The June Whirlwindby J. Smith Summer has started with a whirlwind. Olivet began the month with our annual homecoming on the first Sunday of June. We had a good turn out with Glorybound performing their gospel music and Dr. Mike Wiggins, retired pastor of Pine Terrace Baptist, bringing the message. Our charter members were in attendance: Nellina Larson and Charles Jarvis with their families. Also, former pastor Bro. Wendell Stokes and his wife, Brenda, joined us for the celebration. The next event was Father's day when again the Lord blessed with a higher attendance and a growing group of children for our Children's sermon and children's church. As every year, we honored the dads in our congregations with a gift - this year's was a compass which coincided with Bro. Chip's message - A Psalm for Father's. Father's day also turned out to be Bro. Chip's birthday, and the church made sure to wish him a blessed year by inundating him with his favorite food - chocolate. To finish the month - Olivet is having VBS again after a several year hiatus. Starting this past Wednesday, June 18, and finishing this Wednesday, June 25. We have VBS instead of the usual evening service. The first night we had 25 children in attendance and their parents participating. The theme is learning to magnify God with Psalm 34:3 being the theme verse. God works using all sorts of interests and skills to relate, reach and raise people to His Son. The last Sunday of the month, June 29, we will have a highlight for the Christian Motorcycles Association showing how they support local mission efforts. Two of our attendees, Walter and Gloria W., are involved with the group. This opportunity can provide Olivet members with another way to be directly involved with mission work. Internationally, a lot has happened over the last two weekends with the war between Israel and Iran broadening to shades of Ezekial 38-39 , in which this prophecy can be more clearly seen coming together with the players it mentions: Rosh- Russia, Persia - Iran, and Togarmah - Turkey and more. This prophecy spells out - God will draw Russia to move against Israel in coalition with these and other nations, but Israel will then be alone. God, Himself, will deliver, defend and save His nation Israel. I don't believe we are there yet, because the USA is helping Israel and, I believe, the UK offered some of its support too. But, with antisemitism, sadly, on the rise, one can see how such a day will come and perhaps sooner than expected. So, as we are the church, a kingdom of priests - intercessors, let us intercede for Israel, the USA and our leaders, our military and God's mercy that souls may be saved in these days. Let us keep looking up for our Redeemer is coming, but may we continue to serve Him faithfully until He comes. Business Meeting @ a GlanceThe June Business Meeting had... Old Business: LED sign estimates - began investigating the cost for replacing our current lighted sign with an LED programmable sign. First quote back was 32-36,000 dollars. New Business: Air quality check up - after looking up several companies, requested a free inspection and quote from one based in Gulf Breeze. Checking into the office a/c due to some health concerns with the secretary. This is in progress. Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. Monthly Announcements: Independence Day - July 4th Ladies Bracelet Workshop - July 7 at 9:30am in the Fellowship Hall. Ladies Morning Out - July 8 @ 10:30am Church Council Meeting: July 14, 11:30 am Deacon Meeting: July 15, 6pm Business Meeting: July 16, 6pm Food Pantry - Prep: July 24, 9:30am Distribution: July 26, 9-11 am Prayer Requests:
0 Comments
Preparation is Key By J. Smith This past month of May has flown past: for kids, it was the countdown to summer; for Olivet it was another active month of ministries and preparing for our 61st anniversary- homecoming and VBS at the end of June. Yes, May is preparation. Postcards were mailed to members reminding them of the special date for Homecoming (and some have returned due to address changes.) This homecoming we will have the musical group Glorybound performing a concert in celebration of the even and guest speaker Dr. Mike Wiggins who pastored Pine Terrace Baptist for many years before retiring. The service will begin at 10:30am with no Sunday School that day (June 1). And following the homecoming service will be time for food, fellowship and fun like any good baptist gathering with dinner on the grounds in the Fellowship Hall. Later in June we are preparing for Vacation Bible School on the last two Wednesday nights of the month (6/18 and 6/25) from 5 to 7:30pm. This will be for children ages 4- to 6th grade. If you have children or grandchildren or know your neighbors who have children that may be interested, registration is available on our church website Olivet.us. This two-day VBS will incorporate dinner for all kids who attend, music, Bible lessons, crafts using Lifeways' VBS curriculum "Magnified" and may all who attend learn to magnify Jesus Christ who saves us from our sins. Speaking of preparation - the Lord challenged us to be prepared for His return, which for the church will be His rapturing the saints (believers). The parable of the 10 Virgins warns us to be ready because we do not know the hour He is coming. And some may say that could be years away - but I ask you, if you love someone and long to see them, will you want to postpone their coming Or would you want to live every day in anticipation that today may be the day I see their face? Revelation 22 Jesus says three times, " I am coming quickly." If He says it three times, I think He is meaning to make the point - He IS coming soon. It is the next plan on His agenda. May we be living lives of preparation and anticipation that our Savior, Lord and King will come and rescue His bride from this sin sick earth. And may we be living in such a way as to help bring other souls to the Savior that they too may know Him. Business Meeting @ a GlanceThe May Business Meeting had... Old Business - FPL told us it takes several months before lamp posts are changed out to LED. We are on the list. South Side Sanctuary door - need new tumblers. Once that is changed maybe all three sets on the Sanctuary can be matched to have the same key. But we will need a locksmith. One has been recommended. New Business - Food for thought, the Deacons brought up the idea of having an electrical digital sign that can be programmed. Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. Monthly Announcements: Homecoming - June 1 at 10:30am Church Council - June 9 - 11:30am Ladies Morning out - June 10, 10:30am Deacons Meeting - June 10, 6pm Business Meeting - June 11, 6pm US Army Birthday/ Flag Day - June 14 Father's Day - June 15 Food Pantry Prep - June 26 9:30am Food Pantry Distribution - June 28 9-11am Men's Breakfast - Every Tuesday, 8am Milton McDonalds. Prayer Needs: God would lead Olivet to His choice for their next full time pastor.
Israel and IDF - God's protection and victory over their enemies. US Military in the Middle East God's mercy on the USA, wisdom for our leaders local, state and federal. God to accomplish His desire through His church. Hang on! by J. Smith The month of April -I apologize that there was no newsletter written for March. The writer was under the weather in a way she hasn't been in a long time. But, the Lord sustains and by the end of this month things are beginning to get back to some normalcy. At Olivet throughout the month of April, we had a few occasions. For Palm Sunday Olivet hosted an Easter egg hunt and potluck luncheon following the morning worship that included the choir's Easter cantata. The day had a superb turn out with approximately 90 in attendance and this, of course, supplied a good amount of Easter egg hunters for after service. It was a fun day of Christ's church fellowshipping and enjoying the good things He has given through his death, burial, and resurrection. Easter Sunday brought the message home as Bro. Chip taught on those who witnessed the resurrection. Also, in April, Bro. Chip was invited to speak at Hobb's Middle School for the Youth Alive club. He reported that he was expecting a room of maybe 20 kids, but to his surprise the room was full to the brim with standing room only. He estimated there may have been 80 people. Bro chip hopes for Olivet to minister to Hobbs if needed. Another development was that at this month's business meeting the church did vote to have VBS this summer with it being held on the last two Wednesday nights of June. So stay tuned for more on that front in the near future. In May we have are some events upcoming. May 1st this Thursday is the National Day of Prayer and our city of Milton will hold its annual prayer ceremony at Jernigan's landing at the south end of Willing Street from noon to 12:35pm. Another event is that May 10 there will be a ladies brunch hosted by First Baptist Church of Navarre. The ladies of Olivet are invited to attend, and they have requested Janet Fox, Bro Chip's wife, to be their guest speaker. If you do plan on going, please let Janet know for the FBC Navarre's headcount. The rest of May looks just as busy as there will be a communion Sunday, Mother's day and then Memorial day weekend. It is the time of year when much is happening. But with all that is happening there have been health issues and funerals too that help keep our perspective looking up. And as Jesus told the church of Philadelphia, "I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown." (Rev. 3:11). So, hang in there, our Redeemer is coming soon and may we be honoring Him until He comes whether in trials or out. Business Meeting at a Glance The April business meeting had…Old Business – None New Business – Nominating presented the motion, in lieu of Joan K. retiring from Treasurer and Financial Secretary, the two positions be filled: Financial Secretary – Irene T. and Treasurer by Tim T. This would be effective immediately. This was voted on and no opposition the motion passed. Bro. Chip asked for a vote of approval to have VBS this summer. Mike W. made the motion. 2nd was given by Shirley P. The church voted to approve with no opposition. Motion passed that the last two Wednesday nights of June would be VBS. Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. Announcements: Ladies Morning Out - May 20, 10:30am Church Council - May 12, 11:30am Deacon Meeting - May 13, 6pm Business Meeting - May 14, 6pm Food Pantry - May 24, 9-11 am Communion Sunday - May 4 Mother's Day - May 13 Memorial Day - May 26 Prayer Needs: * God would lead Olivet to His choice for the next full time pastor.
*Israel and IDF - God's protection and victory over their enemies *US Military in the Middle East *God's Mercy on USA How Pleasant It Is...  by J. Smith The second month of the year is almost behind us. At Olivet, there has been much happening - from the usual order of events: Men's Breakfast every Tuesday morning, Ladies Morning Out every third Tuesday, then the quarterly Communion service, monthly Deacon Meeting, Church Council Meeting and Business Meeting. But, to add to these, we had two more occasions: the ladies had another bracelet workshop and then a fellowship luncheon. The Ladies Patriotic Bracelet Workshop was led by Sue W. who guided the women in creating beaded bracelets of red, white, and blue. This was the second bracelet workshop she has held, and there is always a good participation of sister-in-Christ to attend, fellowship and let creativity flow. The luncheon organized by Debbie M. and Donna C. was in honor of Valentine's day. It was held Saturday, Feb. 15 in the Fellowship Hall with the feast of homemade soups and sandwiches to celebrate the holiday. And as there always is at a Baptist food fellowship, there was an eager involvement. This past month brings to mind Psalm 133:1 - How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. "The Lord is blessed when His children are loving each other and working together, and on the other end, the church as a result wears more smiles and more laughter is produced. Such is always a blessing for those involved and a good testimony to the world of our Lord and His ways. As Olivet continues to move towards seeking a full-time pastor, may we continue to dwell in unity while, "Relating, Reaching and Raising People to Jesus." Business Meeting @ a Glance The February business meeting had... Old Business: None New Business: Bro. Chip said the church council discussed the upcoming Annie Armstrong goal and recommended it be set at $3,000. No 2nd needed as it came from the council. Church voted and motion passed. Final Announcements: The Church Council - motion to bring to the church. Three times the announcement would be made. Tim T. said in the Bylaws it only requires two times for the pastor. Bro. Chip said the Church Council spoke about the nature of the motion - the church will keep searching for a full time pastor but it is slow - and to see what we can afford to pay. Meanwhile, the interim is filling in like full time capacity and the church wants to increase his pay. Joan K. addressed those on the Financial Committee to see when they could meet in order to go over the motion for a raise for Bro. Chip. Being no other business, the meeting came to an end.
|
RSS Feed