The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, August 14, 2019 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 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16). Time is a very precious commodity- -here one minute, gone the next! It is said that Jon- athan Edwards wrote in his diary at the age of twenty: "Resolved, never to lose one mo- ment of time, but improve it in the most prof- itable way I possibly can." If we were to para- phrase "redeeming the time," it would prob- ably come out something like this: "Making wise use of the opportunities we are given." This, of course, transcends every area of our Christian experience. We must take advantage of the oppor- tunities which come our way to tell others about the Mystery. You would be amazed at the number who have written us to share how their search for the truth came to an end when one of our "grace people" opened Paul's gospel to them. The letters usually go something like this: "I sensed there was something more, but I just couldn't put my finger on it until I heard the Word, right- ly divided! " We tend to rationalize that our Christian friends are so entrenched in de- nominationalism that they would never re- ceive this message, even if we did tell them. This may be true, but how many opportu- nities have been passed by due to our re- luctance to open our mouth boldly to make known the Mystery? Perhaps we need to write these words an- ew on the tablets of our hearts: "Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15,16). "Praying always with all prayer and sup- plication in the Spirit...for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel... that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" (Eph. 6:18 -20). "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time, Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to an- swer every man" (Col. 4:5 -6). 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 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 Redeeming the Time Minutes with the Bible By Pastor Paul M. Sadler Continued on page 2 Exposing Pastors' Hidden Secrets Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin There are many religious events that are exciting and challenging to write about. This article deals with the shame, sorrow and sadness exposed in the lives of many Catholic and Protestant Clergy. For years the clergy has been a safe haven for homo- sexuals and those who abuse children. For years no one dared to write about this evil. A fter a flurry of lawsuits and political scan- dals, the media has made it hard to hide this evil. One Catholic paper said the lawsuits have brought transparency and others feel it has forced the guilty to go into hiding. Ted Haggard, pastor of the New Life me- ga church in Colorado Springs was exposed for his homosexual affairs with a male pros- titute. Ted Haggard not only shamed his church and family, but also was President of the National Association of Evangelicals and a spokesman who condemned the very sin he was committing. Since this sin among pastors has become so pervasive, it might be necessary to have accountability committees of godly men to meet regularly to discuss these problems with their pastors. We al remember the scandals of Jim Baker at P TL and the moral failure of Jim- my Swaggart. Re- cently in the Chicago Tribune newspaper headlined the many years of the famous Bill Hybels of Wil- low Creek Church. The many years of his moral problems with women and alco- hol brought him to public shame. The United Methodist Church has just suffered major problems over the ordina- tion of homosexuals and lesbians to be in the ministry. A recent survey showed that 50 percent of pastors regularly look at pornography on the internet. Porn has invaded the churches with 68 percent of men and about 30 percent of women watch pornography. Our clergy needs to ask for God's forgiveness and seek help. Hey, I told you next week will be here to- morrow and it does seem like time has actu- ally speeded up. I don't know about you but a day at a time is about all I can handle be- cause this long range planning just doesn't seem to work anymore. Do you readers dream at night? I have had some dreams lately which were so real I wake up telling my wife to do this or that according to the dream. My latest dream I woke her up asking for help with our grand- daughter. I dreamed that her mom and dad had brought her in and laid her on the end of the bed because we hadn't gotten up to put her into her crib at our house so they could go to work. My wife asked me how did she get there and then I realized I was on- ly dreaming. I'm glad I don't have these ev- ery night because they seem so real to me. I suppose they mean something or I'm just losing it which could always be so. Steve and I entertained at River Walk communities last Monday and we had a big audience. We were having a good time and I feel we gave them a reasonable show. They were a hard audience to get a joke over on because they never did laugh at our funnies. Good thing I'm not a stand- up comedian be- cause I would probably be starving. I'm so far behind on picking up dead limbs in my yard it is getting harder to mow. Friday we were trying to get a dead limb out of a tree next to our driveway and ended up pulling down three which were about six or seven inch diameter. It made a huge mess and we worked about five hours on it. I was sure glad to have my wife's help. I would like to say a few words about mak- ing plans. Your plans can change quickly and the older you get they can be out of the ques- tion. I've heard many theologians talk about making future plans and they have said we should plan our lives as if we are going to live forever, but live our lives as though we could die anytime. Don't let yourself be too disappointed if plans fall through. Like we were saying, circumstances can destroy the best thought out plan. The person who died this morning had plans for tonight and the person who died tonight had plans for to- morrow etc. What is the answer; go ahead and plan, but never depend on them com- ing to pass. Don't forget the Petersburg Lions Club cruise-in this Friday night with registration starting at 5:30 p.m. and trophies awarded somewhere around 7 p.m. This will be at the parking area between Mi Patio and the Moose parking lots. Come out and join us to see some very nice cars. We enjoyed doing nothing this past Satur- day because we were so tired and sore from cutting up those big limbs. Somebody said tomorrow is another day, but like we said before don't count on it. Our Sunday school and morning scrip- ture lesson was about making choices and being forgiven by God. It is written about forgiving others so God can forgive you. It also says if you have anything against any other person to get rid of it so you can ded- icate your entire attention to God without distraction so He has your whole heart. Another friend and I went to visit an old friend we hadn't seen for more than 30 years. It was nice to reminisce with he and his wife who couldn't believe some of our stories. I don't blame her because there was a lot additions and subtractions going on be- tween the three of us. Ended up we were glad to see one another and had lots to re- member. Well by now you know I'm going to ask you to be a blessing and be blessed, so long for now see you next week. SUNDA Y , A UGUST 18 10:15am Morning Service 245 S. Glezen Center St. Petersburg, IN 812-354-9909 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 AYRSHIRE VALLEY G.B. CHURCH 1947 E. Co. Rd. 375 S. Winslow Phone: 812-354-3862 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Jim King, superintendent, Paul Couts, assistant; morn- ing worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 6:30 p.m. My hope and prayer for all people who read this is that you will make a decision to confess the past, repent from your sins and accept Je- sus as the Savior and Lord. See our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Ayr- shireValleyGB. Frank A. Coleman, Pastor BETHEL G.B. CHURCH 4933 E. Co. Rd. 900 S. Stendal Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; first and third Wednesday of each month, Bible study at 7:30 p.m. • Sunday, August 18, Bethel Homecoming. Speak- er will be Pastor Bob Deel. The history of Bethel dis- played by a vast number of historical pictures and arti- cles. Meal following the ser- vice. Everyone is welcome. • Wednesday, August 21, Bible study. Studying Job 33-36. • Sunday, Aug. 25, fourth Sunday and morning wor- ship offering will go to the building fund; 6 p.m. Ice Cream Social. Everyone is GLEZEN G.B. CHURCH Corner of Center and Sycamore Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m., GR ACE G.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St. Winslow Sunday school 9:30 ; Sun- day morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening wor- ship 6 p.m.; Wednesday Bi- ble study at 6 p.m. Bill Chesser, Reporter NEW LIBERTY G.B. CHURCH (Coe) 1820 S. Co Rd. 800 S. Oakland City Gary Pancake, Pastor 812-664-4716 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Faron McLaughlin, Super- intendent, Ryan Edrington, Assistant and Sunday morn- WINSLOW G.B. CHURCH 600 E. Union Street Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening soup and sandwich fellowship at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, adult Bi- ble study at 6:30 p.m. First Wednesday of each month, Advisory Board meeting before Bible study, business meeting to follow. Thought for the week: "If God is for us who can be against us" (Romans 8:31). Be in prayer for the lost, the sick, our church, our country and leaders, and always each other. God's BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH An Independent Baptist Church 4995 N. Co. Rd. 850 E. Otwell (Meeting in the Iva Union Church building) welcome. Bible Trivia Last week's answer to: Who was promised that he would not die until he saw the Messiah come? Answer: Simeon. Reference: Luke 2:25 -26. Q: What king claimed Ruth and Boaz as his great-grandparents? An- swer to come next week. Steve Selby, Pastor Elaine Barrett, Reporter 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 blessings on you this week. Try to be kind and show God's love, because every- one is fighting some kind of battle. If you don't have a church home, we invite you to any of our services. Gary Watson, Pastor Kathy Henderson, Re- porter the message will be brought by Dwight Howe; Wednes- day Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Remember those on our prayer list, the shut-ins and our lost loved ones. When you truly under- stand who you are in Christ, you are established and un- stoppable. You do not accept the false philosophies of the world because you are now "alive in Christ," not dead in your sins. You live a full, new life, a life that can only be lived in Him. "So then, just as you re- ceived Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankful- ness" (Colossians 2:6 -7). Karri Brock, Reporter