Category: OVCF News

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #69

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #69.  If this is your first time receiving the MM…Welcome!  Diana works hard trying to keep the files updated and we spent some time Monday morning doing just that. So you may be receiving this for the first time and in case you wonder why…now you know. J  If you are a “veteran” then thanks for hanging in there with me.

The past few days have sure been very “non-August” in the weather department.  It has been a nice reprieve but did you ever get the feeling that summer isn’t over yet?  I’m sorry to say, though, for all school personnel (teachers, students, aides, administrators, etc.) summer is over. Officially. School starts here in Owen County on Thursday. I am pretty sure it starts all over our area this week as well. Here are some thoughts for you to consider:

1. Pray each day for all school personnel. Perhaps you might like to split them up into different days. For example, Monday=teachers. Tuesday=students. And so on.
2. Pray for their safety to and from school. Pray for their safety while in school. Pray for a good environment. Pray for wisdom for the teachers (they already have the knowledge). Pray for a spirit of cooperation among students with other students and students with teachers. Pray for our school corporation and the leaders to make wise choices. Going along with the status quo, and doing what other districts are doing, may not be the best for our students.
3. One big suggestion: be careful while driving. I have to admit one of my worst fears is early in the morning or right after school hearing a siren from a police car or the ambulance. Don’t be in such a hurry if you are driving during “go or leave school time.”

If you are the parent of a student, you have my congratulations. J If you are a student, thank a teacher that you can read this.  Just kidding. I pray for you to have a great school year.

It was great having the 3 couples and their families from Chi Alpha this past Sunday. The video was top-notch and their short, precise presentation was spot on. I told the leaders at the elder’s meeting Monday night that I appreciated the video because it focused on the students at IU. It focused on the life change Christ is bringing to lives through Chi Alpha. I want to thank you for making them feel so welcome. I love what Derek said. “It is very rare when we are invited into a church. Usually it is us contacting a church to see if we can come.” I love that OVCF’s leaders are so open to something different. Just to let you know: we are taking on a challenge we decided we wanted to do. Instead of just sending $50/month for one couple or for them to split it, we have taken on the challenge of sending each couple $50/month until at least the end of the year when we will reevaluate as the 2022 budget is worked on.

Another challenge we accepted Monday night: we support the Old Folks Home in Liberia. These folks have nothing. Until Revive Liberia stepped in these poor old folks slept on dirt floors with no amenities. The young people on Sunday morning take up an offering and each month it goes to the Old Folks Home. We supplement what is collected so it reaches $50.  Jeff shared that the need is really great since the price of rice alone has skyrocketed.  We decided to bump our giving to $100/month, at least until the end of the year when it too will be reevaluated.

Both of those are possible because of your generosity. Thank you so much for helping us meet the Biblical mandate Jesus laid down: “When I was hungry, you fed me; when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink; when I was naked, you clothed me; when I was in prison, you visited me.” “When did we do that?” they asked. “When you have done it to least of these you have done it to me.”

Sunday morning I saw a phenomenal display of service. The Chi Alpha families all had children. They were “consigned” to sit and listen in the adult worship during first service (they would have had a chance to sleep during the sermon) until someone stepped up and volunteered to take the kids to the youth addition and allow them to be creative. I won’t mention the person’s name because she would be mad at me (and she wields a mean stick). Seriously though, she has no idea how much that meant to me, the parents of the children, and the kids. But that is what the church needs! People who will step up and say, “I will do this.”  You might be saying right now, “No way would I do that with kids. They scare me!” That might be true, but we have other areas where you could serve. Greeters on Sunday morning to simply say, “Hi! It is nice to have you.” People who will mow the church lawn. People who will learn how to do the live stream. People who will spell Jo doing Power Point, especially for the second service. (She says she is getting old and having trouble staying awake during the sermon. It isn’t the sermon. Right? RIGHT???) People with a knack for small children who will take a turn in the nursery (See Pastor Ryan about that). There are so many places help is needed. Being a servant is being like Jesus.

