Month: February 2022

“How long, O Lord?” cried David in Psalm 13. This has been my cry since Wednesday night when Russia attacked Ukraine. How long, O Lord, will the injustice rule? How long will the innocent people suffer? It is just heartbreaking to see the sufferings of millions of people living in Ukraine. I am in regular communication with the pastors and church members from Eastern Ukraine and from Kyiv. They share with me the horrors of the war which came into their cities and towns. Many pastors are not trying to hide, but actually the opposite, they are trying to move the elderly and their families with little children to safer areas. A pastor from Kyiv shared with me last night how he had to evacuate his wife and two daughters. Its almost impossible to buy gas or groceries. After moving his family away from the capital he returned to Kyiv to continue his ministry. What great courage and sacrifice.

My plans to go to Ukraine in March are now postponed. I am supposed to fly to Moscow on March 10 to work with the Hope Channel Russia on a new series of evangelistic meetings. I am not sure if this trip will be possible as several international airlines announced today that they are canceling their flights to Russia. Please pray for guidance for me from above. These people need to hear the message of hope. I’ll keep you posted on my plans.

Thank you for your prayers for Ukraine. There will be a special online prayer meeting tonight (Friday, February 25) @ 6 PM on ZOOM. Pastor Matthew will lead the meeting. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/894393

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Here is an update from Matt Geraghty, Men’s Ministry leader:

“First Off – Sunday morning at 9 am we will have our monthly Men’s Ministry Breakfast.  Please feel free to invite a friend to join us.   As always if you are interested in assisting with the prep work and cooking please feel free to do so by joining us there at 8:30 am. 

Secondly – Immediately following the breakfast we have been asked to assist with in a basic setup of the Fellowship Hall for the Music and Marinara program that is set for Sunday evening.  The setup will involve a row of 8 Long rectangular tables down the middle with the circular tables placed throughout the remainder of the church on both sides of the center aisle.

Lastly We are SOOO CLOSE to finishing a major Love in Action Program and I appreciate all of the assistance we have had there.  While we are still hoping to finish it up on Sunday following the breakfast, it does look like we may be rained out and need to reschedule the final day of building for another Sunday.

Before I end this email, I would be remiss if I didn’t ask all of you to continue to pray for Ukraine and the soon end of the attacks by Russia.”

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Youth/Earliteen Flashlight Tag was fun! Thank you, Jennie, for the photos:

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Tomorrow morning we’ll celebrate another baptism. Elianna Jeffery completed her Bible studies and is excited about giving her life to Jesus.

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Don’t forget about the International Food Festival tomorrow at 6 PM! If you bring a dish of your ethnic background that would be awesome, if not just come to taste food from all around the globe.

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Happy Sabbath! I plan to worship with you tomorrow in the morning.

pastor Peter

I remember reading a story about a sergeant during World War II. He was a part of a small unit surrounded by the surpassing army of the enemy. Any attempts to get out of the circle of fire would result in a storm of bullets and blasts. They were losing hope and courage preparing for the worst. It was at this moment that the sergeant grabbed the flag of their country, raised it high up and ran forward. The other soldiers, shocked and inspired by the sergeant’s bravery, followed him towards the river where there was a path to safety.

The battle with the Amelekites was not an easy one for the Israelites. (Exodus 17). There were casualties and moments of retreat. When the enemy was defeated Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.

Banners and flags are important. They represent our allegiance. They remind us of past victories. They inspire us to move forward. They show who our captain is. Are you tired of losing your battles? Look up and see if you are holding God as your Banner.

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Here is a photo from Laura Herren: “Another fabulous night out with the women’s sabbath school class. Storm kept some home. But I still wanted to share. We eat out the 2nd Thursday every month. “

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The Love in Action ministry needs your hands. Here are a few photos from the recent project:

The Love in Action group has been helping around the yard with one of our church members. The deck was rotted as well as the siding around the deck and chimney. The deck is going up this Sunday and the front yard got a lot of love through pruning, mulch and clean up. A heartfelt Thank You to y’all!

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Cornerstone Building Fund is over $800,000! Let us start praying about reaching $1 million by April 1st. There is nothing impossible for the Lord when we are advancing our ministry under His Banner.

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Here are a couple of photos from the recent baptisms:

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Visit the church website www.ooltewahchurch.org to read the latest church bulletin, to learn more about the New Church Pictorial directory, upcoming International Food Festival, Agape Feast, etc

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Please pray about the people in Eastern Europe. Let the Lord keep them safe. I am planing to go there in the month of March for the recording of a new series of sermons for the spring evangelism in the Euro-Asia Division. Both Ukraine and Russia are in that same Division. Let our Heavenly Father grant them wisdom and peace.

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Happy Sabbath. I hope to see you tomorrow morning.

pastor Peter

“The food we eat at one meal does not satisfy us forever. We must daily partake of food. So we must daily eat the Word of God that the life of the soul may be renewed. In those who feed constantly upon the Word, Christ is formed, the hope of glory. A neglect to read and study the Bible brings spiritual starvation…. ” (OHC)

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Last Sabbath morning I received the following text message (unedited version 🙂 ) and photos from Richard Johnson:

“Well praise God we did it although I feel like Gideon because over half of my crew was not there either because of fear or being out of town but with four helpers and myself we broke the record of feeding 171 people. They said that we beat Silverdale Baptist Church for feeding the most people in the last three months.
The leader Prince, who I have made good friends with came in 30 mins early so we could get things done. 
I had prayer with and for him and at the end he wanted to put my number in his phone. 
I was able to hand out literature to those we fed, as I left and they were so happy for it. 
So praise God for it all, why He even provided a quarter when I went to ALDIs and had so much to get, with no quarter to get a cart, but I felt impressed to go and He would provide and He did and always will. “

Richard, I am pretty confident that after this report you will be getting more volunteers willing to help. God bless you!

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Here are a few photos from the Friendship Class after the Christmas party. Thank you, Mike Haughee, for sharing these pictures with us.

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From David Reynolds, the club director: “Our Timberwolves Pathfinder Club is excited to announce that next Sabbath, February 12, is Pathfinder Sabbath. Mark your calendars and plan to worship with us and support our young people and our Pathfinder Ministry.”

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I am sure you will be excited to hear that our Cornerstone Building Fund is almost at the $800,000 mark! Praise God for each donated dollar. Thank you for remembering your pledges and generously donating to the advance of our ministry in this community. The architectural drawings are almost completed. You will be hearing more in the next few weeks.

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Have a blessed Sabbath day. I plan on seeing you tomorrow.

With Christian love,

pastor Peter