MESSAGE. It is difficult to understand how the Lord Jesus could pray for His brutal executioners to be forgiven (Luke 23:34). We often try to excuse our unforgiving hearts by arguing that He was God, whereas we are sinful creatures. But Jesus calls us to follow His divine example. As we lift our eyes to the Lord in prayer, we can be Spirit-enabled to put into practice His most difficult directives. Think of someone toward whom you have harbored a bitter spirit. Cleanse your memory if necessary. Pray: “Lord, flood my heart with grace, and purge away my unforgiving spirit. Help me to ‘live peaceably with all men’” (Romans 12:18).
What a transforming difference it can make in our marriages, our homes, and our churches. Tomorrow is the Communion Sabbath at our church. Pray for grace and forgiveness.
MINISTRY. HOPE Bible Study group meets every Friday night at the Samaritan Center at 6:30. This New Bible study group is being sponsored by our church. Mark Philips is the group leader.
On September 25 our Men’s Ministry group held their monthly meeting. Here is a brief report from Edymar: “For the month of September the monthly men’s breakfast (Haney’s Hungry Hombres) met at the Cracker Barrel. This time, there was no agenda or lessons. It was what I call, GTO (guys time out). Over 12 men got together and bonded over biscuits, eggs and grits. Next month, the breakfast will be back in the fellowship hall and it will be an event you do not want to miss. More to come soon. If you would like to learn more about what the Ooltewah Men are doing at church and in the community, please reach out to me. Thank you, Edymar Penagos (EdymarPenagos@hotmail.com Cell 813-541-2184)”
On Wednesday night, I had the honor of being part of the Pathfinder Club Induction program. Here is a message from Cory Goss, the club Director: “The Ooltewah Pathfinders have been very busy. Last weekend was spent camping at Sloppy Floyd State Park in GA with the whole club. Although it was hot, it didn’t keep us from enjoying the archery, canoeing, wall climbing, campfire singing, fishing, hiking, and quality time together with each other and our Savior. It was such a fun time that many of us wanted to stay longer, but it was only a couple days before we were back together for our Induction Ceremony at the church. 25 new members were inducted by candle light ceremony and all of us were reminded by Pastor Peter that you are never too young to do something for God. With a record number of new members we now are over 55 kids plus our staff. God is blessing the Ooltewah Pathfinder Club and we are so proud of our kids.”
Evangelyn and Donald Keefe, our regular church visitors, welcomed a precious baby Josiah Glaser Keefe (6 lbs, 9.5 oz) into their family last Saturday night. Congratulations!
PRAYERS. Ephesians 6:18 “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”
Stovall family. Thank you everyone who joined the Memorial service for Nicki on Monday night.
George Mackel. George has been transferred to The Health Care Center at Standiffer Place.
Larry Collins. Ooltewah church member battling cancer.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. Click here for this Sabbath church bulletin and Announcements.
ONLINE GIVING is available on the church website at http://www.ooltewahchurch.org
MINISTRY. Here is an exerpt from Steve Bremner’s email message: “Please pray for the prison ministry. Last night (Sunday) was the second week in a row Paula Wolfe and I were not allowed in. I was very inspired by Paula last night. We were told it would be awhile before our service could start because of an incident in the unit we are assigned. Then we were led into the prison and told to wait in a hallway. We saw a guard with a rifle and several other guards with weapons. Paula looked concerned and said “I’m not sure if I want to go any further.”
MESSAGE. For the last few weeks we have been studying the miracles of Jesus. We learned that He can give sight to the blind. He can give hearing to the deaf. He can make the dumb speak, He can walk on water. Tomorrow morning we will talk about His ultimate power over death. Jesus proved that He can raise the dead.
A new Bible study group targeting our larger community is being launched next Friday night at 6:30 at the Samaritan Center. You will find the flyers in the church bulletin tomorrow. The best way to use the flyer would be to share it with your friend. Here is this same flyer in digital format. You can print as many copies as you want for your friends and neighbors. Everyone is welcome to be a part of this new Bible study group. 
MESSAGE. Our Lord is able to take the humdrum, commonplace, ordinary events of any life and with his touch make them full of flavor, fragrance, strength, and beauty; to turn them into wine. He will do this with any of us as we faithfully walk with him, follow him, and believe in him. Tomorrow morning is my sixth sermon in the “7 Miracles of Jesus” series. I invite you to study John 2:7-11.
Before that they lived and worked for 8 years in the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference in Canada. John is from former Yugoslavia and immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1964. He attended Kingsway College, Newbold College, and graduated from Canadian Union College in 1974.
Christine (left), Candice (middle), myself (right), Kaelyn (center), and now the story.
Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church 