HBO Alzheimer’s Project

A five-part Alzheimer’s disease series co-hosted by the Okemos Community Church and The Presbyterian Church of Okemos kicks off tomorrow evening, October 1, from 7–8:30 pm at OCC, 4734 Okemos Road. Programs are scheduled every Monday evening in October and are free and open to the public. Attend one or all sessions. Documentary video segments from HBO: The Alzheimer’s Project will be shown followed by discussion. “The Memory Loss Tapes,” the topic for the first session, help people appreciate the devastating experience of losing one’s memory from the moving stories of seven people ranging across the full spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition learn the ten signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Bonhoeffer Study

On October 2, 9, 16, and 23, Rev. Carlson offers an opportunity for people to study the life and work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The class will meet from 7:00–8:30 pm in the Chapel.

We will use the recent biography written by Eric Mataxas as background: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. We will spend time together discussing Bonhoeffer’s life and times, his work and his theology, and the contradictions of his life as an outspoken advocate of peace and working in the German underground that sought opportunities to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

The Prayer Shawl Knitting Group

The Prayer Shawl Knitting Group is knitting hats and scarves for our refugee families and the homeless. The cost for buying yarn can mount up, so we are asking your help. It takes about 3–4 three ounce skeins to make a matching set, which can cost $20.00 or more. If anyone has soft, acrylic worsted or bulky weight yarn to donate, or wishes to donate cash to this project, that would be helpful. Please don't donate craft yarn or other types and weights of yarn which can't be used for this, as we have no storage or use for them.

We welcome all knitters or crocheters to help us with this. Patterns will be provided and assistance, if you are a beginner. A scarf is the perfect first project! Please join us on the first and third Fridays of each month at 1:00 pm in room 108.

From the Parish Life Committee

Mark your calendars now for our October 21 all-church social. We are hoping that Presbyterian Bingo is a game that all ages can enjoy together, so we have put together our own PCO Bingo game to follow a potluck at 6 pm on that Sunday evening for all of our families and singles. A sign-up sheet will be on the kiosk today and for the next 2 Sundays, so let us know how many cards to make.

Also on October 21, after the service in the morning, we will celebrate the birthdays of all of you who were born in October with punch and cake. Be sure your name appears on the cake by signing the list of October birthdays on the kiosk near the kitchen door.

Help the Global Institute of Lansing

The Global Institute of Lansing has had a very busy start to the new school year. We have 12 returning students and 21 new students and there are another 15 students on the waitlist. If you are looking for a way to support the Global Institute of Lansing, here are different ways you can support GIL:

• Tutors: This is our greatest area of need right now. Tutors are needed Monday through Friday during the hours of 10am and 2pm.
• Teachers and/or Substitute Teachers: We are looking for certified teachers who would be interested in teaching during the day or evening classes as well as teachers who would be interested in being on a list for substitute teachers.
• Tuition donations: The tuition costs per student are $500. We seek donations of any size to help cover the tuition costs of our students.
• Supplies: School supplies like pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. are always needed. Some of the more specific current needs are: bookcases, globes, scientific calculators, and ink cartridges for printers (gift cards to office supply stores may be easiest for this).
• Snacks: Donations for weekly snacks would be greatly appreciated. Ideas for snacks are: fruit, cut up veggies, granola bars, and bottled water.

If you would like more information about the ways you can help GIL, please contact Paula Frantz. 

Sunday, September 23

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: “Whistling in the Dark,” by Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson

Scripture Lessons: Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30–37

11:15 am Christian Education

There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.

• Adult Class We will have 4 open table discussions, one each on peace, service, prayer, and parenting. Pull up a chair and come join us. Ron Dorr will be in the Board Room facilitating a discussion on planting seeds of peace. Kent Workman will be in room 108 talking about mission and service experiences. Alice Townley will be in Kehde Chapel leading prayer exercises. Rob Carlson will be in Fellowship Hall looking at parenting in anxious times.
• Senior High students meet in Room 109.
• Middle School students meet in Room 107.
• Grades 3–5 meet in the Art Room.
• Grades K – 2 meet in The Valley for Godly Play.
• Preschoolers, ages 3 years and up to kindergarten meet in the pre-school room next to Kehde Chapel.
• Nursery Care is available from 9:30 am–12:15pm.

