 | Newsletter
If calling the church office and no answer, please always leave a complete message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
PRESBYTERY UPDATES!! Information can be found on the Ministries page. The 2025 per capita is $48.00 per each active role member.
If winter weather becomes an issue, we will start a phone chain or you can always call the office phone as the announcement there and on Facebook will be updated of any cancellations for worship services or office hours. The Annual Congregational & Corporation Meeting-- Sunday, February 8th (snow date is March 29th) The congregational meeting must be led by a minister, so scheduling revolves around that. Rev. Ken Forbes will be leading our worship and meeting. Groups that include a financial and/or committee report in the end of the year booklet should have them into Sue in the church office by Sunday, January 25th. They may be given to Sue or sent to: dpcsecretary1@verizon.net
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is January 18 – 25th An Ecumenical Celebration of God’s Word will be held on Thursday, January 22nd at 12:10 PM in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton.
Ephesians 4:4 summarises the teachings of Paul about unity, emphasising here, too, that the followers of Christ represent ‘one body and one Spirit’, united in a single hope. This metaphor signifies the Church as a unified entity transcending barriers of geography, nationality, ethnicity and tradition. Paul uses the metaphor of the Church being the Body of Christ to describe its unity within the diversity of its members. Lord, we pray for healing across our land. Replace hatred with love, anger with understanding, and division with unity. Help us to listen to one another with empathy, even when we disagree. Let us focus on common values and goals that reflect Your truth and righteousness.
The Sounds of Worship Have you ever paused to listen — really listen — to the world around you? “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” (Psalm 98:4, ESV)
In Memory of Rev. Rebecca Tanner a cloth in beautiful fall colors, which she had said was her favorite season, was placed on our communion table. It had been in her office -- she had made the purchased to support The SHE project: (Sanitation, Hygiene And Empowerment) The program is committed to empowering underprivileged girls and women by improving their access to sanitation, hygiene, education, and skills, enabling them to reach their full potential. SHE ensures that girls stay in school and receive quality education, while also equipping women with the tools to achieve financial independence. The Presbyterian Education Board manages 26 schools and 6 boarding houses. The SHE project strives “to develop culturally and religiously appropriate mechanisms of mediation and intervention for children and women victims/survivors of violence in its various forms in different areas of Punjab, particularly where PEB already has a presence.” The program is so effective and so critically needed that programs are now being offered in 20 communities. The Presbyterian Education Board is an autonomous Board under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan and is supported by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and other churches and organizations worldwide.
IN GOOD HANDS As Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, they were full of questions — “Where are you going? How will we know the way there? Would you please just show us the Father?” — and not very satisfied with his answers. So Jesus promised to send them “another Helper” (John 14:16, ESV). And we can almost hear them protesting, like kids bemoaning a favorite coach’s retirement or church members grieving a beloved pastor’s call to serve elsewhere: “Oh, great. Someone new for us to get to know. It won’t be the same. It won’t be you.” Decisions Matter Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible. —C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Do Your Part at Church Volunteer to do the job most people shun. After most people have left a church dinner, remain behind to help clean up and put things in order. When a campaign is held to raise funds for a church project, be among the first to give time, talent and resources to show your support and enthusiasm. Occasionally give something or do something anonymously. If it's spectacular enough, the church will go "bananas" trying to figure out who did it.
It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
A POSITIVE PRAYER “Please help me with NOTS that are in my mind, my heart and my life. Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots… erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart. And most of all, Dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life, all of the AM nots that I have allowed to hold me back… especially the thought that I am not good enough.” Author Unknown
Would you not agree that NOT is not a word we should choose to employ… unless utterly necessary? May every positive prayer be answered this week, Godwink, after Godwink, after Godwink!
Both the regular and large print editions of Our Daily Bread are now available – if you you would like one, contact the office and we will be sure you receive it.
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