Dear Church Family and Friends,
As we continue in this season of Lent, we are given the opportunity to celebrate Easter’s Grace by gathering together in worship on each and every Sunday. I pray all of you will invite family and friends to join us on “Palm Sunday”, our “Maundy Thursday” service, “Sunrise service” at Bill and Carolyn White’s and our Easter celebration at the church, in the hope that we all may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In 2 Peter 3:10, Peter reminds his readers that; “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” He instructs both them and us, the need for growth. Like we see happening all around us in the onset of spring. He tells us in 3:18 to; “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and forever!”
I don’t know about you but I love those little signs that spring is right around the corner. Those tiny green shoots, the buds on trees. Chocolate bunnies in the stores. Okay, maybe that last one is just a personal temptation. Seriously, though, the natural world is changing and will soon explode with color and new life.
I think as we begin the month of April we need to also sense the same kind of a dynamic change and growth inside our hearts. We do this by asking ourselves; What does it mean to follow Christ and be his new creation? How is he changing me?
Remember, that by “Easter’s Grace” we can know that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to earth and showed us God’s love. He hung out with those we know as disciples, the religious leaders who rejected and judged sinners, who all to often we emulate. He loved them and still today, us, where they and we are.
God’s love for all gives everyone the opportunity through “Easter‘s Grace” to be forgiven of our sins. To be changed, to be born again, to be new creations.
For when we call on Jesus, he makes us new. Not just a better version of the old us. But new. Every sin forgiven. We’re filled with His Spirit. We’re transformed. We’re a new creation!
I pray that all of you grow in the “Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and continue to stand firm in your faith. You can trust God to change you and make you like his Son. Because when you follow him, your life will look different from before. You will be Holy—set apart—from the world around you. Never forget that by excepting “Easter’s Grace”, the old you has passed away and you’re a new person in Christ.”
In His Service, Pastor Joe
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Thursday at 1:00pm
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
Sunday, April 3rd – 5th Sunday in Lent
Saturday, April 9th – Clean Up Day! Bring your rake and shovel! (Depending on Weather)
Sunday, April 10th – Palm Sunday
Thursday, April 14th – Presbyterian Women meeting 11am
Thursday, April 14th – Maundy Thursday Service – 7pm
Friday, April 15th – Good Friday
Saturday, April 16th – Holy Saturday
Sunday, April 17th – Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!!! Sunrise Service at 1650 Booth Road, Hallstead at 7:30am, Breakfast in the Community Building at 8am and Worship Service at 9:30am.
Wednesday, April 20th – Men’s Action Group Meeting & Breakfast – 8am
Friday, April 22nd – Earth Day
Saturday, April 23rd – Session Meeting 9am
Tuesday, April 26th – Newsletter Deadline
One Great Hour of Sharing Mission – Continues until Easter Sunday
Conditions in Kenya have deteriorated seriously recently. Their weather has been very hot and dry and many of their crops have dried up. But this last week they have had some friendly rains. Then the war in Ukraine has diverted some of their supplies to the war. Prices of essential items have gone up 80 – 100 %. Supplies for their school, which we helped to finance, have gone up seriously and creditors are demanding payment. If the school stays open, they will need to reduce the number of students. Those students will not likely have any regular meals or form of employment. Village life will likely become much darker. Rev. Malaho also has a younger friend who has recently won a green card and is looking to travel to the USA. But he needs a host address until he can find employment and a permanent address. If anyone is familiar with the process and is willing to help out a new visitor to become a legal resident, please let us know promptly, so we can further the process. Rev. Malaho is always very appreciative of our prayers and financial help to keep his village and school operating. By Jim Kessler
Don’t Forget to check your mailbox – as you enter the vestibule on the wall to the left.
Please sign up to host one of the social hours on the Sunday after Communion Service on the first Sunday of the month. Hosting only means setting out what is brought and cleaning up afterward. It does not mean bringing everything to share.
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 our card ministry – If you would like a card sent to a particular person to give them a lift or let them know they are missed or offer encouragement, etc. etc., just give the name and address to Cathe. Cards, envelopes and postage will be provided and placed on a table in the Community Building the first Sunday of each month. As we file past the table on our way to the coffee pot, we will be able to sign each of the cards and Cathe will address the envelopes and mail them.
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
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)
