The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1316377
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, December 9, 2020 C-3 VIEWPOINT Continued from page 1 RAMBLINGS Continued from page 1 MINUTES Continued from page 1 Methodist Lutheran Methodist Independent greater role for both faith and patriotism. Our found- ers' Judeo-Christian history helped produce a culture in which moral responsibility transcended other ideas and the dignity of all people could flourish. We must continue to bring a biblical influence to the public square. If America abandons its religious moor- ings all will be lost. France is losing its na- tional identity. It is estimat- ed that by 2050 eighty per- cent of France will be Mus- lim and this diversity will wipe out their culture of iden- tity. Switzerland has banned the construction of Muslim mosques. Islam is the fastest growing religion in our pris- ons and general population. Even in China and South Ko- rea, immigration has made these nations homogenous. In the light of globalization, a world economy and a blend- ing of many religions it might be wise to ask, as Americans, "Who are we? " they really are. So now we have another reason to be waiting for this old COVID to exit stage left. The COVID virus is hit- ting more and more people and when the talk of "herd immunity" was being men- tioned awhile back by some- one it just could be that enough people will have had the virus and survived that it won't be able to find any- one to infect quite as easily. Don't go off and say Lowell said the virus is burning out just enjoy the thought and know it would be a blessing if it would just leave. Let me tell you about our attic adventure last week and if you have overstuffed attic like ours it will make you smile. My wife loves Christmas and does a good job decorating our Christ- mas tree. Well in our attic I think we have at three trees stored there. You know I had to move things around to get back to them and guess what? The first tree I dragged out was a big NO, so back to another and it was the right one but now I have hit my head on at least three rafters and have a headache from the pounding I have tak- en from the rafters. I put a timber hitch on the box the tree was in and let it down to the floor without incident. I don't do so well decorating but she had a five year old and an almost two year old as help. The last time I looked I think she had all her hair and her sanity was still in- tact, which is a miracle with all the help she was getting. A fter being laid up for awhile I have attempted to resume my exercises. I have had to adjust my routine to a lighter workout but I do be- lieve that being in fair shape helped me through some of the virus. It is getting easi- er to workout but the aches and pains that comes with any routine have to be over- come. Get your body in mo- tion, folks, and see if you don't feel better. I'll be glad whenever our church can worship together without worrying about any- thing. Saturday afternoon we were blessed by a visit from some of our parishioners and we enjoyed their visit as it is one way to worship and enjoy one another's compa- ny. So if you can't be togeth- er then call one another and for heaven's sake go out to be a blessing to others. Our hearts and prayers are going up for the family of our good friend Alan Birk who passed away last week. Alan was a great friend and will be missed by many. Love one another while you can because you never know when it will be your turn to face the Lord. Pentecostal Nazarene Continued in next column Presbyterian Presbyterian Wesleyan page is a dangerous, even deadly, error… It is little more than a weak humanism allied with weak Christianity to give it ecclesiastical respectabil- ity… Invariably it begins with man and his needs and then looks around for God, while true Christianity re- veals God as searching for man to deliver him from his ambitions." Tozer was right in this. God's good news for the world is about Christ and His power and love in defeating Satan, overcoming death, nailing the Law to His cross and paying for man the just penalty for sin, so that all who believe might be justi- fied. This is why Paul's gos- pel is called in Scripture "the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20 :24) and "the gospel of the glory of Christ" (II Cor. 4:4). To enter experientially in- to the truth of this good news is the greatest blessing one can possibly enjoy. CHRISTIAN HOLINESS CHURCH 1252 St. Rd. 57 S. Petersburg Located six miles between Petersburg and Oakland City junction. Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; evening service 6 p.m.; Thurs- day prayer meeting 7 p.m. We extend a warm welcome to everyone. Rick Walburn, Pastor St. worship 10 :15 providing practicing this is shaking we 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 do- ing 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 people who de- sire to serve and praise God with their heart, soul, mind and strength. Come and praise the King with us. We would be honored to have you come and join us and see what God is do- ing here at the Gospel Center Church. Rodney Fretwell, Sr., Pastor JESUS CHRIST OUR FIRM FOUNDATION 1415 N. Vincennes Ave. Petersburg 812-354-4424 or 812-582-0240 Sunday morning fellowship 10 a.m.; Church at 10 :30 a.m.; Bible studies: Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Brian Eilert's house and Thursday night at 7 p.m. at church. Psalms 90 :10 —The days of our lives are 70 years; and if by reason of strength they are 80 years. Yet their boast is only la- bor and sorrow. For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Don't fall asleep spiritually. "Jesus will return like a thief in the night" (Matthew 24:43 and I Thessalonians 5:2). The greatest mistake any- one can make is to die with- out personally and truthfully knowing Jesus in their heart. God Bless. Denny Wiscaver, Pastor David Sattler, Reporter OTWELL CONTENDERS OF FAITH Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday prayer and Bible study meeting 6:30 p.m. William Breidenbaugh, Pastor PATOK A GROVE CHURCH 1135 W. C.R. 475 S. Winslow Pastor 812-239-6843 Sunday morning church service at 10 a.m. and Sunday school 11 a.m. Jason Hill, Pastor CHURCH (C) 812-354-9446 a.m.; special 10 :30 6:30 night Trans- 617- Candle- Christmas you, Je- no upon servant...he became the (Philippi- the conquered how salvation. vic- Christians. self live a Let PIKE COUNTY CENTER FOR WOMEN'S MINISTRIES Phone —812-582-8222 Office hours: Open Mon- day and Friday, 9 a.m. till noon; Thursday open from 6 - 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednes- day closed. Free peer coun- seling available, call 812-582- 1486 or 812-582-8222. New Bible study at 9:30 a.m. on the Book of Revela- tion. Bring your Bible. TWIN OAKS CHURCH 1911 E. Co. Rd. 650 N. Petersburg 812-354-6389 Sunday school, Junior church and youth class 9:30 a.m.; morn- ing worship 10:30 a.m.; evening service 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening prayer and praise ser- vice 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to each service. God Bless America. Clark Gray, Pastor Doris Catt, Reporter Bible Study will be every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Pray for our military and their protection. Also, remem- ber to pray for the USA, peace, health and for one another. Verse to Ponder "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" ( John 1:14, NLT). See our Facebook page Glezen Revival Center. Web- site: grcenter.net – E-mail ad- dress: glezenrevivalcenter@ yahoo.com. Joe Henson, Pastor Matt Haycraft, Reporter ST. PETER LUTHER AN CHURCH 10529 S. Church Street Stendal 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 :15 a.m. worship; congregational meeting and church council to follow. Bible verse for the week: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness" (II Peter 3:10 - 11). Edwin H. Wicks, Pastor ALFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1709 E. SR. 356 Petersburg Sunday school scheduled the first Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday worship each week at 10 :30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to come and worship with us. Shane Springer, Pastor 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.; community luncheons the third Tuesday of each month 10 a.m.-noon CDT. The community of Good Shepherd United Method- ist Church exists to glorify God through Jesus Christ our Lord. As a body of believ- ers, we pledge ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to devel- op within us maturity of spir- it, unity of faith and knowl- edge of the Son of God, so that we may be prepared to share His love, mercy and grace through our words and actions 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. Neal Scifres, Pastor 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 Methodist invites you to join us this Sun- day at 10 :30 a.m. as we wor- ship our Lord Jesus Christ; Sunday school, 9:30 a.m. "So Christ himself gave the PETERSBURG FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 801 East Walnut Petersburg 812-354-6658 47567fumc@gmail.com Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world We will continue to have in-person worship service on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join us as we use social distancing guidelines. We are also broadcasting our Sunday worship service live on Facebook at Peters- burg First United Methodist Church. "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have full riches of com- plete understanding, in order that they may know the mys- tery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the trea- sures of wisdom and knowl- edge" (Colossians 2:2-3). Michael (Mike) Punke, 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.; Fri- day Bible study at 1 p.m. "Jesus was willing and ready to die for those who'd one day believe in Him, even for those who were still His enemies" (Romans 5:10). In return, He asks His disciples (then and now) to "love each other as He has loved them" ( John 15:12). His great love compels us to sacrificially love others—friends and foe alike. Before we believed in Jesus, we were His enemies. Yet Je- sus died for us. How can you honor and remember Jesus for His death on the cross for you? How can you sacrificially love others? "Jesus, we're so thankful that you were willing to die for us"—Amen. Josh Sanders, Pastor Sherry Julian, Reporter WHITE RIVER CHAPEL UMC 3555 W. SR 56 Bowman 812-582-8896 Sunday worship 9 a.m.; Sun- day school 10 :15 a.m. apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his peo- ple 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 mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV ). Jeff Pinney, Pastor We are exploring the words in Philippians 4:4-9 and how they can help us thrive in chaos. So many trials come into our lives and along with the busi- ness 