Monday, December 20, 2021

Fourth Sunday in Advent

 


CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

December 19, 2021

 

GOD’S LOVE HAS COME!

Luke 2:8-14

God’s love story for His people is about to come to pass as we get closer to the celebration of Christmas. Let us not be confused by what I am saying to mean God did not love his creation before. God has always loved His people beginning with Adam and Eve and continuing through everything that happened in the Old Testament. The thing God has always wanted is to have a vibrant relationship with His people. However, when sin entered in at the Garden of Eden, that love relationship became difficult. Too often Satan has deceived God’s people and made the relationship with God hard. God cannot stand defiant disobedience, just like most parents will not tolerate that attitude with their children. God chose to make a way His people could get right with him once and for all.

 

That new plan began in a manger over 2000 years ago. God changed everything that day. A Savior came to earth in the most unsuspecting way. As we have talked about before, the Savior was not born to a powerful earthly king. Instead, Jesus was born to an average woman in the most usual way. Jesus was not even born in a house or inn. He was born amidst God’s creation in a manger. His earthly dad was also just an ordinary man who worked with his hands to provide for his wife and baby. We also see the first to hear the news were not the powerful leaders of the town but working people, shepherds. The announcement to those lucky few was pretty impressive though. First, an angel appeared to the shepherds. Then a heavenly choir miraculously appeared out of nowhere to make the announcement of what had just happened. Can you picture what a moment that was? For Mary and Joseph to have such an incredible way Jesus was welcomed to the world. They both knew Jesus was not an average baby but was sent by God to do something special. But who could have imagined that the most unlikely men would be sent to confirm to Mary and Joseph what was soon going to happen?

 

Jesus came to earth to accomplish a couple of things. The most life changing was to show God’s love to His people in the most unusual way. Jesus came to earth to do what we could not do for ourselves--to destroy the effects of sin once and for all. God’s love came to earth in the most unusual way and then was fulfilled in the most unlikely of ways as well. 1 John 4:10-12 says “This is love; not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his son an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” This is the message of Christmas. God loves us. God’s love has come and we can show we belong to God and he belongs to us if we share that love with one another. That is why the tradition of gift giving at Christmas began. God gave us the most perfect gift he ever could—the gift of eternal life and love. Now it is up to us. This Christmas may we find new ways to share God’s love with those around us. That is the legacy our Heavenly Father has given us. Enjoy this next week and may God help each of us experience his love in a new and fresh way and then may we pass it on to others.

 God bless you!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Larry


Announcements:

 

Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday—studying Hebrews

 

Poinsettias are $11. If you ordered one, please pay Shirley W.

 

Advent Offering envelopes are in the back.

 

December 22 7:00 Christmas Service here; we plan to have it on facebook live as well. We’ll finish the service with communion and candlelight.

 

December 25 Christmas Day—Have a blessed day!

 

 

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!

 

Donation Box: The Lord’s Storehouse

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook

Keep in Your Prayers

Larry & Luana Cripe; Tina Wilhelm; Devon Wright; Dan & Val Rokosch; Shirley Krall; Baby Gemma; Baby Tate; Maralyn & Galen Heckman; Bryce Ashenfelter; Andy Flenner and family; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Randy West; Jen Durst; Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); Carl and Wilma Cable; Marge Starr; Mike Gentry; Larry Albro; Mike McCleery; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Anna Gentry Thompson; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 800,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                       

Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.


Monday, December 13, 2021

Third Sunday in Advent Sermon and Announcements

 


CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

December 12, 2021

 

LET US RECEIVE GOD’S JOY!

Luke 1:39-45

We are getting closer to seeing God’s promises fulfilled as we are about to Christmas Day. In the verses we read this morning, Mary has already been told by God what is going to happen. We see Mary feeling the need to be with a trusted family member who she has been told is also about to experience a bit of a miracle. Mary leaves her home to go to where Elizabeth lives. She wants to see and hear if what she had been told by the angel of the Lord is true. What Mary had been told just is not possible, she thought. And yet she felt what she had experienced was real and true. Elizabeth will be the one to prove one way or another if what she had been told was really going to happen. We see the minute Mary greeted Elizabeth something miraculous happened. The baby Elizabeth was carrying leapt in her womb. And the minute that happened, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear. But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She went on to proclaim, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Why did she say these things? Elizabeth without hesitation said as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Elizabeth had no idea what had happened to Mary until she heard her greeting. Then the Holy Spirit spoke through not only Elizabeth, but also through the baby she was carrying. God confirmed these things to Mary in another miraculous way. The world changing event that would soon take place was so powerful even the unborn child’s joy could not be contained.

 

As we get closer to another Christmas celebration, is that unstoppable joy part of our lives? Are we too easily bogged down by the things going on around us to experience the true joy God wants us to have? When we see God’s promises comes to pass, are we feeling the uncontrollable joy that God wants us to have? In Psalms 132:13 we read, “For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling: This is my resting place for ever and ever, here I will sit enthroned for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy. Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be respondent.”  We are told in scripture as God’s children we are a royal priesthood, we are the saints of God. Because of what happened 2000 years ago, the joy spoken of in Luke and again here in Psalms is ours to claim. As we also read when we lit the advent candles, God’s hope for us is to experience his true joy.

