by J. Smith
   The month of January – the beginning of a new year- at Olivet has been quieter. But, it has provided a chance to plan for the coming year.  Around property the wait for the LED lights is over, as they are now installed and greatly illumine the parking lots at night. (However, it is affecting a neighbor behind us, so pray that we can find a remedy that will work.) Like last January, we awoke Sunday, Jan. 18 with a dusting of snow in Florida on the day the service emphasized the Sanctity of Life – both are miracles of God. Moving forward, the Pastor Search Committee has several candidates they are evaluating and hoping to speak with one. Please be in prayer for this that the Lord would have His way.
   As we are taking things day by day, it seems the world around us is growing more and more chaotic. By the looks of things 2 Tim. 3:13web  is coming to pass, “But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.”
   Since I was a little girl, I have seen an exponential increase in lawlessness, but especially it has become visible and shameless in the last five years. For instance, I can sit at a stop light and see multiple cars blatantly run a red light – not scraping by on the tail end of a yellow but the light is red before their tires hit the intersection. There is no thought of other drivers just selfishness. It reminds me of what Jesus said in Matt. 24:12web, “Because iniquity (sin, wickedness, etc.) will be multiplied the love of many will grow cold.”  I believe we are seeing this begin to play out in our days. All one has to do is watch the evening or national news. Even Isaiah 5:20web is on full display too and God will deal with such people as He warns, “WOE to those who call evil good and good evil…”
   So with all this uncertainty and evil, what should our mindset be for 2026? According to scripture the Lord would have us loving, praying and looking up.
Matt. 5:44web –Jesus commands, “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.”  - You may wonder how do we love such hateful people? Because we know the bigger picture – eternity, and apart from Christ all men are doomed. So, we love knowing they don’t know who they belong to, and we pray that the Lord will remove the blinders.
  Why look up? Because Jesus is coming soon. Titus 2:13web – “We wait for our blessed hope- the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
   And you know, if you are looking for Him, there is even a reward – 2 Tim. 4:8, but I’ll let you look that up for yourself.  As we begin 2026, may we shine as lights in our dark world and love, pray and keep looking up.
 

by J. Smith

Here we are at the end of another year. How did we get here so fast?
This year has been one of transformation for Olivet - having gone through the Deep Dive and applied principles learned, the church is moving forward. We have focused on Reaching, Relating and Raising People to Jesus as is our mission statement. We have people active and pursuing ways of reach their communities for Christ. Our Benevolence has faithful volunteers in serving those in need monthly in Milton. Olivet has grown in attendance with more families with children joining the church and attending. And into the new year, the Pastor Search Committee will be more active in pursuing a new full-time senior pastor. Please continue in prayer for the Lord to lead and guide and push Olivet through the doors He has for us while shutting the doors we don't need to go through.
   Sunday, Dec. 21 was Olivet's Christmas Cantata - Sing We Now of Christmas. The Children's choir also participated with singing some carols in the service in celebration of Christ's first coming.
   Then for Christmas Eve and Christmas day, New Years Eve and New Years Day Olivet will have no services and the church office will be closed in honor of the holidays.
   It brings to mind a song I learned when listing to a Bing Crosby Christmas album, and it's called "Christmas is a Comin'" and I have grown to appreciate it as one of my favorites because it captures the spirit of generosity and blessing as Christ was generous and blessed us when we had nothing to offer Him. One line from the song goes, "Christmas is a comin' and the lights are on the tree. How about a turkey leg for poor ol' me. If you haven't got a turkey leg, a turkey wing will do. If you haven't got a turkey wing, then God bless you." and the chorus goes: "God bless you gentlemen, God bless you. If you haven't got a thing for me, may God bless you."
   And isn't that why we celebrate - at the appointed time, God the Father sent His Son into the world, to be Son of God and Son of Man - available to all. All who had nothing but sin and darkness to offer, and yet, He came to rescue and bless us. Do you and your loved ones know the blessing of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? He came, was born in a barn and then 33 years later died upon a Roman cross to pay for our sins. He rose again the 3rd day victorious - the punishment paid. All He asks of us is repent and believe.
Merry Christmas!

