The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, May 24, 2017 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 Petersburg — 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 Forgiveness, the only way to happiness Enemies reconciled to God Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam Baptist Baptist Presbyterian CHURCH CHURCH Notes Notes Notes Assembly of God Continued in next column Ramblings of my mind by Lowell Thomas In working with the lonely, defeated and broken I find a common thread in many of their lives. In our world the ugliness of rage and retaliation dominates many lives. Ma- ny don't forgive a wrong they suffered or a perceived injustice. This is a burden our emotions, physical and spiritual life cannot carry. Jesus taught us about what total forgive- ness and restoration are all about. His will- ingness to forgive us is so we can become capable of forgiving others. We can only live a happy, fulfilled life when we experience the peace of total forgiveness. We must for- go all grudges and bitter feelings toward those who do us wrong. Forgiveness is how God saves the world. The practice of for- giveness is how God heals broken families, homes and work related conflicts. I hear the unkind judgmental words spoken by politi- cians and even church leaders. They talk about a society of peace and tranquility but speak of hate and revenge. Forgiveness is how God saves the sinner and changes in- dividual hearts. Forgiveness is God's way of changing a world on a reckless path of greed, immorality and hate. Christians must engage in the cost- ly practice of rad- ical forgiveness. I have counseled with hundreds of people bound by the emo- tional pain of an un- forgiving spirit. Through prayer and for- giveness many broken things in our lives can be fixed. Those once despised can be forgiven and loved. The cure must start with our commitment to forgive regardless of who did what. In a broken world framed in revenge we are to flood our relationship with the healing grace of God. Historical Christi- anity has always understood that salvation comes from what Jesus did on the Cross. Je- sus provides healing for the broken, wound- ed, wronged, misunderstood and rejected through forgiveness. "When we were enemies" (Rom.5:10). Think of it! God has good news for us even in our willfulness, our enmity against Him! "When we were enemies", says Paul, "We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son." Here we can almost hear some reader ob- ject: "Of all things, don't charge me with be- ing an enemy of God. I'm a religious person, I go to church regularly, I even give to the church." Ah, but God does not say that the unsaved are not religious. Perhaps 999 out of 1,000 are religious. The point is that by your ungodly, sinful life, and certainly by rejecting God's gift of salvation, you have made yourself an enemy of God. You may not be an enemy against the "God" you have conjured up in your own mind, but you are certainly an enemy against God, the God of the Bible. But despite all this God still sends His am- bassadors out to offer reconciliation to all His enemies everywhere — "by the death of His Son." Think of it! We who believe are reconciled to God, not by some effort or pay- ment offered by us to placate God, but "by the death of HIS Son." He bore the enmi- ty as His own creatures mocked Him, spat in His face and nailed Him to a tree. This is grace indeed! And this is not all, for the whole passage reads: "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [Lit., rec- onciliation]" (Rom.5: 10,11). The argument of this passage is that if, as His enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more "be- ing reconciled," we may be assured that our living Savior will keep us safe. And not on- ly are believers safe in Christ, but all the while we "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received," not only help in our helplessness, or the forgive- ness of our sins, but "the reconciliation," by which we are brought nigh to God and ex- perience His love toward us. This Sunday we tried to re-organize the Pike County Gospel Association but had a disappointing turn out. Our church was the only church to be there but we went ahead with our plans and had a good hour of singing gospel songs. I got to hear some songs that I want to practice on for our nursing home ministry. There were quite a few things go- ing on that was taking people's attention so we will try again in July. I still think there is an interest. There was some conversation from some of our members about our nation heading for a fall due to the apathy folks are displaying for God's word. I replied to them that I am certainly glad that our salvation is a person- al thing between ourselves and God. Our na- tion may have its share of problems but we can still worship our Lord if we desire. So never give up or let down on your own devo- tion. It is far too easy to see bad things and get caught up in the "oh dears." I you do, you are going to block out any