October 18 Sermon and Announcements

THE TALE OF THREE CITIES

ACTS 17:1-34

 

In these verses, we see Paul and Silas visited three different cities over a short period of time. The reaction and reception they received was different with each city they went to. The first city was Thessalonica. Immediately Paul went to the Jewish synagogue to discuss scriptures with those there. Thessalonica was a major city of 200,000 people. It had people of all kinds of beliefs living there, but Paul’s primary mission was to share Jesus with the Jews living there. Paul soon had some success not only with some of the Jews but also some of the Greeks or Gentiles. Not all of the Jews were happy about what was going on to the point that if you remember what we read, it says they rounded up some bad characters and formed a mob and started a riot in the city. The mob searched for Paul and Silas but could not find them, so they dragged out a guy by the name of Jason because he had let them come to his house for a while.

 

As I read this, I could not help but think about what has happened in this country this past summer. Whether we agree or disagree with those who were angry, mobs and rioters took to the streets destroying and robbing businesses that had nothing to do with the complaints, just like with the mob in Acts that could not find the ones they felt they had a beef with. They took it out on someone who had nothing to do with what Paul and Silas had been doing. The mobs and rioters in America did the same thing. They knew they could not personally do anything to the ones they were mad at, so they robbed and destroyed places that were easy and convenient. Some things do not ever change, do they?

 

The next town they went to was Berea. Paul and Silas did the same thing when they got there. They went to the synagogue to talk about Jesus. The reaction of the Jews there was much different. See what it said. The Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians. Obviously, the people of some towns and cities are good and decent people and some are not. We read the Bereans received the message with eagerness. They did, however, carefully think about what was being said. We also read many Jews and Greek men and women believed.  So, everything was good in Berea, right? No, there were some from Thessalonica that heard Paul and Silas were there and the mob followed them agitating and stirring up the crowd against Paul and Silas. Once again, this sounds familiar with what happened here in America this past summer.

 

The believers of Berea helped Paul escape to Athens. Athens is the third city Paul and Silas went to at this time. Paul and Silas as well as Timothy who was new with them had got separated. While Paul was in Athens by himself, he roamed around town and was troubled by all the idols that were in that city. Once again, Paul went to the synagogue to share Jesus with those who where there. On this occasion, Paul also went to the streets with the message of Jesus. Athens was known for their great philosophers and some of them confronted Paul. They apparently had never heard of Jesus and his story did not make any sense to them. But God revealed to Paul a way to reach this group of people in the very different city. Paul explained that as he walked around their city, he ran across an altar that was dedicated to an “unknown god”. Paul explained that is who I have come here to share with you. Paul proceeded to explain to them about the God who created the heavens and the earth.  He also explained to them about God’s plan to redeem creation through what Jesus did and had done. We read that some sneered at such things, yet others said they would like to hear more.

 

As we consider the three cities Paul and Silas visited and preached in, we see different attitudes by some in each city. In Thessalonica, while some embraced the message, others took to the streets as angry mobs and rioters. At Berea we see the people there were kind and receptive but outside agitators came to stir up the people of that city. In Athens we see people who view life differently from the other two. If they were going to change the way they have always viewed things, it was going to take time and persuading. They were, however, respectful, and open to learn more. In each one of these cities we see there were some good people who may not agree with everything you say but will treat you with respect. In one of the cities we see some people just enjoy causing trouble.

 

When we look at Cerro Gordo what do we see? I believe it is a town made up of basically good people who want to do the right thing. In spite of there being churches in this town for a long time, not everyone has come to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. That continues to be our mission. Just like Paul and Silas proclaimed the good news to those cities, we are called to continue to share Jesus in whatever way we can as well. Will our message always be accepted? Probably not. That part is not up to us, it is up to God. Paul and Silas could have been disillusioned and quit after their reception in Thessalonica, but they did not quit. No, they kept moving forward wherever God led them. That continues to be the message God is telling us at the Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren. Don’t quit. God is saying not everyone is going to love what we are doing, but together we can do great things.

Announcements

Every Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Bible Study. All are welcome to attend.

