Category: OVCF News

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #189

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #189! If I was a betting man (which I’m not), I think I would be safe in saying that winter is here. I’m guessing there is not a person who would argue with that. I just read a blog of a friend who lives in Georgia. It was 17 degrees there. Sounds balmy to me, but to them it was like the Arctic. When Jo tells me she is over this I tell her brace yourself, there is more coming. I don’t understand…she makes a face at me and walks away. ☺ Anyway, I hope you have stayed safe and warm through this rough patch. 

From the “I got ahead of myself” department:  My practice has been to ask for prayer for the educators after they have been prayed for on Sunday during our prayer time. For some odd reason, I got ahead of myself and have been asking for prayer for the principals a week early. So I’m back on task by reminding you to pray for Brittany Greene, the principal at Spencer Elementary School. You can check out last week’s MM for information about Brittany and her family. 

YOUTH CORNER

WOW! Our youth rocked it this past week. Several even found their way into the Friday Fun Facts newsletter Kris Samick sends out each week. 

• • Eli Wood, son of Andy and Stacy Wood, won the Patriot Pen Writing Contest which included a cash prize.  What an honor, Eli! 
  • Rusti O’Neal, daughter of Isaac and Hanna O’Neal, was in the Student Spotlight. Her teacher says, “Rusti gives it her all in every aspect. She has a heart of gold. I’ve been honored to watch her grow from 4th to 5th grade and she never ceases to amaze me! She is helpful and kind to her classmates and is my go-to student if I need an extra hand.”  What fantastic words Rusti!
  • Anna East won the “Voice of Democracy” Award. She had to write a speech and then practice/record it and turn it in. She took 1st Place at the Gosport VFW Post. Her award included a cash prize and she was also entered in the district contest.  We are so proud of you, Anna!  (A little birdie named Linda St. John may have given me this information). 
  • Trevor Floyd was honored with the True Patriot Award for the 2nd quarter at the Middle School. It is an award which says, “A student who shows outstanding character, kindness, academic effort, and great behavior.” Way to go, Trevor!! (I won’t say that a proud mama shared this with me)
  • The S-OCS system celebrated 100 days of school this past week. Some of the teachers and students dressed up. I won’t say anything at all about Kristine Mangia dressing up in a wig and a housecoat and walking and talking like a 100 year old. I won’t even mention that Tami told me about it. ☺ 
  • Eliza Chambers had a tough gymnastics meet in Ohio last weekend but mom says she did an amazing job. She came home with 4 medals…again. Mom is right. ☺
  • Speaking of the youth corner…although she is not in that category any more (sorry), Hannah Morse, one who calls OVCF home and is a 3rd grade teacher at GES, was spotlighted in the teacher of the week section of the Friday Fun Facts. Congrats, Hannah!  
  • I’m proud of our young people. Are you? If you know of more please let me know. 

DON’T FORGET!  This Saturday, the 27th, is the Team Nolan Fundraiser at the Christian Life Center from 12-2. Nolan is in remission from his battle with leukemia and this fundraiser is to help his family with their medical bills for his ongoing treatment.  Suggested donation is $10 adults/$5 for kids. 

Each week in our bulletin we have a rather lengthy prayer list. Included in that prayer list is a reminder to pray for all our Law Enforcement and Military friends and family. This is especially highlighted after a tragic incident Saturday evening. 

• “ISP Trooper, Azariah Keith (relative to Dave Keith and family) was changing a tire with the help of another ISP trooper who blocked him from oncoming traffic when a drunk driver hit the median and then hit him. The prognosis did not look good but after surgery Sunday it was much more positive than first thought. His pelvis was fractured not broken. He had a large wound sewed up (praying for no future infection). His fibula was fractured (but no surgery will be needed). Partial weight bearing for 6 weeks but zero restrictions on his movement. The doc says he looks good. They expect a 6 months recovery for sprints and everything.”  (Taken from a screen shot sent to me). Trooper Keith has a wife and two young children. Please be praying for him and his family as he recuperates. 
• PLEASE remember to pray for all of our LEOs. 

Cassie Linville and Hannah Pendleton are planning on taking a mission trip to Kenya next month. They are still in need of financial help as well as help in purchasing supplies.  The deadline is this coming Wednesday, January 31st. You may reach them by contacting the church office or visiting with them Sunday.  There are also several clipboards and a take home sheet on the info table with their needs. 

Miscellaneous news:

• Robert Anderson was recommended by the elders and confirmed by you to serve OVCF as an elder. We prayed for him, his wife, Becca, daughters Kathryn and Alli, and sons, Rob and James, this past Sunday. I’m excited to have him on our leadership team. 
• Wayne Akerson presented the future building plans this past Sunday and talked about our next steps. You can watch it online, ask, or come see the diagram. Diana did a wonderful job putting it together. These are exciting times!! 
• My sermon this Sunday is one I have been chomping at the bit to get to: WELCOME HOME…where…Grace is Offered. I look forward to sharing it with you. 

I’m going to close this week’s Midweek Message. Thanks for taking the time to read it. I love you all. 

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #188

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #188.  Thanks for taking a few moments out of your busy schedule to take the time to read this week’s edition of the MM. 

WOW! Winter sure hit us this past weekend. After a mild one so far, I think it made up for it in one powerful punch. I can’t remember the last time we had such bitter cold weather. Charley and Cindy Shipley lived for several years in Montana and she said the weather reminded them of why they moved from Montana. She said, “Not looking forward to the next 12 days of not getting above freezing temperatures!!! And the single digits remind us of Montana again.”  I guess we can always look on the bright side. My friend, Dave, said “The coldest I was ever in was -12 but with the wind chill that took it down to something like -50. That was nuts.”  And I added: “Yep. That’s COLD!!” So there you have it. It could have been worse. But the other bright side is that it takes us one day closer to Spring. ☺

We found out one thing for certain. The “Weather Alert System” put in place by Diana worked well. I even got a text. ☺  I do hope each one of you were alerted. If not, please let us know so it can be corrected (can we hope there is not another time?). I’d like to give a big shout out to the ladies who have agreed to be a part of our weather alert team! Diana sends a text to them and they have taken on the responsibility of alerting you to changes in our worship schedule, or in the event of a major weather issue, the possible cancellation of our service. Diana also posts it on Facebook and sends out an email. If you did not get a text, call or email, please let Diana know. Many thanks to Madi Arnett, Heather Keith, Kris Samick, Linda St.John and JuliAnne Wiegand.  I definitely believe we made the right call this past weekend. Our concern is for your safety and I appreciate the ladies who helped make the texts/calls. Pastor Ryan also cancelled ROOTS and I believe that was the right call to make as well. I would rather err on the side of caution than for one of our adults or young people to have an accident.

Be in prayer for our Educator of the Week, Brittany Greene. Brittany is the principal at Spencer Elementary School. She and her husband, Brad (OVHS Athletic Director), are the parents of three children, Parker, Morgan, and Cooper. Brittany has been at SES for 7 years.  

YOUTH CORNER

• Several of our young people play in the 10U basketball league. I’m going to mention those I know. Please let me know if I missed any. Haven and Kane Mosier, Amelia and Hudsyn Biggs, Tanner Wood and Julian Carson.

• Koe Mosier (2 month old son of Tommy and Kristina Mosier) was there with his mamaw, Janet Jones, rooting for his big sister and brother this past Saturday. He was there through several games. What a trooper! What I can’t figure out is after I visited for a few minutes and almost had him laughing, he started crying. Was it something I said? ☺

• In last week’s MM I asked you to put a date on your calendar and that I would share more information in future MMs. The date is January 27th and the event is a          fundraiser to benefit Nolan Miller in his battle against leukemia. Nolan is 16 years old and was diagnosed with leukemia in July of 2023. He immediately began treatment for it and is currently in remission, however, he continues in a maintenance treatment program and will for the next two years. The fundraiser will be at the Christian Life Center from 12-2:00. The meal will include soups, desserts, baked potato bar, and a silent auction. All proceeds will help offset expenses he and his family have incurred during this time. Suggested donation is $10/adult and $5/kids. I know Jo, Tami and I plan to be there and we look forward to seeing many of you. Nolan’s parents are Paul and Kelsey Miller and his siblings are Madison and Kaine. Their family is part of the Freedom Homeschool group along with many folks from our OVCF family. Maddy and Nolan are part of our youth group, too. Please keep them all in your prayers. 

This coming Sunday my sermon series on WELCOME HOME…where… will continue with a sermon on Jesus is Honored. The Scripture is Colossians 1:15-20. Weather permitting (of course) I look forward to seeing you. Did you know that weather like we had last weekend is a perfect time to watch the live stream if you are unable to make it in? We had a different scenario last weekend due to only having one service at 10:45, but normally it will coincide with our 9:00 and 10:45 services. I miss seeing people but knowing we have the live stream gives me some measure of relief. Just don’t get too comfortable watching it in the recliner! ☺  

Would you like to hear an update on our building plans and program? Come in person or tune in for a short update from Wayne Akerson, one of our elders and a member of the Building Team. We met this Monday with Jeff Hutton from J.L. Benton Contracting to talk about our next steps. The meeting was very productive and encouraging. I am so thankful for each member of the Building Team for their time and ideas and especially for coming out on such a cold night. A big plus is Madi always makes goodies. I’m just glad (I think) there were others who liked those brownies. I hadn’t eaten any supper…Just sayin’ ☺  

That’s enough for this week. Please have a safe week. Take care in making sure you are warm enough and driving safely. I love you all. 

Pastor Bill 

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #187

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #187. Thanks for letting me into your life today. I hope that so far it has been a good week for you and this Midweek Message will continue to remind you that you are loved and special in the eyes of God.

The school year is back in full swing for our local school system after Christmas break. That should remind us to pray for all those involved in the daily activities of the schools. Pray especially this week for Carol Watson, our Educator of the Week. Carol is the principal of Gosport Elementary School. We have several teachers and students who call OVCF “home” that are involved at GES on a daily basis. That is also one of the schools where I have a chance to read to the Kindergarten kids each month. ☺

YOUTH CORNER

Besides having just a couple students to write about, I thought I would also share with you about some of the activities involving our young people (besides school information).

• Congrats to Cammie King! She passed her driving test this past Sunday.
• Addison Mayle finally got rid of the boot she was wearing after an ankle injury. Here’s to hoping she is able to get back into the swing of things for basketball.
• TODAY, January 10th, Deeper will resume. Deeper is for all OVMS/OVHS students who want to take a “deeper dive” into the Bible. Deeper meets at Pastor Ryan and Hope’s house from 4-5:30. Rides are available if requested.
• Sunday, January 14th, the Sunday night ROOTS program will restart. After taking a short break for the holidays, ROOTS will be back at it from 5-7:00 at OVCF. Pastor Ryan is looking forward to seeing all the teens and meeting again.
• Friday evening, January 26 through Sunday morning, January 28th, Pastor Ryan will be involved in a Jr. High and High School Retreat at Hilltop Camp. He is inviting all Jr. High and High school students who would like to attend to see him to get information.

Speaking of that weekend, Saturday, January 27th from 12-2:00 is a fundraiser for Nolan Miller. Nolan is the son of Paul and Kelsey Miller and has been active in the homeschool co-op since its inception, plus he has been an active part of the ROOTS group. Nolan was diagnosed with leukemia in July of 2023 and has been in and out of Riley Hospital for treatment during his illness and continuing through his remission. Come support Nolan and his family as they continue to trust God with his care, and also help with the financial needs which come as a result of this type of upheaval in one’s life. I’ll include more about the fundraiser in future MMs. Please put it on your calendar.

My Route 66 study will restart TONIGHT, January 10th at 6:00. My plan is to do a quick look at Acts again and finish Romans (if possible). I look forward to getting started again.

I’m excited about what God is going to do at/with/through OVCF in 2024. I started my 2024 theme (Running with the Horses) this past Sunday with a sermon focused on Jer.12:5, Heb. 12:1-2, and I Cor. 9:24-27.  This coming Sunday, and through the rest of February, I will be preaching a series called WELCOME HOME…where… Using that as a jumping off point, I will finish that statement with the following:

• The Gospel is Preached (Col.1:3-14)
• Jesus is Honored (Col. 1:15-20)
• Grace is Offered (Col. 1:21-2:5)
• Lives are Changed (Col. 2:6-15)
• Obedience is Encouraged (Col. 2:16-3:4)
• Tough Choices are Challenged (Part 1) (Col. 3:5-11)
• Tough Choices are Challenged (Part 2) (Col. 3:12-17)

I hope you will try to read the Scriptures ahead of time and come prepared to hear from God. It is easy to say, “I didn’t get anything out of today’s sermon.” But someone has also said, “You get out of it what you put into it.” Ask God to speak to you through His Word. He will not let you down.

This coming Sunday Cassie Linville and Hannah Pendleton will be giving us some details about their trip to Kenya next month. They will be going with Terrace Lake Church in Columbus and are really looking forward to it. Whenever a team goes on a mission trip they are always asked to take some items with them. Not only will we be hearing about their trip, we will also learn about ways we can help. I’m looking forward to hearing more.

Plans for our building addition are moving along. Next Monday, the 15th, the Building Team is meeting and our general contractor, Jerry Benton, will be attending to talk with us about our next steps. Please be in prayer for the Building Team and especially this meeting. Doug Bruce of Tabor Bruce Architects has given us some drawings of the proposed addition to consider. This will be a pivotal meeting for us as we move ahead. We hope to update you later this month! ☺

As you look back through this MM you will find a lot of information as well as prayer points. Thanks for reading and praying. I love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #186

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #186! Welcome also to 2024! I can’t think of a better place to start 2024 than reading the Midweek Message. I almost put “reading the mind of someone whose mind is always spinning” but some people might not see it spinning the way I do. Some might say, “It’s spinning alright but out of control.” No matter what you might be thinking, welcome. ☺

I’m going to start 2024 with my first mistake. Man, don’t I wish I could “first and only” but those who know me would roll their eyes as well as make unintelligible noises. Every week we pray for an Educator of the week. The final MM of 2023 I failed to mention Jeanna Srinivasan. Jeanna homeschools her two children, Aasha and Nathan. She also stays busy with various activities with them. Jeanna’s husband, Kartik, is a Physical Therapist for IU Health. He also does mobile PT (comes to the house). My apologies to Jeanna for failing to mention prayer for her.

The first semester we spent our time praying for the teachers/nurses who attend OVCF. We will start praying for those in administration with our Educator of the Week: Carol Watson. She is the Principal at Gosport Elementary School.

YOUTH CORNER

Several of our college students have had eventful (even outstanding) first semesters:

• Mollie Wainscott, daughter of Chris and Kori, is attending Milligan University in Tennessee. Mollie made the Dean’s List with a 4.0 GPA. Way to go Mollie! Mollie also played O Holy Night at our Christmas Eve service on her violin.
• Cayden Paquette, son of Chris and Kim, is in his sophomore year at Blackburn College (Illinois). Cayden is a starting guard on the Blackburn basketball team. Cayden is a 2022 graduate of OVHS.

Several of our young people bravely dealt with health issues:

• Berkley Groomer spent her Christmas break in a cast from two broken bones in her wrist. The pictures show it didn’t slow her smile down.
• Sophia Kropack and Hudsyn Biggs spent part of their Christmas break healing from tonsillectomies. Rumor has it that they enjoyed Christmas and were back to their old selves in short order.

Remember: I’m looking for news about our young people to include in the YOUTH CORNER. If you know of anything newsworthy please let me know.

Our Christmas Eve services were testimony to the fact that OVCF people are special.

• Our Sunday morning, Christmas Eve day service at 10:00 brought in so many folks we needed to put up more chairs! The total for that service was 170 and that is with receiving several texts telling me sickness was keeping them away. But WOW it was packed! That gives further testimony why we need more space.
• 80 people enjoyed our Sunday night Christmas Eve service. A special thanks goes to Heather Keith, Geoff Biggs, Travis and Sierra Floyd, Becca and Kathryn Anderson, Karen Turner, Bob Kropack and Mollie Wainscott for taking a major role in helping our Christmas Eve service be so meaningful.

I’m really looking forward to developing the theme for 2024: Run with the Horses. My sermon for this coming Sunday is Dark Horse and will be focused on Jeremiah 12:5, I Cor. 9:24-27, and Hebrews 12:1-2.  My first series will begin on January 14 and be entitled “WELCOME HOME…where…”

• The Gospel is Preached
• Jesus is Honored
• Grace is Offered
• Lives are Changed
• Obedience is Encouraged

I’m adding two others to that series to round it out and to take us to the end of February: “Tough Choices are Challenged” (Part 1) and (Part 2). The plans are for me and Jo to be gone to Arizona the last weekend of February so Pastor Ryan will be preaching Part 2. All sermons in the series will be from Colossians 1-3.

Congratulations are extended to Wade and Sarah (Humble) Stoliby who became Mr. and Mrs. on January 1. They will make their home in Clay City. Wade has his own construction company called Special Ops Construction and Sarah works for the Owen County Chamber of Commerce.

Did you know that we have two couples who are expecting a baby in 2024? Caleb and Gabrielle Corder are due in June and Jake and Brandi Markland are due in July. Congrats to both couples. Remember to pray for them each day-for a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy.

I just wanted to remind you of something from MM#185. With the new year often comes a renewed interest in reading the Bible, or at least making time for God each day. In MM#185 I gave a pretty long list of “Encounter Time” (what I call mine) helps to guide you and get you started. I KNOW you save very last one of the MMs ☺ so take a glance back and see if any of the helps interest you. They are all in the church library for you to check out. I would love for us to become a church that is committed to reading the Bible each day or to have some time alone with God each day. Each help I have used at one time or another or I wouldn’t recommend it. Take a moment to see if any interest you and/or check it out and give it a try. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Did you know I have a daily devotional blog called Living in the Shadow? You can access the first one for 2024 at this link: https://livingintheshadow.ovcf.org/2024/01/02/january-2-5/

Thanks for spending a little time with me today. I look forward to 2024 being a special year for OVCF and the church family in many ways. Always keep in mind that you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #185

Hello! I know I am not the first, and most certainly will not be the last, but I’d like to wish all of you a Christ-filled Christmas and an exciting New Year (I’m guessing I’m the first to wish that part of it). ☺ Thanks for joining me in this week’s issue of the MM. It will be the last one of 2023 since I will be giving Diana and me a break next week. We (Jo, Tami and I) will be out of town for a couple of days and the week between Christmas and New Year’s is always iffy. All three of us will be in and out of the office at strange hours.

Please be praying for Michelle Lippert this week. Michelle homeschools their daughter, Marla and her husband, Geoff, is a commercial plumber. ☺

Just a quick question: did you know this Sunday is Christmas Eve?  Well…just in case you didn’t let me remind you of our plan for that day.

• One service Sunday morning at 10:00. The children’s programs will be meeting as they normally do.
• A Christmas Eve service at 5:00. This will be very laid back, with singing Christmas carols, a few testimonies, a short devotion, communion and a closing song. I told someone to expect it to last about 30-45 minutes. There will be NO children’s programs that evening.

YOUTH CORNER

I haven’t had any specific names given to me of youth escapades to include this week, however, I have found out some of our young people are taking their Christmas break to another level.

• Both Sophia Kropack and Hudsyn Biggs will be having their tonsils out this Thursday. Make sure you pray for them as they go through the surgery and recovery.  I understand an ice cream party is planned (as long as I’m invited). ☺
• Berkley Groomer fell and broke two bones in her wrist. She will be going through Christmas with a cast on it. That is after having just gotten rid of a cast on her forearm 3.5 weeks ago. A test is scheduled for January 3rd.
• Addison Mayle, a member of the OVHS JV basketball team, has been wearing a boot on her foot. She did a number on her ankle a few weeks ago. Quick healing, Addison!
• That’s all I have for the Youth Corner this MM. I prefer the other kind of news but keep these young people in your prayers.

I’m excited about the sermon theme for 2024: Run with the Horses. The verse behind that is Jeremiah 12:5 where God says to Jeremiah, “If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?” (NLT) Here is the schedule so far:

• January 3- Dark Horse– Jer. 12:5; I Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 12:1-2

Sermon Series: Welcome Home…where…

• January 10- The Gospel is Preached– Col. 1:3-14
• January 17- Jesus is Honored– Col. 1:15-20
• January 24- Grace is Offered– Col. 1:21-2:5
• February 4- Lives are Changed– Col. 2:6-15
• February 11- Obedience is Encouraged– Col. 2:16-23
• February 18- Tough Choices are Suggested/Part 1– Col. 3:1-11
• February 25- Tough Choices are Suggested/Part 2– Col. 3:12-17 (Ryan preaching)

Every new year that approaches seems to be a time for everyone to reflect over the past year and to also set goals for the coming year. I know, for a fact, the Y sees an uptick of new memberships and it gets a bit more crowded…for at least the first month of the year. That same thing happens when we stop and think about our spiritual lives. We make “resolutions” that often only last for a month or less. One of those is a desire to be more committed to a daily time with God. I call mine my ENCOUNTER TIME because I want it to be more than just a Quiet Time. I pray for a daily encounter with Jesus. I don’t just read my Bible, although there is nothing wrong with that. This past year I used several helps to keep me involved, learning and reflecting. I have to admit there were times of real inspiration, but there were also times of let-down and a feeling of emptiness. Since this is the end of the year and the last MM of 2023, I thought I would be a bit proactive and give some suggestions of helps I have put in the church library. These can be checked out and used by anyone. Just please sign the card to let us know. Here are some helps with a short description for you:

• Everyday with Jesus- Greg Laurie: my go-to for 1 ½ years
• Take Heart-Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith- David Powlison
• Truth for Life- Alistair Begg: 365 days of devotions
• New Morning Mercies-Tripp: 365 Gospel-Centered Devotions
• Homespun Devotions- Vol 1 & 2- Smith: 50 in each. Downhome devotions
• One Perfect Life (Jesus): John MacArthur
• One Faithful Life (Paul): John MacArthur
• A Shelter in the Time of Storm-Tripp (52 meditations on sin and mercy)
• Whiter Than Snow- Tripp (52 meditations on God and trouble)
• 40 Days of Love/Faith/Grace/Hope-Tripp: each book is 40 devotions
• 90 Devotions of Hope/Prayer- Our Daily Bread (each book is 90 devotions)
• Daily Readings from the Life of Christ- Vol 1-2-3- MacArthur: one year each
• Good Morning, Lord…Can We Talk? Swindoll: A year’s worth of devotions
• 2 used ESV Bibles for the taking (and reading): you can keep

I have used each one over the years and would not put them here if I did not recommend them. I hope you will take a step toward growing your faith by trying one or more.

I pray your Christmas is filled with the love and joy that only Jesus can bring. I am grateful God gave me you as an extraordinary gift.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #184

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #184. As you can tell I have been doing this for quite a while. 184 times to be exact. I started the MM during COVID in order to stay in touch and to let you know my thoughts and what was happening at OVCF. Even though we are back to normal (although some might wonder about me ☺ ), I hope the MM still ministers to you and keeps you informed. Thanks for giving me this chance to enter your world.

Please pray for our Educator of the Week: Jenny Hess. Jenny is married to John and she is the homeschool educator of their two daughters, Mia Rose and Meilynn. Mia Rose will graduate in 2024. They have been attending OVCF for close to two years.

Our Mission of the Week is Youth for Christ, OVHS Campus Life and local club director, Cassie Linville. Cassie has been involved as the leader for 4 years. She gets help on Monday night club nights from Westin, her husband; Pastor Ryan and Hope; and from Macy Carlson.

YOUTH CORNER

Several of our young people deserve recognition this week.

• Alli Anderson is the OVHS wrestling manager. After wrangling horses and her brothers, keeping the wrestlers in line must seem easy. ☺  I hear she absolutely loves this gig.
• Jackson Courson is on the OVHS JV wrestling team. He has won his last two wrestling matches. He seems to be following in the footsteps of his brother, Logan Cain, who also wrestled for OVHS.
• And here is one that is different: Maddie Sparks has been chosen to be a peer helper to a classmate who suffered a traumatic brain injury. She and 4 other students are being trained by therapists from Riley Hospital to help their classmate adjust to school. That says quite a bit about Maddie! Her mom, Lindsey Kinser, is the proud mama who shared that info. We are proud of you also Maddie!  Maddie is a 5th grader at MCES.
• That’s all I have for this week. Anyone else you want to add for a future MM? Please let me know by text or email.

*An impressive number of School of Education Bloomington faculty members have been ranked among the most influential scientists in their fields in an annual list from Stanford University. Our own Valarie Akerson (Science Education) was chosen as one of 18 faculty from IU for this prestigious honor. Proud husband, Wayne, sent the article to our small group.

Several events are happening over the next couple of weeks:

1. My last Route 66 class for this year will be this Wednesday, the 13th. I will resume 66 on January 10th at 6:00.
2. The last Deeper for this semester will be this Wednesday at the East homestead. Deeper will resume in January (Wednesdays from 4-5:30 at the Easts).
3. This Sunday night ROOTS will be having their Christmas party and it will be the conclusion for ROOTS for the year. Look for it to resume on Sunday, January 14th.

Just to remind you about December 24th:

• There will be ONE service on Sunday morning, the 24th, at 10:00. The youth classes will be meeting.
• There will be a Christmas Eve service on Sunday night at 5:00. The service will not be a repeat of Sunday morning. Sunday evening will include traditional Christmas carols, some testimonies, a short devotion from me, and a closing to usher in the hope and joy of Christmas morning. I guarantee it is something you would never expect from me! (And no, I am not singing). ☺

Andy Wood wanted to remind the Military Care Team they will be meeting after the second service next Sunday to pack items to mail to our service members.  He will be buying the items this week, but if anyone has any additional snacks or letters of support they would like mailed, you are welcome to bring them next Sunday, and they will make sure the items are sent. This is a great ministry to our service members. Thanks to Andy for taking the leadership of this team.

Backpack Buddies was a huge success! Thanks so much for all your help and concern for the 200+ students of the school system who will benefit from your generosity. Diana will be posting some pictures to the church’s Facebook group.

Robert Anderson is being considered for the position of elder of OVCF. Our practice is to present him to the church and then allow for you to respond within two weeks if there is a spiritual reason why you think he should not be one of the elders. If there is nothing, we will announce the result on Sunday, December 24. Remember, any letter must be written and signed.

My theme for 2024 is Run with the Horses and the Scripture is Jeremiah 12:5- “If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?” (NLT) January 7th, the first sermon of the year, will be on that Scripture. The next 7 weeks will be a more in-depth look at “Welcome Home where…” The basis for those sermons will be from Colossians 1-3. I’ll give you more details next week since that will be the last MM for 2024.

Thanks again for allowing me to enter your world. If you have any suggestions for making the MM more relevant or more informative feel free to pass your suggestions along. Send them to me at pastor@ovcf.org or text me. Thanks for being you. I love you all much.

Pastor Bill