Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #192! I am excited to welcome you to this edition of the MM with these words: HERE COMES THE SUN! I have to admit I was drooling at the sunshine this past week. Sunday was especially beautiful. Someone asked me this week if I had ridden my bike outside the past week or so. I told them, \u201cNo it is on a trainer inside. If I rode outside and then had to go back inside I wouldn\u2019t be able to handle it. I\u2019ll wait.\u201d But this sure gets the anticipation going.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Remember to pray for our educators of the week: Tom Arthur is an Owen Valley graduate and is in his first year as Principal at OVMS. His wife is Penny and they have two children, Tara and Jackson.\u00a0 Duane Potts is in his first year as the Assistant Principal at the Middle School after 20+ years in the classroom. His wife, Tricia, teaches kindergarten at MCES. They have two daughters, Kelsey and Kayla, both who are still in college. I know Tom & Duane would appreciate your prayers. The youth corner has some slim pickings this week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/li>\n <\/span><\/li>\n Speaking of our young people: don\u2019t forget Hilltop Christian Camp registration is now open. Every summer we send a ton of campers to spend time at Hilltop. There is something for all ages. Some of you may be saying, \u201cHilltop? What is Hilltop?\u201d It is a church camp in Brown County that we support financially each month as part of our missions giving, plus we send campers there. Information and registration forms are at the info table or you can register online at hilltopchristiancamp.com. Please keep in mind discounts are in place for early registration. <\/span>An added bonus! On March 3<\/b>rd<\/b>, Ryan and Mala Croft, the directors of Hilltop, will be with us for both services to give a brief recap of camp. After their recap in the second service, they will be with the young people for a presentation (and making s\u2019mores).<\/b> Please mark your calendar!!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Connections Women\u2019s Ministry has an event scheduled for Saturday, the 24<\/span>th<\/span> at 2:00. It is an Over 40 vs. Under 40 Trivia Showdown. You are asked to bring a snack to share and a willingness to allow the Over 40 crowd to win. Oops! I wasn\u2019t supposed to add that latter part. <\/span>\ud83d\ude0a<\/span> Sounds like fun though. Contact Macy Carlson if you have any questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I have thoroughly enjoyed preparing and preaching this series WELCOME HOME\u2026<\/span>where<\/span><\/i>\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These next two weeks were not part of my original plans but with there being two weeks and the rest of Colossians 3 I thought it would be good to continue the topic. The next two weeks are <\/span>Tough Challenges are Given. <\/span><\/i>It is actually in two parts. I will be preaching Part 1 (Col. 3:5-11) and Pastor Ryan will be preaching Part 2 (3:12-17).\u00a0 Thanks also to Westin & Cassie Linville for the WELCOME HOME mat at the front door.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jo and I plan to leave for Arizona on Tuesday, the 20<\/span>th<\/span>, to visit with our friends, Dave and Susan Waechter and to also pay a personal visit to the folks behind the MAK Foundation (they have been so generous in their support of OVCF) to tell them thanks in person. A letter has been sent each time the church has received a donation, but there is something to be said for a personal thank you. We will be back, Lord willing, late on the 27<\/span>th<\/span>. Besides the Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix area, we also plan to visit Scottsdale, Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Dave said there is a possibility of rain due to the weather system in California. Prayers for safe travel and good weather would be much appreciated. One major announcement as a result (besides Pastor Ryan preaching):<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n My sermon series for March will be <\/span>Jesus Unfiltered<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0 I\u2019ll share more with you in next week\u2019s MM. Then I finish Revelation. Then again\u2026 \ud83d\ude0a<\/span><\/p>\n Have a great rest of the week. See you Sunday. Love you all.<\/span><\/p>\n Pastor Bill<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDWEEK MESSAGE #192 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #192! I am excited to welcome you to this edition of the MM with these words: HERE COMES THE SUN! I have to admit I was drooling at the sunshine this past week. Sunday was especially beautiful. Someone asked me this week if I had ridden … <\/p>\n
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