The Press-Dispatch

C-1 Wednesday, May 7, 2014 chUrch notes oPinion letters to the eDitor files oUt of the Past Two Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam A clear conscience Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Honesty, the hallmark of character? 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 German american Banking | Insurance | Investments Main Office — 812-354-8471 harris funeral home 7th and Walnut Streets, Petersburg Phone: 812-354-8844 Play & learn Preschool Campbelltown — 812-354-3999 solar sources Coal for Steam and Industrial Market Petersburg — 812-354-8776 With the knowledge of good and evil man came into the possession of con- science. A sense of blameworthiness smote him when he committed, or even contemplated committing, evil. This has been so ever since. The Bible tells us that even the most ungodly and benighted hea- then "show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bear- ing witness, and their thoughts the mean- while accusing or else excusing one anoth- er" (Romans 2:15). It is true that man's conscience can be violated so often that it becomes calloused or, as St. Paul puts it: "seared with a hot iron" (I Timothy 4:2), but events or inci- dents can take place which suddenly awak- en the conscience and make it sensitive again. Many a person has indulged in "the pleasures of sin" more and more freely un- til, suddenly, his sin has found him out and his conscience has caught up with him to condemn him day and night and make life itself unbearable. The Bible teaches that all men outside of Christ are, to some degree, troubled by guilty consciences and certainly most are "through fear of death… all their life- time subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:15). But it also teaches that "Christ died for our sins" so that, our penalty having been paid, we might be delivered from a guilty conscience. The works and ceremonies of the Mo- saic Law could never accomplish this, but sincere and intelligent believers in Christ, having been "once purged," have "no more conscience of sins" (Hebrews 9:14; 10 :1,2). They are, to be sure, conscious of their sins, but they are no longer tortured by a forever-condemning conscience, for they know that the penalty for all their sins, from the cradle to the coffin, was fully met by Christ at Calvary. This is not to imply that even a sincere believer may not be troubled about offend- ing the One who paid for his sins, but he knows that the judgment for these sins is past. Thus he earnestly seeks, like Paul, "to have always a conscience void of of- fence toward God and toward man" (Acts 24:16). One of the Ten Commandments makes it clear that we must not lie. It is one of the most shameful and hurtful of all sins. It always walks hand-in-hand with adultery, stealing, drug use, corrupting politicians and every shameful deed. The first thing people do is to lie hoping it will be a cov- er. We have all been disappointed with lies told by our leaders. Since 1976 every week our column has been published. Over the years 100 news- papers in 21 states published the col- umn. Most of these papers do not pro- mote the lies of liberalism touted by the elite media. Before I started writing this column, I saw our culture take a turn for the worse. There was an increase of drug abuse among the youth, the start of the gay rights movement; the legalization of abor- tion on demand and a general break down in the once respected media. In the 60s the Bible and prayer had for all practical pur- poses been removed from our schools. These trends trou- bled me greatly and as a result a new column, Religious Viewpoint, had its beginning. With only a few exceptions the elite media have become anti-family, anti- Christian and anti-patriotic. All major net- works and most cable news promote the left leaning agenda. I am a registered Inde- pendent and know there are both Republi- cans and Democrats who have deep faith. Sadly, our culture has not been mold- ed by the church but by a liberal media. The media has been able to frighten many good pastors and elected politicians. It is time good people say, "Enough is enough." first baPtist chUrch Petersburg (near the Post office) "Rejoice in the Lord! Again I say, rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 4:4). Sunday school for all ag- es 9:30 a.m.; worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday, at 6 p.m. is Grub (an outreach meal); particularly for children (up to 5th grade) who stay for "Kids Club" from 7-8 p.m. April 30 will be the last Grub. Club will continue at 7 p.m. Sunday evening gathering at 6 p.m. will continue until Memorial Weekend where there will be a break until school resumes in August. However, mid-week study continues at 7 p.m. We continue to be in- volved with local, state and foreign missions, while of- fering a great youth minis- try, fellowship and activi- ties center. The Bible is al- ways our text, and Christ is always in our message. We are preaching, teach- ing, claiming the Word... church. Join us each Sunday. The morning message is also on W WBL 106.5 the follow- ing Sunday at 9 a.m. We are grateful for the many lis- teners and responses to the message. Don't just go to a church, make it your church and get involved We would wel- come the chance to be your church home. Dr. C. Baxter, Jr., Pastor GosPel center chUrch independent baptist church 420 e. illinois street Petersburg Sunday morning service at 10 a.m. We welcomed two babies born on May 2. The Sunday evening ser- vice is at 6:30 p.m. This Sun- day will be the AWANA pro- gram. Wednesday evening ser- vice at 7 p.m. Mommy and Me Bible study meet the fourth Mon- day at 9:30 a.m. The Ladies over 40 Bible study meet the second and fourth Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m., in the kitchen of the activities building. Saturday evenings at 6 p.m., Douglas Kracht has the prison ministry. The ladies' banquet is scheduled for May 10. The men will be doing the serv- ing. Teams will be decorat- ing individual tables. The Angela Lilly Trio will be pre- senting a program. VBS will begin June 9. WBTO at 9 a.m. on Sun- day, Pastor Hill presents a sermon/challenge. Listen to Sermons online at: www.sermon.net/peters- burggospelcenter. Also, vis- it our FB page at Petersburg Gospel Center. Jason Hill, Pastor Chris Bailey, Associate Pastor Douglas Kracht, Jail Min- istry liGhthoUse recovery center Come and be with us on Monday night at 7 p.m., for the Overcomers class with Paul and Mary Beck- er; Wednesday morning for people on second shift with Steve Kirby at 8 a.m.; Thurs- day night at 7 p.m. and Sun- day morning at 10 a.m. with Denny Wiscaver making Disciples. Saturday, May 10, Gene Burkhart will be bringing the Word. christianity and its three Great Pillars The Reverend Charles H. Spurgeon once said, "Chris- tianity rests on three great pillars, the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resur- rection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Incarnation alone could not redeem sinful men. But apart from the In- carnation there could be no propitiatory sacrifice that would avail to put away sin. God became man in order to die. We cannot, therefore, make too much of the mys- tery of the union of the hu- man and the divine in Him who was both Son of God and Son of Mary. In Him we have the Daysman for whom the patriarch Job longed, one who can lay His hand upon both God and man ( Job 9:33) because He com- bines the natures of both in one glorious Person. Bethle- hem, Calvary, and the emp- ty tomb, all alike should stir our souls and draw our hearts out to God in wonder, love, and praise. Bob Shepherd, Reporter 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. The women of the church will have a luncheon, Satur- day, May 17 at Ponderosa in Washington at noon in hon- or of Mother's Day. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Mother's love There are times when on- ly a Mother's love can under- stand our tears, can soothe our disappointments and calm all of our fears. There are times when on- ly a Mother's love can share the joy we feel when some- thing we've dreamed about quite suddenly is real. There are times when on- ly a Mother's faith can help us on life's way and inspire in us the confidence we need from day to day. For a Mother's heart, and a Mother's faith, and a Moth- er's steadfast love were fash- ioned by the angels and sent from God above—Author Unknown. Happy Mother's Day. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter Zoar UniteD MethoDist chUrch 8818 W. old rd. 64 Sunday morning worship 8:30 a.m. and 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday school classes 9:30 a.m.; Monday, First Place Bi- ble study 6:19 p.m.; Board of Trustees meeting 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Bible study 10 a.m.; Mother-Daughter Tea 7 p.m.; Thursday, Bi- ble study 7 p.m.; Men's soft- ball—Zoar vs. Huntingburg UMC/Salem 8 p.m. Joe Kamman, Pastor Logan McCullough, Asso- ciate Pastor Mt. PisGah G.b. chUrch "Where you treasure is, there your heart will be al- so" (Matthew 6:23). One of the hardest truths for some people to accept is that there is absolutely noth- ing they can do to win their salvation. No matter how generous, how honest, how compas- sionate they are—it is never enough. God is holy and his standard is perfection. If we think we are good enough, it simply proves our pride. Only when we see our- selves as God sees us—sin- ners, guilty before Him— will we realize our need of a Savior. The first link between my soul and Christ is not my goodness, but my badness, not our merits, but our mis- ery, not our riches, but our need. Intercessory prayer each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m.; adult Sunday school class in the Fellowship Hall at 9:15 a.m., care provided for chil- dren; morning worship at 10 :15 a.m.; Sunday school for children and youth dur- ing morning worship service. Sunday night—Celebrate Recovery at 6 p.m. and Cel- ebration Station Ministry for ages four, including fifth grade. Youth meeting also at 6 p.m. Women's Bible meeting first and third Saturday at 7:15 a.m. at the Ole Wood- shop in Campbelltown. Ev- eryone is invited. If at any time you have no church to attend, feel free to join us for services. Your presence will be greatly ap- preciated and you will receive the blessings of God. Josh Luker, Pastor Sharon Kendall, Reporter 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 st. Peter lUther an chUrch stendal Bible verse for the week: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NRSV ). Wednesday—No choir practice; Sunday school 9 a.m.; 10 :15 a.m. worship and church council. Mother's Day luncheon at LTCC. Tuesday at 7 p.m., WOW Bible study. Edwin H. Wicks, Pastor Pleasant Grove G.b. chUrch spraggins Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Kathy Miller, superinten- dent; Michael Miller, morn- ing speaker 10 :30 a.m. Ev- eryone welcome. Sunday school lesson for May 11—Jesus' Mission On Earth. Last week's Trivia ques- tion: After Jesus' trial of temptation, what happened to Him after He banished Satan from his presence? Answer: The angels came and ministered to Him. Next week's question: What did God command Moses to tell the children of Israel must happen in the seventh year in the prom- ised land that He gave them? Mini message: Mission on earth God sent His Holy Son Jesus to earth with a very special mission to accomplish—to redeem the world. We also have a mission to accomplish. After accepting Christ into our hearts, it is our responsibility to continue on with Jesus' mission of spreading the good news of redemption and salvation. God expects no less from us than He did His own Son. All Christians have a part to play in the fulfillment of the spreading of the Gospels. Until next week—Do your part and tell someone about Christ and His love. Fred Faith, Deacon Kathy Miller, Reporter continued on page 4

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