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.

Okemos Community Church is offering a 5 week Lenten Study – 24 Hours That Changed  The World on Sunday evenings starting Feb. 26, 6:00-7:30 pm or on Wednesday evenings starting Feb. 29 at 6:15-7:30 pm.  We will be using a program featuring Adam Hamilton, a United Methodist Pastor, who has developed a DVD showing the sites in the Holy Land that mark the places Jesus went during the last 24 hours before his crucifixion.  There will be time for reflection and discussion.  Rev. Jeanne Randels and Paul Hartman will be leading these sessions with help from other church leaders.  Please contact the Okemos Community Church office at 517-349-4220 to sign up.

Okemos Community Church Wednesday Night Alive  February programs will include two new presenters with interesting programs, plus the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Worship Service, and the first of our Lenten study series,  24 Hours that Changed the World with Adam Hamilton.  As usual, we have wonderful meals prepared by Linda Omura.  Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. and the programs begin at 6:30 p.m.  Please make reservations by calling the Okemos Community Church office at 517-349-4220 for the meal by Monday noon.  Feb. 8 – Our presenter will be Erica Schmittdiel, who will tell us about MSU Safe Place, a program to protect and serve vulnerable people. Menu: Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Salad, Corn Bread, Chocolate Cake

Feb. 15 – We will have another presentation by Jonathan Henry in our Mental Health series Menu: Chili with Cornbread, Chicken Enchiladas, Salad, Guacamole,                 Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Feb. 22 – Ash Wednesday.  Our program time will be the Ash Wednesday Service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Menu: Baked Chicken with gravy, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Salad, Apple Brown Betty Feb. 29 – The first session in our Lenten series, 24 Hours that Changed the World  with Adam Hamilton. Menu: Beef Stroganoff, Egg Noodles, Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread, Apple Brown Betty

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.  

 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