Because of requests for the ability to go back to past issues of the Berea Christian Church Weekly Recap, and the wild notion that anybody would want to re-read some of the preacher's stuff, we will maintain at least three weeks of back issues on this archive page.  Of course, this makes more work for the webmaster; but, the Lord has blessed him beyond measure for years and a little more work won't hurt him. 

Weekly Recap 08/22/2010 

IN MEMORIAM 

Rev. Diann Lynn Hoagland, Youth Minister, Berea Christian Church.
March 1, 1956 - August 18, 2010

On Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at approximately 11:25 a.m., Diann was returning from her daily walk.  As she approached her home she saw a white pickup truck parked in the Hoagland farm drive.  She called her husband's (Harold "Butch" Hoagland) cell phone and told him about the truck.  He told her that it might be a water company truck belonging to the utility which is piping water to rural homes.  He arrived from a job cutting a friend's hay sometime before noon and found Diann shot to death in their front yard. 

Police theorize that Diann interrupted a burglary in progress in their home.  Multi-agency Police and Prosecutor's investigators are cooperating in the investigation.

Diann had been ordained by Berea Christian Church elders as Youth Minister on February 18, 2007.  She served in that capacity for exactly three years, six months.  She was Berea's song leader during worship services and other functions.  She was the director of our favorite Christmas play, "Angels Aware."  She taught Christian Education classes for many years and recently taught the Jr. High, then, the High School class in our Christian Education program.  She attended several Women of Faith conferences; cooperated in community Vacation Bible School; and was well known in the Ashland, Illinois area for her work.  For many years she was a "band aide" parent for the A-C Central High School Marching Band and other school activities.  She organized several fundraising events to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  She was active on the farm, assisting her husband with many tasks and was the family/farm bookkeeper.  In her "spare" time she spent countless hours with her seven grandchildren who range in ages from thirteen to newborn.

In her celebration of life service, held today, Monday, August 23, 2010 at Berea Christian Church, I was honored to say this concerning Diann. 

"I didn't know Diann to have an enemy.  Everybody loved her.  And, if we were to begin to collect tidbits of memories from all her friends, we would fill volumes.  In tribute to her I feel I must say this from my own perspective.  I like to think that in almost seventy-five years I have made many friends - at least friendly acquaintances.  I have been blessed that, in my wife, I have found my soul-mate.  I have been blessed that, in this church I have found my Berea family.  But, in Diann Hoagland, in the twenty-three years I've known her, I found one of my closest 'best' friends. 

She was my partner in ministry; she was my strong 'right arm' in church-related functions.  Someone, this past week, called her a 'pillar' of this church.  That was an understatement.

Diann didn't like too much thanks for what she felt she ought to do.  I once thanked her for her unending support.  I must have gone on to some extent.  I embarrassed her.  Then she responded, very quietly, 'I'll always be there.'  And she was."

She was, indeed.  She will be missed by all of us.  That empty, sinking, gut-wrenching feeling in many of us will last for a long time.  We pray for her family in this loss.  We pray for ourselves.  We thank God for salvation in Jesus Christ; we thank God for His saving grace.  We pray that God's Holy Spirit will utterly convict the cowardly person or persons who took Diann from us.  

In her last "Kids' Sermon" Diann said, "I'm getting ready to go on vacation.  I have my bags all packed and am ready to go."  She was ready, indeed.  She had placed her faith/trust in Jesus.  She had answered the call. (Acts 2:38).  She had clothed herself in Christ. (Gal. 3:27).  She belongs to eternity and eternity's God.  Rest in peace, Diann, in the arms of your Savior.  

DON'T FORGET DEPARTMENT:
 
Please pray for those on our prayer list.  Ask around and learn that we have received answers and blessings!  We continually make changes to our list.  If you know a name which should be added to or replaced on that list, please let someone know so we can make additions/corrections.  See our "Prayer List" page for updates.  Why not join us for prayer on Wednesday evenings if you're in the neighborhood?  (See time below.) 