 

In the next two weeks, look for those places where God is reminding you of his joy. Also, may God use us to bring joy to others as well. God’s promises are real. Elizabeth knew it, Mary understood it. May God help each of us to receive and share the true joy the Christmas season is all about. Salvation has come to us, God’s people, because of what started at Christmas. That truly is the reason we should experience the joy God has promised to us.  

 Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday—studying Hebrews

 

Today

Hard copies of the December newsletter available in back.

Church of the Brethren Advent offering; envelopes are available in the back for this special offering.

Poinsettias are $11. If you ordered one, please pay Shirley W.

 

December 22 7:00 Christmas Service here; we plan to have it on facebook live as well. We’ll finish the service with communion and candlelight.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!

 

Donation Box: The Lord’s Storehouse

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook

 Keep in Your Prayers

Larry & Luana Cripe; Devon Wright; Dan & Val Rokosch; Shirley Krall; Baby Gemma; Baby Tate; Maralyn & Galen Heckman; Bryce Ashenfelter; Andy Flenner and family; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Randy West; Jen Durst; Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); Carl and Wilma Cable; Marge Starr; Mike Gentry; Larry Albro; Mike McCleery; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Anna Gentry Thompson; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 795,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                                       Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace. 

Monday, December 6, 2021

2nd Sunday in Advent Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

December 5, 2021

 

GRANT US PEACE

Luke 1:68-79

 

As we see in the words of Zechariah, something major is about to happen. Zechariah came to understand God is about to begin changing the way, so that not only the Jewish people, but ultimately everyone, will see God in a new way. Zechariah had been told his son will set the stage for what God is going to do. However, it will not happen in a day or a month, not even a year. God will have things happen, as always, in his timing. We see God is fulfilling what he promised his people through the prophets long ago. Through Zechariah he is refreshing everyone’s memories by saying, “I told you this day was coming.” We are less than 3 weeks from Christmas. The things the Holy Spirit promised through the words of Zechariah are still what God’s people hold onto today. Christmas is a time to be reminded of God’s love and mercy for all of his people. As we count down the days until Christmas, it in some ways is like what Zechariah was doing when he received those words of hope and promise all those years ago. He faithfully waited for what had been told to him through the Holy Spirit to come to pass. I believe the peace that Zechariah and the peace mentioned in other places in scripture is often misunderstood. We want to believe God is promising an earthly peace where there will be no family conflicts, no social problems that have bad results. A belief the nations of the world will live in perfect harmony. That is not what God promises. Jesus in John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus is reminding everyone who will listen the peace God gives does not mean or promise everything will always be in perfect harmony. However, in all of life’s ups and downs, I will give my peace that only God’s people can fully receive.

 

Christmas reminds us of God’s perfect love. Jesus came into the world because God wants everyone to have a chance of salvation without conditions. I guess there is one major condition and that is that we realize we are sinners and Jesus came to build a bridge between God and man. Everyone must cross that one bridge to get to the salvation that is waiting for us on the other side. There is nothing wrong with us getting excited about Christmas no matter how young or how old we are. The fact that all of the promise started with a baby in a manger adds to the amazing beauty of God’s love. May the story of Christmas never grow old in our hearts. As that day gets closer and closer, may we allow God to cut through the potential hustle and bustle to reflect anew on God’s goodness, love, and mercy. This 2nd Sunday of Advent is about allowing God’s peace to be part of, not just the Christmas season, but part of every day of our lives. May God show us how to trust him more and more to the point the peace Zechariah was talking about and the peace Jesus promised can be ours. Not only in the good times but the difficult times as well. May the miracle of God’s love, mercy, grace and peace be more and more a part of our lives. May we be examples of all those characteristics of God to Cerro Gordo and beyond. We are never too old to receive the wonder of the Christmas season. Soak all of it in you can. May our prayer truly be “Lord grant us peace” as we celebrate Christmas this year with friends and family. It is the most wonderful time of year.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday—studying Hebrews

 

Today—please pick up a few Angels if you haven’t already.

Hard copies of the December newsletter are available in the back.

4:00 Christmas Vespers at the Cerro Gordo UMC.

 

December 8 12:00 Women’s Fellowship Potluck luncheon

Last initial A-J main dish; K-N salad; O-Z dessert; drinks and table service will be provided. We’ll reveal prayer partners and draw for 2022. All women are invited to attend.

 

December 8 Board Meeting 6:15 Exec. Comm.; 7:00 commissions; 7:30 board; reorganization follows. “Old” and “New” members, please come.

 

December 22 7:00 Christmas Service here

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!

 

Donation Box: The Lord’s Storehouse

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook

Keep in Your Prayers

Lee Legg and family; Dan & Val Rokosch; Shirley Krall; Baby Gemma; Baby Tate; Maralyn & Galen Heckman; Bryce Ashenfelter; Andy Flenner and family; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Randy West; Jen Durst; Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); Carl and Wilma Cable; Marge Starr; Mike Gentry; Larry Albro; Mike McCleery; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Owen Wright; Anna Gentry Thompson; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 780,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                       

Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.