Category: OVCF News

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #270

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #270. I hope you are experiencing a fantastic week! Before I go any further, though, first things first. Can anyone please tell me what that white stuff was that was coming down out of the sky Sunday afternoon and Monday morning? Seriously? Already? It is just the middle of November!! 🙂

Please pray for our educator of the week: Cristi Wood. Cristi has been teaching for 15 years. She was at Head Start for 11 and this is her 4th year at MCES. She has been married to Mike for 20 years and they have three children: Kloee, a senior at Indiana State; CJ a 7th grader at OVMS; and Auggie, a 4th grader at MCES. Kloee hopes to teach at MCES in the future. Cristi’s preschool class is one Pastor Ryan reads to each month as part of the Book Buddies program he and I are part of.

Yesterday was Veterans Day. In honor of that, I would like to list the men of OVCF who serve/have served in the military: Logan Cain, Ethan Chesser, Tony Courson, Bruce Davis, Wayne Evans, Matthew Foster, Robert Herrington, Dick Hogan, Bob Jones, Ryan Keene, Matthew Lehmann, Dexter Luck, Terrie MacMorran, Justin Mann, Chad Martin, Ray Monticue, Mark Murphy, Lucas Owens, David Samick, Wade Stoliby, Don Taylor, Ryan White, and Andy Wood. I have tried my best to include everyone. If I have missed someone please let me know. Thanks for your service!!

YOUTH NEWS

I have some pretty exciting news to share about a couple of our young ladies:

• • • Alli Anderson was honored at the Fall Sports Banquet this past week. Alli received the Leadership Award for her cross country team and was recognized for being Academic All-Conference. Mom added a “Proud of you, kiddo” at the end of the announcement.
    • Aubrey Mangia was recognized as Rookie of the Year and was awarded a varsity letter for the 2025 cross country season. Proud parents might have posted this on Facebook.
    • And here is something you will enjoy (and I share this with permission): after talking “smack” all week long, Aubrey and her dad, Tom, ran in a 5K this past Saturday in Indy. Guess who won? By a long shot! Let’s just say it wasn’t the smack talker (dad).  🙂

DID YOU KNOW?

• • • November 5, 2025, was “Back to the Future” day? If you have ever seen the movie when Marty goes back in time he looks at a newspaper dated November 5, 1955. I bet you didn’t know that!!  🙂
    • Did you also know that October 21st was “Back to the Future” day? (It is seen when they go into 2015). I know…thoroughly unnecessary trivia. Someone sent me screen shots of both of those historical events. They thought I might be interested. Hmmmm.  🙂
    • (To more serious matters): Our first meeting of those interested in a Special Needs Ministry as part of our children’s ministry here at OVCF was this past Monday night?
      Those attending were (in alphabetical order): Mary and Akaydia Beckwith, Tami Grandi, Angela Mayle, Hannah Morse, Carolyn Myers, Tad Nicholson, David and Adienne Robertson, Klaudia Stahl, Gavin and Jenna Wells, JuliAnne Wiegand, plus Hannah Pendleton, Pastor Ryan, and me. I’m excited to see how this will develop over time.
      There is still a lot of work ahead of us as we plan for this vital future ministry. Every one of the folks who were there have a passion for this group of young people.
    • Did you also know there is a Children’s Ministry Breakfast here at OVCF this coming Saturday? From Pastor Ryan: I bet you already know, but I just have to say it: We have an amazing team of ministry leaders and teachers! This Saturday they are gathering to celebrate what God is doing in our Kid’s Ministry and to continue growing as effective ministers with our kiddos. Would you pray for them? And for our families? If you would like to serve with our Kid’s Ministry team, I’d love to talk with you more and help you find the right fit and ministry for you!
    • Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are due the 16th so they can be delivered to Sherwood Oaks (the collection point) on the 17th?
    • We have scheduled a church family pitch-in for Wednesday, November 19th at 6:00? We moved it up a week due to Thanksgiving Day being on the 27th. The pitch-ins have been a great opportunity to meet new folks, to laugh, share good food, and just to relax for an evening with friends and family.
    • The church office will be closed the 27th and 28th for the Thanksgiving holiday?
    • That we are participating in Backpack Buddies again? We will be collecting non- perishable food for our school children from November 16-December 7. Diana has printed out a list of needed items-that list is on the info table. I will include it in next week’s MM. You’re welcome to leave donations on the table in the hallway (the current shoebox location)!  🙂
    • We will be having a special Sunday night Christmas worship service on December 21st? It will start at 6:00, and will include singing of Christmas songs, communion and a closing candlelight service. I invite you to take a little bit of time to join your church family and friends to celebrate the birth of Christ.

