Greetings Church Family,

The apostle Paul’s 35 years of travels took him through Turkey, Greece, Rome, and, of course, Israel and Palestine. Sometimes he journeyed by ship (he was shipwrecked three times!) and sometimes by foot. During his five missionary trips, he traveled a total of 13,000 miles. When Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians, he told them plainly that if anyone tried to preach a different gospel to them, that person should be “accursed”—even if it was him or an angel (Gal. 1:8). 

That was strong language, but Paul needed to get their attention. He had taught them salvation by faith in Christ alone, but someone had been teaching the Galatians something quite different, telling them they needed to do certain other things in order to be saved. 

The gospel Paul had preached, he reminded them, was not something he had made up. No human taught or gave him the gospel. He says, “It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” After Paul’s conversion, Jesus Himself revealed the gospel to him. 

There is only one gospel. At its core are Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, which reconciles us to God through faith. Nothing we can do could ever earn the salvation that He gives to us as a free gift.

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 1:11-12

THIS SABBATH IS A HIGH SABBATH!!!

As you have prepared this past week your hearts and minds for communion services tomorrow, I encourage you to read Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 17, John 6, and 1 Cor. 10-11 along with the Desire of Ages, pages 646-661, as a reminder to the reason why we, as a Seventh Day Adventist Church, practice open communion, to include the ordinance of foot washing and participating in the Lord’s Supper. 

In the news:

1. This Sabbath, we will be celebrating Communion Services. Elder Ken Matthews will deliver a short message, and the Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses, and Pastor Nate, will conduct the Communion services. Marva Wente will be playing the Organ.
2. AYA Vesper tomorrow tonight, September 24, 6:30 p.m. will feature AFM Missionaries working in a Muslim country. Please plan to hear stories of Providential leading and mission adventures. Support mission frontline work through your presence, prayers, and offerings.
3. Mid-Week Prayer Meeting: We will be continuing our mid-week Bible study on the Book of Mark. Next week we will be covering Chapter 6.
   1. On the church’s website, there is a link to the mid-week Bible study. I will also send out an email with the zoom link. 
4. GOLF FOR EDUCATION – It’s the 2022 Golf for Education Golf Tournament. This tournament supports the Greeneville Adventist Academy’s PFE K-12 program. These matching funds enable children in our community to have a high-quality Christian education. Your support helps students and families that need tuition assistance in exchange for participation in community outreach that benefits everyone. The golf tournament will be Sunday, September 25, at Link Hills Golf Course. 1325 East Allens Bridge Rd Greeneville, TN 37743 Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Stats at 8:30 am. Those times are subject to change. If you want to play, please contact Randy Nomura or me, and we will find you a team to play on.
5. BAPTISMS – Oliver and Amelia Shumaker and Jotham Gallimore of Riverview Community Church would like your presence tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 p.m. for their baptism at the Old Forge Recreation area. They will be baptized by their grandfathers! What a beautiful blessing.
6. SAVE THE DATE! The senior class of 2023 is hosting AYA on October 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the school gym. After sundown, they will sell baked ziti (vegan option available) and then play volleyball. This is a fundraiser for their senior class trip.
7. GCC Women’s Ministry Day Retreat: October 29, 2022, | Occasions on the Square | 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $15/person. Retreat includes lunch, worship, and fellowship. Please visit https://www.gccsda.com/events/100767 to register and find more information.  Registration deadline October 6. 
8. ENGAGE LEADERSHIP CONVENTION: September 30 – October 1, 2022. New in Ministry?  Veteran Youth Worker?  Come to our annual training event for Youth Leaders, Youth in Ministry (ages 16+) and Pastors Breakout sessions offered for everyone at Cohutta Springs. Keynote Speaker – Andres Palacios, Associate Pastor of the Calhoun, GA SDA Church. Registration deadline noon on Thursday, Sept. 22.  For more information or to register, go to: https://www.gccsda.com/events/engage2022.  Questions? Contact Alyse: 706-629-7951 or alyse@gccsda.com.

WEEK AT A GLANCE

TOMORROW, September 24      

  9:15 a.m.       Sabbath School/Earliteen Class

11:00 a.m.       COMMUNION SERVICES

  2:30 p.m.       Adventurers Meeting

  4:30 p.m.       Baptisms/Old Forge Area

  6:30 p.m.       AYA/Ken Mathews/AFM Missionaries

SUNDAY, September 25

10:00 a.m.       Adventurers Meeting

  7:30 a.m.       Golf Tournament

WEDNESDAY, September 28

   7:00 p.m.      Prayer Meeting via ZOOM

THURSDAY, September 29

  6:00 p.m.       Pathfinder

SABBATH, October 1

10:00 a.m.       Sabbath School/Ken Mathews

11:30 a.m.       Worship/Pastor Nate  6:30 p.m.       AYA/GAA Senior Class/Gym

Sunset tonight is at 7:27 p.m. 

The celebration of Sabbath ends at 7:26 p.m.

Sabbath begins next Friday at 7:18 p.m.

Blessings to you all as you prepare for Communion this coming Sabbath!

Glory to God,

Pastor Nate