MIDWEEK MESSAGE #217
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #217. As always, I would like to thank you for allowing me to invade your inbox. I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend, celebrating with family and friends. As some of you may know, we were in Ohio visiting with Janna and Braden and watching him play football Friday night. It was grandparent’s night but the best part of it was they won 49-14. They have now won their first two games of the season. They are all hyped up since they didn’t win any last year. In fact, they didn’t come close. Our next planned trip will be in October. It is Senior Night and will be the last time we watch him play football. Thanks for praying for a safe trip for us. Road construction on I-70 is interesting, especially when a semi decides to come into my lane when I was on the side of him. I’m thankful that particular construction area had a shoulder I could use. Coming home, thankfully, was smooth sailing.
Pray for Tami Grandi, our Educator of the Week. This is in her third year teaching Kindergarten at Spencer Elementary after teaching 7 years at Fairview in Bloomington and the previous 15 in Knoxville. (I know. I bet you are wondering how I know so much about her). I could also tell you she has one sibling in Ohio and one nephew and loves her job and living so close. I could also tell you she is a disgusting Atlanta Braves fan. But you may already know that.😊
YOUTH CORNER
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- ROOTS meets this Sunday night from 5-7:00 here at the church building. Pastor Ryan has a great year of learning planned for the Jr/Sr high youth. If you are a young person you won’t want to miss the fun and learning.
- Did you know Rachel East has a blog on Substack called “The Word Garden?” If you would like to know more and how to get on her mailing list, ask her. She writes really well.
- Julian Carson, who won several awards for showing his pigs at the Owen County Fair this past summer told me he is not showing pigs next year. He is changing to showing steers. He said his Pappy (aka Mike Edwards) has been raising them for over 20 years so he ought to know what he is doing. He wants to follow in Pappy’s footsteps. Not a bad role model to follow.
- Eliza Chambers had a unique way of raising money for gymnastics. She had a shirt made with “My Biggest Fans” on the back. She did so well that she’s paid for most of her gymnastics fees for this year! Way to be creative, Eliza!
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Well, it is time for the big reveal. You are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about. This Sunday begins the two month series on Feels Like Home. I thought I would let you know what I plan to preach on for the next two months. I’d like to encourage you to read ahead for the week so you will have a better idea of the Scripture.
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- September 8- What is a Home? Eph. 2:19-22
- September 15- Love is Found Here- Ruth (all 4 chapters)
- The Gospel is Preached- Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-25
- Jesus is Honored- Col. 1:15-22
- Fresh Start- Philemon (one chapter)
- Lives are Changed- Col. 2:6-15
- What Care Looks Like (Obedience is Encouraged)- Col. 2:16-3:4
- Home has a Purpose- Luke 15:11-32 (20th Anniversary celebration)
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We are still working on more details to give you about our anniversary celebration at Abram Event Venue. Here is what we know now:
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- One service starting at 10:00 followed by a pitch-in lunch at the venue.
- We are working on a memory board of significant events in the history of OVCF. You will love it!
- We will again have a shuttle service from the church parking lot to the venue due to the shortage of parking. We are anticipating a larger than normal crowd.
- The venue has a wedding Saturday night so we will need your help on Sunday morning to set up tables and chairs. We will have a sign-up sheet for you to indicate your willingness to help. Thanks ahead of time.
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Don’t forget! Wednesday Night Conversations begins next week, September 11 from 6-7 PM.
Please sign up if you plan to attend!
One more thing: I have been working on the theme and sermons for 2024. At this point my theme will be Burning Hearts/Hearts on Fire or some variation of that. The Scripture is from Luke 24:32 where the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, after realizing it was Jesus whom they had been walking with, said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” My plan is not to preach topics but to take Scripture and just open it up. First up is I John beginning on January 12th. I’m not sure at this point how many sermons will come out of that, but then I plan to do 2 & 3 John. During this coming year I also plan to preach from Acts as well as some different Scriptures from Isaiah and Jeremiah. I’ll also be asking you for your favorite Scripture and try to do a series around “Favorites.” Of course, that is all in the planning stages but thought I’d let you know. And all of it is whether Jesus returns or not (in which case I would gladly let Him preach!😊) and knowing God has a plan (and I’m not privy to it).
After missing last Sunday, I look forward to seeing you this week. Love you all.
Pastor Bill
