MIDWEEK MESSAGE #187
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #187. Thanks for letting me into your life today. I hope that so far it has been a good week for you and this Midweek Message will continue to remind you that you are loved and special in the eyes of God.
The school year is back in full swing for our local school system after Christmas break. That should remind us to pray for all those involved in the daily activities of the schools. Pray especially this week for Carol Watson, our Educator of the Week. Carol is the principal of Gosport Elementary School. We have several teachers and students who call OVCF “home” that are involved at GES on a daily basis. That is also one of the schools where I have a chance to read to the Kindergarten kids each month. ☺
YOUTH CORNER
Besides having just a couple students to write about, I thought I would also share with you about some of the activities involving our young people (besides school information).
- Congrats to Cammie King! She passed her driving test this past Sunday.
- Addison Mayle finally got rid of the boot she was wearing after an ankle injury. Here’s to hoping she is able to get back into the swing of things for basketball.
- TODAY, January 10th, Deeper will resume. Deeper is for all OVMS/OVHS students who want to take a “deeper dive” into the Bible. Deeper meets at Pastor Ryan and Hope’s house from 4-5:30. Rides are available if requested.
- Sunday, January 14th, the Sunday night ROOTS program will restart. After taking a short break for the holidays, ROOTS will be back at it from 5-7:00 at OVCF. Pastor Ryan is looking forward to seeing all the teens and meeting again.
- Friday evening, January 26 through Sunday morning, January 28th, Pastor Ryan will be involved in a Jr. High and High School Retreat at Hilltop Camp. He is inviting all Jr. High and High school students who would like to attend to see him to get information.
Speaking of that weekend, Saturday, January 27th from 12-2:00 is a fundraiser for Nolan Miller. Nolan is the son of Paul and Kelsey Miller and has been active in the homeschool co-op since its inception, plus he has been an active part of the ROOTS group. Nolan was diagnosed with leukemia in July of 2023 and has been in and out of Riley Hospital for treatment during his illness and continuing through his remission. Come support Nolan and his family as they continue to trust God with his care, and also help with the financial needs which come as a result of this type of upheaval in one’s life. I’ll include more about the fundraiser in future MMs. Please put it on your calendar.
My Route 66 study will restart TONIGHT, January 10th at 6:00. My plan is to do a quick look at Acts again and finish Romans (if possible). I look forward to getting started again.
I’m excited about what God is going to do at/with/through OVCF in 2024. I started my 2024 theme (Running with the Horses) this past Sunday with a sermon focused on Jer.12:5, Heb. 12:1-2, and I Cor. 9:24-27. This coming Sunday, and through the rest of February, I will be preaching a series called WELCOME HOME…where… Using that as a jumping off point, I will finish that statement with the following:
- The Gospel is Preached (Col.1:3-14)
- Jesus is Honored (Col. 1:15-20)
- Grace is Offered (Col. 1:21-2:5)
- Lives are Changed (Col. 2:6-15)
- Obedience is Encouraged (Col. 2:16-3:4)
- Tough Choices are Challenged (Part 1) (Col. 3:5-11)
- Tough Choices are Challenged (Part 2) (Col. 3:12-17)
I hope you will try to read the Scriptures ahead of time and come prepared to hear from God. It is easy to say, “I didn’t get anything out of today’s sermon.” But someone has also said, “You get out of it what you put into it.” Ask God to speak to you through His Word. He will not let you down.
This coming Sunday Cassie Linville and Hannah Pendleton will be giving us some details about their trip to Kenya next month. They will be going with Terrace Lake Church in Columbus and are really looking forward to it. Whenever a team goes on a mission trip they are always asked to take some items with them. Not only will we be hearing about their trip, we will also learn about ways we can help. I’m looking forward to hearing more.
Plans for our building addition are moving along. Next Monday, the 15th, the Building Team is meeting and our general contractor, Jerry Benton, will be attending to talk with us about our next steps. Please be in prayer for the Building Team and especially this meeting. Doug Bruce of Tabor Bruce Architects has given us some drawings of the proposed addition to consider. This will be a pivotal meeting for us as we move ahead. We hope to update you later this month! ☺
As you look back through this MM you will find a lot of information as well as prayer points. Thanks for reading and praying. I love you all.
Pastor Bill