Author: Greeneville SDA Church

Dear Church Family,

In ancient times, salt was a valuable trade item. The price of salt was so high during the Middle Ages that people sometimes called it “white gold.” Up until the 1900s, people in Ethiopia used one-pound bars of salt as currency. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). What did He mean by this metaphor? Well, salt is a seasoning. 

Jesus’ disciples are meant to add a flavor of godliness to the world. Salt is also a preservative. By living pure lives and influencing those around them, true disciples of Christ help to preserve the world from moral decay. In Paul’s writings to the early Christians, he urged them to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside” so they might have a positive influence on those around them—so they might be good witnesses for Christ (Colossians 4:5). 

He also emphasized the importance of a believer’s speech toward unbelievers. Words can help or hurt. They can build others up or tear them down. Paul advised, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6). 

Speaking with grace involves kindness, compassion, and a forgiving spirit in our communication with another person. Seasoning our conversation with salt can mean using Christian tact, comforting and encouraging someone who is hurting, and flavoring our words so that the other person might be prompted to consider spiritual truth or learn more about God.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Colossians 4:5-6

In the news:

1. The Sabbath message will be brought to you by John Hawkins. 
2. AYA – Come join us this Sabbath evening at 7:30 p.m. to close out the Sabbath with music from the Ole Timey Musical. It is encouraged to bring your own instrument to play along. It will be a rich blessing, and we hope to see you there! 
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 Chapters 5. 
4. 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. 
5. DINNER WITH THE DOCTOR – Come and learn from a Professional! Kazia Finley PharmD, will Review of the Most Commonly Used Herbal Medicines on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary. You will be richly blessed and leave with a full belly! 
6. North-East Tennessee Camp Meeting (September 16-17): Our speaker for this special event will be Elder Chester Clark, Vice President/Secretariat of Georgia Cumberland Conference. DON’T FORGET to register and let us know you’re coming. Lodging information and pricing are available on the registration form. Contact Heidi at (706) 629-7951. For weekend schedule and more information on what to bring, visit  https://www.gccsda.com/northeast-tennessee or click the link. For the luncheon, bring your food prepared in a cooler or warming bag, water bottles, and lawn chairs. Dress is casual. 
7. There will be no services here at the church for Sabbath School, Church or AYA for the weekend of September 16-17.
8. 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. 
9. 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: 

TODAY, September 10      

  9:15 a.m.       Sabbath School/Carolyn Smith

11:00 a.m.       Church/John Hawkins

  6:30 p.m.       AYA/Dan Sanford/Musical

MONDAY, September 12

  6:00 p.m.       Financial Meeting

  7:15 p.m.       Church Board Meeting

TUESDAY, September 13

  6:30 p.m.       Dinner With The Doctor

WEDNESDAY, September 14

   7:00 p.m.      Prayer Meeting via ZOOM

THURSDAY, September 15

  6:00 p.m.       Pathfinder

FRIDAY, September 16

  7:30 p.m.       Vespers/Oaks Retreat Center

SABBATH, September 17   Oaks Retreat Center

10:00 a.m.       Sabbath School

11:30 a.m.       Worship/Chester Clark, GCC

  6:45 p.m.       Vespers           

The celebration of Sabbath ends today at 7:47 p.m.

Sabbath begins next Friday at 7:38 p.m.

Blessings to you all as you prepare for the coming Sabbath!

Glory to God,

Pastor Nate

Good Afternoon Church Family,

In 1960, an American physicist with Hughes Aircraft Corporation constructed the first working laser from a ruby crystal rod. Since that time, the laser has revolutionized every realm of modern life. The word LASER is actually an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” (I think I prefer LASER!) With an ordinary beam of light, the photons vibrate and scatter in every direction, whereas a laser beam is a tightly focused and perfectly aligned beam of light. 

A laser beam is produced when light bounces back and forth between two mirrors with a special medium, like ruby crystals, between them. This causes all the photons, particles of light energy, to vibrate in exactly the same synchronized phase, like soldiers in a troop. 

Today lasers are used in virtually every field, from communications and industry to medicine and military. Many modern devices, including bar code readers, DVD players, and printers, use lasers. These powerful beams of light can also transmit voice or data via fiber optic cables at much improved speed and capacity. Lasers have also been used to determine very precise measurements with great accuracy. 

The distance between Earth and the moon was measured with lasers to within one inch. In medicine, conventional eye surgery has almost been totally replaced by the miracle of lasers. In industry, lasers are used to cut, align, and measure with great precision. 

Incredibly, lasers can also produce extreme cold. Normally, when you shine light at something it heats up. But under the right conditions, laser light will actually cool atoms! In laser cooling, the laser is tuned to such a frequency that atoms traveling toward the beam get slowed down. A number of criss-crossing laser beams create a trap for the atoms, which get slower and slower, and therefore colder and colder. With this technique, researchers have used lasers to reach temperatures of nearly absolute zero. 

The extremes of heat and cold produced by laser light remind us of the words of Jesus to the church of Laodicea. “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15). When the laser light of the Holy Spirit shines on our hearts, we will either be energized for Jesus, or turn away in coldness and desolation. 

For God, who commaded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

In The News

This Sabbath’s message will be brought to you by Elder Carl Ashlock. I hope God will speak to your heart through Brother Ashlocks sermon.

AYA – Come join us this Sabbath evening at 7:30 p.m. to close out the Sabbath with music from Dan Sanford / Ole Timey Musical. It is encouraged to bring your own instrument to play along. It will be a rich blessing, and we hope to see you there! 

Mid-Week Prayer Meeting – Wednesday night prayer meeting will be on ZOOM at 7:00 p.m.. We will be studying Mark 4. The Phone Number is 1-646-931-3860. The meeting ID number is 781 549 3992, and the passcode is 37743 for those using a home/cell phone.

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. 

ABC Bookmobile – Place your orders ASAP ABC Bookmobile will be here on Sunday, August 28^th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. They will setup behind the church building. If you need information about the food specials please contact church office. 

North-East Tennessee Campmeeting – It’s that time of year again for our Annual NE TN Campmeeting. This year’s Campmeeting will be September 16-17 at the Oaks Retreat Center. DON’T FORGET to register and let us know you’re coming. Lodging information and pricing are available on the registration form. Contact Heidi at (706) 629-7951. For weekend schedule and more information on what to bring, visit  https://www.gccsda.com/northeast-tennessee or click the link. For the luncheon, bring your food prepared in a cooler or warming bag, water bottles, and lawn chairs. Dress is casual. 

There will be no services here at the church for Sabbath School, Church or AYA for the weekend of September 16-17.

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. 

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.

Ministry In Motion

This week we had a chance to help our sister, Sheryll Morrison, clean up a fallen tree in her front yard, due to a storm that passed through. If it wasn’t for Larry Boughman and his jeep and chainsaw it would have taken us more than a day to clean up! Praise God for the right tools to use for the right job.

Week At A Glance

Sabbath, August 27      

9:15 a.m.       Sabbath School/Rhoda Kanna

11:00 a.m.       Church Service – Elder Carl Ashlock

  2:30 p.m.       Adventurer Meeting

  5:30 p.m.       Adventurer Induction Service

  7:00 p.m.       AYA – Dan Sanford / Ole Timey Musical

SUNDAY, August 28

10:00 a.m.       Adventurer Meeting

  1:00 p.m.       Osvold/Hastings Bridal Shower

 WEDNESDAY, August 31

   7:00 p.m.      Prayer Meeting via ZOOM

THURSDAY, September 1

  6:00 p.m.       Pathfinder Meeting

SABBATH, September 3   

  9:15 a.m.       Sabbath School/Larry Boughman

11:00 a.m.       Church/Pastor Nate

                                   NO AYA          

Dear Church Family,

I wanted to share these helpful quotes as they pertain to what we studied last week and you will find them in the series from Pastor Ivor Myers which I am sharing in today’s Grapevine.

Then I saw the Mother of Harlots; that the mother was not the daughters, but separate and distinct from them. She has had her day, and it is past, and her daughters, the Protestant sects, were the next to come on the stage and act out the same mind that the mother had when she persecuted the saints. I saw that as the mother has been declining in power, the daughters had been growing, and soon they will exercise the power once exercised by the mother.

White, E. G. (1916). Spalding and Magan Collection (p. 1). Leaves-Of-Autumn Books.

In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. [Revelation 1:13–15.]

GC88 p 624

Notice he won’t be able to immitate Christ’s appearing but will travel about the earth. Thus the warning, don’t go out to see him.

Through spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at the same time he works as a destroyer.

White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (Vol. 5, p. 589). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

Notice that Satan is working through spiritualism to decieve the world which is based on the false teaching of the immortal soul. Thus we are told that through the false teachings of the immortal soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan leads the world astray.

One effort more, and then Satan’s last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate Christ and make them think their prayers are answered. But this answers to the last closing work, the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place.

