November 27 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

November 27, 2022

 

How long do we have to wait?

Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7

 

How patient are you? When someone says they are going to do something, especially something that really needs done, are you content just to wait until they get good and ready? After quite a while passes, do you get frustrated if nothing has happened yet?

 

As we begin today with the what the Bible has to say about the Savior of the world’s coming, we have read the promise made by God to Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  This prophecy was given 700 years before any of the events would actually happen. Israel had been overrun for a long time at this point. The people were asking God to free them of the oppression they were feeling. After all they were supposed to be God’s chosen people. God’s favor was supposed to rest on them. They were the ones who should be leading the world. Instead, they had been taken captive and felt humiliated and forgotten. Never mind about the fact their difference against God should have anything to do with their problems. The fact is God is supposed to come to their rescue. So finally, we see God making some promises of a new day for Israel. Isaiah reported to the people in the chapter 7, verse 14, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. The birth to a son and he will call him Imanuel.” Immanuel means God with us. So, something truly special is going to happen. Finally, God has heard our cries and is going to come and defeat their oppressors. It gets even better in the 9^th chapter, 6^th and 7^th verses. God gives them even more details. Man, this is going to be good just to see what God is going to do. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord almighty will accomplish this.” Do you hear that? Everyone is going to realize who is in charge soon? Finally, God is going to show the world that Israel and Jewish people are the best. But something did not quite work out like everyone thought. The people waited and waited and waited and nothing was happening.

 

When someone says they are going to do something you might not be upset if it did not happen today or tomorrow. Depending on what was promised, maybe even a week or two would be okay, but after that you begin to wonder, “What’s the deal? If you were not going to do anything, why say you are?” Israel and the Jewish people waited 700 years for this promise to become a reality.

 

Many generations of people came and went waiting to see God make good on his promise. Can you imagine the frustration, the disappointment, the doubts that had set in? Admittedly, when God inspired Isaiah to tell the people these things, he never told them when it would happen, but the people felt they deserved help right then. Why God have you allowed the nations to mock us? It is just not fair!

 

Have you ever felt let down because you felt a promise had been made that was for now only to find out it was never really quite as certain as you thought? If so, did you get angry or frustrated? Disillusioned to the point you had trouble trusting anything anyone said to you again? The Israelites had to have felt that way. The people during Isaiah’s time thought something was going to happen very soon. God was going to restore Israel to the glory days of King David, but they waited and waited and nothing happened, nothing changed. We begin this season of promise with the first predictions that God is going to do something truly amazing. As we read these verses over 2,000 years later, it is hard to imagine what God’s people were thinking about this promise.

 

America in its current form has only existed 250 years. God’s people waited 3 times as long as we have existed to see the promise start to take shape. By the time things start to happen did anyone still even know about the promise made through Isaiah? Did anyone believe it would really happen? Next Sunday we will begin to look at this most wonderful story, the most important prophecy fulfilled there ever was.

 

A closing thought for today—the next time you get impatient about a promise someone made to you that hasn’t happened yet, just think of the Israelites that waited 700 years to see God’s promise he fulfilled. It may not make you feel any better, but it does remind us that things do not always happen in the timing we want. Just stay patient, stay optimistic and believe hopefully what was promised will at least happen in your lifetime.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

 

November 27 Soup lunch/ then decorate sanctuary

 

November 29 Deadline for December newsletter submissions

 

December 4 4:00 Christmas Vespers HERE—need food donations and help in the kitchen; also need a special

 

December 6 12:00 Women’s Luncheon—will reveal prayer partners; meat & drink provided; please bring a dish: A-H vegetable; K-S salad; T-W dessert

 

Get your candy orders in! See the flyer on the bulletin board and give Chelle Shively or Nancy Born Martin your orders. Pick up is on Dec. 3.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued giving!

 

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

Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Jill McBride; Michelle West; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Anna Gentry Thompson; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Tate Sawyer; Bryce Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Sarah Rudelick; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Candy Dobson; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus; healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Hope Welty Library; Florida; Puerto Rico; La Place congregation

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the West Branch congregation in Ogle County.

 

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.

 

 

 

November 20 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

NOVEMBER 20, 2022

 

 

What are you thankful for?