Pastor Ryan will be out of the office from Saturday, the 7^th to Tuesday, the 17^th. He will be back in the office on Wednesday, the 18^th. If you have any needs please contact me or Diana. He and his family are enjoying much-needed and much-deserved time away from the office.

Please don’t forget the Laws family will be with us Saturday, the 28^th for a pitch-in cookout, and then will be sharing their testimony of God’s faithfulness through Ryan’s transplant on Sunday morning. I’ll put more information in subsequent MM’s. I’d just like to ask you to set that weekend aside for a great opportunity to hear of our great God and to meet Mike, Trisha, and Ryan.

Gotta go. Hope you have a great rest of the week. I love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #68

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #68!  I’m so glad you have allowed me into your inbox (and therefore, your life) for just these few short moments. You have no clue how much I appreciate it. Some people tell me I can be annoying at times (but I won’t mention Jo and Tami’s names), so I sure hope you don’t feel that way about the MM. I guess you have the best of both worlds: the MM without me! 🙂

First, I want to let you know how Saturday’s Back to School Expo went. A little history for the unfamiliar. The Expo started a few years ago and found a home-originally- at OV Middle School. Folks would come to the school and pick up their backpacks. But, like many other things in 2020, the pandemic changed the way it was done. Aaron LaGrange (the Middle School principal at the time) and Marce King, the director of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce (OCCC) got their heads together and came up with something new. Why not have a sort of parade where the students (actually their parents) drove them through different stations at the fairgrounds. These stations were teachers with signs, the high school band playing, cheerleaders with enthusiasm, a real life alpaca, and others. It all culminated with each student present in a vehicle receiving an age-appropriate backpack. This was where I worked the past two years and it is so much fun! The joy of the kids is priceless! In 2020 we gave away around 500 backpacks with the rest going to the schools. This year we gave away 600+ backpacks with the rest of the supplies going to the various schools.  I was speaking Monday with someone who works in Monroe County about the Expo and they marveled at what we did, then she asked me if there was an income limit or any stipulations. I said it was for all students and the only stipulation was they had to be in the vehicle to receive a backpack. Please understand these are new supplies, including the backpacks. Spencer Walmart (Zach Redman is the District Mgr.) played a huge part, Owen Co. Community Foundation, Boston Scientific, Youth Services of Monroe Co., Title 4D, and Valley Optical also donated funds. OVCF gave $500 for the supplies. We honestly do care about our schools and our students and want to do what we can to help out. In a very real way, your giving helps us do things like this.  So…thank you for your generosity!

It is hard to believe school starts in a week. UGH! I can hear it from many. I’m telling my age here, but I can remember when school was out the Friday before Memorial Day and didn’t start until the Tuesday after Labor Day (September). Three whole months of summer bliss. Well, no longer and I am predicting never again!  (What powers of deduction I know). Anyway, with the onset of school comes a need many students have: food on the weekends. During the summer, the Lions Club makes meals available every day free of charge. They do a wonderful job with that!  During the school year, another approach is taken. Every weekend and over breaks students in need are given food to take home. The program is called BACKPACK BUDDIES (BB) and OVCF has been involved since its inception.  Pastor Ryan and I were called in on the initial plans for it with Mr. LaGrange and Mrs. Allen. Some of our folks helped pack the bags each week that first year or two. Now, thanks to the many groups in the school who have gotten involved, we have taken a step back (except for Linda St. John who is still directly involved) and help supply the food for distribution. During the month of August, BB will be our mission focus. Diana has made up some lists of supplies needed. I’d like to ask you to pick one of them up and do what you are able to do in helping supply needed food. Just to help you put it in perspective, 200+ students took home food each weekend and during breaks last school year.  If you are reading this, and can’t physically be here but would like to help, you may write a check to the church and we will give the money to BB for them to use.  Thanks for helping us make a difference in our community, and specifically, for the students in need of food in our school system.

Speaking of school, don’t forget to pray for all our administrators and teachers. We have a new Superintendent (Mr. Cline) and a ton of new teachers. Pray for all the students this year as well. Even though things are more “normal” this year than last, adjustments will still need to be made by all.

