From The Pastor’s Desk…..
Dear Church Family,
As we start a new month, many of us keep asking God to end this pandemic, or ask why is this happening?
Over and over again, we have the same prayer and requests. In Matthew 7: 9-11 we read, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Sometimes we find ourselves praying over and over again with the same request. We know that God hears us and has a plan based on his wisdom, knowledge, and sovereignty, but we are still waiting for an answer to our prayers. When God does not seem to answer our prayers right away, we naturally assume that the timing must not be right for him to reveal his answer.
Our Father knows our needs, our concerns, no matter if they are big or small. They matter to him, and he hears our prayers and responds in his perfect timing.
Jesus reminds us that even a sinful earthly father would never give his child a snake when he asks for a fish, or a stone when his kid asks for bread.
Faith, hope, and trust in God our Father, many times requires patients, as we seek his will.
So, during the month of May, I would ask you to pray this prayer with me…
“Father God, I know that you hear my prayers, even when I’m forced to wait patiently for your answer. Today I will trust in you, knowing that you always want what’s truly best for me.”
In His Service,
Pastor Joe
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building (Postponed until further notice)
Choir Practice Every Thursday at 1:00pm (Postponed until further notice)
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
Thursday, May 7th – National Day Of Prayer
Sunday, May 10th – Happy Mother’s Day!
Saturday, May 16th – Armed Forces Day
Monday, May 18th – Victoria Day! (Canada)
Tuesday, May 19th – Session Meeting
Thursday, May 21st – Ascension Day
Monday, May 25th – Happy Memorial Day!
Tuesday, May 26th – Newsletter Deadline
Sunday, May 31st – Pentecost
The Coronavirus has hit Kenya just as it has the rest of the world. Rev Malaho has had to keep his school students in formed and motivated while social distancing, and under curfew. Their schools are all shut down and family population is up. Keep in mind that he has several orphans staying in his home. Food and basics are more in demand. Economic effects are worse than the actual virus itself. A picture shows him sharing his cereal from his personal burlap bag, with some of the local elders. By Jim Kessler
The annual meeting for the Franklin Hill Cemetery will be postponed until the second Tuesday in June. Marcia Perkins, Secretary
Prayer Shawls – If you know of anyone in need of a prayer shawl, please let Carolyn White know.
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
Our annual Baby Bottle Campaign for Care Net usually begins the Sunday after Easter and ends on Mother’s Day, however, this year will be different since we have not started it yet. Laura Squire who is the current Director at Care Net says baby bottles will not be handed out this year. In spite of this, the facility is still helping women and babies by doing on line teaching and counseling and distributing diapers, and whatever the new family might need, using curb side pick up. Our church family has been generous for many years by giving to this worthy community outreach and we don’t want it to stop because we are not meeting together. Session has suggested that if filling a bottle is what you have done in the past, then pick a container from your cupboard and use it for your baby bottle. You might even want to decorate it! Carolyn Pratt will count the coins and bills, although she said she might let them sit for a while before handling. OR, if you prefer, you can just write a check, mark it for Care Net and put it in the offering plate. This begins now and we hope to collect the donations the early part of June. The money collected here stays here in the county …..for more information go to carenetofnepa.org
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)
