Dear Church Family,
April, we know it’s the fourth month of the year, but that’s only by the Gregorian calendar that use now. It was previously the fifth month in the earlier Julian calendar. April also only had 29 days, but a 30th day was added when Julius Caesar established the Julian calendar. No one is sure how the month ended up with its name, but we do know the Romans named it “Aprillis.” Because back in the day of the ancient Romans, April was sacred to the goddess Venus.
The name April is generally used as a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning "to open". Once the most popular month names given to girls. And those who were born in April have a diamond as their birthstone, which represents innocence. Their birth flower is either a Daisy or a Sweet Pea.
If you have ever sat in our pews on a Sunday morning , or read or listened on the Internet to my sermons, you know I so often use stories to help us understand the teachings of God’s word.
So as I started to write my monthly letter for the Messenger, I began to think about all the stories that April has to tell and the history it reminds us of.
Here are some of the stories April reminds us of from history.
April 11,1970, Apollo 13 was launched and ran into difficulties about two days later. It was then that the famous line “Houston, we’ve had a problem here” was said, and is today usually misquoted.
On April 15,1912, the famous Titanic ship hit an iceberg and sunk on her first and only voyage.
For all the car enthusiasts out there, Ford unveiled their first Mustang on April 17, 1964, costing $2,368.
The first battle of the Revolutionary War, broke out on April 19, 1775.
One of the days and stories that directly impacted my life happened on April 29,19... (I’ll let you fill that in, I’m no fool!) my wife Bonne C. Gumaer was born.
Of all those dates and stories told, one of the most well-known dates, and probably has more stories than we can imagine is April Fools’ Day, that we recognize on the first day of the month. No one is sure where this originated from, but some believe it to be inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer’s story in “Canterbury Tales” called “Nun’s Priest’s Tale.”
The word fool is used around 110 times in the Bible, depending on the version your counting from. About 71 times in the Book of Proverbs alone and since that word is used so frequently in the book of wisdom, there must be something inherently wrong with being a fool.
The scriptures tell us a fool is someone who is unwise, lacks sense, and lacks judgement. Fools don’t want to learn the truth. They laugh at the truth and turn their eyes away from the truth. Fools are wise in their own eyes failing to take in wisdom and advice, which will be their downfall. They suppress the truth by their unrighteousness. They have wickedness in their hearts, they are lazy, proud, they slander others, and live in repeat foolishness. Living in sin is fun only for a fool.
The Spiritual meaning of April is, a balanced stability . It's a time of growth and “Moving Forward”, in new and positive ways. And that has been our theme this past Lenten season, and my hope and prayer for all of you.
April is an ideal month to start growing for the purpose of healthier spiritual living. Jesus tells us a story,(a parable) in Luke 12: 16-21.
(16) And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. (17) He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
(18) "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. (19) And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
(20) "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
(21) "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
On April 4th we celebrate the greatest story ever told, EASTER. How God’s grace has been revealed and given to those who believe in Jesus Christ and the cross!
As we all know, “April showers bring May flowers,” so if the rain of April ever gets you down, never forget the silver lining! Because of what Christ has done for us. We can have a balanced stability moving forward . It's a time of growth and “Moving Forward”, in new and positive ways physically and spiritually.
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
Thursday, April 1st – Maundy Thursday
Friday, April 2nd – Good Friday
Saturday, April 3rd – Holy Saturday
Sunday, April 4th – Happy Easter!!! Christ is Risen!!!
Thursday, April 8th – Presbyterian Women meeting – 11am
Wednesday, April 21st – Men’s Action Group meeting – 8am
Tuesday, April 27th – Newsletter Deadline
The Presbyterian Women will be putting together a recipe book for our Church. If anyone would like to share some of their recipes please type them or print them and give them to Bonnie Travis or Debbie Stalker.
Don’t Forget to check your mailbox – as you enter the vestibule on the wall to the left.
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.
Plastic Grocery Bags – Please give bags to Bonne Travis – these are used to crochet sleep mats for the homeless.
Napkins for Meadow View… Three hundred twenty six napkins were delivered to Meadow View, just in time to be shared with the residents for Easter. There was a nice mix of Easter and “Springy/Happy” ones, so all will be appreciated. Yes, we can continue to do this gift to hopefully bring a smile and some sunshine in someone’s life. As I write this, 3/29, I found out that doors are closed again, just when the folks were expecting to welcome visitors in the near future, so they have suffered a terrible disappointment for both residents and staff. Joanne thanks us and says they will bring smiles and maybe have to dry some tears too. Pray for folks in care as well as those who work so hard to care for them. And. . . . keep the napkins coming. Thank you everyone. Joyce
Care Net – A Time of Sharing with our Tiny Residents. Beginning the week after Easter, we will again have the opportunity to share our support with Care Net, an organization begun in 1975 to support men and women making life affirming decisions following an unplanned pregnancy. In North America, there are 1100 pregnancy centers, one of which is in Montrose. Our gifts supply family support through education for both parents which includes Christian education, nutrition for the baby, as well as baby supplies, clothing, car seats, etc. Due to the continuing virus restrictions, baby bottles will not be distributed, but donations can be made by check, or save your change in any container and give it to Carolyn Pratt, who has assured us she enjoys counting coins! Last year, Care Net received $1251.08 from the generosity of this church family and friends. Please, go to Care Net’s web site to read their history and all the work they do at: www.care-net.org
This month Rev. Malaho has shared the funds that we sent, with the students at his AMBASSADORS OF HOPE SCHOOL,SHIKINGA. He has 280 students who are orphans and very poor children who would otherwise have no hope and now they recover from rejection and abuses. Part of their education is to select a project and participate with labor and input. Some of the projects include vegetable farming, fish farming, fresh water maintenance, and food preparation. Everyone wears a basic uniform. He is very grateful for our support and prayers and offers us blessings and prayers. By Jim Kessler
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 joe.s.travis@gmail.com
If you are in the parking lot, PLEASE TUNE YOUR RADIO TO 89.5 FM TO HEAR THE MORNING SERVICE. PLEASE NOTE: We ask that you wear a mask as you ENTER the church.
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)
