Service Times
Worship Service
Sun. 9:30am – 10:30am
Sunday School
Sun. 10:45am – 11:20am
Prayer Meeting & Bible Study
Wed. 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Crusaders Club (Seasonal)
Thurs. 3:00pm – 5:30pm
Crusaders Teens (Seasonal)
Thurs. 6:00pm – 8:00pm
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:09 — 33.2MB) Subscribe: 2 Cor. 3:12-18
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. The Christmas season is called the most wonderful time of the year. It is also the time of year when many people seem to suffer more with depression, loneliness, anxiety, and emptiness. Perhaps one major contributing factor is that, for the most part in our current culture and society, Christ has been taken out of Christmas. However, to the true believer in Christ, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, because we celebrate the birth of the Savior. Scripture makes it crystal clear that God was, is, and will eternally be glorified in the birth of Christ. The glory of the Lord was shown to so many people in so many ways that it is impossible to talk about the Incarnation without focusing on the glory of the Lord! Glorification is defined by one theologian as the final step in the application of redemption. You understand that God’s salvation affects your entire being, right? We are given spiritual life at the instant of our salvation and God comes to reside in us in the Person of His Holy Spirit. John records that truth in chapters 13-17 of his Gospel, as Jesus taught the 11 in the upper room just before He went to Gethsemane for the last time. Our soul – our mind, will, and emotions, or what we think, desire, and feel, is redeemed/changed/transformed throughout our life through progressive sanctification. Jesus is teaching the doctrine of progressive sanctification in His sermon on the mount in Matt. 5-7. The final step in redemption has to do with our bodies. Christians will receive their glorified bodies at the Rapture. When that happens, God’s entire redemption plan and process will be finished. According to one author, in its simplest form “glory” means “honor” or “excellent reputation.” It is important to remember God always takes the initiative in seeking and choosing people to call to Himself. Sin will not allow anyone to even consider looking for God and redemption. If God doesn’t initiate the call to salvation, people won’t be saved. That is exactly what God does in the doctrines of election and calling, according to Eph. 1:4 and a host of other passages. The only part a person plays in these two doctrines is responding to the call to be saved. God then takes another step in revealing His glory when He regenerates every person who is saved. New spiritual life brings to a person’s very essence, their heart, their conscience, a desire to honor (glorify) God. Regeneration makes it possible for us to honor God out of desire to thank Him for what He has done just in saving us. We also desire to uphold God’s excellent reputation because we understand more of God’s excellence or perfection in all He is. Conversion is the part of our salvation where we become actively involved in our new life in Christ. The indwelling Holy Spirit begins to influence a true Christian’s behavior in such a way that they not only want, but put whatever effort is required into turning from their sin in genuine repentance to Christ in genuine faith! When that happens God’s excellent reputation is shown to others in a radically changed life and lifestyle that draws others to Christ. God continues to “glorify” Himself and us in our salvation when He justifies us before Himself! You remember as defined by one theologian, justification has 2 parts to it: 1st justification is an instantaneous act of God where He thinks of our sins as forgiven, and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us. When God justifies us He also declares us to be righteous in His sight. The focus here is God “declaring” us to be righteous in His sight. That means He now and forever views our sin as paid for in full. The Scales of justice have been balanced in that a punishment equal to the crime has been served, and fulfilled. All that is the suffering, death, burial, and resurrection, or the finished work, of Christ. As we focus on the birth of Christ, we are also drawn into God’s nature and character because the Incarnation cannot be separated from the revelation of God’s own glory! I trust that in these next days, and then for the rest of your life you will equate, and never separate the truth that God has revealed His own glory, or His honor and excellent reputation not only to you, but through you in saving you. Now do you see a little clearer why using the title, Christian, redeemed, saved must be used so carefully?
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:18 — 33.0MB) Subscribe: 1 John 1
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Last time we looked at our philosophy of giving to God in the light of those things that motivate our giving, direction, and our life. We also asked the question “what are you willing to die for?” It is much more difficult to know what is worth living for until you know what is worth dying for! As we go about our daily lives, we make many decisions every day that are grounded in the priorities of our lives. As Christians, all our decisions should be based on the Biblical principles of righteousness, and holiness. Every part of our lives as Christians ought to be saturated with Scripture as the only standard for determining the motives and intents of our hearts. With all that in mind we now turn our attention to producing those priorities in our daily life. Our focal question this week might be phrased: what can or must I do to make my priorities become realities? Let’s consider 3 questions to ask when thinking about producing our priorities.
WHAT WILL ENDURE? Read Matt. 6:19-21. If you don’t remember anything else, remember this: the most significant decision that has eternal consequences is your decision concerning Jesus Christ as Your Savior! Perhaps the 2nd most important eternal truth you have to consider is whether or not as a Christian you have allowed Christ to establish Himself as the unchallenged Sovereign Lord of your life! When you consider what will endure, remember that nothing in this life is permanent except your soul! One more little tidbit for you to remember is your religion has nothing to do with your salvation. At the BEMA Christ isn’t going to look to see what title you stood under, He is going to see if you are under His blood! In addition to prioritizing what will endure, we must also prioritize:
WHAT WILL SHINE? Read Matt. 5:14-16. Beloved, this is one of the passages that teaches us that our lives are to be lived in such a way as to draw other to Christ, not from Him! The light that shines from us should be the glory of God in us! One way to think of what will shine is to think or ask, what, or how will my decisions and priorities help, or positively influence and/or impact others? Finally, as we consider our priorities in the light of eternity, and what will shine or help, we need to consider;
WHAT WILL STRENGTHEN MY FAITH? Read Matt. 14:28-33. Whenever Jesus challenged the disciples concerning their faith, it was usually because they were trying to manipulate the circumstances in such a way as to make the outcome a result of their own abilities, rather than depending on God. God did not put David in the battle with Goliath to strengthen David’s faith. David went to battle because his faith in God was already strong! David’s strong faith in God’s provision and deliverance was because David had many times before faced adversity, and found God to be faithful in delivering him. Peter’s faith was strong enough to cause him to get out of the boat and start toward Jesus. He faltered a little, but Jesus was there to rescue him. Is your faith strong enough to move you from where you are toward Jesus? FYI Peter’s faith was strengthened when he got out of the boat because if he had not gotten out, Jesus would never have rescued Him. That rescue took Peter’s faith to a whole new level! We live our lives working toward making our priorities become the motivators in our lives. Christians, the real kind, are motivated because they focus on being obedient to all God’s Word. Like Peter, when he got out of the boat, we sometimes take our eyes off Jesus, but our Savior is always there to rescue us, and show us to a whole new dimension in ministry. I leave you with these two questions; are your priorities a reflection of God’s priorities for you as you live your life in front of others? And, do your priorities strengthen your faith as they shine for eternity? You know don’t you!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:38 — 36.8MB) Subscribe: Matt. 6:25-34
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. If someone were to ask you, “What is your highest priority in life? How would you answer? Let me ask the question in a different way; what is your highest priority in life as a Christian? For all those who call themselves Christians, the answers should be the same! If your highest priority in life, and in your Christian life are not the same, you have divided loyalties! You are living in Matt. 6:24 trying to serve two masters! Jesus says that can’t be done, because you will love one master and hate the other, while being devoted to one master and despising the other. Here is a truth for you: All priorities can be listed under only two titles – God or self! If your highest priorities arise from a heart focused on you, no matter whether you call yourself a Christian or not, your life will be unstable because it will constantly be in a constant state of divided loyalties! One the other hand when a person’s highest priority in life is found in Eccl. 12:12, 13 = to “fear God and keep His commandments” their life is kept secure because the peace of God that passes understanding keeps that heart in Christ Jesus.
Scripture provides what could be considered two life-giving priorities that guarantee a person, not just financial success and security, but success and security in every area of life. The first is from Solomon. When he had lived his whole life as the wisest, richest man ever to walk the earth, he came to this conclusion concerning man’s highest priority: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Jesus gives the 2nd truth for planning your priorities in life. When He began His ministry, He said the highest priority in a person’s life must be to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”I’m using an outline from a godly pastor whose book I recently read on this subject.
WHAT MOTIVATES MY GIVING? The simple answer to that question is determined by my attitude concerning my relationship to God. A Christian has experienced God’s giving in salvation and gives to Him from a grateful heart. True stewardship begins in seeking God’s Kingdom 1st. Jesus points out 2 truths in His statement: 1st we must know what is important. The 2nd truth is: once we have determined what is important, we must seek it, or actually get up and do something to obtain what is important to us! Often we try to determine our spirituality by our prayer lives or Bible reading; but our check stubs are a more accurate barometer of what is really important to us.” So what is it that really motivates your giving?
WHAT MOTIVATES MY DIRECTION? I like the way one author makes the point here when he says, “just as a burglar never finds a police officer; and boys/girls cutting school never find a teacher, so those who refuse to submit the Lordship of Christ never “find” His blessings. Read Ps. 119:9-16. David was motivated with his whole heart to follow God and His commandments. So where are you headed, in your heart, today?
WHAT MOTIVATES MY LIFE? One writer says, “People can tell what we live for by who we serve.” When anything in this world, whether it is material possessions or self-aggrandizement, causes greater motivation to gain than a life pleasing to God, failure is not far away! Jesus tells us we just can’t serve 2 masters. So what is it that drives your life- you or God? Here is a question that will cause you some thought:
WHAT WILL I DIE FOR? Have you ever given serious thought to that question? Dwight L. Moody said, “People have not found something worth living for, until they have found something worth dying for!” Again, it is not someONE, it is someTHING! In Matt. 6:25-32 Jesus is not telling us we shouldn’t plan for the future in a prudent and wise manner as God tells us. Jesus is telling us not to get all worked up and stressed out over things in this world. He tells Christians not to be bothered by worldly things because the unsaved are encumbered by them, and we, as citizens of heaven are not to be focused on temporary things, but on heavenly and eternal things. What will you die for? The answer to that question is whatever you are living for? Is that worth your life?
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:35 — 36.7MB) Subscribe: Matt. 6:19-24
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Do you know the Bible speaks more about giving than it does prayer? There are more than 1,500 passages that deal with giving, and only a few more than 500 passages that have to do with prayer. Now that doesn’t mean God thinks more of hell, and giving than He does heaven and prayer. He is infinitely more concerned that people come to the understanding they don’t have to spend eternity in hell. I want to share three truths with you today that are governing factors in our life that determine success in life. These three truths are so important they actually govern how successful we are in the area of our finances. My outline today is from 2 men of God who are gifted in sharing Biblical principles of finance and have dedicated their lives to helping people be Biblically correct and successful in handling finances. Let’s begin with:
- YOUR PERSPECTIVE. Everyone has a point of view about themselves. Although there are many variations, attitudes about self can be generally classified in one of 3 categories: 1st = I am nothing, I am a misfit, I can’t do anything right, I am the least of all people. Under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit God has revealed to us that we are created in His image and likeness; we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Other Christians, who are saved for no other reason than to stay out of hell have the point of view I am everything! They think they are God’s gift to His church, and they often go to great lengths to make you think so too! They are like the Pharisees and Sadducees whom Jesus labeled hypocrites, and will get their just rewards. Then there are those Christians who understand who they are in Christ. Their point of view is I am God’s! They understand what God has done for them in salvation; and as a result, they recognize their value and worth is something to be cared for and guarded in the light of Scripture. True Christians understand their mission in this life is five-fold:
- An ambassador for Christ. Paul teaches that in 2 Cor. 5:20. They are keenly aware of their accountability and responsibility to God for everything in their life including the motives and intents of their heart, so put great dedication into living in harmony with all God’s Word.
- They do all they can all day every day to live in such a manner as to draw the lost to Christ. That is the message Peter is giving in 1 Pet. 2:11 thru 4:11. Christians are to live as a witness to the life changing power of redemption.
- Christians understand they are to edify and encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ.
- True Christians see their mission to build up the local church through unity in the faith. True Christians promote unity, not division.
- True Christians understand their mission in life is to give to others as God has given to them. Christians who have a proper view of Biblical Christianity know they are possessed by God because He bought them.
- YOUR PARTNERSHIPS (Matt. 6:24) also determine your personal success in life. Of all the partnerships or relationships in this life the most important is a personal relationship with Christ as your Savior! In order to be financially successful, or successful in any other part of life God tells us in Matt. 6:24 we cannot serve 2 masters. Paul teaches in 2 Cor. 6:14-18 we are not to be unequally yoked/joined together with unbelievers. Do you know that principle extends to every relationship, not just dating – hear that young people – and marriage, but all partnerships – including business partnerships.
- YOUR PRIORITIES. Read Eccl. 12:12, 13. Of the 3 truths we have discussed, this is perhaps the most important, because our priorities tell us what is most important to us. Read Matt. 6:19-21. Everything that is in your life above or before –that means everything in your life that is more important to you than God is the rust, moths, and thieves that are destroying and stealing your wealth from you! Someone will say Pastor, I/we are doing ok the way we are doing things. LISTEN! God doesn’t want you to do okay – He wants you to do extraordinary! Conduct your own audit of your personal life. Where is your wealth and how is it being used? God knows and one day He will ask you to give account of all you have been given. Are you sure all your books are in order?
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:32 — 34.9MB) Subscribe: Heb. 6:1-6
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Today, I want to share with you some truths that play a tremendous part in revealing the truth of God and His salvation relationship with people. Reread John 10:28, 29. Why is teaching perseverance perverted so deadly, and dangerous? There are at least 5 deadly heresies to be considered:
- The 1st such heresy is: Man’s Pride is Exalted Above God’s Power. Those who teach God’s great gift of salvation can be lost demonstrate their arrogance by saying in response to v. 28, 29, no man can snatch them out of God’s hand, but they themselves can. When Jesus says “no man” He means no man, not even them. Beloved, Man’s sinful self is so evil that even when it comes face to face with Scripture, it will deny Scripture and say, what I want or think it more important than Scripture. Sin doesn’t just dim a person’s view of Scripture, it completely blinds them to God’s truth! Watch just how evil it is to think a person can take themselves out of God’s hand:
- If a person can take themselves out of God’s hand, they are more powerful than God. He is no longer omnipotent! If a person can take themselves out of God’s hand, God is not able to protect us from ourselves, and it is only a matter of time until we self-destruct to the point of complete annihilation!
- If a person can take themselves out of God’s hand God is made to be a liar. Look at John 6:39; we read earlier in the Lord’s prayer He prayed that none would be lost. John 18:9 records that same truth. When a person is erroneously taught they can lose their salvation, the teacher is clearly denying the truth of God that none who come to Jesus are lost! To call God a liar is to contradict Scripture. Num. 23:19 and Heb. 6:18 are just 2 references that say in these words, “God cannot lie.” To imply God is lying also denies Ps. 12:6; 18:30; and Prov. 30:5, 6 which all say, “every word of God is flawless.” Do you want to explain to God why you called Him a liar?
- A 4th reason this heresy is so deadly is growth to spiritual maturity cannot happen. When people are constantly confronted with the loss of their salvation, they are constantly crippled in learning and living a normal and productive Christian life. They are not free to move past the elementary doctrines because they are told they must always go back to square one and start over. Do you see how these victims are held in prison of law and legalism? They can’t possibly focus on the deeper things of Christ, sanctification, ministry, and certainly not persevering because they are always concerned about doing something that will cost them their salvation. These poor folks also miss the wonder of grace, mercy, kindness, patience, and forgiveness of God. Here is the most deadly and devastating truth in saying one can lose their salvation. 5. All hope of salvation is lost forever! Look at Heb. 6:4-6. Scripture uses many terms for redemption, or salvation. This list of some of those terms here in v. 4, 5 are all phrases used throughout The Bible to refer to salvation.
Here is the simple message of v. 4 – “It is impossible in the case of those who have been saved, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance!” If a person can do anything that costs them their salvation, they can’t just say, I’ll get saved again. Do you know why? If the 1st Calvary, 2k years ago wasn’t good enough strong enough to keep a person saved forever, then No one can go back to that same Calvary for redemption because it has lost its power to save.
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:36 — 30.2MB) Subscribe: John 10:28-30
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. We are studying one of the most important and most often misunderstood and misrepresented doctrines of Scripture that concerns our salvation. The doctrine of perseverance is a Biblical truth we must understand if we are to live our lives as true ambassadors for Christ and His kingdom. It is the doctrine of perseverance that separates the true Christians from all the fakes, hypocrites, liars, and deceivers who say they are Christians, and want all the benefits of being a Christian, but never comply with all God says in His inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word in their daily living. Perseverance is defined in 2 parts: 1 = “understanding the Biblical truth of redemption/salvation to the point a person is compelled in their heart to live in harmony with all of God’s Word until the end of their earthly lives.” 2 = Only those people who are truly born again can and will persevere to the end of their earthly life. When Jesus says, I know them as He does in John 10:27, we need to remember, He has perfect knowledge about each of us. Jesus tells us God even knows the number of hairs on our head. We hear and follow because Jesus knows us. Remember, true Christians hear God speak, and intentionally follow Him with a desire to obey. Follow means imitate God in all facets of everyday life. Is that how you follow? Let’s look closely at what else God extends to us from the instant of our salvation, and extends throughout eternity! Let’s begin with:
OUR SECURITY IN CHRIST. Note in v. 28 Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish!” Jesus makes a simple statement here with a simple meaning. One doesn’t have a doctorate in theology to understand the true meaning of Jesus’ words. When Jesus says eternal life, He means life that never ends. When God created us in His image, He created us to be eternal beings who live with Him forever in His heaven. Every human being that has or ever will be created is an eternal being. Before your conception you were eternal in the mind of God. He has known all about you forever. From the time you were conceived and forever forward you are – well you! Your soul is the eternal part of you that will never die. Your physical body will either succumb to physical death or you will be raptured out of this world. There is no other condition, past, or future. When any person comes to Christ for salvation, eternal life begins immediately in all its fullness. When God says, “I give,” it is the same as I shall! In the vernacular – it is a done deal!! Not only are we secure because we have eternal life, our security is reinforced when Jesus says, “…and they shall never perish.” Then Jesus goes a step further in telling us how secure we are. Now let’s examine:
OUR SHELTER IN CHRIST. Notice, Jesus then says, “no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Look at v. 29-30. V. 30 is one of the clearest, simplest statements in Scripture that the historical man Jesus, is God in human form! To deny that is to deny Scriptural truth!! Notice also our security is in Christ! We are placed in Christ, and Christ is in God! True Christians respond to this information with:
STRENGTH OF CHARACTER. I said at the beginning of this sermon the doctrine of perseverance is the Biblical doctrine that separates the true Christians from the fakes. The ability to live as Christians for the entirety of our earthly lives comes from our Triune God and is shown in our daily: A. FAITH = Read Heb. 11:32-38! You remember a very practical definition of faith don’t you! Faith is not believing God can, but knowing God will! Is that the concept of faith you live with all day every day? Our strength of character is also shown in our: B. FORTITUDE. Remember when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with the furnace if they did not bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar? Remember, their answer? “Our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king! But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” That is some pretty serious fortitude isn’t it? Is that the attitude of your fortitude 21st Century Christian?
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:55 — 32.7MB) Subscribe: We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. This week we turn our attention to the positive side of why Christians persevere, even when things get really tough. We have learned those who don’t believe Jesus don’t believe Him because they are not His sheep, or bluntly said, they don’t believe Him because they are not saved. Our focal passage is John 10, and we are going to focus on v. 27. V. 25, 26 answer the questions in v. 24. Jesus gives 3 mandatory truths that reveal true salvation, and drives a Christian to continue to live every day as a Christian regardless of any outside circumstance that may arise trying to influence them to stop living as a Christian should live. Notice 1st is:
A CHRISTIAN’S REGARD = To hear the Lord’s voice! One of the most basic and fundamental characteristics of a Christian is they are always listening to hear their Savior speak to them. In the NT the Greek word translated “to hear” means “to understand the significance/importance of what is being said.” The NT concept of hearing means a Christian is always alert and listening to hear the voice of God speaking to him/her because that person knows the only way they can learn, know, and understand what God is revealing to them, is to listen to God speaking to them. If you really want to hear God speak all you have to do is open The Word and read!!! When Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice” He is saying, as a true Christian goes about their daily life, they do so with their ears always alert to the voice of the indwelling Holy Spirit. They want God to speak to them because they know He has the words of life and what He speaks is truth revealed to them to conform them into Christ’s image. Listen to this statement by one NT scholar: he says concerning hearing what Jesus has to say; “There is no record concerning the appearance of Jesus, in which the 1st Christians showed no interest.” Next is:
CHRIST’S RECOGNITION – I know them. One writer defines know/knowledge as John uses it to mean: the awareness in our heart that we live in a relationship we have with God The Father because we trusted in the finished work of Christ for our salvation. The relationship with God The Father is because He adopts us as His children when we are saved. As a result of the salvation relationship with God, we have fellowship with Him because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Obedience and love from the heart are two identifying characteristics of true Christians. Obedience and love define the quality of fellowship that results from the salvation relationship with God. Now notice:
THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE. Notice also in v. 27 when Jesus’s sheep hear Him, they follow Him. Following Jesus is a visible evidence of perseverance. When Jesus says “they follow me” He is saying in just 3 words the driving or covering or whole philosophy of those Christians who have come to the point in their life where to follow Christ is their only option! It means they become like Him behaving as He does. Once again the “behaving as He does” encompasses the person’s entire life to include their thinking, emotions, and even the motives and intents of their heart! In the NT the concept of “follow” always means to follow Christ. Another interesting fact is that the concept of following Christ is limited exclusively to one who becomes a disciple of Christ. Here is where the whole Biblical doctrine of following Christ focuses of perseverance. One follows Christ, not as the historical Jesus, but as Messiah. Why is that distinction important? Because to follow after Jesus; to become like Him; to imitate Him in daily living; to have and display His nature and character – as a true disciple means to participate in the salvation experience offered only to those who come to Christ for redemption. To follow Christ is the highest calling a person can receive. That calling is extended to everyone, but is only effective for those who answer and come to Christ for redemption!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
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