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 un- to you" (Matthew 6:33). What things will be add- ed? God's order back into our lives—a peace that passes all understanding—He is in con- trol. Facebook: White River Chap- el 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 PETERSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 118 West Pike Ave. Church 812-354-8851 Service times: Sunday at 10 :30 a.m. Praise and Wor- ship service, teen (7th-12th grades) meet separately. If you can't join us in person for Sunday morning service, join us through the airwaves. We have a drive-in service as well on Sunday mornings. Pull in to the church park- ing lot and tune your radio to 104.3FM to hear the service from the comfort of your car. We hope you can join us as we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent as we look at the joy that comes with the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Visit our website www.pe- tersburgnaz.com for addition- al information. If the church can be of assistance to you, contact us at pastor@peters- burgnaz.com. WINSLOW NAZARENE CHURCH 106 W. Washington St. Winslow 989-941-7190 Love, Care, Serve, Share Sunday morning service at 10 :30 a.m. Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are welcome to connect with our church either in per- son or online. Facebook: Winslow Church of the Nazarene. YouTube: Winslow Nazarene. Website: bit.ly/winslownaz. Irene's Food Pantry: Every third Saturday from 10 -11:30 a.m. Hope to see you soon. Joe Decker, Pastor We hope you will join us Sunday as we celebrate the events of this Christmas sea- son. Steve Hamilton, Pastor 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 service 10 :15 a.m.; Sunday school at 11 a.m.; Thursday night ser- vices at 7 p.m. Every other Tuesday night at 6 p.m. prayer. Next prayer night will be December 15. Weather outside is begin- ning to turn cold. The Bible states that in the last days many will wax cold in their hearts. One question to ask, is your heart and life start- ing to turn cold towards the things of God? Solution, pick up the Word of God and begin to read the scriptures and al- so take time to pray. Warming of the heart and life will begin. Stay hot for Jesus. Keep those that are in nursing homes, hospitals and rehab centers, and fam- ily, friends, and neighbors in your prayers. Also pray for our country, president and for peace to reign over turmoil. May your week be blessed and you find comfort in God's Word. Love you, talk to you next week. Have a blessed week. George Bruce, Jr., Pastor OAKLAND CITY FIRST PENTECOST Hwy. 64 East Sunday morning service 9:30 a.m. with children's Sun- day school during the minis- try of the Word; Wednesday and Sunday evening services at 6 p.m. All services are CST (Gibson Co. times). Song practice the second Friday of each month. Time changed to 6:30 p.m. CST. We all know what a contract is. You meet certain require- ments in order to receive cer- tain benefits. "Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you" ( James 4:8). If we hold back and contin- ue to be disobedient to His Word, He can't break the con- tract and bless us. He goes where He is wanted and hon- ored. He will not force His fel- lowship on anyone. Give God a gift this year. Give Him your heart and He will give you His guidance, as well as life eter- nal. (Pretty good exchange don't you think?) Ron Vickers, Pastor Elaine Young, Reporter, 812-749 -1122 (leave a mes- sage). MAIN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10th and Main Streets, Petersburg 812-354-6844 Sunday worship 10 :30 a.m. Come visit us, our doors are always open to you. It's difficult to pinpoint when and why Christians first began to use ever- green trees at Christmas- time. There are many leg- ends and myths regard- Continued in next column ing the origin of Christmas trees. German Christians in the early part of the 16th century may have been the first to use evergreen trees during Advent and Christ- mas. Those trees had no can- dles on them, but were dec- orated with items at hand: colored paper, gold foil, ap- ples and dolls. German im- migrants brought the cus- tom to America around 1700 when they settled in Penn- sylvania. Some scholars say that evergreen trees repre- sent Christ, because they, too, are everlasting. Others say that Christmas trees re- mind us of salvation which came to us through Christ who died on a "tree." St. Pe- ter wrote: "He [Christ] him- self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteous- ness. By his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24, RSV ). But no matter the reason, the season of Christmas is about our Savior who was born in human form to ful- fill the plan of salvation for you and me. Office hours: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday. Amy Melhiser, Secretary OTWELL WESLEYAN CHURCH 2277 N. Mechanics Street Otwell Pastor 812-354-3028 Praise and worship service at 9 a.m.; Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship at 10 :30 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. Sun- day evening worship service. If You Look for Me at Christmas… Author Unknown If you look for me at Christ- mas, you won't need a spe- cial 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 decorations. 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 whisper- ing your name—Love, Jesus. If anyone has a need, you can call the pastor at 812-354- 3028. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter