Sermon and Announcements April 14, 2024

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

April 14, 2024

DON’T STOP PRAYING!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We have looked at prayer before. I may have used some of the same verses in the past as I am sharing today, but today I want you to listen to a song that the Lord is using in my life. The Lord is saying to me that no matter what the outcome, don’t stop praying. Don’t quit, don’t give up, don’t stop believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. Don’t quit trusting in my heavenly Father as well. God understands and sees what we, what I, am going through always. Always believe that.

Before I go any further, I want you to listen to this song that the Lord is using to refocus me on prayer. I may have had another song played by this artist before, maybe not. A little background for those of you who don’t know Matthew West, he graduated from Millikin, probably around 20 years ago. He is one of the top contemporary Christian artists and many of his songs the Lord has used to speak to me. The song title is, Don’t Stop Praying.

Before we look at some of the things said in this song, let us look again at what was said in 1 Thessalonians 5. First, be joyful ALWAYS! Of course, that is easy to do, isn’t it? While we trust in the Lord and hope and believe God is on our side, things happen that can steal that joy we are encouraged to have. Second, we are told to pray continually. We are not to simply one time offer up a prayer and then hope for the best. We are told to pray continually. In the parable of the persistent widow, we see an example of this. A widow keeps coming before a judge day after day, maybe week after week. It becomes obvious to the judge that she won’t stop until she gets just the result she is asking for. So finally, the judge gives in. This parable is found in Luke 18, verses 2-5.

Jesus then goes on to say to his disciples in verse 7, “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you; He will see that they get justice and quickly.”

This song has so many honest feelings stated in it. It starts off asking, what’s your impossible? Your, I need a miracle? What’s got you barely hanging on by a single thread? Then the song asks, “What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt? You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of a breakthrough yet. When you’ve cried until your tears run dry. The answers won’t come and you don’t know why. And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time. 

I believe the Lord inspired these words to then be written.

Don’t stop praying.

Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name.

Keep on pounding on Heaven’ s door and let your knees wear out the floor.

Don’t stop believing.

Cause mountains move with just a little faith.

And your Father’s heard every single word you're saying.

So don’t stop praying.

In the video of this song, he is printing off a variety of papers and things that say, Don’t Stop Praying. I am not sure what he meant by doing this, but it showed me that I need God’s constant reminder to stay strong and to keep praying for whatever the Lord has laid on my heart. Sometimes I admit I do better at this than others. To finish up on some of the things the Lord reminded me to be in prayer for in this song, there is quite a list.

Don’t stop praying for the prodigal,

Praying for the miracle,

Praying that addictions end,

Praying for deliverance.

Praying for sickness healed.

Praying for God’s power be revealed.

Praying for his kingdom come.

Praying that his will be done.

That list covers basically every category of problems and concerns every Christian will ever have. Are we promised we will always get the answer we want? No. Even Jesus prayed to God the Father for something that didn’t happen as he hoped for. In Luke 22:42, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” Jesus didn’t pray this because he was afraid to die. Jesus prayed this because he wanted more time to teach His disciples and anyone else who would listen. Jesus didn’t get the answer he asked for on this occasion. God the Father understood more than Jesus was allowed to see at this time. That is also true of us as well. God understands things in ways we simply cannot. That doesn’t necessarily make it any easier for us when we are going through tough times. Jesus understood God the Father could see all things clearer than he could, that is why he ended the prayer with, “But not my will but yours be done.”

As difficult as it is at times, that must be the believer’s attitude until our prayers are answered one way or another, we must be willing to do what the Lord is encouraging us to do in this song.

Don’t stop praying.

Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name.

Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door.

Let our knees wear out the floor.

Don’t stop believing.

Cause mountains move a little faith

And your Father hears every word you're saying.

SO DON’T STOP PRAYING!

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

April 20 1:00 Decatur Poets (including Ruth), Decatur library

April 21 Blanket Sunday

April 24, 26, 27 7:00 pm Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor

Dreamcoat, CGHS and 2:00 on the 27th

April 27 10:00 – 12:15 District Creation Care Event—virtual—2

workshop opportunities--more info to come

April 28 3:00 here Traughber Pie Party—bring a pie and enjoy

pie and fellowship. RSVP by April 21 to 217-855-4961

Camp Emmanuel registration is open. Schedule is on the

bulletin board. Work week begins April 20.

