STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

February 26, 2024

A Point from pastor

Stephen Charnock wrote, "God is only originally good, good of himself.  All created goodness is a rivulet from this fountain, but divine goodness has no spring;"  

If this is true, any good action we see from mankind flows from God as the source.   Jesus understood that no man is good in himself ("No one is good except God alone" - Luke 18:19).  This was testified by Paul as he quoted from Psalm 14, "no one does good, not even one" (Rom. 3:12).  Note:   Jesus did not say that "no one is good except the Father alone" but included Himself in stating that God alone is good.  All the good that Jesus did in His ministry was "God goodness," from the source.  

Good done and goodness realized in our life is always, thus, an opportunity to praise God.  When we do good, may we thank the Lord for His goodness that flows through us.  When we experience goodness in others, certainly we should thank them but may we also offer praise to God.   The phrase "God is good" in those times is certainly more appropriate than "you are good."

Thank you God for your infinite, perfect goodness.  Every good and perfect gift comes from you!  
_________

Sunday is Communion.   We will share in the body and blood of Christ.  May these days before be a time of contemplation and preparation as you come to draw near to God.   God is good!  

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

Club Gym Night -  Wednesday night is gym night for Club kids.  The kids will be at Gretna Elementary School (not the middle school).   This coincides with the normal club time - Wednesday night from 6:45 to 8:10pm.  Please drop off on the EAST side of the school (the parking lot there).  

Pinewood Derby Workshop -  The second workshop for Wednesday night club kids (ages K-5th grade) is Saturday morning at 10am.  The workshops are an opportunity to build the car (the pinewood car kit is free from SSB).   The final two workshops are 3/2 and 3/9.   The Pinewood Derby is March 13th - that night, friends/parents/grandparents may all join and cheer on the racers .

TLT - Continuing on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 is the annual Teen Life Truths training for 6th graders and older.  This week is session # 6.

Info Class (Membership) - An information class begins this Sunday morning for any interested in learning more about SSB and possibly pursuing membership.  The three-session class will be March 3, 10 and 17 during the Sunday school hour (8:45 - 9:45am).

Directory Photos - The 2024 directories are coming soon.  Sunday morning before and after service you may stop in downstairs to have your photo taken.   You may also email a recent photo to the office (a certain cropping is needed - so not all photos can be used).  

upcoming events

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

Ladies' Retreat - March 8-9 at Moses Merrill Conference Center.   Come and enjoy a time of fellowship with sisters in Christ.    You may register HERE or by sending an EMAIL to Aimee Lane.  Please register by this Sunday, 3/3.  

STINT Discipleship Weekend -  Although registration is past, there may be room for another youth - let Pastor Tim know soon if you have an interest.  This 2-day youth event is in  Kearney, Nebraska March 15-16.

Men's Shed Event - Men, mark your calendar for 3/22 (Friday evening) as we gather for a chili cook-off, speakers, music, and great fellowship with other men.  Your sons are invited as well as other men you know.  

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

- Psalm 34:8

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

- Psalm 107:1

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

- Nahum 1:7

the Lord's day

Worship music at the end?  We ended the service in praise to our glorious God.   Thus, we had an early sermon.  Perhaps the music we closed with will carry many through the week - it is good to have a song of praise in your heart towards God.  Thank you to all who lead us in music each week!  

We moved forward in 1st John 5 considering our God who "gets us" - Jesus, He gets us.  We played on the wording from the popular and controversial ad campaign.   Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) who came to save us.   He washed feet but only His disciples; and one of them was condemned to hell.  God gave three witnesses to Jesus being the Christ:  the water, blood, and Spirit.   We who have this testimony should share it with everyone.  Perhaps we do acts of service for others we encounter but may we always help them understand the true gospel message - that they are sinners but Christ died for them.  

Who is Worthy?

Noah was the one man in a wicked generation that found favor in God’s eyes.  He walked with God.   He is also described as being a “righteous man, blameless in his generation.”  Surrounded by wickedness, Noah obeyed God, trusted God, served God, and believed God.  Imagine the scoffing he would have heard as he built a ship in the middle of the countryside.  Imagine the laughter when he described a worldwide flood to a people who had never experienced a small one.  Imagine the jeering from a people who had gone from a perfect garden less than 2,000 years before to being godless.  Noah was surely hated, despised and mocked for his sincere trust in God.   “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebr. 11:7).   God used Noah to save the world even though condemning the world.   God spared and used Noah.   God is worthy! 

  “We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow's end, never honest, nor kind nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap the altar of the Future every real gift which is offered them in the Present. It follows, then, in general, and other things being equal, that it is better for your patient to be filled with anxiety or hope (it doesn't matter which) about this war than for him to be living in the Present.”  

- C.S. Lewis,   from Screwtape writing to his demon nephew about afflicting his Christian "patient."  

Prayer Prods

  1. Several around us in recent days with flu and sickness.
  2. Gerald B - continuing hospice care at home
  3.  Surgery recoveries - Becky still in significant pain from surgery six months ago/
  4.  McFarling's - legal troubles.
  5.  SSB leadership - new elders begin March.
  6.  ABC - pastoral search
  7.  Many dealing with cancer concerns.
  8. Israel - peace, courage, protection

General Calendar