Friday, April 26, 2019

Dear Church Family,

The counsels and laws of God as described in His Holy Word and in the Spirit of Prophecy are the means by which God blesses His people. Notice the following:

As in the natural, so in the spiritual world. The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied. AA 284

In the news:

This Sabbath we will resume “The Long Journey Home” series with a message entitled, “Bitter Sweet.” This Sabbath we will be dedicating Enoch Castro during the worship service. Even though the Castro’s recently moved, they wanted to return to Greeneville for the dedication of their little boy.
Just a reminder that we have a prayer line open every Monday-Friday from 6:30 am-6:45 am To join, dial 605-313-4197 and when prompted, enter PIN #714557. There is a youth prayer line from 7:00-7:15 am Monday-Friday with the same phone number and PIN number.
Note that the service will not be live streamed tomorrow as Russell Meier who normally operates this will be away this Sabbath. This illustrates the point that we need more volunteers to help run the cameras and live streaming. If you are interested in assisting with this ministry, please contact Russell Meier. Your service would be appreciated as we would like to be consistent with our live streaming each week as well as alleviate some of the burden on Russell.
There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath following the service.
“An Ole Timey Musical AYA” is planned for this Sabbath evening at 7 p.m. at the church with Darrell Sandford. All are invited.
The Pathfinders are away this weekend for camporee at Cohutta. Keep them in your prayers.
As many of you know, Philip Mitchell was involved in a head on collision this past Tuesday evening just before the international food fair. Several of us visited with him and the kids at Johnson City Medical Center that evening. The kids were discharged after being assessed. They sustained scrapes and bruises and some soreness. Philip broke a finger, wrist and ankle but did not require any surgery and went home on Wednesday. We praise God that they pulled through so well!
Evan Fox began his Fishers of Men Discipleship class this week with several attending. It’s not too late to get involved. They meet every Tuesday for four more weeks at 6:30 p.m. at the church.
Tina and I shared a meal and Bible study with a couple of individuals from the meetings this past Wednesday evening at our home. There were some others who couldn’t make it. I was encouraged to hear from one of the guests how their table host had called them the other day to check in with them. I would encourage you to keep reaching out to those you became acquainted with at the meetings as we seek to grow these relationships.
Last night we had a great turn out for the “How to Make Nutritional Smoothies” class with Walt & Mary Lou Cross. They shared how many today just don’t take the time for breakfast or struggle with eating a large supper at night and suggested that a nutritional smoothie might make this more feasible from a time perspective in the morning as well as a digestive perspective at night. While a meal is ideal, it was presented that this is a better alternative than succumbing to the fast food that so many turn to. The smoothie samples were amazing and the testimonies were even more amazing from those who have been attending the classes in Newport. These classes are excellent for building connections with the community. Here are a few of the many tasty recipes from Mary Lou’s demonstrations last night that I jotted down. I must say that was the best home-made milk I’ve ever had and the green smoothie was my personal favorite of the bunch.
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As part of the church’s mission trip to Peru, we will be conducting a medical clinic. Your help would be appreciated in collecting items for use at the clinic. We could use gloves, diabetic supplies, tape, gauze, ace wraps, emesis basins, bath basins, creams, blood pressure machines, alcohol wipes, ear thermometers, betadine, hydrogen peroxide, and hand sanitizer. There will be a basket with a Peru flag on it in the lobby of the church this Sabbath. Of course, this isn’t a comprehensive list but would you please consider what you could do to contribute?
Those going to Peru are asked to join us Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the church for a video conference with It Is Written in preparation for our upcoming mission trip this June.
Just a reminder that the Daniel class is taking place on Wednesday’s at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Carolyn updated our officer’s list for the church and I am providing a copy of it here. This up to date list shows who serves where as well as the composition of all committees and boards.
If you use Google Calendar, I want to remind you that you can sync the church calendar to your calendar by going to our calendar here and clicking the “+ Google Calendar” link at the bottom right corner of the calendar on our website. This way you can easily see the church calendar by toggling it on or off your personal google calendar. It’s a very helpful and useful way to keep up with church events.
Last Sabbath I had the special privilege of baptizing my niece, Alexa. This is Tina’s twin sister’s daughter. We enjoyed a very special Sabbath with family who had traveled in from all over to celebrate the occasion.