MIDWEEK MESSAGE #69<\/p>\n
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #69.\u00a0 If this is your first time receiving the MM\u2026Welcome!\u00a0 Diana works hard trying to keep the files updated and we spent some time Monday morning doing just that. So you may be receiving this for the first time and in case you wonder why\u2026now you know. J\u00a0 If you are a \u201cveteran\u201d then thanks for hanging in there with me.<\/p>\n
The past few days have sure been very \u201cnon-August\u201d in the weather department.\u00a0 It has been a nice reprieve but did you ever get the feeling that summer isn\u2019t over yet? \u00a0I\u2019m sorry to say, though, for all school personnel (teachers, students, aides, administrators, etc.) summer is over. Officially. School starts here in Owen County on Thursday. I am pretty sure it starts all over our area this week as well. Here are some thoughts for you to consider:<\/p>\n
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If you are the parent of a student, you have my congratulations. J If you are a student, thank a teacher that you can read this.\u00a0 Just kidding. I pray for you to have a great school year.<\/p>\n
It was great having the 3 couples and their families from Chi Alpha this past Sunday. The video was top-notch and their short, precise presentation was spot on. I told the leaders at the elder\u2019s meeting Monday night that I appreciated the video because it focused on the students at IU. It focused on the life change Christ is bringing to lives through Chi Alpha. I want to thank you for making them feel so welcome. I love what Derek said. \u201cIt is very rare when we are invited into a church. Usually it is us contacting a church to see if we can come.\u201d I love that OVCF\u2019s leaders are so open to something different. Just to let you know: we are taking on a challenge we decided we wanted to do. Instead of just sending $50\/month for one couple or for them to split it, we have taken on the challenge of sending each couple $50\/month until at least the end of the year when we will reevaluate as the 2022 budget is worked on.<\/p>\n
Another challenge we accepted Monday night: we support the Old Folks Home in Liberia. These folks have nothing. Until Revive Liberia stepped in these poor old folks slept on dirt floors with no amenities. The young people on Sunday morning take up an offering and each month it goes to the Old Folks Home. We supplement what is collected so it reaches $50.\u00a0 Jeff shared that the need is really great since the price of rice alone has skyrocketed.\u00a0 We decided to bump our giving to $100\/month, at least until the end of the year when it too will be reevaluated.<\/p>\n
Both of those are possible because of your generosity. Thank you so much for helping us meet the Biblical mandate Jesus laid down: \u201cWhen I was hungry, you fed me; when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink; when I was naked, you clothed me; when I was in prison, you visited me.\u201d \u201cWhen did we do that?\u201d they asked. \u201cWhen you have done it to least of these you have done it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunday morning I saw a phenomenal display of service. The Chi Alpha families all had children. They were \u201cconsigned\u201d to sit and listen in the adult worship during first service (they would have had a chance to sleep during the sermon) until someone stepped up and volunteered to take the kids to the youth addition and allow them to be creative. I won\u2019t mention the person\u2019s name because she would be mad at me (and she wields a mean stick). Seriously though, she has no idea how much that meant to me, the parents of the children, and the kids. But that is what the church needs! People who will step up and say, \u201cI will do this.\u201d\u00a0 You might be saying right now, \u201cNo way would I do that with kids. They scare me!\u201d That might be true, but we have other areas where you could serve. Greeters on Sunday morning to simply say, \u201cHi! It is nice to have you.\u201d People who will mow the church lawn. People who will learn how to do the live stream. People who will spell Jo doing Power Point, especially for the second service. (She says she is getting old and having trouble staying awake during the sermon. It isn\u2019t the sermon. Right? RIGHT???<\/strong>) People with a knack for small children who will take a turn in the nursery (See Pastor Ryan about that). There are so many places help is needed. Being a servant is being like Jesus.<\/p>\n Pastor Ryan will be out of the office from Saturday, the 7th<\/sup> to Tuesday, the 17th<\/sup>. He will be back in the office on Wednesday, the 18th<\/sup>. If you have any needs please contact me or Diana. He and his family are enjoying much-needed and much-deserved time away from the office.<\/p>\n Please don\u2019t forget the Laws family will be with us Saturday, the 28th<\/sup> for a pitch-in cookout, and then will be sharing their testimony of God\u2019s faithfulness through Ryan\u2019s transplant on Sunday morning. I\u2019ll put more information in subsequent MM\u2019s. I\u2019d just like to ask you to set that weekend aside for a great opportunity to hear of our great God and to meet Mike, Trisha, and Ryan.<\/p>\n Gotta go. Hope you have a great rest of the week. I love you all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDWEEK MESSAGE #69 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #69.\u00a0 If this is your first time receiving the MM\u2026Welcome!\u00a0 Diana works hard trying to keep the files updated and we spent some time Monday morning doing just that. So you may be receiving this for the first time and in case you wonder why\u2026now you … <\/p>\n