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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
March 7, 2010
SCRIPTURE Jonah 1: 1-3, 3:1-9 (NIV)
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." 3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship bound for that port….paying the fare, to flee from the presence of the LORD.
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." 3 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days. 4 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." 5 The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." <><><>
Please read about the writer, Dr. Kalas, in the study book, a godly man who believes the Bible. He says he is one of Jonah’s kin as we all are, sometimes struggling to see things God’s way. He writes that when judgment falls on our life, we sometimes see it as God’s anger when in reality if we were spiritually aware we would realize it is a product of our own conduct. Examples- if we spend more than we take in we will be bankrupt, or if we eat the wrong foods we will destroy our life. And if we live wicked lives and do not live for God we will destroy our soul. Like Nineveh, we are sometimes at that point. God cared for Nineveh and He cares for us. Jonah was chosen to GO and warn this city. Jonah hated it. It was famous for brutal treatment of conquered nations. Yet all people are God’s creation and His mercy is for all. Like Jonah we can limit our world to ourselves when we are actually all of God’s community. God’s call to Jonah was ‘GO’ which was to warn the city of the danger they were in. They listened and repented.
OUR MEMBERS AND OTHERS
Remember the Palmer family. Gale Schultz who has been very helpful to them says that Ila Mae is very low. She is in Hospice at home.
Remember Gordon and Kay Patterson in your prayers. They have been very ill with Bronchitis. They had to shorten their trip and come home from Georgia.
The UMCOR number to put on your check for Haiti is: 418325 Haiti Emergency.
What the 6th cell group is up to in the church
The 6th cell group is a tiny cell group known by the name of Bin Prayin which is workin hard to counter the 5 terrorism forces in the church listed last Sunday. Unlike those cells, the Bin Prayin cell team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does what-ever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. The Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin as their leaders. They are preparing the church for the return of their Master, Jesus Christ. No church is exempt. They are prayin for the church to be ready.
(However, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.)
author unknown
Annual Conference: May 20-23--- This year the Conference will not be collecting tubs for Liberia. Instead will be collecting money for Liberia toward the purchase of a delivery truck. Start saving now.
March Birthdays and Anniversaries
1 Kyle Best, Raymond Felton
2 Adrian Cramblit
3 Teresa Tetreau
4 Jim And Linda Brown-A
4 David And Joyce Baer-A
5 Jenell Smeckert Praay, Tonya Kaufman
6 Brad Neff
7 Cheryl Obertein
8 Gordon And Kay Patterson-A
8 Riley Franzel
10 Chris Warczinsky
11 Rev. Charles Krueger, Ashli Lanctot
12 Tom And Debra Earls-A
12 Randy Blank
13 Natae Sangster
13 Paul And Veva Stoliker-A
14 Renee Felton, Tawn Schumacher 1
15 Ralph Morgan, Allen Hacker
16 Jim And Nancy Vernon-A
17 Rebekah Krueger
18 Megan Earls, Raymond Felton
Paul Roggenbuck
19 Dan Jurn, Es Downing
20 Douglas Neumayer-Son
21 Ashley Gerstenberger, Pat Dickinson
22 Wayne Hatfield, Brad Galloway
Gordon Patterson, Kevin Fick
25 Anneliese Birkinbine
26 Eunice M. Kreger, Debra Earls
Mark Krueger
27 Kenneth Smith (will be 98)
27 Winston Dorman (will be 96)
27 David Krueger
28 Deann Blank, Emily Krueger
29 David Blank, Jane Krueger
31 Richie Brinker, Mary Young
Jacob Cramblit
31 Roger And Sharon Gerstenberger-A
THE CHURCH CALLED
TO PRAY
For President: Barak Obama
Our U.S. Senators:
Our U.S. Representatives:
Our State Oficers
*****
The effectual, fervent Prayers of those who are seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness have
tremendous power to advance the goodness of God and thwart the progress of evil in the world. (See James 5:16)
Why isn’t there more evil in the world than we now see? Because, for one thing, Christians pray!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 AM
WORSHIP 10:40 AM
Pastor: David Pratt 672 9233
Heritage Church Ph 672-9101
Email:humc@greatlakes.net
Website:heritageumchurch.com
For church announcements see Calendar or Worship page.
March 14 ~ Fast Time begins
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CONSCIENCE AND CRUELTY
by Charles Colson
In 1961, shortly after Israel put Adolf Eichmann on trial—“the architect of the Holocaust”—Yale psychologist Stanley Milgram began a series of psychological experiments.The goal was to “test how much pain an ordinary citizen would inflict on another person simply because he was “ordered to” by an authority figure. In the experiment, the subject was told to administer an electric shock every time a participant in another room (who was called the “learner”) gave a wrong answer. While there were no real shocks, the subjects thought there were because of the sounds of screaming coming from the other room. With each wrong answer, the subject was told to increase the severity of the “shock”—all the way to a potentially lethal level. When the participants expressed a desire to stop, they were told things like “please continue,” or in the most extreme cases, “you have no other choice, you must go on.” Only one refused. The results shocked both scientists and the public. The results implied that in the right setting, “ordinary citizens” were capable of brutality and even murder. The difference between us and the perpetrators of the Holocaust weren’t as great as we liked to believe.
In the 45 years since those experiments attitudes have changed a lot. The lessons of history led many to believe that the results would be different if they were performed today. WRONG. When Santa Clara University performed a modified version of Milgram’s experiment—where the “shocks” were limited to the merely painful—the results were “nearly identical”.
We shouldn’t be surprised. We’re inclined by nature to submit to authority for self-preservation. What stands between us and obeying an immoral order is conscience. I mean conscience in the sense of actually understanding right from wrong and have been taught principles you are prepared to stand by when you are asked to do something immoral. Many people do not have that kind of knowledge today. Without belief in a higher authority—or the highest Authority—resisting unlawful and immoral authority is almost impossible. This is why the biblical worldview and the authority of God, and understanding it in our lives, matters.
MOMENTS WITH GOD
By Barbara Scales, Leader of prayer ministries in FUMC. Plant City Florida
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105
As I meditate on these words, Lord, I just have to tell you that I delight in Your words in the Bible that light my way. They truly are a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
When I was young I began the journery on the upward path, tasting poisonous fruit along the wayside. They were pleasing to my senses, but once digested made me dangerously ill. I often strayed from the path and explored other trails that winded like serpents along aimless ways, enticing me away from the upward way until finally I was hopelessly lost, snared in a net of brambles, thorns, and vines. Burised, scratched, and bleeding I called for help.
A voice said, “Take my hand.”
“Who are you,?” I asked in terror and fright.
“I am the Word of God.” ( John 1:1-2)
I stretched out my hand to His gentle hand which He firmly took leading me back to the trail I sought. He gave me refreshing water, washed my wounds, and annointed them with oil, and bound them up to staunch the bleeding. S ometimes the upward trail was a gentle slope with open vistas of beauty. Sometimes the slope grew steep and as we climbed it was often strewn with boulders and smaller rocks. There were storms and dark nights. Always the Word guided me and lit the path. When I stumbled my Companion lifted me up. When I was sore from the
encounters with the Enemy and my falls, He anointed and bound up my wounds. He gave me strength when I was weak, encouraged me when I faltered and even carried me when I thought I could not go on.
But the journey was also moments of great joy, with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and peace in resting along the way. We conversed together. He brought me to streams of refreshing water and provided food for my hungry soul. Always He was my Companion, Protector and Provider. There were times when I thought He had left me, but as I rounded the bend there He was smiling, holding out His hand waiting for me. He knew I was afraid! He knew my thoughts!
Jesus is my constant Companion . When the journey is done, the summit has been reached, I will see the God of glory, be home in heaven and hear celestial music. I will look back, see the way we’ve walked, and understand the meaning of every step taken. I will rejoice and be glad celebrating in the presence of my God and Savior with billions and billions of other souls. (for billions and billions of years)
Thank You, Jesus, Lord of the Journey.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER
The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, for the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, a young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down and said with great excitement, "look what I found!" In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to  play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise, it sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you." The weed before me was dying or dead, not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red, but I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "just what I need," but instead of him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time that the weed- toting boy could not see:
he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun as I thanked him for picking the very best one. You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see the problem was not with the world; the problem was me! And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine. And then as I held that wilted flower up to my nose it was fragrant and beautiful in the thoughts of my mind. -- Author: Cheryl Costello Forshey
UNTIL the NUMBER is COMPLETE
“When He opened the 5th seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them, that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was complete. Revelation 6:9-11
Today many Bible scholars are warning us that we may be living in this very time.
Today in many countries The Bible is restricted, shredded and burned by those who oppose it. Many would give their last penny to obtain one. Some laboriously copy verses by hand from listening to the radio and make their own Bible. Some have been imprisoned and worse when caught reading this forbidden book. How much does the Bible, its truths, its message mean to you?
APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell;
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church;
The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins:
The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting. Amen
TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. I am the LORD thy God; Thou shalt have no other other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not murder.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet.
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