The Grand Appearing

The Grand Appearing

 

MESSAGE.

Christ was looking into our days when he told His disciples: “People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” We can be among those who “faint from terror”, or we can “stand up and lift up our heads”. This Sabbath morning I invite you to learn more about the Grand Appearing of our King, Jesus Christ. 

MINISTRY.

Both services last week were well attended. I did see some of our church members who came for the first time after we closed in-person services in March. Practically all Sabbath school classes resumed their studies. I walked through almost every SS class last Sabbath morning and was very encouraged with the level of participation. I believe it was the first time since March that the Cradle Roll and the Kindergarten classes were opened. The men’s class was very active with about ten participants. The women’s class is also meeting in the OAKS library and they hope for more ladies to join them in the weeks to come.  I deeply appreciated the teachers cautious approach to in-person participation. We want everyone to be safe and healthy. Thank you, Connie Reynolds, for the guidance you provide to our Sabbath school program.

Virtual VBS. Online VBS starts this coming Monday at 7pm! Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications when new videos or livestreams are posted https://www.youtube.com/c/OoltewahAdventistChurch

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Memorial Service for Howard Kennedy, Sr is planned for September 19, Sabbath afternoon. Visitation starts @ 3 P.M. and the service is @ 4 P.M. 

Here is a link to the Heritage Funeral Home tribute. Howard M. (Sr.) Kennedy


Pathfinder Club will be camping on our church campus this week. The weather looks just perfect for their event, which is rather unusual 😉 You’ll see their tents when you come to church on Sabbath morning. Thank you, David Reynolds, for your leadership.

Youth and their families are planning on a canoe trip. We’ll be praying for their safety. It is wonderful to see that the church youth is back to spending time together.


Women’s Ministry believes in sharing love. Here is a brief update from Sharon Harrell: “Dear Church Family. What a loving and giving church we have! I am always amazed at your willingness to give to others in their time of need. Thank you so much to all of you who helped out with the Gibson family and their little baby Zach. He is home with his family. You all have made a big difference in the lives of this family. They really appreciated what you did for them!” unnamed-3

Sharon also forwarded to me the following note from Sarita Staup, baby Zach’s grandmother: “Dear church family. I am amazed and deeply touched by the love and support you have given to me and my family.  The birthday bouquet is gorgeous and it really lifted my spirit when I needed it the most. I’m so glad to be part of our family of God. God bless each of you.” Sarita Staup

If you want to learn more about the Women’s Ministry follow this link. Thank you, Sharon, for updating your ministry’s webpage. It looks cool and professional! 


PRAYERS.

Barbara Kraner is feeling weak. She is missing her church and she’s sincerely grateful for your prayers.

Amy Goss is recovering after surgery on her knee. Prayers for Amy please.

Sharon Bremner’s job position was abruptly eliminated by her company. The family is seeking your prayer support.

RESOURCES.

Weekly church bulletin: link

Online Giving: tithe and offerings link


I don’t have any church photos this week, so I’ll share with you a couple of pictures from my phone 🙂 As I mentioned in my sermon last Sabbath our daughter Dasha and her one-year-old daughter Mila were forced to escape the Oregon fires. They flew to Flagstaff, AZ where they are staying with the family of our daughter Stacey. Dasha’s husband is still in Eugene, OR. His job requires him to stay there. Prayers for Kevin, please.

See you this Sabbath!

pastor Peter

Pray for Living Hope

MESSAGE. A “living hope” is my assurance that I’ll get through this day. My friends may turn away from me, people may judge me, stock markets may fall, my health may fail me, but I keep looking forward with confidence. Christ will not fail me. His presence is real; He is my “my present help in troubles (Ps. 46). I’ve seen His miracles in the past. My future is guaranteed by His promise: “I will come again”.

Tomorrow morning is my last sermon from the “7 Prayers” series. Let us learn to pray for the living hope!

MINISTRY.

We have some exciting news! Although we were not able to have our usual VBS program this summer, we have been hard at work on a virtual VBS. It will premiere on our church YouTube channel September 21-25 at 7pm each night. Join us on an adventure with Katie and Indy the archaeologists as they learn from David the shepherd how God is our Good Shepherd!

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Our Outdoor Sabbath School under the trees was well attended. We had a Primary Zoom class at one table and Cradle Roll youngsters at another. We were happily surprised when Ava brought her 3 young chickens to class. 
Here are a few pictures from that Sabbath shared by Connie Reynolds, the SS Superintendent.

Sabbath School classes. Here is more from Connie: “After a two week hiatus we are back to “regular” Sabbath School classes tomorrow. That may be fully in person or a hybrid with some members on Zoom. As time goes by, we hope to reclaim more of our members. Let’s do our best to stay in touch with those not yet attending.  The secretaries should be bringing your materials for 4th quarter as well as the offering envelopes.  I will be around to keep track of our numbers as we discussed. Hopefully I won’t interrupt. Because of that two-week break, we will have SS Council in October. Date to be determined. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in any way. Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm!

