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It's just me again...here to challenge you further. Will you take the time this week to read and pray about these suggestions below?
So often, we are distracted by our own busy lives to the extent that we don't take the opportunity to look UP AND OUT from ourselves to see the condition of the world around us. Satan likes it that way. He'd like to keep us miserably and some times, happily distracted! Let's consider opportunities to SHARE our lives and faith together as life groups.
Many of you were in church on October 7th and had the opportunity to listen to a meaningful, tearful and heartfelt sermon from Gary Haugen of the International Justice Mission see www.ijm.org He revealed some of the deepest darkness's of life around the world - pits of Hell where you can't imagine hope existing. He also revealed God's sovereignty that overpowers all evil to restore life in those same situations. If you were not in church, I encourage you to pick up a CD from the library or click on the mp3 recording at www.occ.org in order to hear the amazing and revealing stories that we were privileged to hear.
Sometimes I feel as though my heart is at capacity - my husband, children, friends, groups, organizations and ministry keep me busier, by God's grace, than I ever imagined possible. Yet just when I've had enough (or so I think) I am compelled to stretch my heart further to stay on track and in sync with God's will and plan for my life.
Let's be challenged us as leaders and LIFE GROUPS to consider serving together in a short term opportunity this coming year.
There are currently 14 short-term team opportunities or justice and mercy trips planned in 2008 through OCC.
I am leading one up in February (a justice and mercy trip participating in the justice of God.) Our team is working indirectly with the Ministry of Education through a local missionary family serving the Dalit children in impoverished neighborhoods of Delhi - children who are not 'entitled' to education which is compulsory to those within the "class" structure. These children are forgotten - and English is often their way out of the impoverished neighborhoods.
There are many local serving opportunities as well that Overlake is committed to:
- The Homeless Ministry of City Team
- Prisoner Evangelism and Discipleship - Prisoners for Christ
- Outreach Evangelism - Inside Out
- Community Children Outreach - Good News Clubs
- At-Risk Children and Youth - Eagle Outreach Ministries
- Project Redmond - OCC Thanksgiving/Christmas Food Drive
Let's together LAND on something to focus our individual group's attention on - okay? Be thinking and praying about this in the days before your next life group meeting.
There are other ministry opportunities within OCC and here is one we are highlighting now:
FALLAPALOOZA
Wednesday, October 31 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm here at Overlake
For kids through 6th grade and their parents.
If you or your Life Group are available to help we’d love to have you!
Contact Pastor Earl at earlr@occ.org or 425.895.2424.
Joy to you today and be blessed in life and ministry!
Elaine Morse
Director of Life Groups
elainem@occ.org
425-895-2427, Fax 425-702-0505 |
