A thriving faith community engaged in compassionate service

Friday April 9

Dear Friends,

Easter has come and gone – or at least, that’s what the calendar tells us. But our Liturgical Calendar reminds us that Easter continues for 50 days, from this past Sunday to Pentecost on May 23. Each Sunday between now and Pentecost is a “Sunday OF Easter,” not a “Sunday AFTER Easter”. Our celebration of the new life we’ve been given in the resurrection of our Lord continues joyfully.

The Easter season reminds us that Jesus breathes new life not only into each of us as his disciples, but also into his church. As we begin to emerge -- slowly and carefully -- from the constraints of the pandemic, the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit will fill both us and our church as we prepare for the exciting changes that await us as we begin to resume activities, and, of course, as we get ready to welcome OPPC’s next pastor.

The Spirit calls us not to resume the past we left behind, but rather to embrace God’s unfolding future as we follow the Risen Christ. We have seen our way through the worst of the pandemic, and while the end is not yet here, it is definitely in sight. God’s bright future for OPPC will blossom before us like the flowers of spring.

Our service this Sunday focuses on the apostle who has come to be known as “Doubting Thomas”. We will take a fresh look at the text and Thomas – perhaps he does not deserve the term “doubting” any more than any of us does.

Continue to keep your PNC in your prayers. They have already received dozens upon dozens of applications. They are now deep in the hard work of reviewing carefully each applicant, minds and hearts constantly alert to God’s call as to which of the applicants is God’s choice for OPPC’s next pastor.

We cannot deny that the COVID virus is still very much with us, even as the vaccination rate grows by the day. Western New York now, unhappily, has the highest COVID infection rate in the state.

For all the progress we have made, we still have a long way to go to get everyone vaccinated – at this point 70% of the population have yet to receive even their first shot. Vaccines are now available to all those age 16 and older, so sign up today. Together we can put the pandemic behind us.

Keep wearing your mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands. Stay healthy.

Blessings,
Pastor Skip

The CE Ministry Team presents...

What's the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?

by Martin Thielen

Discussion led by Rev. Allyn Foster

Sunday mornings at 9:30 am via Zoom

April 11 - May 23

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.