Feb 19th at OCC

 Dave was guiding the lesson study time and it is always so nice to see a good group of people joining in the discussion. 

Come at 10 a.m. and you can be part of this time too. 

This week was week 8 and was...

Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant

Just before 11 a.m. the Praise Team starts singing and all who wish too join in. 

Thank you three for having the Praise Time. 

Offering Time during the service. 

The story for us by Jerrie Lou... who ever tells what the story was about might get to tell the story next time!!!

We sure enjoy the story time. 

It is really beautiful to listen to Todd share the special music.  Who can tell us what song he played??? 

Rich read the Bible verse to go with the sermon and then invited us to kneel in prayer. He remembered Joe T in the prayer and his family as he has been in hospital the last while.  Please pray for Joe and Shirley and their family.  

Lori shared the sermon for the morning and it was such a timely message. 

One of Peace and Reassurance. 

It was Titled Peace, Be Still

The story of Jesus calming the storm on Galilee is found in three gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke with a little variation in each. 

Some of the statements used come as direct quotes from Desire of Ages by Ellen G White. I have been studying the book which is an amazing and inspiring narrative on the life of Christ.  I have drawn closer to Jesus by studying it. 

I am also following along what is called DA with DA challenge... or Desire of Ages with David Asscherick.  It is taken chapter by chapter with David's insights and sometimes a guest like Ty Gibson.

It has been a great blessing to me to study Jesus' Ministry on earth in great detail. 

I highly recommend it if you want to study in this way too. 

My talk today is taken largely from Matthew 8: 23 and 24 and the chapter "Peace, Be Still" in Desire of Ages. 

Jesus used lessons from nature... The Pearl of Great Price... The Tiny Mustard Seed.. it is internal, not forced on you. 

Jesus had been teaching for several days on the mountainside. He was constantly criticized. He was so weary He needed to have solitude and rest.  Rest is very important to all of us. 

Jesus was sleeping in boat as the disciples steered it. Other boats had gone out with them hoping to hear more of Jesus. 

As Jesus slept a mighty storm rose up on the Galilee.  The disciples must have been used to storms on this lake as they we on the lake often and storms happened often but this storm was different and they grew very scared. 

Jesus slept, His head on a cushion. 

The men were no match for this storm.  They were trying so hard to save themselves they had forgotten Jesus was on board.  In their despair they cried out Master! Master!  Had He forsaken them??

The lightening flashed and they then see Him sleeping peacefully. 

They call out to Him to save them. 

He stands up in the boat and raises His arms out and calls Peace, Be Still. 

Mark 4:40

The other boats that were on the sea had been tossed near each other. 

Jesus woke up in perfect peace. 

He used His Father's power not His own to still the storm,  because Jesus had laid that down when He came to earth. He humbled himself and died the death of the cross.  He had to learn obedience.  We just studied in the SS lesson and it says in Hebrews 5:8 that Jesus had to learn obedience through what He suffered.  Obedience was new to Jesus as a human, not because He was disobedient but because He was Sovereign God over the universe. He had to put His trust fully in His Father. 

He slept in peace and in His Father's care.  

If the disciples had put their trust in the Father they too could have had peace in this storm. 

If we call out to Jesus He will be there to help us as we need.  
HE IS ALWAYS ON BOARD!

As Jesus was in the vessel on the sea He is with us in our personal troubles. 

Isaiah 57: 20and 21 

"The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it can not rest.  There is no peace," says my God, "  to the wicked. "

Is that like saying, " I don't care if God wants me to be peaceful, I am going to be afraid.  I want to have a pounding heart, frazzled nerves

and trembling knees and an upset digestive tract. Bring on the anxiety?

Do you know how many times it says in the Bible to Fear Not?  

365 times... one for each day of the year. 

Why do not not obey these commands? -- because we are sinful.  

How can we obey? 

"While self is unsubdued, we can find no rest. "  We must turn to Jesus and cry "Lord, help me!" And then remember that Jesus is ALWAYS in the boat with us. 

We can practice the presence of God.  

Make divine appointments with Him daily. 

Speak to Him and listen for Him. 

Keep your eyes open for Him in your life. 

Any time you begin to feel fear and anxiety come on you, ask Him to remind you of His peace. 

Ask Him to embolden your faith. 

Worship your way through it. 

Ask Him for His peace. 

Tell God what you are concerned about.  

Peace is not a feeling. 

Peace is a person!

He will never leave you!!

God has given us many promises:

John 16:33

John 14:27

Colossians 3:15

Isaiah 41:10

Psalm 55: 3 and 4

Matthew 5:9

Philippians 4: 6 and 7

Isaiah 26:3

Vicki sent me this photo she took from her home yesterday.  Immediately  it reminded me of Jesus in the storm.  These peaceful deer laying calmly while around us there is commotion and strive. 

