God's ExpectationsWritten by J. Smith Autumn has officially arrived in Milton, Florida. At least, that is what the calendar reads even if the temperatures outside don't feel it. Much has happened as Olivet has transitioned to our new pastor, Dr. Jonathan Kaushal, and welcomed he and his family. Looking ahead to the end of Sept. and into Oct., preparations are underway. Starting this Sunday, Sept. 27, Operation Christmas Child (shoeboxes) a ministry of Samaritan's Purse will begin. Boxes are waiting at the back of the sanctuary for members to pick up, fill up (with toys, soap, washcloths, t-shirts, etc.) and drop off with payment of $10 for shipping which can be a check written to Samaritan's Purse or by credit card online. Final drop off date will be Nov. 15th. Another item of importance for the church nationally is the need to be ready to vote - early voting begins in Santa Rosa County Oct. 19-31. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will forget thy children." Being believers, God has expectations of us. He expects us to know His ways/ His Word and apply it to life accordingly. He expects us to be involved in the workings or our society, to be aware and educated on the matters at hand. Why? Because that is how God is exalted, a society preserved and wickedness thwarted. Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honour of kings is to search a matter out." Believers are expected as part of God's kingdom to search for the truth in all matters. So, when it comes to knowing who to vote for, it is important to do your homework. Know who the candidates are and what they are about. With websites, voter guides, and videos online, it is not hard to learn the good, bad, and, sometimes, ugly of candidates. Our values for whom we vote for should align with the Lord's values as best as can be done. (One voter guide site - FloridaFamilyAction.org) Finally, we are told to pray for our leaders as 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, "Petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all peoples - for all kings and those in authority..." We are expected to make requests talking to God on behalf of and giving thanks for our leaders. Are we praying for our local, state and federal leaders? And when discouraged by watching choices they make at times - have we been praying? Remember, "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Business Meeting @ A GlanceNo Old Business No New Business Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. AnnouncementsFood Pantry - Oct, 24, 9-11 am Church Council - Oct. 12 at 11:30am Deacon Meeting - Oct. 13 Business Meeting - Oct 14 at 6 pm Ladies Morning Out - Every 4th Tuesday at 10:30am Crafting for Jesus - Every Tuesday (but the 4th one) at 10am Men's Breakfast - Every Tuesday, 8am at McDonalds Benevolence Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast - Oct 17, 8-10am US Navy Birthday - Oct 13 First Responders Appreciation Day - Oct. 28 Feast of Tabernacles - Oct 4
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by J. Smith August, the hot and sweltering month, is upon us. Despite the heat and humidity at Olivet we have been in a time of change. The beginning of August, we had our new LED sign installed. Since then the ever-diligent facilities team has been preparing and working at establishing the flower bed surrounding the sign which is required by the city. The next big change for the church was the welcoming of our new pastor and his family. On Aug. 9 Olivet noted Bro. Chip Fox's last Sunday leading from the pulpit as Interim Pastor. Following the service a luncheon of farewell and gratitude was given in honor of Bro. Chip and his wife. His last official day in office was completed as a business meeting, Aug. 12. Then. Dr. Jonathan began his new role leading and teaching Olivet on Aug. 16. He and his family will be moving into their new abode this week. We look forward to what the Lord has in store for us all. And since the last business meeting the church roles - committees and Sunday School teachers, were appointed. With the changing of the guard regarding our Pastors and church positions for the new church year (starting Sept. 1), Romans 12:1 (kjv) comes to mind, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Each member in the church has a task appointed by God for him or her. Even if homebound, you can still be active in serving your King by prayer and letter writing. And whether serving on various church committees or as a Sunday School teacher, making blankets and bracelets to give to people in Jesus' name or mopping a floor - all things can be an act of worship for our God. This version uses, it is our reasonable service. Newer versions use the word spiritual service. The