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