Dear Church Family & Friends,
This month I think we should think about overcoming our wounds, our fears, our doubts and worries, all the obstacles, big and small, that often hinder our faith especially during this pandemic.
Isaiah tells us how we can find peace when we feel wounded. ”But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.“(Isa. 53:5)
Years ago, it only took a quick hug from Bonne or me to make our children feel better. Usually after telling them, no blood no crying from me. For really serious injuries, which usually meant the ones involving blood from a scraped knee or cut finger, we had to bring out the bandages comfort them and say a prayer. In a day or two, their wounds had usually healed, and we didn’t have to worry about them again until the next fall, bike accident, or hurt feelings .
As a pastor ministering to adults, however, I quickly realized we all carry chronic wounds and tender scars from more complex injuries and incidents. These don’t heal overnight. These internal wounds to our soul stay with us, slow us down, and sometimes influence all the choices we make. The brutal words from a parent, the unspeakable betrayal from someone we trusted, the harsh disappointment in a marriage, these tend to linger and require God’s healing power to help us forgive those who let us down and move on. “But we can be healed. Jesus, too, knew what it meant to bear both physical pain as well as the emotional and mental anguish of suffering the offenses of others. Having lived without ever sinning, Christ chose to bear the burden of our sins through his excruciating death on the cross.
So again. This month is about overcoming our wounds, our fears, our doubts and worries, all the obstacles, big and small, that often hinder our faith especially as we deal with this pandemic and the wounds it brings. Today ask God to heal all those hurts that still linger from your past. Feel His loving arms hugging you and pray with me. Thank you, Jesus, for bearing my sins on the cross so that I can be healed from my wounds ,my fears, my doubts and worries and have eternal life.”
In His Service,
Pastor Joe
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building
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
Monday, September 7th – Happy Labor Day!
Thursday, September 10th – Presbyterian Women meeting – 11am in the Community Building
Friday, September 11th – Patriot Day!
Sunday, September 13th – National Grandparents Day
Wednesday, September 16th – Men’s Action Group meeting – 8am in the Community Building
Tuesday, September 22nd – First Day of Autumn
Tuesday, September 22nd – Session Meeting – 10am in the Community Building
Tuesday, September 29th –Newsletter Deadline
Feed A Friend – starts Sunday, October 4th – we will be collecting dessert items for Feed-a-friend. This is a program put on by Trehab to give out Thanksgiving dinners. Without these baskets many people would not have a Thanksgiving dinner. Hope you can help us with this Mission Project.
We have had limited communication with our friends in Kenya. They have been struggling to get their school open after being shut down with Covid. They are purely private funded. There are no public schools in this part of Kenya. But Rev Malaho built the school for his village, now they need books,and supplies, however basic they are. In the meantime he has some of the students involved with projects such as gardening, cow with new calf, and fish farm. In the meantime their granddaughter, Julie, has been passing out and required hospitalization which we have helped to fund. Testing rules out serious heart problems. She has returned home with treatment and is recovering. They are very grateful for our prayers and financial support for their christian mission in their home village. By Jim Kessler
Anyone wishing to share a talent, to sing, play an instrument, read a poem, tell a story, or give testimony, etc. during worship, please contact Joe or Bonne.
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
Loose Change Offerings ( coins and bills)
1st Sunday – Local Missions
2nd Sunday – General Fund
3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malabo
4th Sunday – General Fund
5th Sunday – Trehab Local Food Bank (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)
PLEASE NOTE: As we reopen our regular church services, we ask that you wear a mask as you ENTER the church and as you EXIT. To EXIT, please use the Front, Side, EXIT DOOR. Thank you. Members of Session. If you are in the parking lot, Please tune your radio to 89.5 FM to hear the morning service.
