Weekly News...Using the Sermon Download Link

As some of you may have noticed, we have a new quick link on the side of this web-blog. There is Download Now link under the title: Sunday Sermons. When you click the download now, it will take you to the sermon page where you can download it to your computer and then listen to the message. You will see several links, pictured below is the one you want to click on and use.It will appear on the bottom left of the page. The play now links do not work correctly. Hope this helps...Click here to go to page:Sermons

He Reigns!

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...Look I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age."-Matthew 28:19,20 CEB

God Still Heals Today!

As many of you know, our church secretary Theresa (Gary) Bratcher has been in the hospital and then rehab for several weeks. A few weeks ago, she started having stroke like symptoms and became very ill. She was rushed to the hospital and admitted to intensive care where she went into a coma. A broken tooth had infected a sinus passage which had spread infection to her brain. They performed emergency surgery and removed part of her scull. The doctors told the family she had a 1% chance of living through the week. Well, The Great Physician had a second opinion!. Theresa started gradually improving and was in church service this morning testifying and praising God. She was her old self again, if not for her scar from surgery, you would not have any idea what she had been through the past few weeks. Praise the Lord, He still heals today!!! The family would like to thank all those from local churches and across the South District who prayed for Theresa.

Who are the "Wesleyans?"

The Wesleyan Church is an evangelical, Protestant denomination. We offer the good news that faith in Jesus Christ makes possible a wonderful personal relationship with God, a holy life empowered by His Spirit for witness and service, and assurance of eternal life in heaven. Our ministries emphasize practical Bible teaching, uplifting worship and special programs to meet a variety of life needs.

With World Headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, The Wesleyan Church has nearly 400,000 constituents in 5,000 churches and missions in 80 countries of the world. Formed in 1968 resulting from the mergers between several like-minded groups, dating back as far as 1843, The Wesleyan Church has its roots in John Wesley’s Methodism.

Core Values The following are terms descriptive of who Wesleyans are and why they do what they do. They describe the "soul" of the Church. They are the core values, because they are at the center, as primary motivations for all Wesleyans do.

• BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: The Bible is the highest source of written authority for God’s plan for His people; it reveals how to live out that plan, individually and corporately. Beliefs, practices and priorities are to be anchored in clear biblical teachings.
• CHRISTLIKENESS: Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God’s will for all humankind. In Christ is found the highest and most practical meaning and clearest example for holy living or godliness. Christ is both example and strength as Wesleyans pursue integrity, excellence, faith, hope and love.
• DISCIPLE-MAKING: Making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ. This requires a strong focus on evangelism and training in spiritual growth and holy living. Done effectively, this will produce and promote growth and health in and among the churches.
• LOCAL CHURCH CENTERED: The denomination exists to serve local congregations. Local churches are the most fundamental and strategic points of evangelism and discipleship. The challenge of the denomination is to keep finding the best ways to serve and strengthen congregations.
• SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Wesleyans respect leadership that is placed over them, while realizing that the authority and effectiveness of spiritual leadership is not primarily bestowed, but earned and manifested by a loving and willing heart of obedience that serves God and mankind gladly. Wesleyans desire to be leaders in serving.
• UNITY IN DIVERSITY: There is intrinsic value in every person. Unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in light of the wide ranges of difference in personality, culture, race, talents, and perspectives. Loving each other eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another.
• CULTURAL RELEVANCE: Wesleyans are called to keep serving the present age. The Church respects and builds on its past without becoming its slave. Wesleyans are "culture informed" for the sake of reaching people for Christ, but not "culture captives," in the sense of surrendering core values, beliefs and behaviors.

Weekly News-Indoor Camp & Spring Revival

• Rev. Russel Coffee of Georgia will be at Boonville Wesleyan Church from May 11th-15th, 2011 in conjunction with Chandler Holiness Indoor Camp. Indoor Camp will be May 8-10, at Boonville Wesleyan featuring local Wesleyan and Nazarene Pastors and their church's special music. Special music for revival service will be provided by Boonville Wesleyan.
• Services will begin at 6:00PM nightly on Sundays and 7:00PM all other nights.
• For more info 812-897-4484 or email kipfoto73@sbcglobal.net
  
  

Weekly News and Prayer Updates...

• Please continue to pray for those recovering at home and in the hospital.
• The two rental properties still need occupants.
  
• Jan-Feb-March Birthday Party Sunday March 20th at 5:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.
• Congratulations to Daniel Yoder...he is officially a truck man now!
  

"God Is Enough!"

Condensed Sermon Series #2
By Reverend D. Edson Ames
Senior Pastor
Boonville Wesleyan Church

Introduction: I’m a hunter; but only in my mind. I watched a program about a young man who wanted to hunt a certain kind of deer in the Scottish Highlands. He hired a man who had lived and hunted the deer all his life. They went into the mountains and finally saw the deer very far away. He put his rifle on the ground with a tripod and killed the deer when all he could see is the silhouette against the sky. I was reminded of 2 things:

1. If you’re hunting for big game don’t use a shotgun

2. To bag a trophy may require extra effort and sacrifice

I have had a vision of being a great hunter so I bought a wii game at Bass Pro Shop. I don’t expect I’ll hang any trophies, but it’s the closest I’ll come. It’s not the real way it’s just a substitute.

Through the records of man and God it is a repeated fact that people are always leaving the ways of God and going their own way. We often try to substitute the easy false way for the more strenuous right way.

I want to give us some ammunition for our hunt for the hearts and minds of those who have tried to substitute the false gods for the Real God.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:35-39 NKJV)

Let’s bag a “trophy” for Jesus this week with 1 shot: GOD IS ENOUGH!

1. It is human nature for people to get bored and restless with routine.

-Moses had gone up the mountain to receive the commandments and the people got tired of waiting for God to do something, so they made a golden calf.

- While Israel was in the wilderness, God fed them manna from heaven but they got tired of that, even though it had everything they needed to live on, so they demanded

something else. God sent them quail (birds) until they grew sick of them.

- People find God's goodness boring. After a while they get tired of it so they mix something with it.

2. For many Christians God is not enough.

- They want what the SALVATION the cross of Jesus provides, but not what it demands.

- They want God's protection while living their worldly ways. God's ways become boring

so they want more.

- They invent "religious" entertainment" to "pep" up their "worship" services, God is not enough.

- They want physical healing more than spiritual healing.

3. The Christian won't be where he/she ought to be until he/she gets to a place where God is enough.

- Those who desire and pursue the presence of the Holy God and stand in awed silence are satisfied.

- Those who are obedient and seek only God's will are satisfied with what God does.

- We have to live here in this world but we don't have to be like it.

- Many take the things of the world and "sanctify" them saying those things are necessary for spiritual happiness.

- The presence of God brings more delight and satisfaction than all the invented gadgets, things and programs of the entire world.

4. "Stand in the way, and see for yourselves, and ask for the old paths, the good way, and you shall find rest to your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)

- They are ancient and eternal with no time quality attached to them.

- God's creation, our response and relation to God, human sin, human redemption, the incarnation, the indwelling Christ, the union of the soul with God.

- We will never be where we ought to be until these things become to us the source of

excitement and satisfaction.

- We will not be bored with God.

- We will not make God's redemptive plan merely an escape from Hell.

- We will center our affections upon God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

5. The person who is where he/she should be with God will require very little from the world.

- It is amazing how much God will meet one's needs.

- It will not be God plus something else.

- It will be God - everything.

- In the world, yes, but that person's anchor will be God and if cut off from all the comforts and things the world provides, he/she will still be perfectly at rest for God will

be enough.

