The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1463185
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 30, 2022 D-3 Church Note Deadline 10 a.m. Tuesday PAWS WEEK PAWS WEEK Pet of the TESSA Cats love to extend their claws and enjoy a place in the sun. Simple things that cost nothing can bring mo- ments of refreshing peace. This week PAWS is fea- turing an intriguing young feline named Tessa, who likes to prowl around the cat room and hide in very unusual places. She has many characteristics of a Russian Blue, including her sweet nature and quiet personality. Russian Blues become very attached to their owners and take well to apartment living. She is a petite cat, has a beauti- ful silver blue coat, golden eyes, and is approximately nine months old. Tessa can adopted by calling 812-354-9894. in our own dispensation. This pollution of worship was still going strong when our Authorized Version was translated, and it might be why the translators rendered epouranios as "high places" in our text. They may have perceived that while the "spiritual wickedness" they wrestled was the host of fall- en angels in heavenly plac- es, the sphere of operation of these wicked spirits on earth was in the Roman church whose towering cathedrals reminded them of the "high places" where God was wor- shiped with idols in Israel. In Daniel's day, a wicked spirit wrestled with an angel sent from God to try to keep a message from God from getting through to a man of God (Dan. 10 :10 -14). Sim- ilarly, during the Reforma- tion, the Reformers wrestled with wicked spirits who tried to keep the message of God's Word from the people of God by using the brute strength of the Roman church that re- stricted His Word to the Lat- in language that few could read. The Reformers wres- tled and overcame them by translating the Bible into the languages of the people. Today those same wick- ed spirits strive to keep the message of God's Word to us from God's people, the mes- sage of Paul's distinctive apostleship. This is the bat- tle we fight here at Berean Bible Society, and it is the wrestling in which you too must be engaged if you want to "fight the good fight" (I Tim. 6:12). It is the "good fight" that Paul fought to his dying breath (II Tim. 4:7). Is it your fight too? So a sample of how she might rule was in order, however our partisan warfare kicked in and instead of acting like leaders who could control their tem- per and manage their tongues, they made fools of themselves and almost brought Judge Jackson to tears. Do not tell me I'm against one party or the other because it is getting old watching their outbursts of temper and belit- tlement of one another. Our country is better than all the fighting we do amongst our- selves. One day my grandson and I went down to Mom's old home to clean up a limb. We got done and were pretty cold but after we warmed up we went back out to the shop to work on an- other mower. We had the heat- er on but it was slowly warm- ing up where we were work- ing. Hang on because we will be out mowing soon. I have already seen people having to mow some of the grass in their yard so their yard would an even height. The new work on side- walks and drains has had the north side neighbors running a gauntlet of huge concrete barriers to get to town. I real- ize the work being done will be nice once it is done, but as long as we have the gauntlet to navigate we should give one another room enough to make the turns necessary to make it through. It doesn't take much longer to stay back about 15 feet or so from the intersec- tion so we all have more room. It isn't as bad as I have made it sound, but please practice some courtesy with one an- other. With spring break at school we had a couple of days with- out babysitting. Our grand- kids can be rowdy but they are still good kids and you really miss them not being around. I'm not saying papa uses up all the nerve he has with grand- kids in his life so sometimes the quiet can be heard. We went to church last Sun- day and enjoyed our travels through praying and the ori- gin of our scriptures. It seems as though they have been pre- served throughout the years. The King James Version was put into existence in the 15th century and has been in print since. It is the normally ac- cepted Bible in many denom- inations. Bro. Rich told a story about how the grass is always green- er on the other side and how something is enjoyable now but will it last. Will what you see as good can have a trap in it later on. He said if you have God and peace in your life you can always make what you have greener, if you will just care for it and nurture your faith. Hey, I haven't forgotten we are expected to be a blessing to each person in our lives next week. MINUTES RAMBLINGS Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 POINTS Continued from page 1 You might have heard the story of a Virginia mother who told a school board that her six-year-old daughter asked her if she was "born evil" because she is white. Her daughter learned this during a history lesson at school. The girl's teacher may not have made that ex- act statement, but even a six-year-old child, if given enough details, can connect the dots. Most parents know chil- dren live in a world all their own, devoid of certain real- ities. A six-year-old can un- derstand 1+1=2. They cannot understand 2πr. The same child at sixteen can under- stand complex equations, in- cluding Pi R-Squared. My granddaughter is twelve years old. She en- joys going to church. That is a positive. But lately mom hasn't been taking daugh- ter to church. What gives, I asked? One day, my twelve-year- old granddaughter asked her mom, why does "God hate gay people? " This statement floored her mother. She re- plied God loves everybody. Where did you get the idea that God hates people? My granddaughter's reply was from church! Her mother reasoned with her, explaining that God doesn't hate people. She may not have used these ex- act words, but Christians love the phrase, "God loves the sinner, but hates the sin." Have you ever stopped to think how a child mentally processes these statements? Many Christians have heard of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS. They became well known for their outspoken opposition to ho- mosexuality, the gay rights movement; and declare that God punishes the United States for its tolerance of ho- mosexuality. They arrive at protest sites with their children in tow car- rying signs that read "God hates fags and all proud sin- ners" or "Repent or perish." Adults may shake their head in disbelief and write them off as "kooks, wackos, or nut jobs" but children do not. Children are not born to hate. We teach children to hate. Children do not see col- or. We teach them to be rac- ists. Most of what children