Dear Church Family,
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom didn’t know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. “I Corinthians 1: 20 & 21.
What an appropriate scripture to start April. Easter and April Fool’s Day, the most precious gift in the most unlikely way!
Today we put too much emphasis in things in this world that really don’t count, then turn around and devalue what should. I saw an interesting sign at a church that said, 3 Nails-$1.00, 2 Boards, $25.00.
Consider the power of that simple message, the 3 nails refer to the nails that nailed Jesus to the cross, the boards are those that made the cross Jesus hung on for three hours for the sins of the world.
In those days, 3 nails and 2 boards were worth pennies. Even today, a dollar plus 25 dollars have little purchasing power. However, it is the most important $26.00 that was ever spent. Our very lives were redeemed, paid for with those 3 nails and 2 boards. $26.00 has just become the equivalent of an act of love. Fair price? More than fair I’d say, considering it was the only way God could forgive our sins.
Maybe it’s time for us to focus more on the little things that seem insignificant. We might all be happier, healthier people. Stress, worry, and staying so busy that we don’t have time to spend with Jesus can take a toll on all of us. If we stop more often and focus on what He did for us, then our lives will have more purpose.
The next time you see nails and boards, think of the cross and take stock of the worth of your life. Are you giving greater value to the things of the world, or the things of Jesus?
God’s wisdom often seems like foolishness to us. $26.00 that can save all men’s lives!!!
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, April 1st – Happy Easter! He is Risen!
Thursday, April 12th – Presbyterian Women Meet – 10am
Sunday, April 15th – Session meeting following Worship Service
Wednesday, April 18th – Men’s Action Group Meet – 8am
Tuesday, May 1st – Newsletter Deadline
Friday April 27th 9am to 2pm and Saturday April 28th, – Rummage and Bake Sale 9am to Noon– Bakers needed – especially pie bakers. Helpers needed for both days. See Joyce Printz or Bonne Travis and watch for a sign up sheet.
Prayer Shawls – I have several prayer shawls available, if anyone knows of anyone who could use one. Thank you, Carolyn White
The Cornerstone Presbytery will meet at the Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church on May 19th.
This meeting will be an opportunity for the Franklin Hill Congregation to witness a Presbytery meeting without traveling. The meeting will include a worship service, meeting, and program. Please consider attending part of the day if you are unable to stay all day.
Mission work is going strong on Franklin Hill. Since January the church collected for the Souper Bowl. It took in 58 food items and $210. This was given to needy families in the community. One Great Hour of Sharing ended on Easter Sunday. Do not have a final tally at this time but the money collected will be sent to the Presbyterian Church, USA, to be divided among their hunger program, disaster relief and self-development of people. CareNet will start in April and end on Mother’s Day. Local missions have helped families with fuel over the past two months. Funds are sent each month from our African fund to Rev. Malaho. What Franklin Hill does in its mission work is unbelievable and the church thanks all who donate to these missions.
The men’s group has had a lazy winter with not too much going on. We meet the third Wednesday each month for breakfast and idle chit chat. They then discuss possible projects they may take on for people within our church’s congregation or the community. They are currently planning projects that will start this spring. A work day will take place at the church on April 14th, weather permitting and if the snowbanks have melted in the parking area. The alternate date will be April 21st. This is open for anyone who wishes to help and not just for members of the men’s group. A Presbytery meeting will be held at Franklin Hill in May and a lot of cleanup to the church’s property must be done. A couple projects are being planned for members of our congregation and will be discussed in detail at the next breakfast. Two trees between the community building and stonewall have been cut down. Members of the men’s group cut and split this wood on Wednesday before Easter. The wood was donated to a needy family. An invitation is given to all men to join us for breakfast.
Rev Silvanus Malaho has been trying again to get a reliable water supply for his household. This time every year the rains stop and they have to travel several miles on foot to get their water for drinking and washing. Several years ago we supported them to hand dig a well to a depth of 50 feet. But it dries up during very dry seasons. This year he had a bore hole drilled to 200 feet. He says there is abundant supply of good quality water but he did not have the money to provide the pump, pipes, storage tank, and power supply. We had three individuals from our church pitch in and provide the funds to complete his water system. As of this week, he has a contractor working to complete his water system. We are waiting to hear of his progress and find out if he really has the quality and quantity of water he needs to keep his extended household functioning. Silvanus is always very grateful to our church family for the support that we send to him and he has repeatedly extended numerous invitations for someone from our church to come, visit him and see what his lifestyle is like. He is very thankful for us supporting him to better the lifestyle of his extended family and his local school.
Thank you!!! by Jim Kessler
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 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 ( coins and bills)
1st Sunday – Local Missions
2nd Sunday – Local Missions
3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malaho
4th Sunday – Building Maintenance
5th Sunday – Trehab Local Food Bank (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)
