Sunday Mornings Services at 9:15 and 11:00am
OPC Mini-Newsletter – November 20, 2020
But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43: 1-2
Debilitating fear comes to us in different ways. For example, there is fear of failure, change, dying, and fear of being alone. So many in our world live every day with the fear of not having enough, fear of persecution, fear of physical harm and oppression.
Life in this world can be a scary place, and fear is something we all must face.
The Bible tells us over and over again, “Do not be afraid!” The comforting words in our Isaiah reading today is empowering “Do not fear. I will be with you. I have called you by name, you are mine.” At the birth of Jesus, the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people (Luke 2: 10)” Remember in the story of Jesus’ resurrection, both the angel at the tomb and Jesus on the road began their conversation with the women by saying, “Do not be afraid…”
The women’s experience here was overwhelming, and their fear was real. However, please know that the power of the resurrection reminds and assures us that Jesus our Lord cares for his people and is with them in whatever times and situations may come in the future.
Because Jesus won the victory over death, and rose from the dead, we know that Jesus is with us always through the Holy Spirit. We can experience freedom from being afraid because God’s presence and strength is with us to face whatever comes.
Blessings,
Pastor Ed
Our OPC family has been finding interesting ways to deal with ‘covid boredom’. According to a reliable source, Jean Mutch recently participated in a fun event and ended up tattooed! She’s now known as the ‘Tattooed Lady’!
FAREWELL TO REV. ED
A. Parting Gift
Rev. Ed is completing his work as the Lead Minister, for the last nine years, at Oakridge Presbyterian Church. You have an opportunity to express your thanks through a monetary gift.
Ways to give:
1) Drop your gift envelope in the mailbox beside the office door at the church
2) Mail cheque to the church
3) PayPal or e-transfer. *Please indicate on comment line “Rev. Ed gift”
Please make cheques payable to: Oakridge Presbyterian Church and write “Rev. Ed gift” on the memo line. It is important to note, that these funds would not be eligible for a tax receipt. The deadline for receiving these funds is December 13th. The gift presentation will take place on Sunday, December 20th at the 9:15am service. This will be Rev. Ed’s last Sunday Service at OPC.
B. Memory Book
We would like to give Rev. Ed a book of memories of OPC to take with him. We encourage you to send or email your remembrances, meaningful anecdotes, pictures and appreciative comments about Rev. Ed’s contributions to the life of our congregation, etc. to Wilma Boyce wboyce@oakridge.london.on.ca or drop off at the church personally.
C. Video Memories
Anyone interested in submitting a farewell video message can send it to Jeff Hopkins who will collect all the video submissions, and create a unified video which will also be presented to Rev. Ed along with our congregational gift. Jeff Hopkins: jhopkins@oakridge.london.on.ca Please send short videos to Jeff by e-mail, Google Drive or WETransfer for larger video files. Contact Jeff if you have problems.
DONATION UPDATE TO OCTOBER 31, 2020
The year to date donations has fallen behind budget by about $18,000 with givings of $434,963 to budget of $452,600. Traditionally, November and particularly December are a time of additional generosity and giving. As 2020 has been a difficult year for many people we ask for your prayerful consideration.
Graham Ashbourne
Finance & Technology, Chair
Alternate Donation Methods Available:
Many in our congregation have always used church envelopes to make tithes and offerings. However, during this time of the coronavirus pandemic, you may welcome the opportunity and ease of use of one of these alternate and convenient donation methods:
KIDS MIN
Join us in Kids Ministry each Sunday during the 9:15am and 11am services. Spaces are limited so book early! More teachers are needed for both services.
Thursday nights at 7:30 pm - Join us for our Kids Min Zoom!
Christmas Pageant is underway. Please contact Sonia for details.
YOUTH GROUP
Sunday Mornings - We will be meeting in person for our Sunday Morning lessons during the 9:15 and 11:00 am services. We will meet downstairs in the Friendship Hall. Spaces are limited so book early! While we are moving to an in-person class, we will continue to offer our Youth lesson on our YouTube channel for those who are not ready to attend in person. See you soon!
Wednesday Evenings 6:30 – 7:30pm - Our Mid-Week Youth group meeting will also be moving to an in-person experience. Every Wednesday at 6:30 pm, we will meet in the Sanctuary! Our youth group time will also be available on Zoom in order to be accessible to as many interested students as possible. Please register online at https://reopen.church/r/qoJQaCg5. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff!
