Speaking of Salvage!

We were treated to a Good Word by Peter who came to us from our sister church, Park Drive in Oliver.  He spoke on the fact that God is in the job of recycling!  He does not consider people as throwaway. 

He spoke of Nicodemus and Jesus and I'm sure you will enjoy his take on some scenes from the Bible which support his message.  Just click on the play button to hear it. 

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Thank you so much for speaking to us!  Your wisdom and words have inspired us. 

*****

We will be enjoying a message from JUSSI this coming Sunday (January 31st)  It would be wonderful if we can have a good attendance! 

*****

EVENTS:

Women's Bible Meeting

Tuesday, January 26th - 10 a.m.

Isabelle's place

We will be listening to and discussing Part 4 of "Friendships of Women" from Midday Connection from Moody Bible Institute.

Bible Study

Wednesday, January 27th - 7:00 p.m.

Led by Al Johnson

18 Larkspur Place

Phone: 250-495-5133

Please call if you need directions.  You should bring a pen and paper and have studied Psalm 119 verses 17:32 as we will be focussing on these passages. 

Church Family Valentines Luncheon

February 14 2010 12:30 p.m.

We will be calling around to establish a menu! 

*****

 

Hello Everyone,

As I watched the Olympic Torch go by (from a great distance and from the comfort of my own home as I did not know what time they were passing) I could hear the sirens, see the flashing lights and hear the yells and cheers of encouragement.  It was contagious - just hearing it makes one "quicken" to be part of something inspiring and bigger.  

This happened to me and Miles often when we would take part in Road Races when we used to run.  Even if our intent was simply to run for the enjoyment, once one gets in a crowd with running toward a united prize your spirit is gripped with the desire to do better!  I was drawn to form pictures in my mind of the crowds that always surrounded Jesus whenever he was about.  I'm sure when he was arriving at any place the crowds swelled like this and rumours and speculation bubbled through the people.  Jesus was a people magnet and I'm sure being part in seeing Him would be no less electrifying than anything I could ever imagine.  

Jesus gives each of us the ability to inspire and quicken believers and non-believers alike.  Just as with running, besides only running to keep fit - its good to "put the prize before you" - to enter an OFFICIAL race now and again.  Run for a PURPOSE.  Run WITH people.  Help someone along the way.  Sometimes the best stories in a road race is how someone helped someone in a wheelchair, or who was injured.  The race is as much about the JOURNEY as the finish... sometimes the finish is defined by the journey.  For what could mean more (more than any medal or certificate) than to hear the words:

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Matthew 25:21

Blessings on your week!

~ Barb

A Birthday Bash, House Warming and What's YOUR Story Going to be?

 

I apologise ahead of time for this post being a brief one.  I won't have a tremendous amount of time to write. 

Our church was filled with energetic Praise and Worship with the "Away" Team joining us from Park Drive Pentecostal from Oliver.  As always the music was phenomenal and the songs so timely. 

Of course we, as I'm sure most churches across the country and around the world, were having a conversation about Haiti and the earthquake and lifting the tremendous needs there.  Its a reminder of God's mighty power and at the same time of miracles being seen as people are being rescued from the destruction. 

Pastor Bart delivered the WORD - I had intended to capture it in audio to share here but afraid I must confess I was downstairs checking on a Brie (cheese) with cranberries baked in pastry when he began his sermon.  Yes, I know, I was being a Mary... My consequence is that I did not time it correctly to catch Bart's talk. 

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So, I will have to sum up as best I can of his WORD.  (Good test if I was listening well, correct?)  Bart recently read a book by a well known Christian author who has been asked to have his life story made into a movie.  The author is daunted by the very thought - how to make a MOVIE about his own life?  Have YOU thought about what sort of a story would be written about YOUR life if you were to put pen to paper? 

Would you find yourself at the beginning of a story, do you have goals - a plot?  A conclusion?  Are you simply going along? 

Bart had us "floating" on a boat between two shores.  One where we came from and one where we hoped to be in the future.  Will we stay the course even when all we can see is open water?  Will we turn back if the weather gets rough or we are bored?  Will we start to have doubts the other shore actually exists if we can't physically see it within a certain time? 

Besides all the mundane tasks of life, what are we doing to leave our mark - to add to the Kingdom?  Is our focus to do SOMETHING of account which will be a witness to our Saviour?  Is it obvious?  Would someone who perhaps have to write about our life FOR US... would it be obvious to them? 

Its what Christ died for - so that HIS name could live on through each and every one of us.  He gives everybody the ability to live in such a way that HE is written very visibly into our story. 

Bart asked us to ponder upon Philippians 1.

