MIDWEEK MESSAGE #271
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #271. I’m so glad to be able to spend this short amount of time with you today. Thanks for “inviting me” to your inbox.
As many of you know, Jo and I were not there Sunday. I have shared with you that originally Jo and I had plans to be in Phoenix to honor my friend, Dave, at his celebration of life, but the airlines being “up in the air” about flights and cancellations changed all of that. Since we had already made plans for Pastor Ryan to preach, I wanted to stay with that plan, so Jo and I attended church in Martinsville with our friends Ryan and Amanda Spires. They were here when we celebrated our 21st anniversary several weeks ago and took a walk through our new addition. This was a perfect time for us to worship and spend time with them. I missed being here with you, but appreciated the week off. I’m sure Ryan did a good job.
Speaking of anniversaries: I missed one last week. Actually, I ran out of room but I want to share a milestone with you. On 11/1/2005 OVCF hired Diana to become the new church secretary. (MJ Ramsay had been doing it previously). On 11/5/2005 I was officially hired as the pastor. Our first full weeks were almost simultaneous (she was one week earlier learning the ropes from MJ). So this month, and this time of the month specifically, is officially our 20th anniversary serving OVCF together. I have worked with several church secretaries in my 50+ years in ministry and can honestly say that Diana has been the best of all. (I know she is proofing this and will want to change that but I will hold my ground on this one!) We have seen a lot of water flow under the bridge. From our first office in the building owned by her parents next to Casey’s; to our time at the Sports Complex for worship; to the short stints at OVMS, especially after the flood of ’08; to searching diligently for a place to call home; to finding and purchasing this current building; to the remodel of our current building in 2012 (we could tell you stories 🙂); to hiring Ryan in 2014; to the youth addition being built in 2018; to saving for the past 7 years to be able to be able to build our current addition; to hiring Hannah part-time; to…well, let’s just say I could go on. Diana puts in far more hours than you might think and does it well. I’m honored to be part of this staff, especially working alongside Diana for so many years. And btw: we haven’t always agreed on things, but I’ve learned she always wins. 🙂See? I are smart!!
Okay on to other important matters. Our educator of the week starts a series of Homeschool moms beginning with Christine Chambers. She and Jimmy have been married 15 years and are parents to Eliza (12), Isabella (9), Alexander (7), and Arionna (3). Those four keep Christine hopping with various extra-curricular activities, as well as teaching full-time. Along with that, Christine can also be found helping Jimmy with the restaurant. Whew! I think I need to take a nap.
YOUTH NEWS
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- Congrats to Akaydia Beckwith and Cooper Wood! They were chosen for the OVMS True Patriot Award. The award recognizes those who demonstrate Perseverance, Academic Excellence, Tenacity, Character, Loyalty and Respect.
- Meilynn Hess won the Fall Photo Contest at McCormick’s Creek State Park for her picture of the waterfall! There were 200+ entries! Way to go, Meilynn!
- Backpack Buddies. We will collect non-perishable food for our school children now- December 7. If you have any questions, please ask Diana. You may call the church office (812.828.9840) or email her (secretary@ovcf.org). We have a list of specific items needed (at the info table), but I will also include it below. We will deliver these in time for Christmas break. Here is that list of items they need:
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- Little Debbie snack cakes
- Rice Krispies treats
- Fruit snacks
- Snack-size chips, pretzels, goldfish crackers
- Cookie or cracker packs
- Mac & Cheese cups
- Noodle soup cups
- Cereal cups
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- Many thanks to Geoff Biggs for delivering our shoeboxes to Sherwood Oaks on Monday! We collected 115 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! 🙂 Thank you!
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Don’t forget
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- This Wednesday, November 19th at 6:00 is our OVCF family pitch-in!
- The church office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, the 27th & 28th.
- A Night of Christmas Worship on Sunday, December 21st at 6:00. I will tell you more about this night in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you that evening!
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The month of October was designated Pastor Appreciation Month years ago by Focus on the Family. It was designed for churches to recognize their pastors for their service. We have never publicized it or made a big deal about it for various reasons. However, I recently read an article titled “How Can I Pray for You?” Here is my answer to that question:
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- Pray that I would find a daily joy in my relationship with God. (Ps.42:1; Mt. 5:6)
- Pray that I would not settle for a second rate relationship with Jesus, but will continually grow in holiness and godliness. (I Tim. 4:8; I Peter 5:3)
- Pray that I would prioritize prayer and my study of the Word. (I Tim. 4:1-2)
- Pray for my marriage and that I will love Jo sacrificially and my children (although they are adults) unconditionally. (Eph. 5:25-30)
- Pray that I will love the lost and serve OVCF zealously and sacrificially. (Acts 20:28; Mt. 22:39)
- Pray that I will preach God’s Word boldly and without compromise. (2 Tim. 4:2-5)
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If you pray those items for me and over me, I would be a most happy man and know that I am being the pastor God wants me to be.
My sermon for this coming Sunday is I Am Not Ashamed from Romans 1-16. I will, Lord willing, see you then. Until then, know you are loved.
Pastor Bill