YOUNG ADULTS
Zoom Bible Study will be continuing this Sunday at 12:30 as we study the book of Acts. Email Jeff to get a link to be part of the study.
PASTORAL / ADULT MINISTRY NEWS
"THE CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE" is up and ready to be decorated.
From SUNDAY, NOV. 15 UNTIL SUNDAY DEC. 13TH we will again be collecting money to purchase gift cards or other supplies to make Christmas a time of God's abundance for people in need. With each donation we will add an ornament to the Christmas Giving Tree.
Please help to decorate as we celebrate our giving.
If you are aware of a need, please contact Wilma or Rev. Ed.
Prayer is a strong foundation for our relationship with God and with people. We have several groups that take prayer requests. If you would like more information about joining or making a prayer request please call the church office (519) 471-2290.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) PAINTERS NEEDED – We are looking for experienced painters to volunteer to help us paint the Upper Room and Atrium. With many events cancelled due to the coronavirus, this is a great time to freshen up the church so we are looking our best when things return to ‘normal’. Contact John Radossevich 519-471-2290 X231 jradossevich@oakridge.london.on.ca
2) SNOW SHOVELLER NEEDED for Sunday mornings to clear sidewalks/entrances for services. This is a paid position. Please contact John Radossevich.
3) WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER
Thursday, December 10th from 2 - 3:30 pm - Theme: “JOY”!!
Join us for a variety of activities and discussions as we discover together the real meaning of joy! We will be masked and socially distanced.
*Items for Rothholme Women’s Shelter will be greatly appreciated.*
Please let us know if you are able to join us so we will be prepared.
Karen: guentke@yahoo.com / Nancy: martinnancy@gmail.com / Judy: jbheyjude@gmail.com.
4) “2020 OPC CHRISTMAS DINNER” HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A "VIRTUAL RELAY"
This fundraising event runs from November 22, 2020, to December 13, 2020
Entry fee cost: Adult ($25), Kids & Youth ($10), and family ($50)
Choose one of the following options:
Everyone who joins the mission will be given a mini Christmas tree. (Substitution may be required depending on participation numbers.)
Prizes will be drawn on December 13th for those who have joined the mission.
Funds raised will go toward mission work in Mongolia. Jonathan Kim and Hoesook Choi have been working for the Family and Recovery ministry for 23 years. They are serving Mongolian families with difficult situations and nurturing local ministers, as well.
For more information contact the church office.
5) “I DREAM A WORLD: A CONCERT OF HOPE” - the Karen Schuessler Singers presents its first online concert. Join us on November 21 at 7:00 pm
We are excited to share with you some of our favourite pieces that speak of the path to a better future. This concert proclaims the kind of all-important hope that inspires the Dream we all have for our world and ignites the desire to move in ways to make that Dream a reality. Only hope does this. It is a two-prong blessing—imagining the Dream and inspiring the Action to bring it to pass. Nothing changes without those two things.
The concert link will be posted on the KSS homepage: www.kssingers.com just before the concert. Visit the website now to find more information about the concert. Kindly consider making a tax-deductible donation to keep the music happening!
REOPENING INFORMATION:
Your health and well-being is very important to us. Here are a few things that we want you to know before joining us.
EDICT FOR ADMISSION OF ELDERS 2020
Whereas, Kevin Ahn, Brock Childerhose, Janet Donkervoort, Nancy Dool-Kontio, Gord Miller, Bob Shirley, Diane Staines, and Ben Song, members of this church, have been duly elected to the eldership by the congregation during the on-line Annual meeting concluded on May 22 2020, and have been approved by the Session, notice is hereby given that the Session will proceed to admit, Kevin Ahn, Brock Childerhose, Janet Donkervoort, Nancy Dool-Kontio, Gord Miller, Bob Shirley, Diane Staines, and Ben Song, to the office on the 29th day of November in the year 2020, at the 9:15 a.m. worship service, unless some valid objection has been given unto the Moderator within ten days from this date.
Robert Shirley, Clerk of Session
FYI
Please be aware that there are phone scams circulating that target seniors. Scammers might get seniors to wire or send them money by claiming to be a family member who is in trouble and needs money. If you get such a phone call, ask some questions that only your loved one would know the answer to. They might also solicit money from the elderly by posing as a fake charity, especially after a natural disaster.
