Category: OVCF News

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #217

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #217. As always, I would like to thank you for allowing me to invade your inbox. I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend, celebrating with family and friends. As some of you may know, we were in Ohio visiting with Janna and Braden and watching him play football Friday night. It was grandparent’s night but the best part of it was they won 49-14. They have now won their first two games of the season. They are all hyped up since they didn’t win any last year. In fact, they didn’t come close. Our next planned trip will be in October. It is Senior Night and will be the last time we watch him play football. Thanks for praying for a safe trip for us. Road construction on I-70 is interesting, especially when a semi decides to come into my lane when I was on the side of him. I’m thankful that particular construction area had a shoulder I could use. Coming home, thankfully, was smooth sailing.

Pray for Tami Grandi, our Educator of the Week. This is in her third year teaching Kindergarten at Spencer Elementary after teaching 7 years at Fairview in Bloomington and the previous 15 in Knoxville. (I know. I bet you are wondering how I know so much about her). I could also tell you she has one sibling in Ohio and one nephew and loves her job and living so close. I could also tell you she is a disgusting Atlanta Braves fan. But you may already know that.😊

YOUTH CORNER

• • • ROOTS meets this Sunday night from 5-7:00 here at the church building. Pastor Ryan has a great year of learning planned for the Jr/Sr high youth. If you are a young person you won’t want to miss the fun and learning.
    • Did you know Rachel East has a blog on Substack called “The Word Garden?” If you would like to know more and how to get on her mailing list, ask her. She writes really well.
    • Julian Carson, who won several awards for showing his pigs at the Owen County Fair this past summer told me he is not showing pigs next year. He is changing to showing steers. He said his Pappy (aka Mike Edwards) has been raising them for over 20 years so he ought to know what he is doing. He wants to follow in Pappy’s footsteps. Not a bad role model to follow.
    • Eliza Chambers had a unique way of raising money for gymnastics. She had a shirt made with “My Biggest Fans” on the back. She did so well that she’s paid for most of her gymnastics fees for this year! Way to be creative, Eliza!

Well, it is time for the big reveal. You are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about. This Sunday begins the two month series on Feels Like Home. I thought I would let you know what I plan to preach on for the next two months. I’d like to encourage you to read ahead for the week so you will have a better idea of the Scripture.

• • • September 8- What is a Home? Eph. 2:19-22
    • September 15- Love is Found Here- Ruth (all 4 chapters)
    • The Gospel is Preached- Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-25
    • Jesus is Honored- Col. 1:15-22
    • Fresh Start- Philemon (one chapter)
    • Lives are Changed- Col. 2:6-15
    • What Care Looks Like (Obedience is Encouraged)- Col. 2:16-3:4
    • Home has a Purpose- Luke 15:11-32 (20th Anniversary celebration)

We are still working on more details to give you about our anniversary celebration at Abram Event Venue. Here is what we know now:

• • • One service starting at 10:00 followed by a pitch-in lunch at the venue.
    • We are working on a memory board of significant events in the history of OVCF. You will love it!
    • We will again have a shuttle service from the church parking lot to the venue due to the shortage of  parking. We are anticipating a larger than normal crowd.
    • The venue has a wedding Saturday night so we will need your help on Sunday morning to set up tables and chairs. We will have a sign-up sheet for you to indicate your willingness to help. Thanks ahead of time.

Don’t forget! Wednesday Night Conversations begins next week, September 11 from 6-7 PM.
Please sign up if you plan to attend!

One more thing: I have been working on the theme and sermons for 2024. At this point my theme will be Burning Hearts/Hearts on Fire or some variation of that. The Scripture is from Luke 24:32 where the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, after realizing it was Jesus whom they had been walking with, said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” My plan is not to preach topics but to take Scripture and just open it up. First up is I John beginning on January 12th. I’m not sure at this point how many sermons will come out of that, but then I plan to do 2 & 3 John. During this coming year I also plan to preach from Acts as well as some different Scriptures from Isaiah and Jeremiah. I’ll also be asking you for your favorite Scripture and try to do a series around “Favorites.” Of course, that is all in the planning stages but thought I’d let you know. And all of it is whether Jesus returns or not (in which case I would gladly let Him preach!😊) and knowing God has a plan (and I’m not privy to it).

After missing last Sunday, I look forward to seeing you this week. Love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #216

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #216. I hope you are having a fantastic week as you lean into the Labor Day weekend. It is always sort of bittersweet isn’t it? Labor Day is a time to be thankful for working and the ability to do so, but sadly, it is also a sign that summer is over. Most pools are made ready for the winter. School is definitely in full swing and it is a signal that it is time to get serious. For many it is the last time an outdoor barbeque will happen when the whole family is present. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this MM.

I have to start out with an apology. My first mistake this year😊was misrepresenting someone
for the State Fair. In the “Orange ribbon for Creative Writing” department, I had the wrong East
young lady. I said Anna and it should have been Rachel. Sad part of that is I had it right in front
of me. I just hope Rachel doesn’t go All-TKD on me. She could take me out in a heartbeat.
Congratulations Rachel! And thanks to Cassie Linville who alerted me to my mistake. Just please
don’t tell Westin. He will not let me live it down! 😊

Jo and I will be leaving for Ohio this Friday for Braden’s (our grandson in case you don’t know) Friday night football game. It is also Grandparent’s Night and it will be his last season of football so we can’t miss it!

Pray for our Educator of the Week: Mary Beckwith. She teaches at Edgewood Early Childhood Center. Mary is married to Matt and they have four children: Kaedence, Akaydia, Kayliana, and Aksel.

I spent this past Sunday in Kid’s Church. What a treat! I had a chance to sing with the kids and was even tapped to lead the motions in Father Abraham. Yeah, it was a hoot! Then I visited and spent time with each of the classes. I even went outside with the Pre-K bunch and had one of the kids decide I was the sidewalk for his chalk. The worship team (with some help from a few of the kids), the teachers and assistants all did a wonderful job! Thanks for letting me be a part of your morning!

This coming Sunday Pastor Ryan will again be preaching and will conclude his two-part series on the Mission and Vision of OVCF. I will begin a two month series on Feels Like Home on September 8th. The title for that first sermon is “What is a Home?” and the Scripture is Ephesians 2:19-22. The whole series will be an updated version of a series I preached at the very beginning of 2024 (and I’m sure you remember all of it!). With the addition of a sermon on Ruth, Philemon and the Loving Father/Lost Son, the emphasis will be on the church as a home. In October of 2023 I introduced the following and then used it as the basis for that sermon series in January and February:

WELCOME HOME where…
The Gospel is Preached
Jesus is Honored
Grace is Offered
Lives are Changed
Obedience is Encouraged

In the next MM I’ll tell you more. I’m excited about preaching this series and look forward to seeing what God is going to do in our lives and in our church family as we study.

Wednesday September 11th is the date for the start of Wednesday Night Conversations. My dream for the class is that it be a time of study and conversation on “What the Bible says about…” My plan is to take an informal approach of discussion and study. There is a sign-up sheet on the info table. I promise a time frame of 6-7:00. Snacks are optional.😊

Two other soon-to-start events to be aware of:

• • • ROOTS has already begun with its first meeting this past Sunday evening. It will not be
      meeting this coming Sunday due to the Labor Day weekend but will resume on Sunday,
      the 8th. Pastor Ryan has schedules available for you to take. A sign-up sheet is also on the
      info table if you would like to provide snacks for them.
    • Ladies Bible Study will start September 16th and will meet for 7 weeks. The registration
      deadline is this Sunday the 1st! If you have any questions please see Macy Carlson, Sally
      Carlson, or Hope East.

THE big event for the OVCF family is our 20th anniversary celebration on October 27th at Abram Event Venue. We will be meeting as a family at 10:00 with a pitch-in lunch to follow. Things will be different that Sunday! I hope you are already planning on attending and celebrating with us for this milestone.

I’d like to close this edition of the MM with the saying we have used in the past and will repeat it several times over the next couple months. It is something I wrote in the early part of this year. I would like it to be something we absorb into the DNA of the church.

WE’RE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!

If you are happy we want to celebrate with you.
If you are tired and need rest;
If you are hurting and need comfort;
If you have failed, feel guilt and shame and wonder if God still loves you;
If you feel you are at the end of your rope and need a lifeline;
If you think you are too great a sinner and feel hopeless;
If you are here but can’t raise your eyes, head, or hands in worship…

That’s okay. We want this to be a place where you find strength to go on. Let us pray for you, stand beside you and even carry you to God’s throne where you can find new hope.

I will miss seeing you and being with you this Sunday. Just remember you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #215

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Midweek Message! This edition is chock full of information of all kinds. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to read it and stay current to events happening at OVCF.

Please be in prayer for the Educator of the Week-Kris Samick. Kris is Director of Communication for the
S-OCS system. She has multiple responsibilities and I know she appreciates every prayer.

YOUTH CORNER

We had several of our young people honored at the State Fair. There are 4 different ribbons
given to each exhibit at the fair. For those who are not in the know (like me), here are the
ribbons and what they stand for:

🎖️Orange- exceptional blue ribbon exhibit (merit)
🎖️Blue- very complete exhibit, meets requirements, well-constructed
🎖️Red- adequately constructed or does not fully meet requirements
🎖️White- poorly constructed or barely meets requirements

I’ll list the category and ribbon for each:

• • • Arts and Crafts- Caleb East (Blue)
    • Beekeeping- Meilynn and MiaRose Hess, Marla Lippert (all Blue)
    • Creative Writing- Anna East (Orange)
    • Fine Arts- Marla Lippert (Blue)
    • Floriculture- Meilynn Hess (Blue), MiaRose Hess (Red)
    • Foods, Baked- Aasha Srinivasan (Blue)
    • Foods, Preserved- Anna East (Red), Meilynn and MiaRose Hess (Blue)
    • Needle Craft- Aasha Srinivasan (Red), Anna & Rachel East- (Blue)
    • Photography- Meilynn Hess (Orange), MiaRose Hess (Red)
    • Public Speaking- Eli Wood (Orange)
    • Sewing Construction- Meilynn Hess (Blue)
    • Veterinary Science- MiaRose Hess (Blue)

Well done all of you!

But that’s not all! Linda St John sent me the results of the VFW contest. Here is a list of the
winners:

• • • Sophia Kropack- Honorable Mention in the Illustrating Art contest grades K-3
    • Rachel East- 1st place in the Red, White and Blue contest in grades K-8
    • Caleb East- 2nd place in the state for grades 9-12 in the Red, White and Blue contest.
    • The Red, White and Blue contest was recording themselves singing the national anthem.

Another well done to the three of you!

With school starting and all the activities our young people are involved in I’m sure there will be more to add to the YOUTH CORNER in future editions. I’m really proud of our young people.
Sure hope you are as well.

Jr/Sr High young people, don’t forget ROOTS begins this Sunday from 5-7:00. Come enjoy the fun time planned and maybe even see friends you have missed over the summer. A sign-up sheet is on the info table for snacks. As you know the young people do like to eat! If you have any questions about the ROOTS start up or about snacks, please see Pastor Ryan.

Wednesday Night Conversations begins September 11th. I am offering this new study/discussion group from 6-7:00 in the youth addition. This is an informal time of discussion and Bible study focused on questions you may have about what the Bible says. There is a sign-up sheet on the info table so I can have an idea of how many study sheets to make. Any questions? Just ask me.

A new LADIES BIBLE STUDY is being offered on Monday evenings beginning September 16th. It will run for 7 weeks from 6:30-8:30. It is a study on Acts and the cost of the workbook is $12. If you have any questions please see Macy Carlson, Sally Carlson, or Hope East.

As you may already know, I preached the last of the Revelation series this past Sunday. Pastor Ryan will be preaching the next two weeks! I’ll be gone Labor Day weekend. Braden, our grandson, will play football on Friday night and it is Grandparent’s Night for the seniors. So, of course, grandparents have to go!😊Both Sundays Ryan is preaching will be a good transition for the next sermon series: Feels Like Home. That series will take us through September and October and be a perfect lead-in for the final sermon of that series which also happens to be OVCF’s 20th anniversary. I’m excited about that milestone in our history. AND IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T HEARD YET, THAT MORNING WE WILL BE MEETING AT ABRAM EVENT VENUE. We will have one 10 AM service followed by a pitch-in lunch at the venue. Please make plans to be
there to help us celebrate! You will be glad you did.

Did you know that as OVCF celebrates her 20th anniversary in October, Diana and I celebrate the
start of our 20th year on staff in November? We started at the same time (although she came in
one week earlier to learn the ropes from MJ). It has been a fun and eventful 19 years (and we
have never gotten upset with each other…cough cough).

I’m going to run for this week. I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Love you all much.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #214

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #214. I hope this week holds a lot of promise and good things for you. I’m looking forward to it. I see each week as a new challenge and am excited to see what all God has for me.

I want to start out with a great big huge praise in this MM. In last week’s MM I mentioned that I had the privilege of baptizing Josh Pendleton, who then baptized his son, Maverick, and Maverick’s older siblings, Waylon and Whitley, as well as Josh’s mom and sister. This past Sunday, the Floyd family was baptized in the pond at LaCampagne. Pastor Ryan baptized Travis, who then baptized his wife, Sierra; his mother, Kim; his sister, Tori; and his brother Trevor. Years ago Kim made a decision for Christ and was baptized but wanted to make a public re-declaration of her faith. She raised her children attending youth group at LaCampagne so it holds a special place in the hearts of her children. They have been attending OVCF for a couple of years and we are excited to see how God will use them. Kim is a nurse in the S-OCS system. Travis is a band director at Bloomington North and graduates from Jacobs School of Music in 2025 (he also plays with our worship team). Sierra works for the local gas company and this January she and Travis will garner another title: Mom and Dad! Tori works for the Health Department while taking online classes in Health Management Epidemiology (Yeah, I wondered too). Trevor is an 8th grader at OVMS and has captured some of his brother’s musical skills. It has been an exciting two weeks here at OVCF!

Last week I also listed the teachers and helpers of the children’s department from Nursery to 6th grade. But there are others involved in our children’s programs! Here are more:

• • • Welcome Desk: MJ Ramsay, Kori Wainscott, Gracie Wainscott and (occasionally) Tami Grandi.
    • Worship Team: Anna East, Caleb East, Rachel East, Cassie Linville, Hannah Pendleton, Gracie Wainscott and Emily Wyatt.
    • Curriculum Coordinators: Jo Grandi (Pre-K) and Cara King (Elementary)
    • Ooops, I didn’t know: Gracie Wainscott is JuliAnne Wiegand’s helper in the Early Elementary class (left out of last week’s listing). Sorry Gracie!🙂

According to Pastor Ryan’s calculations we have 37+ individuals serving in different areas in Kid’s Church. That is phenomenal participation and I just want to say thank you so much for your time and your interest in serving. Helpers are always needed so if you would like to help in our children’s programs on Sunday mornings, please contact Pastor Ryan. He will talk with you, give you a form to fill out for a background check, and plug you into the best place for you to serve.

Remember to pray for Matt Taylor, the Curriculum Director of S-OCS. This is Matt’s second year and he was really responsible for getting the Title I grant for the Kindergarten reading program last year. Kris Samick was able to purchase books this year with the leftover money. Yay!

YOUTH CORNER

• • • Did you know Alexander and Isabella Chambers are playing Upwards Soccer on Saturday mornings? Spencer Nazarene Church is sponsoring it at their new field on their property just past the junction of 46/43. They both play at 11:15. Come cheer them on. Are there any other OVCF kids playing Upwards Soccer?
    • Several of our youth took part in the State Fair recently. I will have a full slate of results in the next MM. There were a lot of our young people who were honored and it would do a great disservice to them to split them when they all did well.
    • Cammie King will soon have a full schedule of volleyball games for OVHS.
    • With school starting I’m sure this “Corner” of the MM will be full of our young people and their involvement in school activities. Keep the news coming!

I decided to separate this youth announcement from the Youth Corner because I want to draw special attention to it. ROOTS (Grades 7-12) begins Sunday night, August 25th from 5-7:00 for its first meeting of the school year. Pastor Ryan says it will be a fun night of getting back together after the long summer break. THERE IS A SIGN UP SHEET FOR SNACKS FOR THEIR MEETINGS ON THE INFO TABLE (and they do like to eat!!!)

I’d like to draw your attention to my Wednesday Night Conversations study. In case you aren’t aware of it yet, I will be starting a class on September 11th from 6-7:00. The class is designed to foster discussion surrounding Biblical thoughts and topics. A “What does the Bible say about…?” type of study. It will be very informal and my idea is to lead off with a question that will lead us to search the scriptures for answers. Some will be easy by their very nature; some will be a bit more challenging. I have had a few suggestions given but I’m always open to more. Someone asked me if it was going to be done like the MM. I said, “No. It will be an in-person group study.” Class will run until October 9th (unless we need another week for some reason). There is a sign-up sheet at the info table. Please see me if you have any questions.🙂

One last thought before I bring this edition of the MM to a close: Due to Pastor Ryan really needing two weeks for his proposed September 1st sermon, I have decided to conclude my Revelation series a week earlier. So this Sunday will be the last of the series. It is entitled Lessons Learned and the scripture will be Rev. 22:6-21 and various other scriptures from Revelation. September 8th I will start a two-month series with the theme of “Feels Like Home.” More info to come. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #213

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #213! Thanks for allowing me to raid your inbox and
for taking the time to read this latest installment. There is a lot to include this edition. I hope it
will be informative for you.

This week is that dreaded week!😊School starts. There is always a mixed set of emotions found
during this time. Parents, teachers and students have a mixed bag of back to school jitters as
well as what seems like an endless list of tasks still to be done. The parents are thrilled that their
child is going back to school, but at the same time the family dynamic is upset. And then there
are the students themselves. What will school be like this year? Will I do okay? Will I like my
teachers and classes? For teachers there are also questions. Maybe they have moved schools or
grades so there is a bit of anxiety wondering about the class and their own preparation. What
will my class be like? Will I do a good job teaching them? So many questions…so few answers. I
thought I would put a bit of a chuckle into your first week of school with something I clipped
years ago. I was looking through some files about a month ago and found it, so I put it aside for
this week. It is called You Might be a Schoolteacher if…

• • • Every day is a bad hair day.
    • You worry about getting self-esteem violations.
    • You want to slap the next person who says, “Must be nice to only work 8-3 and have
      summers free.”
    • You stand on your front porch instructing the neighbor children to “Walk!”
    • You refer to adults as “boys and girls.”
    •  You encourage your husband by telling him he is a “good helper.” (Substitute wife when
      needed)
    • You believe chocolate is a major food group.
    • You can tell it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.
    • You believe “extremely annoying” should have its own box on the report card.
    • When you are out in public you snap your fingers at children who are misbehaving.
    • You give your husband “the look” when he “misbehaves.”
    • Putting all A’s on the report card would be so much easier.
    • You think caffeine should be available in IV form.
    • Meeting a child’s parent instantly answers the question, “Why is this kid like that?”

(Copied from Sermon Fodder and Joke a Day Ministries)

Truth be known: good teachers are invaluable and often unappreciated. Each week we will be
giving you an administrator or a teacher’s name from this church family to pray for. Never
underestimate the value of praying for specific individuals. So, please, when we give you a name
to pray for, please commit to doing just that. This week please pray for Andy Cline, the S-OCS
superintendent.

Speaking of praying for someone: for almost two years now we have been praying for Maverick
Pendleton. Maverick is the now 6 year old son of Josh and Becky Pendleton, friends of several
from our OVCF church family. This past Sunday I had the privilege of baptizing his father, Josh,
and then assisted Josh and Becky in baptizing Maverick, and his siblings, Maisy (freshman at
OV), Whitley and Waylon (who have both been involved in WRE at Patricksburg. Way to go Dave
Schenck!). An added bonus was Josh’s mother and sister who had already made professions of
faith but had never been baptized. It was a grand day!

Three of our young people were presented certificates and recognized for moving up from 6th
grade to the adult worship. They were Cecelia Arnold, Tad Nicholson, and Kyson White. It was
good to see these young people who have been an important part of our youth worship on
Sunday morning graduate. There were many in the kid’s church who also moved up.

Speaking of Kid’s Church! The past couple MMs I have asked you to make a list of all the
teachers and helpers from Nursery to 6th grade in our children’s programs. I said I would share
that list with you and I’d like you to see how many you know who help. So…here they are:

• • • Nursery: Mary & Kaedence Beckwith, Sally Carlson, Hope & Rachel East, Tami Grandi,
      Ryan & Katie Keene, Will & Sarah Schneider
    • Pre-K: Mary & Kaedence Beckwith, Jasmine St. John & Hannah Pendleton, Stacy Wood &
      Anna East, Krista York & Cammie King. (Latter names are helpers)
    • Elementary (Grades 1-3): Becca & Alli Anderson, Travis & Jill Curry, Dave & Carrie
      Schenck, JuliAnne Wiegand
    • Elementary (Grades 4-6): Melissa Arnold, Jeanna Srinivasan, Kathryn Anderson, Meilynn
      & MiaRose Hess, Cooper King (the latter four are helpers)

More next week!! (How did you do on this list of names?)

In last week’s MM I announced that I would be starting Wednesday Night Conversations on
September 11th. It will be an informal study from 6-7:00 each night. The first block will go from September 11th- October 9th. I’d love to have you as part of the class and if there is a topic you
would like to discuss please feel free to email me (pastor@ovcf.org) or text me (812.821.1752).

Only three to go! Sunday’s sermon is titled Made for This! from Revelation 21:1-22:6. The series
will end August 25th. (Handsprings and flips allowed). See you Sunday. Love you all much.

Pastor Bill