Prelude: The orchestra played “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” and “My Savior’s Love.” Then the choir sang “Rejoice, the Lord Is King.”

First Special: Shelby Warberg, Emmaline Worthington, and Diana Lambert sang “Jesus, Help Me to Stand.”

Scripture Reading: Dave Lambert read Psalm 139:1-6, 17-18.

Last Special: Roxie Rael sang “Sometimes He Whispers.”

Sermon: LeRoy Tonning used Isaiah 55:8-9 for his text and brought out that God can help Christians to be Spirit filled and not filled with their own thoughts     and ideas. His thoughts are so much higher than ours, and He wants to lift us up to take part in the wonderful thoughts that come from Him.

Prelude: Sungun Yune played “Chorale by Bach,” and “Sunlight” on the organ.

Featured Testimonies: Sam Ajayi shared that recently God’s presence came into the room and gave him a glimpse of what eternity with Him might feel like. Dixie Bowlsby was thankful that throughout this year, in spite of the many difficult things she has gone through, God has been there. Troy Ross spoke of a spiritual battle he had been struggling with the last few months, and rejoiced that this morning after the service he prayed, and the Lord blessed him in a real, tangible way.

First Special: The choir sang “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord.”

Last Special: Jennifer Worthington sang “Prevailing Prayer.”

Sermon: Gary Riler read from Job 1, verses 8, 2, 9 and 11-12, giving the encouragement that although everyone faces trials at times, the child of God has Jesus by his side to bring him through to victory.

The young people met for the September youth focus session on Saturday, September 17. The evening began with dinner, which was spaghetti with homemade meat sauce, and garlic bread and salad on the side. Dessert included cream puffs topped with a choice of ice cream, sauces, sprinkles, and whipped cream!

After dinner, the group played a game where one person would leave the room and everyone else chose someone in the room to be the “leader.” The leader would initiate movements for everyone else to mimic. When the person who had left returned, he or she had to guess who the leader of the group was     by trying to notice who was the first to make a move and who everyone else was mimicking. Guessing the leader was hard than you might think!

Following the game, everyone was led in a time of singing. The songs were a mix of popular youth service songs as well as some well-known Sunday school action songs. Then for the last portion of the evening, Erik Calhoun introduced and then played a film called “Answers in Genesis.” It helped explain the doctrine of Creation, giving scientific and historical evidence that supports what the Bible says about how God created the world in six days. At the end of the film, Brother Erik reminded everyone that the same God who created the world created each one in the room, and He loves us. The youth focus session concluded with a time of prayer.

Prelude: Henry Parker played a trombone solo of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “And Can it Be?” The choir followed, singing “O Happy Day Medley.”    

Featured Testimonies: Michelle Hancock told how she has had opportunities to minister to her children’s sports teammates over the last several years. Now, as her youngest is completing his last year, she wants to keep her hand in the Lord’s and let Him guide her. Bella McCarville was thankful that God has assured her of her salvation. Chet King shared how he was invited to church and was impressed by the young people there, and not long after that he prayed and the Lord saved him. Sylvia Phillips was thankful for the night she confessed her sins to God and He saved her. She knew in her heart when it happened; it felt like she could have floated out of the church and God gave her a wonderful new life.

First Special: Deborah Brenner and Darla Hall sang “Give Them All to Jesus.”

Last Special: Alicia and Rob Parker and Kristin Lee sang “How Long Has it Been?”

Sermon: Using Proverbs 3:5-6 as his text, Bob Downey shared the comforting thought that the Word of God will turn discouragement into encouragement, will lift one’s spirits, and will give comfort, assurance, and confidence in the Lord.

Prelude: Eloise Tonning played “Lightly Row,” on the cello then was joined by Oliver Tonning on his cello, playing “May Song.” Oliver then played “Minuet #1.” To conclude the prelude, Oliver and Eloise sang “Beloved, Love One Another,” as Oliver accompanied them on the guitar.

Featured Testimonies: Ray Dickey shared how, in January of this year, he fell, hitting his head and sustaining severe injuries, but the Lord was with him and spared his life. Nolan Roby declared that as he nears ninety years of age, even more important than good physical health, he is thankful for good spiritual health.

Last Special: Rosie Lambert sang “Always Enough.”

Sermon: Roth Mom read from Colossians 3:1-3, urging his listeners to align their lives to the Word of God rather than trying to make God's Word fit their lifestyles, and to let nothing keep Christ from being the main focal point of their lives.

Prelude: The orchestra played “Antiphonal Praise” and “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.” The choir followed, singing “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.”    

First Special: A men’s quartet (pictured above) sang “All in the Name of Jesus.”

Scripture Reading: Dave Lambert read Matthew 7:26-29.

Last Special: Victoria Heintz and Emmaline Worthington sang “The Mercy of His Grace.”

Sermon: LeRoy Tonning, Scandinavia District Superintendent and pastor in Stavanger, Norway, preached from Isaiah 28:16, and spoke of the importance of building one’s life on the solid foundation of the Gospel.

Prelude: Brian and Annika Ewers played a violin duet of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Blessed Assurance.” A mixed quartet then sang “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.”

Featured Testimonies: Debbie Boyd was thankful the Lord saved and sanctified her, and has helped her since her mother passed away last year. Al Smith shared how the Lord took away his brother’s pain shortly after saving him on his deathbed. Chet King said he was saved fifty-two years ago, and he feels that’s long enough to prove that it’s real.

First Special: The choir sang “On That Happy Morning.”

Last Special: Randy Kaady sang “That One Lost Sheep.”

Sermon: Harlan Lee (pictured above), from Roseburg, Oregon, used 1 Kings 20:23 for his text and assured his listeners that God will be with them in the valleys as He is in the mountain-top experiences. He stated that the victory God gives in the valleys will be greater than the mountain-top experiences.

Prelude: Josh Friesen played “Softly and Tenderly” and “O For a Thousand Tongues” on the trumpet.

Featured Testimonies: Brother Josh testified that he is thankful that God led him to the right college, even though it was not one of his original choices. Marcus Luka said that God paved the way for him to go to college debt free, and that he is thankful for how God is leading in his life. Caitlyn Ross said that being a stay-at-home mom can be lonely at times, but she is thankful that quoting God’s Word and listening to Christian music encourages her. Patrick Lee (pictured above) testified that he is thankful for God’s leading in his life, and how God is helping him with his career choices. Roberta Parker told how God opened the door for her to get a full-paid scholarship to complete her graduate studies, and that she is thankful she can     trust in Him for every need.    

First Special: A young men’s quartet sang “Lord, Reign in Me.”    

Last Special: Sarah Asaya sang “Beautiful Land.”    

Sermon: Darrel Lee read Revelation 21:23-27 for his text, and encouraged the congregation to make sure they are saved and have their names written in the     Lamb’s Book of Life.

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Undeniably, the long summer days are coming to an end. So before bidding farewell to warm weather and lighter schedules, everyone was invited to an end-of-summer picnic on the campground on September 7.

People started arriving a little before 6:00 p.m., and before long, there were dozens of children playing games on the front lawn and particularly enjoying the use of a giant bubble wand. Seniors were given preference in the serving line, but the food was just as good for the last ones served, and it was good! The meal featured the opening-Sunday-of-camp-meeting favorites: chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and a bread roll. There were also cabbage rolls, which are not traditionally on the camp meeting menu, but perhaps they should be! For dessert there were ice cream sundaes as well as another camp meeting favorite: raspberry Oreo cream pie. Everything was delicious.

The food was served in the Fellowship Lodge, with seating available inside as well as on the patio. For the majority who attended, visiting and catching up with friends had started while standing in the food line, and continued as families and friends found seats and enjoyed their meal. Children continued playing on the lawn until shortly after 8:00 p.m., when skies were darkening and guests began heading home.

The weather was perfect, the food was great, and the fellowship was by far the best part of all. The picnic was a taste of camp meeting in more ways than one, and it was deeply appreciated after a two year break from camp. What a blessing when the family of God gets together!

Prelude: Emmaline Worthington (pictured above) played “I Worship You, Almighty God,” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” on the oboe. The choir then sang “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.”

First Special: A mixed quartet sang “God Will Make a Way.”

Scripture Reading: John Musgrave read Isaiah chapter 11, verses 1 and 4-9.

Last Special: Kristi Riler sang “When Answers Aren’t Enough,” with “There Is a Savior.”

Sermon: Dave Lambert read Revelation 20:1-10, and taught on the doctrine of the Millennial Reign, explaining that it will be a literal reign of Christ on the earth for 1,000 years, where the curse of sin will be lifted.