What a Wonderful Week!

Greetings All - welcome to our Osoyoos Christian Centre's Women's online meeting place (whew, that's a mouthful - try saying it fast, haha!)  There has been a lot happening at OCC over this last weekend and first we will warm you up with  some music and sound clips from our Worship service from May 2.  For those of you who could not be with us, THIS is the reason I take time each week to post.  It takes a lot of time to organize and some thinking too (the hard part LOL!)  but I continue to receive confirmation that this blog DOES make a difference. 
We were joined by the wonderful "Away Team" from our sister church Park Drive Pentecostal from Oliver.  Each time you provide the music there is a special anointing over us - we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  I know that each song you sang touched me - and of course Pastor Bart has his own unique way of delivering an important Word each time.  He's got just the right blend of knowledge, wisdom and ... humour, perfect to engage everyone.

THE "AWAY TEAM"

Song 1:  Amazing Love

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Song 2:  Sing, Sing, Sing!

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Song 3:  Lead Me To The Cross

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

I was especially moved by this last song - I enjoyed the worshipful way the Away Team sang it. 
And I also wanted to be sure to include this clip of Stacy sharing a word from Revelations (Stacy is dressed in red in the photo at the top)

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As you can see, the Away Team is quite a large group of people and it takes a good deal of effort and organization as well as dedication to pull their sessions together - this besides the fact of having to travel down to practice and set up at our church.  From the singing to the sound mixing to the composing Power Point and running the slide show, these people love what they do - its evident when you are in their presence. 
Thank you to each and every one of you for being here for us. 

Dan and Olga McCormick

This Sunday was also our Church Family Luncheon and it was a success as always.  We were blessed with extra hands in the setting up as we enjoyed the company of Pastor Dan and Olga McCormick who stopped in on their way through.  After reading the blog and knowing we were setting up Saturday night for the Sunday Luncheon they came and helped us whip everything into order.  Thank you!  Who knows, one day we might come be "willing hands" for you too. 

Pastor Jussi and Leena

Our luncheon was a great opportunity to OFFICIALLY welcome Pastor Jussi and Leena to our church family - what better way than with a nummy DQ ice cream cake decorated by Rose Johnson.
Here are a few random photos from our get - together:

 

Angela - always smiling and looking pretty!

"Away Team" members and families

Thanks to Rose for the beautiful bouquets centerpieces.  Won't YOU join us for our next luncheon too? 

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NEWS:

Thank you to all of you who have requested to be "subscribed" to this blog - we now have just under 60 official "subscribers" who have an email delivered to your inbox whenever a new post is up!  Please email us at occwomenonline@gmail.com if you know of anyone who would like to be added. 

As most of you know from our last blog post, Nathan and Leila Freeman are in China for the next two months where Nathan is working out his teaching practicum.  Here is their latest news:

Hey world,
We've arrived safely in China. We just got connected to the internet today as it was a holiday when we arrived. We've settled into a lovely little flat. I'll see about if we can send pics.
We've already taken the train (LRT) all the way into city centre and around to other stops. We've discovered some wonderful food. What bits and pieces of Chinese I have have been coming back and being used. I asked where milk was the other day in a supermarket (Neo nai zi na li) and the person understood me and pointed me in the right direction. I was thrilled.
As it turns out, Nathan has all four of his teaching blocks on the same day (They are on a linear system where they have ten classes, five on "Day One" and five on "Day Two" all year) and so he will have a day between classes. We're super stoked about that.
Will try to keep updating, but must be going now.
Blessings to all,
Leila (and Nathan who is over there talking to his sponsor teacher....)

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EVENTS: 

Women's Bible Meeting

Tuesday, May 4 - 1:30 p.m.

Rose Johnson's - 18 Larkspur

250-495-5133

Online Women's Meeting

Online - got msn messenger? 

We meet every Wednesday night at 7:00

for information on how YOU can join us please email us at occwomenonline@gmail.com

Bible Study

Wednesday, May 5  7:00 p.m.

Al Johnson - 18 Larkspur

250-495-5133

Power Prayer

Thursday, May 6 10:30 a.m.

Kaye's Place

7806 Gravenstein Drive

Inter Church Service

(not sure if this is the correct title for it, but basically it is the churches in this area coming together for a joint service)

Sunday, May 16

Sonora Community Center

8505 68th Avenue

10:30 a.m. (I'm pretty sure)

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NEW & INTERESTING LINKS

A note that May 6th is a Day of Prayer - this according to one of my very favourite sites - http://www.crosscards.com/   Why not check them out and send out some of their greetings.  This site has something for all occasions and even some "just because" cards too.  They feature beautiful wallpaper every month too. 

Another site you might enjoy is http://www.allworship.com/ - a place where you can listen to Christian Music online for free!  Uplifting and encouraging music to help you through your day. 

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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We welcome your content - please email us if you have something you might like to share!  Send your email to occwomenonline{AT}gmail[DOT]com

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

*****

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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We welcome YOUR content on this blog - just send it to occwomenonline@gmail.com

A New Look and "Fellow-Shopping"

Hello Everyone!

Here's hoping the past two weeks have been good for you and that you are anticipating a wonderful Easter weekend with friends and family.