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for April: Camp Emmanuel

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Shirley Clarkson; Martha Wood; Mike Roach; Dave White; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Ava; Nora Hanaver; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Eli Brunner;

Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Debbie

Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mike and Carol

Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Mayo & Darlene

Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests;

victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian

church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Israel, Iran, and the Palestinians

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the District Ministry Leadership

Development Team and for the clergy retreat this week.

Sermon and Announcements March 17, 2024

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 17, 2024

Make the Most of our Time

Luke 20:4-47, 21:1-4

We are continuing today to look at what Jesus was doing as his time on

this earth drew to a close. Jesus continued to teach, to answer

questions from skeptics, to simply make the most of the time he had

left before his arrest and crucifixion. Last week we looked at the three

ways talked about by Luke, that the priests and Pharisees were trying to

stop Jesus. We did not look at the ways they were trying to trap him in

detail, but Jesus always had an answer that was within God the Father’s

will.

Today we read three examples of teaching moments Jesus had with His

disciples, as well as some of those teachers of the law that were out to

get him. Jesus first sought to answer the question about who exactly he

was in relationship to God. He then went on to warn, especially the

disciples, about how there will be those who will put on a good show

for God but are really only worried about themselves and their position.

Warning to not be deceived by their clever lies and their false religious

actions.

Jesus then gives one more example of those who really care more

about God and His work than themselves. In the last two examples,

Jesus drew the contrast between the ones putting on a show and those

who just want to do the right thing for God. The final example Jesus

gave was about the widow who had very little to give. She barely had

enough to get by on for herself, yet gave to God’s work faithfully. Jesus

showed how she gave far more than those who gave greater amounts.

God sees and understands the attitudes of our hearts and understands

every situation. In all of these teaching moments, Jesus knows his time

with his disciples is drawing to a close. Jesus also knew what was going

to happen to his disciples when they were the ones continuing to teach

the message of salvation, grace, love and righteousness. Jesus knew

things were not going to be easy. So, he sought to prepare them as best

he could in those final weeks they were together. Jesus knew that at

times personal sacrifice would be necessary. So he wanted them to, not

only, understand who he was as the Son of God, but also be aware of

what would lie ahead for them. That is why he warned about those

who pretended to be teachers of God’s word. And then showed the

example of true humility and faithfulness.

If we were to have finished the 21 st chapter we would see Jesus then

gave them a picture of what would happen at the end of this age. We

might say the end of the church age. Jesus did this to let the disciples

know there will come a time when God will bring an end to all the lies

and deception that will happen. Jesus also wanted everyone to know,

especially future generations, that things will get worse before they get

better, but God will give His people the ability to overcome.

The final two verses of the 21 st chapter says this, “Each day Jesus was

teaching at the temple, and in the evening, he went out to spend the

night on the hill called the Mount of Olives and all the people came

early in the morning to hear him at the temple.” Jesus was making the

most of the time he had left to teach and share with those he loved, his

disciples as well as God the Father. In many ways that is another of the

examples Jesus has given to all of us. We have a limited amount of time

on this earth. God is calling each one of us, his children, to use the time

as wisely as we can. Spend time with our family and friends. Share

God’s love and His righteousness as often as we can, in the ways the

Lord leads us. Sometimes it will be all about mercy and grace as Jesus

showed in some of the verses we read. Other times it will be tough

honest and yes loving truth that we will be called on to share as we also

read in these verses this morning. That must always be the purpose for

us as it always was with Jesus. The desire to draw our family, our

friends, our neighbors to share in the eternal life God has for each who

will receive.

In closing I will ask you the question I felt God asking me, which goes

back to the sermon title. Are you, am I, making the most of the time

God is giving us? Both in sharing time with those we care about, those

we love, as well as using our time as ambassadors for Christ. As we see

how Jesus used every moment, every opportunity to teach and to love,

that is what he is asking us to do as well. God has great things in store

for each and every one of His faithful servants. We can, at times, get a

glimpse of that while we are here on earth. But truly the best is yet to

come when we hear our Heavenly Father say to each one of us, “Well

done good and faithful servant!”

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

Today and next Sunday—One Great Hour of Sharing—special

envelopes in the back

March 20—12:00 Women’s Fellowship luncheon and

meeting—meal provided, in the Fellowship Hall

March 28 7:00 p.m. Love Feast at the Brethren Church—we

are invited to participate with them.

March 31 Easter—sunrise service at Veterans' Park (at our church if

inclement weather)

--Please sign up to give a children’s message during worship

and/or children’s story lesson in the nursery during the sermon.

We need your help.

