Midweek Message10/24/2024

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #223

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #223. I certainly hope you had a nice relaxing time during Fall Break. I know some headed to the mountains of Tennessee; others went to Disney; others just stayed home and enjoyed some really fine weather. Jo, Tami and I left Wednesday for Ohio and had a nice time visiting Janna, Mike, Braden and Cameron (yes, he has a girlfriend, although he says that is so ‘90s to say that).😊Friday night was senior night for the football players so we had one last chance to watch him play football. We came home Saturday and it was back to normal (if you consider me normal). Now it is back to school for the push to Thanksgiving. I hope you are refreshed and rarin’ to go.

Remember to pray for our educator of the week: Hannah Morse. Hannah has been married to Cole for four years and their twin sons, Tripp and Kohen, are three years old. Hannah has been teaching for seven years at Gosport Elementary School, but this is her first year teaching 1st grade. Cole has a business called M&M EarthWurx. Hannah, the boys, and her mom, Christina Corder, spent the Fall Break at Disney and she said the boys loved it.

The 13th was a special Sunday for Ava Dawley! Ava gave her confession of faith and was baptized
at Covenant Baptist Church (The Connection) Sunday afternoon by Pastor Ryan. Ava’s mom,
Sara Parker, and her husband, Jason, both were super excited for Ava. So were the others who
came. We love you, Ava! Keep growing!!

NOT SO YOUNG CORNER

• • • Congratulations to Caleb Hutchison for being honored as District 5 Conservation Officer of the year. Caleb has been with the DNR for 3+ years. When he became a DNR officer it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Way to go Caleb! We are proud of you. (But I have this suspicion Amanda, Addi, and Owen are even more). I did tell him I was going to call this OLD MAN’S CORNER. But I decided to go easy on him and call it the “Not So Young Corner.” Gotta let them old men down easy, you know?

SOME STUNNING NEWS FOR YOU!

Two weeks ago during our morning worship Pastor Ryan showed a video of Samaritan’s Purse and their ministry to the people of North Carolina following the devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene. He also told us that David and Adienne Robertson were taking donations for a group called Grindstone Ministries who had “boots on the ground” in North Carolina. The need was big for winter clothing of all kinds. While I was gone, Diana let me know that all need for donations were being suspended. Here is her “official” note left for me to announce this past Sunday:

• • • “Due to the huge response of donations we will not be collecting items after the 20th.
      The collection centers are overwhelmed with the amount of donations received! A
      good problem to have.”
    • It is a good problem to have for sure! That means that those who are desperately in
      need of clothing, especially warm clothing, will receive some. And by the way: did you
      know it snowed this week in some of the higher elevations? Yikes! Fortunately for us it
      was still in the 60s-70s. 😊
    • I would like you to keep in mind that relief efforts are not over by a long shot. After Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, relief efforts and salvaging efforts will be going on for quite some time. There is more info to come.

COMING TO AN EVENT VENUE NEAR YOU!

We are excited to announce that the 20th anniversary of Owen Valley Christian
Fellowship is coming to Abram Event Venue. All are invited to attend.

Here is the information one more time:

• • • One service at 10:00 followed by a pitch-in meal at the venue. Tables will be set up for your dishes to be placed on. Sorry…no early dining available. 😊
    • Help is needed for set up and tear down, as well as help with the parking and shuttle service. If you are able to help with the latter two, please give your name to Pastor Ryan (who is coordinating that effort). If you did not sign up to help, but would like to, please be at the venue at 7:00.
    • We will not be offering children’s programs but will have an unstaffed space available for families with little ones.
    • All the day’s giving will go to the Building Fund (unless otherwise designated). See below for news about our proposed building addition.
    • The sermon will be different than I normally preach. You will be asked to take part so be thinking about this question: “Why did I choose OVCF as my home?” I’ll close with a short retelling of Luke 15: 11-32 (Parable of the Lost Son/Loving Father).
    • If you are unable to attend, Pastor Ryan and I prerecorded the sermon and a short communion meditation that will be shown at the 10:00 time. We are unable to live stream at the venue and this will allow you to be part of our special day. 😊

We look forward to seeing you there!!

BUILDING ADDITION UPDATES!

• • • We have plans! They have been approved by the state.
    • Our local/state permits have been approved.
    • Utilities have been marked which will allow for any relocation to take place.
    • We are awaiting the estimate (which should be here soon) so we can start our excavation and storm water/drainage control phases soon!
    • It is not beyond possibility to see the excavation work done before the snow flies. Then, Lord willing, we could possibly see construction begin in the Spring. We will go at the speed of our ability to pay cash. NO DEBT.

I hope you are as excited as I am!

See you Sunday! Please know you are loved immensely.
Pastor Bill