January 14th 2023 at Worship at OCC

Welcome to a recap of our services at OCC this past Sabbath. 

 Alex had the lesson study time and it was good to see quite a few there for it. 

We have the lesson here on the white board for us to look over and review.  Alex is good at the visual. Thank you, Alex, for the time you take to prepare. 

The bulletin is perfectly done with the photo and words about God's grace for us. 

Thank you, Karen. 

Praise Time with Liza, Bonnie and Karen was a pleasant way to begin the worship service after mission spotlight was shown. 

We enjoyed Karen and Dave's grandson in church this morning as he added to the joy. 

Todd, Vicki and Joel were a good addition too. 

Love Joel's smile here and thank you for Doug L taking photos for this morning.  

It is important for musicians to communicate so their music comes together in such a worshipful way. 

Joel making music and sharing his pleasant smile. 

Thank you, Joel. 

The children's story was about a lost turtle my sister and I named Toby and how he ran away on us, but did get back to his owner one day... lost no more. 

Telling about our pet turtle we had for a short time years and years ago. 

So very nice for the children to be there as it makes all of us smile. 

Children's offering after their story time. 

Delesha C had the special music and it was lovely.  A Jamaican New Years song she knew from her homeland.  It was very nice to hear.  Thank you so much. 

Lori shared the scripture reading from Ephesians 3: 20 and 21.  

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Pastor Daniel Jackson was to preach this sermon at OCC last March or April or May... but he got tongue cancer and was unable to keep this commitment much to his sadness. We were so sad for him and his family for him to have to go through this terrible illness. 

In July he died and is now resting and waiting for Jesus to return. 

Donna, his wife and partner for many many years while missing him so dearly, took time to send me the copy of the sermon he had been asked to share and she also included the full stories that were only partly there because he knew them so well he did not need all the words in front of him. 

Code Adam

Starting with an experience while in a large store in Winnipeg on his way to Portage la Prairie he had this experience play out before him. 

A very distraught mother was begging an employee to please please help find her little girl.  The mother had been distracted and thought her child was nearby only to realize she was not any where to be easily found. 

The store had a plan in place and the PA soon sounded CODE ADAM. CODE ADAM.

And all employees knew just what the plan of action was and went to their places. 

That is when Pastor Jackson had this precious insight come to him.

"This is precisely what God has done!!!

In anticipation of the lostness of Adam and His children.  He reacts with a "Code Adam" and every powerful agency at His disposal comes into action. "

Later he noted that "Sin in its essence always creates distance. It is the root cause behind alienation between man and God and secondly between man and man. "

And then further into the sermon he wrote " Unaided by God we focus upon ourselves and our feelings first.  With out His intervention we cannot break out of the cycle of gratifying or pleasing our own senses. "

Romans 8: 5-8 

The good news is that God has a plan and just like the starting story the lost child is found, so we can be found if we say Yes, to His grace and mercy for us. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16. 

"God love-- He forgives-- He wipes the slate clean and empowers us to grow beyond our natural inclinations... BECAUSE THAT'S WHO HE IS!! THAT'S WHAT HE'S LIKE!!!!!

" a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still..." a ditty written by some wise man... 

"But look at God this morning.  LOOK AT HIM.  Look full in His face.  What do you see??"

Watch the grace of God as it takes a cowardly and faithless Abraham and revolutionizes him into the  " Father of the Faithful". 

View God as He takes that murdering adulterer David and transforms him into  "A Man after God's own heart!: 

See God in human flesh as He bows down to forgive an immoral Mary Magdalene or a cowardly, denying Peter. 

LOOK!!!  AND WHAT DO YOU SEE!!!!

GOD IN ACTION ---A GOD OF LOVE!!!!!:

Thank you so much for listening so intently and being so kind about the emotion.  

I just wish Pastor Jackson could have share this sermon himself but I am sure he would love to have you know just how much God loves you and me. 

Then, after the service we went downstairs to a warm and lovely fellowship meals together. 

He was pleased with his colouring after Children's Church. 

From the dessert tables... 

All in all a good Sabbath day at church.

Let me know what you fill your Sabbath afternoons with... send in some hike photos or what you see on your drive or who you went to visit or whatever it is  you enjoy doing. 

Sure do hope some people will surprise me with photos. 

The bulletin has a new little corner space for letting us know who is in a care home or hospital.

Diane B. is at Orchard Gardens

Gladys B.  is in Cottonwoods short stay unit

Walter W. is at Spring Valley Care Home 

Bob and Nancy W home at The Dorchester 

First Sabbath at OCC in this New Year... January 7th 2023

 A new quarter starts a brand new lesson study booklet and topic.

If you need a quarterly please ask any one to help you get one for yourself. 

This quarter we are studying and reading about Managing for the Master ~ Until He Comes.

It was a very nice discussion time with many joining in the reading of the Bible texts and sharing their thoughts. 

It was very nice to see so many out for the SS time again.  

The beginning time is now at 9:50 a.m. so that we can have time to watch Mission Spotlight before the worship service. 

Mission Spot light for this week:

Karen recruited helpers to have the Praise Time and Bonnie played the piano so nicely. 

It was good to hear all the singing this morning. 

Thank you all for so faithfully being at church and leading the music and playing for it so many Sabbaths.  It is really special to hear you all.

Erinn told us about the academy and how the enrolment is up so much from the start of 2021. 

Please remember to pray for the school and students and teachers studying and working there. 

Conferring at the beginning of the service.

Our story teller lady... telling about the animals up at the lodge they used to have. So interesting to hear about. 

Dianne and her husband came to visit today and we were so so happy they came. Dianne shared her singing with us and it was beautiful. Thank you so much.

Dave read a couple of times from this book, "Jesus Calling" and said how much this book means to him and Karen. 

Our Head Elder Dave arranged to have some testimony sharing for the service and it was very good to see that each one present has something to share about how Jesus leads and works in their lives. 

Beverly was the first one to share and told of how Jesus became more important in her live as she moved from California to Kelowna and then to the Kootneys and back to Kelowna. It was touching to hear her appreciation of Jesus working in her life. 

Then, next, was Duane's testimony of his and Donna's vacation this past year in which they traveled many miles in their truck with their 32 foot trailer hauling behind.  

After the service Donna shared a bit more and it seemed like it was a very special God time for them as they experienced special people at important times to help them when their brakes on the truck failed. 

It was so amazing how God works in each one of our lives drawing us to think of Him in awe and realizing just how very much He cares for us. 

He put a lot of expression into his storytelling. 

At the end Dave asked if any one else had something to share and a couple did.

Olga told a short story of someone washing her vehicle for her instead of her having to go and pay for one. 

Lanette told of meeting someone in a restaurant and sharing with that special young man too. 

It was all very touching and brought smiles and tears which is how we learn to care about each other and bring Jesus to the foreground. 

It is all about Him. 

We need our friends to care about us and we need to care about each and every friend.

If we call ourselves a "caring church" we must show care to all... so nice to experience such kind care. 

This week see if there is some way you can reach out to at least one member and connect with them helping them to remember how much Jesus cares.  ( that is not to limit the number of times you reach out to any one else)

December 24th 2022 at OCC

 This Sabbath we enjoyed a special Christmas program put on by members of the Orchard City SDA church and the Winfield SDA church.

It was very nice to see our friends on Sabbath morning and meet together.  

Thank you organizers and participants.  

Karen and Dave greeted each person as they arrived for the program with beautiful smiles and warm words. 

The Reflections Team lead us in singing some Christmas hymns.

This young man and his little brother brought a happiness as they had the scripture. 

Little brother had a mishap and had to use his crutches to get up the aisle.

 

Someone said to me how very nice it is to hear young voices at our church.  Thank you for being part of the program. 

Dave, who used to be a member at OCC but now goes to Winfield, had a reading with another church member from Winfield.  So nice to see Dave at our church again for a visit.

Jacob playing a portion of Handel's Messiah - it was very nicely played.

Lauren played two piano solo pieces she had practiced and wanted to share... We Three Kings and 

Jonathan and Alison brought the Selah version of O Come O Come Emmanuel and it was a pleasure to hear them. 

Camden and Lauren sand with their parents... Little Stars that Twinkle".  Next time we hope we can hear their sweet voices. 

Joel shared "Little Drummer Boy" and it was well done. 

We enjoy watching Tammy as she does signing along with the music to Breath of Heaven. Denise sang so beautifully along with the signing and it was really lovely to see.

Keith and Heidi sang their duet and their blended voices are a joy to hear. 

So nice to be able to quietly record a piece to watch later. 

Our Pastor shared a short message before we went downstairs to enjoy a lovely luncheon together. 

The fellowship time is very important too... we need to be part of each others lives. 

Liza put together such pretty candle and berry center pieces.