Midweek Message 2-11-2026

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #281

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #281! Thank you so much for taking the time to read the MM. I hope it is a good reprieve during the middle of your week. Remember to pray for all the school administrators and staff this week as our educators of the week.

SOME MISCELLANEOUS NEWS…

• • • Saturday night Bill and Lillian Purcell watched their house burn down. They lost everything except their dogs. When I announced it Sunday I had no details how we could help until during the second service. For those of you who weren’t there here is what was shared: They are collecting for Bill & Lillian at the YMCA. Since they don’t have a place to accept a bunch of stuff, they are asking for gift cards, etc. You can take your gift to the Y during normal business hours (5:30 am-8:00 pm). Bill & Lillian are lifelong residents of Owen County, and Bill is a realtor and well as a pastor at the Nazarene Church in Cloverdale.
    • Jim Perin and Don Taylor, Jr are both undergoing cancer treatment. Jim receives a weekly chemo infusion, along with daily radiation, and Don is scheduled for a blood test Tuesday (yesterday) to see how effective his treatments have been. They would both appreciate your prayers.
    • Autumn Crowe is undergoing a trial radiation treatment beginning Tuesday (yesterday). Her husband, Tim, was telling me some of the protocol while going through treatment. She must stay at least 6’ from people. She is not allowed to hold or get close to her grandchildren. Even Tim has to keep his distance! 😄 Tim is an elder at Covenant Baptist Church (formerly The Connection) and is a friend I met at the Y.
    • Aaron and Sonia Clausman are now about a week and half away from Baby Day! Be praying for a safe and healthy delivery and baby.
    • Heather Keith went through some intense wrist surgery over a month ago. She played the keyboard for the first time in the first service during Communion. Thanks Heather and thanks to the Father for His healing.
    • Christina Corder received some fantastic news from her cancer doctors. Over three years ago Christina was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemo. She was told her type of cancer had a 95% return rate. This past week she was declared cancer free and told to come back in 8 months for a scan. That is quite an improvement over the every 3 months she initially was faced with. We praise God for such a good report!
    • Continue to pray for our Military and Law Enforcement Officers as they serve our country and community.

If you were unable to be with us yesterday, Charley Shipley was officially installed as an elder at OVCF. It was the honor of the other elders and Pastor Ryan and I to be involved in that installation. It was doubly exciting to pray over Charley and Cindy and then to have their daughter and her family here to celebrate with them. The elders serving OVCF alongside Charley are Robert (Bobby) Anderson, Jeff Carlson, and Tom Mangia. Pastor Ryan and I are not officially elders, but we are part of the leadership team. One of the former elders came up to me afterwards affirming our choice of Charley, but also spoke about the “sabbatical program” we initiated a little over a year ago. Each man will serve 3 years then take a year off to allow him to refresh and renew, and then if he would like to come back on after a year, he is given that option. Being an elder is more than a “man thing.” It involves the man’s wife and family. If you would like to be considered in the future for the eldership, please feel free to express that to me or one of the other elders. There is a process we follow and we would be glad to share that with you.

HERE ARE A FEW REMINDERS FOR YOU:

• • • New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center has several events going on:
      • • February is always Diaper Drive month. They are especially in need of diapers sizes 4, 5, and 6 and wipes. Donations of Pull-ups are welcome, too. Size 2 not needed at this time! Please feel free to bring them to the church building or take them to the center.
        • This Friday is a bake sale at OCSB from 9A-4P. If you would like to donate baked goods, please reach out to the center. Or stop by to buy some goodies! Sorry, no taste testing allowed. 😄
        • This Friday is also the Valentine’s Dance Fundraiser from 7-10 at the Christian Life Center.
    • Our next OVCF family pitch-in will be on Wednesday, February 25th at 6 PM.
    • The Ladies Connection Pizza and Painting Event is Saturday, February 28th at 1:00. Cost is $15. If you need more info please see Stacy Wood or Christina Corder.

Pastor Ryan and I are both involved in the Book Buddies program in the Kindergarten classes. Ryan reads to MCES students and I read to the SES and GES students. Ryan also reads to the Pre-K classes at MCES. They love him! After visiting the 3rd grade class at PES to renew acquaintances with the teacher, many of her students remember Mr. Bill because I had read to them 3 years ago in the K class. So I suggested reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (TLWW) to Ashley’s class. I read a chapter one week; then she reads a chapter one week; and Kris Samick (the principal) reads one a week. Then I return. I then suggested to Kristine Mangia, who teaches 3rd grade at SES that we consider doing the same thing. I read The Energy Bus for Kids before the Christmas break and since then I have been reading TLWW to the three 3rd grade classes at SES. I read one chapter and the teachers read the next two during the week, then I go back. This past Monday I read chapter 7. It has been a wonderful experience for me! I’m not sure about the kids, but I love reading, and I love reading to the students. It’s fun! 😄I also think it is a great tribute to the teachers who are willing to try different things to help their students learn.

This Sunday my sermon is Anything Goes? focusing on “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” I look forward to sharing this all important I AM with you. Until then…know you are loved.

Pastor Bill