by J. Smith

A new year has begun.
Winter has officially arrived.
It's a Leap Year, and to top it all off - it's an election year too.

    After the busyness of December, it seems this month has been slower and quieter. (Perhaps that is just my impression.) At Olivet, the doors, I believe, are one of the final additions to the renovated Fellowship Hall, that and a switch for the warmer in the kitchen. Otherwise, it is a project close to completion.

    Be in prayer as it is also the flu bug season, and Sunday mornings have reflected the effects on our congregation with fewer folks in attendance than usual. Also, be in prayer that the Lord will accomplish His plans in this church body for the year.

   This month I have been studying Zechariah.  Zechariah's name means "the Lord remembers." And one of the key verses, to me, has been Zechariah 4:6b kjv, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the LORD of hosts."
    Israel had returned to the land although still under Persian rule. They had begun to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It wasn't elaborate, rich or grand as Solomon's had been, but God was pleased with their efforts. (Zech. 4:10). And in verse 6 God is letting them know that the temple was not going to be completed merely by man's cleverness, capabilities, muscle or will, but by "My Spirit".  The Holy Spirit of God would see it be completed and correct worship would be renewed.
     Now, much like today's world, Israel faced opposition on every side. Nations around them didn't want them to rebuild. Disinformation tactics were used, and discouragement could easily follow. Such methods had already delayed things once (go back and read Ezra and Nehemiah). But with this verse God let them know Zerubbabel, Israel's civic leader, who started the building, would also finish it. However, the ability - the sustaining to completion would rest with God.
    I don't know about you, but when I stop to reflect on that, there is relief. By God's Spirit history is moving in the direction it is because Christ has to come back to reclaim and reign. In the church universal, God is personally involved by directing and disciplining; blessing and building (Rev. 2-3). Then, on the individual level, as long as I have accepted Christ, God's only Son, as my Savior and Lord and am striving to live obediently for Him, the Holy Spirit is accomplishing God's will for my life. It doesn't rest on me but on Him. He remembers the plans He has for me; let me just be obedient.
    So for the year of 2024, may the church of Olivet draw near to God, live obediently and let His Spirit accomplish His desire for this year.

by J. Smith

Merry Christmas!
   This month has been busy at Olivet. The month began with a Michael Wayne Smith Christmas concert. He is a talented musician from Oak Ridge, TN. His music, to me, can be compared with the style of the Gaithers. He sang Christmas carols, some contemporary songs like “Come on Ring those Bells” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas” as well as some of his own works.
    This past Sunday, the Olivet choir sang their Christmas special for the church with a combination of classic Christmas carols ( O Little Town of Bethlehem, What Child is This?, Away in the Manger, etc) accompanied by the pianist and organist. And this upcoming Sunday is Christmas Eve. There is to be no Sunday school and the service will start at 10:30am and be an abbreviated service providing the congregation more time to spend with loved ones. Then the church office will be closed for the next two days in honor of Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
    The Fellowship Hall is almost completed in its renovation project. The walls have been sanded and painted. I think they are looking to do the ceiling, but otherwise it is very close to being finished.
    How quickly this year has passed, and we are days away from Christmas – our celebration of Christ’s first coming. As I look at the figurines of Joseph, Mary and Jesus as a babe, I am in awe and amazement. The all-righteous, almighty God of heaven gave up the glories, pleasantness and sinlessness of heaven to subject Himself to human conditions.
    He who is outside the laws of physics entered it. He who is eternal confined Himself to time. He who is almighty allowed Himself to be made man and that started as a helpless baby.  Is it not magnificent? Is it not wondrous?  All on a rescue mission to save us – sinful mankind from our eternal fate, which apart from Christ, is a nightmare.
    He is gracious, compassionate and good. He suffered at the hands of sinners, those for whom He came to save. He took the sins of all time on Himself – I cannot imagine the agony that must have been to Him. He died as our substitution being our propitiation – full justification before God the Father. He arose, because the grave could not hold a sinless One. He sits at the right hand of the Father and has prepared rooms for us in His Father’s house, like a bridegroom did in the Jewish culture when taking a bride. Now He awaits the nod for His time to come and fetch us - His bride, His rescued ones, the ones who believe in Him as the Savior of the World and Lord God.
    So as the world around us is raging, warring and full of hate and spite, know our Heavenly Bridegroom is eagerly waiting the day when He gets to come and fly us to the Father’s house. And all because of a wondrous night in Bethlehem when a young, godly couple had a son in a barn. May you have a blessed Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Israel and IDF - God's protection and victory over their enemies.
US Military in the Middle East - protection
Awakening of People in US to Christ as their Savior
God's mercy on the USA

by J. Smith
Through the month of October and now November, Olivet's facilities team has been hard at work around the church. The main renovation project - tearing out the termite damage and replacing it in the fellowship hall and kitchen. Paul Wilson, the leader of the facilities' team, has put much time and effort along with Joe West into making sure all be done correctly in tearing out walls, in wiring, and in replacing old walls.
   One new addition was instead of using 2x4 wooden studs to replace the old, he has used the metal 2x4s which won't invite future termite issues. He moved the closet door to face the kitchen making it more accessible for the kitchen workers. In the process, he has also worked to update the look and used sheetrock to replace the former dated wood paneling.  And even some of the cracked or stained vinyl tile was replaced in the kitchen to provide a cleaner appearance.
   The facilities team also updated many of the overhead lights to become cost-efficient LEDs throughout the buildings on property.
  And just like this older building requires upkeep and maintenance, so does our physical "tent" - as the apostle Paul said. "For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life" - 1 Corinthians 5:4 web. The tent meaning our physical body. The aches and pains and need for diets and exercise all are reminders of our maintenance on this earth, but one day we will put off this body of corruption that is growing older, and it will be replaced with incorruption in Jesus our Lord - a new body without sin. "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" 1 Corinthians 15:53 kjv.
   As we head into the Thanksgiving week, that is something I am thankful for.

   The November business meeting…
The Nominating Committee added three ladies to the hospitality team.  Also, The Assistant Treasurer/ IT Financial Secretary will be changed from Jeannette H. to Angela R.. This was made a motion coming from the Nominating Committee and no 2nd required. Motion passed.
Old Business – None
New Business – None
The Church Clerk reported the passing of one member in the last month: Lila Mosely. There were no new members or letter requests.
As no other business was needing the be conducted the business meeting came to a close.

Hanging of the Greens Service - Nov. 26 at 6pm
Michael Wayne Smith's Christmas Concert - Dec. 1 at 6:30pm
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Dec. 7
Deacon Meeting - Dec. 12 at 6pm
Business Meeting - Dec. 13 at 6pm
Food Pantry: Saturday, Dec. 16, 9-11 am  - first come, first served.

Israel and IDF - God's protection over them as they fight against their enemies.
US Military - protection
God's mercy on the US.

by J. Smith
The month of October has been an interesting and historic one on a global scale.
With the nightmarish attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which united their nation and has rallied the CIVILIZED world to Israel’s side, warfare has taken hold. Israel is once again fighting for its right to exist. And, they will continue to exist for God Almighty keeps His promises, and He is not finished with them. It is the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. So, all those who fight against Israel will also be fighting the LORD God whose land it is, and whose people to whom they belong. They may not know their Messiah as Jesus Christ now, but one day soon, I believe, they will. Pray for Israel and that the Lord will save and accomplish His purpose.
In US history, another historic event was the ousting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. At this point it is done and be in prayer for God to place His man in the position as there is as much spiritual warfare taking place in Washington DC as there is in Israel. Like Bro Wendell has been teaching from Ephesians 6 –“We wrestle not  against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor for God, that ye may be able to stand in the evil day and having done ALL to STAND. (Ephesians 6:12-13 KJV.)
And one ploy of satan’s camp is divisiveness – you see it everywhere today. Divisiveness has been used against our nation since its inception, but there were godly men and women seeking God and standing against evil that right prevailed even if evil still lurked in corners. However, in today’s world I wonder if right will still prevail? This is why as a people of God we need to be interceding for our nation, our leaders: Federal, State and Local.
The last thing about October at Olivet is our Tract Challenge. On Halloween, Oct. 31, the world comes knocking at your door for Tricks or Treats. Here at Olivet we encourage you to be ready with kid friendly tracts that give the BEST treat in the world – the good news of Jesus and how to spend eternity with him and escape the horrors of hell and the Lake of Fire. So, don’t just have candy which is only a temporary treat, give a treat the lasts long after the sugar highs have crashed – give them Jesus.

The October business meeting had the Deacons making the motion to keep evening services from changing back to 5pm when daylight savings ended. (In other words, to keep the evening services at 6pm year round.) As this was presented by the Deacon body, no second was needed and the motion passed.
No Old Business was presented.
No New Business was presented.
The church clerk had nothing to report.
As no other business was to be conducted the business meeting came to a close.

FOOD PANTRY : Nov. 18 - 9-11 Am - first come first served
DEACON MEETING: Nov. 14 at 6pm
BUSINESS MEETING: Nov. 15 at 6pm
November 11 - Veterans' Day - Thank You for Serving!
November 22-23 - Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
November 16 - Olivet will have it's first Hanging of the Green service at 6pm.

by J. Smith

Here we are at the end of another month. September has gone by just as quickly as the rest of the year, has it not?

However, after surviving the oppressively hot months of July and August, I think fall is beginning to arrive, if this morning is any proof - it was in the 60s - a blessed relief.  I was able to drive to Bagdad Mill Park yesterday and then walk from my car to the dock without even perspiring.

Having once lived on the Blackwater, I miss the sense of the wilderness at my back door. When I was out along the water with the open expanse of sky above and water lapping the shore, I could feel less hurried and found it easier to be still and talk with my Heavenly Father. This past Monday, I was able, for a few minutes, to do so again, and the Lord greeted me with a cheerful northerly breeze in the afternoon sunshine.

Since moving off the river, I find it more difficult to have that space to be alone and still as the phones chirping or family ties can demand attention. I am not complaining, but I am mindful of priorities.

For me, I find it a necessity to start my days with my Lord. I prefer before the house is up and running, and before I'm off to the races of work or getting chores and errands done, I need to speak to Him. I need to slow down enough to meditate on what He wants to show me from His word.

Slowing down my thought process takes some effort as we live in a world that believes in instant gratification and short-term attention spans. (I mean, why else do commercials change their images every 2 seconds?) But in slowing down to listen to the Holy Spirit's instruction, I can have peace. Peace that I am in the family of God. Peace, that I am confessed and rightly relating to my Lord. Peace, that the God of the Universe condescends to me and wants to show me His heart, His doings, His workings and even when I'm distressed , His tenderness and encouragement.

What a privilege, is it not?

The September business meeting held on Sept. 13, 2023, after the monthly reports were given,  had no old business and no new business to conduct. The church clerk announced that a member requested to transfer their letter to a sister church. Olivet voted and the letter was granted. With no other business needing to be addressed, the business meeting came to a close.

Food Pantry - October 28 from 9-11am - first come first served.

Deacon Meeting - October 10 at 6pm. The Deacons gather to pray over the church members.

Business Meeting - October 11 at 6pm

The Tract Challenge - Oct 31 known to the world as Halloween. Do you have Tracts to give the gospel to the trick or treaters coming to knock on your door? Check with LivingWaters.com  they have a wide variety of tracts for any occasion.