THANK YOU Bart, for your thought provoking sermon.  I know you've got me searching my mind and heart.

*****

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLE!

Isabelle celebrated her 80th birthday recently.  She was treated to a surprise birthday party/dinner at the church.  Leila and Nathan cooked her a fabulous lasagne dinner and made a cake (FROM SCRATCH) for her.  The party was well-attended - every seat was filled! 

 

Nathan and Leila!

And then we had a warm and wonderful house - warming party for Nathan and Leila who have moved into a sweet little place near the beautiful shores of the lake.  This young couple have done a tremendous amount of work in order to make it a HOME. 

We all brought something nummy and squeezed ourselves into their new/old redecorated and renovated home and had ourselves a wonderful celebration.  We pray the Lord will make their home a joyous place of peace and that HIS presence will always be felt there. 

Thank you to all who contributed to the party to make it a success. 

*****

EVENTS:

Wednesday, January 20th  7:00

OCC Church

Bible Study - hosts Al and Ken Johnson. 

*****

OCC PRAYER REQUESTS:

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. "

Philippians 4: 6

Lindsay Lorenco ... cancer

Steve Lyons ... asthma

Henri Credger ... grieving the loss of a friend

Ken Johnson ... unnamed prayer request

Florence and Dale ... as they minister "south of the border"

Ralph and Krista ... living on the Island at the moment

Jim and Elaine ... in their new ministry on the island 

Marie and Cecil ... Cecil's illness and Marie looking after him 

Ken and Angie ...  their children's school bus route has been cancelled.  Please pray the authorities reconsider with more evidence being brought to light and with the exposure from the video on CHBC tv. 

2010 - What Does the Lord Want For Us?

2009 came and was a year of growth not FOR Osoyoos Christian Centre, but it was a year of growth FOR US within our church. All in all our numbers remained small - some new people joined our family while others moved on. It was difficult sometimes because its so natural for us to equate "numbers" with the worth of our church.

In an "instant gratification" society we are often advised to 'cut and run' if we don't experience quick profits, if we don't increase. And admittedly its sometimes very difficult not to get sucked into this frame of thought - and we get sucked in when we allow ourselves to think the church is about US. But we can stand firm in the knowledge that God has a good plan for OCC.

By waiting, by being faithful we have been given some wonderful gifts - the fruit of waiting and hoping in the Lord. By working when we were tired we were given STRENGTH when we prayed for it. By waiting when sometimes the grass looked greener elsewhere we were given VISION for the potential of our own church. By praying for fortitude in this season we were rewarded with FELLOWSHIP from our sister - church in Oliver. By shouldering responsibilities we were allowed to discover GIFTS AND TALENTS we may not have known we possessed. By being real and accepting exactly what our church is we were rewarded with SEEING THE BLESSINGS and not the shortcomings of Osoyoos Christian Centre. And by choosing to honour our small church family we allowed newcomers to join in our vision of what we KNOW the Lord is going to do in our midst in the future. And sometimes when we felt ragged and tired we needed only to look to our senior members - some have been faithful to Osoyoos Christian Centre for 33 YEARS! How could be immune to their sacrifice?

And we are grateful that the Lord has heard our petition and we look forward with great anticipation for the arrival of Pastor Jussi and his wife Leena to join our family soon.

Jussi and Leena come to us with clear conviction that their appointment is here with us - that they too feel the time is ripe for a Great Revival. How awesome is this? How can we not be excited to be poised at this time of our church history? How will Jesus use Osoyoos Christian Centre this year? I'm confident that when I blog next year at this same time there will be some incredible and joyful history to be recounted!

Won't you please lift our little church in your prayers? We know that God can do MIGHTY works with small numbers!

*****

EVENTS:

Tuesday January 12th

1:30 PM

OCC Women's Bible Meeting

At Isabelle's place.

Wednesday January 13th

OCC Bible Study

7:00 PM

Hosted by Ken and Al Johnson

At Osoyoos Christian Centre

This study will be focussed on Psalm 119 but also please 42 read Psalm 29 in preparation.

Finch Crescent, Osoyoos BC

Sunday January 17th

House Warming Party!

For Nathan and Leila Freeman

Right after Sunday Service

At their home - email occwomenonline@gmail to request a map or come to church and follow the train of cars!

This is a pot-luck so expect a call this week asking what you might contribute.

*****

Betty provided the WORD today - a wonderful and inspirational reflection on Communion. She reminded that Jesus the very night He was betrayed, took bread. One of the last things He did before going to the Mount of Olives where he was betrayed. When we share in Communion we are reminded of His sacrifice - and invited to share and ponder in how HUGE what He did for us. Won't you listen to Betty's WORD and allow yourself to ponder along with us? Just click the PLAY button to listen.

