STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

October 28, 2024

A Point from pastor

As much as I am looking forward to November 6th (the day after the election), I do believe that we will face some sort of election fraud controversy. Political ads cease but the political talk and angst has found a way to endure beyond just election cycles.

Benjamin Franklin, in a final letter, wrote the famous idiom about death and taxes being the only certainty in life. Yet, he wrote those words implying his hope that our Constitution might remain. His words: "Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” May our Constitution remain durable. It seems the more we talk of political issues, the more our Constitution is in danger. As politics has become the big conversation every day, it has acted like sandpaper grinding down our Constitution.

I for one am thankful that Franklin was wrong. Death and taxes are not the only certainty in life. God's righteous rules endure forever (Ps. 119:160). His loving kindness/faithful mercy endures forever (Ps. 118:1). Even our praise to God will endure forever (Ps. 111:10). Come to think of it, death and taxes will eventually be gone. . . as will our US Constitution. Jesus will reign on this earth as He does in heaven. Hasten the coming day. Maranatha!

Church Notes...

If you show up to an empty church this Sunday, come on in, grab a cup of coffee, and adjust your watch to no longer be on daylight savings time.

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

OA:sis including "Pure Gospel" - Wednesday nights is a weekly pause, a deep breath, a moment of rest, an oasis. Come this week if you haven't been for awhile. You might join us for the meal at 6. Or come at 7. Or come for both. Adults, at 7pm, Pure Gospel is a new option where you can sing praise to God and hear a presentation of the gospel message. This is encouraging for all believers but is also an aid in evangelism. Check it out!

Cantata Rehearsals - Yes, it is that time. Rehearsals for the Christmas cantata begin this Sunday, November 3 after church (11:20-12:30pm). If you would like to sing in this, come.

upcoming events

Make note of the classes and events available in the near future

A Baby Dedication - In November, we will likely have a baby dedication at SSB. Let us know if you would like to include your little one in this.

Four the Master - The Gospel quartet will minister Monday, November 4th (3pm) at Sunridge Village (135th & Blondo).

LG l - The Ladies Life Group now meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays (still at 9:30am). Next LG is Wednesday, November 6.

Nom Com Meeting - Sunday, November 17 at 6pm is a business meeting for SSB members to vote for two to sit on the 2025 Nominating Committee. This is the team that works to gather candidates for eldership.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

- 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

- Exodus 34:6

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

- 1 Timothy 1:16

the Lord's day

We spoke about Wednesday nights (come!) and the new Pure Gospel offering (come!). We also highlighted a nuance of this election regarding the two abortion measures. SSB's stance is that all abortion should be outlawed. It is murder. While 434 is a "better" option, it still provides for abortion. If both 434 and 439 gain more than 50% of the vote, the one with the most "yes" votes will be in the Nebraska Constitution. We encourage everyone to vote "no" on 439. Depending on your conscience, understanding how the math will likely favor 439 because of Christian conscience - a vote of "yes" on 434 might make sense. Not what we want.

The message took us to Luke 11 and 18 as we heard of a horrible neighbor and a horrible judge. In contrast to these bad characters, our God is good, so good. Do we have the tenacity (the chutzpah) in our faith and in our prayer to trust in this God? Do we "ask and keep asking," "seek and keep seeking" and "knock and keep knocking"? Not so that we can pester God in to submission (like that would happen). We persist because we are convinced of His character - He is a loving Father, who wants to hear our requests, and is ready to judge for our good. He will vindicate His people. May Jesus find faith in us, persistence in us, chutzpa in us when He returns!

View Past Worship Services

Did You Know?

Annually, Standing Stone Bible Church must have at least two business meetings for our members. One is required by our constitution to elect elders and vote for the yearly budget. This happens in February each year. The second one is for the membership to vote for two members to join on a nominating committee that will labor to develop a slate of elders. This meeting happens in November - this year on November 17th.

Who is Worthy?

Samson was born into a poor Jewish family in a remote, rural area that bordered the Philistines. Before he was born, an angel appeared to his mother saying he would be a Nazirite (“separated one”). Thus, he could never touch anything unclean, never drink wine, and never cut his hair. His was one of only a few families remaining as most of the Danites gave up their inheritance and fled north. Samson came from the weakest tribe Israel ever had (ironic?). His major weakness was his lust of the ladies. He fell for a Philistine woman! His selfishness, lust, and pride would be his downfall. This from a Nazirite! Even so, the Holy Spirit gave him astounding human strength. Strong physically but weak in his character. He broke all of the Nazarite promises eventually. Another woman would ultimately coerce him to reveal the secret to his strength, the final Nazarite promise would be broken while he slept, and a bald Samson would be weakened, bound, and blinded. Oh, if only! God promises, in temptation, a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). If only Samson had taken that escape. Samson did get a final burst of strength but not because of his hair – God answered his prayer of repentance. Thankfully, yet today, God keeps His promises. He can turn our weaknesses into strengths. God alone is worthy!

“It was our sorry case that caused the Word to come down, our transgression that called out His love for us, so that He made haste to help us and to appear among us. It is we who were the cause of His taking human form, and for our salvation that in His great love He was both born and manifested in a human body.”

- Athanasius of Alexandria

Prayer Prods

Lola - mourning loss of brother
CEF club tonight at Gretna Elementary. Other local outreach ministries
Surgery recovery: Ron A, Cheri V (Cheri has another surgery on Nov 11)
Gerald B - many days tired
434/439 - abortion on the ballot. Wisdom as we vote on all issues/candidates
Al M's missionary trip to Honduras (Elijah W going along) - Nov 2-10
McFarling family, ongoing legal battle
Our couples desiring to be pregnant

Weekly Prayer Prods