MIDWEEK MESSAGE #235
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #235! A couple of things are on my radar this Sunday morning as I begin writing this. First, after having some fairly decent weather the past couple of weeks, I hear of rumblings that Old Man Winter might be returning. Hmmm.đSecond, I, for one, will be glad when today (Super Bowl Sunday) is over. I gave you my pick on Sunday for the winner. I have never placed a bet, but if I had I guarantee I would have lost my shirt (pun intended for those who witnessed it). In spite of my lack of interest, I hope your team won. Tami and I agree: SB over; baseball Spring Training on deck. Regardless, I do appreciate you taking the time to read this weekâs MM.
YOUTH CORNER:
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- This past Saturday Jo, Tami and I were able to watch several of our young people play basketball: Hudsyn Biggs, Jordan Mangia, Charlotte Pavich, and Auggie Wood. A plus for me was along the way I saw several whom I have or am now reading to for Book Buddies. We had fun watching them all play-win or lose. Coaches were Geoff Biggs and Tom Mangia.
- I know there are others who play so please give me their names so I can include them!!
From Pastor Ryan:
Humble, generous, servant love.
For the youth super bowl party, a couple in our church family spent their treasure, time and love preparing a meal for the teens to have during the super bowl. This happens EVERY WEEK â not the party, the generous outpouring.
Before I could purchase table service and decorations, another lovely soul in our church family called and said she had just acquired a supply of football themed plates, cups, dĂ©cor and more. She called to tell me I could have all that I wanted or thought weâd need.
The night of the game, three amazing adult leaders came to hang-out with students. They love Jesus and
students and live to see students follow Christ. By the end of it all, I could tell they were tired, but they
joyfully kept giving of their deep reserves of kindness, patience, attention, and love.
Students came early and laughed together while decorating and setting up. Many stayed late to clean up
and reset the building â cleaning up sticky, red pop off of classroom floors on their hands and knees. No
complaining or griping. Just humble serving.
We decided to leave the dishes and a few things until morning and head home. I left a note for our pastor
and secretary explaining that Iâd tackle the dishes and remaining clean up the next day. When I got to the
church building, expecting to pick up where Iâd left off, I was â yet again â blown away. The dishes were
done and dried. All trash was collected and taken to the can.
This is the kind of family that my church has. When I asked who I could thank for this, I just got two smiles
in return.
This is humble, generous, servant love. It permeates here. Plebian and pastor. Young, old and in-between.
Iâm grateful to be a part of it, and I hope to show the same humble, generous, servant love I see you showing each other â and me. Let us do it all to Christâs glory.
Thank you for letting me share just a little of how I see Christ in our church family every day. You are
Christâs and He is yours.
We finished with the teachers from OVCF as our educators of the week, so we are moving on to the principals of each school. Please pray for the Principal at OVHS, Robert Boltinghouse, and the Assistant Principal, Jake Steinmetz. I donât envy the job any principal or assistant principal has, especially in a high school. The challenges faced on a daily basis could seem monumental at times. Iâm sure they would appreciate your prayers for wisdom.
Since I am asking for prayer for Mr. Boltinghouse and Mr. Steinmetz, Iâd like to continue in that vein and ask for prayer for our church family. Many have faced losses of loved ones recently and many have upcoming surgeries and health issues. We also have the joy of praying for several families who are expecting little ones this year. Please remember them this week. For a complete list of prayer needs, please check out the bulletin.
After the fantastic response for our Wednesday night Pitch-in, Diana included a poll on the churchâs Facebook group. Two options were given: monthly or quarterly. The vote was overwhelming for a monthly pitch-in so we are going to try that. Our next pitch-in will be Wednesday, February 26th at 6:00 (PM of course! đ). There is something different this time! Someone generously wants to provide Babbs chicken for all, so it will help with planning if you would please sign up if you are interested in attending. OVCF will provide the drinks and table service again. I look forward to seeing you there! We had a great time visiting and spending time with each other at last monthâs meal!
DONâT FORGET NEW BEGINNINGS PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER HAS TWO EVENTS
HAPPENING THIS MONTH!
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- The 2025 Diaper Drive takes place the whole month of February. You may leave your items here at the church building or at the center. Call 812.829.2229 for their hours.
- Valentineâs Day Dance is this Friday. If you desire more information, contact Vicki Hogan.
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A Womenâs Connection Event is happening on the 28th at 6:00 here at OVCF. Bivi Ervin is hosting a tamale meal. Please sign up if you are interested! The cost is $10, please give the money to Linda St John. There will also be an alternative meal offered for those who donât eat tamales. Cost is still $10 for that as well.
Wednesday Night Conversations meets every Wednesday night from 6-7:00. It is a pretty informal discussion, always involving âWhat does the Bible say?â This Wednesday night we will be discussing the often heard statement âGod Just Wants Me to be Happy.â As you can imagine, it is used to justify a lot of contemporary thoughts and behavior. I would love to have you join in our discussion!
Iâm about at the end of my allotted writing time.đI have a persistent editor who keeps my feet to the fire. (Did I happen to mention Dianaâs name?)đSeriously, she does a phenomenal job of editing the MM and I am grateful for that.
With all the talk in our culture of justice and mercy, Sundayâs sermon should fit right in. It is aptly titled Justice or Mercy? and will be taken from Leviticus 24-Numbers 10. Take a look at Micah 6:8 as well. That is one powerful verse! I look forward to seeing you Sunday! Know you are loved.
Pastor Bill
