The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1482640
The Press-Dispatch D-1 Wednesday, October 26, 2022 CHURCH Submit church items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Once again, Halloween is here. It has qua- si holiday status with outdoor decorations and celebrations galore. Retailers have ample sup- plies of candy for sale to hand out to the lit- tle ghosts and goblins that "trick or treat" at their door. People decorate their yards with blow up creatures such as Frankenstein, Drac- ula, the Wolfman, ghosts, aliens, and devils. Carved "jack-o'-lanterns" are everywhere. Or- ange lights adorn houses, trees and shrubbery, while casting an eerie glow. Most people view Halloween as harmless revelry, and poking fun at fictional creatures. Many churches get in on the exuberance with haunted houses and other ghoulish activities. As a pastor, I disapprove of churches celebrat- ing Halloween with haunted houses and all the trimmings. However, I discovered many churches ignore the pleadings of the pastor to refrain from such hedonistic celebration. The standard defense offered is this is just good clean fun for kids and harmless. Fun maybe, harmless no! Christians reveling in Halloween and churches sponsoring haunted houses dimin- ishes the celebration of Hallowe'en. Hallowe'en or All Souls Day, is a Christian celebration honoring and remembering the dead. In ma- ny Christian churches, it is a solemn occasion observed with prayers, liturgies and masses. Most churches teach everyone will die, but not everyone will live again. Jesus says that every- one in the grave will rise, "and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrec- tion of judgment" John 5:39. In New Testament times, lifespans were short, averaging about 40 years or fewer. For most people, premature death was a genuine concern, as was death by disease, poverty, and at the hand of Imperial Rome. There were a lot of scared people that Jesus encountered. Jesus reassured people there was no reason to fear death. His words about eternal life were elec- trifying. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come in- to judgment, but has passed from death into life" John 5:24. Jesus is setting the scene for a literal demonstration. Most Christians are familiar with the sto- ry of the raising of Lazarus in the gospel of John. It is unquestionably Jesus' greatest mira- cle, as it showed his power over life and death. Lazarus was sick and dying, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus to come quickly. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead four days. Martha was upset because Jesus did not arrive in time to save her brother from death. Jesus tries to comfort her by saying, "your brother shall rise again." Martha shrugs it off by saying, "I know he will in the resurrection." This is where the story gets interesting. This story is a lesson to listen carefully to what God says. We often think we know what he is saying, but, as Jesus says, "he that has ears, listen to what the Spirit is saying." It takes spiritual ears and faith to hear and understand what God is saying. Jesus knows Martha is grief stricken and did not grasp what he was About 1900 years ago St. Paul wrote to Tim- othy, with regard to the sacred Scriptures: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim.3:16). This truth has been confirmed by over- whelming evidence, and those who have tried, through the centuries, to overthrow the Bible have been about as successful as a man try- ing to overthrow the Rock of Gibraltar with a pea shooter. Furthermore, the Word of God towers above the clergy as well as above the laity. The Bereans were called "noble" because they put the words of even the great Apostle Paul to the test of Scripture, to see if he taught anything contrary to it. That blessed Book is the Supreme Critic. If we overlook vital doctrine, it is the Book that will "teach" us. If we handle the Word deceit- fully, it is the Book that will "reprove" us. If we go astray in our conclusions, it is the Book that will "correct" us. Where moral questions are involved, it is the Book that will "instruct us in righteousness." Well do we remember when we were first convicted by the Bible as the written Word of God — and we have nev- er ceased to thank God for the blessed results. This Book condemns men as sinners be- fore a holy God, but presents salvation free and complete through the vicarious death of Christ at Calvary. "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). The church page is made possible by the following firms and businesses: Amber Manor Care Center Petersburg — 812-354-3001 Benner & Co. Heating and Air Petersburg — 812-354-3433 Computers Plus Radio Shack Petersburg — 812-354-9633 DougGlass DBA Hold Everything Self Storage — 812-354-1110 Four Star Fabricators Petersburg — 812-354-9995 www.fourstarfab.com Harris Funeral Home 7th and Walnut Streets, Petersburg Phone: 