The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1478052
CHURCH Of course, the lawyer who had stood up to put Jesus to the test "desired to justify himself" so that he spat back, "Well, just who is my neighbor, then?" and this worked out very well, for, in Jesus' answer, we were given the lovely parable concerning the Good Samari- tan. We human beings usually do desire to justify our positions--quite often, at considerable length. Equally often, it seems that those justifications are more rationalizations than actual reasons. Consider: if you were a younger brother, whose actual motivation was simply to carve out a distinct niche for yourself, in opposition to that of an old- er sibling, are you likely to admit that you are simply attempting to be differ- ent? Of course not. You're going to at- tempt to marshal every good-sounding "reason" why your way of doing things is the right one, while your elder broth- er's way is wrong. I still bear the mental scars of being obliged to read, while in college all those many decades ago, from John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Reli- gion. I certainly do not plan to spend any more time reading any of his writings, looking for "reasons/rationalizations" for his doing the things that he did. So let us simply look at what he ac- tually did do, or at the least, advocated, and draw our own conclusions regard- ing his motives. In contrast to the interiors of the Roman Catholic churches of which he disapproved, the walls of Calvinistic churches tended to be plain-painted, set with windows of clear glass. Rather than employing hymns whose texts had been fashioned by gifted poets of every Christian century, and set to music that the Church had been developing for an equally long time, Calvinistic congregations tended more toward the employment of Psal- ters, containing metrical translations into contemporary language of the Old Testament Psalms. Clergy dress was reduced from alb and amice, chasuble and cope, maniple and stole, often sewn from brocade, and accented with gold, in colors, where appropriate, which supported the seasons of the Church year, to a long black gown with long sleeves, of- ten called a "Geneva gown," because of Calvin's long association with that city. If you're really lucky, you might get added a couple of skinny white tabs, usually referred to as "Geneva bands," at the throat. Now my question is: if John Calvin were such a Biblical scholar, how did he manage to miss out on Exodus' 28th chapter, where we read that God com- manded Moses that he should make for Aaron the priest "holy garments for glory and for beauty." These garments included robe, coat, turban and girdle, breast-piece and ephod. It was of gold, blue, purple, and scar- let stuff that they were made, and fine twined linen. Gold filigree and chains of pure gold were also involved. But it was Aaron's breast-piece which exhibited the most of what we might today call "bling." The jewels– sardius, topaz, carbuncle, emerald, sapphire, diamond, jacinth, agate, am- ethyst, beryl, onyx, and jasper. Thus, early in Israel's existence, we are told of a set of twelve gems, and, at the end of the Bible, we read in Rev- elation's 21st chapter of another set of twelve gems, these, to be used as adornments on the foundations of the wall that will surround the New Jeru- salem. This time, the gems are jasper, sapphire agate, emerald, onyx, carne- lian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chryso- prase, jacinth, and amethyst. Quite something to look forward to. However, the gems which should perhaps most concern us at present are those spoken of by the prophet Zechariah, when he said, "They are the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land." All right, if we are to be shining jew- els, we should perhaps think about what sort of jewels we are going to be. Pity the young man who would bring away from the jewelers a proposed engagement ring whose diamond is marred by inclusions. These crystals of other minerals which have made their way into the stone spoil its purity. The application is obvious. If we wish to be God's shining gems, there are any number of things which we do not wish to have included in our char- acters–things like "evil thoughts, mur- der, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, and slander," as Jesus once listed. Then of course, different gems come in different colors. We rejoice Are you living in a paradox? Christians live in a paradox. Christ makes this clear in his prayer for his disciples in John 17:14-16: I have giv- en them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. We usually translate this statement into something like we are in the world but not of the world—we are living on earth and living in the King- dom of God. In Luke, Jesus said the Kingdom of God lies within you. In