STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

February 24, 2025

A Point from pastor

I'm not a great fan of change.  Although, I do anticipate an occasional adventure, I then like to settle back into a holding pattern, most often preferring comfort and familiarity.   Truth be told, I'd still be wearing my 80's Cosby sweaters if I could find them (and they still fit).  I did have them going into marriage but somehow they disappeared.  
I suspect my wife had something to do with that.

I got saved in 1992 and, not long after, became a part of a church in the middle of Omaha.  After marriage, we took part in a church plant until we moved to Gretna.  In 2004 we were three years married with a six-month-old baby named Alec (who looked remarkably like the boy from Jerry Maguire, having glasses at a very early age).   We began attending Gretna Community Church.  Still here (why change? - even though the name changed).  

I had no thoughts years ago of being a pastor.   It is interesting how our thoughts are so often not God's thoughts nor our our ways God's ways.   He says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."   If we want God, we must be willing to seek His thoughts and His ways.  This means change.  And here, I'm still looking for my old sweaters!  

I have been blessed with many changes over the years.  Including the blessing of your honor yesterday - Thank you SSB!   I began attending GCC with a wife and a young son and have now been asked to lead SSB with the same wife (and a few more kids).   There is certainly a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun.  Change in life is a constant and we handle it holding onto God who is our constant source of strength.   We are promised, by the God who never changes:   Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10).    Sometimes the change can feel overwhelming but God can also overwhelm us in those times with His presence and strength. Hold on to God!  

Onward and upward!  (Phil. 3:14)

Church Notes...

Beginning this Sunday, March 2nd, we are going to suspend the worship service option in the basement.   We will no longer simulcast the 10am service there.   We understand this will be disappointing for a few;  we thank you to those who joined in downstairs.   It was a help when crowds were larger and during 2020 . . .   We have room for you in the sanctuary and desire all to be together!  
Thank you for understanding.

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

Joyful Hearts - As Joyful Hearts did not gather on February 12th, the date was postponed to this Wednesday.  For those ages 55 and older, join in Wednesday morning at 10am.  

Club Gym Night - Kidz Club on Wednesday night will meet over at the Gretna Elementary School gym at 6:45.   Join us there after dinner... thanks!

Pinewood Derby Workshop - A workship for all Kidz Club racers (K-5th graders that come Wednesday nights) will be this Saturday morning at 10am in the church gym.   This will be an opportunity to choose a design, cut, and sand the derby car.  

Communion & Pot "Trust" - This Sunday is communion.   Come to the table with hands and hearts clean!   Bring a dish to share after as we share lunch together.  

upcoming events

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

Pinewood Derby - The annual Pinewood Derby is on March 19th at 6:30pm.  This is an event that our Club kids participate in and is a great opportunity to sow seed... er, um...  invite family members to so they can cheer on these kids (the Gospel will be presented).    Workshops for you to join your child in helping build a car will be on Saturdays - March 1, 8, and 15 (at 10am).  

Spring Cleaning - Any gals willing to help - we have scheduled a "spring cleaning" on Saturday, March 8th at 10am. . . .   this will help us get some deeper cleaning done as we move out of the winter months.  

Info Class - 
We are offering an information class during the Sunday school hour on March 9, 16, and 23.  This three-part class gives general information about SSB - what she believes, history, and polity.  Good for anyone new as well as a requirement for any considering membership.  

Missions Mini - The annual missions "mini" conference will be Sunday, March 16 at 6pm.  We'll have some area ministries highlighting their work as well as helps for you to serve in the community or at SSB.

Ladies' Retreat - March 28-29th is the annual ladies' retreat with guest Deb Bohlmann speaking.  

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

- John 14:2

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”

- 1 Corinthians 2:9

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

- Philippians 3:20

the Lord's day

We opened in song followed by the elders installing Pastor Ken W as lead pastor.  God certainly chooses men as under shepherds but may our eyes continue to be on Jesus as our Good Shepherd.  As we continue to move forward, onward and upward, let us keep our eyes on Jesus!  

The message from Matthew 13 returned us to the sower, the seed, and the soil.   We considered what type of soil we each are and what type we would want to be.  Of course, we should want to be good soil, the kind that produces a 30, 60, or 100-fold return.   Col. 6:6 says, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  How do we share God's Word (sow) with others in a gracious and seasoned with salt manner?  To be seasoned properly, we must be in God's Word daily.  Salt in our conversations implies they want more - they are thirsty or they enjoy the taste.   Remember, in conversations,  you are not their Savior nor the Holy Spirit that convicts their heart, opens it, and draws them to Christ doing the work of salvation in them.   Just be willing to sow the Word of God and have a conversation.

Did You Know?

Wednesday "Prayer Prods" are available online.  You can find (and save) the link at the bottom of this"SSB Weekly" newsletter.   Look for the "Prayer Prods" section below and click on the "WEEKLY PRAYER PRODS" button.

Who is Worthy?

Jacob was Abraham’s grandson (Isaac and Rebekah’s son).  He was the younger twin brother of Esau… a rival of his from inside the womb!   Doubtless that Isaac and Rebekah had their hands full raising this pair of boys.   Esau was favored by dad but Rebekah was partial to Jacob.   As Isaac aged, he was tricked by Jacob into giving the firstborn blessing to Jacob instead of Esau (Gen. 27:6-41).  Jacob certainly lived up to his name (Jacob means "supplanter").  Fearing that Esau had vowed to kill Jacob, mom sends Jacob away to choose a wife from her brother’s family.   Jacob remains for fourteen years laboring to earn the marriage of Rachel (after being tricked into marrying her older sister).  In many ways, the conflict between Rachel and Leah was a counterpart to Jacob and Esau’s struggle.  Jacob did eventually return to be reconciled with his brother.  He eventually was used by God and fathered the twelve tribes of Israel (his new name given by God).  Jacob is a man that we would do well to avoid modeling our life after but we can certainly see God’s grace in His life.  God can use a schemer like Jacob… or you...  or I.  God is worthy!  

“Most of us have times in life... times when we are fighting a battle that feels beyond us.  We respect experts, but we long for someone who has been there, who can identify inside out...  When we pray, we pray to the living God, who has become like us.   The Lord Jesus identifies with us, because He has known human life inside out.  Yet, because He is the God-man, He is able not only to understand and identify with us but also to care for us, to empower us, and to intervene on our behalf.”


- Gary Ingrig

Prayer Prods

  1. Steve recovering (fall, leg surgery, and embolism) 
  2. Becky M recovering from back surgery
  3. Tami N - at home, still coughing, awaiting test results from Mayo
  4. Flu and illnesses making rounds
  5. Cancer:  Peggy O, Ron M, Joyce N, Joe R, Kathie P
  6. Gerald B - hospice care at home
  7. Folks ministering in the area (Good News Jail, Four the Master, Good News clubs, Aspire)
  8. All of our "Joyous Hearts"  - those ages 55 and older

General Calendar