This year’s Lenten Study at Okemos Community Church will use material from Adam Hamilton, based on his book, 24 Hours That Changed the World.  The class sessions will include a video presentation followed by a discussion.  We will have two study opportunities:  Sunday evenings @  6-7:30 pm and  Wednesday evenings @  6:15-7:30 pm The five study sessions will include: February 26 & 29 The Garden of Gethsemane  March 4 & 7 Condemned by the Righteous March 11 & 14 Jesus, Barabbas, and Pilate March 18 & 21 The Torture and Humiliation of the King March 25 & 28 The Crucifixion  

The Okemos Community Church Book Club will be meeting next on Tuesday, March 20^th, at 7:00 p.m., in the Lounge, to discuss The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford.  This novel is a tender story about a young Chinese-American boy growing up in Seattle during the II World War.  A complete list of all O.C.C. Book Club selections and meeting dates are available from the church office 517-349-4220.  We welcome everyone who likes to read and talk about books!

The Okemos Community Church Spring Break Work Project for youth and adults will take place April 3-6, 2012.  We will work with the Sunset Gap Community Center in Cosby, Tennessee.  Middle and high school youth are invited to participate.  This work project, in the past, has been a powerful and meaningful experience. Make plans now to be a part of the project and the fund-raising activities. You must contact Paul Hartman, plhartman@okemoscommunitychurch.org or 517-349-4220, by Sunday, March 11^th, to secure a place for this experience.

Okemos Community Church will continue our Lenten Study during our Wednesday Night Alive program time.  Our study is called, “24 Hours That Changed the World.”  It is a study with Adam Hamilton on DVD.  We will follow the events which led to Jesus’ crucifixion.  Please feel free to participate.  The class begins with a video presentation followed by discussion.  In order to maximize our discussion time, we will begin the Lenten Study at 6:15 pm Dinner will be offered at 5:30pm. Please call the Okemos Community Church office to make dinner reservation. The menu is as follows: March 4 – Menu: Roasted Lemon Chicken, Roasted Cabbage Wedges, Potato Fan, Cookies and Ice Cream March 11 – Menu: Pizza, Greek Salad, and Strawberry Pretzel Dessert March 18 – Menu: Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing, Sweet Bacon Chicken Strips, Fried Rice, and Lemon Cake March 25 – Menu: Pork Chops with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables, Apple Pie and Ice Cream

Okemos Community Church 2011 CROP Hunger 25 Walkers who raised $5,370. 25% of our total will stay in the Greater Lansing community. OCC earned a matching gift of $50 for having an attendee at the Recruiters’ Rally in September !st.  OCC also ranked first of thirteen churches and organizations that raised money using the “Walk on the Web” Church World Service donation website. Our on-line total was $1,760 ! Thank you to our Walkers, Rockers, and generous Sponsors / Donors.  Also thank you to everyone who helped promote the walk and recruit Walkers and Rockers at our church. Please mark your calendar for the 2012 walk:  Sunday, October 14, 2012 !

The sacrament of Baptism is currently scheduled for April 29^th   at Okemos Community Church. If you would like to arrange for baptism for yourself or your child at that time, or at a future date, please give the Okemos Community Church office a call at 517-349-4220.

The sacrament of Holy Communion will be offered in worship at Okemos Community Church next on Thursday, April 5^th, at 7:30 pm, as part of our Maundy Thursday worship service.  If you would like the sacrament brought to you in your home, please phone the Okemos Community Church office at 517-349-4220.  Arrangements will be made for one of the pastors to visit you.

Classes for those interested in joining in membership with the congregation of Okemos Community Church will be held on: Sunday, March 18^th, and Sunday March 25^th from 12:15 – 1:45, in the Chapel.  Childcare will be provided and a light lunch will be served.  If you would like to take part in these classes, please give the Okemos Community Church office a call at 517-349-4220 to indicate your participation.  New members will be received during worship on April 1^st.

The Okemos Community Church Book Club will be meeting next on Tuesday, May 15^th, at 7 pm, in the OCC Lounge, to discuss: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, by Helen Simonson.  This is a novel about the unlikely friendship between a retired Englishman and a Pakistani shopkeeper and how this friendship changes them – and those around them.  Anyone who likes to read and talk about books is invited to attend.

The Okemos Community Church Spring Break Work Project for youth and adults will take place April 3-6, 2012.  We will work with the Sunset Gap Community Center in Cosby, Tennessee.  Middle and high school youth are invited to participate.  This work project, in the past, has been a powerful and meaningful experience. Make plans now to be a part of the project and the fund-raising activities. You must contact Paul Hartman, plhartman@okemoscommunitychurch.org or 517-349-4220, by Sunday, March 11^th, to secure a place for this experience.