main pagemain pagehttp://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2012-01-30T19:54:15ZSquarespaceSouper Bowl posters availablehttp://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2012/1/27/souper-bowl-posters-available.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2012-01-27T18:14:20Z2012-01-27T18:14:20ZWe have posters available for you to put up or send to friends as we gather soup for the SuperBowl food ministry emphasis. Click on the image to download a pdf poster.

]]>Join our mobile messaging grouphttp://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2012/1/26/join-our-mobile-messaging-group.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2012-01-27T01:54:47Z2012-01-27T01:54:47ZWe are experimenting with a mobile messaging group. If you sign up, you will be able to recieve text messages to your phone with news, closings, meeting reminders, etc...try it out!

]]>SOUPER BOWL OF SHARING 2012http://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2012/1/26/souper-bowl-of-sharing-2012.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2012-01-26T20:51:45Z2012-01-26T20:51:45ZOk football fans, here's your opportunity to compete against hunger! There are displays set up in the narthex and fellowship hall to gather soup for the next Sundays (Jan 29, Feb 5 and Feb 12). Bring cans of soup and we'll report to the National SouperBowl how we have added to the total of churches across the country! This is a great way for groups having superbowl gatherings to bring a compassionate dimension to a fun day. Let other's know and invite them to participate as well.

 

]]>Worship flow for Jan 22 discovery servicehttp://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2012/1/21/worship-flow-for-jan-22-discovery-service.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2012-01-21T17:09:42Z2012-01-21T17:09:42ZWORSHIP FLOW FOR JANUARY 22: Building around our focus on Abraham, a man who lived 4000 years ago and was called by God to leave his home and go to a new land. God promised to bless him and make him a blessing to all nations. Abraham became the father of the nation of Israel, which became the people through whom Jesus came into the world. Abraham is an example of faith living, where we step out into the unknown, trusting God who keeps calling us to leave what is comfortable and familiar. The Holy Spirit is always at work helping us grow and to be involved in new ways of bringing God's blessing to others. Our songs invite us to celebrate a God who blesses and calls.
I WILL FOLLOW is a song of commitment. It reminds us that God knows better than we do, and his guidance is like light, showing us how to live. Jesus often said to people "follow me" without explaining all that meant. They had to trust him. We do too.


BLESSED BE YOUR NAME is an older chorus that reminds us that God's ways don't always seem good to us. It reflects the story of Job, who experienced illness and tragedy. He chose to trust God even when it seemed like he was abandoned by God. Job learns that even if there are difficult times, God is always present with the intention to lead us to a good place.


HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD is our base chorus this quarter. We come back to it over and over, imprinting it on our hearts and letting it draw us to seek a growing knowledge of the greatness of our God!

]]>Shed arrives!http://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2012/1/21/shed-arrives.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2012-01-21T17:03:45Z2012-01-21T17:03:45ZThe new shed has arrived. This is temporarily placed on the blacktop in the northeast corner of the parking lot while we work through the Pinelands variance process. What a great help this wll be for us! We purchased the shed with part of the returned escrow funds from the new addition.

]]>Worship flow for January 15 discovery servicehttp://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2012/1/13/worship-flow-for-january-15-discovery-service.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2012-01-13T14:31:49Z2012-01-13T14:31:49ZHere are the songs to begin to listen to in preparation for January 15

Isaiah 45:23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
I John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
The challenge of this for us is that we tend to limit God's love to people who are like us, or people we like. To have a world wide missional Christian faith is to actively work to overcome the cultural and ethnic barriers that block our sharing the blessings of God's kingdom.
HOPE OF THE NATIONS: Celebrates Jesus as the one who can fulfill the hope of all peoples. There is a discussion of the chains that Jesus broke, hinting at how difficult it is for us to accept that God's love is for all who will receive it.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD: We return to one of our base praise songs, making much of a great God.
Revelation 7:9-10 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

SHOUT TO THE NORTH:
Shout to the North and the South
Sing to the East and the West
Jesus is Savior of All
Lord of Heaven and Earth

 

HE REIGNS: Is an older Newsboys song, one of the first I remember to focus on a worldwide view of the church, naming Asian and African peoples. It also notes the powers of darkness that try to overcome all of God's children. May God use this worship flow to tune our hearts to a God who "loved the world so much that he sent his unique Son" to be the Savior for all.

]]>notes for New Year's Day Sundayhttp://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2011/12/30/notes-for-new-years-day-sunday.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2011-12-30T14:38:13Z2011-12-30T14:38:13ZWe'll be holding our regular services this New Year's Sunday, Discovery at 9, Traditional at 11. We'll celebrate communion at both services both this Sunday and next. This Sunday we will have people come forward to take a piece of bread from the servers and dip it in the cup (intinction). There is no children's ministry breakout this Sunday, and then there will be regular breakouts for the rest of January. Our message will be based on Philippians 3 where the writer is thinking about how the past can keep us from our best present and future. A Christ centered life becomes simplified about being part of God's gospel mission. I'll be using some new slides for projection that come from my digital commentary series (Hi Def). We live in amazing days for using digital media in support of spiritual growth. This coming year we'll hope to nurture more of that by inspiring people to use online resources for spiritual life development. Sunday evening we welcome 10 guests who are part of the Family Promise week. Thanks to all who are working on this! It is reflection of the mercy of Jesus.

]]>VOLUNTEER TODAY, FAMILY PROMISE NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!http://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2011/12/27/volunteer-today-family-promise-needs-your-help.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2011-12-27T19:06:37Z2011-12-27T19:06:37ZWe are hosting two families starting New Years Day, Sunday, January 1st, 2012. We are still in need of people to fill two overnight spots. If you can stay, please contact the church office or Bonnie Larson at 609-978-8146. We also need volunteers to set up and make beds on Sunday, Jan. 1st at 10am during coffee hour. We are in need of breakfast and lunch foods for the week. To avoid spoilage and doubles of items coming in, please contact Rachel Desiderio at 609-978-0885 to coordinate. Donations of twin mattress pads are greatly appreciated.

]]>Christmas Eve Candle-lighting Servicehttp://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2011/12/21/christmas-eve-candle-lighting-service.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2011-12-21T16:15:36Z2011-12-21T16:15:36Z Saturday, December 24th we will hold our Christmas Eve Candle-lighting service at 7pm. We invite you to join us for this special service.

Christmas is a time of the year that involves us in reflection on our lives and our future. God sent Jesus into the world to be light, life and our peace. The good news is that Christ has come as one of us, born of the Virgin Mary, to be a savior and friend. Come worship with us as we gather around Christ, as the shepherds did, to celebrate God's Grace to us.

Sunday, December 25th we will gather for a combined service at 10am.

Babysitting will be available in the nursery during both services for infants up to age 7.

]]>Angel Tree Gifts ready to fly!http://oceanchurch.squarespace.com/oceanchurch/2011/12/19/angel-tree-gifts-ready-to-fly.htmlPhilip Bakelaar2011-12-19T16:03:19Z2011-12-19T16:03:19ZThanks to all who participated in our Angel Tree program. We had 157 gifts donated for children in our community who visit our food and clothing ministries. These are difficult days that will probably be written about in history books in years to come. We can remember that we brought some good news and cheer to others during difficult times.

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