By Jason Callon

Upcoming Events & Festival Days

A very busy time in the life of us Christians is here! Below is a list of upcoming festival days, special events, and more, in the life of the church.

 

  • Sunday, 10/31/21 – Reformation Sunday
    • Choir singing at 8:30am worship

 

  • Sunday, 11/7/21 – All Saints
    • big band jazz music featured at both 8:30am & 11:00am worship!

 

  • Sunday, 11/21/21 – Christ the King Sunday
    • Choir singing at 8:30am worship, along with a guest trumpet player

 

  • Wednesday, 11/24/21 – Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical Service
    • Hosted by St. John’s (1000 Helena Ave.) at 7:00pm

 

  • Sunday, 11/28/21 – Advent Begins

 

  • Wednesday, 12/1/21 – Lessons and Carols
    • At 7:00pm, featuring our chancel choir, bell choir, string orchestra, and more!

 

  • Friday, 12/24/21 – Christmas Eve

 

  • Sunday, 12/26/21 – Christmas 1

 

  • Sunday, 1/6/21 – Epiphany
Worship
By Jason Callon

Fall Schedule Starts This Week

Beginning Wednesday, September 15th and Sunday, September 19th, we will move to our normal Fall worship schedule.

 

Sunday 8:30am — Traditional Worship

  • This service includes full liturgy, organ, and communion
  • Often features our Chancel Choir

 

Sunday 11:00am — Rejoice Worship

  • This service features contemporary music, a slightly lighter liturgy, and communion
  • Music led by our Rejoice Band

 

Wednesday 6:30pm — Spark Worship

  • Family-oriented worship that is light on liturgy and under 45 minutes, with communion
  • Features our high school Spark Band

 

A word from our Council President, Jan Martin:

After the listening session on July 18, a survey and discussions with those who could not attend, the ministry team had a lengthy discussion about worship this fall. This decision was made with the knowledge that two services on Sunday is more work for the ministry team. Some of the important factors in reaching this decision were:
1)     With two services it will be easier to respond to changing recommendations from the CDC and county health officials, and to maintain appropriate distance between family groups during worship as care for the health of our members is part of our ministry.
2)     The time between services will facilitate Sunday School, Bible Study and fellowship.
3)     Some members of the congregation prefer one service over the other.
This decision is supported by the church council, and will be reviewed as conditions change.
Worship
By Jason Callon

Council Updates the ORLC COVID-19 Plan

In an ongoing effort to respond to current conditions, make wise decisions on behalf of the congregation, and because as Christ’s people we are called to love our neighbor, at the August 17 meeting of the Council the following was proposed and passed:
It is moved that ORLC follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines regarding Covid recommendations.
The current recommendations from the CDC are that if you live in an area of substantial or high transmission (Lewis and Clark County is currently an area of HIGH transmission), both vaccinated and unvaccinated people should wear masks when indoors.
The way this will impact our life together is that as of Sunday, August 22, we ask that masks be worn in worship and at all meetings and activities held in the ORLC building, and that when possible a six-foot distance be maintained between those not living in the same household. We will also be discontinuing food and coffee fellowship for the time being since that encourages the removal of masks.
In making this decision, Council was advised by members of the congregation who are medical and public health professionals, consulted with the Lewis and Clark County Public Health Department, and checked to see what policy was in place at other similar congregations in Helena. There was lengthy discussion and a wide variety of opinions, but in the end the decision was made that as Christ’s people we set an example to the world when we stand with the most vulnerable among us, in this case the children who cannot yet get the vaccine and others who due to health issues are at risk from serious complications should they be infected. We also took into consideration the current capacity of local hospitals.
Council and the pastoral staff will be closely monitoring what comes from the CDC and local public health officials, and as the situation changes will be updating the ORLC Covid-19 Plan accordingly. Ongoing updates will be in the weekly Thursday Messenger (e-news) and on the ORLC website. If you have any questions, Jan Martin (Council president), Pastor Kendra and Pastor Trina are available.
News