Okemos Community Church’s second “Sunday on Saturday” Worship will be held on Saturday, January 28^th, at 5:00 in the Chapel.  Our theme for this service of worship will be interpersonal communication.  “Sunday on Saturday Worship” is designed to be contemporary and casual and may or may not be a substitute for your participation in Sunday morning worship.  If you’d like more information about this service, please give the Okemos Community Church office a call at 517-349-4220.

The Okemos Community Church Mission Buckets will go to the City Rescue Mission. The need for shelter bed space has quadrupled from 33 to over 132 each night. Currently, it is not uncommon to shelter in excess of 150 men, women and children. As of 2011, approximately 150,000 meals were prepared for guests. Prayerfully consider assisting the Mission as plans are being made to expand the men’s dormitories, kitchen and food handling capabilities.

Okemos Community Church Youth Fellowship meetings are for both middle school and high school youth on Sunday afternoons.  Generally the middle school group will meet at 4 pm with a snack at 5 p.m.  The high school group will gather at 5 pm to share in the snack and then meet until 6:30 pm.  Occasionally, we will have a special activity.  Please note if there are different times and locations.  As usual, we encourage you to bring a friend. Sunday, January 1  There will be no Youth Fellowship activity this day. Sunday, January 8  We will have a C.L.U.B. meeting this day.  Groups come at the usual times, 4 and 5 p.m.

Reservations for the Mid-Winter Retreat by noon  Friday, January 13 .  Be sure to let Jen, Chelsea or Paul know if you plan to attend. Sunday, January 15  We will all meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. for a “Study Hall” in preparation for exams.  Bring your materials and you will find Pizza and a few tutors. Mid-Winter Retreat at Wesley Woods, Friday to Sunday, January 20-22.  Friday, January 20, at 7pm, we will meet at the church to go to Wesley Woods.    We will return on Sunday morning by 10:00 a.m.  The cost of this event is $90 with a reduced rate for a second member of a family.  This covers four meals and two nights.   Registrations are due by noon on Friday, January 13^th.  We will have videos, games, snacks, and all sorts of winter fun. Sunday, January 29  Between 4 and 6:30 p.m. we will be preparing the dinner meal for the families that are staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  Meet at the church at 3:45 p.m. The Okemos Community Church Spring Break Work Project for youth and adults will take place April 1-7, 2012. 

For more information about these or any Okemos Community Church Youth Events, contact Paul Hartman, plhartman@okemoscommunitychurch.org or the Church office at 517-349-4220

The annual business meeting of the Okemos Community Church congregation will be held on Sunday, January 22nd at 1:00 p.m., in the sanctuary.  Stu Hallgren, Cabinet Chairperson, will lead us through our agenda.  Items include the 2012 general budget of the church and our membership report.  We will also receive an update on the progress of our Capital Fund Campaign. A light lunch will be served after the 11 a.m. worship service prior to the 1 p.m. meeting time.  All members of the congregation are encouraged to attend. Should you have any questions please contact the church Office

The Okemos Community Church Book Club  will be meeting next on Tuesday, January 17^th, at 7:00 pm, in the Lounge, to discuss:  The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,  by Rebecca Skloat.   This non-fiction book is an account of the life of a woman whose cells, taken without her knowledge, became one of the most important tools in modern medicine. A complete list of all O.C.C. Book Club selections and meeting dates listed below.  We welcome everyone who likes to read and talk about books! Please contact the Okemos Community Church Office with questions 517-349-4220

BOOK GROUP SELECTIONS 2012 February 21: I Still Dream About You By Fannie Flagg  March 20: Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet  By Jamie Ford  April 17: Zoo Story By Thomas French  May 15  Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand By Helen Simonson June 19 Choosing Books for Coming Year

