Pleasant Times

News from Mt Pleasant Christian Church - http://mychristianchurch.org - September 2010

A Second Glance… to 3,000 members. He began preaching at

by Cortney Walcott Windfall First Baptist Church in Windfall, IN and
then moved to Little Union Baptist Church in
Revival Unionville, IN (where he met the Chafin family).
From there he went to Lynhurst Baptist Church
Mount Pleasant Christian Church will hold in Indianapolis, IN and then to Bacone College
its annual Revival from September 12th to Chapel in Muskogee, OK where he was Director
September 15th. It is with honor that we invite of Chapel, Pastor of Chapel Church, Hebrew
Pastor Maurice Wright back to our church as a History and Speech Teacher, and the head track
guest speaker. Many of you may know coach.
Maurice, as he has spoken at four of our
revivals. He has a long-standing relationship
with John Turner and an even longer one with
our very own Vernal Chafin. Years ago, when
Maurice was a high school teacher (and a
preacher) in Old Unionville, he needed a place
to stay and Vernal’s parents welcomed him into
their home. At the time, Maurice was preaching
at Little Union Baptist Church where the Chafins
were members. Maurice also owned a store in
Old Unionville that Vernal ran for about a year.
It was in the back of that store in which Maurice
opened a small Post Office. The Unionville Post
Office still operates in that building today.

Along with preaching God’s word,

Maurice has achieved many accomplishments
and an outstanding amount of education. After
serving in the Coast Guard during WWII,
Maurice began furthering his education. He
received his Bachelors Degree from Ball State
University in 1955, a Masters (M.S.) Degree in
Counseling and Guidance from Indiana
University in 1958, and a Masters (M. Div.)
Degree in Church History from Christian
Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 1961.
He continued his education by earning another
Masters (M.A.) Degree from Butler University in
History in 1968. In 2004 his first book was
published: Aren’t You “Por-getting” Something
Grandpa?
Maurice has preached at several
churches, both large and small. The
memberships range any where from 35
Maurice was then commissioned as Missionary
to American Indians by the American Baptist
Convention and served in this position for three
years. He continued his preaching at Logan
Square Baptist Church in Chicago, IL before
moving to Grace United Methodist Church in
Elgin, IL where he was Assistant Pastor. He
continued on to Mooseheart House of God in
Mooseheart, IL where he was Protestant
Chaplain. He then retired from full time
Ministry. But, God was not ready for him to stop
preaching. During his "retirement," he served as
Interim Pastor at New Unionville Baptist Church
in New Unionville, IN and then Oregon Baptist
Church near Terre Haute, IN and Sullivan
Baptist Church in Sullivan, IN. He then
preached at Ellettsville Baptist Church in
Ellettsville, IN and was finally ready to "retire
again" when he was called to Bethel Baptist
Church in Owen County where he is currently
preaching.
One of her former students is Lt. Governor
Becky Skillman.
It is wonderful to have Pastor Maurice Wright
and his wife, Geneva, be a part of Mt. Pleasant’s
Revival. Please join us beginning Sunday,
September 12th at 6:00 p.m. The rest of the
week, September 13th -15th, the Revival will
begin at 7:00 pm. We look forward to seeing
you!

Maurice and his wife, Geneva, enjoy traveling,

making hospital and nursing home
visits, conducting Bible Study in their home, and
volunteering for community projects. Maurice
has eight children. Geneva is now retired from
State Government where she worked for thirty-
one years. During this time she served as State
Director of Vocational and Technical Education
for the State of Indiana, and as State Director of
Aging and In-Home Services for the State. She
has worked under six Governors and has
received many honors in doing so. She began
her career in education by teaching for seven
years in Tunnelton, IN. At the time, the school
was the third smallest school in Indiana.
However, she didn’t let that hold her back in
presenting her students with many opportunities.

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Speeding Nuns?
A cop pulled over a car and approached the driver, a nun.
"Why were you only driving 23 miles per hour on the Highway?" He asked.
"Well, the sign said 23 miles per hour," she replied.
"No, that sign said Highway 23. That's not the speed limit," he said. Then, looking at the other nuns in
the car, he asked, "Why do they look so shaken up?"

"We just exited Interstate 196," she answered.

 The Gates Of Hell
by Pastor Jon Miller

In the scripture Matthew records the words of the Lord when he said, "I will build my church, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) This is a verse in which we as believers can
find great comfort, encouragement and even hope. It is because of misinterpretation of this scripture in
sermons and writings that cause some to miss the great news that Jesus is giving in this one statement.

If you are like me, I am sure that you have heard this verse used to preach about how Satan is
attacking the Lord's Church. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that the church is in a constant spiritual
battle, but that's not the message found here in Matthew. The one thing that always bothered me in
using this verse in relation to the spiritual battle is the mention of the word "gates." There is no general in
his right mind when going into a fierce battle who would ask his superior for gates to use in the fight.
Swords, not gates are used to fight battles. In Bible times one of the most important means of protecting
a city from attack was to build a wall around the city. In the wall there would be at least one gate. Its
purpose was to protect the city, to keep the people in and the enemy out.

The Greek word that Jesus used in Matthew 16:18 which is translated "hell" is the word "Hades" which
refers to death or the grave. This is where the hope and encouragement comes from in this passage.
Jesus was talking to Peter about His church being built upon the profession that He is the Christ. When
you and I come to believe that truth and turn to Him in faith, we go from being dead to being alive in the
body of Christ. Because of the cross, the gates of death are not able to prevail in holding us back. The
gates are not strong enough to keep us when they are bombarded with the blood of Christ. The Apostle
Paul said, "In Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Cor 15:22)

Even in a more literal sense there is coming a day that we call the "rapture" when the trumpet of the
Lord sounds and the dead in Christ will rise to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess 4:16-17) The gates of
death have no power over the Christian. That is the victory that was won for us by Jesus on the cross.
When Jesus introduced Himself in the book of Revelation, he said, "I am he that liveth, and was dead;
and, behold, I am life for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

There is no greater hope for believers in Christ than to know that we have more life ahead of us than
we have behind us. We will live for all of eternity because as Jesus said, "The gates of hell shall not
prevail against the church." The grave will now be able to hold us back when the trumpet call of the
Lord comes. Because of this truth when we face death we can cry out like Paul did, "O death where is
your sting? O grave where is your victory? (1 Cor 15:55) It is my
prayer that you find comfort in Jesus' message found here in the gospel of Matthew and that you are
able to comfort one another with the words of our Lord. (1 Thess 4:18)
Birthdays
Don Cooter- Sept 3rd
Jackson Ludlow- Sept 4th
Dan Young- Sept 5th Ranch Corn Chips
John Lawson- Sept 5th
Owen Young- Sept 6th 1 lg bag corn chips
Tom McClary- Sept 6th ½ c. melted butter
Leslie Turner- Sept 8th 1 pkg ranch dressing mix
Ruth Laughunn- Sept 13th ½ c. Parmesan cheese
Warren Neal- Sept 14th
Bill Presnell- Sept 15th Mix dressing with butter and sprinkle over corn
Sharon Bolinger- Sept 18th chips; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and
Helen Dean Sept 20th toss. Bake 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Serve
Tony Farmer- Sept 20th with salsa or sour cream.
Autumn Young- Sept 21st
Jim Jones- Sept 21st
Judith Wampler- Sept 23rd Breakfast Pizza

1 lb sausage
Anniversaries 6 eggs
Buddy & Wilta Lighter- Sept 1st ½ c. milk
David & Judy Neal- Sept 6th 1 can crescent rolls
Jon & Vickie- Sept 9th 1 c. hash browns
C.J. & Melinda Davis- Sept 22nd 4 oz mozzarella cheese
Warren & Brenda Neal- Sept 26th
Wig & Wanda Frye- Sept 26th Cook sausage until brown. Set aside. Press out
Bill & Erma Hovious- Sept 28th crescent rolls for pizza crust. Mix eggs and milk
together. Pour into pizza crust. Top with
sausage, hash browns and cheese. Bake at
325 degrees for 30 minutes.

“A Time to Laugh” Cartoons - http://www.atimetolaugh.com.au/

 The Carpenter
Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift
in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a
hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major
difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox.
"I'm looking for a few days work" he said.
"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my
neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his
bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite
me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence
- an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and
I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and
then he was off for the day.
The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes
opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the
other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming
across, his hand outstretched.
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's
hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days.
I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

Have a recipe, joke, picture or

testimonial you’d like to share? Or
perhaps you have an idea for an article
you’d like to see in our newsletter?
Submissions as well as staff writers and
photographers are always welcome and
appreciated. Email Pastor Jon at
preacherjon@gmail.com. Or Trish Day
at daydream@bluemarble.net
Thank You! 
 
Mt. Pleasant Christian Church
3191 W. Burma Rd.
Gosport, IN 47433
812-876-9149