFEGroup.
Over the next few weeks, our LIFEGroups are going to be unpacking these practices we are exploring on Sunday morning.

It’s not too late to get connected. You can get all the information to get connected here.

Discussion questions, the PowerPoint show and other resources are posted on the sermon page.

reading the Gospel of John

During the month of November, we want to read through the Gospel of John together. We have designed this reading plan so that we have a couple of days to catch up each week – i.e. we will read 21 chapters in 30 days.

We encourage you to share what stands out to you, what God’s Spirit makes come alive to you as you read. Share what you are learning or being reminded of in the comments on the post on this page.

You can download a copy of the reading plan here.

 

Easter Sunday & Egypt

Coptic Christian churches in Egypt have decided to cancel Easter services after bombing attacks killed 49 people and injured more than 100 others at two churches on Palm Sunday. The more than 100 wounded Christians are still in hospitals suffering pain, devastation and the uncertainty of the coming days. For them, the hope of staying alive for another day is uncertain due to their critical conditions.

Christian Today reports that, although Easter celebrations have been called off, the Coptic churches will still hold prayer services.

An Open Doors partner on the ground in Egypt recently shared:

“We expect more attacks… and intense oppression and hatred to impact the daily life of Christians in Egypt, mainly from the large radicalized segment of the Egyptian society, a segment of people who are misled and brainwashed by radical Muslim leaders who speak out their poisonous language against Christians from within and outside Egypt. As much as the state is showing sympathy and support to the Christian community, the embedded spirit of rejection and disrespect to the Christian faith and to Christians can’t be overlooked.”

“Wiping off our tears we reach out and look to the skies, to talk to our Father and accept willingly all that He permits to come to His church in Egypt, confident that He feels for our pains without us having to talk about them to Him.”

“We understand that the Egyptian church is passing through a season of pain and testing in preparation for a great and mighty work of God in Egypt. Although, persecution is not new to Egypt and is also a part of our Christian heritage and journey, the increasing attacks and constant pressures we are facing are shaking the foundations of many within and outside the Christian community.”

“True Christians are putting their hope in the Lord, learning more profoundly how to live the spirit of love and forgiveness, while people outside the Christian community are confused about how such dreadful attacks could be committed in favor of “Allah,” the god of Islam.”

“The more attacks that fall on the church in Egypt, the more martyrs we wave goodbye to as they enter heaven, and the more eyes are being opened and hearts are seeking the truth and searching for it.”

Pray for our brothers and sisters in Egypt, and in other places around the world where persecution is happening.

Pray for ourselves that we would not waste our freedom, that we would make the most of every opportunity.