The O is sent in text only form this week since Troy VanLiere and his family are on vacation. Please show your appreciation to Troy for making the "O" look good each week.
Weekly Word
Eternal Light
“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” (Psalm 18:28).
There is not a single road that we walk alone, especially the ones that seem the loneliest and darkest. I remember visiting Cumberland Caverns on an eighth grade field trip. These caverns seemed endless as we middle schoolers wound our way through the cold, dark tunnels, nothing lighting our way but small flashlights. Our hands reached forward in hopes of feeling the person in front of us. Our journey is often like this but in our case God is always in front of us whether we feel Him or not. He keeps our lamps burning. He turns our darkness into light. He guides us through every tunnel.
I am aware of some of the dark times in your lives – the disappointments that don’t make sense, the sticky places that are hard to maneuver, the waiting and waiting and waiting, the rejections, the detours that require you to begin again when you aren’t sure if you can. God is ahead turning darkness into light. Work and walk to the edge of your light and there will be more light at just the right time!
Speaking of sticky places, I remember walking through “Bubble Gum Alley” named as such for the sticky, glue like substance that lined the cave floor in a narrow, tight alley in the caverns. It was literally like walking on top of a bed of bubblegum. There was no way to walk fast because you spent so much time recovering or trying to free yourself from the last one. I learned that speed wasn’t the important thing, rather the ongoing determination to take slow, intentional steps. Before long, I had walked into freedom, breaking through the stickiness of it all.
No problem or challenge in your life or mine is greater than our God. Be a determined disciple, not by gritting your teeth, but by holding to His Almighty Hand! May He light your way!
For Encouragement in the Dark Times and For Light at the Right Time,
Chris
Announcements
This Sunday during Acts 2:42 Lindsey Wolford, our former youth director and friend, will be sharing about her ministry and time in Ireland. Plan to be at church by 9:15 a.m. for a time of fellowship before we hear with great anticipation from Lindsey.
The July Women's Ministry Fellowship will be on July 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Sherry Carter hosted by Sherry Carter and Mary Weekly. We plan to have a baked potato bar. Please see Mary or Sherry to sign up for what potato topping you plan to bring. These times together have been so much fun...don't miss it.
The Ladies Prayer Group meets Wednesday at 9:15 a.m and the Men's Prayer Group meets Thursday at 6:30 a.m. at The Orchard Ministry Center.
Weekly Financial Report
Weekly Need $4,829
Last Week's Giving (Tithe:$2,902/Faith Promise:$630) $3,532
Over/Under -$1,297
YTD Actual Weekly Giving Average $5,936
YTD Weekly Average Over/Under $1,107
YTD Total Over/Under $31,000
Prayer Focus (July 19 - 25)
Sunday - Pray for Lindsey Wolford as she shares with us during Acts 2:42 and as we have an opportunity to fellowship with her.
Monday - Pray for our country - its leadership, economy, safety and to walk in God's will.
Tuesday - Pray for Gospel for Asia - one of our mission partners.
Wednesday - Pray for the women's Life's Healing Choices class as they conclude their study tonight that each participant will continue to walk out the choices to freedom, healing and wholeness.
Thursday - Pray for Jonathan and Cindy Sargent.
Friday - Pray for Don and Pat Shevel.
Saturday - Pray for the Spears' family - Chip, Darla, Christina and Allison.