Luncheon Date Correction!

Thank you to Betty for letting me know that I had mistakenly published the date of our fellowship luncheon as May 28th - it is actually THIS Sunday, May 2.

Update - Nathan and Leila in China!

 

 

photo: pushbeyond

 

Nathan and Leila have arrived safely in China (email received Wednesday evening)  At the time of the email they were in Hong Kong and had dinner in a restaurant downtown.  After this they are to board a plane to Dalain which is where Nathan will be doing his teaching practicum. 

We will keep you updated here so you may pray for them and travel along with them.

Streams in the Desert, Arrivals and Departures

About time!  I had great intentions of posting to our blog last week but God had other plans for me, obviously.  Its difficult to post every single week but I do try to do it faithfully as I can. 

photo: lmwilson

We will start off this week's post with our message from Pastor Jussi.  His message had a theme of being in the wilderness or desert and also on baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I have prefaced and ended his word with an audio introduction and would appreciate your feedback!
Just click on the play button to hear this weeks message:

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
We wish Nathan and Leila a safe and sound trip as they leave on their two month sojourn to China where Nathan will be fulfilling his teaching practicum and Leila will... be doing whatever the Lord leads her to do!  What a wonderful opportunity for our brother and sister.  Please keep them in your prayers and I will keep you all updated to their progress should I recieve emails!
We welcome Dale and Florence home as they return from their "snowbird" travels down south.  They have been used powerfully of God through their RV ministry and have seen much fruit!  I believe Florence has indicated we may see some content here about their work in the fields. 

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"PRAYER PLEASE"

Dallas - as he continues to heal from secondary infection as a result of radiation treatments for cancer.

Johnson Family - as their father (Dallas) heals that they would be able to cope and their business would be looked after during this difficult time.

Nathan and Leila - as they travel to China.

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EVENTS

Bible Study

Al Johnson

18 Larkspur Place

Wednesday, April 28th, 7:00 p.m.

250-495-5133

Pure Prayer!

Kaye Harkness's Place

Thursday, April 29th, 10:00 a.m.

Church Family Luncheon

Sunday, May 2nd, 12:00 (following Morning Service)

This is a pot-luck, many items have been spoken for however we welcome whatever you might bring and also your willing hands for set-up Saturday evening. 

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I'll leave you with the following thoughts:

Let us search and try our ways,

And turn again to the Lord.

Let us life up our hearts with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Lamentations 3:40-41

Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last or life,

for which the first was made:

Our times are in His hand.

Robert Browning

Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you.

1 Peter 3:15

Yard Sale, New Faces and a Beautiful Song!

First of all we would like to welcome the fresh, new faces we've been seeing at our Sunday Services! Spring seems to be drawing people to join us in coming to know and praise our Lord and Saviour and we are grateful for each new person He delivers into our care.

Speaking of fresh and new, we are also getting to know Pastor Jussi and Leena since their arrival about one month ago (after a looooong wait beforehand as they were released from their previous church) Already we see their touches about our Church and they've been spending time with members and are coming to know us as family. Though I was away last Sunday I would like to post this song Leena blessed the congregation with. I hope it touches you too! Just click the PLAY button to hear her rendition of Via Delorosa.

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And, now that you're all misty (because I know I was when I listened to Leena's song) I will confess something sad. I came to upload Jussi's message for this week only to have my computer tell me the file was corrupt. So, my apologies. I will also not have next week's message unless I can arrange for someone else to record and email it to me, but for SURE the following weekend things will be back to normal and I will post the message then. Thank you for your patience.

Jussi centered his sermon today on Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."

36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"


And Pastor Jussi embellished on this theme and made it relevant to our own lives. It reminded me of one of the most touching songs I have heard - as follows:

And in case you might like the words alone (they would be wonderful tucked into an encouragement card) here they are:

Sometimes He Calms The Storm
(by Scott Kripayne)

All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place

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There was a Yard Sale held in the parking lot of Osoyoos Christian Centre on Saturday (April 10th) organized by Leila and Nathan. It is a fund-raiser for this young couple to go to China. Nathan is taking part in the Secondary Training Education Program (STEP) at UBC Okanagan, and this will be part of his practicum. Leila will also travel with him (now THATS sweet!) and so they are raising monies toward this. We know that God goes with them and we look forward to hearing about their adventures and experiences. What a great opportunity. Nathan departs on April 28th which leaves you time if you would care to bless them financially as well!


Here's Leila setting up the tables. It dawned a perfectly sunny bright day, though the wind was brisk.

People tricked in slowly, but as Leila said - "It all flowed nicely".

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Prayer:

Can you please keep the following people from our church family in your prayers:

Shirley - healing
Dallas - healing
Nathan and Leila - for their upcoming trip
Jussi and Leena - as they Pastor our church


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EVENTS:

Bible Study:

Wednesday, April 14th
Al Johnson's place
18 Larkspur Place
Phone 250-495-5133

Women's Prayer:

Thursday, April 15th
Kaye Harkness's place
7806 Gravenstien
10:30 a.m.

Annual General Meeting
And Pot Luck Luncheon

Sunday, May 2
At Osoyoos Christian Centre
(I'll be calling you!)

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