P.O.Box 472 1720 N. 43rd Rd, Leland IL 60531 815-246-9890 stpetrielutheranchurch@yahoo.com Sunday Worship 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Wednesday Bible Study 7:00pm

Tag: Encouragement

February Devotion

Margret AbbottLeave a Comment on February Devotion

Mark 15: 37-39: NASV Jesus uttered a loud’ cry, and breathed His last. And the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Jesus, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Yes, Jesus who died on the cross is the Son of God who died for our sins.  He forgives our sins when we repent asking Him to our Savior  now and forever.

Here is a short story:

When my husband was recently hospitalized, the hospital ambassador checked in the room inquiring how things were going.  Before she left, she asked if I wanted a “Cross in My Pocket?”  It was a small, mesh cross decorated in a pocket with a poem called “Cross in My  Pocket.”  I gladly accepted this token of Christianity.  The poem was kind and thoughtful, but there was one stanza that stood out:

When I put my hand in my pocket   To bring out a coin or a key      The cross is there to remind me      Of the price He paid for me.”

That poem and the cross in my pocket reminded me of the centurion who believed.  May we all remember what Jesus did whether life gives us a challenging or a peaceful day!

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Widening Prayer Horizons

Margret AbbottLeave a Comment on Widening Prayer Horizons

1 Timothy 2: 1-2 , I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Recently, I heard of a prayer group that prayed for certain African countries every month.  I am sure that Christ has put a country or more on your heart or individuals in that land to pray for.  With the wars, disasters, disease and killings occurring over there, it is hard to not to be somewhat detached and not feel the horrible emotion and suffering. 

Jesus knows our hearts and He gives us Bible verses to help us along the way.  2 Chronicles 7: 14 is one you will remember.  If my people, who are called by name, will humble and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  Pray that every day and you will soon have it memorized!

We pray for a different Mission in the bulletin each month.  Check the bulletin board for the latest news about our mission for updates.. Perhaps, praying with a friend about another country or a certain situation is the answer for you.  “When we pray in humility, turn from wickedness, and seek God, He hears us.”1

1Lawrence Darmani, Daily Bread, July 4, 2016

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April 2022

What About This New Year???

Margret AbbottLeave a Comment on What About This New Year???

What About This New Year???

Are you going to have a fresh start this year???  You want to so much, but will you?  Count on Jesus to help you.  Each morning before you get out of bed, ask Jesus to guide your day by His Holy Spirit and that He might be glorified in all that you do. The word glorified in the Bible verse; Psalm 29:2 says; “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name: Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”  When it comes down to it, nothing else matters but to give Him glory and not ourselves. 

Oh, that’s not easy.  So, what am I to do?   

Start each day with Jesus (before you get out of bed).  Ask Him to help you.  Matt.7:7; Jesus said,   “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.  Sometimes, we forget that we can ask the Lord.  He knows best, but we can ask.  Read our hand book, the Bible, and the devotionals we have at church are excellent daily books to get started.

 Take Jesus along as your friend and prayer partner.  There is always something going on at the store, on the TV or at your job.  Wednesday night Bible study is a chance to study the Word with others.  Other social outings provide opportunities to be a “light” for the Lord.  Remember to always ask Jesus to provide times for you to share your faith in Him – not for your glory but for His glory.

Well, this is a New Year.  Have fun as the year transpires.  It’s good to know that Jesus is with us “through it all.”  Remember the Holy Spirit is in you when you accepted Christ as your Savior.  He’s there as you visit with friends, watch TV, and in your secret thoughts.  Our Father loves us, forgives us and desires our fellowship.  Cherish His Glory as number one!  

*** If you are not sure that you know Jesus Christ personally, understand that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son (Jesus) to die on the cross for your sins and mine that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Ask Jesus into your heart today.

*All scripture is NIV

Cms st petrie

A Thought From Your Pastor May/3/2020

Margret AbbottLeave a Comment on A Thought From Your Pastor May/3/2020

                                                         Alligator Minister                                 

                                                      A Thought From Your Pastor!                                                             Psalm 95:1-7 (NIV) 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7  for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,

Bummer—–Do you realize this coming Sunday is Communion Sunday.  With this pandemic we will not be able to come to the Lord’s Supper together.  As Psalms 95 tells us to sing and shout aloud to the King of our Salvation.  I could probably do that by myself at home but how much better with my friends and family of St. Petrie.

Now let’s just perk up and realize how much Jesus loves each of us whether we are in the church building or sitting at home.  Augustine was accredited to saying “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”  Just think of the blessings God has given each of us.  Just think of the celebration we will have once we can worship together again.  Take some time to call some people and tell them that God loves them and you think there’re pretty great too.

I’m blessed because I have Carolyn with me and I hear from the girls at least once a day.  Some people are not that blessed soooooooo bless them and get blessed yourself.  Give someone that might be home alone a call and just talk—or—listen for a while.

We will be getting back together one day and I am truly looking forward to it.  This is a time to rejoice and be a blessing to people in telephone reach.  The Bible tells us in

 Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 On a lighter side look how Charlie’s gang is trying to encourage us— “May your day be filled with blessings of love, peace, and joy!”

Charlie Brown Pumpkin

I agree with Charlie and the gang, but I would add hope.  Whatever the world brings upon us, we have hope in God’s Word.  Scripture tells us: Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

In other words don’t worry about what is going on around you, but keep your eyes focused on Jesus.  He will bring us through with a smile on our faces.

Of course as always: Keep praying but also keep rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  Hopefully we will be meeting together again in the near future.

God’s Blessing,                                                                                                                                       Pastor Gerry and Carolyn

Tigger and Pooh