MIDWEEK MESSAGE #190
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #190. I think we can say this past week was a nice break from the frigid winter weather we had been having. I, for one, totally enjoyed not having to bundle up like Ralphie’s little brother, Randy, in A Christmas Story. I guess we will see what is coming…when it comes.
Remember to pray for Dr. Michael Robison who is our educator of the week. Dr. Robison is the principal of Patricksburg Elementary School. He has a daughter and has been at PES for 4 years. Previous to that he was the Assistant Principal at OVMS. Dr. Robison is an avid hunter and is going to law school at IUPUI in the evenings.
YOUTH CORNER
We had a busy week for some of our young people being recognized. Here they are:
- Cooper King, the son of Brad and Cara King, is a senior at OVHS. He was chosen to be a part of Hope Squad at OVHS. Cooper was nominated by his fellow students. From the Hope Squad website: “Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program where students are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained as advisors. The program reduces the risk of youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention.” We are super proud of you, Cooper (and so is mom who shared this with me).
- Alexander Chambers was the VFW coloring contest winner. I have a picture but it won’t transfer to the MM. Not only did he do a good job coloring the Thank You picture for the military, he also got a huge Hershey candy bar. I bet he’s going to share it with me. ☺ Good job coloring, Alexander! (Linda St. John sent me this information).
- Amelia Biggs was chosen as a Top Cat for this past quarter at SES. (Thanks, mom).
- Addilyn Hutchison was chosen as a Top Cat for this past quarter at SES. (Thanks, mom).
- Cooper Wood was chosen as a Top Cat for this past quarter at SES. (Thanks, mom).
- Brantley Schneider was chosen as a Top Cat for this past quarter at SES. (Thanks, mom).
- You might be wondering why I didn’t list them together. I feel they each deserved a separate mention so they and others can see this is quite an honor. Way to go, you four! Keep up the good work!!
As I have mentioned before, I want to put the focus on our young people when they are honored. If you know of anyone I can add for next week, please let me know (as their parents/friends did).
Although not part of the youth corner, but still deserving of special mention is Rachel Nicholson. Rachel was in the final group of teachers who completed coursework through CELL’s Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure (I-SEAL) initiative to earn licensure to teach special education. She has the state test to take in March and then she will be officially licensed. Way to go Rachel! I’m one who believes you will do well in the state test. She currently works/teaches at McCormick’s Creek Elementary School.
I received word that Logan Cain, son of Tony and Audrey Courson and boyfriend of (I mean fiancé…inside joke) of Kathryn Anderson was chosen as Marine of the Year for his unit. That is one powerful testimony, Logan! The Coursons and Kathryn are flying there this week for the ceremony.
‘TIS THE SEASON! I know you are thinking that I have either lost it or my memory is going bad. Didn’t we just finish THAT season? I have another season in mind. Summer. (Can you feel that sun on your face?) CAMP SEASON. More specifically, HILLTOP CAMP SEASON. That’s right folks! Hilltop Christian Camp registration is now open! Every summer we send a lot of campers to spend time at Hilltop. For those of you who are new: Hilltop is located in Brown County and it offers opportunities for campers, beginning with a Day Camp for those who have completed K-1 all the way through high school. So…there are weeks for all ages. Pastor Ryan is the Dean of two weeks of Wilderness Camp. Information and registration forms are at the info table or you may also register online at hilltopchristiancamp.com. Please keep in mind, discounts are in place for early registration! OVCF offers camp scholarships for those who request them. Please see Pastor Ryan or Diana for the code needed to register. There is a form we ask that you fill out to request a scholarship and you can get one from the church office. Each year many of our young people attend Hilltop and come back changed and excited about Jesus. Why not be one of them?
Did you know that you can take a look at the drawings for our new building addition? Diana has put a big display on the south wall by the doors. Although incomplete with the details needed for the state and building, they will give you a great idea of what we are looking at building. For those of you who are new to OVCF, we have been saving since 2018 because we plan to build the building with no debt.
This Sunday’s sermon will continue the WELCOME HOME…where… series. This week’s sermon is “Lives are Changed.” The Scripture is Colossians 2:6-15. I’m enjoying this series and truly hope you are also.
Happy Birthday to my bride of 50.7 years! Tuesday she celebrated a birthday but they say it is wrong to tell how many. So I’ll just give you a hint. It is somewhere between 72 and 74. ☺
Have a great rest of the week. I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Love you all.
Pastor Bill