MIDWEEK MESSAGE #289
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #289. I hope you are having a great week and the rest of the week gets even better.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS:
1. First up is the SPROUTS meal this coming Saturday from 5-7:00.
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- Purpose: to connect families with children 6th grade and younger. The goal is to provide friendship and fun for those families.
- RSVP to Becca Anderson (812.360.7419 or via Facebook Messenger if you would like to attend (for food planning only).
- Future get-togethers are planned at the Anderson compound for cookouts, discussion and just getting to know others in similar stages of life.
- Help is still needed with food. {contact Becca for up to date info}
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2. Second is this coming Sunday. The Special Needs Ministry (SNM) is still in the birthing stages but is moving ahead. I mentioned in last week’s MM that a person has been asked to lead the SNM. Since this is a volunteer ministry we have given this person time to pray and think through this commitment.
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- To help facilitate this person’s decision and to also get a good look for ourselves, Hannah Pendleton (our Children’s Director) has been in touch with a person from Northside Church in New Albany, where they have an active SNM. This coming Sunday, Pastor Ryan, Hannah and the other person will be making their way to Northside for a personal visit and observation. Please be praying for their safety on this trip but also an eye-opening and solidifying visit.
- Starting a ministry like this is not a quick thing nor is it an easy one. We want to do it right and this is just one step into making it vital to OVCF and to our community.
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3. Third, is the church family pitch-in on Wednesday, the 29th at 6 PM. I would love to see
you join us for some great food, a ton of laughter, and some great fellowship.
YOUTH NEWS:
I feel like there ought to be a drumroll since there is so much going on with our young people. I’d like to remind you that I can only put in this MM what I know. 😊 (Sort of makes sense doesn’t it?) Here is what I have for this week: (not in alphabetical order)
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- Cecilia Arnold and Tad Nicholson were both recognized for being on the all A’s Honor Roll for the 3rd quarter at OVMS.
- Kale Hatton was recognized for being on the A/B Honor Roll at OVMS for the 3rd quarter.
- Lucas Arnold was on the A/B Honor Roll for the 6th grade.
- Marci Arnold was on the A Honor Roll for the 2nd grade
(Cecilia, Lucas and Marci are the grandchildren of Melissa Arnold. I won’t say she is a
proud grandmother…but she did give me their names and awards!) 😊 - Alethea Humble, an 11 year old student from Mrs. Harrison’s 4th grade class (Clay City) has earned an incredible honor through her submission to the International Violin Competition Art showcase. I’m going to let the words of her teacher, Mrs. Staci Shafter, Clay City Art Teacher, tell you the story: “She created a striking black-and-white pencil drawing of a violin-choosing to stand out by going a different direction than her peers. She even left it untitled, letting the work speak entirely for itself. Her artwork was first selected to represent Clay City Elementary as the top piece from her grade. From there, it went on to compete at the state level, where Alethea was named the Indiana Regional Winner out of 120 student entries. From hundreds of submissions, she advanced even further-earning the prestigious Hadley Matthew’s Grand Award Winner distinction, an honor given to only 30 students worldwide. On Sunday, May 3rd, Alethea will be formally recognized, receiving her award, prize winnings, and having her artwork featured in a traveling international exhibit. We are incredibly proud of Alethea’s creativity, courage to be different, and the hard work that led her to this moment.” All I can say is, “WOW!” Way to go, Alethea!! Alethea is the daughter of Wade and Sarah Stoliby.
- Rumor has it Marla Lippert got her first turkey this past Sunday when she went hunting with her dad. She drew the line on plucking it and dressing it though. 😊 Congrats, Marla!
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IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR!
We need your help! Every year we have been blessed by those who see it as a ministry to help by mowing the church grounds. An added bonus is there is even less to mow with the new addition. 😊 We provide a ZTR mower, trimmer and gas for those who would like to help. There is a sign-up sheet at the info table if you would like to help us. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Ryan or Diana.
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR (X 2)!
We consider it an honor to recognize our high school and college graduates. OVCF is proud of each of them and want to show them that we are. If you are graduating from high school or college this year, please give your name to Pastor Ryan or to Diana. Graduate Sunday will take place on May 17th during our second service.
Because Diana edits this I know she will either dislike me a lot or tell me to delete this section of the MM. But since she calls me “Boss” (she is “Lady Boss”), I have final say over what goes in the MM. 😊 This Wednesday is Administrative Professionals Day. We missed celebrating last year and I can’t even remember why. But not this year! Diana and I started working at OVCF the same time-November of 2005-and we have been through quite an adventure together! Every year her responsibilities have increased, especially as the church has grown. She is a vital cog in the wheel of making OVCF efficient, especially in the office. Her responsibilities ramped up even more with the new addition and all it has entailed. So Wednesday, the four of us-Pastor Ryan, Hannah, Diana, and I-will be going to China Star to celebrate Diana. I’m honored to have served with her the past 21 years.
This Sunday my series on The Road to the Other Side concludes with The Satisfying Savior. I will
be looking at death and heaven-the eternal “other side.” Starting May 3rd I’ll be preaching a
series on James called The “Perfect” Christian. I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Know you
are loved.
Pastor Bill
