MIDWEEK MESSAGE #32<\/p>\n
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Good morning and welcome to Midweek Message #32. It sure has been an eventful time hasn\u2019t it? Jo and I went to the Owen County Chamber of Commerce Annual \u201cBanquet\u201d that wasn\u2019t a banquet at the Tivoli Monday night. This community sure is blessed with some super people. Aaron LaGrange was pictured as Wolverine (it was super hero night) and honored for his work with Backpack Buddies. In his short speech he mentioned those who are part of his \u201cinner three\u201d and one of them was our own Linda St. John.\u00a0 Also, while Marce King was giving a very good overview of this past year, she talked about the Back to School Expo that was moved from the Middle School to the Fairgrounds. She recognized OVCF for its donation to the Chamber for the purchase of supplies.\u00a0 In the past around 400 backpacks with school supplies were given away. This Expo gave away over 600+ packs! I was honored to help on that day but was really proud of the church when we were mentioned.\u00a0 And to top off the evening I had the chance to meet one of Tami\u2019s high school friends and a friend who represented Duke Energy. When they found out about Backpack Buddies, they presented Aaron a check for $2000 to help. That was a phenomenal gesture to benefit a program for 1 out of 5 kids in Owen County who would go without food on the weekends and school breaks.<\/p>\n
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Speaking of youth, I want to highlight a few.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019d like to let you know of something which is developing. In the past we have offered a Thanksgiving meal at the Lion\u2019s Club from 11-1:00 on Thanksgiving Day. Covid has changed a lot of things and one of those is the meal this year. We have decided to only offer delivery or curbside pick-up at OVCF<\/strong> this year. I will miss the personal interaction that we had with folks who came to eat lunch with us, but this is a good alternative for this crazy year. However, this may not happen at all. Unless someone steps up as a coordinator for the meal by Wednesday, November 3rd<\/sup>, we will have to cancel the meal.<\/em><\/strong> Jo, Tami and I will be in Ohio for Thanksgiving (Wednesday through Friday) so we will be unable to be involved on that day. We will be willing to help get you started and I will work with the person who steps up to be in charge of delivery. That really doesn\u2019t leave much time but it can be done!! So if you are reading this and would be willing to oversee the meal, please let me know ASAP. We (Jo & I) plan to coordinate the Christmas breakfast so that meal is covered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Operation Christmas Child is in full mode (more boxes are available). The church is donating money to Tri Kappa for their \u201cChristmas Shopping for Kids\u201d program. Christmas breakfast will happen (unless something alters that plan) and we plan to give bags of food to those who need them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here is some great news!\u00a0 Our offering last week (Anniversary Sunday) was over $4800. We divided the money evenly between Operation Heal Our Patriots, Dottie\u2019s Refuge (a local women\u2019s ministry), and a clinic in Liberia, where Frog is working hard to get the clinic open. Thank you so much for being so generous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This Sunday\u2019s sermon is on \u201cWhat about Searing Loss?\u201d\u00a0 I\u2019d love to have you check in-either in person or online. \u00a0Until then, know you are loved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pastor Bill<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDWEEK MESSAGE #32 Good morning and welcome to Midweek Message #32. It sure has been an eventful time hasn\u2019t it? Jo and I went to the Owen County Chamber of Commerce Annual \u201cBanquet\u201d that wasn\u2019t a banquet at the Tivoli Monday night. This community sure is blessed with some super people. Aaron LaGrange was … <\/p>\n