Dear Church Family,

We referenced this quote in our Prayer Meeting this past Wednesday.  What a concise and articulate statement on Justification from the little book, “Faith & Works” page 100:

But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ’s righteousness while practicing known sins or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul.

In the news:

1. This Sabbath we believe we should be able to live stream via youtube again.  Sorry that things were not able to be shared last week.  If for some reason you don’t see it via youtube, you should be able to see it via Facebook.
2. Also, note that Sabbath School will be returning to ZOOM soon for those unable to attend due to COVID concerns.
3. I will be sharing the message this Sabbath as we continue in our series on Elijah.
4. I am also excited to share that we will have a baptism this Sabbath for Viola “Mary Jane” Arwood, the daughter of Mary Ruth Austin. Mary Jane came to our last prophecy series and has been studying with Glenda Dale and has decided to be baptized and join the church.  Praise God!!
5. This Sabbath we have the 1st reading for our nominating committee. The names are as follows: David Wente, Kevin Rojas, Sheila Aashiem, Brenda Chalfant, Amanda Robinson, Sabrina Kennedy, Jeremy Wetmore, Rick Dietrich, Tony Koskovich. Substitutes are Carolyn Root and Evan Fox
6. There will be no AYA this Sabbath.
7. The school work bee originally scheduled for Sunday has been canceled due to COVID and concern for everyone’s health. Thank you for your faithful support of the school and for keeping them in prayer during these challenging times. School begins this Tuesday.
8. There will be a church business meeting this Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. I will send out a ZOOM invite for those unable to attend in person. The one agenda meeting shouldn’t take too long but given the school’s expanded program and the ever-increasing worthy student need, we felt it prudent to come back to the church body for direction as to how to handle the matter when the school’s need for worthy student funds outweighs the total contributions from the various sources.  Our current commitment is that no child will be turned away so we wanted to either reaffirm that commitment with added clarity as to how to honor it.  I will send you an email later today with graphs and charts depicting the need and the current sources of income for worthy student.   Please review this document carefully in preparation for our upcoming church business meeting.
9. Adventurers will have their registration for the new year in the church fellowship hall this Sunday at 3 p.m.
10. Pathfinders will have their registration for the new year in the Pathfinder room this Thursday at 6 p.m.
11. The pastors from Riverview and Greeneville gathered with the school teachers and principal for lunch this past Wednesday to discuss spiritual initiatives for the new school year.   One of the initiatives we have planned at Greeneville is to have 4 youth-led Sabbath services during the year whereby our young people will be guided in leading out in all the elements of the worship service.
12. The Explore the Future Prophecy series which has been running nightly since July 27 and is set to conclude this coming Wednesday has been receiving hundreds of hits each day (1900 hits last Sabbath for example) and the reports of those attending have been very positive. We are delighted to hear stories of how not only young people are being touched but parents as well. This series has been a joint effort between Greeneville and South Bay Church in Chattanooga with Rachel Nelson serving as coordinator and producer, Tina Arnall serving as the writer and speaker for the prophecy messages, and Milca Rojas serving as writer and speaker for the character-building lessons.   You can view the series by clicking here.
13. I participated in a zoom meeting this week with pastors from across the conference along with our conference administrators and learned that local church giving is down about 7% across the conference. I am encouraged however that giving to our local church budget here at Greeneville is holding strong. While our year to date is down by around $400, we had nearly $8000 come in above our monthly budgeted amount.  Praise God!
14. Sherry Edwards is at LifeCare in rehab after suffering a fall several weeks ago.  She appreciates your prayers.
15. We had a great experience at the church camp out last Sabbath. Several of you came for the day on Sabbath and several of us camped.  We enjoyed a dynamic Sabbath school with Ken Mathews leading out.  Then we heard a powerful sermon on prayer Sabbath morning with Elder Carl Ashlock sharing.  Due to COVID, the park rangers had us disperse so we gathered in groups at the various campsites and enjoyed lunch and fellowship.  Of course, the morning bike rides are always a pleasure.  Many of us who biked the loop had the joy of seeing bears.  This young bear climbed through the fence and walked right by us Sabbath morning. 

Blessings as you prepare for the coming Sabbath.

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy