Comfort to Persecuted Bible Readers

Excerpts from William Tyndale's Introduction to

The Obedience of a Christian Man

October 2, 1528

Let it not make thee despair, neither yet discourage thee, O reader, that it is forbidden thee in pain of life and goods, or that it is made breaking of the king’s peace, or treason unto his highness, to read the Word of thy soul’s health; … for if God be on our side, what matter maketh it who be against us, be they bishops, cardinals, popes …

Five Objections: Answered
          1. They tell you that Scripture ought not to be in the mother tongue, but that is only because they fear the light, and desire to lead you blindfold and in captivity…
          2. They say that Scripture needs a pure and quiet mind, and that laymen are too cumbered with worldly business to understand it. This weapon strikes themselves: for who is so tangled with worldly matters as the prelates?
          3. They say that laymen would interpret it each after his own way. Why then do the curates not teach the people the right way? The Scripture would be a basis for such teaching and a test of it. At present their lives and their teaching are so contrary that the people do not believe them, even when they preach truth…
          4. They say our tongue is too rude. It is not so. Greek and Hebrew go more easily into English than into Latin. Has not God made the English tongue as well as others? They suffer you to read in English of Robin Hood, Bevis of Hampton, Hercules, Troilus, and a thousand ribald or filthy tales. It is only the Scripture that is forbidden. It is therefore clearer than the sun that this forbiddal is not “for love of your souls, which they care for as the fox doth for the geese.”
          5. They say we need doctors to interpret Scripture [because] it is so hard… There are errors even in Origen and Augustine; how can we test them save by the Scripture?… We do not wish to abolish teaching and to make every man his own master, but if the curates will not teach the gospel, the layman must have the Scripture, and read it for himself, taking God for his teacher.

 

 

 

Today is The First Day of …

Autumn

 

FRANK TOTH our web master entered a clinic with severe abdominal pain.  He’s having test run – keep him in your prayers.

 

A SNOWBIRD SOCIAL is being scheduled for our “snowbirds” who will be headed south about Oct. 1^st – Al and Arlene Szekely (didn’t they just get here from Florida?).  This pot-luck dinner will be held here at church September 30^th - NEXT SUNDAY!  Everyone is welcome!

 

Thank You

“Thank you for your kindness, it was appreciated.  The flowers were beautiful.  Dorothy will be greatly missed.

— Danny and Tina Horvath of Madison Ohio, Dorothy’s nephew.

 

PEOPLE REALLY DO check out our web site!  Over 5000 have touched base there and I discovered last Sunday that our visitor, Forrest Colegrove (friend of Fred Schuld), visits our site weekly to stay informed about our activities.  YOU CAN SEE OUR NEWS LETTER THERE at any time and it contains many others from the past.  There’s also other information and links.

http://openbible.homestead.com/

 

 

Your Sunday School Board Met Sept. 16, 2007 And …

• Approved minutes & treasurer’s report – about $1000 in savings and about $300 in checking.
• Under Old Business we discussed the last annual picnic.
• Under New Business we discussed the October “Coins for Camp” and since we have no youth this year attending we are investigating a mission project for the month.  More later.
• Frank Roper’s Christmas craft sales will also go to this same project as well as the last Sunday’s SS offering in October.
• Decided upon a Homecoming / Snowbird Social / Pot-Luck dinner for September 30^th.
• David Swartz will speak for us September 30^th!
• We will promote the Thanksgiving Food Basket in November and perhaps give it directly to someone in need.
• Set Dec. 2^nd as the annual Agape Secret Pal Social at the home of Fred and Doris Schuld.
• Set. Dec. 9^th for our annual Christmas program at Emerald Ridge health care facility.
• Set Dec. 16^th as our Christmas Banquet Sunday / services beginning at 10:30a.m. with no Sunday School that day.
• Set Dec. 23^rd to highlight the Christmas message with special music for the holiday.
• Set January 2^nd 2008 for our next SS meeting.

 

RETIRED PASTOR EMORY MACY (Mary Ellen Jones’ brother) fell Sept. 10^th breaking his hip. He had surgery 9-12 and he’s recovering well for 96 years of age.  He remains in therapy.

 

PERU REPORT / BEDER’S CANCER

Peru Trip - Because of health reasons with Bill Wachtel and his wife Phyllis, Bill was unable to go on the trip. We are so thankful that Rachel (Krogh) Carr was able to join us with very little notice. Her help was invaluable. It was a good trip though difficult because of Beder’s illness. His tumor on his eye has grown to the extent that he is not comfortable visiting people. He did allow David Krogh to come into his curtained cubicle to anoint him with oil and pray for his healing. His voice and handshake as well as his faith are strong! Because of his illness, he is not preaching. He prepares his message and his wife presents it. His two older children are also involved in the worship by playing the keyboard, leading the singing and presenting devotional thoughts. His daughter also conducts the children’s ministry on Saturday evenings. They appreciate so much knowing that people here are remembering them in prayer. Our visit helped to uplift them. Please pray that God will direct Beder in decisions that need to be made concerning his tumor.

— Judy Myers / LHI Chairperson, 9-20-07

 

PRAY FOR: Frank Toth (tests), Terry James (cancer, by Roper), Emory Macy (broke hip 9-10), Jason Dishong (by G. Whaley), / Pastor Beder (cancer, Peru), Pastor Jack Hearp, Kate Liauw (28, MS, by R Phillis), Amy Gunselman (cancer, by R Phillis), Ruby Korode, Lucinda (by Szekely), Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Grady Hudspeth*, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed + current pregnancy*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blank­en­ship, College students: Jackie Schuld, Dan & Rachel Cain (internship / teaching degree), Shut-ins: Helen Matthews, Evelyn Pennington Military: Rodger Schuld, Those serving in other countries: Lupe Badillo-Mexico, Tracy Zhykhovich-Russia, Beder Ucañay-Peru, Pastors in Malawi & Mozambique, Lesly Bertrand and the Pastors in Haiti. Colleges / Churches: RRCC, ABC, Golden Rule, Grace Breth­ren and for the peace of Je­ru­sa­lem, Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6, 7

 

September 2007

23  Autumn begins

25  First home Bible study at Phil and Susan May’s home / Euclid

30  “Snowbird Social” for Al and Arlene Szekely / Homecoming / David Swartz

 

 

Future dates: Oct. 7, Communion / Oct 28, SS Offering to Mission Project / Nov 8-10, THRIVE Conference, North Hills Church, Springfield OH / Nov. 11, Gideon Speaker / Nov. 25, Hanging of the Greens / Dec 2, Secret Pal Social / Dec 9, Emerald Ridge Christmas program / Dec 16, Christmas Banquet / Dec 23, Christmas theme – specials

 

 

Musicians: (Doris Schuld and Sharon Cain)

Welcome / Announcements

Worship Hymns / Mark Cain

434 Jesus Loves Even Me

447 ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Prayer / Offering

Message: We’re In a World of Spin

Key Texts: Micah 2:1; Zech 8:17; Lev 17:12; I Sam 12:2, 3;

Ps 10:2-14; 101:6, 7; Acts 5:1-11; Rev 21:8

322 I Would Be True