From The Pastor’s Desk…..
Dear Church Family,
March is one of those months that often comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, as the saying goes. As a kid, I remember the winter weather would start to turn, rushed along by windy days that signaled kite flying and baseball games were just weeks away. Some of those days seemed to be so windy it was hard to stand up or to cold to be in. Yet I always had faith that It would bring warmer weather.
Paul reminds us in 2 Cor. 5:7 that, “we live by faith, not by sight.”
The winds of life often leave us feeling the same way. To strong or to cold to be in. Peer pressure, cultural winds, and social media leave us feeling strained to keep our faith and stand up for what we believe. In order to grow in our faith, we have to ask ourselves. How do we stand out, in the right ways, at the right time, for the right reasons? I’m convinced that when we stand up and stand out in the right ways, at the right time, for the right reasons, It can change the direction of our lives.
The flip side is true as well. When we compromise on the wrong things, in the wrong ways, at the wrong times; it can cost us way more than we can imagine in that moment of weakness. It’s always important to make the presence of God a priority in your life, where you seek Him, where you depend on Him, where your living and dwelling in His word, no matter what the winds of change might bring. This is how we learn to walk by faith, and by sight.
So, when these winds of life are blowing, take it to God in prayer and pray.
“Dear God, today help me to stand strong in my faith and to trust you with what matters most. Give me your peace when strong winds blow. Amen.”
In His Service
Pastor Joe
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Thursday at 1:00pm
You may reach Pastor Joe at 570-465-7303 or his cell #570-267-4570
Every Thursday Pastor Joe will be at the church from 2-4pm if you need him
Sunday, March 1st – First Sunday in Lent
Thursday, March 5th – Presbyterian Women meeting – 11am in the Community Building
Friday, March 6th – World Day of Prayer
Sunday, March 8th – Second Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 8th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
Sunday, March 15th – Third Sunday in Lent
Wednesday, March 18th – Men’s Action Group Meeting – 8am in the Community Building
Thursday, March 19th – First Day of Spring
Sunday, March 22nd – Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 22nd – Session Meeting 10:30am
Sunday, March 29th – Fifth Sunday in Lent
Tuesday, March 31st – Newsletter Deadline
Saturday, April 4th – Spring Clean Up Day – Please bring garden tools
Anyone wishing to order flowers In Memory of or In Honor of a Loved One please fill out envelopes provided in the vestibule and put in the offering plate. Deadline will be Sunday, March 29.
Presbyterian Women are collecting empty plastic medicine or vitamin bottles that will be sent to Haiti for individuals receiving medication at health centers. Many times that have no containers for their medications. Please wash and remove all labels. Please give to Linda Rood.
The members of Session are: Bonnie Travis, Jim Kessler, Carolyn Pratt, Cathe Parks, Ella Darrow and Rose Jones. Should you need anything or have any questions, please see one of these members.
We have had to change our mission program to Kenya.Kenya has been named as a high risk area for money fraud, so we have had to change . So now we send the funds from my bank acct. to Julia, Silvanus’ wife’s account. It is a high cost transfer, but it is safe , and effective. But this means that I correspond with Julia, more than Silvanus.Julia has revealed that they have a successful farming program, (We would refer to it more as a gardening project), and a fish farm, and poultry project, all run by the students of their school that we helped to fund. They are still very dependent upon our support, but they have several successes that I was not aware of. They, Rev Malaho, and his wife, are very THANKFUL for our support and praise God for our blessings. By Jim Kessler
One Great Hour Of Sharing mission begins Sunday, March 1st and will continue through Lent.
Our Prayer Shawl Ministry began in November 2010, 10 years ago, almost, Wow! Here is a little breakdown of items made and given to those within our church family and extended family and friends:
2010 we distributed 7 hats and 4 mittens to Bill’s Kids and 2 shawls were given
2011 we distributed 47 scarves, 22 hats, 13 mittens and 1 slipper socks to Bill’s Kids, 16 shawls were given out and 27 helmet liners to mission.
2012 we distributed 52 scarves, 30 hats, 2 mittens, 3 slipper socks and 11 felt purses to Bill’s Kids,
14 shawls were given.
2013 we distributed 17 scarves and 8 hats to Bill’s Kids and 12 shawls were given
2014 we distributed 36 scarves and 8 hats to Interfaith and 8 shawls were given
2015 we distributed 9 shawls
2016 we distributed 20 scarves, 10 hats and 4 mitten to Bill’s Kids and 11 shawls were given
2017 we distributed 4 scarves, 9 hats and 24 mittens to Bill’s Kids and 6 shawls were given
2018 we distributed 4 shawls
2019 we distributed 9 shawls
2020 so far we have given 6 shawls
If you know of anyone in need of a prayer shawl, or if you would like to make a shawl to be distributed, please let Carolyn White know. Thank you!
Men’s Action Group ***For help with small projects for church family and neighborhood, please call Pastor Joe Travis at #570-465-7303 or email him at joetravis@live.com
Loose Change Offerings ( coins and bills)
1st Sunday – Local Missions
2nd Sunday – General Fund
3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malaho
4th Sunday – General Fund
5th Sunday – Trehab Local Food Bank (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)