Okemos Community Church Food Bank   has been serving our community for over 25 years. We are a member of the Greater Lansing Food Bank. (Pantry b-O-00448-30) Client referrals come from the Ingham County Department of Social Services 517-8874957 and also from Meridian Township Human Services.  As we have very limited facilities for fresh or frozen items, clients are also given a gift card, according to size, to shop at Meijers. It has been exciting to see youth involved in food drives from churches, schools and scouting  this year as over half of the recipients of the OCC Food Bank are ages 0-17years.  We are grateful for your support to meet the  increasing need for food assistance in our own community. Our January  Shopping list includes the following :  Canned Meat - chicken, stew or  chilli, Peanut butter, Crackers, Envelope Seasoning- Fried Rice, Beef Stew,  Meatloaf etc.  Please leave your non perishable food donations in the shopping cart outside the Church office or call the office (349-4220) to set up a drop off time.

Please note cash donations are always needed to purchase food to round out the donations so we can insure we are providing the recommended food assortment. Checks should be made payable to Okemos Community Church noting food panty in memo line. Thank you.  Please call the church office for more information. (517) 349-4220

Okemos Community Church is scheduled to collect Personal Needs for Christian Services. They are given to people needing a “New Beginning” Please leave your donations in the office any weekday or Sunday morning during January. Needed items include: Paper products of all types, Shampoo & conditioner, Combs and Brusher, Deodorant, any kind of soap (shower, hand, laundry), Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Mouthwash and Lotion

 The Okemos Community Church Spring Break Work Project for youth and adults will take place April 1-7, 2012.  We will work with the Sunset Gap Community Center in Cosby, Tennessee.  Middle and high school youth are able to participate.    Please contact Paul Hartman plhartman@okemoscommunitychurch.org or the Church office at 517-349-4220 to indicate your interest in attending by January 29^th . We will let you know the information about  our first meeting for those who are going and those who may be interested in participating after January 29.This project, in the past, has been a powerful and meaningful experience.  Make plans now to be a part of it!

Okemos Community Church Youth Fellowship meetings are for both middle school and high school youth on Sunday afternoons.  Generally the middle school group will meet at 4 pm with a snack at 5 p.m.  The high school group will gather at 5 pm to share in the snack and then meet until 6:30 pm.  Occasionally, we will have a special activity.  Please note if there are different times and locations.  As usual, we encourage you to bring a friend. Sunday, January 1 – There will be no Youth Fellowship activity this day.  Sunday, January 8 – We will have a C.L.U.B. meeting this day.  Groups come at the usual times, 4 and 5 p.m. Friday, January 13 – We need your reservations for the Mid-Winter Retreat by noon this Day.  Be sure to let Jen, Chelsea or Paul know if you plan to attend. Sunday, January 15 – We will all meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. for a “Study Hall” in preparation for exams.  Bring your materials and you will find Pizza and a few tutors. Mid-Winter Retreat at Wesley Woods, Friday to Sunday, January 20-22.  Friday, January 20, at 7pm, we will meet at the church to go to Wesley Woods.    We will return on Sunday morning by 10:00 a.m.  The cost of this event is $90 with a reduced rate for a second member of a family.  This covers four meals and two nights.  Remember registrations are due by noon on Friday, January 13^th.  We will have videos, games, snacks, and all sorts of winter fun. Sunday, January 29 – Between 4 and 6:30 p.m. we will be preparing the dinner meal for the families that are staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  Meet at the church at 3:45 p.m. The Okemos Community Church Spring Break Work Project for youth and adults will take place April 1-7, 2012.  For more information about these or any Okemos Community Church Youth Events, contact Paul Hartman, plhartman@okemoscommunitychurch.org or the Church office at 517-349-4220

Rev. Jeanne Randels will begin the series of Confirmation Classes for the young people of Okemos Community Church, grades 6-9, in February.  These classes are designed for youth who are interested in becoming adult members of Okemos Community Church.  It is essential that participants are present for all of these classes.  Eligible young people will be receiving letters from me inviting them to be part of this class and giving them the schedule of class meetings.  Please contact the Okemos Community Church office at 517-349-4220 if you’d like to have your young person enrolled in this class. Thanks, Jeanne