The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/959181
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 28, 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 Our primary election is coming soon and we have many people running for local offic- es and in most of the races there are highly capable people trying to win. Hard decision because many of them are friends, and you can't vote for them all. When time comes to vote I hope we will turn out to back who we finally pick as our choice . To all the candidates I would say to you that you are going to be only one voice in your office and what you promise to achieve may be an uphill battle. May the best per- son win in each contest and may your prom- ises come to pass. Sunday our sermon covered the priori- ties that were briefly mentioned the Sun- day prior. The order of our priorities may differ from person to person so if my order doesn't agree with your thoughts it doesn't mean one of us is more right than the other. First and most important is devotion to God and sharing your valuable experience with God. Seek you first the Kingdom of God and your life will begin to be fulfilled. People seek fame and fortune with lots of riches and this can be had if you put self ahead of God. But fame and fortune may never be had as the world wants. Serving God brings a wealth of friends and the chance to be a part of family of believers. So if you have faith in God, show it to the world by your faith-works of loving kindness 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 Christianity In Decline Church on Fire Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam The Christian God is not dead in American life, but He is less of a force in our politics and culture than at any time in recent years. Ac- cording to an article in Newsweek magazine, self-identified Christians have fallen ten points in the past two decades. This is confirmed by the American Identification Survey and the respected Pew Foundation. The most recent Pew survey found 23 percent have no religious affiliation. Once the Northwest was the least religious part of America, but it is now shift- ing to the Northeast where Christianity had its roots in the early days of America. The number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has nearly doubled, ris- ing to 23 percent. This is a serious decline and should be a wake-up call to all denomina- tions. You have a right to ask, "What is going on in the church? " As I regularly study the trends and liberalism of many denominations, I think I see some of the problems. Many de- nominations have been hijacked by a more lib- eral leadership that has gradually taken over. I see this trend in small evangelical denomi- nations as well as main line churches. The emphasis has switched to mega churches counting people and counting money. The preaching of the Gospel has been taken over by church growth. Self-esteem and 'feel good' religion has taken over. When the church should have been making a spiritual impact on our culture, it has rushed to become accepted and to fit in. Warning headlines are a call for repentance but seldom heard. It took a secular magazine to do a major story entitled "The End of Christian America." Our nation and politics, for more than two Centuries, were shaped by faith and the church. Sadly, this is no longer true and a floundering church may be to blame. It is sad that most young people lose their faith when they go away to a secular university. The mil- lennial generation has embraced a sinful cul- ture. The Chicago newspapers carried an ac- count the other day of a large church, burned to the ground, at a loss of about half a million dollars. Our sympathy goes out to the pastor and congregation who, at best, will have to carry on for a time under makeshift arrange- ments. But the account reminded me of the sto- ry of another church on fire. The crowds had gathered to see the fire engines pour water on the burning building, when one man spotted a friend in the crowd. "Hi Bob! " he shouted: "This is the first time I've seen you at church! " "Well," responded the other, "This is the first time I've seen a church on fire." We write this as a special appeal to true, born-again Christians. Isn't it true that if be- lievers were more "on fire" for Christ, more completely sold out to Him, those who are now disinterested would be more apt to be- come interested and come to know Him as their Savior? We so soon lose interest or be- come discouraged, and quit. This is why the Apostle Paul, that tireless ambassador for Christ, wrote: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Cor. 15:58). This, we repeat, is his exhortation to be- lievers only, for God will not accept our mon- ey or our good works, until we have first ac- cepted "the gift of God," which is "eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Accept this gift; trust the Christ who died Continued on page 2 See MINUTES on 3 See R AMBLINGS on 3 Winslow Christian Church to present 'A Repentant Robber Seeks Redemption' this Friday Winslow