Deacon Tom Sanford to Speak on Sunday, May 30

(5-27-21) The Congregation of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ – Rockford invites the community to hear Deacon Tom Sanford, who will be in the pulpit on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Tom is a member of New Life Christian Center in Celina and delivers a powerful message from the Bible.

His sermon title is Our Identity Found in Ruth from the Old Testament Scripture Ruth 1:16

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Dana Smith, will speak on Sunday, June 6, 2021.

Former Missionary, Alex Knous leads worship service at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

The Congregation of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ – Rockford welcomed a former missionary Alex Knous (from New
Life Christian Center in Celina) to the pulpit on Sunday, May 16, 2021. His message, began with three questions:
1) Why are we gathering today?
2) Do you really want to be here today?
3) What is your reason for being here today?

In the scriptures, Alex read the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God with all of your soul. . . and that is
why we gather.

Love your neighbor as yourself, and when we love God it is easier to love others and therefore we want to be in church.
John the Baptist said of his love for Jesus that Jesus must increase and John must decrease. God’s love for us is larger
than we can imagine.

We care about our church family and want to be with them. This is when the main events of service occur, the important part. In Hebrews 10:19-25, there is love for God and love for one another. All parts must work together in our gifts to stir up good works. Be thankful toward each other. Pray for one another. Then Alex reminded the congregation of the woman who had bled for years and was determined to touch Jesus. She followed him and touched the hem of his robe. Jesus felt energy surge to her and asked who did that. He told her that her faith had made her well.

The congregation then prayed for and with those in the congregation who needed extra encouragement.

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey Delivers Message on May 23, 2021

Member Janet Green visits with Sheriff Jeff Gray after church.

The Congregation of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ – Rockford welcomed Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Gray to the pulpit on Sunday, May 23, 2021. His message centered around the events of the past year that have changed our lives.

Two things that have never happened before were the COVID-19 Virus and the Defund the Police Movement.

He has happy to announce that, with his team of nurses and officers, they were able to keep COVID out of the jail. But
he mourned the death of one of their officers to COVID-19.

There were lots of directives coming down from the Governor and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department handled everything with great care. Mercer County is safer than big cities like Columbus. He asked us to pray for policemen and deputies here and everywhere especially since Defund the Police has become a political theme in many places. He cited deaths among law enforcement are way up for this time of year and it is alarming.

He cited the order of his priorities: God; Family; and Job.

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