April 3, 2025

News from Isabel Acheson for issue of Apr. 3, 2025

Somerset Bible Chapel 

The highlight of the week leading up to Sunday may have been the birth Thursday of a baby boy to one family; and then, Sunday morning, the birth of a baby girl to another church family (Grandma had a picture early in the service to make the announcement!)

The Worship Service for Sunday March 30th was opened with Rejean Picard giving the announcements. 

The Refugee Sponsorship Committee notified the congregation early in the week that the husband and father of the sponsor family in Thailand had passed away from health complications. The mother and four children survive and still need care. 

Pastor Jeff Peacock with guitar and Jamie Small at piano led the singing beginning with Prayer for the Refugee family. 

Rick Ross led the Prayer Focus. Byron Timmerman was the usher, and the Scripture reading was given by Jamie Small from 2 Corinthians 2:1-11. 

The music selections included “Here Is Love”, “All Glory Be to Christ”, “You Are My King”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me” and The Doxology for the closing.

The study of 2nd Corinthians continued with a difficult passage. Pastor Jeff in his sermon noted that this particular text is one of the best texts in the scriptures about Forgiveness. Beginning with the pain of sin, Paul is dealing with the direct false accusations that had been made earlier. Verses 5-8 direct the forgiveness of the sinner. 

The church is being called upon to restore the repentant sinner,  and, to renew fellowship. Pastor Jeff outlined five steps in the process. 1) acknowledge that sin is painful (v. 1-5). 2) Seeking Repentance is difficult (v. 4a). At the moment of pain we do not feel love and forgiveness. However, Love is a disciplined decision. 

3) The process of repentance and restoration is clear (Matthew 18:15-17 and Matt. 5:23). Whether you are the sinner or the injured, It is always your move. 4) Confronting can sometimes involve the whole church.  

5) Forgiveness is not optional. In v. 10-11 Paul speaks of forgiveness in terms of learning to forgive like Christ.   The sermon closed with prayer and the singing of “Praise God to Whom all Blessings Flow”. 

Monthly bulletins and previous reports are available on the website www.somersetbiblechapel.com