October 2020 Newsletter Article

 

I've posted below my article for the October Newsletter.  We do have several things which will be decided upon at our next Joint Church and Christian Council Meeting.  Most likely the main thing is the decision on whether we will or will not hold our annual "God's Portion Sale".  Please remain in prayer for guidance for the church leadership.

Thank you and God Bless!

In Christ,

Roy

Pastor's Ponderings – October 2020

Well, it's now October in this crazy, crazy, wild year that we've called 2020. It's been a trying year without a doubt but I remain hopeful that the worst is over and that we're on the path back to 'normal' (whatever normal really is?). You may have noticed that the 'Guidelines' for dealing with the COVID crisis were relaxed somewhat and I anticipate that we'll make a few additional changes during our October 'joint' Council meeting. Please thank all those on the Christian and Church Councils for all the time, worry, and prayer that they've put in as we continue to work through this historic year.

As you're reading this Gail and I will be taking a couple of weeks of vacation in order to recharge and relax a bit. We appreciate the time off and will remain in prayer for all of you while we're away. If you should have anything come up please contact Bill Hungate 712-830-3716 and he will determine if he needs to call me or to contact Pastor Randy over at Union Church. Randy will be on standby for me while I am away and I will in return be on standby for him the last two weeks of October. We're blessed to have such a good relationship with a fellow church family here in Lake City.

The Lake City Ministerial Association meet this week and we have some potential changes in the works. I can't tell you more until each of us talks to our respective leadership, but hopefully, all will be receptive to the change and I am confident this change will allow the Ministerial Association to be more productive and involved in the Community. Please stay tuned.

As I write this article, plans are still in the works to have the Christmas Concert on December 5^th. The concert starts at 7 pm and our local ticket sales will kick-off on October 15^th. Adult tickets (13 and up) are $15, and children tickets (12 and under) are $10. In the event that we have to cancel the concert, all ticket sales will be refunded. Please remain in prayer that we'll be able to host this event and start our Christmas Season 2020 off in grand fashion. Our performers are the “Harp Twins” and they are remarkably talented and amazingly entertaining. You won't want to miss seeing and meeting them!!

We'll be having our Annual Hay-rack Ride on October 18^th and if you've never gone on one of these rides please make arrangements to go this year. It's always a blast and the kids especially enjoy this event. Look for the details on the Calendar in this Newsletter.

In closing, I will share with you a couple of verses from the Old Testament.

Psalm 84:11-12 New International Version (NIV)

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

No matter what we are going through in today's world, no matter what we fear, no matter what the world tries to convince us to fear... our God is faithful... our God will provide... our God has plans to use each of us to do His will in this world. Praise be to God!!

Be a blessing to someone today! Pastor Roy

Sermon from Sunday, September 20, 2020 - Philippians 1:19-30

 

This past Sunday I used (of all things) a song by 'Prince' as an illustration for my sermon.  The beginning of the song "Let's Go Crazy", states "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life".  Take a listen to the sermon and see how this crazy cowboy pastor used Prince's song to further our understanding of our relationship with Christ.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Philippians 1:19-30 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26 so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. 27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— 30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26 so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. 27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— 30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Sunday Sermon, September 13, 2020 - Romans 14:1-12

 

Last Sunday's sermon covered the verses found in the book of Romans 14:1-12.  This message from Paul is one of avoiding topics of division and discord.  There are areas of our faith that are vital and for which we should contest and correct one another, unfortunately, we all too often go to those areas that are frivolous and optional in order to argue and attack one another.

We're called to remember always to not be a stumbling block for our sister or brother in the faith... we would all do well to focus upon this message... perhaps now more than ever with all the 'anti-mask' versus 'maskers' rhetoric and other things going about in our church and society.

Remember to heal and not to divide...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Romans 14:1-12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Do Not Judge Another

14 Welcome those who are weak in faith,[a] but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2 Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3 Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord[b] is able to make them stand.

5 Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6 Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister?[c] Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?[d] For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.[e] 11 For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
    and every tongue shall give praise to[f] God.”

12 So then, each of us will be accountable to God.[g]

Footnotes:

1. Romans 14:1 Or conviction
2. Romans 14:4 Other ancient authorities read for God
3. Romans 14:10 Gk brother
4. Romans 14:10 Gk brother
5. Romans 14:10 Other ancient authorities read of Christ
6. Romans 14:11 Or confess
7. Romans 14:12 Other ancient authorities lack to God

Daily Devotions for August 2020

 

Here is a compilation of all the 'Daily Devotions' for the month of August, 2020.

Thank you to those who've been following along on Facebook, Youtube, or here on my blog.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Sermon Sunday, September 6, 2020 - Romans 13:1-14

 

This past Sunday I tackled the 13th Chapter of Romans, the first few verses are some of the hardest verses to deal with in the New Testament.  The Lectionary actually avoids verses 1 through 7 and in most years I would have avoided them as well.  Given the world we're in today though, I decided to preach through them.

This wasn't as long a sermon as the week prior, but, it wasn't as short as I had planned.  Sometimes the Spirit gives me more to say than I expect.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Romans 13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Being Subject to Authorities

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; 4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority[a] does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

Love for One Another

8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

An Urgent Appeal

11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 13:4 Gk it

Romans 12:9-21 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.[a] 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;[b] do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God;[c] for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 12:11 Other ancient authorities read serve the opportune time
2. Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
3. Romans 12:19 Gk the wrath