The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1470094
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, June 8, 2022 D-3 ested in knowing what God has said. His faith is based on his own will rather than on God's Word, for regardless of the meaning of Scripture, he will take any passage that suits his fancy and use it as he wishes. How great an em- phasis God Himself places upon the importance of un- derstanding His Word! On one occasion, when our Lord saw the multitudes, He "was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34). And now that the secret of God's "eternal purpose" has been made known, how much more reason there is to study the Scriptures, with a view to understanding them! How Paul, by the Spirit, empha- sizes this, as he writes of his prayers for the saints: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and reve- lation in the knowledge of Him: "The eyes of your under- standing being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling…" (Ephe- sians 1:17,18). 3/8ths of a mile and there is a hill to negotiate at both ends. It is a good walk. With the grass growing so fast you can watch it grow and the rain keeping things wet, we had to mow often so you couldn't do much more. We own my mother's old home in town and the yard was a mess. The irony of everything we were going to clean it up, but someone helped us out by complain- ing to the code enforcer and we recieved a code violation for tall vegatation. I admit it was a mess and I didn't like how it was, but neighbors are supposed to be a little toler- ant with all the rain and oth- er conditions we have had. Other neighbors have told me who they think turned us in was and even pointed out some code violations they had going on. I told my neighbor I did not want to start trouble for any- one. If you do anything out of vengance it never stops. What has happened to com- mon courtesy? I didn't think I would ever get to the point where I would need a cell phone, but I have changed my mind since I ex- perienced their great val- ue, especially text messag- es. Cell phones are certainly expensive. Especially if you buy an Apple product. You can't seem to reach the end of what they can cost, but I now rely on my cell phone for lots of things. I haven't got- ten to the point of having it in my hands always, but when it rings I answer or screen the call and if I need to call someone I can, what more do I need? Flat Creek Association of General Baptists held their yearly meeting at our camp ground in Bruceville. The camp is Camp Arthur and it is a big beautiful camp which offers many things for campers and meetings. It was one of the most peace- ful meetings I have attend- ed for years. I can't remem- ber hearing anything contra- dicting being said. We had a delicious meal which was ca- tered by a local caterer. Our President of General Baptist Associations was there and he brought news of a new way to conduct our church business. It sounds like our local associations will have more to say concerning our churches. Well I had better get this signed off, because I am go- ing to fill in for another of my minister friends. Pastors need to get away once in awhile and it is good to have an old man who isn't pastor- ing be available to fill in. I'm going to do my best to be a better Christian next week and I ask you to join me in being a blessing to everyone. RAMBLINGS Continued from page 1 POINTS Continued from page 1 weapons and 9mm hand- guns need to be outlawed. Their solution is to get rid of guns and there'll be no more shootings. Psychological profilers and armchair sleuths will quickly diagnose the latest school shooter as a socio- path. They label nearly ev- ery mass shooter a socio- path. Sociopaths are anti-so- cial, devoid of empathy, and have a predisposition for vio- lence. No surprise when they go on a killing spree. Case closed. Another calamity will quickly eclipse this tragedy and this heart break will fade from the news cycle until the next shooting. Yes, there will be more shootings. This past weekend, after a string of multiple shoot- ings, Baltimore Police Com- missioner Michael Harrison summed up the problem suc- cinctly. He blames rampant violence on a "total disregard for human life." More chillingly, he said, "Once again, this is an un- necessary tragedy that has happened. It's about young people carrying guns, young people with the willingness to use those guns indiscrim- inately in crowds. It's about parents not knowing where their young people are and what they're involved in." The answer to all this mad- ness may be as clear as mud. It certainly may not be one with which you will agree. But the answer is simple. The bulwarks of society, the home, church, family have been breached. The re- ality is the dam has burst and our children are now paying the price for years of national promiscuity. We are now al- most four generations from the Supreme Court ruling of separation of church and state. Freedom of religion be- came freedom from religion. A few years later, the court kicked God out of schools. Abortion became a consti- tutional right. They ordered municipalities and schools to remove the 10 Command- ments from public display. They banned Nativity dis- plays from public property. Many lawsuits have been filed challenging the display of crosses on public property. The godless have removed God's moral teachings from schools and society. God doesn't exist any- more. What or who has taken God's place? "Be sober, be vigilant; because your ad- versary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," 1Pe 5:8. God says he will punish the iniquities of those that hate him, and it will be their children in the third and fourth generation that will suffer for their parent's cor- ruptions, Ex 20 :5. This does not mean God hates chil- dren. What it infers is each gen- eration passes on its good or bad to the next generation. It doesn't take many gener- ations before a society be- comes corrupt. It is not real- ly the children's fault. Yet it is the children who will pay the price for their parent's pro- miscuity and godlessness. Cain didn't have a gun to kill his brother Abel. Got any ideas what he used? Our only hope is prayer. Je- sus said when you pray, say "And lead us not into tempta- tion, but deliver us from evil," Mt 6:13. Pray for your chil- dren. Pray for your grand- children. Put your faith in God to show you where evil is. Know what your children are watching, what games they are playing, who they are friends with. And espe- cially what are they viewing on their cell phones and who or what is influencing them? There is a roaring lion on the prowl, and he could be at your front door. Pentecostal Nazarene Nazarene Presbyterian Wesleyan Methodist MINUTES Continued from page 1 St. John's holds first Communion St. John's, Boone Township, holds first Communion on June 5. Pictured are Camden Bonner, Rev. Tim Holt, Neva Schilling, Cali Jackle, Josie Englert and Jarrett Verkamp. 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.; wor- ship 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 pre- pared 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 worship 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 Pin- ney. Otwell United Methodist in- vites you to join us this Sun- day at 10 :30 a.m. as we worship 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 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 mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephe- sians 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 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. "Make every effort to en- ter through the narrow door" (Luke 13:24). Neither our family back- ground nor our deeds can make us right with God. On- ly faith in Jesus can save us from sin and death (Ephesians 2:8 -9; Titus 3:5 -7). The door is narrow, but it's wide open to all who will put their faith in Jesus. He's inviting us to- day to seize the opportunity to enter through the narrow door to His kingdom. How can you have confi- dence you'll enter through the narrow door and be assumed of eternal life with Jesus? Why is this decision so im- portant? "Jesus, thank You for invit- ing me into Your kingdom. I believe You came to die for me and You rose from the grave. Come into my life and be my Savior"—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 add- ed? God's order back into our lives—a peace that passes all understanding—He is in con- trol. 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 comfort 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 meeting the needs of our com- munity. If the church can be of assistance to you, contact us at pastor@petersburgnaz. com. Steve Hamilton, Pastor 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 PENTECOSTAL 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 CDT (Gibson Co. times). Homecoming is this Sun- day, June 12. Gary Cline and daughter Jennifer will be with us. A meal after the morning service is being provided. We ask you bring a side dish or dessert. "I have set before you blessing and cursing, life and death. Choose life" (Deuter- onomy 30 :19). People who blame others for situation in life, never re- cover. You are giving that per- son control. You are saying "I can't go ahead unless you give me permission." That is a lie of the devil. They may have influenced us, but we make the decision. We must accept our part of it. Until you do you will be eat- en up with anger, jealousy and bitterness. Take hold of the hand of Jesus. Repent of your part. Overcome the past and live. 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. Christian symbol Butterfly The butterfly symbolizes resurrection, Easter and the new life we have in Christ Je- sus. As a caterpillar disap- pears into a chrysalis, so Je- sus' dead body was hidden in a tomb. The emergence of the butterfly, rising into the sky in its beautiful new body, re- minds us of Christ's resurrec- tion — and ours. 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.; Sunday evening worship service at 6:30 p.m. Gratitude A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read, "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat, spare change from folks as they hurried past. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. Then he put the sign back in the boy's hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write? " The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote, "Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it." Both signs spoke the truth. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind, while the second sign conveyed to ev- eryone walking by how grate- ful they should be to see. Gratitude is a heart-cen- tered approach to being at peace with yourself and with all you have. When you prac- tice this feeling of gratitude, it attracts even MORE things into your life for which to be grateful. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter