Dear Church Family,
Whether it’s Mother’s Day or the National Day of Prayer, National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, or Memorial Day there’s something official to celebrate every single day of the month of May.
So there are plenty of reasons to love May. It’s the start of warmer weather, flowers are blooming, and you can finally begin enjoying outdoors activities again.
I’m sure most of you know that the CDC has recently changed its guidelines to wearing mask outdoors. Provided you have been fully vaccinated and still keep your distance, from others. And, I am quite sure, most of you have suffered these past months with impatience, as I have. Waiting for things to return to normal since the pandemic guidelines were put in place. Waiting for warmer weather, or maybe just to hug a loved one. I think I’ve made my impatience grow, even more making a trip south to see family and friends who live in a warmer environment, during my recent vacation. So it seems like daily I find myself praying for patients.
In my devotions this last week, two versus keep running through my mind, and speaking to me about having patients in keeping the faith.
1 John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” And Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.”
I know that sometimes the greatest act of faith is patient faithfulness, staying where you’re planted, remaining patient when you’re itching to force a change.
Maybe ,for some of you it’s, keeping your job even though you keep getting passed by for a promotion. Staying in your marriage when it only gets harder instead of easier to love your spouse. Or, supporting a friend who always seems to need help, although they seldom offer thanks for what you do. Or, taking care of family members with chronic illnesses.
If you haven’t already, you will someday find yourself at a crossroads, a place where you have to make a difficult decision about your life’s direction. “Should I stay the course when it would be easier to walk away? Or does God want me to stay put and wait on what he’s doing here? If he wants me to wait, I’ll need a lot of patience.”
Remember, the greatest act of faith is, patient faithfulness. We all know that patience is best exercised when you’d rather take a shortcut, make something happen, or force others to do things your way. But patient faithfulness is waiting on God. It shows just how much you trust him. This May I would implore you to keep on keeping on, knowing that God will move you forward according to his perfect schedule. Celebrate each and every day this May by keeping the faith and practicing patient faithfulness.
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, May 6th – National Day of Prayer
Sunday, May 9th – Happy Mother’s Day!!!
Thursday, May 13th – Ascension Day
Thursday, May 13th – Presbyterian Women Mother’s Day luncheon and meeting – 11am
Saturday, May 15th – Armed Forces Day!
Wednesday, May 19th – Men’s Action Group Meeting – 8am
Sunday, May 23rd – Pentecost
Monday, May 24th – Happy Victoria Day! (Canada)
Tuesday, May 25th – Session Meeting – 9am
Sunday, May 30th – Trinity Sunday
Monday, May 31st – Happy Memorial Day!
Tuesday, June 1st – Newsletter Deadline
To all who contribute their precious time and monetary contributions in the running of this wonderful church, Session wishes to thank each and every one of you for your unending dedication. The Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church contributes to many missions near and far and our prayer chain for those in need of prayer, because of you we are able to continue this work. We Thank and Praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His continued guidance.⛪
If anyone has a family member graduating from nursery school to college, or in the service, please let Carolyn White know, so we can announce in the June newsletter.
The annual meeting of The Franklin Hill Cemetery Association will be held on Tuesday May 11, 2021 at 6PM at the Franklin Hill Community Building.
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 out our Website – we now have a Donate Button through PayPal – just click on the button on the home page and make your donation!
Care Net Pregnancy Center of NEPA is fully funded by the generous donations of churches, individuals, and organizations, and all of those funds are kept right here in NE PA. The center offers education during and after pregnancy to both parents, Christian counseling, and the opportunity to obtain many items needed for caring for the new baby. Shopping in their delightful “store” is obtained by earning “points” through going to education classes, both to learn how to care for the baby, and Christian Education. The staff is well trained and and all information is kept confidential. Our church family became involved in this mission project when Ray Osburn worked with Children and Youth and he brought Care Net to our attention. We are happy and blessed to continue his vision of this mission. Pictured here is a young member passing along a fridge magnet to remind us to share in this very important ministry. The children pictured on them all come from this area. On behalf of Care Net, Thank You for your generous support of this important ministry to our community.
Don’t Forget to check your mailbox – as you enter the vestibule on the wall to the left.
Plastic Grocery Bags – Please give bags to Bonne Travis – these are used to crochet sleep mats for the homeless.
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)
