Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ Isaiah 6:8
 
This scripture is part of our foundation; a pillar of who we are and want to be. It is part of our vision. 
 
We, the members of Orange Presbyterian Church, give our time and our talents to our community to make a difference in other lives. We hear the call and show up, again and again.
 
God asks, Who shall care for the hungry, the sick, the needy?
Here am I, Lord, respond those who stock the Blessing Box and volunteer at the Food Pantry.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who serve in free clinics, both in Orange and elsewhere.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who prepare communion, work yard sales, and bazaars.
 
God asks, Who shall tend my flock?
Here am I, Lord, respond those who keep Sunday worship going after our pastor left.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who serve on session and committees.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who write letters and give rides to shut-ins.
 
God asks, Who shall be stewards of this place?
Here am I, Lord, respond those who mow the grass, tend the garden, and clean the church.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who serve on the Presbyterian Weekday School Board.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who serve on the Finance and Endowment Committees. 
 
God asks, Who shall support this work?
Here am I, Lord, respond those who tithe regularly.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who donate to support our mission work.
Here am I, Lord, respond those who contribute quietly but faithfully. 
 
How will you answer the call?
Fill out your stewardship packet today. Or, simply contact the church.
When you say Here am I, Lord, let us know what you’re here for. Will it be regular church attendance? Service on committees or session? Work in the community? Faithful tithing? All of the above?
 
The pandemic has dispersed our church family. It is time to return. Time to answer God’s call and say
Here am I, Lord.

YOUR CHURCH FAMILY NEEDS YOU!
Will you answer the call?
For OPC to continue, we need your active participation. Listen to God’s call and consider becoming more active.

The Nominating Committee will begin calling this week, looking for folks willing to serve on the session. Every member of this year's Session is rotating off at the end of the year.

Without a session, OPC simply can’t continue as an organization.

Will you answer the call to lead?
If it's been a while since you served, know that some things have changed. First, Session members are no longer required to be committee chairs. So you don't have to do double duty.
 
Second, Session members no longer have to commit to a full three-year term. You can agree to serve for two years. Or if you're on the fence, you can even volunteer for just one year as a trial.

The Pastor Nominating Committee is progressing in their work, and we may soon have a new pastor. If you've been unhappy with the direction OPC has gone, this is a great opportunity to "right the ship."

Will you answer the call to serve?
Don't consider yourself a leadership type? There's still lots to do. Every committee needs more support. Even if you can commit to doing one small thing, that still lightens the burden for others. So when the Nominating Committee calls, consider volunteering to help with a committee.
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How will the Spirit move you to answer?
With a small congregation, an individual's participation -- or lack of participation -- has a huge impact on the health of the church.

What will your impact be?
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​Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I, Lord. Send me!” - Isaiah 6:8

 - Ralph Graves
Communications Team Leader

Let’s talk about stewardship!

Maybe it seems a bit early in the year to have such a discussion, but really, we are stewards of God’s good gifts all year long, so why not talk about them all year long?

Last year’s stewardship campaign was “I love to tell the story.” We talked about how God has provided for humanity since the very beginning, and continues to provide for us even today. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, and great losses, and society tension, God is providing.

God provides space for us to have difficult but deep conversations. God provides us resources to be God’s hands and feet in this world. God provides us hearts and minds that seek to do God’s will. God provides.

The question of stewardship is - what will we do with all that God has provided? What will we do with the time, the talents, the treasures, the influence, the privileges we have been given? As disciples, as good stewards, these are the questions we must ask ourselves all year long.

​So as we continue in this unprecedented year, let’s consider these questions in unprecedented ways. As the story of God’s love continues to be told, let us do our part in the story. Let’s keep telling the story, let’s love to tell the story. 

Pastor Rebekah