Pastor Thomas' Blog

To All:

This Sunday – May 3 – is Membership Sunday!

God is adding to our church each and every week and I’m excited!

Be sure you are here – you don’t want to miss it!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

As I posted earlier, this past Sunday was set aside for Pastor Appreciation Day – 2009.

Before Sunday even arrived, the leadership group set aside Friday night as family night.

The leadership group (leaders and families) hosted a cook-out for our family.

The night included a game of Jeopardy – with all the topics having to so with the first family.

On Sunday – what a day – our special musical guests were “Carla and Redemption”.

The attendance for the 11am service was 175.

Lunch was served afterwards at the Jim Beech Rec. Center and it was wonderful.

There was plenty of food along with plenty of room – it was very nice.

Our Hispanic Congregation had their service as usual at 2pm.

Our 6pm Service consisted of a gospel sing w/ Carla and Redemption.

The attendance was great – over 100 folks!

As I stated on Sunday – my family and I are honored to serve as Senior Pastor for such a great church!

I want to say “THANK YOU” to everyone that had any part of making this event special for my family!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

Today, I had the honor to be a part of the homegoing services for Sis. Cola Hudson.

What a service………….the presence of the Lord showed up in a mighty way!

Please continue to keep this family in your prayers!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

Sis. Cola Hudson went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 25, about 1:15am.

The Arrangements are as follows:

Viewing will be Monday, April 27, at Collision Carey Hand Funeral Home in Winter Garden, FL from 6pm – 8pm.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, April 28 at Ocoee Church of God in Ocoee, FL beginning at 11am, followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Please continue to keep this family in your prayers during their time of loss.

Pastor Thomas

To All:

I’m so excited about an opportunity that our church has.

We are in the process of closing on another parcel of land that connects to our church!

Instead of financing through a local bank – our church will be using the investment option.

With this plan, local investors will deposit their money w/ Ocoee COG and we will pay them 5% (simple interest) per year.

Folks are beginning to line up for a chance at the following:
-use their money to help their church
-5% return on their money
-no penalty for withdrawal – 30 days written notice is all that is required
-investment is underwritten by the COG – so their is no risk.

If you are interested in more details regarding this plan, please email my Sr. Executive Assistant at admin@ocoeecog.com.

God Bless!

Pastor Thomas

This Friday and Saturday was Life Builder’s 09 – A conference for men!

I was not able to attend last night due to a conflict in my schedule.

I arrived late today due to the passing of Sis. Hudson – however – once I arrived – I was truly blessed!

Bishop Mark Williams spoke at the closing session and IT CHALLENGED MY HEART!!!

There were 4 other men from our church that attended!

It was awesome – 800 men all in the same room – praising and worshiping God.

I was born a male – but I choose to be a MAN!!!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

Sis. Jewell Simmons (age 92) is in urgent need of our prayers!

She is in Georgia with her daughter and became very sick today.

She has been admitted to a local hospital in GA and is undergoing some tests.

Please pray that God will touch Sis. Jewell in a special way!

Pastor Thomas

Tomorrow is a very special day for me and the family!

Each year, it is common for local churches to set aside one Sunday to show appreciation to their pastor.

Well, tomorrow is that day for us.

Our journey as Senior Pastor @ Ocoee Church of God begin just over 7 months ago – and – what a great journey it has been.

Tomorrow, the leadership staff and department directors will be in charge of the entire service.

Ministering in song and word will be a group that is very special to me – Carla and Redemption – who we met a few years ago.

After the 11am service, we will all gather at the Jim Beech Rec Center for lunch.

I went by the rec center tonight for a sneak peek – it looks wonderful!

Our Hispanic Service will still occur at 2pm tomorrow.

Our evening service will begin at 6pm tomorrow which will consist of a gospel sing with Carla and Redemption.

This will be my ‘very first’ Sr. Pastor Appreciation Day – I’m so blessed to pastor such a great church!!!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

Sis. Cola Hudson (Sis. Pat’s mom) went home to be with the Lord around 1:15am this morning.

She was surrounded by family.

Sis. Hudson was not only a GREAT prayer warrior, but she also served as a pastor’s wife.

Sis. Hudson served as pastor’s wife here at the Ocoee COG in 1956 and 1957.

She will be missed.

As soon as I know the arrangements, I’ll post again!

Keep this family in your prayers during their time of loss.

Pastor Thomas

To All:

Sis. Vernelle Norris went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 16, at 6:35pm.

The Arrangements are as follows:

Viewing will be Monday, April 20, at Collision Carey Hand Funeral Home in Winter Garden, FL from 6pm – 8pm.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, April 21 at Ocoee Church of God in Ocoee, FL beginning at 11am, followed by burial at Winter Garden Cemetery.

Please continue to keep this family in your prayers during their time of loss.

Pastor Thomas