Dear Church Family & Friends,
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. So as we begin this month of May and look forward to warmer weather and the plans we have for the summer months to come, decisions have to be made as to what you have time for and what you can afford. What’s important and what’s not, and what has value and what priority to give it.
As Believers, we need to ask ourselves. What values are most important for my life, and do my actions reflect the world’s values or God’s values?
As food for thought, let me share with you today, a portion of scripture that I read in my morning devotions that got me thinking about our priorities and values.
1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does,–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
I believe that John was telling us that some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior, the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy. But worldiness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is used by satan to temp us, to give in to these three attitudes or mindsets, you might call them.
The internal desire for physical pleasure. To be preoccupied with gratifying physical desires.
The lust for everything we see. Meaning the craving and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism.
The pride in our possessions. I’m not talking about material things, but the obsession with one status or importance.
Think about this, when the serpent tempted Eve (Genesis 3:6), he tempted her in these areas. Also, when the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, these were his three areas of attack (Matthew 4:1-11). Eve gave in to these temptations. Jesus overcame these temptations, because he knew in his heart what his Father expected of him.
God values self control, a spirit of generosity, and a commitment to humble service. Remember it’s possible to give the impression of avoiding worldly pleasures while still harboring worldly attitudes in one’s heart. It’s also possible, like Jesus, to love sinners and spend time with them while maintaining a commitment to the values of God‘s kingdom.
We need also to remember that our society has trained us that if it’s worth having, it’s worth having now. If you are going to do it, you should never be forced to wait. In order to feel important, our culture tells us we should get what we want when we want it. Commercials and ads tell us, “You deserve the best.” “Have it your way.” “Live for today.” But scripture teaches us: “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
Think about this, when our attachment to possessions is strong, it’s hard to believe that what we want will one day pass away. It may be even harder to believe that the person who does the will of God will live forever. But this was John’s conviction based on the facts of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and promises. Knowing that this evil world and our desires for its pleasures will end, can give us courage to control our greedy self indulgent behavior and to continue doing God‘s will.
The bible teaches us that God expects us to take the long view, an eternal perspective that sees beyond our daily frustrations and momentary inconvenience. To wait on God. To acknowledge that we’re not in control and that we’re no more important than any other human being. Yes, we want what we want right now, but God knows what’s best for us.
So before you set in stone any plans you have for the coming months and years, make your number one priority to ask yourself. What values are most important for my life, and do my actions reflect the world’s values or God’s values?
In His Service,
Pastor Joe
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Thursday at 9:00am for the summer
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 10:30am to 12:30pm for the summer
Thursday, May 5th – National Day of Prayer
Sunday, May 8th – Happy Mother’s Day!!!
Thursday, May 12th – Presbyterian Women Mother Day Lunch & Meeting – 10:30am
Wednesday, May 18th – Men’s Action Group Breakfast & Meeting – 8am
Saturday, May 21st – Armed Forces Day
Monday, May 23rd – Victoria Day (Canada)
Thursday, May 26th – Ascension Day
Monday, May 30th – Happy Memorial Day!!!
Tuesday, May 31st – Newsletter Deadline
Thank you all who donated to our One Great Hour of Sharing Mission - $820 was collected!!!
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. This mission started last Sunday, April 24th and will continue through May 22nd.
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 10, 2022 at 6PM at the Franklin Hill Community Building. This meeting is open to everyone.
Marcia Perkins, Sec/Treas
The Montrose Adult School presents on May 17th at 7:00P.M. in the church. History of the Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church, Hallstead, PA 1813-2022. Leader: Jim Perkins, Elder The Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church has a long history going back to the first settlers coming overland and by river from Connecticut to clear the forest building homes and barns. Meetings were held as early as 1801 in private homes in Franklin Hill and New Milford, until the old South Schoolhouse was built, and then meetings were held there. On the 28th day of September, 1813, the Lawsville and New Milford Union Congregational Church was constituted. In 1836 the Church became Presbyterian and five elders were chosen. They united with Liberty Presbyterian church. We will discuss the history of the church through the building of the churches, manses, and social halls using historical documents from the church, Blackman’s History of Susquehanna County Pennsylvania, and Stocker’s Centennial History of Susquehanna County Pennsylvania. Please preregister by using the form in the Adult School flyer or on-line Registration is $5.00
Montrose Area Adult School (montroseadultschool.org)
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)
