MIDWEEK MESSAGE #194
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #194! I know it is probably foolish to say that I hope you missed me but…I hope you missed me.😊 Our trip to Arizona was fun, refreshing, and a great get-away, but it sure was good to sleep in our own bed! Thanks to all who picked up the slack and also prayed for us while we were gone. Besides spending time Dave and Susan (our friends we went to see), we also met a longtime blogging friend and director of the MAK Foundation (Floyd) in Scottsdale for lunch on Thursday. Dave was an excellent tour guide as we made our way to Sedona and then the Grand Canyon. Sedona was a beautiful place, but one cannot find the words to describe the Canyon. Just WOW! As I stood at the edge (but not too close), all I could think of were the words of the psalmist: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” (Ps. 19:1). Another one was from Psalm 8:3-4 “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers-the moon and the stars you set in place-what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” Pictures don’t do it justice. We had a great trip. The downside was that it was 70+ degrees when we left; the next day here it was in the 30s with a wind chill of 20. Sort of makes being a snowbird appealing, although I have absolutely no plans of being one. 😊
Remember to pray for our Educator of the Week, Norm Warner. Norm is the Director of Technology for S-OCS. He and his wife Lori are longtime residents of Owen County and are the parents of 3 boys. Lori works at Cook.
Did you know our very own Joe Pavich was honored this week during Athletic Trainer Appreciation Day? Here is what Kris Samick wrote about him in the Friday Fun Facts of S-OCS: We are SO fortunate to have Joe Pavich as our Athletic Trainer for Owen Valley High School! He does a fantastic job taking care of our student-athletes and is proactive in his approach to ensure their safety. Specializing in training, prevention, and treatment of injury, Athletic Trainers can handle emergency and non-emergency situations that come out of physical activity or sports. Way to go Joe! We are proud of you.
YOUTH CORNER
- Back in MM#183 I shined the light on Annalei Dow, the daughter of Chad and Terri Dow. Annalei plans to attend the University of Minnesota on a diving scholarship. But there is more to the story! She is not just a top diver but also a top student. She opened the mail the other day and has been awarded an academic scholarship as well. We are so proud of you Annalei!
- Don’t tell anyone, but Aubrey Mangia not only was part of the 7th grade girls basketball team (they won the WIC for 7th grade), she also celebrated her 13th birthday this past Sunday. Congrats on both Aubrey.
- Charli Wood was awarded “Most Encouraging” for the cheer season. What an honor Charli!
Part of my vacation is relaxing and part of my relaxing is reading. I read one book while I was gone: Just Show Up by Drew Dyck, and then when I got back I read one that I ordered as a result of reading that one. It was called Glad You’re Here by Walker Hayes (Crazy Like Applebee’s singer) and Craig Allen Cooper. Little did I know they both went along with the theme of the past series of sermons (WELCOME HOME…where). After reading them I put together something we all read together this past Sunday. I thought I would put it here so you can read it and maybe post it where you can see it:
WE’RE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!
If you are happy we want to celebrate with you.
If you are tired and need rest;
If you are hurting and need comfort;
If you have failed, feel guilt and shame and wonder if God still loves you;
If you feel you are at the end of your rope and need a lifeline;
If you think you are too great a sinner and feel hopeless;
If you are here but can’t raise your eyes, head, or hands in worship…
That’s okay. We want this to be a place where you find strength to go on.
Let us pray for you, stand beside you and even carry you to God’s throne where you can find new hope.
I’m sure we will tweak it in the weeks to come but please start familiarizing yourself with it. Eventually it will come as natural as breathing.
Here is some information you can file away:
- Spring Break begins this coming weekend, March 10-17. Many of you will be traveling. Please be safe and enjoy your time away.
- Cory and Cassidy Fountain will be with us on March 17th to update us on their move to London to do mission work.
- Resurrection Sunday services will be at Abram Event Venue. We will have one service at 10:00 a.m. More information will be coming!!!
My sermon this Sunday is Jesus is God (The Ant-Man heresy). I can give you one hint on the topic but I hope it won’t keep you away. 😊 One word: Trinity.
Remember to turn your clocks ahead this Saturday night!
Have a great week. I love you all and it was so good to see you Sunday.
Pastor Bill
