The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/616296
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, December 16, 2015 C-1 CHURCH Submit church items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg 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 Unions or unity? The truth about Christmas Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Christmas is a religious holiday that is often held hostage to materialism and greed. The real purpose of Christmas should be to celebrate the birth of Christ. The true purpose is expressed in Mat- thew 1:21… "Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." Christ is a Savior who gives eternal life to those who believe in Him and surrender their life to Christ. Our family has always celebrated Christmas as a season and not just a day. Christmas Day is the highlight of the sea- son because it is the birthday of Jesus Christ, the virgin born, Son of God. We have always found the journey through December to be one of joy and excite- ment. Beginning four Sundays before Christmas the church celebrates "Ad- vent" which means "coming." This spir- itual celebration of Advent becomes a journey toward Christmas Day. Christmas is more than a day on the calendar. It is the celebration of an event that changed the course of histo- ry. Our calendars are dated from the birth of Christ. Even in a pluralis- tic society, Christ must always be central in our faith. There is no eternal salvation apart from Christ. Today, there are many religions but only one Savior and His name is Je- sus Christ. This year we celebrate Christmas at a time when there is little peace on earth. The Islamic terrorists cast a shadow over our lives. There are dangers and fears we have daily. In these times of trouble we need a Savior and His name is Jesus Christ. Let us commit our lives to Him and worship Him this Christmas. Here is a company of Bible-believing Christians joined together in, let us say, an evangelistic endeavor. All are trust- ing in the shed blood of Christ for sal- vation, though some are Baptists, some Presbyterians, some Episcopalians and some represent other denominations. Are all these believers one? Yes, in Christ, for "there is one body" (Ephe- sians 4:4). What united them? The "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5) by which the Holy Spirit unites all believers to Christ and to each other: "For by one Spirit are we all bap- tized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles…" (I Corinthians 12:13). Yet these same believers, all trusting in the finished work of Christ for salva- tion, remain sadly divided as far as fel- lowship in the work of the Lord is con- cerned. They may have blessed fellow- ship in their evangelistic endeavor, but at its conclusion they go back to their mutu- ally exclusive church organizations. The reason? Basically it is that they have confused "the gospel of the king- dom," proclaimed by Christ on earth and His twelve apostles, with "the gospel of the grace of God," proclaimed by the as- cended, glorified Lord through the Apos- tle Paul (Acts 20 :24; Eph.esians 3:1-3). Striving over baptismal modes and meanings, most of them still require their particular forms of baptism for en- trance into their churches, while explain- ing at the same time that the ceremony has no saving value and that it is not re- quired by God for entrance into the true Church. Can't we stop being Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists and just be Christians? Why should the Church of Christ remain divided and weak, when God says: "We being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Romans 12:5). Continued on page 2 118 W Pike Ave., Petersburg 812-354-8851 Petersburg Church of the Nazarene WILL PRESENT A CHRISTMAS PLAY Sunday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. All are welcome N O RO O M F O R J E SUS Gentle Shepherd Church Live Nativity Dec. 19 and 20 Gentle Shepherd Church of God, located at 8350 East 350 North ( just west of Oatsville on the Oatsville/ Wheeling road) in Gibson County, will present its third annual Live Nativity from 6 - 8 p.m. CST on the evenings of December 19 and 20. The public is invited to come and share in the re- enacted experience of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Refreshments will be served. Otwell U.M.C. to have Advent devotional The Otwell United Meth- odist Church will have a devotional in honor of Ad- vent, which includes a sup- per. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share and also, bring a friend to hear this great story you know by heart, in a new way. The Journey combines historical information and archaeology with Ad- am Hamilton's thought- ful, conversational teach- ing style to give you a new perspective on the sto- ry of Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Rev. Hamilton has the powerful ability to touch your heart and open your mind by teaching the word of God. Service will be Sunday, Dec. 20 from 4-5 p.m. Remember Jesus is the reason of the season. ABUNDANT LIFE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 409 South Fourth St. Petersburg "Where life is more than just living! " Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Thursday Bible study 7 p.m. Allen Lich, Pastor GLEZEN G.B. CHURCH Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study 6:30 p.m. Remember those on our prayer list, the shut-ins and our lost loved ones. It's easy to go about our busy daily routines without stopping to pause and realize that Jesus can be "seen" ev- erywhere. He can be recog- nized in the loving and caring actions of others and found in the quiet moments we spend with Him even at this busy season. And most of all, others should recognize Jesus in us – in the gifts we are giving, in our reactions to the stress around us and in the time we take to be His hands and feet to those who need us. "When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been