FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…..
October is here, and all the beauty that fall brings us. But it also reminds us that time is short, as our daylight hours shrink. It forces us to prioritize what’s important
to be accomplished during those vanishing daylight hours, as the reality of winter sets in. We are often split down the middle of what we want to do and what we need to do.
I enjoy watching the Andy Griffith show. The old black and white ones with Barney Fife. They teach wonderful values of honesty, fair dealings and hard work.
One of my favorite episodes features the backwoods character Ernest T. Bass, who has come down from the mountains. He wants Andy to help him get an education so he can court his true love, Rowena, since she wants an educated man. Helen the local school teacher, tries to teach Ernest T. a few basic facts. But in the process Ernest T. develops a crush on Helen and attempts to court her instead.
As usual, Andy comes to the rescue, , and says “You’ve got to make up your mind Ernest T. I thought you loved Rowena.”
Ernest T. replies, “I do love Rowena. But I love Helen, too. Why I’m just split right down the middle twix them two loves!”
We laugh about being “split right down the middle twix them two loves.” But Christians are sometimes the same way. We do love God, we want to serve Him, and live for Him. But if were honest, we love the world, too. There are aspects of our lives that don’t belong in a person truly committed to God, things we should let go of. We hold on to God with one hand and the world with the other,and we are torn between two loves. In Mark 12:30 Jesus tells us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
A favorite hymn of mine says,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
What are you holding on to that keeps you from being completely sold out to God? Look to Jesus, My Friend! The more you focus on Him, the easier it is to let go.
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
Sunday, October 2nd – World Communion Sunday
Monday, October 10th – Presbyterian Women meet at Noon in the Community Building
Saturday, October 15th – Family Supper at 5:30pm in the Community Building
Wednesday, October 19th – Mens Group meets, 8am in the Community Building
Sunday, October 30th – Reformation Sunday
Tuesday, November 1st – Newsletter Deadline
Prayer Shawl Ministry – 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)
