The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1456425
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 2, 2022 D-3 Continued in next column PAWS WEEK PAWS WEEK Pet of the TYSON "Rescued: What sec- ond-chance dogs teach us about living with pur- pose, loving with abandon, and finding joy in the little things." This week PAWS is fea- turing a charismatic fel- low named Tyson, who is a very joyful guy who wants to spread his joy to whom- ever he meets. He is a young Shepherd mix, with soft brown fur and black ac- cents, very energetic and needs a family who will offer him walks and play time. His affectionate and loyal nature will make him a very rewarding pet. To adopt Tyson, call 812-354- 9894. In the light of all this it is not strange that Paul should write to Timothy: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of pow- er, and of love, and of a sound mind. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his pris- oner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gos- pel according to the power of God" (II Timothy 1:7,8). Nor is it strange that in II Timothy 2:1-3 the apos- tle should urge his son in the faith to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" and to "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," especially in the light of the fact that he himself needed constant help in this regard. The average Christian would find it hard to imagine Paul ever needing prayer for cour- age, yet he closes his Ephe- sian epistle with the request: "And [pray] for me, that utterance may be given un- to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, "For which I am an ambas- sador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" (Ephesians 6:19, 20). Oh, that all who have come to see the glory of the gos- pel of the grace of God would pray this prayer for boldness! Some may suppose that it would require little boldness today to proclaim grace in all its purity. Who is ever perse- cuted now, at least in free, en- lightened lands, for preach- ing God's grace? Ah, but do not be deceived. Satan was no less active in his opposi- tion to the truth when Con- stantine exalted the profess- ing Church to prominence than when his predecessors persecuted the Church and sent its members to death by fire and sword. Indeed, the devil was doubtless more successful in Constantine's day than he had been when persecution raged. And does any believer in the Word of God suppose that Satan has relented in his opposition to the truth today, just because men, at least in this land, are not burned at the stake or thrown to the lions? Do not be misled. Satan's enmi- ty against God and against His Word continues undi- minished. His hatred of "the gospel of the grace of God," is as bitter, and his opposition to it as determined, as it ever was. But well does he know that the constant discourage- ments connected with being in the minority often succeed in silencing those who would stand against physical perse- cution. Let us, who know and love the truth, determine by God's grace that noth- ing shall make us unfaith- ful to our glorious commis- sion; that, whatever the cost, we shall faithfully and bold- ly proclaim to others the un- adulterated gospel of the grace of God, "the preach- ing of Jesus Christ, accord- ing to the revelation of the mystery." to end and to end peaceable. It is one of those things we must trust God and His word. Our grandson has brought something home to grandma and I that has made us miser- able with coughing and sneez- ing. You don't feel terrible and you aren't really sick but you cannot control your cough. I finally gave up and called our doctor for some medicine. He was gracious enough to call us in a couple of prescriptions. We have been down quite a bit this winter. I think most of it originates from the school. This is something we just have to learn to live with because there is little anyone can do to keep our kiddos from catching things. We parents and grand- parents are just part of it. My wife got the rest of her bridgework taken out of her mouth this week and they are going to wait a couple of weeks before sending her impression to the lab. They know this will be expensive and they want to give her time to think what route she wants to take. Not much to write about this week. I'll share a couple stories from my past. My life sounds like a story book, but I declare my accounts are true. First story I'll tell you is about a riding lawn mower my dad had bought. He didn't tell mom and I much about how it operated, but we fig- ured we could get it started. We sure did but we didn't re- alize it would start with the clutch engaged. There were no safety switches or at least this one wasn't working. Well it did start and the blade was running, but by being in gear it took off mowing without a driver to guide it. My dad was always proud of his garden and that old lawn- mower made slaw out of about half of his cabbage plants be- fore it got stopped by the neighbor's fence. It gave us a chance to get to the kill switch and get this runaway lawn- mower calmed down. If you think dad was proud of us, you had better think again and I believe he gave that lawnmower away. My second story is about my drinking as a young punk who thought it was cool to be drunk from alcohol. Remember I told you my dad was proud of his garden- ing capabilities. Well once again I destroyed some of his garden as my friend and I got my car parked in a row of his tomato plants. I got the what for over that escapade. My dad sure was a patient dad at times, although I was the biggest test of his pa- tience. I know I sure did miss him when he passed away at 66 years old and I needed him in my life because I was young when he passed. Well we missed church today because we are still coughing like crazy, but as al- ways I will tell you and all the rest of us to be a blessing to everyone. MINUTES RAMBLINGS Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 POINTS Continued from page 1 ing Lent for centuries. Ob- serving Lent is based up- on the story of Jesus spend- ing 40 days in the wilder- ness being "tempted by the devil." The church first ob- served Lent in the 4th cen- tury AD. Originally, Lent was established for new converts, those who experienced the call to salvation. These pen- itents were to spend 40 days preparing for their baptism. If they still wanted to fol- low Jesus come Easter Sun- day, they would be baptized at sunrise, signaling the res- urrection of Christ and the believer. Centuries ago, the church changed the way they observed Lent to a time of re- newal and recommitment to Christ. In the modern observance of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, ashes are placed upon the forehead of the believer, to re- mind them of their transito- ry life with the words, 'from dust you are, and to dust you will return.' They are told to use the next 40 days as time for prayer, penitence, do acts of charity, and give up some- thing meaningful, like coffee or soda, eating certain foods, or going to some regular ac- tivity. I have a few 'give up' suggestions for you. GIVE UP entertainment such as going to the movies or renting movies. Instead, give the money saved to a woman's shelter or halfway house. GIVE UP entertaining yourself with questionable T V shows and music. In- stead, ask yourself, would you invite Jesus to watch this show or listen to this music with you? GIVE UP playing video games on the computer or on T V. Many video games are violent. Jesus was a man of peace. Instead, use the time to read the Gospels and re- discover Jesus' love. GIVE UP splurging on yourself for a new hairstyle, buying a new whatnot or giz- mo, buying anything that is not essential for yourself. We are called to be stewards of God's riches, not consumers. Instead, give the money to a food pantry. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet ba- sic needs. GIVE UP hitting the snooze button for an extra 10 to 15 minutes in bed. In- stead, use that time to start your day with prayer, Bible reading, and personal devo- tion. A good day starts with Jesus. GIVE UP making excuses for not attending church with your spouse. Instead, go to church and be involved. Be- ing a Christian isn't a spec- tator sport. Don't make Eas- ter and Christmas your only religious celebration for the year. Jesus showed us by en- during trials and tempta- tion, we grow strong—to re- sist the devil's urging, strong to serve God, and strong as we stand together in faith and service to one another. Take my advice—stay close to each other, worship regu- larly and often, avoid temp- tation when it comes your way, and fill your hearts with God's word. Pentecostal Pentecostal Nazarene Presbyterian Wesleyan Methodist COMMUNITY Union 812-664-5454 wor- ser- ser- Sunday— Iron Wednesday men Pastor ALFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1709 E. SR. 356 Petersburg 812-677-0105 Sunday school scheduled the first Sunday of each month 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 FIRST METHODIST 47567fumc@gmail.com world a.m.; and study our live on First God I My flesh and is no you in pow- lov- life will will name. mar- mouth lips" RUMBLETOWN FREE METHODIST CHURCH 1485 N. St. Rd. 57 Petersburg Morning worship at 10 :30 a.m. The church is located south of Petersburg on State Road 57. David Mullis, Pastor Hope Barnett, Reporter 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 PETERSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 118 West Pike Ave. Church 812-354-8851 Service times: Sunday at 10 :30 a.m. Praise and Worship service; 6 p.m. Bible study; Teen activities; Wednesday at 6 p.m. Bible study. Sunday morning service is available via transmitter. Pull in to the church parking lot and tune your radio to 90.1 FM and hear the service from the com- fort of your car. Sunday morning services are available on our Facebook page—Petersburg Church of the Nazarene or look for us on YouTube. Visit our website www.petersburgnaz.com for additional information. We want to be a church meet- ing the needs of our communi- ty. If the church can be of assis- 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. Corinna Williams, Reporter 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 are at 6 p.m. All services are CST (Gibson Co. times). There are three steps a min- ister must take to care for his flock. Pray, Prepare and Pres- ent. Present what? The Word of God. Most things in life have an answer in the Word, but we must pray for guidance when reading it, prepare our spir- it to receive instruction and most of all, present what the Word says. It's a big mistake to try to make the Word say what you want. For it's the Truth of the Gospel that sets you free. And, changing it in any way, causes confusion. tance to you, contact us at pas- tor@petersburgnaz.com. Steve Hamilton, Pastor 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. Good St. Patrick On March 17, many church- es, especially those with a large Irish population, will celebrate the life of St. Pat- rick. He grew up in a Christian home in Britain, but wasn't very religious until a major event changed his life. As a teen, he was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland, but escaped to Gaul (France) after six years. The years of enslavement strengthened his faith. He later wrote, "In that strange land [Ireland], the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes." He was led by God's voice to return to Ireland where he converted people to Christianity tribe by tribe. Because Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, those who celebrate St. Patrick's Day will wear something green. Some Christians will even color food or drink green. Many Chris- tians will also eat corned beef and cabbage and decorate ta- bles with shamrocks. Sham- rocks are actually three-leaf (not four-leaf ) clover plants. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the three leaves to teach about the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Office hours: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday. Amy Melhiser, Secretary OTWELL WESLEYAN CHURCH 2277 N. Mechanics Street Otwell Pastor 812.354.3028 Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship at 10 :30 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. Sunday eve- ning worship service. Slow Dance by David L. Weatherford Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round, or listened to rain slapping the ground? Ever followed a but- terfly's erratic flight, or gazed at the sun fading into the night? You better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last. Do you run through each day on the fly, when you ask, "How are you? " Do you hear the reply? When the day is done. Do you lie in your bed, with the next hundred chores running through your head? You better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last. Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow, and in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ev- er lost touch, let a friendship die, cause you never had time to call and say hi? You better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last. When you run so fast to get somewhere you miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, it's like an unopened gift thrown away. Life isn't a race, so take it slower. Hear the music, before your song is over. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter The Word says that Christ is not the author of confusion. So we must bring confusion on ourselves. We don't like it when someone takes what we have said out of context. I am sure the Father doesn't either. Ron Vickers, Pastor Elaine Young, Reporter, 812-749 -1122 (leave a mes- sage). Scouts earning Merit Badge Boy Scout Troop 151, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church, worked on their Scouting Heritage Merit Badge with Sandy McBeth at the Pike County History Center. The scouts learned about the history of Scouting in Petersburg and the United States. They put together a display showing the history of their troop, which will be available to the public at the center through March 6. Front row (l to r): Connor Fields and Taylor Russell; second row: Graham Wieneke, Andy Johnson, Tyler Mason and Ayden Young; back row,: Chuck Froeh- le (leader), Dominic Garland and Todd Garland (leader). Cub Scouts learning about knife safety Cub Scout Pack 151 meet every Tuesday evening at the First United Method- ist Church. This past Tuesday three of the Cubs learned about knife safety as they put together wooden knife kits. Pictured (l to r): Miles Modesitt, Max Oakes and Xavier Mason.