Month: February 2017

Greetings from Moscow,

I’m glad I can send you a few lines to update you on our Light of Hope mission to Eastern Europe.

The series started last Sabbath. On that first night of the meetings those in attendance were blessed with a performance by the Moscow SDA orchestra. The beautiful music touched every soul. Unfortunately, we ran out of seats and had to set up a live feed into the basement hall. The topic for the first night was “Accepting the Gift of the Abundant Life.” We looked into the path leading to the life filled with meaning and truth. Since that first night the meetings have been broadcast by the newly launched SDA satellite channel blanketing Eastern Europe and Asia. In addition, the meetings are broadcast on the Evangelical Trinity Broadcasting Network – Russia (TBN). TBN has an established audience of millions of viewers. This is certainly a historical opportunity  of reaching these dear people with the message of the soon coming of the Lord. We are now on our seventh day of the series and each night we receive hundreds of prayer requests and questions related to the specific topic.

An in depth Bible study and baptismal class has been established at the hosting site as well as in many other churches across the division.

The city has been blanketed by snow all week, but the meetings are continuing and we appreciate all your prayers and support.

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I’m glad that the gospel path leads to a different direction than Vladimir Lenin’s 🙂

On Wednesday, I will start my journey to Ukraine for another week of meetings in Mariupol, Ukraine, Donetsk region.

Miss you and praying for you,

Peter

MESSAGE. Late last night I arrived in Moscow, Russia. In spite of the fact that I missed two nights of sleep I headed straight to the Seventh-day Adventist church which will be hosting the meetings. I brought with me some crucial equipment needed for the uplink of the broadcast to the satellite feed. With 24 hours left to the first meeting our Light of Hope team in Moscow couldn’t afford waiting till morning. At 11 pm technicians and church leaders were all there. Some were hanging platform banners, others were running around with cords and microphones. I noticed folding beds in one of the offices. Definitely no time to waste … working and sleeping at church. They want to be ready to share the Bread of Life. We have a wonderful church family all across the globe. We share the same mission. They may eat different food, listen to different music, dress not like us (definitely warmer … 😁 it’s cold here 😨) but they are our family. They are also eagerly waiting for the soon coming of the Lord. Let’s treasure and build up this unity.

Ephesians 4:3 says that we should be “Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” God’s Spirit wants our church to be unified. God’s Spirit wants us to love and forgive and forbear one another (see Ephesians 4:2). That’s what God’s Spirit is going for in our church, that we will stay together and work together.

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MINISTRY. OAKS Variety Show was a hoot! Fun, laughter, and pies made the night a memorable one as we all chipped in to raise $1680 for the Worthy Student Fund. Praise the Lord!

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Jessica and John Turner are pleased to announce the arrival of their beautiful son. Alexandre Corban Turner was born on February 13 at 9:38am weighing 9lbs 8oz., 22 inches long. Congratulations Turner Family!

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Pastor Aubrey shares the following announcement: “I have had the privilege of being the Associate Pastor here for the last year and a half and have learned from all of you. As part of continuing my education to become the best pastor I can be, I will be pursuing my Masters of Divinity degree at Andrews University this coming fall. I will miss you all and covet your prayers as I prepare, but in the meantime, we have 6 months together so let’s make the best of them : )”

Aubrey, you’ll always be part of this church. We definitely have mixed feelings: happy for your plans for the future and sad you’ll have to move. But let’s not say goodbye yet. There’s still a lot that needs to be done while you are here.

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With prayers for each one of you,

Peter 

MESSAGE. Ephesians 6:16 “…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

A shield deflects. Satan is always hurling his fiery darts of fear, doubt and worry in our direction, but the only time they can hit us is when we let our shield of faith down—when we stop believing that God is in control; that He is working everything out for our good; that whatever happens is for the ultimate best of everyone involved, however little it seems to be that way.
Tomorrow morning I’ll continue my series on the Battle Ready Life. Part 5: The Shield of Faith.

MINISTRY. Thank you, Adventurers, for the exceptional second service program last Sabbath. We have great leaders helping our children grow in various skills and be engaged in church ministries. I was moved to tears watching the Adventurers march to the front, leading in the congregational singing, praying, reciting the Scripture and singing for God’s glory. I hope our church will be suportive of the Adventurer Club Valentine’s Banquet this Sunday afternoon.

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Below are a few photos from the Patnfinders’ Lock in. Thank you, Cory and your staff for your ministry to our children.

Cereal Barrel Ministry needs a boost. Let’s not forget about those in our community who may not have anything to eat for breakfast. Cereal Barrel Ministry helps these families with their basic needs. The Barrel is right in the lobby of our church. Please, bring a box tomorrow or next week. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in” Matthew 25:35

Mission Trips. Nick Wilson is back from his mission trip and tomorrow morning he’ll share a brief report with us. He told me that he’ll also show us a few pictures. Exciting!

