Where is my place in this world? While trying to find the answer I came across the following words by Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
“Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. ‘The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared’ (Luther).” ―
At the New Life Prayer Meeting series God is pouring out His Spirit in our midst. We want to invite more of our members to come and enjoy the fellowship, praise, and blessing each Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30! Here is a photo from the latest Prayer meeting.
Last Saturday night many of our church ministries featured their programs and activities at the Ministries Fair. I wish many more of our church members would have come to the fair, but those that did come were happy to talk to the ministries’ leaders and enjoy popcorn and drinks. Some received great prizes. Thank you, Connect committee, for planning and organizing this fair!
Earlier this week I thought about my dad. It’s been fourteen years since his passing from cancer. I dug through my files and found a few great photos of me and my dad. Looking at those photographs I thought about the great courage that my father (and my grandfather) had preaching the Gospel in a hostile environment. They both knew well that giving Bible studies would lead to their arrest and imprisonment. That didn’t stop them from helping others to find hope in Jesus in the communist Soviet Union. My uncle, who was arrested at the same time as my father, didn’t survive the brutal conditions of the Gulag. After five years of imprisonment, he died in his late twenties. As Christians we do want to be ready for the future trials, but let’s always remember that there are many who are being persecuted even today. I invite you to pray for those countries where there is no freedom. For many individuals today it is already the time of trouble. Are you growing in faith today? Tomorrow may be too late.
Melita Palmer shared with me the following exciting report and a few pictures:
“The first Sabbath of February I was a shaperone for Highschool Oasis at Cohutta Youth camp for two girls from our church. Julianne and Amy had a wonderful time getting to know other highschool kids from across our conference that do not attend a SDA school. We stayed in a cabin with a lovely group from Bowman & McDonald SDA church. The kids attended large group sessions that Brooke Wong lead. She spoke on different aspects of Isaiah 43:1-3. During Saturdays group session, she told the kids ” As Christians we will never look into the eyes of someone that God does not love. As Christians we need to treat everyone with love.” The kids also had daily small group discussions and free time. Saturday night they played group games in the gym, had a bon fire and hay rides. New friendships were made. Thank you Ooltewah SDA church for sponsoring these two teens. Over 100 teens attended .”
I always looking forward to reports from the Discipleship Class. Here is the latest one shared by Mike and Sharon Harrell:
“The Discipleship Class got together with the fifth grade class at OAKS for a Valentine’s Day party on Monday, February 12. Each of the fifth graders, including Miss Veness, is partnered with a member of the class for prayer and support.
All of the Discipleship Class members who are paired with a fifth grader were present for the get-together. The Discipleship Class provided all of the materials needed for the students to make Valentine’s Day cards, along with some tasty cookies. We all had a grand time! The kids made some wonderful and creative Valentine’s cards for someone special in their lives, and enjoyed eating the cookies, too! The Discipleship Class members spent time chatting with, and getting to know our prayer partners. Each of the fifth graders shared a Valentine’s Day card hand made especially for their special prayer partner. We had a wonderful time together, and the students truly appreciate knowing that they are cared for and prayed for.”
Last Sabbath the Pathfinder Club blessed us with a beautiful worship service. Thank you, David Reynolds and your team, for the leadership you offer to our children.
This Sabbath evening we are inviting the whole church, and yes, that includes YOU, to join the Ministries Fair at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. This is an excellent way to get involved in our church ministry. There are lots of great opportunities for each church member to find a place where they can serve to the needs of our growing community. I hope to see you there.
When you hit your fingernail with a hammer all you think about is that horrible pain. The pain may last for a day or two. The enemy of God is hitting us daily with sickness, marital problems, financial problems, etc. It becomes natural for us to concentrate on the pain. Nothing else matters… just the pain. For someone it may be the pain of rejection or our feelings of inadequacy. That’s exactly how Satan wants us to see ourselves. He wants us to see ourselves as ugly and damaged. Don’t let him do that to you. You are a beautiful child of God. You are created in His image. You may have scars on your soul or wrinkles on your skin, but they make you even more special in the eyes of God. Straighten up your back. Look up. You are created by God. If you are hurting today, don’t doubt that He can heal your body and your soul.
Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. A woman was there who, for eighteen years, had an evil spirit in her that made her crippled. Her back was always bent; she could not stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are free from your sickness.” Jesus put his hands on her, and immediately she was able to stand up straight and began praising God. (Like 13:10-13)
Last Sabbath, among the many exciting activities, our church welcomed several new members, including Pastor Bowman’s family. They have been with us since October, but now they are our members officially, along with Nephtali & Neira Lopez (unfortunately Neira did not feel well and couldn’t attend the worship last Sabbath) and Phil Stover. I hope they all will be blessed by joining our church family.
This weekend is again packed with lots of fun events for all ages. The worship service will be led by the Pathfinder Club with Pastor Keith preaching for both services. I am totally over my flu and looking forward to worshipping with all of you tomorrow.
On February 24 Pastor Doug Batchelor will speak for both services.
What do you answer if someone at your office or at a social gathering asks you if you are a Christian? It may be a life-threatening answer in some parts of the world where Christianity is not permitted. Or it may be a causal, “Of course, I am a Christian” for someone living in the United States. What makes one a Christian? We can all do certain things which may create the feeling that we meet the criteria of a Christian, but it is not the same as “being a Christian”. Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, was sure he was a follower of Jesus until the night of Jesus’s trial when Peter realized that he was not. It was only later, when Jesus asked Peter three times “Do you love Me?”, that Peter understood what being a Christian is all about. It is having the spirit of Christ seep through every word I say, every action I do, every thought I have. ”In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 (NCV)
This Sabbath will be filled with awesome worship, a great message, fellowship, songs and music. See below for the detailed info on all these activities and events planned for the Sabbath and through the week. Unfortunately, I’ll have to stay home tomorrow. I was hit hard by the flu virus and am still running a temperature. I want you to enjoy church without the fear of taking home my mean virus. I hope I’ll be fine in a few days. Y’all know, it takes some time. I appreciate your prayers.
The Adventurer Club did a great job last Sabbath leading us through both worship services. Thank you, Staci Rivera, and your team, for helping our children to be so active in the life of our church.
This Sabbath Dr. Tom Evans, the CEO of the Child Impact International will be speaking for both services. Child Impact is a Christian nonprofit organization that is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and people in poverty. Here is a link to this ministry’s webpage https://childimpact.org
Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church 