calvary updates 06/19/26
- Frank Winfrey
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
We had two special people pass on to their eternal reward this week, Sonny Copeland and David Litz. Sonny had known the Lord a long time. David just recently, about 3 months ago, accepted Christ as his Savior. Please be in prayer for Sonny's widow, Jan, and their family. David was not married, but leaves extended family behind that loved and cared for him. Pray for them too please.
I love Jesus' words from John 5.
24“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
So, according to Jesus, we conclude that Sonny and David have crossed over to the other side, from the temporal to the eternal. Some say there is nothing left after the body is laid to rest, but very few actually believe that. The truth is that God has put a knowing that there is something more beyond the grave. Ecclesiastes 3:11, where the Bible notes that God "has also set eternity in the human heart".
Life brings such a range of emotions and head scratching encounters. Ecclesiastes 3 is one of the more quoted passages from the Old Testament.
1There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9What do workers gain from their toil? 10I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
In the midst of paradox and pain, joy and sadness, we will never have the full picture of what God has done. The conclusion from King Solomon is that there nothing better than for people to be happy with the opportunities that God has provided, to see the good even in the midst of pain.
I am sad and happy today because I got to know, far too briefly, two beautiful people who brought joy to my life. David and Sonny, I will see you soon.
Sunday, June 21st Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:30 AM.
Come and join us!. This week I can't wait to unlock some of the gems the venerable apostle shares with is in I John as we start the series, "Verification Code Please?" The title this Sunday is "Scrubbed Clean by the Truth of God." Our Sunday School provides two options exploring the life of Saul in I Samuel or the book of Daniel looking at the Anti- Christ. Donuts and coffee at 9:15 AM.
A Song you will hear this Sunday
(2) Casting Crowns - Who Am I (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube
Prayer Wednesday, June 24th 5:30-6:30 PM. Cheryl has our devotions.
Movie Night Sunday, June 28th 4 PM In celebration of our 250th, we will show "Lincoln."
Flourish Tuesday, June 30th 10-12 noon
Brazil Missions Trip. Continue to pray for and consider investing in sending our team to Brazil, July 9-21! Mission envelopes at the rear of the Sanctuary if you wish to give.
Today's readings were: Deuteronomy 24; Isaiah 51; Psalms 114, 115 and Revelation 21. If you are looking for a different reading plan, you might enjoy:
What word or concept did I say last week was repeated 27 times in I, 2 and 3 John?
In Jesus joy,
Pastor Frank Winfrey
cell: 309-645-9621
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