Christian Church, Corner of Lafay- ette and Walnut is hosting a community Good Friday service March 30, at 7 p.m., which features a dramatic monologue in full costume of the thief who repented as he died with Jesus. The dra- ma is set in a dungeon ear- ly on Good Friday morning. The public is invited. COMMUNITY Easter Egg Hunt M a rch 31 at 1 p M The Easter Bunny will be there to greet the children. PRIZES Immanuel Baptist Church 295 W. Main St., Petersburg 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 812-582-0354 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship and chil- dren's church 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening Bible study at 6 p.m. Business meeting third Sunday of each month, following morning worship. Join us this Friday eve- ning at 7 pm for a time of re- flection as we have a brief Good Friday Service. Join us Sunday morning for sunrise service as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It will begin at 7 a.m. Break- fast will follow the service. All are welcome. "Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, al- FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 7th and Poplar Street Petersburg IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH SBC 295 West Main Street Petersburg Church 812-354-9659 Pastor 812-890-9942 Email: NEW LIBERTY G.B. CHURCH (Coe) 1820 S. Co Rd. 800 S. Oakland City Gary Pancake, Pastor so went inside. He saw and believed" ( John 20 :6,7,8). The disciples lack of faith was a deep disappoint- ment and we know that our own lack of faith at times must grieve the heart of our Lord. Yet, we know he understands the struggle. As we pray the prayer of another, who had the strug- gle with unbelief when he cried out, "I do believe, help me over come my un- belief" (Mark:9:24) and he will. We are praying for those who have lost loved ones. Those with physical ill- nesses and those in need of God's peace. You are welcome to worship with us at any of our services. You will be blessed. Ralph Newkirk, Pastor Marla Morrison, Report- er 812-354-6582 or 812-789-3162 Welcome! A "Full Word" church reaching out in these final days of the "age of grace." Praise Team practice Sundays 9 a.m.; Sunday school 9:30 a.m., for all ag- es; morning worship 10 :30 a.m. Men's fellowship study each Monday at 7 p.m. at scheduled locations. Wom- en's studies meet on se- lected days. Contact the church at 812-354-6582 for details. Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m. Kids' Club for two-years- olds through fifth grade; Jr./Sr. high youth group for sixth-12th grades and adult Bible study. All adults and children are welcome to come to Grub (a full meal) at 6 p.m. If you are looking for a welcoming church that stands on the Word of God, a church that declares its dependency in Christ, then First Baptist could be the church for you. Visit us soon. We would be glad to have you. Van Ministry, Wednes- day evenings. Need a ride? Call 812-354-6582 Dr. C. Baxter, Jr., Pastor awordfitlyspoken@ outlook.com April 1, Easter Sunday services: 7:45 a.m. Sunrise service at Hornady Park at Shelter house #3, next to the Peter Britton cabin; 8:30 a.m. fellowship break- fast, everyone is welcome; Sunday adult Bible study and children's Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning Easter program at 10 :40 a.m.; No Sunday eve- ning service at 6 p.m., this week; Wednesday, at 6 p.m. program practice; no Adult Discipleship and Teamkids, this week. March 31—Community Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. June 11-15 —VBS "Game On" from 6 -8:30 p.m. Mission Statement for 2018 New Beginnings: What would Jesus do? We will strive to be more like Jesus in all that we do. "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Reve- lation 17:14). Joseph Roman, Pastor Clara Walls, Reporter 812-664-4716 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Faron McLaughlin, Super- intendent, Ryan Edrington, Assistant and Sunday morn- ing worship at 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study at 6 p.m. We enjoyed a wonderful Palm Sunday service this past Sunday. A large por- tion of our church family came out to join in the mes- sage from Luke 23:1-25. Christ was at the most pop- ular time of His life, know- ing the destiny before Him. Even though neither Pilate or Herod could find nothing to accuse Him, His accusers still wanted Him crucified. What would you do if you were the judge? Would you do what was right, or would you give into peer pressure or the mob? The Pike County Schools are enjoying a wet Spring Break this week. Hopefully, sunny days and warmer tem- peratures are on their way. Good Friday is March 30. Remember to take time to remember the events of this special day. Easter egg hunt on Satur- day, March 31, at 2 p.m. April 1 will be Easter and we will hold Communion. Sunrise service begins at 7:30 a.m. Eastern time. A full breakfast will be served. Andrea Hunt and Chris McLaughlin will be our com- mittee for this important day for all who believe. Be ready to help them in any way pos-