What goes on at Oak Ridge Presbyterian?

The Prayer Shawl Ministry has made the world’s best (really!) potholders and are selling them to church members for $10/pair! They make great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, etc., and, of course you’ll need a pair for yourself, too! We have lots of colors to choose from. Proceeds will go toward supplies for more prayer shawls and to ORPC’s My School ministry.

And, of course, the Prayer Shawl Ministry continues to produce prayer shawls which have been sent around the world (literally).  Prayer shawls are a symbol of God’s unconditional love and wrap the receiver in a warm embrace.  They have become a comfort, a source of warmth, a great way to spread the Gospel Message and a great way to let folks we’re praying for that they are loved.  If you would like to join this effort, all you need to know how to do is crochet or knit – if you don’t know there are several who would love to teach you -, and if you would like to send a prayer shawl to someone, just let us know.  Prayer shawls are regularly blessed after our worship on many a Sunday.  

For more information in general and how to get involved, contact:

Sue Elam 973-208-0673 sue.elam@mccann.com

Nancy Harm 973-903-2869 nsharm@optonline.net

Faith in Action is a program/project that ORPC has participated in for the last six years, 2023’s Faith In Action Sunday will be held on May 21st.  The day will start with an abbreviated worship service and then teams go out to do projects of helping in our community.  Some of those projects are yard work for those who can’t do it themselves, various small projects with Strengthen Our Sisters, town beautification teams planting flowers and food collection at local supermarkets.  Work 1 hour or several, whatever you can give. For more information, please see Pastor Chris or Sue Elam.

Hearts for Honduras is a mission of the Liberty Corners Presbyterian Church that is supported by several churches in the area. It’s an amazingly successful mission that established a school in the city of La Entrada, Honduras in the year 2000,  and is growing every year.

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, which has resulted in many youth being at risk due to a lack of resources to provide education, as we all know, without education the future is dim for children and their communities. The first class had 23 students in 1st grade, from the poorest families in La Entrada. The school now has more than 200 students through 9th grade and a full curriculum, including Christian education. They’ve been able to change the attitudes and outlook of this community over the course of a generation of educated individuals. Several of their students with a quality primary education have been able to go on to high school and college during the last 20 years and then returned to the community to pay it beyond. Families are required to contribute to the cost of their children’s education and are involved in the school government, so they have something at stake. The remaining cost per student is $400/year. The money goes toward books, uniforms, and supplies as well as a nutritious daily meal, vitamins, health checkups, and teacher/staff salaries.

The ORPC has sponsored two students as a church and intend to continue with this mission in the coming years.  We ask folks coming to church to provide spare change or any amount when monies are being collected.  Before the Covid 19 pandemic, we even had a teacher and student come to the US where a group from ORPC were able to meet and get to know them and make personal connections.  When we talked with the student and asked him his favorite subject, he truly couldn’t decide. When we asked his favorite place to be, he said, “SCHOOL!”

This mission is truly changing the world, one child at a time. More information is available at https://www.friendsofheartsforhonduras.org/.

Manna House volunteering

Where Can I Serve?

Jesus told us, his disciples, to make disciples of all nations. One of the most important values of this church is our mission to the community. It begins in our own community, and spreads overseas to every nation. Church members are involved in a variety of ministries from things as simple as praying for each other to making quilts, blankets and shawls for people in need.

Do you knit or crochet, sew or quilt? If so, consider sharing your talent by joining our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Prayer Warriors

Prayer cannot be overestimated. Prayer moves the hand of God. Our Church is a body of believers dependent upon prayer, and committed to God’s sovereignty. Each Sunday, during the morning service, we share prayer requests and any joys or concerns that the congregation may have.  We believe in the power of prayer!

Music

God-honoring worship is something we strive for, with many church members get involved in our music ministry. Some play their instruments while others are involved in the choir. These volunteers are an important part of the ministry of our church, using their talents and gifts to glorify God.

We are also greatly blessed to have the talents of Dr. Fran Covelesky as our organist/pianist.  Her talent is cherished and adds an amazing sense of inspiration to our worship serves.  But it doesn’t stop there, we also have Mr. Mike Yannuzzi, a jazz pianist and founding member of ‘No Strings’, a well known acapella group in our area, and Dave McDonald who knows well how to make his guitar sing.  Dave is also the chair of our worship committee. 

Mission Outreach

ORPC is thrilled to be a part of the spread of God’s kingdom around the world. We are active in community service work such as Manna House that serves daily meals to those in need, Operation Christmas Child, Strengthen Our Sisters, local food pantry ministry and a host of Presbyterian Church, USA mission initiatives such as One Great Hour of Sharing, which we participate in every year. Our ever present goal is to increase our contribution! This money provides relief to victims of natural disasters (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance), feeds the hungry (Presbyterian Hunger Program), and helps empower the poor and oppressed (Self-Development of People). The ORPC participates in many additional offerings. The Pentecost Offering, which is collected in June. This goes to support ministries with youth and young adults as well as child advocacy programs. 40% will stay here to help local children at risk. Lastly, but not least, we also support the Christmas Joy Offering that goes to aid retired ministers who are in need for whatever reason that may present itself.

 

We encourage all of our people to respond to God’s call for laborers, whether it means that they help in a foreign country or live and minister in our own community.
 

There are no specific amounts for these collections and projects, so please give as much or little as you want. Folks learn about each offering during worship and in PresNotes, our newsletter.

The Presbyterian Mission Agency has great programs and a solid reputation, so we’re confident our contributions will get to the people who need them. If you’d like to give to global mission in a different way, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Giving Catalog has been placed in the Narthex for anyone who would like to participate. With this opportunity, anyone can give a small gift that makes a big impact. Here’s where you can buy a cow, a pig, or a chicken, provide heat for refugees, support tutoring, purchase bus passes and school uniforms, and lots more. You can send your gift through the mail or go online at https://presbyteriangifts.org. If you have any questions, please see a member of the committee (Cindy Riggs, Rich Barry, or Ray Woody) or Pastor Chris.

And lastly, we invite any and all to get involved and participate in the many ways that we are THE CHURCH!  Come and bring your faith which inspires us to do good works.