Each Sunday you can view a video message from Pastor Rick
written to bring the comfort, strength, and hope of God's Word
to our current circumstance.
Sunday videos are available beginning at 9am.
Pastor Rick is also recording a mid-week devotion every Thursday.
Shorter and simpler, these talks are a source encouragement
and designed to uplift your spirits.
Thursday devotions are available beginning at 7pm.
Click the Button Below to view past OCC Sermons and
Mid-week Devotionals
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. Simplyemail Staceyin the church office and ask to be included in the weekly Prayer Mailing.
Why don’t we simply include that list in the weekly e-newsletter? Because that email blast goes to a wider audience than our local church. To respect people’s privacy, we try to keep the prayer list an in-house communication. We’d love to have you praying for these people and their needs. Ask to join.
To have concerns added to the list, email Stacey, too. 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.
We are continuing to do our best to stay connected with you during this time of social distancing.
Printed Information for those not online We’ve begun sending printed copies of the weekly e-newsletter to those people 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 theofficeknow.
Thursdays at 2:00pm, you are invited to get a cup of coffee (or tea, or Coke, or your favorite drink) and a cookie or snack and join Pastor Rick for coffee and conversation via Zoom. You’ll need to let the office know you’re attending so that you can be sent the link and password to join the gathering. Pastor Rick will plan to be online in the Zoom gathering room by 1:45pm so that there is time to get everyone connected and somewhat familiar by 2pm.
By the way, Zoom is a video-based gathering. You will be seen by others.Just a heads up that you might want to comb your hair (or not) and have on appropriate clothes.
This is a no agenda gathering. Informal and relaxed, like gathering at a local coffee shop. We’d love to have you join.
Need help navigating Zoom? Click the button below for helpful tips and information on getting started.
When the OCC sewing group formed and was brainstorming about a name, we wanted to convey the idea that although our initial mission was to sew dignity bags to be filled with menstrual products for Helping Women Period, we also wanted to be open to other projects in the future. We decided that “Sew Much More!” captured that concept.
We expanded our projects last summer, to include making Church World Service School Kit bags; but never in our wildest imagination did we think we would be sewing masks in the midst of a pandemic!
Several women have been sewing for a couple weeks and have made over 260 masks that have been distributed to friends, families, neighbors, and more.
If you are in need of a mask, please contact Deb Hallgren at DLHallgren@Comcast.net or at 517/349-3493 and she will make arrangements for you to receive a mask.
NOTE: Elastic is in short supply, so if you have any in your sewing box that you are willing to donate, please contact Deb. 1/8” or 1/4” is the best, but we will accept any width and cut it down.
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 (both High School and College)
Additionally, for our We Care About “U” College Care Packages we will be sending electronic gift cards to our OCC college students who have online finals. If you have a student you would like us to remember or you would like to support this program financially, please emailAllie Williams.
Special Music Provided by:
Lindsay Campell and accompanied by Cwen Homa
The primary things happening in the building are the Food Pantry and staff work to keep things going.
Do not expect to enter the building. Beyond staff, others entering the building must be pre-authorized by Pastor Rick or Office Manager Beth.
In compliance with an Ingham Country order, everyone entering the building must check-in and complete a health screening.
During this time, even staff members are coordinating their time in the building to avoid being in the building at the same time, and observing strict disinfecting practices.
Supporting the Church during the Pandemic
Thank you for your gifts. Even though we are not meeting in the building, all staff members are working their regular hours. Payroll, utilities, and expenses continue. Your faithful giving will help us avoid a financial crisis. Thank you for continuing to give.
There are three ways to give:
1. Mail your gift to P.O. Box 680, Okemos, MI 48805. (Note the zip code for P.O. boxes is different. Do not send to the street address. We do not have a mailbox on site and therefore the Post Office will send your mail back to you, and that can take 3-5 weeks.)
2. EFT giving (Electronic Fund Transfer). See the authorization form below. We use Vanco services for this. It makes giving automatic. Choose your giving pattern (weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, annually). You may also designate gifts to special offerings, renovation, monthly missions, etc. Contact the office or treasurer Marci Hooper for more information.
3. PayPal online giving.Follow the link below and make your donation online. This operates through the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church.Important--please know that unless otherwise specified in the notes, your donation will go to the General Operating Budget.
To GIVE ONLINE click the button below.
April Mission Focus
Refugee Services
St. Vincent Catholic Charities is the resettlement agency for
Mid-Michigan.
Each year STVCCcompassionately resettles 500 to 800 refugees from all over the world. STVCC finds housing, greets each new arrival at the airport, provides orientation, case management, support for health appointments, enrollment in schools and community services and helps everyone secure jobs. The goal of the resettlement program is self-sufficiency. Please note “April Refugee” on your check memo.
OCC Food Pantry Remains Open and Sees Increasing Use
Thanks to your generosity and countless hours of many people and staff, we continue to feed our neighbors who are food insecure. We believe the need is especially critical during this season of crisis. Thank you for all you do.
In compliance with an order of Ingham County to continue Food Pantry operation, everyone entering the building must sign in and complete a health screening.
The OCC Food Pantry sends a huge thank you to New Hope Church for donating personal needs items for our pantry families
and 2-42 Church for picking up our large Meijer orders!
Click herefor an update from 4.21.20 on some of the ways
we are connecting with our OCC Kids and Youth!
*Youth Sessions: Tues/Thurs 7:30pm (unless notified) *Sunday Morning Devotionals for Youth: Sunday from 10:30-11:15am *HS Only Chats: Sundays at 2:30pm (won't meet Easter Sunday) *Bible Story Time & Lesson for Kids: Wednesdays at 4:00pm Meetup for Moms: Wednesdays at 9:00pm Elementary Sunday School at Home Videos and Resources sent via e-mail on Fridays *all sessions are conducted via ZOOM Meetings
Let's Celebrate
Sarah Beck
OCC Children & Youth Ministry Intern
Sarah is graduating from MSU in May with a degree in Special Education!
Let's send Sarah lots of well wishes and congratulations on a job well done!
Cards can be sent to: 6733 English Oak Dr, East Lansing, MI, 48823
OCC FAMILY FUN TONIGHT Zoom Trivia Night
for OCC Families with Kids & Youth
Hosts: Allie Williams & Sarah Beck
Friday, April 24th @ 7:00pm RSVP to Allie and get Zoom Meeting ID, Password, & Instructions on Kahoots! Trivia
Youth Confirmation Zoom Style Retreat
Friday, May 1st (Time TBA/evening) More details to follow--check your e-mail!
If you are looking for online resources for prayer and spiritual practices please take a moment to look at these resources:
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 680, Okemos, MI 48805 e-mail: office@okemosOCC.org
phone: 517-349-4220 www.OkemosOCC.org
Pastoral Care Emergencies
(Use this number after office hours, evenings, weekends)
517-258-1275
