Access to Sermons Online
We've been working on improving how we publish Pastor Spencer's messages on line, and we've been made aware that not all of you can get access to the entire message on Facebook if you don't have an active Facebook account. In order to make sure there are no barriers to getting access to the messages, we've just finished setting up a YouTube channel that should remove that barrier. Today's message (March 29) on Psalm 23 is posted there now. We will get the previous week's message posted soon so you can go back and view it in its entirety if you weren't able to before.
We will also post a link on the Sermons page of our web site for each week's video. Click on the sermon title and look for the "Play Video" link. We welcome your feedback on how this is all working.
Deacon Family Support
In the midst of the suspension of Orange Hill services, the deacons wanted to make sure the needs and prayers of our congregation are continuing to be met. As such, the deacons are reaching out to each of our family members. So please let your family deacon know, when they contact you, if you have any special needs, prayer requests, or anything else we might be able to assist with. As appropriate, they’ll pass these requests on to the other deacons and to the elders and staff as needed for support. They’ll also plan to follow-up from time to time to make sure everything is going ok. You of course may wish to communicate through your Sunday school class, and that’s ok as well. We just want to make sure no-one is overlooked.
Note, if you aren’t sure who your family deacon is, you can reach out to any deacon who’ll be able to help.
Finally, please remember to keep up with your giving so the church can go on operating as a place of help and hope.
In God’s grace and mercy,
Butch Johnston
Deacon
New Information on Schedule of Services
As most of you have probably seen, last weekend the CDC published new guidelines for large gatherings during this period of "social distancing." The updated guideline calls for suspension of all gatherings of 50 or more people for the next 8 weeks. Consistent with our previous announcement about our public gatherings, the elders have agreed that we should follow this recommendation. As a result, our next planned gathering at our church facilities will be Sunday May 3. We will continue to monitor the situation and may change this date either earlier or later as the CDC and other experts revise their guidelines. In the meantime, please contact any of the elders or pastoral staff if you have questions.
The Elders
Update About OHBC Services and COVID-19
After careful consideration, the elders have decided to suspend our public gatherings including Sunday, Wednesday, and other activities in accordance with the following.
"At this time, and in accord with a good many pastors and churches for whom we have the greatest respect, we will be suspending all of our public church gatherings, not out of fear, but out of biblical wisdom, practical circumspection, and an abundance of caution. As we have heard, those most at risk are people who are over 60 years old and also have some other chronic/underlying health issues, which includes quite a few of our church members. While nearly every other venue for public gathering is taking necessary precautions, the last thing the church should do is become the epicenter for the spread and impact of this disease. The better way is to take the same precautions, but then go beyond them in our unselfish love for and service/ministry to those who are suffering, endangered, and otherwise negatively impacted by the virus and the restrictions it has imposed on society for now.
We will also be exploring alternatives for “gathering” (digitally, virtually, on social media platforms) to encourage one another and to hear the Word of the Lord. And further, please remember that our financial obligations and needs go on during this time and make every effort to continue giving to the Lord for the work he’s called us to in these strange days (giving through online banking, stopping by or mailing to the church your tithe/offering, etc.).
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10)."
Pastor Spencer and the Elders
A fuller explanation can be found here.
