Thanks for reading the digital bulletin for today. Let's pray and be focused on what God has for us in His Word and also seek to touch the lives of those around us.

If it is your first time being with us, please know that we are very thankful that you are here and pray that God would touch your life today and meet your needs.

If there is something we can do for you, please don't hesitate to let Pastor Mark Sage know, Pastor Jon, or one of the ushers. Pastor Sage's mobile phone is t (513) 716-2315 or pastorsage@gmail.com.

11 am Service

694 JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN

53 WORTHY OF PRAISE

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCMENTS

71 WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES

SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 20:1-11

559 FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

SERMON: 11th Hour Christians

476 I SURRENDER ALL

Afternoon Service

86 GOD OF THE AGES

239 IN CHRIST ALONE

SERMON: Conquering Giants

13 BOW THE KNEE

The famous and very successful football coach Bear Bryant often told reporters, "I’d croak in a month if I quit coaching." After twenty-five years as the head coach at his alma mater, Bryant announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. On December 29, 1982, he coached his Alabama football team for the last time in the Liberty Bowl against Illinois. On January 26, 1983, he died of a massive heart attack.

Every one of us needs a reason to live—a compelling cause and purpose that keeps us going when we would rather quit. We all face obstacles that hinder us and make life difficult. Some people allow those obstacles to stop them. Others overcome. The difference is not in the obstacles, but in the determination and drive of the person who faces the obstacles.

Marla Runyan gave her all to qualify for the Olympic Games in 1996, but her best time finished short of the mark to make the United States team. Undeterred by that failure, she returned in 2000 and made the team for the Sydney Olympics. Her eighth place finish in the 1,500 meter race was the best finish ever for a United States woman runner. The thing that makes Runyan’s accomplishments even more remarkable is that she is legally blind. She is the first legally blind athlete to ever qualify for and compete in the Olympic Games. After her Olympic career was over she switched to running marathons and in 2002 posted the second fastest debut marathon time ever by an American woman.

Runyan can only see shapes and blurs, but she says that her lack of vision is actually an asset—she just focuses on the finish line in front of her rather than looking around to see what the other runners are doing. Not having visual distractions helps her compete and win her races. The same thing can be true in our lives. There will always be things that try to pull us away from what we should be focused on doing. Many times these will be good things, but we must be willing to set them aside and stay focused on what is most important.

-Source: Ministry 127