The Messenger – September 2016

From The Pastor’s Desk…..

I love the fall and all that it offers.The smell of the woods, the beautiful colors, even the pungent aroma of leaves burning. They are all signs of the season.
As I was reading John 15:6 where he writes “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers, such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
There is a sense of something dying too, although in God’s good time. Mysteriously, or so it seems, the leaves have to fall off the trees and the trees cycle into rest, before they can come to life again in the spring. Once the sap stops coursing through the branches, the leaves have lost their life blood.
In falls past, as I walk I’ve seen lots of leaves on the ground, brown, dry and brittle. Detached from the trees, they no longer have life.
Isn’t that true of our spiritual life when we become detached from the vine? We no longer have enthusiasm for the things of God. Our lives become fruitless and boring. It is so important
for us, as believers, to stay attached to Jesus, the true vine. Only then can He use us to do His will and bear fruit for Him. Only then will we become vibrant, full of life, and pleasing to Him.
We don’t want to be one of those branches that withers and falls away, only to be burned up in the fire. Our life with Jesus should exemplify His joy and His peace, so that others
will see Jesus in us. We need to stay connected to Him through Prayer, Bible study, and meeting together with other believers. Then we will stay alive, bear fruit and find the rest that comes
from Jesus in us.
September is here and my hope is that you will not be like the leaves, but to stay attached to the vine and join us in Worship, Sunday School & Bible Study and all the other outreach missions we have to let others know of Christ Saving Grace.

In His Service.
Pastor Joe

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice  Every Thursday at 1:00pm
Evening Bible Study – Every Sunday at 5:00pm
You may reach Pastor Joe at 570-465-7303 or his cell #570-267-4570
Every Thursday Pastor Joe will be at the church from 2-4pm if you need him

 Monday, Sept. 5th – Labor Day
 Sunday, Sept. 11th – Patriot Day
Monday, Sept. 12th – Presbyterian Women meet at Noon
 Sunday, Sept. 11th – Grandparents Day
 Saturday, Sept. 17th – Family Supper – 5:30pm in the Community Building
 Sunday, Sept. 18th – Session Meeting after Worship Service
 Wednesday, Sept. 21st – Men’s Group meets 8am for breakfast in the Community Building
 Thursday, Sept. 22nd – First Day of Autumn
 Friday, Sept. 23rd – Rummage Sale & Bake Sale – 9am to 2pm & Saturday, Sept. 24th – 9am to 1pm.  Workers are     needed – see sign up sheet in back of church
 Tuesday, Sept. 27th – Newsletter Deadline

Rev Malaho has been dealing with sickness in his house. His wife, Julia,  has had serious pain from Malaria, which recurs occasionally. Children have been out of school and get sick and get bored quickly when food is scarce. He is happy they restart school this week. They have experienced excessively hot and dry whether, even for Kenya. He is contemplating developing a new business to produce biscuits using potatoes and sweet potatoes. This is a readily available baking product and there is a big market for a cheap product. The business could also put numerous unemployed people to work. But he needs an investor to help get the project started. (See Jim Kessler for details).  Submitted by Jim Kessler

Prayer Shawl Ministry –   If anyone knows of anyone in need of a shawl, 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)

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