Robert Folkenberg write up

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-a-kellner/how-a-seventhday-adventis_b_8879404.html


He is the grandpa to Pastor Robbie at Rutland Church.

There will be many people missing Robert Folkenberg.

Let's remember this family in our prayers.

Prayers and Love for the Just Family

https://www.facebook.com/RacheldeAColeman/videos/10153404082649685/?theater

Goodnight sweet girl. You fought so hard and now you can rest. No more pokes, no more ouchies. We all will never be the same for having loved you. Lindsey Rose Just ~ April 4, 2001 - Dec. 22, 2015

Special Friday Evening Agape Feast

It was a very special time on Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Orchard City SDA Church.

Doug and Liza, with several helpers, arranged an Agape Feast to celebrate this time of year and the meaning of Jesus coming to earth to die for us, and also to celebrate His resurrection and return to Heaven.

The tables were set in the shape of a cross and were dotted with red poinsettia and candles, providing warm light.

Keith played the guitar and Bob and Heidi lead us in some favourite hymns.

After a time of sharing - something we liked about another person around the table - we went to the different rooms to have the foot washing remembrance.

Once back at the tables we had prayer and eating of the emblems which were made differently and in different quantities then usual. It was all very pretty to see and interesting to hear.

There was more sharing - and then a simple meal of dried fruit, fresh grapes and oranges, homemade breads, nuts, and more grape juice.

The warmth and caring flowed between each person there and the peace and calm in our little church was something we could carry home with us.

Goblets of grape juice

Pastor Bob shared this photo of his of us all gathered around the table.

In the candle light

"Take, eat, this is My body, broken for you."

Such cheery flowers to have along the center of the table.

Beauty in the candle light.

Praying for each other.

Derek's Piano Solo

Here is a video of Derek P. playing a piano solo at his recital last Sunday.

Derek's piano solo

This is the little boy our church has prayed for who was so sick with cancer and had a bone marrow transplant. This is time to praise God for the good health Derek is enjoying now.

Thank you for continuing your prayers for Derek and his family, and also for Lindsey Just and her family and baby Micah and his family.

Video of why some love Sabbath School

Here is a video about why some people love Sabbath School. I hope you all enjoy it!

Urgent prayers needed today and ongoing

Prayer is how we can help two families today.

1) Lindsey Just - granddaughter to OCC members Gerry and Wilma Just and daughter to Cindy Holdal Just and her husband Dr. Mark Just. Lucas is Lindsey's big brother and is in school at home in Alaska, but comes to the hospital to see his sister when he can.

Lindsey is a very ill 14-year-old girl right now. She needs a surgery on her heart valve, but she is too sick to be able to have the surgery. Lindsey has HLH and while it is not cancer, her medical team are treating her with chemo and other drugs. They seem to have stopped working right now and her parents have to decide what to do next. They have a few days to decide.
Lindsey is a fighter and is giving a good fight to live.
She also has a fever now which adds to the struggle.


2) Shayla Banman Boothe was a student at OKAA several years ago, and her mother, Laura Banman, is member of the Rutland SDA church. Shayla and her husband, Caleb, live in the Chicago area and this morning Shayla delivered her new little baby boy at 33 weeks due to complications. Right now he is undergoing testing to see how they can help, but his parents have been told that their baby might not survive. Shayla asks for prayers for their newborn son, Micah, as he fights for his life in NICU at the University of Chicago Hospital.

Thank you all so very much for praying earnestly for these children and their families and all the others who need us to be an army of prayer warriors for them.

Night out for Ladies ~ November 14th, 2015

Many of the ladies from Orchard City SDA Church got together at Liza's home and had a very enjoyable evening. Liza was a wonderful hostess and had an interesting evening planned.

After a bit of visiting until everyone arrived, we had a time of reflection and sharing about things we were thankful for. The stories shared were sometimes funny and sometime reflective about God's care over us.

This was followed by prayer and then a time of enjoying the dainty foods set out on the dining room table for us to eat.

Such good pineapple and grapes and cantaloupe...

Then it was time for some games.
Here are a few pictures of us participating in this part of the evening.

Please remember that many of these pictures are from when we played games.
Can you guess what charade she is acting out?

Scavenger Hunt

Just a little time for knitting.

Friends

Leading us in the next game.

Not sure if it was funny or scary.

They are serious competitors.

What all we can find when we look, eh?

Not what it may seem...

She is the life of the party!!

The excellent words Doug or Liza came up with. It was fun!

Can you guess what her word was? We caught on quickly as she played this so well.

Such fun.

Was it licking an envelope?

Time to go home.

Thank you all for the evening together! It was good to have some serious talk and happy laughs.

News story about an Adventist young lady from December 2, 2015

Our prayers go out to those injured and killed in the California shooting and to their family members. The article below highlights ad Adventist woman who was shot, but is recovering.

Adventist woman injured in California shooting speaks of Jesus' return - Adventist Review

Sabbath ~ November 28th, 2015 at Orchard City SDA Church

Alysia and Derrick C. came to visit and to share with us their unique family. Their children, Levi and Myla, were at our SS, too. They shared their story of Myla's adoption and of the faith and trust of their son. It was a very moving and interesting story. Thank you so much for coming to OCC and sharing.

James made this lovely little angel in Sabbath School. He told me it had three layers.

Happy little snowman and his big sister came to church. He always has the biggest, nicest smiles.

The Pastor had a dedication prayer for Alexander after I interviewed him about his mission trip in January.
He is going to India with 14 of his classmates and 4 teachers.

Alexander's dad bought him a little gift at the KCS banquet/silent auction evening.

Singing " My God is So Big, So Strong and So Mighty" with the adults.

Our Orchard City band plays pretty expertly and we enjoy hearing them so much.
They played "Every Day with Jesus" by ear for SS.

He knows the answer to Doug's question about what animal was on the screen.

We learned that little mice chew on the ends of these to get their calcium.

Such an interesting Children's story. Thank you, Doug!

Nothing like showing a child what it is like.

Going to collect the Children's Offering.

Our Special Music was just visiting this Sabbath. After a quick conference with Vicki they had a really lovely treat for us.
Vicki played the piano and Denise sang  - "Silent Night". Thank you so much for being willing to share your music with out warning.

"While We Wait" ~ Pastor Bob preaching one of his few last sermons at OCC.

OKAA Elementary Students at Orchard City SDA Church ~ November 21st, 2015

We had a very full church this Sabbath. Many young children filled the front pews while their parents and grandparents, aunties and uncles, and friends sat behind them.

The students were excited to share their stories, songs, and voice choir with us. It was really well done and so nice to have praise to God fill our church by the pond.

Walter W. was one of the greeters this Sabbath. Thank you for what you add to our church.

Rhonda opened the time the students presented their pieces for us to hear and see.
Thank you so much for bringing the program to OCC.

Teacher Mrs. K. singing with students.

Children's story

Doing their part well.

Choir accompanied by Madison on the guitar.

Kindergarten and Grade One Class

Watching a sibling or two who are upfront.

Enjoying the quiet bags that are for children to use when they come to our church.

Capturing her daughter and son perform.

Mr. L. getting all the good shots.

One of the little sisters.

The youngest sister and one happy mummy.

So nice to hear this violin trio.

Thank you so much to each and every student, teacher, and parent, or grandparent that brought their child to make this church service beautiful and memorable. Praise to God for the wonderful smiles and happiness shared!