MIDWEEK MESSAGE #38
Good morning and welcome to week #38 of the Midweek Message. I hope this finds you and those you love doing well. If my calculations are correct (it is math after all and I don’t do math well) when you get this there will be 16 days until Christmas. I’m going to get out my crystal ball and predict that Christmas will be different for most, if not all, of us this year. I mean, let’s face it. It is 2020 after all so what can we expect? I know ours will be different for sure. No trip to Ohio for us or for Janna and Braden to come here. Either Tami will have to quarantine or Janna will for her work. So I guess we go to the UPS store to have everything packed and shipped. Then let’s hope Skype or Zoom works. I have already heard of family gatherings that have been canceled. But church life continues and I have several items of interest for you.
First, this coming weekend we have been challenged by Steve and Erin Pendleton to sign up for a 24 hour prayer vigil, particularly focusing on our country. Several signed up Sunday on the physical copy. Monday Diana sent you the link to the Google Docs so you can sign up online. Steve and Erin’s desire is for us to blanket that 24 hour time period with prayer. They are asking you to sign up for a 15 minute time slot, and you can choose as many as you want. Their desire is we take that time for personal confession and repentance, and to also pray for our country and leaders and against the evil forces of the enemy. The dates are December 12-13 from 8:00 a.m. Saturday to 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
Second, because we have had to change our normal fare of fixing breakfast on Christmas morning for the community, we switched gears just a bit. We still have people in the community who are in need of food so we have decided to make bags of food available to anyone you may know. Rather than take a chance that we would have random food brought in, we have compiled a list of food items we would like to have. That list is available here at the building or you can call the church office (812.828.9840) for the list. We would like to have the food here by the 20th; assemble the bags on the 21st; and have curbside pick-up from 10-2:00 on the 22nd. As I mentioned in the last MM, we will not be announcing this to the community but we do want you to help us get the word out by giving us names of folks/families you know who may need some help this Christmas. One of the important lessons Jesus taught was “when I was hungry you fed me.” We feel that is something we can help with this Christmas. So if you know of anyone who needs help, please give us their information (we have forms to fill out), or have them call the church office giving your name as a reference. If they are unable to pick up the food, we would ask that you deliver it if you gave us their name. If that is impossible please let me know and I will make arrangements to have it delivered. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Jo at 812.821.1897 or the church office (number previously given). With Covid playing havoc with jobs, school and schedules, I’m sure we all know someone who could use some help.
Third, the magic number is 16!!! That is the magic number for those who came to our first masked service this past Sunday. There have been a number of folks who have been tuning in online to watch the live stream but have occasionally mentioned how much they miss “church.” But they feel very strongly about masks being worn and so they have chosen to not come. After talking with some of them, they were excited to consider a masked service separate from our two on Sunday morning. This past Sunday afternoon we had 16 at a 2:00 masked service. Afterwards we had a Q & A time and it was decided to have a masked service the first Sunday of every month at 1:30. Announcements. Prayer time. Communion. Sermon. The plan is to keep it within an hour. You are more than welcome to come. Just know a mask is required. And pass the word around to others you know who would love to go to church but can’t. I promise no sheep-stealing or recruiting.
I see my space is running short so let me give you some brief information on a couple of items. I can give more detail in the next MM.
- We are going to offer a short Christmas Eve service at 6:00. With the upset of our normal Christmas routine, I thought it would be good to offer a respite. Music. Communion. Short devotion. It should all happen in the space of about 45 minutes. Love to have you.
- The elders of OVCF really do care about each of you. Over the next several months you will be the focus of prayer by each one of them. The directory has been divided evenly (fun fact: 9.6 families. Who is the .6?) During the month of December they will be praying for “their list” and then in January the lists will be swapped. Not only will you be prayed for specifically, you may also expect some form of correspondence (email, card, text) from them. I’m honored to work alongside men who care about more than just making decisions.
Well, my space has run short. Know you are loved.
Pastor Bill
