• What IS love, actually from God’s perspective?
  Pastor Mike’s upcoming message might have
  you re-thinking what His love looks like, in your life…
   
• What's Happening @ Overlake
  Check out the new groups and upcoming activities and classes! Overlake’s ministries exist to see people come ALIVE and live free in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
   
• Serve & Help Opportunities
  There are many opportunities available for you
  to use your talents and abilities to help others.

What IS love, actually

Dear Friends,

Whether we talk about it openly or strike an "everything's fine" pose and live in it silently, most ALL of us have experienced (and sometimes caused) considerable pain, brokenness and suffering in our relationships with other people. This damage often leads people into feeling lonely, de-valued, in bondage to guilt, shame, unforgiveness and any number of habits and hang-ups.

And while Satan perpetuates the lie that grief, anxiety, fear, addictions and dysfunction are the norm in this life, the family at Overlake takes Jesus at His word when He declares in John 10:10 that He came "...that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance...to the full...till it overflows (Amplified Bible).

In other words, even though this world can be unfair, hurtful and generally rotten, we CAN live an abundant life in Jesus. His LOVE not only frees us from the bondage of sin but also offers us a full and satisfying LIFE through healing, forgiveness, cleansing and restoring all that's broken inside us.

In fact, one of the most powerful ways we show our LOVE FOR PEOPLE at Overlake is through Life Groups. Overlake also offers a wide variety of heart-healing ministries like Celebrate Recovery, free biblical counseling and support groups to safely and confidentially help people grow through their pain, hurts, habits and hang-ups.

This Sunday, we'll be talking more about all this as it relates to God's love for us as we conclude our LOVE Actually series by looking at what IS love, actually. There will also be an opportunity to have people pray for you or even spend some private time giving these hurts to Jesus... helping you experience even more profoundly the immense love, forgiveness and heart healing Jesus has for you.

We'll see you Sunday.

Mike Howerton
OCC Lead Pastor

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WHAT'S HAPPENING @ OVERLAKE

READ CHRISTIANITY TODAY’S REVIEW OF ILLUMINATE LIVE
Recently, Christianity Today's Russ Breimeier reviewed ILLUMINATE Live saying it sounds like, "… a worship concert that broadly recalls Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman and Hillsong, with some similarities to Coldplay, Elton John, and Daily Planet." Thanks Russ! Read Russ’ review.

CDs OF ILLUMINATE LIVE ARE STILL AVAILABLE
On Sundays - Stop by the LifeWay Christian Store at Overlake and pick up your copy after services. If you didn’t pre-order you can still purchase CDs at $15 each.
Monday – Friday - Pre-orders may be picked up at OCC’s Reception office during business hours (M-F/8:30 am - 5:30 pm). CDs may be purchased there as well with exact change ($15) or check.

GOD MOVES IN KIDS’ LIVES DURING WEATHER-MODIFIED WEEKEND EVENT
The plan HAD BEEN to spend last Friday night at Carnation’s Camp Gilead and then inner-tube Saturday at Snoqualmie Summit. But massive amounts of snowfall and an avalanche threat changed the Saturday plans to afternoon ice skating in Renton! Despite all the fun, at the core of this weekend was the message that Jesus wanted a relationship of love with these 3rd-6th graders. In fact, 25 kids began a relationship with Jesus last weekend and 25 others re-committed themselves to their relationship with Him. Pastors Norv Brown and Earl Radford thank you for remembering OCC’s Children’s Ministries in prayer!

NEW LIFE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED IN ALL COMMUNITIES:
People are joining Life Groups and MORE leaders are needed. Men/Women/Couples/Singles.
Life Groups at OCC will provide one-on-one training to prepare you as a leader/facilitator. Please Contact us now for more information on starting your own group.

LOCAL EVANGELISM OUTREACH MEETING
You are invited to OCC’s InsideOUT season kickoff meeting THIS SUNDAY (February 10), 1:30 pm at Paul & Betsy Sargent’s home: 14011-117th Place N.E., Kirkland, WA 98034 (call 425.772.1096).