Then the song words came too... And He walks with me and He talks to me and He tells me I am His own.... 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your photo, Vicki. 

And Thank you, Lori for the meaningful lesson you shared. 

Church yard growth toward springtime. 

A little bit of bright joy. 

Faithful AV men... help us each week. 

Thank you. 

Sabbath at OCC Feb 12th 2022

 

So nice to see the pretty bulletins at OCC again. 

Thank you to the person responsible. 

Lesson Title was: Jesus, the Anchor of the Soul

Memory Text: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both secure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:19, 20, NKJV).

Alex's turn to lead the lesson discussion.  He used all kinds of ways to help the conversation along. 

The white board gets filled up with his printing and drawing. 

Following along in the study guide. 

Foll

Alex showed Anchor Park the smallest park in town with a huge anchor from the bridge. 

Gay shows everyone another drawing with words to illustrate his point. 

Thank you for your part in the morning. 

Come out and be part of the Sabbath School discussion - you might enjoy it. 

Praise Time for music and singing. 

So nice of Tammy to invite her dad too join her in leading the Praise Time.

Doug had a little break in January and now is back on duty for a few weeks. 

Good thing Todd is helping out on AV. 

So nice to be greeted with a friendly voice and smiling eyes. 

It is nice to see people saving little bits and pieces of what happens in church. 

Alex shining his light during praise time. 

It was fun to sing from the Red Chorus book again. 

During the church service the anchor was kept under the seat and then after Alex showed it.  He certainly brought good things to enhance the lesson. 

Beverly shared a story from her time in Hawaii lately with her family and the adventure they went on early one morning. 

The happy birthday boy glad his grama came along. 

The saw Galapagos sharks with 14 rows of teeth.

Thanks for the story, Beverly.   Glad you made it back to Canada and to OCC. 

 Pastor Josue checking to make sure Jerrie Lou on Zoom can hear him before starting his sermon. 

Relationship with Nature.

Psalm 24:1 and 2

All Things Bright and Beautiful - Intimacy with God and nature.  

How many of you like nature?

How many of you like camping or glamping?

Pastor used to take a small backpack and a blanket and go on the hike and have a simple camp made. 

Then he got spoiled and now wants to have flush toilets and a soft bed at night when camping. 

It doesn't matter how you do it but take the time to go out in nature and enjoy the great outdoors. 

It is good for your mental health to spent time in nature. 

God had such relationship with nature in the Bible. 

What experiences can you think of in the Bible that show this?

Some answers from the congregation were:

The stars in the sky with Abraham. 

Eagles - how he cares for them and us. 

He created humans with His hands  out of dust. 

The burning bush. 

What is the Sabbath for the earth?

Every 7th year was the year of the Jubilee.  Sabbath for the land. God said not to work the earth on the 7th year and that poor people should be able to glean what ever grew on it. 

The 6th year would grow enough for two years. 

Why do we need to take care of the earth?

It will be destroyed in the end anyway Pastor Josue said to his dad when he was younger. 

We need to respect and take care of our bodies as they are the temple for God.  He lent it to your body to you. Take good care of your body as you also take care of the earth. 

When the blind man came to Jesus, Jesus spit on the ground and made clay to put on the man's eyes. There is the connection between nature and God and the person.  There are good properties in clay to help purify things in the body.  

Look up clay and find out the healing nature of it. 

Clay... God created us from dirt. 

Pastor was going for a walk with Hudson ( please remember to pray about Hudson's health) and the saw a coyote not all that far away.  It was a very beautiful thing to see. 

The colours and designs and patterns and varieties God made for us to enjoy.  

How can humans connect with nature?  Genesis 1:21, And God saw it was good...

Gen. 2:7 Man became a living thing...

Verse 15...Garden given to Adam and Eve to tend it. Man was in it. 

How awesome for Adam to communicate with the animals.  How does it feel to have a bird land on your hand?  Have you felt that?  It is pretty cool. 

It feels so great to hold a freshly picked tomato that you helped grow by putting the seedling in the ground and gave it what it needed as God gave it what it needed and then you have a delicious tomato. It was God's care that made it. 

He does that while the whole time looking after everything else in the whole world. He cares so much for you. 

Once as a boy, his dad and Josue were a beach near sunset on a Sabbath.  The pink sky and calm water blended to make the love of God evendent to both man and son. The song, "The Love of God is Greater Far" came to mind. 

It was like you could pick a pencil from the sky and draw the scene - such a beautiful scene. 

Pastor Josue as a kid, his dad and God all connected. 

It will all be restored and be healed. 

Let's sing, "How Great Thou Art".

Let's remember that we serve and worship the God of the Sabbath and Creation and not the day or the nature. 

What wonderful friends Walter has... so kind of them to help him. 