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Wishing you a BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

We held our Christmas dinner yesterday and it was a very special time of celebration, connection and fellowship. Our service was held downstairs which was a great idea because generally whoever does the organizing of the food misses out on the message and music.

Nathan and Miles led us in song and chose a meaningful set which put our eyes on Jesus.

We were treated to beautiful decorations provided by Melanie Olsen who brought so many of her lovely items from her home collection. The tables were set complete at each place with full silver and even Christmas Crackers - something new to some of our congregation, like Julie and family who have only come to Canada from Jamaica last year!

And we were treated to delicious little boxed chocolates by some delightful little girls!

I was touched to have my Sister in Law arrive to join us for our dinner - all the way from Kamloops (a wonderful SURPRISE!) We had a full house, every single seat was filled. It was wonderful to see Helen's daughter and husband join in and I was treated to a surprise visit from our Sister in Law, niece and a friend who travelled all the way in from Kamloops. She drove all this way, shared dinner with us and turned around and headed back. How wonderful!

Almost all the entire Johnson family were here - thanks for all your help with the sound, food etc!

You can see all this and more by viewing this video I cobbled together.

*****

We look with great anticipation to the arrival of Pastor Jussi and wife Leena in the coming New Year. In the meantime they have prepared a word for us:

We want to wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for sending His Son Jesus Christ to be

The light of the world, that the glorious gospel would shine into the darkened

hearts of humanity, and that He would be revealed as Savior and Lord to the world.

The scripture for coming New Year is Deuteronomy 11: 13-14

13. And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my Commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord Your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

14. That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

This is a wonderful conditional promise in the Word of God for us to lay a hold of. The promise is that there would be rain in the land, resulting in

Corn, which speaks to us of the blessing of the Word of God

Wine, which represents the joy of the Lord

Oil, which is the anointing of the Holy Spirit

The church in the book of Acts experienced these promises as told in Acts

6:7, that the Word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. Later, in the book of Acts chapter 8:8, we are told that when

Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ under the anointing of

The Holy Spirit, the result was that there was great joy in the city.

This would be our heart felt prayer for the coming year that we would experience these blessings at Osoyoos Christian Centre.

Blessings!

Jussi

*****

ThI asked Kaye to share with us as well - for those of you who might not know Kaye she has been at our church for 33 years, has seen and heard it all and remains faithful. I thought it appropriate to see what wisdom she would share with us. I apologise for my little "hello hello hello" at the end of this clip, I did not have time to "trim" the audio.

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*****

An especial Merry Christmas going out to some of our Church Family who are away or in new homes. We miss you and love you!

Jim and Elaine - Congrats on your new grand-baby & glad all is well with you. We still feel your grace and goodness at home here.

Ralph and Krista - You ARE here with us, just not in body yet. We long to see your return. You are missed.

Dale and Florence - Thinking of you in the nice warm desert & lifting you up in your ministries there!

Ken and Marg - You are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Matt and Lillian - Across the miles - we love and miss you and wish you and your young family a special Christmas. (BIG hugs for you)

*****

I will be posting after the first week in the New Year. Thank you for all who have supported this blog, this meeting place and for your encouragement and comments.

This is a time of endings,

But of new beginnings too,

God sends us another year

And maketh all things new,

Another hope, another chance,

Another road to take,

Another star to follow,

And another start to make.

New beginnings, new adventures,

New heights to attain,

Golden opportunities

To work and build again.

New and higher aspirations,

For the future days,

Seeking, dreaming, moving on

Down bright and better ways.

~ Patience Strong

God Bless you all with good health and happiness in the year to come.

Barb Derksen

behalf Osoyoos Christian Centre

An ALWAYS is Heard an "Encouraging Word!"

Just another shortie post this week as this week is going to zoom right by! A warm HELLO out to all you of our church family who live away from Osoyoos ~ we will be thinking of you over the holiday. I will post one more blog entry next Sunday night, allowing you to (virtually) join in our Church Dinner and celebration which I hope to capture on video and audio and pictures. A veritable feast for the eyes and the ears you could say!

We welcomed Stacy from Park Drive church in Oliver to share a Word with us this past Sunday and I caught it on audio for those of you who were unable to attend - and those of you who live away at the moment. Stacy's message was encouraging and uplifting and I know that it truly blessed me and met me where I needed. Thank you for your ministering to us, Stacy, and for bringing your lovely family with you as well.

