Category: OVCF News

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #205

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #205. School is officially over for the summer and I hope you have plans to enjoy and relax! I have talked to several teachers and school personnel and I have yet had one of them say they are disappointed school is out. Now…why is that?

By the time you are done reading this MM you just might say, “Hmmmm. That was a youth edition.” And you won’t be far off the mark!

YOUTH CORNER

• • • Amelia Biggs will leave 5th grade making her mark. She is part of the A/B Honor Roll.  Mom says she is growing up fast.😦
    • Hudsyn Biggs, her brother, was the proud recipient of the Hippopotamus Award, which  is given to someone with a “massive sense of humor and ability to spread happiness to  others.” Kala, his mom, wrote, “Blessed be his momma.”
    • Sophia Kropack was chosen as Top Cat of her 1st grade class for the last quarter (9  weeks). I think mom and dad, Grandma Linda and Aunt Jasmine just might be a tad bit  proud of her.
    • Charli Wood was chosen by Mr. Crowe for the “Rising Sun Award.” This award is for  exhibiting a greater level of responsibility for her learning as well as exhibiting respect  and cooperation. Along with that she also received an Academic Excellence Award in all  core subjects with a 4.0 for the entire year. Mom (Shelby VanDerMoere) may have  posted that on Facebook.

OV graduation was this past Saturday. Now is the time of graduation parties and life changes. As  promised in past MMs, I would like to highlight each graduate and tell you a bit about them and  their plans. Here they are in alphabetical order:

• • • Kathryn Anderson (OV) will be marrying Logan Cain on September 21st, then they will move to Washington, D.C through early 2026. During that time she will earn an online  associate’s degree in business administration through Liberty University. Until then, she  plans to work.😊Her parents are Robert and Becca Anderson. 
    • Caleb Bixler (OV) plans to attend University of Southern Indiana and pursue a degree in  business administration. His parents are Matt and Lizz Bixler.
    • Zach Dawley (OV) plans to enlist in the Army. His parents are Tyler Dawley and Sara  Parker
    • Annalei Dow (Indiana Connections Academy) plans to attend the University of  Minnesota on a diving scholarship and major in Food Science in the Ag Dept. Her  parents are Chad and Terri Dow.
    • MiaRose Hess (Homeschool) plans to attend Cedarville University in Ohio and major in  Finance and Entrepreneurship. Her parents are John and Jenny Hess.
    •  Cooper King (OV) plans to attend University of Southern Indiana for Computer Science.  His parents are Brad and Cara King. Fun fact: did you know that when Cara was searching  for a name that began with “C” Jo suggested Cooper?
    • Hunter Littleton (OV) His grandmother, Pat Harris, is proud of him.
    • Hannah Pendleton (OV) plans to attend Grace College to major in Elementary  Education. Her parents are Steve and Erin Pendleton.

College: 

• • • Mason Adams graduated from Indiana State University in three years with a degree in  Finance. He will be moving to Carmel this June for a job he accepted in the fall. His  parents are Tom and Kristine Mangia. 
    • Lily Bault graduated from Ivy Tech with a degree in nursing. She plans to work at  Bloomington Hospital in the Pediatric Department. Her parents are Chris and Angie  Bault. Grandma Rosie & Grandpa Melvin are mighty proud of her.😊

I would be remiss if I didn’t take some time (words to be exact) to thank the crew who stayed  Sunday afternoon for the workday. WOW, what a beautiful job they did! It was hot and sticky but they stayed with it. Next time you come make sure you take a look! Here is a list of those  who helped (based on the group picture): Rusty and Karen Turner. Bobby (that tractor saved us all!), Alli and Rob (he was having too much fun with that leaf blower) Anderson. Westin and  Cassie Linville. Geoff, Michelle and Marla Lippert. Ryan, Anna, Caleb and Rachel East. Bob, Tiffany and Sophia Kropack. Joe and Charlotte Pavich. (Sophia and Charlotte helped Linda with  the ice cream delivery. Thanks girls!). Gail Kempe. Brad Corder. Jerry and Carol Sturgeon. Linda  St. John (who also provided a much-needed and much-appreciated ice cream break). And yours  truly. Hope East took the picture. Part of the “this church spells HOME” is the curb appeal  people see when they drive in. Thank you s-o-o-o-o-o much for giving up a couple of hours to  spruce up what people see. 

