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the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.' " (Mar 1:3 NET.) - October 2010
How Should Christians Deal With Halloween?
The holiday season has officially begun. With the passing of Labor Day, we move full throttle through a slew of holidays. The fall decorations will soon be replaced with Christmas lights. And finally we will be through. We should be asking this
important question: what should we as Christians be doing with these holidays. God speaks in Romans:
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.” (Rom 14:5-6)
For the Christian, there are no special days designated in the New Testament that the Church is commanded to observe. There is the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10) which is Sunday, since this was the day Jesus rose from the dead. We are commanded to meet together (Hebrews 10:25) but no particular day is mentioned. The idea is that we are to worship every day. Both Christmas and Easter are days that Christians can celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are not required.
And so we come to the issue of Halloween. Many years ago the Roman Catholic Church instituted a holiday to honor the saints (which we do not do, by the way) on November 1st. The night before became known as “All Hallow’s Even”, or, the Evening before we honor all people holy. This became known as simply Hallow’e’en. Halloween then became a night to celebrate the unholy, or the demonic. Pagans adopted Halloween as the night for special rituals and the like.
So if this is the case with Halloween, should Christians be “celebrating” it? Should Christian parents send their kids out to beg candy from their neighbors? Should Christians be giving out candy to children who honor demonic or immoral characters with their costumes?
The short answer is that Christians will have to make these decisions for themselves, and we shouldn’t despise our brothers who make contrary or alternative decisions. We should take counsel from 1 Thessalonians: “Abstain from every form of evil” (1Th 5:22) but we should also remember our calling: “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'” (Act 26:18) Let our lights so shine in a way that is winsome and attractive to those who need the light. Let our behavior be such that those little ones who stop at our door are blessed, not merely with candy, but also with the love of God.
SERMONS FOR OCTOBER 1 – DON’T FEAR THE GRAVE – 1 CORINTHIANS 15:51-578 – VAMPIRE FASCINATION – 1 CORINTHIANS 15:35, 42-4415 - ADDRESSING WITCHCRAFT – DEUTERONOMY 18:9-1422 – THE POWER OF DEMONS – EPHESIANS 6:1229 - FEAR HELL – MATTHEW 25:41
1214 E Grand Prairie St. – Palestine, IL 62451 – 618-586-2742 – [email protected]
THE PIONEER POST-ITOctober is going to be a busy month for our Pioneer Youth.
October 3rd, we are going to Lawrencville (Dorney’s Pumpkin Patch, 2 mi. E of Lawrenceville on Business Route 50, phone: 618-943-2699) Please meet at the Church at 12:30pm. We will eat lunch on the way. So bring lunch money. They close at 4 pm, so will be back no later than 5:00 pm.
Coming October 9th, we are anticipating a Concert which will last all afternoon and into the evening at Hickory Holler Campground. Featured artists include Barlow Girl and Decyfer Down. Also Good Morning Midnight and Farewell from the Gallows. Featured speaker will be Tim Wood. Looking forward to a fantastic concert with other Christian Teens!
For the Junior High, Camp Oilbelt is holding an overnighter (10/10 – 10/11) “STRANGE” begins Sunday evening @ 6:00 p.m. with a dinner meal and concludes at 11:00 a.m. on Monday (breakfast is provided). Cost is $20 per student but adults are free. Each youth group needs to send 1 adult per 8 students. Each person needs bedding, clothes, and a Bible.
Also this month we are hosting a Trick or Treat event October 31st, so the 24th we are carving pumpkins! Bring your favorite designs and we will display the pumpkins all week on the Church steps!
Worship Servants for OctoberElders: Sarah Carpenter, Richard Garrard, Pat Schofield Diaconate: Carolyn Bradbury, Starr Grimes, Janet Seany Communion Prep.: Trudy Zurn Greeter: Becky McCrillis
Bible Study Schedule for OctoberThis month, we meet October 6th, 20th and 27th. We will be studying Ruth through to the end of October.
Fellowship with the ChurchKingdom Builders is October 4th (7:00pm) at Newton Central (101 Maxwell St, Newton, IL 62448-1699)
Nursing Home Worship is October 17th at CMH LTCSingspiration is October 24th at 6:00 pm at Mound Community Church (10295 N 2200TH ST, Willow Hill, IL, 62480-2244)
TOO SIMPLEI recently had a long conversation with a
lifelong Christian who was raised in a very legalistic church. He recently had the breakthrough experience of understanding that salvation is by grace through faith, but he's struggling to fully trust what his brain now understands.
He put the heart of the matter this way: "l only get one shot at this, and I don't want to blow it. Grace like you describe just seems too simple." Exactly. That statement tells me he has truly understood the crux of the matter, even if he's still struggling with his response. The Gospel is incredibly simple at its core, yet so deep that the greatest minds cannot begin to fully grasp it.
By God's grace, this man has landed in a DHF church where he cannot escape the preaching and teaching of God's Word, and I am certain he will soon find a total liberation from legalism, and with that liberation, a full confidence in his place in the heart of God.
We have a hard time with simple things. I know that the harder this man tries to measure up to God's standards, the more miserable and sinful it will make him. But he will experience a radical transformation when he trusts that his forgiveness is total and his place in the love of God will never be more complete than it is right now, no matter what he does right.
God must get frustrated with us. As an earthly father, I wouldn't know what to do if one of my children decided I couldn't love him unless he measured up to a series of standards that are impossible to achieve. Actually, my children can only grow to their potential when they are completely secure in my love and do well out of
the security of knowing they are loved and treasured before they accomplish anything.
The Kingdom of God is simple at its core. Trust the saving blood of Christ for your forgiveness. Let the Holy Spirit have complete control in your heart. Walk in loving obedience to all you understand of God's will. Immerse yourself in the Word, devote yourself to prayer. Love God, love the people of God and even love those who aren't God's people. Praise God in all circumstances.
Living out these simple things is hard because we make them hard. Relax and let God love you, don't live a Christian life to impress God, live a Christian life because you already are a beloved child of God. Quit trying to do that which only God can do, just be glad to do whatever He calls you to do. Trust Him.
I so appreciate the privilege of leading a movement that sets people free through the simplicity of the Gospel.
By your giving, help DHF keep churches and leaders focused on the glorious, liberating good news of Jesus Christ.
–Doug Harvey
NEWS FROM OUR MISSIONS
OBLONG CHILDREN’S CHRISTIAN HOME
Dear Friends at First Christian Church,The kids coming to the Home vary
widely in their motivation to change. On one end of the continuum, is a boy that is fighting change on nearly every front and requires a tremendous amount of patience from his houseparents. On the other end of the continuum, is a girl who is committed to doing multiple years of high school in one year. The way she is speeding through the paces at our new on campus school, she just may achieve her goal!
Speaking of the new on-campus school a few minutes ago, one of our houseparents was telling me about listening on the school room TV
monitor as another of our housefathers was giving the Bible lesson. He was almost brought to tears of joy at the sight of the kids responding to sound Biblical training as part of their school day. I am thrilled to see housefathers motivated to prepare a Bible lesson each day and kids motivated to learn.
For some, motivation takes a while to develop. I was told today about a boy who has been at the home for 8 years. This year is the first year he has been motivated to do his homework without the houseparents constantly having to force him to do it.
I want to thank you for helping kids who are motivated to change as well as those who are more resistant to change. Kids have the opportunity to change because you are motivated by the love of Christ. We thank you for your gift.
In Christian Love,Arvin L. Moden
Gary and Judy Woods > Tanzania
We enjoyed a visit with Gary Woods September 15th. He shared with us the ongoing work in Tanzania with the Massai tribes and others in that region. He spoke
of great success in the work because of a change in missiology, the means by which mission is performed. Hundreds of people are being impacted by the gospel! Praise the Lord!
The Voice in the WildernessThis newsletter is published by:
FIRST Christian Church of Palestine214 E Grand Prairie St. / Palestine, IL 62451618-586-2768 / [email protected]
Sunday Service Times are 9:30 am Sunday School and 10:30 am Worship
2214 E Grand Prairie St. – Palestine, IL 62451 – 618-586-2742 – [email protected]
