Friday, May 22, 2020

Dear Church Family,

Ken Mathews shared the following with me this week and I thought I would pass it along. Beautiful when remembered as a promise!

Those who believe on Christ and obey His commandments are not under bondage to God’s law; for to those who believe and obey, His law is not a law of bondage, but of liberty. Everyone who believes on Christ, everyone who relies on the keeping power of a risen Saviour that has suffered the penalty pronounced upon the transgressor, everyone who resists temptation and in the midst of evil copies the pattern given in the Christ-life, will through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Everyone who by faith obeys God’s commandments, will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {ST, July 23, 1902 par. 14}

Let those who feel inclined to make a high profession of holiness look into the mirror of God’s law. As they see its far-reaching claims, and understand its work as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, they will not boast of sinlessness. “If we,” says John, not separating himself from his brethren, “say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8, 10, 9. {AA 562.2}

In the news:

This Sabbath we will resume with our regular online schedule for prayer, Sabbath school and the worship hour.
- 9:30 a.m. – Prayer Line via telephone.
- 10 a.m. – Sabbath School with Kevin Finley via ZOOM.
- 11 a.m. – Worship time with Pastor Jeremy sharing the message via ZOOM.
This Sabbath we will begin a new sermon series entitled, “Make Ready!” If we as a people have been given an Elijah message, surely the story of Elijah is relevant to our lives today. Indeed, his story is rich with typology and lessons for us living in these last days. Yes, it is time to “Make Ready!”
Under normal circumstances, we would be going to camp meeting next week but due to COVID-19, there will be no Junaluska or Georgia-Cumberland camp-meetings. However, Georgia-Cumberland has elected to have a condensed version online. The 2020 GCC Called to Serve Online Camp Meeting will gather online each evening, May 28-30, at 7 p.m.! Featured speakers will be Gary Rustad, Chester Clark III, and Victor Maddox. Click the below link for more details on the program and how to watch the live stream.
https://www.gccsda.com/collegedale-camp-meeting/10036
It was a graduation like no other I have ever been to. The GAA 8th graders had their graduation service this past Wednesday and while family and faculty were the only ones permitted to attend due to COVID-19, Pastor Jared, Pastor Jason, & myself were able to attend as well. Everyone wore masks and sat in rows that were distanced apart. It was a special evening.
Just a reminder that due to the fact that all our services are online right now and there are no services at the church, please utilize our online giving for your tithes and offerings or simply bring your offerings by the church where they can be placed in the safe. Here’s our current financial picture for the month of May:

Actual             Budget           Needed

May $12,101           $27,275             $15,174

YTD $120,787         $136,375         $15,588
Our health ministries leader, Rhoda Kanna asked that I share this helpful video presentation with you from AWR. Please take some time and check it out.
GAA will be having a yard sale on July 26 for our Partnering For Eternity (PFE) program that benefits our worthy students. They will be looking for donations of items and volunteer labor. Information on where items can be brought will be provided in the next couple of weeks.
Now that Hope Awakens has concluded, we are beginning a Hope Awakens Community meeting tonight via Zoom for those who showed interest from the community. It will be at 7 p.m. via ZOOM and Pastor Jared will be leading out. Our volunteer Bible Workers have helped us in getting the word out to their interests. Your prayers are appreciated.