FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…..
Dear Church Family,
This February we will mark the start of the Lenten Session and celebrate Valentine’s Day. This is the month that we should look at our own hearts and see if they are worthy of not only our loved ones, but also God.
In II Chronicles 25:2 we read “Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart.”
That was what they said of King Amaziah. He was a good king. He held the throne of Judah for 29 years. A long enough reign for any king! But something was missing. Some quality of character, which left a mar upon these years. What was it? He had good intentions. He could work hard, and he did. But he never quite came up to the standard of royalty. He never mastered the art of decisive action; he was hounded by a question mark.
This probes to the heart of dilemma today. Are we not our own worst enemy? Aren’t we pursued by our doubts whenever we try to do anything? Don’t we let our loyalties undermine our moral and spiritual certainties?
So! This February pull yourself together! Make up your mind! Get a hold of what you believe and then take on your daily tasks. No looking back, no lingering regrets. Life if it’s living at all, is worth living valiantly, righteously and with resolution.
That’s the way Christ lived it, and we still gasp for breath at the things he did. He stood for something and all of him was in it. What about you? How’s your heart?
In His Service,
Pastor Joe and Bonne
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.
Sunday – February 8th – Boy Scout Sunday
Saturday – February 14th – Happy Valentine’s Day
Sunday – February 15th – Transfiguration of our Lord
Monday – February 16th – Presidents Day
Wednesday – February 18th – Ash Wednesday
Wednesday – February 18th – Men’s Group meets 8am for breakfast in the community building.
Sunday – February 22nd – First Sunday in Lent
Tuesday – February 24th – Newsletter Deadline
The Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church is ruled by a six member Session.
The members of Session are elected by the congregation to make decisions for the church.
The Elders on Session are Ordained and Installed for a three year term.
An Elder can be elected for a second three year term.
Joe Travis is the Pastor at Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church
The Elders currently serving on Session are Ella Darrow, Cathe Parks, Jim Kessler, Carolyn Pratt, Joyce Printz and Jim Perkins.
Bob Pratt is Clerk to Session and keeps minutes of Session and all of the church records.
Jan Kessler is the church disbursement treasurer while Carolyn Pratt is the receiving treasurer.
If your have questions or comments on the operation of the church or suggestions please contact any Session Member.
MENS GROUP met on January 21st from 8am to 9:30am. Ten men were in attendance for breakfast, discussion of church projects and fellowship.
*** If anyone is in need of transportation and/or assistance for doctor or hospital appointments, please
contact Bill Printz at #570-967-0858, or e-mail bjprintz@frontiernet.net
***If anyone needs visitation or for a friend, neighbor or family member, please contact Ken Post at #570-879-4219, or e-mail kpost@echoes.net OR Bill Printz at #570-967-0858 or bjprintz@frontiernet.net,
***For help with small projects for church family and neighborhood, please call Pastor Joe Travis at #570-465-7303 or email joetravis@live.com
Report on the activities of Presbyterian Women for January 2015
President – Bonne Travis
V. Pres. Joyce Printz
Sec. Edith Siedlecki
Treas. Carolyn Pratt
P.W. met on Monday, January 19, 2015 in the Community Building with 7 members present. Bonne led the meeting which began with the pledge to the flag. Carolyn reported a balance in the treasury of $2,392.79. The women have the opportunity to contribute to 3 different areas of mission.
Our “Least Coin” combines with coins from all over the world and can be used where ever there is a need. Another goes to our local Women’s Resource Center and another stays with us to be used where it is needed here in our own church. From this last, we give twenty-five dollars a year in dues paid to the P.W. of Lackawanna County, and forty dollars per year goes to the Presbyterian Church USA. For a list of all the ways the money was spent locally last year, please refer to the Corporation Report which was handed out last Sunday at the meeting.
Some of the ways offerings will be spent this year are: $400.00 for the Electric bill at the Old Hall, $100.00 to radio station WPEL, 15 new chairs for the choir loft, 2 goats for the Presbyterian Mission Agency at a cost of $178.00. Also under consideration are one or two benches to be placed in front of the Community Building.
The Rummage Sale will be held on April 24 and 25 and the Mother/Daughter dinner on May 11.
A spring retreat is being planned but no date has been set.
The women meet the second Monday of each month, (this can change due to weather) at noon for lunch (bring your own) and the meeting and devotion begin at 12:30. We share, laugh, sometimes have tears, pray, study, and plan for work – come join us.
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)
Greeting Cards – Once you have enjoyed any cards that you may receive, don’t throw them out. Please tear off the front of the card and give them to Bonne Travis, as she uses them for projects. They can be birthday cards, Christmas cards, Easter cards, or cards of any kind. Thank you!