We all are looking for a safe passage through the rough waters of this broken world. Some are hoping for better politicians, some are searching for a perfect church, others are trying to build their own safe towers in financial security or isolationist lifestyle. In the days of Noah the ark was the only option. In our days Jesus is the only Ark of my salvation. The gate is still open. “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9)

_____

The Health Ministry team had the third session of the Plant-based Cooking class. The attendance exceeded everyone’s expectations. There were many of our church members and a great number of visitors from the community. Once again the dinner was delicious. Thank you, Health Ministries team members. My weekly Ministry Award goes to Ann Weeden, the ministry leader. It was a very successful program.

_____

Greg Leavitt sent me a few photos from Wednesday night Prayer meeting. They have special drawings every time they meet, sharing wonderful resources for Christian Growth! The group will be meeting at 6:30 pm starting next week. Come and be blessed.

_____

Last Friday night we celebrated Ryan Mathew’s baptism officiated by pastor Matthew Shallenberger. Ryan was studying with pastor Matthew for over a year preparing for this important decision of his life. Congratulations, Ryan!

_____

Teacher dedication prayer brought a great number of professionals to the front of our church. We’ll continue to pray for the teachers including our OAKS teachers and staff through this school year.

_____

On Sunday night many of our church members participated in the summer business meeting. There were several important decisions approved at the meeting.

• Financial Report for the previous fiscal year.
• New local budget amount for this fiscal year (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024)
• Pillar Construction as the General Contractor for the Cornerstone project (new sanctuary and lower divisions Sabbath school classes).
• Line of credit application through the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.
• New Cornerstone Fundraising goal of reaching the 3 million mark by December 31, 2023. Currently we have raised just under 2.2 million. If we raise 800,000 by the end of the year we’ll be closer to reaching the final total amount of about 5 million needed to complete the project and to be debt free!

_____

Ooltewah church men, I hope you’ll not miss the monthly Men’s Breakfast and Fellowship this Sunday morning.

_____

See you in the morning.

Pastor Peter

This morning I stopped by my daughter’s house to say hi. Mila, my 4-year-old granddaughter, asked me where I was before coming to them. I said, “At work”. To that she replied, “But my job is to be nice to my neighbors and friends!”

I honestly think it would be awesome if all of us had Mila’s job.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

_____

This was the first week of classes at OAKS. We have a few new faces among the OAKS staff and teachers. Here is a selfie Aaron Hall took on the first day of school.

This Sabbath morning we’ll have a prayer for the OAKS teachers and staff during both services.

This morning I had a great time speaking for OAKS chapel. The sanctuary was full. They were good listeners. Their memory verse for the quarter is from 2 Samuel 22:2-3

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
    from violent people you save me.”

I spoke to them about God being our refuge in times of war, pain and sadness. He is our sure safety and our salvation.

Here is a photo and a video clip I took this morning:

_____

This Sunday is our Church Business meeting scheduled for 5 PM. Please, don’t miss the meeting. The Building Committee did its job in selecting the General Contractor. This recommendation will be brought for your consideration on Sunday. If you all approve the builder, we’ll move forward with the building project. So exciting.

_____

On Sunday, the Church ministries leaders came together for the Ministry Leaders Appreciation Dinner. The Connect committee members did a fabulous job in planning the event, setting up the hall and serving the food. I am so grateful to Mike Haughee, the committee chairman, and to every member of the group for an excellent program. We want to know that our church leaders are loved, supported and appreciated. Thank you, everyone!

_____

On Sabbath we voted in a nice group of new members. Not everyone was able to attend the second service, but several of them are on the photo above! Welcome!

Tonight, Friday, August 18, at 7 PM our good friend Ryan Matthew is being baptized by pastor Matthew. Ryan completed the full course of studies with pastor Matthew. I am so glad that Ryan made this decision. There is even greater joy in heaven. We’ll officially welcome Ryan into our church tomorrow during the second service.

_____

Our sincere condolences go out to Jeannie and Tom Klinner. Their son passed away this morning. Let’s surround them with our love and support.

____________

See you tomorrow.

Pastor Peter

Reading the Gospels we get the feeling that ONE is more important than MANY. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). Ninety nine sheep were great, but ONE needed special attention. Jesus concentrated on that one. Nine coins are good, but the woman needed to find the ONE (Luke 15:8). That makes me think how much Jesus cares about one human life. Is there one human being who you can help today. It may be your child, your spouse or your neighbor. Do something special for that human being today.

