This Week In Ministry
Sunday:
- Lycoming County Prison, Pastor James Bond, Revival Tabernacle, Watsontown,Pa
- Roseview Nursing Home, None scheduled.
- Leighton Place, None Scheduled
- Valley View Nursing Home,None scheduled.
- We Care of Loyalsock,None scheduled.
- Williamsport North, Tracey Mulcahey, St. Paul Calvary Church, Williamsport, Pa.
- Williamsport South,None scheduled.
- Williamsport Home, 3 p.m., None scheduled.
- Pre-Release Center Women, 3:30 p.m., Gail Slocum,Yokefellow Prison Ministry, Williamsport, Pa.
- Pre-Release Center Men, 3:30 p.m., Don Slocum, Yokefellow Prison Ministry, Williamsport, Pa.
Services during the week include:
- Heritage Springs, None Scheduled
- Leighton Place, 2 p.m. Tuesday, None Scheduled
- Hillside Senior Living, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Mrs. Carol Hetler, United Churches of Lycoming County
- Presbyterian Home, 11 a.m. Thursday, None scheduled.
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- 8:30 a.m. (Saturday) Jersey Shore Assembly of God, WJSA 96.3 FM.
- 9:30 a.m. (Sunday) Community Baptist Church, Montoursville, WJSA 96.3 FM.
- 9 a.m. (Sunday) Pine Street United Methodist Church, Williamsport, WWPA 1340 AM/101.7 FM., WILQ HD3
Recent Articles
Saint Joseph the Worker Parish
In the greater Williamsport area, we note a wonderful mix of individuals from many diverse backgrounds from around the globe who find either a permanent or temporary home in our community. During our Little League week, it is so heartwarming to see such a spirit of joy, unity, and good sportsmanship among players, coaches, and so many visitors. People from our community should be commended for their outpouring of welcome to so many visitors in so many ways.
What does our Bible say about unity? Psalm 133:1 states, “how good…it is when God’s people live together in unity!” St. Paul, in the letter to the Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
Unfortunately, at times more and more, we seem to have a lack of respect for someone who has a different opinion and feels strongly. Recently someone spoke about a meeting he attended and the lack of civility and basic respect to a fellow human being.
In a meaningful way, United Churches of Lycoming County attempts to be an organization that strives to “live the Gospel message.” Yes, we can come from many backgrounds with different understandings, but are we not called to “love one another, since love comes from God,” as Saint John states so beautifully (1 John 4:7)?
Romans 12:16 states, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” In a time of strife on so many levels within the nation and around the globe, perhaps we can attempt “to do our bit.”
Long after this year’s Little League Championship team has been declared and people have returned to their own countries and communities, it may be good for all of us to be mindful of The Little League Pledge.
The Pledge reads: “I trust in God. I love my country and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my best.”
Walking With Purpose Operational Coordinator
St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Williamsport
Many of us are blessed during the summer, and this year especially blessed, as pandemic restrictions have loosened, to be able to make trips to see family and friends. As a Catholic, I have a devotion to praying the rosary. I feel a special mystery from the rosary that always comes to my mind when I travel or when loved ones travel to me. In the Bible, The Visitation remembers when Jesus’ mother, Mary, went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth upon hearing of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Elizabeth was old by childbearing standards and had been barren until this miraculous pregnancy with John the Baptist. Mary also wanted to tell Elizabeth of her own pregnancy.
The Bible states: “In those days, Mary set out and journeyed in haste into the hill country to a town of Judah where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why am I so greatly favored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? For behold, the moment that the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be fulfilled’” (Luke 1:39-45).
This special visit and words of welcome from her cousin Elizabeth would be repeated for centuries and multitudes of times over all because Mary went to visit her cousin. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
This time of year, locally, a special time of travel comes to mind, the Little League World Series! Our fellow brothers and sisters come from all over the world to central Pennsylvania and enjoy wholesome competition at our beautiful fields in South Williamsport. Will we welcome them with joy?
Let us pray for the teams, coaches, families and their safe travel, and that we may be a place of hospitality, happiness, safety, and welcome.
Why are we so greatly favored that these travelers should come to us? May we have a spirit of curiosity, genuine fellowship, and awe at this great event we are privileged to host. Yes, it comes with a little extra traffic and longer waits at our favorite restaurants and shopping spots. But look at what it does for our community, our economy, and all the countries and families touched by the young men and women who have a love for baseball and enough people around them to support this great adventure!
May we greet all who enter our lives as Mary was greeted by Elizabeth: with a sense of joy, blessing, favor, and gratitude. For we all belong to the family of God, and we are all travelers on this road called life. God bless, and play ball!
By Rev. Dr. David Mansfield
Retired Disciples of Christ pastor
Triple-digit temperatures across America, power companies on high alert for power grid failures, seniors going to cooling shelters, and fires raging in the West: the cause we are told is climate change. The earth is warming. Scientists propose solutions, but it is not easy getting everyone to agree and cooperate. The challenge is how do we cool things.
What is happening in our environment is also happening in our souls. Our tempers are flaring. Corporations keep pressing employees to do more with fewer workers, and people are stressed, in a hurry, and frustrated. Anger is very close to the surface as evidenced by the increase in violence across our land. I do not know what Jesus would say about climate change, but I do know what he would say about our souls. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to his disciples about slowing the decay and preserving the good when he said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13 NIV). If Jesus were to give that sermon today. he would say, “You are the refrigerator.” That is how we preserve things these days; we chill them. So Jesus needs his followers to lower the temperature in the home, workplace, and community. How can we do this?
First, in a toxic work environment, humor can go a long way to defuse tensions and bring down the temperature. I admire people who have a quick wit about them and who can help us see the comedy in the everyday. As Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones.” The benefits of laughter in the workplace have been proven to lighten the mood, reduce stress, and create a greater sense of belonging. Another way to bring down the temperature is to cultivate gratitude. Instead of chafing at being stopped in traffic for construction, pause to give thanks for the workers who make our roads better. In our self-centeredness, we tend to take the roads and other infrastructure for granted.
Lastly, when we approach people with curiosity instead of judgment we open up positive interaction. When we ask questions that lead to better understanding, we make connections and build bridges that lower the temperature. Jesus was a master of defusing the angry Pharisees with questions and stories. He took the focus of their anger and shifted it to the bigger picture. We can do a lot to cool emotions by being a non-anxious presence and listening to others feelings with empathy.
So, in these hot summer days, let us be the chill that lowers the temperature in our social environment. Just be the refrigerator!