A nother saint, long since delivered face to face with his Savior, left this testament to his abiding faith in God’s sovereignty. Elisha Coles walked in rest and peace because he knew in his heart the power of his God. On that certain knowledge, he trusted his Lord with his life and times. Read and rejoice.

This high and tremendous attribute, being an ocean that has neither bank nor bottom, may not be lightly launched into by any, however strongly built and well manned, much less by so weak a vessel, without a divine compass, and an anchor within the veil.

That the author of this discourse came into it, was not of choice or design, but of course and emergent necessity. Could he have found another basis to repose that doctrine upon, which was, at first, his only intended subject, he had not touched upon this. But, apparently to him, no ground would bear the weight of Election, but that of Sovereignty, and there it fixed as on a rock; all the lines of its whole circumference running there, and resting there, as in their centre, where a1so the scripture had laid it. Rom. 9: Eph.1: &c.

And however it be a foundation disallowed of, men, every observing Christian shall find, that without acknowledging divine Sovereignty, for the original, supreme, and unaccountable disposer of persons and things, he shall want a principal means of supporting his faith, and quieting his understanding, in the course of common providences; much more of those mysterious occurrences, and supernatural truths, which he is certainly concerned about.

In this preface I shall treat first of God's sovereignty, and then of his righteousness, as its natural adjunct. The sum of the first lies in this proposition, namely, "That the great God, blessed forever, hath an absolute power and right of dominion over his creatures, to dispose and determine them as seemeth him good.".

That there is such a power, and that this power belongs to God, no other reason needs be assigned, but. that "he is God, and there is none besides him”: there can be no more, because:

1. There can be but one infinite; for such a being fills heaven and earth; and so no place or room for another.

2. There can be but one omnipotent; for he that is such, hath all others under his feet: besides, where one can do all, more would be impertinent.

3. There can be but one supreme; supreme power may reside in many, as in mixed monarchies and commonwealths; but as law makers and supreme, they are but one.

4. There can be but one first cause, from which all beings else derive their original; "of whom, and for whom, are all things,” 1 Cor.8: 6. And if he be the Author of all, he needs must have a sovereign right and power to determine all; both as to their being, order, efficacy, and end.

"That sovereign power belongs to God," is a truth so natural, and obvious to reason, that other proof seems as needless, as that the sun is the fountain of light: nor shall I suppose that any who will read this discourse, can so far forget themselves to be creatures, as to seek a proof of their Creator's sovereignty; "the things that are seen so loudly proclaiming his eternal power and Godhead."

But since, with our easy admitting the notion, it is none of the smallest difficulties to own it in our practice, and bear ourselves answerably towards him: since also so huge a weight is borne on the shoulders of this divine attribute, and our souls are so highly concerned in the interest and influence of it, it needs must be our duty, and well worthy our time, to look over the instances of it, and to mark and consider them well, as things greatly importing our instruction; whereby we may know something of the greatness of that God in whose hands our souls are; as also of our infinite distance from him, and nothingness to him; and so, with the more humbleness of mind, and self-abasement; as also with the more faith, and creature-like affiance, submit to him, and bear ourselves upon him. To this end, the scriptures have enrolled several ensigns of sovereignty; by which, as by so many footsteps, we are led to the absolute will and power of God, as the supreme cause and disposer of all.

The great act of sovereignty was God's decree for making the world; and of doing, or permitting to be done, whatever should be in it, to the folding of it up. The heavens and the earth, and all the hosts of them, as yet had no being: it was at his pleasure, whether he would makes them or not: and if he would, what being he would give them; to what end, and how that ends should be accomplished. And that these were all ascertained by the decree is evident; for "known unto God were all his works (which he would do in time) from the beginning or the world." Acts, 15: 18.

(Excerpt from “A Practical Discourse of God’s Sovereignty” by Elisha Coles, 1640-1688)

P at LeMasters entered rejoicing into the courts of glory on February 11^th. Although she had been dealing with cancer for several years, her homegoing was, to us, unexpected. She was always steadfast in the rest and comfort of her Lord, and we will miss seeing her in our midst.

Freddie Lubben went home to her Savior on February 4^th after a long illness borne with patience in the Lord. Freddie and her husband, Bill, lived in Columbus for many years, and attended RBC in the 1960's. They were part of, and Bill continues in, our Far-Flung Tape Family, and visited us when they were able. She and Bill were married for sixty and a half years, and have four children, one of whom entered heaven ahead of his mother. Many in our fellowship were blessed to know Freddie, and she will be missed by those who love her. Please keep Bill and the family in your prayers for rest and peace and rejoicing.

R ay Johnston has a new right thumb to match his old-new left thumb, done yea these many years ago. Seems the ‘artheritis’ done attacked them some fierce, so Brave Ray went under the knife for the sake of his appositional digits. He didn’t make much fuss about it so you might not have noticed. Thumbs don’t get slings, crutches, and walkers, just bandages hidden by coat sleeves. So give Brave Ray a thumbs up next you see him. He’ll probably return the salute.

Dennis Iguchi underwent five radiation treatments using a new radiation protocol for his cancer. He and Connie are waiting to see what the Lord will bring as a result, knowing that He does all things well. Please keep Dennis and Connie in your prayers.

Larry Washburn spent some time at Riverside Hospital on February 6^th determining that he had not had a heart attack, which was good news to us all. Now he can come back to choir, and not worry about those low notes. Mondays. 7:30. Larry.

Dave Canady was struck with a mystery virus (can’t be known without revelation, and the docs had none) that left him feeling pretty poorly for longer than he would have wished. Threatened with a hospital stay, Dave’s immune system rallied and tossed the viral beasties out of circulation. Nice to have you back in fine fettle, Dave.

Mike Fouts has been adjusting to the changes brought when he had two stents placed in his heart arteries a month ago. He had a bout of very high blood pressure on February 24^th that sent him to the hospital. Please keep Mike in your prayers as he continues his recovery.

Rowena Sims had surgery on March 9^th at Mount Carmel East. The surgery went well, and was followed by a five-day hospital stay. Ro went home on March 15^th, and the next day fell and broke her hip. She had surgery again on March 18^th to repair the hip, and is now in Mill Run Gardens and Care Center. She is working hard in therapy and is already making plans for when she goes home. Please keep Ro and Dick in your prayers as they deal with these sudden troubles in their lives.

Richard “Raz’ Razgaitis was recently diagnosed with cancer. We don’t have a lot of details yet, but are keeping Raz and Carol in out thoughts and prayers. They are now living in Florida, and their address is in the RBC Directory in the Friends and Family section for those wishing to send cards.

W e gathered for our Annual Meeting on February 27^th to elect elders and officers, hear department reports, and consider and vote on a new annual budget. We also ate, of course. First. Priorities, after all. Need a clear head to listen to numbers, and elect unlikely looking candidates. Not a surprise, since we were recently reminded we’re the scum of the earth, i.e., the off-scouring. We only look good in Christ, and then, whoa momma, ain’t nuthin’ better!

Well, to cut to the chase, the Church Board took on a slightly new look this year. Dan Crawford and Brevity Bill were elected as elders to join Terry Barnett, Steve Gilliland, David Starkey, and David Crawford. Mike Snider continues as Treasurer, Murray Mercier as Asst. Secretary, and Jake Schlosser as Secretary. New faces include Bob Kuder as Asst. Secretary, and Bill Greenlee as Buildings and Grounds.

The budget for 2010 will be $279,528, which, if tradition holds, will not be spent in total. We earmarked $282,128 for 2009, and actually spent $163,830. Maybe we should send Mike to D.C. so he can tell them how to do it?

At the first meeting of the new Board, Steve Gilliland was elected Board Chairman, and Terry Barnett as Vice Chairman. The rest of the appointed church positions will be included next issue. That’s all folks!

W e did forget to mention the highlight of our Christmas season, an encounter between The Pulpit and Lori the Lip. The subject, no surprise here, was enthusiasm, or the regrettable lack thereof. Ms. Lip found the announcements wanting, and, with typical forthrightness, marched up to set the tone straight. She was clutching a bag from which she removed a . . well . . a sort of . . hat, um, head piece . . but not: a bunny fuzz covered headband topped by a golden halo. She snugged it down on The Pulpit’s head. The effect is hard to describe, and it would perhaps be a mercy to simply draw the veil here. The fellowship heroically tried to stifle their laughter, but failed, and continued to fail through the balance of Ms. Lip’s peroration. From Mr. Pulpit’s standpoint, the only upside was that Ms. Lip did remove his miter upon her retreat. The sole aftereffect seems to be a certain caution, if not downright hesitation, when The Pulpit asks if there are any further announcements.

And perhaps it’s prudent at this juncture to bring Ms. Enthusiasm’s Wheaton Choir Report to your attention. (Miss Otis has been advised that there’s not an ounce of enthuse in ‘prudent’, ‘juncture’ is heavy, and ‘attention’ should be replaced with “listen up folks!!!! Exclamation points not optional.)

