The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, December 18, 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 fact my friend could not come up with enough people to man every one hour shift. Short of begging I'm asking if you have any spare time on Fridays and Sat- urdays where you could possibly man the kettle and ring the bell for the Salvation Army. A fter helping Cal on Friday to get things going and to pick up kettles at last shifts I have found that getting done at eight in the evening is pretty tiring and you are ready to be in your chair watch- ing T V. So he deserves a well done for the effort he puts in for others. We went to Sunday school and church at Cup Creek and for Sunday school we stud- ied about King David's sin hurting the peo- ple of Israel and how his life as a warrior kept him from building a temple for God. David was able to gather all the material for the temple though. Our sins often af- fect more than just ourselves and it usu- ally causes you many heartaches unless you have ice water in your veins. The Christmas season is a great time to reflect on our Spiritual well being because if it wasn't for God giving us His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, we would never have a chance to enter heaven's gates. Well, I want you to go out and help some- one and if someone helps you be grateful and feel blessed. Prayer, in Old Testament times, was based upon a covenant relationship with God, or it was an appeal to His revealed nature as merciful, gracious, etc. Today it is based up- on the redemptive work of Christ, whose death opened the way for us into the Father's presence. This is why acceptable prayer to- day is offered "in the name of the Lord Je- sus Christ." With our Lord's departure from this world in view, He said to His disciples: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me" ( John 14:6). "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name…At that day ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you that I will pray the Fa- ther for you, for the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me…" ( John 16:24-27). Thus today we pray directly to the Father in the name of the Son. Our prayers, however, are often faltering and sometimes the way is so dark before us that we do not even know what to ask for. Thus Paul declared: "We know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Romans 8:26). But he was quick to follow this with the dec- laration: "And we know that all things work togeth- er for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). This is why the Apostle Paul encourages God's people: "Be careful [anxious] for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7). "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (He- brews 4:16). 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 Legitimate prayer Minutes with the Bible By Pastor Cornelius R. Stam Christmas means hope Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Christmas is still the symbol for peace and hope. The message of Christmas does not change. Christ came into this world with a purpose. That purpose is the redemption of all mankind. Christ is still the light of the world that has been darkened by hate, greed, cor- rupt politicians and terrorism. Recently we have seen Israel, the land of His birth, under attack by radical Muslims. All Christians are taught in the Bible to pray for the peace of Je- rusalem. Let us pray for our President and lead- ers. Our culture is rapidly changing. Nativi- ty sets are forbidden in many places. We feel the darkness of evil in public life. The forces of secular media, education and politics would like to rob this generation of some of our most sacred and joyful occasions like Christmas. The Christmas message was, "Fear not." We must keep our faith in Christ and never let our culture destroy Christmas. We must re- claim this wonderful day, Christmas. Let us pray for peace in our world and make known the one who can give peace to everyone who seeks Him. Christmas is a re- ligious holiday that is often held hos- tage by materialism and greed. Long af- ter our children are adults they will forget many gifts but never your teachings about the true meaning of Christmas. Even in a pluralistic society we must keep Christ at the center and never let the atheists or political correctness rob us of a Christ centered Christmas. There is a reason for this season and it is the birth of a Savior in Bethlehem approximately 2,000 years ago. Christ came to change our world but first He must change our hearts. Our children must know and understand the great Chris- tian traditions of our faith. It is time for reli- gious bashing to stop in our schools and pub- lic life. This past year has been one of political attacks, deception and wrong choices but let us still hope and pray for a better tomorrow. I thought about sounding like Earl Pitts and saying I would rather sit in the snow and gobble down hot peppers than go to another store Christmas shopping with my wife. But I will go with her again. My wife is a good shopper and usually finds the bargains. She and her friend went to Daughtery's auction last Friday night and came home empty handed and that was a shock because they just can't pass up a deal and I heard there were several deals available. Weather people are talking about a win- ter storm watch for the next couple of days and I sure hope they miss the mark about freezing rain. Freezing rain is un predict- able and can steal your electric power with the drop of a heavy tree branch or an au- to crashing through power poles. Driving with freezing rain is a talent most people never achieve because there isn't a way to control every circumstance which can and probably will come up. Some of the ladies from Velpen Gener- al Baptist Church and my wife and I went to the Gastoff for dinner last week. We ex- changed gifts and were going to play dirty Santa but everyone was more than satis- fied with their gifts we never took anyone's gift and exchange it for ours. Last week I mentioned volunteering if you had the opportunity and this week is no different because the kettle at Dol- lar General was not manned due to the Continued on page 2 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. EARLY DEADLINE FOR CHURCH NOTES The deadlines for church notes in the Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 editions are Mondays at 10 a.m. The Press-Dispatch will be published a day early in observation of Christmas and New Year's day. and from church services, call 812-354-8800. Jim Gidcumb, Pastor ARTHUR G.B. CHURCH 5670 S. St. Rd. 61 Winslow 812-582-0354 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship and chil- dren's church 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening Bible study at 6 p.m.; Business meeting third Sunday of the month, following wor- ship. Friday, Dec. 20, Cookie Exchange. Sunday, Dec. 22, Christ- mas program, during the morning service. Every- one is welcome. "At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'You are favored by God above all other women, and your child is destined CROSSROADS BAPTIST CHURCH 2789 S. State Rd 57 Oakland City Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday, meal at 5:30 p.m. and Bible study 6 p.m. All times are CST. Wednesday children's ac- tivities include lesson and fun games. Regular Wednesday ac- tivities this week, but it will be the last Wednesday ser- vice until January 8, 2020. This Sunday, Dec. 22 will be a very special Christmas service. Can't make Sunday morning? Then come Tues- day evening, Dec. 24 to our Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. CST. It's hard to believe that 2019 has only a few weeks remaining. But, it points us to a new calendar year and a new study. We will be studying the book of Es- ther beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8. Esther is a wonderful 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 5 p.m.; Wednesday Bi- ble study at 5 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, Superin- tendent, Gary Pancake As- sistant and Sunday morn- ing worship at 10 :30 a.m. and Wednesday evening Bi- ble study at 6 p.m. Today's sermon, brought to us by Pastor Gary Pan- cake, was centered on Luke 2:8 -20. This passage is about the angels visiting the shep- herds to tell them the great news of Jesus' birth. This is significant because shep- herds in that day were not ac- cepted in society. They were dirty, they moved around a lot and they were consid- ered ceremonially unclean since they could not attend religious services. However, they were the first ones to receive the news of Christ's birth. The shepherds were in awe of the angels, and lis- tened to their message at- tentively... just as attentive- ly as they cared for their sheep, if not more so. When the angels left, the shep- herds didn't just go back to tending their flocks. They left their sheep to visit the Lamb of God. The next night, they went back to their same jobs, but they were not the same shep- herds as when they left. The miracle of our Lord's birth had changed them. Is God calling you to get up and leave your every- day life for His message? Is He calling you to share the Good News of Jesus Christ? We can return to our regu- lar lives tomorrow, but don't return as the same person. Let Christ's birth touch your heart and change your life. Make sure Jesus is born in you. This story isn't just a story for everyone to hear, it is a personal story meant for each and every person, individually. Upcoming Events: • New adult Sunday school study began last Sun- day. • Christmas services will be Sunday, Dec. 22 at 10 :30 a.m. • Church game night to be January 18, 6 p.m. EST at the McLaughlin home. Our Mission Statement: Loving the 99, always look- ing for the one. Gary Pancake, Pastor Chris McLaughlin, Re- porter for God's mightiest praise"' Luke 1:41,42 LB). The most wonderful time of the year and the greatest gift ever given, God's gift of his son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We invite you to worship with us. Ralph Newkirk, Pastor Marla Morrison, Report- er book to start the new year, so come and join us each Wednesday in January. As the time creeps clos- er and closer to Christmas, I hope that you are having a stress free, enjoyable time as we celebrate the birth of King Jesus. Remember, Christmas is a very special day, set aside to honor the birth of Jesus. It is not about us, but all about Him. Keep- ing this in mind will hope- fully reduce your stress and allow you to have a wonder- ful Christmas. If you have never visited Crossroads before, then join us Wednesday or on Sun- day, or on Christmas Eve. If you do not have a church home, we would love for you to choose Crossroads. Vis- it our website at www.cross- roadsoc.org to get more in- formation about upcoming events. Like us on Face- book and see some pictures from various events. Curt Beadle, Pastor Petersburg Holiness Church presents 'I Call Him Lord' this Sunday The Petersburg Holiness Church, 5317 N Knox Rd, Pe- tersburg, will be presenting "I Call Him Lord" this Sun- day at 10 :30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.