MESSAGE. The Ooltewah Adventist church will be open for both services this Sabbath, March 14. Church leadership takes the spread of Coronavirus very seriously. We do not want to subject our church members to additional risk of getting infected. Therefore we strongly advise against coming to church if you feel sick or have flu symptoms. Those who come are invited to refrain from hugging or shaking hands. Smiling and waving to each other is a great way of showing your friendliness and hospitality. The cleaning crew will do extra cleaning of all surfaces, bathrooms, pews, door knobs, etc. YouTube and Facebook streaming will be used for both services. If you prefer to stay at home and do not know how to watch our services on your home devices, please email one of the pastors for instructions. If you choose to participate in worship services via online streaming please remember to use the web based giving option. To access the online/virtual tithe and offering envelope go to our church website www.ooltewahchurch.org and click on the ONLINE GIVING link. The Church Fellowship meal for March 21 is cancelled. The Church Yard Sale is cancelled as well. All other church program and event cancellations will be posted on the church website calendar. We believe these are temporary measures. God is in control. We encourage you to pray for our community, our nation, and this world.
INFORMATION REGARDING COVID19
MINISTRY.
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN EVENT CANCELATION. Here is the message from the Event coordinators:
“It is with a very heavy heart, that after much consideration, we regret to inform you that The Ooltewah Community MobilePack event is being postponed to a future date. The decision is based solely on the safety of our volunteers, staff, and the food itself. The situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) is fast evolving with daily announcements about the spread of the virus and we do not want to put anyone at risk. We do not make this decision lightly as we recognize how important these meals are for children all over the world.
If you were contacted by your Group Leader earlier today that the event was still happening, please be aware that this event is now postponed. If there are people in your group whose emails are not in the registration system please let them know of this postponement. We look forward to serving together with you as a community at a later date!”
Bible Studies Training event. On Sabbath afternoon, February 29, Michelle Doucoumes, SAU Business Professor, conducted a two hour Bible Instructor training, following a delicious meal of lasagna provided by the church. Michelle helped start the SALT program several years ago, and served as the first SALT program coordinator, filling that position for three years. Her program centered on how instructors could make Bible studies interesting and relevant for students and keep them excited about studying each week. The seminar was attended by over 30 participants and many positive comments were made. Many are eagerly looking forward to the next seminar on March 28, which will deal with how to gain decisions on Bible truths, and other topics as well. A mailing is in the process of going out to over 5,100 people in the vicinity of our church, inviting them to order free Bible study guides. It is our hope that the follow-up to these interest cards will result in a number of Bible studies starting in the homes around us, so that each of our teams will have an in-home Bible study. Please pray for the success of the follow-up, and pray for the March 28 training event as well.
HEALTH MINISTRY had an excellent Cooking Class program last Sunday. Thank you all who worked hard to make it happen. Here are a few photos from the event.
Church Business meeting. Last Saturday night the overwhelming majority of our church voted to start a Capital Fundraising Campaign towards the Church Expansion project. This is a major step into the future for our church. I pray that God continues to keep us united in ministry and in love. Please pray that God leads us to the goal that we agreed to reach by September of 2021. When you contribute to this project please clearly mark you donation as “Church Expansion program.”
Cereal Barrel Ministry needs your support. As you enjoy your breakfast every morning please remember our friends from the community who cannot afford a simple meal for their family. We can all bring just one box of cereal and brighten the day for one of “God’s little ones.” Thank you, Julia, for your leadership in this ministry.
Evangelism. Our church believes in sharing the Gospel! Here is an update from the Barbosa family:
“This coming May both my wife Jaude and I will each be going on an evangelistic mission trip to two separate locations. Jaude will be going to Cajamarca, Peru and I will be going to Vineland, New Jersey. The trip to Peru is part of field school which is part of the Theology program at Southern and will be an amazing experience. The trip to New Jersey is not required for graduation, but it is special because it is the first of hopefully many evangelistic trips that will take place within the United States from Southern. We will be apart from each other for these trips and are not looking forward to that, but we are praying that the Lord will use us in a powerful way and for His glory. We would like to invite the church to join us in prayer and support so that we the other students can carry the saving message of Jesus Christ to these parts of the world.”
Jaime and Jaude will be partially sponsored by the Ooltewah Adventist Church!
With all the turmoil in the world around us let us show strong faith and unity.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Let this be a blessed Sabbath day for you.
Praying for you!
Pastor Peter
Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church 