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for March: Camp Emmanuel

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Mike Roach and family; Carole McClarey; Dave White; Louis and Carol Sulwer; Ava; Nora

Hanaver; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike

Gentry; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron and Kathleen

Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mike and

Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Mayo and Darlene

Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests;

victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian

church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Israel and Hamas war

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Oakley Brick congregation and

for the denomination’s Discipleship Ministries Office.

Sermon and Announcements March 3, 2024

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 3, 2024

Lord Teach Us To Love

Mark 12:29 – 31

In four weeks, we will celebrate Easter. This was the moment God

proved, even though he did not have to, how much he loved all the

people--past, present and future. We will begin looking in depth at all

the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection next Sunday.

Before we look at those events again, I would like for us to look today

at what Godly love really is like. Is it flowing through out lives as it

should be? If not, why? How can we get it and day in and day out put it

into practice? One of the best ways to know if we have God’s love

flowing though us on a consistent basis is our ability to forgive. Jesus

taught his disciples how to pray as written in Matthew 6. One of the

points in the prayer Jesus taught his disciples was to ask God to forgive

us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. Jesus then bluntly

states in verses 14 and 15 of chapter 6, “For if you forgive man when

they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if

you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your

sins.”

So, as we consider the verses, we first read which stated what the

greatest commandment was, we saw that the love of God and the love

for our neighbor covers all of the other commandments. Now as we

consider these two verses about forgiveness, we can see if we do not

have the ability to forgive one another, we really don’t love God or our

neighbor.

When Cathy and I were gone we spent a total of around 20 hours in

planes. Several years ago, I bought the book, Mere Christianity by

C.S. Lewis. I had started on it some time ago but had not completed it.

So I took it with me hoping to complete it. I wish reading was

something that came naturally to me but it does not. Anyway, I began

reading this book again and found several points interesting that

C. S. Lewis was making. Quick quiz--What book is C.S. Lewis probably

best known for? Chronicles of Narnia. I do not know how many of you

have read Mere Christianity or any of the other books C.S. Lewis has

written but if you are familiar with him, you already know in early

adulthood he was an atheist. C.S. Lewis felt God’s presence in ways

around him he could not keep on denying and he ultimately accepted

Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior from that time on and all his books

had a Christian theme to them.

Mere Christianity reflects the journey he has been on as a Christian and

tells of his observations about Christianity, Christians and the world.

Some of you may know C.S. Lewis is from Great Britian. Early in the

chapter entitled “Forgiveness” he makes this statement. “Everyone says

forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive, as we

had during the war.” Those of you who know history know Germany

bombed London day after day, killing hundreds of thousands and C.S.

Lewis recognized God is compelling His people to find forgiveness in

their hearts for everyone, even those who sought to kill you. How easy

is that to do?

C.S. Lewis went on to tell of a news story where someone was accused

of doing terrible things. It was a person easy to dislike, easy to hate. But

it turned out the person had not done the things he was accused of

doing. He goes on to say how disappointed many were that the person

had not done the things he was accused of. Because they had created

such dislike, they wanted the person to be punished. He goes on to

suggest the true evil person may be the one who still holds the grudge.

Can that at times happen to anyone of us? What C.S. Lewis writes in

this chapter is consistent with what the Bible says. We are to hate evil,

this is true. We must condemn sin when it is in direct contradiction to

God and His word. However, we must always promote love in all

circumstances. While many today do not believe in the death penalty,

C.S. Lewis said this as he wrapped up the chapter on forgiveness. “We

may kill, if necessary, but we must not hate and enjoy hating. We may

punish, if necessary, but we must not enjoy it.” He goes on to say,

“Even while we kill and punish, we must try to feel about the enemy as

we feel about ourselves to wish that he were not bad, to hope that he

may, in this world or another be cured; in fact, to wish his good.” That

is what is meant in the Bible by loving him, wishing his good, not feeling

fond of him nor saying he is nice when he is not. I admit that this means

loving people who have nothing lovable about that.”

Let’s face it, some people are not easy to love. Some are not easy to

forgive, but Jesus made it clear if we expect God to forgive us, we must

be willing to forgive. If we expect God’s love and mercy, we must be

wiling to show love and mercy to one another. Every night on the news

you can hear stories of evil done to someone across this country. How

often do we take a minute to pray for the victims and their families?

