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