I’d like to remind you about Mike, Trisha and Ryan Laws being with us Sunday, August 29th. To give you a chance to meet them outside of Sunday morning and to give us a chance to get together for a meal for the first time in almost two years, we are planning on having a cookout/pitch-in on Saturday, the 28^th, starting at 6:00 PM. Our plan is to have it at the shelter house unless the weather dictates we come inside. We will cordon off part of the parking lot for the kids to play safely. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided, but please feel free to bring what you are able to eat grilled and/or a side dish. Come and go as you please, but do take a few moments to join us and celebrate with us.

I just finished a book last week called Hope Always by Dr. Matthew Sleeth. It is subtitled How to be a Force for Life in a Culture of Suicide. Every single day, someone you or I know is thinking about taking their own life. I hate to be glib but it has become a pandemic. COVID has magnified it, especially among our young people. Dr. Sleeth was an ER physician and chief of hospital medical staff who at the outset of his medical career was an atheist. He has since resigned to teach, preach and write about faith and health. He was in his 40s when he (and later his Jewish wife) came to faith in Christ. One characteristic he mentions is the loss of hope so many have. And when you listen to “experts” talk about the pandemic that is the one thing they always seem to mention: the loss of hope so many felt/feel. Of course, it is more than just the pandemic that has brought about the hopelessness of so many. I don’t have the space to go into more detail but let me just say that while followers of Christ are not immune to suicide, we do have an anchor that so many do not have. Hope you are clinging to that anchor.

The “dog days” of August have already hit us (and it’s only July). Let’s bring in August with a great month of optimism and celebration. I look forward to seeing you Sunday, Lord willing!!

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #67

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #67. What a wonderful break in the weather we had this weekend and so far this week! We also have two young ladies at Hilltop this week-Charli Wood and Bella Madorin. I’m sure they are glad for the nice weather.

Speaking of camp, Hilltop is doing some wonderful things this year. After last year’s COVID-related shut down, it is so cool to see camp in full swing. Ryan and Mala Croft are the directors and they have done a marvelous job maneuvering through last year and seeing that this year goes well. Lots of good things are happening and many victories are being won. I’m not sure how many total campers OVCF has sent but I can guarantee it is better than last year!  🙂

Just wanted to let you know of a couple important upcoming events for Sunday morning. On August 1^st, we will be hosting a group from Chi Alpha (CA). For the past two years we have supported Steve & Katie Averitt in their work with CA. Katie was an OV girl so we had a connection with her. However, they have decided to leave CA and put their influence for Jesus at work in the marketplace. They recommended someone to us who has been with CA and at IU for a while. Pastor Ryan, Diana and I met with Derek Britt for lunch on Monday, the 12^th, and were impressed with him, his family’s commitment to Christ, and the ongoing work of CA at IU. Along with Derek and his family, there are two other families heavily involved with the ministry at IU. So we invited them to come and meet you (and you them) and to hear of their outreach at IU. I don’t work outside the church setting, and I don’t attend college, especially one as challenging as IU, so I am admire anyone who wants to share Jesus on a college campus.  I sincerely hope you will desire to hear more and will come and support these three couples who are committed long-term to CA at IU.

If that isn’t enough, I have been telling you for over a month about Mike, Trisha and Ryan Laws coming on August 29^th. Mike donated his kidney to Ryan just over 2 months ago and they allowed me to enter into their journey with them. They were part of the church in Sandusky, OH (where I pastored before moving here in 11/05) before they moved to Dublin, OH (not Ireland) where Mike joined the police force. He has been there 17 years. When they moved from Sandusky, Brooklyn, their daughter, was about a year old. So it was cool being able to renew a relationship which had not been active for 17 years. Brooklyn is heading off to West Virginia University as a freshman and Ryan is starting high school. That almost never happened when a mysterious kidney disease sabotaged his, and their life. 18 months later Mike gave his kidney to his son. They have a tremendous testimony to share of God’s faithfulness and goodness and we have an opportunity to hear it firsthand.  That is also a 5^th Sunday so the children will be with us that morning. What a fantastic opportunity for them to hear about God’s work in a teenager’s life!!  I’m planning on going over there next week to be with them and to work on the plan for that morning (and yes, we might get to see our grandson while there), but I am already stoked about that morning.

Update for you: Monday the Building Team met with Josh Smith to further pursue what a new building will look like for us. He came with a 2-D computer drawing of what an addition could look like. After an hour and half, we dismissed but not before there was a palpable excitement growing with the team. We will continue tweaking the design and customize it for us and then we will fill you in on it. Josh will present a 3-D animated walk-through for us all to see.  But please understand this is not going to be an overnight process. We will need to consult an architect, plans will have to be submitted to him and then the state, approval will have to be given, and then we can proceed with any physical work. As of this past Sunday, our Building Fund is just shy of $130k. That is good seed money! With the preliminary work which needs to be done, we will need to continue to raise funds. 🙂 We will go slowly, pray to make wise decisions, and follow God’s leading and plan for our future. At this point, we see us doing the addition in stages. I just wanted to keep you informed as to where we are in the dream.

One last thing related to that: it is easy to say, “Who am I? What can I do? What can I give? I hardly have enough to make ends meet let alone help financially.” While financial help is crucial (obviously) there is one thing you can do: PRAY. You will never hear me begging for money from the pulpit. I am not going to visit someone and shake their hand while the other is fishing for their wallet. That is not me at all! But I will beg you to pray for me. I will beg you to pray for the church leaders. I will beg you to pray for the youth program. I will beg you to pray for our outreach. I will beg you to pray for wisdom about our future. I will beg you to pray for the church’s commitment to the Gospel. And I will beg you to pray for our stand for the truth. Jesus used the gift of a widow (a widow’s mite) and compared it to the oversized and ostentatious gifts of the religious leaders to make a point: it is not how much a person gives but the size and focus of his/her heart which really matters. To use Jesus’ words: “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44 NASB 2020).  To quote Bob Goff: “Every unselfish act of love whispers God’s name.” (Quoted in Live in Grace-Walk in Love– p. 108).  From the smallest to the biggest, if God is in it, there is no telling what He can do.  I believe that with all my heart.

I have one last thing: among all the prayer requests we make weekly, I have two I‘d like to make. Many of you know I was struck by a hit-and-run driver in November of 2016 while riding my bike. I recovered fairly well, but the past two months have revealed there is a long-term residual issue from it. I see a doctor today for my hip and hopefully will receive a solution.  The other: on June 3^rd I was broadsided at the Junction intersection (hence the odd car with the Florida plates). I have an MRI on my surgically-repaired neck next Monday. Your prayers would be appreciated. Thanks.

Also, please keep praying for Pastor Ryan as he helps with his father during his illness.

I hope you are continuing to read the chapter in Mark ahead of time. This week please read Mark 4 in preparation for the sermon. See you then!

Have a great rest of the week. Remember you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #66

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #66. Thanks for letting me crash your day today. Oops that is a bad connotation there. Route 66 is associated with travel and there is that song from the movie “CARS” where they tell us to get our “kicks on Route 66.” So maybe I ought to just say, “Thanks for letting me infiltrate your inbox with my nonsense.” J

I know I said it Sunday from the pulpit but I just have to tell you how thankful I am to live in Spencer and work alongside so many caring people. We all know our community is not perfect (none is) but I saw a huge caravan of people come out this past Saturday to help serve our community. We called it “Serving Owen County Together” and it was a fine effort to team up with other organizations to make Saturday a special day for so many. The report from Aaron LaGrange was over 80 volunteers showed up for part or all of the day and we served over 800 people. We had a bunch of folks from OVCF show up to help. I know we would have had more but the change of date messed up some folks because of other plans already made for Saturday.  Don’t feel too left out though. There are plans to make this an annual event. Aaron and others received many favorable comments but one I think sums it up was given to Aaron: “I have lived in this community since 1972 and I have never seen something like this done for the little people.” Of course, she was not talking about “little people,” but she was referring to those often forgotten in the push and shove of the world.  When I left shortly after noon (I had something important to do for Sunday but can’t quite remember what it was), 🙂 there were already over 80 family units served. And I can’t say enough about Aaron’s part in all of this and Servant’s Heart Ministry out of Indy and all the vendors who came with them.  Whether big or small, try to remember we are most like Jesus when we forgive. Hot on the heels of that is when we serve. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

