Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church September 23, 2018 ...The Garden on Sunday Mornings is for kids from three months old through fourth grade. TBH (To be Honest) Sundays, TODAY –

ConnectionsLafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church September 23, 2018

49 Knox Drive | Lafayette, CA | 94549 | (925) 283-8722 | [email protected] | www.lopc.org

Pastors Peter Whitelock, Head of Staff | Gerald Chinen, Care Lauren Gully, Mission & Spiritual Formation | Jaime Polson, Families

Hurricane Florence AppealHelp families as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is delivering immediate aid to those impacted.

Three Ways to Donate:

• CHECK payable to “LOPC” with “Hurricane Relief“ in the memo line

• LOPC.ORG > GIVE BACK > ONLINE GIVING > Click on “Hurricane Relief” in the dropdown menu.

• LOPC APP > Give > Click on “Hurricane Relief” in the dropdown menu.

On the plaza today after both services to answer your questions!

Come learn about our caring community for Senior Adults.

Thursday Fellowship features light exercise or crafts, lunch, and entertainment every week. We welcome guests, volunteers, and visitors.

This week’s entertainment: Syria T. Berry, Bay Area performer and recording artist.

Every Thursday 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

Welcomes You!

LAFAYETTE-ORINDA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

49 Knox Drive, Lafayette CA 94549 www.LOPC.org(925) 283-8722 x281

Fellowship Coordinators:Julie Peterson at [email protected]

Clarita Wooldridge at [email protected]

These are some of the many faithful Thursday Fellowship volunteers.

A joyful community where you will find

FUN, FRIENDSHIP & ENTERTAINMENT

September through June

Every Thursdayexcluding holidays

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

LAFAYETTE ORINDA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH49 Knox Drive, Lafayette CA 94549 LOPC.org

Fellowship Coordinators:Julie Peterson at [email protected]

Clarita Wooldridge at [email protected]

Come as a GUEST or VOLUNTEER

Mom’s Book StudyEvery other Thursday, 6:30 – 8 p.m. October 4 – December 13 Chapel Large Counseling Room

Please join us for a Mom’s Book Study and discussion led by Laura Wilson. We will meet to discuss Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter by Lindsay H. Freeman.

For additional information and to RSVP, please contact Michelle at [email protected].

2 Connections LOPC

youth & children

Children’s Ministry Team: Ryan Timpte,

[email protected] Lori Robinson, [email protected]

Susan Wentworth (Preschool),

[email protected] Ministry Team:

Keris Dahlkamp, [email protected] Allison Kunz,

[email protected]

missionAtfaluna on the Plaza TODAY after both servicesThis is the16th consecutive year that LOPC has sponsored a classroom at the Atfaluna School for Deaf Chil-dren (ASDC) in Gaza City. Funds donated will provide the essentials: uniforms, hearing aids and batteries, transportation, medical assistance, and hot lunches for the students, as well as teacher salaries and classroom supplies. Our goal is $25,000. You can give at:

• LOPC.org > GIVE BACK > ONLINE GIVING > Click on “Atfaluna” in the dropdown menu.

• LOPC APP > Give > Click on “Atfaluna” in the dropdown menu.

Questions? Please contact Melinda Darbee at 925-299-1663 or Robin Freeberg at [email protected]

Sew a Blanket for ZimbabweThrough October 14Help sew fleece blankets for a chil-dren’s hospital in Zimbabwe. LOPC Mission trip participants will deliver them during their visit in October. The deadline for blankets is October 14.For more information, contact Marilyn Richison at 925-825-8731 or [email protected].

ESL Tutors NeededTraining sessions: October 6 and 13, 9 a.m. – 1 pm. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ConcordVolunteer to teach English as a second language through the Diablo Valley Literacy Council. You can help ESL learners read to their children, talk with their children’s teachers, apply for citizenship, and get a better job.Registration is $20 and includes lunch. Questions? Contact Bill Oliver at 925-946-0992 or go to dvlc4esl.org.

YOUTH GROUPSJoin us and bring your friends for a night of energetic games, worship led by youth musicians, a relevant Bible devo, and encouraging small group discussions.

BTW9th – 12th Grade Youth Group Every Sunday, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Parent Open House Today!

YOW5th – 8th Grade Youth GroupEvery Wednesday, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

TODAY

The Garden for Children9 a.m. & 11 a.m. servicesThe Garden on Sunday Mornings is for kids from three months old through fourth grade.

TBH (To be Honest)Sundays, TODAY – Nov. 4 (excluding Oct. 7)11 a.m. – 12 p.m., MC Conference RoomHigh school students are invited to come read from the Can I Ask That series from Sticky Faith, which explores different perspectives on really hard questions about the Christian faith. There will be breakfast refreshments each week!

Youth Alive 9 a.m. service only in CLC 201Youth Alive is a youth program for 5th-8th graders. Share in games and activities as we explore your questions about God together. Youth who attend at 11 a.m. are encouraged to join the worship service with family.

Stephen Ministry“Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” 1 John 2:10

Change is a constant part of life. If you are going through more transitions than usual and would like a Stephen Minister to walk alongside you, please get in touch. Contact Gerald Chinen at [email protected] or 925-283-8722, x227.

care Hold in PrayerCharles Whyte, who passed on September 13. His service was September 21.

If you have someone you would like the community to hold in prayer, contact:

Ashlee Rountree, Care Admin [email protected] or x228

Gerald Chinen, Pastor, Care [email protected] or x227

Harry Jayasingha, Chaplain [email protected]

Alive! In Christ...In the World Connections 3

worshipcommunityMen with Young Families & Professionals GroupMondays through October 1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.Men ages 20-something to 50-some-thing, this is your group! This year we’ve organized hang outs, opportu-nities to pray and study, and service opportunities to give back to the community. Attend one or all of the sessions—whatever works for you. We’re a place for you to belong. If you have questions or inquiries, contact Chris Baldwin for more information at [email protected].

Disciple Bible StudySundays, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Starts September 30We invite you to join us for a 34-week long study of Scripture. Led by Jeff Patton and Sharon Bartlett, this study gives the Old and New Testaments equal time and emphasizes the whole-ness of the Bible as a revelation of God. We will use the Bible and the study manual to complete daily reading assignments—generally about 30 minutes of reading per day—and meet weekly. $15 fee for the study manual.

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Michelle at [email protected].

Science & ReligionEvolution from Creation to New CreationOctober 15, 7:15 p.m. Oak RoomFollowing the authors of Evolution from Creation to New Creation, we will consider the programs put forward by several scientists and theologians on the subject of Theistic Evolution. We will consider the ideas of theologian Phillip Hefner, who writes of how we are “Created Co-Creators.”

New Members ClassOctober 19 – 21Are you looking to take the next step in your faith journey by committing to LOPC as a member? Are you curious about what it means to be Presbyte-rian or want to find out what LOPC is passionate about locally and globally? Want to explore what membership at a church is? All are welcome!Register online by visiting lopc.org or emailing Chris Baldwin at [email protected].

LOPC Breakfast GroupJoe Terry, CEO of CVI Power FoundationOctober 24, 7 a.m. Davies RoomTopic: Where the Bible and Ironman intersect. Joe is a former NFL line-backer turned CEO and Ironman triathlete. $5 donation at the door for breakfast. RSVP by noon on October 23 to [email protected] or 925-283-8722 x223.

Save the Date Men’s Summit: A Life of SignificanceNovember 3, 9 – 11 a.m.Calling all men! LOPC is hosting a breakfast for fellowship and encouragement. We have invited speaker Marcus Thompson II, best-selling biographer of Golden, the Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry and lead columnist of The Athletic. Marcus is a prominent voice in the Bay Area sports scene having worked for 18 years with Bay Area News Group and 10 seasons covering the Golden State Warriors.Register at: https://lopc.infellowship.com/Forms/404130

Current Sermon Series: Faith Meets LifeToday: How Would Jesus Treat Muslims?