812-354-8844 MK Farms Mike and Kay Anson Monroe City, Winslow — 812-890-5012 Play & Learn Preschool Campbelltown — 812-354-3999 CHURCH CHURCH Notes Notes Notes See NOTES on 2 What are you celebrating? Points to Ponder By Curtis Bond See POINTS on page 2 The supreme critic Minutes with the Bible By Pastor Cornelius R. Stam First Church of God Sunday, Oct. 30 Sunday, Oct. 30 4-6 P.M. 4-6 P.M. Come Join Us! Come Join Us! 2135 E. Main St. • Petersburg Assembly of God RIVER OF LIFE 342 E. CR 300 N., Petersburg Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening wor- ship 6 p.m. and Consumed youth group 7 p.m.; Wednes- day evening Bible study 7 p.m.; Men's ministry meeting every other Thursday 10 a.m. If you would like a ride to and from church services, call 812-354-8800. Jim Gidcumb, Pastor WASHINGTON ASSEMBLY OF GOD 320 S. Meridian Street, Washington Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday evening dinner and Bible study at 6 p.m. Baptist ARTHUR G.B. CHURCH 5670 S. St. Rd. 61, Winslow 812-582-0354 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship with chil- dren's church at 10 :30 a.m. Business meeting the third Sunday of the month follow- ing morning worship. Ralph Newkirk, Pastor AYRSHIRE VALLEY G.B. CHURCH 1947 E. Co. Rd. 375 S., Winslow Phone: 812-789 -3968 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Jim King, superintendent, Paul Couts, assistant; morn- ing worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sun- day evening 6 p.m.; Wednes- day evening Bible study 6:30 p.m. See our Facebook page: facebook.com/AyrshireVal- leyGB. Frank A. Coleman, Pastor FBC PETERSBURG 8th and Poplar Street Petersburg 812-354-6582 American Baptist Church Our Vision is to Engage with God and equip Christians to Reach Out, Show Love and Serve our Community. We hope to see you here. Michael Miller, Pastor BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH An Independent Baptist Church 4995 N. Co. Rd. 850 E., Otwell (Meeting in the Iva Union Church building) Sunday school for chil- dren and adults 9 a.m.; Sun- day morning worship service 10 a.m.; Sunday evening ser- vice, Youth Group (6th grade through 19 years old), and Patch Club (four years old through fifth grade) 6 p.m.; Thursday, prayer service 7 p.m. Scott Fulcher, Pastor BETHEL G.B. CHURCH 4933 E. Co. Rd. 900 S. Stendal Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship at 10 :30 a.m.; First and third Wednes- day of each month, Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Steve Selby, Pastor GR ACE G.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St., Winslow Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 5 p.m.; Wednesday Bible study at 5 p.m. Henry Nelson, Pastor GLEZEN G.B. CHURCH Corner of Center and Sycamore Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship service at 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dwight Howe, Pastor HEPHZIBAH-LIT TLES GB CHURCH "Feed the Vision" dinner, ev- ery month on the first Satur- day. Everyone is welcome to join us at the Senior Citizens. Deb Hamm Reporter 1911 E. CR 650 N., PETERSBURG Pastor Clark Gray 317-474-3249 REVIVAL OCTOBER 25-30 7 p.m. Nightly • Sunday 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. TWIN OAKS CHURCH TWIN OAKS CHURCH SPECIAL GUEST: REV. RON BEACH Evangelist and Singing INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR OUR IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH SBC 295 West Main Street Petersburg Church 812-486 -3658 Pastor 812-890 -9942 Email: awordfitlyspoken@ outlook.com. Website: immanuelbaptistchurch. weebly.com. Early service at 9:30 a.m. to coincide with children's Sun- day school; Sunday morning Bible study 9:30 a.m.; morn- ing worship at 10 :40 a.m.; Wednesday evening prayer service at 6 p.m. There is no Sunday evening or Thursday services. Joseph Roman, Pastor MT. PISGAH G.B. CHURCH Augusta Sunday morning worship at 10 :15 a.m.; Children's Sun- day school during morning worship; Cross Fit youth on Sunday evening at 6 p.m.; Wednesday night Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Jerry (Tuffy) Blackwell, Pastor NEW LIBERTY G.B. CHURCH 1820 E. CR. 800 S. Oakland City ( Just south of Coe on SR 61 Worship Sunday mornings at 10 :30 a.m. WINSLOW G.B. CHURCH 600 E. Union Street Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday, adult Bible study at 6:30 p.m. You are welcome to join us. Gary Watson, Pastor Catholic BLESSED SACR AMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH 11092 E. Lincoln Heights Rd. Oakland City 812-749 -4474 Email: frenner@evdio.org Masses: (Latin for Mission- to spread the Gospel: Sched- ule (All times CDT). Check church bulletin for sched- ule of services. Wednesdays: Confession 5:30 p.m.; Adora- tion and Benediction at 6 p.m. and Mass at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday Mass: 8 a.m. The Holy Rosa- ry is prayed at 7:30 a.m., be- fore Mass. Fr. Frank Renner, Pastor Rev. Gary Keepes, Deacon