MIDWEEK MESSAGE #39<\/p>\n
Good morning and welcome to Midweek Message #39!\u00a0 I appreciate you taking some time out of your busy day to spend a little bit of time with me. Of course, that is if you read this. If not then I guess you are missing out on one of the best part of your day\u2026despite what Folgers says. Anyway, I am glad you are here.<\/p>\n
First up is a reminder about our food bags. Food is coming in but names are not. To date we have received one name. In the past this has not been a problem because we offered bags to those who came in for breakfast or when we delivered food to them. But, as you know, that breakfast has gone the way of just about everything else due to \u2018rona so we are short on names. So please\u2026if you know of anyone who needs some food please let Jo know or call the church office (812.828.9840).\u00a0 The information will be recorded and passed along.<\/p>\n
Second, this a friendly reminder about the Christmas Eve service at 6:00.\u00a0 It will include some singing of carols, communion and a short meditation. My reason for having one is simple: we all need a time to relax and get away and enjoy the season. We are even going to laugh a bit during the evening. It might last 45 minutes but I can promise it will be worth it.<\/p>\n
Third, even though this may be a weird season to say we are going to celebrate Christmas, the real meaning and joy of the season is not confined by walls, doors or a virus. The last I heard the size of a person\u2019s heart cannot be determined by outside influences.<\/em>\u00a0 May I suggest you get creative in your way of showing you care? Pick up your phone and text or call, or horror of horrors, send a card with a hand-written note in the mail. Of course if you do the latter you may have to have the emergency squad standing by. It might be such a shock to someone\u2019s system to actually receive something the old-fashioned way. Here\u2019s another suggestion: how about finding some children and send them a card and include a small gift card of $5 or so for some place to eat? I have yet to meet a child who didn\u2019t like to receive mail and none\u2026zero\u2026NONE\u2026who didn\u2019t like a gift card to eat somewhere.\u00a0 And DO. IT. LOCALLY! You are making both a child happy (and their parents), but also helping the local businesses. You will be glad you did and it will make your heart so warm you won\u2019t need hot chocolate.<\/p>\n Fourth, for several Midweek Messages I thanked people for their contribution to the ministry of OVCF on Sunday morning. The teachers and helpers in the youth department. The teenagers who help lead the worship in the youth department. The two ladies who help at the check-in desk. Those who are involved in the live stream and some \u201ctechie\u201d stuff on Sunday. We have several who each week make sure the soundboard is manned (or is that also womanned?) Thank you, Macy and Emily for joining the soundboard team! I think all these folks deserve a round of applause. Thanks to all of you for a job well-done, even when you try to silence me.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not too sure about writing a MM next week. You all have enough to do during the Christmas week without me clamoring for your time. So please allow me to share some thoughts with you that I recently read. They are from a Christmas devotional called Come Let Us Adore Him<\/em> by Paul David Tripp (a highly recommended one by the way). I am on my 6th<\/sup> time through in the last 4 years. While writing about Isaiah 9:6-7 he gave the following ideas on what every sinner desperately needs:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What better news is that? I\u2019d suggest putting that in some stockings and give it as a gift to yourself and to others. Have a great rest of the week and an even better Christmas week. I love you all. I am \u201cproofing\u201d this on Wednesday before Diana sends it. Would someone please tell me what that white stuff is that blanketed my car?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDWEEK MESSAGE #39 Good morning and welcome to Midweek Message #39!\u00a0 I appreciate you taking some time out of your busy day to spend a little bit of time with me. Of course, that is if you read this. If not then I guess you are missing out on one of the best part of … <\/p>\n\n