July/August Newsletter

 

For years I believed grace was simply “God’s unmerited favor.” That is what I was always taught, both in Sunday School as a child, and in seminary as an adult.  But, then Luke 2:40 jumped out at me and forced me to reexamine what God’s grace truly is.  Luke 2:40 states that “Jesus grew in grace.”  That statement jumped out at me like few scriptures ever have. It posed a question: “How does the perfectly pure and Holy, the Savior of the world, The sinless and only begotten Son of God, grow in grace if grace is unmerited favor?”

2 Peter 1:3- “His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life.”  Grace is not just kindness or forgiveness, it is not just a pardon. Grace is power and transformation. Grace is God’s very presence which enables us to become who He created each of us to become. 

The greatest lie of religion is that we must work our way to righteousness. The years I believed grace was “God’s unmerited favor” I was striving toward producing my own holiness.  I thought I had to do more, pray harder, even prove my worth to God.  But, then I discovered grace does not operate on effort, but operates on trust. Galatians 2:21-“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.”  Simply put, if we could become holy by striving harder, then Jesus’ sacrifice was unnecessary.  Grace then cannot be known as a reward for your effort, but can be known as the power which escorts you into transformation.

So, how does grace work or operate in our lives? Titus 2:11-12- “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.”  Did you catch that? Grace doesn’t just forgive you, grace teaches you and changes you. Grace doesn’t lead you away from sin by force, but does lead you away from sin by filling you with something greater.  Grace doesn’t save, it empowers you to live differently. 

If you believe grace is only forgiveness, it would be easy to keep sinning and saying “I’m forgiven.”  But, if grace is power, moreover God’s empowering presence, then sin is overcome, and the believer walks in victory.  Romans 6:14- For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” 

God Bless You!

Pastor David

Pastor David’s phone number is 217-329-4785. Email is devdrk476@gmail.com

 

Upcoming Events:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 10:00 Bible Study

July 2 6:00 pm Church Board

July 20-24 VBS HERE

August Women’s Lunch Date TBD

August 9 Executive Comm after worship

August 12 School starts in Cerro Gordo

August 23 2:00 pm CUIC ice cream social

Sept 3 6:00 pm Church Board

 

Looking forward: District Conference will be November 6 and 7 in Polo, IL. We need delegates for this conference. We can have 3. Let Carol know of your interest.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

 

July

6          Chelle Shively

10        Dan Mogged

12        Tracy Mogged

26        Kaylin Born

Kelly Timlin

            Marlene Schultz

 

August

4          Ellis & Mary Hissong

9          Ron Born

14        Derek Born

15        Martha Wood

18        Jason Frydenger

24        Jason & Julie Frydenger

27        Michelle Wright

In Our Prayers

Pray for peace with Iran!

The ending of TPS for our Haitian and Syrian brothers and sisters
The Traughber family and our church family as they and we grieve the loss of Dorthea and Ruth; Vinny; Camille; Karen Chenoweth; Ryan LeHew; Martha Wood; Bill Traughber; Randy and Michelle West; Martha Lynch; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron Petersen; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Church of the Brethren around the world; immigrants

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

Needed:

--Volunteers for the children’s message during the service and/or for a children’s lesson/story time in the nursery during the sermon. Please sign up in the back of the sanctuary.

--Someone to take turns running the Power Point for worship. If you know a little about computers, you can do this job. Let Carol know.

--Chorister—Martha is carrying the entire load. Who can step up to lead singing once in a while?

 

 

VBS—Vacation Bible School—is at our church July 20-24, from 5:30 – 7:30 each evening, for children who are rising kindergarteners through rising 5^th graders. Stacie Warren is in charge. Be alert for opportunities to help—we will be needed for this important witness to the community.

 

Sermon topics—Pastor David is seeking input on topics that you would like to hear more about from the pulpit. Please let him know about any particular interests you may have.

 

TPS—Temporary Protected Status—has regularly been granted to people who wish to come to the U.S. from particularly violent situations in their native country. Several years ago, TPS was granted to Haitians and Syrians. Many Haitians came to the United States and joined the Church of the Brethren, as well as other Christian denominations. Now that the Supreme Court has allowed the administration to terminate TPS for these folks, even though the situations in their native countries are still dangerous and life-threatening, the Church of the Brethren knows of at least 300 of our members who are affected by this determination. All of these individuals have made a home here in the U.S. with jobs, homes, family, just like us. Now their lives have been upended and they face potential deportation any day. At least a dozen immigrant members of CoB congregations have been deported, despite no criminality on their parts. These are people with families who want to live safe and normal lives. How do we help them? Be in prayer for all of our brothers and sisters who have immigrated from other countries, no matter where they came from. Even though I (Carol) know of no one in Cerro Gordo who will be affected, it is possible that someone each of us knows could be. We can also call on our government to have more compassion.

 

Strawberry Festival—The strawberry festival was well-attended and made a profit of about $900 which was split between the women and men’s fellowships. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way!! It takes us all to pull off this community event each year.

 

Annual Conference stats:

In Ft. Wayne this year, there were 389 delegates, 1279 nondelegates present, 153 nondelegates attending virtually, for a total of 1812 registered persons. There were 110 pints of blood collected. The silent auction brought in $14,759. Witness to the host city totaled 4 pallets of supplies and $11,350 in offerings. Pastor David and Carol plan to report on conference sometime in August.

 

Study group:

Pastor David wants to know of interest in a study group. If you would be interested, let him know and give him some preferred days and times.

 

 

“Not many sounds in life, and I include all urban and all rural sounds, exceed in interest a knock at the door.” Charles Lamb

 

 

The Global Food Initiative (GFI) is the primary way that the Church of the Brethren assists hungry people in developing food security. Since 1983, GFI (formerly Global Food Crisis Fund) has raised over $8,000,000 for community development projects in numerous countries around the globe. GFI seeks to:

• invest in small-scale economic development
• join efforts to improve diet and health practices
• champion soil conservation
• promote awareness-raising and advocacy on hunger issues.

This work is made possible through your contributions. We encourage participation with us by:

• praying that those who are hungry may have food
• giving an individual contribution
• participating in our ongoing “My 2¢ Worth” fundraiser (contact GFI for questions or materials)
• taking an offering for GFI at your congregation or camp

Support of the Global Food Initiative upholds the biblical command to lift the burden of the oppressed. Moreover, it honors God, for as stated in Proverbs 14:31, “Kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.”

 

Bethany Theological Seminary announced at Annual Conference that they are now able to offer all CoB members who qualify for their graduate programs free tuition via scholarships. This is an amazing way to help future pastors get their theological education. It will help our pastor further his theological studies as well. Our outreach to Bethany helps. Pray for Bethany, its staff, and its students as they move forward in the coming school year.

 

History Corner:

Annual Conference: Even though the first Brethren came to North America in 1719 and the first baptism of the Brethren in the Colonies was Christmas Day, 1723, the first general meeting was not held until 1742. The exact date and place are not known but believed to have been held in a home near Coventry, PA, around Pentecost. The Brethren continued to meet around Pentecost weekend. Before the 1830s, Brethren gathered on Friday morning before Pentecost Sunday. Business was conducted all day. Saturday was taken up in public worship and Love Feast in the evening. After Sunday morning worship, the meeting was closed. By 1847, more time was needed for business, so the meeting began on the Saturday before Pentecost with worship Saturday and Sunday and Love Feast one of those evenings. Business was taken up on Monday and the meeting lasted as long as was needed to complete business.

     In the early years, the location rotated around congregations near Germantown (home of the oldest CoB congregation in the U.S.). However, as members went west, the need to have meetings in other locations grew. In whichever area the meeting was held, participants usually gathered at the farm of a member of the local congregation. Annual Meeting was held in Decatur in 1895 on grounds that are now occupied by Millikin University.

     Up until 1927, this was called the Annual Meeting. Since that year it has been called Annual Conference.

     In 1912, the planners were asked to hold meetings where there were good acoustics and accommodations. Now we have our conferences in convention centers where hotels are close by and parking is available. Conference usually takes place around the July 4 weekend because rates are cheaper then (Who else wants a convention over July 4?). (BTW, Carol and Glen have seen some spectacular fireworks displays over the years in various cities in this country.) However, the 2027 Annual Conference will be July 28-August 1 in Daytona Beach, FL. Think about being our delegate!

 

 

“The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth and have it found out by accident.” Charles Lamb

 

 

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 KJV

 

 

 

 

Love God,

Grow with others,

Serve faithfully,

Reach the lost,

Find peace.