Month: September 2022

Presidents and rulers of this world may claim that they are in charge. They sign laws, start wars and offer peace treaties. They speak and act like they control the present and the future. However, history has proved a simple truth: these rulers come and go. I find comfort in the assurance that God is still on the throne. “

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On Wednesday night our Health Ministry team started a seminar which goes nightly though Saturday. I am grateful for the dedicated volunteers. They greet people, help visitors register, cook food for them, etc. Last night Barbara Weimer spoke on the importance of physical exercise and fitness. She will continue tonight.

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Tomorrow, Oct 1, is a big day for our church. We’ll be packing food for thousands of starving children in various parts of the world. A hundred and fifty volunteers from our church have signed up to participate in this event. There will be another 150 from our neighbors, the United Methodist church. What a perfect way to show that we care about the suffering children. “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. … Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant ⌞they seemed⌟, you did for me.’ (Matt. 25:35,40 GW)

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A fun church social is coming up soon. Please, add October 22 to your calendar and plan to attend. We have not had a big outdoor church event for a long time. Here is a poster for you:

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Yet another excellent program is scheduled for an earlier date. On October 16 all the ladies are invited to participate in the Autumn Applesauce Canning Party. Talk to Summer Bradford or Rhonda Hicks if you need additional information.

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I pray that we’ll all have a great Sabbath!

Hugs,

pastor Peter

The world seems so fragile. Wars, financial challenges, health concerns. Is there a way to feel safe? How can I have peace in my heart? The Lord speaks to us today through prophet Isaiah: “Can a woman forget her nursing child?
Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb?
Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” (49:15-16 GW)

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Men’s Ministry Update from Matt Geraghty:

“YES Already we are at the tail end of the year and are closing in on the last two men’s Ministry breakfasts for 2022! Gentlemen… & Ladies of the Gentlemen… I thank you for the support over the last year.  It has been a very great time for me as I have learned many of the names and faces of the group!  But admittedly, not all of them, so please come to the last two breakfasts and help me make more connections. Our last two breakfasts will be as follows:

THIS SUNDAY September  25  & Sunday October 23! 

Both of these are in the fellowship hall at 8:30 for the food and 7:30 for fun & games as we set up to cook & gently poke fun at the silly things we do and say… In addition we have a few projects that we will be looking to complete as well so lets come together to make those a shining success as well. Blessing to all and I hope to see you all at the breakfasts.”

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This week was our church school Week of Prayer. Every morning all grades met in the sanctuary for prayer and a song service. There were two speakers, pastor Tony Sandoval for the higher grades and Mrs. Connie Reynolds for grades K through 4. This was a great spiritual start for the new school year. We’ll be praying for each student who made a decision to study God’s Word. Both worship services this Sabbath will be the culmination of the week of prayer. You’ll see many OAKS students participate in the services. The services will be held in the Fellowship Hall.

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Let’s talk about Christian marriage this Sabbath at 6 PM. Everyone is invited to attend. It’s OK if you didn’t RSVP. There will be enough room and food for everyone. Come if you are happily married, divorced, widowed, considering divorce or excited about starting your family in the future.

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October 1 is our big day with a hundred and fifty volunteers packing food for the starving children of the world. Please, contact Lucas Patterson if you signed up but forgot your time slot or your responsibilities 😉

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Thank you for your prayers for our daughter. Barby is safely back from Ukraine. More info will be shared in the next few weeks.

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Happy Sabbath!

pastor Peter

The proclamation of the Gospel generates power the same way as power is produced in the movement of the dynamo device. It is the unspeakable love of Christ that draws people to Him. Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32). Some Christians try to draw people to themselves, to their ministry or to their church. All these efforts will fail. Lead them to Jesus. Show them Jesus and He’ll exercise his magnetic power of grace, He will draw them to Himself.

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Jen Dempsey shared the following photo with me from the Women’s SS class having dinner at Panera Bread. What a great way to connect and to support each other.

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Many of our church members participate in home based Bible groups. Mike and Sharon Harrell started their Bible group not so long ago. I asked Mike to share the story with our church. Here is his brief report. Hopefully it will encourage you to start your own friendship group or to join the existing one.

Sharon and I have shared a dream since moving to our neighborhood at Stonebrook in Ooltewah: to share and experience God’s love with our neighbors. On June 2 of this year, five of our neighbors met with us around our dining room table to study the book of John. God answered our prayers in a powerful way! 

Each Thursday evening our small group meets to discover more about the wonderful character of God as revealed in John’s Gospel. As we study each passage together, we ask three questions: “What does this say about what God is like?”, “What does this say about the relationship God wants with me?”, and “What does this say about my relationship with God?” It has been exciting to discover together more about God’s character and tremendous love for us. Studying together, we learn from and about each other, and develop stronger relationships with each other, and with our Father God. 

 Stepping out of our “comfort zone” in this way was at first a bit unsettling. But as we prayed together, felt God’s Spirit moving, and developed friendships with our neighbors, inviting our friends to study as a small group together became natural. 