Stacy's message was one with HEART - and I know that your kind words made me stand a little straighter and taller and reminded me that God is in control. Click on the Play button to hear Stacy's message!

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*****

EVENTS:

Our annual Church Christmas dinner will be held this coming Sunday - directly after our service. We look forward to seeing YOU! If you have a dish you would like to contribute please give me a call - 250-495-3516!

Stay tuned for the next blog post - will have hopefully pictures, audio AND perhaps even a video or two! :) A nice little wrap up to the year!

FREE RESOURCE:

There is a wonderful FREE bible study software available on the internet - comes with all sorts of study materials etc. Just click HERE to check it out!

Belated Post - Worth the Wait!

I'm sorry that this post is late - I'll embellish on this theme in my next post which will bump up pretty quickly to this one. The main point is that my computer simply did not want to load the following audio file despite my repeated attempts. Who am I to question - perhaps THIS is just the moment one of you reading this needs this message at this exact time.

Betty delivered last weeks WORD and her message had a great impact on all - several people expressed this to me. I thank Betty for allowing me to post it. We would love to have your feedback! I apologise for the low quality of the sound {its rather on the quiet side} but next time should be much better as my husband {the audio expert} has assured me he will run me through some ways to improve it.

With no further ado - here is Betty!

Betty is rather on the quieter side - so this was very nice of her to allow us to share. She's not a "grand-stander" at the best of times. Her message is around 30 minutes long. Just click the PLAY button to listen.

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*****

I thank all of you who have been sending me emails and inspiration. Each and every one is greatly appreciated.

I am going to keep this post short but the following one will be longer. Just a few things to mention here -

CONGRATS!

Nathan and Leila on their new "digs" - they've just moved into a sweet little place at an amazing location at the end of the lake. Just needs a little {well a LOT} of tlc to get it up to the love-nest they'd like to call home. Sooooo - let's mark off a few days in the doldrums of January to help slather on the paint 'n stuff - ok?

EVENTS:

Only thing on the agenda for the next days leading up Christmas {as of yet, anyhow} is our Church Christmas Dinner, being held on Sunday, December 20th following the morning service. I will be calling YOU to see what you might like to bring! If you have an idea of something you might like to share in the way of entertainment please let us know - we welcome all!

PRAYER:

Chuck, Angie and Family as they travel this weekend to spend time with family. Also for the ongoing negotiations with the school district regarding their bus stop.

Visitors, Inspirational Poetry and a FREE Downloadable Craft

OOPS!

I'd intended this blog post to be full of photos. I went all snap-happy over the weekend to try to capture all the wonderful events happening - only get this. I 'took' a whole bunch of photos... with no 'chip' in the camera.

Yes, all the lovely photos I wanted to have - Kaye, home from hospital and home in our Church PRAISING the Lord - and huggin' the CUTEST baby.

Umm hmmm - how bout the dozen photos I'd snapped of Ken and his family as they blessed us with worship?

Imagine my surprise and utter dismay as I sat downloading from my camera. I graciously apologise to everyone - I was working between two cameras and got messed up. Luckily I did come away with a few photos - and with a song even!

*****

BLESSED BY... MISTAKE?

I must mention something wonderful that transpired this Sunday. My husband, Miles came to open the church and to practice and when he arrived he was approached by a man in need of a helping hand. As we don't have a food bank at our Church he promised to put something together for him and promised him if he were to return in a few hours we would stock him up with some groceries. I was at home during this time so did not see what this person looked like.

Miles came home and we put together a pretty impressive bag in anticipation of his need.

During the middle of the worship (music) service a man came into the doorway of the sanctuary. I knew Miles could not very well get up from playing the piano so I got Betty and we headed out to present him with the grocery items.

His eyes lit up when I told him we had been anticipating him - in fact we had everything packed up and ready to go. He was delighted and thanked us profusely. We had a chance to talk to him and pray with him before we returned to the service. Imagine our surprise when Miles informed us this was NOT the same man he'd spoken to earlier! LOL!

The first man never did return - but I believe the right man turned up for this helping hand and prayer!

*****

BLESSED BY MUSIC

Our church would once again like to thank Ken and his beautiful family - wife Cheryl who sang with him, daughter Vicki who played drums (you sounded terrific and provided a perfect touch to the music!) and to your son William for running the power point (especially impressed how you slipped the scripture into it!) I am truly mad at myself for not getting your photos - NEXT time I promise! You have no idea how much it means to us to have you bless us with your worship and friendship! Park Drive Pentecostal Church from Oliver has been ministering alongside us for the past while and we truly appreciate it.

