The Messenger – August 2022

Dear Church Family & Friends,

This morning when I awoke, I was determined to write an article for the Messenger for the month of August. And I struggled with the faith that I might not be able to deliver God’s message in a way pleasing to Him.

Then in my morning devotions I was reading from Matthew 17, about “The Healing of the Boy with a Demon” and when I came to verse 20 where Jesus was telling his disciples, who were struggling in their faith, why they couldn’t cast out the demon. ‘He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt 17:20). I wondered. Did they take it literally? Did his response satisfy their longing to please God? Did they truly understand what Jesus was teaching them about faith? Have you ever wondered about the meaning of this verse?

Suppose a person was unhappy with the location of a certain mountain and decided to move it somewhere else. Who could guarantee that its relocation would be in the best interests of all concerned? Even assuming the good will of all, it would be rather risky business for persons to be able to drastically alter the landscape simply by speaking a word!

Most of us aren’t bothered about this because we don’t believe it can be done. We haven’t seen it done, and we don’t believe it can be done. So, Jesus was either mistaken, or he meant something different from what we understand his words to say.

Perhaps we need to focus more upon the faith he was talking about than upon the mountains he suggested could be moved. Of course, the mountain-moving emphasis must not be neglected, but it must be properly understood.

Jesus was talking about the triumphs of faith, and he was using both exaggeration and pictorial language to make his point. He had no intention of encouraging persons to try to move physical mountains with their faith. But he did want them to possess the quality of faith which would enable them to achieve victories more marvelous than moving mountains.

In comparing this faith with a mustard seed he was not suggesting that one needs only a little of it. Rather, he was indicating the direction of its influence, the nature of its effects. He was saying that faith is not a weak, powerless thing. It is strong, mighty, it gets things done.

As Christians we all have times when we struggle in our faith. We replay old and unproductive messages in our minds like:

You’ll never have all you need.

You aren’t good enough.

You don’t have what it takes.

God doesn’t hear your prayer.

God doesn’t really care about you.

When this happens to you, as it does to me. Step back and remember, Jesus said if you have faith as small as a mustard seed. Think of how small that is, like a grain of sand, probably the smallest known during the first century.

Jesus must have known that we would often feel that our faith is stretched to the breaking point. Sometimes I’m like the man in Scripture who said, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief”. (Mark 9:24)

Today, if you are praying for a miracle, even one that feels small or unimportant to anyone else, remember Matthew 17:20. Where we read; “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” then keep the faith.

If you are praying for someone to be saved, continue believing. If you are trusting God to restore your marriage, don’t stop. If you are begging God to help you change, wake up every day and continue to seek him.

Don’t forget, it’s not the size of your faith that matters.

It’s the size of your God.

And with him, all things are possible.

In His Service,   Pastor Joe

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building

Choir Practice will resume in the fall

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 9:00am to 11:00am

Thursday, August 11th Presbyterian Women meeting – 11am

Wednesday, August 17thMen’s Group meeting – 8am

Wednesday, August 17th Session Meeting – 4:30pm

Sunday, August 28thOutdoor Church Service – weather permitting

Tuesday, August 30thNewsletter Deadline

Thursday, September 1stChoir Practice begins – 1pm

Thank you all who donated to the piano repair fund. The repairs are done and it sounds beautiful!

If anyone would like to donate to the Snow Blower fund, please mark your envelope. Thank you!

Choir members and those interested in joining, our first practice will be Thursday,September 1st at 1pm at the church. Please consider joining us in singing God’s praises!

We will begin singing during the church service on Sunday, October 2nd.

Ladies… You Are invited to our Advancing Watchwomen Retreat on September 16-18 at the Loft Cost $125.00. Session has agreed to pay $60.00 toward fee for each lady. Your Cost $65.00. If someone doesn’t have the money we have others who want to help out. See Bonne. Please Come and Be Blessed! Fee includes 5 meals, 2 nights lodging ( weather you stay overnight or not) 154 Rock Hill Road, Susquehanna, PA 18847 Bedding and towels not included. Dress Casual. Registration and Payment Due September 9th, 2022.

 

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.

 

Plastic Grocery Bags – Please give bags to Bonne Travis – these are used to crochet sleep mats for the homeless.

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.

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)

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