MIDWEEK MESSAGE #291
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #291. I hope you are having a great week! It is always interesting to me how life changes from week to week, or maybe even day to day. Chances are good this week will look nothing like last week, unless, of course, you have kids playing ball. I was speaking to some parents this past Thursday at the ball field and they are there E.V.E.R.Y night! In their case, 3 children playing on 2 different teams every night of the week. I remember a scene from a movie where the main character got in his vehicle and said, “Home” and it drove him there. I think many parents could say, “Ballfield” and their vehicle could automatically drive there.😊 At the same time, I love the parents’ involvement in their kids’ lives. Spending time with your children is never a lost activity.
SPEAKING OF YOUTH AND BALL GAMES:
I have a few more young people playing ball:
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- Berkley Groomer is playing 6U softball
- Abi Wiegand is playing Tball for Elite Electric
- Gannon Wiegand is playing 10U baseball
- Alex and Ethan Koons are playing 10U baseball
- Auggie Wood is playing flag football, but also 10U baseball
- {Note: Abigail, Alex, Ethan and Gannon are Erich and JuliAnne Wiegand’s grandchildren}
IMPORTANT AND BIG STUFF TO KNOW!
May 5, 2025 we hired Hannah Pendleton on a part-time basis to be our Children’s Director, focusing on our children in the nursery through 6th grade. She has done a phenomenal job as Pastor Ryan has mentored her. She has come into her own and is making some welcome changes to the rooms, as well as investigating different options for curriculum, among other improvements. She has also taken the reins of the Special Needs Ministry and is slowly working on getting that up and running. (It is not an easy task).
In her spare time, 😊, she is also a nanny to a family in Bloomington. She spent this past weekend away on a solo camping trip. It was very much needed. This Wednesday, May 6th, the staff is celebrating with her by taking her to her favorite place to eat for lunch: Chick-fil-A. (We tried for China Star but found out she is not a big fan of Chinese food, but we won’t hold that against her).
CONGRATULATIONS ON YEAR #1 HANNAH!
WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE PART OF OUR TEAM!!
Let her know how much you appreciate her and the work she is doing for the children at OVCF.
IN THE BIG “YAY!” DEPARTMENT:
Bowen Matthew Wyatt made his appearance on Thursday, April 30th. He weighed in at 7lb 11oz and measured 19.9 inches long. Congratulations to Brayton and Zoe Wyatt on their new addition. Older sister, Hazel, is so excited to have a younger brother! {Becca Anderson announced this past Sunday that a meal train will be set up for them beginning next week. Make sure you check out the church’s Facebook Group for more info and to sign up}.
SOMETHING TO PRAY ABOUT THIS MONTH:
We have three couples expecting babies this month:
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- Sarah & Will Schneider are to have their little one this coming Sunday. That would give new meaning to Mother’s Day!
- Caleb & Gabrielle Corder are to have their little one on the 29th.
- Adam & Cecilia Fox (Scott & Heather Herrington’s daughter and son-in-law) are also due this month.
SOMETHING HELD OVER FROM LAST WEEK:
Aaron and Sonia Clausman (and Brielle) will be returning to visit her native Pakistan and do mission work from May 26-June 16. While there, not only will Sonia’s parents get their first glimpse of Brielle in person, they also have plans to do some mission work. They will be visiting the slums where no one goes. The Gospel has not been shared with them due to the distance to get there and also the funds which are needed to do so. They also want to bless the women with hygiene material. These women are slaves with no education. They have asked prayer for the team as they travel and for their efforts while there. Their desire is to share the Gospel with a thousand people while there and to baptize as many as possible before they return. Prayers and support would be greatly appreciated.
SOMETHING FOR YOU TO PONDER:
I know it’s probably early to be thinking about this, but then again, maybe it is never too early to put something before you to consider. If there has been one question which I have been asked over the past month or so more than just about any other question, it is this: Do you have a Wednesday night Bible study? The answer has been “No.” I took a much-needed year off (after almost 10 straight years) from Route 66 (just called 66), but I am considering offering it again. For those who might be wondering what it is, Route 66 is a study through the 66 books of the Bible. It is an overview of every book. We meet from 6-7:00 each Wednesday night (except for holidays, summer break and other rare occasions). It takes about 2 years to go through the course. I’m letting you know so you can think about it. In a month or so I will have Diana put out
a sign-up sheet to gauge interest. It will start in September after Labor Day.
CHANGES ARE COMING to the MM! During the summer the MM will be every other week instead of every week. Still the same great content (AHEM) but less often. 😊
As I mentioned Sunday, I began a series on the book of James called The “Perfect” Christian. I spoke this past week about trials. My sermon Sunday is titled The “Perfect” Woman. Just so you know…I plan to explain the word “perfect” in James 1:4, but then speak about some ladies who are examples of that word. I look forward to sharing it with you. Until then…know you are loved.
Pastor Bill