*****

BLESSED BY KNOWLEDGE

We are fortunate to have two women in our Church Family who have a nursing background and we were fortunate to have the benefit of their knowledge this Sunday as they presented us with some basic guidelines on protecting ourselves against H1N1 and just all pesky infections in general. Gina and Bev were thoughtful enough to compile and distribute a list for all of us. They had some great advice! If you would like a list of the information please email me and I will send you a copy. Send your email to occwomenonline@gmail.com THANK YOU, Gina and Bev, for looking after us.

*****

BLESSED BY CHURCH FAMILY

What I mean is, we were treated to a visit from Rhonda, Nathan's sister along with her ADORABLE little baby boy. I was sad that Leila missed both the message preached today (which was wonderful, Betty) and also the song which Nathan and Rhonda sang for us. Leila thank you for your faithful ministry with our children.

And so, Leila, I made sure to catch Nathan and Rhonda's beautiful song on the recorder for you to enjoy. Just click on the player below to enjoy!

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*****

BLESSED BY POETRY

Leena and Jussi send greetings our way - they're looking forward to returning in the near future to join us. In the meantime Leena sent me this poem she thought would be a good reminder to us to keep our hearts open to those who might find Christmas a difficult or hurting time of the year. Leena's father passed away suddenly due to a massive heart attack right on Christmas eve about 10 years ago. A friend sent this poem to them and it brought Leena and her family such comfort at that time - and so she would like us to share it with someone who we might know who is hurting. Click the FULLSCREEN feature to view the poem larger (hit your ESC button to come back to this blog screen when you are done) You can also download or print using the features in the window below.

Christmas With Jesus

Thank you Leena, for this touching poem.

*****

BLESSED TO CREATE

It was Saturday night Jam and Crafts this past weekend and what a wonderful time we had. Unfortunately I did not think to "go topside" to the sanctuary to capture some of the music lessons for you (will have to think of this next time) but we had a lot of fun creating in the basement.

This week we made some Pretty Citrus Pomanders - a very simple and easy craft. I'm providing the instructions here - you are welcome to print and share them!

Pretty Citrus Pomanders

We had some clever ideas revealed during our crafts session - Leila added some word art (Awwww, romantic words for her husband Nathan) while our youngest crafter Amber gave me an idea of how to make our pomanders into a "lollipop" decoration by inserting a stick into the end. In my instructions I include directions on how to do this! Have fun!

*****

Betty delivered an inspiring word - I had several people make a comment to me, wishing I'd recorded it. I even had an email with glowing praise. Betty's word encouraged us to remember that we bring Jesus into our work places so we can know that we have the opportunity to be a ministry wherever we are! Well, of course she said it much more eloquently than how I've summed it up.

*****

PRAISE

Kaye - home from the hospital. Still battling some health issues but not allowing it to keep her down and it was sure a blessing for us to have her in church this a.m.

Nathan and Leila - moving into a new home this week. Some of us formed a work party and helped them get their new home whipped into shape and move their possessions. We look forward to seeing you settled!

Rose and Ken - had a special time with family this week. Their relatives came from out of town to have an early gathering together.

*****

PRAYER

Julie - was sick over the weekend. Please pray for her health this week.

Marie and Cecil - health issues

Dale and Florence - for their ministry "down south" in the USA for the next several months.

unnammed - health issues for a person we are in contact with. That we would be able to share in the HOPE of Faith in Jesus.

Jim and Elaine - as they minister at Colwood. For their daughter Melissa as she awaits the arrival of her baby.

Amalia and Alfredo Sommer - from the Baptist church as they do their missions in South America

Jen and Mark Illife - missions in Africa

*****

EVENTS:

Tuesday, December 1 - Women's Bible Study. Gathering at Rose's house this week. We are starting into Part 4 of Friendships of Women. Come one, come all - bring a friend!

Wednesday, December 2 - OCC Women's Online Meeting. Got MSN messenger? If you have (or you can download) you are welcomed to join us in a live, online meeting. This is a night when we catch up with each other, discuss whats going on in our lives, upcoming events etc and lift prayer needs. If you need more information on how you can join with us just email me (Barb) at occwomenonline@gmail.com

Saturday December 12 - Crafts and Jam night. We have a fun craft planned downstairs. Bring a friend along. You can email for more information occwomenonline@gmail.com or you can call Barb at 250-495-3516. Miles and Nathan will providing basic guitar instruction in the sanctuary.

Sunday December 20th - Church Family Christmas Dinner. We will be enjoying the 'talents' of the bakers in our church this night LOL! We hope to also have some sort of entertainment rounded up. If you have an idea of something you would like to share we welcome you to let us know.