Psalm 136:1-9

 

We are just a few days from celebrating Thanksgiving once again in America. It has become a tradition for most families to get together and share a meal. Sometimes family members make more of an effort to get together and use this day as an opportunity to reconnect with one another not only with a meal but also spend some time just catching up with one another. Hopefully most of you will have a chance to do some of that this week. When we think about Thanksgiving, we oftentimes think of Pilgrims and turkey and a meal they shared with the Indians who had helped the Pilgrims get through a tough year. But how often do we take time to acknowledge what God has done and is doing in our lives? All of us have had both some good times during our lives and some tough times. Through it all God has been there for us. Sometimes he has led us as His people to be there for each other. As I considered Thanksgiving this year, I got wondering just how much God emphasizes being thankful in a number of ways and for a number of reasons. I did a little research to see how often something to do with being thankful is mentioned in the Bible. Thankfulness is mentioned 71 times in the New Testament, 20 times of which is found in the four Gospels. Gratitude, which is similar to being thankful, is mentioned 157 times in the Bible. Thankful at least 7 times and thanks 33 times. So, at the very least, some form of thankfulness is mentioned over 250 times in the Bible. That does not include verses like we read this morning that repeats itself 3 times in 3 verses.

 

So, the question for you and me this morning is what are you, what are we thankful for? In our busy lives how often do we take a few minutes to reflect on the things that make life worth living? Whether it is things going on right now or recognition of things in the past that have special meaning still today. Do we take the time to say thank you to people who help us deal with life? For those who have jobs, are you thankful for being able to work? Are you thankful for the ability to get by, to have at least what you really need? In other words, maybe not only pay the bills, but also maybe have a little extra to do other things with. For those who have had relatively healthy lives or really healthy lives, are you thankful for that blessing? Those who have family close by especially, do we let them know we appreciate them and how important they are to us? For those who live farther away, I hope you are keeping up with those members of your family as well by taking advantage of the modern technology we have available to us today. How about friends that check in on you as you check in on them? Are we thankful for being able to put food on our tables and clothes on our backs? Are we thankful we have places to live as winter closes in; are we thankful for that or just take it for granted?

 

There are so many things most of us should be thankful for, but do we get too busy to really be thankful? With all of these things and people I have mentioned, I have not even said anything about the one who makes it all truly possible. Our God! God created the world we get to enjoy. God created you and me. God did this because he wanted us to enjoy not only what he has created but to also have a relationship with him as well. It may be that every one of you take time each day to give thanks for the blessings you have. If you are like me though, things seem to get in the way at times. Thanksgiving is, to me, the kick off of the holiday season. The one-month period of Thanksgiving to Christmas that causes me to take some time to reflect on what should be really important. The greatness of God, the blessings of life, both of the past and present. And a desire to have a greater attitude of thanksgiving. As we celebrate Thanksgiving once again this year, I pray each of us will truly take some time to reflect on the blessings we have had during our lives. Those who the Lord has blessed us with, those who are no longer with us as well as those in our lives today. Focus on the good things, not things from the past that cannot be changed, even though at times we might wish we could change them. God has great things in store for His people. Coming before the Lord with a thankful heart is a good place to start. As the first verse says in Psalm 136, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, His love endures forever.” God loves you and always will. If that is not a reason to give thank, I do not know what is.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

 

November 20 Council Meeting immediately after worship

           

The Lord’s Storehouse Thanksgiving basket donations due today—sign up sheet is in the back of the sanctuary today.

 

November 27 Soup lunch/ the decorate sanctuary

 

November 29 Deadline for December newsletter submissions

December 4 Christmas Vespers HERE—need food donations

 

Get your candy orders in! See the flyer on the bulletin board and give Chelle Shively or Nancy Born Martin your orders. Pick up is on Dec. 3.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued giving!

 

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

Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Jill McBride; Michelle West; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Anna Gentry Thompson; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Tate Sawyer; Bryce Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Sarah Rudelick; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Candy Dobson; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus; healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Hope Welty Library; Florida; Puerto Rico; La Place congregation

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Rock Community congregation in Fairfield.

 

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.

 

November 13 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

NOVEMBER 13, 2022

 

Wouldn’t it be nice?

II Chronicles 1:1-12

 

As we all know we have just finished another election cycle in this nation. Are you glad to see the nonstop barrage of advertising come to an end? These elections will impact us nationally, statewide and locally. We can celebrate the fact that in America we do get to have our voices heard when we take advantage of the opportunity to vote.

 

I would like to make a few personal observations before we look at what we just read. In many ways I am saddened by the amount of money spent on elections in America today. I heard of one US House of Representative’s race in which over $20,000,000 was spent. Just so we understand there are 435 house races every 2 years nationally. Admittedly not every one of those 435 saw that kind of money spent but think of the possibilities. There was one US Senate race that over $200,000,000 was spent (I may be low on that amount). On average there are 33 of those type of races every 2 years. These dollar amounts do not take into account how much presidential elections cost or any statewide or local election. What an incredible amount of money spent every election cycle to try to convince people to either vote for you or vote against the other person. Probably most of you picked up on how much is being spent nowadays but I just felt compelled to share those numbers as we consider how we do elections today.

 

Let’s now go back to what we read in scripture today. Here we see Solomon who has taken over the leaders of Israel. One of the first things he feels led to do is speak to every group of people he will be leader of. He speaks to those in positions of authority in Israel, all the commanders. Then he seeks out and speaks to the judges God has established over Israel. Then, it would seem, he speaks to the other leaders in the country from the national to the local type. We then read that Solomon spoke to the heads of the families as well. We see Solomon went to the place called the Tent of Meeting that had been established with God’s blessing first by Moses, then by King David, Solomon’s earthly father. He gave everyone the opportunity to talk to him there. Solomon during his time at the Tent of Meeting went to the altar and offered to God 1,000 burnt offerings. Did you catch that? 1,000 burnt offerings! As Solomon humbly acknowledged God’s authority over his life and the life of Israel.

 

We then see in verse 7 God tells Solomon, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Now think about that for a minute. What would be your answer if the God who created the world we live in from nothing asked you to make any request you want of me? Would we be so surprised we would not know what to say? Would we say, “What’s the catch?” What do you think you would say or do if you were given that question knowing God would really honor it? The fact is God did tell Solomon he could ask for anything. And what did Solomon ask for? Was it fame and fortune? Was it to be viewed as the most powerful man in the world? Was it to live a long, healthy life? No. But before he gave God his answer, he once again acknowledged God’s goodness and mercy to both him and his Father. He then let God know he understood how important a job he had been given to lead the nation of Israel. So, what did Solomon ask for? Wisdom and knowledge. To be able to properly lead God’s people Solomon understood the thing these people need him to have more than anything else was wisdom and knowledge. What an incredibly unselfish request. Did God say to Solomon, “Are you sure that is the thing you want more than anything else?” No, God understood the character of Solomon. What a humble man he was! So, as a result, not only did God honor that request, but basically gave him everything else almost anyone could want.

 

As the sermon title says, wouldn’t it be nice. Wouldn’t it be nice if the leaders we have in this country would humbly ask God in an honest way to help them lead this nation’s people? What a different nation and world it might be. Instead, we have lies and name calling. Too often it is less about working together as much as telling people how bad the other side is. I am saying all of this still knowing how blessed I feel to be able to live in this nation. We have faults, lots of them, but God’s hand is still reaching out to the leaders and the people of this country. Yes, it would be refreshing to have leaders that understood they can do little for the people of a community, state or nation without God’s guiding hand and wisdom. We must pray for God’s mercy in our lives, our community, state and nation, our leaders. The one true leader God has given us that will never let us down is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must be wiling to admit those in leadership will often fail us, but our God will never fail us.

Pastor Larry 

Announcements:

 

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

 

November 13 Care Package snacks are due. We know of Michelle Wright, Alena Vest, Sarah Hissong. Are there others?

 

November 20 Council Meeting immediately after worship

            The Lord’s Storehouse Thanksgiving basket donations due—sign up sheet is in the back of the sanctuary today.

 

November 27 Decorate sanctuary after soup lunch for all.

 

December 4 Christmas Vespers HERE

 

The women are taking orders for homemade candy again this year. See the flyer on the bulletin board and give Chelle Shively or Nancy Born Martin your orders. Pick up is on Dec. 3.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued giving!

 

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

Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Jill McBride; Michelle West; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Anna Gentry Thompson; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Tate Sawyer; Bryce Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Sarah Rudelick; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Candy Dobson; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus; healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Hope Welty Library; Florida; Puerto Rico; La Place congregation

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Naperville congregation

 

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.

 

 

 

November 6 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

 

We are all in this together!

Colossians 4:2-6, 10-18

 

I decided to take one more Sunday looking at what is being told to the church in Colossae. Paul is reminding everyone as he ends his letter of the importance of prayer. They are also encouraged to be both watchful and thankful. What do you suppose it means to be watchful? I believe the church is being encouraged to stand firm in what they have been led to believe. Do not let others deceive you. In fact, in the earlier chapters, that very point was made. The Colossians, in others words, are to be on guard. As was stated in Chapter 3, verse 15 we saw the importance also of believers being thankful. Paul then gets personal reminding the church of what he, as well as some others, are currently going through. That their efforts to continue to proclaim the good news has been limited because they are in prison. He reminds them to pray that he can continue to share the message of Christ clearly, no matter what. Paul then gives advice on how to share Christ with those who do not believe. They are then encouraged to make the most of every opportunity. In other words, when God opens the door, do not fail to go through it. While grace needs to be part of how you share Christ, make sure you add some salt. Do not give a watered-down version of the gospel. While grace is a key part of the approach, the truth of God’s righteousness must also be a part. Then the church is encouraged to be able to answer questions that may arise.

 

As we continue our look at Chapter 4, we did not read verses

7-9. Paul is telling the people of whom is being sent the letter  details about the ones coming. We pick things up again with verse 10. Here Paul is still talking about some things that may happen in the future and who will be involved. The list of those either currently with Paul or those who have been with him continues for the next few verses. Paul is sending a message to the Colossians about how much we need one another. In verse 12 Paul mentions Epaphras. He says Epaphras is one of you. He then tells how much Epaphras is praying for them. Epaphras’ love for the people of Colossians is so strong it says he is wrestling in prayer for them. Why? Because he wants them to stand firm and be victorious in their walk with Christ and not be deceived. Do you and I wrestle over ones we love? Paul wants the church in Colossae to understand just how much Epaphras is doing for them. Paul then mentions others they clearly know or know about. Luke and Demas are also two who want this church to know prayers are being lifted for them. Then they are encouraged to share all they have read and heard with others. In fact, in verse 16 they say, “After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and then read the letter they received as well.” They close out this letter by making sure Archippus completes the work the Lord gave him to do. Then Paul wants the church to know he personally wrote this letter. Oh, by the way, remember I am in chains! He then says, with all that going in in his life to the church, “Grace to you.” When we look at the letter to the Colossians, we see honesty on display. Paul does not dwell on his circumstances as much as he wants this church to be strong in the Lord. In chapter 4 it is obvious Paul wants these churches to know how important every single person is. After all, we are all in this together. And we are strongest when we stand side by side together. That was the message of the church of Colossae and Laodicea and it is the message for the churches in Cerro Gordo today. Everyone working together can do great things. It was true then and it is true today. That is the message Paul and Timothy wanted to leave with these churches. And that is what God wants to leave with us today. Be prayerful, be thankful, be faithful to God’s word and stand together. If the church does that, we cannot be defeated. We will not be stopped from doing everything God is calling us to do.

Pastor Larry

 Announcements:

 

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

 

November 9 6:15 executive committee; 7:00 commissions; 7:30 board

 

November 13 Council Meeting immediately after worship

            Care Package snacks are due.

November 27 Decorate sanctuary after soup lunch for all.

 

December 4 Christmas Vespers HERE

 

The women are taking orders for homemade candy again this year. See the flyer on the bulletin board and give Chelle Shively or Nancy Born Martin your orders. Pick up is on Dec. 3.

 

Hard copies of the November newsletter are in the back.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued giving!

 

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

Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Jill McBride; Cecil; Michelle West; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Anna Gentry Thompson; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Sonna Hall; Tina Wilhelm; Tate Sawyer; Bryce Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Sarah Rudelick; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Candy Dobson; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus; healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Hope Welty Library; Florida; Puerto Rico; La Place congregation

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Highland Avenue congregation in Elgin, IL

 

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.