I’ll let you know ahead of time that there will be no MM next week. With the Memorial Day holiday  Monday); our daughter, Janna, coming in from Ohio for eye surgery on Tuesday; then Jo and I  taking her back on Wednesday, I decided to take the week off from the MM. I hear a certain  office manager yelling a big “Hooray!” from her office as she reads this.😊😊

This week is my last sermon for the month of May focusing on women in the Bible. I’ve entitled  it Hope and Hospitality and it will focus on Sarah and Lydia. Beginning June 2nd the focus for the  month of June will be on men in the Bible. Since there will be no MM next week I’ll fill you in on  that Sunday. The sermon is entitled Second Place and the focus will be on Abel and Andrew.  

I look forward to seeing you Sunday. If you are taking off for vacation, please be careful and  enjoy yourself. I hope you come back refreshed. I know this will make your day, week, month  and summer: I love you all.😊

Pastor Bill 

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #204

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #204! Mother’s Day 2024 is history, at least on the  calendar. The next big event is graduation and the end of the 2023-2024 school year. I would be  remiss if I failed to tell you that I hope you had a relaxing and good Mother’s Day.  

Speaking of graduation, this coming Sunday is our Graduate Recognition Sunday. Both high  school and college graduates will be recognized at the 10:45 service. We have a pretty good  number of graduates and I plan on telling a little bit about them in next week’s MM.  

Don’t forget that immediately following the second service we will be having a pitch-in lunch  and then a work day on the grounds. When someone owns a business they hear a lot about  “curb appeal.” We are no different. Many times a person’s first impression of the church is the  way the building and property are taken care of. One overtaken by weeds says, “We don’t care.”  That doesn’t bode well for how they care about people. It is true that perceptions can be  skewed but more often than not, such is the case. An effort was made a few weeks ago to begin  sprucing up the area around our building but it was way too much for one afternoon and the  number of people/amount of work involved. Pastor Ryan thinks a 2-3 hour work day with many  hands will get the job done. The pitch-in is informal and the work part of it will last until about  3:30 or sooner if done. If you would like to help, it is appreciated. You may want to check with  Pastor Ryan to see what tools are needed (if any). 

YOUTH CORNER

• • Congratulations to Alli Anderson. Alli was part of the girls 4 x 800 school record holders at OVMS. This past Wednesday Alli, Mallory Owens, Lily Smith, and Bailey Kay set a new  school record by completing it in 10:29:09!!!! Keep running Alli!
  • Kathryn Anderson was chosen for GWEC (Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate). That honor  is based on academic readiness; a GPA of at least 2.0; attendance of 98% plus of classes;  one or fewer discipline referrals; and a minimum of 6 hours of community service or  volunteerism.
  • Berkley Groomer received some good news in the health department. After 3 rounds of  blood being drawn and the doctors being concerned about her Vitamin D levels and  something else medically termed (mom’s words), Berkley is in the clear! There is nothing  genetic to be concerned with after breaking her arm twice within weeks. I love it when  we can report a praise like that! 😊

This past week the S-OCS system honored their nurses for National School Nurse Day.  Congratulations to Kim Floyd for being honored. She is the nurse for MCES.  

One of the dangers many church leaders and many churches get into is forgetting where they came from. For those who have been Christ-followers for any length of time or for those, like me, who have been raised in the church since they were “knee high to a grasshopper,” it is easy  to take for granted that others know what you are speaking about. I try hard to make sure those  who don’t know a Bible story are not left out by me saying, “You know…” I will try to say, “For those of you who are not familiar…”

All that to lead up to this: something was brought to our  attention recently that was a really good suggestion. Someone texted me about having Bibles  pre-marked with Scriptures I will be using in a sermon so that those who are unfamiliar with the  Bible will be able to find them. That was a really great idea to consider. Pastor Ryan, Diana and I  got our heads together and came up with a plan we hope works. The church purchased Bibles  for use on Sunday mornings that will be on the info table for use. Each Scripture to be looked up while I am preaching will have the page number listed in the bulletin and on the PowerPoint so  it can be turned to and read as I am reading it. We hope this will encourage people to look up  the Scripture but also lead to a desire to read and love the Bible even more on a personal level.  Thank you Jenna Wells for the suggestion!!  