Around the beginning of February, I received an email that came from the Conservatory at Wheaton College. They were asking for help. The Concert Choir was coming through Columbus, Ohio that their host church had double booked the choir and they were unable to host them for the weekend of March 13^th and 14^th. I contacted the college the next day and started working on calling several local churches that could host a choir of sixty members. Another local alumni contacted me and we both started trying to find another host church. I made an announcement during our morning service asking for people to help me find contacts at some of the larger local churches. A few of our church members said, "Why don’t you have it here?" My response was that we were too small. How wrong I was!! (Note: two exclamation points.)

Saturday, March 13^th, the Wheaton College Concert Choir arrived at Riverside Bible Church. We hosted a dinner for our church and the choir members which included a pasta dish, salad, rolls and butter and the best spread of homemade desserts that these kids had ever seen. One choir member said that Riverside Bible Church was the sweetest church that they had visited...literally. (Desserts don’t get exclamation points?) At 7:00 p.m., the Concert Choir gave a wonderful performance. To hear sixty voices singing in our sanctuary was magical. They sang several numbers including a new arrangement entitled, Preserve Me, O God. The director was very tearful as the music was a very moving experience for everyone.

So what happened next? I had to ask several families in our church to host the choir members in their homes. Wow, what great offer; the families all reported how blessed they were to meet the choir members. It was a blessing for everyone involved! Even though I had the choir member who got sick, we all loved the experience. The following families hosted choir members at their homes: Starkey, Simbros, Hales, Dan & Sharon Crawford, Art and Becky Crawford, Wesners, Greenlees, Nessers, Welshes, Calhouns, Harpers, Kuders, Zehnders and Marshalls.

We brought the kids back on Sunday morning and they sang for our Sunday morning service. Again, it was beautiful expression of joy to the Lord. The church family then packed sixty lunches for the choir members and we sent them off on their bus! (Seems to Miss Otis that sentiment deserves more than one exclamation point?)

I could not have done it without support from so many people. First of all, my dad put up with a lot of my stress, and he made the weekend possible financially. I brought four girls home to our house, one got sick and another had to go to Catholic Mass at 7:15 a.m. My dad is very patient with me! Love ya, Dad!

Next, Cindy Leo provided the food for the dinner Saturday night at an extremely reduced cost. The church family donated the desserts and their wonderful hospitality. Volunteers for the dinner Saturday night were Jacqueline Mercier, Liz Wesner, Joyce Dorsey, Nancy Nesser, Bill and Gloria Milyard, Becky Pruden, Edna Sowards and Ann Forquer. Silverware rollers were Nancy Begley, Hazel Gourlay, Donna Lamson and Cleo Corry. Lucy Champlin did all of the set-up of the tables and chairs.

The lunch assembly line included Debbie Gilliland, Cleo Corry, Kathy Hale, Elsbeth Welsh, Beth Zehnder, Becky Pruden, John Stewart, Lucy Champlin, Donna Lamson, and Jim and Jeannine Vogel. Sue Marshall provided all of the homemade cookies for the choir members' lunches. I apologize if I forgot someone but you are all treasured in my heart!

We have already asked to be put on the next Wheaton College tour. Next up, Men's Glee Club!!

Jim Vogel’s birthday was remarked upon by The Pulpit. Never a good thing; the details tend to get massacred. Case in point is that Jim’s apparently reached ninety-two, which makes him older than The Pulpit, when we all know no one is older than The Pulpit.

Tom Marshall has the latest update on our RBC Bible Quizzers. The Zone Finals were held in Pataskala on March 6^th with over one hundred participants. They were quizzed on the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth. Hannah Marshall, age 9, helped her team earn third place in the advanced division. Tom says that anyone interested in the Bible quiz program should contact him for more information.

An exciting moment here! Kathy Hale has our first updates on the new directory. So open up those pages, and see if you can enter these before the Quick Draw Bible Quizzers can. Under Jason and Bethany Gilliland, please add new daughter, Stella. Under our missionaries, please correct David and Giselle Russell’s zip code to 46514. Kathy thanks you, as do the Gillilands and Russells.

H i there MP3s! How goes it Audio CDers? What’s up with the Archaic Tape Crowd? Letters? Ever get letters, David? Well, greetings aside, let’s hear it from David the Digital.

As we approach Easter we rejoice in our Lord’s dying in our place that we might have life and have it more abundantly!! And we praise Him for His word, which testifies of this great grace!

It was an Easter Sunday on April 20, 1962 when RBC was officially chartered. We are rapidly approaching 48 years as a fellowship! We of the tape ministry are thankful that most of these studies were recorded during that time!

The web is averaging about 100 Gigs per month – down from last year at this point. Most of this is a result of restrictions by China. It is also interesting to see the internet following for the morning (Revelation) and evening (Matthew) services each week.

“I’m enjoying downloading the messages…keeping up only a day or so after you do it.” Pennsylvania

“Tell everyone at RBC we think of you all often. You will never know the peace, rest and joy that the RBC Bible Tapes have provided over the years” Tennessee

“My sermons arrived yesterday and what joy I feel. Thank you so much for this service. You can not know how much they are a comfort and challenge to me.” Kentucky

“It is a blessing to hear the Revelation studies” via web-site email, unknown location.

M ike the Moneyman is on for another year of keeping the balances at RBC. We have several he has to beam his beady eye on, least they slip into a minus and need an infusion. That means other balances have to keep up their end and not get top heavy. A lot to track, so you might give Mike a nod of thanks. Thanks, Mike.

RBC FINANCIAL REPORT - YTD February 2010
Month	Receipts	Disbursmts.	Variance	YTD Surplus
Dec.	$24,702	$19,077	$5,625	$38,705
Jan.	$18,466	$13,853	$ 4,613	$43,318
FEB.	$11,523	$18,787	$ -7,264	$36,054

O n January 31^st Nyla Jones sang Finally Home, a song that we always associate with her. She ended with a coda of Glory For Me, a wonderful combination of rejoicing in the Lord. Suzanne McNutt accompanied Nyla on the clavier (technical term for electronic piano with multiple personalities).

On February 7^th the choir sang Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing without a net, and managed to start and end on the right notes. Susan Sparkles was barely able to contain her elation, even though she pretended it was a lock. Not neither. The choir followed up with I Need Thee Every Hour, comfortably backed up by Suzanne McNutt playing the right notes.

Angela Hulligan, who always knows the right notes, sang There Is a Balm in Gilead on February 14^th. She did a lovely rendition of this old spiritual.

The fellowship sang Amazing Grace as the closing hymn on February 14^th, and were directed to trill the last verse a capella, which they dutifully did. Miss Otis noticed that Dr. Lee did not follow instructions, and, with suitable Christian charity, asked as to his vocal health. He replied that he was ‘an a capella listener’. He could give lessons to Mr. Pulpit.

On February 21^st our pianist, Suzanne McNutt, played a very nice Bach piece, very nicely on the regular old piano. A nice variation in our special music roster of special folks.

March 7^th brought the Five Little Marshalls plus Momma and Pappa Bear to sing The Love of God. Pappa Bear made sure that first note was adequate to get them properly launched, and after that it was smooth sailing to the last stanza. Always a treat to have the Marshalls singing ensemble (which in music circles means ‘together’, which why don’t they just say so?)

March 14^th we enjoyed a reprise of the Wheaton Concert Choir. They sang God Is Love, and Brethren We Have Met to Worship.

March 21^st Nyla Jones was a double hitter for the month, this time singing a dramatic rendition of Art Thou the Christ. We appreciate Nyla’s willingness to lend her continued help with special music. It’s always a treat to hear her.

Susan Sparkles roster of talent for special music needs refreshing, so if the Lord has given you voice or instrument, please volunteer to use it. Besides, you’ll make Ms. Sparkles happy.

T he Pulpit was laid low by a flu bug, and called up Terry Barnett to cover the Morning Service and David Crawford the Evening on March 21^st. Both acquitted themselves very well in his absence, and the fellowship was grateful for their quick study and faithful presentations.

On February 7^th, The Pulpit inquired whether we’d ever thought about Mrs. Peter? What Mrs. Peter thought when Mr. Peter ran around ignoring his fishing business, not bringing home the sushi, and letting the honey-do list grow geometrically? Well, we paraphrase. Something to mull over though: rest and peace, or worry and irritation.

The Hebrew Class has packed up its aleph bet list, the Tanakh, and all that undone and not required homework Mr. Rab passes out. Class adjourned for another little while here. But . . . he’ll be back, folks. Finish that homework.

Not to worry etymologically, though, El Greco is still teaching Intermediate Greek. The class started March 2^nd, so you can probably still join in. Think homework’s mandatory, though.

Elder of the Month of February was Jim Calhoun, followed in March by David Crawford. The job’s most visible requirement is reading the opening Scripture before the services, but there’s lots of behind the scenes support offered, too, for those in need of support, prayer, or lunch.

Coffee and Comestibles Hour hit a home run in Ruth Lichtensteiger, whose Valentine’s Big Eat on the 14^th ought to go down in Coffee Hour annals. Save for the fact that we don’t have any. She followed up with the Heath Care Veggies, Fruit, and Cheese Wagon on the February 28^th. We were allowed coffee in exchange for five fruits and vegetables.

In March, the Marshall Missies took over with an array of goodies we certainly don’t deserve, but don’t tell them that. Home made everything, and something gooey for every palette. Jim Romano tried, but failed, to look blase as he tucked into his caloric morsels of choice.

In the Can You Believe It category, some folks just come to Coffee Hour for the conversation. Takes all kinds.

T he Men’s Fellowship Breakfast gathered on February 13^th for their usual ‘exceeds expectations’ breakfast and a message given by Dan Crawford on Hebrew Gems. No, good try, but not chalcedony, carbuncle, beryl, or adamant. Terry the Scribe’s notations will reveal the true content of the message.

Our meeting was held right in the middle of a “February Fury” record snowfall and cold. The Lord engineered a brief reprieve from Levels 1 and 2 weather advisories, and we had a good attendance. The men brought their good appetites, too, and tucked right into the meal prepared by Brownie, Larry, and Ryland.

We started off with rich, aromatic coffee and tangy orange juice, then served ourselves lightly scrambled eggs accompanied by nicely browned link sausage and crisp hash browns. We finished up with toasted English muffins with strawberry jam, and a compote of pineapple, banana, and strawberries. Our meal was graced with good fellowship among like-minded believers.

Before beginning our study, Dave Starkey mentioned those in the church with needs, and led in prayer.

Dan opened his study of spiritual gems in the Hebrew alphabet by analyzing the structure of the first letter, aleph, written with three strokes. The parts are an upper ‘yud’, a lower ‘yud’, both connected with a diagonal ‘vav’. The heavenly ‘yud’ is the hand of God; the earthly ‘yud’ is the hand of the Spirit; the descending ‘vav’ is the Messiah. This analysis highlights the fact that each letter of Hebrew equals a word, so this is the word for God. To us, it is also a clear representation of the Trinity.

The Hebrew letter ‘vav’ equals ‘and’. It unites things and makes them work together. It looks like a nail, and stands for the Messiah. In the Old Testament, ‘vav’ occurs about 50,000 times. If it comes at the beginning of a word, it means ‘and’.

Dan referred us to Ps. 40:7, “Then said I, lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me.” (Cf. Heb. 10:5-9) This verse says that Christ is on every page of Scripture. In Jn. 6:39, Christ says, “Search the Scriptures daily, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me.”

There is an interesting construction in Hebrew, the ‘aleph tav’. The two letters are the first and last in the Hebrew alphabet, and make up the word ‘et’. The word, however, isn’t translated. It stands for untranslatable completeness. Jewish scholars say it’s a grammatical marker for the direct object, and so don’t translate it. Dan pointed out that many times the aleph tav does not point to or stand for a direct object, so in his opinion it always refers to Christ.
Christ is the beginning and the end, and the first and the last, expressions which are Hebraic in character. The aleph and tav are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and ‘aleph tav’ occurs 11,888 times in the Old Testament. This information gives deeper meaning to Ps. 40 and Jn. 6.

Gen. 1:1 is a further example (literally translated,”earth the and heavens the God created beginning in”). The ‘aleph tav’ occurs in exactly the middle of the verse, is not translated, but, standing for Christ, clearly directs us to Col. 1:16.

The Hebrew letter ‘tet’ refers to redemption. In Ex. 20:3-14 which relates the first law giving, no ‘tet’ occurs. In the second law giving in Deut. 5:16-18, all twenty-two Hebrew consonants occur, including ‘tet’. The deeper meaning indicated by the presence of ‘tet’ is that the second law giving was made possible only through redemption.

Dan concluded by saying that in his view, the Hebrew alphabet and language are a lens through which to see deeper blessings in God’s Word.

At the end of Dan’s presentation, we had a lively discussion about the Septuagint. Dan feels it mistranslated and left out portions of Old Testament Scripture. The conclusion was that the original Hebrew and Greek were ‘God-breathed’, not necessarily the translations. Dan’s message is available on tape, for those interested.

J im Calhoun reports that next quarter’s Sunday School teachers from March through May will be:

Thanks to David Starkey who oversaw the Youth Group Ski Trip this year, and to David and Leah Canady for providing their West Virginia ski chalet to accommodate the kids, the skis and boots, the chaperones, and all the rest of the gear, like hot chocolate and marshmallows.

O ur noms de plumes represent little gems of personality that might otherwise go unnoticed. And we attach little stories, true of course, that highlight the personality jewel. We mention no names, but one jewel actually doesn’t need coaxing. Never. The. Less.

W hat shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not that, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ (and we are), we believe that we shall also live with him. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:1-14