Sixty-two volunteers and many on Orchard Hill’s staff team came together at the church on April 29 for the annual all-church work day.

“I was in awe at how there was such a buzz at the church when I came in!” said staff member Leanne Anderson as volunteers cleaned, painted, stapled, repaired, and pruned around the church grounds.

Route 55, Orchard’s ministry to people ages 55 and older, sponsor the day every year. Participants ages 20 to 97 joined together, providing a beautiful picture of God’s blessings among Orchard Hill’s multi-generational church family.

“God created us to live in community,” shared Route 55 leader Jean Gedlinske, “and this is exactly what I see happening at Orchard Hill Church.”

Orchard’s Operations Director, Erik Blanchard, echoed Jean by saying that the relationships that develop and continue through the annual spring work day are what he appreciates the most.

Here’s what others had to say:

“What a blessing to be with other believers with the same heart to serve the Lord. It didn’t feel like work to me.” – Kay Clements

“The work day serves to lift up Jesus and His mission around here!” – Laura Hoy

“It was so cool to see all the activity around the building – all the volunteers and staff working together. That is community!” – Diane Oehler

Contact Jean (jgedlinske@orchardhillchurch.org) for more information about Route 55.

After consulting with Food for the Hungry partners both stateside and in Mozambique, Orchard Hill decided to cancel the upcoming trip to Gorongosa, Mozambique this June. The low-level political unrest in the area caused this to be Food for the Hungry’s third canceled trip to the region.

“Our traveling to Mozambique has always been hard and carried a risk,” said Neil McMahon, “but we felt this situation crossed the reasonable risk line at this time.”

Neil and Barb McMahon planned to lead the team of seven to Gorongosa, Mozambique next month. Orchard has partnered with Food for the Hungry for the past seven years providing sponsorships to 254 children in the area. Each year, teams from Orchard travel to Gorongosa to visit the children, encourage Food for the Hungry staff, and build bridges with partners. People from Orchard Hill have also provided computer training, and training for pastors and their wives.

“We request your continued prayer for the people and children of Gorongosa who have become our friends,” asked Barb. “We pray that this time of unrest would end, and that their lives could return back to the peaceful hopeful period of transformation God would desire.”

Orchard Hill Church plans to return to Gorongosa in 2014 and asks you to continue sending your support and letters to your sponsored children!

Anyone who would like to sponsor a child may contact Kris Hoskinson (khoskinson@orchardhillchurch.org).

One of our powerful partnerships is the Food Resource Bank.  This is a partnership between our farmers and our congregation where we fund a crop which they plant and harvest.  The money then goes to one of our three under-resourced communities in Haiti, Mozambique and the Walnut Neighborhood.

It’s time for us to fund at $20 per row of crop this years harvest.  In the past eight years we have donated $66,800 and that has enabled us to give $150,800.  That means that for every dollar given our farmers have multiplied that to $2.25.  This is a beautiful project where everyone wins…our congregations dollars for mission are multiplied, our farmers get to use their skills and children in Haiti, Mozambique and Walnut Neighborhood receive the help and community development needed. For more information, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

Donations for the Food Resource Bank can be made at the Event Desk on Sunday or by specifying a check for the offering.

Beginning June 16, we are offering a Family Worship Service at 10:45 in the Sanctuary. This 10-week service is designed for families of all ages to attend together. It will be 45-50 minutes in length, feature a sermon tied to the summer teaching series, and have special pieces for families. 

 

One of the ways that Orchard Hill partners with Harvest Vineyard is in their annual outreach called Picnic in the Park in downtown Waterloo’s Lincoln Park. On the first and third Sundays of the month, Orchard Hill will be providing the meal, hospitality, and children’s activities while Harvest provides outdoor worship. Together, we reach out in Christ’s love to downtown neighbors, and we see God bring hope and joy into the community formed by volunteers and park guests eating, playing, and worshiping together.

We are looking for individuals, families, and small groups who would like to volunteer for one or more Sundays from 10:45 to 2:00.  Volunteer roles include making and serving food, pouring drinks, playing with children, welcoming people into the park, writing name tags, among many other things. If you would like to volunteer please sign up here.