The Okemos Community Church February Mission Buckets recipient is the Michigan State University (MSU) Safe Place. The MSU Safe Place has been offering shelter, education and support services to the campus and greater Lansing area since 1994. Providing temporary and safe shelter, advocacy, support and referrals for MSU students, staff, faculty, or their partners, as well as greater Lansing community members, including the minor children of those who are victimized. Free and confidential services include a 18 bed safe shelter and ,  support services; including phone support/consultation, weekly support group, individual counseling, transportation and child care. In addition to the OCC Mission Bucket donations, in a box in the reception area of the OCC office we will collect personal needs including soaps, paper products and cleaning supplies and gift cards. Please contact the Okemos Community Church office for more information at 517-349-4220.

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.  These classes will be 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 sacrament of Holy Communion will be offered in worship next at Okemos Community Church on Sunday, February 26^th (the first Sunday in Lent) at 9:30 a.m. by intinction and at 11:00 a.m. in the pews.  Holy Communion will be served again on Thursday, April 5^th, during the Maundy Thursday Worship at 6:30 p.m.  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.

The sacrament of Baptism is currently scheduled at Okemos Community Church for February 12^th.  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 Okemos Community Youth activities for February will involve a few off-site experiences.  For this reason, these activities are open to both middle school and high school youth.  Please note the different times and locations.  As usual, you may bring a friend to any event.  Sunday, Feb. 5, both middle and high school groups will meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. and we will leave for the Ronald McDonald House in Lansing where we will prepare the evening meal for the parents who are there.

Saturday, Feb. 11, many of us will meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. until 12:30pm to  bake cookies as a fund raiser for the Spring Break Work Project.  Everyone is welcome to help.  We also need people on             Sunday morning to sell and distribute cookies before and after the worship services. Sunday, Feb. 19, we will meet at the church at 1:30 pm to drive to the MSU Pavilion to watch Chelsea Fisher ride in the MSU Stampede  Rodeo.  Contact Jen, Chelsea or Paul for group tickets before Feb. 15^th ($10 each) otherwise tickets are $15 at the door. Friday, February 24, at 6:45 pm ,we will meet at the church go to   at Wesley Woods for a for Mid-Winter Retreat.  We will return on Sunday morning, Feb. 26th, at 10:15 am or so. The cost of this event is $90.00 per person, with a reduced rate for additional members of the same family.  This covers four meals and two nights. Reservations are need by noon on Friday, February 17th.  We will have videos, games, discussion, snacks, and all sorts of winter fun.  This event is open to all middle and high school students. For more information about these or any youth events, contact us at the Okemos Community Church Office 517-349-4220

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