MIDWEEK MESSAGE #257
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #257. It is good to have you join me today. This is a busy month so I hope this week starts it out on the right foot.
The biggest news is, of course, school starts this week. For some of you I just went from Mr. Nice Guy to Mr. Worst News of the Week guy. 😉Sorry. However, there is one bright spot in this picture. We have a name to pray for each week. This week is a general one. Please pray for all the administrators, principals, staff, teachers and students this week.
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- Pray for a good school year.
- Pray for a safe school year for all involved.
- Pray for the teachers to communicate well.
- Pray for the students to learn well.
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We will be giving you a specific individual to pray for each week from this point on. Living with a teacher in the household keeps me praying and learning that being a teacher is hard work. It is also mentally challenging, especially if you know a teacher who truly cares about his or her students.
More great news to share! This past Wednesday night we had our monthly church family pitch-in. We had the most people we have ever had! 70! Count them: 70! Funny thing about that is we had 69 and a few moments after I had counted and announced the number, someone came up to me to say, “Someone just came. You can add her.” We had not only a great turnout, but some great conversations. In fact, when I left there were still some people talking and visiting (Pastor Ryan stayed to lock up). We also had a great spirit of cooperation as all the tables were taken down and the chairs were set up so I had very little to do Thursday morning in getting the chairs ready for Sunday morning. Thanks to everyone who helped clean up, put
away, set up, and made life much easier. You da best! 😊
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- Speaking of the pitch-in. We are having to move the next pitch-in to a week earlier. Pastor Ryan, Tom Mangia and I will be attending a two-day DiscipleShift Conference being held in Brownsburg on the 27th and 28th of this month. Since you know it is essential that I be there (for the food and fellowship, remember), it was decided to move the pitch-in to a week earlier. So mark the date of August 20th for the next pitch-in at 6 pm.
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Now for some YOUTH NEWS!
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- ROOTS begins Sunday evening, August 24th from 5-7:00. ROOTS is open to all Middle School and High School students. Pastor Ryan sent an email to all parents and students this past week. If by some chance you did not get one, please reach out to him. The letter told about ROOTS, Deeper and several other events on the horizon. There is also a sign-up sheet on the info table if you would like to provide snacks for ROOTS.
- Right after the OC fair started I mentioned to you that MiaRose Hess was chosen as the Fair Queen. I also mentioned her sister, Meilynn is making quite a name for herself in 4-H as well. She texted me her list of awards this past week and it could quite possibly take the rest of this MM to list them all. When I talked to her, she said I could cut it down and maybe just list the Champion and Grand Champion awards. So here goes:
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- Western Sr. Showmanship in 4H project awards-Reserve Champion
- Reserve Grand Champion for Top Dog and Dog Agility
- Dog Showmanship-Grand Champion
- Fashion Revue- Grand Champion
- Bicycle rodeo- Grand Champion
- Rabbit Showman-Advanced Champion
- Pygmy market and Pygmy Doe- Grand Champion
- Aerospace, Collections, Outdoor Photography, BeeKeeping-Grand Champion
- Several Reserve Champion as well as multiple other awards
- Well done, Meilynn! Keep up the good work.
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- Any others to add to the fair awards?
- A little birdie told me Rusti O’Neal made the 7th grade Volleyball team. I bet she will tell you there is a difference in size from a softball to a volleyball. 😊
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Exciting news to share! This coming Sunday, Jordan Mahon, who was one of our graduating seniors, will be baptized by Pastor Ryan and Joe Pavich at the falls at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Jordan spoke with Pastor Ryan this past week and knew his next step in following Jesus would be to be obedient in baptism. You are welcome to observe. The baptism will take place after the second service, about 12:45 pm. Jordan will be attending Judson University to play basketball (and to study) this fall.
On September 7th I will be offering the first of what I hope are many sessions on “An Introduction to OVCF.” Following a lunch of sandwiches and snacks, I want to have an informal, casual conversation about what makes OVCF tick. You will have a chance to see our mission and vision, core beliefs and core values and why we are structured the way we are. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and hopefully get answers. 😊 My plan is to make it last around 1- 1 1/2 hours. If you have need of childcare, please indicate that or let me know. There is a sign-up sheet on the back info table. The limit is 12 per session and I had 3 sign up this past Sunday.
Did you know that Anna East is leaving in October and flying the coop? Well…she is flying but not the coop. She is actually going to New Zealand to serve on a short term mission trip (4 months) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). Anna will be sharing about her trip on August 17th at both services. I admire any young person who wants to stretch their boundaries and see how God can use them. Come listen to Anna and show your support for her trip.
My sermon for Sunday is entitled What Does God Want from Me? The Scripture is Isaiah 54-Jeremiah 13. Let me just give you a heads up and maybe you can develop it on your own. Here are the main thoughts in the outline: I) He wants me to pursue Him; and II) He wants me to rely on Him. Your mission is to divide up the Scripture to see how you do. Until then, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I look forward to seeing you Sunday. You are loved.
Pastor Bill