CONCLUSION:

1. Can you say that through the difficult times that God has been enough?

2. Are you confident that in the days ahead GOD IS ENOUGH?

3. Will you tell someone this week that you have experienced through your trials and heartaches — GOD IS ENOUGH?

"Lent in Perspective"-Pastor Dan Eckart

LENT IN PERSPECTIVE

The observation of Lent has a long history in the Church. Lent is the forty weekdays beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending at noon on the Saturday just before Resurrection Sonday. The Sondays from Ash Wednesday to Passion Sonday are not counted as a part of Lent. The forty days of Lent symbolize: - the 40 days Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the Law; - the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness; - the 40 days Elijah fasted on the mountain of God; - the 40 days Jonah preached for revival in Nineveh; - the 40 days Jesus was tempted in the wilderness while He fasted; - the 40 hours of Christ's entombment after His crucifixion; and - the 40 days between Jesus' resurrection and His ascension into Heaven. The number 40 is not magical, but does provide adequate time for spiritual reflection and examination in preparation to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Lent is sort of a "tithe" of our time to God for spiritual revival - for it is little more than one tenth of the entire year. Throughout Lent, we are to have a sober awareness of our sinful condition and need for salvation. We are to be conscious of our own mortality and impending death. However, Lent is not a morbid time of sadness nor of overwhelming gloom. Always the focus is on God's act of mercy and grace in the sacrificial death of His Son for our sins and His triumph over death to provide for our eternal life. So Lent is also a time of profound joy as we remember Christ's atonement for our salvation. Lent is a good time to decide to relinquish something that will remind us of Christ's sacrifice for our sins. Many people choose some sort of "fast" - from a certain food or drink, or from an activity, or from something else that is an important part of their lives. The purpose is not so we can brag about or feel proud of what we have done. Rather the reason we decide to do without something is so we can be reminded daily of the price that was paid for our salvation. Hopefully, engaging in some sort of physical denial will lead to spiritual repentance, redemption, restoration, and renewal.

LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE

One thing that Lent ought to do for us is to help put and keep life in proper perspective. Lent can be a reality check for us. We regularly need to be reminded that we are not just physical beings but created spiritually to have a relationship with God. Consider what God spoke through Paul in his Letter to the Christians at Galatia: "Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision or uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation." Galatians 6:12-15 It is not outward observations and practices that lead to inner spiritual renewal, but rather inner repentance. Engaging in some wholesome self-denial during Lent, can help us refocus our lives on spiritual things and away from earthly things. Lent can help us keep the purpose of our lives in proper perspective so that we live like children of God and not children of this world. Lent can help us more fully experience the fullness of God's salvation and cleansing so we can be better fit for His service. God's Holy Word says: "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially clean unclean sanctify then so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:13-14 Life in proper perspective tells us that we are more than mere physical beings made from dust. Life in proper perspective tells us we are created in the image of the LORD God Almighty. Life in proper perspective tells us we have been re-created in the image of Jesus Christ. Life in proper perspective tells us that we are children of God, cleansed for service to Him through the blood of Jesus Christ Who gave Himself up for us. Life in proper perspective knows we shall die physically, but that we can live forever through Christ Jesus, Who died on the cross for us. Let us take a new journey to the foot of the cross of Christ this Lenten season. That is where real spiritual revival begins.

SONG OF DESIRE

Let's sing Fanny Crosby's hymn "Near the Cross” today to help us focus on the cross of Jesus Christ. Perhaps you will want to use this hymn as a theme throughout Lent to remind you of the real purpose of life. 1. Jesus, keep me near the cross - There a precious fountain, Free to all, a healing stream, Flows from Calvary’s mountain. In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest, beyond the river. 2. Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; There the Bright and Morning Star Sheds its beams around me. In the cross, in the cross Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest, beyond the river. 3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help my walk from day to day With its shadows o'er me. In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest, beyond the river. 4. Near the cross I'll watch and wait, Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand Just beyond the river. In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find, Rest, beyond the river. Dan Eckart is the Pastor of Warren Park Wesleyan Church and lives in Indianapolis Indiana.

