This coming Sunday we are talking about power. We don’t often think of empowerment as a virtue of Christ because we think so often of Christ’s humility. But what empowered Jesus to stand up to oppressors, to speak up for outsiders and ultimately, what empowered Jesus to go to the cross? Think about the power…
Read moreOctober 13 Message from Pastor Nick – “God’s people accept others, and speak blessing into their lives”
God’s people accept others, and speak blessing into their lives. Pastor Karen spoke about the virtue of acceptance and blessing last Sunday. She mentioned that to accept someone doesn’t mean you have to agree with them. This is counter-cultural at this point. In a world without God, the most important stuff – life, love, who…
Read moreOctober 13 Message From Pastor Karen – “Dear Church”
This fall we have started a worship series called, “More than Words.” This series is focused on virtue – developing Christian character such that our actions and reactions speak of Jesus. The phrase, “walking the talk,” comes to mind. This topic has become pertinent as over and over again we see leaders and influencers in…
Read moreOctober 6 Message From Pastor Nick – “New Look, Same Purpose”
You have already probably noticed that the weekly Messenger looks a little different. It has been redesigned with the church’s logo and colors, but also you will start to see the same “quick links” box at the top of the email each week. We hope this will help to make the email more user-friendly by…
Read moreSeptember 22 Message From Pastor Karen
On Sunday, September 25th we have our Fall Kick-Off when Sunday School re-starts for all ages and the Fall officially begins for our life together as a church. This is always an exciting time and it is sure to be this year as well. In addition to the exciting programs, though, I believe that God…
Read moreSeptember 15 Message From Pastor Karen – “Greetings OCC!!.”
We now have 1 Sunday until our Fall Kick-Off (Sept 25!) and we are excited about what God is doing and going to do in this coming year! We are grateful for all the folks who have stepped up to lead and help with Sunday School and Children’s Church this Fall. We are also excited…
Read moreAugust 25 Message From Pastor Karen – “Jesus and I have been thinking and praying about contentment.”
You see, my birthday was this week. And it’s one of those numbers that makes you think a bit. 🙂 I don’t know if you experienced this, but somehow I absorbed the value of “never enough.” This worldly value takes all kinds of forms but most of them can be boiled down to these two: 1….
Read moreAugust 9 Message From Pastor Nick – “Keeping Up The Momentum”?
Your pastors are excited for what God is doing. Whether it is the 15+ teens and young adults at the church picnic or the 50+ Indian Orchard residents that our Mega Sports Night put us in contact with, God has been opening up opportunities! Our youth and young adults have gotten opportunities to serve and many…
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From Pastor Karen: “It is with sincere gratitude I wish to thank you for your support in my pursuit of the transfer of my ordination.”
Dear Orchard Family, It is with sincere gratitude I wish to thank you for your support in my pursuit of the transfer of my ordination. I was ordained to Word and Sacrament in The United Church of Christ in 2008 (14 years ago!). Even then, with the following Affirmations, the ECC – Evangelical Covenant Church…
Read moreJune 23 Message From Pastor Nick – “What does it mean to be “Covenant”?
With Pastor Karen away at Gather 2022, which is our denomination’s annual meeting, it seems a good time to mention what it means to be Covenant. You might ask why it matters? It matters because if you like the church that we are here locally, it is a reflection of our denomination nationally. In fact, you will find that…
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