MIDWEEK MESSAGE #297
Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #297. It is good to back with you after taking a week’s break. During the summer I anticipate writing an every other week MM. I can’t promise that will be the case with the OC Fair beginning this Sunday. There is always so much happening that week involving our people that it tends to dominate the MM. I may have to add an extra week just to accommodate the Fair. Anyway, I hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer.
FROM THE “YOUTH NEWS” DEPARTMENT:
- Campers this week at Hilltop for High School Week are Bella Madorin, Tad Nicholson, Astra Oswell (Charli’s friend), Tatum White, and Charli Wood. By the time you get this the week will be 1⁄2 over. You can still pray for them.
- Next week (July 5-10), Grace and Gloria Chandler will be at Hilltop for Girls Week! The following week (July 12-17), Deanna Cain and Tanner Wood will be at Junior II Week! 😄
- Tad Nicholson competed in a fundraiser on 6/20 at Tier Ten to benefit the local Rescue and Recovery. It was a deadlift competition (a special way of lifting weights) and he maxed out at 400 pounds on his 3rd lift. Mom said she was super PROUD of him, but also said, “I’m afraid there may be more of these in his future.” 😄 I’m just astounded at 400 pounds. Not even in my younger years and on my best day could I have ever matched that! Keep up the strong work, Tad!
- If you see someone dragging this week but attached to an IV pole filled with coffee, that person might resemble Pastor Ryan. He just finished Senior High Wilderness week with over 50+ young people in attendance. Along with fatigue, they also fought weather-related storms, taking shelter during several of those storms, heat and humidity, and all the other wilderness-related factors. I saw Anna at the Y on Saturday morning and asked how things went and if her dad was tired. She said, “Well, he’s got his coffee but he’s sorta zoned out on the couch.” Welcome back to life, Ryan!😄
FROM THE ““AND SO IT BEGINS” DEPARTMENT:
Yep, that’s right folks. It has already started. The official start of the Fair is next Sunday (July 5th). Some of our young people have already begun their “assault” on the Fair and their pursuit of showing what they can do.
- Amelia Biggs won a ribbon for Dog Showmanship, Dog Agility, and Dog Obedience Champion.
- Her brother, Hudsyn, was 3rd in Dog Showmanship; 4th in Dog Obedience; Dog Agility Reserve Champion; Dog Costume Champion (they were both Theodore Roosevelt); and Archery Reserve Champion). Thanks for the info on both, proud mom, Kala!
- Charlotte Pavich won a blue ribbon for Archery! She proudly showed it to me Sunday. 😄
FROM THE “DON’T FORGET” DEPARTMENT:
This coming Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation. How you celebrate is, of course, your personal choice. Whether it is with fireworks of your own, going to watch them somewhere special, grilling with friends, doing some work around the house, or just having a normal Saturday, please make sure you take the time to be grateful that we live in a nation of freedom. The “don’t forget” part is the church office will be closed this Friday.
FROM THE “KEEP YOU INFORMED” DEPARTMENT:
- Serving Owen County Together (SOCT) was this past Saturday. The news from Aaron LaGrange, coordinator of SOCT was good! He said, “Thanks to the many people that came together to make this a reality! Our 6th Serving Owen County Together event was a wonderful outreach opportunity for our community yesterday. We served right at a thousand people during the event and will be serving hundreds more in the community through food and drink donations to local organizations and their food banks/summer programs. Food, drinks, clothing, shoes, cases of water, a hot lunch, toys, household goods, community resources and hope were given and as a bonus, it didn’t rain! A hundred volunteers came together from local churches, clubs, school, food banks, and our partners at Servant’s Heart to make this possible. Thank you so much for donating your time, talent, and resources to help our neighbors in need. You are awesome!” I say thanks to the many volunteers from OVCF!!
- Saturday, July 25th is the Back to School Expo. Sponsored by the OC Chamber of Commerce, it brings all sorts of people and organizations together to make going back to school an adventure for the many children (last year was over 600) who receive backpacks, school supplies and more. OVCF participates in the Expo with support and volunteers.
- Wednesday, July 29th, is our next church pitch-in at 6:00. We would love to see you there!
- Route 66 (called “66”) will begin on September 9th from 6-7:00. There will be a sign-up sheet on the info table in a couple of weeks. More info coming.
This past Sunday I mentioned an upcoming series when this current series on James is finished (planned for July 19). Beginning July 26th my current plan (subject to change if God so leads) is for the series to be called Break Those Chains!! Here are the titles and topics:
- July 26- Getting Free!! Col. 2:16-3:4
- August 2- Fear Loses its Grip- Psalm 34
- August 9 & 16- Anxiety
- August 23 & 30- Hot Under the Collar
- September 6- Forgiveness
- September 13- Suicide/Mental Health
Please pray for me as I prepare. I’ll fill you in on more as I get more “meat” to it. Until then, the series in James continues this Sunday with Playing God from James 4:11-17. I look forward to seeing you then, if not sooner. Just know you are loved.
Pastor Bill
