Happy Thanksgiving Church Family,
In 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 Paul writes be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Thanksgiving will soon be upon us and as people gather around their table in celebration they’ll take the time to pray and share the good things that have happened to them throughout the past year. But I often wonder do we thank God for all he gives us, even our trials?
This thought brought to mind the story of the one farmer and his dog:
A dog fell into a farmers well. After assessing the situation, the farmer decided that neither the dog nor the well was worth saving. He’d bury the old dog in the well and put him out of his misery.
When the farmer began shoveling dirt down the well initially the old dog was hysterical. But as the dirt fell off his back, the dog realized every time dirt landed on his back, he could shake it off and step up.
Shake it off and step up; shake it off and step up, he repeated to himself. No matter how painful the blows were, the old dog kept shaking the dirt off and stepping up. It wasn’t long before the dog, battered and exhausted stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well. What seemed as though it would bury him actually benefited him-all because of the way he handled it.
Trials come to each of us and maybe this Thanksgiving when we sit to pray and share a meal, we ought to not only share the good things, but also the trails, and reflect on how God has used them in our lives.
In the words of Paul “be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.”
In other words, SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! God has great things in store for you!
In His Service,
Pastor Joe
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Wednesday at 4:00pm
You may reach Pastor Joe at 570-465-7303 or his cell #570-267-4570
Every Wednesday Pastor Joe will be at the church from 2-4pm if you need him.
Saturday, November 1st – All Saints Day
Sunday, November 2nd – Day Light Savings Time ends
Sunday, November 9th – Annual Congregational Meeting following worship. Please stay for this short but important meeting.
Tuesday, November 11th – Veterans Day
Saturday, November 15th – Family Supper, 5:30pm in the Community Building
Sunday, November 16th – Session Meeting following worship service.
Wednesday, November 19th – Mens Group meets 8am in the Community Building
Tuesday, November 25th – Newsletter Deadline
Thursday, November 27th – Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 30th – First Sunday in Advent
Feed a Friend – Please bring your donations of cake mixes, canned frosting, pie crust mixes and pie fillings by Sunday, November 9th. Cash donations accepted also. Any questions, see Carolyn Pratt.
Sunday evening Bible Study – each Sunday in the Community Building at 5:30pm. The first study will be on Peter.
The Men’s Group will meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Community Building at 8:00am. Bring a friend.
Christmas Greetings – If anyone would like to put a Christmas Greeting in the December Newsletter, please have to Carolyn White, by the newsletter deadline of Tuesday, November 25th. Thank you!
Prayer Shawl Ministry – We have several shawls ready. If anyone knows of anyone in need of one, please let Carolyn White know. Also, if anyone is interested in making shawls at home and wants to donate them to this ministry, please give them to Carolyn White for distribution. Thank you!
Loose Change Offerings
1st Sunday – Local Missions
2nd Sunday – Local Missions
3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malaho
4th Sunday – Building Maintenance
5th Sunday – Habitat for Humanity (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)