How often do we pray for those who have committed those evil

crimes? Jesus not only commanded us to love the Lord our God and

love our neighbor as ourselves, he also said in Matthew 5:44-45, “But I

tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that

you may be the sons and daughters of your Father in heaven. The

sermon title is “Lord Teach Us to Love”. C.S. Lewis identifies how

difficult it can be to love as Christ loves us. Without the Holy Spirit’s

help, it is impossible to love as God loves us. May we admit to our

prejudices and our shortcomings and honestly ask God to teach us to

love as he loves us.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

March 10—Commissions and Board meetings after worship

March 20—12:00 Women’s Fellowship luncheon and

meeting—meal provided, in the Fellowship Hall

--Newsletters are available in the back.

--Please sign up to give a children’s message during worship

and/or children’s story lesson in the nursery during the sermon.

We need your help.

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for March: Camp Emmanuel

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Carole McClarey; Dave White; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Ava; Nora

Hanaver; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike

Gentry; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen

Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mike and

Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Mayo & Darlene

Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests;

victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian

church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Israel and Hamas war

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the York Center congregation and

for Children’s Disaster Services.

Sermon and Announcements February 25

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

February 25, 2024

What Is My Gift?

Romans 12:4-8

The last time I was with you was Service Sunday. The Church of the

Brethren encouraged us to think about different ways we can serve our

church and our community, how we can serve God and one another.

This Sunday I would like each one of us to take it a step further.

Both in Romans, chapter 12 and 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, we are told

of gifts that have been given to those of us in God’s church, gifts given

to us by the Holy Spirit. We are to use those gifts to build up one

another and to serve in whatever way God leads us.

This morning, we are going to look at the verses in Romans. I know

virtually everyone in this congregation has served in 1 or more ways in

this church or in another church during your lifetime. God has given

each and every one of us gifts we are to use for His kingdom work.

Some of us may feel we are better in one area but maybe not as good

in some others. Paul is pointing out to the church in Rome that just as

the human body has many different parts, so does the body of Christ.

For the human body to work it’s best all the different parts need to

operate to the best of their ability. That is also true for the body of

Christ.

There are 7 different gifts mentions in these verses in Romans. In 1

Corinthians there are 9 different gifts listed. On the surface the lists

seem very different but when you understand the purpose of the gifts,

they are pretty similar. To build up the church and to empower us to do

what God has called us to do.

This morning, we are going to focus on the ones found in Romans.

1. Prophesying

2. Serving

3. Teaching

4. Encouraging

5. Contributing (giving)

6. Leadership

7. Showing mercy

Most of these gifts are pretty easy to understand. Let’s quickly look at

them one at a time.

~~Prophesying may also be viewed as someone in a spiritual leadership

position. One willing to faithfully proclaim the Word of God whether it is

easy or not. Multiple examples of prophets in the Old Testament

proclaiming God’s desires for His people.

~~Serving. That can take on a number of different meanings. It requires

someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish a goal

without worrying about who gets the credit or who is in charge.

~~Teaching. That one also can take a variety of appearances. There are

many things that need to be taught and it takes a special person to be

able to effectively and sometimes patiently teach others.

~~Encouraging. The church needs cheerleaders, people who will build

others up, especially when things are not going well.

~~Contribute. This does not just mean giving money in support of God’s

work. It can also mean giving of your time. Whatever way God call a

person to contribute they are encouraged to do it generously.

~~Leadership or being a leader. As with many of the other gifts, this can

go many different directions. There can be a variety of different

projects going on in the church throughout the year. It is important that

someone be willing take a leadership role to see that it is successful. In

most cases, there can be different leaders throughout the year,

depending on the project or job.

~~Mercy. I believe every member of the body of Christ should have this

gift. However, some are called to use this gift in a more powerful,

compassionate and consistent way than others.

When we look at these 7 gifts, I believe every church needs to have

these gifts flowing through it on a regular basis. If we are to fulfill the

call placed on us, both as individual Christians and as the church, being

examples of Jesus Christ to our part of the world and our communities.

We must encourage one another to use those gifts God has given us.

The most important thing is that we allow the Lord to use us right here,

right now as best we can to be God’s witnesses in an honest, loving and

faithful way.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

February 28 Newsletter submission deadline

--Please sign up to give a children’s message during worship

and/or children’s story lesson in the nursery during the sermon.

We need your help.

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for February: Utilities

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Carole McClarey; Dave White; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Ava; Nora Hanaver; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler;

Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler;

Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea

Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young;

Kim Lehmann; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy

Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of

shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine;

Israel and Hamas war

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Leap Day “week”—pray for our own

congregation and about what leap of faith we might make this year.

