Sabbath January 20th 2024

 OCC at study starts the morning off at 9:50 am.

This Sabbath Angela lead the lesson discussion.

So thankful for willing people to help and bring variety.

Just wonder if anyone would like to memorize this memory verse for next Sabbath s lesson time.  Maybe all of us can learn it. 

 Memory Text: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17, NKJV).

Mission Spotlight came next.

And then Aase and Vicki played hymns on piano and organ with Joel's and Todd playing along.

After several hymns Karen had the Praise Time and  invited Christine to join her.

For the Children's song she picked her favourite Wide Wide as the Ocean.

We all enjoy the action songs.

Children's story was presented by Dexter who had given a lot of thought to his story. He had pictures to go along with the story about a girl named Lilly who went through a lot of unfortunate circumstances but was encouraged  by a community of caring people to help out her and her family and show her Christ s love.

Thank you Dexter. Hope to hear you again.

Childrens offering and regular tithes and offerings came next. 

This is an act of showing love to God also. ❤️ 

We watched a short video of the need for funds for Hope Channel Canada.

As I saw Evaldo's face appear on the screen a warm remembrance filled me.

Many years ago as my parents and my family we traveling in Canada we were in Quebec City over Sabbath. 

We looked up a SDA church online and found one to go too the next morning. 

After climbing a long narrow staircase inside the church to enter the sanctuary we found a row of seats near the front.  We were right in front of Pastor Vincente  and his family. 

They were very pleasant to us and the service was very interesting and full of children centered worship.

After the service we were invited to the home of Pastor Vincente and Sandra and what a lovely meal and fellowship we enjoyed there. 

Their young children were delightful as was their caregiver from Brazil.

 I listen with a difference when I see and or hear him as I have such care and respect for him and his family.

This young man helps in so many ways at OCC. 

I think everyone smiles when we see him come in the door on Sabbath.

A nice treat this Sabbath was to have Dianne and her family worship with us. Dianne had her son Jordan sing with her while both Jordan and his young son played guitar. 

It was lovely to see and hear them praise together.

After this Beverly introduced Jordan before he brought us the sermon this morning.

 

It was a very thought provoking sermon and very true.

Jordan is the principal of Okanagan Christian School on Hollywood Road.  He has served that way for the last 4 years.

He encouraged us to be guided by Jesus example while He was in His ministry on earth. 

Also to be balanced and a good example. To use Jesus for our example and to let harsh criticism not be part of our lives.

Choose Jesus as He wins in the end and we need to be excited to share that with others so they can make a choice about Jesus too.

Thank you Jordan for the good parable story of the garden community and the seeds at the start of the sermon talk.

After church fellowship is greatly appreciated and needed.

Everyone who wanted to be fed spiritually and physically could have been today.

 

 

Agape Supper to Start the New Year!!

 On Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. people met at OCC for an Agape ( fruit and bread meal) Supper. 

14 attended and enjoyed prayer, supper and being together. 

A lovely new start for the new year. 

These photos were shared by Tammy M.  Thank you very much, Tammy.

Dexter took a few photos for me also and that was very nice of him too. 

Thank you, Dexter. 

Next time I hope to be able to participate too.

Reminds me of times we did this at  hurch long ago

First Sabbath in 2024

 January 6th  was the first Sabbath of 2024. 

Shannon and Cherri had the children's room all refreshed and ready for the children to arrive. 

They had 5 lovely young ones for a very nice Sabbath School. 

Thank you very much for this duo who have kept something on going for our church.

So nice to have them involved with singing together. 

Go into the classroom and look around.  It is interesting and fun.  Which hand could you add to this heart?

The theme for this week was the World and as Shannon talked the children made Lego creations of what they like on this world.  Rainbows and sunsets and trees and more. 

Someone enjoyed the colouring page to go with the theme.

Greeting is such an important part of our church.  Making one entering the church feel like they belong and are very welcome. 

Thank you all you greeters who come early each Sabbath and help each person be spoken to.

I think we all miss our greeter team Tom and Iris,  faithful at their duties and smiling as they shook hands and handed out bulletins.

With Tom and Iris is Warren's mother, Verna J. 

Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo Joy. 

And in the church sanctuary a nice SS lesson discussion was being lead by Lori. 

 You may not be able to see them all in this photo but there was a very nice group.

After mission spotlight Liza invited Jonathan to help with Praise Time and when Alison came in she also joined them up front.

Singing sure does make a person feel good and nice to have the group all doing the same thing  together.  It was so so nice to have Nancy back to play the organ. 

The more people involved the nicer it is.

Beverly had a very wonderful sermon talk that brought peace and encouragement to us listening. 

In this day we need to remember our Wonderful Saviour and what He is willing to do for us if we hold His hand. 

Beverly shared the poem Footsteps and reminded us of a new start with the new year. 

She suggested we resolve to trust God in 2024. 

The one story Beverly shared about her son being called from work and told that he did not need to come to work that night was a very good example of the verse that says, "Before the call I will answer."

As her son took her to the airport to fly back to Kelowna the weather came up and it was made clear that he was needed at home to help take care of any people that might need a tall building to stay in until the tsunami warning and problem were over.  

Mother's prayers are very important and are truly needed.  

Thank you for your words, Beverly. 

Kneeling for prayer is a beautiful part of the service. 

Scripture by Loretta

Special music with this talented young man. 

Vicki at her post at the organ. 

And the man at the guitar too. 

Doug tells such interesting things about animals for his children's stories and this week he told about the  swans here on a nearby pond and then about pelicans.  The facts he shared were truly amazing. 

Thank you, Doug. 

Playing piano and organ for the special music here I think . Or maybe for the children's offering. 

In the afternoon there was nice visiting with Walter W at his little room at the care home. 

How nice it is for you to visit people who can not come out for church any more. 

Brings them happiness even for a short while. 

A little update from Bonnie:

We are so thrilled to welcome out first grandson, Josiah Spady.  His a healthy, little baby and so very sweet. 

Of course he is the "cutest baby ever".  We are blessed to spend this first few weeks getting to know him.  His hobbies are eating, sleeping and pooping with a few smiles interspersed. 

Thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. 

An update from Karen N...

She is now out of the hospital and back at her home. 

Here is what she had to say a few days ago. 

I’m doing much better very difficult last three days but I can get up and walk now. Still on oxygen will be home most likely by Wednesday.

One more thought. I would like to thank all those kindhearted people who sent their prayers to the Lord for me. It has help me, and he has granted me an extension it seems.   Thank you so much for your love and kindness, Karen.

Beverly's dog Dory is enjoying the snow... are you!?!?!?

And cosy after the outdoor time. 

Kitty is cosy too.

Thanks Beverly for sharing your fun at your place. 

So nice to see.