Dear Church Family,
August is upon us, and if you’re like me, you have visions of completing a 100 different outdoor projects, and every time you set out to accomplish one of them, it’s 90 degrees and muggy, or the rain starts and hinders your progress.
Recently on one of those 90 plus degree days, I was working on one of those projects and thinking, I must be crazy for being out here. Sweaty and tired, dreading one more trip up and down the ladder, I prayed to God for a little relief.
It couldn’t have been more than 2 minutes passing when a single cloud appeared in the sky and seemed to sit right over me and give me shade. I can’t tell you which I was happier about, the relief from the heat or that God answered my prayer. Maybe this was how Jonah felt when we read in Jonah 4:6, “Then the Lord God, provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.”
You would think Jonah would be thrilled that God picked him to do a special work. Not so. Jonah ran away from God instead of going to Nineveh.
God rescued Jonah after he spent 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a fish. That did not bring him happiness. The Lord took compassion on the Nineties and didn’t destroy them. Jonah was angry and greatly displeased.
The only time the Bible mentions Jonah being happy, is when God provides a vine and made it grow over him to give him shade and ease his discomfort.
Everyone wants happiness, but many times our eyes are tinted by the colors of worldly things. We lose our focus on the things of God.
Does your salvation make you happy? Jesus told us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Christ is the strongest vine of all. Is He your vine, your shade? If you are not finding happiness in your faith, examine it. Are you growing, through prayer, bible study and on close walks with the Lord? Do you thank God for the sacrifice He made to provide your vine, your shade?
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 8th – PW Meeting 11am
Wednesday, August 21st – Men’s Action Group Meeting – 8am
Sunday, August 25th – Outdoor Service & Picnic – weather permitting
Tuesday, August 27th – Newsletter Deadline
Rev. Malaho wrote that his daughter Patricia, whom we sponsored through high school, had been in a motor vehicle accident and was taken to a hospital. She had hand and facial injuries and she needed medication. On 7/27 ha said that plaster, (a cast), had been removed from her hand. His daughter Esther, has a problem with her throat and is scheduled for hospital treatment. He is terrified and heartbroken. Patricia is studying communication with long distant goals of being a journalist and a law professor. She is studying in a college in Nairobi. Rev. Malaho has sent pictures of his garden with rows of tomatoes and other rows of cowpeas. He also sent picture of his poultry project. He has the children tending those projects under adult supervision. Both projects are showing fruits with better food’ He always has very gracious “Thank Yous” for the help that we continue to send him. By Jim Kessler
Prayer Shawls – If anyone knows of someone in need of a prayer shawl, please let Carolyn White know.
Men’s Action Group ***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
There will be summer services and picnics held at the pavilion in Armstrong Park down back of the Community Building the last Sundays in August and September, weather permitting.
Choir Practice will resume in September! If you would like to share something special during the summer, please let Bonne know.
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)
