Love Genuinely Lived

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MESSAGE.

“The world is overcome not through destruction, but through reconciliation. Not ideals, nor programs, nor conscience, nor duty, nor responsibility, nor virtue, but only God’s perfect love can encounter reality and overcome it. Nor is it some universal idea of love, but rather the love of God in Jesus Christ, a love genuinely lived, that does this.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

MINISTRY.

Jenny Spicer shared the following report and photo with me: “This past weekend, six of our youth attended OASIS, a conference event for kids who are home-schooled or attend public school. We also hosted two youth from another church. The kids who had attended in previous years were excited to be going back. The speaker talked to us about having gods in our life that prevent us from fully devoting ourselves to the true God. The Biblical examples he gave were very relevant to us today. Most, if not all, of the kids said they want to go back next year. I look forward to going back again myself.”

Last Sabbath, for both worship services, we enjoyed beautiful music by Katherine and Sarah Bremner. That same afternoon they brightened the spirit of The Bridge Assisted Living residents. Thank you, Bremner family, for your ministry to the elderly in our community. We hope their example will inspire others to participate in this wonderful outreach ministry.

Community Services. Last Sabbath night a good group of church members and a few SAU students went to the Samaritan Center to help them move donated items inside the warehouse. Galina and I were happy to get a good workout that night. We were done in just a little over an hour. This ministry always needs volunteers! Talk to Lucas Patterson if you are interested in helping next month.

Tuesday afternoon a group of Health Ministry enthusiasts gathered in my office to share their vision for the ministry for this year. It was exciting to see their passionate spirit. You will be hearing more about their plans after the new leadership is voted by the church board at the end of this month. Kelly Myers had to step down from the Ministry Leader position due to a new job that she just started. The new job has increased the workload for Kelly. We are grateful for Kelly’s ministry in the past months. I hope Kelly will continue to be a part of the Health ministry team.

There is a wonderful event planned by the ministry for February 16 at 4 pm.

“Plant-Based Cooking Class UPDATE! Our cooking demo and sampling event will be held in our Fellowship Hall on February 16th, with an updated start time of 4:00pm.

Come learn how to make simple, healthy dishes that actually taste great and are quick and easy to prepare! The menu is mock chicken salad on sprouted bread… an Asian stir fry… scrambled “eggs” and banana dream pie. Christine promises these dishes are gluten free and taste AMAZING! Also perfect for diabetics. Copy of all 4 recipes will be provided. There will be several raffle prizes too! Those include a gift card to Cashew, the vegan cafe downtown… Christine’s favorite plant-based cookbook… and an entire banana dream pie! Invite your friends, bring along the kids, and COME HUNGRY! RSVP REQUIRED BY FEB. 13th: Text your name and number of people attending to Christine Martins at 423-504-3172. For any questions, or to help with the fun, contact Diana Dodd at 423-605-2080 “

On Thursday night Finance committee members came together to pray and work on a financial proposal for the church expansion. I could feel the presence of God’s Spirit at that meeting. The proposal will now be presented to the open Church Board meeting on February 22 @6:30 PM. I hope that meeting will be well attended. Everyone is welcome to come and participate in the discussion of the proposal.

The church board is inviting the whole church to fast and pray on Sabbath, February 22, about God’s guidance in our church’s spiritual journey. The Lord has abundantly blessed our church in the past fifty years. The church has grown from 70 to 700 + members. Pioneers of our church showed great faith in starting this ministry and building the church for seventy people. Where will the Lord lead us in our future ministry until the day we see Him coming in glory?