MESSAGE. God wants to live inside you but often your life is filled with other things. The apostle Paul is praying about the believers so that Christ may dwell in their hearts (Ephesians 3:17). There was no room for Jesus in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. As we are preparing to celebrate Christmas this December I invite you to de-clutter your hearts. Make room for Jesus!
MINISTRY. Congratulations to Janel and Geoffrey Jensen with the birth of Ava! Isn’t she adorable?
Congratulations also to Christina and Justine Stone with the birth Hudson Andrew! What a precious gift of heaven!
Our dear Mrs. Shirley Stevens fell asleep in the Lord on Monday morning. Friends are invited for visitation on Saturday afternoon from 4 to 7 pm at Heritage Funeral Home. Memorial service will take place on Sunday at 2 pm at the Ooltewah SDA church. Pastor Mike Pettengill will officiate at the service.
Christmas Special Offering. Every December, our church selects a project or church ministry to support with our annual Christmas Offering. Last year because of your support, over $50,000 was given to support the Josiah Restoration Project, making it possible to complete much needed repairs and renovations at OAKS.
This year’s Christmas Offering will support our Benevolence Fund. The goal for this year’s offering is $15,000. The Benevolence Fund is used to help people who are in dire need of assistance to pay for food, utility bills, gas, and medical expenses. With our financial support and prayers, many people who are struggling financially in our church and local community will be able to receive the support they desperately need.
Please mark your donation as “Christmas Benevolence Gift”.
On a personal note. Miracles do happen. I’ve witnessed many wonderful miracles of God’s grace in my life in the past. Another one happened last week. As some of you may know my “hero van” died after serving me for 17 years and carrying me on my pastoral duties for 305,000 miles (this makes over 12 times around the globe :-)! ). Every morning starting my van I was praising God as my little faith in this car was fading with every passing year. Two days after Thanksgiving my in-laws called and offered me a car! That’s right, for free! It is not new (2003 Nissan) but it has only 90,000 miles. What a miracle! What a blessing! I’m back on the road. 🙂
This morning our 3 month old grandson Pierce realized that digital communication is almost as good as real when his grandfather is 500 miles away. He was happily smiling at my every compliment over Facetime.
Happy Sabbath. See you tomorrow.
