Faith over fear!

10/18/2025

Good morning church family,

GIVING THANKS:

Thanks to Jay for preaching a great sermon last Sunday in Ron’s absence.

Thanks to all who contributed items for the college care bags! The ladies were able to put together 13 bags (our goal was 6), so many of our college aged students (and a few others) were also encouraged! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Greg & Linda Cerminara give thanks that they are settling into their new home in Ohio well! Greg & Linda wrote a note that is posted in the foyer. They are loving being with Amber, Christopher and their family there. Their new address is:

938 Oldcastle Rd, Lewis Center, OH 43035

BENEVOLENCE:

In collaboration with The Trumbull early school program (Head Start). We are collecting items that S.N.A.P does not cover. These items will be given to children in need. Soap, Toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. We will be collecting these over the next few weeks. A list and a collection box can be found in the front foyer. Thanks to Kaydeen for spear heading this effort.

SPOONER HOUSE is in need of non-perishable food items.

Just a reminder that we have an ongoing need at SPOONER HOUSE for non-perishable food. So many of you have been so generous through the years. Thanks for always remembering to bring food in for them.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Our prayers continue to cover Leo Benevento and family as he fights this battle of severe aplastic anemia. His body now has the NEW BONE MARROW. The doctors and nurses have given the family a heads up that he will become sicker as he is in the deepest throws of this treatment, yet over the past few days he has been resting comfortably. PRAISE GOD!! The photo above is of JoAnne (upper right corner) who was face timing Leo. The photo below is the most recent picture of Leo resting comfortably.

Continued prayers for Leo to be strong and get through this battle. Day by day, God will give Leo what he needs to endure. God is working and we give HIM THANKS!

Pamela Pimpton requested prayers since she has been dizzy and not feeling well.

Sam Walkup could use prayers. He has been struggling with fevers on & off as he has an antibiotic resistant infection. Sam has had adifficult journey over the past few years, and we thank you all for keeping him in prayer.

Susan Streety (a former member of our congregation), asked for prayers for her Mother Joyce Adams since she recently had shoulder surgery.

FLYERS FOR ALL AREA EVENTS ARE POSTED ON THE AUDITORIUM TABLE

COMING UP:

Tuesday Ladies bible study via zoom, next class on October 28th. Thanks to Lisa Saracino and Mary Lou for leading this mid-week bible study which continues in the book of Revelation, lesson 11 “An eternal dwelling”.

The next Saturday Ladies bible study will be on the 3rd Saturday November 15th, from 10:00-12:00 at the church building. Sister Beulah Collymore will be teaching the next study which is “The Anointing”. For any women who are not able to come to these in-house studies, the book we are using is written by Casandra Martin – Women Opening the Word series. The book is available on-line – Fragrance of Faith, Discovering the Aroma of Christ in the Beatitudes. Thanks to all of the ladies who have signed up for teaching these bible classes this year. We have an amazing group of women and God is glorified!

October 25th – Trunk or Treat set up will be at 4:30pm and we will start at 5:00pm. See the sign up sheets for food & trunks! This is a fun and light hearted evening for our children (and the adults!).

Sunday, November 2nd – POT LUCK

Autumn themed pot luck is requested..cozy fall recipes such as chili, soups, casseroles, and pies are welcomed! Please use these pot lucks as opportunities to invite friends, family and loved ones. There is always plenty of food for all!

YOUNG ADULTS

Ron & Lisa will be hosting an evening for the Young Adults November 14th at 6:30. This will be a dinner, devo, game night. Please bring a dessert to share.

Psalm 19:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.”

Not sure if many of us have heard about this microscopic animal called Tardigrade but it is most unusual.

They are also known as “little water bears” because of their plump shape and lumbering movement. They are also known as “moss piglets”. They are a phylum of eight legged segmented micro-animals. They appear as tiny, nearly translucent specs, and you cannot see any detail without a microscope. Tardigrades are at the very limit of human visibility!

These microscopic creatures are vegetarian and are found lurking in mosses and lichens.

