Category: OVCF News

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #299

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #299. Summer is winding down but I hope you had a somewhat restful couple of months and took some time to recharge your batteries. Why? See next statement.

School starts this week. It’s funny how that simple statement elicits different responses from people. Some groan. Some wonder where the summer went. Some are excited to get back and see friends, resume a routine, and, oh yeah…study. 😄 No matter your response, please remember to pray for all the administrators, teachers, students and all involved with our schools this week. Once we get a list of all the aforementioned people, we will start asking you to pray for a different person each week. For this week, please remember to pray for the start of school and pray that it will be a safe and productive year for all.

FROM THE “YOUTH NEWS” DEPARTMENT:

With the start of school the news about our youth picks up steam. The only news to share at this point is about the youth group’s ongoing studies.

• Every Wednesday the Middle School and High School youth meet for Deeper at the East’s home from 4-5:30. Many just make their way there but if you need a ride from Pastor Ryan please contact him. Due to a prior commitment, Deeper will not meet on August 12th.
• The Middle School/High School youth group kickoff for ROOTS will be Sunday, August 30th from 5-7:00 PM. Look for a snack sign-up sheet soon on the info table.

FROM THE “NEWS ABOUT SPROUTS” DEPARTMENT:

I received the following announcement from Becca Anderson about the SPROUTS Small Group Bible Study:

• We will have our next SPROUTS event on Saturday, August 29, from 6:30-8:30 at the church building. We’ll have fellowship and refreshments from 6:30-7:00 then do a Bible study from 7:00-8:00.
• Becca will also be sharing more details in the weeks to come on the plan for childcare and what study they will be doing. Each family is asked to bring a snack or dessert to share. She has also asked for you to let her know if there are any food sensitivities or allergies she needs to be aware of.
• I (Pastor Bill) can attest to Becca’s excitement and encouragement about this group. Each get together has been well attended and there is excitement about the Bible study and the Facebook group’s response.

FROM THE “ROUTE 66 NEWS” DEPARTMENT:

No, sorry, we are not planning a trip on Route 66. This is about another Route 66. 😄

• Several people have been asking me if we have any kind of midweek study and I have told them up to this point, “No.” But I also told about my efforts in the past of offering Route 66 (herein called “66”).
• When they have asked what it is I simply tell them “The Bible contains 66 books. “66” is a whole Bible study on all 66 books, taking one a week and doing an overview of each one. There seemed to be some interest so I put out a sign-up sheet on the info table this past Sunday and there has been enough interest shown for me to offer it again.
• Wednesday, September 16th will be the first class. We will meet from 6:00-7:00 PM. All you will need to bring is a Bible, a pen, a three-ring notebook (or something to put the handouts in) and a heart to learn.
• If you plan to come but have not put your name on the sign-up sheet, please do so. It will help me to know how many copies to make for class.

FROM THE “IT NEVER HURTS TO BE INFORMED” DEPARTMENT:

Because I went to an every other week format for the MM during summer, and each edition was filled with information, I suspended the “It never hurts to be informed” department where I  gave a brief snippet of the new books I have put in the church library. So far I have included books on Special Needs Ministry, Suicide, Memory Loss/Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Depression and Anxiety, and Miscellaneous (Failure, Divorce, Forgiveness, and Does God Care?). This week I want to focus on LOSS:

• When God Breaks Your Heart is a vulnerable book by Pastor Ed Underwood. I loved this book! Pastor Ed had a form of leukemia that caused unbearable itching and skin scaling and had him more than once question God’s love and contemplate suicide.
• Out of the Blue by Greg Murtha. Greg was an entrepreneur and running advocate, deeply involved in helping people. He was 46 years old, at the top of his game and had just completed an 11 mile run when life crashed in on him. One month after that 11 mile run the doctor said, “Mr. Murtha, you have cancer.” He soon found out it was Aggressive Stage III colon cancer. A really powerful read! {3rd time reading this one}
• I’ve Seen the End of You by Dr. Lee Warren. Dr. Warren is a renowned brain surgeon who is also a Christ-follower. This is a book about glioblastomas. It is also the story of a doctor’s life with patients and the death of his son. I’ve given several of these away.
• Like a River by Granger Smith. Granger’s life was turned upside down when his 3 year old son died in their family swimming pool. Granger, whom I had not heard of before, was a country singer who has now left that profession to enter the ministry. Fantastic book!
• No Place to Hide by Dr. Lee Warren. This is the anomaly of this group. This book is about Dr. Warren’s battle with PTSD after a tour as a surgeon in Iraq. Helpful and insightful for me to know more about this ever-prevalent subject.

These books are in the church library if you would like to borrow them.

FROM THE “LAST BUT NOT LEAST” DEPARTMENT:

Two weeks down on my 8 week series on Break Those Chains! This Sunday my sermon will be A Sling and 4 Stones from Matthew 6:25-34. Reading the Scripture will show that I will be speaking about Worry.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Until then…know you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #298

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #298. Thanks for letting me join you this week. School will be starting soon, so I hope you are enjoying the days until then.

FROM THE “YOUTH NEWS” DEPARTMENT:

I have some OC Fair results to share, but I’ll start off with some news NOT from the Fair:

• Draven Stahl worked really hard at the Junior Patriot Basketball Camp hosted by former Patriot, Harry Marshal, several weeks ago. He had a blast and to top it off received the Coaches Award! Way to go, Draven! Keep up the good work! Better look out big brother, Dane! Draven is coming for you!😄
• Here is something else not related to the Fair: Akaydia Beckwith left this past Friday for Perry, GA with her parents, Matt and Mary, and other family members to participate in the Barrel Racing Youth World Championship. She will race Monday through Thursday, and then if she makes it, the finals are on Saturday. We are pulling for you, Akaydia!
• The Chambers’ children were active in 4-H at the Fair. Eliza did a photography project, as well as the rifle shoot. Izzy grew cucumbers from seeds and ended up with a champion ribbon, as well as champion for the kiddie tractor pull for her weight class. She also did shotgun and rifle shoot. Alexander did 3 mini 4-H projects and was 4th place in all of the Fair at the long hang contest. (I asked his mom if the long hang contest was hanging from a bar to see who hangs the longest. She said it was.)
• Marla Lippert won grand champion on her painting. She won reserve grand on her sewing project, a blue ribbon and an honors ribbon on her ceramic mug, a reserve grand champion on her honey, a grand champion on her poster and a blue ribbon on her embroidery project.
• Nathan Srinivasan earned a blue ribbon in shooting, electricity, chocolate chip cookies (where are mine? 😄) and Lego model. He earned reserve champion in Trash to Treasure.
• Aasha Srinivasan took home a blue ribbon in shooting, electricity shaker light (with honors); and reserve champion in sports and fitness log. She was also champion in yeast bread and will go to the State Fair, as well as reserve grand champion in gift wrapping with another State Fair entry.
• Not youth 😄but certainly worthy of mention: Travis and Jill Curry won a blue ribbon for their honey at the Fair.

MORE FROM THE “YOUTH NEWS” DEPARTMENT:

• This coming Sunday, the 26th, is Move Up Sunday, for the young people in our Sunday morning youth department. Our kids will move up to their next class (incoming 1st grade will go to early elementary, incoming 4th grade will move to late elementary, and during the second service we will recognize our 6th grade grads and celebrate their move into Roots youth group.
• Wednesday, the 29th, the Roots youth group will be having a ROOTS RECONNECT event with kayaking at Sugar Creek. All HS/MS students are welcome. To RSVP or for more information please contact Pastor Ryan in person or at 812.585.0545.
• The following is not just geared to our young people, but to all families and young people in Owen County. Every year the OC Chamber of Commerce hosts a Back to School Expo. This year’s expo is Saturday, the 25th from 10:00-2:00 am at OVMS. Free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and more are provided. You may contact the OC Chamber of Commerce for more information.
• Our Christmas in July to benefit Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes ends this coming Sunday. You can return the shoeboxes to the church building and we will store them until they are delivered to the collection point in November. For those who choose to wait, or who might also want to participate later, the shoeboxes will be available again in October.

FROM THE “OTHER” DEPARTMENT:

• SPROUTS will meet this Saturday evening at 5:30 at the Anderson’s. Becca asks each family to bring a side or a salad. You can message her via Messenger or by calling/texting her at 812.360.7419.
• The next OVCF family pitch-in will be next Wednesday, the 29th, at 6:00. We would love to see you there!
• On August 2nd at 6:30 several local youth leaders and others who are interested in our schools, will be gathering at the front of OVMS for a short (1/2 hour) prayer time. One of the strongest and greatest things we can do is surround our students and school personnel with a wall of prayer. This is not limited to just pastors or church leaders. Pastor Ryan has taken the lead in this and has involved several other pastors, youth pastors and youth leaders. Let’s show our support by being there. An alternate rain date
  is August 9th.

I have been telling you of my upcoming series that begins this Sunday. I thought I would include the complete schedule for you to see what is coming: Theme: Break Those Chains!!

• July 26- Getting Free! (Col. 2:16-3:4)
• August 2- Fear Loses its Grip (Faith over Fear)
• August 9- A Sling and 4 Stones (Worry)
• August 16-3 Essentials and 3 Nails (Anxiety)
• August 23- Making Yourself Small (Envy & Jealousy)
• August 30- A Tough Thing to Do (Forgiveness)
• September 6- Hot Under the Collar (Anger)
• September 13- The Elephant in the Room (Suicide and Mental Health)

I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Know that you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #297

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #297. It is good to back with you after taking a week’s break. During the summer I anticipate writing an every other week MM. I can’t promise that will be the case with the OC Fair beginning this Sunday. There is always so much happening that week involving our people that it tends to dominate the MM. I may have to add an extra week just to accommodate the Fair. Anyway, I hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer.

FROM THE “YOUTH NEWS” DEPARTMENT:

• Campers this week at Hilltop for High School Week are Bella Madorin, Tad Nicholson, Astra Oswell (Charli’s friend), Tatum White, and Charli Wood. By the time you get this the week will be 1⁄2 over. You can still pray for them.
• Next week (July 5-10), Grace and Gloria Chandler will be at Hilltop for Girls Week! The following week (July 12-17), Deanna Cain and Tanner Wood will be at Junior II Week! 😄
• Tad Nicholson competed in a fundraiser on 6/20 at Tier Ten to benefit the local Rescue and Recovery. It was a deadlift competition (a special way of lifting weights) and he maxed out at 400 pounds on his 3rd lift. Mom said she was super PROUD of him, but also said, “I’m afraid there may be more of these in his future.” 😄 I’m just astounded at 400 pounds. Not even in my younger years and on my best day could I have ever matched that! Keep up the strong work, Tad!
• If you see someone dragging this week but attached to an IV pole filled with coffee, that person might resemble Pastor Ryan. He just finished Senior High Wilderness week with over 50+ young people in attendance. Along with fatigue, they also fought weather-related storms, taking shelter during several of those storms, heat and humidity, and all the other wilderness-related factors. I saw Anna at the Y on Saturday morning and asked how things went and if her dad was tired. She said, “Well, he’s got his coffee but he’s sorta zoned out on the couch.” Welcome back to life, Ryan!😄

FROM THE ““AND SO IT BEGINS” DEPARTMENT:

Yep, that’s right folks. It has already started. The official start of the Fair is next Sunday (July 5th). Some of our young people have already begun their “assault” on the Fair and their pursuit of showing what they can do.

• Amelia Biggs won a ribbon for Dog Showmanship, Dog Agility, and Dog Obedience Champion.
• Her brother, Hudsyn, was 3rd in Dog Showmanship; 4th in Dog Obedience; Dog Agility Reserve Champion; Dog Costume Champion (they were both Theodore Roosevelt); and Archery Reserve Champion). Thanks for the info on both, proud mom, Kala!
• Charlotte Pavich won a blue ribbon for Archery! She proudly showed it to me Sunday. 😄

FROM THE “DON’T FORGET” DEPARTMENT:

This coming Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation. How you celebrate is, of course, your personal choice. Whether it is with fireworks of your own, going to watch them somewhere special, grilling with friends, doing some work around the house, or just having a normal Saturday, please make sure you take the time to be grateful that we live in a nation of freedom. The “don’t forget” part is the church office will be closed this Friday.

FROM THE “KEEP YOU INFORMED” DEPARTMENT:

• Serving Owen County Together (SOCT) was this past Saturday. The news from Aaron LaGrange, coordinator of SOCT was good! He said, “Thanks to the many people that came together to make this a reality! Our 6th Serving Owen County Together event was a wonderful outreach opportunity for our community yesterday. We served right at a thousand people during the event and will be serving hundreds more in the community through food and drink donations to local organizations and their food banks/summer programs. Food, drinks, clothing, shoes, cases of water, a hot lunch, toys, household goods, community resources and hope were given and as a bonus, it didn’t rain! A hundred volunteers came together from local churches, clubs, school, food banks, and our partners at Servant’s Heart to make this possible. Thank you so much for donating your time, talent, and resources to help our neighbors in need. You are awesome!” I say thanks to the many volunteers from OVCF!!
• Saturday, July 25th is the Back to School Expo. Sponsored by the OC Chamber of Commerce, it brings all sorts of people and organizations together to make going back to school an adventure for the many children (last year was over 600) who receive backpacks, school supplies and more. OVCF participates in the Expo with support and volunteers.
• Wednesday, July 29th, is our next church pitch-in at 6:00. We would love to see you there!
• Route 66 (called “66”) will begin on September 9th from 6-7:00. There will be a sign-up sheet on the info table in a couple of weeks. More info coming.

This past Sunday I mentioned an upcoming series when this current series on James is finished (planned for July 19). Beginning July 26th my current plan (subject to change if God so leads) is for the series to be called Break Those Chains!! Here are the titles and topics:

• July 26- Getting Free!! Col. 2:16-3:4
• August 2- Fear Loses its Grip- Psalm 34
• August 9 & 16- Anxiety
• August 23 & 30- Hot Under the Collar
• September 6- Forgiveness
• September 13- Suicide/Mental Health

Please pray for me as I prepare. I’ll fill you in on more as I get more “meat” to it. Until then, the series in James continues this Sunday with Playing God from James 4:11-17. I look forward to seeing you then, if not sooner. Just know you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #296

Hello everyone! Welcome to Midweek Message #296. During the summer I will be writing a MM every other week, unless something earth-shattering happens that will take more (like maybe the Fair?). We will see. There is a lot of different “stuff” this edition so I hope you will take the time to read clear through to the end.

FROM THE “KIND OF A BIG DEAL” DEPARTMENT:

By the time you receive this, Jo and I  will have celebrated our 53rd wedding anniversary on the 16th! Yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.😄

FROM THE “GOOD NEWS TO SHARE” DEPARTMENT:

Since the first of the year, we have had a real baby boom involving the people of OVCF and their families. Here are three of the latest babies to arrive:

• • Westin and Cassie Linville welcomed Oaklyn Mae on June 4th.
  • Caleb, Gabrielle and Charlotte Corder welcomed Selah Mae on June 7th.
  • Jacob, Katie and Ivory Manyik welcomed Ellie Darlene on June 10th.

By the time of the next MM it is totally possible the other June baby will be here. Congratulations to the latest: Westin and Cassie, Caleb and Gabrielle and Jacob and Katie!!

• • BIG congratulations to Shelby VanDerMoere on passing her paramedic’s exam. She is
    now a licensed paramedic!

FROM THE “YOUTH NEWS” DEPARTMENT:

School may be out but that doesn’t mean we don’t have youth news to share:

• • From the baseball/softball season at the Sports Complex comes some stellar news for a couple of our young people. Piper Bell and Draven Stahl were both awarded game balls for their excellent contribution during one of the final games of the season.
  • This past week was tournament week at the Complex. Tom Mangia’s team which included Jordan Mangia, Draven Stahl, Knox Truesdel (Mark & Holli’s grandson) and Winston and Barrett Zigler went to the championship game vs. Ryan Keene’s team which included Conrad and Calvin Keene. Ryan’s team won an exciting championship game!
  • Last Tuesday evening was the Spring Sports Awards at the High school.
    • • Alli Anderson took home the Iron Man Award (never give up). She was also awarded a blanket for earning 10 letters in 4 years.
      • Addison Mayle (Brent and Angela’s daughter) was given the Mental Attitude Award.
      • Aubrey Mangia and Dane Stahl were both awarded letters.
  • Hilltop campers this week were James Anderson and Christian and Emmy Wells for the Ice Breaker week. Please pray for these young ones who took part in their first Hilltop Camp experience. They were there Sunday through Tuesday.
  • Campers for the Sr. High Wilderness (June 28th-July 3) along with Pastor Ryan and Hope are Haley Amador, Alli Anderson, Caleb and Rachel East, Kalissa Hamlin, Meilynn Hess, Jake (LJ) Jenkins, Marla Lippert, and Ayzleah Sutton. Please pray for all the wilderness campers this week. Pastor Ryan has a full week of over 50 students.

In addition to Pastor Ryan and Hope, faculty serving will be: Macy Carlson, Anna East, Hannah Pendleton, Owen Powell, Linda St. John and Gracie Wainscott.

FROM THE “KEEP THESE IN MIND” DEPARTMENT:

• • SPROUTS meal is scheduled for Saturday, June 27th at 5:30 at Robert and Becca Anderson’s homestead. Their address is 8898 N. Texas Ridge Road, Gosport. They will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, drinks, cupcakes, and paper goods. She is asking those who attend to bring a side to share. If you have any questions, please reach out to Becca at 812.360.7419.
  • Serving Owen County Together (SOCT) is celebrating its 6th year on Saturday, June 27th
    from 10-2:30. There are different shifts you can help with. There is a sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4DABAE29A2FC1-64380636-2026#/
    From Aaron LaGrange about the schedule:
    8-10am Set Up
    10am-12pm First shift
    12pm-2:30pm Second shift
    2:30pm-3:30pm Tear Down
  • Your help would be greatly appreciated as we serve the folks of Owen County. A rain date (if needed) is Sunday, June 28th from 12-4:00

FROM THE “BOOKS TO STRETCH YOUR MIND AND HEART” DEPARTMENT:

• • This Was Never the Plan by Vaneetha Rendall Risner. I can’t say enough good about this book. Subtitled: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce this book nails it. Vaneetha was married with two (almost adolescents) when her husband wanted out. Been there? Know someone? This is the book to read.
  • Even If He Doesn’t by Kristen LaValley. Kristen writes about “What we believe about God  when life doesn’t make sense.” There are no underlines in this book. It is more of a memoir and I got caught up in it, so I just read it. It was excellent and helped answer THE question: Is God around?
  • Live to Forgive by Jason Romano. Subtitled: “Moving Forward When Those We Love Hurt Us.” Jason is very honest in this fantastic book on a timely subject.
  • Strength at Broken Places by C. Greg Long. This is his memoir of facing career and family failure and finding hope through God’s grace. Not many underlines in this one either until close to the end. Failure is an equal opportunity troubler. Mr. Long can testify to that: depression, loss of job, a divorce, and more. This was a very encouraging book.

My sermon Sunday is “On Being a Wise Guy” from James 3:13-4:3. The next Sunday will be “Whose Friend are You?”. I look forward to seeing you and sharing God’s Word with you. Until then…know you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #295

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #295. I hope you are having a good summer so far. The weather has sure let us know summer is on the way…finally! Jo and I even had a chance to see some of our young people play ball this past week and not have to dodge raindrops. 😄

I mentioned a few MMs ago that I may be going to an every other week format during the summer for the MM. This edition will begin that change. I will try to include two weeks’ worth of news so that you will at least know what is coming and, in the young peoples’ case, you will know who will be attending camp so you can pray for them.

FROM THE “IT’S NOT OVER YET” DEPARMENT:

• • Congratulations to Alli Anderson, Payton Lukowski, Addison Mayle, and Katrina Reuter. In the regionals, this 4×100 team set a new PR with a time of 51.89, placing 8th. The 4×400 team broke the school record that was last set in 1987! Their time put them in 4th place, but sadly, they were just shy of getting to the state. Alli is the daughter of Robert and Becca Anderson and Addison is the daughter of Brent and Angela Mayle. Way to go, girls!
  • Youth baseball and softball are still taking place EVERY night at the Sports Complex. If you have a chance, head down the ball fields and support our young people.

FROM THE “DID YOU KNOW?” DEPARTMENT:

• • Did you know that Winston and Barrett Zigler played hockey last winter? Both boys will be playing hockey this winter, too. Can you say, “Brrrrr!”?
  • Did you also know that the Zigler brothers and Jordan Mangia LOVE, and I mean LOVE, peanut butter filled pretzels and goldfish? I also know for a fact that Cheetos are also included in that list.😄
  • We were watching Conrad and Calvin Keene play ball and their sister, Genevieve, was also there. I’m not sure she was cheering on her brothers, but I do know she was holding onto that small bag of Cheetos for dear life. I asked her if I could have one and she smiled and shook her head. I almost cried, but that didn’t work either!😄
  • And then there is Karoline Chesser. She was there with her mom and dad, grandparents Rob and Polly, and sisters, Grace and Hazel, cheering on her brothers, Aiden, Mason, and Collin. She smiled at me, grabbed my heart, then hugged Jo, giggled and walked away. Hmm. Even a fake cry didn’t work! BUT, she and little sister, Hazel, did give me hugs Sunday morning…and I didn’t even ask.😄
  • Rachel East is a member of the high school cheer squad? They will be having a car wash at the high school this Saturday from 8-2:00.

Congratulations to Adam Samick and Brooklyn Smeltzer who became husband and wife this past Saturday, the 30th. They were married at Freedom Nazarene Church and will live in Freedom. David and Kris Samick are Adam’s parents.

FROM THE “LET’S GO TO HILLTOP CAMP” DEPARTMENT:

• • This week we have 7 young people at camp: Amelia Biggs, Rusti O’Neal, CJ Wood, Cooper Wood, Evelyn Young, Asia Burnett Danaher and Bailee Miller (the last three are Amelia’s friends).
  • Next week is Jr. High Wilderness camp. We have one young person going: Aasha Srinivasan. We do have others going to help. Besides Pastor Ryan (Dean) and Hope, Caleb and Rachel East, and LJ Jenkins are also helping.
  • By the time the next MM comes out, the Ice Breaker week at Hilltop (June 14-16) will be over. It goes from Sunday through Tuesday. Campers for that week will be James Anderson and Christian and Emmelia Wells. Hope you have a great experience!
  • I failed to mention that Anna East and LJ Jenkins are working at Hilltop this summer.

FROM THE “DATES TO KEEP IN MIND” DEPARTMENT:

• • Serving Owen County Together (SOCT): June 27th from 10-2:30. This is the 6th year for SOCT. (More info in the next MM). Rain date is Sunday, the 28th from 12-4:00.
  • SPROUTS MEAL is June 27th at the Anderson’s. Contact Becca Anderson (812.360.7419) for more information. (More info in the next MM).

FROM THE “BOOKS TO STRETCH YOUR MIND AND HEART” DEPARTMENT:

For the past three MMs, I have been including books I took from my library and put in the church library for you to borrow and read. So far I’ve included books on Special Needs Ministry, Suicide, and Memory Loss/Dementia/Alzheimer’s. This week’s books are on a topic many struggle with: Depression and Anxiety.

• • Beauty in the Browns by Paul Asay-2021. Subtitled Walking with Christ in the Darkness of Depression. As a member of Focus on the Family’s family, Paul had an “image” to uphold. But he also knew that to conquer depression meant being honest with himself, and others. I read this several years ago and found it to be very, very helpful.
  • Out of the Cave by Chris Hodges-2021. As the pastor of a mega church, Chris found himself struggling with depression. This is his story and his way out.
  • Attacking Anxiety by Shawn Johnson-2022. Pastor Shawn is vulnerable about his battle with crippling anxiety until he reached a breaking point. A super helpful book!
  • Knowing God’s Peace by Paul Tautges-2019. This is different than the others. It is a book of 31 devotionals about knowing God’s peace through anxiety.
  • Made to Tremble by Blair Linne-2025. Blair’s life was changed with a car accident, which caused her to experience crippling anxiety & panic attacks which led to discouragement and shame. Her tag line is “How anxiety became the best thing that ever happened to my faith.”

My sermon Sunday is Don’t Just Stand There from James 2:14-26. See you then! Know you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #294

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #294. School year 2025-2026 is history and now comes a chance to replenish the batteries and do some different things: Hilltop Camp, vacations, sleeping in a little later, visiting with family and friends, and just enjoying the “lazy, hazy days of summer” as one old song said. I hope you have a great summer!

“END OF THE YEAR” YOUTH NEWS:

• • Congratulations again to all our high school and college graduates (listed in last week’s MM). Two of our high school grads were honored for being in the Academic Top 10 at OVHS. Those two were Alli Anderson and Cambria (Cammie) King. Way to go, ladies! They were gifted with laptop computers.
  • Draven Stahl won the coloring contest of the Cataract One Room Schoolhouse last week. He won an art set for his efforts. Great job coloring, Draven!
  • Addilynn Hutchison (3rd grade), Deanna Cain (4th grade), and Tanner Wood (5th grade) were awarded Top Cat for the final quarter at SES.
  • Kale Hatton transferred to OVMS on March 2nd. He got an award for academic excellence in language arts and math; a 4.0 GPA; and was also recognized for demonstrating continued academic dedication throughout the year. His mom, Ashley, teaches 3rd grade at PES.
  • I failed to mention that Aiden, Collin and Mason Chesser (3 of the 4 quads) are playing T-Ball at Edgewood. They are about done for the summer.

SOME TOTALLY DIFFERENT “END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR” NEWS:

• • Congratulations to Cara King who retired after 30 1⁄2 years of teaching for S-OCS. She was honored this past week for her years of service. During those years she also found time to have two children-Cooper and Cammie- and see them both graduate from OVHS.
  • After filling in as interim principal at Patricksburg Elementary, Kris Samick, has returned to her “other” job, S-OCS Communications Director. This past school year Kris did both the principal’s position at PES and the Communications Director. She burned the candle at both ends for sure! Her life will now get back to semi-normal. 😄

FROM THE “LET’S GO TO HILLTOP CAMP” DEPARTMENT:

• • Several our young people will be going to camp this coming week (starts Sunday). Junior High Dorm Week has the following young people from OVCF attending: Amelia Biggs, Rusti O’Neal, CJ Wood, Cooper Wood and Evelyn Young. Pray for them before, during the week, and after they get home.

FROM THE “YOU DON’T WANT MISS THIS” DEPARTMENT:

Our church pitch-in is this Wednesday, the 27th, at 6:00. I look forward to seeing you there.

BOOKS TO STRETCH YOUR MIND AND HEART:

A couple of weeks ago I began telling you about some of my books. I have put them in the church library for you to check out if any of them interests you. So far I have written about the books on Special Needs Ministry in the church and also Suicide. This week’s books are on a very sensitive subject many have faced:

• • Walking Through Twilight– Douglas Groothuis-Published in 2017, Douglas’ once-brilliant wife could no longer tie her shoes, use a phone, or brush her teeth as the ravages of dementia overtook her. This was the very first book I read on this subject shortly after its release. Douglas quoted Viktor Frankl: “When we are no longer able to change a situation… we are challenged to change ourselves.” (p.12) A  wonderful, heartfelt book as a husband laments the loss of his wife, but uses it to help others.
  • Memorable Loss– Karen Martin- Karen wrote this book in 2023 as she watched her friend face dementia, and eventually death. This was a wonderful book on friendship.
  • Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia– Dr. John Dunlop-Although a medical doctor, this 2017 book is not a medical jargon book. He wrote this for several reasons, one being his own genetic predisposition to dementia (his mother had it). I loved this book because of its scriptural focus on this disease and how to show grace to those suffering from it.
  • Second Forgetting-Dr. Benjamin Mast- Dr. Mast’s book uses a lot of stories to bring focus to those suffering and for those caring for them.
  • Priceless People– Ben Boland- Mr. Boland is a chaplain in Australia with over 15 years of ministry to patients and families.

These books and others are available for you to borrow. I have put cards in each one. Please sign
the card and leave it on the shelf.

THIS IS FROM THE “PROUD GRANDPARENTS” DEPARTMENT:

• • Scott and Heather Herrington are grandparents (again). Eliza Claire was born on 5/21 to Adam and Cecilia Fox. She weighed 8lbs and was 19” long. Congrats…again. 😄
  • Other than talking with some people or seeing his picture on my door in the hallway, very few know of our grandson, Braden (unless you have seen Jo’s “Wall of Braden”). But proud grandparents and aunt are allowed to brag every once in a while. We received word Friday that Braden made the Dean’s List with a 3.87 GPA at Ohio State University (yeah that school). He is majoring in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance. I was going to say we all know he got his smarts from his grandfather until I saw his major. Well…that left me out!😄

My sermon Sunday will continue the James series on The “Perfect” Christian with one I’ve titled Choosing One over Another from James 2:1-13. It has to do with favoritism, which should be loathed in any church. I look forward to sharing it with you. Know you are loved.

Pastor Bill