Sunday's Message

Larry's Sunday message is available to watch on our facebook page Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren.

If you aren't on facebook and/or would like to read his script, here it is.

MATTHEW 10:16 – Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.

When we look at what Jesus was telling his disciples clearly, he was talking about a different challenge facing the disciples. They were being sent out to the world that would resist the message of repentance and taking responsibility for one’s sins. While some may question whether this virus could be the work of Satan or not, we as God’s people are called to be examples. Examples of responsibility, examples of hope, examples of mercy and grace. When we look at this verse, Matthew 10:16, we could view this virus as wolves talked about in the first part of verse 16. We could also see God calling us to use wisdom in how we go about our lives as Jesus was talking in the second part of verse 16. Also, we should be men and women who offer support, hope and assistance as best we can during this time as mentioned in this verse being harmless as doves. This is a different time than we have faced before. Our prayers for one another should be to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We must ALWAYS remember in spite of the turmoil this nation and the world is experiencing GOD IS IN CONTROL. God knows exactly what is going on. He will bring us through victoriously. Our responsibility to God and to one another is to be smart, be prayerful, be full of faith and full of hope. Never lose sight of the fact that God loves us more than we can really imagine or ever understand. We will come thru this with God’s help. I would like to close with God’s encouragement. Romans 8:37-No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who love us. Again, be safe and smart. God bless you and I hope to see you all soon.

Larry

Below are our announcements for the week.

April 4: Lord’s Storehouse Easter box contributions due. Suggested amount, $25.00 per box. Please put any donations in Carol’s mailbox at church or drop them off on Carol’s front porch. Checks can be made out to The Lord’s Storehouse.

April 5: Palm Sunday, no worship in the church

Offerings: Please mail your offerings to the church at PO Box 45 or, if you have a key to the church and would rather put it in the donation box at the back of the sanctuary, you may do so but please use a regular offering envelope or an envelope that you have labeled “offering.”

**Let Stacie Warren know of any supplies you need and are unable to get for yourself. Someone in the church will get them for you.

Tentative:

April 8: 7:00 p.m. Executive Committee

April 12: 7:00 Easter Sunrise Service & Breakfast HERE      

April 19: 12:00 All church birthday dinner—potluck

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First Sunday of the month: Food Banks

Food needs: boxes of cereal, boxes of prepared foods, such as soups, potatoes, rice, mac & cheese, peanut butter, jelly

Donation Box: Camp Emmanuel

--Don’t forget to check mailboxes when you are able.

--Women’s Fellowship is looking for a strawberry festival chair or co-chairs.           

Keep in Your Prayers

Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Liam Martina; Ali Bryant; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Mike Gentry; Gary Jesse; Robert & Laurie Morr; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Tim and Betty Sue Laird; Larry Nall; Leslie Lake; Jennifer Like; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross: Denice Mosbach; Stacie Warren; Parker West; many unspoken requests; traveling mercies for those on the road; Coronavirus crisis

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Prayers and cards of encouragement are requested for our Shut-ins:

Zola Copeland – 214 E. Fitch St. Forsyth, IL.

62535-9668

Anna Rose Larrick – C/O Evergreen Place #110

4825 E. Evergreen Ct. Decatur IL. 62521

Shawn Cain – 208 West Wait St. Cerro Gordo IL. 61818

                                    217-871-5179

Robert Cripe – 21 Park Street Danville IL. 61832

            "Prayer for a Pandemic"

by Dr. Cameron Wiggins Bellm of Seattle, Washington:

May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.

May we who have had to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love.

During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.