Dear Church Family,
With all that’s going on in our country it seems like tension are growing on every front. Especially between Social and political ideologies. In my morning devotionals I have been reading 1Thessalonians, in chapter 1 verse 10, Paul writes: ”to wait for his Son from heaven,” and I began thinking about what were supposed to do while we “wait”. I’m not very good at waiting, twiddling my thumbs or becoming like a doormat. So, I began searching the scriptures with these questions in mind; ”What would Jesus do”, How do I become “Christ like”?
All too often as Christians we feel that if we speak up and tell of our belief in Christ and the freedom we received in the forgiveness of our sin, we remain idle, we don’t engage in the fight. We sit back a think God will handle this; our duty is to Love our neighbors as ourselves. But that’s not how Jesus responded in tense times. As Paul instructed, encouraged and challenged Timothy to be “Christ like”, he also reminds us as recorded in the Bible in his letter to Timothy to…
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:12 )
Remember the Bible tells us we were made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)”So God created man in his own image in the image of God he created him:” Then in Exodus 15:3 we’re told: “The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.”
If you’re striving to be “Christ like”, a follower of Jesus, then you’re also a fighter. So if we’re created in God’s image, then we, too, have this fighter inside us as part of our nature. This is not just a cultural or patriarchal thing. It’s a God thing, for all of us, both men and women, inherent to our Creator’s design.
Don’t forget the greatest warrior who ever lived was, Jesus. Surprised? Many of us imagine Christ based on pictures of him, all meek and mild, smiling as children gather at his feet with sheep grazing nearby. But if you look at his life, that picture is incomplete.
The Son of God was not a divine doormat. He was overwhelmed with righteous anger, violently toppling the tables of the money changers in his Father’s temple. He was the scandalous Messiah, willing to buck the Pharisees and their religious establishment. He is the fierce King of Kings whose eyes are like blazing fire and who wears a robe dipped in blood, as recorded in Revelation 19:11-16.
Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace and the Risen Savior, overcoming sin and death once and for all. We must consider all of what the Bible tells us to fully appreciate God’s character and Jesus’ example. No doubt about it, Jesus was a fighter.
So, if as believers we are striving to be “Christ like” to become part of His “armies of heaven”, ”following him”(Rev19:14),we’re not called to be doormats either. We’re called to be Freedom fighters; freedom from sin and death which Jesus died for on the cross, so that all may have eternal life.
So, as you read this and are wondering what to do, while we “wait for his Son from heaven,” pray, search the scriptures and ask yourselves…
What would Jesus do? How do I become “Christ like”?
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“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:12 )
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, June 10th – Presbyterian Women Meeting – 11am
Monday, June 14th – Flag Day
Wednesday, June 16th – Men’s Action Group Meeting – 8am
Sunday, June 20th – Happy Father’s Day!!!
Sunday, June 20th – First Day of Summer!
Tuesday, June 22nd – Session Meeting – 9am
Tuesday, June 29th – Newsletter Deadline
Virtual Baby Bottle Campaign was a huge success again this year. Thanks to the generosity of many, the total collected for our local Care Net was $1044.00. All of this will be used for our babies right here in Susquehanna Co. On behalf of those families, THANK YOU ! !
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.⛪
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.
Sunday School starts at 8:30am with a study of the book of Galatians. A good time to join us.
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!
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 e.s.travis@gmail.com
EMAIL address for the church has been changed to: fhpc400@att.net
Please tune your radio to 89.5 FM to hear the church service. PARKING LOT TRANSMISSION WILL END JULY 11TH.
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)
