Sabbath, August 17, 2013 ~ Baby Dedication Day

We enjoyed Sabbath School by Roland. He shared about his latest mission trip to Paraguay.
Sounded like he was glad to come home to warm up here.
Thanks, Roland.

Roland sharing stories and pictures of his last mission trip.

Jerrie Lou led  a very good and quick lesson discussion with the upstairs group.

Welcome little new baby girl!!
Congrats to your mummy and daddy.
Congrats to Gramma and Grampa W, too.

Ali and Don had Praise Time
Here Ali is leading the children's song - He's Able

Looking at the mother killdeer on her nest and the eggs on his ipad.

Roland handing out the baskets for the children's offering.

Shannon and Vicki had the special music and it was so beautiful. It is a treat to hear them play flute and piano together.

Scripture text read by Doug

Pastor Wilfley starting his excellent sermon.

Welcoming this sweet new baby to our church family.

Grampa holds her during prayer.

Each grandparent had a short dedication prayer for little T.

The young girls found it very interesting to watch the baby during the dedication. I am sure they will be wonderful to her each time they are in church together.

"Family" closing song with hands held.

Pastor Wilfley's sermon was titled " Family Matters". 

 The three points of the sermon were after Know Jesus were:
1) Be converted
2) Be giving/ be a giving person
3) Be a person of prayer

Some of the texts he used were Ephesians 2:8 and 9, Revelation 3:20 and Luke 6:38.
He said, "Be a giver - don't think what will this child do for me, but what can I do for this child."
" Prayer changes things."
" To give something away is being the heart of Jesus."
Pastor W. told a few stories about his own children and they were good illustrations. Then he told one about a young man who did not want to be like his dad, a janitor. At the end of medical school he found out his dad had financed a scholarship for him to be able to be in medical school and the dean told the son that maybe he needed to have the character of his father as he was a kind and giving man who loved his son deeply.

Pastor W. told us the secret prayer he has now that his own children are too big and live else where, is, "Tuck my children and grandchildren into bed tonight."

Thank you for sharing this with us, Pastor.

Leading the "Family"song.

Video Wednesday: Richie Parker's story

This video shares a wonderful story about how parents' love and determination can really make a difference in a child's life, and how a person can prove the world's negative predictions wrong.

Thanks to Gay M. for sharing this video on Facebook!

Video Wednesday: Be (My heart, My hands, My voice)

When I watched the music video for Selah's new song "Be" I was very inspired by the young woman who spoke at the start of the video about her conversion from the Muslim faith to Christianity. How amazing it is when people can notice a difference in a life that has been reformed and rejuvenated by Jesus Christ!

Here is what Selah singer, Todd Smith, wrote about their new song:

In case you have not heard, we wrote, recorded, and made a video last month called "Be." We shot it on location in Istanbul, Turkey. The song was inspired by Jesus words in Matt 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" I’ve let my "American Dream Theology" define what I think God wants of me, and has called me to. It’s so far from the truth of His Word. Hopefully this message will remind us we are called to give everything. We are called to suffer, be persecuted even to the point of death if that’s what Jesus requires. The young women at the beginning of this video (below) is choosing to give everything. We hope her story encourages and challenges you as it has us. -Todd Smith

I love the words of this song. There is power in knowing that "the life you are called to will not be in vain, so don't be afraid." And I definitely want to my life to mirror these words in the chorus, "No matter the cost, be My heart, My hands, My voice."

Thanks you, Glenda Q., for sending in this video. If anyone else has a video they would like to see featured on our blog, please let me or my mum know.

Kingdom Rock VBS at OCC - Day 5

The last day of VBS came so quickly.
I think a lot of us were a bit sad to see the end of our wonderful week together with these children.

The children sang the theme song and enjoyed the other songs with enthusiasm and joy.
We invited children to come to the Praise Time on Sabbath to share  their music with the everyone, so we would hear them one more time.

We might have had the most children come on  Friday.
Yay!!
It was a very good week.

Thank you to all the leaders and helpers.
Working together good things happen.

Snack time treat by Jerrie Lou... cupcakes in an ice cream cone.

Almost everyone enjoyed them.

Yum

Seeing every little interesting thing in her path.

Treasure hunt with Cherri

Writing secret messages and then looking at them with a special light

Second time participant - she looks like she loves VBS!

Grama came this day and had fun, too.

Little C took it all in - until nap time.

She came with her cousin and we were glad to meet her.

Fun kind of tag

Brianna lead out in the games on the days Shannon was not available -- so good to have all of these young ladies at VBS.

Such good helpers

Sharing her cupcake with someone special

Activity time

Stomping the "idols" out of the land to go with the Bible story for the day by Loretta.

She was our little VBS baby 11 years ago... now she is a great helper.

Another bunch of willing helpers

Explaining the game

So great to have so many boys and girls come to OCC VBS!

He did not miss a day... second year for him too.

Some more "idol" stomping

Almost over for another year

Next summer we will be excited to have more children come to Vacation Bible School and learn more about Jesus and His love for us all.

Video Wednesday: Tim's Place

I just love the energy and upbeat attitude this restaurant owner exudes in this video. He is a real testament to me about the power of love and caring in a community. I hope you also gain a blessing from watching this inspiring video.