Pastor’s Corner
As I write this, August is just around the corner. It has always been a month that brings mixed emotions for me. I look forward to the fresh vegetables that fill gardens and farm stands across Northeast Pennsylvania. The evenings begin to cool, families gather at the Harford Fair, and there is a sense that another season has arrived.
At the same time, August reminds me that winter is not far away. The days slowly become shorter, and many of us begin preparing for the colder months ahead. Nature has a way of reminding us that every season has a purpose.
Over the past several weeks at Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church, we have been studying what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. One truth has stood out again and again. Disciples are not called simply to believe. They are called to follow Christ and to help others follow Him.
Jesus often used the imagery of harvest to describe the spiritual condition of the world. In Matthew 9:37-38 He told His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
As gardens reach their peak this month, perhaps they can remind us of something even greater. Every tomato, ear of corn, and basket of beans points us to a harvest that matters for eternity. All around us are neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members who need the hope found only in Jesus Christ.
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 was never intended for pastors alone. It was given to every believer. Each of us has been called to share the good news of Christ through our words, our lives, and our love for others.
My prayer for our church this August is simple. As you enjoy God’s blessings during this harvest season, would you also spend time each day praying to the Lord of the harvest? Ask Him to raise up more laborers. Ask Him to open doors for conversations about Christ. Ask Him to give you the courage to speak when those opportunities come.
I do not know about you, but I can almost feel the winds beginning to change. Autumn will soon be here. Time continues to move forward, but there are still so many souls waiting to hear the gospel.
May we be found faithfully working in His harvest while there is still time.
Pastor Jeremy
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Be still (and silent)
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature — trees, flowers, grass — grow in silence; see the stars, the moon, the sun, how they move in silence. … The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. We need silence to be able to touch souls. The essential thing is not what we say, but what God says to us and through us. All our words will be useless unless they come from within — words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness. —Mother Teresa
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Are you enjoying a happy time? Praise God.
Is life becoming difficult? Seek God.
Are you experiencing a quiet moment? Worship God.
Are you suffering great pain? Trust God.
Are you unsure what to do? Ask God.
Are you overwhelmed with joy? Thank God.
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“God has given us two hands: one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.” —Billy Graham
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When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. —Corrie ten Boom
ANNOUNCEMENTS
You may reach Pastor Jeremy at jeremyrlewis@gmail.com or 570-604-7537
Adult Sunday School – Every Sunday 8:30am to 9:30am
Adult Exercise Class – Every Monday 10:00am to 11:30am (resumes in September)
Choir Practice – Every Thursday at 1pm (resumes in September)
E-Mail Carolyn White with any praises, joys, or prayer requests (whisperpines@frontiernet.net) throughout the week.
Sunday, August 9th – Barnes Kasson Service - 3pm Thursday, August 13th – Presbyterian Women Meeting – 11am at the home of Jan Kessler Wednesday August 19th – Men's Breakfast - 8am Monday, August 31st – Presbyterian Women Ladies Day Out. We will be going to Brown Hill Farms to see the sunflowers. We will meet at the church at 10:30am. All ladies welcome. August Mission – We will be collecting for Interfaith for their back to school program for backpacks and shoes. We will collect during the month of August. Please mark your envelopes. Any checks, please make payable to Interfaith. Please see Carolyn White with any questions. Thank You. See information on next page.
Tuesday, September 1st – Newsletter Deadline
I have just received information from Silvanus’ daughter,Patricia. Her house has been broken into and she has been badly beaten. Photos show 2 black eyes, swollen jaw, and several loose teeth The entry door was broken. Police are involved and seem to be interested in helping her. Her children were home at the time. I will be sending help for medical expenses. You may remember that we supported her through her high school with school fees. She has been helping as a teacher at their school that they built. By Jim Kessler