Everyone Welcome

Sabbath School and Church

Adult Sabbath School is meeting in the sanctuary at 9:30 a.m.. There is one adult class upstairs and all the children's classes will meet downstairs. Everyone is welcome!

Church In Person or On-Line

Everyone is welcome to attend the worship hour. It starts at 10:45 a.m.  

We broadcast Church live on youtube.com. Church will start at 10:45 AM.  Go to youtube.com and search for "greeley sda".  Click on the circle with the church picture.  You may need to choose the "Live" tab.

OR click on the "Sermons" link in the menu selections above to access the services. (On a phone or tablet the menu selections will be in a button that looks like three bars at the top of the screen.) Select "Live" in the tabs.

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Weekly Church Meetings

Wednesday - 1:30 p.m.  Midweek study 

Sabbath 4:00 - p.m.  End Time Events with Shawn Korgan

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Food for Thought

 

The Christmas Doll - “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

Jerry and I have a little grandson who loves cars and trucks. Rarely do we see a picture of him without a vehicle of some kind in his hand. In one of his latest pictures he is standing by his desk at preschool and, of course, holding a car.

When I was his age, I loved dolls. Rarely was I without a doll in my arms. When I was only two or three years old, I had a very favorite doll that I carried almost everywhere. Unfortunately, in the middle of the night one night when we had to leave our home quickly because of an urgent flood warning, my doll was left behind. I lost that doll that night in the flood waters that swept into our home. In the next few years, I acquired some more dolls. They are now displayed on a shelf in a spare bedroom with a plaque that says “Loves Dolls.” Our grandchildren just refer to the bedroom as “grandma’s doll room.”

We have five granddaughters and when they were little, the American Girl doll was just coming on the scene. Of course, my granddaughters all had one (or two). When we would go to visit them or they would come to visit us, I would join them in their “doll play.” The American Girl doll company generously provided for a price many doll clothes to try on the dolls. I never thought for one minute that my granddaughters were misunderstanding my interest in their dolls. I just wanted to spend time with them and join in their fun. BUT they thought I really wanted one of those dolls for my very own.

When Christmas came that year, two of the girls were at our house for Christmas. There was the usual excitement Christmas morning as everyone unwrapped their gifts. Soon there was only one package under the tree with my name on it. All at once the girls – and even their brother – lost interest in their gifts and insisted I open my present. I can see their happy, eager faces yet as they gathered around me and watched me open my gift – an American Girl doll.

That doll now sits on the bed in the “doll room.” But when I look at that doll, I mainly see those happy faces of my grandchildren. Then I know for certain two things: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)  I also know it was love that inspired the gift.

Real love always inspires giving –

“For God so loved that He gave . . .” John 3:16

Sharon Oster 

 

Praying in Yellowstone National Park - “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” 2 Chronicles. 20:12

When I was a child, my dad always had his vacation time in the Fall of the year. One year my grandparents went with us, and we went first to see my grandmother’s sister in Powell, Wyoming. We then drove on over to Yellowstone National Park. At that time in late September Yellowstone was pretty deserted. We drove through the park seeing very few people. Since it was a really nice fall day, we stopped at a picnic table to eat our lunch.

When we were finished, we got back in the car to proceed on, but the car wouldn’t start. Again and again my dad tried, but it just wouldn’t start. We all got out of the car, and my dad lifted the hood and did whatever men do, but nothing made any difference. The car would not start, and there were no people around anywhere. And, of course, this was long before cell phones.

Finally, my mother said, “We need to pray and ask Jesus to start our car for us.” So my mother prayed, my dad got back in the car, and, of course, it started immediately. That car ran perfectly the entire rest of the trip.

When we got back home, my dad drove the car into the driveway and parked while he unloaded all our suitcases. Then he went to start the car to put it in the garage, but it wouldn’t start. And it didn’t start until a mechanic came and fixed the problem. Jesus had not only started our car but had kept it running until we got home.

There is a story in the Bible when some men came and told King Jehoshaphat that a vast army was coming against him. Alarmed the King went immediately to God in prayer. In fact, all the people came together to seek help from the Lord. King Jehoshaphat’s prayer is recorded in 2 Chronicles 20: 6-12. At the end of his prayer, he says simply, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (That could have been my mother’s prayer.)

A Levite came and told the King, “The battle is not yours, but God’s . . . You will not have to fight this battle . . . stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” (2 Chronicles 20: 15-17) So the King appointed men to sing and praise the Lord ahead of the army as they went out to meet the enemy. And the invading enemy – they just destroyed one another! (verses 22 & 23)

This Bible story as well as the story from my childhood make me think of two Bible texts. Nahum 1:7 says: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” And Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” How thankful we can be for this ever-present help!

Sharon Oster

What a Reason for Thankfulness! - “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

I was reading the other day about the heroes of the Reformation, Huss and Jerome. John Huss had been thrown into prison for his teachings. When given the opportunity to recant, he refused and was burned at the stake. Jerome, too, was thrown into prison for his teachings. When given the opportunity to recant, his courage failed and he accepted the opportunity. Then he discovered something. There is something worse than being burned at the stake. And that is NOT to be burned at the stake – to live with the remorse of having denied the Lord. Jerome recanted his recantation and went singing to his death.

Peter discovered the same thing. He denied three times that he knew Jesus, but one look from the Savior broke his heart. Suddenly he realized it was worse to deny Jesus than to admit he was a follower of Him. He ran from the judgment hall and went out and cried bitterly.

Both Jerome and Peter discovered the same thing – it is hard to be lost. Morris Venden has written a book “Hard to be Lost.” The premise of the book is simply this: God won’t give you up without a fight. It is easier to just submit to the Holy Spirit and be saved. Solomon says, “The way of the transgressor is hard.”

Venden lists 6 different things that someone who chooses to turn from God will have to struggle against. Bible stories and sermons he has heard as well as people praying for him. Then there is a person’s conscience. John 8:9 says: "Being convicted by their own conscience.” And, of course, that voice, the Holy Spirit, telling a person where he should go (Isaiah 30:21) And last -Jesus on the cross, showing people how much He loves them.

Venden says, “The reason why it’s harder to be lost than to be saved is that if you are going to be lost someday, you’ll have to fight God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, a two-thirds majority of the angels, and all your Christian friends and loved ones who are praying for you. . . Away with the idea that it is easy to be lost. God is determined to save every person. When He says that He is not willing that any should perish, He means just that. He wants each one to come to repentance.”

How thankful we should be that Jesus makes it difficult to be lost and easy to be saved!

Sharon Oster

 

“Trains and Christ’s Coming” - “You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” Luke 12:40 (NIV)

My cousin recently sent me an email to let me know about the steam engine train coming through Greeley. Since we both come from a train-oriented family, he thought I might want to go see it. Our grandfather worked in the Santa Fe office building in Topeka, Kansas. Our uncle worked for the Santa Fe railroad riding a test car all over the United States testing track. He found it very interesting when our daughter moved to Tehachapi, CA, which is near the train track known as the Tehachapi Loop. The track there makes a complete circle and loops over itself. It is considered quite an engineering feat to get up over the mountains. Our uncle said he had been over it many times.

As my cousin and I were emailing our train memories back and forth, Jerry and I remembered something in our lives with a train many years ago. Jerry’s sister had been killed in a car accident the summer before we got married. I was planning to ride the train from Topeka, KS, to Greeley so I could be with Jerry and attend the funeral. When I arrived in Greeley, I expected Jerry to be waiting, eager to meet me. But Jerry was nowhere in sight! He had been looking at a train schedule based on standard time, but we were on daylight saving time. Because of his miscalculation, he was very late. He remembers me standing there looking very forlorn and lonely. (I obviously did forgive him!)

This story just reminded me of Jesus’ second coming. Perhaps we have last day events fixed just a certain way in our minds. We believe “this” has to happen and “that” has to happen a certain way. We have His coming fixed on our “standard time” way of thinking. But Jesus has said that He will come “in such an hour when you think not.” (His “daylight saving time” way.) Let’s make sure we are ready and waiting any time – all the time.

I am reminded of the hymn “We Know Not the Hour.” A few lines say: “We know not the hour of the Master’s appearing, yet signs all foretell that the moment is nearing …He will come, let us watch and be ready.”

Sharon Oster

 

“Saved” - “He saved others,” they said, “but He can’t save Himself.” Mark 15:31 NIV

Years ago Jerry and I were visiting some church members in their new home. Their old home had been completely destroyed by fire. Awakened in the middle of the night, they had barely escaped with their lives. Nothing had been saved; however, I noticed their wedding picture sitting on a table. So I asked how they happened to have that. “Oh,” they said, “there is a story behind that. A firefighter rushed into our burning house and saw the picture. Thinking she could at least save that, she grabbed it and ran outside with it, saving it for us.”

Many years ago one Fall day a neighbor was burning trash in his big garden plot next to my parents’ house. The fire was soon out of control and had spread to the bushes and shrubbery in front of our house. My mother quickly realized what was happening, called the fire department, ran outside and grabbed the hose and had the fire mostly out by the time the fire department arrived. Only the front of the house was scorched and had to be replaced. I am thankful most of the house was saved as I was a baby sleeping in a back bedroom.

There are stories in the Bible about things being saved and people being saved. When the Israelites were preparing to take the city of Jericho, Joshua sent two spies to visit the city and ascertain something of its strength and resources. They were in great danger, but Rahab hid and saved them at the peril of her life. In return for her kindness she was given a promise of protection when the city should be taken. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 483) When the walls of Jericho fell, only Rahab and her family were saved because of the promise of the spies. (PP, p. 491)

When taking the city of Jericho, the Children of Israel were instructed not to keep anything for themselves but “all the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into His treasury.” (Joshua 6:19) Achan disregarded this command. When confronted, he confessed what he had chosen to save – silver, gold, a beautiful robe. He said, “I coveted them and saved them” (Joshua 7:21) and he and his family lost their lives.

Mrs. White tells us that our character is “the only treasure we can take from this world to the next.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 332) I recently read a book (The Other Side of Orion) where the author felt Jesus might save some earthly treasures for us. Perhaps – but my family is the only earthly treasure I hope is saved with me in heaven. 

How important that we spend daily time with Jesus as we are told “Christ is of no value to us if we do not know Him as a personal Savior.” (Desire of Ages, p. 389) How thankful we can be Jesus didn’t save Himself but died to save others – you and me.

Sharon Oster

 

“God Was So Good” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

After watching the damage and flooding from Hurricane Helene, especially to N. Carolina, I was reminded of the flood my family experienced when I was a child. But I never think of that time without also remembering my dad’s amazing attitude.

The year was 1951. I was five years old and very tired of rain. Nearly every day that Spring and into Summer it had rained – relentlessly. The rain came down and the Kansas River was coming up. Unfortunately, my parents and both sets of grandparents lived on the low side of the river in Topeka, Kansas. We also had a family-owned grocery store not far from the river. If the levees broke, we were told to expect a few inches of water in our home and a few feet of water in the grocery store. My dad put the major articles of our furniture on cement blocks. He and my grandfather worked feverishly at the grocery store trying to get as many things as possible out of the water’s reach.

Then in the middle of the night, the final warning came. There was a loud pounding on the door and a car was going down the middle of the street, loud speaker blaring, “Get out! Leave Now!” We heeded the warning, put a few things in our car, and we left for a friend’s house on higher ground. I remember lying in bed that night listening to the siren blow over and over again, signaling that the levees had broken and water was pouring into our home and business.

The authorities had been wrong on one point, however, -- the volume of water. Instead of the three or four expected inches, we had over five feet of water in our home and the water was over the roof of our grocery store! Of course, the store was a total loss and our home was not too far behind. My mother vividly remembered my dad chopping up her piano with an ax so they could get the front door open. When I was finally able to see our house for the first time, I remember stepping over the buckled wooden floors and then standing at the top of the basement stairs. The water in the basement had not yet been pumped out (for a reason I no longer remember) and I knew that all my dolls, dollhouse, and other toys were in that muddy, murky smelly water.

My parents were able to get low-interest government loans and with hard work, determination, and God’s help, over the next six months they put our home and business back. Through the years I’ve heard my parents talk about “the flood” many times. In fact, everything in their lives either happened “before the flood” or “after the flood.” My dad would always relate things in a matter-of-fact sort of way. There was never any bitterness, just a factual this-is-what-happened. But then he would always end by saying, “God was so good to us!”

I used to question that, but my dad would explain. “Yes, God was good to us. Business was so good at the grocery store after that, that within a few years we were able to pay back every one of those government loans. God was so good!” My dad is no longer living. But someday – before very long – he will be able to thank Jesus personally for being so good to us!

Sharon Oster

 

“Following” - “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:24 NIV)

Jerry and I enjoy watching our little neighbor boy – maybe three years old – who lives in the corner house across the street from us. He loves to “help” his dad with yardwork. (I am sure his dad hopes this continues into his teen years!) When his dad edges the lawn, the little boy has his own play edger. He follows along, so carefully – so precisely – it really is amazing. His eyes never leave the edge of that lawn, and he follows all the entire way. Then comes the lawn mowing. The little boy has his own play lawn mower and again follows along closely behind his dad, back and forth over the entire lawn.

Jerry once mentioned to the dad how we enjoyed watching this. His dad said that sometimes he starts the yardwork when the little boy is taking a nap. But somehow the boy hears what his dad is doing, runs to the garage for his lawn equipment, and begins “helping.” As I was thinking about this, it reminded me of some Bible stories as well as our need to follow Jesus.

I have always enjoyed the story of Ruth. Because of a famine in the land of Judah, Naomi and her family went to live in the land of Moab. Naomi’s two sons married Moabite women, but before too long, both sons as well as Naomi’s husband died. When Naomi heard there was now food back in the land of Judah, she decided to return there, telling her daughters-in-law to go back to their own mothers’ homes. One daughter-in-law chose to do that, but not Ruth.

Ruth said, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; . . . thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God.” (Ruth 1:16) Because of her willingness to follow Naomi’s God, she later married Boaz, gave birth to Obed who was the grandfather of King David. (This Bible verse – Ruth 1:16) – was made into a song “Whither Thou Goest” and sung at our wedding.)

Mark tells us about Jesus calling some of His disciples and their willingness to follow. (Mark 1:16-20) Luke also says referring to the first disciples, “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him.” (Luke 5:11)  Matthew did the same. “He [Jesus] saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9)

There is a hymn “I Will Follow Thee” and the first few lines say: “I will follow Thee, my Savior, . . . Where Thou goest I will follow; Yes, my Lord, I’ll follow Thee.” May that be the desire of each one of us.

Sharon Oster