MIDWEEK MESSAGE #52<\/p>\n
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #52. I am honored you are taking some of your valuable time to read this MM. I seriously don\u2019t want to waste your time so I have something I\u2019d like to present to you.<\/p>\n
I started this to keep in touch with you during the pandemic. Although it is not over yet, it seems<\/em> like we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. So here is the favor I have to ask. Because I value your time and mine, I\u2019d like to know what you think of the MM. I have included a real short 3 question survey. Please take a moment to read it and answer it. Please return the answers to me at pastor@ovcf.org<\/a> or if you are concerned you might hurt my feelings (you won\u2019t), you may reply to Diana at secretary@ovcf.org<\/a>. Here you go:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is it. Three simple questions. We send this to about 100+ email addresses. Diana also posts it to our FB page and it is also posted on the church\u2019s website. That is a lot of extra work for something not read or wanted. So would you please take a moment and send an email to me or Diana and answer the three questions? And trust me: I\u2019m not looking for pats on the back. Just answers. You can do it anonymously if you prefer. Thanks.<\/p>\n No pressure on that survey. It\u2019s just that the earth may go out of orbit and the sky may fall if you don\u2019t respond. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n Well\u2026Resurrection Sunday was all I had dreamed it would be. It was so good to see people face to face I hadn\u2019t been able to see for what seems like an eternity. Our online service is essential but nothing can take the place of a church community being together.\u00a0 The best part were the visitors who came and the smiles on people\u2019s faces. To see and hear about the activity in the youth area warmed my heart. To see the generosity of so many knowing that unless designated the offering would be going to missions. And boy did you guys come through!! \u00a0In fact, you came through in spades. We were able to give 5 missions $1125 each, plus our regular offering was outstanding. I was especially stoked by the missions offering. Some missions have really been hurting due to the pandemic so the gift we were able to give speaks highly of your heart. Thank you so much!<\/p>\n I\u2019m not foolish enough (plus I have been around the block a few times) to think this coming week will be like this past Sunday. But I sure can dream! \ud83d\ude42 I look forward to seeing the momentum this gives us.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be resuming my series on Ecclesiastes this Sunday. Ryan will be preaching on the 18th<\/sup> (Eccl. 12:1-8) and then I will finish it on the 25th<\/sup>. My next series will be \u201cEyes Wide Open,\u201d a look at how Jesus responded to individual people, especially those who were considered outcasts. Then beginning the first week of July I plan to start a 16 week series on Mark-\u201cThe Gospel for Busy People.\u201d\u00a0 That could always change though so please don\u2019t hold me hostage if it does. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n Transparency time. Some will say, \u201cOh-oh\u201d but rest easy. Whenever people look at the church and judge its \u201csuccess\u201d or not, it is often judged on numbers and offering. I have to admit being caught up in that in times past. Even with Resurrection Sunday, I had to guard against that thinking. \u201cWe were \u2018successful\u2019 because our building was full and our offering was good.\u201d But I know that is not the way to judge the church.\u00a0 Just today (Tuesday) I finished a book called A Church Called Tov<\/em>. \u00a0That is pronounced with a long O and is the Hebrew word for \u201cgood\u201d and speaks of the whole idea of a church developing a goodness culture, as opposed to a toxic culture.\u00a0 It was quite revealing and challenging. I hope to write a study of the book and go through it with the elders first, then if it goes well with anyone who wants to study it.\u00a0 Here are two conclusive thoughts it brings out at the end of the book:<\/p>\n A tov church is a Christ-bearing church. Its culture embraces the pursuit of \u201cChristoformity,\u201d a life surrendered to Jesus for the sake of others. (Recap of thoughts from pages 217-219)<\/p>\n Growth is good, but the purpose of the church is not numerical growth or filling seats. The purpose of the church is conformity to Christ. (p.219)<\/p>\n Just those two thoughts alone give rise to ideas to ponder. Following Jesus is more than words; it is actions- actions which are good. Hence, a tov (goodness) culture.<\/p>\n That\u2019s it for the week. I hope you have a fantastic week. I love you all.<\/p>\n Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDWEEK MESSAGE #52 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #52. I am honored you are taking some of your valuable time to read this MM. I seriously don\u2019t want to waste your time so I have something I\u2019d like to present to you. I started this to keep in touch with you during the pandemic. … <\/p>\n\n