by J.Smith

Autumn has arrived in Milton, Florida. The pumpkin patches are in full swing, and the people are getting lost in corn mazes at the north end of the county. The peanuts are being harvested and soon in November so will the cotton crops.
  At Olivet Baptist another busy month is almost complete. Over the passing days, Olivet has begun its promoting and collecting of shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child. The goal for this year was to fill 50 boxes. So far, a good amount have been returned already. The final return date is Sunday, Nov. 16.
   Also, this month was the Annual Santa Rosa Baptist Associational meeting. This year it was held at Cora Baptist in Jay, Florida. Bro. Chip and his wife, Janet, Ms. Shirley P. and Mr. Kenneth T. attended as messengers representing Olivet.
   October has been a creative month for our ladies too. The new crafting group - Crafting for Jesus - has been meeting every Tuesday (except for the 2nd Tuesday as to not compete with the Ladies Morning Out). The ladies have been at work creating "quilted hugs" which is a quilted shawl for our home bound members, and pillowcase dresses to give away in some of the shoe boxes. Even this upcoming Monday, Oct. 27 the ladies will have another bracelet workshop beginning at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. 
  Another item of interest was the baptism service that took place the last Sunday evening of September at one of our deacon's homes located on a cove on the Blackwater River. There several of our new members were baptized and some very unique photos were captured of the event. One that had people talking the most is this one highlighted here.  It was a favorite because of the sun ray coming down on the folks in the water being baptized giving the impression of how personally involved our Lord is in the lives of His people - and the fact of the matter is, He is.
   I Peter 5:7 ASV - Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He careth for you.
   Psalm 55:22a KJV - Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He will sustain thee.
Both of these verses show the Lord's personal involvement, but also our need to cast our cares. Casting, being as we living in fishing territory, is like casting a net. You release your net - you release your care to Him telling the Lord all that burdens you and why.  His word tells us if no one else seems to care - He Does. The Psalmist even testified that the Lord will sustain. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "Sustain" as to give support or relief to; to supply with nourishment; to keep up, to support the weight of; to buoy up; and etc.
   The God of the universe makes the promise to those who fear Him, He will help. He is willing to be involved, but how often do we truly cast our cares on Him and leave it with Him? He is ready and willing to aid us. He is everyday protecting, directing, providing  and seeing us through in many ways that we take for granted. As we head into the Thanksgiving season, we can be grateful for a compassionate Heavenly Lord who cares for us - individually.

by J. Smith
September has been a month of life changing proportions. Going into it, we never imagined how it would play out. Usually, it is a month full of storm worries and preparations, and yet, this month has been strangely calm by God's mercy and grace - at least weather-wise.
   However, another storm was brewing the second week in September. A spiritual battle storm that would reveal itself before a nation and the world.
    The demise of Mr. Charlie Kirk came abruptly causing shock and heartache to many- especially to those in the Christian community. Mr. Kirk was in the adversary's sight - the adversary who goes about like a roaring lion (I Peter 5:8). Why? One reason was because he was bold for Christ Jesus, and he encouraged others to be as well. Satan cannot stand that.
   Since Mr. Kirk's untimely passing, his faithful witness for his Savior has only been broadcast all the more. And like a young Egyptian statesman told his guilt sick, shepherd brothers - what you meant for evil God meant for good. That statesman was Joseph, Jacob's son. So, as in Joseph's case, it has been seen these past few weeks what was born out of evil and hate only caused the gospel and the life changing effects of Christ in one's life to be all the more proclaimed.
   Even after watching the memorial Sunday, Bro. Chip admitted he's never heard so many political figures proclaim Christ Jesus. And only by being filled with God's Holy Spirit could a grieving widow, Mrs. Kirk, have the strength to speak before myriads of souls and declare Jesus Christ who forgives, and because of His forgiveness, she could forgive the man who assassinated her husband. That was the Lord in His people on display for a viewing world to see.
   Are we living so closely to our Lord Jesus that we think like He wants when the tragedies of life are allowed to strike? (Even in Job we see that satan claimed Job's devotion was merely store bought but bring agony and he would curse and abandon God. God knew the character of Job, and that His man's faith was genuine and would prove satan wrong.)
   The days are short. Evil men will grow worse and worse according to scripture.  Jesus exhorts us to know He is coming soon and let no one detour you and take your crown by wrong teaching or lethargy for Him. (Rev. 3:11)
   Let us repent, believe and live for the Lord who died to save us from an eternity of torment meant for the devil, and may we be found faithful to hear Him say to us, "Well done good and faithful servant...Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matt. 25.23).

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.

The 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.

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.