OCC November 20th

 It takes some preparation before a person gets up to lead a lesson study discussion. 

Looks like Lori has done hers with all her books including two Bibles. 

It is very nice to start off the church services with a discussion of a lesson in Deuteronomy.

Thank you Lori. 

 

And a prayer to close that part of the morning. 

Morning Praise Time with Karen, Christine, Bonnie and Aase. 

Alex was the platform person of the day and told us about giving to https://www.adra.ca/bcfloods/

Linda had the story to share and it was about the missing dog.  Flea bitten, three legged, blind in one eye, mongrel- answers to the name Lucky.  $100.00 reward. 

Then Linda had arranged for Beverly to walk in with this adorable rescue dog with three legs. 

Everyone enjoyed seeing and getting to pet this lovely dog. 

That tail was wagging happily. 

Joel Gregg had the sermon and shared a few things about him and his family before starting the talk. 

We were happy this family came with him.  He is administrator at Okanagan Christian School and told us this school year is going very well with 120 students projected for attending next school year. 

The roof is fixed and the Pathfinder room is renovated as well as the home ec room and one more area.

The Joel started the sermon he gave the title - Alpha and Omega

They are letters from the Greek Alphabet.

Those words are mentioned only in the book of Revelation, one place being Revelation 1 and another place chapter 21. 

The beginning - Alpha as Creator. 

God carved out the mountains and the valley,  He made Big White stand where it is even with the flood. He made beauty for us.  God was the Alpha. 

Then...

The Dash...

Things got derailed and went off track.  Just like building a Thomas the Train track somehow we are always missing one piece to make it whole.

So He came as a little baby to be our Saviour. 

God sends Jesus to our world to die and save us.

Jesus comes to get us back on track. 

The second part is completed as he died for us.  We are in the dash right now. 

Don't lose hope or get discouraged.  He completed His mission. 

Omega - The Last.

He is coming back soon and He will take us home with Him.  He says in Revelation 22: 12, I am coming quickly... 

This piece of art hangs in the academy and Joel walks by it many times a day. 

Some of the Bible verses used in the service are: Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 48:12 and 13, John 1:1-5, Genesis 2:1-3, Luke 1:67, John 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:16,  and Revelation 21:6. 

We sang How Great Thou Art to end the service. 

Then Doug found the video on YouTube in which Chet was playing the French horn instead of the cello for the song Redeemed.  Joel is showing us where Chet was standing in the orchestra and said we would be able to see him for 2 seconds. It was nice to hear Fountain View Academy playing and singing. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srZi3j2dtC4

Just before heading home. 

Helping a friend back up safely. 

Often these berries have snow on them at this time of year.  

 

Last three photos supplied by Beverly.

Her group of dogs just back from a squirrel chase and wanting to go out for more. 

Sam is heading home after spending time at Grama day care.

November Sabbath at OCC

 The white board was up and Alex was sharing his thoughts from the past weeks lesson. 

This first part of worship is sharing time about the lesson we have studied for the past week. 

It is always good to hear the thoughts from others. 

Praise time was led by the Reflections Team. 

Lori had the story and it was so interesting.  It was about blood hounds and how well they can smell out scents. She shared some pictures of these types of dogs and it made us smile. 

Doug was the platform coordinator for this day and did that well along with also taking care of AV.

Pastor and Tammy listening together to the service this day.

"What makes relational living?" To be connected to someone. 

Answers ranged from being open and honest to taking an interest in other to communicating with others. 

Isaiah 51 was the chapter used for this sermon. 

Pastor Josue shared a story of his friend who became a missionary to a certain country and learned the language and culture so well he seemed to be just one of the people of that country, in his talk he took on the accent of the people he was now living with.  He immersed himself into that culture. 

In Christianity the leader is the servant at the bottom and puts other up on top not themselves. 

Love creates service. 

Abraham was a man, just a man not a missionary. He did well when he stayed true to his principals but when he looked away he failed. 

He was not from Israel - he was just a man and she was just a woman, but God blessed them and they became chosen and very special. 

Abraham did not spend his life as a missionary, he just journeyed and in his travels he met people and connected to them. 

People could tell he was God's friend by the way he spoke, ate, acted and how he was generous. 

Abraham was authentic. 

That is how he blessed others. 

Like a good restaurant being German or Mexican or Italian and serving the food they know best not a Mexican restaurant serving Italian food. 

Be authentic. 

Abraham's journey was long and he had plenty of time to share God.  He had to be intentional and yet sometimes messed up in weakness. 

Were the nations blessed by Abraham?

His experience in giving Bible studies was the method of Jesus as he mingled with the people around him. He supplied their need.

Ruth and Naomi was another example of the power of relationship. 

Naomi followed Ruth because she had learned to love her. She said the now famous words, "I want to stay with you, Your people will be my people and Your God my God."

What a missionary Ruth was!  That is love. 

Who did Jesus say was his brother and sister? 

Those who do My will. 

Will we be truly part of others lives?

Heidi keeps the church looking in season and simple and beautiful.

                                             Photo by: Bradley Boschee

November 2021 at OCC

Good Morning!!

This box of butternut squash greeted people as they came into church.

 Lesson Study with Lori was lively and interesting. 

Our lovely hostess/greeter wore her red poppy in remembrance of the Veterans and the upcoming Remembrance Day on November 11th. 

This blue  guitar made us anticipate  special music.

Todd did not disappoint as he played Be Thou Our Vision and also used a new pedal system. 

It was very nice to hear. 

 

Worship in Giving is an important part of the morning service too.

The children enjoyed the story Kandus told about obeying the first time the little boy's  mum told him.

Would you want to wait in your bedroom with a black mamba, while your mumma went to find help? 

The little boy prayed and the gardener came and helped get the snake out of the house. 

Sorry the special music came after the story... 

Roland had the Bible reading before the sermon began. 

Karen and Damianna led us in an Opening Hymn to begin the sermon time. 

So it was Brad and Kandus who brought the squash to share with everyone on the way out of church. 

So nice to have them both at OCC this morning and for Brad to share the sermon. 

We had to be alert to keep up with Brad's words as he spoke with energy and enthusiasm but he had many photos to keep us able to watch as he talked. 

He spoke of evidence that what the Bible has to say is true and real.  

Blind faith is perhaps climbing up the bluff in the South Okanagan and stepping off the edge thinking all will be well at the end. 

The Biblical definition faith is based on evidence. 

We can  see the evidence of the wind but not the actual wind itself. 

Miracles are evidence.

Brad took us through the steps and on to Christ's death and resurrection and told us he prefers to be a Christ Follower.

It is all in vain if we do not have faith in the resurrection as it is the key difference to other Abrahamic religions. 

What are our priorities?

It should be to share the Good News.  Christ has Risen!!

Isaiah 53 

There is strong faith.  

Be bold for Jesus. 

Yes!!! He does have a smile on today!! 

Thank you for the butternut squash.  They were all taken away and I am sure made into pie or soup or other wonderful things. 

At the Rutland Cenotaph on Thursday, November 11th.  The wooden marker were made by two little boys 5 and 2 years old. 

We will remember.