Cameron Smith 1/01/--Cathy Crawford 1/02/--Stephanie MacDonald 1/03/--Kathy Trowbridge 1/04/--Andrew Howard 1/06/--Paul Hugo 1/08/--Zachary Johnson 1/10/00John Howard 1/10/--Sheri McHenry 1/10/--Bill Snyder 1/10/--Scott Snyder 1/11/--Kim Wentovich 1/16/--Lee Bonhamer 1/23/--Matthew Brown 1/24/02Jennifer Wentovich 1/28/--"Bud" Marvin 1/29/--Susan Fenton 1/31

Return service requested Wyalusing Presbyterian Church

79 Church StreetPO Box 25Wyalusing PA 18853Return service requested

Melissa & Jason Nowland 1/02/94

JANUARY 2018

A penguin “parable” During storms, emperor penguins huddle for warmth, taking turns at the center and on the perimeter of the group. While incubating eggs, up to 6,000 male penguins have been observed clustering for shelter against the harsh Antarctic winter. Partially grown chicks gather in protective “crèches” (French for “cribs”); often surrounded by a colony of adults, these groupings ward off predators and cold.

In stormy times, humans also need supportive groups; we can’t survive alone. A church family allows us to take turns giving and receiving care. Amid social upheaval, injustice, illness, natural disaster and any loss or crisis, God invites us to gather for protection and warmth. In the church

Come back to ChristmasWhen January comes along, we can continue that sense of comfort and warmth that comes at Christmas by returning to the Christmas story, which gives us two great promises: God understands you, and God can redeem you. I encourage people to make it a point to reread the Christmas story every month, and allow Christmas to be Christmas every month. We

One week into the new year, Lord,we thank you for walking with us through all time and eternity. Amen

the

The FRONT PORCH is the monthly newsletter of Wyalusing Presbyterian Church located at 179 Church Street in the heart of Wyalusing Pennsylvania. The vision of Wyalusing Presbyterian Church is to nurture faith inJesus Christ, and through that faith, reach out to all people in Christian love. Phone: 570-746-3333 E-mail: wpchurch@ptd.net web site: www.wyalusingpc.org JANUARY 2018

Winter gift“God … does great things beyond our knowing. He says to the snow, ‘Fall to the earth’; likewise to his heavy, drenching rain. He shuts up all humankind indoors, so that all people may know his work” (Job 37:5-7, NABRE).

Snow, ice and cold can make winter a hassle. “Snow days” due to a blizzard may thrill students but usually inconvenience parents. But now and then, winter blankets the earth so heavily that it seems to quiet everything. We’re granted permission to hunker down at home, snuggle close with family or pets, enjoy a book or movie, make cocoa or cookies, and rest. It’s like a surprise sabbath — the gift of grace-time — when no one’s expected to get out the door or the driveway. Perhaps indeed, as Job declared, God sees fit on such days to put our busyness on hold and shut us all indoors so we pause and remember his work — his place — in our lives. Praise God for snow days!

—Heidi Mann

The membership of Wyalusing Presbyterian Church met on December 17, 2017 to elect officers for the classes of 2020.

The Nominating Committee presented the following slate: ELDERS Toni McCarty – 2nd term (3 year term) John Smalser – 1st term (3 year term) Still looking for a 3rd Elder. Will you serve?

DEACONS Karen Bond 1st term (3 year term) Julie Gamble 1st (3 year term) Carmen Eberlin 1st (3 year term)

TRUSTEES Lorna Snyder – 2nd term Doug Eberlin - 2nd term Donny Warner – 2nd term

This slate of officers was unanimously accepted.

These officers will be ordained and installed during the worship service on January 14, 2018. Many thanks to our outgoing officers who served as this year’s nominating committee.

RESOLVE TO “BE THERE”Let our New Year’s resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word. —Goran Persson

A NEW YOUThe object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. — G.K. Chesterton

JANUARY 6, 2018

Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, humanity in God, God in humanity, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look ... their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die.

—Peter Chrysologus (5th century)

Bible Quiz

At the start of a new year, we remember that God continually gives us new chances. What does Jesus say to a woman caught in adultery?

A. “Go, and from now on sin no more.”B. “Not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”C. “Peace be with you.”D. “Tell no one what I have done for you.”

Answer: A (See John 8:11.)

