WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.160 Well, hello and welcome to Ontario Community Church's Sermon Podcast. 00:00:04.860 --> 00:00:10.460 ! Today you're going to hear highlights from our 80th anniversary, stories of God's faithfulness, 00:00:10.460 --> 00:00:16.740 ! a vision for the next generation, and a short word pointing us to the hope in Christ. Let 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:19.740 us start where God began this work among us. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:26.620 All right, turn the cats, turn the cats, we've got to stay on time here. I know, it's so nice 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:32.539 to see everybody. You can chat downstairs. Okay, there's a couple of announcements that 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:40.560 I wanted to make prior to the rest of our service. This day has been in the planning for months, 00:00:41.179 --> 00:00:44.980 and there's just some people that I wanted to thank. This was definitely a team and a 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:52.159 group effort. So, Nora, Nora, where's Nora, and Diana Yano, and myself, we kind of were 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:58.939 the, we were the volunteered group to lead up the celebration, but there were so many 00:00:58.939 --> 00:01:04.280 people that had their hands in today's work. So, I just want to draw their attention. Just 00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:11.620 special thanks to Amber Daly, Chris Van Liff, Lita Gressley, Benny Carter, Jose and Liliana 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:19.679 Delgado, Mark Iceri, Katie and Hadley Grover, and Kathy Ida for all of the help in setting up, 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:24.880 and wait until you go downstairs if you haven't. It is beautiful. So, thanks to all those folks 00:01:24.880 --> 00:01:31.440 who really had a part in making the celebration just truly what it is today. And for all of our 00:01:31.440 --> 00:01:41.860 staff, thank you. Let's give a round of applause. So, I'm looking outside, and Bill, is it, did it 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:49.519 stop raining? Okay, so the plan is right after service, we are going to go outside and take 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:54.859 our photo. So, I'm here in front of the church. And so, we'll do that quickly, and then we'll 00:01:54.859 --> 00:02:01.200 come back inside, and we'll have our lunch program. So, hopefully the rain will keep away, and we'll 00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:07.560 be able to get the photo. We'll also say grace before we leave this sanctuary, so we can go 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:14.759 ahead and get in line and start the meal downstairs. And again, we just want to thank you all for 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:20.960 coming. So, now we're going to just really kind of calm our hearts and our minds, and gather 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:27.759 our thoughts, and come together in some prayer. Just a nice time for us to reflect. So, if you 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:37.120 could all join me in bowing your heads. Dear Lord, thank you for this day and the opportunity 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:43.099 to gather at this place of worship to enjoy fellowship and praise for our life eternal. 00:02:43.959 --> 00:02:51.639 We are here today to celebrate a huge milestone for our church, acknowledging and praising you 00:02:51.639 --> 00:03:01.000 for 80 years of blessings. Our church footprint, its congregation, identity, and mission has 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:08.079 evolved and changed over time. Today, Ontario Community Church is a growing fellowship of 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:16.119 believers, friends, and families who represent our diverse community and who honor and praise 00:03:16.120 --> 00:03:26.120 our Lord and Savior. We've come a long way, and our rich history and past continues to mold 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:34.620 and shape our future. We honor and recognize all our past ministers, board members, volunteers, 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:44.319 staff, and friends who have considered this special place and call it their home. From our first 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:52.879 church bazaar to all the countless gatherings and events, happy and sad, this place, our church, 00:03:53.519 --> 00:04:01.639 has been an important piece of the fabric of our community. We lift up all praises for God for this 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:08.639 special day. Father, please continue to watch over our community, those who are struggling with 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:17.719 medical, mental, and financial needs. Bestow wisdom, character, and compassion on our local and national 00:04:17.719 --> 00:04:25.199 leaders. Bestow serving in our armed forces, our first responders, and all those who work in our hospitals 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:31.039 and medical facilities, and all those who take care of our underserved populations. 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:54.920 Thank you for watching over Ontario community, our church family, Pastor Patrick, Amber, and their family, our board, staff, and volunteers. Be with those who couldn't be with us here today. Heal those who are sick and hurt, and those in need of encouragement, strength, and faithfulness. 00:04:54.920 --> 00:05:05.640 Please help us to remain faithful and hopeful in a world full of difficulty and challenge. 00:05:07.200 --> 00:05:17.460 Thank you for bringing us here today. Let us honor, celebrate, and give thanks for Ontario Community Church and 80 years of blessings. 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:24.039 We ask all this in the name of our Lord, who taught us to pray and sing. Our Father. 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:33.139 Lord, Lord, and heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy glory be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:41.779 Give us this day our daily bread, and give us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 00:05:41.779 --> 00:05:44.199 and lead us now into temptation, 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:46.359 but deliver us from evil. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:48.119 For thine is the kingdom, 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:49.439 and the power, 00:05:49.859 --> 00:05:51.199 and the glory of your forever. 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:52.079 Amen. 00:05:52.919 --> 00:05:53.699 Thank you. 00:05:54.219 --> 00:05:57.759 And now I'd like to call on our board chair, Craig Yano. 00:05:58.419 --> 00:06:00.139 And as he is coming forward, 00:06:00.659 --> 00:06:01.619 you know, many of you, 00:06:01.719 --> 00:06:03.279 you all know who's on the board. 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:06.159 I'd like all the board members to please stand. 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:07.599 Board members. 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:13.779 Thank you. 00:06:16.779 --> 00:06:17.779 I'm Cicero, 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:18.439 Ralf Kro, 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:20.419 Patty Faw, 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:21.339 Kathy, 00:06:22.119 --> 00:06:22.739 myself, 00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:25.759 and Aaron Reins, 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.379 who's not here. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:27.899 So, thank you, Kathy. 00:06:30.799 --> 00:06:32.599 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:34.299 Thank you for joining us today. 00:06:35.359 --> 00:06:36.839 What a joy and blessing it is 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:38.899 to be standing here before you 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:41.259 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of our church. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:43.939 and I have to warn you, 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:45.000 I'm not a public speaker. 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:45.639 I'm a farmer. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:48.360 I spend more time with my dog than people. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:52.139 And then they said, 00:06:52.219 --> 00:06:54.379 you got 10 minutes to cover 80 years. 00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:56.039 So, here we go. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:00.060 I'd like to thank Kathy for, 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:01.139 for, 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:05.159 she was kind of the front person 00:07:05.159 --> 00:07:08.120 in organizing a lot of the celebrations. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:09.160 She did a lot of work 00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:11.639 and she's a great facilitator. 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:12.000 So, 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:13.939 I think she deserves a round of applause. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:21.840 Before we get going, 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:24.379 I'd like to introduce a few more people. 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:26.259 I'd like to introduce our paid staff 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:27.060 on our church, 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:28.019 at our church here. 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:29.859 and it's headed by Pastor Patrick Daly, 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:30.839 if you can mind standing. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:31.899 And his wife, 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:32.539 Amber Daly, 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:34.019 who is head of our 00:07:34.019 --> 00:07:34.919 chair of the ministry. 00:07:37.479 --> 00:07:37.879 Also, 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:38.839 Nora Dean. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:40.639 She don't call her. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:41.279 She is fast. 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.240 Nora Dean is our 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:44.299 church secretary 00:07:44.299 --> 00:07:45.479 and she makes sure 00:07:45.479 --> 00:07:46.879 that the church is running well. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:47.240 So, 00:07:47.799 --> 00:07:49.259 thank you. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:49.920 And, 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:52.819 in addition, 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:54.779 even in this little church, 00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:57.099 it takes a ton of volunteers 00:07:57.099 --> 00:07:59.339 to run this church. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:00.519 And, 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:02.139 there are just way too many 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.159 for me to mention. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:03.519 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:05.279 I just want you to know 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:07.579 that you're greatly appreciated 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:08.519 everything you do 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:09.240 for this church. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:09.879 Whether it's 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:11.699 taking care of the audio video 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:14.519 or doing the worship music 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:16.180 or taking care of the, 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:18.360 the events downstairs 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:19.340 or Sunday school. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:20.040 There's just 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:21.560 volunteers everywhere 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:22.520 and that's the only way 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:23.639 that this church can function. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:24.660 And, 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:25.639 I know that the board 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:25.920 and, 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:26.960 and I do, 00:08:27.080 --> 00:08:27.220 I, 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.520 I greatly appreciate 00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:29.920 the work that you put in. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.139 So, 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:30.720 thank you. 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:33.600 Yay. 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:41.100 Also in attendance today 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:41.700 is, 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:42.180 um, 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:43.379 our former pastor, 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:44.039 Tom Greco 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:44.820 and his wife, 00:08:45.060 --> 00:08:45.240 uh, 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:45.399 Gid. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:46.200 Would you please stand? 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:47.820 Thank you. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:49.360 Thank you. 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.180 Pastor Tom and Gail 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:53.080 put their retirement 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:53.659 on hold 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.560 in order to serve 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:56.080 as our 14th 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.039 pastor in the church. 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:58.220 He provided, 00:08:58.220 --> 00:08:58.519 uh, 00:08:58.519 --> 00:08:59.240 critical leadership, 00:08:59.240 --> 00:08:59.899 uh, 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:00.720 during the pandemic. 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:01.680 And, 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:02.659 I know that it was all 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:03.659 part of God's plan 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:05.000 for bringing him here. 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:05.700 Uh, 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:06.779 thank you for your 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:07.740 attendance today. 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:09.100 Thank you for your 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:10.180 selflessness 00:09:10.180 --> 00:09:11.120 and your, 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:11.500 uh, 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:12.259 faithful service. 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:12.879 Thank you. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:13.379 Um, 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:15.059 over the course 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:16.059 of 80 years, 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:17.019 um, 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:17.659 we've had 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:19.019 15 pastors. 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:21.139 Each of these pastors 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:21.939 have brought their own 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:22.320 gifts, 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:23.500 um, 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:24.259 their own vision, 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:25.620 their own love 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:26.500 for the congregation. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:29.419 And we're grateful 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:30.399 for each of them 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:31.159 for their leadership, 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:32.240 um, 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.000 their faithfulness, 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:33.759 and their legacy 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.879 they left in our hearts 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:35.940 and in our church. 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:38.200 The last group 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:39.259 that I'd like to 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:40.139 recognize, 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:41.419 um, 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:41.840 is there, 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:42.679 there are a few, 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.440 uh, 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:44.480 Nisei generation, 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:45.179 uh, 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:46.379 Japanese Americans 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:46.720 here. 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:47.820 Nisei means 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:49.220 second generation. 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:50.420 So, 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:51.480 they are the, 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.480 um, 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:54.139 second generation 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.100 Japanese Americans 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:56.240 and between them 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.000 and the Nisei, 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:57.820 they were the first 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:58.320 generation. 00:09:59.180 --> 00:10:00.440 They were the foundation 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:01.279 of our church. 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:02.940 And there's a few 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:03.580 of you here 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.220 and if you wouldn't 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:05.300 mind standing for me, 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:05.899 uh, 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:06.820 my aunt, 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:07.220 T.I. 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:07.620 Kido. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:08.960 Um, 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:09.940 I see George 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:10.940 and Dorothy Ita. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:13.019 Margaret Morita. 00:10:14.560 --> 00:10:16.160 And David Sherry 00:10:16.160 --> 00:10:16.620 and I. 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:19.560 Junior Asinda. 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:21.279 You might stand 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:21.799 for your best 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:22.279 thanks to me. 00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:28.320 Thank you all 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:29.179 for your time 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:29.620 and talents 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:30.060 and support 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:30.620 of this church 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.940 over the years. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.080 You've made 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:34.039 that church meaningful 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:35.100 and what it is today. 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:39.159 We'll be playing, 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:40.500 we'll be playing 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.419 a video shortly 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:42.279 with many pictures 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:42.820 and, 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:43.419 um, 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.100 of the past 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:44.600 and present, 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:46.060 but I'd like 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:46.439 to go over 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:47.599 a few milestones 00:10:47.599 --> 00:10:48.199 in history. 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:50.419 We were established 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:50.899 in, 00:10:51.339 --> 00:10:52.379 on Easter Sunday, 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:53.619 April 1st, 00:10:54.119 --> 00:10:54.879 1945, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:56.819 as Boise Valley 00:10:56.819 --> 00:10:57.659 Community Methodist 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:57.979 Church. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:10:59.559 At the end 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:00.479 of the Second World War, 00:11:00.599 --> 00:11:01.419 Japanese Americans 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:02.179 were released 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.339 from internment camps 00:11:03.339 --> 00:11:04.519 and many of them 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:05.359 settled in the valley 00:11:05.359 --> 00:11:06.399 here to, 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:06.819 um, 00:11:06.819 --> 00:11:07.579 work in the fields. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.779 Among them 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.919 were our founding members 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:12.399 who had the foresight, 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:13.679 the faith, 00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:15.539 and the fortitude 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.599 to plant the seeds 00:11:16.599 --> 00:11:17.379 of this church. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.699 We were one of the main 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:22.000 Japanese American 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.079 Christian churches 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:23.839 in the valley. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:27.879 In 1946, 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:29.419 construction started 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.419 on this church 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:32.659 with a dedication 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.360 a year later 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.219 in 1947. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:35.779 And parts of the 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:36.500 original church 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.639 are still here, 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.319 including this 00:11:38.319 --> 00:11:39.059 beautiful stained 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:40.500 glass window. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:43.220 A parsonage 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:43.679 was built 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:44.460 a year later 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:46.199 adjacent to the church. 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:47.860 And, 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:48.399 um, 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.039 the cost 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:49.720 for both of those 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:52.519 was $33,706. 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:55.759 About $400,000 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.620 in today's dollars. 00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:58.699 And to help 00:11:58.699 --> 00:12:00.179 pay for that mortgage, 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:00.799 the church 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:01.439 established 00:12:01.439 --> 00:12:02.939 what they call 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:03.779 the Lord's Acres. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:05.000 and, 00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:05.879 um, 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.039 this was a local 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:08.039 field of sugar beets. 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.279 And, 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:11.259 it was tended to, 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:12.240 uh, 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:12.480 church, 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:13.299 it was tended to 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:14.120 by church members 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.079 growing for the church. 00:12:15.839 --> 00:12:16.199 Um, 00:12:16.199 --> 00:12:16.819 many of the inputs 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:17.179 were all, 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:17.740 um, 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.360 were donated. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.319 And that, 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:19.860 that went on 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.579 for two years 00:12:20.579 --> 00:12:21.439 and that, 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.079 um, 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.000 project netted 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:26.579 $4,728.49. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.699 That's how precise 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:28.120 they were. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:31.079 And that helped 00:12:31.079 --> 00:12:31.419 them pay 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:31.779 them more 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.179 to drop 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:32.959 than four years. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:36.080 in 1947, 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:37.139 as Kathy, 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:37.560 remember, 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.480 mentioned, 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:38.900 we, 00:12:38.900 --> 00:12:40.080 we held 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:40.660 our first, 00:12:40.660 --> 00:12:41.139 um, 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.660 bazaar 00:12:41.660 --> 00:12:42.040 and, 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:42.700 um, 00:12:43.400 --> 00:12:44.019 and we still 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:45.220 hold it today. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:45.720 To the best 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.400 of my knowledge, 00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:48.040 it's been held 00:12:48.040 --> 00:12:48.660 every year 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.580 with the exception 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:50.400 of 2020 00:12:50.400 --> 00:12:51.120 and 2021 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.120 during the pandemic. 00:12:53.800 --> 00:12:54.600 In addition 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.240 to fundraising, 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:55.940 um, 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:56.700 we are using 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.580 this event 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.139 to reach out 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:58.800 to our community 00:12:58.800 --> 00:12:59.920 and share 00:12:59.920 --> 00:13:00.600 God's love. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:01.680 Approximately 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:02.259 20% 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.139 of the proceeds 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:04.279 are donated 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:05.139 back into 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:05.639 our local 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.120 community 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:07.319 for local 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:07.740 missions. 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:11.500 In 1966, 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:12.899 the church 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:13.340 went through 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:13.879 a remodel 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.299 and the changes 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.039 reflected the 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:16.819 generational growth 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.620 of our congregation, 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.639 mainly the third 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.200 generation, 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:19.740 the Sanse. 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.740 They added space 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.539 for classrooms, 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.980 for worship, 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:24.779 and for fellowship. 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.439 It was completed 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.139 a year later 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.159 at a cost 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.220 of about $80,000 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:31.179 and that debt 00:13:31.179 --> 00:13:31.779 was paid 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.620 by the end 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:33.519 of 1969, 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:34.580 three years 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.620 ahead of the plan. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:39.620 The next 44 years, 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.039 we were faithful 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:41.620 and supportive 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.919 members of the 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.899 Methodist denomination, 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:46.519 but in 2010, 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:47.720 we took a significant 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:48.460 step of faith 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.000 by choosing 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.080 to separate from them. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:52.420 this was by far 00:13:52.420 --> 00:13:53.740 one of the most 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:55.160 difficult decisions 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:56.080 I've been a part of. 00:13:56.080 --> 00:14:04.139 Our primary goal 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:04.980 was to preserve 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.460 the unity 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.460 of our congregation. 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:10.240 And amongst the board 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.120 and the congregation, 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:13.180 there was much 00:14:13.180 --> 00:14:14.520 prayer and discernment, 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.080 but we decided 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.639 to separate ties. 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.800 And when that happened, 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.120 the Methodist 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.640 denomination 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.500 wanted all of our 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:26.799 assets, 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.960 and we said no, 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:29.299 and they didn't 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:29.799 like that. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.600 And so they sued us. 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.539 And after a brief 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:34.220 legal vow, 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.860 we were required 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.480 to buy back 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.080 our church. 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.939 And the total 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:42.039 due was $358,000, 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.139 of which the church 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.639 had $205,000. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.299 And we needed 00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:49.379 $150,000 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.399 in six weeks. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.939 And we were able 00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:52.620 to raise that 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.840 with God's help. 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.720 And we were able 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:55.179 to buy back 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.739 our church. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.679 And since then, 00:14:57.839 --> 00:14:59.199 we've been 00:14:59.199 --> 00:14:59.939 a non-denominational 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:00.439 church. 00:15:02.239 --> 00:15:03.459 In 2014, 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:04.559 we remodeled 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.179 once again. 00:15:05.979 --> 00:15:07.120 And this time, 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:07.819 the major change 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.359 was adding 00:15:08.359 --> 00:15:10.120 the elevator 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:11.639 and handicapped 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.439 restrooms. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:14.300 and the church 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:14.620 was built on 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:14.760 the church. 00:15:14.760 --> 00:15:14.860 And I know 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.320 that sounds 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:16.500 small to some, 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.700 but we were 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.120 committed to 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:18.880 providing a place 00:15:18.880 --> 00:15:19.280 of worship 00:15:19.280 --> 00:15:20.060 that was accessible 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:20.620 to all. 00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:23.000 The original church 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.860 was built on three 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.120 levels with no 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.160 wheelchair access. 00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:28.260 And the capital 00:15:28.260 --> 00:15:29.360 fundraising campaign 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:29.980 was started in 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.760 2014, 00:15:31.380 --> 00:15:32.300 construction started 00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:33.280 in 2015, 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:33.480 2015, 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.220 and the project 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:35.839 was completed 00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:36.559 and dedicated 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.139 in February 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.299 of 2016. 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.620 Total project 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:44.179 cost was $797,000 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:46.100 and was completely 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:46.819 paid for 00:15:46.819 --> 00:15:48.379 by 2017. 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:58.580 I highlight 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.399 these events 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.299 just to show 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:01.879 the resilience 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.879 and faithfulness 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.399 of past 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:03.960 and present 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.659 church members. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.299 But mostly, 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.299 they are examples 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.500 of God's 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.159 never-ending 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:11.299 and everlasting 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:11.820 love. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.000 Through every 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.039 hardship of time 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.740 and uncertainty, 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.039 or time of 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.480 uncertainty, 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.080 God has 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.020 always provided 00:16:19.020 --> 00:16:19.560 for us. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.000 And today, 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.100 as we look back, 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.120 we honor the 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.940 elders who came 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.520 before us. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.100 We remember 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.980 their sacrifices, 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.180 their sadcastness, 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.139 and their 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.139 unwavering belief 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:31.780 that God was 00:16:31.780 --> 00:16:32.240 with them, 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.720 even in the 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.259 most difficult 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:35.759 times. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.960 80 years ago, 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:38.580 we started out 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.120 as a church 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.840 of singular 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.480 ethnicity, 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:41.720 and today, 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.360 we represent 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:42.720 many. 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.600 Another sign 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.100 of God's 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.840 wonderful plan. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:47.840 God's 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.860 love. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.519 And I saw 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.740 a quote in 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.180 some of the 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:52.840 documents of 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.500 a church leader 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.519 way back in 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.840 the 1940s, 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:56.860 and it simply 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.220 read, 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:59.160 the future of 00:16:59.160 --> 00:17:00.580 the church is 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.240 not easy to 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.620 predict. 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:03.560 And that simple 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.299 statement still 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.200 holds true today, 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.079 especially as we 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.600 look forward, 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.279 knowing the many 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.220 challenges that 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.000 we face in our 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.360 modern times. 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:13.379 God has been 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:13.979 with this church 00:17:13.979 --> 00:17:14.619 from the beginning, 00:17:15.199 --> 00:17:15.899 and I'm positive 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:16.639 he'll be with us 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:17.199 in the future. 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.979 On a personal 00:17:19.979 --> 00:17:20.859 note, in 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.379 preparing for 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:21.899 this day, 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:22.819 I looked over 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:24.919 many documents 00:17:24.919 --> 00:17:25.559 and photos, 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.659 and it became 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:29.299 evident very 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.579 quickly that 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:32.159 through this 00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:33.979 church, God 00:17:33.979 --> 00:17:34.419 has touched 00:17:34.419 --> 00:17:34.959 the lives of 00:17:34.959 --> 00:17:35.519 many people. 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:38.139 There are 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:38.759 hundreds and 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.199 hundreds of 00:17:39.199 --> 00:17:40.019 people who 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.759 have served 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.559 this church 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.559 or been 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.139 served by 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:43.799 this church. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.279 It's 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:46.759 overwhelming 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.119 when you 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.500 think about 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:47.680 it. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.379 More importantly, 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:50.920 God has 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.639 provided 80 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:52.019 years of 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.400 blessings, 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:53.799 his steadfast 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.200 love is 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.660 overwhelming, 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.359 and I know 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:56.879 the story of 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:57.440 this church 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.619 is still being 00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:58.900 written, 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:01.480 and I'm 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.019 truly honored 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.319 to be a 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:03.900 small part of 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.039 it. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.740 Thank you for 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.420 attending today. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.660 I hope you 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.819 enjoy the rest 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.079 of our 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.559 celebrations. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.759 Thank you. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.480 Wow. 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.019 That was 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.559 amazing. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.500 Looking back 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.079 at all those 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:28.440 pictures, 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:33.500 truly 80 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:33.879 years of 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.200 blessings. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.200 amazing. 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.500 I just 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.000 wanted to 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.620 shout out 00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:36.960 to, 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.559 special 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.080 thanks to 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:38.819 Diana and 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:40.180 Craig and 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.980 Pastor for 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.759 helping put 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.279 together that 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.360 amazing video. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.680 Imagine all 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.580 the pictures and 00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.539 all the videos 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.500 that went into 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.680 trying to put 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.279 that all and 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:50.880 condensing it 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:51.180 together. 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.019 Thank you so 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.299 much. 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:52.940 What a beautiful 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.500 reflection. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.240 thank you. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.940 Chris Van 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.380 Leap put 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.200 together some 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:04.140 of our old 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:05.339 photo albums and 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.180 some different 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.859 things from our 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.819 past, and it's 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.720 right down as 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.339 you go down to 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:10.740 the steps. 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.799 So please, 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.079 I already checked 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:13.819 it out and looked 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.640 at some of the, 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.940 gosh, when I was 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.619 in middle school and 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.359 high school, and we 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:17.759 had church 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.660 conferences, and so 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.299 lots of great 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:20.599 memories. 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.839 So please, Chris, 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.459 thanks for doing 00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:22.740 that. 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:23.959 So please go down 00:19:23.959 --> 00:19:24.719 and look at all 00:19:24.719 --> 00:19:26.119 of those photo 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:27.000 albums and some 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.159 of our memories. 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:30.039 The sun is 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.719 shining. 00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:31.639 Praise God. 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.719 And so when we 00:19:32.719 --> 00:19:33.299 finish the 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.159 conclusion of the 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:34.799 service, we are 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.579 going to go outside 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.139 and take our 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.439 photo. 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:38.599 Also just a short 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.019 reminder that we 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.759 have a freewill 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.419 offering box just 00:19:42.419 --> 00:19:43.779 right as you are 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.480 going through the 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:44.759 meal. 00:19:45.439 --> 00:19:46.419 So if you want 00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:48.559 to donate and 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.459 help us with the 00:19:49.459 --> 00:19:50.299 meal today, that 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.579 would be 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.339 much appreciated. 00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:52.299 And now I'm 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:52.759 going to turn the 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.480 time over to 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.339 Pastor Patrick, 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.079 and we'll start 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.460 with Amber. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.559 All right. 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:00.859 So churches, we 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:02.099 celebrate 80 years 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.960 of faithfulness. 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:03.960 I'm excited to 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.879 share what God is 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:06.339 calling us in our 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:06.980 families and 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:08.059 children's ministry. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.359 And I say for the 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.119 next 20 years, 00:20:10.199 --> 00:20:11.419 because this church 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:13.419 will be here for 00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:15.460 its 100th celebration 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.579 in just 20 years. 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:18.460 So we're just, 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.939 we're dreaming and 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.740 calling on God and 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:23.480 asking him to just 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.620 prepare our hearts. 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:27.580 And as Craig had 00:20:27.580 --> 00:20:28.940 noted, we don't know 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.160 what the future does 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:30.680 look like. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.480 We don't know. 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.180 But we can faithfully 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:35.400 pray and see what is 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:36.120 going on in our 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:37.160 community and who the 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.700 people are in our 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.360 community, who the 00:20:39.360 --> 00:20:41.279 children and the next 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.140 generation of people 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.380 are and what they 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:43.720 need. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:46.220 And so with that, a 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:48.299 vision for our family 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.299 and children's 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:51.160 ministry is to have a 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.779 generation rooted in 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.200 Christ. 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.779 We envision children 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:56.120 growing up to know 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:57.319 Jesus, not just on 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.799 Sundays, but at home, 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.500 at schools, and in 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.100 their neighborhoods. 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.559 And our goal is that 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:05.620 every child at OCC has 00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:07.039 a personal connection 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.940 with one of you in 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:09.680 this service. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.940 And that is going to 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.759 be so important to 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:15.620 passing on our past, 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.299 our present, and 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.360 building for our 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:18.799 future. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.279 In today's world, 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.759 sometimes people turn 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.900 a blind eye to things. 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.400 They don't know the 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:25.700 past. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.420 So I think it's been 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:28.580 beautiful to learn the 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:30.240 history of this church 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:32.200 and to learn where we've 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.720 come from so that we 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:36.440 don't make mistakes that 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.000 have happened. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.380 Sometimes we are. 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.580 We're going to have 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.480 that happen as well, 00:21:40.540 --> 00:21:41.520 but we can pull upon 00:21:41.520 --> 00:21:42.320 the wisdom and 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:43.040 knowledge of those 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.780 before us. 00:21:44.260 --> 00:21:45.600 So we would really 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:46.840 like to see that as 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:48.880 something going forward, 00:21:49.060 --> 00:21:49.920 a part of the 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.300 children's and families 00:21:51.300 --> 00:21:52.680 ministry is to connect 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:55.040 one child with one 00:21:55.040 --> 00:21:56.480 person in the church. 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.040 And you guys can write 00:21:58.040 --> 00:21:58.540 letters. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.860 You guys can share 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:00.520 stories. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.860 I know Miss Mary, 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.820 she's always there with 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:05.180 my kiddos, and my 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.640 kids just love that. 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.600 They talk about Miss 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:07.900 Mary. 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.780 Playing marbles all the 00:22:09.780 --> 00:22:10.780 time, and that 00:22:10.780 --> 00:22:11.920 connection that they 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.260 have with another 00:22:13.260 --> 00:22:14.540 person in a completely 00:22:14.540 --> 00:22:15.420 different generation. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.400 And I think of all the 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.640 wisdom she will pour 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:20.440 into my kids throughout 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.320 their lifetime. 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.600 So just keep thinking 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:23.040 about that. 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:24.020 Maybe there's a kid in 00:22:24.020 --> 00:22:25.500 our church right now 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.200 that you just connect 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.140 with for some reason. 00:22:28.260 --> 00:22:29.240 They remind you of you, 00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:30.760 or they're so opposite of 00:22:30.760 --> 00:22:32.320 you that you're intrigued, 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.580 and you just want to 00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.800 share a story with them. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:37.559 You bring a coloring page 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.399 or something, you know? 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:40.079 Just having that personal 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.819 connection with the 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:43.119 children of our church, 00:22:43.159 --> 00:22:44.220 because our children are 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.019 going to need that 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.680 building block. 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.200 Many of you sitting here 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:49.200 were children in this 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:49.659 church. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.839 And that's a beautiful 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.180 thing that you guys were 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.599 raised up in such a way 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:56.379 that built what we have 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.740 today. 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:59.380 And our second piece of it 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:00.839 is that multi-generational 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.740 discipleship. 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:04.299 So families are important 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.759 to discipleship. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.200 Families are critical. 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.620 And today we don't see 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:10.420 many complete families, 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.500 and that's okay. 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:13.079 We would love for there 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:14.440 to be complete families, 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:16.180 but we have to go with 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.180 what we have to give them, 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.559 the tools and the skills. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:21.500 So we do that by partnering 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.640 with Building Healthy 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.099 Families. 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:25.959 We have dad cafes and, 00:23:26.179 --> 00:23:28.139 excuse me, parent cafes. 00:23:28.699 --> 00:23:30.559 And we do, now we're going 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.379 to be doing our second 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:32.480 annual Strengthening 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.419 Families class. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.879 And this gives parents 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.899 practical tools. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.699 It gives the kids 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:39.099 practical tools of how to 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.379 live with each other. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.699 Don't you wish you had 00:23:41.699 --> 00:23:43.759 like a playbook to how to 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:45.159 talk to your mom or your 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:46.399 dad when you were little? 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:48.279 And so it's just creating 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.179 this relationship. 00:23:49.699 --> 00:23:51.679 So we really are leaning 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.699 into that ministry. 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:54.679 That we're able to partner 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:58.179 with them and just be that 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:58.699 presence. 00:23:58.899 --> 00:24:00.519 It's held here in our church. 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:02.459 And while it's not a 00:24:02.459 --> 00:24:04.399 Christian program, we get 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:06.259 to pour into them and pour 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.399 our stories and our wisdom 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.019 into them. 00:24:08.459 --> 00:24:09.740 And so I think it's just a 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:11.259 wonderful thing that we are 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.819 doing and we'd like to 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.759 continue doing. 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:16.119 We want to connect 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:17.339 grandparents, parents, and 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.259 children, as I noted. 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:22.200 number three, a place where 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.660 every child belongs. 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:25.700 And this is something that 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:27.720 in the last year has really 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.840 been on my heart. 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:31.200 Seeing children walk into 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:35.360 our church that have needs. 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.720 They have a special way they 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.480 like to learn. 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:40.540 They have special interests. 00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.620 And so we really are, we're 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:44.100 working on creating sensory 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:45.420 spaces for them. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:47.120 Our partner, Building Healthy 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:49.600 Families, gave us a kit to help 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:52.279 kids with sensory processing 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:54.819 things and just helping them. 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:56.199 So we really want to be a 00:24:56.199 --> 00:24:57.819 place where people are 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:59.159 welcomed, our children are 00:24:59.159 --> 00:25:01.759 welcomed, and they are loved. 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.980 And they know that they're 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.299 loved. 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:05.379 That's so important to us. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.839 Give them the tools that they 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.179 need. 00:25:07.959 --> 00:25:09.740 For preparing the next 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:13.139 generation, we are not just 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:15.799 raising children to attend 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.219 church. 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:18.579 We're raising children who 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:20.399 have a heart for Jesus. 00:25:21.199 --> 00:25:23.179 Who they want to help their 00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.599 community. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:26.220 I look out and I see critical 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:28.159 people in our community. 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.480 Whether that be at the 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.579 community college. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.960 Whether that be at the 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.859 cultural center. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:36.419 May that be in the chamber of 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.679 commerce for Fruitland or 00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:38.159 Ontario. 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:40.539 There are movers and shakers in 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.539 our congregation. 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:44.980 And that is one piece. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.799 If you can just give them that 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:48.680 wisdom and that heart for 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:51.180 serving their community, it 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:53.220 will make such a big 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.059 difference. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.079 And so we pray for the 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.440 children and families that 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.680 come into our church. 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:01.779 We want to have a mentorship 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.500 program. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:05.079 And Lord willing, we're able 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.440 to connect in the schools, get 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:08.440 some youth programs going. 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:10.180 For some of them right now, 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.619 we've got a slew of littles. 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.579 And that's okay. 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:15.059 But we want to connect with 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.279 our youth as well. 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:18.319 As we go to the next 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:20.000 generation of godly leaders. 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:22.960 And I just want to invite you 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.879 guys to participate. 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:26.639 I know it can be scary with a 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.740 bunch of little toddlers 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.759 crawling and hugging you and 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.619 holding on you. 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:31.819 And they just want to love on 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.039 you. 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.980 But they just have the 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.659 sweetest hearts. 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.779 And they want to know and 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.379 love Jesus. 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.460 They talk about Jesus all the 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.859 time. 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:40.599 And it's such a beautiful 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:40.919 thing. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.139 And I know that will touch 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:42.740 your heart. 00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:45.000 If you just step in, 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.179 teaching or mentoring, or 00:26:47.179 --> 00:26:48.480 maybe you can't lift up. 00:26:48.939 --> 00:26:49.599 And that's okay. 00:26:49.719 --> 00:26:50.959 We can, you know, maybe you 00:26:50.959 --> 00:26:52.339 can pray the snacks. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.839 Or you can make copies for 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.279 the kids. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.419 Or, you know, different 00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:55.799 things. 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.559 Coloring books. 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:58.539 You can think of a craft and 00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:00.079 come and talk to me and we 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.379 can get that going for them. 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:04.259 But I really want you guys to 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.379 think about how you can 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:07.799 connect with our children and 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:09.059 our families and our church. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.099 church. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.919 It's important. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.779 And it is the future. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.359 It is the future of the 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:14.639 church. 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:16.099 But you guys are building into 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:16.679 that future. 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.859 So, as the next 20 years of 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:21.179 our family and children's 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:23.339 ministry is growing, we know 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:24.799 that Jesus will work in their 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:26.000 lives faithfully. 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:29.139 And that Jesus will enact in 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.919 them this heart to serve. 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:33.519 So, we are committed to that. 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:35.000 And church, I'd love for you 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.559 guys to join in that mission 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.200 with us. 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.679 To serve our children. 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.720 Thank you. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:50.099 Is my microphone on? 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.879 All right. 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.720 Well, we're going to go over the 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:57.359 book of Ezekiel real quick. 00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.859 You didn't get the jump in, 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:00.119 right? 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.460 No, I've got only a few minutes 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:05.039 here to just kind of go over. 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:07.920 You know, God has worked in this 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:10.159 place in such great capacities. 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:13.539 God has, the spirit of God has 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:15.460 been moving in so many people's 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:17.700 lives throughout 80 years. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:20.559 It seems like it's such a long time, but 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.620 at the same time, it's such a short 00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:24.279 amount of time that has gone by. 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:26.860 It's kind of like, where did all the 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.620 time go? 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:32.919 And there's a famous saying that goes, time 00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:34.239 flies when you're having fun. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.959 And there's a lot of truth in that. 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:40.299 I want to, I put further 80 years of God's 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:43.339 faithfulness, which is very connected to 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:46.099 blessings that we have received from the 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:49.959 Lord, that God has been with us, with this 00:28:49.959 --> 00:28:53.000 congregation, with this community all along. 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:56.839 It hasn't been the perfect ride, but it's 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:59.519 been a ride nonetheless, because God is 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:02.640 with us in every season of our life. 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:06.559 The good, the bad, and even the ugly. 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:07.140 Amen? 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.019 Amen. 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:10.200 So I want to, I only have a few minutes 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.359 here, so I'm just going to go through 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:11.579 this. 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.920 Let's go to that next slide here. 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:17.579 When we look at 2025, we've had four 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:22.359 baptisms and 13 child dedications, and we 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.779 praise God for that. 00:29:24.219 --> 00:29:26.619 There are going to be, at least last time 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:29.079 I checked, there's going to be four more, 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:32.219 four or five more children that will be 00:29:32.219 --> 00:29:33.399 dedicated to the Lord. 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:36.240 And that's going to show you, as Amber was 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:38.439 talking about the future of this church 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:41.479 body, the future of Christianity, we have 00:29:41.479 --> 00:29:44.959 to double down on raising the next 00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:47.679 generation of children who know the Lord, 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:50.839 who are strong in their faith, but also 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:52.740 deal in love with others. 00:29:52.879 --> 00:29:54.980 So this is a praise, my friends, just 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:58.099 kind of seeing what has been going on in 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.379 this place. 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:01.899 Let's go ahead and go to the next slide 00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:02.220 then. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:06.199 Our attendance has an average of 62, with 00:30:06.199 --> 00:30:08.939 the peak so far of 102, but I think we 00:30:08.939 --> 00:30:10.519 broke that record in celebration. 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:10.859 Amen? 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.779 So that's been great. 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:14.919 And one other thing that I think has been 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:17.899 really profound, it's been incredible to 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:22.860 see is that we have been posting our online, 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:25.920 we don't post our online services per se, 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:28.519 but we've been posting our online sermons. 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:30.360 And it's been incredible. 00:30:30.540 --> 00:30:32.000 Oh, looks like someone's locked out. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:34.120 We opened the door. 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:36.240 Someone's locked out. 00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:42.200 So, as we have been posting our online 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:46.320 sermons, we have been, by the grace of 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:48.599 God, given this opportunity to go onto 00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.079 TikTok. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:52.859 And just to encourage you, over the last, 00:30:52.919 --> 00:30:55.619 in the month of August, we had reached 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:58.319 almost 5,000 people. 00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:01.720 That's about 1,000 people that we are 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.099 reaching. 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:04.379 People that are just scrolling aimlessly 00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:05.259 on their phones. 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:08.119 Maybe they might have the seed of God's 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.659 word planted into their hearts. 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.839 We've had people, sometimes you get 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:13.919 trolls, sometimes you get people who are 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:16.600 really strange, but that's okay. 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:19.000 We want them to come to know Jesus too, 00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:19.279 amen? 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:21.680 There have been a lot of people from 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:23.800 different areas, from Virginia. 00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:25.900 We've had people from around the world 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:28.580 who are tuning in, showing the profound 00:31:28.580 --> 00:31:31.120 impact of what our church is having, 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:34.320 not only in this place, in this town, 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:37.180 in this community, but also a much 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:38.320 greater reach. 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:40.500 And so that's really encouraging when 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:42.400 we're thinking of the next generation 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.059 for Christ. 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:45.779 Statistically speaking, who we are 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:48.980 reaching online is under 40. 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:51.980 Over, I think it's over 60%, Amber, 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:54.500 is under 40. 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:56.759 So it's that demographic of people, 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:59.140 of young people, who need to come to 00:31:59.140 --> 00:31:59.640 know the Lord. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:01.119 So that's another praise here. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:05.019 And here, Amber kind of touched on 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.220 this. 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:07.140 We've been serving families and the 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:09.420 communities by partnering with other 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:12.200 organizations, other nonprofit organizations, 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:15.100 and just being present, right? 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:17.279 It's so important for us as Christians, 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:19.800 for us to come to know Jesus Christ, 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:21.840 for us to grow in our faith and our 00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:23.779 understanding of God and his word, 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:27.920 but also to be salt and light for the 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.220 world. 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:30.600 And what that looks like can be serving 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:32.759 in the local church, but also serving 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.560 in the community. 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:36.519 As Amber was saying, we have these, 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:38.420 we partner with Building Healthy Families 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:40.920 for the Parent Cafe, the Dad Cafe. 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:43.240 There's the Community Baby Shower that's 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.980 coming up and the Strengthening Families 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.279 course. 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:48.779 These are all opportunities, not just for 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:51.819 us, but think of the profound impact that 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.660 we can have on people. 00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:56.720 People who may not know the Lord or people 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:59.319 that may have even been hurt in the past 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:01.180 before by people. 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:03.539 What I like explaining to people is that 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:07.880 very often people will fail you, but God 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:09.140 will never fail you. 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:11.740 And sometimes you need someone who might have 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:15.080 experienced some sort of hurt or some sort of 00:33:15.080 --> 00:33:18.200 just situation that was just not good. 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:23.080 We pray for comfort, transformation, and healing 00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:24.759 that comes from the Lord. 00:33:24.820 --> 00:33:26.180 Let's go to that next slide then. 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:32.460 And so what's next coming on is on November 2nd 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:34.980 for this year, we'll be having our annual bazaar. 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:38.779 I hope that if you are visiting or if you're local 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:41.440 or even if you're online, that you can come and 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:45.860 join us for our continuing tradition of our bazaar. 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:48.660 And also we're going to be going into our next 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:51.940 sermon series going through the book of Revelation. 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:55.460 For many of you who have been attending, we went over 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.940 the parables of Christ. 00:33:57.259 --> 00:34:00.799 That was almost 40 weeks of going through the teachings 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:03.340 of Christ and the parabolic language. 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:06.740 Things such as the Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:10.559 the Ten Virgins, the Sheep and the Goats, 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:13.659 all of these type of parables and how they are 00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:16.940 connected within the Word of God and how we, 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:20.179 as people, we can learn, we can grow, 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.960 and we can act upon this. 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:27.000 This is the, so the parable series was Thy Kingdom Come. 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:30.840 And we find that a lot of the apocalyptic language 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:34.880 in Revelation is very similar to what we find 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:36.480 in the parables of Christ. 00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:41.300 And I'm very excited to go over this because for many of us, 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:45.500 let's be honest here, how many of us have read Revelation 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:49.980 and we think it's confusing and it's an outright scary book? 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:50.920 Right? 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:55.619 You see a lot of newspapers and it's at the end of the world. 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:59.380 Here, how many of you remember the Y2K scare? 00:34:59.539 --> 00:34:59.659 Yeah? 00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:01.280 Some of you weren't alive. 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.360 Some of you were, right? 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:04.739 You remember the Y2K scare. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:08.360 Or my favorite one is the Mayan calendar that the world would end 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.159 in 2012. 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:14.000 When we really think about it, there is hope in Revelation. 00:35:14.619 --> 00:35:18.460 There is a lot of symbolism, but there's also a lot of connections. 00:35:19.319 --> 00:35:22.859 And what we are going to focus on is the hope in Jesus Christ. 00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:27.759 We're going to go into Revelation and we're not going to fight over, 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:30.339 you know, what is the beast? 00:35:31.279 --> 00:35:32.920 Is it Russia? 00:35:33.299 --> 00:35:34.299 Is it Iraq? 00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.879 Is it the United Kingdom? 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.940 I have no idea. 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:41.280 We're going to focus, though, on the significance of the beast, 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:43.420 the significance of the mark. 00:35:43.740 --> 00:35:44.559 What is it? 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:47.559 Where have we found it within Scripture? 00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:51.500 So we're going to focus more on that rather than the timing, 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:57.320 because let's face it, a lot of us, we will argue and fight over when. 00:35:58.220 --> 00:36:04.320 But what's so important is that even in this kind of apocalyptic language, 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:06.960 there's victory at the end. 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:10.320 And that victory, my friends, is in Jesus Christ. 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:11.019 Can I get an amen? 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:11.700 Amen. 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:16.019 So it's so important for us as we will be going over Revelation. 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:21.719 And in conclusion, I want to show this next slide here. 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:28.759 One thing that I've really enjoyed being here in Ontario Community Church, 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:35.380 do you know that in Japanese, Ontario means grace overflowing? 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:38.320 It's not interesting. 00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:41.940 And it's something that is such beautiful language. 00:36:42.660 --> 00:36:44.559 I believe it's pronounced on teru. 00:36:44.700 --> 00:36:46.360 I hope if I get that right. 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:48.200 If I haven't, please forgive me. 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:50.820 But grace overflowing. 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:56.460 And what a wonderful representation of God and the love that he has for us, 00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:58.700 the truth that he has for us, 00:36:58.699 --> 00:37:00.199 that it is in abundance. 00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:03.179 When we think of God's salvation for us, 00:37:03.239 --> 00:37:05.419 that it is available for all. 00:37:05.899 --> 00:37:07.799 When we think of John 3.16, 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:09.419 whosoever believes. 00:37:10.319 --> 00:37:13.239 Is it talking about only tall people or only short people 00:37:13.239 --> 00:37:14.719 that will enter the kingdom of heaven? 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:16.599 Last time I checked, no. 00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:21.919 We have to think that God's grace is in abundance 00:37:21.919 --> 00:37:25.139 and it is available for all who believe. 00:37:25.859 --> 00:37:26.879 And this image here, 00:37:26.939 --> 00:37:28.279 how many of you know what this is? 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:31.219 It's kintsugi, right? 00:37:31.419 --> 00:37:34.039 Some of you may have seen the broken plate. 00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:39.119 They take it and they put it back together with gold. 00:37:39.819 --> 00:37:44.779 And what happens is it makes the bowl more valuable 00:37:44.779 --> 00:37:48.599 than it was when it first began. 00:37:49.619 --> 00:37:51.639 And what a powerful representation 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:56.099 when we think of, for a moment, who we are. 00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:59.059 How many of us are broken? 00:37:59.779 --> 00:38:03.639 How many of us need to be picked up, as it were, 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:05.299 and put back together? 00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:09.719 For many of us, that was a representation of our lives 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.900 before we knew the Lord. 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.699 For some of us, it's, 00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:14.219 that's still my life today 00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:16.440 and I need the Lord to put me back together. 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:20.780 It's so important to see this imagery of the broken plate 00:38:20.780 --> 00:38:22.139 putting it back together, 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:25.740 representing how God cares for that which is broken 00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:29.280 and makes it whole and brings it and restores it 00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:30.700 and transforms it, 00:38:30.699 --> 00:38:34.079 just like how it is in our own very life. 00:38:34.379 --> 00:38:36.039 That is on a personal note. 00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:38.119 But we also have to think 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:42.719 when it comes to the world that we live in today. 00:38:43.539 --> 00:38:47.039 My friends, we've had a lot of headlines, 00:38:48.039 --> 00:38:49.679 news that has broken out, 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:53.179 an assassination that has just recently happened, 00:38:53.839 --> 00:38:56.000 school shootings that have been happening. 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:58.599 And for a lot of us, when we read that, 00:38:59.019 --> 00:38:59.920 we get discouraged. 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:01.739 We get depressed. 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:05.139 We get filled with anxiety in these moments, 00:39:05.219 --> 00:39:08.559 thinking, why would such evil exist? 00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:13.760 We turn to the Lord in times such as this. 00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:16.760 We turn to God and we think for a moment, 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:21.300 if God is going to bring us together as an individual, 00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:24.719 it is God who will help transform this land, 00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:27.079 who will help transform this nation 00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:29.239 and essentially the world. 00:39:30.159 --> 00:39:33.799 We think of Christ as the transformer of culture, 00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:37.659 the sovereignty of God being the ruler of all, 00:39:37.959 --> 00:39:40.459 but also the responsibility of man 00:39:40.459 --> 00:39:43.599 to follow in the footsteps of Christ, 00:39:44.119 --> 00:39:47.239 standing firm on the truth of God's word, 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:49.699 but also dealing in love. 00:39:50.719 --> 00:39:53.959 My friends, how some of you may have responded 00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:56.740 or reacted to some of these tragic events, 00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:59.019 may we be reminded. 00:39:59.820 --> 00:40:02.099 We trust in the living God. 00:40:02.220 --> 00:40:04.740 We do not condone violence. 00:40:05.380 --> 00:40:07.760 We do not condone division. 00:40:09.260 --> 00:40:11.659 Instead, let us seek God 00:40:11.659 --> 00:40:14.460 and the unity that comes from him, 00:40:14.679 --> 00:40:18.460 the peace that surpasses all understanding from him, 00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:22.840 regardless of what your background is, 00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:26.860 regardless of who you are or what you have been through 00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:28.139 or what you are going through. 00:40:28.820 --> 00:40:31.820 Let us seek God and his righteousness. 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:35.380 Let us focus on the hope of Christ 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:37.400 and transforming culture 00:40:37.400 --> 00:40:42.940 rather than these terrible things that have been happening. 00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:46.659 It is in Christ that there is healing 00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:48.599 and there is transformation. 00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:53.860 And I'm reminded as we're going to be going into our time of revelation, 00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:57.760 it's going to be a 42-week sermon series, my friends. 00:40:58.260 --> 00:40:59.820 As we go through that, 00:41:00.200 --> 00:41:02.220 I want you to know 00:41:02.220 --> 00:41:06.679 Revelation 21, verse 5, 00:41:06.679 --> 00:41:08.639 where it says, 00:41:08.759 --> 00:41:12.539 Behold, I am making all things new. 00:41:13.339 --> 00:41:15.179 When we trust in the living God, 00:41:15.239 --> 00:41:17.259 let us trust in that transformation 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:19.019 that will happen in our lives 00:41:19.019 --> 00:41:20.799 and let us be empowered 00:41:20.799 --> 00:41:23.519 to make a difference in our community, 00:41:23.879 --> 00:41:25.039 with our families, 00:41:25.299 --> 00:41:28.119 and essentially within the world. 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.460 Let's pray together 00:41:29.460 --> 00:41:32.179 and the worship team will be coming on up. 00:41:32.179 --> 00:41:34.000 Father God, 00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:37.739 we thank you for these 80 years of blessings, 00:41:38.339 --> 00:41:39.539 your faithfulness. 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:42.619 We thank you for this time together, 00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:46.279 this time where we celebrate the legacy 00:41:46.279 --> 00:41:47.859 of how you have been there 00:41:47.859 --> 00:41:49.159 for this community, 00:41:49.539 --> 00:41:50.559 for this congregation, 00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:53.659 and for this church for the past 80 years. 00:41:54.319 --> 00:41:55.719 May we recognize that 00:41:55.719 --> 00:41:58.480 it hasn't been a perfect ride, 00:41:58.480 --> 00:42:00.119 but you have been there 00:42:00.119 --> 00:42:02.440 in every single season. 00:42:03.119 --> 00:42:05.920 From the moments of victory, 00:42:06.119 --> 00:42:06.559 the moments, 00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:07.599 those good moments, 00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:09.860 to trying and testing 00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:11.199 and tribulations 00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:13.199 that have happened in our lives, 00:42:13.360 --> 00:42:15.179 as well as this congregation, 00:42:15.559 --> 00:42:16.699 this church body. 00:42:17.380 --> 00:42:19.300 We just pray, Father, 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:21.480 that we will turn to you 00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:24.219 in every season of our lives. 00:42:24.219 --> 00:42:28.059 When bad things happen to us 00:42:28.059 --> 00:42:30.759 or bad things happen around us, 00:42:31.259 --> 00:42:32.399 may we look to you. 00:42:32.839 --> 00:42:34.480 Just as your word says, 00:42:34.779 --> 00:42:36.219 I look to the hills. 00:42:36.459 --> 00:42:38.559 Where does my help come from? 00:42:38.919 --> 00:42:39.379 And Father, 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:41.639 may we respond in recognizing 00:42:41.639 --> 00:42:44.259 that our hope comes from you. 00:42:44.419 --> 00:42:46.319 Or just as your scripture says, 00:42:46.619 --> 00:42:48.939 that though we may walk through 00:42:48.939 --> 00:42:50.659 the valley of the shadow of death, 00:42:50.659 --> 00:42:53.579 may we fear no evil. 00:42:54.219 --> 00:42:56.019 So we ask, Father, 00:42:56.519 --> 00:42:57.819 for transformation. 00:42:58.419 --> 00:43:00.959 We pray that your Holy Spirit 00:43:00.959 --> 00:43:02.059 will convict us, 00:43:02.299 --> 00:43:02.779 lead us, 00:43:02.919 --> 00:43:03.659 and guide us 00:43:03.659 --> 00:43:05.980 in our very lives individually, 00:43:06.439 --> 00:43:08.500 but as a church body as well. 00:43:10.039 --> 00:43:12.079 Mend our lives with your mercy. 00:43:13.659 --> 00:43:14.259 May we, 00:43:15.459 --> 00:43:16.599 that which is broken, 00:43:17.299 --> 00:43:18.679 be mended in you. 00:43:19.139 --> 00:43:20.199 We love you, 00:43:20.579 --> 00:43:21.379 we praise you, 00:43:21.779 --> 00:43:22.819 we glorify you, 00:43:22.939 --> 00:43:23.759 and we honor you. 00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:26.180 It is in the name of Jesus Christ 00:43:26.180 --> 00:43:26.860 that we pray, 00:43:27.320 --> 00:43:28.360 and we all say together, 00:43:28.460 --> 00:43:29.060 Amen, Church. 00:43:29.260 --> 00:43:29.620 Amen. 00:43:30.500 --> 00:43:31.680 Thank you for tuning in 00:43:31.680 --> 00:43:33.380 to Ontario Community Church, 00:43:33.580 --> 00:43:34.620 where we are encouraging, 00:43:35.180 --> 00:43:35.560 equipping, 00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:37.500 and engaging lives for Christ. 00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:39.200 My name is Patrick Daly, 00:43:39.320 --> 00:43:40.060 and I am the pastor 00:43:40.060 --> 00:43:41.500 of Ontario Community Church. 00:43:41.720 --> 00:43:43.020 To learn about our church 00:43:43.020 --> 00:43:44.280 and how you can get involved, 00:43:44.720 --> 00:43:45.280 go to 00:43:45.280 --> 00:43:49.360 www.ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:43:49.560 --> 00:43:51.180 We hope that you will join us 00:43:51.180 --> 00:43:52.740 as we begin next week, 00:43:53.100 --> 00:43:55.260 September 21st, 2025, 00:43:55.940 --> 00:43:57.320 through the Book of Revelation. 00:43:57.900 --> 00:43:58.920 May God bless you 00:43:58.920 --> 00:44:00.500 all the days of your life. 00:44:00.500 --> 00:44:02.159 And you will find you 00:44:02.159 --> 00:44:02.159 00:44:02.159 --> 00:44:32.139 Thank you.