Dear Church Family and Friends,
March is one of those months that often comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, as the saying goes. As a kid, I remember when the winter weather would start to turn. The snow would disappear, the days would get longer, often rushed along by windy days that signaled kite-flying, baseball, and bicycling. Some of those winds seemed mighty cold and would anger me, leaving me restless, with the feeling that spring would never come. My mom always seemed to know when my anger turned to restlessness and I can still today hear her say, “Have a little faith and patience, spring will soon be here.”
Well, the winds of life often leave us feeling the same way. Angry and impatient. Restlessly hoping for warmer, better days ahead. In our world today, peer pressure, cultural trends, and social media leave us feeling strained to keep our faith and stand up for what we believe. When we compromise on the wrong things, in the wrong ways, at the wrong times, it can cost us way more than we can even imagine in that moment of weakness, that leads us to restlessness and anger. It’s always so important to make the presence of God a priority in your life, where you seek him, where you depend on him, where you’re living and dwelling in His Word no matter what the winds of change might bring.
In 2 Corinthians 5:7 Paul reminds us: ”For we live by faith, not by sight.” Paul, the apostle wrote to the people in Corinth in 2 Corinthians, because the winds of change had plagued the church of Corinth. Paul wrote to calm and to restore them. To assure them that better days are ahead and to remind them that “we live by faith, not by sight” to “Have a little faith and patience.”, as my mom would put it.
So, in order to grow in our faith, when the winds of change, leave us feeling, restless and angry, we have to ask ourselves: How do we stand out, in the right ways, at the right time, for the right reasons? I’m convinced that when we stand out and stand up—in the right ways, at the right time, for the right reasons, “we live by faith, not by sight”,
So, start today. Live by faith, not by sight, remembering what Jesus taught: “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21). Amen.
In His Service,
Pastor Joe
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” —Corrie ten Boom
Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. One gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen. —Mother Teresa
It is still winger…but spring is near. It is Lent…but we’re pointed toward Easter. Keep us hopeful, Lord.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Thursdays at 1pm
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 11:00am to 1:00pm
Friday, March 3rd – World Day of Prayer
Sunday, March 5th – 2nd Sunday in Lent
Thursday, March 9th – Presbyterian Women Meeting 11am
Sunday, March 12th - 3rd Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 12th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
Wednesday, March 15th – Men’s Action Group Meeting 8am
Friday, March 17th – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sunday, March 19th – 4th Sunday in Lent
Monday, March 20th – First Day of Spring
Sunday, March 26th – 5th Sunday in Lent
Saturday, April 1st – Easter Egg Hunt 11am
Sunday, April 2nd – Palm Sunday
Thank you all for the donations to our Souper Bowl Mission!We collected $760.00!
One Great Hour of Sharing Now through Easter, April 9th – For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing are the Disaster Assistance, The Hunger Program and Self Development of People. All work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance and hope. Typically received during Lent, each gift helps each of the three programs supported by One Great Hour Of Sharing.
Thank you to all who donated to the “Backpacks for Kids” - We were able to put together 42 backpacks. All will be given out within Susquehanna County.
Rev. Malaho and his Kenyan neighbors are experiencing extremely hot and dry weather. Most water sources and springs have dried up. Animals have died by the thousands. Children are malnourished and weak and are not studying. We have sent them our monthly donation, but they need friendly rain, and prayers. If only we could send them some of our snow and help both problems. By Jim Kessler
Choir practice will be Thursday’s, at 1 o’clock at the church. Please consider joining us in singing God’s praises!
Plastic Grocery Bags – Please give bags to Bonne Travis – these are used to crochet sleep mats for the homeless.
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.
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
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.
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)