The next big event for Owen County is our Back to School Expo. This benefits all the school children who come to the fairgrounds on July 24^th from 9:30-12:00. The only caveat is that they have to be there. It will be a drive-thru event like last year when we gave away over 600 backpacks filled with school supplies. The children don’t have to get out of their vehicles. We used to collect school supplies for our teachers but feel it is more beneficial for us to contribute to this project so OVCF has donated $500 to the Chamber of Commerce for this excellent program.

Here is a quiz for you, but unfortunately I will not be there to grade you!  Question: did you read last week’s MM about the Building Team? No? Let me remind you then. The Building Team will be meeting Monday night, the 19^th, with someone who has put together some designs for us to look at. The BT will look at them, discuss them, make suggestions and then continue to pray for guidance. We want to do this right. We don’t want to do something God is not in line with. We want to be functional but not overboard. We simply want a place where we can all worship together as one. There is no timeline for this to happen so I can’t say, “By next summer…”  Who knows what is in God’s plan for us (besides Him, of course)?  What you can do though is please pray for the BT and the elders as we try to decipher what God’s desire for us is.

Monday I was sitting at my desk reading when I decided to write something that was on my heart as a devotion for my “Shadow” blog. I know many of you don’t know I have the devotional blog and that’s okay. I share the following with you because of so much which is happening in our world today.

In this day and age of “justice this” and “justice that;” of riots; revenge; senseless killing and getting even, we need to hear and use and practice another word:

MERCY

Jesus once said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Is it saying the same to you as it is to me?

Those who show mercy will be shown mercy.

Mercy is a God-promise. Lamentation 3: 22-23 says, “The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” What does the word they refer to? Acts of mercy. Everyday God’s mercies are new. Mercy is a God theme.

Imagine if we would practice mercy instead of justice. God’s mercy runs throughout Scripture. Would there even be an Israel, a Jewish nation, if God only exercised justice and no mercy?  How many times do the Israelites merit justice but instead receive mercy? On the cross Jesus didn’t say, “Zap ’em good Father.” No. Instead He said, “Father, forgive them.”

I’m in that same boat. For each sin. For each wayward look. For each idolatrous attitude. For each angry thought or word directed toward Him or someone else. Justice deserved; mercy given.

According to Lamentations 3 God’s mercy will never end. It will never cease and grace will never disappear. Each and every day I/you experience God’s mercy. EACH. AND. EVERY. DAY.

And get this! It is not warmed over, stale mercy. Every day it is new!! Can’t beat that!

“Father, each day Your mercies are new. Remind me over and over of that truth and then to absorb it. Help me to live in the light of that mercy…with you and with others.”

Two notes: First, don’t think for a minute that I don’t believe there is a place for justice. I do, but that is a topic for another day. Two, all Scripture is from the NASB 2020 translation.

I’m out of space for this week. Have a great week. I love you all.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #65

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #65.  I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day weekend. After reading some rather disgusting news reports about the disrespect given to veterans, our country and its flag, I relish even more living in this free country.  Stay tuned for an article at the end of this MM.

Meanwhile #1: This Saturday is the Serving Owen County Together event taking place at the OV Middle and High School. There is much going on and we could use your help in making it a good experience for so many who need it in Owen County.

Meanwhile #2: July 17^th is a ROOTS RECONNECT event. Pastor Ryan has put together a great outing! He is inviting the whole family to participate in a kayaking, exploring and a picnic at Sugar Creek. Please see Ryan for more information.

Meanwhile #3: Back to School Expo is July 24^th at the Fairgrounds from 9:30-12 pm. This is a group effort of the schools and the Owen County Chamber of Commerce.  Each child will receive a backpack full of school supplies but children must be present. OVCF will be making a financial donation to the Chamber to assist with the purchase of school supplies. So if you have or know of a child who could benefit from the Expo, make sure they or their parents know…or bring them yourself.

Meanwhile #4: Some folks are wondering about what the progress is toward a new building. COVID caused us to put things on pause but thankfully many of you still continued giving to the Building Fund. We have met twice since things have opened back up and we have continued our talks. Monday, July 19^th we have our next meeting. We are meeting with someone who has the ability to put together building design options based on what we have relayed to him so far. He will be making a presentation and will listen to our input for making improvements. This project is important to so many of you and we have not forgotten. Please keep one thing in mind though. No matter how eager we are for a new facility where we can worship as one body, we do not plan to go into debt for it. We believe that is God’s way and we intend on that being the way with this new addition.

Finally, no more “meanwhiles.” 🙂 I read this blog from Pastor James Emery White of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC.  Here you go:

On the 4th of July, I’m always reminded of times I’ve traveled in countries where freedom is severely curtailed. Or where the people have been freshly freed from the chains of injustice, and the joy of their release was palpable.

I was in Johannesburg on the 10th anniversary of the end of apartheid.

I was in Korea when the border between North and South was electric with tension.

My most powerful memory came from Moscow, where I was teaching shortly after the fall of communism.

One night a group of us went to the famed Bolshoi Ballet. It was a long, wonderful evening, and after we took the subway back to where we were staying, the students said, “Come and let us celebrate.” The other two professors with me were as tired as I was, but the students were so intent on our joining them, that we went.

And then we found out what celebration meant to them.

They wanted to gather in the dining room and sing hymns and worship God. And we did, late into the night, with more passion and sincerity than I have ever experienced. It didn’t matter that we didn’t know how to sing in Russian—we worshiped God together.

But I went to bed puzzled. I had never seen such passion for spontaneous and heart-filled worship. I was curious as to why they were so ready and eager to offer God love and honor. I received my answer the following Sunday when I was invited to speak at a church in North Moscow. A former underground church that met in secret (as so many churches had been), they were now meeting openly in a schoolhouse. I had been asked to bring a message that Sunday morning.

I didn’t know that I was in for a bit of a wait.

The service lasted for nearly three hours. There were three sermons from three different speakers, with long periods of worship between each message.

I was to go last.

When it was over, I talked a bit with the pastor of the church. I was surprised at not only the length of the service, but the spirit and energy of the people. Throughout the entire three hours, they never let up. In spite of the length of time, they never seemed to tire. Even at the end, they didn’t seem to want to go home.

“In the States,” I said, “you’re doing well to go a single hour before every watch in the place starts beeping.” (This was before smart phones.) He didn’t get my weak attempt at humor, but he did say something that I will never forget.

“It was only a few years ago that we would have been put in prison for doing what we did today. We were never allowed to gather together as a community of faith and offer worship to God. And we are just so happy, and almost in a state of unbelief, that we can do this now – publicly, together – that we don’t want it to end. And not knowing what the future might hold for us here, we know that every week might just be our last. So we never want to stop. So we keep worshiping together, as long as we can.”

As I left, his words never left my mind. I thought to myself, “I will never think about worship the same again. I’ve been too casual about it, too laid back, taken it too much for granted. These people know what it’s about – really about – and because of that, they have been willing, and would be willing again, to suffer for it. To be imprisoned for it. To die for it. Because they’ve discovered that it holds that high of a yield for their life. It has that much meaning and payoff and significance. It matters that much.”

And it should matter that much to all of us. (end of article)

Have a great week. Love you all and can’t wait to see you here or in the air.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #64

Hello and welcome to Midweek Message (MM) #64.  As I write this it is Monday afternoon and I understand it is supposed to be a hot one this week. Some rain possibly on Wednesday. What can I say? We live in Indiana!! 🙂 I’m going to enjoy it since I know in about 6 months or so we will be wondering where the warm weather went!! Yikes! Did I just say that?

If you were here this past Sunday or watched online you heard me make an announcement (I’m sure you pay attention to announcements) about the Serving Owen County Together event which was postponed due to the flood waters. It has been rescheduled for July 10^th, which is a mere 2 weeks away. We sure could use your help again, so if you are able to do so, please sign up again at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/owencountyevent. I can say that if you don’t sign up, but just show up, a spot will be found for you to help.  This is a tremendous opportunity for our community and I plan to be there (I’ll leave off the bells and whistles).

