MESSAGE. “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” (1 Peter 4:19) There is no question that we are seeing the world change before our very eyes, and yet, as Peter will tell us in this powerful verse: God is still on His throne. This should be an encouragement to Christians everywhere. We who live for eternity, who have been adopted into the family of God by the blood of Jesus, who know the Sovereign One who holds the world in His hands; we can live with hope because we know that this world and it’s passions are passing away, but the one who does the will of God abides forever.
This Sabbath morning I’m preaching my last sermon from 1 Peter. Please read 1 Peter 3 and 4.
MINISTRY. Last Sabbath morning was truly a time of joyful celebration. The brass and the church choir performing together was absolutely awesome! Thank you, our musicians and singers, you brought heaven down to earth. Here are a few photos from the first service.
At the Board meeting on Monday night several church ministries shared their reports. The Finance committee presented an encouraging report showing that our local giving in March was at 200%. This allowed the church to fund all ministries and to cover the deficit of the two previous months. Thank you, church! OAKS reported steady enrolling for the new school year. Cory Goss announced that he is stepping down from his leadership role with the Pathfimnders Club. Three years of Cory’s ministry demonstrated his wholehearted commitment to our young people. Thank you, Cory! Yours’ and Amy’s dedication and hard work is greatly appreciated by the Ooltewah church. The Board unanimously recommended Aaron Brewer to take the Pathfinder club director position. This nomination wil now be taken to the whole church for your approval. The Collegiate Sabbath school class has been having a good year with a regular Friday night Vespers program attended by about 20 SAU students. At the same time they desperately need church families willing to host their group on a regular basis. If you are interested in having twenty students come to your home once a month on a Friday night to eat, to sing, and to study please contact me or pastor Matthew. I have no doubts that we will find enough families willing to help.
This weekend is packed with many church programs and activities. Pathfinders are heading to Cohutta Springs. We will keep them in our prayers. The weather is promising to be simply perfect.
This Friday evening the Fletcher Academy String Ensemble will present a vespers program at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary of the Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church.
This group of 16 young people will capture your heart as they share their talent and love for Jesus. Principal Brad Durby will present a short homily as we usher in the Sacred Sabbath hours. Come and rest as their music brings us closer to our Heavenly Father as the Sabbath approaches.
Here is an invitation from the ladies of our church: “Ladies please join Women’s Ministry this Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. This will be a time to discuss the necessity of prayer, the structure of prayer, how prayer has worked in our lives, and to pray for each other and those around us. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to get together and worship.”
Tomorrow is our monthly church lunch Sabbath. Here is an appeal from Steve Bremner: “Your help is needed with potluck this Sabbath. Greg and Rhonda Welborn are out of town and the Rose family will be out of town. These are the two main families that help with potluck. Your help is really needed. Since the kitchen is down to only one oven please bring summer foods. We will begin the summer menu. Please bring plenty of salads, fruit, or vegetable trays, sandwiches, chips and desserts.”
Eddie Penagos is sharing the following message with the men of our church: “Can you believe we are approaching the end of the month of April? This Sunday is our monthly breakfast and it will be low key event. Lots of fellowship with good food and a focused bible study on being an authentic man of God. If you have been wondering what we have been doing over in the school Sabbath mornings, you should come to the breakfast this Sunday. The bible study will be based on the material we are currently presenting in class and quite frankly, it has been having a real impact on some of the men in our church. I encourage you to come this Sunday and bring someone with you. Breakfast will be severed at 830am sharp and the program will end at 10am on the dot. If you would like to help set up and cook, please plan to be there by 730am.”
DISCOVERING HOPE Bible seminar is starting this coming Wednesday at 7 pm at our own church. Are you planning on attending the seminar this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sabbath nights? On April 28 and May 5 we will be witnessing several baptisms of OAKS students. Praise God for their decisions!
PRAYERS.
Kathy Sabo – an upcoming surgery
Peter Rogers – upcoming open heart surgery
My Mom, Anna – declining health concerns
In the photo below: my sister Elena, who came from California to be with our Mom, our daughter Stacey (visiting from Florida) with our grandson Pierce. Mom is in a wheelchair at LifeCare Center of Ooltewah.
Celebrating Pierce’s 8 month birthday was a highlight this week 🙂
Be blessed. See some of you tonight and many more tomorrow morning.
Peter
Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church 
Thank you, Pastor Peter for the update. We especially enjoyed seeing your family. I know that was a highlight to have them together. We so appreciate all you do for our church family.
LikeLike