MIDWEEK MESSAGE #218
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #218! I hope you are having a terrific week so far. One thing seems to be sure: the temps are more Fall-like the past few days. I’m not a big fan of the cooler weather largely because it means winter is around the corner. Yikes! Did I really say that? No matter. I learned a long time ago not to complain about the weather. I can’t change it so I might as well accept it and move on.
Remember to pray for our educator of the week: Gabrielle (Gabby) Corder. Gabby is in her second year of teaching Kindergarten at Gosport Elementary. Gabby is married to Caleb, and this past June they welcomed Charlotte into their world. Last week was her first week back at school. Caleb had the best job: he stayed home and was Mr. Mom to Charlotte.
Here is something to think about. Someone sent this to me as an email and I liked it so well I decided to print it out.
Laziness kills ambition;
Anger kills wisdom;
Fear kills dreams;
Ego kills growth;
Jealousy kills peace;
Doubt kills confidence.
Now read that right to left.
My Wednesday Night Conversations (WNC) begins this Wednesday night at 6:00. I have 13 signed up for the class but there is always room for more. My plan for WNC is for an informal time of study and discussion. This first week is a study/discussion of Next Steps, a course I wrote as a follow-up for new followers of Jesus (adults). It is designed to help the new follower know how to grow deeper in their faith. It will introduce the class to each other and give a one-week buffer for the rest of our study. I have been asked to do a study on some of the cults/other religions we come in contact with. There have been a few other suggestions as well and they will all be discussed by the class. We will be done at 7:00 each night. My plan is to offer the class
until October 9th or the 16th if needed.
The sermon series planned for November is focused on “I’m Thankful…” I will be preaching the first two weeks and Pastor Ryan will preach the last two. My knee replacement is scheduled for November 11th and I know I will be out of commission for at least those two Sundays. If Jo is the true boss of my world, I may be off for the next year.😊She loves having me around so much that she is looking for every opportunity to prolong it. (Believe that and $100 will buy you swamp land in Arizona).
If you have been keeping up with the OVCF world and all things 20th anniversary, you already know some information. Let me share with you what we know so far:
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- Sunday, October 27th at Abram Event Venue (AEV).
- One service at 10:00
- We will be using tables and chairs this time instead of just chairs. Since there is a wedding Saturday night, the venue is not available for us to set up until Sunday morning. We plan to start doing that at 7:00. That allows volunteers to set up then head back home for their families (or take them to breakfast).
- Pitch-in meal at AEV immediately following the service.
- There will be a shuttle from the OVCF parking lot to AEV due to the lack of parking spots.
- A “memory board” with newspaper articles and pictures will bring out some of the history of OVCF, especially to those who may not be familiar.
- Besides the tables, there will be a major shift in the seating arrangement.
- There will not be a separate children’s program but arrangements are being made for something to help keep the young people occupied. There will be a place for a nursery.
- Due to the fact that we are unable to live stream the service from AEV, we plan to prerecord the sermon and communion meditation and then have it go live at 10:00 that Sunday. We did this at Easter and it was well-received.
- All offering that day will go to the Building Fund unless otherwise designated.
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Speaking of the Building Fund!! We do hope to update you on our new addition and the progress we are making with the state approval and architect plans on October 6th . STAY TUNED!
I started my series on Feels Like Home this past Sunday. It continues this Sunday with a message on “Love is Found Here” from the book of Ruth. That sounds long until you look and see Ruth is only 4 short chapters. May I encourage you to read a chapter a day to prepare for this Sunday? I’m convinced if you do read ahead, you will understand the message and learn even more. I am excited about preaching this series. I have an extra special event happening at the end of the series and for the anniversary but I’ll share that when we get closer. 😊
It was good to be back with you Sunday. I enjoy being with people I love. I know I don’t normally point certain people out, but what made it extra special to me was Frances being here for the first time in almost two months. She told me several times when I visited with her that she missed being here. After a stint in the hospital and the rehab facility, it was good to see her walk in with Terrie by her side. For me, it was just good to be here. I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Oh, by the way, we have been having a ton of visitors lately. For those of you who have been visiting and have asked to be put on our mailing list, welcome! Thanks for visiting with us and being interested in what is happening here. We are glad you’re here!
Pastor Bill
