Fire story and pictures from Jake W.

A mile or two (Pymon Road) from Orchard City SDA Church ~ Friday, September 21st, 2012

Photos and text from Jake Wickwire - Grade 8 student at Okanagan Adventist Academy

Last week there was a brush fire on Black Mountain. It burned a few acres of grass, but no houses. It was very quickly extinguished by the fire crews on the ground and the fire or size planes in the air.

Thank you very much for your contribution, Jake!

A Nice Surprise!

A Little Visit to the Summerland Experimental Farm ~ Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

Don and I set out towards a certain destination but on the way made a quick decision to stop in first at the Experimental Farm in Summerland. What a good choice that was for me!

We saw the old steam train come and go on the big bridge, the train cars full of picture-taking people. Hearing the chuff-chuff-chuff was a pleasant sound too.

Then the gardens of flowers, many with their own bee or spider on them, needed to be explored.

The park ranger came to tell me that a mother bear and her two 6 month old cubs were very close, so we started to drive off. What a great surprise to find them all in a big tree just past the apple orchard where they had been feeding.

Finding a good place to rest

Mumma and one cub

She had to reposition herself for a little more rest with both twin cubs above her

It was a lovely day.

What a beautiful squirrel, just sitting and waiting for me to take his picture!

Esther and Walter travel to Idaho

Wecker's Idaho Trip ~ September 10th to 13th, 2012

On September 10th our daughter Glenda kindly drove Walter and me to visit my sister Marion and her husband Galen in Orofino, Idaho. It was a lovely trip and we had a great time visiting there.

On the way there and back we went by Grand Coulee Dam.
It has been years and years since we saw it and went on a tour of it before.

One afternoon they took us for a drive in the countryside around their place. It is much more hilly than I had expected. The pictures I am including show you the hills and the Elk River. A bridge they took us too was surprising to see so far out of town. This bridge is supposed to be modelled after the Golden Gate Bridge, but does not have the same colour.

They have a church right in Orofino so that is nice. My sister enjoys going to the Dorcas (ADRA) on Tuesday and working on quilts with the group there. We enjoyed our little getaway and it was nice to get to know where our relatives reside. They come up this way often to visit Beth and me.
~ Esther Wecker

Esther and Marion

September Mine Tour

Sylvia and Lou went on a little excursion and here is what they had to say.

We went and did the Hedley Mines tour two weeks ago and totally enjoyed it. It was an hour long bus drive to the top and then 586 steps down to the mine. We had to take our time, but it was definitely a beautiful tour. Four hours in all. It was run by the First Nations in Hedley. So many interesting stories. Here are a few photos of our time there. ~Sylvia

Thanks so much for sharing this, Sylvia! ~gq

Feature Photos for the month of September

I would really like to have some photos each month to feature from our members and friends at Orchard City SDA Church.

This month I would like you to see three of Michael Franks photos. Michael is a university student at Walla Walla University in Walla Walla, Washington. He comes home in the summer so we are glad to have him back worshipping with us then and also at any holiday he can make it back to British Columbia.

It would be lovely for Michael to see some comments on his work. They are absolutely wonderful and took a fair amount of time for him to capture. Thank you for sharing them with us, Michael!

Sabbath, September 15th, 2012

In summer time it is always interesting to see how many people will be at our little church and this Sabbath it was good to see so many there!! We missed our members who are away, but were very glad for the many visitors that came to worship with us.

Paul B. had our Sabbath School and Don Q. and Walter W. taught the lesson study classes. The Kids Korner, lead by Loretta had room full of children. Their joyful singing was enjoyed by all in the lower level of the church.

Bryn lead the praise time while Bonnie played the piano and Nancy played the organ. The church was full of joyful song. Alex M. had the prayer and Scripture Reading and Glenda Q. shared a story about her mother for the children's story. Beverly was the Elder for this Sabbath. Tyler spoke to us about the Holiness of God referencing 1 John 3:2-6.

It is always nice to be able to visit with one another at the end of the church service and since the weather was so beautiful we could fellowship outside.

Here are a few photos of the morning. Come and join us next Sabbath.

Leading Praise Time

"The Wise Man Built His House Upon The Rock" -- the children's song

The Purse Story by Glenda

How nice to hear Bryn play

Just before Tyler gets up to speak

Leading us in the hymn -- "Holy, Holy, Holy" at the end of the talk

A tiny deer mouse that was found in the rocks between the parking lots. His brother was hopping nearby too.

Please pray for this family

My cousin, who lives in Arizona, first shared this story with us on Facebook asking for people to join in praying for all involved.

Thank you for reading the account and caring about our family all over the world.
What a brother, this young boy was.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2012/09/13/20120913phoenix-man-dead-gunshot-wound-park-abrk.html

Sabbath School and Church for Sept 8th, 2012

Welcome to the Orchard City Seventh-day Adventist Church!

This morning we enjoyed a "Welcome to School" sort of Sabbath School.
Math Class - Bible quiz to find our opening song.
Science Class - Opening Prayer as we are told by E.G. White that there is a science to prayer.
Reading Class - Responsive Reading from the hymnal.
Geography Class - Mission Story by Don Q.
Spelling Class - Spelled Sabbath School by recalling Bible verses starting with the right letter.

Thanks for the idea in your book, Mrs. D. Watts!

Kids Korner was quiet when I went downstairs to look for something or someone... quiet but inviting... come next week when all the kids are there.

The tables were all set and waiting for the lunch time fellowship.

Our Children's story was told by Jason D. - the well-loved David and Goliath, requested by Jason's granddaughter.

Special music by Dr. Kim was really sweet. "Amazing Grace" with something extra.

The sermon by Pastor Dubyna was excellent, and someone was inspired to agree by raising the Bible.

Time for fellowship and sharing after the service.

And a happy Sabbath Day it was!