MIDWEEK MESSAGE 79
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #79. Fall Break is over for most schools and “back to the old grind” is the moniker. Many of you took off for a well-deserved time away. I hope you were able to get some sanity back.
Some of you are old enough remember records. Vinyl albums. After being sent into oblivion with the onset of 8-track tapes (well…we can bypass those monstrosities); cassette tapes; CDs; and now digital music, they are making a comeback. There was a saying used during the time of records: “you sound like a broken record.” I know exactly what they meant. I had records that got scratched and the needles would just repeat that word over and over. I will warn you ahead of time that I will sound like a broken record by the time I am done because I want to talk about the 17th Anniversary of OVCF coming up this Sunday. At the risk of shutting you down as you read this, please let me give the details to you one more time (with some additional information). Drum roll please:
- OVCF’s 17th anniversary is this Sunday, October 17th at 10:00 a.m.
- When you drive onto the property you will see the tent at the east side of the parking lot by the shelter.
- Some chairs will be set up in shelter. We will have others available for you to use but encourage you to bring your own since it will be more comfortable.
- Joe Pavich and Pastor Ryan are working hard to have the live stream working that morning. We also hope to have the projector working as well.
- Following the sermon and communion, Wayne Akerson, one of the elders and a member of the Building Team will give an update on the new building progress.
- The offering that day will be divided evenly between the Building Fund and Missions (unless designated).
- The nursery and children’s programs will be happening as usual.
- Immediately following Wayne’s presentation, we will meet in the church auditorium for a pitch-in. It is not too late to sign up for the pitch-in. Please call the church office and let Diana know if and how many will be coming. We need to let the Chambers’ know how many to cook chicken for.
WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!
We do have some “loose ends” to tie up that you can help us with.
- The tent will be here on Friday so Saturday morning at 9:00 we need your help setting up the stage (Zach Hogan is graciously providing his stage for us).
- At the same time, we need some folks who will help move the picnic tables out and carry chairs to the shelter (but not set them up).
- We need others who will help set up tables and chairs in the church auditorium for the pitch-in. We will possibly need help after the worship service to move tables and chairs after they are used for the children’s programs that morning.
- We will need help at 7:30 Sunday morning to move sound equipment and set up chairs in the shelter.
Most of all, bring an open heart to worship and to express gratitude to God for His marvelous work in and through OVCF these past 17 years. I can’t wait to share this Sunday with you!
I’d like to share the following thought with you today. Maybe someone needs it:
Bone-tired. Weary beyond belief. Asleep on his feet. Those are just some of the phrases we might use to describe how we feel. I’ve been there. So tired I can barely think. So weary it is an effort to pick my feet up and put one foot down in front of another.
I’ve been there spiritually as well. The battles have been intense. The days long, the nights short. The arm wielding the sword hanging by my side. The helmet askew; the head bowed in weariness, and yes, even defeat. The armor stripped off because I am just too wiped out to wear it. The shoes too heavy for my feet.
But from out of nowhere comes a second wind. As Petra sang it so many years ago: “I got my second wind/The Spirit is moving again.” Isaiah 40:28-31 has just happened!
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives strength to the weary, And to the one who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (NASB2020)
The end of myself became the beginning of Him. The end of my strength became the beginning of His.
Physical. Mental. Spiritual. Weariness touches us all. But so does the energy of the Spirit. I find myself rejuvenated.
Physically- the weariness gives way to intentional movement.
Mentally- a clarity comes that assesses situations and knows how to act.
Spiritually- The “light goes on” and a fresh wind blows through.
God’s Word is once again true: “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.”
Have a great rest of the week. See you Sunday! I love you all.
Pastor Bill