I was reminded why we do what we do as I have been studying for this new sermon series on Mark. I have given it the title of The Servant King because Jesus shows us to a “T” what it means to be a servant. We are definitely like Jesus when we serve others.

Speaking of the sermon series: please read Mark 1 for this Sunday. That will be one of the beauties of preaching through a book like this. I can ask you to read ahead by simply reading the chapter. And you can read it multiple times a week and really get familiar with it.  It has been several months since I preached through a book, and a long time since I did it this way. I preached through Ecclesiastes but it was more topical and I left out some passages.  There are 16 chapters= 16 weeks. There will be one big break in our study.  On August 29^th, Lord willing, Mike, Trisha, and Ryan Laws will be with us sharing their testimony of God’s phenomenal grace, love, strength, and answered prayer. Mike donated his kidney to Ryan a few months ago and we had been praying for them. Ryan is now playing soccer. Truly remarkable. Mike is slower recovering (I’m thinking his age might have something to do with that-LOL) but they have seen God do amazing things in their lives. They will be here to share what He has done in an interview-type of format. You won’t want to miss that Sunday! So I’m asking you to put it on your calendar now. That is also our 5^th Sunday of the month so the young people will be in with us.

If you have a young person in Junior/Senior High then you won’t want to miss this next announcement. On July 17^th, Pastor Ryan is planning a ROOTS RECONNECT event by taking the youth group kayaking, exploring and enjoying a picnic at Sugar Creek. Just one day but it will be a whole lot of fun. The cost is $20/person and this is a whole family activity. They will be stopping on the way home to eat. If you want your child to go but don’t have the funds please let Pastor Ryan or Diana know. The church can help!! There is only one catch, he needs you to RSVP by July 5^th. You can call the church office at 812-828-9840 to register since Pastor Ryan is at Hilltop Camp for Wilderness Week.  For those who may not know: ROOTS is the Sunday night youth program for Junior/Senior High youth. They take a break for the summer but this is a way for Ryan to “reconnect” with them.

Speaking of the youth group, Deeper will resume on July 7^th and will meet at Ryan and Hope’s house.  They meet Wednesdays from 4-5:30 in his garage. And yes, they have snacks! And a whole lot of fun and learning from the Bible.  This will the first week back since the end of school.

As many of you know, I try really hard to avoid politics in person, and especially from the pulpit. In fact, I can promise you that nothing political will come from the pulpit. But with July 4^th coming up this Sunday I would like to add some thoughts to this MM. The most recent display of disrespect given by an “athlete” sort of raises my ire a bit. A female hammer thrower, who may have been ticked off more because she placed 3^rd (who really knows?), turned her back on the flag during the playing of the National Anthem. That kind of disrespect does not sit well with me when several things are considered. One, we still live in the greatest country on the planet. This country isn’t perfect but it is still the best place to live. I sometimes wish those who threaten to leave if they don’t get their way, would. Let them go where they don’t even have the freedom to say what they are saying about the U.S. Second, their actions disrespect all those who served, gave up their families and even their lives, to give us the freedom we enjoy. Third, it says that all those who fought for our initial freedom in 1776 were misguided. It spits in the eye of great men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and others who saw a new horizon for us. It puts down all the men and women who served. It says to all the great African Americans like Martin Luther King, Jr, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas and others that they wasted their time and efforts to make a difference. Fourth, if they are so disgusted by the USA why are they competing for a place in Olympic history? This July 4^th I hope you will take the time to celebrate living in a land of freedom. Are we perfect? No, of course not. Neither is the church, but I celebrate it anyway. Be proud of living in a free nation, made free by the blood of all races, colors and nationalities willing to serve and sacrifice.  Okay…off my soapbox. 🙂

Have a great rest of the week. I celebrate the freedom I have in Christ. I celebrate the freedom I have living in this nation. And I celebrate you.

Pastor Bill