4LtMs, Ms 16, 1884

So we will see the fulfillment of Revelation 13:13-14 when it says that it will be “by those signs” that he will decieve and cause to be set up the image to the beast. But note that it will be Satan that leads the World to make an image to the beast. Satan, as the false Christ, will lead the world to unite in keeping Sunday. Remember the warning given:

The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.

White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (Vol. 5, p. 588). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided.

White, E. G. (1958). Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 2 (p. 81). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

the wicked . . . declared that they had the truth, that miracles were among them; that angels from heaven talked with them and walked with them, that great power and signs and wonders were performed among them, and that this was the temporal millennium they had been expecting so long. The whole world was converted and in harmony with the Sunday law, and this little feeble people stood out in defiance of the laws of the land and the law of God, and claimed to be the only ones right on the earth.

White, E. G. (1980). Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 3 (pp. 427–428). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

To be clear: Satan appears first, then later Sunday law, then later probabtion closes.

Just imagine what it will be like when all the world is united, converted under the deceptive power of the false Christ, when the dead are supposedly raised, and sick are healed. Imagine the arresting influence this will have upon the world. Imagine when Aetheists, Buddists and Muslims are converted under this false Jesus? This will be what brings the world together. And all the world wandered after the beast. May we follow the Lamb lest this overmastering delusion ensare us. Let us herald the Three Angel’s message until He comes.

In the news:

1. This Sabbath we will conclude our mini-series on the 3 Angel’s messages. The title of the message is “In Conclusion: Part III – The Call.”

2. Please bring a dish and join us this Sabbath, August 13 for a special church-wide farewell luncheon as we share our last Sabbath with you.

3. You are all invited to a farewell reception this Sunday, August 14 from 1-4 p.m. in the church fellowship hall as we say goodbye to our dear church family.

4. We are excited to announce that the school has 106 students currently enrolled! What a blessing!

5. The church board voted to postpone the selection of a Nominating Committee. Anyone having a position will remain in that position until the new pastor has been selected. If you choose not to continue in your position, contact Kevin Rojas, Board Chairman, or a member of the church board.

6. The church board voted this week to purchase and distribute 15,000 Great Controversies to our community next year. The CSC will distribute another 10,000. We are purchasing these through the conference who is heavily subsidizing these in an effort to distribute at a minimum of 100,000 next year across the conference.

7. I wanted to share with you the series I referenced in my last two messages. The series is called Back to Basics with Ivor Myers and it’s a series I found very helpful. His primary point is that we must remember that the final events will be spurred on by Satan appearing as Christ, not climate change or a vaccine or, well you get the idea. Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy is very clear upon this point. It’s a 10 part series and I believe it is worthy of your time. I found it refreshing and hope you will too. Here is a link for the series and below is presentation number one.

Thus concludes my last Grapevine post. I understand this Grapevine blog will continue at least for now with Pastor Nate. It has been a pleasure sharing with you from week to week and while it’s served primarily as a place for keeping you informed regarding the happenings at church, I have also enjoyed sharing personal tidbits and resources with you. In this last post and in my last messages at church, I have chosen to share with you the urgency of staying true to our mission and message. Distractions come in many forms and may we stick to what we know to be true from God’s Word and the Spirit of Prophecy. As the song goes, Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little ears what you hear . . .

May we stick to truth and not sensationalism. May we stay together as a remnant and not fragment into independant factions. May we share from God’s Word and Spirit of Prophecy and not from conspiracists. May we hold fast to Jesus, keeping our eyes fixed on Him, sharing by word and life His love and His Word until He comes. Come Soon Lord Jesus!

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy

Dear Church Family,

We had a great time at this year’s church camp out. While it rained at night, the days were great and God blessed. At worship Sabbath evening I shared a handful of Scriptures that quickly establish our story as a remnant in history. It was requested I share the outline with you for easy reference so here goes.

