MIDWEEK MESSAGE #59
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #59! I hope this edition of the MM finds you having a great week and enjoying God’s blessings. We do serve an awesome (the only time I use that word) God.
As I write this I would bet my last dollar (if I was a betting man) that there are some awful tired, but somewhat emotional parents after this weekend. Since many of our high school grads this year attended OVHS, graduation was this past Saturday. That meant, for many, attending the graduation, setting up for a party, entertaining, and eating, until the last person leaves (finally) and you can crash (is that a sigh of relief I hear escaping your lips?). Congratulations to all the graduates-high school, trade school, and college.
The biggest item on my agenda in this MM is to remind you what this Sunday is: the 5th Sunday Family day! (I thought I’d give you a hint just in case you forgot). This Sunday is the first of our new “experiment.” When a month has a 5th Sunday, our plan is to have the young people who are normally in the youth programs join us in our worship. We want them to see what “big people’s church” is like and not be afraid when it is time to move up. It will be worth it. We will have young people who are more aware of what happens in “big people’s church.” We will most certainly have a greater appreciation for those who spend their Sunday mornings teaching our young people about Jesus. Let just go off on this side road for a moment. It is easy to forget that there are adults who give up their adult worship time to teach our young people. It is almost like “out of sight, out of mind.” I know we don’t intend to think or feel that way but it is easy to let it happen. Saying something this week turns into “Oh, I’ll tell him/her next week.” Or for those who don’t have children it sometimes doesn’t even cross their radar of the sacrifice some are making to teach the children. Most don’t see it as a sacrifice, but as an honor, an act of worship in and of itself and the ministry God has called them to. It’s “work as worship” with a focus on discipleship. They are more focused on giving than getting something for themselves. Please make an effort to let them know how much you appreciate their time and willingness to teach our children.
As a side note: if you are concerned about the possibility of it being too crowded for you or if you are concerned about the “noise level” (which I will assume is going to be higher than normal), we do have the first service at 9:00. I would welcome you coming then!
We have a special treat for you this Sunday also. Well…at least we hope so. We have had a video sent to us which is ideal for a church to remember the purpose behind the Memorial Day weekend. As I write this we are checking into the possibility of us showing it, not only in person, but also on the live stream. Both FB and YouTube have bots that will spot the use of a copyrighted song within a few stanzas and will then shut the site down, at least for that day. We then have to make an appeal for it be lifted. We are seeking permission to show the video and live stream it. At worst, we will show it in person and have to block its transmission via live stream. If that happens, please look on the church’s FB group or for next week’s MM. I will include the link to the video and you can watch it that way. In fact, as I type this it just hit me: I’ll post the video anyway. Some of you may want to watch it again or even share it with someone you love or who needs to learn why we celebrate our freedom.
Do you remember reading in last week’s MM about the service opportunity we have as a church? No? Hmmmm…It is an Outreach Event which will take place at the OVMS/OVHS parking lot on Saturday, June 19th, from 9-3:00. Help will also be needed from 7-9:00 to set up and from 3-5:00 to tear down. There was a meeting last night to put more plans into place to make it something exceptional for the people of Owen County. It is a great opportunity for us to serve our community! I’ll be sharing more in next week’s MM.
If someone were to ask me to name my favorite Scripture I would say, “Psalm 37:5: Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will help you.” The greatest chapter in the Bible is Romans 8. Verses 28-29 challenge me to be conformed to the image of Christ no matter what the circumstances. But verses 31-39 are what I would call the pinnacle, the highlight of the chapter. To know God is for me. To know God stands with me. But what can be greater, more refreshing, more satisfying than to know that nothing can separate me from God’s love? I can’t think of anything. To know that I will go through loss, heartache, and disappointment is one thing, but to know that nothing (read: N.O.T.H.I.N.G.) will separate me from the Father’s love is overwhelming. Drive a nail through that truth today.
My space is up this week. Have a great rest of the week. See you Sunday!!
Pastor Bill