become, they learn at home at an early impressionable age. No wonder the Prov- erb says to train up a child in the "right way" when they are young. Jesus uplifted children. In the days of Christ, and in many parts of our world, they consider children property with no rights. Jesus turned this notion on its head. One day he picked up a child and set him on his knee and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are convert- ed and become as little chil- dren, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Mt 18:3. Jesus elevated the worth of a child above adults when he said, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a mill- stone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Mt 18:6. When I was a kid, I lived in a "Leave it to Beaver" World. We didn't hear about gay rights, drug addicts, homeless people, abortion rights, institutional racism, and global warming, to name a few. Today's children aren't the Brady Bunch. Churches have become socially active. They expose our children to the ills and challenges of society at a young age. To a child, it doesn't matter what side of any issue their par- ents champion. A child is in- capable of distinguishing sin from sinner, as in God loves the sinner but hates the sin. My daughter does not want her daughter growing up to hate God. The message her daughter hears at church is disconcerting to mom and grandpa. If we want our children to grow up loving God, and our churches full, we had better find out what they are hear- ing in our churches. I have a suspicion they are hearing a different message than you or I heard. My granddaughter read this article and liked it. She commented that "church is very repetitive." That is for another article. Re 3:6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Nazarene Presbyterian Wesleyan Methodist CHURCH 812-239-6843 church Sunday CENTER —812-582-8222 Mon- till from 6 - Wednes- coun- 812-582- starting the God, your COMMUNITY Union 812-664-5454 wor- ser- ser- Sunday— Iron Wednesday men Pastor AN Street and a.m. ladies Sea- Video ALFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1709 E. SR. 356 Petersburg 812-677-0105 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. The community of Good Shepherd United Method- ist Church exists to glorify God through Jesus Christ our Lord. As a body of believers, we pledge ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to develop with- in 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 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 in- vites 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 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 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 Worship service 9:30 a.m.; Sunday school 10 :45 a.m. and Wednesday evening Bible study at 6:30 p.m. We are also broadcasting our Sunday worship service live on Facebook at Peters- burg First United Methodist Church. "O God, you are my God I shall seek You earnestly. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus, I have seen you in the sanctuary. To see Your power and Glory. Be- cause your loving kindness is better than life my lips will praise you. So, I will Bless you as long as I live, I will lift up my hands in your name. My Soul is satisfied with marrow and fatness and my mouth of- fers praises with joyful lips" (Psalm 63:1-5). God Bless. Michael (Mike) Punke, Pastor PETERSBURG FREE METHODIST CHURCH 202 Walnut Street Normal weekly schedule is as follows: Sunday school starts at 9:30 a.m. with morn- ing worship at 10 :30 a.m. Jeremy Ross will bring the message this Sunday. Teen ministry on Sunday nights at 5 p.m.; Monday at 6 p.m. we have a time of prayer at the church; Wednesday night ministry is for potty-trained preschoolers to teens from 6 - 7 p.m. We will provide transporta- tion for children who need it on Wednesday. Peace and joy in the Lord. David Blaize, Reporter 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 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. We will have service on Fri- day, April 1, 8 and 15 at 7 p.m. EDT. On April 17, Sunrise service the church at 7 a.m. EDT. "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Je- sus Christ and him crucified" (I Corinthians 2:2). The love expressed in Je- sus' sacrifice made Him a dif- ferent kind of leader. As Lord and Savior of the world, His cross changes everything. The name of Jesus will forever be known and praised above every name. How is Jesus different from other leaders? Can you identi- fy with Paul's recall of his own weakness and fear? How does Jesus help you with that? "Father, help me to see Your heart in the sacrifice of Your Son"—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. We are exploring the words in Philippians 4:4-9 and how they can help us thrive in cha- os. So many trials come into 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 King- dom of God, and His righteous- ness; and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). What things will be added? God's order back into our lives— a peace that passes all under- standing—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 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 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. On a train trip, a pastor struck up a conversation with a seatmate who thought char- acter and good works led to salvation. The pastor wasn't making progress but had a realization when the conduc- tor collected tickets, quick- ly checking the date before stamping each one. A fter the conductor passed by, the pastor told his fellow passenger: "All the conduc- tor looked at was your ticket. He did not inquire about your character. He didn't care who you were — whether you were a good or moral man or a crim- inal. So it is with salvation. You need only God's 'ticket to heaven' stamped by the blood of Jesus Christ." 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. A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase and began to take a drink of root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie and a root beer. They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy got up to leave, he gave the old man, a hug. When the boy got home his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy? "He replied, "I had lunch with God." He's got the most beau- tiful smile I've ever seen! " Meanwhile, the old man, al- so radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy? " He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." "You know, he's much younger than I expected." Too often we underestimate the power of a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an hon- est compliment, or the small- est act of caring. Continue to pray for one an- other. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter