Category: MidweekMessage

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #120

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #120! Thanks for including me in your day. I hope this week has been a pretty good one for you so far.

First, I need to apologize and make a correction.  After last week’s MM and my summary of why I began writing it, I had a member of my family (I will not mention Tami’s name) who corrected me on my timeline. Sadly, I have to admit I needed corrected. I mentioned that we limped into 2021 after a bunch of people got COVID and then we had to shut down when Governor Holcomb asked that we do so or reduce operations. We had actually reduced what we did during the summer of 2020 and had just begun getting back to “normal” in August by starting to worship in person again. I should have remembered because Jo and I went to Alaska in September of 2019 and almost decided to put it off (until your generosity).  That would have been disastrous since we would not have been able to go if we had. Anyway, I started the MM in early 2020 after that first major shutdown. I stand corrected. J

Second, a big tip of the hat to Dave & Heather Keith. When word reached Jack White, the director for Disaster Relief (FEMA) in Spencer, about the need for folks in Kentucky impacted by the flooding in recent weeks, Dave offered his help. He and Heather were leaving for vacation to Tennessee and offered to drive a trailer filled with supplies to those responsible for overseeing the operations in KY. In less than a week, Owen Countians came through.  A trailer soon became a U-Haul that left this past Monday morning. The church reached out to help and purchased   fans, totes, shovels, rakes and more to the tune of $400+. I also know several church individuals who gave some needed supplies. So thank you for being so generous, which allows the church to do what the church is supposed to do: reach out in Jesus’ name to help others.

Third, please remember to pray for Rhonda Schafer this week. Rhonda is our educator of the week. She is in charge of the Patriot Student Center which helps the students learn a trade that could serve them well in the future.

Fourth, I know I sound like a broken record, but I just “gotta tell you” this. Sunday afternoon I went to the store and had planned on getting out onto Morgan Street, but the line coming at me was a string of motorcycles and then a ton of cars, so I turned around and went out the back way. As I turned onto a street someone from the church family was out walking their dogs. I stopped to talk and one of the things this person said was, “I am so glad for the live stream.”  As we talked further, I knew why live stream was so important to them and said so. While I miss seeing people, it makes my heart happy to know people are watching online. I finished talking and on the way home I received a text from someone. Here is her text: “Still thankful for the live stream you continue to do. (Child’s name) has been snotty and feeling a little bad so we stayed home, but I didn’t have to miss church completely. Prayers she gets over this soon, especially the fussiness.”  {Note: this mom most definitely has my prayers}.

My point to you is the same point I made to the “dog walker.” We live in a hybrid world. That is no more apparent than in the church and our approach to ministry. COVID changed a lot of things, some good and some not-so-good.  I believe going to live stream is one of the benefits we were able to take advantage of then and it is still serving us now.  Again, I’ll ask you: if you would like to be a part of this vital ministry, not just for our church folks, but for others who tune in, we could use your help. Please see Pastor Ryan or me and we will get you in touch with Joe Pavich, who will be glad to “show you the ropes” on how to help us run our live stream.

Just a couple of reminders for you:

• The church office will be closed on Labor Day, September 5^th in honor of the holiday.
• “66” will be restarting on September 14^th from 6:00-7:00 in the youth addition. For those who aren’t sure what that is, it is a journey through the 66 books of the Bible. We will be resuming our study at I & II Samuel. Even if you haven’t come before you are more than welcome to join us.

One of the hardest things for me to do is to stay out of trouble…because of my mouth.  If I was a betting man I would bet I am not alone! J I read an interesting devotion the other day about our words and how important it is for them to be timely. Proverbs 15:23 says, “A person has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!” Included in the devotion was a story of golfer, Graeme McDowell on the eve of the 2006 British Open. He was in trouble with his swing and knew he needed to make a correction if he had any chance of winning. The evening before a man, who was an avid golf fan, recognized him and commented about a flaw in his swing. Most professionals would take offense at a suggestion like that, but Graeme figured what could it hurt? The next morning on the driving range he listened to the fan and lo and behold he was right! He finished the first day in first place.

Words are like that. We all know they can be used powerfully for good or bad. We can use them destructively or constructively. To put it more simply: they can build up or tear down. The verse in Proverbs says just that. A well-timed word is often what someone needs to make it through the day or to even see the light through a dark tunnel.  Instead of using our words for weapons, let’s learn to use them to build others up.

One last thing: September 14^th at 5:00 Wayne Akerson’s small group will be opening up the group to others by having it in the youth addition for that evening. If you are interested, please set aside that date. I’ll tell you more next week.

I hope you have a great rest of the week. Thanks again for reading. I love you all and look forward to seeing you Sunday when I’ll be preaching on “Easy to be Hard.”  Included in next week’s MM will be my proposed preaching schedule for the rest of 2022 and into 2023. Notice I said “proposed.” I always have to include a word like that since God has a way of showing up and saying, “Not this time Bill.”  I’ll defer to Him. J

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #119

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #119.  Thanks for taking the time to download and read this. I don’t take that for granted.

We have several new readers to the MM and perhaps you may be wondering what this is all about. I’d like to take a few moments of your precious time to fill you in on what the MM is and why I started it and still write it.  Here is your brief history lesson: Back in 2020 a number of folks, including all the staff, got COVID. As per usual, no one has a clue how it happened or how it spread. We all limped (by all, I mean the church family) limped into 2021. Shortly after the turn of the clock, Governor Holcomb asked for businesses and others to close or to reduce operation. The leadership of OVCF decided to comply with his directive, not knowing how long it would last. (Who did?)  Here was what I wrote in my very first MM: “Who’d a thunk it just a couple of weeks ago that meeting together would be our last time for who-knows-how-long?”  Because I was unsure of its duration, and because my ability to visit was limited, I decided to start writing the MM. Here were my words:

“I’d like this to be a regular feature during this time each week to communicate with you via email about different things. This is just me to you from my heart to yours. A little bit of this and a little bit of that.”

I went on to say: “This is an unprecedented time. Some of us have lived through 9/11 and remember it well. Some have lived through the swine flu, the Asian flu, the Hong Kong flu, and for some old-timers, the Great Depression…Long story short, we will get through this one day at a time. Psalm 91:1-2 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (ESV)  You know, we did come through it. Some more scathed than others, but we found out God was true to His Word of being faithful in all things. My thoughts haven’t changed on that one bit.

I recently read a book on Discerning God’s Will called The Trail by Pastor Ed Underwood. Actually, it was the second time I read it. It was released in 2014 and I read it fairly shortly after that.  Lots of people have questions about God’s will.  “How do I know if I’m doing the right thing?” “How do I know if I’m doing what God wants me to do for my life?” Those and more are legitimate questions, but not always easily answered.  Rather than pray for God’s will to be known in my life, I have begun asking Him to direct where He is working and put me there. He will never steer me wrong. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do nor lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Some translations say “He will direct your paths.”  I am a firm believer that God will never lead me down the wrong path. He does want me to take His hand and let Him lead me.

WOW! That sure is a switch for the MM. Normally, I start out by going easy then becoming “preachy” at the end. ☺ Hopefully, you didn’t feel too bombarded so quickly and will keep reading.

This past Sunday I interviewed Robert Herrington, who will be commissioned this coming Saturday, and then will soon find out where he will be stationed and what he will be doing for the Army. I’m sure he will appreciate your prayers for his future.  As we pray for Robert, Logan Cain will graduate from USMC boot camp and will return home for a short stint before he goes to Missouri to continue his Marine Corp duty as an MP. It will be good to see him this Sunday. His family, the Coursons, and the Anderson family leave Wednesday for San Diego and will fly back home Saturday and plan to be here Sunday. I hope you will congratulate Logan for his accomplishment.

Roots got off to a good start! Pastor Ryan had a great group of young people Sunday night for the first Roots of the new school year.  You can help out with Roots by signing up to provide food for them on Sunday night. They are not asking for you to provide a three-course meal (although I have never seen a teenager turn down good food), but to simply provide snacks/drinks for a night. Ryan or Hope can give you a better idea of what is enjoyed by the teens. There is a sign-up sheet on the info table at the back of the auditorium.

I’d like to remind you to pray for our educator of the week. It is our very own Kris Samick, who is the Director of Communications at S-OCS. Kris lets me know how much she appreciates the prayers on her behalf. Why not stop right now and say a prayer for her?

I’m going to reiterate a request I made a couple of weeks ago in my sermon. Karen Turner and Joe Pavich (and Ryan by default) make it their ministry to live stream our services each week-one at 9:00 and one at 10:45. But we could sure use another hand or two to help. Case in point: I will be gone on October 2nd (Lord willing). Pastor Ryan is preaching. He is also scheduled to play the drums.  If Joe is unable to come for some reason, Ryan is unable to preach, play drums and run the live stream. If you would like to help, please see Ryan or me and we will direct you to Joe Pavich.

Update: After our visit to Graber Post Buildings and my report to you (MM#114), I have been in contact with GPB recently about our proposed addition. The drawings were to have been done yesterday and the process of pricing to be started.  I will keep you posted. Meanwhile, thanks so much for your generosity to the Building Fund! Every little bit helps us reach our goal. Our current fund is at $215,154.85! ☺ That will go a long way towards getting our project started!

I hope you have a great rest of the week. Lord willing, Jo and I will be leaving Thursday for Ohio to visit her sister on Friday and watch Braden play football on Saturday morning. I plan to be here to preach on Good Grief! (Beatitude #2) this Sunday. I love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #118   

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #118 where you never know what might pop up out of this guy’s mind! Of course, you have come to expect that I suspect. ☺

I hope you have had a good week so far. School has started for most of the school corporations around here, and if that includes you I hope that you have been able to “settle in” as school gets off to a rousing start. For those of you who haven’t started yet (like homeschoolers)…enjoy these final few days. Our grandson doesn’t start until next Wednesday so I know he is relishing his days, except that he has football practice and is working.

While I am on the subject of school, let me remind you to be praying for Tabitha Freeman, the curriculum director here at S-OCS. For those who don’t know, we commit to praying for one of our educators each week. I’d like to use this as a reminder to you to pray for her.

With the onset of school starting, that also means our Roots youth group also gets started again after a summer hiatus. I’d like to go on record though for saying this: even though Roots took a break for the summer, the young people, and the adults involved in Roots, did not take a break! Whether it was one of the Wilderness Weeks at Hilltop (or both for some); YFC camp; a week at Hilltop; a week in Kentucky; or just general learning and serving, many of our adults and young people had a busy summer. Diana and I saw so little of Pastor Ryan around the office I felt I needed to introduce myself to him. ☺ The youth probably feel like they need to go back to school for a break!! However, let me say this to all of the adults and youth who made this a super busy summer, and to the parents who encouraged your child to participate, I cannot express how proud I am of all of you for your willingness to learn and serve.

Now back to my original thought (see like a ping pong ball is the thing called my mind): Roots starts this Sunday night from 5-7 in the auditorium. Ryan works hard on making Roots a great place to be on Sunday night and to bring your friends.  If you are in Jr or Sr High you are welcome to come AND BRING FRIENDS! It is a time of fun, learning and developing friendships. I told Ryan that it was cool watching friendships start to develop in Roots, develop more over the summer, and to watch the youth hang around laughing and chatting after our morning worship. It warms my heart to see that because these friendships develop, they usually “stick.” So if you know of a friend or a young person who seems lonely or lost, tell them about Roots. Maybe they will come and find their life changed by Jesus and friends of His.

This coming Sunday is also the initial meeting for small groups. We will be meeting at 5:00 in the youth addition. I have tried to give an idea of what this meeting is about so let me put it down for you. Earlier this year, we had a sign-up sheet for those who were interested in small groups. We had a number of folks put their name down, but through time and busyness, we failed to follow through on it. As I said in another MM, I take the blame for that. I should have been more on top of that. Nothing is more devastating and more discouraging to people than to ask for interest and then just not do anything. Forgive me for dropping the ball. This meeting is an effort to get that ball rolling again. Wayne Akerson and Steve Pendleton each have a different approach to small groups. Since there are so many different people interested, I thought it would be best for you to hear from both of them, and then decide what type of group you would like to be involved in.  The plan that evening is to find that out, sign you up according to your interest, and then make plans to get started. We will also have a Q & A time where hopefully your questions can be answered.  We will start at 5 and will go as long as we need to (but no longer than Roots).  One more thing: even if you have not signed up but are curious about the small groups, you are more than welcome to come. There is no obligation at all to join a group that night. See you there!

One item from me personally: For as long as I can remember (yesterday at least) I have offered a Route 66 class. I take 2 years to go through the 66 books of the Bible. After starting, then having to shut down due to that pandemic none of us like to think about, I started it back up last Spring. However, after a few weeks I shut it down in order to revamp it. I restarted it and we made it to Ruth when summer hit.  After contacting everyone involved, I will be starting 66 on September 14th from 6:00-7:00 in the youth addition.  We will be starting with I & II Samuel. Previous attendance is not required so even if you have not been before, you are invited to attend.

This past Sunday in my sermon I mentioned my current reading on what is called the Jesus Movement. It took place in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s and is considered the last great movement of the Holy Spirit. It focused mostly on the hippie generation which included individuals like singer Chuck Girard, Pastor Greg Laurie, and Pastor Ed Underwood. After reading Greg’s new book, Lennon, Dylan, Alice and Jesus, I decided to reread his book called Jesus Revolution. Since I finished that, I have been rereading Ed’s book, Reborn to be Wild. I quoted from it in my sermon Sunday and said I would include it in my MM this week. Here is the quote:

“Only those who are willing to join God in risking grace by extending it to sinners without hesitation or compromise will know the spontaneous spiritual joy that sparks spiritual revolution.

Undeserved, unending, unearned, unconditional, uncontrollable, unblinking, unbound, undefiled, unequivocal, unfaltering, unhinging, unlimited, unmistakable, unprecedented, unsettling-grace-God’s gift of life to all who believe in His Son, unheard of anywhere else but in Christ.” (p.43)

When British thinkers on comparative religions were debating whether one belief in Christianity set it apart from all other religions came to an impasse, C.S. Lewis walked in. He asked what the rumpus was about, they told him they were trying to determine what Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions was. Lewis answered, “That’s easy. It’s grace.”

He is right. No other religion offers grace like Christianity. What a great way to be unique! Grace is still unique and is still for us today. Love the One who gave it. Live in it.  I love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #117

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #117.  I hope you are having a good week so far. This week will bring so many changes!  School is starting so traffic patterns will change; teachers will be excitedly welcoming new students; students will be “excitedly” getting up early and starting new classes; and parents will have mixed emotions as their young ‘uns take off for school.  I just hope you all have a great year!

The start of the school year seems to be getting earlier and earlier. I know I’m old (no comment from the peanut gallery necessary) but I can still remember (surprise, surprise) when school ended just before Memorial Day and began after Labor Day.  Man, those days are long gone! I can remember postponing summer vacations until August because baseball was over by then. Ya can’t do that now!  Unless you want to miss a week or two of school. IMHO some things change, but not always for the better. ☹

Every week we pray for an educator of the week. This week our educator is Mr. Andy Cline, the superintendent of SOCS. Mr. Cline has one year under his belt in our school system and I look forward to his influence playing a big part this year. Please join me in praying for Mr. Cline.  Each week I plan to remind you of our educator so you can pray for him/her.

This coming Sunday is a big one for the OVCF children’s department. It is MOVE-UP SUNDAY. To repeat what I have written about in the past couple of MMs:

• Students beginning first grade will move-up to the Early Elementary Class.
• Students entering 4th grade will move-up to the Late Elementary Class.
• Students entering 7th grade will “graduate” from Kid’s Church and will receive a certificate and small gift at the end of class this week. Those students will be welcomed into our adult worship on Sunday mornings beginning August 14th.

There will be an added bonus for the one moving into 7th grade. You are invited to attend ROOTS youth group, which begins August 14th and meets from 5-7 pm. If you have any questions, please see Pastor Ryan. He is the man with the answers!

I spoke with Ryan on Monday and he still has a few open spots for the ROOTS excursion to Koteewi Aerial Park on Saturday. After a couple of days of stress from school starting, youth (or parents) may be ready for some “blowout” fun. The cost is $30/person, but Ryan needs to know ASAP. This is always a fun outing and they stop to eat on the way home (I think it is pizza). I like the order of that: high-wire fun then eat! I know my stomach and the other way around WOULD. NOT. WORK! ☺

Not to be left out: on August 14th starting at 5:00 (pm of course), the adults are invited to attend a meeting about small groups. Due to ROOTS using the auditorium, we will be using the children’s addition room for our meeting. Wayne Akerson and Steve Pendleton will both be presenting their ideas about small groups and you will have an opportunity to sign-up for one if you would like to. I would like to reiterate: even if you did not sign-up originally, you are more than welcome to come and listen and then decide.  I look forward to seeing you there.

In last week’s MM I gave a shout-out to those who run our live stream, and then was privileged to read a letter from the pastor who visited us the previous week. I’d like to give a shout-out to our biggest bunch of volunteers, who along with the youth moving to the adult worship, will also be honored. There are over 30 teachers, helpers, nursery workers, and worship leaders who make Sunday morning in the children’s addition a “happening place.”   Here are their names:

• Nursery: Amy and Kalissa Hamlin; Will and Sarah Schneider; Hope and Rachel East, Ryan and Katie Keene.
• Pre-K: Jo Grandi (lead material gatherer). Jasmine St. John; Stacy Wood; Mary Beckwith; Khrista York. Helpers: Anna East; Paige Nally; Kaedence Beckwith.  ???
• Early Elementary: Cara King (lead material gatherer). Erin Pendleton; Jeanna Srinivasan; Travis and Jill Curry; Melissa Arnold. Helpers:  ????
• Late Elementary: Terrie MacMorran; Steve Pendleton; JuliAnne Wiegand. Helpers: Cooper King; Cammie King;  ????
• Check-in: MJ Ramsay and Kori Wainscott
• Youth worship team: Emily Wyatt; Gracie Wainscott; Mollie Wainscott; Micah Nally
• Note: Steve and Erin will be stepping off at the end of August.  Thank you for your love and service to our youth!!

I should not have to say how important these folks are to our children’s program.  I spoke about the “unseen and unheard” aspect of the live stream folks. Week-in and week-out this group of dedicated volunteers make a commitment to teach our young people about Jesus. They miss adult worship and often go unrecognized for their faithfulness on Sunday. I don’t want that to happen! So THANK YOU to all the volunteers in our Sunday morning youth program.  You are not forgotten! ☺

One last thought: I finish my “7 Cancers” series this Sunday and begin one called “8 Cures” on the 14th. I have appreciated your kind words about this series which has not been an easy one to prepare for or to preach. As I was reading Tuesday morning during my Encounter Time from Isaiah 31, I ran across this verse: “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” (Verse 1). I was reminded of Psalm 20: 7 which says, “Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (ESV).  The matter of dealing with the cancers we face is a matter of control. Who controls us? Will I allow an emotion, a substance, a priority, or some outside influence to have control over me? Ephesians 5:18 tells me I need to allow the Holy Spirit to have control and influence over me.

After a break for the summer and the church directory being updated, the elders want you to know they are committed to praying for you and have resumed their practice of dividing up the directory to pray for everyone! Love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #116   

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #116. We left town Sunday afternoon with the temps in the sultry category and came home yesterday (Tuesday) to a pleasant 70+. I say pleasant for some of you. I like it hot. My friend, Dave, lives in Arizona and he texted me that it has been brutal for them this year.  Anyway, I hope when you get this you have had a good week.

As I said, we left Sunday afternoon after we were done here and planned to be in Ohio around 5-5:30 to have supper with our family there. All the best laid plans often go down the tube (my “take” on Robert Burns’ quote: “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”).  We were moving along well until close to Centerville when we got stopped dead in our tracks for almost 2 hours. When we came to the place of the bottleneck, we saw a truck of some sort on the side of the road with its load destroyed and the whole cab burned out due to a fire.  My heart hurts when I see stuff like that. Long story short, we missed supper with them since we didn’t arrive until a little after 7. We had a nice visit though later and then took Braden to football practice on Monday morning and picked him up for lunch. Then we had a chance to meet Janna and Braden for supper. Whirlwind trip for sure, but he is playing high school football this year again, so we do plan on heading over for a game or two.

Some of you showed concern about Vicki, Jo’s sister, before we left. She was evaluated and her lungs are clear, but due to a cough they tested her and she tested positive for COVID. That changed our plans for visiting her on Tuesday, so we came on home. She is suffering from several health issues so your prayers would be appreciated. And thanks for asking.

Now on to some good stuff!! ☺

• • I have yet to speak to Pastor Ryan personally about their trip to KY, but he did send some pictures. They worked hard and you would be really proud of how they represented Jesus and OVCF.  I’ll let Ryan tell you about their adventures some Sunday.
  • This Sunday is our 5th Sunday Family Worship! Remember that during the second service (10:45) there will be no youth programs, except for Nursery and Pre-K.  All other students will join us in the adult worship. There will even be a special music worship time. You won’t want to miss it!
  • August 7 (1 Sunday from this week) will be move-up Sunday. Students beginning first grade will move-up to the Early Elementary Class. Students entering 4th grade will move-up to the Late Elementary Class. Students entering 7th grade will “graduate” from Kid’s Church and will receive a certificate and small gift at the end of their last class on August 7th (They will stay in the late elementary class THROUGH August 7th). ☺  Those students will be welcomed into our adult church worship on Sunday mornings.
  • An added bonus! Those moving into the 7th grade are invited to ROOTS youth group, which begins meeting Sunday nights on August 14th from 5-7 pm. If you have any questions see Pastor Ryan because he is the man with the answers.

Speaking of ROOTS!  The youth group has several outings planned as they wind down the summer and gear up, i.e. get the young people in a good mood, for school.  ☺   Here is your information hot-off-the-press:

1. 1. Saturday, July 30 (yeah this Saturday!) the ROOTS group will be kayaking Sugar Creek. The cost is $25/person.
   2. Saturday, August 6 they will be venturing to Koteewi Aerial Park for a fun day of “getting out from under the stress of school starting.”  Cost is $30/person. Again…ask Pastor Ryan for any details. These are family events but some age restrictions apply for safety.
   3. Reminder!!!! ROOTS begins August 14th from 5-7 pm. This is open for all 7-12th graders. Friends are welcome.

And now something for the adults!

• • I mentioned in last week’s MM that we would be having an informational meeting for all who expressed an interest in Small Groups on August 14th at 5:00 in the Youth Addition. We will be having two presentations about possibilities for you to choose, and hopefully some good discussion with a Q & A time.  (Note: Even if you did not or have not signed up, you are more than welcome to come and are under no obligation to join a group.)

I would like to give a shout out to our live stream crew. Each Sunday, we have some very faithful folks who make the live stream happen.  Karen Turner takes care of the first service (sometimes with help from the grands) and Joe Pavich is largely responsible for the second service. Pastor Ryan helps by filling in if they are unable to be there.  Two things:

1. 1. We really need some new folks who are willing to learn how to do the live stream. You would be taught and given personal instruction on how to do the live stream.  If you would like to help, please volunteer by letting me or Ryan know so we can tell Joe.
   2. And here is what I love to hear! The past several weeks we have had some folks visiting who have watched the live stream first. Three weeks ago we had a couple who decided to come after watching the live stream. This past Sunday we had a visiting pastor and his wife, who were staying at the Canyon Inn on a short vacation. They searched the area for local churches, watched our live stream from the previous Sunday and decided they were going to visit. I was so excited to know that our “unsung and often unseen” people were vital to some visitors coming.  Don’t ever think what you do does not matter!

The longer I live the more I see God’s hand working in the events of my life. Like many others, I have wondered about God’s timing and answers to prayer. Events happen that want to drag me down and say, “See life isn’t good. God doesn’t really care.” But then an event like the two-hour stopped traffic happens. We left about 10-15 minutes later than we planned wanted to.  We were disappointed we missed supper with our family, but this morning I read Isaiah 25:1- “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For you have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.” That verse put things into perspective for me.  I hope it will help you as you face uncertainty in your life.  Love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #115

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #115.  I don’t know about you but it sure has been wild and crazy week since I last touched base with you.  I’m going to spend the first part of this MM telling you about some youth stuff.

If you were here Sunday or watched online (you did, didn’t you?), you heard Pastor Ryan mention that the planned trip to Kentucky had been postponed for a few days. Instead of leaving this past Monday, they will be leaving Thursday, the 21st and be returning Monday, the 25th.  After having such a hard time at the beginning finding an open door to go and having them all close, Ryan finally saw an open door and made all the arrangements for this trip. All the pieces fell into place. God continued to open doors for his alternate plans, even down to finding an alternate place for them to sleep Sunday night.  As he mentioned Sunday morning and I reiterated, we do not know what God has in mind for this change in plans. Maybe a whole new batch of people they will get to know and help? Maybe something else? All I do know is that it will be a rich experience for them and I can’t wait to hear about their ministry to the folks there.

An update to your generosity: As of today, $4,973 has been raised for their trip through donations and fundraisers! ☺ This will allow them to pay for all those going on the trip, as well as blessing people in KY with some much-needed items (microwaves and other small appliances). Thank you so much for showing the heart of OVCF in your generosity.

Another youth item Pastor Ryan has asked me to help him promote.

August 7th is our Kid’s Church Move-Up Sunday! Students beginning first grade will move-up to the Early Elementary Class. Students entering 4th grade will move-up to the Late Elementary Class. Students entering 7th grade will “graduate” from Kid’s Church and will receive a certificate and small gift at the end of their last class on August 7th. All incoming 7th graders are invited to ROOTS youth group, which begins meeting Sunday nights from 5-7 pm on August 14th, and are welcomed into our adult church worship services on Sunday mornings.  If you have any questions, please ask Pastor Ryan. He is the man with the answers!!

While I’m at it with the youth area: I just want to give a big hats off to all the Sunday morning teachers, helpers, youth worship leaders, and workers who make the Kid’s Church a fun place for the students on Sunday morning. You all rock!!

One more item to keep in mind: July 31st is our 5th Sunday Family Worship.  The Nursery and Pre-K class will still meet but the rest of the children’s church youth will be with the adults that morning. Something special is planned for the music but I don’t want to scare you away so I am not going to give it away. And no, I am not leading the music! I wouldn’t even do that to my worst enemy let alone people I love. ☺

Near the beginning of the year, we sent out word about the desire to develop more small groups. At the time we had two which were meeting and some of you had expressed a desire to be a part of one. The sign-up sheet was on the table and the response was good. However, we fell down on the job. I take responsibility for failing to be more proactive with it, but the time has come to take that next step. In all honesty, developing small groups is no easy task. Many churches have full-time staff who take charge of that ministry and oversee its implementation and success. We do not. Those who were interested also have full-time jobs and families and I let it slip through the cracks. I apologize for that and hope to alleviate that problem. On Sunday, August 14th at 5:00 there will be a meeting for all who were interested and signed-up for small groups. I want to fill you in on where we are and what the plan is moving forward. I don’t anticipate a long meeting unless we have such a great turnout and interest just “bubbles over” into some great discussion.  (I hope, I hope).  Even if you didn’t sign up, you are welcome.

This coming Sunday, Lord willing, will be the 5th in the series of Seven Cancers. This past Sunday, I spoke about Sloth and tried to take it away from the idea of physical laziness to talk about spiritual laziness. I used a quote by Dorothy Sayers in the first service that I left out in the second. Afterwards, someone asked me for a copy of that quote and it got me to thinking that maybe I should not have left it out. So here is that quote with some thoughts preceding it:

In the history of Christian spirituality (for the record: I am not fond of that word but it was used in the research I was using), sloth has two components: apathy and sadness. The first one means “without care,” implying an aimless indifference to one’s responsibilities to God and to man. One writer, Dorothy Sayers, wrote, “The sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, loves nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, and lives for nothing, remains alive only because there is nothing it would die for.”

That quote really slams hard at the person who takes an “I don’t care” attitude toward life. I am particularly concerned, as I said Sunday morning, about those who have that attitude toward their Christian walk. The lack of motivation for reading the Word, for praying, for worship should serve as a wake-up call to all of us who find ourselves in that trap. It is so easy to get into it and to become wrapped up in “our world” and not desiring to find the time to spend with God.  Any athlete who wants to excel knows he/she has to dedicate themselves to that sport. Nothing haphazard. Not just when they feel like it.  Tragically, some take that attitude toward their walk with Jesus and then wonder (maybe) why it is suffering. Let me challenge you-as I try to do myself-to make time to be with God. Make time to pray. Make time to be in His Word. Make time to worship. Fall in love all over again with Him.

Oops, I’m only supposed to preach on Sundays.  ☺ Have a great rest of the week.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #114

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #114.  It is hard to believe the summer is about ½ over. I hope yours has been a good one so far.

Due to the 4th of July being on Monday last week, I did not write a MM. Other than spending time with your family and possibly enjoying fireworks, I do hope you took the time to reflect on this great nation and the freedoms we enjoy being a part of it.  I also hope you took the time to thank God for those freedoms and to ask Him to put His hand on our nation as we struggle with several issues which attack the moral fiber of our nation.

Let’s veer away from that for other important items. I’d like to bring you up to date on some (what I consider important) news items.  I’ll just list them as they come on the calendar.

First, I mentioned this past Sunday about our trip to Graber Post Buildings (GPB) in Montgomery, IN. This past Thursday, the 7th, nine of us made the early morning trip to Graber’s. We really didn’t know what to expect but, man, was it informative! We spent close to an hour and a half sitting around a table, asking questions and being asked questions. We showed them a preliminary drawing of something that we would like and talked through the whole process of building, permits, type of building, and just about everything else we could think of. WE GOT SOME ANSWERS WE WERE LOOKING FOR. Perhaps a back pedal would be good at this point. The Building Team (BT) started meeting before the pandemic hit and like many other meetings came to a halt during that time. After we got back together we had several meetings with someone who helped steer us in the right direction, but a change of jobs took him out of the picture. Our next meeting after that was like spinning our wheels. We were going in circles and getting nowhere. That is when it was decided to contact Graber in order to get some direction. Hence, the excursion by the BT.  As I write this it is Monday morning and this afternoon Diana and I are to meet with a rep from Graber who will look over our plans and our grounds to see what is feasible. I’ll keep you posted on what he says. In fact, if possible I will include it at the end of this MM.

Second, your response to the youth service trip to KY and the funds needed for that to happen has been nothing short of phenomenal. Saturday evening they had a Mac & Cheese bar and also sold T-shirts, all for the purpose of raising funds for the trip.

• • The trip to KY is not for the purpose of having a good time. Do you remember when the tornadoes ripped through Mayfield, KY last December and virtually wiped out the town and the surrounding area? The big organizations focused on Mayfield and have since pulled out. But the devastation in the surrounding area was huge. Pastor Ryan has been trying for months to find a way our young people could help. He was finally able to hook up with an organization that is still working there. Our young people will be helping people they don’t know get their lives back together. They are, at this point, unsure what they will be doing. They just know to go with a servant’s heart and a willingness to get dirty.
  • The trip is scheduled for July 18-22 (next week).

It is not too late to donate for the trip. As of this point, there has been $4438 given to their trip! ☺ Each young person is giving up some of their summer and also paying some of their own cost to go.

• • I said it yesterday from the pulpit and will say it again here: many youth ministries are all about fun and games. And I know Pastor Ryan loves the fun and games. But one of the things I really appreciate about his ministry to our young people is his desire to have fun, but also to teach them the joy of ministering to others. Whether it is helping pack meals for IDES; or going to Hilltop camp to work; or working in a clothing store; or going to KY to help with disaster relief, he has them focusing on the fact that being a young person who follows Jesus is not “all about me.”
  • The church leaders are excited about that. The church staff is excited about that. I believe the parents are excited about that. And you should be excited as well.  (Can you tell we are excited?) ☺
    The one big thing you can do is pray for them while they are on the trip.

Here is your update: Monday afternoon Diana and I met with Marty from GPB.  He spent close to ½ hour looking at the site, talking with us and answering questions we had. He took measurements and a closer look at what we might need to do with excavation and utilities. He will take his thoughts back to our rep at GPB and we will need to make some contacts ourselves.  Your generosity in giving, to both the General Fund and Building Fund, has allowed us to finally put some “feet” to our dream. I promise we will keep you informed whenever we have an update.  One thing you can do that is vital: please pray for the BT, for wisdom in our choices and being able to follow God’s leading. We definitely DO NOT want to get ahead of God!  And as a reminder to you and for those who are new to OVCF: we plan to do this debt-free. We believe God wants that and will honor our commitment. Thanks for praying, and again, for being so generous. As of today, we have saved $212,299.85 for a building project! ☺

You will get this after the fact but I would still like to ask you to pray: My first post-op appointment is today (Tuesday) at 8:20. As is normal, I have no clue what to expect (no comment from the peanut gallery). Jo asked me the other day what I was thinking and other than hoping I can have some restrictions lifted, I have no thoughts one way or the other. It will be what it will be and I have no control over what the doctor might say. I’m just praying for continued healing and for me to accept whatever “comes down the pike” today.  As I write this I also know of two others having surgery this morning. I’m not at liberty to say who but I know they would appreciate your prayers for their recovery.

I’d like to give a big and virtual High Five to Allison (Alli) Anderson and Kysen White. They made a decision to follow Jesus and then were baptized at the Y on July 3.  Pastor Ryan baptized Alli and Ryan, Kysen’s father, baptized him.  What a great way to celebrate the 4th with some really good news!

I’m out of space for this week. Have a really great rest of the week. I love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #113

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #113.  The weather this week has been pleasant so far and I hope your week has been the same. Prepare yourself for a somewhat disjointed MM.

I wanted to let you know that I will NOT be doing a MM next week. I know you are disappointed but with the July 4^th holiday and the office closed that puts us a day behind. The Building Team will also be heading to Graber Post Buildings in Montgomery, IN on July 7^th to look at possibilities for our new addition.  Thanks to your continuing generosity, we now have $211,538 in the Building Fund. We promised at the outset we would do this wisely and in a way we felt would honor God (doing it debt-free) so it may seem slow to you.  But this is a significant step for the Building Team because we have an idea of what we would like to build. We now need some clarity for direction.  All that to say: it will be a short but very full week, especially for Diana, so I’ll be a super good guy and let her have the week off from her editorial duties. J

On Friday, December 10, 2021 an EF4 tornado with winds cresting at 190 mph and lasting 2 hours and 54 minutes crashed its way through Mayfield, KY and surrounding areas leaving at least 57 confirmed dead. Besides the death toll, the devastation of property is beyond imagination.  Rescue efforts began immediately by FEMA, Samaritan’s Purse, and other organizations. Pastor Ryan has wanted to get the youth group involved in some way but has been unable to make connections. Until now. Now that the main rescue organizations have closed up shop, it is up to others to help with clean-up and relief efforts. During the week of July 18^th, Ryan and Hope East and Cassie Linville will be taking a number of our youth with them to help with the clean-up of communities near Mayfield.  To help with funding for the trip, the young people will be hosting a Mac & Cheese bar with all the fixin’s on Saturday, July 8^th. The dinner will be from 5:30-7:00 with doors opening at 5. There is no charge but donations are welcomed and accepted. If you cannot make it, there will be a jar for you to make a donation. Speaking personally, I am thankful that Pastor Ryan models and teaches a servant’s heart to our young people.  After the trip I will list all the participants.

Since this coming weekend is Independence Day weekend, I wanted to give myself some space to share something from my files that I clipped back in 1996 from Focus on the Family Citizen. It was a piece written by Tom Minnery, VP of Public Policy. To make room I will be editing it from its original writing:

“In the early decades of our nation’s history, a devout, learned lawyer named Francis Scott Key became so taken with the power of Christ’s gospel that twice he considered entering the ministry. Although he never did, Key became known around Washington, D.C. for his acts of charity and generosity. He worked tirelessly to improve the lot of Georgetown’s poor children, and, along with others, toiled to create a free nation in Africa for the liberated slaves-thus inviting the displeasure of Southern slave owners some 50 years before the Civil War began.

Key was a follower of William Wilberforce, the Christian statesman in England who spent his entire adult life in his ultimately successful pursuit of ending England’s slave trade. {Note: he was on his deathbed when the vote was taken to abolish the slave trade} Wilberforce’s writings confirmed Key’s growing belief that religious faith and patriotism went hand in hand, and that the Christian Gospel was a blueprint for public service.

On the evening of Sept. 13, 1814, at the height of the War of 1812, the 35-year-old Key gave of himself yet again. This time, however, he embarked on a mission of mercy fraught with danger. An elderly physician named William Beanes had been captured by the British and was imprisoned in the hold of a British warship. With President James Madison’s blessing, Key set sail from Baltimore along with a prisoner-exchange officer to search the ship and negotiate Beanes’ return.

Incredibly, they found the ship and freed the doctor but the small party was barred from leaving the warship that night. They were about to attack Baltimore and their first assault would be on Fort McHenry, which protected the city.

Key and the others were forced to watch as the British warship bombed the fort all night long. Cannon after cannon blasted away and it wasn’t until the first light of day Key was able to see the American flag still flying above the fort- a majestic emblem of the failure of the British attack.

Swelled with pride for his country, and grateful to God for sparing the city (the British had sacked and burned D.C. just three weeks before), Key wrote what we now call our national anthem, the “The Star- Spangled Banner.”  We know and hear sung over and over the first stanza of that great anthem. But it is the unknown and seldom-sung fourth stanza that shows Key’s intent with the song. Here are the words: “O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand/ Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation/Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land/Praise the Power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!/Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just/And this be our motto– ‘In God is our trust!’/And the star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave/O’er the land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”

There are a lot of people spouting a lot of hate these days. We have people using vulgarity to describe their feelings. One musician said, “(Expletive deleted.) I’m renouncing my citizenship in America.”  I say, “Good-bye.” America has it issues, no doubt about it. BUT, and this is a big BUT, it is still the greatest nation on this planet. For those who want to disgrace America with their vulgarity and disobedience, try going to another country and do that.  Their head will be on the chopping block, if it makes it that far. I am proud to be an American, but I am more proud to be a follower of Jesus. My citizenship may be as an American, but my greatest citizenship in in heaven.  I may “love” my country, but I love Jesus more.  And while I may live in and enjoy the benefits of this country, I don’t worship it nor can I forget the benefits I have from the Father in heaven who loved and loves me and gave His only Son for my salvation.  THAT IS THE GREATEST FREEDOM OF ALL. Celebrate Independence Day but if you are a Christ-follower, you have a greater independence nothing on earth can compare to.  He who has the Son is free. That truth will set you free. (John 8: 32)  I love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #112

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #112. I am so grateful you allow me into your world each week. I don’t ever want to take that lightly or waste your time.

As you know by now, my surgery is history.  See the end of this MM for some thoughts on that whole thing. I’m definitely not moving as fast I normally do but I simply pray each day brings improvement. I have to remember not to overdo it.

Father’s Day 2022 is history! You already knew I was excited about the special Father’s Day event we were having. I can honestly say I loved it and relished hearing some of the men speak. I heard chuckles, laughter, and applause, and have heard from a few of you who totally appreciated it. I can’t take any credit for it other than pulling it together. The real “heroes” of the morning were the men who put themselves out there and spoke. My thanks to Will Schneider, Daniel Hamlin, Rob Anderson, Mike Edwards, Bruce Fisher, Tony Courson, Jim Markland, and Bruce Davis.  Three other men also made contributions to the morning: Brad Brinson, Mike Basey, and Dave Keith.  I have several stories to tell:

• Some of our folks forgot about the time change. One of them told me she was ready to just turn around and leave when Jeff encouraged her to stay and helped her and her son find a seat. After it was over she told me that and said, “I am so glad I stayed” and got a little teary-eyed.
• Another came up after me and said, “Thank you! It was so good and I just wanted to tell (name removed by me) to just keep on talking another hour.” Hmmm. How come no one tells me that? ☺
• “Each man was real and it was so good to hear stories from different perspectives.”

Long story short: thank you men for taking part and thanks to many of you who took the time to thank them and to say a few words to me which I could pass along.

REMEMBER: WE ARE BACK TO TWO SERVICES THIS SUNDAY!  9:00 AND 10:45

This next part is something I held off from sharing in last week’s MM. In fact, I had it written and included, but then decided to hold off. In last week’s MM I gave you a list of upcoming sermon series: “7 Cancers” and “8 Cures,” as well as a series focusing on what the church is all about.  November and December seem to carry their own focus.

What you don’t know is that I have been giving 2023 some serious thought.  What I am about to say might interest you, blow your mind, or completely turn you off (I hope not). In thinking of 2023, I am considering the theme of “Victory.”  I can hardly believe I am telling you what I am about to tell you. From April 18th to June 2nd, I did a series of blogs on my “Shadow” blog on the book of Revelation. I took a chapter a day to blog about, except when I read Revelation 2-3 (the 7 churches). I am considering starting 2023 by preaching through Revelation- not on interpreting it, i.e. “this means this” and “that refers to that” and “this is a sign of the times” (I’ll leave that to the scholars), but on the main thoughts from each chapter.  What is strange, at least as you look at it from man’s viewpoint, is that a brand new book came out last week that piqued my interest. It is called “Blessed” by Nancy Guthrie. I trust the publishing company she uses but know nothing of her. But after reading the first 5 chapters, she takes the absolute same approach I did in my blog and plan to for the series. Anyway, here is where you come in at. I’d like to know your thoughts on that. I realize this is June and that is January, but it is running through my head now and when you get old you have to “put things on the table” when you think of them.  ☺  My desire is to preach the Bible, and to avoid a book or some subject because it is difficult or “scary,” is not doing so. However, at the same time, I do want to preach what you might be interested in (I’ll hold off on preaching through Leviticus), so please feel free to put in your .02 worth.  You may email or text me if you want.  And just to put a further perspective on it: I have NEVER in almost 50 of being a pastor, preached on Revelation. In fact, except for sermons on the 7 churches in chapters 2-3, one from chapter 4 on worship, and maybe one on heaven from chapter 22, I have not preached a sermon on or from Revelation. To put it bluntly, I have avoided it like the plague. No more! So, again, let me hear your thoughts.

Please let me remind you again to pray for Pastor Ryan, Hope and the other faculty and campers who are at High School Wilderness Week at Hilltop. Temps are to be close to the mid ‘90s. In fact, Tami thought it was funny because her weather app showed a sun with a cactus on it. ☺ I think that means it is supposed to be really, really hot and that means they will really need covering with our prayers.

Just one last thought before I go:  I wrote the following the morning of June 20th for my “Shadow” blog. I hope it helps you.

Surgery was a success so the doc says. It is 6 days in and in my mind the jury is still out. I know part of it is being a man. You know…I want healed yesterday. I want to feel better yesterday. I want to be able to ride my bike yesterday. But with him having to do more than he thought, this is to be expected.

Except in my mind.

I had visions of my last back surgery. The removal of a bone fragment on a nerve brought instant relief!! Maybe too instant.  Not this time. It is going to take some time for my spine and legs to function normally.

That reminds me of today’s verse from Proverbs which I highlighted: “A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord; how then can a person understand his way?” (20:24 NASB2020)

Exactly! I have in my mind the way things ought to go or to be. God has something different in mind. The reality is that He will reveal His ways and His thoughts when it is His time. And only His. Not mine.

The lesson about my back (Heal me yesterday!) is mine. The lesson from the Book and from the Father is God’s timing is right and true and will prevail. My steps are ordered by Him and I cannot know His way or timing.  So are yours. Walk in His steps.  Love you much.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #111

Hello! Welcome to Midweek Message #111. It has been a couple of weeks since I wrote a MM.
I hope you missed me.  If not, please don’t tell me. I’m not sure my ego could handle that.
Whether you missed me or not, I’d like to let you know why I was AWOL when it came to the
MM.

The first week of missing was Memorial Day weekend was busy and with the church office
being closed on Monday (Memorial Day), I knew Tuesday would be a big catch up day. I
normally tend to write the MM on Monday and Tuesday; Diana proofs it on Tuesday; we make
improvements to it; then it gets published on various platforms and sent to you on Wednesday.
That is our goal. Knowing the week would be short put a crimp in my plans. I decided to take a
break for both of us.

The second week Jo, Tami, and I went to Ohio to see Braden play ball and to visit Janna. Every
time we have visited this Spring, except for once, it has rained and the games have been called
off. The one time we were able to watch him play it was so cold my face froze off. One time we
went they rescheduled a game for that Thursday and then no umpires showed up. (Face palm)
The next day was the regularly scheduled game and…you guessed it…rained out. Our thinking
this trip was it is June and surely they will play. NOPE! We dropped him off for his game and the
coach stopped me to say the game had been cancelled by the league, only they failed to tell
him. The other team? Yes. So he said they were going to practice until 7:00 or the rain came. It
rained like cats ‘n dogs for about 30 minutes so we made our way back to wait.

So here I am three weeks later. Knowing the “zoo” of a week I have coming up, I decided to
start this on Saturday, hopefully having it ready for Diana and I to make corrections on Monday.
We have a staff meeting on Monday morning and with Ryan having been gone to Wilderness
Camp all last week, I know it will be a lot of catch up. So the staff meeting will be busy.

Plus, many of you will remember about a month ago I told you why I was having to sit a lot
during my sermons. By the time you get this, I will have had my back surgery yesterday
(Tuesday) morning. This will be more extensive that the one I had in 2017 but much like it.
Instead of one vertebrae to be drilled, there will be three. I have some spurs closing off the
nerve routes and he will be opening up the space so the nerves will not have that pressure.
That is the simplified version. Please don’t ask about the medical version.   I may or may not
stay overnight depending on how I do with the surgery and recovery. It had been scheduled for
11:30 but a cancellation of the previous one moved me up to 8:00. I’m okay with that! I would
appreciate your prayers for my recovery and for Jo’s patience with (whom she says) is a very
poor patient. 

Enough of that! I am super excited about Father’s Day Sunday. The Mother’s Day special
program was so well-liked and appreciated (many of you told me), that I decided to see if I
could get some men to talk about their hero from the Bible. One caveat: it had to be someone
other than Jesus. I asked a total of 15 men and 9 of them said they would. 9 men! I was super excited to have that many. I did have to change the way it will be done. My original thought
was to have it similar to the ladies by having them sit on chairs and share their thoughts. But
the stage isn’t big enough and I also know you want to go to lunch that day! So, each man will
speak about 3 minutes to give their hero and why. You will need to be here or watch online to
see who the men are.

*****ONE VERY IMPORTANT ITEM TO REMEMBER: there is only one service on Father’s Day at
10:00***** The nursery will be available and children’s programs will meet at 10:00, too.

I started a new series this past Sunday called 7 Cancers. Sunday’s sermon, “Whatever Became
of Sin,” was a prelude to that series. The series really gets underway on the June 26 th . Here is
the list of sermons for that series:

• • The “Queen” of Cancer
  •  The Green-Eyed Cancer
  •  The Explosive Cancer
  •  The Lazy Cancer
  •  The “Gotta Have It” Cancer
  •  The Respectable Cancer
  •  The Hidden Cancer

Lord willing, unless He changes things or something comes up, that series will take us to August
14 th . My plan at this point is to follow that up with a series I’m calling 8 CURES. I figure we
would look at the cancer and then at the cure. Immediately following that series I might be
doing one on “What is the Church All About?” That is not the title of the series but it is the
contact point of what I am considering. November and December are months which are pretty
typical in their focus. Look for next week’s MM for a special request I will have.

I’d like to remind you to pray for Pastor Ryan and his faculty for the Senior High Wilderness
Week at Hilltop camp. It starts this coming Sunday.

One more item before I close this MM. June 25 th is the date for the Serving Owen County
Together (SOCT) event. SOCT is a joint effort of many in OC and some outside organizations to
meet the needs of citizens of OC and surrounding areas. There is a shoe tent, clothing tent,
game tent, diapers and toiletries, furniture and other items. Volunteer help is needed. You can
sign up on the sheet at the information table. We really need your help! There are 4 separate
time slots: 7-9 (Set up). 9-12:00. 12-3:00. 3-5 (Tear down). Even if you can’t stay for the whole
time slot, any help would be appreciated.

Well, my space is up. I have babbled on some, I’m sure, but what else does a preacher do who
hasn’t had a chance to be in contact for a couple of weeks?  But just know I love you.
Pastor Bill