Announcements August 24 2025

 

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

 

August 26 6:00 CUIC here

August 31 Hymn Sing

September 2 Newsletter submission deadline

September 4 6:00 Board meeting—commissions first, then board

September 7 Memories, readings, poems, sharing about grandparents (It’s Grandparents’ Day). Bring your thoughts to share with all of us.

Power Hour for grades Kindergarten through 5th starts on Wednesdays in September! Watch facebook and this place for updates.

We need worship leaders for many Sundays in the foreseeable future. Please tell Carol which Sunday you will serve.

We also need delegates and persons to act as hosts for District Conference Nov 7 and 8 in Bloomington.

 

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

 

Keep in Your Prayers

Randy and Michelle West; Bill Traughber; Martha Wood; Stacie Warren; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell; Nora Hanaver; Martha Lynch; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in the middle of war and violence; military and other services and their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers; immigrants, the poor and needy, flood victims and their families; those who will lose insurance and Medicaid

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Virden congregation and for the Church of the Brethren Global Food Initiative.

Announcements August 17

 Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

August 20 12:00 Women’s Lunch, meal provided

August 24 Faith in Action’s Leann Griffin will speak

August 31 Hymn Sing—put your choices on the list in back

September 4 6:00 Board meeting—commissions first, then board

We need worship leaders for August 24, 31, and Sept 7. Please tell Carol which Sunday you will serve.

We also need delegates persons to act as hosts for District Conference Nov 7 and 8 in Bloomington.

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Keep in Your Prayers

Randy and Michelle West; Bill Traughber; Martha Wood; Stacie

Warren; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and

Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell;

Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; David

and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo

Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of

natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian

church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in

the middle of war and violence; military and other services and

their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster

project workers; immigrants, the poor and needy, flood victims

and their families; those who will lose insurance and Medicaid

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Peoria congregation and

for the Mountain Mission outreach.

Sermon and Announcements August 10 2025

August 10, 2025

Better Late Than Never

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have

passed away; behold, all things have become new.

I don’t know how many of you remember but earlier this year a shared,

what I called, part 2 of my journey with the Lord. On that occasion I

played a song by my favorite duo DeGarmo and Key that stated my

heart's goal going forward from that point in my life. At that time, I said

somewhere down the road I would plan on sharing part 1, well today is

that day.

As it turns out the sermon I am sharing with you as the last one as your

Pastor is the one I probably should have shared as the first one. As has

often been the case I am going to share a song with you that the Lord

used to help to remind me of how the Lord brought things together in

my life at just the time I needed it. This song has been around for a little

while it was released in 2023. It is sung by the group NEEDTOBREATHE

with help from Carly Pearce.

In December of 1979 I came to a crossroad in my life in which I am

convinced I was truly faced with 2 choices. I am not going to go into the

specific issue that was going on at that time, but I will say that at that

point to much of the time it was all about me. God sent 2 angels to

speak to me; to try to get my attention, their names are Cathy and Tara.

I am not sure where I would be today if I hadn’t taken seriously the

warning the Lord gave me through those 2 on that evening.

When I really listened to the song, I just asked you to listen to, those

memories of that life changing evening all came back to me. I believe it

is really important for the man and woman of God to have at least a

couple of these different but similar things going for them as we seek to

live out the life God has given us.

If there is anyone else here today that has struggled or may be

struggling at this moment, I pray the Lord has, or will, give you what

you need to be victorious.

Hopefully you really listened to the words because the first that was

clearly there for me when I needed it most was Cathy. The first 4 lines

of the song says “you were always there to pick me up and tell me I was

good enough it doesn’t matter what I’ve done you pull me closer. At

just the time I needed Love and support and maybe sum blunt words

Cathy provided it. Even though they didn’t probably no it my whole

family was there in ways I needed as well. That continues to be true to

this day.

I am also thankful for my church family at La Place. I had always gone to

church rarely missing a Sunday but as a young adult to much of the

time I was just going through the motions. As the lord impressed upon

me to get more serious about my faith we had a Sunday School teacher

for the young adults that gave me just what I needed, Fern Doolin. I had

some great Brothers and Sisters in Christ that also attended the Sunday

School class at that time as well. We also had a Pastor who encouraged

me to seek out Gods direction for my life as well.

For me the third and most important thing that changed the direction

of my life is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When I think of this song

Fall On Me it speaks to me of how God never gave up on me even

though I no I disappointed him in many ways at that time. We have a

great God who never gives up on us. I don’t know how many of you can

relate to what I am sharing but what is so encouraging to me is that as

this song said “When you feel a little lost now don’t remember who you

are now you can run into my arms you can fall; you can fall on me.

This what God did for me back in 1979 and continues to do today. So

does my wife and family as well as did the La Place church for many

years and now you here it the Cerro Gordo church for the past 5 and ½

years. I want to again say Thank You to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

thank you Cathy and all of the family I have been Blessed to have. To

both churches that have shown Love and support through the years as

well as all the special Brothers and Sisters in Christ that the Lord has

used in a mighty way during my life.

To close this out this morning this is especially for the church here in

Cerro Gordo. The 2 essential things you need going forward from this

point now is to be there for one another as this song says and to make

sure Jesus Christ is at the center of everything you do. I am confident

that the Lord will continue to use you in a mighty way to be his example

in Cerro Gordo and beyond.

Instead of a closing hymn I am going to ask for your indulgence one

more time. I would like to have a song played that goes back over 40

years that speaks to the Love and respect I have for everyone of you.

The song is entitled Friends sung back in 1983 by two young stars of

Christian music Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. 

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

TODAY Larry and Cathy’s last Sunday—farewell potluck meal

after worship, meat and drink provided—All are welcome.

2:00 – 4:00 CUIC ice cream social, Born Park

August 17 Doug Larrick—message in song

Executive Committee and Search Committee after

worship

August 20 12:00 Women’s Lunch, meal provided

We need worship leaders for August 17, 24, 31, and Sept 7.

Please tell Carol which Sunday you will serve. Thank you.

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Church phone: 217-763-8641 Leave a message please.

Keep in Your Prayers

Randy and Michelle West; Bill Traughber; Martha Wood; Stacie

Warren; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and

Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell;

Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; David

and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo

Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of

natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian

church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in

the middle of war and violence; military and other services and

their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster

project workers; immigrants, the poor and needy, flood victims

and their families; those who will lose insurance and Medicaid

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Freeport congregation and

for the faculty, staff, and students of Bethany Theological

Seminary.

Sermon and Announcements August 3, 2025

 August 3, 2025

Worship

Revelation 19:1-8

You might remember that not long ago I raised the question what does

worship mean to you? This morning, we aren’t going to look at that

question again I am going to give you some examples of worship that

has encouraged me. Two of them Cathy and I experienced firsthand, 1

of them is an example recorded almost 25 years ago.

I will admit that singing and music get me in the mood or in an attitude

of worship better than almost anything else although I will admit the

beauty of God’s creation is right in there as well. One example in the

New Testament is when the announcement was made to the shepherds

when Jesus was born and the Heavenly Host came singing glory to God

on the highest, this compelled the Shepards to go so they could see and

worship the new born king.

In the verses we read today it doesn’t necessarily say that the great

multitude was singing but it does state they were shouting Hallelujah,

salvation and glory and power belong to our God. Which lead the 24

elders and the 4 living creatures to fall down and worship God. So

powerful music, words or events can cause the creation of God to

worship.

The first example I am sharing today is from a Christian concert that

happened on May 3 rd of this year. Stacie helped get this loaded and

now the pressure is on Cathy to bring it up. I recorded about 2 minutes

of this particular song which is entitled Hey Girl. I originally thought of

using it on Mother’s Day but went a different direction. What you

aren’t going to be able to pick up on is the conditions that evening.

What was so powerful to me that evening is that I came to realize what

our worship in the presence of God will be like when we get to Heaven

by the example, we witnessed that night.

That evening wasn’t hot by any stretch of the imagination but with how

we were dressed it wasn’t cold either. What it was rainy. It rained the

entire evening and this was an outdoor concert. Now the singers and

most of those attending were under cover but there were probably 100

or more that had paid more to be right in front of the stage. They were

out in the rain and it absolutely poured at times during the evening. In

spite of that I didn’t see 1 person give up and seek cover.

That’s the kind of love, devotion and commitment we will all have for

worship when we are face to face with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The second example is a from a concert Cathy our daughter Tara and

granddaughter Adddison as well as myself went to Thursday at the

Devon. One additional comment is the 4 of us also went to the concert

in May as well.

The song I recorded is entitled “When We Pray”, the artist is Tauren

Wells. This was just a great time joining together with fellow believers

to celebrate and also worship the Lord. Which leads to our final video I

am going to ask Cathy to play for us. This is from a concert that

happened almost 25 years ago. It isn’t a concert we attended it is a

concert I have on DVD. I have mentioned before my favorite solo

Christian artist is Michael W. Smith. This song is part of a concert in

which the tour that year was called Worship. The song that is going to

be played is Awesome God. So, let’s see what happened as he

performed this song on this evening.

I don’t know if you picked up on it or not but before Michael ever

began singing those in the audience began singing the song.

Throughout that night it seemed most weren’t there to see Michael W.

Smith they were there to praise and worship God. That is what true

worship is. It’s not about anything other than seeking and feeling the

presence of God in our lives.

In just a few minutes we all have an opportunity to Worship God in a

completely different way. While music can and does set the tone for

many when it comes to worship there are other ways to worship God

and our Savior Jesus Christ as well. One of those ways is with the bread

and cup. The communion service is one of the most powerful forms of

worship there is. This is an acknowledgement of who Jesus is and what

he has done for us. When we join together with our brothers and

sisters we are saying to the Lord, “Thank You for loving me enough to

pay the price for my sins you alone are worthy of praise.”

So, after we sing our closing hymn, we will offer God worship by sharing

in the bread and the cup. God is pleased every time we celebrate this

most important sacrament. When we come to him with an attitude of

worship and thanksgiving.

Pastor Larry

Announcements

August 10--Larry and Cathy's last Sunday with us. We will have a potluck dinner after worship with the meat and drink provided. All are welcome

                2:00-4:00 CUIC ice cream social at Born Park

August 17--Doug Larrick gives the message in song.

August 20--12:00 Women's Fellowship lunch; meal is provided

Sermon and Announcements July 27

 July 27, 2025

Joseph, a man of Faith and Integrity

The Final Chapter

Genesis 41:1,8+9,14-16,25-32,39+40

We are going to get through the remainder of Josephs incredible story

this morning. We may stay till noon to complete the story but we will

do it. Last week we left it with Joseph in prison. That’s the bad part the

good part is the warden put Joseph in charge of the entire prison.

Joseph interpreted dreams for 2 of Pharaoh’s men while they were in

prison. One was restored by Pharaoh to his former position the other

was put to death. In both cases this happened exactly how these 2

men’s dreams predicted things would happen and exactly how Joseph

said it would happen.

This catches up to what we read from Genesis 41 today. We read

Pharaoh had had a dream that was troubling him. He called in those in

the kingdom that should be able to tell him what the dream meant but

none of them were able to do so. The chief cupbearer who was in

prison with Joseph became aware of Pharaoh’s frustration and finally

remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh how Joseph had interpreted his

and the chief baker's dreams for them and that things happened just as

Joseph had told them. So, Pharaoh calls for Joseph to be brought to

him.

Pharaoh proceeds to tell Joseph his dream and once again God gives

Joseph the wisdom to interpret the dream for Pharaoh. The dream told

of 7 years of abundant crops to be followed by 7 years of poor crops.

Do you have any idea why this is all happening to Egypt, Pharaoh and

why Joseph is the one to deliver the news? We are about to find out.

Before we get there, however, Pharaoh is so impressed by the

importance of this dream that he is determined to find someone to

create a plan for storing crops over the next 7 years so they can survive

the 7 lean years. He finds no one in all of Egypt who he fells can handle

the job until he realizes Joseph this incredibly intelligent and Blessed

man is the one for the job.

So not only is Joseph taken out of prison, but he is put in charge of

everything in Egypt. God is with Joseph in such a powerful way that this

former Hebrew slave becomes the second most powerful man in all of

Egypt.

Now it really gets even more amazing. After the seven good years in all

of the middle east a drought hits everyone. I’m not going to read from

the Bible the rest of what happens next, but you will find it in the 42 nd

thru the 47 th chapters of Genesis.

Now Jacob, Joseph's dad, becomes aware that Egypt has plenty of food

in spite of the drought that is affecting everyone in the region. Jacob

sends all of Josephs brothers except Benjamin to Egypt in hopes of

buying what they need to survive the drought. When they get to Egypt

who is it that they must talk to about buying what they need? Joseph.

Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him, after all

many years had passed by now and there would be no way Joseph

would have such a job in Egypt.

Joseph upon meeting with his brothers realizes one of his brothers is

not with them, Benjamin. Joseph asks is this all the brothers you have in

your family to which they respond one brother is back with their father

the other is “no more”. Joseph told them I want to see this youngest

brother I will sell you the grain you request but you must leave one of

your brothers here and go bring Benjamin here to me before all of you

can return back to your father. While this was going on Joseph had

some of Pharaoh’s men put back the silver in with the brothers'

possessions along with the grain Joseph had agreed to sell them. On the

way back to their father they realized they had silver in with the

possessions that should not be there. The brothers were afraid of what

their father was going to say when they told him everything that had

happened.

To fast forward the story they returned to Egypt again this time with

Benjamin and even more silver to give to Pharaoh. Joseph inquired

about their dad and eventually sent them on their way back home but

this time Joseph had pharaoh’s men plant a fancy silver cup in

Benjamin’s bag. They tracked them down and accused Benjamin of

stealing. This time Joseph demanded that their dad come to Egypt or

Benjamin will never go free. Before they left to go on back to their dad

Joseph revealed who he really was to his brothers. They were both

shocked and terrified, but Joseph assured them God made this all

happen so many lives could be saved from the drought.

Joseph said please go get our father and bring him here many years of

drought are still to come, and you can live here in peace and safety.

Ultimately all of Josephs brothers acknowledged their sin to Joseph and

said we deserve to be slaves to you but Joseph, knowing that God made

all of this happened told his brothers these powerful words. You sought

to do evil to me; but God meant it for good. What a statement of Faith

and trust Joseph delivered to his brothers.

So what, if anything, is for us to learn from Josephs life and example?

There are no less than 7 major events that happened in Josephs life.

1. He was sold into slavery by his brothers

2. He was put in charge of Potiphar’s house and all of his possessions

3. He was falsely accused of inappropriate behavior and thrown into

prison

4. While in prison the warden put him in charge of the prison

5. Because God gave him the ability to interpret dreams, he foretold

the future to Pharaoh and as a result was released from prison

and put in charge of all of Egypt

6. Joseph was reunited with all of his family, and they lived securely

in Egypt for the remainder of their lives with Pharaoh’s blessing.

7. Joseph said one of the most powerful statements and

acknowledgments that all of us at times should lay claim to

sometimes the things that happen in our lives Satan uses to try to

pull us away from God

8. We can agree with what Joseph said when he said “you intended

evil for me; but God intended good

Joseph’s life is one of the most powerful examples of what can

happen if we are people of Faith and Integrity. Time after time it

would have been easy for Joseph to give up and say what’s the use.

Know matter how hard I try to do the right thing I always seem to get

kicked in the teeth. I give up, what’s the use. But that wasn’t what

Joseph said and did. Joseph was another person who wasn’t anyone

special other than the fact he refused to give in to what Satan was

trying to do through all of these events.

Gods hand was upon him every step of the way and Joseph’s

faithfulness was ultimately rewarded. The lesson for us is to never

give up or give in to Satan’s lies. God is always with us and even

when we can’t see it God is working all things for good for those who

are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:28. So when things try to pull you down

stay strong God will you through just like he did in Josephs life.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

August 10 Larry & Cathy’s last Sunday with us—farewell

potluck meal after worship—meat and drink provided

August 17 Doug Larrick—message in song

Executive Committee and Search Committee after

worship

August 20 12:00 Women’s Lunch, meal provided

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Pastor Larry Traxler (217) 454-2362

Keep in Your Prayers

Louis Sulwer family; Carroll Clarkson family; Randy and  Michelle West; Bill Traughber; Martha Wood; StacieWarren; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and

Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell;

Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock;

Adiline Young; Mayo Hanaver; many unspoken requests;

victims of shootings and of natural disasters; shut-ins; the

Nigerian church; the Haitian church; the CoB in the Democratic

Republic of Congo; those in the middle of war and violence;

military and other services and their families; Brethren Volunteer

Service workers; Disaster project workers; immigrants, the poor

and needy, flood victims and their families; those who will lose

insurance and Medicaid

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Charismatic Christian

Center in Chicago and for the Intercultural Ministries office.

Sermon and Announcements July 13

 

July 13, 2025

                                Joseph, a man of Faith and Integrity

           

                                             Genesis 37:1-8,16-28

 

It has probably been a while since most of us have looked at the story of Joseph. There are several men with the name of Joseph that have played important roles in Gods story, Gods relationship with mankind. In Genesis 37 we pick up on the story of one of the sons of Jacob who had an important role in shaping not only the direction of his family but the nation of Israel from this point forward.

 

Joseph was the first son born to Rachael and Jacob. Let’s quickly go back and look at first Jacob’s story then Jacob and Rachael’s. Jacob got both the birthright and the blessing that was supposed to go to Esau. The first Esau gave up willingly the second was taken from him with trickery. As a result of these actions Jacob escaped to Paddan Aram to the relatives of his mother. Esau, his brother, had vowed to kill Jacob if he ever caught up with him.

 

While in this new land he saw a young women named Rachael and fell in love with her. He spoke to her father about marriage and it was agreed if he worked for him for 7 years he could marry Rachael. There was one catch Jacob didn’t know about before he could marry Rachael Labans oldest daughter must marry. Laban tricked Jacob and after 7 years he was really marrying Leah not Rachael.

 

He ultimately also married Rachael and finally had the girl of his dreams. However, one of the most important things to a man at this time was carrying on the family name and Jacob really wanted to do this through Rachael but she seemed unable to have children. Without going any deeper into the story than we already have Rachael finally did have 2 boys, Joseph and Benjamin. Jacob’s favorite of all the sons he had been blessed with was Rachaels firstborn, Joseph.

 

Jacob was the father of 12 sons; they eventually became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. With all that being said let's get back to the story of Joseph that we read a little about in Genesis 37. We read that Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. As a result, he gave Joseph this amazing coat that set him apart from his brothers in a very visible way. Josephs brothers were jealous of the way their father favored Joseph in many ways. Their jealousy turned into hatred. Things got worse when Joseph had a dream that told how the older brothers would bow down to their younger brother something that was unheard of in the culture of the day.

 

Instead of keeping this dream to himself he told his brothers about it which made them hate him even more. As bad as things were already Joseph had one more dream that even had not only his brothers bowing down to him but his dad as well. As far as his brothers were concerned this was the last straw, they vowed to kill Joseph first chance they got.

 

That’s where we picked up the story at the 16^th verse. The brothers didn’t kill Joseph they decided to sell him to traders on their way to Egypt instead. So, they were sure he was gone forever, and they got some money besides. What was Joseph’s biggest crimes? The love of his father that he personally had nothing to do with and being naïve. Joseph just honestly told his brothers and also his dad the dreams he had. We don’t know whether Joseph actually thought those dreams would come true or not but the fact that he had the nerve to tell his brothers and his dad these dreams were just too much for his brothers to take.

 

I don’t know how many of you might be the youngest son or daughter in your family but sometimes it seems like the youngest child gets away with a lot more than the older brothers and sisters were able to do. That may have also been the case with Joseph as well. To be perfectly clear Joseph wasn’t actually the youngest son but was the favorite because he was the first son born to Jacob by Rachael. Still he was one of the youngest sons as well.

 

We are going to follow Joseph’s story a little more next week but before we close things out today, I would like to read Genesis 38:1-6 for you. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When the master saw the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and all that he owned, the Lord Blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

 

So we see that Joseph was a man of honesty as well as integrity. And we see the Lord blessed everything Joseph did even in this foreign land. Gods blessing clearly came as a result of his faithfulness to God in spite of everything that had happened to him. How would we have reacted if the things that had happened to Joseph happened to us? Would we have questioned God? Would we be angry at God for allowing this to happen even though he had really done nothing wrong. One might say, so that’s what I get for being honest.

 

Josephs story still has a few more twists and turns in it that we will pick up next week. Just a couple of things to think about as we wrap this up today. Can you remember a time when you told the truth about something that had no intention of hurting anyone only to have it come back to bite you? Have you ever felt the anger of someone because you seemed to be favored by someone even though you did nothing special that lead to that favoritism? That what set all this in motion for Joseph. Maybe we could say he didn’t use the best judgement with his brothers and his dad but I think it’s hard to say he was doing anything more than just telling them about his dream.

 

Next Sunday we will see what still lies ahead for this man of faith and integrity. We will see if there are things in Joseph’s life and how he faced a variety of challenges that we can apply to our own lives.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

 

July 15 6:00 pm Search Committee

July 21-25 VBS at the Oakley Brick CoB

July 24-26 Town rummage sales

 

We sent a total of $1940 to Heifer International. Thanks to all who gave and to Witness Commission for matching the giving.

 

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Pastor Larry Traxler (217) 454-2362

 

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

The Baker family; Shirley Clarkson and family; Randy & Michelle West; Bill Traughber; Martha Wood; Stacie Warren; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell; Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; Louis & Carol Sulwer; David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in the middle of war and violence; military and other services and their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers; immigrants, the poor and needy, flood victims and their families; those who will lose insurance and Medicaid

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for Camp Emmaus, campers, staff, and manager Randall Westfall.

 

 

 

Sermon and Announcements June 22

 

June 22, 2025

How’s Yours?

           

                                             Galatians 5:22+23

 

We have finally arrived at the last of the 9 fruits of the spirit and it is self control. When we think of self-control we can go off in several directions. For this to be one of the fruits of the spirit it is clear that this should be used in a positive way for the followers of Christ. So lets look at some of the ways self-control is important to not just a believer but for everyone.

 

When you think of self control what comes to mind? One of the things that comes to mind for me is food. I have heard more than one person say they just don’t have any self control when it comes to chocolate or certain snacks or their favorite food. Others may say when comes to shopping or on a more negative side alcohol or gambling. There are many things in life that challenge our self-control and it is different for every person.

 

There are clearly other places that self-control is important to have. When we are having conversations with one another things can be said that may make us want to respond a certain way that may not always be helpful. There is the old saying that encourages us to count to 10, at the very least before we respond.

 

When we are working on something or making something and nothing is going like it should be self-control can help us not make a bad situation worse. As I have been listing some of these different ways self-control can be very helpful did other examples or some different situations you have faced come to mind? There are so many ways self-control can prevent us from making a situation worse than it needs to be.

 

Many of the things I mentioned to begin with, in regard to self-control, help us to be healthier, happier people if we can limit or eliminate certain things in our lives. The things mentioned later on sometimes has to do with how we interact with one another. A couple of verses in the Bible that encourages us to have self-control when working or speaking to one another is found in James 1:19+20. There we read “My dear brothers, and I might add sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”

 

Self-control can help each and everyone of us in a number of ways. Whether it’s our eating and drinking habits or the things we do or even the things we might watch on television having proper moderation, self-control, can help us keep our lives more in the balance that will help us in the long run. I believe self-control is one of the fruits of the spirit because God clearly knows that living a life where we are in control and not the things in and around us will always be best for us.

 

The only way to do that is to allow the Holy Spirit the freedom to operate in us and through us as God intends for each one of his children. As important as self-control is to our health and our well being the verse we read from James points out that possibly the most important use of self-control can be when we are dealing with one another. We started off with the sermon title How’s Yours? As we have looked at a variety of ways self-control is important to us what kind of score do you give yourself? If you’re like me you might have to admit I do okay in some areas and not as good in others. Through the power of the Holy spirit no matter what age we are we can continue to have this fruit continue to grow in our lives. Self- control is available to every child of God if you’re not quite where you would like to be ask God to help you have the self-control he wants you, us to have.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

 

TODAY after worship—executive committee

June 25 6:30 pm Search Committee meeting—please join us if you are interested in helping with this important work

June 29 newsletter submission deadline for July/August issue

July 2 – 6 Annual Conference

July 10 6:00 Board meeting—commissions first and then full board

 

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Pastor Larry Traxler (217) 454-2362

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

Bill Traughber; Martha Wood; Stacie Warren; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell; Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Shirley & Carroll Clarkson; David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in the middle of war and violence; military and other services and their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers; immigrants, the poor and needy

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for our congregation and for the work of the CoB Global Missions Office.