MIDWEEK MESSAGE #275
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #275. After taking a break for Christmas week, I am back with the final MM of 2025. I’m guessing at this point it will be shorter than most, but I wanted to at least give you something to think about as we come to the close of 2025 and see 2026 on the immediate horizon.
Please pray for all of our students, teachers, and school-related staff during this last week of Christmas break.
I try to include some YOUTH NEWS in each MM. But with school on break, news is sparse. However, I heard about some adults who received some great news (No, it is not baby news).
ADULT NEWS:
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- Caleb Brinson was recently sworn in as a police officer for the Bloomington Police Department. He began the ceremony by singing the National Anthem. He was also presented with the Herman H. Freed Award, which is an award that class members vote on to be presented to one officer in the class that best demonstrates the qualities of Integrity, Loyalty, Ethics, and Attitude. Brad and Tara Brinson are Caleb’s very proud parents (she might have sent this to me). 😄
- Brandon Bedolla grew up in our youth group and after graduation pursued other interests (including marriage). He was also sworn in for the BPD at the same ceremony as Caleb. He was recognized as the class Vice President and the Squad A Leader.😄
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MORE ADULT NEWS (of the baby variety): (I am including this list so you can pray for them)
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- Sonia & Aaron Clausman (due 2/26)
- Lily & Keaton Zufall (due 3/26)
- Beth & Billy Allen (due 4/26)
- Gabrielle & Caleb Corder (due 5/26)
- Zoe & Brayton Wyatt (due 5/26)
- Cecelia & Adam Fox (due 5/26)
Sarah & Will Schneider (due 5/26) - Cassie & Westin Linville (due 6/26)
- Stevie & Justin Chandler (due 6/26)
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2026 is right around the corner. Like many of you I do wonder what the new year will bring. What victories? Defeats? Lessons? Highs? Lows? It should be a foregone conclusion the answer to those questions is a big “I don’t know.” After the year of working our way through the Everyday Gospel Devotional and the whole Bible, my focus this year will be a bit more narrow. My theme for 2026 is Still the ONE!! Revelation 5:13 is my focus verse: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (NLT). This Sunday’s message is entitled Still the ONE!!
I will be using John 1:1-15; 6:68-69 and Hebrews 1:1-14 as my Scripture. I’d like to ask that you read ahead to prepare your minds and hearts for Sunday. This sermon will be like opening the door to the 2026 theme.
Years ago I found the following writing, made a copy of it and had Jo laminate it for me. It hung on my wall by my computer/study area for several years. I do not remember who wrote it, nor do I remember when or where. I wish it was my own words for they express my thoughts and commitment moving into 2026. I share it with you below. The original and my own thoughts are in different type fonts. Here it is:
I promise to keep doing original and hard work in my study.
{Many pastors and others are using AI to write their sermons. I refuse to bow to the AI Revolution and certainly will not do so when it comes to writing sermons}.
Those to whom I am called deserve my best efforts.
{You are who I am called to serve. I will continue trying to give my best in my ministry to you}.
I promise to maintain a heart for God. That means I will pray frequently and fervently, and
stay devoted to Him and to my calling.
{This is perhaps the toughest of all. This takes a lot of work and commitment to do}.
I promise to remain accountable. Living the life of a religious Lone Ranger is not only unbiblical, it’s dangerous.
{I work with 3 highly perceptive people and serve alongside 3 elders who take their responsibilities seriously. My desire is not to do ministry alone}.
I promise to stay faithful to my family. My wife deserves my time, affection, and undivided
attention. Our now-grown children deserve the same.
{As Jo and I age our lives are different. Time spent away is more selective as my presence has been needed more. I will continue to serve you, and keep in mind that my family is always my priority}.
I promise to be who I am. Just me. I plan to keep laughing, saying things a little off the wall,
being a friend, and making a few mistakes each month.
{Do you think you can handle that? I sure hope so!
At 73 it is super hard to change and become someone I’m not! 😄}.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Until then, know you are loved.
Pastor Bill
