For years I
believed grace was simply “God’s unmerited favor.” That is what I was always
taught, both in Sunday School as a child, and in seminary as an adult.
But, then Luke 2:40 jumped out at me and forced me to reexamine what God’s
grace truly is. Luke 2:40 states that “Jesus grew in grace.” That
statement jumped out at me like few scriptures ever have. It posed a question:
“How does the perfectly pure and Holy, the Savior of the world, The sinless and
only begotten Son of God, grow in grace if grace is unmerited favor?”
2 Peter 1:3-
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life.”
Grace is not just kindness or forgiveness, it is not just a pardon. Grace is
power and transformation. Grace is God’s very presence which enables us to
become who He created each of us to become.
The greatest
lie of religion is that we must work our way to righteousness. The years I
believed grace was “God’s unmerited favor” I was striving toward producing my
own holiness. I thought I had to do more, pray harder, even prove my
worth to God. But, then I discovered grace does not operate on effort,
but operates on trust. Galatians 2:21-“I do not set aside the grace of God, for
if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for
nothing.” Simply put, if we could become holy by striving harder, then
Jesus’ sacrifice was unnecessary. Grace then cannot be known as a reward
for your effort, but can be known as the power which escorts you into
transformation.
So, how does
grace work or operate in our lives? Titus 2:11-12- “For the grace of God has
appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to
ungodliness and worldly passions.” Did you catch that? Grace doesn’t just
forgive you, grace teaches you and changes you. Grace doesn’t lead you away
from sin by force, but does lead you away from sin by filling you with
something greater. Grace doesn’t save, it empowers you to live
differently.
If you
believe grace is only forgiveness, it would be easy to keep sinning and saying
“I’m forgiven.” But, if grace is power, moreover God’s empowering
presence, then sin is overcome, and the believer walks in victory. Romans
6:14- For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the
law, but under grace.”
God Bless
You!
Pastor David
Pastor David’s phone
number is 217-329-4785. Email is devdrk476@gmail.com
Upcoming
Events:
Sunday
School 9:00
Tuesdays
10:00 Bible Study
July 2 6:00 pm Church Board
July 20-24 VBS HERE
August Women’s Lunch Date TBD
August 9 Executive Comm after worship
August 12 School starts in Cerro Gordo
August 23 2:00 pm CUIC ice cream social
Sept 3 6:00 pm Church Board
Looking
forward: District Conference will be November 6 and 7 in Polo, IL. We need
delegates for this conference. We can have 3. Let Carol know of your interest.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
July
6 Chelle Shively
10 Dan Mogged
12 Tracy Mogged
26 Kaylin Born
Kelly
Timlin
Marlene Schultz
August
4 Ellis & Mary Hissong
9 Ron Born
14 Derek Born
15 Martha Wood
18 Jason Frydenger
24 Jason
& Julie Frydenger
27 Michelle Wright
In Our Prayers
Pray for
peace with Iran!
The
ending of TPS for our Haitian and Syrian brothers and sisters
The Traughber family and our church family as they and we
grieve the loss of Dorthea and Ruth; Vinny; Camille; Karen Chenoweth; Ryan LeHew; Martha Wood; Bill Traughber; Randy and
Michelle West; Martha Lynch; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Nancy Fansler;
Doug Larrick; Ron Petersen; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Nancy Gorrell; many
unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Church
of the Brethren around the world; immigrants
Military and Other Services and their families
Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers
Needed:
--Volunteers
for the children’s message during the service and/or for a children’s
lesson/story time in the nursery during the sermon. Please sign up in the back
of the sanctuary.
--Someone
to take turns running the Power Point for worship. If you know a little about
computers, you can do this job. Let Carol know.
--Chorister—Martha
is carrying the entire load. Who can step up to lead singing once in a while?
VBS—Vacation
Bible School—is at our church July 20-24, from 5:30 – 7:30 each evening,
for children who are rising kindergarteners through rising 5th
graders. Stacie Warren is in charge. Be alert for opportunities to help—we will
be needed for this important witness to the community.
Sermon
topics—Pastor David is seeking input on topics that you would like to hear
more about from the pulpit. Please let him know about any particular interests
you may have.
TPS—Temporary Protected Status—has regularly been
granted to people who wish to come to the U.S. from particularly violent
situations in their native country. Several years ago, TPS was granted to
Haitians and Syrians. Many Haitians came to the United States and joined the
Church of the Brethren, as well as other Christian denominations. Now that the
Supreme Court has allowed the administration to terminate TPS for these folks,
even though the situations in their native countries are still dangerous and
life-threatening, the Church of the Brethren knows of at least 300 of our
members who are affected by this determination. All of these individuals have
made a home here in the U.S. with jobs, homes, family, just like us. Now their
lives have been upended and they face potential deportation any day. At least a
dozen immigrant members of CoB congregations have been deported, despite no
criminality on their parts. These are people with families who want to live
safe and normal lives. How do we help them? Be in prayer for all of our
brothers and sisters who have immigrated from other countries, no matter where
they came from. Even though I (Carol) know of no one in Cerro Gordo who will be
affected, it is possible that someone each of us knows could be. We can also
call on our government to have more compassion.
Strawberry
Festival—The strawberry festival was well-attended and made a profit of
about $900 which was split between the women and men’s fellowships. Thank you
to everyone who helped in any way!! It takes us all to pull off this community
event each year.
Annual
Conference stats:
In Ft.
Wayne this year, there were 389 delegates, 1279 nondelegates present, 153
nondelegates attending virtually, for a total of 1812 registered persons. There
were 110 pints of blood collected. The silent auction brought in $14,759.
Witness to the host city totaled 4 pallets of supplies and $11,350 in
offerings. Pastor David and Carol plan to report on conference sometime in
August.
Study
group:
Pastor
David wants to know of interest in a study group. If you would be interested,
let him know and give him some preferred days and times.
“Not
many sounds in life, and I include all urban and all rural sounds, exceed in
interest a knock at the door.” Charles Lamb
The Global
Food Initiative (GFI) is the primary way that the Church of the
Brethren assists hungry people in developing food security. Since 1983, GFI
(formerly Global Food Crisis Fund) has raised over $8,000,000 for community
development projects in numerous countries around the globe. GFI seeks to:
- invest in small-scale
economic development
- join efforts to improve diet
and health practices
- champion soil conservation
- promote awareness-raising and
advocacy on hunger issues.
This
work is made possible through your contributions. We encourage participation
with us by:
- praying that those who are
hungry may have food
- giving
an individual contribution
- participating in our
ongoing “My 2¢
Worth” fundraiser (contact GFI for questions or materials)
- taking an offering for GFI at
your congregation or camp
Support
of the Global Food Initiative upholds the biblical command to lift the burden
of the oppressed. Moreover, it honors God, for as stated in Proverbs 14:31,
“Kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.”
Bethany Theological Seminary announced at Annual
Conference that they are now able to offer all CoB members who qualify for
their graduate programs free tuition via scholarships. This is an amazing way
to help future pastors get their theological education. It will help our pastor
further his theological studies as well. Our outreach to Bethany helps. Pray
for Bethany, its staff, and its students as they move forward in the coming
school year.
History
Corner:
Annual
Conference: Even though the first Brethren came to North America in 1719
and the first baptism of the Brethren in the Colonies was Christmas Day, 1723,
the first general meeting was not held until 1742. The exact date and place are
not known but believed to have been held in a home near Coventry, PA, around
Pentecost. The Brethren continued to meet around Pentecost weekend. Before the
1830s, Brethren gathered on Friday morning before Pentecost Sunday. Business
was conducted all day. Saturday was taken up in public worship and Love Feast
in the evening. After Sunday morning worship, the meeting was closed. By 1847,
more time was needed for business, so the meeting began on the Saturday before
Pentecost with worship Saturday and Sunday and Love Feast one of those
evenings. Business was taken up on Monday and the meeting lasted as long as was
needed to complete business.
In the early years, the location rotated
around congregations near Germantown (home of the oldest CoB congregation in
the U.S.). However, as members went west, the need to have meetings in other
locations grew. In whichever area the meeting was held, participants usually gathered
at the farm of a member of the local congregation. Annual Meeting was held in
Decatur in 1895 on grounds that are now occupied by Millikin University.
Up until 1927, this was called the Annual
Meeting. Since that year it has been called Annual Conference.
In 1912, the planners were asked to hold
meetings where there were good acoustics and accommodations. Now we have our
conferences in convention centers where hotels are close by and parking is
available. Conference usually takes place around the July 4 weekend because
rates are cheaper then (Who else wants a convention over July 4?). (BTW, Carol
and Glen have seen some spectacular fireworks displays over the years in
various cities in this country.) However, the 2027 Annual Conference will be
July 28-August 1 in Daytona Beach, FL. Think about being our delegate!
“The
greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth and have it found
out by accident.” Charles Lamb
“Surely goodness and
mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of
the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 KJV
Love God,
Grow with others,
Serve faithfully,
Reach the lost,
Find peace.