How do you like the new look of our blog? I'd love your feedback. You can either leave a comment by clicking the COMMENTS at the bottom of this post - or feel free to email me at occwomenonline@gmail.com

This is a brief post, but it will include Pastor Jussi's message and also a the beautiful worship song "holiness"

In the time since I last posted here Jussi and Leena have arrived and joined our church family. We are so very grateful for their leadership and fellowship - they've already been industrious and I see their touches on our church building and feel their warmth and welcoming within our group. They were fortunate to find temporary housing for now, but are still seeking a permanent home, cat friendly for this pretty fluffy little Ulla, who as you can see is helping with the daily bible reading.

As you can see, she really is an "inside" cat and so if you might hear of a reasonably priced rental it would be much appreciated if you could contact them.

Here is Pastor Jussi's message, preached Sunday, March 28th. Just click on the Play button to hear it.

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A group of our church members went out for an outting to Penticton yesterday which we have dubbed a "Fellow-Shop" and it proved to be a wonderful way to get together. We are considering doing a local one in our own community and we hope to prompt some of our senior members to come along!

Here are a few photos of our day:

Leila arrived with Henna on her hands!

And she brought cup cakes too! Num!

Melanie, chatting to us in the back seat (we fit 7 people in the van!)

Anglela, waiting for the doors to open!

Our first stop was at a thrift store which rotates its stock twice a year, this being one of those times. We arrived a few minutes early and waited in line. Thankfully the sun was shining by the time we arrived.

Rose, asking "Does THIS suit me? The hat, the sweater?"

Ah, the basket overflows!

Leila, buying a coat for a friend - she's always thinking of others!

Not such a clear picture, but this is Cowboy, the dog, who thinks he's a hood ornament, or just sunning himself in the dash window. And I thought we might be able to see Ken in this picture - he was kind enough to drive us all there and back, even though he had to drive to Kelowna later. Thank you Ken, we really appreciated it.

And what would an outting be without good food - we ate at a Chinese Buffet before hitting a few other stores.

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PRAYER, PLEASE!

Dallas - Ken and Al's father who is receiving radiation in Kelowna.

Please let me know if you have a prayer request!

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EVENTS

Inter Church Service Easter Service -

Bring a friend - join all the churches in our area in Praising the Lord!

Date - Friday, April 2

Time - 10:30 a.m.

Place - Osoyoos Baptist Church (hwy 97)

Phone - 250-495-6591

Easter Dinner - All Welcome! At the Johnson's. The meat and potato dishes are provided, please bring whatever you would like to complement. For more information:

Date - Monday, April 5

Time - 2:30 p.m.

Place - 18 Larkspur

Phone - 250-495-5133 (Ken, Rose, Al)

Women's Prayer Group -

Hosted by Kaye - she's been praying over Osoyoos and with our women for over thirty years to date.

Date - Thursday, April 1

Time - 10:30

Place - Kaye's 7806 Gravenstein Drive

Phone - 250-495-6816

Women's Fellowship Meeting -

We are listening to the series from Midday Connection called "Friendships of Women" and are now on part 9. Bring a friend!

Date - Tuesday, April 5th

Time - 1:30

Place - 18 Larkspur Drive (Rose's)

Yard Sale -

There will be a yard sale at OCC - There are plenty of tables so if you would like to set one of your own up you're welcome. Nathan and Leila are going to China and so they are raising funds towards this and they welcome you to contribute :):)

Date - Tuesday, April 10 th

Time - To Be Announced

Place - Osoyoos Christian Centre

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And to leave you on a musical note - here's Miles and Leena leading in song with "Holiness" May you have a wonderful weekend!

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Helping Hands

My sincere apologies for not posting this past week - Miles and I were away. Also, I will not be adding content for following two weeks as well, but posts should resume after that.

At today's OCC Women's Meeting - held at Rose's place, we enjoyed a presentation by Vi on behalf of the Canadian Food for Children, Okanagan Division.

Click on picture to visit an information

page about the Canadian Food for Children

Vi gave us a background of this valuable ministry and her experience having served for the past ten years. She showed us many ways in which our women might assist in providing various items to help children in many countries. Many of the items are common sense and recyclable and we are encouraged to bundle them into "kits" - eg:

Hospital Boxes - sheets, towels, pillow cases, light blankets, bandages, laundry and hand soap.

Earthquake Barrels - Plastic for ground sheets, blankets, jackets, sweaters, candles and matches, soap, towels, dishes, candy.

Carpenter Kit - Work clothes for man, tape measures, hammers, hand saws, screwdrivers, squares, files and rasps, axes, chisels, wrenches, nails, screws, nuts and bolts, lumber.

So you can see that these "kits" vary from simple ones, to ones which might enable someone to start a business. What I appreciated is that so many of the items can be something you might recycle from your own household, pick up from yard sales or gather from friends and neighbours.

Hand Sewn Bag

Rehydration Kit - Salt, Sugar, Sippy-Cup, pkgs of sugar

Hand knitted baby items

We are encouraged to knit, sew - whatever we might have a talent for and can help with! Nice to have our hands busy.

As we already take part in the Shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse, we have experience in doing this sort of thing. This will complement this ministry for us - and enable us to gather more things that might get overlooked because they might not be "brand new". Also, we are able to visit the local warehouse for the Canadian Food for Children, Okanagan Division in Penticton for a tour and can volunteer there too.

This is a non-Governmental Organization. It is completely staffed by volunteers. They operate on donations from groups and individuals. They pay no salaries. They seldom have containers go astray, having strict red tape protocol and designated receivers in each country who are working with the people and who provide feedback letters and photographs.

"if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

Romans 12:18

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Welcome to Jussi and Leena, arriving to shepherd and join our flock very soon!

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Next Women's Meeting - Tuesday, March 23rd - mark it on your calendar.