FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…..
If you were to look up the meaning of February its definition could be, the second month of the year, ordinarily containing 28 days, but containing 29 days in leap year. You may also find that the name come from the word, Februaries, meaning expiatory month. Expiatory means to make atonement by sacrifice, an atoning offering.
While searching for a topic for this month, I remembered the words in Malachi 3: 6-10, where we read about robbing God. In verse 7, God states “Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord almighty.” As I mediated on this, a story comes to mind, written by Lillian Pearsall, she writes:
When I was a telephone operator, a customer talked over-time on a long distance call from a pay telephone booth. Even with my friendly reminders, he refused to deposit his overtime coins. Instead, he slammed down the phone, irate and verbally abusive.
A few seconds later; he was back on my line, somewhat calmer. “Operator; please let me out of the phone booth-I’ll pay, I’ll pay, just let me out!”
The customer mistakenly thought I had control of the phone booths door and had locked him in! He gladly paid the overtime change and with my advice gave the booth door a hefty kick to free him.
It’s leap year. We get an extra opportunity and extra day to make atonement with God. We’ve been given a chance as the Lord said to “return to me”, and a promise where he says” and I will return to you.”
In verse 10, God said “test me in this”. Are you stuck in the phone booth in life, unwilling to return to God what you owe him? Are you robbing God of your love, and devotion you owe Him for the saving grace that he has given us through the expiatory offering of His Son’s life, death and resurrection?
This February let’s make the leap, one of faith and return to Him and give the door of sin a kick so that we may be free of it.
Return to God what is His and He will return to you! Test Him and see for yourself.
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.
Sunday, February 7th – Transfiguration of Our Lord and Boy Scout Sunday
Monday, February 8th – Presbyterian Women meet at Noon – Bring a bag lunch – meeting to follow
Wednesday, February 10th – Ash Wednesday
Sunday, February 14th – First Sunday in Lent and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Monday, February 15th – President’s Day
Wednesday, February 17th – Men’s Action Group – Breakfast at 8am in the Community Building
Saturday, February 20th – Family Supper – 5:30pm inn the Community Building
Sunday, February 21st – Second Sunday in Lent and Session meeting after Worship Service
Sunday, February 28th – Third Sunday in Lent
Tuesday, March 1st – Newsletter Deadline
Souper Bowl Sunday Offering – The Super Bowl will be contested on February 7, 2016. We will be having a Souper Bowl Sunday Offering to support our local mission projects. Watch the Sunday Bulletins for details. The offering will be non-perishable food items or cash which will be used to purchase grocery store gift cards. Stay for soup and bread and refreshments after the Worship Service.
Please join us on Sunday, February 14th, for a luncheon put on by the youth. It will start at 11:30-1:00. They will be serving Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, applesauce, bread, & a chocolate fountain with fruit for dessert, and more. You are welcome to hang out after church or come back. A freewill offering will be taken. Bonne and Kathy.
News from Rev. Silvanus Malaho: – Kenya:
Rev. Malaho always is very generous with the “Thank You”s and how much our friendship means to him. This month he graciously thanks us for his funds, which are used for; 1) schools, levies, transportation and stationary, 2)food, 3)medication. Their fall crops were started but have burned up by the hot sun and drying winds. He prays for Feb. rains and funds for new “farm inputs “. They want to replant for the spring rains. They keep trying to work for themselves but they need favorable conditions. He has heard through the media about the serious snow damages. I told him of my experience in Harrisburg with 28 inches of snow last week. He and his family offer prayers for a quiet recovery and favorable weather for us in the USA. By Jim Kessler
Dismissal Process Update: On Wednesday Evening January 20, the session along with many members of the congregation and Pastor Joe met with the Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard to learn about the Covenant Order of Evangelical (ECO) Presbyterians. Rev. Ballard explained the origins of ECO and its rapid growth as more churches are led by God to separate from the PCUSA and their local Presbyteries. Several church leaders met to express their dissatisfaction with the changing polity of the PCUSA. From this small group a whole new denomination was formed and has grown in just a few short years.
The session is considering leaving the PCUSA and joining another Reformed Body which is defined in the dismissal policy of the Lackawanna Presbytery. ECO fits this definition. Karen told those assembled that we could move to ECO and continue to worship and operate as we currently do. We would have less oversight and rule from Presbytery and PCUSA.
We would join an accountability group of other churches which could include Honesdale, Hallstead, Stevensville, Rome and Sylvania or some neighboring churches in New York State. The accountability group would uphold each other in prayer, making plans to serve God and ensure that they are meeting those plans.
Under ECO our buildings and grounds would not be held in trust by the Presbytery. They would be wholly and solely ours. We have contacted a realtor to appraise our buildings and grounds which is required under the dismissal policy of the Presbytery.
The session is scheduled to have its first meeting with the Presbytery Engagement Team (PET) on Tuesday, January 26. The PET will ensure that God is leading our church in a new direction. We will negotiate with the PET the terms of our dismissal.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – We have several shawls ready. If anyone knows of anyone in need of one, or 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!
MENS ACTION GROUP *** 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 him at joetravis@live.com
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)