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Community service. Sincere words of appreciation to all those who came to help at the Samaritan Center last Sabbath night. There were very few who showed up. I am especially thankful to those ladies who volunteered to help and worked hard until late. You, ladies, know who you are. I hope next time we’ll get better participation from our church.

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Worship Services. The last two Sabbaths we were blessed with great weather which was a blessing for our outdoor worship services. Tomorrow, September 12, we’ll resume our regular worship service schedule. The 9 AM service will be held in the Sanctuary and the 11:30 AM service in the Fellowship Hall. Sabbath School program starts at 10:20. Out of love to others, please follow the Guidelines voted by the church board.

Last Sabbath a group of your SAU students beautified our service with special music. Let me encourage you to get to know these young people personally and help them feel welcomed to our congregation.

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Many of you attended the Memorial Service for Bettie Chastain last Sabbath afternoon. Over 250 people watched online throughout the week. The burial service took place on Sunday morning. I am very grateful to the Bradford family for uplifting our spirit that morning with beautiful music.

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It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the sad news about Howard Kennedy‘s passing. Howard was one of the pillars of the Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served as a school principle for many years, and provided an Adventist education for hundreds of children. Howard was a loved and a respected elder of our church until he stepped down from the leadership position due to his weakening health. A memorial service for Howard is being planned for Sabbath afternoon on September 19. The specific details of the service are still being worked out by the family. Please, continue to pray for June and the whole Kennedy family.

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PRAYERS. Julia Easter, health concerns. Darlene Turner, chemo treatment.

RESOURCES.

Weekly church bulletin: access here

Online giving: tithe and offerings

Last weeks Worship service and SS recording: watch here

September 12 Worship service streaming link is here. The link will go live @ 9 AM on Sabbath morning.

Pray for your church

MESSAGE. The church is the body of Christ. Paul makes a strong emphasis on the concept of church members needing one another. In 1 Corinthians 12:27 he states: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Church without you is not complete; you without the church are just a torn away and dying member. Staying together through rough times is the only way we can demonstrate to the world the power of God’s Church. Working together – is the only way we can fulfill the mission of Christ’s church. This mission is to become “friends of tax collectors and sinners” and to lead them to Jesus. Pray for your church today; pray about your essential function in the body of Christ.

MINISTRY. Last Sabbath morning about fifty five brave souls gathered at 9 AM under the car port of our church for the worship service. Many of us expected rough weather that day, but the Lord gave us peaceful skies with partial sunshine. The Bradford family uplifted our spirit with beautiful music. However, there were hundreds who joined our service online. To watch last week’s worship you can simply click on the following link https://youtu.be/BvxnS-asGfw

The weather forecast for September 5 looks very promising; cooler weather and no storms. There will be only one outdoor service at 9 AM. You can join that service from your home by clicking the following link https://youtu.be/Hn5bY5aDMiw The link will go live at 9 AM on Sabbath morning. Of course you are most welcome to join the outdoor service in person. Our Pathfinder Club, the Timberwolves, worked till late on Wednesday night setting up an additional seating space in a tent next to the car port. Thank you for your hard work! I hope to see many of you this Sabbath morning.


It’s been a good week at OAKS. On Wednesday the students enjoyed their annual “water fun day.” Shelly Caswell shared a video with me below. I have to say that the day before I offered to help Shelly and Margo with testing the “water bottle shooting.” It did not end that well: while I was pumping air the water poured out all over my white shirt. I am glad it worked fine for the OAKS kids. See for yourself 🙂

This morning OAKS had their weekly Chapel. Here is a fresh photo from our school.


Men’s Ministry update. Here is what I saw on Edymar Penagos’ Facebook page: “

Ooltewah men’s group demonstrating love in action. 💪😃Congratulations on the new home! @srivera1129. God’s finger prints are all over this blessing. 🙏Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.Philippians 2:3‭-‬4 NIV

Community Service. Once again this Sabbath night we can demonstrate where our heart is. The Samaritan Center needs our help. Last time we had close to 40 volunteers; young and not so young. We were finished in just over an hour. Will you consider joining this awesome group of people this Sabbath @ 8:30?

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PRAYERS.

We are saddened to share the news that Bettie Chastain has passed away. Bettie was one of the charter members of our church and was dearly loved. Her funeral will be held at the Ooltewah Adventist Church on Saturday, September 5 at 4pm; the service will be livestreamed at the link below. Viewing will precede the funeral at 3pm. A graveside service will take place at Collegedale Memorial Park on Sunday, September 6 at 11 am. We ask for your prayers for Bettie’s family and loved ones during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ooltewah Adventist Church’s student aid fund.

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Fred Turner is soliciting your prayers for his wife Darlene. Darlene is going through a rough time with chemo therapy.

Julia Easter is needs our prayer support as she is preparing for a knee surgery.

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RESOURCES.

Health Ministries update: Human Lungs

Online church bulletin: click here

Online giving: tithe and offerings

September 5 Worship service live stream link

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See you tomorrow! Happy Sabbath.

pastor Peter