The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, August 23, 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 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 Church Neglects Evangelism A Day of Small Things Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Paul M. Sadler Baptist Baptist Baptist CHURCH CHURCH Notes Notes Notes Assembly of God Continued in next column Continued in next column Ramblings of my mind by Lowell Thomas That which is neglected in one genera- tion is usually rejected in the next. Many pastors are sadly neglecting real evange- lism. It has become the 'in thing' to ignore winning people to a personal relationship with Christ. The simple Gospel is still the most needed and important thing in Chris- tianity. The great evangelist, Billy Graham said, "We must go back to the Bible in or- der to go forward." He meant that we need to proclaim the simple message of salvation through faith in Christ. In a changing society our methods may change but the message does not. In times of change the most important things are sometimes pushed to the back. There are many people in America who have no clear understanding of the Gospel and have nev- er been exposed to a Bible teaching Church. They have little in their background in which to view and interpret the Gospel. Fifty years ago only six percent of adult Americans claimed to have no religious training in their childhood. Today more than 50 % of adults claim to have had no religious teaching in their childhood. As church growth declines among both Protestants and Catholics, some hard questions need to be asked. Today 85% of what some see as church growth is just moving members from one church to another. First, to reach the radically unchurched, Christians must be sure of their faith. The unsaved must see a different lifestyle among Christians. Our walk must match our talk. There needs to be a joy and happiness that attracts the un- churched. The true Gospel message must be proclaimed and Christians need to de- velop the art of witnessing to their friends. When Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the second temple after the Babylonian Cap- tivity, many of his countrymen viewed the effort with contempt, believing it would nev- er amount to anything. The prophet Zech- ariah responded to these critics in the fol- lowing manner: "For who hath despised the day of small things? " (Zech. 4:8 -10). Zecha- riah reminded the people that even though the work seemed, in their eyes, to be insig- nificant, they were not to despise it because the hand of the Lord was with Zerubbabel. When Gideon amassed a large army to do battle with the Midianites, who were said to be like grasshoppers upon the land, the Lord whittled the number of Gideon's forces down to a mere three hundred. Throughout the Scriptures there is a recurring theme that God is far more interested in quality than He is in quantity. The smaller the num- ber, the greater the glory and honor and ad- oration He receives, which is clearly demon- strated in the story of Gideon's three hun- dred. As we move down the corridor of time, al- though it may appear that the Grace Move- ment is small and insignificant in the eyes of our denominational critics, they should take great care not to despise the day of small things. It is true that we are small by com- parison to the mega-churches of our day that often consider us second class citizens of heaven. However, just the opposite is true if we apply the above principle from time past. For those who never took the Grace Message seriously, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Lord may well acknowledge all those who willingly stood for Paul's apostle- ship and message to the praise of His glory. So we must never become disheartened that we are small in number, for God has honored us with an understanding of the Word, rightly divided. But this does not mean that we should think too highly of our- selves, seeing that we have a God-given re- sponsibility to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery. And it is essen- tial that we carry out this charge by speak- ing the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). While we rejoice that Christ is preached in denominational circles, for the most part, they have turned aside from the truth of the Grace Message. With this in mind, may I call upon you to unite together with us in prayer that there might be one last great awakening of our denominational breth- ren to Paul's gospel before we are called in- to glory? Remember, God is able "to do ex- ceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that wor- keth in us." There is a whole bunch on my mind this week so I'll try to make it as to the point as I can. First I must confess that I often write these articles to make you think and come up with whatever conclusion that would fit for you. If it helps you great, if it doesn't nei- ther one of us has lost much. There are times when I have someone in particular in mind but I will always stop short of insulting or be- littling anyone. Hurt feelings never accom- plish anything except more hurt feelings. All this being said I only hope that it is taken as it is meant not what someone makes of it. This past week there has been a lot of talk about "HATE." I have heard that hate often begins with "LOVE." In 1 