The Messenger – September 2018

From The Pastor’s Desk…..

Dear Church Family,
For most of life, I think we fight God. We keep trying to show Him what we were made for. We keep giving Him better ideas, we keep working for something bigger and greater than anything he seems to have in mind. For many of us, by the time we are in mid-life, we feel we somehow have missed out on some of the great things we were born for. We fight with God over this.
Like Jacob in Genesis 32:22-29 we wrestle with God and with men. We fight to become something other than who we are. In verse (26) Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” God granted Jacobs request in verse (27) when he asked him, “What is your name?” Like Jacob we struggle and fight with God until we become content with whom we are. Only then will God truly bless us.
Today I write to you, knowing God made me not to impress you. Not to be perfect or a genius. Not to make a million dollars!
God made me to be uncomplicated in my faith. To enjoy the changing of the leaves, to watch children and kites and sunsets and rainbows and enjoy them. To take your hand regardless of whom you are or how you look. To listen to you, to accept you right where you are. To love you unconditionally.
God made you and me to be real. To be honest. To be open and to strive to become our own best person.
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
Monday, September 3rd – Happy Labor Day!
Sunday, September 9th – Happy Grandparents Day!
Tuesday, September 11th – Patriot Day
Thursday, September 13th – Presbyterian Women meet 11am in the Community Building.
Wednesday, September 19th – Men’s Action Group meets 8am in the Community Building.
Saturday, September 22nd – First Day of Autumn!
Tuesday, September 25th – Newsletter Deadline

The Rummage Sale & Bake Sale is Friday, September 28th, 9am to 2pm and Saturday, September 29th, 9am to 1pm.    If you would like to help or bring baked goods, please see Bonne Travis or sign up sheets in the narthex.

This has been a very trying time for our friends in the village of Shikungo, in Western Kenya. especially health wise.  It is Malaria season. Rev. Malaho had Malaria along with 13 of the people who live in his house. Medication can control the symptoms but you always have the disease. We sent them early monthly support so they could recover better. Then Silvanus developed bleeding in the digestive tract and traveled to Nairobi in eastern Kenya for “medical exploration” Then he traveled back home for a “Prayer Summit” with people from other African countries. Then this week he was notified by the Nairobi hospital that he is urgently needed to return to Nairobi by Wed. Aug. 29. I sent him early funding on Monday, Aug 27 so he could travel and get whatever treatment is required. Besides those medical problems, school was scheduled to start an Monday, and he need to see that everything is in place for school to begin. Our support has helped to save lives and educate numerous students and help them to be productive. He always has many “Thank You”s and he really appreciates the funding to help his lifestyle save lives, and keep him and his family healthy.   By Jim Kessler
See picture enclosed of  Rev. Malaho and participants in Prayer Summit at their church.

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

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)

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