InsideOUT shares God's love, mercy and grace OUTside the church walls to those around us. Find out more and join our light lunch (provided) and prayer/preparation meeting for the exciting work of Christ we plan to participate in this year. InsideOUTMinistry@msn.com

THE NEXT PRE-MARRIAGE CLASS AT OCC
Overlake offers a pre-marriage class which is a prerequisite to be married at OCC or by an OCC Pastor. Two classes will start in March and go for eight weeks. The cost is $100 per couple. Don't hesitate; the classes are filling quickly with spring weddings on the horizon. Contact Lori at dilio@msn.com or 425.941.9180 to register and get further information.

NEW SUPPORT GROUP, Griefshare, Tuesday nights at OCC
If you’ve lost a spouse, child, parent, sibling or close friend it can seem devastating. There is hope and reason for optimism. The leaders of GRIEFSHARE have experienced the loss of someone close and they understand your deep pain. Resist the temptation to isolate yourself and join GRIEFSHARE. Need more information? Contact OCC’s Support Group office at 425.895.5923 / supportgroups@occ.org.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY (CR)
CR is a nationally recognized Christian 12-step program addressing a wide variety of fears, hurts, habits, and hang-ups that emphasizes 8 Recovery Principles based upon the Beatitudes. All who know they are hurting, weak and struggling are invited to attend each Tuesday at 7 pm in the Chapel (and join us for BBQ at 6 pm in the Lobby). For more information stop by the Mallway table on Sunday or contact Drew at 425.284.2512 / drewc@occ.org.

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGNS
If your employer asks that you give to United Way, you CAN give to Overlake. Look for Overlake Christian Church, United Way ID # D9367770 or use EIN 910863908. Many employers may include giving to Overlake as part of their Leadership Giving recognition. Questions? 425.284.2538 / finance@occ.org.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT OCC
ACCOUNTING MANAGER:  Full-Time w/benefits
FACILITIES POSITIONS:            Part-time.
Must meet qualifications and requirements outlined in job description available at OCC’s Reception office during business hours (east end of bldg.) or on OCC.ORG. Submit application and resume to Overlake’s Human Resource Department. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. No phone calls please.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JEREMY CAMP AND TOBY MAC IN CONCERT – Saturday, February 16. Tickets on sale NOW.

More information on the following events will be available soon:

NEWSBOYS IN CONCERT – Thursday, April 17. Tickets go on sale February 16.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING CONFERENCES (details coming soon)

AWAKE – A conference for women – April 11 & 12
"300" – A conference for men – May 9 & 10
Prince Caspian – a play based on the C.S. Lewis book – May 2 - 6
High School Summer Camp - Houseboats - July 6-11
Vacation Bible Camp (VBC) - Sunday, July 13 - Thursday, July 17
Junior High Summer Camp - A Wenatchee Western - July 18-22
Willow Creek Leadership Summit at Overlake - Thursday & Friday - August 7 / 8

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OCC RESOURCES

Listen online or download audio/video of Overlake's services at www.occ.org. CD's of Sunday messages are available following the morning services.

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SERVE & HELP OPPORTUNITIES

NURSERY & PRESCHOOL CLASSES ARE BOOMING!
Many new families come to Overlake each week. Help us provide a loving, Christ-like atmosphere for their children. We have these specific needs on Sundays:

• 1 Assistant for the 3 year old class at 11 am
• 1 Assistant for the 4 and 5 year old class at 11 am
• 1 Assistant for the special needs class at 9 am
• 5 Helpers needed for Nursery at 9 am
• 10 Helpers needed for Nursery at 11 am

Contact Chandra in the Children's Ministry Office.

BUS DRIVERS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY to drive Blue Bird busses for youth camps and retreats. If you have a CDL class "B” license with a passenger endorsement or would consider getting one please contact Don Severson at 425.284.2529 / dons@occ.org. Overlake provides the training and practice needed and guides you every step of the way through the process. It could lead to a career change or at least give you options. Metro, school districts and other transportation companies have hired OCC-trained drivers.

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