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Oxford SDA Sabbath Service 18th January 2025

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalms 23 (KJV)

Announcements

Change of pastors - Pr Tihomir Zestic - On 15th December, 2024, the SEC Executive Committee voted to invite Pastor Tihomir Zestic to assume care of Oxford, Oxford International, Banbury and Wantage churches, effective from 1st February, 2025. Pastor Rudi's last Sabbath with us, officially as pastor of our church at Oxford church, is 25th January, 2025. We thank God for Pr. Rudi and his family. They've been a great blessing to our Church for over 5 years and we pray that God grant him grace as he moves to Bracknell soon to look after Bracknell and Guildford churches. Please let us all extend a warm welcome to our new pastor when he comes to Oxford.
Music Ministries:
1. The Church Choir: The music department is inviting new members to join the Church Choir. If you are interested, please see Bro. Kofi, Sis. Nicole, or Sis. Mutsa for more information.
Prayer Ministries:
1. This Sabbath, 18th January, 2025, is the last day of the 10 days of prayer that commenced last week. All are welcome to our concluding session in the afternoon from 2:30pm at the Church.
2. Our Tuesday, Mid-week prayer and bible study sessions are held in-person at church and on Zoom. Please invite friends, and neighbours, as we stand in the gap, seeking the Lord in Prayer and bible study. We would also like to remind the church community (those who are willing and able) that we will be fasting and praying every other Tuesday of the week in our respective homes. Testimonies and breakthroughs will be shared when we meet for prayer at 7pm at Oxford Seventh-day Adventist Church.
3. GAP prayer group is open to all members who would like to pray and intercede for others. Every day 6am and 2pm. Kindly note that we use a free conference call app for GAP prayer meetings on this website, freeconferencecall.com . To participate:
  1. Download the free App on your mobile or laptop
  2. Then call this number 03330154193.
  3. If prompted, then enter this Access ID: 521037#
We are delighted to invite the church family to our upcoming Baby Dedication Service scheduled for Sabbath, 25th January. This is a wonderful opportunity to dedicate our little ones to the Lord and celebrate the blessings of new life within our church family.
Families interested in participating are encouraged to reach out to Pastor Rudi or any of the Elders (Jan Rabusic, Christopher Streete, Martin Mupandare or Andrew Adongo) by 18th January to allow sufficient time for arrangements. Let us come together as a church community to support and pray for these young lives and their families.
Special thanks to all who prepared a dish for this Sabbath's lunch and to those who will help in serving and cleaning upstairs.
Next Sabbath, 25th January, 2025
1. Sabbath Afternoon Programme: Afternoon with Pr Rudi & family
2. Elder on duty: Eld. Jan Rabusic
3. Lunch Rota: Potluck lunch - Each family to bring and share a dish
SEC, BUC and other external announcements:
1. Members of Oxford Church are encouraged to join the SEC '10 Days of Prayer' online service starting on Wednesday, 8th January, 2025 at 7pm. Please see flyer below for more information. Final day will be held in person at Oxford SDA church this Sabbath, 18th January, 2025.
2. The highly anticipated Elders Training will take place on Sunday, 19th January, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and Diaconate Training on Sunday, 26th January, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm respectively. This year, joint training is being conducted by the ministerial associations of the North England Conference and the South England Conference in collaboration with the Ministerial association of the British Union Conference.
3. Christian Home and Marriage Week 2025 - this hybrid programme that celebrates and strengthens Christian homes and marriages. You can join us in person or online via SEC Media livestream. See flyer for details: 📍 Venue: Filipino International Church
  🗓️ Dates: Monday, February 10 - Friday, February 14 (No session on Thursday)
  ⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
  ✨ Culmination: Divine Service on Saturday, February 15, at 11:15 AM

Order Of Service

09:45am - 11:00am

Sabbath School Service

09:45am - 10:00am

Welcome & Prayer

Praise and Worship

10:00am - 10:50am

Adult Lesson Review:

Church Sabbath School Session:

SS 2025 Quarter 1: God's Love and Justice

Lesson 03: To Be Pleasing to God

Memory Text: "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17, NKJV).

Without God's intervention, fallen people are incapable of bringing anything valuable to God. Yet God, in His grace and mercy, has made a way, through the work of Christ. Specifically, "through Jesus Christ" we may "offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God" (1 Pet. 2:5, NKJV). Although "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Heb. 11:6, NKJV), by the mediating work of Christ, God will "make" believers "complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Heb. 13:21, NKJV). Those who respond to God by faith are accounted righteous in His sight through the mediation of Christ, whose righteousness alone is acceptable. And those who respond to God's loving overtures are accounted worthy through Christ's mediation (Luke 20:35), and He transforms them into His likeness (1 Cor. 15:51-57, 1 John 3:2). God's redeeming work is not only for us but in us, as well.