Sabbath March 8th, 2014 at OCC

Edith had our Sabbath School this week and she always has something interesting for us to hear.

This week she started by asking what was the relationship between potato chips and Sabbath School?
Answer is: Both had their beginnings in 1853.

Another interesting point that she made was about the Youth's Instructor Magazines that had wonderful stories and lessons in them.

Magazines Edith brought to Sabbath School.

There was little organization of Sabbath School lessons until G.H. Bell, a pioneer teacher in Battle Creek, became the editor of the Youth's Instructor in 1859. He introduced two series of lessons, one for children and the other for youth.

Edith also told us about this YouTube video and read the transcription to us. Watch the video below if you want to find out what we learned from her at Sabbath School.

I went out to the Kid's Corner to see what they were up to for their Sabbath School this week and the children were enjoying the nice new puppets.

The lesson papers and the little craft for the day.

Back in the church sanctuary Alex was leading the lesson and marking it on the whiteboard.

Pastor Bob was back from his quick trip to California and we were happy to see him.

As you can see from the sign the Pastor's sermon title was "Treasure Hunters". 

Some of the key texts he used were ;

 Matthew 13:44

1 Corinthians 2:14 

2 Corinthians 4: 3 & 4 

Matthew 16:26

John 17:3

The field is the Bible. 

The Gospel is the treasure. 

Sign on Highway 33

Pastor and Mrs. Tetz visit in the nursing home on Sabbath afternoon. There were many out from both Orchard City Church and from the nursing home. Thanks to Lori and Christine for leading out and for Dave and Dawna for the beautiful special music!

I talked to Rod K. after the program as he was outside alone.
After a nice visit I turned and saw this "peanut tree" and asked Rod if he did that.
He had he said and he enjoys the squirrels that come to visit.

60-Second Talk: How Words Can Build Up or Tear Down ~ By Vicki D.

For our Sabbath School theme at Orchard City SDA Church on the last Sabbath of February we had Sabbath School Squares. Nine chairs up front and nine people who answered Bible questions correctly took a place on one chair. The men got three in a row first and so received an extra 10 points. Each chair also had an envelope on it and inside was a note with something to contribute in it.
Thank you to all who so cheerfully took a part and thanks for doing your part so well.

One person was asked to have a 60-second talk. This is what she put together. It was good!  I wanted everyone to be able to see it if they did not hear it so I am glad she shared it with us. 

Thank you, Vicki, for letting me put this on the blog so more people can read these well chosen words.

_________________________________________

The Power of Words

Blessings and curses are made up of words.

Jesus simply spoke and the world was created.

He spoke and trees wilted.

He spoke and the raging sea became like glass.

He spoke and people were healed.

He spoke to raise the dead.

Jesus is called the "Word" for good reason!

Words are an invisible and extremely powerful weapon that we carry with us all the time.

Words can be used for healing, damage and even death. Have you ever heard of the "death sentence"?

Words can kill more than the body. They can kill someone's spirit, their will to carry on, their will to live.

Words can also be used for healing, uplifting, encouragement and courage.

If you tell children, or adults, "you will never amount to anything, you are good for nothing, you are ugly, or you failed me," is it so hard to guess what the result will be?

If you tell people "I know your Father. I know He loves you so much that He died for you. I know He designed you with unlimited potential and has an amazing plan for you! I know this because your Father is my Father too."

Let's use our weapons to promote healing in a world that is filled with pain.

You all know about the Gun Control Registry.

I urge you to register in our GOD's Tongue Control Registry and ask Him to hold us accountable by asking Him to put trigger locks on our tongues.

Guns and tongues don't kill. Bullets and words don't kill.

It is not until you pull the trigger on your gun or your tongue that the damage or healing begins.

Let our goal be to only load our tongues with words of kindness, respect, encouragement and love.

Don't forget, what you say is! Be VERY careful with your words!

Let the healing, encouragement and love begin.

Friday evening ~ March 7th, 2014 UCA concert at OKAA

Upper Columbia Academy students came to Kelowna last evening. The Choraliers, band and orchestra members had a lovely sacred vespers program for us to enjoy.

It was good to see so many out from Orchard City SDA church.

I am so glad we were able to hear UCA share their music. It was a very wonderful musical treat!

The orchestra was led by Dean Kravig.

The Choraliers had two leaders, Curtis Anderson - Director, and Lance Downing - Assistant Director.

Curtis Anderson

Dean Kravig

Colourful cello cases

Sure did enjoy listening to the band as they played pieces like "Clouds That Sail In Heaven."

Lance Downing singing a part.

The final song was done with choir members standing in a large circle all around the audience - surround-sound
and the orchestra playing. The band joined in singing too and it was amazingly moving to hear.

This final song was "I Have Fixed My Mind" and it was such a powerful piece, especially after Dean Kravig shared his thoughts with us about Jesus' soon return.

Thank you for coming to Kelowna and sharing your message in music with us!

Spring Time at OCC??? It is March 1st, 2014

Well, the truth is that it was snowing lightly all through church time.

Guess the tulips are trying to make us believe spring will be here soon. We must need the moisture for summer time.

Sylvia B. had the Sabbath School this weekend and her theme was being a friend and being friendly. The last story she shared was one about a little mouse who warned all his farmyard friends about the new trap being set up but none of them cared as they knew it was to catch the mouse. It had an interesting way of turning out so most everyone was involved in it except the mouse.

We need to look out for each other and show care to each other. Being a friend makes us happier and is good for our health.

Lesson Study in four classes and the Kid's Corner out in their building kept us talking and sharing for the next 50 minutes.

Then everyone gathers together for the church service with Praise Time and Children's story and Children's offering.

Ladies all enjoy seeing a baby.

Tom collecting the offering.

Shannon Gerber ~ Power Point Co-ordinator for this month.

Doug tells the children about his meeting with a couple of bears when he was fishing. His photos are really great to see.

Keith really has a lovely clear voice. He sang "People Need the Lord" and it is true, we do.

Olga reads the scripture text.
Some of the Bible texts that were used were: Philippians 4:4-9, Proverbs 15, 13 and 15.

A picture taken from a video clip we saw about this lady and her waving to school children... three times each day.

84-year-old Tinney waving and smiling each and every day.

Cherri showed a video of an elderly woman who waves at students every day as they go to school. Watch it below.

Levi singing "It's a Happy Day" for us via video. Thank you, Levi!

Cherri sharing her smile.

Cherri G. has the sermon for today. It was short and concise and full of good things to remember.

Let's See What Happened at OCC this past Sabbath ~ February 22nd, 2014

Sabbath School was a bit different this week.

Glenda Q. was leading it and had 10 helpers, or maybe we can count 11 as one helped set up the chairs and also helped to put things back in time for church service.

We had Sabbath School Squares.

A lot of great help with each part of the SSS.

Bryn leading the singing  - new words written by Dorothy Watts - sung to the tune of "To God Be the Glory."

Sylvia read a story called "The Barnabus Committee." It was a very nice story.
Don read three Bible verses about encouragement.
Doug L. shared the 8 ways we can give encouragement and then he shared something that gave him encouragement.
Vicki had a 60-second talk about how words build up or tear down. It was excellent.
Alexander L. shared four definitions of encouragement. Thank you, Alexander, for taking part.
Lori shared a short mission story about someone with next-to-nothing sharing their chicken as their thank you.
Bonnie played the piano for the song Bryn led and we all enjoyed it and sang out.
Jerrie Lou had a story about someone who encouraged a young man with his public speaking and how that impacted him for his whole life.
Lou B. helped us by passing out the words to the song. Each person is needed to do their part to make a great learning experience for us all.
Pastor Teranski was visiting so he could preach at the 11 o'clock service, but he was a willing participant at the last minute and we enjoyed him sharing a short story of a time when he was encouraged by someone. He told about the time our church made up a goodie basket for him -- filled with fruit, treats, a bit of money, cards, notes, and letters... after his lovely wife, Audrey had gone to rest.

Classes were held downstairs and upstairs and the children were in the cozy building outside for their Kids Corner.

The new sign on the outside of the building. So nice and inviting.

Cute eagle made by one little girl.

It was so nice to have Bryn at OCC this week. She played the piano for our service.

So great to have Levi and his mummy leading Praise Time.

Jerrie Lou told an interesting children's story.

Singing the children's song.

"I may never shoot the artillery"

Each time Alexander plays for special music it is delightful to hear.

"The Story of the Three Little Bears"

Scripture for this sermon talk is Romans 15:2-6

Table arrangements for the fellowship meal.

Beautiful flower arrangement at the welcome desk.