September 30: God & Country

2019 Flower CalendarNew Location and Format!The new sign-up for the 2019 Flower calendar is now located in a binder in the Welcome Center on Sunday morn-ings and in the office during the week. If you would like to celebrate an occasion or honor your loved ones, please sign up on this calendar and sponsor a Chancel floral arrangement for Sunday worship services. Select a date and write your name and contact information in the binder. We also provide small red forms in the binder pocket so you can jot down your selected date or write your dedica-tion line for the bulletin and submit in advance. Suggested donation per arrangement is $150.For more information, contact Hiroko Shibuya at [email protected] or 925-283-8722 x264.

Hearing-ImpairedPlease ask the ushers to assist you if you need to use a hearing-aid headset.

Loved Today’s Service?Lyrics, scriptures, and other texts that you see on the screen during Sunday worship services are available in the Narthex or online.LOPC.org/worship/worship-bulletins

4 Connections LOPC

TODAY Thursday Fellowship on the Plaza. See page 1.TODAY Atfaluna on the Plaza. See page 2.September 24, 27 Companions for the Journey Intro. See this page.September 27 Thursday Fellowship. See page 1.September 30 Disciples Bible Study. See page 3.October 4 Mom’s Book Study. See page 1.October 5 – 7 Mount Hermon Congregational Retreat. See this page.October 15 Science & Religion. See page 3.Through October 14 Sew a Blanket for Zimababwe. See page 2.October 19 – 21 New Members Class. See page 3.

Mark Your Calendar

Companions for the JourneyIntroductory Sessions:September 24, 7 – 9 p.m. September 27, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Oak RoomAre you seeking to listen for how God may be speaking into your life? Then consider joining Companions. We are a safe, confidential community who gathers to listen receptively to brief Bible passages and ponder where we may find the Holy Spirit at work. We meet monthly on a Monday evening or Thursday morning from October through June.

First-time participants must attend an introductory session.

For more information, contact Ashlee at [email protected].

Announce Your Event in ConnectionsGo to: www.lopc.org/submission-for-connections/Deadline: Monday by 5 p.m. for the following Sunday.

Items must be approved by your ministry team leader. Information may be reduced to meet space restrictions.

spiritual life

Connect with us online!

facebook.com/lopchurch @lop_church

google.com/LOPClivestream.com/LOPC

- Give.- Ask for prayer.- Get the latest news.

All on the LOPC app.Text “LOPC app” to the number 77977 to download it today.

The 10:10Sundays at 10:10 starting in OctoberThe 10:10 is a new program that will serve as a place to grow empowered to live in faith. Drop in whenever you can make it part of your Sunday routine to learn, experience, and discuss.The 10:10: IJM and Spiritual PracticesOctober 14-28, 10:10 – 10:50 a.mHuman slavery is more prevalent now than ever before. One of our Mission Partners, IJM, fights to end slavery in our modern world using the spiritual practices of prayer, advocacy, and giving. Come and hear their commit-ment to these practices in their work and their partnerships with people all over the world. Due to the nature of the content, 14 and over only please. Childcare is provided.Contact [email protected] for more information.

Mount Hermon 2018October 5 – 7 Last week to register!Mount Hermon is a congregational retreat, an opportunity for God’s family to spend time together in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. It is also an opportunity to learn and be inspired. There will be dedicated programs for preschoolers, children and youth, a barbecue, family-style meals, outdoor worship and outdoor activites for all ages. You are invited to join us!This year’s theme: The Relevant Bible

We will focus on how to approach the Bible as both divine speech and the speech of ancient humans.Speaker: Zach Flanagin, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College

Register at lopc.org.

Questions? Contact Michelle Browning at [email protected].