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Evangel St Paul - Cooper Hill

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Bland, MO
Evangel St Paul - Cooper Hill

We are an evangelical, non-denominational church. We gather every Sunday morning for worship at the historic building.

Our focus is on studying God's Word, understanding the free gift of grace given through Jesus Christ, and exploring how we can love our neighbors. Originally built in 1890, there are some unique aspects of the building that help to make it a place to come and celebrate and worship. If you are able to join us, please be sure to look at the chandelier, originally hung in a log cabin church, as well as some other aspects that retain the historical aspects while stepping forward into life today.

05/31/2026

About a decade ago, I toured the Air Force Museum in the Dayton, OH area. It is a powerful testimony of what this branch of the military service has done over its history.

The photo is of a Sikorsky MH-53 long-range, special operations rescue helicopter. It was used for about 40 years (retired in 2008) to assist those in need.

As a follower of Jesus and as a person who likes to ponder motivation and the "why" questions, I have to ask...

Why?

What motivates a person to fly into danger in a metal box? What is it that gives the person(s) the courage to bravely put their own lives at risk to help another? When the bullets are flying and you hear death knocking, why don't you turn around and flee to safer pastures?

It might be too early on Sunday morning for such deep thoughts, so let's keep it a little simpler.

Why do you do what you do?

In our text in Luke's Gospel this morning, we are going to see a man with a faith so deep that it AMAZED JESUS! We are used to being amazed by Jesus, but this time, we see a man who did things like build a synagogue for the Jewish people. We may try to write it off: "well, he did it because..." or "his 'real' agenda was..."

I don't think we can do that. He was respected by Jewish leaders. That doesn't happen when you know the person is simply doing political manuvering. And, as a result, they were willing to go against the trend and ask Jesus to do something for this man.

Did I mention that the guy was a Roman centurion?

Did I mention that a lot of Jewish people wanted to kill the Roman soldiers?

Did I mention that this guy had an amazing faith?

Join us in person or via livestream as we walk through a moving and powerful text by our Gentile Gospel writer.

05/24/2026

In writing about Job, Pastor Chuck Swindoll penned the following:
"Think of Job's situation - he is now bankrupt, childless, friendless, and diseased. Covered with boils, he is living with a high fever and constant pain. On top of that he is misunderstood, being blamed for secret sins."

If we put our sandals on and imagine being in his place, I don't know how many of us could endure it. After all, life had seemed so perfect a short time ago.

If we put our sandals on and imagine being in his friends' places, I don't know how many of us wouldn't have blamed him for secret sins. After all, what could have caused all of that to happen so suddenly except for some sort of divine judgment?

We've been spending our Sunday mornings in Luke's Gospel. At the moment, we're finishing what is often called the Sermon on the Plain. In those words, we find several words, that many people, even those who don't profess to be followers of Jesus, can quote. Three of them are "do not judge".

What do those three words REALLY mean? What do they mean, not independent of the context, but IN the full context of the message as well as the full context of Scripture? Is it as simple as "do not judge"?

That's what we'll be reflecting on this morning as we gather to worship together. How can I follow God's living and active Word in a way that reflects His goodness, mercy, and love?

Evangel St Paul - Cooper Hill 9 AM

*Calligraphy by Tim Botts

05/17/2026

Once upon a time, I was asked to officiate a wedding. I've done a few over the years and consider it to be a high honor to help a couple take such an important step in their lives together.

During a premarital counseling session, we were going down a rabbit trail and we mentioned our mutual love for the movie, The Princess Bride. (If you haven't seen it, it's worth the time!)

The bride asked me if I would, at some point during the ceremony, use the word "mawwaige". Of course, what the bride wants, the bride gets, so I had to figure out how to work that pronunciation into the service.

I decided to go all out and share the entire scene from the movie. Half the congregation was confused while the other half was laughing.

Most importantly, the bride was laughing so hard that she was shaking.

I mention this today because when I study this particular passage of the Sermon on the Plain in Luke's Gospel, I can't help but think of that movie. The story arc is, in many ways, a parallel to the upside-down Gospel that Jesus communicated. There is even a "death and 'resurrection'" in the movie.

To be clear, today's message is from Scripture. That MUST be the focus. However, I think Jesus enjoyed sharing parables and using them as illustrations of the greater Truth that He taught. That's what I hope to do as I share from God's Holy Word!

If you don't have a church home and are in the area, please join us in person or for the live-stream (available on St. James Charlotte Church's page). If you aren't in the area and don't have a church home, please go find one!

9 AM at Evangel St Paul - Cooper Hill

05/14/2026

The text for this Sunday is Luke 6: 27-36.

The title for the message is "My Name is Inigo Montoya".

IYKYK

05/10/2026

Mothers. [And all women (and men) in general...]

It's ok not to be perfect.

It's ok to make mistakes.

It's ok to fail.

Take a deep breath.

Today's message will be a little different. We'll be looking briefly at a few women in Jesus' life.

We'll be reflecting on how Jesus honored and respected women.

It's not about who did this or that. It's not about who didn't do this or that.

It's about JESUS.

Join us in honoring women as Jesus did.

Evangel St Paul - Cooper Hill 9AM

05/03/2026

Yes, more cat pictures...

I was a dog person for most of my life. I still love dogs. But when Fidel Catstro came into our lives, I was fascinated.

Cats are not like dogs. They are independent. They decide when they want to be touched. Basically, they decide what is up and down.

But sometimes, that switch is flipped. Cats need you. They want to be scratched. They want attention. Their normal independence is gone.

We're not talking about cats today at Evangel St Paul - Cooper Hill (9 AM) but we are talking about things that are a bit upside down.

Like the poor...
Like the hungry...
Like the persecuted...

What's upside down about those groups?

Jesus calls them blessed.

And blessed is to be understood as the highest good or "overwhelming covered in good".

That's something that doesn't make a lot of sense until you understand it in the eyes of faith. Until you see the priorities of faith. Until you see what happens when faith is abundant.

If you don't have a church home, find one. Find one where the people who are gathering love Jesus and the Word.

Of course, if you're in this area, join us and see if it's a fit.

04/26/2026

A friend became rather upset with me when he learned that I had mowed my lawn on a Sunday. In his opinion, I had violated the Sabbath prohibition against work.

At the time, I wasn't quite sure how to respond. I liked (and still like) getting outside and "working" on a yard or in a garden. Yes, I might sweat. Yes, I might get tired.

But I enjoy it.

I love to finish, look back, and see God's beautiful Creation cleaned up and looking good. I love to see freshly cut grass, garden beds clear of weeds, and crisp edges on the borders.

It makes me smile. I get to spend time, enjoying God's gift, and imagine a day when all will be restored.

Dare I say it? For me, it's worship.

How about you? Are you standing at attention, watching for violations of what you think someone is doing wrong? Are you looking out at your neighbor and ready to pounce?

Or are you spending time with God in ways that make you smile? If I can be so bold, do you think He is smiling when He sees you doing what you're doing?

As we gather today, we are going to be looking at passages in Luke about the Sabbath. What does Jesus say? How do we respond?

If you don't have a church home, join us. If you do have a church home, GO and gather with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Worship begins at 9 AM!

04/19/2026

37+ years ago, I started my journey with Jesus. I've stumbled a lot over that time and I'm sure I will continue to do so over whatever time I have left.

I've met a lot of people along the way. 24 years at Lay Renewal Ministries brought me into contact with people from churches all many denominations and beliefs. 11 years at Redeemer Evangelical Church in the City of St Louis helped me understand my faith from pastoral eyes. 5+ years at Union Christian Church, Tegucigalpa, Honduras helped me see a global perspective as well as an "unblurring" of some of those denominational lines to focus on the essential truths of the Christian faith.

All of that to say, I love Jesus. I love to read about Him, to study the Word, and to try to stumble less.

I continue to meet people who say "do this" or "do that". For some, fasting, which we will be discussing as we open Luke's Gospel and the Word today, is a must. For others, it's something else. I appreciate the beauty and faith of each person, even as I recognize the variations.

Ultimately, for me, it all comes back to those essentials. Do you recognize you're not perfect? Do you know you can't do it on your own? Do you recognize what Jesus did for you? Through faith alone, have you received that free gift of grace He offers?

So, if you fast once a week or once a year; if you pray 5 minutes a day or 5 hours; if you give 10% or 50%; if you volunteer once a year or once a week, do you know Jesus? Are you living for Him?

Jesus + nothing = EVERYTHING!

Stumble forward with me this morning.

Evangel St Paul - Cooper Hill 9AM

04/12/2026

What are we, O God, that you are mindful of us? Why do care so much for us?

Gazing up at the stars in the sky should make us pause and wonder. How great is our God!

And yet, He loves us. Jesus came and died for us.

In our text in Luke today, we'll see how the Son of Man not only has the power over Creation but over sin itself. It's an amazing text of truth and grace.

Join us as at 9 AM we look in wonder at how far some will go to live God and live their neighbor.

04/04/2026

During our Good Friday service last night, we were invited into an intimate and sacred moment when Jesus took His last breath on the cross. It was finished and He prayed Psalm 31:5 "Into your hand I commit my Spirit."

On this day sometimes referred to as Silent Saturday, please take a moment to read Psalm 31 in its entirety. As you do, please consider that final verse of this song, "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait on the Lord."

Any fears. Any doubts. Any questions. Those are all unncessary.

As the angel said at the tomb, "He is not here, for he has risen, as he said." (Matthew 28:6)

PSALM 31:
In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.

Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Address

462 State Highway D
Bland, MO
65014

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