The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/259021
C-1 Wednesday, February 12, 2014 ChurCh Notes oPiNioN letters to the editor Files out oF the PAst Two Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam A coffin for the law Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Religions in our world the Church Page is made possible by the following Firms and businesses: Amber Manor Care Center Petersburg — 354-3001 benner & Co. heating and Air Petersburg — 354-3433 Computers Plus radio shack Petersburg — 354-9633 dougglass dbA hold everything Self Storage — 354-1110 Four star Fabricators Petersburg — 354-9995 www.fourstarfab.com german American Banking | Insurance | Investments Main Office — 354-8471 harris Funeral home 7th and Walnut Streets, Petersburg Phone: 354-8844 Martin's used Cars Monroe City — 743-2229 Play & learn Preschool Campbelltown — 354-3999 solar sources Coal for Steam and Industrial Market Petersburg — 354-8776 God had barely given the Law to Mo- ses when He ordered that it be put in a coffin. That's right—a coffin. The reason for this is that the Mosaic covenant clear- ly stipulated: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine" (Ex- odus 19:5). Israel, of course, did not obey God's voice indeed, but broke the Law before Moses even got down from Sinai. It was because of this that God, in grace, com- manded: "And they shall make an ark…" (Exodus 25:10). This word "ark" is ren- dered "coffin" in the last verse of Genesis and that is its simple meaning. But why did God order a coffin as the very first ar- ticle of furniture for the tabernacle? The answer is: To put the Law in. Read it for yourself: "And thou shalt put into the coffin the testimony [the Law] which I shall give thee… and thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the coffin…" ( Verses 16,21). If God had not put the covenant of the Law in a coffin and met His people from a "mercy seat" none of them ever would have been saved. This Old Testament type has a lesson for us today, for if God dealt with us ac- cording to our works none of us would ev- er be saved, but "Christ died for our sins," meeting for us the just demands of a bro- ken Law, so that we might be saved by grace through faith in His redemptive work. Colossians 2:14 says concerning this "handwriting of decrees, that was against us," that our Lord, in death, "took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross," and Ro- mans 7:6 explains: "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." Thus believers in Christ are saved "by grace… through faith…not of works" but "unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8 -10). The cover story in a "U.S. News and World Report" was "Battling the Blues." The article described America as a melan- choly nation. According to the article, de- pression is on the rise. In the United States depression affects 18 million people at any given time. The cost is $50 billion a year in lost work and health care. In a recent year, depression accounted for 565,000 hospital admissions, 1.3 million doctor visits and 7.4 million hospital days. Depression affects all kinds of people. Those who are Christians and non-Chris- tians alike often suffer from depression. It may be physical or brought on by guilt. It is a fact that those with happy family re- lationships and strong faith in God suffer less from the blues. Those who have learned to keep an at- titude of gratitude and a forgiving spirit are happier. Those who regularly attend church, pray daily and have standards of morality have less depression. Those who grow up in single parent homes or have al- coholic parents suf- fer more depression. There are drugs and counseling that may offer help. How- ever, faith in God and a loving family are a great help for those who have pe- riods of depression. The Bible says, "A merry heart does good like a medicine." Living an unselfish life and helping those in need often drives away a mild case of the blues. The forgiveness and love of Christ re- lieves one of the guilt and burdens of sin and wrongdoing. Never make room in your mind for hate. Exercise regularly and culti- vate good habits and live a simple lifestyle. The Bible says, "Learn to be content with what you have." Face your problems, get medical advice, trust in God and expect a miracle in your life. Continued on page 4 gosPel CeNter ChurCh independent baptist Church 420 e. illinois street Petersburg Sunday morning service at 10 a.m.; Sunday evening, AWANA at 6 p.m. and wor- ship service at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening ser- vice/youth at 7 p.m. The Ladies over 40 Bible study meets the second and fourth, Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m. in the kitchen of the activities building. This Sat- urday, the 15th, anyone/ev- eryone is welcome to join us at 10 a.m. at Golden Living. Saturday evenings at 6 p.m., Douglas Kracht has the prison ministry. The Gospel Center's 64th anniversary was a wonder- ful, memorable day filled with "precious memories"— a happy, joyful day. Valentine's Banquet will be Saturday, Feb. 15. Jason Hill, Pastor Chris Bailey, Associate Pastor Douglas Kracht, Jail Min- istry ivA uNioN ChurCh Sunday school 9:30 a.m. followed by a short worship service; Wednesday Bible study 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Mary Kathryn Gray, Re- porter otWell WesleyAN ChurCh Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship service 6:30 p.m. Tuesday morning wom- en's Bible study at the fel- lowship hall 10 a.m. Youth group every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the fellowship hall. All area youth are invited to attend. Fun time with Margie will be 2 p.m. every third Tues- day of each month at the Ot- well Senior Housing. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. same in my business A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holi- day weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the atten- dant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Preacher," said the young man, "I'm sorry about the delay. It seems as if ev- eryone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business." "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" ( John 14:1-3). Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter First u.M. ChurCh 801 e. Walnut Petersburg Sunday morning worship 9:30 a.m.; fellowship 10 :25 - 10 :40 a.m.; Sunday school 10 :40 -11:30 a.m.; choir prac- tice on Wednesday evening. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). In recent years and cur- rently, Americans are chang- ing from our traditional in- candescent light bulbs and replacing them with Energy Star bulbs that use about 75 percent less energy and last at least six times longer . . . The Bible speaks of lights that shine, but these lights had nothing to do with en- ergy efficiency. ". . . Jesus taught His fol- lowers to live so that their lives lit up the darkness around them. When we are surrounded by darkness, it is a curious phenomenon what just a little light does . . ." "Hidden lights, like secret Christians, defeat their pur- pose. If we keep the light of our faith hidden, the dark- ness rules in our world. But when the world sees our light (His light in us), then the ways that we think, talk, and act will be a reflection of our Father . . . " "Father, let my light shine bold and bright, as a reflec- tion of Your work in my life." Taken in part from Open Windows. See you in church next Sunday. Mel Camp, Pastor iMMANuel bAPtist ChurCh 219 West Main street Petersburg Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :40 a.m.; Sunday evening wor- ship 6:30 p.m.; Wednes- day, ladies' Bible study 10 a.m.; Kids' Connection 6 - 7:30 p.m. and prayer/Bible study at 6:30 p.m.; Thurs- day, church visitation, at 5 p.m. and Grief Support by Pastor Fred Denton at 6 p.m. "You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abun- dant in mercy to all those who call upon you" (Psalm 86:5). Larry Barr, Pastor er changing, Word. That's why it is important that we study the Word. Books that are written about the Word are good and it is important for us to learn from others in the body, but when it comes down to it, the Word is the only thing that is perfect. God is calling us to His culture. Culture is so much more than just theology. Culture includes art, histo- ry, communication styles, language, etc . . . It's impor- tant that our Christianity isn't just an addition to our already established system of behavior and life, but that our Christianity becomes our culture. God has called us out from where we were to a whole new way of life. II Corinthains 6:17— "Therefore, come out from among them and be sepa- rate, says the Lord." This is definitely a call to holiness, but I believe it is so much more than that. God says, come to a new way of life that I may teach you how to live, think, walk, be- lieve. Let's go with God on His journey instead of trying to fit Him into our journey. Sunday morning 10 a.m.; Sunday evening 6 p.m.; youth group Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in Esteem Coffee Shop on Main St., Peters- burg. Stay current with up- dates from our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ livingfaithchurchintl. Be Blessed. Don and Christina Priest, Senior Pastors NeW liberty g.b. ChurCh Coe Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Ryan Edrington, Superin- tendent, Rev. Gary Pancake, Assistant; Sunday morning worship 10 :30 a.m. We appreciate Dave and A xel for cleaning the park- ing lot on Saturday. The ice is something else. The bad news was the black ice was too much to try to get to church, so we decided to cancel services. Sure do miss our church family. Friday will be Valentine's Day. Are you prepared? Our church will be host- ing the United of Indiana Association Sunday School Convention, Saturday, Feb. 15, at Camp Brosend. Be sure to sign up to help. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. EST. After the big day at the Sunday School Convention, join our friends at the Spur- geon Park for Italian Night. The Spurgeon Methodist Church will be serving up la- sagna, spaghetti and all the trimmings for a free will do- nation beginning at 4 p.m. It's an extra free night off for your valentine. OCU will sponsor a "Soulfest" on Feb. 15, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. CST. This will be a free concert featur- ing the "Sidewalk Prophets" and "The Great Command." Pizza and soft drinks will be available for $5. February 17 is President's Day. School will be in ses- sion, due to a snow make- up day. Come join us at our ser- vices. Everyone is welcome. Remember all who are in need of prayer. We have so many on our prayer request list! Our Mission Statement: Loving the 99, always look- ing for the one. Gary Pancake, Pastor Ivan Mason, Reporter liviNg FAith ChurCh iNterNAtioNAl P.o. box 556, Petersburg 812-809-4544 Genesis 12:1—Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country . . . From your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you." get out of your country God needed Abram where He could re-instruct him. God called Abram out of his country. Abrams culture would have interfered with how he saw Elohim. He had to take him out of everything that he knew. The people of Ur were moon worshippers. He had to take him out of a pagan culture so He could teach Abram who He was. This of course was a pro- cess, but that process be- gan at obedience. Through life we are taught so many things about God. Sometimes those things can be errors in doctrine passed down through tradition that is not Biblical. The truth of who God is and how He re- sponds can only be found in His everlasting, nev- gr ACe g.b. ChurCh union street, Winslow Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship service 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study 6 p.m. Rocky Wrye, Pastor FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014 6-8PM CUP CREEK G.B. FELLOWSHIP HALL (Hwy. 257, just north of Hwy. 64) Sponsored by the Youth Group Donations accepted. Proceeds will go to benefit the Youth Programs. Lasagna, Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Salad, Breadsticks, Dessert and Drinks VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER BETH GOEPPNER ( 812 ) 631-1815 Walnut Grove united Methodist ChurCh supper annual saturday feb. 15 5–7:30PM 4 miles south of Monroe City on State Road 61, watch for large white sign on E. side of highway. SERving 4 KindS of Soup -all HoMEMadE- Chili, Vegetable Beef, Potato Cheese & Chicken Corn Chowder With Choice of Sandwiches (Ham Salad, Cheese Salad, Egg Salad, Hot Dogs) AND Desserts and Drinks! fREE-will offERing!