Our Story

1. Revelation 10 – Here we find an Angel (Jesus) who has a little book that was closed but later opened. When it was eaten it was first sweet but then bitter. Question: What is the little book?
2. Daniel 12:4 – The little book is here referenced and refers to the book of Daniel which the text says is to be closed UNTIL the time of the end. Question: When is the time of the end?
3. Daniel 8:17 – The verse says the vision refers to the time of the end. Question: What vision refers to the time of the end?
4. Daniel 8:14 – The verse says the sanctuary will be cleansed after 2300 days which a day in prophecy equals a year. Question: When does the vision begin so we can determine when it ends and know when the time of the end is so we can know when the little book will be opened?
5. Daniel 9:24-27 – Here we find that the 70 weeks are cut off from the previous vision of the 2300 days and that it begins with the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem which history attests was in 457 B.C. Therefore the 2300 days began in 457 and add 2300 to this and you come to 1844. Now we know when the time of the end is, 1844. (Note the time of the end began in 1798 but the vision referred to this time period which in this case was in 1844.)
6. Revelation 10:11 – Based on what we have read, this bitter-sweet experience would occur around 1844 when the little book was opened. History attests to how all around the world, people expected Jesus to come in 1844, and yet because they thought the sanctuary in Daniel 8:14 was this earth, they misinterpreted the passage. But after the great disappointment (bitter-sweet experience), a few who later would become known as Seventh-day Adventists went back and learned the true meaning of the text which was that the judgment of God’s people began in 1844. Thus Revelation 10:11 says they were to prophesy again and verse 11 uses the same language as what we read in Revelation 14:6 which introduces the messages of the 3 Angels.
7. Revelation 14:6-12 – Thus we find our story in Revelation 10 and our mission here in chapter 14 verses 6-12. Truly the judgment has come as Daniel 8:14 predicted and as Rev 14:7 states. We must now herald these 3 Angel’s messages as urged in Rev 10:11.

In the news:

1. This Sabbath we will continue our series on the 3 Angels with a message entitled, “The Warning.”

2. The Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner program for Sabbath has been canceled. Thank you to those who did sign up but due to not enough participants, the social committee elected to cancel for this Sabbath. If you signed up, please make other arrangements for Sabbath.

3. This Sunday at 8 AM, the school will have its annual work bee. We are excited that there are last I heard 103 students registered to attend this year. The work bee will help get everything spruced up for the first day of school on Tuesday.

4. Men’s ministry will have their breakfast and Bible study this Sunday at 8:30 AM at the church fellowship hall.

5. Shirley Walter’s Memorial will be this Sunday at 4 P.M. at the church. The family will receive loved ones and friends from 2-4 P.M.

6. We are sad to announce that Dr. Paul Green passed away peacefully in his sleep this past Wednesday morning. There will be a private service in NC at a later date.

7. Adventurer registration is this Monday evening (Aug. 8) at GAA during Parent night. If your family homeschools, please contact Katrina Robinson at 423-747-2007 to register.

8. Pathfinder registration packets will be available to be picked up at the GAA registration on the 8th. The first meeting is Thursday, Aug 18 at 6 PM in the Pathfinder room – this will be an orientation meeting for parents as well, so a parent needs to attend.

9. Church Finance Committee will be this Tuesday evening at 6 P.M. at the church fellowship hall.

10. Church Board will be this Tuesday evening at 7:15 P.M. in the church fellowship hall.

11. Please bring a dish and join us next Sabbath, August 13 for a special church-wide farewell luncheon as we share our last Sabbath with you.

12. You are all invited to a farewell reception next Sunday, August 14 from 1-4 p.m. in the church fellowship hall as we say goodbye to our dear church family.

13. I wanted to share a resource called Masterpiece Bible with you that I have found helpful. The gentleman producing these videos is an Adventist and has some very helpful insights into Scripture and Bible study. I have been blessed by what I have seen. Here is a sample video.

14. As I shared above, we had a wonderful church camp out at Cades Cove last weekend. Here are some pictures taken by some of those who came.

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy

Dear Church Family,

You know that Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect. He claims to be Christ, and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary. He will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men to prove that he is God. We must stand barricaded by the truths of the Bible. The canopy of truth is the only canopy under which we can stand safely.

White, E. G. (1932). Medical Ministry (pp. 87–88). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

In the news:

1.This weekend we have the church camp out. Please NOTE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES. We will have vespers tonight at 8 P.M. at camp sites B5 & B7. It will prove an easy walk for campers. Then morning bike ride will be at 6:45 A.M. in the morning assuming no rain. Then worship will be at the missionary Baptist church along the loop though if the group is small enough and prefers we may move to campsites B5 & B7. Note if you are coming for the day, check with us at camp site Kevin Rojas @ B3, Pastor Nate @ B38, or Pastor Jeremy @ B40 first before going to Mission Baptist church. SS will begin at 9:30 A.M. instead of 10 A.M. Church will be at 10:30 A.M. Then potluck will be at noon at camp sites B5 & B7. We will have vespers Sabbath evening at camp sites B5 & B7. Here is a PDF of the program.

2. We will still have services at the church this Sabbath. Milton Siepman will be sharing the morning message this Sabbath.

3. Mid-Week Bible study will continue this week via ZOOM with a study of Mark 2 at 7 P.M.

4. Next Sabbath, August 6 we will have Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. We hope you will contact the office this Monday or leave a message there over the weekend and let them know whether you would like to be a host or guest so we can have a large number participate. It’s a wonderful way to get connected with each other and grow closer. It basically means hosting a dinner for a surprise couple or family based on number of guests you request or as a guest to go to a surprise home. You receive the directions after church service. Please contact the office today!

5. A memorial service has been planned for Shirley Walters and will be
Sunday, August 7 at the church at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the church.

6. A while back Pastor Nate & I visited Norm Draper and noticed his front porch was in bad need of repair. We contacted Andrew Peret, our men’s ministries leader and they got right on it. They coordinated with the First Baptist Church Ramp ministry that does this as a ministry and together a ramp was put in place for Norm! Thank you to our men’s ministry & First Baptist Church Ramp Ministry for making this happen. We gave an awesome church family. Click here for a slideshow!

7. We will have a church wide fellowship dinner on Sabbath, August 13 as Tina and I share in our last Sabbath with our Greeneville church family. Hope you can plan to attend.

8. A farewell open house reception has been planned for Sunday, August 14 from 1-4 P.M. in the church fellowship hall where we can share our farewells as we prepare to transition to South Bay SDA church in Chattanooga. All are invited to attend.

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy

Dear Church Family,

“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light-bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the Word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import,—the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.” Evangelism 199

In the news:

1.This Sabbath, I will be sharing the morning message.

2. AYA will be this Sabbath evening at 7 p.m. and will feature Dan Sanford and friends. If you would like to participate, bring an instrument and or voice and join in as the Sabbath is closed with music.

3. VBS is wrapping up tonight with a nightly attendance in the 50s. A big thank you to Emie Lopez for her leadership in bringing this together.

4. We will resume our study on the book of Mark this Wednesday at 7 p.m. via ZOOM. We will be studying Mark chapter 1.

5. Remember that next weekend we will have the church camp out at Cades Cove. We have two free campsites for the weekend for anyone that wasn’t able to book in advance. Please notify me if you want to come and need a site for Friday and Saturday night.

6. Our family returned from vacation recently and had a great time exploring the Great Allegheny Passage trail & Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath via bike from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. We also explored some Amish country in Holmes County, Ohio via bike and then returned home a little early to get some work done around the house. It was a great experience. Here are some pictures from the 335 mile journey.

Blessings as your prepare for the coming Sabbath!

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy

Dear Church Family,

I believe God cares about the small things in our lives. Sometimes He gives me no other choice, 

That’s unusual.

I left work on a busy Thursday afternoon, anxious to get home and begin cooking for the weekend. A few miles down the road, I just missed a green light. At the bottom of a hill, mine was the first car in a long line of vehicles waiting to turn left at a major intersection. Then it happened.

Three warning lights flashed briefly on my car’s dashboard, then faded as my car coughed to a dead stop. I first thought about all those anxious commuters snaking up the hill behind me. What was going to happen when the light turned green? Maybe if I let the guy behind me know what was going on, he could figure out how to get around my stalled vehicle, signaling others to do the same. Quickly I exited the car, staying as close to the vehicle as I could as traffic whizzed by in the other lane.

“My car just died,” I told the guy in the black SUV. “You’re going to have to try to get around me.”

A magnanimous (generous) guy that he appeared to be, nodded, grunted, and got about his business of navigating around the obstacle as soon as the light changed. 

Seated in my car in the middle of the mayhem, I endured the honking, swearing, and general disgust as vehicles sped to the right and left of me, driving in the wrong lane and pushing others out of the way as best they could.

Grateful for my cell phone, I quickly made two calls: one to my husband and the other to a local tow truck company, whose best estimate was a two-hour wait. Eric arrived within 15 minutes, pulling his pickup into an abandoned gas station slightly up the hill behind me. Running across the road, he grabbed my hand and briefcase,

and we fled through a break in the traffic to the safety of the other side. We were at a loss about handling the cause of all the commotion in the middle of the road.

“If I could somehow push it backward, up the hill,” Eric said, “I could try to get it turned into the driveway here.” Then he prayed, “Lord, please send someone to help me.”

At that precise moment, a battered car swerved into the abandoned gas station, and a young man jumped out. “Need help?”

I stood rooted to the spot, convinced that he had been placed on earth for this purpose. Eric extended his hand. “You are a gift of grace sir,” he said. “I just prayed that God would send someone to help us.”

The young man pointed toward heaven, acknowledging his own belief, and the three of us then hatched a quick plan and put it into action. I ran down to the corner and stopped traffic. The young man got in front of the car and began pushing it up the hill. Eric got beside the open driver’s side window, alternately pushing and steering.

Slowly, gradually, the tires rolled, and the car eased its way in a gentle backward arc toward the gas station. Drivers on all sides gave us the necessary berth, staying put or backing up to provide us with the headway we needed to accomplish the task.

Finally, out of harm’s way, we all breathed a sigh of relief. Again, Eric expressed his gratitude. “You’ve been an answer to prayer.” The young man smiled broadly, embraced him, jumped into his battered car, and veered back into the moving traffic.

Safely ensconced in the pickup beside my stalled vehicle, we waited for the tow truck while splitting a can of Pringles that rolled out from under the seat. The night sky began to darken, and the God of all things, great and small, revealed His beauty with a magnificent view of the sunset and stars. You can trust in God! 

In the news:

1. The message this Sabbath will be presented to us by Pastor Nate Nelson. The Title of his sermon is “An Effective Witness.” Scripture Reading is Mark 1:2-3. May God add a special blessing to the reading and hearing of His word, amen! 

2. AYA – Join us this Sabbath night at 7:30 p.m. for an inspiring mission presentation from an Adventist Frontier Mission (AFM) couple serving in Southeast Asia. Share with us in the challenges and triumphs that the gospel outreach is encountering in this closed country.

3. Mid-Week Prayer Meeting is cancelled next weekJuly 20th for VBS. We will resume July 27th on Zoom at 7 PM. 

4. Pastor Jeremy is still on vacation from the 3rd through the 19th. His family is biking C&O Canal Trail / Great Allegheny Passage which begins in Pittsburgh & ends in Washington D.C. Let’s keep them in our prayers for a blessed trip and a safe journey home. I heard, while it was pouring down rain, they had to sleep under an outdoor pavilion. Each of the boys had a picnic table to themselves and Tina slept on one side of a picnic table while Jeremy slept underneath. What an ADVNETURE!! Can’t wait to hear more! 

5. Pastor Jeremy’s last day worshipping with us is August 13th instead of August 6th. 

6. JASPER CANYON VBS – July 18-22, 6:00-8:00 p.m. We are excited to invite you to our Jasper Canyon Vacation Bible School (VBS) program. Join us as we explore important treasures Jesus has given each child and discover how uniquely special, they really are! Be watching for our registration forms in the church foyer. If you would like one delivered to you, please reach out. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on July 18or you can pre-register after worship service this Sabbath. If you have any questions, please contact Emie Lopez (909) 571-1560.

7. Remember our church camp out is July 29-31. Make reservations now if you haven’t done so already.  

8. ADVENTURER TEACHERS NEEDED (Adults Only)– Wait, I get it. You are “not a teacher.” But you are someone who wants to serve God. “Well, how do I do that?” you may ask. Well, here’s your opportunity to get involved by teaching our young children about Jesus. Katrina Robinson is willing to provide the curriculum, craft supplies, training, and schedule. All she needs is generous, eager souls ready to serve God. If you are interested and want to minister to our children, don’t hesitate to contact Katrina Robinson at 423-747-2007. She needs three or more teachers so we can offer as many of the following classes as possible: Little Lamb (Pre-K), Eager Beaver (K), Busy Bee (1st grade), Sunbeam (2nd grade), Builder (3rd grade), and Helping Hand (4th grade). This year, we want to offer STAFF KIDS a 50% discount on club dues!

9. SOCIAL COMMITTEE EVENT: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” is scheduled for Saturday,August 6, 2022 (Sabbath lunch). Sign out sheets will be in the foyer for you to participate either as a host or a guest for this event.  This is a fun event since you don’t know who is coming to your home or whose home you will be going to. We would love for everyone to participate.  If you have any questions, please contact Katie Wilson or Kezia Finley.

10. FELLOWSHIP LUNCH – Please bring a dish and join us for this special church wide farewell luncheon to honor Pastor Jeremy and his family on August 13, 2022.

11. FAREWELL OPEN HOUSE for Pastor Jeremy and family on Sunday, August 14 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Greeneville SDA Church in the fellowship hall. 

Shew!! That’s a lot of news! Blessings to you as you prepare for the coming Sabbath!

In His Service,

Pastor Nate

Dear Church Family,

“For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing” Deuteronomy 2:7. 

When Alexander the Great was leading his victorious armies down through Asia Minor, the great leader came at last to the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, beyond which lay the Khyber Pass and India. As far as Alexander was concerned, he was standing at the end of the world. You see, up until that time, no maps had been made of the vast territory before him. As far as he knew, he was marching his soldiers off the map of the world! 