Samuel 20 we see so much hate for David from Saul that he lost control of all his senses. He cursed his son Jonathan and even tried to kill him with a spear because Jonathan asked why do you hate David? What has he done to you? He has been loyal to you. Jonathan and David loved each other as brothers even after Saul turned to hatred. People do things every day that I don't ap- prove of but that's no reason to hate them and want to destroy them or their proper- ty. We do have the right of free speech and some expression but it doesn't say we can kill or burn property. What is accomplished if you get into and cause trouble with your freedoms. To tear down statues shows that you are tough enough to destroy an inani- mate object and step on someone's feelings. Most of these statues are of military men and serve as a reminder that we should not hate with a malice that caused such a war. Would these violent protesters be in favor of another "CIVIL WAR"? Hasn't enough life been taken that people who are involved should not turn to the one who can make peace ? If God would shed all the tears that has to be welled up inside of Him it would flood the sin and hurt out of the world. His heart has to be breaking as He sees what we are doing to one another. Continued on page 2 I'll climb down off my captive soap box be- cause you don't read these articles to hear my preaching. Last week I mentioned the two celebrations in Pike county and I hope you can find the time to enjoy both of them. The first one I'll say anything about is the "Winslow town festival" since the Winslow Lions club has a big part in it and I am a Lion myself. Many activities are being planned for this festival and it is kind of a works in progress thing. I do know that at 11 a.m. Steve Edwards and myself will be in concert down at the park and we would The festival in Petersburg has been planned out and they are only hoping that September doesn't catch them with a week- end rain. They have many concerts planned by many local musicians and they are all good. Sounds as though Jason may be the head- liner but Michael and band are very accom- plished also. I was asked if the Petersburg Lions club wanted to be in the bed race and it was decided that we might be too old and would probably have heart trouble mid course. There is much more that I could put on paper but trust me after speaking with Mayor R.C. sounds like Petersburg is in for a treat. I'll end this week with this request pray for those who hate and are so full of bitter- ness and ask God for a beautiful week-end for both of these celebrations. Be blessed and be a blessing. Rick Osborne guest at Gentle Shepherd Church Gentle Shepherd Church of God, located at 8350 E. 350 N., Francisco, in rural Gib- son County, will host Rick Os- borne as its guest on Sunday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. CDT. There will be food and fel- lowship immediately after the concert. The public is invited. 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 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; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 6:30 p.m. You are invited to wor- ship in any or all of our services. See our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Ayr- shireValleyGB. Frank A. Coleman, Pas- tor 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. On Mondays at 7 p.m. a men's and two women's Bi- ble studies meet. Summer Kid's Club, GLEZEN G.B. CHURCH Corner of Center and Sycamore Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Remember those on our prayer list, the shut-ins and our lost loved ones. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material pos- sessions and sees his broth- er in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God GR ACE G.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St. Winslow No Sunday School. Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6 p.m.; Wednesday Enrichment classes 6 p.m. Bill Chesser, Reporter HEPHZIBAH- LIT TLES GENER AL BAPTIST CHURCH 743 W CR 125 S Petersburg, IN 47567 IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH SBC 295 West Main Street Petersburg Church 812-354-9659 Pastor 812-890-9942 Email: awordfitlyspoken@ outlook.com Sunday adult Bible study and children's Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship 10 :40 a.m.; Sunday evening service at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, adult dis- cipleship at 6 p.m. BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH An Independent Baptist Church 4995 N. Co. Rd. 850 E. Otwell (Meeting in the Iva Union Church building) Sunday school for chil- dren and adults 9 a.m.; Sun- day morning worship ser- vice 10 a.m.; Sunday eve- ning service, Youth Group (6th grade through 19 years old), and Patch Club (4 yrs old through 5th grade) 6 p.m.; Thursday, prayer ser- vice 7 p.m. Scott Fulcher, Pastor 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 be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (I John 3:16 -18). Ken Reeder, Pastor Karri Brock, Reporter Pastor 812-789-5333 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6 p.m.; Wednesday, youth and Bible study 7 p.m.—adults meet in the fellowship hall and children meet in the church basement. We invite you to join us for any and/or all of our weekly services and events. Keith Jenkins, Sr., Pastor