Sermon and Announcements July 28

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

July 28, 2024

 

What are you facing?

Daniel 6:1-28

 

This past week at Vacation Bible School the theme was Confidence with God. Terry Leach as host pastor gave the story on the first and last nights. Pastor Roe gave the story on Tuesday. I gave the story on Wednesday and Pastor Legg gave the story on Thursday. Each night one of the more dramatic and miraculous real-life stories from the Bible was told.

 

On Wednesday night I shared about Daniel and the Lions Den. I thought about recreating how I presented it to the children and seeing how well you would do with the questions I asked them. We had a really good group of kids. As I mentioned earlier, I believe there were somewhere between 50 and 60 different children that attended at least one of the evenings. The largest group most every evening was the Pre-K/Kindergarten group. Keeping 15-20 children at that age focused for 20 minutes can be a challenge. The teachers here with us today are well aware of that. Anyway, my story was about Daniel and the Lion’s Den. Even to the youngest group, I felt it necessary to explain why Daniel was going to be put in the lion’s den. Probably almost everyone here this morning has either read this story a number of times or heard it told a number of times or both.

 

It would be interesting to ask everyone to write down what story, what event from scripture you believe is the most miraculous or powerful or amazing of all. Maybe I will ask you that in the near future, so you might be thinking about it.

 

So, my Bible story was Daniel and the Lion’s Den. I believe these events really happened. Some critics and even some well-meaning scholars question whether some of the Bible stories really happened. I believe every one of the stories in the Bible are true. That being said, Daniel along with many of the brightest and the best of Judah were taken to Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar defeated Judah. At the time this event happened, the third different king was ruling during the time Daniel and others from Judah had been taken to this foreign land. One might say 5 different things had happened that caused Daniel to be in this predicament.

 

1.    A new king came to power that quickly recognized what a special man Daniel was.

2.    Because of this, the king planned on making Daniel the second most powerful man in the kingdom.

3.    Many of the other people were jealous of Daniel; after all he wasn’t one of them.

4.    They came up with a plan to get rid of Daniel.

5.    They tricked the king into making a kingdom-wide decree that basically was designed just to get rid of Daniel and the king did not realize what it was all about.

 

Most all of us know what happened. We read the account this morning as well. The king reluctantly had Daniiel thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius hoped Daniel’s God would protect him. The lions’ mouths were shut by God. The next morning King Darius rushed to see if Daniel had survived the night. Daniel assured the king he was alright. The king was both thankful and mad. Thankful that God protected Daniel and mad that some of the men he had trusted tricked him into doing something that could have killed Daniel. As a result, he ordered the men and their families thrown into the lion’s den. Did Daniel know with absolute certainty what would happen when he was being thrown in with those hungry, ferocious lions? Probably not, but I am sure that Daniel continued to trust in God and have confidence in God to the point that no matter what happened he never stopped believing in God.

So, what does that have to do with you and me? Is there anything God wants us to learn from this incredible story? As I look out at those of you who are here today and I think of those of this congregation who aren’t able to be with us this morning, I know almost every one of you have things going on in your lives that are challenging to say the least. What are you facing today? While none of us are at risk of being thrown in with hungry lions, virtually every one of you is either personally facing difficult challenges or your loved ones or friend are. God wants us to read these stories and lock them in our hearts so we are reminded during those difficult times how much he loves His people.

 

The stories at Vacation Bible School this past week were told so that the children’s confidence in God might grow. God has been with His people in the past and He is still with His people today. So, no matter what you may be facing today or in the future, you can have full confidence that God will be right there with you. Just as Daniel’s faith never wavered, we also can stand strong in the Lord. God promised to never leave us or forsake us. Things may not always turn out the way we want them to but that doesn’t mean our Lord isn’t with us every step of the way giving us the strength and courage we need. So, no matter what, have faith and confidence in God. God loves you. Jesus died for you. The ultimate victory is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pastor Larry

(You can watch our church service on our facebook page.)

Announcements:

 

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

August 1 6:30 pm Executive Committee

August 17 2:00 CUIC ice cream social—Born Park

August 28 12:00 Women’s Fellowship luncheon

 

On August 25 we will have a hymn sing during worship. Please list some hymns that you would like to sing on the sign-up sheet on the east bulletin board.

 

Please sign up for children’s message during worship and/or for a story lesson in the nursery.

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for July: AC bills

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

 

Keep in Your Prayers

 

Sharon Traughber; Ruth Siburt; Steve Needham; Shirley Clarkson; Courtney Atteberry; Ava; Nora Hanaver; David and Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Israel, Iran, the Palestinians; Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Canton congregation and for the Church of the Brethren (Iglesia de los Hermanos) in the Dominican Republic.

 

 

Sermon and Announcements July 14, 2024

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

July 14, 2024

Welcome & Worthy/Imitating Christ

Romans 16:1-2, Philippians 2:1-5

I am and am not giving a report from Annual Conference. This year’s conference was, to me, different from any of the previous conferences I have attended. I have tried to think of a word to describe it but have not really come up with one that really tells what my thoughts really are. A word that kind of tells the story of conference from my perspective is subdued. The moderator this year was Madalyn Metzger.

We mentioned it 2 weeks ago but she attended the Springfield Church of the Brethren when she was growing up. She gave some opening remarks to begin the business session on the first day of conference.

One of the things she acknowledged was that several congregations have left the Church of the Brethren because of different biblical views. 

I do not know if that being mentioned in the opening comments had anything to do with the tone of this year’s conference, but it just had a different feel this year than the previous conferences I have attended. I thought Madaline did an excellent job keeping the delegates focused on what was being discussed at the time. There were times when some went to the microphones to talk about things that weren’t exactly being discussed and while she gave some leeway in that regard, she would bring us back to the topic at hand.

The first verses we read this morning from Romans is what the main theme of conference were based on. One can take those 2 verses a number of ways, but I believe Paul was encouraging the church to recognize the importance and value of all believers. Paul wasn’t bashful when it came to saying what he felt needed to be said and he wanted the church in Rome to know what an important sister in Christ Phoebe was. Madaline used these verses in her message in the worship service that opened conference.

The verses from Philippians I shared as the second part of scripture for us was used by Cindy Laprade Lattimer in the closing worship service. She actually used Philippians 1:1-11 where as I just used the first 5 verses. Here we see Paul talking to the church in Phillipi. Once again, he is encouraging the church to be united in Christ and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He then highlights ways that should be happening.

1. By having tenderness for one another.

2. Compassion for one another.

3. Finding a way to be likeminded, by having the same love and

being one in spirit and purpose.

Paul offers this challenge: To do nothing out of vain conceit or selfish ambition and how is this possible by considering others to be better than yourself. And also, to look not only at your own interests but to genuinely look at the interest of others.

After Paul goes down this list of things those in the church should and should not be doing, he reminds us all of this. Your attitude, our attitude, should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. And what is that attitude Jesus Christ exampled to us in Romans 5:8, we are reminded, “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

As I think of this year’s annual conference what I heard around our table, as well as by most of those who spoke at conference this year, was an openness to recognize there are and will be differences. Some of the differences will be big based on biblical interpretations; some will be more about personal preferences.

There was a query that was presented that was asking for real discussions about the things that threaten this denomination. The query seeks, “A new model of denominational structure”. The final statement in the query says this: “How might a new model of denomination structure support proactive and vitality; address the issues that threaten the unity and viability of our beloved denomination; and offer hope to individuals and congregations who are contemplating separation from the Church of the Brethren.”

When we think of the message Paul gave the church in Rome about his fellow worker and sister Phoebe and couple that with the encouragement and challenge Paul gave the church in Philippi, we have the framework for the answer to how our churches, our families, our nation and our world can work together even when we do not always agree. That was one of the primary themes I took away from this year’s conference. Carol may have a different take on this year’s conference than I have had. But the Lord led me to realize the importance of love and respect for one another, while also understanding the only way to really achieve these things is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

Today 2:00 VBS meeting

July 21 2:00 Set up/decorate for VBS

July 22-26 6:00 – 8:00 pm VBS at the Brethren Church—help

will be needed

NO board meeting in July

Please sign up for children’s message during worship and/or for

a story lesson in the nursery.

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for July: AC bills

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Sharon Traughber; Ruth Siburt; Steve Needham; Shirley Clarkson; Courtney Atteberry; Ava; Nora Hanaver; David and Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Israel, Iran, the Palestinians; Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Girard congregation and the

ministry of Girard Area Homes.

Announcements June 30

 Summer is a busy time so putting sermons on this page will be occasional, at best. Please feel free to watch the sermon on facebook live each Sunday. We also have photos of the bulletin on facebook.

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00--no Sunday School on July 7

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

July 3-7 Annual Conference in Grand Rapids

July 7 Our speaker will be Carol Olson.

July 22-26 6:00 – 8:00 pm VBS at the Brethren Church—help

will be needed

NO board meeting in July

The July/August newsletter will come out AFTER Annual

Conference. Please give Carol any submissions by July 10.

Please sign up for children’s message during worship and/or for

a story lesson in the nursery.

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box for June: VBS

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Sharon Traughber; Ruth Siburt; Missie Wright; Steve Needham; Mike

Roach; Shirley Clarkson; Ava; Nora Hanaver; David and Jan Bower;

Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Eli Brunner;

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

Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline

Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell;

many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings;

shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Israel, Iran,

the Palestinians; Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Annual Conference and for the

participants and officers of the conference.