Dear Church Family,

May we remain mindful of Jesus and His teachings when we return home from corporate worship experiences.  Something to consider as we seek to emulate our Saviour.

Jesus was acquainted with hearts. He knew that, as the crowd returned in company from Jerusalem, there would be much talking and visiting which would not be seasoned with humility and grace, and the Messiah and his mission would be nearly forgotten. It was his choice to return from Jerusalem with his parents alone; for in being retired, his father and mother would have more time for reflection, and for meditation upon the prophecies which referred to his future sufferings and death. He did not wish that the painful events which they were to experience in his offering up his life for the sins of the world, to be new and unexpected to them. He was separated from them in their return from Jerusalem. After the celebration of the passover, they sought him sorrowing three days. When he should be slain for the sins of the world, he would be separated from them, lost to them, for three days. But after that, he would reveal himself to them, and be found of them, and their faith rely upon him as the redeemer of the fallen race, the advocate with the Father in their behalf.  SOP 36-37

In the news:

1. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. we will have a short dedication service for our newly renovated fellowship hall. I stopped by last night to find Amanda Robinson and Verenda Kennedy working in there after 9 p.m. last night. They were cleaning so that it will be ready for this Sabbath.  Everyone has worked very hard to have it ready for this weekend.  It looks amazing.  Mike Carlton, Dan Thomas, Ezekiel Cancelado and several others have put in numerous hours to make it look good.
2. Tomorrow I will be sharing the morning message with a message entitled, “The Rapture & The Changing of the Times.” We plan to welcome several of the guests from the meetings and would invite you to help us welcome them warmly.
3. We plan to have a church-wide fellowship lunch this Sabbath with the Rojas team hosting and next week as well so as to provide an opportunity to visit with the new folks who’ve been coming to the meetings.
4. Come to AYA this Sabbath March 9th at 5:00 pm and learn how God is working through the “Loma Linda Campestre” Ministry in Colombia as they build a lifestyle center.   Learn how through agriculture, healthy eating and natural remedies people are being reached and how kids are enjoying living in the country.  Freddy and Connie Forero will be sharing about their ministry.
5. Last night was our last evening at the Crescent school with it looks like around 20+ guests in attendance. Sadly one couple who had been coming faithfully didn’t show this week and when we went to visit them, we discovered he had the flu and his wife had fallen and bruised her face badly and was now using a walker.  Certainly, we need to pray for this couple and others that they may be protected and able to hear these important truths for this hour.
6. This past Monday evening, Aubrey Shoemaker was hosting at her table at the meetings and visiting with everyone as she usually does.  Then the next morning, we stood by her bed as she struggled for life.  She was found in her room that morning on the floor unresponsive. Having suffered a massive brain bleed, her condition was very serious.   She went off the ventilator on Wednesday and sadly passed away this morning at 10:23 a.m.  It’s a shock and we are all filled with sadness over her sudden death.  Arrangements have yet to be made but will be announced when we learn of them.
7. Remember the following Garden Workshops that are soon to take place at the church. They will be Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The first workshop will be “Nature’s Sustainable Gardening” by Dan Thomas. The third one will be on Monday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. and the subject will be “Peak Production, Peak Nutrition” by Allen Kennedy.
8. Remember that we will be having International Sabbath on March 23 with an international fellowship dinner to follow.
9. The young adults continue to enjoy their Friday night small group on having a meaningful devotional life at the Living Room, a place that was offered to pastor Alex in downtown Greeneville to meet and have any type of religious meetings, at no cost! Praise the Lord!  Last Friday they had fifteen young adults, five more from the previous Friday. The same five non-Adventist friends continue to attend. Evan Fox leads the study on the importance of prayer. If you would like to attend, they have four more meetings, over the next four Fridays, at 7:00 pm at 208 W Summer Street, Greeneville TN

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Blessings as you prepare for the coming Sabbath.

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy