Happening at Orchard!

Friends,
I want to encourage all of us to adhere to the orders from our government officials to stay at home as much as possible and practice social distancing in response to the Coronavirus. This is particularly important for our senior population who are at a much higher risk. Taking these steps is the best thing we can do, not only to protect ourselves but also to protect others, which is a part of Jesus’ call for us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Mt. 22:31). Further, doing these things is our best hope to help stop the spread of the virus and move us more quickly past this pandemic and back to our normal way of life. Even if some feel that these orders are an overreaction to this situation, I would remind us that our faith calls us to be good citizens and to submit to our governing authorities (Rm. 13:1-7).

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Matt

The local homeless shelters are needing volunteers to help with the current crisis and are asking the churches for help. They will provide protective gear, masks, and gloves. People who volunteer should not be in the comprised group. ie. over 65 or with underlying health issues. They need 4 in Oxnard and 4 in Ventura per day. People can sign up at the link below. If you need help signing up email Donna Levi at twinkieflyer@gmail.com.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094fadae23a46-shelter2

A.B. Mask - for a Nurse by a Nurse Ventura County Health Agency is sewing masks for our healthcare professionals and is asking for help.

Looking for people willing to sew, cut and/or be a driver to help with the project (deliver fabric, pick up masks from those who can’t leave their homes, etc.) please fill out this google form. If you are interested, please do the form and ask any questions on the form to avoid filling my inbox.

Below are the basic instructions to get you started. Thank you for your willingness to sew and donate your time, talent and fabric for this endeavor. If you are showing signs of symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat), please do not sew or cut fabric.

Link for mask instructions: https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse/

Material: Use two (best is three layers if possible) new thick pieces of 100% cotton with no blends in between for infection control. Elastic disintegrates in hospital laundry autoclave. We need ties for these masks. There is a good chance these masks will be used for 5 months. At this time we need quality over quantity for healthcare workers and more people to sew.

Drop off: at Gina Ferrer (Trauma Nurse) home located at 765 Saratoga Avenue, Ventura CA 93003 805-216-2165. Gina will drop off and distribute at the hospital to health care workers to reduce your exposure.

Amy Towner 805-794-7651 is the point of contact for this project, amy.towner@ventura.org

If you need fabric, we have contacts that can get it to you. Please do not go to the store to buy it.

Online Service

While we can't be gathered together physically at the church we were so encouraged by the community and connection that happened this past weekend on our first online service. We are excited to continue to worship together in this way.

This Sunday we will begin to gather online at OrchardVentura.Online.Church at 10 am for a time to check-in and chatting with one another, just like our time on the patio. The service will begin at 10:30 am

This weeks Message

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Psalm 23:6 and John 14:1-6

Jesus, the Good Shepherd of the 23^rd Psalm, has love/mercy on us and is the way for us to have a place in God’s house forever.

Cody Schulze Preaching

Children's Bible Activity Sheets

You can even print out the following Bible Activity Worksheets your kids typically find Sunday mornings at church on the clipboards!

Last weeks Service

Missed the service last week?

No worries, you can watch it or listen to it!

Tithing

GIVE ONLINE

Giving online is safe and easy with Pushpay. Use the link below, download the app, or text orchardventura to 77977.

Give with Pushpay

BANK BILL PAY

Your bank most likely offers a bill pay service. Go to your bank’s website and log on to your account. Find the “Bill Pay” tab and set up a one time or recurring payment(s). Your check will be mailed to the church office.

CHECK

Make your check payable to “Orchard Community Church” and drop it by or mail it to the church office.

Prayer

Prayer doesn't stop because we can not come together.

If you have a prayer request or praise report please email us at

prayerchain@orchardventura.org and we will continue to lift those up to God.

Significant Sacrifice Campaign

Have you considered giving up something for Lent? If it is a monetary item (like a daily or weekly treat from Starbucks, eating out, etc) we ask you to consider donating that money to our Significant Sacrifice Campaign. What may seem like an insignificant amount of money ($5 a week or day for that Starbucks treat) makes a significant difference in the life and health of an entire village, not only now, but for generations to come!

Are you in?

Click here to donate!

Holy Week Devotional

We wanted to let you know that we will be canceling our Maundy Thursday service. Instead, we are excited to offer you a Holy Week Devotional written by Pastor Matt. It will be available and emailed out to you in next week's email and also available on the homepage of our website.

Children's Ministry

Birth through 5th grade

Hello Orchard Families!!

Our Orchard Kids team is so sad that we won't be able to meet together for a while during this time of preventing the spread of illness. I will be emailing and posting our weekly "Take Home" sheet which lists the Bible reference for the lesson we would have done together. This will enable parents to look up the passage in the Bible and share it with your kids. The take-home sheet will help you draw out the theme and give you an activity to do with your family.

The take-home sheet will also include the Orchard Kids monthly memory verse. You can let me know they've learned the verse via social media and I will enter their name in our monthly drawing. I will announce the March winner on Sunday, March 29th on Facebook.

Please like and follow Orchard Kids and Orchard Community Church and Melinda Hoyt on Facebook and Instagram in order to receive special announcements and maybe even some videos!

Please let me know if your family has any needs during this time! I will sure miss them and can't wait to be back together again. In the meantime, be safe and enjoy the extra family time!

Melinda Hoyt
Children's Ministry Director
805-647-3757 ext 123

Orchard Youth Ministry

Middle and High School Students

Greetings and Peace to you

In case you have not heard, Orchard is respecting the guidelines set down by the powers that be. Since we could not ensure that there would be 6 feet of separation at our gatherings, we have suspended all events until further notice.

Our youth program is still committed to the students during this time and is working to create unique and safe ways to connect that would not risk exposing people to the Covid-19 virus. Below you will find instructions on the best ways to stay in touch as well as what we have planned.

Google Hangouts is a free online platform that allows people to connect remotely. With voice and video calls, it is ideal to use during this time. If you/your student does not already have a Gmail account, I ask that you make one. Gmail accounts are free and secure.

In order to keep the Youth Group Hangout secure, I ask that you send me their Gmail address and I will add each individual. I will send out a Remind text each Tuesday and Thursday as a reminder that we are meeting and students will be able to join when ready.

If you have questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me!

Cody Schulze
Youth Director
805-647-3757 ext 125

or

Youth Intern
Noelle Basta

Click here for the 2020 March Orchard Life Issue

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