Often when ancient mapmakers reached the edge of what had been charted, they drew a line and depicted dragons and monsters beyond. You can understand why this practice didn’t exactly encourage exploration. One Roman commander in the first century had led his troops beyond the line on the map into “dragon territory.” He sent a courier back to Rome with a straightforward message: “We have just marched off the map. Please send new orders.” 

In the same way, when Columbus first sailed west in search of a shortcut to the Indies, he knew he would be essentially sailing off the map into a region that mapmakers marked with sea monsters. Moreover, because of the unknown distance ahead, he loaded his ships with as many provisions as they could carry and set sail by faith across the trackless sea, believing God was urging him forward. 

When we consider conditions in the world today, with the unprecedented change in every arena of life, it would seem we have reached a point in history where we are drifting off the map! But the good news is that nothing that happens takes God by surprise. All these things have been charted before in Bible prophecy. When Daniel was asked to interpret a strange dream of an ancient Babylonian king, he said, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” (Daniel 2:28). 

Nothing is hidden from God’s eyes, not even the ends of the earth. The past, present, and future are all before the Lord.

 

 

In the news:

1. This Sabbath we will have a special guest speaker, Miller Mendes from Adventist World Radio. Brother Mendes will feature rich stories of how God is working around the world through radio. Come and be apart this wonderful event! 

2. There will be no AYA this Sabbath evening. But please mark your calendars for July 16 at 7:30 P.M. for an inspiring mission presentation from an Adventist Frontier Mission couple serving in Southeast Asia. Share in the challenges and triumphs the Gospel outreach is encountering in this closed country. 

3. Mid-Week Bible Study Prayer Meeting was cancelled due to technical difficulties with the Zoom account being locked. Next week we will go over the introduction and Chapter 1 of the book of Mark. The study will still be via ZOOM and will meet next Wednesday at 7 P.M.

4. Pastor Jeremy is on vacation from the 3rd through the 19th. His family is biking C&O Canal Trail / Great Allegheny Passage which begins in Pittsburgh & ends in Washington D.C. Let’s keep them in our prayers for a blessed trip and a safe journey home. 

5. JASPER CANYON VBS – Save the date for July 18-22, 6:00-8:00 p.m. We are excited to invite you to our Jasper Canyon VBS program. Join us as we explore important treasures Jesus has given each child and discover how uniquely special, they really are! Be watching for our registration forms in the church foyer next week. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on July 18 or you can pre-register after worship this Sabbath. If you have any questions, please contact Emie Lopez (909) 571-1560.

6. Remember our church camp out is July 29-31. Make reservations now if you haven’t done so already.  

Blessings as you prepare for the coming Sabbath! 

In His Service,

Pastor Nate

Dear Church Family,

In 1960, an American physicist with Hughes Aircraft Corporation constructed the first working laser from a ruby crystal rod. Since that time, the laser has revolutionized every realm of modern life. The word LASER is actually an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” (I think I prefer LASER!) With an ordinary beam of light, the photons vibrate and scatter in every direction, whereas a laser beam is a tightly focused and perfectly aligned beam of light. 

A laser beam is produced when light bounces back and forth between two mirrors with a special medium, like ruby crystals, between them. This causes all the photons, particles of light energy, to vibrate in exactly the same synchronized phase, like soldiers in a troop. 

Today lasers are used in virtually every field, from communications and industry to medicine and military. Many modern devices, including bar code readers, DVD players, and printers, use lasers. These powerful beams of light can also transmit voice or data via fiber optic cables at much improved speed and capacity. Lasers have also been used to determine very precise measurements with great accuracy. 

The distance between Earth and the moon was measured with lasers to within one inch. In medicine, conventional eye surgery has almost been totally replaced by the miracle of lasers. In industry, lasers are used to cut, align, and measure with great precision. 

Incredibly, lasers can also produce extreme cold. Normally, when you shine light at something it heats up. But under the right conditions, laser light will actually cool atoms! In laser cooling, the laser is tuned to such a frequency that atoms traveling toward the beam get slowed down. A number of criss-crossing laser beams create a trap for the atoms, which get slower and slower, and therefore colder and colder. With this technique, researchers have used lasers to reach temperatures of nearly absolute zero. 

The extremes of heat and cold produced by laser light remind us of the words of Jesus to the church of Laodicea. “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15). When the laser light of the Holy Spirit shines on our hearts, we will either be energized for Jesus, or turn away in coldness and desolation. 

For God, who commaded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Ministry on The Move

This week we were able to minister to one of our sisters, Shryll Morrison. During a strong storm, lightning struck a huge tree in her front yard splitting it right in half. If it wasn’t for Larry Boughman, his Jeep and chain saw, it would have taken us all day to clean up the yard. But it only took roughly two hours.

IN THE NEWS

1. This Sabbath’s message will be brought to you by Elder Carl Ashlock. I hope God will speak to your heart through Brother Ashlocks sermon.
2. AYA – Come join us this Sabbath evening at 7:30 p.m. to close out the Sabbath with music from Dan Sanford / Ole Timey Musical. It is encouraged to bring your own instrument to play along. It will be a rich blessing, and we hope to see you there! 
3. Mid-Week Prayer Meeting – Wednesday night prayer meeting will be on ZOOM at 7:00 p.m.. We will be studying Mark Chapter 4. The Phone Number is 1-646-931-3860, meeting ID number: 781 549 3992, and passcode: 37743 for those using a home/cell phone. Also, on the church’s website there is a link named mid-week Bible study where you can go to join. I will continue to send out an email with the zoom link each week.
4. ABC Bookmobile – Place your orders ASAP ABC Bookmobile will be here on Sunday, August 28^th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. They will setup behind the church building. If you need information about the food specials please contact church office.
5. North-East Tennessee Campmeeting – It’s that time of year again for our Annual NE TN Campmeeting. This year’s Campmeeting will be September 16-17 at the Oaks Retreat Center. DON’T FORGET to register and let us know you’re coming. Lodging information and pricing are available on the registration form. Contact Heidi at (706) 629-7951. For weekend schedule and more information on what to bring, visit  https://www.gccsda.com/northeast-tennessee or click the link. For the luncheon, bring your food prepared in a cooler or warming bag, water bottles, and lawn chairs. Dress is casual. 
6. There will be no services here at the church for Sabbath School, Church or AYA for the weekend of September 16-17.
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.

Blessings as you prepare for the coming Sabbath!

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy

Dear Church Family,

Thankful for the promise of the special resurrection of those who have died in the faith of the 3rd Angels message.

Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth … awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. GC 637

In the news:

1.This Sabbath we will continue our series in Genesis with a message entitled, “Our Security Blanket.”

2. There will be a fellowship lunch this Sabbath with the Ondrejka team hosting. Bring food and join in!

3. AYA will be at 7:30 p.m. this Sabbath. Come out to enjoy the closing of the Sabbath hours with some “Ole Timey Music” with Dan Sanford and friends.

4. The 3rd annual GAA yard sale will be this Sunday. Volunteers are needed and if you help for a minimum of four hours, you can shop early. Contact Anne Andrus for more info.

5. The ABC bookmobile will be here this Sunday at 10 am behind the church.

6. A baby shower is planned for Ashley Koskovich on Sunday, June 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Parrottsville Park, 2015 Old Parrottsville Hwy., Parrottsville TN. More details are available in the church foyer lobby .

7. Raimey Talbert is caring for two of her cousins. One is 14 and the other is 2 months. She could use some help in collecting all sizes of diapers and wipes as well as gift cards to Walmart, Amazon, or any other useful store in town. Please help her to feel loved during this time while she is taking on a great challenge. You can drop off donations to the Cradle Roll Sabbath School room or to Kim Shumaker (423-707-4114) or Stacey McDonald (423-329-9119). We will make sure that these get to her. Also if you would like to include a note of encouragement that would also be greatly appreciated. The collection deadline is tomorrow.

8. We will wrap up our study of Zechariah this coming Wednesday at 7 PM via ZOOM.

9. Steve and Lynette Rawling with Leading to the Light ministry will be presenting the mission outreach for the children of Thailand and Myanmar during the vesper program, July 2 at 7:30 pm. Plan to attend and hear of this exciting work with pictures and stories to warm the heart.

10. Pastor Nate and I along with our families attended the North American Division Called Convention in Lexington, KY this week. It was exciting to connect with classmates from college and friends from across the division. I also learned about some exciting outreach tools and resources for evangelism that we can explore for Greeneville. We also had a chance to visit with Hope Channel leadership about considering the Explore the Future series that was recently filmed with Little Light Studios. Pray that God leads in this.

10. Dave Ondrejka Sr had a successful operation yesterday. Thank you for your prayers. He is going home today!

11. Looking ahead:

• Sunday, July 3 – Men’s Ministry Breakfast / Bible Study
• Sabbath, July 9 – AWR Sabbath
• Sabbath, July 9 – AYA Old Timey Musical
• July 18-22 – Vacation Bible School
• July 29-31 – Church Camp Out Make your reservations now.
• Sabbath, August 6 – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy