The Monday Message Informational Letter from Pastor Rick What’s Up @ OCC April 27, 2020
Dear Friends,
I found this graphic to be helpful as we continue to live through this pandemic.
It is becoming clearer that this pandemic is not going to end soon. Even when the numbers begin to decline, we will be affected. We have choices to make along the journey.
I don’t think the above illustration means that we progress to the outer “Growth Zone” and remain there. Rather, I believe we move back and forth between Fear Zone, Learning Zone, and Growth Zone. This tool can help each of us know which zone we are operating in on any given day or at any given time.
The question on the left is important: Who do I want to be during COVID-19? Note that who I want to be is not always the same as who I am. Having a goal and a direction can be helpful.
I pray regularly for each of you. This season is wearing on all of us. We all just want it to end. Yet it continues. Please, be kind and forgiving on yourselves. Rest. Reprioritize the things and activities of your life. Relax. And know that God is with you. God is within you. God blesses you, and invites you to be a blessing to someone else.
Grace and peace, friends,
Pastor Rick
The NEW News June Congregational Meeting Postponed
In June we gather to elect officers and leaders for terms beginning July 1. This year’s meeting is postponed, tentatively until September. Current leaders and committee members are asked to continue in their positions until the election.
Renovation Update
The bid for asbestos abatement has been approved, but we are waiting for clearance to begin. Likewise, the permits from Meridian Township are delayed because their offices are closed per the Executive Order. We are ready to move forward when it is safe to continue.
Request to Help OCC Reach More People
You can help OCC reach more people during this pandemic. And it is simple!
Like or Follow the church’s Facebook page.
Every time there is a post from the church, do three things:
LIKE the post
COMMENT on the post
SHARE the post
Those simple things greatly expand our visibility. It makes more people aware of what OCC is doing. While it is easy to think that your hitting like or commenting don’t make a difference, the truth is it does. If 4 people like a post versus 94 or 185, makes a huge difference. Sharing expands that exponentially.
It is a funny thing that while the building is closed and we are not meeting together, we can reach more people. Perhaps someone will become part of OCC, or grow closer to God, or even meet Christ for the first time. Please, help us. Like—Comment—Share. It makes a huge difference.
Reminders Building Closed through May
We’ve decided that the building will remain closed through May. Though the Stay Home—Stay Safe order currently ends on May 15, the reality is that the threat remains. There may be an extension of the order, or some variation thereof. We believe it is not in the best interest of health and safety to begin gathering for worship or face-to-face groups at least through May. We will continue our current pattern of communications and virtual gatherings.
Printed Information for those not online
We’ve begun mailing printed copies of Friday’s weekly e-newsletter to those who are not online or don’t have regular access to email. If you know someone who would like to receive printed information, please let the office know.
How to Get the List of Prayer Concerns & Joys
The list of prayer concerns and joys, like was printed in the weekly worship bulletin, is available upon request. Simply email Stacey in the church office and ask to be included in the weekly Prayer Mailing.
How to Add a Prayer Concern or Joy to the Prayer List
To have concerns added to the list, email or call Stacey in the office. If the prayer is not yours, please get permission from the person before submitting the request.
When prayer concerns are shared with Pastor Rick, he assumes that those prayer requests are confidential and doesn’t automatically add them to the public prayer list.
Gathering Names of High School & College Graduates
Graduations are approaching. Even if Commencement Ceremonies won’t happen this spring, we want to remember and honor graduates connected with OCC. Email Allie Williams if you know of a graduate. Thanks.
Calendar for Week of April 27-May 4 Events in bold are communications/events for everyone.
Monday, April 27
9:00am Office phones answered until 12pm
10:00am Staff Meeting via Zoom
7:00pm Pastor’s Informational Letter (email & Facebook)
Tuesday, April 28
9:00am Office phones answered until 12pm
7:00pm Children, Youth & Family Happenings from Allie Williams (FB)
7:30pm Youth Gathering via Zoom
Wednesday, April 29
9:00am Office phones answered until 12pm
Food Pantry distribution through 3pm
4:00pm Kid’s Bible Story & Craft Time via Zoom
7:00pm Jon’s Inspirational Music post (Facebook)
9:00pm Meetup for Moms via Zoom
Thursday, April 30
9:00am Office phones answered until 12pm
Food Pantry distribution through 3pm
2:00pm Coffee with Pastor Rick via Zoom (link & password available from office)
7:00pm Mid-Week Video Devotion by Pastor Rick (FB)
7:30pm Youth Gathering via Zoom
Friday, May 1 — Office closed
6:30pm Confirmation Virtual Retreat via Zoom
7:00pm Weekly E-Newsletter (email & Facebook)
Saturday, May 2
No planned events
Sunday, May 3
9:00am Video Message of Inspiration & Hope by Pastor Rick
10:30am Youth Sunday Morning Devotion via Zoom
2:30pm High School Only Zoom Chat
Monday, May 4
9:00am Office phones answered until 12pm
10:00am Staff Meeting via Zoom
7:00pm Pastor’s Informational Letter (email & Facebook)
Coffee with Pastor Rick on Thursdays Thursday afternoons at 2:00pm, you’re invited to get a cup of coffee (or tea, or Coke, whatever) and a cookie or snack and join Pastor Rick for coffee and conversation via Zoom.
This is a no agenda gathering. Informal and relaxed, like gathering at a local coffee shop. We’d love to have you join. You’ll need to let the office know you’re hoping to attend so that you can be sent the link and password to join the gathering.
Don’t know how Zoom works? We can walk you through it. You can Zoom through your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. It will also work with a desktop computer when you have a camera and microphone. If you want a head start, go to YouTube and search for “How to use Zoom.” Here is a link to one such helpful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9isp3qPeQ0E
Staff Availability
If you need something, please reach out. Phones are answered 9am-12pm Monday — Thursday.
If no one answers the phone, please leave a voice mail.
If it is an urgent situation needing pastoral care, call the after-hours emergency number 517.258.1275.
Pastor Rick continues to be available for pastoral care and wants to know if you’re ill or hospitalized.
Staff are working remotely as much as possible, but we are available by email.
Offerings and Donations
Thank you so much for sending in your offerings. It is most helpful and appreciated. Your gifts are helping OCC avoid a financial crisis.
Please mail donations to: P.O. Box 680, Okemos, MI 48805 (note the zip code is different for P.O. boxes).
If you’d like to begin EFT giving, call or email the office or Marci Hooper for the forms.
We now have a PayPal option for those who prefer to make donations that way. You make your donation at www.bit.ly/OCCpaypal and please indicate in the notes how you would like your donation applied (General Operating Fund, COJ, etc..) Other Giving Opportunities Pastor’s Discretionary Fund — This fund enables OCC to respond to local needs. We anticipate increased requests in the weeks ahead as people deal with loss of income, especially before unemployment and stimulus checks arrive. We refer requests to Meridian Township for verification, and the township is also able to direct those in need to all governmental resources. When those funds are not available, the township often draws funds from several churches to meet the needs. OCC Food Pantry — Our numbers are beginning to rise. We expect that to continue. At this point, dollars are more helpful than food donations
