MIDWEEK MESSAGE #39
Good morning and welcome to Midweek Message #39! I appreciate you taking some time out of your busy day to spend a little bit of time with me. Of course, that is if you read this. If not then I guess you are missing out on one of the best part of your day…despite what Folgers says. Anyway, I am glad you are here.
First up is a reminder about our food bags. Food is coming in but names are not. To date we have received one name. In the past this has not been a problem because we offered bags to those who came in for breakfast or when we delivered food to them. But, as you know, that breakfast has gone the way of just about everything else due to ‘rona so we are short on names. So please…if you know of anyone who needs some food please let Jo know or call the church office (812.828.9840). The information will be recorded and passed along.
Second, this a friendly reminder about the Christmas Eve service at 6:00. It will include some singing of carols, communion and a short meditation. My reason for having one is simple: we all need a time to relax and get away and enjoy the season. We are even going to laugh a bit during the evening. It might last 45 minutes but I can promise it will be worth it.
Third, even though this may be a weird season to say we are going to celebrate Christmas, the real meaning and joy of the season is not confined by walls, doors or a virus. The last I heard the size of a person’s heart cannot be determined by outside influences. May I suggest you get creative in your way of showing you care? Pick up your phone and text or call, or horror of horrors, send a card with a hand-written note in the mail. Of course if you do the latter you may have to have the emergency squad standing by. It might be such a shock to someone’s system to actually receive something the old-fashioned way. Here’s another suggestion: how about finding some children and send them a card and include a small gift card of $5 or so for some place to eat? I have yet to meet a child who didn’t like to receive mail and none…zero…NONE…who didn’t like a gift card to eat somewhere. And DO. IT. LOCALLY! You are making both a child happy (and their parents), but also helping the local businesses. You will be glad you did and it will make your heart so warm you won’t need hot chocolate.
Fourth, for several Midweek Messages I thanked people for their contribution to the ministry of OVCF on Sunday morning. The teachers and helpers in the youth department. The teenagers who help lead the worship in the youth department. The two ladies who help at the check-in desk. Those who are involved in the live stream and some “techie” stuff on Sunday. We have several who each week make sure the soundboard is manned (or is that also womanned?) Thank you, Macy and Emily for joining the soundboard team! I think all these folks deserve a round of applause. Thanks to all of you for a job well-done, even when you try to silence me.
I’m not too sure about writing a MM next week. You all have enough to do during the Christmas week without me clamoring for your time. So please allow me to share some thoughts with you that I recently read. They are from a Christmas devotional called Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp (a highly recommended one by the way). I am on my 6th time through in the last 4 years. While writing about Isaiah 9:6-7 he gave the following ideas on what every sinner desperately needs:
- The government would rest on the shoulders of Jesus. Everyone one of us needs freed from the bondage of self-rule. He is the bondage-breaker.
- Jesus would be a Wonderful Counselor to us. Sin makes us all fools. Jesus came to rescue us from ourselves.
- Jesus would unleash mighty power on our behalf. His power enables us to defeat our enemy. We have an Almighty God on our side!
- Jesus would lavish on us His fathering care. He is one Father who will not let us down, speak harshly to us, do things that would harm us, or turn his back on us.
- Jesus’s reign would be righteous in every way. Not righteous as in the slang of today. Gone is corruption, selfishness, and injustice.
- Jesus’s rule would never, ever end. His is a kingdom without end.
- God will make sure that what He promised would happen. Unlike so many today who don’t keep their word, God is the opposite.
What better news is that? I’d suggest putting that in some stockings and give it as a gift to yourself and to others. Have a great rest of the week and an even better Christmas week. I love you all. I am “proofing” this on Wednesday before Diana sends it. Would someone please tell me what that white stuff is that blanketed my car?
Pastor Bill
