May 24 Sermon and Announcements

WE REMEMBER

Hebrews 11:23-38

This weekend is traditionally, in America, the official beginning of summer. It is also Memorial weekend where America remembers all those who have given their all to help us continue to be a land of opportunity. Memorial weekend is also the weekend we remember our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us as well. Many families may have developed special ways to do all of this. Cookouts have become a tradition for many Americans on this holiday weekend. For those who enjoy boating, that is another way to celebrate this holiday as well. I am not sure if any of you, over the years, have created special ways to get together with friends or family to remember loved ones, to celebrate American’s fallen heroes, or just celebrate the start to summer. Cathy and I started a tradition the very first year we were married. Memorial weekend has almost always been the first weekend after our anniversary. As a kid, I always loved auto racing and the Herald and Review used to cover the Indy 500 really well when I was growing up. I always wanted to go see a race but never thought I would. As it turned out, my new in-laws always went to the Indy 500 and part of our wedding present from them was tickets to the Indy 500. We have only missed two races since 1975. This year was going to be our third time to miss because Cathy and I were planning on being gone to celebrate our anniversary the first Sunday in May and we were not going to miss another Sunday in May as well. Of course, that all changed. Things may have changed for many of you as well because of this virus that continues to limit what we are able to do. Memorial weekend should not be about where we are. Memorial weekend should be about remembering. Taking some time to reflect on the blessings we have in this Nation and why we have them. Remembering those special loved ones who are no longer with us. As Christians we should also spend some time reflecting on the goodness of our God. Remembering the special men and women of God that have changed our lives. Both those who have been a part of our growth within our church. As well as some of the great leaders of faith highlighted in God’s word. So, for a few minutes this morning in our time together, I hope we can take some time to truly reflect on all these different aspects of Memorial Day. I would like us to turn to the 11^th chapter of Hebrews. In this chapter, we are reminded of some of the great men and women of the Old Testament. Those who in many ways risked everything, including their lives, to stand up for God. We are going to pick up what is being said as it is talking about Moses. Let us read Hebrews 11:23-38. What an incredible list of men and women who refused to let their circumstances keep them from doing what God was calling them to do. None of them had any idea how things would turn out yet duty and a love for God compelled them to answer the call. In these verses, we read some paid the price for obedience with their lives. This Nation every Memorial weekend also remembers and celebrates. There are those who have answered their Nation’s call. There are a variety of options in America to do that. Some paid with their lives as well. As I said earlier, Cathy and I have gone to the Indy 500 almost every year since we have been married. As crazy as it might sound, the older I have gotten the most memorable and moving moment of the race is during the opening ceremony. Just before the race is to begin everyone is asked to have a moment of silence to remember all who have gone on before us. For a few moments, 400,000 people are in complete, respectful silence. You could almost literally hear a pin drop it is so quiet. I encourage each of you before this weekend is over to take some time to reflect on all these people I have mentioned. Remember God’s people, both those of Bible times and those God brought our way on this earth. Remember all the men and women who have sacrificed for us in this Nation, both past and present. Also remember those loved ones in your family, both past and present. We must always remember our God who has given us the opportunities we have. If we will take some time to reflect on all of these special people, I can’t help but think what is written in Hebrews 12 is truly for us today.  So, in closing, let us read Hebrews 12:1-3. What an incredible way God is talking to each and every one of us on this special weekend. God loves you and me. He has done everything for us including bringing special people into our lives. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Let us keep pushing forward. God bless you, pray for this Nation and its leaders and God please continue to bless America. Have a blessed week. We will be with you again next week at 10:00.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.

Larry

Announcements

May 31: Worship with us on facebook live at 10:00 when Larry gives the message. You can also watch this any time after the session is over.

June 7: We will start worshipping in the sanctuary for those who feel comfortable coming. Physical distancing must be maintained and the wearing of face masks, please. We will also continue the facebook live service for those who wish to stay home. We will NOT start Sunday School yet.

June 10: Board Meeting: 6:15 executive comm; 7:00 commissions; 7:30 board meeting; physical distancing and face masks please.

June 14: 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Strawberry Festival, with pre-orders and curbside delivery. We need volunteers to make pie shells. Please contact Carol by text or phone call to tell me how many you will make. Volunteers will be needed to wash and stem strawberries on the 13^th at 9:30 a.m. We will practice physical distancing and face mask wearing while doing this. We will also need volunteers to put together the pies on Sunday.