We do not know where God will lead our small group, but we are confident that He will lead. It was a temptation to worry about how our invitation would be received by our neighbors, or fear that our lack of skill in group Bible study would embarrass us. It is clear now that these concerns were based in self-centeredness and a lack of trust. God is more than capable of providing guidance, wisdom, and strength when we intend to honor His name. It is “all about Him”, and we praise His name for the blessings our group receives on Thursday evenings!”

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Next Sabbath evening we’ll come together in the Fellowship Hall to talk about the Christian marriage. Galena and I will be happy to spend an evening with you and to share what we have learned through the 38 years of our marriage.

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Let me thank you for the faithful support of our local church budget. This is why we see many exciting activities taking place in our church. I pray that this month, once again, we’ll all contribute generously towards our local budget needs.

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In the last few days Barby and Dana travelled thousands of kilometers through the war-torn regions of Ukraine. They didn’t haver much time to sleep. I talked to Barby just an hour ago. She is overwhelmed with the devastation she witnessed in Eastern Ukraine. Destroyed homes, lack of food, sick children… Many new areas of ministry were identified for the next few months. Below are just a few photos from their days right by the front lines. Dana had to stay in Kyiv for the next two weeks. Barby spent 36 hours in the car trying to get to Bucharest. Now that she’s there Air France went on strike. Her flights are cancelled. Being totally exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally she cried on the phone. … We are praying. I also appreciate your prayers. God always has a way.

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See you this Sabbath morning.

pastor Peter

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30

“Christ’s crowning miracle—the raising of Lazarus—had sealed the determination of the priests to rid the world of Jesus and His wonderful works, which were fast destroying their influence over the people. They had crucified Him; but here was a convincing proof that they had not put a stop to the working of miracles in His name, nor to the proclamation of the truth He taught. Already the healing of the cripple and the preaching of the apostles had filled Jerusalem with excitement.” (E. White, AA, 67)

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“The Ooltewah Tiny Timberwolves Adventures Club is off to an amazing start! We began our year with our first meeting, held on August 24th, and then our Induction service and fellowship meal on September 2nd. We also had a special visit from Lt. Eric Kitchen and his team with Tri-Community Fire Department this past Wednesday. What a wonderful experience that was for our club, even a few Pathfinders were able to join the fun! 

As of today we have 27 children enrolled in our club. AMEN!!! We also have several new staff members joining this year: Fredra Andrews, Tom McCullough, Michelle Clinton, and Abri Ronel. I also want to mention Kaelyn Orsburn who felt in her heart the call to serve and is participating as our group assistant. We are so grateful to these families for bringing their children to the Adventurers Club and also to our staff for supporting them in learning together and growing in Jesus this year. Thank you, church family, for your outpouring of love, support, and prayers. Please continue to hold these children and their families close in prayer as we continue our year.” – Reported by Staci Rivera

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Men’s Ministry remains strong and active. There were 20 men at their last Sunday breakfast. If you have not yet joined the group talk to Matt Geraghty. This may be the blessing that you need in your life.

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William and Nancy Mack, good friends of Margo and Mike, who serve in India as ACI (Adventist Child India) directors, will be in Ooltewah this Sabbath. They will share their story during the Vespers @5 P.M. this Sabbath afternoon at our church.

The ACI office is stationed in the country of India. By the answer to prayer this program was started in 2005 by (Late) Mrs. Dorothy Watts. At this time they have about 1,400 children in the Adventist Child India program. The children they help are from Adventist laymen, while some of them are orphans and semi orphans. This program helps children from all over India. They are affiliated with 30 boarding schools located across 16 states in India that help in taking care of the children. They see these dear children who come from very poor and sad homes attend these boarding schools. ACI helps them to become strong and faithful young people that will become strong pillars in their societies. There are so many parents that come to them for help. Like all parents they wish that their children would have the chance for an education that they did not receive, which would help their children achieve their own dreams.

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Please uplift in your prayers Vicky McCormick and her family. Her father passed away yesterday.

Prayers continue for Paula Wolf who has a serious health concern and cannot be with us at this time. She is staying with her son. We hope Paula will recover and be with us soon. Meanwhile we’ll miss her organ music.

Last Sabbath Edgel Phillips had an episode during the Sabbath school study. An ambulance was called to evaluate Edgel’s condition. I am glad to share with you that Edgel is doing good. This week he had several doctor’s appointments. We’ll keep Edgel and Carol in our prayers.

Barby (our daughter) and Dana Ursulenko are once again en route to Ukraine. This time they will be coordinating the Light of Hope humanitarian help in the Dnipro region. Dnipro is just a few miles away from the front lines of the war. Your prayers are appreciated. I’ll be sharing more about this mission in the next few days.

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Don’t forget to check our church website for more information about the current and the upcoming events. www.ooltewahchurch.org

pastor Peter