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July 2007 |
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Wow what an incredibly high moment in our church life was the 75th anniversary service. What a neat evening! Special thanks to all who helped make it special. You may or may not remember that I am using the opening of the Chimes to address five important, historic beliefs in Reformed Protestantism. Some refer to these as T.U.L.I.P. The “T” represents Total Depravity or as some would refer to it – humanity’s radical corruption or original sin. Last month I addressed the “U” of TULIP as Unconditional Election or as some refer to it as God’s sovereign choice. By this we are reminded that the big thing about our faith is not necessarily our personal choice of God but his choice of us. This month I will comment on the “L” of the TULIP which is Limited Atonement or as some would call it Christ’s purposeful atonement. This involves the actual work of Christ on the cross. Did he die for all people, even those who would refuse to love him and serve him? If he died for people who would refuse him, was his death for them in vain? Was it really a sacrifice for their sins if they chose not to receive him and follow him? These questions may not initially appear at all relevant to how you live your life or how you apply your faith, but they do have a subtle effect, which can play itself out in a person’s behavior, especially in the infancy of one’s spiritual life. We do know the Bible teaches that God loves all people as is quite clear in John 3:16. No one argues that point. We all benefit by some aspects of his grace and mercy. One day of life is a gift of his grace and mercy, his love. The question of eternal salvation goes far beyond the gift of life here on earth and is front and center in my comments. If God does specifically elect some to be recipients of grace, as it relates to eternal salvation, then does it make sense that these are the ones Jesus had in mind when he sacrificed his life? Are these the ones Paul referred to as being chosen before the foundation of the world? (Eph. 1:4-5) Are these the ones you find responding to the work of the Holy Spirit? Are these the ones we learn of in Revelation standing before the throne of God at the end of the age with palm branches in their hands? Are these the ones who “somehow” find the Lord? My answer would be yes, yes, yes, and yes. I believe God’s divine plan is not only to make redemption possible but to make it certain. This certainty has potent influence on the Christian. Having assurance of one’s salvation gives one confidence and great boldness in faith. The cross did not simply present a possibility of people living in faith, but it insures the certainty that those who were chosen before the foundation of the world would live by faith. To the Christian who understands this, Christ is not a take it or leave it proposition. Christ is absolutely the hope, the way, the truth and the life. For the person giving testimony to authentic faith, he or she is mindful that the very person who is the recipient of their words may be a person the Holy Spirit is actively preparing the heart to receive Christ. If so, it doesn’t depend on his or her ability to persuade, but the ability of God to convict, to lead, to save. For the missionary in Saudi Arabia giving testimony to authentic faith in Christ, he or she is mindful that this very person hearing of Jesus, maybe for the first time, may be a person the Holy Spirit has been actively preparing just for this moment. What a relief to know the eternal salvation of a person doesn’t depend on the missionary’s ability or inability to share Christ in a state of the art, polished form. When reading of the Apostle Paul doing the work of evangelism in town after town, I sense that level of boldness and certainty. When I think of stepping out into the awkwardness of sharing my faith in Christ with a loved one, neighbor, or friend, I need all the boldness and assurance I can get. It helps to know that it all doesn’t depend on my marketing skills, my wit and charm, or lack of wit and charm as the case may be. Having a more Biblical view of God and of Christ and of the Holy Spirit will “grease the tracks” for a faith that is truly transforming and dynamic. I want my relationship to God to be vibrant, refreshing, and life-giving. Soooooo the view of Christ’s atonement on the cross as being only for those chosen by God is known as Limited atonement and is the “L” in TULIP. Next month I will address the “I”. Youuuuu… think about that. Hope to see ya Sunday. Pastor Curry
PULPIT FORECAST"To regularly avail oneself to the public exposition of the Holy Scriptures is one of the highest and holiest habits one can ever attain in this life." Here we are in the middle of the summer of 2008 message series – “Finding Your Unique Place in God’s Plan”. Hopefully you are finding this helpful in observing your own spiritual life and identifying where you “fit” in Christ’s church. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians are rich with admonitions and encouragements. When reading them through once or twice, it is really hard to begin to get the depth of meaning that one gets from putting them under a microscope. Bring your Bible each Sunday and begin your week in the Word.
JULY MESSAGES1st “A Nation of Liberties, A Faith of Liberties” is the title of the message taken from I Corinthians 8:1-13. We will also serve Holy Communion and observe the birth of our nation. 8th “Liberties Received, Liberties Sacrificed” is the message title using I Corinthians 9:1-27. 15th “A Simple Test for Every Situation” is the message title taken from I Corinthians 10:1-33. 22nd Our Elder, Jim Pillars, will present the Bible message for our service. 29th “A Word About a Very Sacred Act” will be the message taken from I Corinthians 11:23-34. NEW BUILDING UPDATEA special thanks to the Building Committee (Katie Margison, Jim Lyons, Roy Mauck, Mae Backovitch, Joe Martin, Jim Pillars, and Anne Lyons) for working hard to get the new entrance finished by the June 10th service. Thanks to all who contributed this past month! We couldn’t have begun to do such a great project with out generous people! We are hopeful that in the coming year the funds to finish the inside of the building will come.
