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

January’s Okemos Community Church Wednesday Night Alive will feature a special presentation on Environmental Stewardship.  Also, we will have another program in our on-going Mental Health issues series.   Linda Omura (Cherry Tree Catering) continues to provide very tasty fare each week. We do need to have reservations to help with meal planning.  So, make your plans to have dinner with us.  Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. and the program is at 6:30 p.m.  Jan. 11 – Patti McKane will make a presentation on a health concern. Menu:  Sloppy Joes, Oven Fries, Broccoli Salad, RazzleDazzle Berry Pie Jan. 18 – We have a very special program planned with Dr. Michael Nelson, MSU Associate Professor, who will speak to us on the “Ethical Dimensions of Sustainability.”  Dr. Nelson is world-renowned in the area of environmental ethics and philosophy.  Menu:  Barbecued Pork Sandwiches, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Brownies Jan. 25 – Jonathan Henry will lead us in another conversation about MentalHealth issues.  Come with your questions and theme ideas. Menu:  Meatloaf, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, Salad, Pineapple Upside Down Cake Please call the Okemos Community Church office at 517-349-1154  to  reserve your spot for the meal by noon Monday.

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 4:00 pm with a snack at 5:00 p.m.  The high school group will gather at 5:00 pm to share in the snack and then meet until 6:30 p.m.  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, 4:00 and 5:00 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 7:00 p.m., 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 to contact Paul, Jen or Chelsea by noon on Friday, January 13^th.  We will have videos, games, snacks, and all sorts of winter fun. Sunday, January 29 – Between 4:00 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 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.  We will set our first meeting for those who are going and those who may be interested in participating after January 29.  Please make your reservation by then. This project, in the past, has been a powerful and meaningful experience.  Make plans now to be a part of it. For more information about these or any Okemos Community Church youth events, contact the OCC office at 517-349-4220  or email Paul Hartman, plhartman@okemoscommunitychurch.org

Okemos Community Church will be offering two worship services on Christmas Eve. The 7pm services is a Family Worship experience and our Children’s Choir will be singing.  Yes, wiggling children are welcome at this service! We want the whole family to join us in this worship service. The Second Chirstmas Eve. Service will be a Candle Light Service at 11pm. We will be celebrating Communion at this Service.  Should you have any questions please contact Okemos Community Church Office at 517-349-4220.

Okemos Community Church Music Notes:

Handbells: Wednesday at 6:30  Chancel Choir: Wednesday 7:30pm sunday warm up at 10:30am for 11am Service.  Chamber Choir: Sundays 9am for 9:30 Service  Children’s Choir : practice Sundays at 12 noon  Youth/Childrens Handbells: Practice Sundays at 12:30pm

Upcoming events to remember: Family Christmas Program on December 11, 5pm. All are welcome to participate- all ages and skill levels.  Christmas Cantata will be Sunday December 18th at both servies. Rehearsals during regular Chancel Choir rehearsals in November and December. Please contact our Director Alan Nathan at the Okemos Community Church office for more information. 517-349-4220

By now you’ve found the Okemos Community Church Mitten Tree in the center hallway. It is ready for your donations of hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves.  Just add them to the tree as you are able.  Feel free to donate boots and coats in the tub located in the Church office.  By the end of the Advent season we will have dozens of pieces of warm wear to give to the Lyons Elementary School in Lansing.  Please do your part to complete the decorating process. We will be taking them after the Christmas break.

December 1 , 9am & 6:30pm Disciple I Bible Study 

December 3 , 6-9 pm “Parent’s Night Out” (Youth meet at 5:30)

December 4 , 2^nd Sunday of Advent 9:30 & 11 am Service & Church School 8:45am Chamber Choir, noon Children’s Choir, 12:30 Children/Youth Handbells

December 7 – Wednesday Night Alive (WNA) Matt & Margaret De Long – South Africa. 6:30pm Bell Choir, 7:30 Chancel Choir

December 8 , 9am & 6:30pm Disciple I Bible Study

December 9,  7:30pm Christmas Sing-Along (Adult Fellowship) at the home of the Witters

December 10, 9am-noon OCC Women Doing for others, 10am-noon Rehearsal for Church School Play, 5-8 pm. Youth Christmas Party at Church (Locations change) (remember $10 “grab bag” gift)

December 11, 3^nd Sunday of Advent 9:30 & 11 am Service & Church School, Operation Santa Sunday, 8:45am Chamber Choir, 5 pm Family Christmas Concert (combining the Children’s Program/ Family Music Concert). Youth Group will attend concert, noon Children’s Choir, 12:30 Children/Youth Handbells

December 12, Operation Santa Sort, 7pm Finance Committee meeting

December 13, 7pm Membership Committee & Cabinet are meeting 

December 14   5:30 dinner, Las Posadas Service6:30 followed by breaking of the piñata. 6:30pm Bell Choir, 7:30 Chancel Choir

December 15, 9am & 6:30pm Disciple I Bible Study 

December 17 10-noon Cantata Rehearsal

December 18  4th Sunday of Advent 9:30 & 11 am Service & Church School Cantata,  No youth fellowship,  12 noon Children’s Choir, 12:30 Children/Youth Handbells

December 21 at 6:30pm Bell Choir, 7:30 Chancel Choir, 7:15 p.m. CHRISTMAS CAROLING We will leave the Church. (no WNA program or dinner) Youth will be joining.

December 22, 9am & 6:30pm Disciple I Bible Study

December 24 7pm FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE everyone is welcome!  A child friendly service (no child care provided). 11pm Candlelight Communion Service.

December 25 One Service at 10am.  No youth fellowship

December 26 & 27 Church office closed

December 28 – 7:30am Ladies Coffee @ Dusty’s. No WNA during the holiday break.  6:30pm Bell Choir, 7:30 Chancel Choir

December 29 , no Disciple I classes today

January 1st  One Service at 10am.  No youth fellowship

 Other groups using Church:

Mondays – 7pm Boy Scouts, Mother’s Prayer Group & Heart to Heart (2^nd and 4^th Mondays)

Tuesdays – 6pm Kiwanis

Thursdays-7pm AA & Substance Abuse 

Okemos Community Church is pleased to announce that we will be combining the traditional Children’s Christmas Program and the Family Music Program in to one event on Sunday December 11 at 5pm. The Family Christmas Programwill combine for an extraordinary show  that showcases the musical talents of OCC friends and family, and the dramatic talents of our church school youth and children. Rehearsal Saturday December 10 10am to Noon

This month, Okemos Community Church Wednesday Night Alive programs will feature the Las Posadas worship with the breaking of the piñata.  The meals are wonderful.  Linda Omura (Cherry Tree Catering) continues to provide very tasty fare each week.  We do need to have reservations to help with meal planning.  So, make your plans to have dinner with us! December 7 – Matt and Margaret De Long will share pictures and stories from their recent trip to South Africa. Menu:  Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles, Vegetable medley, Garlic Bread, and Apple Brown Betty .

December 14 – We will celebrate our annual Las Posadas Service. This is a service from the Hispanic tradition that is intended for the whole family.  We will have a piñata for the children following the service. Menu:  Chicken Enchiladas, Fish Tacos, Refried Beans, and Root Beer Floats. December 21 – No WNA meal or program this week, but please join us for Christmas Caroling at 7:15 p.m. December 28 – No WNA during the holiday break.  Reservations for dinner are needed each week! (by Monday 12 Noon) Please call the Okemos Community Church Office at 517-349-4220.