Don't forget to  check out the "STARS", our Youth Group link on our TOC page or click on the red link a few words back.  Read about the future of Berea!  See what Diann has done; what Deb P., and Annie are doing. This is hard work and takes hours of preparation. Thank these guys when you get a chance.  (NOTE: Use your browser "back" arrow to come back here.)

"OTHER STUFF" DEPARTMENT:"

Check it out!  "Kids' Sermon" is on its own page.  Find it from the TOC page or the STARS page.  Return links are provided to go back to the STARS page and TOC.  Let us know if you experience any problems.   NOTE: The current sermon is Diann's final message to "her" kids.  That message will remain until the sermons resume.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to:

NOTE:  If you have a family or personal news item you'd like to have included in the Weekly Recap, let me know by phone, email, telegram, etc.  Let Diann know for info to be included in the "STARS" pages.

Thank you, Prayer Partners and thanks to those who attend our Wednesday evening prayer meeting.  We'll see you this coming Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Let me know if I've forgotten anything or anyone.  I'll publish a correction.

And so it goes.  A very sad day in the lives of God's kids.  Love one another.

In Christian love,

Ed

Weekly Recap 08/15/2010 

Let's start out this Weekly Recap with several Scripture passages.  The first comes from Matthew 24 where Jesus' disciples question Him about the "end of the age."  Part of His reply is as follows. ⁷ "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famine and earthquakes in various places.  ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains. . . . ¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."  In Luke 18:8 Jesus, having just taught the parable of the "persistent widow," concludes with these words, "However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"  Our third passage is from 2 Timothy 3:1-5. ¹ "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -- ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with them." 

Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 already believes the end times are here.  Why do I say this?  He tells Timothy to have nothing to do with these kinds of people.  How could Timothy have anything to do with them unless they were already on the scene?  The passage from Matthew 24 is also already upon us.  Nations have risen against nations for hundreds if not thousands of years.  Famine and earthquake are not unknown commodities.  Many not only will, but have already, turned from the faith.  False prophets have proliferated and have deceived many and in the process have deplenished many bank accounts belonging to the gullible.  Love has grown cold in many circles.  It has?  Of course!  Witness the battles among and within churches.  Disgraceful!

If I were to write a letter to Paul (probably entitled 1 Paul), I'd probably tell him that he had hit the nail on the head, but he was being extremely generous in his assessment of the conduct of the world around him. I'd be forced to say something like this.  "Brother Paul, you are so correct.  However, in your love for people you were much too generous.  It's more like this.  Lately (in these last days), people are worse than lovers of themselves.  They are lovers of all that is unholy.  Marital unions of same sex people are common place; they boast of their unions.  Others practice the murder of unborn babies.  Drug abuse is everywhere.  Those entrusted with the governance of their own people are thieves, liars, and utterly corrupt.  They are bent on the destruction of their country.  People are without self-control, brutal (in late term abortions), not lovers of the good, corruption runs rampant in the private as well as the public sector.  They are totally conceited; they are often referred to as the "me" generation.  They are lovers of pleasure and, as a matter of fact, many have absolutely no regard for God.  Paul, they're all around us.  Why didn't we listen to you and others who warned us?"

On the other hand, if I were to respond to the Lord and His question as to whether He'd find faith on the earth when He comes, I'd probably say something like this.  "Lord, if your question is rhetorical, I know the answer because You've already provided it.  Your answer seems to be, 'NO.'  In any case, Lord, recently two souls, Mick and Matt, have accepted Your offer of salvation.  They have been immersed into Your name, have received the forgiveness of their sin, and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Their faith and the faith of those of us who love you is still on the earth.  The implication of this is staggering.  If Your question is not rhetorical, then in response to Your statement ("Yes, I am coming soon.") in Revelation 21:20 we can only quote the words of John, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

DON'T FORGET DEPARTMENT:
 
Please pray for those on our prayer list.  Ask around and learn that we have received answers and blessings!  We continually make changes to our list.  If you know a name which should be added to or replaced on that list, please let someone know so we can make additions/corrections.  See our "Prayer List" page for updates.  Why not join us for prayer on Wednesday evenings if you're in the neighborhood?  (See time below.) 

Don't forget to  check out the "STARS", our Youth Group link on our TOC page or click on the red link a few words back.  Read about the future of Berea!  See what Diann, Deb P., Annie and our STARS are doing. This is hard work and takes hours of preparation. Thank these guys when you get a chance.  (NOTE: Use your browser "back" arrow to come back here.)

"OTHER STUFF" DEPARTMENT:"

Praise the Lord!  Matt H. was immersed into Christ on Monday, August 9, 2010.  Congratulations, Matt.  Welcome to the family of God.

Check it out!  Diann's "Kids' Sermon" is on its own page.  Find it from the TOC page or the STARS page.  Return links are provided to go back to the STARS page and TOC.  Let us know if you experience any problems.  Look for subtle changes to other pages.  Your friendly gremlins are at work. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to:

NOTE:  If you have a family or personal news item you'd like to have included in the Weekly Recap, let me know by phone, email, telegram, etc.  Let Diann know for info to be included in the "STARS" pages.

Thank you, Prayer Partners and thanks to those who attend our Wednesday evening prayer meeting.  We'll see you this coming Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Let me know if I've forgotten anything or anyone.  I'll publish a correction.

And so it goes.  Another day in the lives of God's kids.  Love one another.

In Christian love,

Ed

Weekly Recap 08/08/2010 

I remember many years ago reading the local "weekly newspaper" and marveling (I think) at the fact that "reporters" were able to furnish what might be called gossip column material.  We learned, in that week's edition, that Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so visited in the home of her sister (name given) and that the local quilting circle met in the home of Mrs. Hattie Jones (not her real name) on Tuesday evening.  It may not have been Pulitzer prize material, but in those days before 24/7 TV news programs, iPods, and instant messaging, the news flowed freely.  It also made for conversation starter material on many a porch swing or in the shade of someone's grape arbor (in the days before air-conditioning).  Thus it is, that looking at my calendar for this past week, I notice a few items that might be noteworthy (gossip?) to those who relate to Berea who no longer live in the area and visit us only occasionally.  So, here goes - in the order of occurrence.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold (Butch & Diann) H. visited last week and part of this in the home of their daughter Mary (husband Luke) K. of (name of city omitted), Virginia.  They enjoyed the company of (and even got to babysit with) their granddaughter Amelia.  Knowledgeable informants tell us that they were "allowed" to assist in the construction of a swing set.  Sources also say that they had so much fun that they'll go back again in several months.  Fortunately on their return from Virginia, our travelers did not encounter the snowstorms they experienced on the last trip.

In the absence of Diann, Deb P. delivered the Kids' Sermon.  Local Bereans learned that we have a veritable "talent pool" under our roof.  One could have called Deb's preaching a "command performance."  When Grandma preaches, grandkids listen.

Mr. and Mrs. Greg and Diane (Annie) L. left for their vacation in Wisconsin.  One would hope that it was somewhat cooler there than here with our temperatures in the nineties and humidity indexes breaking one-hundred.  They'll be back in time for "Annie's Pre-Schoolers" Christian Education class for August 15th.  The kids miss her.

This writer and my fishing buddy, Mick K. (also my neighbor, my friend, and faithful worshipper at Berea for a number of years) went fishing this past Tuesday.  Imagine that!  On the way back, as we approached home, Mick said he wanted to be baptized.  We put equipment away, went across the street to another neighbor's swimming pool, and there I took Mick's confession of faith and immersed him into Christ.  Since this was a swimming pool, there was no need to "Pray For The Fish."

Amanda M., daughter of Ed and Kara, a Masters Degree student in Behavioral Analysis at SIUC, moved to a new apartment closer to campus.  Friends helped her move.  Mom and Dad were spared that privilege.  Amanda will begin working as a "graduate assistant" at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders this fall and will complete her degree work in the spring of 2012.

Mr. and Mrs. Ron (Deb) P. daughter Shana and grandkids Addy and Griffin McC. went north (not to Alaska) but to Oak Park to spend the last days of Ron's vacation at the home of daughter Raya (James) B. and grandson Easton.  Sounds like a family reunion.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul (Deb) A. (and a grand child or two?) flew to Montana for a visit this past week.  They'll be back on the 9th with stories to tell.

Matt, (High School), son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry (Mary) H.  taught his first C. E. class today.  It's part of his God and Life Scouting program.  He did an excellent job.  Read about it on the Pre-School page. 

That's probably not all the news that's fit to print from Berea, but that's what this reporter knows.

If you're ever in the neighborhood on a Sunday morning, stop by; study and worship with us.  You'll know us right off!  We're the ones with the smiles on our faces because we know the peace of God which passes all understanding.

DON'T FORGET DEPARTMENT:
 
Please pray for those on our prayer list.  Ask around and learn that we have received answers and blessings!  We continually make changes to our list.  If you know a name which should be added to or replaced on that list, please let someone know so we can make additions/corrections.  See our "Prayer List" page for updates.  Why not join us for prayer on Wednesday evenings if you're in the neighborhood?  (See time below.) 

Don't forget to  check out the "STARS", our Youth Group link on our TOC page or click on the red link a few words back.  Read about the future of Berea!  See what Diann, Deb P., Annie and our STARS are doing. This is hard work and takes hours of preparation. Thank these guys when you get a chance.  (NOTE: Use your browser "back" arrow to come back here.)

"OTHER STUFF" DEPARTMENT:"

Check it out!  Diann's "Kids' Sermon" is on its own page.  Find it from the TOC page or the STARS page.  Return links are provided to go back to the STARS page and TOC.  Let us know if you experience any problems.  Look for subtle changes to other pages.  Your friendly gremlins are at work. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to:

NOTE:  If you have a family or personal news item you'd like to have included in the Weekly Recap, let me know by phone, email, telegram, etc.  Let Diann know for info to be included in the "STARS" pages.

Thank you, Prayer Partners and thanks to those who attend our Wednesday evening prayer meeting.  We'll see you this coming Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Let me know if I've forgotten anything or anyone.  I'll publish a correction.

And so it goes.  Another day in the lives of God's kids.  Love one another.

In Christian love,

Ed

Weekly Recap 08/17/2008

The following paragraph is a "copy" from last week's Weekly Recap.  There's a reason for the re-run.

Many preachers preach on the subject of giving of money and one whom I knew could work it in, no matter what the point of the message might have been.  I believe that one would have to put that in the category of "topical preaching."  But have you noticed that in some of the greatest passages of Scripture, where it appears that money is the issue, it's not!  Read through, better yet, study the parable of the Widow's Mite in Mark 12:41-44.  She put in two copper coins.  It was "all she owned, all she had to live on.  The coin was called a "lepta" (according to my marginal reading) and was worth about 1/64th of a denarius.  So she had in her possession 1/32nd (two coins) of a days wages, since the denarius was equivalent to a day's pay.  She gave it all and the parable is NOT about the money.  It's about the fact that she gave all of HERSELF.  It's never about giving money.  God doesn't need it.  It's about you and me!  In Acts 5, in the story of Ananias and Sapphira, the incident involves money, but it's not about the money!  It's about those two who connived to lie to the Holy Spirit!  It's about "character!"  It's never about the money!  It's about you and me!  Go to Acts 8 and read the account of Simon the Magician (he should have made himself disappear!) and note that it's not about the money.  It never is.  It's about Simon!  And, in our own cases, it's about you and me!  It's about giving of self!  God did!

Yes, indeed, it's about self.  And, we at Berea have an opportunity to look at our collective "self" in the days ahead.  Let's begin at the beginning. 

On May 8, 2008 we contracted with a Springfield sign company to construct and install a new sign for our church.  The project was to take six to eight weeks.  We were required to pay "up front" money in the amount of sixty percent of the total cost.  We did, and according to the agreement, the work was to be finished by the end of June or early July.  Several of us, with the help of the husband of one of our members, used his trencher and installed underground conduit and wiring for lights which would illuminate the sign.  Quite a "thing" for our little church in the country which began its ministry 156 years ago under the name "The church of Christ on Indian Creek."  We're still not "big" in the sense of numbers, but we had memorial fund monies which were contributed in memory of loved ones who had gone on to eternity.  If you're anticipating the progress as you read, you've already guessed that the six to eight weeks came and went with no sign being delivered.  I made phone calls, sent emails, and made personal visits to the company (gas was at four bucks a gallon, my car gets twenty mpg, the distance was about twenty-five miles one-way, and the cost of each trip was around ten dollars) but even here it's not about the money.  It's about a PROMISE to deliver a sign.  During those calls, emails, visits, etc., I was never able to get to the person with whom we signed the contract.  On several occasions, I was able to contact the "Project Manager."  I was PROMISED return phone calls, return emails, and other forms of contact.  Those never came.  It seems that on a couple of occasions, the powers-that-be were involved in meetings and during one of them at the end of the TWELFTH WEEK of waiting I was told that they could "not be bothered."  Finally, in the middle of the FOURTEENTH WEEK, I received an email from the owner/manager of the company stating that he was closing the business doors.  He has our down-payment money, but it's not about the money.  It's about several things, but ultimately it's about only one.

First, it's about the broken hearts of those who chose to memorialize the loss of a loved one by contributing to our memorial fund.  Second, it's about the members of our church who met, chose, and voted to identify our church from the highway.  Third, it's about SELF and CHARACTER of the owner/manager who promised us a sign and it's also about us.  It's never about the money, although $3,894 is a sizeable amount.  It's about "the other guy" and "us."  He has promised us that he will "find a way" to "deliver the job at some point in the future."  He claims to recognize that his "moral obligation exceeds my legal standing."  He says, in a second email after I requested our deposit be refunded, that there "are no funds, the IRS is in first position, the assets are collateralized by lender, and I am left with no choice but to dissolve the corporation and file for personal bankruptcy."  All that may be the case, and yet it's not about money.  It never is.  It's about people!  It's about him, and it's about you and me.  And only time will tell what there is to tell about him and about you and me.  We're left with the options of going to court (all are aware that we have an attorney in our congregation), or biding our time (within limits).  So far, our consensus is to adopt a "wait and see" attitude as to whether he will "find a way . . . to deliver the job."  I won't pontificate on the possibilities or percentages of that promise being kept.  The first promise was not kept.  The second may be.  Collectively, we will not opine on the final destination of our deposit.  It's gone; but once again, it's not about the money.  It's about people; it's about character; and, it's about SELF.  It tests our faith in human nature, and we'll just wait and see.   

   
"DON'T FORGET" DEPARTMENT

Please pray for those on our prayer list.  We continually make changes to our list.  If you know a name which should be added or replaced on that list, please see Deb for those additions/corrections.  See our "Prayer List" page for updates. 

Don't forget to check out the "STARS" (Youth Group) link on our TOC page, (or click the "red" to go there now).  Then, at the bottom of that page, click on "Go to Berea STARS HiLites", (or click the "blue" to go there now).  See what Diann and our STARS are doing. And, this is almost an imperative, let her know you appreciate her work (she spends hours per week at it) and their participation.  (NOTE: Use your browser "back" arrow to come back here.)

"OTHER STUFF" DEPARTMENT

HAPPY August BIRTHDAYS to:
    April H.          Aug.  8
    Ron P.            Aug.   9
    Amanda M.     Aug. 14
    Mary H.          Aug. 17
    Karissa T.       Aug. 19
    Harry H.         Aug. 27
    Lois Mae W.   Aug. 31

NOTE:  If you have a family or personal news item you'd like to have included in the Weekly Recap, let me know by phone, email, telegram, etc.  Let Diann know for info to be included in the "STARS HiLites."

Thank you, Prayer Partners and thanks to those who attend our Wednesday evening prayer meeting.  We'll see you this coming Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.  Everyone is welcome. 

Let me know if I've forgotten anything or anyone.  I'll publish a correction.

And so it goes.  Another day in the lives of God's kids.  Love one another.

In Christian love,

Ed

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