good that might be seen. If we give God our whole heart the bad we see has no room to mess with us. People today seem to never have trouble finding things to grumble about(me included at times) but this only makes us miserable. If you have a solution for the things you grum- ble about, you could share it. But if you don't, then your grumbling only makes it worse. I think it was well said, that God never prom- ised us a rose garden just a way to go through with His Grace. Last Thursday evening Steve and I were at Emerald Place playing and singing to a group of people who were glad to see us. Sad though one of our elder friends has fallen and broken her hip and pelvis. I was told there was not much success for repairing her breaks. But guess what she has not let this keep her from smiling and being herself. Point here for us Continued on page 2 to take to heart is that the world may beat us up, but we don't have to stop being ourselves. Enough of my wisdom for this time so I'll wrap it up by telling each of us to keep on keeping on. Be blessed and full of glory. Petersburg Holiness Church hosting Revival May 23-28 The Petersburg Holiness Church, at 5317 N. Knox Road, is hosting a Revival, with special guest speaker Rev. Tim Stuart. The Revival started last night, May 23 and will continue through May 28 at 7 p.m. Sunday services will be at 10 :30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 5-7 • 6-8 pm Please come and bring a friend to join us for a night of music, skits, crafts, games and refreshments. Hope to see you then! VBS Fun Main Street Presbyterian Church 910 Main St, Petersburg For more info, call Charles Gray at 812-354-6344 (Transportation for Petersburg area) Come join us for three days to learn about three of the miracles Jesus performed while he was here on earth. "Believe" Hoppers to perform in Lynnville, June 1 The Hoppers will be per- forming at the North Friend- ship Church, 2244 W. SR 68, Lynnville, on Thursday, June 1 at 7 p.m., Warrick County time. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. There is no admission charge. A free will offering will be taken. There will be concessions by the Women's Ministry. RIVER OF LIFE 342 E. CR 300 N. Petersburg Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6 p.m. and Con- sumed youth group 7 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 7 p.m.; Men's ministry meeting every other Thurs- day 10 a.m. If you would like a ride to and from church services, call 354-8800. Jim Gidcumb, Pastor ARTHUR G.B. CHURCH 5670 S. St. Rd. 61 Winslow AYRSHIRE VALLEY G.B. CHURCH 1947 E. Co. Rd. 375 S. Winslow Phone: 812-354-3862 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Jim King, superintendent, Paul Couts, assistant; morn- ing worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 6:30 p.m. You are invited to worship in any or all of our services. See our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Ayr- shireValleyGB. Frank A. Coleman, Pastor FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 7th and Poplar Street Petersburg 812-354-6582 or 812-789-3162 Welcome! A "Full Word" church. Music and Praise Team practice Sundays 9 a.m.; Sunday School 9:30 a.m. (for all ages); Blended wor- ship 10 :30 a.m. HEPHZIBAH- LIT TLES GENER AL BAPTIST CHURCH 743 W CR 125 S Petersburg, IN 47567 812-582-0354 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., there will be no Sunday school this Sunday, due to the holiday weekend; morning worship and chil- dren's church 10 :30 a.m. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15, NRSV ). When we share the "good news" of course, we think of telling others about how to be saved. It is also about telling others all about God. That He creat- ed us, pays attention to us, suffers pain when we re- ject Him and He also feels our pain. God wants to win our love. Heavenly Father, thank you for the good news of your love and mercies to us, your children. Motivate us to share it with everyone we encounter, wherever we are. Remember to pray for those in need of physical healing as well as those who are emotionally hurt- ing and need the peace that only our Heavenly father can give. We invite you to come and worship with us. Ralph Newkirk, Pastor Marla Morrison, Report- er On Mondays at 7 p.m. a men's and two women's Bi- ble studies meet. Summer Kid's Club, 4 year old to 5th grade, meets Wednesdays 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.; Jr. High/Sr. High Youth 6 -7:30 p.m.; Adult Bible Study 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. First Baptist is receiv- ing showers of blessings! Come join us and stand in the blessing! The Spir- it is moving, attendance is growing and faith is in- creasing. If you are looking for a family-oriented church that preaches and teaches from the Word of God, that chooses to be more Bibli- cally correct than politi- cally correct, that believes ALL lives matter and trusts in the saving cleansing power of the shed blood of Christ, you will fit right in. Dr. C. Baxter, Jr., Pastor