The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, December 26, 2018 C-1 CHURCH Submit church items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Most Christians would answer this ques- tion with a resounding yes, but most grace believers would respond with an emphatic no. They know that the people of Israel lived in a kingdom (I Sam. 24:20), and they know that the Lord was born "King of the Jews" (Mt. 2:2) and will one day rule over them in the kingdom of heaven on earth. They right- ly reason that a kingdom is ruled by a king, but that believers today are members of "the Body of Christ" (I Cor. 12:27), and a body is ruled by a head. Since Christ is our Head (Eph. 4:15), it is easy to see why some say He is not our King. But the same apostle who tells us we are members of Christ's Body also tells us that "the Father…hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col. 1:12,13). Paul is speaking here of God's overall king- dom of the saved of all ages, but any king- dom, by definition, is governed by a king. There are, of course, some dispensational differences. A kingdom has to be governed by law, so God gave Israel a law, a law that said that if your neighbor is hungry you should feed him (Deut. 15:8). But bodies aren't governed by a law, they are governed by love. When your stomach is hungry, your head doesn't need a law to tell you to feed it. You feed it because "no man ever yet hat- ed his own flesh; but nourisheth and cher- isheth it" (Eph. 5:29). In a kingdom, you have to have laws that say things like "thou shalt not kill," and "thou shalt not steal," so God gave the kingdom of Israel a law that said things like that. But our apostle says that laws like "thou shalt not kill" and "thou shalt not steal" are "briefly comprehended A fter two weeks of medicine and not feel- ing up to par it seems as though I have seen the worst of this crud. It has gone from my si- nuses to my bronchial tubes and I sound like a trained seal barking. There has to be an end to it one of these days. I asked the editor if he could spare a little more space for my column next week and I think it made his day. I might not be able to come up with that much nonsense to write about but there is a topic on my mind if I can just put some order to it and remember all of it. It all started whenever I got to thinking about how people sometimes think what they have or where they live puts them in an elite class. I have lived in Pike county all my life with the exception of my time spent in the Ma- rines. I suppose that I'm helplessly a PIKER. If you remember a couple weeks back I mentioned pre-conceived opinions about peo- ple who are different or do things differently. Those folks can't be any good because they don't live where I live or they don't do things the way I would do things. Since growing up and becoming more aware that I'm far away from being closer to being right than anyone else it has become easier to let others live without my judgment. Especially if someone else is trying to poison my willingness to help others rather than hurt them. Do you remember your high school days where a group of guys from one county would go to another tri-county site to cause trou- ble. This very well could have started within you an influence of judgment and you remem- ber how you thought you were in the right to The Church Page is made possible by the following Firms and Businesses: Amber Manor Care Center Petersburg — 812-354-3001 Benner & Co. Heating and Air Petersburg — 812-354-3433 Computers Plus Radio Shack Petersburg — 812-354-9633 DougGlass DBA Hold Everything Self Storage — 812-354-1110 Four Star Fabricators Petersburg — 812-354-9995 www.fourstarfab.com Harris Funeral Home 7th and Walnut Streets, Petersburg Phone: 812-354-8844 Play & Learn Preschool Campbelltown — 812-354-3999 Solar Sources Coal for Steam and Industrial Market Petersburg — 812-354-8776 Baptist Baptist Baptist Assembly of God CHURCH CHURCH Notes Notes Notes Continued in next column Continued in next column Ramblings of my mind by Lowell Thomas The Meaning of Christmas Is Christ Your King? Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Ricky Kurth Continued on page 2 See MINUTES on 3 There is only one true meaning of Christ- mas and that is Christ. It should have no other meaning or purpose. Jesus Christ is the rea- son for Christmas. It should be all about Him. For 2,000 years Christmas has been celebrat- ed around the world as the birth day of Christ. This is a Christian holiday and can only be celebrated when its true meaning is central. As liberal politicians push for a global economy, world religion and a central gov- ernment, beware! It has been suggested by some in Washington, D.C. that the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths should all be one. This must never be for Christ must be central and only Christians believe the fundamental truth. Christmas is a time to renew our faith and keep Christ in Christmas and central in our faith. In public life, the forces of secular people wish to rob this generation of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. In order to turn our country into socialism, true Christian- ity must be weakened. In some of our pub- lic schools teachers are forced to speak of a winter break and sing only secular songs. Gone are the beauti- ful Christmas carols and the nativity dis- play. Our children have been denied their free choice and right to enjoy these Christian traditions which are part of our God given heritage. We must reclaim this wonderful day of Christmas celebration. Our world stands in an uncertain period in human history. It is a desperate hour in a dangerous world as our brave men and women fight for freedom in far away mountains. While they fight for free- dom let us keep America free from evil forces that would steal the true meaning of Christ- mas. Pastors and teachers can be at the front of this battle to protect our family values and the true meaning of Christmas. cause trouble. How many fights did you get into after ball games and dances. Yes, these are samples of things which were not meant to be permanent influences for your future, but it is still a memory that will last a long time. It was never hard to find a fight if you were looking for one. Today if you reflect on these memories you should see your part of the fault and be willing to forgive and make amends. When I graduated from high school I went to work at Jasper Rubber products and I was glad for Jasper having factories because I was able to make a living. Lots of our friends went off to a war in Vietnam while some went to college to earn a degree and find a job with good pay. Here again there is no room for pre-con- ceived notions about any of these groups be- ing any better than another. Although they might make more money or have more toys. When it all boils down, does it make any dif- ference where you live or where you work if you have matured and accepted your purpose in life? Does it make any difference between you and God? The real answer to all these questions is God is an equal opportunity God and His Son loves all of us. If Jesus loves us should we not forget our biases and love one another? Give each other all the room they need to come to grips with their Spiritual needs. So, let us help one another find the happiness of peace in this world and the one to come. To end this column I extend unto you my desires for you and yours to have a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. May God's love find your heart and fill it with love for all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Glezen Revival Center 245 S.Glezen Center St., Petersburg, IN 812-354-9909 "e Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:19, NIV JESUS CHRIST Our Firm Foundation 1415 N. Vincennes Ave., Petersburg • 812-354-4424 RIVER OF LIFE 342 E. CR 300 N. Petersburg Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6 p.m. and Con- sumed youth group 7 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 7 p.m.; Men's ministry meeting every other Thurs- day 10 a.m. If you would like a ride to WASHINGTON ASSEMBLY OF GOD 320 S. Meridian Street Washington Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday evening dinner and Bible study at 6 p.m. and from church services, call 812-354-8800. Jim Gidcumb, Pastor BETHEL G.B. CHURCH 4933 E. Co. Rd. 900 S. Stendal Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m. • Sunday, Dec. 30, Fifth Sunday, we will have Com- munion service during the morning worship service. GR ACE G.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St. Winslow Sunday school 9:30 ; Sun- day morning worship 10 WINSLOW G.B. CHURCH BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH An Independent Baptist Church 4995 N. Co. Rd. 850 E. Otwell (Meeting in the Iva Union Church building) Sunday school for chil- dren and adults 9 a.m.; Sun- day morning worship ser- vice 10 a.m.; Sunday evening service, Youth Group (6th grade through 19 years old), and Patch Club (four years old through 5th grade) 6 p.m.; Thursday, prayer ser- vice 7 p.m. Scott Fulcher, Pastor • Saturday, Jan. 5, Come join us in celebration of 50 years of Ministry. Bob and Joyce Deel since Jan. 16, 1969. Sermon delivered by Bob and carry-in dinner fol- lowing at 3 p.m. Bring a dish to share with everyone. • Sunday, Jan. 6, Assis- tant Sunday. • Sunday, Jan. 13, we will have a regular business meeting after morning wor- ship service. Bible Trivia Last week's answer to: Q: What did Jacob pay Esau for his birthright? Answer: Red Pottage. Reference: Genesis 25:29 -34. Q: Who was the proph- etess at the temple who, upon meeting the ba- by Jesus, praised God and spoke about Him to those looking for the re- demption of Jerusalem? Answer to come next week. Steve Selby, Pastor Elaine Barrett, Reporter a.m.; Sunday evening wor- ship 5 p.m.; Wednesday Bi- ble study at 5 p.m. Bill Chesser, Reporter 600 E. Union Street Pastor 812.582.0290 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening soup and sandwich fellowship at 5:30 p.m.; Youth group, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, adult Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. First Wednesday of each month before Bible study, Advisory Board meeting with business meeting to follow. There will be an offer- ing plate at the back of the