Category: MidweekMessage

Midweek Message 02/10/2022

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #95

 

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #95. After an interrupted week caused by the weather here’s to a full week of uneventfulness (except good things)!

I think the first agenda item for this MM is a big, huge shout out to Jim Jones, Will Schneider, and Dimitri Robinson for clearing off the church parking lot and sidewalks so we would have plenty of parking for Sunday’s service and be safe walking to the church building. Many thanks men for a bang up job.

It was so good to see everyone this past Sunday. After a week of live stream service where the only ones in the room were Jo (who hears me all the time) and Joe Pavich (thanks for doing the live stream that Sunday. My apologies to Joe for saying Ryan was here.), and after last week’s limited attendance due to several reasons, it was so nice to see people in seats. I heard the children’s programs were really bustling as well. A little birdie told me that the preschool class had 13 children and they had to ask another one of the teenagers to help the two (Teacher and helper) who were already in there. The willingness to help was so important. I would mention her name but I don’t want to embarrass Cammie. J

Over the past three Midweek Messages I have been sharing glimpses of the Care Team Ministry that is the dream of Hope East.  HOPE #1 introduced you to the whole idea and the mission of the Care Team Ministry (MM #92). HOPE #2 told you a little bit about the Wellness Care Team and Remembrance Care Team (MM #93).  Last week I told you about the Children and Family Care Team and New Baby Care Team (MM #94).  Of course, that is assuming you save the Midweek Messages!! J This week let me introduce you to two more parts of the Care Team Ministry wheel.

  1. Bridal Care Team. This team’s main ministry will be praying for and assembling a gift basket for the new bride and groom.
  2. Military Care Team. This team has two components. One is to send cards to active-duty service members and packages to deployed members. The other component is keeping in contact with families of those who are actively deployed. This includes coordinating some meals, possibly arranging help with needs like yard work, or child care while their parent takes a few hours to be refreshed.

 

For a more complete explanation of the following ministries which were mentioned in the previous weeks, and these two, please plan to attend the pitch-in dinner planned for February 27th following the second service. Hope will give a more complete description of the Care Team Ministry and will also give you a chance to be involved. So much of furthering the Gospel and the work of the church has nothing to do with the gifts which others see or hear. God didn’t make us all cookie cutter Christians so that we all look the same or do the same things. He has made each one of us unique and has given us different gifts to use in passing on His love. I sincerely hope you will give being involved in the Care Team Ministry an honest consideration. We need you and the unique gift you bring to the table. I’ll share the last two aspects of the Care Team Ministry with you next week.  And I KNOW you are so excited that you will be holding your breath until then.

Hope East and Macy Carlson have launched what they call The Testimony Project.  They introduced it to us this past Sunday. It is loosely based on the I Am Second white chair testimonies. If you are interested in seeing what the white chair testimonies are you can go to https://www.iamsecond.com/ for ideas. There are a wide variety of people who tell what God has done in their lives.  I hope this idea really catches on. It will be encouraging to hear the stories of how Jesus has changed your life. Please pick up a Testimony Project info sheet to find out how you can add YOUR testimony to OVCF’s Facebook group album.

During my Communion thought Sunday I mentioned reading a book by Kim Sorrelle called Cry Until You Laugh. Kim’s story of her struggle with a double mastectomy, then the death of her husband within 6 weeks during that same time due to pancreatic cancer which spread to his liver, was captivating. As they came to grips with the weight of it all, a word came to Steve: Complete. The following is from her book:

“Steve is complete. I think that over the next several months, Steve will learn everything God means by that. Right now it is a comfort, a warm, fuzzy blanket, a special word from God.

Other things seem backwards too. Who sends peace in the middle of a storm? Someone might throw you a life jacket, maybe, but not peace that wraps around you so that the storm blows all around but never gets close enough to muss your hair. Then there’s hope. Why is there hope when doctors throw around terms like “terminal,” and tell us they can “treat” Steve but not “cure” him? Most of the time I expect God to come through the front door, but He is quietly entering through the back door. I don’t know if I will ever understand the way God chooses to do things, but I have to say He is genius.”  (Page 84)

Questions abound in my mind sometimes about the way God works.  But then I tell myself that He doesn’t have to explain Himself to me at all. He is under no obligation to tell me. His way is perfect and sure, even though I don’t understand it. Even though I cannot see my way. Even though I feel overwhelmed at times. Even though I feel lost. God does what God does in His own way and in His own time. It is not for me to know and figure out everything. Someday I will, but then again, I suspect it won’t concern me. J  We all know folks who are going through some type of struggle-big or small-who need a listening ear. Be that non-judgmental, caring ear. Hold them. Let them cry. Be Jesus to them.

Have a great rest of the week. I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Love you all much.

Pastor Bill

 

 

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Midweek Message 02/02/2022

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #94

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #94!  Thanks first for allowing me to come into your world this way and second, for taking the time to read it (which I am assuming you do!) J

It looks like we will have quite a week ahead of us. As I write this we are expecting our first real “dusting” of snow this year. You have to admit we have been fortunate in the “snow category” this year. But Pastor Ryan suggested a couple of weeks ago he wanted some snow. So…if you want to get upset with someone, get upset with him for wishing it. I jest of course. We have been fortunate so far this winter as others around us have had their fill of snow.   Keep an eye on the weather but also remember OVCF’s inclement weather information that we have been sharing with you. Just in case you have not heard here is what we have been sharing:

  • We will send a mass email about any changes.
  • We will post the info to our FB group (search Owen Valley Christian Fellowship and request to join) and page (Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, IN).
  • We have a group of volunteers who will call or text you.
  • We will plan to live stream a service at 10:00 via FB and YouTube if in-person services are not possible.
  • Please be sure we have the correct contact info so we can keep you informed. Call the church office (812.828.9840) or email Diana at secretary@ovcf.org to make sure we have the correct information.

