May 3 – Via Zoom
Opening Thoughts for Sunday School – Scott Rohrer
His children miss the singing in Sunday school and church, so he asked Josh Diffenderfer to lead a sing-along – encouraging families to sing along with these familiar songs.
Josh Diffenderfer
Josh’s family joined him in singing this song, Unto Thee Oh Lord, in rounds.
Sunday School Teacher – John Minnich
Lesson Title – Prophesying Restoration. Scripture – Zephaniah 3:14-20
Zephaniah is known for being the least known book of the Old Testament. Probably written between 641 and 612 BC
The word restoration means bringing to its original beauty.
Restoration is done by someone who has a desire for someone or something to be brought to its original beauty.
God restored us – through Jesus – who wanted us to be brought to our original beauty.
Restoration is hard work.
God is in control of COVID-19 – even though it is a small “bug” that we cannot see.
Reminds me of the quote by R.C. Sproul:
“If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled.”
It is good to remember that Jesus is in the midst of us – just like He was with the disciples when they were in a boat and a storm threatened their lives.
Fear is caving into thoughts that God is not in control.
Christians today are “frontline” workers. Satan is in a war against us.
We needs God’s full armor each day to face Satan’s tactics.
Do you really believe that what you believe about God is truly real?
God delights in us. Can you imagine God dancing over us because we are His people?
He quiets us with His love. He sings over us because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.
Gather. The last part of the lesson. I am so looking forward to singing together again – in four-part harmony.
Object lesson: vinegar and salt – to restore a dirty old penny
God’s grace works like this to restore and transform our lives.
Object lesson about a knotted rope.
Straight line – a lesson on what it looks like when we follow God.
When we walk away from God’s principles, we knot up our lives.
When we ask for forgiveness and return to God – he restores our life where we again follow God. (Just like John pulled the rope and the knots disappeared.)
Welcome to the Woods
Children’s Story – Tyler and Brieanna Heisey
Brieanna – some of God’s creation live under rocks.
Tyler – teaching their dog Cooper to find deer antler sheds.
God created dogs to have a good sense of smell – much better than humans.
It was difficult enough to see the deer in the video – because they blended in with their surroundings. It is even more difficult in this photo – where I took a photo of the video. There is a deer in the center of the above photo.
God created each of us to be a unique person – just look at your fingerprints.
Use your uniqueness to share Christ’s love.
Brieanna – use this time of social distancing to enjoy nature.
Update on this summer’s Manheim Project – Kerwin Miller
Life Changes – God Does Not
This year we must use an online form to sign up for the Manheim Project.
We are planning this – Lord willing – aware of our world circumstances – with our usual theme: We love because He first loved us.
These photos from last year’s project will show you what we do to help people in our town.
These two girls shared some highlights of their week.
This lady thanked the Manheim Project and those who gave her a new sidewalk.
Opening Devotions – Glendon Zook
Not many of us enjoy waiting – waiting for jobs to return – waiting in line at a store – waiting to see family – waiting to go back to church.
This week we went to Arby’s where we waited in line.
Then we went to Lowe’s and faced another wait.
One day we were told that there was an eagle in our area.
As we wait, God wants to take us to a new level – a higher level.
Scripture Reading – Doug Shenk – 1 Peter 2:13-25
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for [b]vice, but as bondservants of God.
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leave us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Church – Minister – Ross Gingrich – Heidelberg Church of the Brethren, Myerstown, PA.
Message: A Call…to Submit?
Ross is a fairly new minister and said, “This is my first message to a church other than my own congregation at Heidelberg.”
We are living in a reality of having to choose to submit to the authority over us due to coronavirus.
Most of us don’t like having other people telling us what to do.
Romans 12:2 – Be not conformed to this world means – do not conform to the pattern of this world.
We must know what we believe – so we don’t “accidentally” submit to a “pattern of this world.”
Beware that we aren’t like the little boy who was told to sit on a chair in a corner. When his mother asked if he learned his lesson, he said. “I might be sitting on the outside, but I am still standing on the inside.”
Do we wear face masks with defiance when we go out in public?
There are two patterns – two choices – God’s way or the way of Satan.
God’s Way – Doing things “His” way
Jesus is our example of following God.
John 8:28-29 – Jesus always did the things that pleased His Father, God. John 14:31 – That the world may know that I love My Father.
Maybe you don’t think that is fair – because Jesus was God. But, remember He was also flesh when He lived on earth. He struggled to carry out God’s will for His crucifixion.
Satan’s Way – Doing things “my” way. Isaiah 14:12-14
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart:
I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
God asks us to submit to our earthly authorities, because we are just passing through – this world is not our true home.
Emperor Nero used Christians to light his garden torches at night. Imagine how difficult to submit to an authority like Nero.
We submit to earthly authorities for five reasons.
1 – Because of the Authority behind our authorities.
We submit for the Lord’s sake – because he has allowed authority.
When we resist authority we are resisting God.
2 – Purpose
Kings – governors – your boss – your manager – make things happen.
There would be serious problems if there were no speed limits or traffic lights.
When we play games – there are rules.
But, what if authorities get things mixed up?
In our world today people are punished for doing right and others are praised for doing wrong.
Even when there is injustice – God is still the ultimate authority.
There are times when we must obey God rather than men.
For example – in the Bible the Israelite midwives did not kill their babies.
Daniel did not bow to the king.
In the New Testament the disciples were in prison because they preached Jesus.
3 – For the Sake of the Unsaved
Our respect and submission to authority will silence the ignorance of men.
We are not above our authorities and people will notice that we are different because of our attitude than those of the world.
Doing wrong – it is what it is.
Doing right – the world will notice.
4 – Reward
In our scripture – verses 20 – if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
5 – The Example of Jesus
How do we get there – to submit like Jesus did.
Jesus accepted a punishment that He did not deserve.
We have all sinned – we deserve the wrath of God.
Are we patiently waiting – with submission – by renewing our minds?
Closing Devotions – David Wenger
Thanks, Ross, for the good thoughts and reminders about submission to authority.
Thanks, everyone for the interesting and creative morning.
Remember: A day of rest was created for us.
“Lord, give us an attitude of correct respect and submission to our authorities.”
As you go about your duties this week, be assured that our official board continually evaluates our church situation here in Pennsylvania and will continue to use Zoom for our Wednesday and Sunday services until further notice.
Live Gratefully
Grow Faithfully
Share Generously
