May 2024
Status of Services – Please continue to bring your offerings to the plates at the front of the sanctuary. The preaching schedule for the next few weeks is:
· May 5 – Brian
· May 12 – Karen
· May 19 – Karen
· May 26 – Rob
· June 2 – Karen
Announcements and Prayer Requests – Please call or e-mail any of us with any prayer requests or announcements that you may have so that we can then share through this newsletter.
· Based on the responses received to the survey about service times we are going to continue with Sunday services at 10:00 AM throughout the year.
October 12 – Penn Township Fall Fest 12:00 to 4 PM – we will have a
booth there to promote the church in the community
Prayer
requests at this time include:
We celebrate the good news from Ron Mullins’ biopsy which was negative
for cancer.
Sandy Laxton’s health is failing so please keep her, Steve, and the
family in your prayers.
Please keep Bill Russell as well as Kurt, Bekah, Kaden, and Liam in your
prayers in the passing of Cheryl.
Please keep Edie Kauffman and family in your prayers in the passing of
her nephew Chuck Prang.
Pat Hash has moved to Hershey to be nearer her son, David, she is in the
beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, also, there has been an unexpected death in
her family. Please keep the family in
your prayers.
Rob Thacker’s cousin’s son, Seth has suffered a stroke and is being
evaluated. Please keep the family in
your prayers.
Cathie Rylee is home now and is continuing to get treatment for bladder
issues, she is getting around better now.
Lois Roy asked for prayers for her grandniece, Zoey, who is in the hospital
with Guillaume-Barre disease.
Jewell asks for prayers for her cousin Debbie Prewitt Holbrooke for her
lung cancer.
Lois Roy for relief from her neuropathy.
District Prayer Calendar
o May 5 we are praying for the Indian Creek COB in Harleysville, PA and the Brooklyn First COB in Brooklyn, NY is praying or us.
o May 12 we are praying for the Palmyra COB in Palmyra, PA and the Nuevo Amanecer COB in Bethlehem, PA is praying for us.
o May 19 we are praying for the Veritas Fellowship in Lancaster, PA and the Lebanon COB in Lebanon, PA is praying for us.
o May 26 we are praying for the Conestoga COB in Leola, PA and the East Cocalico COB in Stevens, PA is praying for us.
o June 2 we are praying for Grace Christian in Landsdale, PA and the Mechanic Grove COB in Quarryville, PA is praying for us
Devotional – (from Rita)
“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” Matthew 14:27 (NIV)
Already it’s a squall of a day — emotions all tangled, deadlines looming before I even begin on my projects, and a constant worry in the back of my mind that God may not be in a hurry to help me out of my latest fear.
My spiritual boat is battered, far from the safety of shore. How I long to take control of it all, but the waves come fiercely, tossing my heart about.
When life’s storms rage, we can feel absolutely helpless, as if one more wave will knock us out of the boat and into the water. We get frantic and afraid, wondering if we’ve been forgotten.
But somewhere among the mist and moonlight, a figure appears. Moving toward us on top of the waves. As if nothing ruffles Him. His eyes are fixed on us, His hand turned toward us. Who is this who faces the swelling water and slashing rain and does not falter?“Take courage! It is I,” Jesus tells us in Matthew 14:27. He says, “Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus has come for us. His steps are steady, purposeful. He knows exactly where we are in our storms and will stop at nothing to see us through. The winds of struggle may blow straight at us, fierce and menacing. But Jesus comes straight to us, standing on top of what we fear.
There is nothing we can’t face when the Lord who stilled the sea longs to still what rages within us. He comes to be with us, stepping right into our storms without hesitation. This is who He is.
He even invites us to step out of the boat and onto the waves, in direct opposition to our hearts’ terror. He calls us with one simple word: “Come.” (Matthew 14:29, NIV).
And we have the chance to let our faith be bigger than our fear, to walk toward the One who stands with hands outstretched. The God who walks on water to meet us will not let us sink.
Do you believe He is willing to walk into your storm, into the waves that roil? Do you trust Him enough that when He extends His invitation, you get out of the boat in faith?
Friend, we are safe in His arms.
God directs our steps and makes them secure. We don’t have to worry about where we’re going because we know who guides us. It’s OK to admit we’re afraid or out of our element. The more out of sorts we feel, the more we can lean into God, who gives us all we need along the way. He is walking toward us in the storm; let’s allow Jesus to calm the seas of our hearts.
Every time I read the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11), I get a new insight into God’s Word. When Mary and Martha sent a messenger to Jesus to come and heal Lazarus, the messenger used the words: Lord, the one whom you love is sick. When we are going through the storm or any trial in life, we can pray to God saying, “God, the one who you love needs you right now.” We are the one He loves. He cares and knows exactly what you need and when you need it. So pray with confidence that you are the one who He loves – you are the one He has promised to walk beside – you are the one He has promised never to leave. Reach up and take hold of His hand today. On days where you don’t think He’s listening – trust me, He’s listening. On days when you don’t feel His presence – trust me, He’s right there beside you.
Father, my heart is aching today. The storms of life are tossing me about, and I am afraid and weary. Stretch my faith through the comfort of Your presence. Thank You for being in control of my life. Thank you that I am the one You love. I can trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Karen Hackett – knk821@comcast.net 302-540-6729
Brian Berkey – bdberkey@comcast.net 443-553-0356