Family Camp
This weekend, several of our families will be at Skyline Camp in Almont, Michigan, to enjoy fun and fellowship. Biz Nieusma is leading activities and Rev. Townley will be leading worship on Sunday morning before the group returns home.

Vacation Bible School
June 18–22nd
9 AM–4 PM
Children who have completed Kindergarten–5th grades are invited to attend.
Middle school students are encouraged to be CITs and high school students and adults can be crew leaders.
We invite you to worship with us each Sunday at 10:00 AM.
This weekend, several of our families will be at Skyline Camp in Almont, Michigan, to enjoy fun and fellowship. Biz Nieusma is leading activities and Rev. Townley will be leading worship on Sunday morning before the group returns home.

10:00 am Worship
Sermon: “Going to the Father,” by Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson
Scripture Lesson: John 16:4b-15
11:00 am Christian Education Hour
There will be no CE Classes today due to the Holiday Weekend. Nursery Care is available from 9:30 am–11:30 am.
The Adult Education Committee would like your input about our class offerings. Please take this survey now to help us evaluate this past year and plan for next. Paper copies will also be available in the Fellowship Hall. We would like to have your input no later than May 29. Thank you for your help.
Make plans now to attend the annual Church Picnic next Sunday, June 3, right after the worship service. There will be “Turkeyman” sandwiches, chips, lemonade, and Biz will have games for the kids. Please sign up on the kiosk to bring a dessert, side dish or salad, $2/person or $5/family. This is your annual excuse to wear picnic clothes to church, so plan to stay and celebrate summer together.
VBS is scheduled at Woldumar Nature Center for June 18-22nd. This is an all-day program (9 am–4 pm, that is half VBS and half nature center curriculum. This year our theme is SKY, where we learn that Everything is Possible with God while meeting some extremely entertaining characters. Children who have completed Kindergarden-5th graders are invited to attend. Middle School students are encouraged to be CITs and High School students and adults can be crew leaders. All the information can be found at the Peoples Church website or at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/peoplesvbswoldumar. Early registration ends April 30th so sign up today.
10:00 am Worship
Sermon: “Bearing Witness,” by Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson
Scripture Lesson: Acts 10:34-48
11:20 am Christian Education Hour
There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.
Women’s Connection meets next Sunday, May 20, at 1:00 pm in the Board Room. (Note this is a week earlier than our usual 4th Sunday meeting.)
Our speaker, Lois Walker, has been very active in the life of PCO for many years. She was an officer for our Presbyterian Women back in the 80s and is currently a deacon, with varied involvement in between. If you don't see her at church, you can find her at activities all around town, including at the bowling lanes or golf course. When not here, she is likely traveling somewhere around the world! All women are invited to hear Lois' interesting stories and the role her faith has played in her life. Lois Veldman and Barbara Dorr will be lunch hostesses. No reservation required!
On Sunday, May 20, we will celebrate May birthdays with coffee, punch and birthday cake. If your birthday falls in May, be sure your name is on the list on the kiosk near the kitchen door, and it will appear on the cake.
The Church Picnic will be on June 3rd. This annual event marks the end of Sunday School with a delicious picnic menu and games for all thek ids. Mark your calendars now and plan to relax in picnic clothes immediately following the worship service.
Family Camp is almost here. We will be going to Camp Skyline to spend Memorial Day Weekend fishing, playing games, doing crafts, eating s’mores and getting to know our family and other people in our church family better. Registration is online at campskyline.org/summer. If you would like more information please contact Biz Nieusma.
10:00 am Worship
Sermon: “The True Vine,” by Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson
Scripture Lesson: John 15:1–15
11:20 am Christian Education Hour
There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.
“Missionaries: A Historical Perspective” Dr. Emily Conroy-Krutz leads this discussion of the emergence of the foreign mission movement in the early 19th century and its spread through the end of the century.
Rev. Rob Carlson is offering two Sunday morning classes, on May 13 and May 20, meeting in the Board Room (at the back of the sanctuary) at 11:30 am. The classes are called “Unplugged” because the classes are for anyone and everyone, a time to ask questions about this congregation, about our denomination, and about the Christian faith. The class time is especially helpful for visitors to the church and those who may be considering church membership. But it is also an opportunity for others to talk about the issues of the day, to voice questions that have been raised by life and circumstances, and to explore the parameters of our life in Christ.
Spring Clean-Up is Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Sign up on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
Your help is needed to address hunger in Okemos! There are several needy families in the Okemos school district. Children are coming to school hungry because their families have a hard time putting food on the table. Janie Groetsch, PCO Confirmation Class of 2012, is asking for your help. During the next two weeks, could you bring any of the following items to church and place them in the coatroom, in the box labeled "Food for Needy Okemos Children." Janie and her confirmation sponsor Trudy Sturk will distribute the items to Okemos schools. We will accept donations of goods until Sunday, May 13.
Portrait of Antonio Vivaldi by François Morellon de La Cave. Used under Creative Commons license.10:00 am Worship
Sermon: “Et in Terra Pax: And on Earth, Peace,” by Rev. Rob Carlson
Scripture Lesson: John 10:11-18
Our Chancel Choir, with orchestra, will present Gloria in D by Antonio Vivaldi, directed by Frank Watkins.
11:20 am Christian Education Hour
There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.
“God, the State, and the Political Meaning of the Church.” Rev. Rob Carlson will lead us in a conversation regarding recent trends in American social and political life and the role of the church regarding these issues. We will look especially at the work of theologian William Cavanagh exploring the role of the church as an institution that “keeps the common good.”
6:00 pm Youth Group
The Presbyterian Church of Okemos • 2258 Bennett Road • Okemos, MI 48864 • (517) 349-9536