Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Mary Ann Albaugh, Paul Albaugh, William Albaugh, and David Burrier at the passing of their brother/uncle, Frank Burrier, on Friday, October 10. Arrangements will be private.
THANK YOU: to my church family for all the cards, prayers, and hugs at the loss of my wife, Linda. Your support, prayers, and words of encouragement have really helped and been a source of strength during this difficult time. Steve Manning
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are in need of full-time and substitute Sunday School teachers. Volunteers must be faithful members. Please see Pastor Lewis Howell if God leads you to share your talents in this vital area of ministry.
SUPER SIXTIES TRIP: There are still seats available for our upcoming trip to Penn Alps this Saturday! All ages are invited to join us. Sign up at the Welcome Desk or see Pastor Howell.
CHURCH WORK DAY: Come out and help us make a difference! Looking for volunteers to help with cleaning, painting, and other various projects around the church and school buildings, this Saturday, October 25, starting at 8:00 a.m. Please sign up at the Welcome Desk or see Steve Bond for questions.
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: is a special session that our GriefShare & DivorceCare programs will be having on Tuesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. A sign-up sheet for GriefShare is located at the Welcome Desk. See Anne-Marie Albaugh for the DivorceCare session.
From My Heart
I want to share my opinion on the peace agreement President Trump negotiated between Israel and Hamas. I don’t know if you were able to watch any of the coverage last Monday, but I was a little shocked at how every one of those Middle East dictators, and the Royal Potentates, and all the Grand Poobah’s coddled and exalted Trump. It made me think of just how easily the world will follow the Antichrist. I thought the entire scene last Monday was very strange, and it reeked of being a “show.”
I suppose the million-dollar question is, “Will this peace plan actually bring peace in the Middle East?” Now, I think it is a noble effort, and I pray there is a reprieve for the people of Israel and for the surrounding nations, but I can only view this in the light of two things! First, what does the Bible tell us about when peace will come to the region? And second, what does Islam teach, and what do billions of Muslims believe about the matter of peace?
First, back in Genesis 16, Abraham had a child with Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid. God had promised Abraham and Sarai a child, and when Sarai did not give Abraham a child, she suggested that he have a child with Hagar. The name of that child was Ishmael. The Palestinian people are the direct descendants of Ishmael. The thing that connects all the Arab nations in the Middle East today is their religion, Islam. This religion has for 1300 years taught the Arabs to hate the Jews and strive to remove them from the land that is today, Israel.
So, all the peace treaties that could ever be dreamed up will never prove to bring actual peace. If you remember, the Antichrist will broker peace with Israel during the Tribulation Period, and then he will break his own treaty and turn against the Jewish people! The only One who will finally bring peace to the world is the Lord Jesus Christ - the “Prince of Peace” (Isa.9:6). That will happen after the Battle of Armageddon once the Antichrist is cast into the Lake of Fire. So, I don’t have much hope in this peace treaty bringing real and lasting peace. It may help a little while, but this will not be the final solution.
Second, Islam believes that peace comes only through the edge of a sword! When the whole world has submitted to Islam and the Muslims rule the earth, they will call that “peace.” The Quran has a doctrine that allows Muslims to lie right to your face to preserve their purposes. It is sort of an “end justifies the means” philosophy. “Peace” to a Muslim nation is an entity that happens because their “jihad” against the infidels of the world is won, and the world has submitted to Allah! So, this treaty will be just like all the rest of them that have been written and signed - and it will not last (in my opinion). With this treaty, Hamas and the Palestinians have submitted to the West…and that is nothing more than a survival tactic for Hamas leadership! Nothing has changed; Hamas leadership lives on to fight another day! We will see!
Have a great day and pray for your country and for revival!
Pastor Norris