 

One more thing: please be careful if you have to get out for some reason and the weather they are predicting becomes a reality.

Okay…on to more pleasant things. I wanted to start with this but felt that, at the moment, the weather information was important. I WANT TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE YOUTH WORSHIP BAND WHO LED OUR WORSHIP THIS PAST SUNDAY MORNING!! Gracie and Mollie Wainscott, Emily Wyatt, and Micah Nally did a phenomenal job! I can see why the children love to go to the youth area on Sunday morning.  It is true that many of us were not familiar with the songs, but it was good to hear what the children are worshiping to. I like the way Pastor Ryan explained it Sunday morning. Having the children worship with us every 5th Sunday month is a good thing, but it is more than the young people being exposed to an adult worship. It is also good for us to experience a youth worship.  Funny side note: I received a text after the first service (I leave my phone in my office and Jo brought it to me). One of the moms had to stay home due to some sick kiddos but she said that her son was so excited he stood up and sang. J  Thank you again Gracie, Mollie, Emily and Micah. I certainly look forward to hearing you lead us again.

Over the past two Midweek Messages I have been sharing small snippets with you about the Care Team Ministry.  HOPE #1 introduced you to the mission of the Care Team Ministry (MM #92). HOPE #2 introduced you to the Wellness Care Team and Remembrance Care Team (MM #93). Today I would like to highlight two more spokes of the Care Team Ministry wheel.

HOPE #3:

  1. Children and Family Care Team. The focus of this team is on the children in our children’s ministry. This team will be responsible for praying for the children, sending cards to kids in the hospital or if they are sick at home, sending birthday cards, and making gift bags for teachers at the end of the year. {My note: you have no clue how much this will mean to a child to receive a card from the church or for a teacher to receive a gift as a “thank you for all you do”}.
  2. New Baby Care Team. Having a new baby brings so much joy into the lives of family and friends. We want to rejoice with the family with the new arrival of their baby. This ministry will assemble New Baby baskets, provide meals, cards, and prayer. There is also a hard but necessary aspect of this team. They may need to respond to a loss with flowers, a meal, a gift, and prayer.

 

If you find your heart fits these particular ministries, consider participating. Oh yeah…keep in mind and on your calendar the date of February 27th. There will be a pitch-in dinner following the second service where Hope East will give a more detailed description of all the Care Team Ministry teams and you will be given a chance to be involved.  I’d also like to add that some of you may hesitate because some of this will require a financial cost. Be assured the elders are 150% behind this effort and OVCF has designated money in the 2022 budget for expenditures. Hope will explain all that on the 27th.

As you know if you have been attending or watching online, I have been going through a series from Daniel I have entitled Against the Grain.  This past Monday I did a marathon sermon session where I finished the final sermon of the series. Why? So I can begin working on the next series which is coming: Truth Decay. I’ll tell you more about the series as we get closer, but one of the motivations for doing the series is the onslaught of false teaching heard so often in media and the air waves. No, it is not political. I abhor that and have promised it will never be preached from the pulpit. But, as a pastor, I have also been given a mandate by God to preach the whole counsel of God, i.e. the truth of God’s Word. I know I am not infallible and certainly don’t know all the answers. I’m still asking tons of questions! J  But with the seeming daily appearance of some “Christian celebrity” who has deconstructed his/her faith; with those who are called ex-vangelicals; and with the proliferation of progressive theology; I feel very strongly about the need to help strengthen my faith, as well as yours. (BTW: I will explain all those terms during the series). We simply need to have a firm foundation upon which to stand. The Apostle Paul wrote these words: “…until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects in Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 13-15 NASB2020)

Have a great rest of the week. Hopefully the snow will go around us. J  I love you all.

Pastor Bill

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Midweek Message 01/26/2022

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #93

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #93. I hope you are doing well physically and mentally as we all struggle through this new round of the pandemic.

Sunday sure was different. Admittedly a number of emotions ran through me Sunday morning as I sat in my office and thought and prayed. I started musing about the fact that Sunday would be different. No one was in the audience except Jo (who has heard me preach a ton down through the 48 ½ years of marriage), and Joe Pavich, who came to run the live stream.  My struggle was how much I look forward to Sunday morning and seeing people. Sure, I do get to do what I have done for close to 50 years: preach. But I also know I’m a social creature and I really look forward to seeing people, laughing with them, hugging them, fist bumping them, and just greeting people.  I love seeing smiles, the hugs and laughter of children, and the joy of connecting with people I have grown to love. I love seeing new people and the fact we have some momentum right now makes it a bit harder to take this break. But that is the way of life in 2022…and in 2021…and in 2020.  I just think there is great value in meeting together. I wrote that and more in my blog on Sunday.

I was excited to hear so many tuned in via FB or YouTube. That was really encouraging. (Funny side: when I was practicing early Sunday morning-which I always do-I found myself looking around at people. That was sort of an effort in futility since no one was here or was going to be here later. So I had to practice focusing on the camera).  So the question you may be asking is “What is the verdict about this Sunday?” At this writing, I can honestly say, “I don’t know.” That will be evaluated later this week. So stay tuned for an email and an announcement on FB.

Last week I began highlighting the new Care Team Ministry which Hope East is going to launch on Sunday, February 27th with a pitch-in after the second service. HOPE #1 focused on the desire to offer care, love and compassion to our church community.  The hope is for us to create a ministry system of different teams that will come alongside people within our church congregation (and ultimately as an outreach as well). We want to be there for you! So let’s begin introducing the Care Teams. There are a total of 8 Care Teams so I’ll take two each week in order to give you more information to consider.

 

HOPE #2:

  1. Wellness Care Team. The responsibility of this team is to be there for those who are suffering through an illness or find themselves in an emergency or hospital situation. The primary purpose of this team is to offer prayer, get well cards, flowers and (if needed) to deliver meals. If you find this type of ministry “up your alley” then please consider becoming a part of this team.
  2. Remembrance Care Team. This team’s primary concern will be ministering to those who are living through a death in the family or having a funeral. This team would provide meals for the family, offer prayers, cards, flowers, and possibly even coordinate a funeral meal. If you love cooking or sending cards or feel strongly about the importance of this team, please consider becoming a part of this team.

 

I’ll defer to Hope at this point by simply saying that if you have any questions about either of these ministry teams, please talk to her. I guarantee she will not only talk to you, but also give you a more detailed explanation of these two teams. Next week, I will cover Teams 3 & 4.

 

In last week’s MM I also mentioned that one of our goals last Sunday was to begin garnering interest in small groups. I guess it is sort of hard for you to sign up at the info table when you aren’t here! J So this week we will try it again if the decision is made to have services. You do have another option: call the church office and express an interest. We are looking for names of anyone interested with three options: 1) teach/lead a small group; 2) host a small group in your home (but that doesn’t mean you have to lead it); or 3) just participate in a small group. Like I also said last week, this is not going to happen overnight so please have some patience as we do the necessary work behind the scenes.

 

I’d like to leave you with something I read late last week. It is from Karl Vaters, a pastor of small town churches.  The title of his thought was WHAT THE CHURCH MUST RELY ON WHEN THE ROAD AHEAD IS UNCERTAIN. I’m not going to reproduce his entire article but some tidbits from it.

  • When all else fails, the long, slow, but always-reliable process of restoring and nurturing relationships is what will get us through.
  • We live in the greatest time of global uncertainty since WWII. Every time we think we can see the end of the tunnel, it’s just another curve in the road.
  • In times of uncertainty, one truth has stood strong and tall for me lately. Better systems won’t get us through this. Only better relationships will. {End of his comments}

 

Let’s face it. No person alive has led his family, his church congregation, (or the country for that matter), through what the last 2+ years has brought us. That is not downplaying the World Wars, 9/11, or other upheavals. But I am reminded of the old saying, “The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.” Would you agree that is how a lot of us feel?  We are apt to say, “If it isn’t one thing it’s another.” Again…is that not how many feel?

One thing this pandemic has taught us is that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” {Charles Dickens in “The Tale of Two Cities”} My version: “the best laid plans of mice and men often go down the tubes.” Any system in place has the potential (and some have) to go haywire. But there is one thing which can be a constant and can deepen: our relationships. It starts with our relationship with Jesus and continues to build in our relationship with others. And in this the church must lead the way. While the world is falling apart, relationships with others are being skewed because of anger or loneliness or fear, the church must be the one entity to show the world the difference faith in Jesus can make. While we may not always agree, we can agree to disagree. Jesus once told His disciples to “love one another.” He also told them that “by this will all men know you are My disciples if you love one another.” And with those words I will close.  I love you all and I hope to see you this Sunday. I hope…I hope…

 

Pastor Bill

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Midweek Message 01/19/2022

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #92

 

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #92!  As always, thanks for allowing me in your inbox.

Well, I think winter is here! I was at the Y on Monday and had an acquaintance whom I have talked with before made that statement. I said, “Yep. We held off as long as we could.” However, at least we aren’t in the south! Tami is an Atlanta Braves fan (crazy I know) and we saw a news report with Atlanta in the background and it was snowing “to beat the band.” Nice of those Atlanta people to take all that snow from us. J

COVID has caused some things to slow down. We are staying busy and due to the pandemic we are thinking and planning into the future. I’d like to share some of that with you this week, as well as give you a personal thought or two at the end.

This past Sunday morning, Hope East presented in both services a dream and passion of hers: to start a Care Team Ministry that will reach all people, all ages, and all needs. Over the next couple of MMs, I plan to help Hope get the word out to those who may not hear the message via in person or live stream. Let me also reiterate what I said in the 2nd service (but failed to do so in the 1st): the elders are 150% behind this. Some of the teams will require a little extra money (like the baby team or military team) and we have made sure that money was budgeted.

Hope #1: OVCF has been an integral part of our community because of our legacy of serving. The new Care Team Ministry (CTM) will fit beautifully within that legacy. OVCF has so much love and so many gifts and passions to share with one another and our community. The CTM will encompass different teams to offer care, love and compassion to our church community.  Interested? The story continues next week with Hope #2.

Years ago I heard a pastor say, “For a church to grow big it must grow small.” What he was essentially speaking about was the need for the church to have small groups. Over the years we have had small groups start. The past few years we have had two groups which have continued to meet on a fairly consistent basis. Several months ago Steve Pendleton challenged the elders to consider making small groups more of a priority (my words). He was right. We agreed. Meanwhile, there have been several folks who have expressed an interest in being involved in small groups. This past month in the elder’s meeting we committed to pursue it with more purpose. While there is still much work that needs to go on behind the scenes (studying, planning, projecting, etc.) this Sunday will be the start of it. We need to put “feelers” out to see who might be interested in being involved in a small group. A short presentation will be made and on the back table will be a sign-up sheet for you to indicate your desired level of involvement. Do you want to teach/lead? Do you want to offer your place as a host site? Do you want to just be involved in a group? You will have your chance to let us know beginning this Sunday. Please keep this in mind: this is not going to happen overnight. We are trying to find out who and how many folks might want to be involved. So look for that announcement and sign-up sheet this Sunday!!

I read an interesting article this past Monday from James Emery White, pastor of Mecklenburg Church in Charlotte, NC. It was about what is being called The Great Resignation. He begins like this:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more Americans left their job in April 2021 than in any other month or record. That record was broken in July 2021, which was then broken in August. And then it was broken again in September. This is what is being called the “Great Resignation.”

Derek Thompson, writing for The Atlantic, notes that most of those who are quitting are low-wage workers getting better jobs in industries that are raising wages to get desperately needed new employees.

Thompson calls it a “Big Switch” rather than a “Big Quit.”  {My note: some will debate what he wrote}

But Pastor White makes a claim that for many it is about burnout.

People in jobs that were particularly affected by all things COVID-think educators, healthcare workers and …pastors. In November of 2021 38% of all Protestant pastors said that they had considered quitting full-time vocational ministry in the past year (a rise of 9 points from January of 2021). An alarming 46% of pastors under the age of 45 are thinking of quitting altogether.

The question is why? Think all things COVID. Think all things which can alienate and anger one group or another. Open/close. Masked/unmasked. Vaxxed/non-vaxxed.  The 2020 election and on-going “stuff.” And this thing of going digital (live stream) which is definitely not in my skill set or many other pastors. {End of Pastor White’s comments}

(Thank you Pastor Ryan and Joe Pavich for being the driving force with this. And thanks to all the individuals who help make this happen each week).

All this to say: with so many pastors teetering on the edge, where does that put Pastor Ryan and me?  I can only speak for myself (but feel we agree). Since the pandemic started over 2 years ago, I can honestly say I have never had one thought about leaving. OVCF is an amazing church. Why would I want to? We have been in this together for 16+ years. Why would I want to start over? We have our differences and opinions. And yes, we have had some folks move on. That happens whether there is a pandemic or not.

I’m going to close with Pastor White’s closing paragraph: “Could you say a prayer for your pastor? Could you grant them sympathetic grace on whatever response to an issue or decision they had to make that you may have disagreed with? You know it couldn’t have been easy. And ask yourself-is masking, an election, a vaccine, on the level of doctrine, mission or Christian community? Leadership is a tough role. Can’t we agree to disagree…agreeably?”

I know I speak for both Pastor Ryan and myself on this: please, please, please do pray for us. I know we both love OVCF and what we do and the people we serve, but that does not negate our need for your daily prayers. So…do us all a favor: pray for us as we pray for you. Together we can navigate these current events and anything else the future may bring.

Thanks for reading and listening this week.  J  I sincerely love you all.

Pastor Bill

 

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Midweek Message 01/12/2022

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #91

 

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #91. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this message from me to you.

Like many of you, I also want to be aware of the battle between good and evil in my life. That sounds so generic, like a line out of a Marvel movie. So I’ll be a bit more specific: I, too, fight the battle that wages in me between the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and the forces of Satan (my enemy), sometimes on a daily basis. Each morning I get up and after trying to make myself look presentable, I head to my kitchen table where I have my Encounter Time. So far so good. That is pretty much a given. But then the battle really starts. Fatigue. Distractions. Hurriedness. The clock. Not to mention there are definitely times I am not “feeling” it.

The struggle with sin has been since the Garden when our parents (Adam and Eve) decided to take matters into their own hands and do what they wanted to. Recently I read an article by J.D.Greear, the pastor of Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC.  It really spoke to me about the reality of sin and its consequences. I’m going to capsulize it for you. As usual, the main thoughts are his; the commentary is mine.

J.D.’s example is Lot, the nephew to Abraham. Lot chose the “greener pastures” and left Abraham with what became known as the Promised Land. There was an even greater tragedy which developed though. Lot’s choice brought him close to Sodom. He not only lived near Sodom; he eventually became a leader in Sodom. Yeah, you read that right: IN Sodom.  Perhaps even more tragic is that as things changed around him, Lot adapted and adopted instead of speaking up.  (Sort of like we who see changes happening but instead of speaking up we keep our mouths shut so we don’t upset the apple cart).  I suspect you know the rest of the story: the bartering of Abraham with God to spare Sodom; the visit of the angels to Lot’s house: the men of the community almost breaking down Lot’s door so they could “have” those visitors; Lot’s offer of his daughters instead: the fire and brimstone that rains down on the two cities (Sodom and Gomorrah); and as Lot runs away with his family, his wife turns around to look at what was and becomes a pillar of salt.

Lot lost everything, including his wife.

How can we avoid that same type of downfall (not necessarily with fire and brimstone  J )? Well, here are four life-saving lessons J.D. gave.

  1. Beware of the progression of sin in your life. Ask anyone who has fallen (big or small) and I guarantee you they did not start out to fall. Nobody becomes an addict because they planned to become one.  It starts a little at a time. I have a toilet I need to fix. It starts out just a drip or two. But now as it fills it sort of sprays everywhere, with some of it making its way down the side of the tank. A small thing becomes a big thing.
  2. The coming judgment is real. I’m guessing Lot didn’t know what was coming. I know for sure the citizens of those two cities didn’t! They had been warned for years but those warnings fell on deaf ears. God doesn’t delight in this type, or any type of judgment. He is not some mean “Judge in the Sky” who whoops it up when someone is punished.  But there comes a time when His patience is done when it comes to blatant sin.
  3. You cannot drift into godliness. I don’t know about you but my experience is that to become a godly person I have to pursue that. I’m not talking about “working my way” to godliness, but to pursue God. Oh…here you go! LOVE GOD DEEPER…WORSHIP HIM MORE. J  We can drift into sin by sheer negligence, but we can’t drift back into godliness by sheer laziness. Seek God and His Word. I used to say I would spend as much time in the Word as I spent reading the paper or watching TV. Of course, that was before Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, etc.  The struggle is harder (even though I am not on any social media).
  4. Become an Abraham to the Lots in your life. Read the account of Lot leaving Sodom. He didn’t want to. The angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and got them out of Dodge. (Gen. 19:16) You know why they did that? Because God listened to Abraham’s intercession for his nephew. If you know someone heading down the wrong path, pray for them and ask for an opportunity to interject yourself into their life.

I hope this helps you in 2022.

It has been a rough two to three weeks for folks in Owen County and people we love. As the staff sat down to pray Monday morning we all became extremely aware of our long prayer list and the lives of so many impacted with so much going on. Of course there are the good things like healing and healthy pregnancies but there seemed to be an overwhelming number of heart-numbing situations. As this gets to you today, I will be involved in the funeral for Kirby Stogsdill this afternoon. Friends of folks who attend OVCF have also had the pain of loss. A mother losing her son one year to the day her daughter passed away from cancer. A cousin. A brother. Some battling COVID and others just battling health issues. I have two blogging friends dealing with pneumonia. Teachers dealing with new students (one who can’t speak any English) and all the protocols = STRESS!  May I ask you to stop right now and pray for them? Each week we include names in our bulletin to be a reminder to you to pray for others.  So please take some time over the next day or two to pray for someone else.

I’m excited about a new opportunity Hope East will be introducing us to this coming Sunday. Let’s just say it’s a good thing for all ages. I’ll let Hope tell you more this coming Sunday.  J

 

LOVE GOD DEEPER…WORSHIP HIM MORE

 

Pastor Bill

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Midweek Message 01/05/2022

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #90

 

Hello and welcome to MM #90.  This is the first MM of 2020 and I am wondering where do I start?

I guess first is an explanation and a possible apology. In MM #87 I began by saying I would be “out of your hair” for the next couple of weeks. Alas, I fibbed. I can say it was because I don’t have any hair but that won’t cut it. J The truth is I ran across several ideas and wanted to share them. One of them was the story of “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus.” What is funny is that Madi Arnett left a copy of one of the local papers on my desk for me which had the complete article of that exchange the same day mine appeared in #88.

The second week (#89) I felt compelled to give some guidance good for all of us about what we can do to make 2022 a year where our lives are changed.  I think we are all tired of the garbage floating around these days on the airwaves and social media and I wanted to give us all a break from that. If you missed out on #89 contact Diana at the office and she can send it to you or one of us can make you a copy. Not to worry, she has already given me plenty of grief about going back on my word and writing a MM both weeks. J

Good old 2022 is here and with that comes a whole new set of “worries.” (Let’s call them “concerns” in order to be more spiritual).  If I was a betting man (which I am not), I would be willing to wager that most, if not all of us, will at one time or another in 2022 ask or want to ask “Why?” No, I’m not talking about the little one who has a thousand questions and they all seem to start with the word Why?

This is much more serious. When a health event hits us our first question might by why? When a catastrophic event hits-a death, fire, destruction, or car accident-we might be inclined to ask why? When financial hardship hits we may be tempted to ask why?

We may never know the answer to that question while here on earth, but we can take comfort in the truth of One who does. Just this past Monday I finished working on a sermon from Daniel 2. In that chapter is a verse we might be tempted to pass by: Daniel 2:22- “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.”

We can take comfort in the fact that God is never surprised or afraid. He is never caught off guard. And while the event which happens has me rocking backwards on my heels or a tad bit flustered, God is not wringing His hands wondering, “What am I going to do?”

Take heart. Those moments of darkness are not dark to Him. He is the light on the head of the coal miner. He is the compass in the hand of the explorer. As the old hymn says, “There is no shadow or turning with Thee.” (Great is Thy Faithfulness)

I wrote that Tuesday morning for my blog, Living in the Shadow. There is no doubt 2022 is “up in the air” as to what we think might happen and what will happen. None of us knows. I know I certainly don’t have a crystal ball I consult. I can only go to the ONE who does know and trust Him to handle things better than I ever could.

Now for something else…As we were sitting in staff meeting Monday morning, I think we were all surprised by the volume of prayer requests which came across our plates over the past week or so. We like to pray over all the requests, and particularly the newest ones given to us. But Monday it was like “Whoosh! Look out below!”  After my short devotion, Ryan led us in prayer. Also, every Sunday I try to bring you up to date on the status of folks on our list, as well as listing new ones. So…here is a list of the newest ones I’d like to ask you to pray for:

  • Law Enforcement Officers: Caleb Hutchison, Ryan White, Shauna Wetzel
  • Military family and friends; Nikk Wood, Tyler Benson, Iain Ramsay, Chris Erb, Jessica Parmer, Nick Hickman
  • School Related Prayer: Nate Hopf (teacher) and Kahner Welch (college student)
  • David Fisher, Tim Huffman, Kirby Stogsdill, Chris Wainscott, Joe and Kelly Norris (COVID), Kylie (17 y/o with COVID pneumonia), Wendy Mader.
  • Healthy pregnancies: Jimmy & Christine Chambers, Caleb & Amanda Hutchison, Elizabeth and Donovan Jones, Darren and Anitra Line, and Mitch and Shauna Wetzel.
  • Deaths: Mark Murphy’s family (father); Judy Edwards family (cousin to Mike Edwards); and Frank Nichols family (Brother to Rosie Bault and half-brother to Carol Sturgeon).
  • Martha Orlando-my friend from Georgia who faithfully watches our live stream every week- in hospital with COVID-related pneumonia (and yes, she has been double vaxxed and boosted). I heard about her from her husband on Monday.
  • Donna Keith, ongoing chemotherapy treatment.

 

See what I mean? And that is not all. I realize by listing these folks I am leaving others out. That is not to be taken as others are less important. Far from it. These are simply those added or updated Sunday or Monday.  I list them so you can join us in praying for them. Thanks for doing that.

One final item: As I was praying Sunday morning with the worship team before they started practice, I prayed a simple thought which came to my mind. I have decided to make it my by-line for the year: LOVE GOD DEEPER…WORSHIP HIM MORE.  I hope you will join me in that heartfelt desire.

I pray God blesses each of you in 2022…even when you don’t see it. I also look for 2022 to deepen my love for God and for you.  Have a great rest of the week! See you Sunday!!

Pastor Bill

 

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Midweek Message 12/29/2021

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #89

 

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #89. I know…I know…you thought I would have come up with a better opening line by now. To be honest, I haven’t really given it much thought.  Some of the shows I watch all say, “Hello and welcome to (___________).”  Or just “Welcome to the (___________). No, not jungle.  J I’m just glad you take the time to read the message.

I hope you had a good ending to a sometimes not-so-good year. I, for one, look at 2021 as being in my rearview mirror. No one got anywhere by constantly looking backwards.  Whenever I was younger I would try to set resolutions that I found out I quickly broke. So I stopped. I started asking myself “What do I need to do to make this coming year “successful?” My first thought about that success was not work, school, or those things which are normally scrutinized as being talking points. I was more concerned with my spiritual walk.

I don’t suspect I am alone, even as I ask myself that same question today. I firmly believe that if my walk with God is in the right place, where it belongs, then the rest of my world will come together.  Several years ago I clipped a page from something I was reading and filed it away. As I was cleaning out some files the other day I found it. As I read it I thought it would be something good to pass on to you as you look ahead to 2022.  The main thoughts are from the article. Any commentary is mine.  So…here we go:

 

  1. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus Christ. I will be the first to admit the struggle with this one. Life hits and sometimes hits with a slam dunk. Have you ever seen that game where they have children, and sometimes adults, put their head on top of a baseball bat and then go in circles? When time is up then release them to walk away. Only they can’t. Their equilibrium is so messed up they simply stumble and sometimes fall. Life comes and it is like we are running in circles.  There comes a point in time when we need to stop and recalibrate. A lot of people like to do that at the beginning of a new year.  Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Let’s stop expecting the government or the school or the workout or the church to set us straight. Let’s look to Jesus.
  2. Look to God in the Scriptures. We live in a confused world. There are those who deny the existence of God (as there have always been). There are those who tell us to find God in nature. Nature can reveal God’s creativity but God is not a tree or nature.  There are always whackos trying to get us to find God in drugs or some weird teaching. The Bible is where we find God for who He is. Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your Law.” To save space I’m going to ask you to turn to and read Psalm 19: 7-11. Those are some powerful verses to focus on for this coming year.
  3. Remember all God has done for you. How easy it is to forget!  We see what we are going through now; we dream up what is ahead, and we find ourselves overwhelmed…and forgetful. Try to remember the same God today is the same God back then and will be same in the future.  Here is a great verse to remember! “Only be careful for yourself and watch over your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and grandsons.” 4:9
  4. Remain in Christian community. We haven’t talked much about this lately. With the onset of the live stream it is much easier to stay home and watch in the comfort of your recliner. I get that. But one thing live stream can’t do is offer community. It offers isolation. Unless you are involved in a small group which meets on a regular basis, it is so easy to feel like you are alone in the battle. {Note: we are going to make a more concentrated effort to have small groups in 2022}. We have got to have each other’s backs.  I’m glad live stream is available and some people are using it to feel connected. But I’m being honest when I say I miss you when you aren’t here. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day approaching.”  Just food for thought.
  5. Pray continually. I don’t know how to emphasize this anymore than those two words.  Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing” in I Thess.5:17.  Jesus told Peter to “Keep watching and praying so that you do not come (fall) into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” in Mt.26:41.  Make time this year for what I call my “Encounter Time.” Make a concentrated effort to read the Bible and pray. I also do a daily devotional blog called Living in the Shadow that might help your efforts.  (You can find that on the church’s website).

 

This got longer than I originally intended, but I guess you know me by now. J  But I do hope it helps you as you look ahead to 2022…hopefully not with fear and trepidation but with courage and hope.

The new theme for 2022 is “For Such a Time…”  This Sunday’s sermon is from the passage where that statement is found: Esther 4. Please read ahead and you will have a picture of what the message will be about.  As Christ-followers we are here “for such a time as this…”

Have a great rest of the week. Look with hope to the future.  Let’s make 2022 the best year in OVCF’s history. I love you all.

Pastor Bill

All Scripture is from the NASB2020.

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Midweek Message 12/21/2021

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #88       

 

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #88. I know I said last week would be my last for the year but this one takes little time for either me or Diana. It is an article I read last week and wanted to pass it on. Hope you enjoy it.  It is by James Emery White, the pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church.

In 1897, Dr. Philip O’Hanlon, a coroner’s assistant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia, whether Santa Claus really existed. He suggested that she write The Sun, then a prominent New York City newspaper because “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.”

One of the paper’s editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, replied in an editorial titled “Is There a Santa Claus?” More than a century later it is the most reprinted editorial in any newspaper in the English language. Here is a taste of what he wrote:

“Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished….

“No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”

If given the chance, I would have answered the same, but with even more specificity.

More than a few parents wonder whether to pass on the Santa story and all its accompanying traditions. Particularly those who worry that if they tell their kids about Santa and eventually have to let their kids in on the secret, that they will undermine their child’s trust in other things they’ve been told are true.

Like the existence of God.

My wife and I told our kids about Santa and embraced the tradition fully in our home. But – and this is very important – we made sure we told them the real story about Santa, which many people do not do.

On the front end, before the big reveal, we made it clear that Santa did what he did out of love for Jesus and to honor His birthday. And at the time of the big reveal, we told them the “secret” in light of the fuller story of Santa and his love for Jesus—all rooted in history and fact.

There was no existential spiritual crisis. If anything, it resulted in deeper faith. They discovered there really was a Santa Claus who really did give gifts at Christmas, and that what parents did was in memory of Santa to keep his spirit and heart for Christ and for children alive.

St. Nicholas was a real historical figure who lived in Turkey and died around the year 350. He was a very active leader in the church and was part of the great Council of Nicaea in 325, which was one of the most important Christian councils in all of history.

Nicholas was known for holiness and for his passion for Christ. He was actually tortured and imprisoned for his faith under the Emperor Diocletian. He gave almost all of his money away to the poor, and his love for children was incredibly real.

One of the stories from his life that we know involved three poverty-stricken girls. In those days, the only way that girls could have a future with a husband was if they had a dowry. A dowry was money that a father could provide so that if somebody married his daughter, she could bring money to the marriage. A dowry-less girl would likely never marry and would often face the worst of situations because she had no other way to fend for herself.

This particular father had no dowry, and he was getting ready to turn his three girls over to prostitution. Nicholas found out about it, and he went one night and took three bags of gold and threw them down into the house through some type of chimney or opening in the house. He gave one bag of gold for each daughter to serve as a dowry for them, so that all three could be married. It was because of this (and many other acts of charity toward children) that he actually became the patron saint of children.

Over time, this led to a tradition of children being given presents in his name. The problem was that the children had trouble saying his name because “St. Nicholas” has so many syllables. It soon became “Sint Klaes” and then later “Santa Claus” by the Dutch.

Simply put, St. Nicholas was a wonderful Christian man – one of the true heroes of the faith – and all things “Santa” can and should be deeply spiritual in nature. Santa isn’t the problem—it’s how we’ve stripped him of his sainthood, motivation and story.

At the appropriate age, we told our children the fuller story of St. Nicholas and how we, as parents, kept it alive because of Santa’s love for Jesus and for children. We even have a “Kneeling Santa” figurine as part of our home Christmas décor that we’ve owned since before even having children. A “Kneeling Santa” is a figurine of Santa kneeling before the Christ child in the manger.

It’s very dear to us.

When Susan and I were dreaming about having children, while I was in graduate school, we saw a limited edition “Kneeling Santa” ceramic in a store. We had never seen this depiction before, but it captured what we wanted Christmas to be like with our children in light of the Santa traditions.

We didn’t have much money, but as soon as we saw it we knew we wanted to have it for our family. Yet it was more than $100! For us, that might as well have been more than $10,000. So, we asked the store manager if we could somehow put it on layaway. Over the next six months, we made every little payment we could until it was ours.

Many years later – not to mention four kids and now 12 grandchildren later – our “Kneeling Santa” is still a centerpiece in our home.  Why?

Because “Yes, Virginia, there is one.”

Have a joy-filled Christmas. I love you all.  Pastor Bill

 

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Midweek Message 12/15/2021

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #87

 

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #87.  Thanks for giving me some time during your busy holiday preparations. Alas, I will be “out of your hair” (no comments please) J for the next couple of weeks. My plan is for this to be the last MM for 2021 to give you a break, give Diana a break from her editing and sending, and you a break from me bothering you. J  So I hope you will take some time to really read this and check out what it is in it.

 

The big item on the agenda is a huge reminder to you. Please remember that we will have one service on the 26th, the day after Christmas. The service will be at 10:00 and, as always, will be live streamed just in case you have those “after Christmas blues” i.e. fatigue and are not able to make it. If you do the live stream, may I encourage you to make it a family affair?  I promise I won’t preach longer than 2 hours.  Say what?  I can assure you that won’t happen under any scenario. J  Besides, Jo, Tami and I are planning on leaving after the service to spend Christmas in Ohio so I’m guessing if I preached that long they would leave me behind.  Again…one service at 10:00 on December 26th.

 

I also want to remind you about our inclement weather plans. I know looking out the window it doesn’t look anything like bad weather, but we live in Indiana and you know that can change on a dime.  Here is the inclement weather information:

  • We will send a mass email about any changes.
  • We will post the info to our Facebook group (if you are not a member of the group, search Owen Valley Christian Fellowship and request to join) and page (you can follow it at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, IN).
  • We have a group of volunteers who will call or text you!
  • If in person services are not possible, we will plan to offer a live stream service at 10 AM via Facebook and YouTube.
  • Please be sure we have current contact info (email/phone) for you if you want to be notified! Please call the church office at 812.828.9840 or email Diana at secretary@ovcf.org

Most of all we want you to stay safe and not get out in bad weather.  There are some of us who live in town (some of the worship team, Pastor Ryan and myself) who will do all we can to make sure the live stream happens.  In fact, we would prefer you stay home and stay safe than try to venture out.

 

The church office will be closed from December 24th (Friday) through December 27th (Monday). The church office be closed but we will still have worship on the 26th.  Have I told you it will be at 10:00 that Sunday?  Just making sure. You know how old people’s memories can be. (Mine not yours).

 

When I asked Pastor Ryan if there is anything he wanted me to include in the MM he said, “Nothing really, except to remind the youth of the Christmas party/final ROOTS of the semester this coming Sunday.” So you have been reminded. And since I am guessing most of the youth don’t read this, I hope you parents who do will remind your Jr/Sr High students of the party. He has something good on the docket for them. Any questions? Please contact Pastor Ryan.

 

This past week I read an article entitled 4 Christmas Killers for Ministry Leaders. I thought it was a very pointed article for ministry leaders but as I read it I also thought it would be good for all to read. I am not going to reprint it in its entirety but I thought I would share some of the main thoughts with you.  Pete Scazzero, the author, is writing from a ministry leader standpoint. He contends that for years he preached the incredible message of the incarnation, but was spiritually dry inside. He says we can blame the culture or the expectations of people around us, but the trap of dryness is an easy trap to fall into. Here are the four “Christmas killers” he mentions:

  1. Rushing. Pete writes, “As we are rushing, our family and friends get the leftovers because we are depleted physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” That really hits all of us doesn’t it?  How often have you found yourself just depleted at the end of the day and by the time Christmas day rolls around you have had enough? Slow down this Christmas season.
  2. I know for me, I was always told Christmas and Easter were perfect times to see the church grow. So special events were planned to help that along. But along with that mindset comes anxiety. What happens if it doesn’t work? What happens if the church doesn’t see new people?  I have to agree with Pete on this: “Things aren’t going to be perfect this Christmas.” I am not a perfectionist, but I do like things to go well.  Relax. God’s got this.
  3. Ignoring God’s limits. There are only so many hours in a day: 24.  We get weary and spend an enormous amount of energy, money and time in getting things done.  We can get so tired that we aren’t any good to anyone. Listen to the Father. Ask Him to give you the strength to do what needs to be done and to help you know when to stop.
  4. Pete writes to the pastor and says, “It’s easy to forget our most important priority in ministry: to remain deeply connected with the Father, those close to you, and yourself, amidst all the pressure swirling around us.” For me, it is easy to forget what is most important during this season. Sermons to prepare. People to visit. Notes to write. Things to attend. They can all serve to “unfocus” me on what is really important. I’d like to think we all struggle with that. Let’s not forget to stop and spend time with Jesus. It is, after all, His special day and this season is to be all about Him.

 

Well…hope those help you this Christmas season. People are fond of saying during this season that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” I know what they are trying to say but I think differently.  I like to say, “Jesus is the Meaning of the Season; we are the reason.”  He came as a baby for me and you to save us from our sin because we were unable to do so. That makes us the reason. He gives the meaning to the season. I pray you will have a meaningful and joy-filled Christmas. I love you and if I never received another gift I would be totally content. God gave me a great gift 16 years ago when He gave me you. Merry Christmas from me and Jo (and Tami). We don’t send cards so please accept this as our card to you.

 

Pastor Bill

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Midweek Message 12/08/2021

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #86

 

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #86. I hope your week is going well and you aren’t too swamped by all the “Christmas stuff” that has to be done.  Thanks for letting me into your inbox today.

 

If you came in person or watched online this past Sunday, you already know that I was not here.  We went to Ohio for a couple of days to visit family. Our original plans were to be in Arizona from November 16-21 visiting with my friend, Dave, of 3 Feet Please, who retired in November after 30+ years at the company he helped start.  It really isn’t hard to understand that…Indiana…Arizona. ..November.  He texted me this past weekend to tell me it was 80+ degrees there.  I held my tongue and told him, “Ha. It’s 30-40 here. Eat your heart out.” J  Anyway, we had to postpone that trip (possibly until March) due to Tami’s heart attack and Dave’s wife’s crazy schedule at this time of the year. She teaches disabled children in a public school.  But after preaching 49 out of 52 weekends this year, I needed a break, so we made arrangements to leave town for Ohio. Jo visited her sister in the nursing home on Friday in Sandusky (where it snowed on us as we drove) and we spent a lot of time with Janna and Braden.

 

Sunday was a real treat for us. We were able to attend Adventure Church with Mike and Ryan Laws. After 17 years at one church they began attending Adventure last August. Some of you will remember Mike, Trisha and Ryan coming to speak the last week of August about their journey through Ryan’s kidney disease and Mike donating his kidney to Ryan. Ryan is healthy and came through COVID really well with just a minor cough.  Mike also asked me to pass along to you: “Please tell your church hello and thank you again for keeping our family in your prayers.” I told him I would.  We enjoyed our visit to Adventure and it looks like they have found a good church family. But I have to admit that I missed being here and look forward to seeing you all Sunday. It is nice to know though, that when I am gone things are taken care of.  Thanks to Pastor Ryan for filling in for me. Jo thanks Crystal and Linda for taking care of the Power Point and Ryan and Diana for taking care of communion.

 

With Christmas just around the corner OVCF is like about every other church. Lots of hustle and bustle. I love that our building is being used by various organizations and groups throughout the month. Monday the Owen County Chamber of Commerce used the children’s addition for its monthly meeting and Christmas meal. All this week Seven Oaks Classical School is using our building in preparation for their Christmas production Friday and Saturday.  WRE uses our building on Tuesdays during the school year. We have a play group/Bible study group using the nursery some on Wednesdays. Thursday evenings, BOLD young adult ministry meets in the children’s addition. Sunday night’s ROOTS youth group meets here. Their final meeting for this year is Sunday, the 19th.  However, with all that activity, the church office will be closed on December 24th and 27th.

 

 

Please keep in mind that we will be having one service on December 26th. We will be meeting at 10:00.  We know that could be a Catch-22 for us. We could have a ton of people which could stretch our facilities (a nice challenge to have) or people may be suffering from post-holiday syndrome and fatigue and decide to stay home.  J  The nursery and youth programs will also be happening that week!

 

Congrats are in order for Brock Groomer and Tiffany Frye and to Jordan Kinser and Lindsey Sparks on their recent weddings.

 

One more thing before I close with a word of encouragement: We will not be having the Christmas breakfast for the community this year. Maybe next year.

 

I cannot leave this edition of the MM without sharing something I read Tuesday morning during my morning Encounter Time. It comes from Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp:

 

“It’s humbling to write this, but it’s true: Jesus did what He did not because of something special He saw in us, but because of something holy and pure that was inside Him. The Christmas narrative simply removes from every one of us any reason for boasting. There was not and is not one person who has any ability to earn or deserve the greatest gift that was ever given…In three words Paul tells us what motivated Jesus’ journey from glory to earth: ‘He humbled Himself.’ “

 

“You and I don’t really expect powerful leaders to be humble. We expect a bit of arrogant swagger.  We expect some boasting of accomplishments and an enjoyment of the results of acquiring power. But the Lord of glory didn’t choose to bask in His glory; instead He emptied Himself, took the form of not just a man, but of a lowly servant man. What humility!” (Pages 86-87)

 

I have been praying for me and for you to have a fresh view of the Christmas story, for God to take the “tired story of Christmas” we hear every year and to let it come alive in my heart and yours.  I know He is doing that for me because I am asking in faith, believing He will. I also pray for you to experience that as well. I am totally blown away by this truth: “Jesus left what was His right, to guarantee for us a place that is not our right but is a gift from his humble hands.”  (Ibid-p.88)

 

I hope you have a good rest of the week. I love you all and look forward to seeing you Sunday.

 

Pastor Bill

 

 

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