ON THE RADIO EVERY SUNDAY 98.3 Know of a shut-in who might enjoy our service? Make sure to have them tune in every Sunday. At the end of each service, Calie Lyons and Jim Pillars make a fast trip to the radio station to be on the air at 12:00 noon. People who live out of the area can tune in on the internet by visiting www.wrlr.fm . Look to the left side of the page and click on “on-air audio stream”. . NEW WEB PAGE???Yes, our church has a new look for its home page. We are planning on expanding it a lot. Check us out at www.ichooseJesus.net
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NEW BUILDING UPDATE
The Building Committee (Katie Margison, Jim Lyons, Roy Mauck, Mae Backovitch, Joe Martin, Jim Pillars, and Anne Lyons) is working hard to get the new entrance finished by the June 10th service. Thanks to all who contributed this past month! We couldn’t have begun to do such a great project with out generous people! Special thanks to Ken Cooper for the dry wall work and to Bob Dorogi for the carpentry with the hand rails. We are hopeful that in the coming year the funds to finish the inside of the building will come. PURCHASING AT MENARDS?As a fund raiser for the new Building we will have Menard's Scrip. Some were not aware that we had it. You purchase te scrip from the church in $25.00 increments. You use these when you shop at Menard's just as you would cash. Keep one or two on hand so that you are prepared when you go to Menard's. If you have a big building project or other large purchase coming up there we can get larger denominations also. See Marietta. We get 4% on each and at the end of the year they send an additional 2% in merchandise certificates. Thus. we actually get 6% profit. CARD MINISTRYIf you know someone is in need of some spiritual love from our sister’s and brother’s in Christ, please contact Cindy Johnson and give his or her name and address. Email Cindy at TWEETYCINDY0301@COMCAST.NET
COFFEE HOUR7/1 Dawn Brtek & Nicole Reyes
7/15 Rhonda Curry & Mae Backovitch 7/22 Carol Lawrence & Joyce Richter 7/29 Chris & Donna Kramer
USHER SCHEDULE7/1 Bob & Carol Dawson 7/8 Jim Lyons & Dan Schlabach 7/15 Rosalie Stickling & Ann Cortes 7/22 Mike Johnson & Linda Ellinger 7/29 Marge McKee & Sandy Blake
ANIMAL HOSPITAL We would like to thank you and the very kind parishioners of your parish for the ongoing donation of blankets and towels. Through your generosity many animals are make more comfortable. All are welcome to our Open House 9/30/07 from 11-3 to see our Good Samaritan program at work. The Doctors and Staff of Best Friends Animal Hospital.
CURRY'S TO CALIFORNIAAnaheim, California, is the place of this year’s CCCC Annual Meeting. The Curry's will represent our church leaving Monday, July 16th and returning Thursday, July 19th. These gatherings are always a great blessing as some 3-400 pastors and church leaders of our conference gather for times of worship and praise and times of sitting at the Lord’s feet. We will pass an annual budget and vote on officers and committees. There are also workshops to attend that address different aspects of the Christian life and church life. Pastor Curry is arranging one of the workshops. He will host Dr. Ralph Winter as he speaks on how missions should be viewed by a local church.While in the area, they also hope to visit the campus of William Carey International University.
KOINS FOR KIDSMany of you may not be aware of the “Koins for Kids” program we have here. Any loose change in our offering plate is donated to our Sunday school program. This helps fund the programs material costs. Please help support our kids and throw your extra change in the plate each week. There are huge benefits from your gifts!
COUNCIL REPORTS from the most recent meeting are always available at the back of the church in the wooden rack at the top of the steps. Don’t hesitate to pick one up if you have interest. Council Meetings are always open to our members. We meet the first Tuesday evening to conduct church business and the third Tuesday evening to pray. Please contact Council President Mike Johnson if you wish to attend or speak at any meeting.
BIRTHDAYS If you know of anyone who is not on our list, contact Randy Margison. 4; Harriette Heppner 5: Jeanne Knoblock 8: Brenda Lewiel 10: Randy Margison 11: Krystal Lewiel 18: Chris Kramer 18: Donna Kramer 22: Donny Ellinger 23: Lilly Johnson 29: Zachery Dietz
QUOTABLE QUOTE”You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot lift the wager earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot keep out trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” –Abraham Lincoln
GOLDEN GRAINSChrist beats his drum, but he does not press men; Christ is served with volunteers. –John DonneI look upon all the world as my parish. –John Wesley I just want to lobby for God. –Billy Graham The reason some folks don’t believe in missions is that the brand of religion they have isn’t worth propagating. –Anon The world has many religions; it has but one Gospel. –George Owen A church without mission is a church without a mission. –The Friendly Messenger God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness. –William Stoughton The Spirit of Christ is the sprit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him the more intensely a missionary we must become. –Henry Martyn
USE OF CHURCH BUILDING AND CHIMES CALENDAR?? The calendar in the Chimes each month only contains the events of our church life. It does not list all the groups using the church facility on different dates. If you wish inquire about using the facility, please call our Facility Coordinator, Jim Pillars.
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