MIDWEEK MESSAGE #97
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #97. I hope your week has been a good one so far.
There is so much happening right now. I would like to highlight some things during this Midweek Message. I hope you will take the time to read through them and maybe check them out further.
#1 ITEM: This is for all the ladies out there! This Saturday night is the Ladies Night at Main Street Coffee. I know the details have been announced for close to a month but let me just give you the basics one more time. It is Saturday from 5-7 PM. Kropack Creations is catering an Italian meal with pastry and drink provided by Main Street. The cost is $13 with girls 12 & under costing $7.50. Seating is limited so the best thing to do is contact Linda St. John for more information (812.829.7999). *There is only room for five more ladies to attend!
#2 ITEM: For the past month and a half we have been announcing via voice and print about the launch this Sunday of our Care Team Ministry (CTM). I suspect you already know, but if not, the plan is to have a pitch-in lunch after second service and then Hope East will present the CTM plan in more detail than I have been able to do via the MM (starting with MM#92). You will then have the fantastic opportunity to become part of one of the teams which will reach out to others in our church family. You won’t want to miss out on this in any way! I heard someone say they would not be able to make the meal but would like to be involved. You will be more than welcome! Please just talk to Hope for a recap or discussion of where you would like to help.
#3 ITEM: For six straight years I taught what I called Route 66 (abbreviated to “66”), so-named after the 66 books of the Bible. After my third time through, I took a much-needed break for a year or two then started it again in September of 2020. We were going strong until the pandemic arrived. I started it again this past February 1st but after a couple of weeks, decided to change things. I talked to the class and they also agreed to the change. 66 will begin again on Wednesday, March 2nd from 6-7:00. It will be all new streamlined material from the previous efforts. We will take a break during Spring Break and then during the summer, but other than that, we will be pretty solid. I generally take a book a week which gives us a general overview of the Bible. If you want to know more, please feel free to contact me. I think it is good for both those who know very little about the Bible, and also for those who have been followers of Jesus for a long time.
#4 ITEM: Small groups. Small groups really are one of the life-bloods of the church. People need to feel connected, to feel a part of something. We want to start up small groups again but we want to do it right. We have been asking you to sign up to indicate your interest. We plan to start working on them soon so if you have an interest there is still plenty of time to let us know. You can sign up and indicate your preference (participate, host or teach) at the info table or call the church office.
#5 ITEM: The Testimony Project. Many people have wonderful “God stories” that need to be told. An intervention. A healed marriage or physical healing. A wonderful transformation story. Standing in front of people is not the cup of tea for many, but recording your story on your phone and then posting it is much easier. It is a great way to share your story in the privacy of your home, but then be an encouragement to others. We have Testimony Project handouts with directions on how to do all of this and post it on Facebook at the info table in the auditorium, and on the bulletin board in the hallway.
#6 ITEM: It never ceases to amaze me what people are capable of doing (in a good way). There is a series of commercials running right now for an organization called Tunnels to Towers. It was started by a man who wanted to honor his brother, a firefighter in NY, who lost his life running into the towers to save lives on 9/11. The purpose of T2T is to make houses available for vets and those who have suffered traumatic injuries from war or serving the community. Many of these vets have no legs, no arms, part of an arm, and other casualties of war. My impression of the people being featured reflected a “can do” attitude.
In Exodus 3-4, there is an interesting exchange between God and the one He is calling to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses.
- Moses: Who am I that I should go?
- God: I will be with you.
- Moses: What if they ask what is the name of the God who sent me?
- God: I AM WHO I AM
- Moses: What if they will not believe me?
- God: Check out your staff and your hand in your cloak.
- Moses: I’ve never been eloquent. I stutter.
- God: I will be with your mouth. I made you.
- Moses: Send someone else.
- God: (angrily) I’ll send Aaron to speak for you.
Moses had an “I can’t” attitude. It might have even been an “I don’t want to” attitude. God changed that “I can’t” into a “Can do.”
When we feel incapable, God says, “I am enough.” He turns our “I can’t” or “I won’t” into a “With me you can.”
I hope this week you will experience God’s “I am enough.” I love you all.
Pastor Bill
