Anniversary of King James Bible

From a Today in Literature emailing (02May05):

On this day in 1611 the King James Bible was published. The first "Authorized" Bibles were in 16" x 11" editions — most churches chained them to the pulpit — but the personal-sized edition followed soon after.

Although it had an immediate and lasting impact, the book did not make everyone happy. Some denounced its availability and readability, taking issue with the announced goal of creating a book that “may be understood even [by] the very vulgar." Some just thought that the editors did a bad job: "Tell His Majesty that I had rather be rent in pieces with wild horses, than any such translation by my consent should be urged upon poor churches,” wrote one scholar asked for comment. And over the next days, years and centuries, as the KJV went through edition after edition, many pointed out (or just enjoyed) the now-infamous typos:

• the "Basketball" edition, in which "hoopes" instead of "hookes" are used in the construction of the Tabernacle.
• the "Vinegar" edition, in which Luke tells "The Parable of the Vinegar” instead of "The Parable of the Vineyard."
• the "Murderers" edition, in which Jesus says "Let the children first be killed" instead of "Let the children first be filled."
• the "Unrighteous" edition, in which “the unrighteous shall inherit the Kingdom of God.”
• the "Wicked" edition, in which the seventh commandment is “Thou shalt commit adultery."

One Great Hour of Sharing :: Pentecost

Karolyn Rood, Chair of the Missions Committee, shares that the One Great Hour of Sharing offering collected on Palm Sunday totaled $1,792.36. Thank you!

The Pentecost offering will be collected on May 15th. We'll use the money to support youth organizations, both locally and nationally.

New Projection System Activated

Sunday marked the first time the church used its new ceiling-mounted projection system during worship. Shown above is the scene at the start of the service, when Brad Murphy gave an update on the unit he was with in Iraq.

For a closer look on how we installed the system, see the projector slideshow (3 views).

Thank You to Christian Education Teachers!

During Children's Time, youngsters presented flowers to their Sunday School teachers.
During worship, the congregation acknowledged and thanked the Christian Education teachers for the year.

Sunday Journeys:

• Liz Feller & Jill Rice, Preschool/Kindergarten
• Mike Moore, Chime Moore, & Christine Rathburn, 1st-3rd grades
• Kara Althoff & Cyndi Barski, 4th-6th grades
• Anita Robirds, Jr. High
• Linda Easum & Sandy Hatch, Sr. High
• Sara Neeley, Adult Sunday Journeys
• Bill Hassler, Claudia Hassler, Sandy Hatch, Charlotte Patrick, Jackie Payne & David Hunter, New Members Class
• Shelby Wetzel, Cradle Roll
• Barbara Fagerberg & Claudia Hassler, Strugglers
• David Hunter & Linda Hunter, Thursday Noon Bible Study

Thank God It's Wednesday:

• Brian Rodgers & Anna Rodgers, Jr. High YF
• Matt Lawson, Kim Lawson, Cyndi Barski, Sandy Hatch, & Stacy Wheeler, Sr. High YF
• Gregg Bessler, Joy Ann Bloom, & David Hunter, Adult Discussion Group
• Clark Fisher & David Hunter, The Case for Faith
• Doug Nelson & Winifred Wasden, Wit and Wisdom
• Mickey Ferren, Vivian Fowler, Sandy Hatch, Cy Muecke, Kelly Muecke, Daniel Osborn, Jim Vaughn, LeGene Vaughn, Tim Hunter, Brian Rodgers, and McDonald's (for the drinks), Kitchen Crew

Finishing the Race

1 Peter 3:13-22 & John 14:15-21: "[15] 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, [17] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.'" (John 14:15-18)

Other scripture used in the sermon: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Philippians 2:12-13: "[24] Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." (1 Corinthians 9:24)

On Sunday, 01 May 2005, Mr. Hunter shared the story of Derek Redmond, the United Kingdom 400m runner, who showed courage and determination during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. (His story--Finishing At Any Cost--is featured on the International Olympic Committee's web site.) When Redmond tore his hamstring during the middle of his semi-final heat, he arose and hobbled toward the finish in enormous pain, determined to complete the race. His father, Jim Redmond, rushed from the stands to help his son. Just before the finish line, the father let go, so his son could finish the race on his own.

Derek Redmond's story, says Mr. Hunter, combines and illustrates the main ideas of the day's scripture.

First, the close relationship between Derek Redmond and his father--especially the father's determination to help his son--illustrates the relationship Christ was speaking of when he said, "I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (John 14:20).

Second, at the Last Supper, Christ's disciples expressed dismay that he was leaving them and requiring them to continue His work without His presence. In this, Jesus said, they were wrong, because the Holy Spirit would dwell in them to sustain them.

Third, in 1 Corinthians 9, Paul explains that we should pursue our spiritual journeys with the same strenuous effort as Olympic-class athletes, but with this advantage: we will never have to run the race of faith alone.

What is the finish line, Mr. Hunter asked, for our race of faith? The goal is to conform to the image of Christ, which we achieve by loving God and keeping his new commandments to love one another.