The Messenger – November 2018

From The Pastor’s Desk…..

Dear Church Family,
In October I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read the 23rd Psalm. It seemed like every time I started my morning devotions, I was thinking about memorial or funeral services that was coming and once again I would read this Psalm of David. This morning was no different, but on verse 2 where it says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters,” and I began to think that maybe I should look at this passage from a sheep’s point of view.
If sheep aren’t kept moving, they will stay in one place, eat all the grass, and starve to death. I learned this from a farmer I worked for as a teen. So I would help him move them from one pasture to another. Sheep that are being moved are pretty noisy. If we could understand sheep lingo, their bleating might translate into, “I’m not good with change” or why me?” or even “are you sure he’s a certified shepherd?”
The Lord Jesus, my Shepherd, is good. The pastures He brings me to are rich and green. I had been grazing in the same pasture for too long, without even noticing that a life of business as usual, in my comfort zone, was stunting me spiritually. Like the sheep, I was pretty noisy as I was herded away. I had plenty to say about the discomfort and minor stress of adjusting to new places in my life. That was until I looked back and realized how many new pastures had caused me to grow.
I began to think about the life sustaining water. “Quiet Waters.”  Streams that have dangerous undercurrents can look perfectly safe from a sheep’s perspective. It’s a shepherd’s job to guide the sheep to those streams that run fresh so the sheep will have clean water, but who’s current will not endanger even the weakest lambs.
So it’s with us. Gods plan for each of our lives is intended to be one of adventure, not stale routine.  He gives us challenges and changes so that we may grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. All the while He guards us with His Spirit and nurtures us with His Word.
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want.”
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, November 1st – All Saint’s Day
Sunday, November 4th – Daylight Savings Time Ends
Tuesday, November 6th – Election Day
Thursday, November 8th – Presbyterian Women meet – 11am in the Community Building
  Sunday, November 11th – Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 21st – Men’s Action Group meeting – 8am in the Community Building
Thursday, November 22nd – Happy Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 25th – Christ The King Sunday
Tuesday, November 27th – Newsletter Deadline
  Sunday, December 2nd – First Sunday in Advent

Bill’s Kids…..This is a mission project to help the Children’s Home in Binghamton. The money that
we donate helps to buy Christmas presents for the residents of the home. Hopefully to make their Christmas a little more joyful.  It got its name from Rev William Townsend, who was the Chaplain at the Home. Bill use to do pulpit supply here and we wanted to do something for his “kids”.
The mission will run from Sunday November 4th thru Sunday November 25th. Envelopes will be available or you can use your regular envelope and mark it “Bill’s Kids”.

Christmas Greeting….. if any one would like to put a Christmas Greeting in the December newsletter, please email it, or give a handwritten note to Carolyn White, by Tuesday, November 27th.  Thank You!

Prayer Shawls –   I have several prayer shawls available, if anyone knows of anyone who could use one, please let me know.   I delivered two more in October.  Thank you, Carolyn White

Report of the October Meeting of the Presbyterian Women… We watched a video, “Stepping into the Ring” by Nichole Johnson, brought in by Bonne. Nichole shared her journey of surgery and treatment of breast cancer and how her faith brought her through it. A discussion followed and Karen Cox added her story which was very meaningful and helpful to us.  The treasurer reported the proceeds from the rummage sale was $1148.55.  It was decided that a lot of sorting and discarding needs to be done with what is left in the Old hall. Some changes need to be made before anything is done for the spring sale. Bonne suggested we think about changing the name of this women’s group, so several ideas were “kicked around” but nothing was decided at this time. Stay tuned. . . . OR, if you have a suggestion, let Bonne know.   Looking Ahead to mark your calendars:

Christmas Tea will be Tuesday Dec. 4 beginning at 11:00 held at the Torrey Lodge, Montrose Bible Conference. The guest speaker will be Karen Morgan. Lunch follows.  Let Bonne know if you will attend by Nov. 11. PW will be taking care of the cost.
Dec. 7, Christmas Party for Women at The Loft.  See Bonne for details.
Spring Retreat – April 6 to 8.
PW meets each second Thursday of the month at 11:00 in the Community Building.
All Ladies are welcome.

Rev. Malaho wrote on 10/4 They are heavy in prayer, They need help. The children need bedding and mattresses. Bedding is worn out and tearing daily.  10/14 The children are busy planting vegetables and hand irrigation with plates and cups. They may have to sacrifice some chickens which were intended for their own meat and eggs.  And now the gov’t. will institute a VAT tax on all goods and income, including funds that we send. The money we sent was used; $180 food, $129 medication, $20 education materials.  10/26 They continue stressing over the squeeze between food, classrooms and bedding. 25 chickens had to go “to make ends meet”.  10/29 They have had a thunderstorm and lightening has knocked out their new water pump which we funded in spring of this year. They have also offered prayers for our community and the serious flooding of our neighbors.  Rev Malaho is always very grateful for our prayers and support. We have helped numerous children with education and direction in their lives.       By Jim Kessler

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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