“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” – October 4, 2009

By Pastor Ronald Coleman

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; We are perplexed, but not in dispair;

Click here to view the bulletin (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Thought for the week
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a rest home for saints.

VIEW ARCHIVES OF PREVIOUS WEEKS’ MESSAGES (INCLUDING SERMON AUDIO)

Media

Full Service

Sermon Only

Retrieved and used with permission from www.brethren.org.

Another way of living
In the New Testament, the word “brethren” describes a community of men and women who chose another way of living: the way of Jesus. The Church of the Brethren, begun three centuries ago in Germany, still draws people who want to continue Jesus’ work of faithfulness and loving service.


Continuing the work of Jesus
Though the Brethren as a group have existed for three hundred years, we subscribe to no formal “creed” or set of rules. We simply try to do what Jesus did.

Jesus brought a message of life, love, and hope. But he offered much more than inspiring words: He understood that people’s spiritual needs also include day-to-day human ones — food, health, rest, comfort, friendship, and unconditional acceptance. “I am the way,” he told his followers. He showed them how to trust, how to care, and how to help.

Steadily, lovingly, even radically, Jesus went about saving the world — by serving its people. Because we believe his message, we seek to do the same.


Peacefully
Whether the conflict involves warring nations, racial discord, theological disputes, personal disagreement, or mere misunderstanding, Brethren listen conscientiously, seek guidance in the scriptures, and work toward reconciliation. We practice peaceful living.

Our longstanding commitment to peace and justice includes a deep regard for human life and dignity. Brethren reach worldwide to help repair the ravages of poverty, ignorance, exploitation, and catastrophic events. Along with our faith, we bring food, books, classes, tools, and medicine.

Living peacefully, to the Brethren, means treating each person with the attentive, compassionate respect that all human beings deserve.


Simply
Years ago, all Brethren were immediately recognizable because of their plain dress and reserved ways. Today’s Brethren live very much in the world, work in a broad range of occupations, and make use of the latest technology.

Continually, though, we try to simplify our lives. Practicing a modest nonconformity, we think carefully about our daily choices. The ideal of simplicity guides our decisions: How will we conduct our business, raise our children, spend our leisure time, tend our natural resources? How will we use our money, and why? How can we live comfortably, but without excess or ostentation?

For the Brethren, such considerations are not a requirement, but a privilege. As we seek to live intentionally, responsibly, and simply, we find a deep sense of purpose. And we find joy.


Together
Whether worshiping, serving, learning, or celebrating, Brethren act in community. Together, we study the Bible to discern God’s will; we make decisions as a group, and each person’s voice matters.

During our traditional love feast, we gather at the table of the Lord, and each summer at Annual Conference we convene as a denominational family. Because Jesus urged unity, Brethren work alongside other denominations, at home and abroad, in worldwide mission and outreach.

Our congregations welcome all who wish to share with us in another way of living: the way of Christian discipleship, life in community, fulfillment in service.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
- Matthew 19:14 (NKJV)

Jesus loves the little children, there is no doubt about that. There are verses all throughout the Scriptures that talk of the absolute importance and vitality of youth in the world. Youth are not only the future of the Church, but are the future of the world. It is an extremely important and urgent task that the Church bring the children up believing and living in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At Henry Fork Church of the Brethren, we realize the importance of this part of the Great Commission and are doing our part to fulfill this task.

Our 2009 Vacation Bible School, SonRock Kids Camp, was a huge success thanks to all of our kids and wonderful volunteers. We averaged around 85-90 kids each evening, and had about 40 volunteers! During the week we learned ways Jesus shows us he accepts and loves us through stories of Peter. We then showed an example of our love by collecting useful items to send to our troops overseas. We were able to send 16 packages to soldiers sharing God’s Love! Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make the week run smoothly and efficiently!

Below you will find several picture galleries from the week of Vacation Bible School. To view the images – Click on the red title that states the title of the album.. Then click on any of the images to make them larger. You can then use the double >> key at the bottom of the larger pictures to navigate the rest of the pictures. Click the image itself when you want to exit larger view. (If you have any issues with the website, please contact Mike Miller at: )

VBS 2009 - Gallery #1

First Gallery of images from Vacation Bible School 2009

62 Photos

 

VBS 2009 - Gallery #2

Second Gallery of Images from VBS 2009

66 Photos

 

VBS 2009 - Gallery #3

Third Gallery of images from Vacation Bible School 2009

66 Photos

 

VBS 2009 - Gallery #4

Fourth Gallery of images from Vacation Bible School 2009

65 Photos