Graduates:   Jordan Wright, Madison Warren, and Allena Vest graduate from CGHS.

                        Congratulations to all three and the rest of the graduates!

Cancelled:    all May and June camps at Camp Emmanuel

                        Annual Conference in July

Upper Room: May/June issues are still available in the copy room at church. You may also get a PDF copy of the May/June issue of UPPER ROOM on line at www.upperroom.org/covid-19

Daily Bread: June – August issue is available in the copy room.

Offerings: Thanks to everyone for keeping up with your offerings! Please continue to either mail your offerings to the church at PO Box 45 or, if you have a key to the church, put it in the donation box at the back of the sanctuary in a properly marked envelope.

Please let Stacie Warren or Larry Traxler know of any supplies you need and are unable to get for yourself. Someone in the church will get them for you.

Let Carol Kussart or Kathy Gentry know if you need a mask.

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First Sunday of the month: Food Banks

Food needs: boxes of cereal, boxes of prepared foods, such as soups, potatoes, rice, mac & cheese, peanut butter, jelly

This month please consider sending The Lord’s Storehouse a monetary donation. The address is PO Box 229, La Place, IL 61936.

Donation Box May and June: Vacation Bible School

--Don’t forget to check mailboxes when you are able.

Keep up on denominational happenings at www.brethren.org

Larry Traxler’s phone number: 217-454-2362   

Keep in Your Prayers

Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Shirley Clarkson; Mike Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Ali Bryant; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Jennifer Like; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; Joe Martina’s cousin who has COVID-19

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Prayers and cards of encouragement are requested for:

Zola Copeland – 214 E. Fitch St. Forsyth, IL 62535-9668

Anna Rose Larrick – C/O Evergreen Place #110

4825 E. Evergreen Ct. Decatur IL 62521

Shawn Cain – 208 West Wait St. Cerro Gordo IL 61818

Robert Cripe – 21 Park Street Danville IL 61832

May 17 Sermon and Announcements

WHY DO YOU DOUBT?

JOHN 20:19-31

It has been 35 days since we celebrated Easter. In Acts 1:3, we can see after Jesus rose from the grave, he talked with his remaining disciples for 40 days. I would like us to go back to the first week after Jesus rose from the grave to see what was going on immediately after Jesus had risen. I would like to look at what John recorded in Chapter 20, verses 19-31. In the 19^th verse, we see what happened was on the very day Jesus had risen from the grave. The disciples that were gathered were afraid the Jews would be coming after them, so they hid away. They locked themselves in a room out of fear. Does that remind you of anything? While they had been told earlier Jesus was alive, they just did not believe it. They believed they understood what God had in mind but all that had changed on the cross. Even though Jesus had told them what would happen they did not really understand. So, as they were hiding out together Jesus suddenly appeared. Did he knock on the door and announce who he was? No, he just instantly appeared in the room with them. He showed them proof that it was really him alive and well. He continued to teach and encourage them while they were there together. When the disciples caught up with Thomas, who was not there with them when Jesus first appeared, they told him what they had seen and that they had talked to Jesus. He is alive. So how did Thomas react? Did he say I knew he would be back alive? Did he say I knew God had a plan? No because of his own disappointment, he did not believe. He may have told them you guys are dreaming or its wishful thinking, maybe he even said you are nuts. I saw him die on the cross just like you. No, until he saw him with his own eyes, the places on his hands and side that he had been wounded and killed, he would not believe. How often have we been disappointed and disillusioned to the point we refuse to believe there can be any good news? That we demand some proof before we will believe things can be different. Most of us have put our faith in someone we trusted only to have them let us down. This is what Thomas was feeling and nothing was going to change that until he saw the proof himself. So, we read in the 26^th verse all of them were together a week later when it happened. Once again, though the doors were locked, Jesus was there. Jesus knew what Thomas was thinking so he instantly invited him to touch his hands and side. Thomas then immediately responded to Jesus out of guilt for doubting his friends and his God. Probably many of the things Jesus had shared with him and the others during the three years they were together came rushing back to him. Why did he doubt? Why didn’t he have the faith in God he should have had is probably what he thought. What is faith? Some of the definitions are (1) a firm belief for something for which there is no proof and (2) simple: complete trust. I believe the biblical definition for faith is found in Hebrews 11:1. I like the King James version, which says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Can we blame Thomas for doubting, for not having enough faith? Would you and I have reacted any differently? We are confronted with questions virtually every day, especially lately. Why are things happening as they are? If there is a God, why? As the virus that is affecting our world, I hear the same responses Thomas made. We cannot go on with life as it was without a vaccine or a cure or until it has completely gone away. This is what the experts say and what we are told to believe. What are we as Christians to believe? What should we as Christians do? I wish I had an absolute answer to those questions. Many of us Christians in America seem to call on God only when we cannot do things on our own. We have been blessed by God to, in most cases, have a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs, maybe even a car to drive. While we may not have everything we want, most of us would have to admit we pretty much have everything we need. Often times we call on God to help us out only when the situation is beyond our control. Like Thomas we can become disillusioned, even angry when we do not understand and lose control. We may say what’s the use? Am I going to be full of doubt and lacking faith when I do not see things happening the way I think they should? In Luke 18 in the last half of verse 8, a very pointed question is asked, “When the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the Earth?” We all will have doubts and fears from time to time for a variety of reasons. Our faith will be tested, not by God, but by our own doubts and fear Satan convinces us of. I do not know why this virus continues on in America and around the world. Going back to the verses we read in John, Jesus said something really interesting to Thomas in verse 29. “You believe because you have seen, blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.” Jesus was talking to you and me if we are willing to put aside our doubts and fears and believe. Are we going to be like Thomas and only believe things will be alright if we see proof or are we willing to cast aside those doubts and fears and say “God I believe.” Will we step out in faith as Thomas finally did? Yes, it took some convincing for him but will we be those Jesus said “blessed are those who have not seen yet believe.” Will we say “my Lord and my God” and stop doubting our God?



May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to sine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.



Have a safe and blessed week. Remember God loves you and we love you. See you next week.
Larry

Announcements

May 24: Worship with us on facebook live at 10:00 when Larry gives the message. You can also watch this any time after the session is over. We will worship this way during the rest of May, or as long as the stay-at-home order is in effect.

Graduates:   Jordan Wright, Madison Warren, and Allena Vest graduate from CGHS.

                        Congratulations to all three and the rest of the graduates!

Cancelled:    all May and June camps at Camp Emmanuel

                        Annual Conference in July

Upper Room: May/June issues are still available in the copy room at church. Call Nancy Born-Martin if you are unable to get one, and she will be sure you get a copy. Large print and regular are available. You may also get a PDF copy of the May/June issue of UPPER ROOM on line at www.upperroom.org/covid-19

Offerings: Thanks to everyone for keeping up with your offerings! Please continue to either mail your offerings to the church at PO Box 45 or, if you have a key to the church, put it in the donation box at the back of the sanctuary in a properly marked envelope.

Please let Stacie Warren or Larry Traxler know of any supplies you need and are unable to get for yourself. Someone in the church will get them for you.

Let Carol Kussart or Kathy Gentry know if you need a mask.

June 7: tentative date for the Strawberry Festival, with pre-orders and curbside delivery; We hope to find out within a day or two if we can have it on the 7^th or the 14^th.

June 10: Board Meeting

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First Sunday of the month: Food Banks

Food needs: boxes of cereal, boxes of prepared foods, such as soups, potatoes, rice, mac & cheese, peanut butter, jelly

This month please consider sending The Lord’s Storehouse a monetary donation. The address is PO Box 229, La Place, IL 61936.

Donation Box May and June: Vacation Bible School

--Don’t forget to check mailboxes when you are able.

Keep up on denominational happenings at www.brethren.org

Larry Traxler’s phone number: 217-454-2362   

Robin and Chelle Shively have a new address: 5260 E. Harbour Ct, Decatur, IL 62521

Debbie Wilson no longer uses a PO box but her street address.

Here is a link to a very informative blog post by Dr. Erin Bromage. It tells how the coronavirus can spread. This is information everyone can use today. 

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

Keep in Your Prayers

Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Shirley Clarkson; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Ali Bryant; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Mike Gentry; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Jennifer Like; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; Joe Martina’s cousin who has COVID-19

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Prayers and cards of encouragement are requested for:

Zola Copeland – 214 E. Fitch St. Forsyth, IL 62535-9668

Anna Rose Larrick – C/O Evergreen Place #110

4825 E. Evergreen Ct. Decatur IL 62521

Shawn Cain – 208 West Wait St. Cerro Gordo IL 61818

Robert Cripe – 21 Park Street Danville IL 61832

Mother's Day Sermon and Announcements

A MOTHER’S DAY THANK YOU!

May 10, 2020

We are going to spend some time together this morning celebrating mothers. I would like to expand that just a little bit by in fact celebrating women whether they are or were mothers or not. I am going to share with you three mothers from the Bible for a few minutes as we see how God has used and blessed mothers as recorded in scripture.

First off, I would like us to turn to Exodus 1. I am going to read the 22^nd verse, then continue reading in Chapter 2, verses 1-10. At this time, the Hebrews had become slaves in Egypt. God was blessing them and had greatly increased their numbers, and this worried Pharaoh, so Pharaoh ordered the midwives to throw all the boys born to Hebrew women into the Nile. We see one Levite woman gave birth and hid her boy as long as she could. When she knew she could hide him no more, she came up with a plan. She knew where Pharaoh’s daughter took her baths in the Nile. She would put her baby in a basket and make sure at just the right time Pharaoh’s daughter would find him. She knew Pharaoh’s daughter would instantly fall in love with him because after all he was “the most beautiful baby ever born.” Isn’t that what you mothers and dads think? Isn’t that right Kaylin and Blake? Of course, the plan worked exactly as his mother thought. God had a plan for this boy as well but that is another story. Not only did she save her boy but God in his mercy saw to it that she got to care for her son for most of the early years of his life. What an unselfish love this mother had for her son. She knew if she did nothing he would be killed for sure. But maybe she could not only save him but also give him an incredible future in Pharaoh’s house. You mothers know what sacrifices you have made for your children. God knows it as well. God also knows how important and how difficult the job of being a mother can be.

Let us move on to the next mother. This is the most unique and bizarre story in the Bible. We will be reading with I Kings 3:16-27. As we see an incredibly unique situation has occurred. Two prostitutes have had babies. One of the women apparently did something that caused her baby to die. When she noticed it, it was still nighttime, she switched her dead baby for the other woman’s live baby. We see what happened come morning. The woman whose baby truly was alive realized that the dead baby next to her was not hers. She instantly knew it was not her baby. You are not going to fool a mother about her baby. Somehow this situation was brought to the attention of King Solomon. After hearing both sides, he made a decision. Since both women claimed the live baby was theirs, he decided to cut the baby in half and each mother can have half a baby. The baby’s real mother could not bear to let her baby be killed, so she said, “No give the baby to the other woman”. But the other woman really did not want the baby, so she said yes go ahead and cut him in half. It is the only fair thing to do. When King Solomon heard this he said to give the baby to the woman whom he knew was the baby’s real mom. Once again, this baby’s mother, although she wanted her baby, wanted it to have a chance of life more than anything else. She was willing to give the baby up rather than see anything bad happen to it.

As I have begun to know the women in this church, I have come to realize this is the same way you act toward your children and grandchildren. I have heard many of you talk in glowing ways about them. As we take at least a little time today to reflect on the women who have played such a role in our lives, I would ask your indulgence for a few minutes. I have been blessed to have some amazing women in my life. A loving mom, loving grandmas and aunts, a wonderful mother-in-law. I have been blessed with a wonderful stepmom and also an incredible wife. Each one of these women have been used by God to help me learn and grow. As I have reflected on just some of the special woman in my life, I hope you are thinking of those women God has used to help you get to where you are as well.  As I said at the beginning, this is both a celebration of mothers but also special women in our lives. As I was seeking the Lord on what to share, the Lord reminded me of one special woman who I do not believe ever married or had children. She was my second-grade teacher. Her name was Miss Neff. One day at school I started feeling sick, had a fever, and as I waited for my mom to come to school to get me, Miss Neff held me and comforted me in such a reassuring way that has always stayed with me.

God uses all of you women in such an important way. And all that you do does not escape our God, which leads me to the last woman I would like us to look at this morning. We read about how God’s love for mothers is so powerful. In John 19 we read, ²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. We briefly looked at this on Easter Sunday. Jesus (God in the flesh) looked down at his loving mother and wanted to make sure she was taken care of. I am sure his mother had such hopes and dreams for her son. Even though she knew he was special in more ways than one, she, I am sure, never imagined anything like this would happen to her son. Jesus had literally been perfect and did not deserve this in any way. Children are supposed to outlive their parents, but it doesn’t always happen that way, does it? So here is Jesus’ mother doing the only thing she can do, be with him to the very end, letting Jesus know she loves him. And we see Jesus so moved by his love for his mother making sure one of his most trusted disciples takes care of her from now on. Mothers, God loves you. You hold a very special and dear place in God’s heart. We too often do not let you know how much we love you and how important you are. So, I want to say to all of the mothers watching or listening today—thank you, and to all you special women, God sees what you are doing and loves you. The stories we read from the Bible this morning show the special love mothers have for their children. It could have been written about you mothers as well. As we close, once more I would like to say thank you. God sees all the hard work you women do to make our lives worth living. May God continue to bless each and every one of the special gifts of love that you are. I pray that under these most unique of circumstances you will have a blessed Mother’s Day.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine

upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! God loves you and we love you.

See you next Sunday!

Announcements

May 17: Worship with us on facebook live at 10:00 when Larry gives the message. You can also watch this any time after the session is over. We will worship this way during all of May, or as long as the stay-at-home order is in effect.

 

Remember to get an Upper Room: May/June issues are still available in the copy room at church. Call Nancy Born-Martin if you are unable to get one, and she will be sure you get a copy. Large print and regular are available. You may also get a PDF copy of the May/June issue of UPPER ROOM on line at www.upperroom.org/covid-19

Offerings: Thanks to everyone for keeping up with your offerings! Please continue to either mail your offerings to the church at PO Box 45 or, if you have a key to the church, put it in the donation box at the back of the sanctuary in a properly marked envelope.

Please let Stacie Warren or Larry Traxler know of any supplies you need and are unable to get for yourself. Someone in the church will get them for you.

Let Carol Kussart or Kathy Gentry know if you need a mask.

June 7: tentative date for the Strawberry Festival, in some form, we hope

Cancelled: May board meeting and May council meeting

We will have a board meeting on Wednesday, June 10, if possible.

The Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren made the decision this week to cancel conference in Grand Rapids. All events, theme, and officers will be at the 2021 conference in Greensboro, NC, instead. AC will be in Grand Rapids again in 2024. In working with the Grand Rapids convention people and by agreeing to meet there in 2024, Annual Conference saved over $660,000 in cancellation fees.

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First Sunday of the month: Food Banks

Food needs: boxes of cereal, boxes of prepared foods, such as soups, potatoes, rice, mac & cheese, peanut butter, jelly

This month please consider sending The Lord’s Storehouse a monetary donation. The address is PO Box 229, La Place, IL 61936.

Donation Box May and June: Vacation Bible School

--Don’t forget to check mailboxes when you are able.

Keep up on denominational happenings at www.brethren.org

Larry Traxler’s phone number: 217-454-2362   

Robin and Chelle Shively have a new address: 5260 E. Harbour Ct, Decatur, IL 62521

Debbie Wilson no longer uses a PO box but her street address that is in our directory.

Keep in Your Prayers

Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Ali Bryant; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Mike Gentry; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Jennifer Like; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; Joe Martina’s cousin who has COVID-19

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Prayers and cards of encouragement are requested for:

Zola Copeland – 214 E. Fitch St. Forsyth, IL 62535-9668

Anna Rose Larrick – C/O Evergreen Place #110

4825 E. Evergreen Ct. Decatur IL 62521

Shawn Cain – 208 West Wait St. Cerro Gordo IL 61818

Robert Cripe – 21 Park Street Danville IL 61832

Other News:

The Piatt County Fair Board made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s fair. It was to have been held June 18-21.

May 3 Sermon and Announcements

LESSONS FROM THE CROSS – PART 2

MARK 15:16-34

This is the third different gospel we have read that looks at what was being said and done while Jesus hung on the cross. Each one we have read has some similar parts to what was happening. But each of the three has some things Jesus said or did that were slightly different from the others. There are, of course, four gospels. Matthew and Mark are the most in common. They tell of the events almost identical to one another. Why are there differences between the accounts of Mark, Luke and John? We can only guess. It is possible they were there at different times and as a result saw and heard different things as they were happening. We simply do not really know. I am convinced God made sure everything was accurately recorded about everything that was said and done while Jesus was on the cross. Let us look at what Mark saw and recorded. The first few verses we read tells of Jesus’ slow journey to where he was to be crucified. On the way, we see how he was ridiculed, beaten and spit on. They even mockingly dressed him up as a king with a purple robe before they stripped him and crucified him. Once hung on the cross to die many of the things said were similar between the four gospels. But again, there are slightly different things told between Mark, Luke and John. As we saw last week, Luke went into detail about the exchange between Jesus and the two criminals crucified with him. If you remember, back to Easter Sunday, John told of the special moment Jesus shared with Mary, his mother, and how he put John in charge of her welfare from that point on. Here we read of the moments just before Jesus died. Jesus said to God the father. “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Do you believe for a moment Jesus did not understand why this had to happen? I am convinced it was at this precise moment the sin of every single person from Adam and Eve, to those living at the moment of the crucifixion, to this present time and beyond was place on Jesus. At that very moment in time, it seemed Jesus was literally alone paying for everyone’s sin and it was overwhelming. In Proverbs 6:16-19, we read there are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him—haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. For a brief moment in time, God laid every one of those sins everyone had committed, and all the sins everyone would commit in the future on Jesus as he hung on the cross. Jesus being perfect and one who could not tolerate sin in his life saw all the sin of all time and it was seemingly more than he could stand. That is what Jesus, God in the flesh, chose to do for us. If we were to read the 37^th verse in Mark, the 15^th chapter it says Jesus with a loud cry breathed his last and died. I would like us to go to John’s account one more time in John 19:30. We read, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, it is finished. With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” I believe after Jesus had the sin of the world placed on him by God the father, the loud cry talked of in Mark is actually Jesus saying IT IS FINISHED as recorded in John. Jesus did not say “it is finished” in a defeated way but triumphantly declaring to all the world to see. Satan and sin has been defeated. We no longer have to live in fear. God has paid the ultimate price for our sins once and for all. Our salvation is secure. All we must do is acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior and thank God for carrying our sins to the cross. Jesus incredibly was doing all of this out of love while dying on the cross, suffering a death he did not deserve, but chose to do for us. The victory has been won. Death has been defeated. What is the lesson God is sharing with us? There is nothing God will not do for us. Also, that Jesus gave everything he could for us, by being willing to die on the cross to take away our sins. Nothing, including this Coronavirus, can have victory over us without first passing through our God’s hands. Those of us who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior have the victory in this life and the life to come. For those who have not yet allowed Jesus to be Lord of your life, now is the time. God died on the cross for you. God is reaching out to all of us who are weak and heavy laden and inviting us to come and give us rest.



Numbers 6:24-27—“May the Lod bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face to you and give you peace.”

Announcements May 3, 2020

May 10: worship with us on facebook live at 10:00 when Larry gives the message. You can also watch this any time after the session is over. We will worship this way during all of May, or as long as the stay-at-home order is in effect.

Remember to get an Upper Room: May/June issues are available in the copy room at church. Call Nancy Born-Martin if you are unable to get one, and she will be sure you get a copy. Large print and regular are available. You may also get a PDF copy of the May/June issue of UPPER ROOM on line at www.upperroom.org/covid-19

Offerings: Thanks to everyone for keeping up with your offerings! Please continue to either mail your offerings to the church at PO Box 45 or, if you have a key to the church, put it in the donation box at the back of the sanctuary in a properly marked envelope.

Please let Stacie Warren or Larry Traxler know of any supplies you need and are unable to get for yourself. Someone in the church will get them for you.

Let Carol Kussart or Kathy Gentry know if you need a mask.

June 7: tentative date for the Strawberry Festival, in some form, we hope

Cancelled: May board meeting and May council meeting

We will try to have a board meeting on Wednesday, June 10, if possible.

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First Sunday of the month: Food Banks

Food needs: boxes of cereal, boxes of prepared foods, such as soups, potatoes, rice, mac & cheese, peanut butter, jelly

This month, in lieu of a food donation, please consider sending The Lord’s Storehouse a monetary donation. The address is PO Box 229, La Place, IL 61936

Donation Box May and June: Vacation Bible School

--Don’t forget to check mailboxes when you are able.

Keep up on denominational happenings at www.brethren.org

Larry Traxler’s phone number: 217-454-2362   

Keep in Your Prayers

Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Ali Bryant; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Mike Gentry; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Jennifer Like; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; Michelle Wright and family with the death of her father Jim McCleery; Brittany Wright and family with the death of her stepfather Rick Beldock

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Praise: Tim Laird’s last scan showed no cancer.

Clyde and Nancy Fansler thank the congregation for prayers for Sam Nall, Mindy Fansler Nall’s father-in-law. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and is on the road to recovery.

Prayers and cards of encouragement are requested for our Shut-ins:

Zola Copeland – 214 E. Fitch St. Forsyth, IL 62535-9668

Anna Rose Larrick – C/O Evergreen Place #110

4825 E. Evergreen Ct. Decatur IL 62521

Shawn Cain – 208 West Wait St. Cerro Gordo IL 61818

Robert Cripe – 21 Park Street Danville IL 61832