The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/950460
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 7, 2018 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 I need to respond to a secret responder to my article concerning rapid fire weapons. Apparently, they do not read all that I write and they just want to judge on the part they want to see. Never have I printed in any of my articles a pointed remark, but have al- ways tried to write so you could choose for yourself another side of things. There is def- initely a difference between a semi automat- ic weapon in the hands of someone who en- joys them and a rapid fire weapon used in an act of aggression. I will not back down from that thought process nor will I back down from teaching our children to love one an- other instead of hatred. To send me a letter without signing it whether you agree with me or you don't is not standing up for what you believe in. It appeared as though you were agreeing with some of my writing and disagreeing with other parts. Next time you feel the urge to send me anything please make yourself known. You mentioned compassion as though you were judging my compassion for others and if that is what you think so be it. There is an old saying that you should walk a mile in someone's shoes before you judge them. Other than that I'll just say to whoever you are thanks for the gifts and thanks for read- ing my efforts, and I do love you no matter what you think or feel. I have had many readers tell me that while they read I take them here and then 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 Baptist Baptist Baptist Assembly of God CHURCH CHURCH Notes Notes Notes Continued in next column Continued in next column Ramblings of my mind by Lowell Thomas The gospel must be first It's a Matter of the Heart Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Minutes with the Bible by Pastor John Fredericksen Our culture is no friend of the Gospel. As we move farther into the 21st Century there are constantly new attacks on Christianity. These attacks come from a liberal elite me- dia, politicians, ACLU and even from within the church. Our family values, the sacred- ness of human life and standards of morali- ty are all threatened. In education, govern- ment and entertainment the favorite pas- time is bashing the church and those who still believe the Bible. The Christian church is still the most powerful source of love, compassion and service to mankind. Whenever there is a disaster like 9/11, Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti or Harvey in Houston, Christians usually arrive first to help and stay when others leave. The Catholic and Protestant churches are always on the front lines to assist those in need. We see governments and entertainers pledge money but it often arrives late and is spent on red tape. Many struggle while waiting for help to come from secular organizations and governments. The church was never intended to be a social agency but to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. As a part of Chris- tian service they of- ten give the most and serve the lon- gest. Christians care and respond to needs regardless of race, creed or location. When we hear churches whose message is social justice, it usually indicates they have only half of the message of our Lord. First and foremost, Je- sus came to seek and to save the lost. His first concern is the eternal part of man and then, when truly converted out of a heart of love and concern, we give to help those in need. When you hear talk about social jus- tice it is usually a mixture of politics and re- ligion. We must keep our priorities straight and first proclaim the Gospel message of salvation. In recent months, my wife's father has had a series of issues with his heart that required different pacemakers to be im- planted. A fter two previous by-pass opera- tions, there have been justifiable reasons to be concerned about him. So, when we see or call him, we frequently ask, "How is your heart today? " The condition of one's heart is just as im- portant in the spiritual realm as it is in the physical realm. It is for this reason the Scrip- tures say so much about the heart and why Solomon wrote, "Keep thy heart with all dil- igence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). The spiritual condition of one's heart will determine how one responds to the Lord and, ultimately, it will have a huge impact on each of us in eternity. Since God is "not willing that any should perish" (II Pet. 3:9) and "lighteth [or draws to Himself] every man that cometh into the world" ( John 1:9), everyone has the option to be saved from eternal punishment. The Lord seeks with every individual to do what He did with Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened" (Acts 16:14): drawing him or her to a personal decision of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, because ma- ny resist and refuse this internal wooing of the Lord, they remain as some to whom Paul wrote in the Roman epistle: "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasur- est up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and… righteous judgment of God" (Rom. 2:5). Thankfully, many choose to open their Continued on page 2 See MINUTES on 3 See R AMBLINGS on 3 Clarks Chapel Church to have benefit Mar. 10 There will be a benefit for Randy Perry at Clarks Cha- pel Church, 550 S. (west of Somerville), on Saturday, March 10 at 4 p.m. There will be a spaghet- ti dinner, gospel sing, raf- fle, Chinese auction, hand- quilted quilts, tickets to Creation Museum and much more. 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; morn- ing worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 6:30 p.m. My hope and prayer for all people who read this is that you will make a decision to confess the past, repent from your sins and accept Je- sus as this Savior and Lord. See our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Ayr- shireValleyGB. Frank A. Coleman, Pastor BETHEL G.B. CHURCH 4933 E. Co. Rd. 900 S. Stendal Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m. Bible study has been post- poned until further notice. Sunday, March 4 is Assis- tant Sunday; F.R.O.G.s and Tadpoles will meet during the morning worship. Saturday, March 10, the United of Indiana Presby- tery at Heilman-Mt. Olive Church in Dale at 10 a.m. CST. Sunday, March 11, Day- light Saving Time begins. Regular monthly business meeting will be after the morning worship. Saturday, March 17, The 158th Annual Session of the United of Indiana Asso- ciation of General Baptists will be at Heilman-Mt. Olive church in Dale with registra- tion at 8:30 a.m. CDT., 9:30 a.m. EDT. Sunday, March 25 is Palm Sunday. It is the fourth Sun- day and the morning wor- ship offering will go to the Building Fund. Bible Trivia Last week's trivia ques- tion: According to Paul and Barnabus, what must we go through to enter the Kingdom of God? Answer: Tribulation. Reference: Acts 14:22. GLEZEN G.B. CHURCH Corner of Center and Sycamore Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m. and this Wednesday will be our monthly business meet- ing. The Bible tells us that when we are in Christ, we become new creatures, with old things passed away and GR ACE G.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St. Winslow No Sunday School. Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 5 p.m.; Wednesday Enrichment classes 5 p.m. Bill Chesser, Reporter MT. OLIVE G.B. CHURCH (Cato) 6187 E. State Rd. 56 Winslow 812-354-6397 alexbenefiel@gmail.com Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; worship at 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening group dis- cussion at 6 p.m., where we dig deeper into the morning message; Wednesday, youth from 6 -7:30 p.m. This is for third-fifth grades (God's Lit- MT. PISGAH G.B. CHURCH (Augusta) Broadway Street Winslow Pastor 812-582-0756 Sunday morning worship at 10 :15 a.m., children's Sunday school during morning service; Celebrate Recovery Sunday evening from 5 -7 p.m. at The Gath- ering Place in Winslow; Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study at 6:30 p.m.; Business meet- ing, second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Our monthly business meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14. On Sunday, April 8, we will be having our Easter dinner and egg hunt after the morning worship. "The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can- not be uttered" (Romans 8:26). all things becoming new. Jesus told His followers that they should count the cost before launching out into discipleship, and the same is true today. There is indeed a cost to be paid, but the divi- dends are more than worth the investment. "The fruit of the righ- teous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). Remember those on our prayer list, the shut ins and our lost loved ones. Ken Reeder, Pastor Karri Brock, Reporter tle People) and grades 6 -12 (The God Squad). The chil- dren are served a full meal at the beginning of youth groups. The adults have a Bible study from 6 -7:30 p.m. You are welcome to vis- it one of our services, if you are without a home church. If you are unable to attend a service, we broadcast our services live on Mt. Olive General Baptist's Facebook page each Sunday morning. This week at Mt. Olive, we had 76 in attendance as we learned about opening up and blooming into the type of person God would have us to be. We learned about being our authentic selves instead of hiding behind a mask. On February 25, Bran- don Miller, Shalynn Miller and Belinda Mounts were all baptized after our morning worship service. Congratu- lations on taking a step of faith and proclaiming your love of Jesus publicly. Wednesday, March 7 is a big night for our God Squad youth group. The pastor has challenged the youth to get 30 kids to God Squad. If the youth win, the pastor will have multi-colored hair for the service on Sunday morn- ing. March 11, we will host the Pike Central Swing Choir for our 6 p.m. evening ser- vice. Come out to enjoy and support the students' musi- cal performance. Helping Others Know Christ, Grow in Christ, and Go Forth to Serve Christ. Alex Benefiel, Pastor Crystal Benefiel, Reporter Q: Who continually says, "Holy, holy, holy," around God's throne, ac- cording to John's vision? Answer to come next week. Steve Selby, Pastor Elaine Barrett, Reporter Have you ever faced a situation that was so over- whelming or so confusing you didn't even know how to pray about it? Have you ever been so overcome with grief or burdened by heart- ache you couldn't put your emotions into words, much less pray about them? What a comfort these words should be: "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us in accor- dance with God's will" (Ro- mans 8:26 -27) Think of it: Even when we don't know how to pray, the Spirit knows our needs, and He brings the deepest cries of our hearts before the throne of God. In ways we will never understand this side of eternity, God the Holy Spirit pleads for us before God the Father. Turn to God in every situ- ation, even when you don't feel like it. The Spirit is in- terceding for you, in accor- dance with God's will. If at any time you have no church to attend, feel free to join us for services. Your presence will be deeply ap- preciated and I am sure you will enjoy the blessings of God. May God walk you through this world in the palm of His hand. Jerry "Tuffy" Blackwell, Pastor Sharon Kendall, Report- er