MIDWEEK MESSAGE #243
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #243! I appreciate you taking the time to read this and take note of what is happening with the OVCF family.
Remember to pray for our educator of the week: George Bergen. Mr. Bergen is the counselor at McCormick’s Creek Elementary School (MCES). Mr. Bergen and his helper, Walker (therapy dog), have been at MCES for several years. I know he appreciates us praying for him.
It was good to have Ryan and Mala Kroft from Hilltop Christian Camp with us this past Sunday. Hilltop is the camp we send our young people (and adults) to during the summer. With some exceptions, it is not too late to register for a week of camp. Please contact Pastor Ryan or Diana for a code to use when you register.
Keep in mind the OVCF Worship Service goes on the road this weekend. Resurrection Sunday is this coming Sunday and we will be having one service at Abram Event Venue (next door) starting at 10:00 AM.
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- We have a bunch of people signed up to help at 7:00. Tear down will happen afterwards.
- Pastor Ryan will be contacting those who offered to help with parking and shuttle service between the church and AEV, before and after the service.
- There will be no children’s programs that morning but activity sheets will be available for any young person who would like to use them. A place for you to take your infants will also be provided.
- All of our giving (unless designated) will be equally divided among the missions we support.
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April 30th is our next Wednesday night pitch-in. The first three have been well-attended and they have served to be just what we were hoping for: an opportunity for you to get to know each other. We have no agenda except to eat, laugh, and get to know one another better. We start promptly at 6:00 (because I have learned that people don’t like to wait to eat).😄
Due to the flooding conditions last weekend we had to cancel in-person services. That also meant we had to cancel the presentation of the group that went to east Tennessee over Spring Break to work in the area affected by the floods following Hurricane Helene. That presentation has been rescheduled for May 4th at both services. It just struck me that a flood event here caused us to cancel the presentation of a flood relief event in east Tennessee. How strange is that?
You are also going to want to put May 18th on your calendar. That is Graduate Recognition Day here at OVCF. We will be honoring both our high school and college graduates (if we have any) that morning during the second service. You can help us by calling the church office or by telling Pastor Ryan or Diana if you have a graduate. Please let them know by May 4th.
From the “Are you kidding me department?” We have a graduate in our family. Our grandson, Tami’s nephew, Braden, graduates from Worthington Kilbourne High School in May and will be attending Ohio State University in the fall majoring in finance. He will graduate with a 4.2 GPA (and I can guarantee you he did not get his intelligence from me). For those of you who have been here since his birth, welcome to the shock of our world. 😄 Surely we aren’t that old!
YOUTH CORNER
I don’t have much to offer this week but what I do have is pretty phenomenal. Kalia Keene competed at state in gymnastics. She was telling me about it at the beginning of 2nd service and I finally had to ask her mom to text it to me. NO WAY was I going to remember all there was.
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- She had a 9.325 on the beam and 9.375 on floor exercises. She qualified for regionals. She was in the top 20 for state. Way to go Kalia! 😄I
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In MM #241 I told you about some books I put in the library for you to borrow and enjoy. I want to tell you about 4 more I am putting in the library. The ones from #241 were more history-oriented. These are more life-oriented.
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- Living with Hope is about and written by Michael Panther. Michael was born in war-torn South Sudan and was 10 years old when he began to lose movement in his legs. Michael was adopted by an American doctor who has also helped Michael form a widespread ministry that provides resources and training to disabled people in Africa.
- Out of the Blue is written by Greg Murtha. In December 2011 a perfectly healthy and athletic 46 year old man was diagnosed with “Aggressive Stage 3 colon cancer.” This book is about his life with cancer. On June 22, 2017 Greg “moved to the front of the line.” (p.206) You will be inspired by this book. Guaranteed.
- A Change of Affection by Beckett Cook is the incredible story of a gay man’s redemption. By society’s standards Beckett had it all. At a coffee shop with his boyfriend, Beckett met a man leading a Bible study at another table who invited him to church. He went and long story short, found Christ. This is a wonderful book for you or anyone you know who may be struggling with this issue, or if you simply want to know what to say.
- Sober Cycle by Sherry Hoppen. Sherry was/is an alcoholic and a cyclist. This is her journey to sobriety (not a pretty one). I have given several copies to people because Sherry’s journey offers help. She has since opened Selah House for women who are seeking recovery.
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I guess in some ways I’m clueless. (No comment from the peanut gallery). April 13th would have been my mother’s 93rd birthday if she had not lost her battle with cancer in March of 2004. April 13, 1975 I chose to be ordained into the ministry to honor her on her birthday. This past Sunday, April 13th, was the 50th anniversary of my ordination. Someone congratulated me. Tami had posted it on FB and I had lost track. Time flies when you are having fun. 😄
See you Sunday at Abram Event Venue! I can’t wait to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with you.
Know that you are loved.
Pastor Bill
