The fall season is a beautiful time of the year in Northeastern PA. To see all of the beautiful colors arrayed in nature’s artwork is an expected change that most of us look forward to every year.
Ecclesiastes chapter 3, in the Bible, talks about how there is an appointed time for everything to change. We can see this kind of appointed change that occurs in life, not only in nature, but also in our natural human lives as well.
When I think of change in this way I see it in two categories. First, there is the expected changes in life that we all experience, but secondly, there are also the unexpected changes in life that we are not usually prepared for. For example, sometimes there is an unexpected change in our health, in our finances, where we work, etc. The possibilities are endless. Life is full of surprises.
I carry a key chain in my pocket everyday that has a “dog tag” with a verse of scripture imprinted on it, which is a promise from God to every believer. This promise of God that I’m referring to has been in my pocket through many unexpected changes in my life. For example, it was in my pocket when unexpectedly, I received the phone call that my dad had died; it was in my pocket a few years ago when I unexpectedly hit a patch of black ice while driving to work and rolled my truck over, upside down drenched in gasoline from a ruptured fuel tank, escaping without any injuries. Again, this promise of God was in my pocket when I recently showed up to work, along with 61 other fellow employees, to be informed that our jobs were all terminated. These changes were all sudden and unexpected.
The verse of scripture imprinted on the dog tag I have been alluding to is Joshua 1:9. Which says; ["Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."]
God knows what changes lie ahead for each of us. God’s promise to all believers is telling us that our future is in God’s Hands. Whatever the change may be, God has already made plans for our lives. From the time you and I were born, until the day that the Lord takes us home to be with Him, our days were marked out by God and for God.
Psalm 139:16 says; ["Your eyes saw my unformed body (embryo); all the days ordained for me were written in Your Book before one of them came to be."]
God’s unexpected changes are of course joyful as well. The “dog tag” that I have been referring to with Joshua 1:9 imprinted on it was also in my pocket when the “Session” gave me the news that they had elected me to be your new Pastor. And as well, it was in my pocket when the congregation voted for me to be your Pastor.
As the seasons change, and as we all experience expected and unexpected changes in our lives, I look forward to going through those changes with you as your Pastor.
May God Richly Bless you and your families,
Pastor John
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Bible Verse Memory Plan
Week #1: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight in in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1: 1-2 NIV
Week #2: Give, and it shall be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 NIV
Week #3: All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Week #4: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall fin; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7: 7-8 KJV
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Pumpkin Prayer
In The Pumpkin Patch Parable, Liz Curtis Higgs uses kid-friendly analogies for the Christian life. Many parents now use a Pumpkin Prayer while carving jack-o-lanterns in October. What a great reminder about everything God has done for us!
- While cutting off the pumpkin top, pray, “Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you.” (See Proverbs 1:7.)
- While removing the seeds and pulp, pray, “Remove the things in my life that don’t please you. Forgive the wrong things I do and help me forgive others.” (See Matthew 6:14-15.)
- While making eyes, pray, “Open my eyes to see the beauty you’ve made in the world around me.” (See Psalm 104:24.)
- While making the nose, pray, “I’m sorry for the times I’ve turned up my nose at your many gifts.” (See James 1:17.)
- While making the mouth, pray, “Let everything I say please you.” (See Psalm 19:14.)
- While lighting the candle, pray, “Lord, help me shine your light to others through the things I do.” (See Matthew 5:16.)
- Display your carved pumpkins as examples of how God’s love transforms us into new creations. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17.)
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Thursday at 1pm
You may reach Pastor John at #607-651-4760 or at his.ship@gmail.com
Don’t forget the first Sunday of each month, the men’s group is providing breakfast after our Worship Service. Pancakes, blueberry pancakes, eggs, sausage and more.
Sunday, October 6th – World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 6th -Breakfast provided by the Men’s group after Worship Service.
Thursday, October 10th -PW meeting 11am
Monday, October 14th– Columbus Day
Wednesday, October 16th -Men’s breakfast 8am
Tuesday, October 22nd– Session Meeting 6pm
Feed A Friend Mission – we will be collecting food items of box of instant potatoes, instant scalloped potatoes, packets of turkey gravy and chicken gravy from 9/29/24 to 10/13/24.We will collect monetary donations from 9/29/24 to 10/20/24. Please make checks payable to Trehab Food Bank – Feed A Friend Program. Cash and coins will also be collected. Please give monetary donations to Bonne Travis. There will also be a container for cash donations. Thank you!
Thursday, October 24th – Care Net’s Annual Partnership Banquet 6:30pm at the Montrose Bible Conference – Peter Heck is the speaker. He is author, speaker and high school teacher from Kokomo. He is married and has 3 young children, but most importantly he is an unashamed follower and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are offering a delicious meal as a thank you. Adults only. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by October 11th – 570-278-0194, or email director@carenetofnepa.org
Friday, October 25th - Halloween Party in the Community Building, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Sunday, October 27th – Reformation Sunday
Tuesday, October 29th – Newsletter Deadline – get your articles to Carolyn White
Saturday, November 2nd, 9am to 3pm - PW is having a soup and bake sale. If anyone would like to make soup or bake some goodies, please see Bonne Travis or Carolyn White. Thank you.
New Outreach Program – starting Sunday, October 13th and then the 2nd Sunday of each month – we will be providing a Church Service and fellowship for Barnes Kasson Hospital/SNF. If interested in helping please see Pastor John. Prayers needed for this program,
We are looking for Fund Raising ideas - if you have an idea – please talk with Kathy Walker
Loose change offering, (coins & bills), goes to General Fund. Contributions for specific charities will go to the designated point person for that specific charity; any checks for that charity must be made payable directly to that particular charity.
E-Mail Carolyn White with any praises, joys, or prayer requests (whisperpines@frontiernet.net) throughout the week.