They have been subjected to some torturous conditions in an attempt to understand how and why they are able to survive in such harsh environments. They have been subjected to sub-zero temperatures, crushing pressures and radiation that should easily kill them, as well as high temps of 150 degrees Celsius. They have withstood pressures of 40,000 kilopascals and being stored in a freezer for 30 years. They’ve even been thrown into the vacuum of space, all without any effect on them!

Tardigrades enter a state called “cryptobiosis, in which they lose nearly all metabolic function, allowing them to survive without water for years. This extraordinary resilience has earned them the title of “the toughest creature on Earth”.

Scientists are still researching the hardiness of the Tardigrade species, but really, all they’ve got to do is to trust that our CREATOR, created them for a purpose. Perhaps it’s not for us to understand their true purpose on this planet, but GOD KNOWS for HE CREATED THEM…Genesis 1:1 .

A chariot is a type of vehicle similar to a cart, driven by a charioteer, using horses to provide rapid power in transportation.

The word “chariot” itself comes from the Hebrew word rekesh, which refers to a wheeled vehicle. In biblical times, chariots were often drawn by horses and were a crucial component of ancient military strategy.

Chariots were a mark of prestige and technological advancement of their time. They were not merely transportation devices but were integral to a king’s ability to project power and maintain control over his territory. In ancient times, the strength of a kingdom was gauged by its possession of “chariots and horses”.

King Solomon bolstered his strength by amassing “Chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.” 1 Kings 10:26

Pharaoh of Egypt and King Sennacherib of Assyria are other biblical examples of rulers with large armies. These two kings are especially significant as God showcased His supremacy over their military powers…

Exodus 14:6-14 & 2 Kings 19 David was a courageous warrior, but he relied on the LORD to give him victory!

In scripture, chariots often symbolize the might of nations. They were seen as tools of oppression and war, but they also served as vehicles of God’s divine power and judgement.

Chariots of fire, as seen in Elijah’s ascension, are a powerful reminder of God’s divine intervention and the spiritual realm. God’s POWER is greater than anything and transcends earthly limitations! 2 Kings 2:11 “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.”

In Exodus 14:25 we read about GOD’S POWER against the Egyptians.…

“He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” God’s power over earthly forces emphasizes that we humans are subject to HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY.

In 2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened, revealing the “hills full of horses and chariots of fire” surrounding them. God’s forces are more powerful than any human army!

Chariots also symbolize the trials and tribulations that arise in life, representing our challenges which can sometimes seem insurmountable. Praise God for His Word which reminds us of God’s omnipotence, omnipresence and omnipotence! His protective presence during our storms, gives us incredible HOPE!

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not set you ablaze.”

When facing difficulties that feel overwhelming, Christians can remember that like Elisha’s servant, they may not see the full picture. Trusting in GOD’s presence and power can transform our fear into FAITH!

God’s MIGHT & POWER surpasses ANY earthly challenges we face!

2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Psalms 68:17

“The chariots of God are myriads,

thousands upon thousands;

The LORD is among them as in Sinai,

In the Holy Place.”

God reassures us in scripture...Do not fear!

Genesis 15:1

“Do not be afraid Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.“

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear,for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.“

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil.

for you are with me.”

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled,

and do not be afraid.”

Fear is a natural human emotion, but GOD repeatedly tells us to “FEAR NOT”…

WHY should we not fear?

Because human fear distracts us from faith. If we are constantly afraid, we doubt God’s promises.

When we let fear take over, it leads us to sink. Peter failed to focus on Jesus when he was walking out to him on the water, so he began to sink. Matthew 14:30 “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith”, he said, “why did you doubt”?

GOD is so much bigger than our fears!

Jesus reminds us over 20 times in the gospels to “Not fear“….

Mark 4:40 Jesus calmed the storm.

Matthew 28:10 Jesus appeared after His resurrection.

John 6:20 Jesus encouraged His disciples.

And the list goes on.

Each time Jesus reinforced that FAITH, not fear should guide our lives!

KEEP SINGING

The Battle belongs to the LORD

The Battle Belongs to the Lord! Acapella

In heavenly armor We’ll enter the land,

The battle belongs to the Lord!

No weapon that’s fashioned Against us will stand,

The battle belongs to the Lord!

We sing glory, honor,