Thank you All So Much

To all the Orchard City church members- Thank you for you great kindness in visiting my dad, dropping by to bring treats and groceries and talking to him when he is in church. He looks forward to all of these contacts with such happiness and is sure to repeat the details as the highlights of his day. I'm grateful for each one of you. It helps to understand the great blessing God intended us to have in being part of the church family.   

Sandra Doucette

My sisters and I want to say a heart-felt thank you to everyone who has gone out of their way to show kindness to our dad over the past years, especially since COVID started.  Your caring actions and your thoughtfulness mean so much to dad, and even more to those of us who live too far away to be able to see dad very much.  Thank you again, and God bless you all.

Judy Foulston and sisters and our families

Coming to OCC after not feeling able to come in the winter months.  

Walter's three daughters  just would like to thank you all for the kindness you have shown to our Dad, Walter Wecker during this difficult time of Covid 19 and being home alone so much and before this time too. 

Rich has been over almost every week for a little visit and a little treat drop off. 

Vicki has prayed - what a wonderful gift that is. 

Gladys greets him as does Christine.  

Gay has been a good grocery getter when others have been away and sometimes a puzzle doer.  Or medicine bringer. 

Bonnie and Doug have come over and helped fix up the ipad or helped with a sore finger or brought over supper and stayed to play a game.

Brad and Rina have nice little chats when they are at OCC. 

Kandus brought bread along to give him and that was just what he needed. 

Liza and Doug have brought muffins and dropped them off in the walker just outside the door or stopped in for a little visit. 

Pastor Bob has spent time on the phone calling to talk with Walter after he could not be over in person as easily.  Before that he came over often to help or visit or show care. 

Pastor Josue has come in for a visit too sometimes bringing a little cake, and all of these times have been so nice for Walter. 

He looks forward to the greeters greeting him at the door of OCC and wonders who it will be each time he comes.  Olga? Liza and Doug? Edith and Jim?  Iris and Tom? or Naomi? or Ruby? Beverly? Dave and Karen? Linda? Tammy?

Arnie and maybe Lori too have brought groceries, ice cream bars and had a nice visit and talked about old times which he appreciates so much. 

Ruby has picked grapes and made them into juice that he enjoys that so much.  He misses time spent working in the garden and with the grapes and fruit trees. 

Dino and Delia were able to chat and Dino dug out dandelions with him both kneeling on the grass together. 

Cherri, Shannon and Caitlin have made Christmas cookie packages and he always loves those. 

Duane and Donna have visited and called to chat.  So nice for him. 

He appreciates Aase's little chats after church.  And Beverly's little hug. 

There might be many more that drop in and check on him but he might forget just when.  There is a little notebook if you want to sign it so someone else can see it and jog his memory of that visit. 

I know Jerrie Lou is a good baker too and has left lovely baked goods over at his home. Bob picked him up and took him for a haircut and maybe a little stop somewhere else on the way home too.  So nice of Bob. 

Loretta and Bob shared nice visits with him.  So many came by on his 96th birthday and I know Loretta brought him balloons. He really enjoyed all of the bunches of people who came by car or rode their bikes to say a birthday hello.   Angela, Doyle and Dami came on bikes.  Myrna was nearby on the birthday greeting  day last October and some puppies were here to say hello too... like Hudson and Mo.  Mikey and Pat and other friends from Century and OCC made the day. 

I don't want to forget any one so add a note if you can. 

This past Sabbath when Walter was at OCC I saw all the warm smiles and hellos given to him. 

The human contact is so worthwhile and we all appreciate what ever you do to help make his day brighter.  He also gets friendly phone calls which brighten up his day. 

I know some of you help him from the vehicle to the church and help him get seated or help him from the church back to the vehicle and that makes it easier for him to feel safe especially during the colder months. 

When he sits and waits in the vehicle many of you come by and have a little chat and that is so very nice too. 

Thank you one and all. 

At the end of the Sabbath evening at the beginning of Feb.  Worship, soup and popcorn and a word game.  By that time he was laughing and it sounded great. 

                   Liza and Doug brought these muffins which he was very thankful for too. 

                      Cupcake made by Kira who makes the birthday cakes I get for him to share from too. This one is a Valentine's Day one for Walter. 

My sisters and I want to say a heart-felt thank you to everyone who has gone out of their way to show kindness to our dad over the past years, especially since COVID started.  Your caring actions and your thoughtfulness mean so much to dad, and even more to those of us who live too far away to be able to see dad very much.  Thank you again, and God bless you all.

Judy Foulston and sisters and our families

. 

 So glad to see that big smile you put on his face!!

 Pastor Hiebert and others chatting with him after the service. 

You have celebrated with him,  enjoyed fellowship meals together, asked him about the church being built or being a charter member of OCC.  You have mourned with him and hugged him and prayed for him. 

All this is why it is wonderful to be part of a church family.