MIDWEEK MESSAGE #152
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #152. Resurrection Sunday 2023 is history, at least according to the calendar. But as I quoted Sam Allberry in my sermon: “ Many Christians, while believing in the resurrection and rehearsing that belief every Easter Sunday, effectively stick it back in a drawer for the rest of the year because they are at a loss of what to do with it.” {Quote from Hope in Times of Fear by Tim Keller-p.xxi}. Let’s not be the statistic that gives credence to what Sam said. Let’s not just believe the Resurrection story, but let’s allow it to change the way we live our daily lives. Anyway, thanks for joining me for this week’s MM.
Please be in prayer this week for Tammy Siscoe, Assistant Corporation Nurse. She and all the nurses of our school system would appreciate your prayers.
I’d also like to ask you to be in prayer for the Carlson family. Saturday evening at 7:37 Carolyn went home to be with Jesus. She turned 90 this past week but has been yearning to go home for quite a while.
Please add Tiffany Groomer to your daily prayers. The picc-line and dressing are very uncomfortable. I failed to mention this past Sunday that Tiffany had to go to the ER again on Saturday. She is miserable and has asked for prayers!!
It is well known about the devastation that many families experienced due to the weather event our area suffered two weeks ago. High winds, straight-line winds, and tornadoes left a line of damage in their path. The worst hit were the campgrounds at MCSP as well as many homes on Macville and Wolf Mountain Roads. Pastor Ryan took several days this past week buying totes (the elders told him to do so) and then delivering them (with David Robertson’s help) to homes, especially those on Wolf Mountain Road. He has also been in contact with IDES (International Disaster Emergency Services) about sheds they provide for homeowners. We have partnered with IDES in the past, especially our youth, by helping at their headquarters in Noblesville packing meals which they ship to other countries experiencing famine and other disasters, and building sheds. Here is how you can help:
- The church’s disaster relief team, led by Cassie Linville and Jasmine St. John, has contacted local agencies to see how we can help. A work day is scheduled for this Saturday from 2-5 PM. *The plan is to meet at OVCF at 2 for instructions. Bring work gloves, closed-toe shoes, 5 gallon buckets to carry debris.
- As I mentioned, Pastor Ryan has been in contact with IDES about sheds. They will be delivered to the people and be built on site some time in early May. If you are able to help, let Pastor Ryan know. You can call or text him to let him know of your willingness to help. We will keep you informed as to any pertinent information (times, location, etc) when we know more.
- The church is helping any way it can and trying to cooperate with local agencies (the Red Cross, for one, has set up a base at Stinesville Elementary School to provide two meals a day).
- Above all, please pray for these folks who virtually lost every earthly treasure. Pray for them as they pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and try to make sense of it all. Pray for the church’s (ours and others) response to these folks.
- If you have any more questions please feel free to give the church office a call or text one of us. We will try to answer any question(s) you may have.
I know numbers are not legitimate qualifiers when it comes to churches, especially on holidays. But just in case you are interested, we had 246 for our Resurrection Day worship. Better yet! The offering went to the missions we support (we added the tornado victims as well) unless otherwise designated. The total offering for this past Sunday was $10,180.70 with $7795.70 (which we rounded up to $7800) to be divided among the missions and $1655 for the Building Fund. That means each mission will receive an extra gift from OVCF in the amount of $780. Thank you so much for being so generous in your giving. There is no doubt in my mind that God has blessed OVCF for several reasons, one of them being our willingness to be generous to others (local and foreign). As in the past, we will keep you abreast of what is happening and be accountable for every penny spent. Diana does a tremendous job of paying the bills and keeping things straight. She keeps things accountable with the Finance Team and elders. Our Finance Team goes over the budget ever year and gives time on their given Sunday to stay afterward and count.
That leads me to something really important. Several weeks ago I was asked about the finances and it was “implied” that I know what others give. I sort of shocked the person when I said that I know nothing of what anyone gives, except my own. Neither Pastor Ryan nor I have any clue what any individual gives. That person acted shocked because that was not the norm he was used to. That has always been my policy and it will continue that way. I just wanted you to know that.
The next three Sundays will give you a great opportunity to hear a variety of speakers.
- This Sunday, the 16th, Will Reed will be our guest speaker. Will and Theresa and family will soon by leaving for Nairobi, Kenya. Will plans to preach on “Killing the Beast” but also update us on their mission efforts.
- Sunday, the 23rd I will be preaching on “The Boast of the Cross.”
- Sunday, the 30th, Pastor Ryan will be preaching on “My Emmaus.”
Please make plans to be here for each one.
I have given you a lot of information this week. So I think I will close by simply saying I love you all and have a great rest of the week.
Pastor Bill
