Dear Church Family,
With every command that comes from God, there are more than enough promises to enable us to fulfill it. Thus HIs commands become in reality beautiful promises! The following quotes describe the reality that those who are sealed in the end will have embraced fully the New Covenant promise of Christ in us, the hope of glory! See Hebrews 8:10 & Col 1:27.
Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.—Early Writings, 71 (1851).
The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven.—Testimonies for the Church 5:216 (1882).
Love is expressed in obedience, and perfect love casteth out all fear. Those who love God, have the seal of God in their foreheads, and work the works of God.—Sons and Daughters of God, 51 (1894).
Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 445 (c. 1886).
Are we striving with all our God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His character? When God’s servants reach this point, they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording angel will declare, “It is done.” They will be complete in Him whose they are by creation and by redemption.—Selected Messages 3:427 (1899).
White, E. G. (1992). Last Day Events (pp. 221–222). Pacific Press Publishing Association.
In the news:
- This Sabbath we will have Eric Flickinger with us for the day. Please plan to attend fellowship lunch and enjoy the afternoon learning about more effective ways to share Jesus. The afternoon presentations will begin at 2pm and conclude at 6pm. This will also serve as our AYA.
- There will be fellowship lunch tomorrow with the Emde’s team hosting.
- Remember that this Monday evening we will have our church business meeting. We will be voting on the church budget and will receive reports from several of our larger church ministries which always proves to be inspiring. Remember that a church business meeting is for all members in regular standing to participate in and is where members vote on the issues brought to the church body. All other ministries and boards in the church answer to the church in business session. I simply state this to illustrate the responsibility that rests upon the church body when the church holds a business meeting.
- Just a reminder that while you prepare your tithes and offerings for Sabbath that our annual Christmas offering has a goal of $20,000 dollars in order to upgrade our speaker system in the church sanctuary and to upgrade our hearing devices for the hearing impaired. The acoustics in our sanctuary are so poor that many complain of not hearing everything that is said at church each week. We hope to alleviate this problem with this year’s Christmas offering.
- Are you 55 or older? The Pathfinders would like to invite you to a night of dinner and entertainment. Free of charge in the Church fellowship hall. It will be this Sunday at 5pm in the church fellowship hall. Please call Dawn at 423- 620-0872 to reserve your spot.
- I visited the CSC this week and washed some eggs in addition to sharing the devotional and taking pictures. As I reviewed these pictures last night, I was deeply moved as I reflected on the selfless service of each of these volunteers. It really is like a beehive up there with everyone serving as worker bees. It’s amazing to watch as everyone moves about with little or no instruction necessary. They just all know what needs to be done and they do it. We are in real need of a new director as Elder Coonley and his wife are set to retire this January. Also, the Turks are set to retire then too. Turk has served as Elder Coonley’s assistant at the CSC. I would ask that you consider volunteering up there to see how things operate and pray that God will show us who should be our next leader.
- The school Christmas program will be this Thursday evening at the church at 6:30pm. This is always a beautiful time with beautiful music and readings. Afterards, the ABC will be selling books, DVD’s and Vege Meats in the church fellowship hall. The ABC will contribute a portion of all proceeds to the Moldova Mission trip.
- At our school constituency meeting this week, we voted to move forward with the acquisition of four lots near the school that are to be used for a ball field. Monies have already been pledged but they still lack $50,000 dollars. Click here to read more from the development committee. This will be placed as an insert in this week’s bulletin.
- The Pathfinders have been busy. Here some pictures from a recent community services day where they raked leaves at Sherry Edwards home and also some pictures from their recent can collecting for food baskets for those in need.
- Usually once a month I join Amanda Robinson and our team of youth at Morning Pointe for their ASSIST program. This wonderful program was recently featured in the Greeneville Sun. Click here and here for two separate entries in the paper . It’s a marvelous program that brings young and old together. I heard from one of the residents about how they went to see Gerardo when he was in the hospital recently and visited with him because he was their partner in the ASSIST program. You could see on her face how glad she was that he was back with her. Here are our ASSIST students with their leader, Amanda Robinsons!
Blessings as you prepare for the Sabbath!
In His Service,
Pastor Jeremy
The Greeneville Grapevine 