“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” Luke 15:5-6

_____

There are many active ministries in our church. One of those is our Cancer Support Group. Heidy Pino shared with me the following update and a few photos: “We had a wonderful Cancer Survivors painting party last night, and I wanted to give you an update/testimony. We had 8 painting participants, and Heidi Eisele Olson of Twin Mom Crafting Co. led us in our painting adventure with patience and expertise. 

 Each of our paintings was a little different, just like each of our stories. It was a good time for doing something fun and celebrating that we’re still here. As we left, we were blessed to see a double rainbow, a beautiful reminder of God’s promise to be with us despite the storms in our lives and that beyond all that His throne stands supreme.”

_____

Last Sabbath we had a beautiful elder ordination service for Staci Reviera. Staci has been very active in our church ministry for the last several years. Presently she is serving not only as an elder, but also a our Adventurer Club leader. Please continue to pray for Staci and her family.

_____

This week our church hosted the first session of the Plant-based Cooking class. The Health Ministry team did an outstanding job. The number of visitors exceeded their expectations. More tables were added and there was enough food for everyone. Sylvia Hyde and Barbara Weimer did the cooking presentation. A plant-based diet is definitely my favorite. I am glad that as a church we can offer these training sessions to our community.

Ann Weeden, Health Ministry Director, took the photos below, and I added a few of mine:

_____

This week four General contractors submitted their bids for our Cornerstone building project. The bids look very encouraging. The Building committee will review all four proposals on Monday night and will vote on a recommendation to the Church Business meeting scheduled for August 20 @ 5 PM. After the Business meeting vote our church will be ready to sign the contract with the builder. I hope that we’ll see some heavy equipment on our church property as early as this fall. Please do not forget to join the business meeting next Sunday. This is something we’ve been praying about for many years. It is happening now.

Your support of the Cornerstone Building fund will help our church to have a new sanctuary and new lower divisions Sabbath school classes which will adequately meet the needs our church and school.

_____

Last Sabbath Helaina Bissell was baptized by her grandfather, Pastor David Bissell. Congratulations to Helaina and to the big Bissell family.

_____

See you this Sabbath morning.

Pastor Peter

The Sabbath serves as an unchangeable memorial of a completed creation and as a sign of the sanctifying relationship existing between the Creator and the beings created in His image. The Sabbath shows that we belong to God, that “the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;” (Ps. 100:3).

_____

On Wednesday afternoon about twelve participants of the Young at Heart group came together for lunch at City Cafe in Cleveland. Willis Adams reported that later that day they had a good time and they hope that many more will join this monthly gathering in September.

____

New Collegiate SS Class begins! Tomorrow morning at 10:20 am, there will be a brand-new collegiate Sabbath school class meeting for the first time. The collegiate class will meet in the 7th grade classroom at the school. This class will be led by three of our church couples – Greg & Arlene Leavitt, Barry & Lilly Tryon, and Todd & Shelly Parrish. We are excited to see how God will use this Sabbath school class to be a blessing to our college-aged young people. Please let any collegiate young people in your family or friend group know about this special ministry for them. Thank you!

_____

This Sabbath is our monthly Potluck. I invite you to show your caring spirit and bring an extra dish for our visitors.

_____

On August 9 we are receiving bids from the general contractors who are interested in building our new sanctuary and Sabbath school classes. This is a very important step forward for our church ministry. The Building committee will meet soon to review the bids and to select the general contractor which will be recommended to the Church Business meeting scheduled for August 20 at 5 PM. Thank you for your continued support of the Cornerstone project. Your contributions come weekly. I invite you to pray for reaching the $3 million mark by the end of the yеаr.

_____

“Revelation of Love”, Bible Study Study seminar is coming to our church in 4-5 weeks. I invite you to pray for David Machado, the evangelist. Here is more about pastor Machado:

David Machado is the President of Revelation of Love Ministries. David Machado has had previous experience in Literature Evangelism, Bible Worker Training, and Public Evangelism. He has worked for the past 10 years in the front lines of evangelism ministry. He has his Bachelors in Biblical Studies along with a Masters Degree in Pastoral Ministry. He travels internationally giving Bible prophecy and spiritual seminars while also teaching collegiate level classes on the science of soul winning.

The opening night of the Seminar is September 8, 2023. Have you signed up for for a prayer marathon leading up to the meetings? We still need more prayer partners for the afternoon hours. All you need to do is to find the insert in the church bulletin and to circle the hour block which will work best for you. You are not expected to pray for the full hour. You can pause at work for a short prayer, or pray in your kitchen, or while on a hike. I would like everyone in our church to pray about this Bible seminar. It is not hard. It is actually a rewarding experience. Please call, text or email me if you do not have the insert or if you are not attending church services and have not signed up for this prayer marathon yet.

_____

I plan to worship with you this Sabbath morning.

Pastor Peter