Greek word references both. Reasonable brings to mind what is expected and at best is the least one can do. Spiritual refers to an act of worship. The days are growing short, and what better way to spend one's time than in worshiping and serving our coming King; Praying for souls and our nation; Serving where He has called us to step out and serve for Him; Encouraging souls around us to walk worthy of our Lord and King. Such efforts are only reasonable especially as Christ gave all for us. Business Meeting @ a GlanceThe August business meeting had... Old Business: The Polity Committee continued with the remainder of the definitions for various church positions. The following were approved: Music; Nursery; Children's Sunday School Leaders; Youth; Adult Sunday School; Personnel; Security Team; Decoration/Sanctuary; SRBA Executive Committee; Ushers; Greeters; Visitation Team; Prayer Team; and Nominating. New Business: Nominating presented names for the new church year. Motion to receive the names came from the committee. Motion passed with no opposition. Facilities said they would look into replacing flags as the current ones were worn. Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. Announcements:Food Pantry –Saturday , Aug. 22 – 9-11 AM ; Sept. 26, 9-11 AM Church Council: Sept. 14, 11:30 AM Deacon Meeting: Sept. 15. 6 PM Business Meeting: Sept 16, 6PM Ladies Morning Out: Every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30 AM Crafting for Jesus: Every Tuesday at 10 AM (except the 2nd Tuesday.) Men’s Breakfast: Meets every Tuesday at 8 AM at the Milton McDonald’s Labor Day - Church Office Closed US Air Force Birthday – Sept. 18 Patriot's Day (Rememberance of 9/11) - Sept. 11 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) - Sept. 11 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) - Sept. 20 Prayer Needs:Our Church: We would fulfill the Great Commission. That the Lord would guide Olivet.
Our Nation: Nation would have a heart of repentance and an awakening to their need for Christ. Our churches would be the salt and light. Wisdom and protection for our President and his admin. Our Military: God's mercy and protection Our Ministries:
Freedom and Responsibilityby J. Smith The month of July has been busy and flown. The United States celebrated our 250th anniversary this month. We are the longest lasting Constitutional Republic. May God in His mercy continue to shed His grace on our land as long as there are followers of Him here. Here are some quotes by our Founders (Signers of the Declaration of Independence) to ponder on our 250th birthday: Thomas Jefferson – who penned the Declaration: The God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Noah Webster – Signer and creator of Webster’s Dictionary: If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted… If a republican government fails to secure a public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws. Benjamin Rush – Signer, creator of the American Bible to be mass produced: The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible. Our founders were deep thinkers and godly men. They understood the Source of our nation’s success, and if we abandoned God, we would not last. Pray for our nation. Next in Olivet news, the church had Dr. Jonathan Kaushal come with his family, July 12 to speak in View of a Call. The church voted that morning following a question and answer time, and he will start as our next full-time pastor starting August 16, 2026. He has been trained at Pensacola Christian College (Masters of Divinity Pastoral Studies 2008), Dallas Theological Seminary (Masters of Sacred Theology in Bible Exposition 2010), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Doctorate of Philosophy 2022). He told the church, “I am passionate about equipping believers with the tools they need to grow in their faith – through sound teaching, biblical instruction, and practical application.” We are looking forward to him, his wife and children joining our fellowship. Pray for the Lord to guide and uphold Olivet during these days, and may we fulfill the mission he has for us. Business Meeting @ a GlanceThe July business meeting had… Old Business – Sign – due to city ordinance, the sign will require a flower bed with native Floridian plants around it. The alternative would be to relocate the current sign and that would cost $5,000.Motion made and approved that the church put in a flower bed around the sign. New Business – Policies & Procedures Committee – They presented the Policies and Procedures document that outlined the duties of the different roles within the church. As the congregation read each item individually it was then amended, if needed and voted upon. The following were approved that night: Benevolence, Facilities Team, Church Clerk/ Security Officer, Financial Ministry Team, Historian, Kitchen & Hospitality Team, and Media Ministry. Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. Announcements:Food Pantry –Saturday , July 25 – 9-11 AM Church Council: Aug 10, 11:30 AM Deacon Meeting: Aug. 11 at 6PM Business Meeting: Aug 12, 6PM Ladies Morning Out: Every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30 AM Crafting for Jesus: Every Tuesday at 10 AM (except the 2nd Tuesday.) Men’s Breakfast: Meets every Tuesday at 8 AM at the Milton McDonald’s Coast Guard Birthday – Aug 4 Bro. Chip Last Sunday – Aug 9 School Begins Aug. 10 Dr. Kaushal’s first Sunday- Aug 16 Prayer Needs:* God's Mercy and protection on the USA and our leaders * God's protection on our military and law enforcement. * Awakening in USA for need of repentance and God *God's Mercy and protection on Israel *Protection over members having surgeries and recuperating from surgeries. *Restoration of health to our ill members. Frantic Busyness or Rest? Sherry T. Brenda S. and Wendell S. by J. Smith The summer is here. It's been busy at Olivet. The month started with Olivet's annual Homecoming celebration. The special guest speaker was our former Pastor, Wendell Stokes. He gave an encouraging message of his testimony of all the Lord has brought him through in the past year, health-wise. The music was performed by our own musicians and singers. The service was a blessing to all 128 in attendance. Since then, VBS has begun. (June 17, 24 from 5 to 7 pm). So far, Olivet has had 12 children participate in our program focusing on Galatians 5- the Fruit of the Spirit. This past Sunday, Olivet honored our fathers for Father's Day with gifts for the Dad's in our congregation and a message by Bro. Chip entitled, "Giving Your Children Wings" from Deuteronomy 32. With all these things, this month has seemed non-stop, hectic, and busy. I don't know if your June is so? In these days of smartphone news feeds, texts, phone calls, email and life - stillness seems elusive. Even when moments come to finally escape the demands and the technology, it takes effort to unwind from the frantic pace of the day. God didn't design us to be non-stop automatons (robots). He made us to serve Him joyfully and not obligatory. In working we also require resting. The Lord established a 7th day of rest when creating the 7-day work week. In Mark Jesus tells His disciples who had been busy with the crowds, "Come aside by yourselves and rest." And if we ever desire to hear our Lord's voice in reading His word, we must, like Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know" He is God. Jesus encouraged believers to find rest in Him in Matt 11:29 when he offers rest for our souls. In Jeremiah 31:25 the Lord says, " I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Hebrews 4:9-10 says how believers can find rest from laboring by trusting in Christ's work at the cross. We cannot earn grace, but He freely gives it for us to trust and receive. All these verses discuss rest and resting. The Lord addressed it many times through scripture must mean it is something we should take notice of. However, how many times I don't take time to slow down until I am bone-dragging weary. Then, I realize I need to stop and rest. God doesn't want His children to become burnt-out and exhausted saints, but He would have us be balanced in Him and His ways of living. There is value in our efforts, but also value in taking time to rest and pull away from the world's incessant demands. Romans 12:2 says," Do not be conformed but be ye transformed..." Don't allow the world around us to constantly dictate our time. May we as believers deliberately take time to "Be still and know" He is God (Psalm 46:10). Business Meeting @ a GlanceThe June business meeting had... Old Business: None New Business: The church council and deacons discussed the motion making it official that the former pastor's F. G and W. M. membership be terminated. The motion was discussed. The motion then to terminate membership for F. G. and W. M. passed with no opposition. Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. Announcements:July 4th - USA's 250th Birthday - Independence Day Crafting for Jesus - Ladies Craft Group meets every Tuesday at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. (except the 2nd Tues.) Ladies Morning Out - Ladies visit our Homebound Members - June 9, 10:30AM Men's Breakfast - every Tuesday at Milton's McDonald's at 8AM Church Council: July 13, 11:30 AM Deacon Meeting: July 14, 6 PM Business Meeting: July 15, 6 PM Food Pantry: July 25 Food Distribution - July 23 - Food Prep Day Prayer Needs: |
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