OCC social night - March 23rd, 2013

Fun games were planned by Sylvia for all who could make it to the social in the evening after sundown.

Some games were played in teams as relay races and some were done individually, but we laughed through most of them.

We will have a poster of the photos this coming weekend for all to see, but here is a quick little peek at a few of the games.

What good sports we all were!

Sylvia came up with some pretty fun games.

And we have a winner!!

She can hear her whistle after eating a whole cracker.

Relay race and much laughter.

Sabbath, March 23rd, 2013 ~ A Special Sabbath Program

Here are some photos of the special program we enjoyed this Sabbath.

Song for the children

Pat sharing a spring-time poem

This ladies trio sang a lovely medley

Ladies trio  ~ such beautiful acapella music

David E. spoke so well in between each musical piece. He reminded us of our Saviour's great love for us.

Family trio - "Burdens are Lifted at Calvary"

Glad Ali came from Maine to join us for this day

No one can imagine the suffering of Jesus or His great love for us that He was willing to die for us.

Keith played a piece, and then Keith and Heidi sang to close our service.  So lovely to hear. 

Fellowship and food follow the service.

So nice to have visitors and regular members, too.

Before it is all gone

The pond at our church on a beautiful springy day!

Sabbath, March 16th, 2013

After the welcome, Glenda started Sabbath School with a math quiz.
It took some thinking to figure out the math problems and get the right answer. A lot of people got them right!

Don looking after the PA system and figuring out the math problems, too.

Bryn shared a small story she remembered from her time in Egypt.
She liked reading about this area and her friends from Cairo in the lesson quarterly.

Bryn had a turn playing the organ

It was very nice to hear Nancy play the piano while Bryn played the organ this time.

Thanks for taking the photos, Ali G.

Morris Venden's memorial - March 3rd, 2013

For those who would like to watch Morris Venden's memorial, here is the link to do that.

http://www.lluc.org/article/40/media/worship-live

Sabbath, March 2nd, 2013

Orchard City SDA Church was a happy place this past weekend.
The Kid's Corner room was full of children enjoying their Sabbath School activities.
The adults entered the sanctuary to join in the praise service led by Bryn Q.

Glenda Q. had an interesting story for the welcome after the congregation sang "His Name is Wonderful".  Olga S. had the beautiful opening prayer.
Alex M. shared some points on how to have a vibrant hour with God first thing in the morning. He also gave us three points to follow.
Then a great thing happened next. Alex called on Gay to come up and she joined Alex and talked about the Random Acts of Kindness she is doing for her birthday this year.
They both did a really good job of sharing their ideas and experiences.
Gay does not usually go up front so it was a very special to have her talk.

Alex and Gay

After a short and informative Spotlight on Missons, we had a prayer for the facilitators and then went to our small groups for study time.

To start the church service, Melanie and her husband, David, led our church in praise time along with their two small sons.

We enjoy seeing these brothers interact

Doug F. told the children's story and did a good job of it. He told about a time when he went SCUBA diving and the boat did not work so well. Doug brought a big bag of SCUBA gear for the kids to see and touch. Doug ended by reminding us all that God is with us in every situation and cares about each of us very very much.

A flipper

The important weight belt

After children's story Bob had  the special music and this week he invited us all to join in singing or saying moo or neigh at the appropriate times in a farm song the children sing in Sabbath School.

Then Bob had the children help unwrap something.

A brand new sign designed by Alicia J.

It looks like everyone likes it a lot. Thanks, Alicia!

About ten years ago when Ali G. first went to WWU, Pastor Karl Haffner had a sermon for parents weekend that really impressed the Q. family. Ali and Glenda wanted to share that sermon with the members at OCC for a long time, but the time was never quite right.
When Lori invited Glenda to have the service one Sabbath in March, it was the right time to share the message.
Don Q. read the Bible verses (Romans 8: 18-25) in between Glenda's talk and stories about Heavenly Hope. The service ended with a photo tribute -  full of hope.
Tyler made a DVD of photos accompanied by two very special songs, "In the Light of that City" by Allen Asbury and Selah's "If We Never Meet Again Until Heaven." It was a very lovely tribute to our loved ones who are waiting for our Saviour to come again and wake them to take to Heaven with Him.

A very special thanks to Pastor Haffner for finding and sharing his sermon with us!