Jesus is the Living Water

“Christians fail to communicate to others because we ignore basic principles in a relationship. When we make condescending judgments or proclaim lofty words that don’t translate into action, or simply speak without first listening, we fail to love – and thus deter a thirsty world from Living Water. The good news about God’s grace goes unheard.” (P.Y.)

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Our Adventurer families “camped” in the OAKS gym Saturday night, January 22 for our Lock-in.  Roller-cart derbies, musical chairs, and tag and find my shoe were just a few of the games that brought out the energy in our kids.  After an interesting night’s sleep, we awoke Sunday morning to a pancake breakfast followed by worship and more games. What a perfect location for our Lock-in, and a great time was had making memories!  

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Pathfinders had a camping trip. Here is a photo report sent to me by the club Director, David Reynolds.

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The Women’s Sabbath School class had a great time at the Local Goat Restaurant last week for dinner. Laura Herren reporting: ” We will be having dinner once a month moving forward to build relationships, fellowship, and friendships.”

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I somehow missed an email message from BreeAn Adams about her trip to Kentucky. I am so glad that our church could be a part of this wonderful ministry. Here is a brief report and some pictures.

The week before Christmas, I got the opportunity to go to Mayfield, KY and do disaster relief from the tornadoes that went through. After getting back, I felt impressed to do something more for the community up there. After some thought and prayer, I started a back-to-school drive to collect backpacks and school supplies for the children who were affected by the tornadoes in Mayfield. God blessed the project and exceeded every goal I had. He knew exactly what the need was, and He ensured that we had exactly what was needed. Along the way were many faith growing moments, answers to prayer, and God always showing up right on time. What started as 5 backpacks ended up with 164 backpacks filled with school supplies! My dad (Wendel Adams) and I were able to deliver the backpacks to Mayfield last weekend. We handed out around 40 backpacks to children that we knew of in the community and were able to pass the rest on to the Mayfield Board of Education. They had been creating a list of children who lost school supplies in the tornados long before I ever contacted them. A teacher up there later shared with me that they were having trouble securing enough school supplies because they had bought out everything in that area. This project would not have been possible without God’s leading, prayers, donations, and support from many of you as well as people from across the U.S. This was God’s work all the way around, I was just blessed to be boots on the ground.

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Matt Geraghty shared with me the following update from the Men’s Ministry group:

Last Sunday we were able to complete the demo stage of the deck and yard work for our project at Aubrey’s house. We are in the process of assisting in ordering the needed wood and materials to rebuild the deck and sure up some of the pieces on the house. We are also looking to get a small dumpster to assist in removing the old material.

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A couple of weeks ago we had to postpone the Women’s Ministry event because of the weather. The new date for the Achieving Your Superwoman is February 6.

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Happy Sabbath. I plan to see you this Sabbath morning.

pastor Peter

Our Wilderness Journey

About two years ago we just started learning about the COVID19 virus reaching the United States. There were fears and there was skepticism. I was hopeful. I kept saying that in a two of three months we would forget about this sickness. Today we are still in the wilderness of the Pandemic. Each time we have to cancel a church program I feel frustrated and tired of this painful reality. In the last few days I received more email messages with the word “canceled” in the subject line than ever. My phone keeps ringing with messages from our church members requesting prayers for themselves or their family members struggling with COVID. My heart goes out to those whose lives got disrupted because of this illness. I still feel hopeful. This is our journey to the Promised land through the wilderness of this broken world. The Israelites had to endure hunger, thirst, enemy attacks, snake bites, etc. They had to show faith, obedience, and endurance. Their story is recorded in the Bible for our benefit. Apostle Paul tells us that “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come” (1 Cor. 10:11). Christ never promised us that our journey to the Heavenly Canaan would be easy or pain free. Keep walking. Grow in faith. God had led His people through the wilderness of the past, I have no doubts that He will lead us to the Promised Land where there will be everything new. “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”” Revelation 21:5.

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Once again the Agape Feast has been postponed. The new date is set for March 25. Not all of our church members receive or read my blog posts. Please share this message with your circle of friends and family in our church. I do not want anyone to come tonight to our closed church doors.

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Tomorrow morning we will celebrate Matt Lund’s baptism. The baptism will take place during the first service. Congratulations to Matt as he is starting his new life in Christ. We will be praying for you, Matt!

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This week we resumed our regular Wednesday night prayer meetings at church. I hope the participation will continue to grow. If you feel safe and healthy I invite you to come next Wednesday at 7 PM.

Our church website has some helpful links and is being regularly updated. Don’t forget to check it regularly. Here is the address: www.ooltewahchurch.org . You can use the website for giving your tithe and offerings; for downloading our weekly church bulletin, for watching Sabbath worship live stream and past recordings.

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Stay well and healthy. Pray for those who are struggling with COVID or other illnesses. Support those who have lost their friends or family members. Jesus is our hope.

See you this Sabbath.

pastor Peter

God’s Hand Is Stretched Out

When thou passest through the waters… they shall not overflow thee (Isaiah 43:2).

“God does not open paths for us in advance of our coming. He does not promise help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. Yet when we are on the edge of our need, God’s hand is stretched out.

Many people forget this, and are forever worrying about difficulties which they foresee in the future. They expect that God is going to make the way plain and open before them, miles and miles ahead; whereas He has promised to do it only step by step as they may need. You must get to the waters and into their floods before you can claim the promise.” (J.R.M.)

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The Ten Days of Prayer meetings will resume tomorrow, Sabbath, @ 5 PM. During the week the meetings take place in the sanctuary at 8:30 AM and 6 PM. There will be no meeting tonight due to the cold weather and potential ice spots on the roads. Stay safe.

The Agape Feast has also been postponed till further notice. I hope that we’ll finalize the new date for the Agape Feast in the next few days. Watch for the announcement in the church bulletin, Facebook, website, my blog …

I am grateful for your prayers as I’ve been dealing with the flu (not COVID) for the last few days. This Sabbath I’ll be with your in my thoughts and prayers. Pastor Matthew will be preaching tomorrow for both services.

Stay warm and healthy 🙂

Hugs,

pastor Peter