Ephesians, Paul says that God 'made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.' Paul tells the Philip- pians that he has a desire to depart and be with Christ, yet he feels he needs to stay for their sakes. We feel the pull from both places; our physical and emotional senses are tantalized by the world's allure, while God pursues us with his spir- itual. We can readily perceive the earthly whereas the Holy Spirit that lives within us can only discern the heavenly. You might have heard the world' screams while God whispers! What will a person do? We are Christ's visible witness on earth. Jesus said you are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled underfoot (Mt 5:13). We also use salt as a pre- ser vative! We are witnessing what happens to the world when it rejects the salt of God. I heard a church leader say we need more Christians and fewer church members. There is a difference. Some people who warm a pew on an occasional Sunday have no genu- ine convictions; church is more like an insurance policy or a social club. Committed Christians stand for the truth of God. They believe the church is called to lead and set an ex- ample. The scriptures, not science, not government, or your neighbor, tells them how to live. The church isn't run by opinion polls, court rul- ings, political ideology, or progres- sive agendas. Christians have been 'called out' of darkness into Christ's mar vel- ous light. To be a Christian is to be transformed from a caterpillar into a butterfly, so to speak. What I once was is no more. A new creature has emerged who now sees how dark this world is. A Christian living in both worlds will suffer persecution. Since the be- ginning of time, God's people have been persecuted: Abel was the first believer persecuted by the faithless. Jesus said your greatest enemy are those in your own house. It was Abel's brother, Cain, who killed him. Both brothers sought God's ap- proval and blessing; but Abel pre- sented himself to God in a manner he knew would please God (faith) and Cain dishonored God and presented an offering to God on his terms. Even in rejection, God told Cain his offering would be accepted if he approached God correctly. What was Cain's response? South Gibson Church Services BUCKSKIN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF BUCKSKIN 8260 E. 900 S., Buckskin Sunday school 9 a.m.; Worship ser vice 10:15 a.m. CYNTHIANA FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Corner of North and Walnut Sunday worship ser vice 9 a.m. FAIR HAVEN CHRIST FELLOWSHIP Church Street, Cynthiana Mike Douglas, Pastor Phone: 812-724-4735 Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Wednesday evening 7 p.m. FORT BRANCH BETHLEHEM GENER AL BAPTIST CHURCH 3208 W 525 S, Fort Branch (CR 325 W off of Hwy. 168) Steve Wilson, Pastor Bible study 9 a.m. Sunday worship 10 a.m. FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 601 S. Lincoln, Fort Branch Pastor Br yan Holzappel Sunday school 9:30 a.m. Morning worship 10:30 a.m. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 212 West Locust, Fort Branch Pastor Corey Atkins Phone: 812-753-4623 Sunday school 9 a.m.; Worship ser vice 10 a.m. (Communion first Sunday); Second Cup of Coffee (la- dies' group) all ladies welcome, sec- ond Wednesday, 9 a.m. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT BR ANCH 100 W. Vine St., Fort Branch Rev. John Baylor, Jr., Pastor 812-753-4424 Sunday School 9:30 a.m.; Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m., nurser y pro- vided for preschool age and under. Youth Groups for grades 4-12 meet at 6 p.m. on Sunday evenings, Sept. through May. Details on the church website www.fbfirst.org. HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH 200 S. Church St., Fort Branch Fr. Gary Kaiser Pastor Joe Siewers, Deacon Saturday Mass 4:30 p.m.; Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m. PROVIDENCE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH CR 550 S., NE of Fort Branch Mitch Breidenbaugh, Pastor Sunday school for children and adults at 10:30 a.m.; worship 11 a.m.; For information, call 812-753- 3386. ST. LUCAS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 6777 S. 350 East, Fort Branch Pastor John Heumann Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; Sunday worship 10:30 a.m. ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH SNAKE RUN 5342 E. SR 168 (East of Fort Branch) 812-753-4568 Fr. Chris Forler, Pastor Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m. ST. PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 4222 E. SR 168, Fort Branch Pastor John Heumann Sunday worship 9 a.m.; Sunday school 10:15 a.m. VERTICAL CHURCH Coal Mine Rd., Fort Branch Rich Clark, Pastor Sunday morning worship ser vices 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Vertical Kids chil- dren's ministr y available during both ser vices for children from birth to fifth grade. Ignite Ministr y is 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays for students in sixth-12th grades. WESLEYAN CHURCH 202 E. Vine St., Fort Branch Sunday school from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday worship, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening adult Bible study, 6:30 p.m., GIG (Growing in God) Club for ages 5 to 11 (available while school is in session), Teen Group for ages 12 and up. For more information call the church at 812- 677-5007. HAUBSTADT NEW LIBERTY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Hwy. 68 between Cynthiana and Haubstadt Gordon Jones, Pastor Services Sunday 10:30 a.m. New Life House of Prayer 208 West Street, Haubstadt Adam and Lindsay Ping Phone: 812-215-9003 Sunday morning ser vice 10 a.m.; Children's Sunday school during ser vice; Food Pantr y open first and third Wednesdays of the month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Ever yone welcome! IMMANUEL LUTHER AN CHURCH (LCMS) 1-1/2 miles south of I-64 and U.S. 41, Volkman Rd. Rev. Kirk Horstmeyer Saturday evening ser vices 5:30 p.m.; Sunday worship ser vices 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.; Sunday school 9:10 a.m. ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH Old Princeton Rd., Haubstadt Fr. Andrew Thomas, Admistrator Fr. Kenneth Betz, Parochial Bicar William Brandle, Deacon Saturday Mass 5 p.m.; Sunday Masses 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. STS. PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH 201 Vine St., Haubstadt Fr. Andrew Thomas, Admistrator Fr. Kenneth Betz, Parochial Bicar William Brandle, Deacon Saturday Mass 5 p.m.; Sunday Masses 7 and 10 a.m. ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Second and Elm St., Elberfeld Rev. Paul Fraser Sunday school 9 a.m.; worship ser- vice 10 a.m. LYNNVILLE BARNET T CHAPEL Stanley Road, Lynnville Don Williams, Pastor Sunday school 9 a.m.; worship ser vice 10 a.m.; Sunday evening wor- ship 6 p.m.; Wednesday night prayer ser vice 7 p.m. OWENSVILLE BLYTHE CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST One mile W. of GSHS Owensville Points to Ponder By Curtis Bond Two Minutes With the Bible By Pastor Ricky Kurth Reflections From the Page By Cleoramae G. Stunkel It's no contest During his recent visit to the Unit- ed States, the pope stirred up quite a bit of controversy when he canonized an 18th-century friar named Junipero Serra. The pontiff sought to recognize the friar for his work in bringing Cathol- icism to California, but there are some who claim he treated Native Americans harshly. This explains why a statue of Serra was vandalized after his elevation to sainthood was announced. As you can see, when your sainthood depends on your conduct, there will always be someone who will stand up to contest it. How different it is with the saints mentioned in Scripture! The Corinthi- ans were known for their carnality (I Cor. 3:1), yet Paul calls them "saints" (I Cor. 1:2). If you are wondering how this could be, it is because Paul knew that the verb form of the noun "saint" is sanctify, and while the Corinthians were carnal in their conduct, they were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" (I Cor. 1:2). In the Bible, men are "sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 15:16), not by any earthly church. They are "sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ" (Heb. 10:10), and not by their behavior. Rome awards sainthood to men who are known for good works, but the Lord says that men are "sancti- fied by faith that is in Me" (Acts 26:18). So it is that while the canonicity of all Rome's saints can be contested by men, not even the devil himself can contest the sainthood of the believer in Christ. It's no contest! Just remember, sainthood is a high calling, so make sure "that ye walk worthy of the vo- cation wherewith ye are called" (Eph. 4:1). Insight By Dave Ingler The Well is Deep `"Sir", the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?" (John 4:11) The Samaritan woman who came to draw water from Jacob's well stood amazed that Jesus, a Jew, would dare ask her for a drink of water. It was there that Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." (John 4:10) The woman at the well would soon learn that Jesus needed no bucket and rope to retrieve the living water of which He spoke for He Himself was the source from which it sprang. He would prove to be the fountain from which this water flowed—water which never makes one thirst again. His would be the water that cleanses; pure and uncontaminated. He would be the water that gives life to those who thirst after Him. A-8 Tuesday, September 6, 2022 South Gibson Star-Times See CHRUCH on page 9 See PAR ADOX on page 9 See DEEP on page 9 See REFLECT on page 9