October 25 Sermon and Announcements

ONE MORE TIME

ACTS 18:1-17

 

We are going to wrap up our look at the early church in Acts for now. Maybe we will look at more of what happened later, but this will be our last look at Acts for a while.

 

We see Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a husband and wife named Aquilla and Priscilla. They had moved to Corinth because Claudius, emperor of Rome, had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Apparently, Claudius had become so tired of the problems Jews were causing in Rome, he wanted them out. As had been the case at his other recent stops, Paul went the synagogue on every Sabbath and tried to convince both Jews and Greeks of who Jesus is and what he had done. Once Timothy and Silas arrived in town, it says Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching the Word to the Jews. But when the Jews opposed him, he symbolically shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood be on your heads.” He said, “I have tried my best. I am done with you. I am going to preach the word to the Gentiles from now on.” It is obvious that while most of the Jews rejected the message, some received it. We read Crispus, a synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord and many others in Corinth also believed and were baptized.

 

We saw Paul, Silas and Timothy had not stayed in the other cities long.  However, on this occasion, God, in a vision, encouraged them to stay in Corinth where they would be safe. We see they stayed for a year and a half teaching and proclaiming the word. The Jews that had rejected his message in Corinth did not forget about Paul. They came against him using the legal system of the day and took him to court. They argued Paul was trying to convince Jews in Corinth to believe things contrary to the law. The prosecuting attorney in Corinth, however, said that this has nothing to do with the region’s laws. It has to do with Jewish rules and laws and that is not my problem. In other words, you settle this yourselves. Do not bother us with it in Corinth courts.

 

What happened next is a typical reaction when people feel they have been made to look bad. The Jews that made a big deal in court got mad at the Jewish synagogue ruler at this time. They were so mad that the Corinthian prosecutor threw out their complaint that right there on the spot they grabbed Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, and beat him in front of the court because they felt he had made them look like fools.

 

So, what lessons can we learn from what happened at Corinth? First, we see Paul wanted to give the Jews one more chance at receiving the gospel. After all, Paul was also a Jew and he had a special place in his heart for his fellow Jews. But when they refused to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading through Paul’s teaching, what was his reaction? He said, “I will no longer waste my time on people that refuse to hear anything I am saying.”

 

What about us? Some of you have probably tried time and again to convince people of things. All of us have at different times. Whether it is the gospel or something else, you probably have had good compelling arguments, but they have refused to listen. What is God saying to us then? As much as we might not want to, we see God saying that it is alright to move on. I am sure Paul never stopped loving his fellow Jews, but he came to realize there comes a time I can be more useful to God elsewhere. If we have conflicts and disagreements with friends or family especially, I am convinced God does not want us to stop loving them, but maybe it is time to fully turn it over to God and move on to other opportunities that God puts before us.

 

We are also reminded in the verses we read today that some people may try to do ugly things to us over the disagreements we have. They tried dragging Paul into court over the things they were not happy about. We see God’s hand of protection was with Paul on this occasion and not only was he let go, but those who were accusing him of something wrong, when it did not go the way they wanted, turned on each other. We should be reminded of the fact when we do things, to make sure we are doing whatever it might be for the right reasons. Things have a way of coming back around to bite us when we are not on solid ground.

 

The message today is entitled “One More Time”. I am convinced there are times God wants us to give some things one more try, one more time. If we see God bringing the success we are praying for, rejoice that your patience has been rewarded. If not, God is telling us it is time to move on. If you have done your best, that is all God ever asks of you. Always leave the door open as best you can for future opportunities, however. We must always remember that with God all things are possible. God may be asking some of us today to try something one more time. At times when we are feeling discouraged and thinking what is the use, that is the time God will bring the victory.

 Larry

Announcements:

 

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

 

Submissions for November newsletter due to Carol by 10/29

 

November 11 Board Meeting

 

November 15 Council Meeting immediately after worship

 

Executive Committee made the decision to cancel this year’s Christmas Vespers.

 

The Lord’s Storehouse is asking for donations for Thanksgiving Baskets. Suggested donation is $25 per basket. Donations may be placed in the bucket in the back of the sanctuary. Checks to The Lord’s Storehouse. Last day for donations is 11/8.

 

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

 

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

 

Donation Box October: The Lord’s Storehouse

 

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link)

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

 

Keep in Your Prayers

 

Shirley Krall; Tim Lynch; MariBeth Pflum; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Bertha Eveland and Betty Moore; Evelyn Eads; Mike Gentry; Anna Gentry Thompson; Larry Cripe; Arnold Schultz; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam Martina; Jeff Sawyer; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 225,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; wildfire and hurricane victims; District of IL/WI; nursing home residents; the harvest; peaceful election

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

                       

Our Mission Statement:

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

 

 

October 18 Sermon and Announcements

THE TALE OF THREE CITIES

ACTS 17:1-34

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Announcements

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

Board Meeting Wednesday, November 11

Council Meeting immediately after worship on Sunday, November 15.

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

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

Keep in Your Prayers

 

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

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

 

                       

Our Mission Statement:

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

October 11 Sermon and Announcements

NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY!

ACTS 16:1-34

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 Larry

Announcements:

 

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

 

October 14 7:00 Executive Committee

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Donation Box October: The Lord’s Storehouse

 

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link)

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

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

 

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

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

Our Mission Statement:

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

October 4 Sermon and Announcements

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-26

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

--Pastor Larry

Announcements

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

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

October 14 7:00 p.m. Executive Committee

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

Sunday, November 15 Council Meeting

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

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

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

Donation Box September/October: The Lord’s Storehouse

 

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link)

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

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

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

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

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

 

Our Mission Statement:

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