Month: August 2021

If we receive the Bread of Life without sharing it we become spiritually obese. Hungry crowds are all around us. Christ is still speaking to us saying, “You give them something to eat.” Take the Word of God from the hands of Jesus and share it with your family, friends, and neighbors. Christ is expecting us to be His coworkers in this important task. Ask yourself what is your mission all about? Do you feel the burden of sharing the Bread of Life with your community? I invite you to examine this crucial command of Jesus this Sabbath morning during our hour of worship.

__________________

Last Sunday morning dozens of young people gathered at Harrison Bay to celebrate Melinda Jubea’s baptism. I could see that her baptism attracted other people who were there on the lake. They stood nearby listening to the beautiful spiritual songs and witnessed Melinda’s decision to follow Jesus. This Sabbath morning we will welcome Melinda into the fellowship of the Ooltewah Adventist Church. Here are just a few photos from that wonderful morning.

• 

• 

• 

_____________________

On Monday night the church Board met for the regular monthly meeting. I was very happy to see a good turn out and the spirit of unity among our church leaders. Among other important decisions the Board approved a new budget for this fiscal year. In this new budget a strong emphasis is made on supporting our school and academy students. The Building committee presented a proposal for the General contractor and other subcontractors for the Cornerstone project. This proposal was unanimously approved by the Board. Church leaders also reviewed the final steps in preparation for the September Bible seminar.

_____________________

In the last few weeks many of our church members have been receiving phone calls from the church elders. Our plan is to help every church member feel connected with church leaders. If you need help, encouragement or a prayer don’t hesitate to contact your elder. Here is a link to the directory of our church elders.

___________________

This morning I had a wonderful experience speaking for the OAKS chapel. Thank you for remembering our students and teachers daily in your prayers.

__________________

On Wednesday night I came across a group of Adventurers meeting at the picnic table by the school. Thank you, Adventurer club leaders, for your love and support of the little ones in our church.

___________________

Happy Sabbath. See you tomorrow.

pastor Peter

“There comes a crisis-hour to each of us, if God has called us to the highest and best, when all resources fail; when we face either ruin or something higher than we ever dreamed; when we must have infinite help from God and yet, ere we can have it, we must let something go; we must surrender completely; we must cease from our own wisdom. strength, and righteousness, and become crucified with Christ and alive in Him. God knows how to lead us up to this crisis, and He knows how to lead us through.” (Streams in the Desert, L.B.C.)

____________________________

Last Sabbath I had the honor of ordaining two new elders in our church. Mrs. Donna Caswell and Dr. Tom Klinner accepted the call to serve as church elders and joined the team of the church leaders. Please uplift them in your prayers as they pray for you and serve your spiritual needs.

Below is a photo from the ordination service.

• 

• 

• 

____________________________

A new school year at OAKS had a great start. School teachers and staff were presented to the church during both services last week. We promised to support them daily as they educate our children and lead them to Christ. Here is a photo of our school team:

____________________________

We are 20 days away from the Healing in Jesus Bible seminar. More info is available on the following site: https://www.prayforhealing.net. Have you put this seminar on your schedule for September 10 through 18?

____________________________

Please extend love to the Hartman family. Dr. David Hartman’s father, Carl Lee Hartman, passed away last week. Hartman served in pastoral ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 40 years in Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, and Iowa.The Memorial service is scheduled to be August 28 @ 5 P.M. in our church. In the photo below are Carl Hartman and his wife Betty.

_____________________________

A number of our church members are in quarantine because of COVID19. We have no reason to believe that they got infected while at church. Please pray for their health and their soon recovery.

_____________________________

I also invite you to extend loving support to Mary Ellen and Marlin Walter. They lost their sister-in-law. This week they travelled to Pennsylvania to attend the funeral service.

I extend my sincere condolences to Marichu McCatcheon and Ann Weeden who lost their father. They both travelled to Florida to attend the memorial service there. Please pray for these dear families.

_____________________________

The Church bulletin and other helpful resources are available on our church website: https://www.ooltewahchurch.org .

_____________________________

This weekend Galina and I are spending time with my mother Anna in Greenville, TN. Last month we celebrated her 88th birthday.

Happy Sabbath and many hugs to you,

pastor Peter

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out! (Song of Solomon 4:16).

“Sometimes God sends severe blasts of trial upon His children to develop their graces. Just as torches burn most brightly when swung to and fro; just as the juniper plant smells sweetest when flung into the flames; so the richest qualities of a Christian often come out under the north wind of suffering and adversity. Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance that God loves to smell.” (from “Streams in the Desert”)

_______________________

Last Sunday we had parents with young children came to our house for breakfast. Galena and I were very pleased with a good number of families who came together for an early morning time of food and play. Trying to talk was not too easy because of all the happy voices of the kids playing with one another. I felt that it helped our church families to get to know each other better. Below are a couple of pictures from that event.

• 

• 

That same morning the older children from our church came to a big pool party in our neighborhood. I counted about twenty children in the pool. The weather forecast did not look promising but it turned out to be a very pleasant day for the kids and their parents. The Reynolds family was an absolute blessing for the Sunday events. They were cutting fruit, pouring water, delivering pizzas, etc, etc.

In the afternoon a group of the church youth came to that same pool for their own party. It was a busy but happy day. Thank you to everyone who helped with planning all these activities.

Enjoy a few photos below:

• 

• 

• 

_______________________

While we are raising funds for the new sanctuary and SS classes (Cornerstone Building Fund) many repairs and renovations are taking place in our existing building. On Thursday I walked into the kitchen and couldn’t believe my eyes! The new kitchen room floor looked absolutely wonderful. I can’t wait to see the new cabinets and other furnishings in the renovated kitchen. The Youth room upstairs is also under major renovation. David Denton is almost finished with the paint project. However he had great helpers working on this project. See a couple of photos below. The youth leaders and the youth itself wanted to be a part of this renovation. Thank you, everyone who helped to brighten up and to upgrade that room for our church youth.

________________________

This week we lost our dear church member, Shirley Schlender. She’s been an active member of the Ooltewah church for many years. The graveside service took place on Thursday. Pastor Fernando Verduzco officiated the service. The Memorial service is being planned for August 14 at 4 P.M. at our church. Please continue to uplift this dear family in your prayers.

________________________

We are only five weeks away from the opening night of the Healing in Jesus Bible seminar taking place at our own church. The first night of the seminar is on September 10. Here is a link to the additional helpful resources and the prayer schedule. www.prayforhealing.net

I believe you will be happy to know that Laura Standish is putting together a team to offer interactive Children’s Bible study class during the meetings. Invite your friends and family to attend. We all need healing.

_________________________

Both worship services this Sabbath, August 7, will be led by the children and the youth of our church. I am looking forward to a dynamic and uplifting worship experience. Come and you will be blessed.

Church bulletin and other helpful links are available on the church website www.ooltewahchurch.org

Happy Sabbath. See you in the morning.

pastor Peter