MIDWEEK MESSAGE #119<\/b><\/p>\n
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #119.\u00a0 Thanks for taking the time to download and read this. I don\u2019t take that for granted.<\/p>\n
We have several new readers to the MM and perhaps you may be wondering what this is all about. I\u2019d like to take a few moments of your precious time to fill you in on what the MM is and why I started it and still write it.\u00a0 Here is your brief history lesson: Back in 2020 a number of folks, including all the staff, got COVID. As per usual, no one has a clue how it happened or how it spread. We all limped (by all, I mean the church family) limped into 2021. Shortly after the turn of the clock, Governor Holcomb asked for businesses and others to close or to reduce operation. The leadership of OVCF decided to comply with his directive, not knowing how long it would last. (Who did?)\u00a0 Here was what I wrote in my very first MM: \u201cWho\u2019d a thunk it just a couple of weeks ago that meeting together would be our last time for who-knows-how-long?\u201d\u00a0 Because I was unsure of its duration, and because my ability to visit was limited, I decided to start writing the MM. Here were my words:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like this to be a regular feature during this time each week to communicate with you via email about different things. This is just me to you from my heart to yours. A little bit of this and a little bit of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
I went on to say: \u201cThis is an unprecedented time. Some of us have lived through 9\/11 and remember it well. Some have lived through the swine flu, the Asian flu, the Hong Kong flu, and for some old-timers, the Great Depression\u2026Long story short, we will get through this one day at a time. Psalm 91:1-2 says, \u201cHe who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, \u2018My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.\u2019\u201d (ESV)\u00a0 You know, we did come through it. Some more scathed than others, but we found out God was true to His Word of being faithful in all things. My thoughts haven\u2019t changed on that one bit.<\/p>\n
I recently read a book on Discerning God\u2019s Will called The Trail<\/i> by Pastor Ed Underwood. Actually, it was the second time I read it. It was released in 2014 and I read it fairly shortly after that.\u00a0 Lots of people have questions about God\u2019s will.\u00a0 \u201cHow do I know if I\u2019m doing the right thing?\u201d \u201cHow do I know if I\u2019m doing what God wants me to do for my life?\u201d Those and more are legitimate questions, but not always easily answered.\u00a0 Rather than pray for God\u2019s will to be known in my life, I have begun asking Him to direct where He is working and put me there. He will never steer me wrong. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, \u201cTrust in the Lord with all your heart and do nor lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.\u201d Some translations say \u201cHe will direct your paths.\u201d\u00a0 I am a firm believer that God will never lead me down the wrong path. He does want me to take His hand and let Him lead me.<\/p>\n
WOW! That sure is a switch for the MM. Normally, I start out by going easy then becoming \u201cpreachy\u201d at the end. \u263a Hopefully, you didn\u2019t feel too bombarded so quickly and will keep reading.<\/p>\n
This past Sunday I interviewed Robert Herrington, who will be commissioned this coming Saturday, and then will soon find out where he will be stationed and what he will be doing for the Army. I\u2019m sure he will appreciate your prayers for his future.\u00a0 As we pray for Robert, Logan Cain will graduate from USMC boot camp and will return home for a short stint before he goes to Missouri to continue his Marine Corp duty as an MP. It will be good to see him this Sunday. His family, the Coursons, and the Anderson family leave Wednesday for San Diego and will fly back home Saturday and plan to be here Sunday. I hope you will congratulate Logan for his accomplishment.<\/p>\n
Roots got off to a good start! Pastor Ryan had a great group of young people Sunday night for the first Roots of the new school year.\u00a0 You can help out with Roots by signing up to provide food for them on Sunday night. They are not asking for you to provide a three-course meal (although I have never seen a teenager turn down good food), but to simply provide snacks\/drinks for a night. Ryan or Hope can give you a better idea of what is enjoyed by the teens. There is a sign-up sheet on the info table at the back of the auditorium.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d like to remind you to pray for our educator of the week. It is our very own Kris Samick, who is the Director of Communications at S-OCS. Kris lets me know how much she appreciates the prayers on her behalf. Why not stop right now and say a prayer for her?<\/p>\n
I\u2019m going to reiterate a request I made a couple of weeks ago in my sermon. Karen Turner and Joe Pavich (and Ryan by default) make it their ministry to live stream our services each week-one at 9:00 and one at 10:45. But we could sure use another hand or two to help. Case in point: I will be gone on October 2nd (Lord willing). Pastor Ryan is preaching. He is also scheduled to play the drums.\u00a0 If Joe is unable to come for some reason, Ryan is unable to preach, play drums and run the live stream. If you would like to help, please see Ryan or me and we will direct you to Joe Pavich.<\/p>\n
Update: After our visit to Graber Post Buildings and my report to you (MM#114), I have been in contact with GPB recently about our proposed addition. The drawings were to have been done yesterday and the process of pricing to be started.\u00a0 I will keep you posted. Meanwhile, thanks so much for your generosity to the Building Fund! Every little bit helps us reach our goal. Our current fund is at $215,154.85! \u263a That will go a long way towards getting our project started!<\/p>\n
I hope you have a great rest of the week. Lord willing, Jo and I will be leaving Thursday for Ohio to visit her sister on Friday and watch Braden play football on Saturday morning. I plan to be here to preach on Good Grief!<\/i> (Beatitude #2) this Sunday. I love you all.<\/p>\n
Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MIDWEEK MESSAGE #119 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #119.\u00a0 Thanks for taking the time to download and read this. I don\u2019t take that for granted. We have several new readers to the MM and perhaps you may be wondering what this is all about. I\u2019d like to take a few moments of your precious … <\/p>\n