As I mentioned at the beginning, Mother’s Day 2024 is history, but one event is not. Change for  Life, a fundraiser for New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center (NB), began Sunday and goes  until Father’s Day. Many of you are familiar with this, but if not, here are some details:

• • • This is a major fundraiser for NB. I mentioned in last week’s MM that Becca Anderson,  one of the board members, announced that in 2023 the Change for Life raised over $13k  for the ministry.
    • Baby bottles are provided on the info table. You may return the bottles here and we will  make sure they get to NB.
    • You may also support the fundraiser online at newbeginningsowen.org or through their  Facebook page. Both have “donate” buttons set up for easy access.
    • Keep in mind that NB does more than just help mothers of newborns. They provide  clothing, diapers, formula, and more to moms, dads, babies, children and families. This,  to me, is one of the most vital ministries in our community and favorite mission we  support as a church family.
    • If you have any questions or would like to help NB, please give them a call.

Serving Owen County Together (SOCT) has been a welcome event in our community for the past  5 years. This is, if my calculations are correct, Year #6. One Saturday in June the whole  community is invited to serve in helping the community. Booths are set up and clothing, shoes, food and more are open to the people to come and get what they need. Some local service  agencies set up booths for you to know more about them. The organizational date is May 20th at  5:30 and the date for SOCT is June 15th with a rain date of June 22nd. If you would like to help  please call the office or ask me.  

That’s all for this week. I hope you have a terrific rest of the week. I look forward to seeing you  Sunday. My sermon will be All In and the ladies under the microscope will be Hannah and Mary  Magdalene. Don’t forget this: I love you all.  

Pastor Bill 

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #203

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #203. These last few weeks of school are filled with activities for both students and families. In spite of the hustle and bustle these days bring, I sure hope you enjoy them. I know I will not be the only one who says this, but it sure seems like school just started (except if you are a teacher!).😊Soon graduation, parties, baseball, softball,  soccer and maybe a vacation will fill our days. Enjoy them.  

Speaking of school, we are encouraging you to pray for all administrators, teachers, staff, and  students this week. Pray for them as they make preparations for the end of the school year and  begin preparing for school year ’24-25. Did I really say that?  

Don’t forget we plan to honor our graduates at the second service on May 19 at 10:45. A full list  of graduates and their plans will be included in the MM the next week.  

That Sunday, the 19th, is going to be a full day. Along with graduate recognition we will be having  a pitch-in and work day here at the church property. Several weeks ago Pastor Ryan and Hope,  Westin and Cassie Linville, Robert Anderson and some of our young people did some mulching  and also some landscaping around the new sign. But there is so much more to do and so it was  decided to have a work day to get as many involved as possible. The plan is to begin with a  pitch-in followed by yard work. We plan to work until around 3:30 (or earlier, if finished). Can’t  do yard work? We will have a list of some other things that need to be done.😊

Every year New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center (NB) promotes the Change for Life fundraiser. For those who may not be familiar, Change for Life begins on Mother’s Day and goes  until Father’s Day. It is simple. A baby bottle is provided and all they ask is that you take your  change and fill the bottle, then bring it to the church building from now until Father’s Day. It will  then be taken to NB. It is a simple, easy way to support the ministry of NB. Becca Anderson is on  the board of NB and she said last year the bottles brought in donations of over $13,000. If you  prefer to include a check or dollar bills they will not frown on that either. 😊😊 The baby bottles  will be available for you to pick up this coming Sunday (Mother’s Day). You may also donate  online at newbeginningsowen.org or through the “donate” button on their Facebook page. 

YOUTH CORNER

I mentioned in last week’s MM that Anna, Caleb, and Rachel East all won in the Red, White and  Blue contest through the VFW. The “Easties” won for singing the national anthem, recording it  and submitting it. Sophia Kropack won for her age group in the VFW Illustrating Art Contest. What I failed to mention is that all were advancing to the State Level! Congrats to all four of  you. We will be cheering for you as you move on. 

Congratulations to Hannah Pendleton. She is one of our graduates and at her party Sunday we  were informed that she graduated Salutatorian of her class of 545 students. I can guarantee you  that she is a whole lot smarter than I ever dreamed of being! Way to go Hannah! 

It sure was good to see Logan Cain here for the weekend. He came to celebrate Kathryn Anderson’s graduation and birthday. He and Kathryn plan to be married in September. He went  back to Quantico Tuesday. Logan serves in the Marines. Tony and Audrey Courson (mom and  dad) and Jackson (brother) were also glad to see him, as were the rest of his family. But I’m  guessing Kathryn might have been a wee-bit happier than all.😊 

I’d like to give a tip of the hat to our Sunday morning children’s program volunteers. That  includes the nursery workers, the check-in folks, the worship team, and every teacher and  helper. We were talking in the elder’s meeting Monday night about the youth department on  Sunday morning. It is packed, very often to the gills. We have a nursery and classes for  Preschool, Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6. This past Sunday alone they had around 50! I don’t have  a list of all the teachers and helpers so I am afraid to list them lest I forget someone, but I can’t  say thank you enough for your service to our children every Sunday. I realize there are some  churches that don’t believe in having a separate youth area during adult worship, but I have  several questions about that:

1. 1. Where would we put everyone?
   2. I believe it is important for  young people to learn on their own level. Why in the world should they have to sit and listen to  some old fogy blather on?
   3. Where would we put everyone? Yeah, I know that is a repetitive  question but it is an important one. We are packed enough as it is and I simply cannot imagine  how cramped we would be without the youth program.

Again, I can’t say thanks enough to  Pastor Ryan and his hard workers for making the youth program on Sunday morning top-notch.  We even have some of our older high school youth helping. I love it!  

Thinking along that last thought about space/room for everyone: we are waiting for the  architect’s plans, as well as the topographical plans before we can get started. Trust me when I  say there are a few of us in the office chomping at the bit, but we will continue to wait. God has  His timing and it will do us no good to move ahead of Him with impatience. I have moved ahead  of Him in my personal life and it has never worked out well for me. 🙁 There is a reason Proverbs  3:5-6 and Isaiah 40:28-31 drip with truth. (Why not take a moment and look them up?).  

As I look outside today (Tuesday) the weather is playing with my head. It was supposed to rain all day yesterday and it was gorgeous. Today it is supposed to be stormy and while it has rained  it hasn’t been quite as bad as they say. I’m going to sign off for this week. I look forward to  celebrating Mother’s Day with all of you, especially the ladies. My sermon is Hard Acts to Follow (Ruth and Mary & Martha). Have a good rest of the week. Love you all.  

Pastor Bill 

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #202

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #202! Here we are at the end of April already and the start of May. That can only mean two things: 1) Mother’s Day is right around the corner (hint, hint, guys!); and 2) school will soon be over. May 16 to be exact. Hey! Don’t shoot the messenger!😊And I’m glad you are taking time to read this edition.

Remember to pray for Brianna Wigington and Mandy Bowman. Both are counselors at SES. Briana is married to Nathan, they have one daughter, age 3, and live in Bloomington. Mandy has two daughters and one granddaughter and also lives in Bloomington. 

YOUTH CORNER

• • • I have something unique for the youth corner this week. This past week Kala Biggs received a note from Hudsyn’s teacher she thought Kala would like to hear. Hudsyn’s class was lining up for lunch and another little boy in the classroom looked at him and said, “Dude, why do you wear a cross necklace? Do you like Jesus or something?” to which Hudsyn replied, “Uh, duh! Of course I do!” He then proceeded to talk about it with the other student for another minute, but the teacher could not hear what all he said. She said it sounded sweet and very meaningful though. “You have got a great kid on your hands.” Now…do you think mom was proud of that? 😊
    • Anna East won first place for the Gosport VFW Red, White, and Blue contest, high school level. Caleb East won first place for the same contest, high school level for the Spencer VFW, and Rachel East won for the junior high level for the Spencer VFW for the same contest. It involved them singing and recording the National Anthem.
    • Sophia Kropack won grades K-3 for the Spencer VFW Illustrating Art contest.
    • I’ve received several schedules from parents whose children are in sports activities this summer. Conrad and Calvin Keene are both playing baseball this summer. I have this sneaking suspicion that mom and dad and grandparents (Mark & Dawn Murphy and Bruce and Karen Fisher) will be spending some time at the ballfields this summer.
    • Hudsyn Biggs is playing soccer. His schedule starts in May.
    • Charli Wood is playing softball for the Middle School team.
    • Eli Wood is competing in shot put and discus for the track team at OVMS.

Do you have a child who is playing ball this summer or is in some activity? Jo and I love to watch the young people take part in activities. Please get me a schedule so I can plan to attend. We even let Tami out of her cage and she sometimes comes with us. 😊

Please keep in mind that May 19 is the day we will be honoring our graduates. I’ll give all the pertinent information following that Sunday.

I don’t normally do this but I feel like it would be good to list some of the folks we prayed for this past Sunday. For some reason this past Sunday was a “heavy” week of people to pray for. Not that every week isn’t, but this one seemed to have its ups and downs. And also, with the short prayer time I feel sometimes we rush through without really focusing on the nitty gritty of people’s needs. Now, before I do this, I know there may be some who feel like “What about my prayer needs?” I’ll state right up front that I know some could be hurt. But here is the deal: if you would like me to include you in a future MM, I wouldn’t mind at all to include a weekly prayer feature. But for this week:

• As always our military and LEOs and their friends and family. Logan Cain will be coming home Wednesday (today) and will be heading back next Tuesday. Robert Herrington will be coming home for his wedding that takes place on the 25th.
• The parents of Maverick Pendleton found out that Maverick’s cancer has spread to the other side of his brain and spinal cord. He has fought cancer bravely for two years this September. Bombard heaven with prayers for this family.
• James Anderson is doing better. His visit to Riley included medicine for his stomach and lab work. They are encouraged by the results so far. All worst-case scenarios have been eliminated. Becca posted on Facebook that he is a carrier of CMV (Google it). I know Rob and Becca would sure appreciate your prayers.
• Both Carole Smith (Kris Samick’s mom) and Jerry Wainscott hope to be released this week to rehab. Be praying for their improving health.
• Hunter Golden is a neighbor of Andy and Stacy Wood. He was in an accident this past weekend and fractured 3 vertebrae is his neck. At this time he is paralyzed but the extent is not known.
• I asked you last week to pray for the expectant moms on the list. Caleb & Gabrielle Corder are due in June. Jake and Brandi Markland (Jim & Diana’s son and daughter-in law) are due in July. Pray for healthy babies and moms! Toss in one for the dads as well. 😊
• I have a personal request. One of the most consistent readers for years of my blog has been a woman from Georgia, Martha Orlando. She has had her own health challenges but she sent out an urgent request Tuesday to please pray for her husband, Danny. He is scheduled to have an emergency heart ablation today (Wednesday) to reduce and/or eliminate the ventricular tachycardia that would be life-threatening if not for his pacemaker. (He recently had a medical incident which required a replacement of his). The surgery is to take 5 hours. Thank you from me and from her (she did ask me to announce it).
• Each week the prayer list in the bulletin is chock full of people with different needs. Please take a moment and pick out some you may know and pray for them.

Did you know that one of the missions we support is Weekday Religious Education? Dave Schenck is one of the teachers at the Patricksburg WRE. Sunday he announced that 17 kids made decisions for Christ this past week during WRE. I can hear the angels singing and dancing!! 😊

I’d like to give a big shout out to the men who take part by giving the Communion thought each week. Each one is different and I appreciate every one of them. For some, it is out of their comfort zone, but it is good to see men stepping up. I’m always up for more men to volunteer! (Hint hint). 😊

I’m going to bring this week’s MM to a close. Just a reminder: Mother’s Day is 2 Sundays from now. Just sayin’. Love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #201

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #201. Jo walked in Sunday morning and said, “Those birds are noisy.” I said, “It’s because they are awake.” I hope it’s for another reason. They know warm weather is just around the corner and are singing its praise. After the small taste of it last week I know I’m ready for it. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying the weather and most of all, God’s goodness. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (NLT)

Please remember to pray for George Bergen, counselor at MCES, and Emily Reuter, counselor at both GES and PES. Mr. Bergen is married to Kim and they have two grown daughters. He also has a service dog, Walter that works with him at MCES. Emily is married to Michael, they are parents of six children and live in Spencer.
While you are praying for them, please include our expectant mothers, babies (and fathers).

• Caleb and Gabrielle Corder are expecting a baby girl (Charlotte) in June.
• Jake and Brandi Markland (Jim & Diana’s son and daughter-in-law) are expecting a baby son (Jett) in July.

I’m sure James Anderson and his parents would appreciate your prayers as he makes his way to Riley for an appointment on Thursday.😊

YOUTH CORNER

• Gavin and Jenna Wells’ daughter, Emmy, placed first on the balance beam for her age group (K). Tami caught mom Jenna’s post on Facebook.
• Another gymnastic accomplishment goes to Kalia Keene. Kalia is a state balance beam champion! She also placed 3rd on the floor and 3rd all around. I’d say mom is pretty proud of her. 😊 
• It’s going to be a really busy summer sports-wise for our youth. I know a number of them are playing ball in the Sports Complex leagues. I’ll try to keep you updated on them. It will be next to impossible to include their schedules but I will try my best to at least get their names in the YOUTH CORNER. I will, of course, need the parent’s help in making that happen so please get the information to me! 
• July is the Owen County Fair and a slew of our young people are involved in that in various ways. Gonna be a full summer.

Graduate Sunday is scheduled for May 19th. We plan to recognize our grads during our second service so if you have a senior, please mark that date!! Here is who we know is graduating at this point.

• • Kathryn Anderson
  • Caleb Bixler
  • Annalei Dow
  • MiaRose Hess
  • Cooper King
  • Hannah Pendleton
  • Mason Adams (college)

I’ll give more information on each of them after we honor them on the 19th. My point of including them here is to remind you that if you have a senior who is graduating high school or college please let Diana or Pastor Ryan know.

I know some people don’t like their “horn tooted” but this past Saturday several folks showed up to do some work on the grounds. New mulch was toted to the playground and spread around, and rock was put around the new sign. Those involved were the East clan; Bobby, Rob and Alli Anderson; and Westin and Cassie Linville. Both jobs look exceptionally nice. There is more to be done so plans are to possibly have an all-church work day following the second service with an informal pitch-in, then some grounds work. Pastor Ryan will keep you updated on that.

Two weeks ago on a Sunday I had the communion meditation. I was filling in for someone who had a change of schedule. I didn’t give it any thought until it was time for the meditation and I got emotional. The second service went much better than the first in the emotions department. I shared with you how two of my friends were struggling with cancer and James Anderson was an active 6 ½ year old boy who has been sick the last couple of months with no known cause. My friend, Dave from Arizona, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery less than a week after we got back from visiting with him and his wife, Susan. My friend, Jim, whom I have known and cycled with for 30+ years has fought cancer for 14 years and was told it was all through his body and there was nothing more they could do. They gave him 3-6 months to live. For the past 8 weeks I have been driving to Zionsville every other week to reminisce and spend time with him and encourage his wife, Tina. This past Thursday, Jo and I were 5 minutes from their house when Tina called to say Jim had just passed. It sure was bittersweet. I knew Jim was active and didn’t want to be shackled by a body filled with cancer and wouldn’t allow him to do anything. But I also had to deal with my own emotions of losing someone I loved. It’s not like I haven’t had to before, but this was different. He was at least 10 years younger than me and we had some really cool cycling adventures together. I could go on for quite a while, but that would only be of interest to me. Suffice it to say that sorrow is sweet joy when the one you say “See you later” to is a follower of Jesus. For that, I am extremely grateful. Let me also say thanks to many of you who expressed your sympathies and sadness for me. After the initial shock, I really am okay. He is being cremated and then Tina is going to spread his ashes outside. He loved the outdoors-hiking, water skiing, snow skiing, boating, scuba diving, hunting, as well as cycling. He lived life well and to the full so while I will miss him, I also know I will see him again. So I simply say, “Thanks for the memories.”

I deeply appreciate each and every one of you. Thanks for letting me be your pastor. Next to being a husband to Jo, a father to Tami & Janna, and a grandpa to Braden, I can think of no higher calling I could have. I love each one of you.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #200

Hello! Did you see that? #200. Who’da thunk it? Some of you might be wondering (especially if you are newer to the mailing list) what in the world is the Midweek Message anyway? I looked back to #1 and here is what I wrote:

Good middle of the week my friends! Who’da thunk it just a couple of weeks ago that meeting together would be our last time for who-knows-how-long? 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. A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

This is an unprecedented time. Some of us lived through 9/11 and remember it well. Some have lived through the swine flu, Asian flu, the Hong Kong flu (I had it in high school. Made for a great Christmas vacation), and for some old-timers, the Great Depression. And no, I wasn’t living during that time 😊 , but my grandparents were.

I said more but it doesn’t need to be repeated here. Long story short…we all remember COVID and the havoc it played on all of us. As you can probably gather by reading this, I started the MM to keep in touch with you. It was just a small way to come into your inbox, life, home, or work and say, “Hi! I’m thinking of you.” I did other things as well, like writing notes to everyone and even doing the drive by prayers (I would pull into a driveway or a street and pray for the people in the family/house and as I pulled away text them and say, “You have just been the victim of a drive by…prayer.” We also started our live stream and it has turned out to be a very good thing. I hear quite often from people who are grateful for it and listen in all sorts of places. Some listen at home. One told me this week he will sometimes listen on a slow night at work while in his car. I am so-o-o-o-o glad we started that and someone had the generosity to donate money for the camera and equipment.

Now you know the background of the MM. I never thought it would keep going, especially to #200. I have missed a few weeks due to vacation or holidays or because I wanted to give my editor a break (she deserves it), but for over 3 years I have been dropping by to say hi. I have no clue how long I will continue the MM, but I do hope you will enjoy reading it.

If you just can’t get enough of hearing from me once a week, did you know I also do a daily devotion from Monday through Thursday? It is called Living in the Shadow and you can find the link on the church’s website or by going to http://livingintheshadow.ovcf.org. You have a chance to read and can also respond if you would like. Except for several years ago when someone really liked to make snarky comments, I approve the comment and also reply. And yes, in case you are wondering, that is called “tooting my own horn.” I would love it if you took the time to read. Most devotions can be read within 5 minutes. I also put them on LinkedIn (the only social media I am on). It gives some inspiration to a ton of readers.

Okay…now that I am done patting myself on the back 😊, let’s move on.
Sunday was a really good day. I saw a lot of new faces, but the highlight was witnessing the baptism of Tanner Wood and his pappy, Steve Potts. Always love seeing the waters of the YMCA stirred.

I really enjoyed Cassie Linville’s and Hannah Pendleton’s presentation on their mission trip to Kenya. It was nice hearing what they did and how it impacted their lives. May it have a lasting effect on both of them.

Remember to pray for Jenn Zigler this week. Jenn has been a counselor at OVMS for 6 years. She is married to Chris and they have two sons, Barrett and Winston, who attend MCES.

One of the things that draws people back to a church is how welcome they feel. It is not enough for me or Pastor Ryan to welcome them; it is also important that you do so as well. Before COVID we had a team who acted as greeters. We would like to get that team started again. Responsibilities are: helping pass out bulletins; looking for new faces to say hi to; being instrumental in helping new folks with children know where to take their children for check-in (thank you, Anna East, for twice being my go-to this past Sunday); and just helping make people feel welcome. If we want to be a church that says, “We Are Glad You Are Here” a team of people who make that the focus is essential. We also have some gifts to give visitors and it would be helpful to have some folks who take on that ministry. Pastor Ryan, Diana, and I have been working on a Welcome Team. If you would like to be involved in that team, we would love to have you step forward and say, “I will help!”

Someone asked me Sunday what ladies I plan to highlight during the month of May. First, this Sunday is Caught in His Wake and it is about Eve. The final week of this month is The Deceiver. Two guesses who that one is about! Now for the ladies:

• • May 5- Out of the Pit- (Rahab and the John 8 woman)
  • May 12- Hard Acts to Follow (Ruth and Mary & Martha)
  • May 19- All In (Hannah and Mary Magdalene)
  • May 26- Hope and Hospitality (Sarah & Lydia)

Some I know you are probably familiar with, but even with those, I hope to bring a new twist to their story.

One last thing: thanks to all of you for your hugs and words of support this past Sunday. As I said during the meditation, I believe God does answer prayer: sometimes yes; sometimes no; sometimes wait awhile. But even though I got caught in the web of wait awhile, I still believe God is good. Please don’t forget that. I don’t throw that around just willy-nilly. I say it because I believe it. If you get a chance, please read Psalm 116:5-19 on your own and at your own pace. Why not journal your thoughts as you read and ask yourself, “What is God saying and how does it relate to my situation?”

Have a good week and remember you are loved.

Pastor Bill