January 7 2024 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

January 7, 2024

 

How Far Are We Willing to Go?

Matthew 2:1-12

 

It has been almost two weeks since the Christian world celebrated the birth of our Savior. Today we are going to look at the ones who were not there the night, the day Jesus was born. Some in the Christian world call January 6 the Feast of the Epiphany, which is the day some believe the wise men arrived to pay their respects to the newborn King of the Jews. As we read this morning, these Magi or wise men came from the east. They had seen what is stated to be a star that obviously was brighter and unlike any other star they had ever seen.

 

Last Sunday our Sunday School lesson talked in some detail about all the events concerning the star, the wise men and their coming to worship this king. It stated these wise men were probably advisors to the leaders of the land they lived in. That they were probably astrologers who referred to the stars for guidance in their recommendations to their leaders. When they saw this star in the sky, it was so amazing, so miraculous they had to see what it was about. Their profession compelled them to follow this star. Because it appears they came from some distance away, it is believed these wise men were almost certainly Gentiles. Whether they knew anything about the prophecies about a Messiah to the Jews or not, we do not know. It is quite possible there were some living in their land that knew the Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah. They also could see the star was in the direction of Israel so they may have believed maybe, just maybe the God of the Jews was about to do something miraculous. So off they went following this star that was there for everyone to see.

 

There are several amazing things about this story. Before we get into some of them, I want you to understand what I believe about this story, as well as others in the Bible. I believe every one of the stories in the Bible tell of actual events that really happened. While some of the events may have more than one meaning, I believe they are all about things that did happen in the lives of God’s people. That being said, let us look at some of the things that make this story so amazing. First, we see that men from a long way away came to see what the star really meant. Once again, most theologians believe the wise men were Gentiles that made this long journey. Whether they knew who they were going to see before they left their county or found out on the way they had become convinced they were going to find the King of the Jews. They brought with them expensive gifts fit for a king. So, the first amazing thing is that Gentile Magi would travel months or even years to find this king who wasn’t one they necessarily believed in.

 

The second amazing part is that it would seem none of the Jewish priests were in the least interested about what had happened in Bethlehem. There is no mention of anyone else from Israel realizing that the star was there for everyone to see had any special significance for Israel and the Jewish people. When Jesus was born, the shepherds came and saw what had happened and told everyone they saw about all the things that had happened to them. Since it seems none of the locals followed up on the shepherds’ story, does that mean they thought the shepherds were nuts? That they had been out with the sheep too long?

 

So as I considered what the Magi was willing to do and how far they had been willing to go, I wondered how far would I be willing to go? How far have we been willing to go for our Savior? We are not certain how far these men travelled to get to Jesus, but we know they did not hop in their car and in a day of two were there. They travelled for months, maybe even more than a year to see Jesus. They put their lives on hold to see what the God of Israel may have done for His people. How much have you and I given up to serve our King? I do not begin to claim to know what God has, is, calling each of you to do for the Lord. Maybe each one of you has done most all of the things the Lord has asked you to do. But as I have been compelled to look honestly at my life, I must ask myself, “Am I where the Lord wants me to be with my walk with the Lord?”

 

AS we consider the faithfulness of the Magi in making this long journey to worship the King and then their ability to listen to the Lord to not go back to Herod as they originally planned to tell him where Jesus was, I wonder, “Am I as committed and as connected to the Lord as these Gentiles were?”

 

What an amazing story of God using the most unlikely to be part of His story. Some may view you and me as unlikely parts of God’s story as well, but each and every one of us need to realize we are important to God. And we are important parts of God’s ongoing story. As with Mary and Joseph, as with the shepherds, as with the wise men, there is just one requirement when God says, “Will you?” That is for us to be willing to say, “Yes I will.” So how do we answer the question, “How far are we willing to go?” How far have we been willing to go or our Lord and Savior?

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

 

Today after worship—special council meeting

          12:00-3:00 nativity display at Millikin Homestead

January 14 after worship—board meeting

 

--Time for Messenger renewals and/or new subscriptions. Pick up a form in the back if you want to subscribe via the church club--$14.50 for 1 year. If you are renewing and there are no changes, no need to fill out anything. Give new forms to Carol by January 14.

--2023 offering envelope summaries are complete and are in church mailboxes or mailed

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for January: Utilities

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Ava; Nora Hanaver; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Moracco; Israel and Hamas war

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Panther Creek congregation and the Youth/Young Adult Ministries office.