The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Church Wednesday, November 21, 2018 C- 3 RAMBLINGS Continued from page 1 Continued in next column Continued from page 2 SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY? Give us a call: 812-354-8500 Continued on page 12 ter church we will practice our Christmas songs which we will be singing for Brook- side nursing home so if you want to sing with us be there to practice with us. We have several songs and some fun- ny ones as well as Spirituals. At Cup Creek we heard Bro. Jeff deliver a sermon about being thankful. When things go wrong find ways to be thankful for the things which have went right. For example when you are bone tired be thankful you can work and if you lose be thankful for the chance to play in the game. Those are simple examples of what he was saying but it was a great sermon and it hit home with all of who were there. Remember to be polite and be thankful to everyone you meet this week. Take time on Thanksgiving Day to reflect on the blessings you have rather than think about what you don't have. Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving. Forgiveness We've all had ample opportunities to forgive those who have hurt, abandoned, taken advantage of, or even betrayed us either knowingly or unknowingly. But, did we take the opportunity to forgive them? You may be thinking to yourself, "Opportunity! How in the world can forgiving someone who has wronged us be an opportunity?" It isn't an easy task to forgive, but it truly is beneficial. This is one of the reasons why, in Matthew 18:22, Jesus advises us to forgive others who have sinned against us seventy times seven. Jesus knows that if we forgive, we will live a life full of happiness, love, joy, and peace. He doesn't want us to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy life, He wants us to enjoy it now. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to give us life and give it more abundantly, but the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. The devil does not want us to forgive because his ultimate goal is to destroy us. This is why the devil would love for us to believe his lies that if we forgive, we are doing the person we're forgiving a favor. He also lies and tells us not to forget the offense, because if we do, the offender will get away with the sin and they deserve to be punished. But the truth is, when we listen to his lies and don't forgive, the offender isn't the one being punished, we are. Most of the time the offender doesn't even realize he/she did anything wrong. So, it actually works quite the opposite and the person who chooses not to forgive is the one who will suffer the consequences of unforgiveness. By choosing not to forgive, we allow the devil to wrap a chain around our minds and control us with his constant taunts and torments that remind us of the offense. This leads to unhappiness, bitterness, and misery, which in turn steals our joy and causes mental and physical illnesses. All the while, the devil is laughing and celebrating because he loves it when we suffer. However, the good news is that the chain can easily be broken when we choose to forgive and ask Jesus to cover the sin under the innocent blood He shed when He suffered and died on the cross for all of our sins. Another reason the devil doesn't want us to forgive is because he knows we won't be forgiven. Don't be mistaken, the devil knows the Holy Bible better than most Christians do. Therefore, he knows what it says about forgiveness and the freeing power that it has for us. He knows what Matthew 6:14-15 (NASB) states: "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." The devil does not fight fair and will use every tactic and tool he can to keep us from forgiving and forgetting. If we consider how many times we sin against others or sin on a daily basis, it will help us to look at forgiveness from a different perspective. I don't know about you, but I know there have been many times in my life when I have sinned and I didn't have a clue until the Holy Spirit revealed it to me. It is so much easier to see where others are in the wrong than it is to look within ourselves and see where we are wrong. Jesus often reminds me of His words on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." I used to ask Jesus what He meant by that because I couldn't understand how they didn't know they were hurting Him. He then began to show me areas in my life that I didn't know weren't right. I was mortified, but very thankful, when He revealed those areas of sin in my life that I didn't even know existed. I had been deceived until the Lord opened my eyes to see. Thank You, Lord, for Your amazing grace and beautiful mercy! When He does reveal these hidden areas in our lives, we want Him to forgive us, in addition to the times we know we've sinned, right? We also want those we've sinned against to forgive us. If we expect Him to extend His mercy and grace to us and would want others to forgive us, we should willingly do the same. Our Heavenly Father is always ready to forgive us, if we're forgiving others. He even goes a step further when He forgets it by casting