PRAYER FOR A NEW BEGINNINGDear Lord, touch me with your Spirit of truth so I may be honest about my sins and failures. Forgive me for treating your covenant lightly and at times ignoring it completely. Help me truly seek and know forgiveness for all the hurts I’ve caused, for harboring ill will and for any hardness of heart I may have. Please renew a right spirit within me that I may become more Christ-like and that my life may daily reveal your love and light. In your name. Amen.

Baptism of the Lord – January 7, 2018

… to Sue Kilmer and her class for their Bible challenge that we all read Luke 2:1-20 before opening our gifts on Christmas morning.(to Mr. Dickens and Tiny Tim: God bless us, everyone!)… to all the families who spoke the words that told the Christmas story and lead the prayers and lit the Advent candles to turn our hearts to the real meaning of Christmas – thank you, Kelly & Nathan White and their daughters Katherine & Sophie; Amy & Jeremy Soper and their daughter Addyson; Tiffany & Donny Warner and their daughters Callee, Lacee & Mollee; Shannon & Matt Lord and their children Matisyn & Hayden and Sue & Josh Kilmer and their children Elizabeth & Noah. Wyalusing Presbyterian Church is so blessed to have so many wonderful families. We should give thanks to God for them every day!..and to everyone who purchased poinsettias to enhanced the beauty of the season!

… to Deb Minturn for organizing the Salvation Army Bell Ringers and all the volunteers who helped.

Thanks for all the beautiful Christmas music we enjoyed throughout the Advent season:

December 3- Shannon & Mattie Lord’s vocal duet – “O come Emmanuel”December 10- The Women of the Church (Julie Gamble,

Pat Hoffman, Kathy Trowbridge, Karen Bond,

Shannon Lord, Lynn Petlock, Pat Brown, Lisa and Mckenna Mapes) – “Mary’s Boy Child”

December 17- Kahlan Delamarter & Diana Black – piano duet – “Angels We Have Heard on High”

The Sunday School Children – “When Love Was Born”December 24 a.m. - Mattie Lord and Josh Stoddard – saxophone duet- “Away in a Manger”Christmas Eve – everyone singing with

“Lessons & Carols”December 31- a final chance to sing Christmas carols this year! What will this new year bring in the form of special music - hymns and other sacred music? Suggestions are welcome!

... to Lorna Snyder and Amy Eberlin for the Coffee Hour on December 31 recognizing our college students (another wonderful group of young people WPC is so fortunate to have watched grow up in our embrace.)

… from Towanda Area Christian Outreach (TACO)Food Pantry: The board of directors would like to thank you for the donation of food given to the pantry on November 15, 2017… the generous donation of three bags of groceries given to the panty December 8, 2017.. Your donation is very appreciated and will help us to continue our mission to provide food assistance to those in our local community in need. This need is always greater as we enter the Christmas season .

Sincerely, Sandra L. Niuman

Dear friends at Wyalusing Presbyterian Church,Thanks so much for standing alongside us in the work of Bible translation. Your prayers and gifts have been a blessing to us! Looking forward to seeing you soon! Love, the Howards

Good Friends in Christ, Margaret and I thank you all for your prayers, your thoughts, and the cards you have sent.A special thanks to the Hezekiah’s Hands division at WPC and contractor, John Petlock, for the building of a ramp for Margaret’s use when she gets home (she is still at the Highlands Care Center in LaPorte.) John & Margaret Dabback

Tuesday Night Bible Study

Bible Study News: Are you ready to start 2nd Corinthians? Our Bible Study will continue, beginning Tuesday, January 9 at 6:30 PM.

Horizons Bible Study “Cloud of Witnesses: The Community of Christ in Hebrews”

2017-2018 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study by

Melissa Bane Savier

Commentary by Rosalind BanburyLesson 4: Love of the Strange

(Hebrews 13: 1-6) … Angels can come disguised as ordinary people, as they do to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18). Hospitality was a sacred trust in which the host fed, sheltered and provided protection. In Hebrews 13: 1-2, Christian are urged to show hospitality to strangers, for in so doing they may entertain angels without knowing it…

Patricia K. Tull asks these questions in her commentary on Lesson 4 (“Entertaining Angels”)

1. Have you ever thought – or heard others say-that life is a lot murkier now that in biblical times, when it seemed as if angels showed up at all the right moments to explain things? What do you make of that?

2. Recall a time when an unexpected encounter resulted in a message you needed to hear just when you needed to hear it. What allowed you to be open to it? How can you develop a habit of being open to others?

Commentary by Rosalind Banbury Lesson 5: By Faith (Hebrews 3:1-6;11)

…a brilliant sunset, a huge luminescent moon, waves thunderously crashing against the shore, a blue heron rising suddenly from the marsh – all these cause wonder in human beings. Some people come to believe in God through the beauty of creation. “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God.” (Hebrews 11:3a)

Patricia K. Tull asks these questions in her commentary on Lesson 5 (“Cherishing Tradition”)

1. What creed, confessions, or catechisms did you learn by heart as a child, if any? Are there words or phrases that you find embedded in your mind that guide your faith understanding today?

2. What rituals, sacraments, phrases, and hymns of the church have lent you wisdom for understanding the outlines and themes of your life as a Christian?

3. What does it mean to you that the Presbyterian Church as adopted a Book of (many) Confessions, rather than a single creed?

The study group meets on the third Friday of each month at 10:30 a.m. September through June. Our January 19th meeting will find us in the choir room at WPC.

We’re all wishing Margaret Dabback a swift recovery and look forward to meeting in her home on 2nd Street.

We welcome the fellowship of all the women of the church and the community who wish to participate.

Copies of the commentaries for lessons 4 & 5 are available in the church office.

JANUARY 15, 2018

Mission Team Leader: Elder Deb Minturn Throughout 2017 WPC supported local charities: Towanda Area Christian Outreach, Hezekiah’s Hands, Helping Hands, Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center, Grace Connection; Rev. Cameron Smith & RUF at Carson-Newman, the Howard family & Wycliffe Bible Translations (Papua New Guinea) and the Wyalusing Youth Group. Thank you to all who continue to support our outreach programs with your generous donations. The first Sunday of each month we leave the HUNGER BASKET at the Greeters table in the front hall – all donations in the basket go to Towanda Area Christian Outreach (TACO) which helps needy people in Bradford County including many in our school district.

The NOISY CAN COLLECTIONS for September through December were for David & Susan Howard and their mission work [David and Susan Howard and their family visited WPC on December 31. David gave us a very inspiring and informative message about their work with Wycliff Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea. ]

HELPING HANDS food pantry can always use cans of tuna and/or mac & cheese AND right now they are looking for canned fruit and vegetables!

… some thoughts for the new year …

“Kindness is like snow — it beautifies everything it covers.” —Kahlil Gibran

“The greatest act of mercy that God performs is giving the gift of faith.” —R.C. Sproul

“A smile is a curvethat sets everything straight.” —Phyllis Diller

The freedom of forgivenessMartin Luther King Jr. called forgiveness “a permanent attitude,” as opposed to “an occasional act.” Maintaining a forgiveness mind-set leads to peace and freedom.

Author and pastor Max Anders experienced that freedom in seminary. After cheating on a Hebrew final, he was distraught and confessed his sin to God and the professor. “I felt deeply cleaned. Pure. Holy,” Anders writes in 21 Unbreakable Laws of Life. “I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I wanted to run and jump and dance. The burden was lifted. … I was free!”

By contrast, he writes, “If we don’t ask for forgiveness when we wrong someone, we lose our moral authority; the debris of sin begins to accumulate in our hearts, choking our conscience …. Others know when we sin against them, and if we don’t make it right, it hurts our reputation as well as God’s.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

—Martin Luther King Jr

PLEASE NOTICE!ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE

IN THE CHURCH OFFICENO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JANUARY

16.(Copies of last year’s reports as

reference are available in the office –just ask Diana & she can print them out for you or e-mail them to you.)

Men’s Breakfast Men’ MEN’S BREAKFAST JANUARY 28, 2018 8 A.M.

Sunday 8 a.m.

Week of Prayer for Christian UnityJanuary 18-25, 2018

Dear God, bless us to grow in faith and loveas we worship you as one family. Amen.

The business office will be open Tuesday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

UNITED IN DIVERSITYAlthough early Christians had much in common, they also dwelt in diversity. Each of their leaders emphasized certain parts of the gospel and favored certain worship styles. They all believed in the resurrected Jesus, and they all celebrated the Lord's Supper and baptism. But Christians in Corinth had a unique approach, as did those in Ephesus, Philippi, Galatia, Rome and so on. It might be boring if we all believed and practiced completely alike. Variations don’t need to be an impediment to Christian unity. As pastor Charles Best said, “If we’re going to be in heaven together, we might as well get

THREE QUESTIONS

There’s a tale of a traveling priest who was confronted by a soldier in pre-revolutionary Russia. Rifle in hand, the soldier barked, “Who are you? Where are you going? Why are you going there?”

Instead of answering, the priest asked how much the soldier was paid — and offered double if the soldier would challenge him with those three questions each day as he passed by.

Those three important questions can guide us on our journey through the brand-new year ahead. For Christians, thankfully, the answers are clear:

Who are you? “I’m a child of God!” Where are you going? “I’m going out

into the world!” Why are you going there? “I’m going

out of love for Jesus, who died for me!”Place these questions and answers in a spot

+ Christian Symbol +

XPICTOC — This set of letters spells “Christ” in Greek. It may be written using the Roman alphabet (from which the English alphabet descended), but is also often presented in Greek characters, as shown here.   

Welcome 2018! What will this new year hold? What kinds of world events and personal experiences will happen that will shape who we are and how we live this year? These are impossible questions to answer. However, we can live with the security of knowing the One who carefully, lovingly, and graciously holds life in his hands.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches his followers not to worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough concerns of its own. Instead, Jesus’ followers need only trust in God, who will provide for us. God has given us a world that supports a vast array of life, and from which we can produce food, create building materials for shelter, and manufacture fabric for clothing. Humanity has taken these building blocks, and made food, shelter, and clothing fairly easily accessible to most people. So, already, God has provided what we need.

God has gone further. God built people for community. A family is a community. Husbands and wives are meant to nurture one another by love and mutual service. Parents are meant to nurture children by providing for, teaching, and disciplining them. Love is meant to be what holds it together. Families thrive within larger communities, like churches. The church connects families to God and to one another. Church families nurture and support each other. We pray for one another. We teach and challenge one another to follow God with greater faithfulness. The church family becomes the vehicle through which we give to meet the needs of our neighbors, both spiritual and basic needs. Ideally, selfless love and service make up the building blocks of the church. So God has provided what we need in this area, too.

What about those people who are alone, and are somehow unconnected? If this is not something that has already been considered, then this question challenges the church to missional action. A question the church—all of us together—might consider is, “What can we do to meet the needs of those who are alone and unconnected?” Perhaps this might require meeting someone’s basic needs by providing food, shelter, clothing, etc. Maybe it means scheduling some time to volunteer at Helping Hands or Hezekiah’s Hands. Maybe it means a call, note, or visit to someone who is alone. Remember, this does not just have to be a homebound person. It could even be a college student, or one of our own who has recently moved away. In other words, maybe you, I, or the church family is God’s way of providing for someone in need.

Maybe, 2018 could be the year of trusting God. It could be the year that all of us sidestep the worries of this

world because we know that in so many ways, God has already provided for our needs. 2018 could be the year of Missional Opportunities, too. It may be the year that each of us and all of us ask God to show us how we can be part of God meeting another’s need. So, let us make sure that those around us have a happy 2018.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS:

Youth Group should be back to a regular schedule this month. That’s every Sunday evening at 5:00 PM. All young people in grades 7-12 is welcome!

SUNDAY JANUARY 28, 2018

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

 

“The Book Our Mothers Read”

We search the world for truth; we cullThe good, the pure, the beautiful,From graven stone and written scroll,From all old flower-fields of the soul;

And, weary seekers of the best,We come back laden from the quest,To find that all the sages said

From the correct perspective A child sat at his grandmother’s feet as she embroidered. Looking up, he saw a mishmash of threads and ugly knots but no discernible picture or words. “Nana,” he said with concern, “that’s not very pretty.” “Come up here,” Grandma invited, “and look at it from this side. You have to see it from my perspective.” “Oh!” the boy exclaimed then. “It’s beautiful!” Seeing the world from our human, earthly viewpoint, we can’t grasp the masterpiece that God is completing. But when we finally see it from his perspective, we’ll discover that the threads and knots all contribute to a beautiful work of art. That work won’t be finished until Jesus returns, but in the meantime, may God grant us an occasional glimpse of the work in progress— from God’s side! [“Ye know not what the Lord is working out of this, but ye shall know it hereafter.”

—Samuel Rutherford]