Dear Church Family,
In my morning devotions, I was reading Ephesians 4: 1, 2 where Paul writes “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
This reminded me of a story I read about a minister who was handing out gospel tracts. He gave one to a man who could neither read nor write. When he handed the tract, the man asked, “What Is This?” The minister replied, “It’s a tract that tells you about salvation.” The man said, “Well I can’t read. I’ll just watch your tracks.”
“That’s a short, powerful sermon, “The minister thought. “He’s watching my tracks.” Yes, our tracks are being watched. Scary isn’t it!
Christians are Christ representatives on this earth. We must live worthy of our calling. If we stand up and say, “I’m a Christian,” our life must demonstrate that. The Christian life is like a walk, a journey. We are on a journey to Heaven. Our purpose is to walk worthy. While on this earth, we are to show Christ-like qualities to others.
Paul tells us we should be humble and gentle, not arrogant, proud, or resentful. Gentleness can only come from trusting our Lord in all areas of our life. Gentleness is being God-controlled.
Then Paul tells us we must be patient. Now he’s stepping on my toes! He says that we must be patient with one another. In other words we have to put up with people.
Humbleness, gentleness, and patience should be practiced in love. Love is important to God. Over and over he expresses His love for us. He tells us that we should love our neighbor and our enemies. Love is first in Pauls’ list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22.
My simple definition of love is this: Love is looking at others through God’s eyes. If we see others as God sees them, we will treat them with love. We will be patient, kind, compassionate, and forgiving.
How about your walk with God? Is it a worthy walk?
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, October 6th – World Communion Sunday,
Thursday, October 10th – Presbyterian Women meeting 11am in the Community Building
Wednesday, October 16th – Men’s Action Group meeting 8am in the Community Building
Sunday, October 20th – Worship Committee meeting immediately following Worship Service
Thursday, October 24th – Session Meeting – 2pm
Sunday, October 27th – Reformation Sunday
Tuesday, October 29th – Newsletter Deadline
Thursday, October 31st – Reformation Day
Feed A Friend – Beginning October 6th we will be collecting dessert items for Feed-a-friend. This is a program put on by Trehab to give out Thanksgiving dinners. Without these baskets many people would not have a Thanksgiving dinner. Hope you can help us with this Mission Project. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please note same on your envelope.
Please note: On Sunday, Oct 27th, at 1:00 Franklin Forks Methodist Church has invited our church family for lunch to thank us for our help in the past year. They don’t want us to bring anything. Just come…Please mark your calendar for a nice lunch and fellowship. We will have a sign-up sheet in the vestibule. They need to know how many are coming by Oct 13th, so they can prepare.
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
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)
