OLCCP E-Blast

“Go therefore and

make disciples of all nations,

Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

And teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you."

(Matthew 28:19,20)

While the nation of France, sadly, has been in the mainstream news for its urban riots recently, there is also terrific news coming out of France.

“Adult Baptisms in France Are Booming,” writes the Wall Street Journal (Sept. 25, 2026). France is experiencing a historic surge in adult and adolescent baptisms. The numbers of adult and adolescent baptisms have tripled over the past decade.

The largest single cohort of those adolescents and adults choosing Christian baptism are between the ages of 18 and 25. I read this as great news.

The WSJ reports, “As the Catholicism has receded from the French mainstream over the decades, it has left a spiritual void. Some scholars and church officials see young people turning back to the Church as a reaction to the country’s entrenched secularism.”

Secularism will not provide hope or optimism about tomorrow. The only faith secularism teaches is faith in oneself, and that is a faith that will disappear under any scrutiny or challenge.

Consider the faith backgrounds of those choosing baptism in France. Nearly half (46%) of those choosing baptism come from non-religious or unknown family faith backgrounds, 45% from a Christian background, and 3% come from a Muslim background through conversion to the Christian faith.

About 40% of the adolescents and adults choosing to be baptized cite personal hardships, illness, or grief as catalysts, while others point to their yearning for a stabilizing force in a world rife with instability and polarization. God is trustworthy, steady, and sure. God’s word promises, “though the mountains in our world shake and the waters roar and foam,” God is still with us, a present help is every trouble (Psalm 46:1-3).

Please join us for Sunday Worship at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. Pastor Rich will bring us the message Where You Least Expect It.

Faith Enrichment: Join Pastor Rich on Sundays at 9:00 am in Heritage Hall Faith Enrichment.

Sunday School: Children’s Sunday School meets at 10:15 am in Room 108 (start in the Sanctuary at 10:00).

GLU Youth: Please sign up to serve next Sunday. Contact the church office or see Pastor Rich if you can serve.

Click here for the Order of Worship

Scripture Readings are:

Habakkuk 2:1-4
Luke 17:20,21

To access our church online options, subscribe to our YouTube channel on the link below.

Pray for these people on our Prayer List:

Elsi Baccari, Rev. Mary Bahr-Jones, Alexandra Bander, Laurie Bendehan, Barb Broker, Nancy Burton, Ellen Coffman, Tom Conrad, Sandra Crane, Barb Christoff, Jeff Dailey, Judy Daulton, Margaret Edwards, Eileen Fisher, Dorothy Friedl, Tom Gribbell, Steve Hauser, Mary Holliday, Diane Kennedy, Lee Knoblock, Adrienne Matthews, Paul Mattinen, Mary Mehelich, Ann Meyer, Kim Miller, Sue Mogg, Benton Moorse, Rebecca Naftel, Shannon Paul, Janet Payne, Barb Perl, Linda Poppelreiter, Maureen Ridley-Gribbell, Linda Roades, Brian Russek, Karen Schoonover, Terry Selman, Jim Skeeters, Pat Sluka, Ken Smiley, Bruce Snyder, Jane Snyder, Bill Streng, Rev. Dr. Kate Thoresen, Brett Tremaine, Kristin Trenholm, Mike Vogt, and Pamela Zimmerman

OLCCP is a Stephen Ministry congregation, which means many of our members and friends have completed a 50-hour training course in peer counseling, listening, and referral. If you would like to meet regularly with a Stephen Minister for a listening ear, supportive prayer, and companionship in times of struggle or transition, see Steve Orr or email info@olccp.com

The OLCCP Stephen Ministers are: Bev Ayres, Dorothy Friedl, Sherry Orr, Steve Orr, Bob Siebert, Jan Wassemiller, and Stephanie Zimmerman.

Our calendar is available to browse live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at OLCC,P Calendar. You can browse all events coming up. You can also subscribe to the calendar on the same page.

Please be sure to check the calendar before organizing an event at OLCCP.

The nominees for leadership positions will be presented right after the service this Sunday.

Click on the link below to view the

Children & Youth Newsletter

for more upcoming activities and to sign up.

Join us on Zoom for Our Daily Bread devotional Monday through Friday at 9:00 am.

Click on the Daily Bread Zoom link below to connect with the group.

And to lead one morning, you can sign up here Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian: Our Daily Bread Devotional (signupgenius.com)

Sunday, October 11, 2026, marked the start of the 2027 Stewardship Campaign, “Celebrating God’s Love.” This Sunday, Brian will present, Celebrating Building and Grounds.

Personal stewardship packets have been sent. In the packet, you will find Pastor Rich’s letter, pledge and service cards, a flyer detailing the Proposed Budget, and other information. Over the next three Sundays, different presenters will celebrate the excellent work of the beloved Mission Team, the impressive Building and Grounds Crew, and finally, the much-trusted Trustees group. We plan to collect and consecrate the pledge and service cards during the service on Sunday, November 8th. Over the next few weeks, please pray and take time to review your personal gifts of time and talent and your monetary resources for the benefit of Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, in the year of our Lord, 2027.

God Bless and Celebrate!

Mike Starynchak

Each year, Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian receives donations through the Kroger Community Rewards program. If you shop at Kroger and haven't already designated Orchard Lake Community Church , Presbyterian as your organization, please sign up.

Once you link your Kroger Card to Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card.

Use the link below to sign up:

https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

Contact Mike Starynchak for more information.

Do you need a ride? Deacon Transportation Services at OLCCP is staffed and able to take fellow members to medical or essential appointments.

Please contact Emily G. or Rebecca for information or email info@olccp.com.

The Church Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Rev. Dr. Richard Lapehn (Pastor): In the office Monday through Thursday. May be reached by email at (pastorrich@olccp.com)or by phone at 248-682-0730.
• Leida Soto (Office Administrator): In the office Monday through Thursday or by email during office hours at (leida@olccp.com) or by phone at 248-682-0730.
• Stacey Cheff (Business Administrator): In the office Mondays and Thursdays or by email during office hours (stacey@olccp.com)
• Jay Schumacher (Director of Music Ministries): Messages can be taken during office hours @ 248-682-0730 or by email at (jay@olccp.com).

• Rebecca Grice-Johnson (Faith Community Nurse) : Email at (rebecca@olccp.com) or call 248-682-0730.

• Emma Sassak (Children & Youth Director): Email at (emma@olccp.com) or call 248-682-0730.

Questions/ Email: info@olccp.com

Website: www.olccp.com
Location: 5171 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, MI, USA
Phone: 248-682-0730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCCP/