The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Church Wednesday, December 18, 2019 C- 3 Continued in next column Continued in next column Continued from page 2 Independent Wesleyan December is the month that turns our thoughts and activities drawn to Christ- mas. Christmas, the day we set aside to honor the birth of the Son of God and our personal Savior. John 3:16 tells us that "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." We all, no doubt, have read, heard, and watched the drama of Christ's birth many times in our lives. We are well acquainted with the characters in the story— Mary, the Mother of Jesus; Joseph, Mary's husband; Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Bap- tist; the shepherds; the Wise Men—to name just a few. These were just common people living their lives as they had lived them up to the point of God's interven- tion. But, God did just that. He intervened in their lives. And, He intervened in the world's history. Few of us probably give lit- tle attention to the dramat- ic changes that took place in each of the participants' lives. But, God "upended" their lives in irreversible ways. What once was expected and usual had been changed by the entrance of a tiny ba- by born in the poorest of cir- cumstances. The baby was the Son of God; Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah of the Jewish nation. The baby who grew to be a man that spent about three years of earthly ministry preaching the Kingdom of God. The man who was eventually crucified for the sins of the world. Yours and my sins in- cluded. But, God, who knew the conditions and needs of the world, ushered the plan of salvation to the world through His Son. And, we are promised, if we believe in Him, to never be left alone. No matter what the circumstances are in our lives, we have the assurance that God is with us. He has a plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." No matter how "hopeless" your life situation may be, you have hope and a future. That is the promise of God. Let us "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12). Merry Christmas. Christmas, a time to honor the birth of our personal Savior GLEZEN REVIVAL CENTER 245 S. Glezen Center St. 812-354-6738 or 812-582-9667 Sunday morning worship and children's church 10 :15 a.m.; see our Facebook for Youth Group Hearts on Fire meeting times. Come join us for Bible study every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Pray for our military and their protection. Also, re- member to pray for the USA, peace and for one another. Verses to Ponder "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is pow- erful and effective." ( James 5:16, NIV ). God bless you and keep you. We welcome you to all ser- vices. Come and worship Je- sus with us. See our Facebook page Glezen Revival Center. Web- site: grcenter.net – E-mail address: glezenrevivalcen- ter@yahoo.com. Joe Henson, Pastor Matt Haycraft, Reporter GOSPEL CENTER CHURCH Independent Baptist Church 420 E. Illinois Street Petersburg Church 812-354-9914 Sunday worship at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; AWANA clubs will meet Sundays at 6:30 p.m., the children will learn from the Word of God and have fun doing it; Bible study Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Gospel Center invites you to worship the King of Kings with us every Sunday. You will hear sound biblical and applicable preaching each week. At the Gospel Center, you will find God-loving peo- ple who desire to serve and praise God with their heart, soul, mind and strength. Come and praise the King with us. We would be hon- ored to have you come and join us and see what God LIVING FAITH CHURCH INTERNATIONAL 601 S. 9th Street, Petersburg Phone: 812-809-4544 Sunday study from 9 -9:35 a.m.; Sunday service at 10 a.m.; Wednesday service from 6:30 -8 p.m. and Youth service Thursdays from 7- 8:30 p.m. Prayer school this Wednesday from 6:30 -8 p.m. No Men's Ministry until January. Youth Christmas party this Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. Sixth-12th grades are welcome. Christmas by Candlelight on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Do you fear death? Do you fear the unknown? Do you have a place deep inside of you where you tremble when you think about eternity? "Jesus came so that we may have life, and life more abun- dantly" ( John 10 :10). If you have fear, then you need more of Jesus. May- be you're saying, "but I'm a Christian." Well, you can be a Christian and still deal with fear. The solution is more of the Word. Read John 1:1. If we truly understand who Jesus is and what He did for us here on the earth, then we can trust what He says. By reading the Bible and meditating on God's love, we know that perfect love casts out fear—I John 4:18. Check location and time for upcoming 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 Ian and Samantha Rose, Youth Pastors Melissa Bowens, Reporter 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 day night praise and worship and Bible study 7 p.m. I hope God will see you at church somewhere. Mark Davis, Pastor is doing here at the Gospel Center Church. Rodney Fretwell, Sr. Pas- tor Lutheran ST. JOHN'S LUTHER AN CHURCH 6483 W. 580 N. Otwell 812-482-7623 stjohnsboonetwp@ gmail.com Sunday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. Praise Team practice; 10 a.m. worship with Jerry Schnarr, Worship Leader. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Candle- light service-Holy Commu- nion with Rev. Tim Kraemer, Worship Leader. Sunday, Dec. 29, fifth Sun- day special offering; 10 a.m. worship, Holy Communion with Rev. Tim Holt, Worship Leader. Paula Mann, Administra- tive Assistant ST. PETER LUTHER AN CHURCH 10529 S. Church Street Stendal Sunday school at 9 a.m.; 10 :15 a.m. worship service, Children's Christmas pro- gram. Dec. 24 - 7:30 p.m. Christ- mas Eve Candlelight service with Holy Communion. Bible verse for the week: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do noth- ing. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disci- ples." Edwin H. Wicks, Pastor Methodist 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 812-749-3525 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship service 10 :30 a.m.; HOLLAND U.M. CHURCH 205 N. Second Ave. 812-536-4862 Sunday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. 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 Je- sus Christ; Sunday school, 9:30 a.m. "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 PETERSBURG FREE METHODIST CHURCH 202 E. Walnut Street 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.; Wednesday evening the children and youth ministries meet at 6:30 p.m., during the school year; There is a casual Bible study Thursday evening at 7 p.m. 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 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 SPURGEON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 11505 N. Hwy. 61 Spurgeon Pastor Cell 812-202- 8903 or church office 812-922-8215 Church service 9 a.m.; Sun- day school 10 a.m.; Thursday Bible study at 1 p.m. "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). A fter the visits of the an- gels and shepherds, Luke 2:51 tells us that Mary "trea- sured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Treasure means to "store up." Ponder means to "thread to- gether." The phrase is repeat- ed of Mary in Luke 2:51. She would respond with many yes- es over her lifetime. As with Mary, the key to our obedience might be a threading together of vari- ous yeses to our Father's in- vitations, one at a time, until they string into the treasure of a surrendered life. Merry Christmas. Josh Sanders, Pastor Sherry Julian, Reporter WHITE RIVER CHAPEL UMC 3555 W. SR 56 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 ZOAR U.M. CHURCH 8818 W. Old Rd. 64 Holland 812-536-4862 Friday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Women's night of worship. Sunday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. morning worship service; 1 p.m. Christmas program practice and 3 p.m. Caroling. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m. Christmas program. Keith Chanley, Pastor Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV ). Jeff Pinney, Pastor youth group meetings the last Sunday of each month 6 -7 p.m.; community lun- cheons the third Tuesday of each month 10 a.m.-noon CDT. The community of Good Shepherd United Method- ist Church exists to glo- rify God through Jesus Christ our Lord. As a body of believers, we pledge ourselves to allow the Ho- ly 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 worship with us. The Good Shepherd takes care of His sheep. Janet Shomate, Secre- tary Sunday school classes; 10 :10 a.m. morning worship ser- vice and 8 p.m. Caroling. Monday, Dec. 23, 7 p.m. Christmas program. Wednesday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m. Christmas morning worship service. Keith Chanley, Pastor Nazarene 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. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsel- or, Mighty God, Everlast- ing Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Upcoming activities and services • Free Community Soup Supper, Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 4-5:30 p.m. • Sunday evening service, Dec. 22, beginning at 6 p.m. Merry Christmas. Need a church home? Stop in and visit us. We would love to have you be a part of our church family. Jeannine Smith, Reporter WINSLOW NAZARENE CHURCH 106 W. Washington St. Winslow 915-490-8813 9 a.m. coffee and fellow- ship; 9:30 a.m. prayer; 9:45 a.m. Sunday school; 10 :30 a.m. worship celebration; 6 p.m. kids' hour 1.5 (except on the last Sunday of the month). •Saturdays: Men's Break- fast at 9 a.m. (first Saturday of the month). • Irene's Room Food Pan- try distributes food on the third Saturday of the month from 9 -11 a.m. Use the door with the cross on the west side of the church. All services and activities are open to the community. Prayer requests: 915 -490 - 8812 or 915 -490 -8813. If you are looking for a church, we would love to have you join us for our ser- vices at any time. We look forward to meeting you. Fred J. Grenier, Pastor Pentecostal HOUSE OF MERCY CHURCH Corner of East and Porter Winslow Pastor 812-789-5229 A Church with open arms and a loving heart. Sunday morning servic- es at 10 :15 a.m.; Praise and worship at 10 :30 a.m.; Minis- tering of the Word and Sun- day school classes at 11 a.m. Second Thursday of each month, Bible study at 7 p.m. As a child of God, have you been mistreated, lied on, cheated by someone close and the enemy has brought words to your mind that are lies? Before you knew it, you had lost your joy, felt no more peace in your life and had a get-even attitude. That is the work of the enemy to keep you in a backslidden condition and your purpose for the Kingdom halted. Ask God for forgiveness and rise up and complete your jour- ney for the Lord Jesus. Be blessed this week and so let your light shine. Pray for our great coun- try, our government and our president. Remember those in hospitals, nursing homes, and your family and friends by your daily prayers. In God's Service. George Bruce, Jr., Pastor Presbyterian Presbyterian MAIN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10th and Main Streets, Petersburg 812-354-6844 Sunday worship 10 :30 a.m. We have a nursery for chil- dren up to the age of seven and we also have a van route in Petersburg to pick anyone up. Come visit us, our doors are always open to you. Vulnerable love God throws open the door of this world — and enters as a baby, as the most vulnerable imaginable. Because he wants unimaginable intimacy with you. What religion ever had a god that wanted such intima- cy with us that he came with such vulnerability to us? What God ever came so tender we could touch him? So fragile that we could break him? So vulnerable that his bare, beat- ing heart could be hurt? On- ly the One who loves you to death. 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 ser- vice 6:30 p.m. Nursery avail- able. Tuesday morning wom- en's Bible study at the fellow- ship hall 10 a.m. If You Look for Me at Christmas… Author Unknown If you look for me at Christmas, you won't need a special star; I'm no longer just in Bethlehem, I'm right there where you are. You may not be aware of Me amid the celebrations. You'll have to look beyond the stores and all the deco- rations. But if you take a moment from your list of things to do, and listen to your heart, you'll find I'm waiting there for you. You're the one I want to be with, you're the reason that I came, and you'll find Me in the stillness, as I'm whis- pering your name—Love, Jesus. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter