Today, the Southern Ontario district of Seventh-day Adventists is having a camp meeting in Simcoe. It’s a time to come together and see old friends and make new ones from all over our southern region. Bronte is open as well and we’re happy you came because we have a great speaker who will be sharing a message today! Richard is one of our Elders, is newly married, and is someone we appreciate having on the leadership team here at the church. I’m sure God has prepared a special blessing for those of you who came, and my prayer is whatever comes your way in life, you choose to remain connected to the vine (John 15).

Last weekend we spoke about Mother’s Day and I pray that each of you took the opportunity to share your gratitude with your mothers this past week. Today we have a special guest speaker with us, Dr. S. Joseph Kidder, who will be speaking to us on the subject of “Experiencing God”. Last night we learned about how we can experience God through the power of prayer, this morning about experiencing God’s grace, and for our main service, Dr. Kidder will be sharing his personal life’s testimony about growing up in Iraq, how he met Jesus Christ and how that changed his life forever. He is a powerful speaker, seminary professor and author! I pray that each of us would be willing to open our hearts to experience God in a new and powerful way this weekend.

Today we’re celebrating Mothers, so whether you’re a mother, grandmother, step-mother, soon-to- be mother, or you play a mother-like role in someone’s life we wish you a happy Mother’s day! We thank God for you and wish to convey our deepest gratitude for all you do. One of my favorite authors, Rudyard Kipling once wrote, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.” God has a special place for you in His heart and He uses you to play a vital role in the well-being of others. We hope you’re blessed by our service today and we encourage everyone to take a moment this weekend to thank your mothers for all they do.