April 16th 2016 Visiting Church in the Valley

Some weeks we are happy to visit other SDA churches.

This weekend was one of those Sabbaths.

Since we had spent the night in Abbotsford it was a bright and easy drive to the church.

We arrived a little before 9:30 a.m. and were very pleased to see we were certainly not the first ones there.

The church building looked clean, neat and welcoming.

I must say that the welcoming group at the doors were very very friendly and quick to shake our hands and welcome us to their church.

We were asked if this was our first time to visit Church in the Valley and when we said, "Yes" one elder who shook hands with us, gave us a quick mini tour and then dropped us off at the Sabbath School he thought we would fit best with.

It was the class my auntie and uncle got too and so we were welcomed with hugs and a place to sit in the circle up front.

Peaceful skies on the way to church. 

Climbing Wall in the Youth Wing

The gym for the youth. 

Acts of Kindness Wing

In the Sabbath School Class

The three bay car garage - was going to be used the next day for Single Mum's Oil Change Day

A little Adventurer fits under the table. 

The front of the church sanctuary. 

Pastor Joshua Jamison preaching on Peace. 

Visiting after church 

Church in the Valley

Later we had a bigger tour of the church and found it very interesting.

We enjoyed out visit to Church in the Valley very much.

People were very friendly.

It was very nice to have lunch at my Aunt and Uncle's home.

It was a lovely Sabbath day.

Please send me your photos and text to share where you have been on Sabbaths you have been away from Orchard City SDA Church.

It would be fun to see.

Sabbath ~ April 23rd 2016 Welcome for Kristen

Happy Sabbath to all.

The sun was shining.  Birds were singing and calling.

Grass was bright green and the pond was a lovely shade of blue.

People drove their vehicles to Orchard City SDA church in time for Praise Time.

Bob W lead out in the singing.

Glenda had the Sabbath School this weekend and invited Benjamin S to come and share about this mission trip to the Philippines.

We were so thrilled with how Ben talked with us about this first mission trip he had been on and the first time to fly on an air-plane too. He told us about his thinking the hymn "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" as he worked and ate and went to bed each day.

Ben said he would like to go as a missionary and we will pray that he goes where God leads him.
Thank you, Ben.

Ben S at OCC

Benjamin graduated from OKAA last June. 

Jason brought some cute little chicks to show to the children.  Glad he showed them to me too. 

Liza leads in Kid's Corner 2.  So wonderful to have children of this age too.  It is great to hear and see them in their Sabbath School. 

Nature Class for 5-9 year olds had interesting things on the go.  Church shoes were traded for gum boots for the hour. 

The chicks get a ride home. 

Spring time is a time for lilacs.  Thank you to the kind person who brought these along to church. 

Doyle and Diane play - "Because He Lives" for our special music. 

Prayer is a beautiful part of our church service.  Lori leads us in this time of prayer.  

Pastor Bob had such a nice Welcome to our Church Family for one little girl.
Thank you for the special prayer for her and her family too.

After a sermon talk from Pastor Bob entitled "Follow Me" and using Hebrews 12:1 and 2 which reads like this:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

the congregation sang " I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go".  

It is meaningful to read those verses and then sing this hymn. 

Thank you so much Pastor  Bob and Myrna Tetz for sharing your words and faith and kindness each time you worship with us at OCC. 

Downstairs the welcome meal for Kristen was ready and we were ready to enjoy it. 

There will be another blog post later this year with photos for Kristen with her new bike, a gift from Orchard City SDA Church family. 

Happy Sabbath

Sabbath School will be interesting as Benjamin Streit will share about his time in the Philippines in March.

Pastor Bob will have the church service.

Then we will enjoy a fellowship picnic to welcome Kristen to our church family.

Enjoy a very wonderful Sabbath.

Yesterday's bright colours.

Thank you, Jesus, for all the beauty that surrounds us each day.

See You in the Morning, Wilma...

JUST, Wilma Evelyn

We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing away of my beautiful wife, Wilma, on March 26, 2016, at the age of 75. She was always cheerful, with a fetching smile. Her giving nature contributed to an RN nursing career. She received her degree in the first nursing class at the Branson Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. She was also head nurse at Walla Walla General Hospital in Washington and at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. Although she was in charge, she preferred the one on one personal touch patient care. Wilma was solid gold–very unselfish, always others first. She recently said that she wished she could trade her life with our recently deceased 14 year old beautiful granddaughter, Lindsey Rose Just. They loved each other and shared a bond. After retirement she volunteered service with the Pathfinder Club, Red Cross, Community theatre, led Cradle Roll Sabbath School and visited the elderly in their homes. Again, she was always cheerful through her many medical challenges. God will reward her greatly. She is sleeping peacefully, awaiting the call of the Life Giver. Left to mourn Wilma is Gerry, her loving husband of 53 years, son Mark (Cindy Holdal Just) of Anchorage, Alaska, grandson Lucas Allen Just of Anchorage, daughter Kelly Ann Just of Seattle, Washington, sister Linda Toop of Toronto, an uncle, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Lionel and Margaret West of Oshawa, Ontario, and granddaughter Lindsey Rose Just of Anchorage. A memorial service will be held Sabbath(Saturday) April 30, 2016 at 3 pm at Rutland SDA Church, 130 Gerstmar Road, Kelowna, B.C. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Foundation, and to Make A Wish Foundations of both British Columbia and Washington--Alaska. Finally, the family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of ICU and 4B of Kelowna General Hospital for the extraordinary care Wilma received! We are also thankful to the members of the Fire department and Ambulance for their quick response. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 

We are so happy Wilma and Gerry came to Orchard City Church

It is very hard to think of Wilma's death two weeks ago.

She talked of her family often - I think every time she spoke with me.  She was so crushed with the death of their granddaughter, Lindsey in December 2015.  

Wilma was proud of their son and his wife, Mark and Cindy and their son Lucas, who live in Alaska where Mark is a dentist, like his dad. 

She enjoyed sharing about their daughter, Kelly, and her accomplishments as the executive producer/investigations/special projects of KOMO News in Seattle, Washington. 

She enjoyed camping with Gerry and travelling to visit family. 

Her smile was genuine and came often as she spoke.  She was a kind and caring friend. 

It will be wonderful to meet her in the Morning when Jesus returns to take us home with Him. 

Gerry mentioned that Wilma had a favourite colour ~ Red.  If you want to wear red to the memorial for Wilma on April 30th, it would be a nice gesture and remembrance to her family. 

Wilma will be missed very much in the coming days, weeks and months. 

Love to all. 

Wilma and Gerry with their children Kelly and Mark

Alexander's Mission Trip to India

The whole group together.

We will get Alexander to write about each photo so we can read the story of his mission trip.

Thank you for sharing your photos, Alexander!!