12:30 pm Women’s Connection meets today in the Board Room.

Lunch will be served, and the featured speaker is Beth Layhe. All women are invited; no reservation required.

Sunday, September 16

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: “Restless,” by Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson

Scripture Lessons: Proverbs 1:20–33 and James 3:1–12

11:00 am September Birthdays

Following worship today we will celebrate the birthdays of those born in September with cake and punch after the service. Everyone is welcome. Happy Birthday, Septembers!

11:15 am Christian Education

There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.

• Adult Class meets in Kehde Chapel. We’ll be discussing Beyond the Beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo.
• Senior High students meet in Room 109.
• Middle School students meet in Room 107.
• Grades 3–5 meet in the Art Room.
• Grades K–2 meet in The Valley for Godly Play.
• Preschoolers, ages 3 years and up meet in the pre-school room next to Kehde Chapel.

Nursery Care is available from 9:30–11:30 am.

Youth Mission Project

We are very excited that the Youth Mission Project is re-scheduled for Sunday, September 23: Youth will meet at the church at 6 pm on Friday, and travel together to Edgewood Village. From there they will be team building, break bread with the Edgewood Scholars, and plan for work the next day. Pastor Alice will graciously host a sleepover and the Mission Project will start the next morning. The day of work will be complemented by some play as well with bowling planned for Saturday evening. All interested Junior and Senior High Youth should contact Roy Meland or Emily Conroy-Krutz.

Adult Christian Education Class for Sunday, September 23

Meet Dr. Martha Sommers, who works as a family physician at the Ekwendeni Presbyterian Mission Hospital in Malawi. Brittany Widgen, grand-daughter of Dot Cook, shadowed Dr. Sommers at the hospital this past spring. Dr. Sommers is a PCUSA mission co-worker itinerating in the US to tell about the hospital and raise support. She will teach at Grand Valley State University in January.

Women’s Connection in September

Women’s Connection will meet in the Board Room next Sunday, September 23, 12:30 pm. After several months of being spread far and wide, we will re-connect to begin another year of warm fellowship and inspiring presentations from women in our church. After enjoying a light lunch together, our speaker will be Beth Layhe, D.O. Along with her busy life as a hematologist/oncologist, she is a "bell ringer" at PCO, sharing her talent behind the bell tables, and can be seen worshiping "front and center" with her family. We will get to know Beth better through dialogue about her life and her faith journey. ALL WOMEN of the church and friends are invited; no reservation required.

This Sunday, September 9th

9:00 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship and Communion

Sermon: “Crumbs from the Table,” by Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson

Scripture Lesson: Mark 7:24-30

11:00 am Christian Education Introduction, followed by

11:20 am Rally Day Social

Nursery Care is available from 9:30 am – 11:30 pm

Rally Day Social

Following the service today (September 9th), we will kick off our 2012-2013 Christian Education programs with our Rally Day Social.  After an introduction of Christian Education for both adults and students of all ages, there will be hot dogs, accompaniments, salads and ice cream with various yummy toppings, plus games for the kids.

Book Discussion: Beyond the Beautiful Forevers

The book discussion for September will be during the CE hour next Sunday, September 16.  We’ll be discussing, “Beyond the Beautiful Forevers,” by Katherine Boo.

September Birthdays

Next Sunday, September 16th, we will celebrate the birthdays of those born in September with cake and punch after the service. If you were born in September and would like to find your name on the cake, please sign the list on the kiosk.

Pick it up, put it on!

The Church Growth Committee would like to remind everyone to please wear your name tag (the Name Tag Board is just outside the Sanctuary in Fellowship Hall). If you cannot find or do not have a tag, please write your name on the list below the board and it will be available next Sunday.