Announcements
CONGRATULATIONS: to Charles & Alma Bednar at the birth of their great-granddaughter, Nora Kay Hetrick, on Saturday, June 29, weighing 7lbs, 14oz, and 20 inches long. The proud parents are Benjamin & Jennifer Hetrick.
THANK YOU: We are so grateful for the outpouring of concern and support that we received due to Nadine's recent surgery and recovery. The cards, meals, visits, texts, and phone calls all lifted our spirits and reminded us to cling to God's promises. Pastor Holbrook's visits were a special blessing! We appreciate our church family. Thank you so much! David & Nadine Roberts
SOUL-WINNER'S CLUB TRAINING: The next 12-week session for Summer/Fall will begin on Wednesday, August 14, downstairs in the Music Room at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to learn how to win souls to the Lord and teach others to do the same, sign up today online through the Church website or at the Welcome Desk.
COMMUNION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are looking for volunteers to help collect and clean up Communion trays. If you are able to help, please contact the Church Office.
From My Heart
One of the characteristics of our world in the last days is the fact that Paul said, “perilous times shall come.” (II Tim. 2:1). I think it is quite obvious that we are certainly in the last days of the last days. I have had folks tell me they do not want to go anywhere because society has gotten so bad; they are sometimes afraid of offending someone and starting some incident.
These are perilous times and there is no doubt that our society has become unhinged in so many areas. I was shocked and appalled when I saw what took place at the end of the Colombia/Uruguay soccer match a couple of weeks ago! If you did not see what happened, there was an all-out brawl after the match was finished. Several of the Uruguay players went into the stands and were fist-fighting with the Colombian fans. We should not be surprised with this behavior becoming commonplace - Paul clearly tells us these things would characterize our world in the last days.
So, how should Christians respond to these things happening in our world today? I think we should be excited about the downward spiral of mankind because it is a sure sign of the soon return of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. I certainly do not want to see the world becoming more violent, or more difficult to deal with, but we are told it is going to happen as we see the Day of the Lord at hand.
In these last days there is very little to rejoice about…but when we see all the signs of the times being fulfilled right before our eyes it is a definite indication that the Lord Jesus is not lagging too far behind. The Lord Jesus tells us in Luke 21:25-28, several signs to look for, so we will know when the Lord’s return is close to happening. After presenting the many signs (which we are seeing fulfilled today), the Lord Jesus said in v. 28, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
I suppose the point is that as believers, we should be excited to see the signs the Lord Jesus spoke of, for these signs are telling us the Lord’s return is close at hand. Just imagine you get up one morning and that is your final morning! Your alarm goes off and wakes you, but that is the last alarm you will ever hear! It is no wonder the Apostle Paul refers to Christ’s return to take us up to be with Him, is our “blessed hope.”
Our world seems to be at a point where everything is ready to boil over. It seems the world is on the brink of WW III, the world’s economy is crumbling, there is a huge clash brewing between conservative and liberal policies, we see a great intolerance towards folks whose beliefs are contrary to their own, and there is seemingly such a divide over everything! Most folks feel like, “something has to give.” What is going to give is the Lord Jesus is coming back for His Church. So, lift up your head, Christian, your redemption draweth nigh!”
Have a wonderful day!
Pastor Norris
Hospitalizations
Patricia Brown - Out-of-State
Clyde Davis - UPMC York 408
Ron DeFilippo - Johns Hopkins 322
Joanne Ritter - Johns Hopkins 19
June Shutt - Kernersville, NC