A thriving faith community engaged in compassionate service

Friday March 5

Dear Friends,

Allyn Foster celebrated his birthday this past week with so many balloon bouquets that he could have floated home on them! With all the stress and strain of the pandemic that has now gone on for a year, how nice it was to have something joyful to celebrate.

Our focus this Third Sunday in Lent is on forgiveness – how Jesus calls us to forgive, as we have been forgiven. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Yet, how hard it can be at times even to think about forgiving. We’ll explore our call to forgive in Sunday’s service, and why forgiving is, as one theologian puts it, “what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.”

The news about vaccine availability improves with each week; certainly, the news that we may have enough vaccines to take care of everyone by early summer is exciting indeed. The key to our returning to regular life in the church is assuring that everyone is vaccinated so we are all safe. We are community and we are all in this together, which means that for the sake not only of our own health, but for the sake of everyone else in our community, get your vaccination.

https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

And remember, even if you have received your vaccination, don’t underestimate this virus. Keep wearing your mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands. Stay healthy.

Blessings,
Pastor Skip

The CE Ministry Team presents...

a Six Week Lenten Study on Spiritual Practices

Beginning February 21

The Walk by Adam Hamilton

Discussion led by Rev. Allyn Foster

Sunday mornings at 9:30 am via Zoom

Click here to join the discussion

For more information contact Allyn@oppchurch.org

OPPC Zoom Coffee Hour

Click on the Coffee Cup to join the Coffee Hour
at 10:30 am Sunday mornings.

DIAL IN: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 895 0639 6460
Password: 498147

The Health Ministry & Christian Education Ministry Teams present:
MIND BODY SPIRIT
A Virtual Experience on Wednesdays during Lent 2021

Food ~ Movement ~ Mindful Meditation
On February 24 & March 3 at 5:00 p.m. particpants gather via Zoom
to prepare a “Flexitarian” Dish and Dessert guided by
Maria Weber, Registered Dietitian/Integrative Nutritionist
Flexitarian: a combo of two words: vegetarian and flexible - a less rigid form of a plant-based diet
CLICK to register for one or all of the sessions!

March 10 and 17 ~ 45 Minutes of Movement
Experience a 45-minute restorative basic yoga class to allow you to slow down, restore and relax your body with Certified Yoga Instructor Jennifer Liberatore.

March 24 and 31 ~ 30 Minutes of Mindful Meditation
Explore a 30 minute interactive mindfulness meditation class with Certified Meditation Coach, Ginny Oehler, M.S., Ed.