We all experience disappointment from time to time. This past week Jo and I experienced it. Ever since my friend, Dave, passed away in September from his 18 month battle with a glioblastoma, we have anticipated and planned to be at his Celebration of Life this coming weekend. I purchased tickets several weeks ago and we have been corresponding with Susan about coming and how excited we were to see her and vice versa. But the government shutdown and the subsequent airline cancellations have affected our plans. I called and the agent said one of the early non-stop flights from Indy to Phoenix would be cancelled, but they did not know which one. So rather than mess with the possibility that our flight might get cancelled at the last minute, I rescheduled them for February of 2026. We are both disappointed we will be unable to go this weekend. But I have learned that God always has a purpose for what He does. Maybe I will be needed around here. Maybe Susan will need us more in February. There are supposed to be over 120 people in her house on Saturday. A February date will allow us to spend some personal time with her. The plan was for Pastor Ryan to preach this weekend and that is staying the same. Jo & I plan to visit another church with our friends, Ryan and Amanda Spires. We will miss being with you, but know you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #269

 Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #269. Thanks for taking the time to read it. There is a lot of information to consider in this week’s MM. I will do my best to keep you up to date on all that is happening this month.

Please remember to pray for Rachel Nicholson, our educator of the week. Rachel has been teaching for 23 years and has been teaching special needs at MCES (inclusion teacher) for 4 years. She and her husband, Dale, have been married for 21 years and have one son, Tad, a 14 year old at OVMS. Tad is active in baseball and cross country.

SEVERAL CALENDAR ITEMS TO MARK DOWN:

• • • Monday, November 10th: A meeting for those interested in a Special Needs Ministry here at OVCF. The meeting will start at 6:00 and I will try hard to dismiss by 7:00. This meeting will be a brainstorming session to gather ideas for starting a special needs ministry as part of our children’s ministry. There will come a time when we will need to have this in place and it is vital that we begin planning now. I currently have 14 people who have expressed an interest in being involved. If you would like to see what is happening or would like to be included in the planning, please feel free to come to the meeting.
    • Sunday, November 16th: Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are due.
    • Monday, November 17th: Delivery of shoeboxes to the collection site at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. What a treat it will be to deliver 113 shoeboxes that will go to children all over the world.
    • Wednesday, November 19th: OVCF church family pitch-in. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday falling the next week on Thursday, we decided to move the pitch-in up a week.
    • Thursday-Friday, November 27th & 28th: The church office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

YOUTH NEWS

• • • Several of our Sunday morning teachers in our children’s program gave up their Saturday last week to attend a training event in Columbus, IN. A total of 7 teachers went and I heard it was well worth it. Thanks to all of our teachers who attended! We are thankful for all of our teachers who volunteer their time in our children’s classes! 🙂
    • This coming Saturday is the Dare 2 Share Day of Global Youth Evangelism livestream for our Roots youth. It will take place at the East home from 10:30-5:00. Lunch will be provided. To RSVP or if you have questions, please contact Pastor Ryan (812.585.0545).
    • Saturday, the 15th, there is a Children’s Ministry Breakfast for all youth workers here at the church. If you have any questions please see Pastor Ryan or Hannah Pendleton.

This past Sunday, Aaron and Sonia Clausman spoke about their mission to Pakistan (she is from there). Due to the safety issue a video presents in the wrong hands, the information part was muted and not shown. Even though some of you were present, you were unable to write the information down and asked me how you could get it. With Aaron and Sonia’s permission it is included below:

Aaron Clausman
812.876.3057
aclausman@gmail.com
Sonia Clausman
812.391.8965
Nicerose239@gmail.com
pakistanshallbesaved.com

How you can partner with them:

1. 1. 1. Pray for us.
      2. Help us continue being the hands and feet of Jesus in Pakistan.

Late last year the elders began taking steps to foster new elders, but to also give those who were serving a chance to take a sabbatical (at least a year off). Before we started that process in earnest, Robert (Bobby) Anderson came on board as an elder. Last November, when the process was started, Jeff Carlson took a sabbatical. Jeff had been on the leadership team of OVCF since its inception in 2004. Jeff was able to take his sabbatical because of Bobby joining our team. Tom Mangia began serving as an elder which allowed Wayne Akerson to take his sabbatical. Wayne had served OVCF as an elder for over 4 years and his work schedule so it was the perfect time. This past Monday, Jeff Carlson returned to the eldership after his sabbatical had run its course. We are in discussion with a couple of other men who are considering becoming an elder. What you should know is that each man works through a two-session study with me. We study what an elder is; why we have a plurality of elders; what an elder does; with the final session on the characteristics/qualities of an elder according to I Timothy and Titus. It is not an issue we take lightly, just picking a “body to fill a spot.” We work together as men who love Jesus and love OVCF.

My sermon this week is Real Power on Display from John 9-Acts 6. I look forward to sharing that with you this Sunday. And just in case you don’t know or haven’t been told lately: you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #268

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #268. It is always good to chat with you and let you know some of what is happening at OVCF and with the people of our church family.

SUNDAY IS A DAY FOR US TO REMEMBER!

• • • Our 21st anniversary celebration is now in the history books. It will go down as a day of joy, laughter, reminiscing, visits from old friends who came back to celebrate with us, new faces, food (lots of it), and a walk through of our new building with the chance to write Scripture or prayer requests on the exposed lumber. Thanks to everyone who contributed in some way and made it a day to remember.
    • Just FYI: I saw some of the requests on the stud walls and if any of them come to fruition it will most definitely be a day of rejoicing.
    • Before any online giving had been tabulated, we had over $8000 given toward the Building Fund to continue the work on our addition. With the online giving, a total of $9444.28 was given!!
      Thank you!! 🙂
    • We crossed the 200 barrier in attendance. I had one of our visitors say, “Now I know why you need to expand.” Confirmation from a new voice is nice.
    • What’s next? We are still waiting for the outside doors to come in and then be installed. When that happens HVAC will soon be installed, with electric and plumbing to follow.
    • The entryway from our current building to the new building will not be opened until the doors come in (they are expected in 4-5 weeks) and our HVAC is installed, due to security and heating. With the weather getting colder it would be hard to keep our current auditorium comfortable, as well as be cost effective.
    • Meanwhile, if you would ever like to walk through the building, we invite you to come when the office is open and take a walk through. As you do we ask that you pray as you do so for God to do a mighty work in that place and in His people who are meeting there. We are already praying for lives to be transformed.
    • We have always strived to keep you informed and up-to-date and promise to continue doing so either from the pulpit, through emails, or through the MM.
    • Oh, by the way: here are some of the comments on the post-it-note board in the new addition. People were asked to comment on their impressions/thoughts.
      • • • 1 Service! More room to grow 🙂
          • I like 1 srvic (a younger child…at least I hope) 🙂
          • More open and meeting new people
          • More room for the pre-school class!! (heart emoji)
          • One service. Meet new people
          • Room for a fellowship area, space for growth (heart emoji)
          • Designated meeting space for adults that isn’t the children’s classrooms
          • Can’t wait to get to know more of my church family better! (heart emoji). Excited for space to serve others
          • I’m so looking forward to see the early service people we started with 21 years ago! Praise God for what HE has done. May we make Him proud.

Don’t forget to pray for Angela Mayle as our educator of the week. Angela is the inclusion teacher for the Kindergarten classes at SES. She helps students who are struggling with the basic foundations-spelling, math and reading. She has been married to Brent for 25 years and they have one daughter, Addison, a junior at OVHS. When Jo and I go to SES to read to the K classes it is not unusual to see Angela sitting on the floor cross-legged teaching the kids. I said Sunday that she has my ultimate respect for 3 reasons: 1) she is sitting on the floor; 2) she is sitting cross-legged; and 3) she can still get up from the floor! 🙂

YOUTH NEWS

• • • Several of our young people were given the Top Cat Award for this past 9 weeks of school. The Top Cat is given to students who are helpful, friendly, and show the school’s life skills. Congratulations to Sophia Kropack and Brantley Schneider for their award!
    • Tanner Wood has been chosen as VP of the Student Council at SES. That deserves a Big High 5 (which I got Sunday).
    • The Girl’s Cross Country season came to an end in Brownsburg this past Saturday. Alli Anderson and Aubrey Mangia ran well and both set significant PRs, going under 22 minutes. But no one advanced. Liam Hogan, a friend of many of our young people, also had a big PR and went below 17 minutes, but did not advance. Tom Mangia, Aubrey’s father, said they had a good day, but it is probably the toughest regional in the state.
      Well done and great season Alli and Aubrey!

Have you remembered to be praying for Anna East? Anna is serving with YWAM (Youth With A
Mission) in New Zealand until the middle of February.

I thought it was pretty cool when Sonia Clausman, Aaron’s wife and Elijah and Abigail’s sister-in- law, was able to share that when she was a child she was a recipient of an Operation Christmas Child shoe box!! We have said all along that in addition to receiving a shoe box, each child also receives a gospel booklet in their language of God’s love for them. Sonia’s family still lives in Pakistan and her father pastors a church there. An added bonus: this coming Sunday Aaron and Sonia are going to share their love for mission work, especially in Pakistan. They will be speaking about 10-15 minutes in each service. I look forward to hearing more. Join us please.

My sermon Sunday is The Impact of One Life from Luke 19-John 8. I’ll give you a preview. I’m going to speak about 5 lives that were changed by Jesus and why. See if you can figure out the 5. See you then. Know you are loved. 🙂
Pastor Bill

P.S. My 2026 theme: STILL THE ONE! More info coming!!

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #267

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #267. I hope you had a good Fall Break and it hasn’t been too hard to get back into the daily grind. 🙂

My Fall Break was somewhat unusual for me. I attended a Chaplain/First Responder Training on Wednesday in Bloomington. When Ryan White became the Owen County Sheriff he asked if I would become the chaplain for the OCSD. I accepted and over the past 3-4 years have found myself involved in various types of “chaplain” situations, many different from any I have previously experienced. When Sheriff White asked me if I would like to attend this training, I knew I needed it. It was very helpful and enlightening and I hope it makes me a better chaplain, a better peer supporter, and also a better pastor.

The latter part of my Fall Break was officiating a wedding. Jo and I stayed in Carmel for me to officiate the wedding of Hunter Sturgeon and Abbey Butcher. Hunter is Jerry & Carol Sturgeon’s son. Jo and I agree on many things but there is one big, no make that huge thing, we agree on: neither one of us ever want to live in a big city. Carmel has to be the “roundabout capital of Indiana.” We love Spencer! We met people who had never heard of Spencer nor where it is located. Our “between Terre Haute and Bloomington” answer gave them a good idea, but we always finished with “and we love it there.”

Okay…enough about me. I want to remind you to pray for our educator of the week: Kristine Mangia. Kristine taught at 2 previous schools then taught at PES for 17 years. She made the move to SES 9 years ago. She has been married to Tom, one of our elders, for 8 years and they are the parents of Mason, Aubrey, and Jordan. Kristine also serves on the Hospitality Care Team here at OVCF. If you go for coffee before 2nd service you will see her there with a smile on her face. (Her son, Jordan, will also be greeting you with a blueberry muffin in his mouth). 🙂

NOW FOR THE BIG AND REALLY EXCITING NEWS!

• • • If you happened to be gone last week for a Fall Break getaway, you missed seeing the progress on the new addition. You could hardly miss it this week! WOW! The walls are up; the roof is on; the siding is on; and most of the interior walls are framed. The doors are not done but should be here this week. I was amazed when I saw the progress just by being gone most of the day on Wednesday and then Thursday and Friday.
    • That is going to make our 21st anniversary celebration even more exciting! Keep in mind that happens this coming Sunday, the 26th.
    • We will have two services-one at 9:00 and one at 10:45.
    • Following the second service we will be having a church-wide pitch-in.
    • We will also be able to take a walk-through of the new addition so you can get a more “close up” view of it. You will also be given an opportunity to write on the studded walls any praise or prayer you want to leave as a memento to God for His goodness to us.
    • I look forward to the day we occupy the new auditorium and lift our voices to “How Great Thou Art.” We must never forget that God has made this all possible. His goodness and blessings upon us and your faithfulness in giving for the past 7 years has brought us to this place of celebration. Thanks goes to God and thanks goes to you, who dreamed along with us of being in a facility where we could all worship together.
    • Keep in mind that all giving that day, unless designated, will go toward finishing the project. As we have said many times in the past, and for the new ones who have recently joined the OVCF family, we will proceed as the money is available, and will not go in debt to do this project.
    • ONE VERY, VERY, VERY (DID I SAY VERY?) SPECIAL REQUEST: We are going to need all the parking we can get, especially for that second service and the pitch-in. If you are physically able, and it is not muddy or wet, may I ask you to park on the east side of the parking lot in the grass (where our future parking lot will be)? I’ll be there so you will know where to park.

CONGRATULATIONS to the OVHS Girls’ Cross Country Team! They will be going to the regionals in Brownsburg this Saturday! Alli Anderson and Aubrey Mangia are part of this team. A friend of many of our young people, Liam Hogan, will be going as an individual competitor. I’m super excited about a future possibility that will begin to take shape in just a few weeks. You may have heard me talk about reading and forming some thoughts in my mind about a special needs ministry as part of our children’s programs here at OVCF. I’m happy to say that several others have also volunteered to help in making that a future reality. As I write this, 14 folks have agreed to be on the team to help dream, brainstorm, and plan to make this possible. Two of the 14 are young people who have a huge heart for special needs kids. I don’t know the time table of this venture due to our limitation of space at the current moment, but it is wise to begin planning NOW for this ministry to become a reality. I’ll share more with you after our first meeting. It is scheduled for Monday, November 10 at 6:00. You might be thinking that you would like to consider helping in one way or another. Please feel free to come to that meeting and give your positive thoughts on how we can reach out to these young people and their families and friends. All I ask is that you please let me know if you are interested in coming.

I’ve also had to make a tough decision due to the season of life this church fellowship is in. I’ve decided to forego having a Thanksgiving meal this year for the community. It really takes a lot of organizing and cooperation to make it happen. We made a decision a couple of years ago to not overload our church family with events and happenings during the months of October-December. After Operation Christmas Child, I would really like us to focus on giving to Backpack Buddies in December. There are kids in our community who need food during the holidays, and even weekly. We can do our part with that. More information will be coming.

My sermon this Sunday is Jesus the Radical from Luke 4-18. I look forward to sharing that with you. Until then…know you are loved.

Pastor Bill

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #266

Hello everyone and welcome to Midweek Message #266. We are on the downslope heading toward a much-needed and much-welcomed Fall Break by all. There will not be a Midweek Message next week because of Fall Break, but please try to contain your disappointment. 🙂 Have a good rest of the week and a safe time if you are traveling.

Please be praying for Cara King, our educator of the week. Cara has been married to Brad for 34 years and they have two children, Cooper and Cambria. She is a Kindergarten teacher at McCormick’s Creek Elementary and has been teaching for a total of 30 years. Cara is also involved on our worship team and is the coordinator for the elementary classes in our children’s programs. I have it on good authority that she and Kris Samick are 3 days apart in age (but I won’t tell who is older or how old) and have been lifelong friends.

Another prayer concern: Anna East leaves for New Zealand for her mission trip with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) this Thursday. Pastor Ryan is flying out with her to help her on the initial flight and getting settled, then will be flying back on the 16th. Please pray for Anna’s time in New Zealand, that it would be fruitful and life-changing. And safe. And please pray for Pastor Ryan’s safe trip back home, as well as the whole East clan as they adjust to Anna being away on her trip.

I have some fantastic news to share with you (other than I have a birthday coming up)!! 🙂 By the time you receive this, the building materials will have been delivered and construction of the shell will have begun, weather permitting. That is a full week earlier than they predicted! It looks like our dream of over 7 years is finally becoming a reality. That also means we will have the much-anticipated blessing of being able to walk through the addition during our 21st anniversary celebration on October 26th.

• • • Two services (9:00 and 10:45 am) followed by a pitch-in dinner.
    • We anticipate a large crowd so if you would like to help and are able to, please park in the grass on the east side of the parking lot. Part of our future plans are to expand the parking lot to the east.
    • Remember: all giving that day will go to the Building Fund, unless otherwise designated. We will continue paying cash for the building as we move forward.

YOUTH NEWS

• • • The combined choirs had a music-filled afternoon this past Sunday. While I don’t have a complete list, I do know of several of our young people who were in the concert. Cecilia Arnold had a solo. Also in the concert was Aasha Srinivasan, Sophia Kropack and CJ Wood. I’m sure there were more, so if I missed someone please let me know.
    • Akaydia Beckwith represented OVMS at the state cross country meet on Saturday. She placed 269th out a field of 457 runners with a time of 14:03! Tad Nicholson was part of the boys’ cross country team at the state meet. The OVMS team placed 45th among 56 teams. Tad finished 384th out of 584 runners!
    • Akaydia also had a barrel race this weekend and finished 2nd and 4th in her classes.
    • Conrad and Calvin Keene are playing Fall baseball at the sports complex.
    • Skyler (5th grade) and Dax and Piper (twins) led the pledge at the last school board meeting. They are the children of Zach and Nicole Bell.
    • There is no Deeper on Oct. 8 & 15. ROOTS will not meet Sunday, the 12th. Enjoy your Fall break!

Operation Christmas Child has begun! Every year we have gladly taken part in putting shoe boxes together for children. This effort is sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse and the goal is to show the love of Jesus to thousands of children around the world. You may pick up the shoeboxes and labels at the display in the hallway. Boxes are due by Sunday, Nov. 16th. If you have any questions, please ask Diana.

Brandon and Anna Chandler are new parents to Lydia Diane, born on 9/29 at 8:46 PM. She weighed 8#14oz, and was 21” long. Congrats to Brandon and Anna, as well as grandparents, Jason and April Chandler, as well as aunts, Gloria and Gracie. Justin and Stevie Chandler are also an uncle and aunt.

Kris Samick has set up two Meal Trains for families in the church. If you go to the OVCF Facebook group you will see one for the Chandlers (new baby) and one for the Pendleton family (Maverick is a 2nd grader at PES who has had brain cancer for over 2 years. He is back at Riley). The Meal Train is a great ministry and is much appreciated by the families who are shown this kind of love. Please contact Kris if you have any questions.

Something to think about: One of the outreaches we do for Spencer and the Owen County area is we offer a Thanksgiving lunch at the Lions Club. In a few weeks I will be coming to you for help in several different areas-delivery, serving, preparing food. I just wanted to give you a heads up that it will be coming.

I mentioned Sunday that my friend Dave passed away. He has been an important part of my life since 2016 when I was hit by a hit-and-run driver while riding my bike. When I first met Dave he was leading the 3 Feet Please organization that advocates for states to pass a law that requires drivers give cyclists 3 feet when they pass. He has made several visits here, been generous to OVCF, and has met many of you. He was one of my best friends, even though he lived in AZ. In February of 2024 Jo & I spent a week with him and his wife, Susan having fun and visiting Sedona and the Grand Canyon. It was less than a week later I received a phone call from him and soon found out he was hospitalized with an aggressive glioblastoma. He fought valiantly for 18 months but last Monday night/Tuesday morning he finished his fight. Our last time together was in March when they came to visit and spend a few days with us. Sometime in November Jo and I will be going to AZ for his celebration of life. In the meantime, would you please pray for Susan and her family? Thanks.

My sermon this Sunday is entitled Keeping Things in Order from Matthew 22-Mark 7. I look forward to seeing. Until then…know you are loved.

Pastor Bill