FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…..
Dear Church Family,
Summer is in full swing. Plans have been made for vacation, parties to attend, family events and chores that need to be done before it’s over. So, if you are like me, you get tired just thinking about all that has been planned, and so tempted to veer off course even when we know God has had his hand in all this planning.
In Isaiah 40: 30& 31 we’re reminded that, “Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength”. So maybe we need to be like airline pilots.
Pilots are required to file a flight plan before they take off. This is a way of letting people on the ground know where they are going, how they plan to get there, and when they expect to arrive. Everything the pilot does, especially his fuel consideration, is included in the plan. Can you imagine what would happen if, after planning one way, a pilot deliberately and repeatedly went off course?
If we after deciding to go with God keep straying off course when any intriguing diversion presents itself, we will lose our purpose and use up all our resources. In scripture this is called double-mindedness (James 1:8 & 4:8), pilots call it a crash!
Let’s face it, life is no straight, sure journey. Some days the path seems obvious and the progress certain. On other days, when evening comes, we crawl into bed confused and discouraged. However, if we stick to our flight plan, we can look back and realize we have made remarkable progress.
Isaiah reminds us that even youthful energy and stamina will play itself out when the journey is long. God alone can be trusted to guide us on the right course. God alone has the resources to get us safely to our destination. God alone knows the celebration, the surprises and the home that is awaiting our arrival.
So, if God is in your flight plan this summer, stick to the plan!
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 – Postponed Until Further Notice
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, July 1st – Happy Canada Day!
Wednesday, July 4th – Happy Independence Day!
Thursday, July 12th – Presbyterian Women Meet-11am in the Community Bldg, bring a bag lunch
Wednesday, July 18th – Men’s Action Group Meet at 8am in the Community Building
Sunday, July 29th – Outdoor Service
Tuesday, July 31st – Newsletter Deadline
Prayer Shawls – I have several prayer shawls available, if anyone knows of anyone who could use one, please let me know. Thank you, Carolyn White
Care Net Thanks Us! Every spring, our congregation participates in the Baby Bottle Campaign
for our local Care Net. Through your generosity, the total this year was $839.43. I wish you all could have seen the look on the face of the person who received this check on behalf of Care Net, here in Montrose. It was a mix of surprise, delight, unbelief and great emotion. With this money, couples
will receive the Good News of the Gospel, counseling, education, and baby supplies, including
car seat, formula, diapers, clothing – basic needs. Thank You for your support in this important program in our community.
Most recent update from Rev. Malaho in Kenya – June has always been flood season but this year they have experienced the most serious flooding in 70 years. Floods have wiped out most of their farming operations. However I just learned that they did harvest their crop of sweet potatoes and fruit trees.
Last month several of our church donors went together to fund a water well for Rev Malaho’s family/community. Then it was hit by lightening. But after 2 days, they had it operating again. Now they do have clean, fresh water.
They also got into a poultry project. They have 18 chicks, 24 eggs, 14 hens and 6 cocks.
The funds we sent to them were used for;
$150 Patricia schooling
$120 food
$70 medication
$20 poultry food
$40 school supplies
They always remember to thank God and pray for our church family and invite someone from our church to come and visit them.
NOTE: This is a report of our foreign mission. We provide a larger portion for our local mission and people in need from our community. But we respect the recipients privacy and do not publish a list of those activities. Jim Kessler
Presbyterian Women – The women met on June 14 at 11:00 and the meeting and devotions were led by Bonne Travis. Carolyn Pratt reported that $1326.45 was made at the recent Rummage Sale. $100.00 was given to World Vision where it will be multiplied by 5 times through donors to this outreach. Relay for life was discussed and plans made for those who would be participating. Jan Kessler and Lisa Nanni are doing new wreaths for the doors. The outdoor service and picnic was planned, however in actuality,the weather unplanned these plans and worship was held in the church and the picnic in the Community Building! It came to our attention that a list of donors was printed in a newsletter that was received from the Children’s Home in Binghamton. Some were quite large donations and the question arose, do we need to continue our Bill’s Kids fund at Christmas to buy the residents gifts. A phone call was made to Bill Townsend and he assured us the donations printed had nothing to do with the Christmas gifts and our money would continue to be used for gifts. The next meeting will be held July 12 at 11. All women of the church are encouraged to attend.
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)
