Pastor Thomas' Blog

Here goes:

1. Sunday was great – AM and PM services were great.

I preached the 11am service and Pastor Lewis Riggs preached the PM service – we enjoyed having he and his family with us yesterday.

2. Enjoyed the ‘day off’ today.

3. Fireproof Marriage Seminars start tomorrow! Looking forward to what these workshops will do for the couples that are attending!!!

4. Gospel sing this Saturday with THE GIBBS Family from Titusville – 6pm start time.

5. Events on Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri and Saturday this week – busy, busy!

We must keep moving forward and reaching the harvest that is before us!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

A quick update – here goes:

1. Homecoming is only about 4 weeks away – looking forward to this service.

2. The Gibbs Family will be with us on Saturday, September 12 for a gospel sing – it will be great!

3. LCAC – LIGHT Christian Academy is GOING GREAT!! God Is Good!!!

4. It was determined that one of the fees that we paid to OC for the academy was not needed so I have filed the paperwork for a refund in the amount of $1231.00. Praise The Lord.

5. Getting ready for MIP Orientation – I have to be ready to leave at 7:15 in the morning – it’s 12:21am now – I hope I make it.

6. Grandparents Dinner is this weekend – 2pm.

7. My brother is getting married on Saturday – 5pm.

8. My truck died while at Publix yesterday am – my wife was using it. Needs new battery – did not have time to handle it today – will try on Monday – too much going on Friday – Sunday.

9. Called Church Conference is set for the 17th – we will be looking at some options to help with our space issue!

10. Hispanic Congregation is working on a campaign for the end of October (Friday – Sunday) – I have been asked to preach the Friday night service (in English, of course, with an interrupter).

11. Fireproof Workshops start on Tuesday!

12. VOVpractices are now set – 1st and 3rd Sunday’s of each month.

13. Some special guests will be preaching throughout the month of September – looking forward to those services.

14. Girls Clubs started this past Wednesday night. We have divided the girls into two groups and gave them the two rooms in the hall way – this moved the boys group to one side of the fellowship hall – but they seemed to do well with it.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

I was informed last week that our church will have 3 interns this year as part of the Ministerial Internship Program.

Two of the interns currently serve in ministry here at the local church – Michael and Shelley Adams.

I’m thankful for what they do each week and for those that help them in any way!

The 3rd intern is from another local church and I look forward to meeting her in early September.

God has great things in-store for this local church and I’m glad to be a part of it!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

This past Sunday morning I preached about the harvest.

Over the last several weeks, God has been dealing with me about expanding our reach, trying to reach others for the Kingdom of God.

For those that attend, you know that space has been an issue for us.

I was challenged this past Sunday that we can not allow anything to stop us from “REACHING THE HARVEST”.

I realize that this means looking at things differently to ensure we are maximizing every possible option.

I ask each person that reads this post to stop and pray of me and this local church that we will have the mind of God over the next several weeks as we deal with this issue.

To God Be The Glory!!!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

Wendy and I had a great time this past weekend at FUSION!

I’m excited about what God is doing in the Church of God in Florida and consider it a privilege to be a part of it.

More than anything, let’s continue to pray that we all see new birth into the Kingdom of God!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

After four years, the vision of operating a Christian academy as a ministry of Ocoee Church of God has happened.

On Monday, August 24, 2009 LIGHT Christian Academy opened for the 09-10 school year with 16 students ranging from grades 1 – 11.

This step is part one of a two-phase process, with part two being the opening of LIGHT Christian Childcare, serving pre-school aged children.

The journey has been long (and at times very trying) but GOD is faithful!

Until next time!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

What a great God we serve!

On Thursday – I passed my Ordained Bishop Exam!

Praise the Lord!

Also, Michael and Shelley Adams passed their Exhorter Exams!

It was a great day!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

We are still getting calls about the seminar that will occur this Thursday and Friday with Rev. Harold Hanks.

The event will begin at 7pm in the church sanctuary.

You don’t want to miss this event!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

I received a call just before mid-night last night that my Grandmother Odom was not doing well and would not be with us much longer.

I was out the door in about 10 minutes headed to Shands at the University of Florida Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.

My mom had arrived in Ocoee to spend a few days with us, so she also traveled with me.

We arrived at 1:30am (Tuesday AM) – to find out that my grandmother had passed about 6 minutes after I hung up the phone with my Granddaddy Odom.

After checking on a few other things, we headed back to Ocoee, FL – arriving back home just before 5am this morning.

Please continue to keep the Odom family in your prayers during this time.

God Bless!

Pastor Thomas

To All:

On Thursday and Friday of this week, our church will host Rev. Harold Hanks as he conducts his Biblical Principles Financial Seminar!

The event will begin at 7pm each night!

This event is free and open to everyone!

For more information, please contact the church office at 407-656-8011!

Pastor Thomas