Our new youth minister, John Pape and family, have arrived from Indiana. A group from OCC helped unload their moving truck yesterday beginning around 5 p.m. The truck was completely unloaded by a little after 6 p.m. Then we had a nice time of fellowship with pizza and pop. Thanks to everyone that helped!

Jacy loved the balloons.

Jacy with her cousins (Jeremiah, Riley, Jonathan) and brother, Noah.

Jacy with her princess birthday hat.

Jacy feeding (or suffocating) her new baby.

The boy cousins sporting their new look.

Jacy and Jeremiah playing with the rocks.

Our family (most of them anyway).

Jacy with her birthday pancakes and candles. She actually blew them out!

Noah and proud sister, Jacy.

Noah thinking, “Do you have to take all these pictures?”

Noah and his new Hot Wheels backpack.

Noah all buckled in Daddy’s cool car.

Noah and a Michael’s Bakery chocolate donut for breakfast!

Noah thinking, “I hate all these pictures!”

Noah and Jacy outside the school entrance.

Noah and his Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lantz.

I’ll be concluding the message series “What’s the Difference?” this Sunday with Islam. If you’ve missed one or more of the messages, you can click here and download them. I’d especially suggest Isaac Leimeister’s message on August 15th if you haven’t heard it. It was terrific!

See you Sunday!

1. Am I so busy that I no longer enjoy life?

2. Life happens – are you living in the moment?

- Do less

- Be present

- Capture the moment

- Appreciate God’s creation

3. This life will end – what is your destination?

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for people to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toil – some labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them – for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives people wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:18, 19

Remember, our VBS closing program is during second service on July 25th. So if you want to hear the answers to the questions, you’ll need to attend first service. Life is hard!

What happens when the world comes to an end? With so many books and movies claiming to know what will happen, it can be difficult to have a secure understanding. Join us beginning June 27th as we set out to discover what the Bible says about the end of the world and how you can survive it all. Are you ready?

6/27 - Signs of the Times (Matthew 24:1-28)

7/4 – The Day of Christ’s Return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11)

7/18 – Judgment Day (Matthew 25:31-46)

7/25 – End of the World Q & A (You can submit questions on Sunday morning or by leaving a comment here. Deadline for questions is 7/18.)

Note: I’ll be preaching first service only on 7/18 and 7/25 because of community worship service (7/18) and VBS closing program (7/25). Ralph Eichelberger, Camp Coordinator at Round Lake, will be preaching a stand alone message on 7/11. Thanks!

Noah and Jacy are ready to head to the pool.

Noah and Jacy floating in the pool.

Noah and I taking a ride on the three-wheel bike.

Noah and Jacy playing some shuffleboard.

Noah and Beth walking to the ocean.

Jacy looking cool at the beach.

Isn’t she just adorable?

Jacy and Beth on the beach. My girls!

Noah loved the ocean and his star inner tube.

Jacy playing in the sand.

Noah and Jacy eating lunch at the beach.

“Hey, Noah! Want a carrot?”

Jacy relaxing on a rocker at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage restaurant.

Noah absolutely loved mini-golf at Smuggler’s Cove.

A common sight where we stayed.

A new sign is being installed at the main entrance to OCC. The old sign is starting to come down. Above is a picture of what the new sign will look like (click on picture to enlarge). This project will take approximately four weeks. Money for this project came from a private donor. That means no funds for the sign will come out of our general operating budget. We’re very thankful for this generous gift. The sign will be a tremendous asset. Yea God!

Our son, Noah, turns 5 today. I love you, buddy! (He really doesn’t wear glasses. Those are Nana’s. Doesn’t it make him look older?)

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday, dear Noah

Happy Birthday to you!