Simos Family Ministry Update-March 2011

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"79..80! Do I hear 81...82?" Another 10% increase in February! The above quote is from Pastor Don Jennings of Harbour Shores Church; our home church. Pastor Don has been preaching on Biblical Stewardship and a couple of weeks ago, we were asked to share our testimony (click here to hear testimony). As Don eludes to in his quote, we need to hear from you! We're getting closer to being fully funded! Praise God for our new supporters in February! We feel as though we are headed down the home stretch. While our support comes in many different shapes and sizes, the simple math looks like this. To hit 100%, we need: 10 more partners at $50 a month 5 more partners at $100 a month So just 15 more partners standing with us! Support Options On-Line: The easiest way to give is by clicking the pie chart above for on-line giving. There is also the option to auto-deduct. Just select Simos family in the Gift Designation field. Mail: You can also mail checks to Freedom International Ministries, 2905 E 46th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205. You'll receive a receipt back in the mail with an envelope for the following month. Frequency: Our most common gifts are monthly and our budget is set up monthly, but you can also give annually. When giving, simply indicate how often you plan to give and we will budget accordingly. I would encourage you to check out Pastor Don's sermons on Stewardship. Listen on-line or download the sermons for free by clicking on the link provided. During Deputation This time of preparation has been extremely valuable. God has been teaching me, Josh, that God's Glory is the most important thing. That may sound simple, but think of it like this...God and His Glory is more important than my house, my car, my job, my income...my LIFE...and even the LIFE of Others! Is that our perspective? That was Aaron's perspective in Lev 10:1-3 when God struck dead Aaron's 2 sons for His Glory's sake! The Scripture states "and Aaron held his peace". He said nothing...He did not complain or shake his fist at God but simply understood that God's Glory was even more important than the lives of his 2 sons. This passage has blessed me immensely as I've thought about it for some time now. Praise God for His Glory! In His Service Josh, Toni, Kinsey, Elle & Gabe

During February... Freedom Int'l Ministries The Hilgeman's, now living in the DR, started visiting the villages near San Pedro in preparation for the village ministry that is set to begin this July. Please pray for direction as we choose a village and look for land to establish a school. Somethings cook'n Given our current situation, I have been taking on the household stuff like cooking and so, I enlisted the help of my good friend (and professional chef) Angelo Brown. With his coaching, I've been able to put a few edible items on the table, such as Sweet Potato Minestrone! Contact info Josh's phone 317.402.6407 JoshSimos@itisforfreedom.com Toni's phone 317.402.6408 ToniSimos@itisforfreedom.com Mailing Address 290 S Peru Street Cicero, IN 46034 Kinsey, Elle & Gabe also have their own email addresses. Please contact Josh or Toni for that information. www.itisforfreedom.com

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Observing Lent in 2011...

Lent in 2011 will start on Wednesday, the 9th of March and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 23rd of April.

In Western Christianity Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days of lent because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death. The usual practice is to give up something we enjoy to remind of of what Christ gave up for us.

Traditionally The Wesleyan Church has not observed Lent in the manner of the mainline churches. This probably has a lot to do with the Quaker and Pilgrim Holiness influence. However the Church of England did and John Wesley continued the practice. Here are some of his thoughts which would suggest he believed self-denial to be of importance in daily living:

In the book titled, John Wesley the Methodist, it is said that Wesley taught, “God loves you; therefore love and obey him. Christ died for you; therefore die to sin.” Yes, Christ paid the price but it is our responsibility to be intentional in not allowing sin to encroach our lives.

Are you ready honor this time of Lent? Let us do more than “remember”. Let us use this time to make an intentional effort to live a life that truly glorifies the One we worship.

“That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don’t give it the time of day. Don’t even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you’ve been raised from the dead!—into God’s way of doing things. Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God.” Romans 6:12-14 THE MESSAGE