From The Pastor’s Desk…..
Dear Church Family,
While studying for our upcoming Sunday School lesson in Ecclesiastes, I came across in
Chapter 10, verse 1, “As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor”
Ever wonder about that expression, “there’s a fly in the ointment?” I dare say this could have been its origin. In ancient times, something as harmless as a dead fly in a perfume bottle would turn its sweet fragrance putrid and you would end up throwing out the entire bottle. It’s an interesting word picture from the pen of Solomon.
The message translation is pretty blunt. “Dead flies in perfume make is stink, and a little foolishness decomposes much wisdom.”
Had Solomon ever smelled a perfume gone bad? With all those wives, 700 and 300 concubines,
(I Kings 11:3) tells us, I’ll bet he had.
Had a little folly in Solomon’s life ruined his personal reputation for wisdom and honor? Consider again all those wives. God had said to Israel, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods” (I Kings 11:2) To that, Solomon paid no attention. He allowed his emotions to rule his mind. It started with one little idol, I’m sure, a moment of folly, before long, down the slippery slope slid the Kings honor.
What a harmless thing, then, is ones reputation for wisdom and honor before the Lord. In on bad decision , all can be lost.
Way back when God told Israel; be holy, because I am holy (Leviticus 11:4-5).Once saved, we are called to be holy. Even today that is tough, but we are fortunate to have the help of Jesus and Grace. All we need to do is guard our holiness in Jesus’ perfume bottle. He’s already staggered it with Grace. It’s a pity that Solomon did not know Jesus, as so many others today.
Maybe today would be a good time to pray, “ Lord, on my own I will undoubtedly let a dead fly or two into the ointment. I ask that you keep my life free from such folly as could make my life stink.
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
Thursday, August 9th – Presbyterian Women meeting 11am in the Community Building
Wednesday, August 15th – Men’s Action Group meeting 8am in the Community Building
Sunday, August 26th – Outdoor Service in the pavilion and picnic following
Tuesday, August 28th – 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
Here is a summary of correspondence from Rev Malaho. Beginning of the month he was very quiet then by July 15 He sent that he has had Malaria and flu. 15 children are with Malaria and flu. They have very serious bedding facilities. The funds that we sent were used for;$250 medical supplies, $100 food, $50 school and educational supply. He sends a very special THANK YOU for our support.
7/15 Silvanus still has Malaria and flu. Eight children still have Malaria and flu They have not sufficient soap, dental brushes and paste. Special blessings for all our support.
7/30 Rev. Silvanus has spent the whole of yesterday in the hospital and his health is very bad He sends special thank yous to our church for all our help and prayers.
We have learned that Malaria is a seasonal problem. Clean water and soap are vital items necessary to fight it. It is hard to imagine a house full of children all being sick and having very limited food and health supplies. 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 – Community Building
5th Sunday – Trehab Local Food Bank (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)