Please, remember the upcoming mission trip for Burl and Deven Stricker. They are heading to Nicaragua on February 26. If you are willing to support their mission please mark your donation as “The Stricker Mission.”

Light of Hope. This will be my last Sabbath in Ooltewah before heading to Moscow, Russia, and Mariupol in Ukraine. The preparation is going well in Moscow. Local pastors and conference leaders are doing their best. We are exactly a week away from the opening night of the meetings. Here is a promo video which is being played on various social networks and on TBN Russia. Peter speaking in tongues 😊. The situation in Ukraine requires God’s intervention. Please pray for our pastors in Mariupol. The local authorities are backing off from the promise to allow our meetings to be held in a rented auditorium in the central city location. Unless a miracle happens the meetings will be taking place in two small local SDA building. This may require up to three meetings a day. Either way those living in Eastern Ukraine need to find hope in the soon coming of the Lord. Many of them don’t even have food. Our Light of Hope Ministry plan is to help them with bags of basic groceries. Your financial support is greatly appreciated.

PRAYERS. Seeking your prayers for Dorothy Champion, Zoe Rauene, Gene Fowler (he is back home and the recovery is going well), Elaine Stevens and Sondra Chilson.

RESOURCES. FULL WEEKLY BULLETIN with inserts. Click here.

Upcoming Sabbaths preview: February 18 – pastor David Bissell; February 26 – Pathfinder Club Sabbath with pastor Aubrey; March 4 – Clifford Goldstein morning and afternoon; March 11 – Dr. Philip Samaan, morning, afternoon seminars and Vespers with music and Dr Samaan perspective on ISIS.

See you tomorrow morning,

Peter

MESSAGE.  “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thanks to Jesus, we are wearing the right shoes—our feet are fitted with the gospel of peace. Maybe these shoes don’t look like much compared to some of the fancy footwear we see in the shoe stores, but they are priceless. Jesus wants us to put on the gospel of peace and get moving. We don’t have time to waste. Even though we’re wearing the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness we can’t put our feet up and rest. We have the right shoes to wear for everything this world can throw at us, and our feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. We need to live in that peace.

Tomorrow morning we’ll continue our study of the Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6.

11:25 service will feature the Ooltewah Adventurers Club.

YOUTH CHURCH (grades 7-12) will take place in the Fellowship Hall at 11:25 with Pastor Aubrey.

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MINISTRY. “Fresh Start” is one of our priority programs for the first quarter of this year. It’s not yet too late to join the class. This weekend there are two events planned under the umbrella of the Health Ministry department. First, a Saturday night seminar at 7 pm in the sanctuary addressing the plague of our era – high blood pressure. You’ll learn about some fascinating ways of reducing your blood pressure naturally. Second, a Sunday afternoon practical health seminar at 4 pm.

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FREED-UP. Are you tired of your financial struggles? Chronically short on your regular monthly expenses? Is there a way to handle my finances differently? Actually, there is. This month Jean-Luke Lezeau will present a two part FREED-UP seminar. The first session is on February 19. Please, don’t forget to register for this very helpful and practical program. To order work-books for the seminar participants we need to have the total number of participants asap. The church will cover 50% (10$) of your work-book cost if you register by February 7. The sign up sheet is in the church lobby.

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Light of Hope Ministry. February 1 was a big day for the Light of Hope Ministry. Russian SDA television started 24/7 satellite broadcasting on one of the major Russian satellites in a test mode. The Light of Hope Ministry helped to make the necessary arrangements and is providing funding for the first 12 months of this outreach project. The official start of this TV channel is planned for February 18, the opening night of the Light of Hope meetings in Moscow. The total cost of the annual contract is $60,000. Your support is greatly appreciated.

More than anything I’m asking for your prayers. My meetings in Moscow will go nightly February 18 through 26. You’ll be able to watch a live broadcast of these meetings at 11 AM EST on www.hopetv.ru and www.tbn-tv.ru  I know that you’ll not understand most of my Russian sermons, but I know for sure that the Lord will understand your English prayers.

After the meetings in Moscow I’ll travel to a war-torn area of Eastern Ukraine. The meetings there will go March 3 through March 11. These dear people need to hear the message hope. The second coming of Jesus is the only answer to their desperate situation. I hope the Light of Hope will have enough funding to help people in Ukraine not only with the Bread of Life, but also with the basic physical food needs.

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PRAYERS. What makes our church special is wonderful prayer support for one another. Dorothy Champion, Jerilyn Faulkner, and Nubia Slagle need our daily prayers.

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RESOURCES.

Weekly church bulletin including inserts – click here.
Online tithe and offering giving – click here.

Blessed Sabbath day to you!

Peter