com- pleted, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord" (Luke 2:22). Eddie Willis, Pastor HOLLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 205 N. 2nd Avenue 812-536-4862 Sunday school class- es 9 a.m.; morning wor- ship 10 a.m.; Monday, Pro- gram practice 5 p.m.; Tues- day, Bible study 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Christmas pro- gram 7 p.m.; Friday, Christ- mas morning worship ser- vice 9:30 a.m. Keith Chanley, Pastor MAIN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10th and Main Streets, Petersburg Sunday school 9:15 a.m.; Sunday worship 10 :30 a.m. We have a nursery for chil- dren up to the age of seven and we also have a van route in Petersburg to pick anyone up. Come visit us, our doors are always open to you. Reconsider the rush The Christmas rush leads to stress for many people. But author Burton Hills viewed the madness from another perspective: "Eventually, the hour comes when the rushing ends and the race against the cal- endar mercifully comes to a close. It is only now, perhaps, that we truly recognize the spirit of Christmas. It is not a matter of day or weeks, but of centuries – (more than) twen- ty of them now since that holy night in Bethlehem. Regard- ed in this manner, the pre- Christmas rush may do us greater service than we real- ize. With all its temporal con- fusion, it may just help us to see that by contrast, Christ- mas itself is eternal." Office hours: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday. Phone: 812- 354-6844. Boyd Heldring, Pastor Amy Melhiser, Secretary PETERSBURG HOLINESS CHURCH Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship and spe- cial junior church services 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship 6:30 p.m.; weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting 7 p.m. Transportation available. Join us for monthly Bible study and youth night. Call for details. Chad Searls, Pastor 419 -354-5500 (Cell) 812-354-9446 (Church Parsonage) RIVER OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP 342 E. CR 300 N. Petersburg Morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship and Consumed youth group 6 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bi- ble study and Extreme Kids 7 p.m. If you would like a ride to and from church services, call 354-8800. Jim Gidcumb, Pastor STS PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH 711 E. Walnut Street Petersburg Mass or Communion ser- vice schedule: Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Commu- nion service; Friday, Dec. 18 at 8 a.m. Communion service; Saturday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Mass and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. Mass. The Rosary is prayed before the Saturday evening mass and also before the Sunday mass. Advent Reconciliation will be Friday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. CST. Parish Advent Reconcil- iation service at Blessed Sac- rament Church. Members from both churches are en- couraged to attend. Sunday—CCD (Religious Education) from 9:30 to 10 :30 a.m. in the Rectory Basement. Adult Bible study from 9:30 to 10 :30 a.m. in the Par- ish Hall. "I am coming to dwell among you" (Zechariah 2:14). "Lord, I welcome you in- to the dwelling place of my heart. Help me to be an in- strument of your presence in the world." Frank Renner, Pastor Sue Willis, Reporter VINCENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH 8264 E. State Rd. 56 Sunday morning worship and the Lord's Supper 9:30 a.m.; Bible school 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship 6:30 p.m. You are invited to take part in these services. CHRISTMAS TIME "When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law" (Gala- tians 4:4). When Jesus was born, the Jews were back in Palestine. The temple was being rebuilt, and animal sacrifices were be- ing performed according to the Law. Passover and Pente- cost were being celebrated. Not only was Jesus born of a virgin, he was born under the Law. He was circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21-14). The Roman roads were used and the Roman peace existed. This meant that you could travel throughout the Roman empire much easier than today. Jesus could trav- el throughout Palestine much easier than we can today. In 2010, we could not visit Ja- cob's well nor Jericho. Then, Paul could travel from Jerusa- lem to Rome, and some say to Spain with the gospel. Thom- as went to India. Thanks to Alexander the Great, Greek was the univer- sal language. The New Cove- nant would be for all people and the New Testament was first written in Greek. Yes, the time was exact- ly right when Jesus the son of God was born of a virgin. (Luke chapters 1 and 2). Because He Lives. John Manges, Minister WINSLOW NAZARENE CHURCH 106 W. Washington St. Winslow 915-490-8813 Sunday school 9:45 a.m.; worship celebration 10 :30 a.m.; evening service 6 p.m. Knowing, Living and Sharing Christ Fred Grenier, Pastor FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Petersburg (Near the Post Office) "And I was glad to go in- to the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1). Sunday Praise practice 9 a.m.; Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship 10 :30 a.m. – nursery for infants up to four years old. Grub-to-Club 6 -6:30 p.m. (adults welcome), Children's Club and Se- nior High Youth (2-yr. old- high school) and adult Bi- ble study meet on Wednes- day from 6:30 -7:30 p.m. ABW meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve service 6 - 7 p.m. Pike County Ministerial Association meets the sec- ond Monday of each month. Encourage your pastor to be involved. New address is P.O. Box 306, Petersburg, IN 47567. If you are interested in finding a church to grow with, then FBC is the place. A Bible based, evangelical church that depends on the inspiration of the Holy Spir- it as its guide. We choose to be more Biblically correct, than politically correct. Dr. C. Baxter, Jr., Pastor