The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/327705
C-1 Wednesday, June 11, 2014 CHURCH nOTES OPInIOn LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FILES OUT OF THE PAST Two Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam Good works Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin America faces a moral crisis 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 Millions of people are striving to make themselves acceptable to God by good works. Such people can never be sure of salvation, for the simple reason that they can never be sure whether they have do- ne enough good works or whether they have done them in the right way. Some suppose that heaven can be won if our good works outweigh our evil works, but this does not make sense either, for good works are what all of us ought to do and even one evil deed would prevent a just and holy God from justifying us or admit- ting us into His presence. Let's not put the cart before the horse. God does expect good works from His children but not as payment for salva- tion, for eternal life and glory could not possibly be bought at any price. "Christ Jesus came into the world," says the Apostle Paul, "to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). Then, having saved them by grace, He expects them to do good works out of gratitude. It is interesting to compare Titus 3:5 with Titus 3:8: Titus 3:5 —"Not by works of righteous- ness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us." Titus 3:8 —"…these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in god might be careful to maintain good works…" Faith is the root; good works the fruit. Thus we read in Ephesians 2:8 -10 : "For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workman- ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." America is going through a moral cri- sis led by corrupt politicians. Their power and influence on the American people is awesome. Many of them repeat lies over and over, supported by the elite media, and most people accept it. Unless Ameri- ca wakes up we may soon be like Greece, Europe and Russia. After the fall of com- munism, I spent many weeks in Russia. Socialism had silenced religious faith for 70 years. Many of our corrupt politicians follow this same path. Everywhere we see the moral decline. The drug abuse, violent crime, domestic violence, internet porn, the break-up of the family and cohabitation stems from moral decay in our culture. Our politi- cians and money giveaways cannot solve our problems. Since genuine morali- ty rests on religious conviction our on- ly hope is a return to religious traditions. It was refreshing to hear the Congress read aloud the Constitution of the Unit- ed States of America. Many heard it for the first time. For the past few years Hollywood has gone to moral decay. Homosexu- ality and cohabita- tion have become accepted by ma- ny. Our youth are no longer taught right and wrong in either the home or schools. Today we are seeing the cost of the moral decline in our urban areas in abortion clinics and the spread of AIDS. The high cost of free sex never ends. It was Almighty God who said, "Sin is a reproach to any people." Our liberties have recently been at- tacked with churches threatened to be taxed and preachers that are silent on ma- ny subjects that should be preached. Only a return to God will save America or judg- ment will come. History is a great teach- er and does repeat itself. Think, pray and search for truth. Homecoming at Grace General Baptist Church Grace General Baptist Church, 1007 East Union Street in Winslow, will host its homecoming Sunday, June 22, 2014, with a pitch- in meal around 1 p.m. EDT. The public is invited to at- tend and meet the new pas- tor, Rocky Wrye. gLEZEn REVIVAL CEnTER Sunday school, Phil- lip Sharp, superintendent, Rick Jones, adult class teach- er 9:30 a.m.; Sunday wor- ship service and children's church 10 :15 a.m.; Sunday evening service and youth worship in Life Center, both at 6 p.m.; Wednesday eve- ning Christian Education and youth class in Family Life Center at 7 p.m., class- es for all age groups. Exercise Workout is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. for men and women in the Life Center. Cost $2 per person. June 16 -20 —Vacation Bi- ble School. We would like to give each family a CD or VBS for their children. Donations may be made to Renee Anderson, Rae Ann Brock, Vicky Phillips or Joy Wiscaver. July 25 -27—Reforma- tion weekend for the youth conference at OCI in Cleve- land, Tenn. with Perry Stone Youth Ministry. For info con- tact Andrea Sharp, Michae- la Nordroff or Joy Wiscaver. Visitors contest will con- tinue through August 10 for children and adults. god's mercy endures forever King David had sinned. He prayed, Oh God, have mercy upon me accord- ing to thy mercy and lov- ing kindness. Blot out my transgressions. Jesus didn't come to call the righteous but to call sinners to repen- tance. God has shown his mercy to thousands. Mercy rewrote our lives. He saved our souls from hell. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For devotions this week read Psalm 51:1; Luke 18:9 - 14; I Peter 1:3; and Proverbs 16:6. See our Facebook page Glezen Revival Center with the profile picture of our sanctuary. Website: grcent- er.net—E-mail address: glezenrevivalcenter@ya- hoo.com. Everybody welcome to all services. Billie Grubb, Reporter IMMAnUEL BAPTIST CHURCH 219 west Main Street Petersburg Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :40 a.m.; Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, ladies prayer and Bible study at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, church visitation, at 5 p.m. Don't forget: Agency D3 Vacation Bible School needs you, June 8 -13, from 6:30 -8 p.m. at 295 W. Main Street, Petersburg. Discover, Decide, Defend (I Peter 3:15). "Do not neglect the gift that is in you (I Timothy 4:14)." Larry Barr, Pastor MT. OLIVE g.B. CHURCH Hwy. 56, Cato Sunday school 9:30 a.m. and church service 10 :30 a.m. There will be a business meeting this Sunday after church service. There will be a guest speaker from the Gideon's with us on June 22. Come and join us this Sun- day for Sunday school and church. Start your week off full of inspiration and joy. Bob Strain, Pastor Katherine Burkhart, Re- porter OTwELL COnTEnDERS OF FAITH Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship 7 p.m.; Wednesday prayer and Bible study meet- ing 7 p.m. William Breidenbaugh, Pastor VInCEnT CHRISTIAn CHURCH 8264 E. State Rd. 56 Morning worship and Lord's Supper 9:30 a.m.; Bi- ble school 10 :30 a.m., this Sunday we will observe Fa- ther's Day; evening worship 6:30 p.m. You are invited to take part in these services. Pentecost Thinking more about Pen- tecost in Acts 2. I under- stand that Pentecost was not only the Jewish celebra- tion of First Fruits, it was al- so celebration of the giving of the Mosaic Law. A point of interest. At the giving of the Mosaic Law 3,000 peo- ple died—Exodus 32:28. At the introduction of the New Covenant 3,000 people were born anew having received the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Luke tells us, "And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fel- lowship, on the breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2:42)." While the Chris- tian life includes more than these four, it surely does not exclude them. Note: "let us consider one another in or- der to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the as- sembling of ourselves to- gether, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the Day ap- proaching (Hebrews 10 :24- 25)." Because He lives. John Manges, Minister Vincent christian church 8264 e. state road 56, Otwell Sunday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m. 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. Happy Father's Day. We appreciated all who helped with our Sunday ser- Continued on page 4 PLEASAnT RIDgE g.B. CHURCH Sunday school 9:30 a.m. and morning worship 10 :30 a.m. Everyone is always wel- come. We want to thank God for His mercy, love, and an- swered prayer. Continue to pray for one another, the un- saved, the prayer list, for all who are traveling, for the sick and needy, for the ones in hospitals and nursing homes, for the military and their families, our President and his family, and all deci- STS. PETER AnD PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH 711 walnut Street Petersburg Masses: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. For baptism, marriage or anointing of the sick, call Pastor Fleck at 812-882- 1762. All visitors welcome. David Fleck, Pastor Don Haag, Deacon sions that are made. Remember to pray for our country and our religious freedoms. We want to extend our sympathy to anyone who has lost a loved one. Some people don't want to be happy and we can't make them. Just have a good atti- tude, put on a smile and keep trying. We need to be our best wherever we are, but we are not responsible for some- one if they insist on being unhappy. Just pray for them and ask God to help them. We don't know what burdens they may have. We just want them to know God can carry the burdens for them. Some may see a hopeless end, but as believers we rejoice in an endless hope. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the rea- son for the hope you have. For Christ died for our sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God..." (I Peter 3:15 and 18 NIV ). Remember: God has us in the palm of His hand and there is Grace for every sit- uation. Have a great week and a very Happy Father's Day. Dale Frederick, Pastor Lois K. Fowler, Reporter PETERSBURg wESLEyAn CHURCH Sunday morning worship 10 :30 a.m. Sunday, June 8 we began a series of sermons on the book of Romans. You are invited to worship with us. Everett Freels, Pastor ST. JOHn'S LUTHER An CHURCH 6483 w. 580 n., Otwell Sunday, June 15: Red Cross Blood Drive and wor- ship 10 a.m.; Wednesday, June 18, Confirmation 5:30 p.m.; Friday, June 20, Praise Team practice 6:30 p.m. Catherine Burnette, Pas- tor Paula Mann, Administra- tive Assistant gR ACE g.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St. 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. Our Homecoming will be Sunday, June 22 with a pitch- in meal around 1 p.m. (Pike County time). Come and fellowship with us and meet our new pastor. Rocky Wrye, Pastor