our sins as far as the east is from the west and remembering it no more. By choosing the right path and showing the same love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness our Father in heaven shows us, not only are we forgiven when we ask for it, but we are able to experience a little heaven on earth by enjoying life, being happy, free, and peaceful just as our Heavenly Father intended. Here's a little prayer I pray quite often that has made it much easier for me to forgive. "Lord, as an act of my will, I forgive all of those who have sinned against me or hurt me in any way, shape, or form with the same agape love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness You give to me. I ask You to help me forget the offenses and cast them as far as the east is from the west so that I do not remember them anymore, just like You do with my sins. And, Lord, I ask that you bless them and keep them in Jesus's name. Amen." Independent Presbyterian Nazarene Lutheran Wesleyan OTWELL CONTENDERS OF FAITH Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship 6:30 p.m.; Wednes- day prayer and Bible study meeting 6:30 p.m. William Breidenbaugh, Pastor Phone: 812-809-4544 Sunday services at 10 a.m. and youth service at 6:15 p.m. Jesus' sacrifice wasn't for you to have a religion. His sacrifice was given so that you could have a relation- ship with God. • Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. we will be decorating our church for the Christ- mas holiday. We will be hav- ing a soup lunch following. • Prophetic worship Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 6 - 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. • 50 + prayer group will meet on Sunday, Dec. 2. • Ladies Christmas par- ty on Saturday, Dec. 6. All ladies 16 and older are wel- come to join for a time of fun and fellowship. • Candlelight Christmas Service on Sunday evening, December 23, at 6 p.m. Plan now to join us for a love- ly evening of Christmas hymns and special music, along with scripture read- ing of the Christmas story Check the website for lo- cation and time for upcom- ing events, www.livingfc. org. Mailing address: P.O. Box 566, Petersburg, IN. More information at www.living- fc.org or call 812-809 -4544. Don and Christina Priest, Senior Pastors John and Julie Marron, Youth Pastors Melissa Bowens, Reporter ST. JOHN'S LUTHER AN CHURCH 6483 W. 580 N. Otwell 812-482-7623 stjohnsboonetwp@ gmail.com Sunday, Nov. 25, Sunday school 9 a.m. and Praise Team practice; 9 a.m., Fa- cility Team meeting and 10 a.m. worship, Thanks offer- ing Sunday. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m. Christmas Program practice. Sunday Dec. 2, 9 a.m. Sun- day school; 10 a.m. worship; 6 p.m. Christmas Program, Fellowship following the pro- gram. Catherine Burnette, Pas- tor Paula Mann, Administra- tive Assistant ST. PETER LUTHER AN CHURCH 10529 S. Church Street Stendal Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thanksgiving Eve worship; Sunday school at 9 a.m.; wor- ship service at 10 :15 a.m. Following the worship ser- vice we will be decorating the Church for the Christ- mas season. There will be a soup and sandwich lunch served in the Fellowship Hall for all who help. Bible Verse for the week: "For it is God's will that by doing right you should si- lence he ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pre- text for evil" (I Peter 2:15 -16 NRSV ). Edwin H. Wicks, Pastor Methodist ALGIERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Highway 356, Petersburg Sunday school 9 a.m. and worship service 10 a.m. You are always welcome to join our friendly church and worship God with us. Mike Atkins, Pastor GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 210 W. Harrison Street, Oakland City Church 812-749-3535 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship service 10 :30 a.m.; youth group meetings the last Sunday of each month 6 - 7 p.m.; community luncheons the third Tuesday of each month 10 a.m.-noon CDT. The community of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church exists to glorify God through Jesus Christ our Lord. As a body of believers, we pledge ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to develop within us maturity of spirit, unity of faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, so that we may be prepared to share His love, mercy and grace through our words and ac- tions, to a needy world. We extend an invitation to the public to come and wor- ship with us. The Good Shepherd takes care of His sheep. Kay Bond, Minister OTWELL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH P.O. Box 146, 10041E. Washington Ave. Otwell 812-766-3344 Facebook: Otwell United Methodist Church and Jeff Pinney. Otwell United Method- ist invites you to join us this Sunday at 10 :30 a.m. as we worship our Lord, Jesus Christ. Sunday school 9:30 a.m. PATOK A GROVE U.M. CHURCH 1135 W. C.R. 475 S. Winslow Pastor 812-749-4477 Sunday morning church service at 9:30 a.m. and Sun- day school 10 :30 a.m. If you are looking for a church, we would love for you to join us in the white church on the hill by Wil- liams Cemetery. Larry Stoops, Pastor PETERSBURG FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 801 East Walnut Petersburg 812-354-6658 We are Christians following Christ and serving Christ with compassion Sunday morning wor- ship at 9:30 a.m. with Sun- PETERSBURG FREE METHODIST CHURCH 202 E. Walnut Street RUMBLETOWN FREE METHODIST CHURCH 1485 N. St. Rd. 57 Petersburg Adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship at 10 :30 a.m. The church is located south of Petersburg on State Road 57. Hope Barnett, Reporter WHITE RIVER CHAPEL UMC 3555 W. SR 56 in Bowman 812-582-8896 Sunday morning worship 9 a.m.; Sunday school 10 :15 a.m. We are exploring the words in Philippians 4:4-9 and how they can help us thrive in chaos. So many trials come in- to our lives and along with the business of life. These things can easily choke out the Life of God in us. But praise God, "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). What things will be add- ed? God's order back into our lives—a peace that pass- es all understanding—He is in control. Facebook: White River Chapel UMC, Jeff Pinney. Questions regarding church events, call 812-766 - 3344 or mail to: 3555 West State Road 56, Petersburg, IN 47567. Jeff Pinney, Pastor day school following at 10 :45 a.m.; Wednesday evening Bi- ble study at 6 p.m.; Wednes- day evening choir practice at 7:30 p.m. Sermon Title: "Missional Leadership." Scripture reading: I Cor- inthians 11:1. Theme Statement: The Apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth that the most im- portant qualification of a leader is following Christ. Missional leaders focus their attention on the mission of the church as well as on the spiritual needs of the peo- ple. We must keep following Christ in order to see fruit produced. Three steps of a Mission- al Leader: 1. Willing to Engage. 2. Willing to Encourage. 3. Willing to Experience. Leon Pomeroy, Pastor "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become ma- ture, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV ). Jeff Pinney, Pastor Pastor 812-354-6646 Normal weekly schedule is as follows: Sunday school starts at 9:30 a.m., with morning worship starting at 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday night at 6 p.m., there is a casual Bible study; Wednesday evening, the children and youth min- istries meet at 6:30 p.m., dur- ing the school year. If you can't make it to church on Sunday, check out our live stream on Pe- tersburg Free Methodist Church Facebook page. Peace and joy in the Lord. Mark Schlechty, Pastor Methodist PETERSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 118 West Pike Ave. Church 812-354-8851 Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship and children's church at 10 :30 a.m.; children's and teen ser- vice at 6 p.m.; evening wor- ship at 6 p.m. and Wednes- day prayer service at 6 p.m. Psalm 100 reminds us to be thankful—this is some- thing that should be a part of our lives every day of the year. We should live a life of Thanksgiving to those around us-the unsaved that are in our lives, the saints with which we share life, and even to our Savior. It is a privilege to serve Him, and we should do so with all our might. Happy Thanksgiving. Upcoming activities and services • Church decorating for Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. Soup will be served for lunch. • Women's Ministry Brunch, Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. Bring along break- fast food. All ladies are wel- come to attend. Need a church home? Stop in and visit us. We would love to have you be a part of our church family. David Warren, Pastor Jeannine Smith, Reporter MAIN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10th and Main Streets, Petersburg 812-354-6844 Sunday worship 10 :30 a.m.; Youth group Monday evening at 6 p.m. Come vis- it us. Our doors are always open to you. Getting ready for the Christmas season. The Ad- vent wreath is a symbol of watchfulness and increas- ing joy as the birth of Jesus approaches. The circular form of the wreath symbol- izes eternity or life without end. The candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World who brought light and life to a dark world (see John 1:4-5). We light a new can- dle on each of the four Sun- days of Advent. As the light grows, so does our anticipa- tion and joy. Office hours: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday. Boyd Heldring, Pastor Amy Melhiser, Secretary OTWELL WESLEYAN CHURCH 2277 N. Mechanics Street Otwell Pastor 812-354-3028 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship service 6:30 p.m. Nursery available. • Tuesday morning wom- en's Bible study at the fellow- ship hall 10 a.m. As we celebrate Thanks- giving, let us remember it's a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and reflect on our blessings we have received this year. Ma- ny of us experience renewed hope and faith during this holiday because we turn our eyes onto what is most im- portant. When your heart is filled with gratitude, there is little room to worry or com- plain. A Daily Thanksgiving Prayer "Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care, for your sac- rifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our