MESSAGE. I’m thankful for all of “God’s benefits” (Psalm 103:2). The first one listed by the Psalmist is God’s forgiveness. He is the One “who forgives all your sins” (v.3). Even if others haven’t forgiven us, even if we haven’t forgiven ourselves, even if we are still living with the consequences of what we’ve done, God’s forgiveness is thorough. Jesus Christ and His death on the cross paid the whole price for our sin. Because of Him, we can be as completely clean on the inside as we are on the outside.
“Forget not all His benefits”. This coming week I invite you to be Thankful for the God who is on our side, the One who forgives.
MINISTRY. While I was on a mission trip to India I had no technical capability to update my weekly blog. It felt weird not to talk to my church via my Friday pastoral message. Last Friday I was still in “parallel universe” mode: trying to overcome my upper respiratory infection generously shared with me by my new Indian friends, forcing myself to try and sleep when its dark in the US (daytime in Shillong) and catching up on many visitations. I hope to get back to my regular weekly blog schedule starting this afternoon :-). Not everyone could hear my report from India last Sabbath. For you I’m adding a link to some photos from our mission to Shillong, India. The Lord has richly blessed this evangelistic effort. There was great joy in heaven when 30 dear souls got baptized and over 50 are preparing for their baptism in a Bible study class. I am sincerely thankful for your prayers and your support. Ooltewah church has once again proved that sharing the Good News of Christ’s soon return is our priority.
While traveling I received a nice email update from Cory Goss. Here are some excerpts from his message: “Things are really busy right now with the Pathfinders, we just finished the regional campout and now this coming weekend is the teen challenge at Cohutta Springs. Our teens will be learning bridge building skills. Not just with their relationships but literal bridge building. They will be assigned an area of the creek that they will have to build a bridge to get the entire club across. It should be very entertaining. They will also be learning how to build their relationship with God and family and friends. Our teens always come away with a blessing from Teen Challenge.
Within the next couple of weeks we will be collecting food again, doing a backpacking trip, and a Junior outing to Cohutta Springs; all before Christmas. On Sabbath afternoon, November 11th, the Pathfinders will be picking up the non-perishables from around our community and bringing them back to the fellowship hall for sorting and packing up. This is the perfect time for families who need the help to come and fill a box or two from our pantry before we take the remaining food to the Samaritan Center. The best time for them to come by the fellowship hall would probably be 4:30 that day.”
Thank you, Cory and your excellent Pathfinder club team, for teaching our children to love God and to care about people in need.
Last week the Season of Change ministry welcomed over fifty regular participants. The food was absolutely great. The spirit of fellowship was absolutely wonderful. Below are a few photos from their event.
The Veterans Day program put together by OAKS was a wonderful way of expressing our gratitude who served and continue to serve our nation. That day many OAKS students performed not only at our own church but at several other locations. Thank you teachers, students, and staff! Here are a couple of photos:
PRAYERS.
Prayers of praise for Howard Kennedy. He is back home.
Prayers for Bill Brown and Michael Simmons who were in car accidents. Bill had surgery. Now he’s back home. He’ll need lots of prayers as he has a long path to recovery. Praise God that both of them are alive and Michael is also doing well.
Mary Beth Morgan appreciates your prayers and visits.
Jerry Lastine is still at Ooltewah LifeCare. I assured him of our prayers.
Blessed Sabbath day to y’all.
Peter
Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church 