Board Meeting Wednesday, November 11

Council Meeting immediately after worship on Sunday, November 15.

The Lord's Storehouse is asking for donations for their Thanksgiving baskets. Suggested donation is $25 per basket. Donations may be placed in the bucket at the back of the sanctuary. Checks should be made out to The Lord's Storehouse.

Pastor Larry's phone number: 217-454-2362

Keep in Your Prayers

 

Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Bertha Eveland and Betty Moore (Michelle West’s mother and grandmother); Evelyn Eads; Mike Gentry; Anna Gentry Thompson; Larry Cripe; Arnold Schultz; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 215,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; wildfire and hurricane victims; District of IL/WI; nursing home residents; the harvest

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

 

                       

Our Mission Statement:

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

October 11 Sermon and Announcements

NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY!

ACTS 16:1-34

 

A few weeks ago, we read how Paul and Silas had now become a team checking in with the churches and proclaiming the Word of God. We see Paul and Silas were traveling around the area when they encountered a slave girl. She was no ordinary girl; she could tell the future. We are told she had a spirit that gave her the ability to do this. She began following Paul and Silas shouting that they were servants of God who would tell you how to be saved. This apparently became annoying to Paul, and he finally said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus I command you to come out!”  He said she is being possessed, if you will, by a spirit clearly not of God. When we look at how something like this is viewed in America and many parts of the world, you would be viewed as nuts if you claim someone is possessed by a spirit. We, at times, seem to want to believe Satan does not exist or at least has no power to do anything. I believe we are deceived if we choose to ignore how Satan is continuing to affect this nation and the world.

 

We see Paul successfully drove the spirit from this girl. Did everyone celebrate that this girl had her life back? No! The owners of this slave girl were mad. She had been making them a lot of money telling the future of people in the area. We have psychics in America today who advertise they can tell you your future. Horoscopes used to be printed in the newspaper telling your future by your birthday or sign. So, what this girl was doing is still happening today.

 

The girl’s owners then started spreading lies about Paul and Silas since their ability to make money from this girl was gone. They got enough people stirred up that Paul and Silas were arrested. The authorities had them stripped and beaten. What was their crime? Freeing this girl from a spirit who was, I am sure, making her life a nightmare. Her owners were no longer able to take advantage of her for their own gain. They did not care what all this was doing to her. Paul and Silas were not only beaten but were put in chains and thrown into prison. Through it all, what was Paul and Silas’ reaction? Were they angry at God for letting this happen? They were simply doing the right thing for this girl and how were they treated? They were treated like criminals. So, were they mad at God? Did they sit in prison feeling sorry for themselves? One could say they had the right to. No. They began praying and singing hymns to God. All the other prisoners heard them as well as the guards. The prisoners probably knew they did not deserve to be there. And yet they were praising God while in chains. We see while this was going on an earthquake occurred, allowing all the jail cell doors to open. When the guard realized what had happened, he was ready to kill himself, because if prisoners escaped while you were on duty you would be killed by your superiors. He knew everyone would escape and he would be killed, so he was ready to kill himself, but what did he find? Everyone was still there! He obviously heard Paul and Silas praying and singing to God and knew that is why they stayed in their cells. Paul and Silas knew it was not the guard’s fault they were in jail. They also knew if they escaped, the guard would be killed so they all stayed. What was the guard’s reaction? He asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved! What a tremendous testimony Paul and Silas gave to the other prisoners and the guards. First of all, they could have sat in the corner of their cell mad at God. Instead, they prayed and sang songs to God. Then when they had the chance to escape, they could have left as soon as the jail door opened, but instead they showed compassion to the guard and stayed. They refused to be stopped in their desire to share God’s word even when life seemed unfair. Instead they decided not to miss the opportunity to proclaim God’s goodness, even when they had in many ways every right to.

 

How many opportunities do you and I miss because life seems unfair? We get mad or at least disappointed to the point we do not see the opportunities right in front of us. We serve a loving, merciful God and even when things are not going as we think they should, God’s hand is on our lives. May we choose to look beyond our circumstances when things are not going right to see what God is doing in these situations. God wants to bless us and use us to bless others if we will let him. May we be like Paul and Silas, choosing to never miss an opportunity. May we also see God in each situation we find ourselves in. As best as we can, may we also choose to make the most of what God puts before us.

 Larry

Announcements:

 

Every Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study—studying Acts. All are invited to attend.

 

October 14 7:00 Executive Committee

 

Thank you to our lawn mowers! Your dedication is greatly appreciated!

 

The Lord’s Storehouse is asking for donations for their Thanksgiving Baskets. Suggested donation is $25 per basket. Donations may be placed in the bucket in the back of the sanctuary. Checks to The Lord’s Storehouse.

 

Please place your offering in the plates at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued giving.

 

Thank you for wearing masks and helping contain the spread of the virus. Extra masks are at the back of the sanctuary if you don’t have one. Remember: the cloth masks are washable.

 

Donation Box October: 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)

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

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

 

Brittany Wright; Bertha Eveland and Betty Moore (Michelle West’s mother and grandmother); Evelyn Eads; Mike Gentry; Anna Gentry Thompson; Larry Cripe; Arnold Schultz; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 215,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; wildfire and hurricane victims; District of IL/WI

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Our Mission Statement:

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

October 4 Sermon and Announcements

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-26

 

Today is World Communion Sunday. Most all of you know we, over the years, have done the complete Love Feast ending with communion. This year we are doing things a little differently than we have done in the past. We will do a Bread and Cup Communion following this part of the service. For those watching at home, we would like to encourage you to participate as well by getting some bread and a small cup of juice.

 

Why do we do any sort of commemoration of the Lord’s Supper? We will be looking at that in a couple minutes but first let us look at what was going on in Corinth at this time. Paul is clearly not happy with the church in Corinth. In fact, he says their meetings are doing more harm than good. It also says when they are taking part in the Lord’s Supper it is even worse—some are not allowed to eat as much as they might like and yet others are getting drunk. He asks them the question, what shall I say to you? Should I praise you? Certainly not! I pray you have never made anyone uncomfortable at this church over the years. And I certainly pray I will not make anyone feel anything but welcome during our time together. I want to make it clear, however, the Holy Spirit may make you feel uncomfortable at times if I am allowing him to freely speak through me the truth we may all have to hear from time to time.

 

It appears the church at Corinth had groups that purposely, for ungodly reasons, would make some of its members feel bad or unworthy. That should NEVER happen in God’s church. Paul then went on to remind the church why we come together—to remember what the Lord Jesus Christ did for everyone of us. The Lord, the night before he was crucified, shared the Passover meal with his disciples one last time. During that time, he took the opportunity to warn them of what was about to happen. He took bread that was there, broke a piece off and gave it to each one of the disciples and told them—“This bread that you are about to eat represents my body that will be broken for you.” The same way he took a cup that was at the table and asked each to take a drink from it and told them— “This cup represents my blood which will be shed for you.” Paul was trying to get the church in Corinth to remember why they meet together, why the church was ever started. Why we should humbly recognize how blessed we are by God. We are forgiven. We have the opportunity for eternal life for one primary reason. Jesus did for you and me what we could NOT do for ourselves. Paul wanted the church to refocus and realize just how blessed they are and why they are blessed.

 

So why do we do the Lord’s Supper or even the bread and cup communion? Verse 33 says “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

 

But wait that would seem to be a bad thing, Jesus was killed. How can it be a good thing to remember his death? In God’s sometimes unique and yet glorious nature, what to most would seem to be bad is actually good. Jesus’ death on the cross is not a symbol of defeat, but instead a proclamation of victory over death and more importantly Satan and sin. Jesus willingly, going to the cross, made a way for each and every one of us to be made right with God in a way we could NEVER do on our own.

 

When we come together to remember what Jesus did for us with the bread and cup, we are saying to God—thank you for what you have done for me. Yes, I am a sinner that needs a Savior. I understand this was the way you paid my debt with God. Sometimes we all veer off course. Some of us more often than others. But just as Paul was trying to get the church at Corinth to get refocused, God is reaching out to us as well. Do not lose heart. Do not lose your passion. Do not lose hope. Do not forget about me. Jesus did everything for us because he loves everyone, but especially those who have come to know him as Lord and Savior. May each one of us this World Communion Sunday reevaluate our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we recommit ourselves to service to the Lord and one another. God wants us to make each moment count. God does not guarantee any one of us a certain amount of time on this earth. Let us make our time count first and foremost for God, secondly for our families, as well as our Nation. What incredible opportunities God has given each and every one of us. Now is our time.  

--Pastor Larry

Announcements

Sundays: Sunday School 9:00; Worship 10:00 Please social distance and wear masks. We continue carrying our worship on facebook live. We are grateful that it reaches many people in and beyond our congregation.

October 4 Communion during worship. Those at home are invited to participate with your own bread or cracker and drink.

October 14 7:00 p.m. Executive Committee

November 11 6:15 p.m. Executive Committee; 7:00 Commissions; 7:30 Board Meeting

Sunday, November 15 Council Meeting

The Lord’s Storehouse is asking for donations for Thanksgiving baskets. $25 will feed a family of 4; Please put donations in the bucket in the back of the church. Checks may be made out to The Lord’s Storehouse.

Women’s Fellowship sent $337.20 to Church World Service for Health Kits. Six kits that were already made up were also sent. Thank you to all who contributed to this much needed effort.

Did you know there used to be a church south of Springfield called the Sugar Creek Church (1830-1919)? It was 2^nd Brethren church established in Illinois and the mother church of the Pleasant Hill congregation which later became the Girard and Virden congregations. Carol and Glen Kussart visited the Sugar Creek Dunkard Cemetery last Sunday with several from the Springfield Church. This little well-kept cemetery is beside the site of the old church which is now gone, the ground covered with trees and brush. It was interesting to see where this church used to be, between Glenarm and Auburn, and to know a cemetery is still there. On October 25 at 3:30, Allen Krall and Mary Jessup will lead a trip to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The trip will start at the Virden Church of the Brethren parking lot.

Donation Box September/October: 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)

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

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

Brittany Wright; Evelyn Eads; Mike Gentry; Anna Gentry Thompson; Larry Cripe; Arnold Schultz; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 200,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; all who are ill with the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of the wildfires and hurricanes; IL/WI district as the search for a new district executive begins

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

The District has formed a search committee consisting of 8 persons to find a new district executive for IL/WI. They are already at work. One person on the committee whom we all know is Allen Krall. The District Leadership Team is in the process of putting an interim in place. That person will begin on January 1, 2021.

 

Our Mission Statement:

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

September 27 Announcements

Announcements

There is no sermon today, due to the illness of Pastor Larry.

Sunday, October 4--We will have bread and cup communion during worship. If you are worshipping with us on facebook live, we encourage you to have a cracker or small piece of bread and a small amount of juice or water available so that you can also partake in communion.

Submissions for the October newsletter are due this Tuesday, September 29.

CUIC meeting Tuesday, Sept 29 7:00 at our church

Every Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study--all are welcome. 

Wednesday, October 14 7:00 Executive Committee

The Lord's Storehouse is asking for donations for Thanksgiving baskets. Amy says that $25 will provide a basket for a family of 4. Donations can be left in the locked box at the back of the sanctuary (Be sure to label it "Lord's Storehouse." If writing a check, make it out to The Lord's Storehouse.). 

No Women's Fellowship the rest of this year.

Thank you for bringing your offerings to church.

Donation Box: The Lord's Storehouse

First Sundays: food donations for the food banks

September 20 Sermon and Announcements

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

September 20, 2020

 

GOD IS CALLING TO EVERYONE!

2 CHRONICLES 7:14-16

 

Today is Back to Church Sunday. God is reaching out to all people no matter where we might be, no matter what we have done. God seeks to encourage each person to draw closer than ever before to him. Many here this morning, maybe most of you, attended church faithfully your whole lives. That may also be true of most of you watching on Facebook. But some of us may have had times when we haven’t been as faithful in attending worship as now. Is it essential to literally worship with fellow believers in a church building to be a faithful worshipper of God? Probably not, I cannot say, only God knows the heart. We are, however, encouraged to as much as possible worship with fellow believers. We read in Hebrews 10:25— “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Yes, God knows we are stronger together than we are when we try to go it alone.

 

Even though this year sports have been a challenge at all levels, I cannot help but think how successful a pitcher in baseball would be if there was no one in the field to make plays for him? Or how long a quarterback would last if no one blocked oncoming rushers once he got the ball? No, in almost every major sport, if you are going to be successful you need a strong team around you. As we live life, God has caused us, on purpose, to have a need for, first of all, God himself, but almost as importantly, a need for one another. We are never intended by God to face life’s up and downs alone. My family this past week faced what everyone here today and everyone watching on Facebook has faced before. We said goodbye to someone we deeply loved and will miss. What makes these difficult times easier to face is the love and support of so many like you in our church family, as well as other friends and family.

 

God wants us to rely first of all on him. God has promised to be there for us in all of life’s joys as well as sorrows. But God also knows there are times we have wandered away from him. In Romans 3:23 it says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” It does not say a few, it does not say some, it says all. God is limited by his righteous nature on what he can and cannot do if we have walked away from him. However, God is constantly reaching out to us. The verses we read to begin with from 2 Chronicles are very blunt on what we must be willing to do to be able to receive all God has for us. In these verses is kind of a check list for us, God’s people, on what we must do. When we do these things, God has made a powerful promise to you and me. The second part of the 14^th verse say, “Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Not only will we personally see God move in our individual lives but God will move in our Nation in a powerful way as well. It all begins with you and me and the choices we make. But God wants us to be a united people working together, lifting up one another, supporting one another. Going back to the beginning of the 14^th verse in 2 Chronicles 7 it says, “If my people who are called by my name.” You see God wants us to be working together as a people. He knows that is when we are the strongest and the best.

On this Back to Church Sunday, God is calling us to be a unified people. Gathering together at houses of worship, loving God and one another. Yes, we are in unique times. I realize many have real concerns gathering together in large groups. Each of us must decide what we feel is right in that regard. But the most important thing is God wants us connected with one another. If you have not been worshipping with fellow believers, we would love to have you join us. This is a place you will be loved.

 

The most important thing is to find a place of worship to be connected with and remember God loves you and care about you. God makes an incredible promise to us in 2 Chronicles 7:15-16. If we will do what is said in the 14^th verse, this is what God is promising his people and his church.

 

¹⁵ Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. ¹⁶ I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

 

God is saying to each and every one, “Come home, I have a place for you.”

Larry

 

Announcements:

 

Every Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study—studying Acts. All are invited to attend.

October 14 7:00 Executive Committee

October Newsletter submissions due to Carol by September 29 please.

Bread and Cup Communion on October 4, World Communion Sunday, during worship. Those worshipping at home are invited to participate with us using your own bread and juice.

No Women’s Fellowship for the rest of the year. We will try to find a creative way to reveal prayer partners and get new ones.

Upper Room and Daily Bread issues are available.

Donation Box September/October: 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)

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

 

Keep in Your Prayers

Larry & Cathy Traxler and family; Evelyn Eads; Mike Gentry; Anna Gentry Thompson; Larry Cripe; Arnold Schultz; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 200,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

           

Our Mission Statement:

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

 

September 13 Sermon and Announcements

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

September 13, 2020

 

THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING!

2 SAMUEL:15-23

 

This morning I am going to again ask your indulgence as I will get somewhat personal. I say I am getting personal but in reality, this is everyone’s story, everyone’s message.

 

As you know my dad passed away this past week on Friday. As I have thought what this past week has been like for us, I was reminded of what happened to King David and his young son who was seriously ill. On this occasion, we will not go into the details of this son of King David or how and why he was born. We are just looking at how David reacted when his son became ill.

 

Every single person here this morning or watching on Facebook has had someone close to you pass away. In some cases, we have been given some warning about what is about to happen. In other cases, the loss of a loved one came out of nowhere in which we had no time to prepare in any way for what was happening. Regardless of the circumstances, we still in a way are not truly ready for that day, that hour, that time to come. As we see how David reacted, we see a man who was pleading with God for his son. You never are ready for something like what happened to David’s son. Whether it would be a young child, a husband or wife, brother or sister, mom or dad, we feel should have had many more years. Under those circumstances, we are really never ready to say goodbye. With older parents or grandparents, even brothers or sisters, maybe we can understand it better, but we still at times find ourselves saying, “Lord, just one more week or at least one more day.”

 

We see David was torn to pieces by what was happening to his young son. He would not eat or would not sleep. He just could not face the thought his son would die. All of us deal with these times in life differently. Some of us feel, “Doesn’t the world understand what is happening?” Others may put on a happy face even when they do not really feel that way. For us as Christians we can have confidence about eternity, but it does not make the hurt and sense of loss go away. God is good. He will give us the strength to go on in all of life’s difficult times if we truly turn to him. David has been called in scripture “a man after God’s own heart,” yet he was truly distraught at the thought of his young son dying.

 

As each one of us face these times in life, and we will continue to face them, we have choices to make on how we handle them. God does not expect us to be really exited about the prospects of losing a loved one, but yet God wants us to understand when we have breathed our last on this earth it is not the end.

 

As we read in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up;  a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.

 

Once David’s son had passed away, those closest to him did not know how to tell him. He would not eat; he would not sleep when there was still a chance his son would get better. How would David do? How would he react when he received the news that his son had died? His reaction stunned everyone around him. Instead of withdrawing even further or something worse, we see he got up, cleaned up, got something to eat and prepared to go on with his life. They just could not understand why David did what he did. And we see what David said. It is a powerful lesson to all who are left behind when our loved ones pass. If we really believe in the Lord Jesus, if we really believe God is with us in all of life’s situations, especially when we lose a loved one, will we, with confidence, respond as David did? David truly understood and felt God’s love. Even though he did not agree with what had happened, he found peace with God. Listen again to David’s response. “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live, but now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” You see he found in the midst of his loss, comfort knowing I will see my son again, but until that day, God has a plan. Life will go on. With God’s help, I will faithfully live until it is my time to go to the Father.

 

Each of us have had to say goodbye to loved ones before we felt it was time or before we wanted it to happen. And in all likelihood, we will experience it again. How will we face that time? I pray we will call upon the strength only the Lord can truly provide and in our own way go forward in the confidence David showed to those around him. I believe he confidently and triumphantly said, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” He understood God has a place waiting for each one of us and when it is our time we will cross from this life, with all its ups and downs, to eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and those loved ones that have gone on ahead.  

Larry

Announcements:

 

Every Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study—studying Acts. All are invited to attend.

October 14 7:00 Executive Committee

No Women’s Fellowship for the rest of the year. We will try to find a creative way to reveal prayer partners and get new ones.

Upper Room and Daily Bread issues are available.

Please place your offering in the plates at the back of the sanctuary.

Thank you for wearing masks and helping contain the spread of the virus. Extra masks are at the back of the sanctuary if you don’t have one. Remember: the cloth masks are washable.

Donation Box September/October: The Lord’s Storehouse

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Larry and Cathy’s address: 2642 CR 600 E, Lovington, IL 61937

 

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)

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

Keep in Your Prayers

Larry & Cathy Traxler and family; Evelyn Eads; Mike Gentry; Anna Gentry Thompson; Larry Cripe; Arnold Schultz; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 190,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

 

 

            G         God’s

            R         riches

            A         at

            C         Christ’s

            E          expense

  

           

Our Mission Statement:

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

September 6 Sermon and Announcements

 

WE ALL DISAGREE AT TIMES!

ACTS 15:36-41

Last week we saw that some in the church wanted to make the Gentiles follow all the Jewish laws before they could truly become Christians. It was such an important problem that was brewing that Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to get answers to this question. We read that after several of the apostles talked before the council, it was agreed the Gentile Christians should not be required to do all the Jewish laws and customs that never truly saved anyone.

 

Now this week we see a more personal disagreement occurred. Barnabas wanted John to go with him and Paul on the next mission trip, but Paul disagreed. Paul reminded Barnabas that John had deserted them on an earlier mission trip. In Acts 13:13 we read that it says “From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.” Obviously, Paul did not want John to leave when he did. There was still a lot to do that he could have helped Paul and Barnabas with, but John decided to go home. Paul did not trust John anymore, so he did not want him to go with them again. Barnabas clearly believed John deserved another chance, however, so clearly Paul and Barnabas agreed to disagree. They each went on different trips instead of continuing to work together. Barnabas took John and headed for Cyprus; Paul took Silas and headed for Syria and Cilicia.

Last week when a disagreement arose within the church, it seems they all came to an agreement on what to do, but on this occasion, it was more personal. Paul would not give in, knowing they needed people that could be trusted. But Barnabas was obviously convinced John would work with them okay. Clearly everyone of us has times when we feel strongly about what we believe to the point we are hard pressed to change our minds, just like Paul and Barnabas. Then there are other times we realize things can and should be worked out just like with the church at Jerusalem.

 

As we see, even as much as the early church was in tune with the Holy Spirit’s leading, there can and will be times not everyone will agree on everything. And clearly that is alright. We as the church should, when we do not agree, be willing to disagree without being disagreeable. God is calling for his church to be unified as often as possible. In fact, as we read in Romans 12:18, we are encouraged to “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

 

As we saw earlier in chapter 15, disagreements will occur, even when everyone is trying hard to do the right thing. The question is: how do we deal with disagreements, whether it is at church, at work, at home or with our friends? Things will happen at times that will bring about conflicts. How we deal with them will show just how well we are allowing the Lord to guide us through these tricky times in life.

 

There is a Christian song I remember from back in the 80’s that gave a godly option that we should at times use to work through disagreements. The chorus of this song was, “Quiet please, too much has already been said, just let it be, learn to listen instead. For sometimes through the silence, big problems become small. If you cannot find something nice to say, say nothing at all.”

 

Clearly Paul and Barnabas did not argue and fuss over their disagreement. They found a way, God’s way, to disagree, but yet move on still working for the common goal of reaching different places with God’s word.

 

May each of us look at ways to first of all limit our disagreements, but when that is not possible, may we allow the Lord to show us ways to disagree yet still work together with the ones we may disagree with, whether it be at church, at home, at work, or wherever it might be. God will always provide a way to work through conflicts if we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. We simply must have an open heart and an open mind, just like Paul and Barnabas did. 

Larry

Announcements:

Our Mission Statement:

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

Sundays: Sunday School 9:00; Worship 10:00 Please social distance and wear masks. We continue carrying our worship on facebook live and have found that it reaches many people beyond our congregation.

Every Tuesday at 9:30 is Bible Study. The group is beginning a study of the book of Acts. Larry Solomon is leading the study. All interested persons are invited to attend.

The first Sunday of every month is designated for Food Bank donations. Suggested donations are boxes of cereal and prepared foods. Also peanut butter and jelly.

Wednesday, Sept 9 Church board meeting: Executive Committee at 6:15, Commissions at 7:00, board at 7:30 pm

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. The Annual Report video is available on the homepage www.brethren.org

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link)

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

Keep in Your Prayers

Evelyn Eads; Mike Gentry; Anna Gentry Thompson; Junior and Evelyn Traxler; Larry Cripe; Arnold Schultz; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 180,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Poetry Corner—submitted by Robin Shively

The Perfect Church

   I think that I shall never see

A church that’s all it ought to be;

A church whose members never stray

Beyond the straight and narrow way;

   A church that has no empty pews

Whose preacher never has the blues;

A church whose deacons always “deak”

  And none is proud and all are meek;

  Where gossips never peddle lies

  Or make complaints or criticize;

Where all are always sweet and kind

 And all to others’ faults are blind.

  Such perfect churches there may be,

   But none of them are known to me.

  But still we’ll work and pray and plan

       To make this one the best we can.

 

                                Roseville Bulletin