APRIL 2017

Shelby Burgess 4/07/98Melissa Nowland 4/07/--Callen Pickett 4/ 08/10Barb Nonnemacher 4/10/--Dawn Snyder 4/14/--Robert Brown, Sr. 4/15/--Debbie Minturn 4/17/--Gabriella Susanj 4/18/06Stephanie Brabant 4/18/--Joshua Petlock 4/19/--McKenna Mapes 4/22/05Tifany Kilmer 4/23/--Mollee Kay Warner4/25/15Tommy Barnes 4/27/--Shirley Howard 4/27/--Rob McCarty 4/28/--Lisa Otis 4/30/91April Russell 4/30/--

Wyalusing Presbyterian Church79 Church StreetPO Box 25Wyalusing PA 18853return service requested

the

Ruth & Robert Brown 4/24/48Shirley & Jim Howard 4/24/48Lynn & John Petlock 4/02/76Donna & William Repsher 4/21/79

Christ risen and realizedAuthor George Thompson tells of a Jewish rabbi’s appeal to Christians during the tumultuous 1930s. On Easter Eve, the rabbi wrote in a newspaper: “I challenge the Christian world to measure itself by the standards of Christ. As long as any group is judged by its creed or color or country in place of its character, Christianity is a sacrilege rather than sanctity. To this end, I summon Christians everywhere to make this Easter to signify Christ realized and not merely Christ risen.”

A prayer of thanksgiving: On this spring day, we thank you, God, for showing us Easter life in ordinary things: new flowers,

March 14, 2017 Bexlie Karen Whipple Daughter of Stefani and Larry sister to Chloie and granddaughter of John Smalser

APRIL 2017

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Coming in April Fifth Sunday in Lent, April 2, 2017

We Celebrate

This first Sunday of the month is Hunger Sunday – the basket will be on the Greeters’ table and all monetary gifts will go to the Towanda Area Christian Outreach Food Pantry (TACO). TACO benefits families throughout Bradford County who are in need of food assistance. The big basket under the bulletin board is the place to leave your food donations.

During January, 2017 alone, TACO served 274 families totaling 676 individuals and 123 Elder Share/Fresh Express families for the senior outreach program. The need for food assistance in our area continues to increase and donations such as ours have helped meet this need. [ see the thank you letter from the board of directors of TACO in the “thank you” column on page 10.]

Easter’s Dawn

On the third day, the friends of Christ coming at daybreak ... found the grave empty and the stone rolled away. In varying ways they realized the new wonder; but even they hardly realized that the world had died in the night. What they were looking at was the first day of a new creation, with a new heaven and a new earth; and in a semblance of the gardener, God walked again in the garden, in the cool not of the evening but of the dawn. —G.K. Chesterton

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Presbyterian Hunger Program Self-Development of People

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

+ Christian Symbol +

Agnus DeiThis image is known as the Agnus Dei, Latin for “Lamb of God.” When pictured standing and with a banner, it represents the risen Christ, victorious over death. John the Baptist, seeing Jesus approach, famously declared, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NIV). In Revelation, too, Jesus is portrayed as a lamb who

WPC ‘S GOOD STUFF

This must be our never failing organizer and cheerful leader, Lynn Petlock’s favorite verse of scripture at this time of the year!

Move your bones and come out to help with the yard sale preparations and then take an hour or two to check out all the “good” stuff just waiting to be purchased!

So many good things have benefited from the Good Stuff Yard Sale – not just a chance to unload your attic, but giving items and then selling them for a token amount to people who really can make good use of them. And best of all – what an outreach! So many who would not come into our church at any other time get this chance to discover what a wonderful group of Christians come together at Wyalusing Presbyterian Church to enjoy each other’s company and welcome all who to share in the fun of this all encompassing yard sale of everything from beds to Bibles, stuffed toys to candlesticks, books to bedspreads… you name it… you’ll probably find it!

WPC ‘S GOOD STUFF

Sometimes I feel drained of energy. What comfort then to hear God say to me, as to that ancient valley of dry bones: “I will cause breath to

When We Can’t Find Easter

Easter is the most joyous Christian holy day ... except when it’s not. What do we do when our mood isn’t what we think it “should” be? The kids are sugared up, we’re juggling family gatherings (and conflicts), everyday challenges remain, and festive hymns — however rousing — fail to lift our spirits. We wonder, “What’s wrong with me, that I can’t seem to find Easter?”

Been there, done that. And it’s okay. You’re okay.

Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t scoop us out of our troubles, but the death-defying Christ walks through them beside us, on our own Emmaus road (Luke 24). We aren’t alone. When we can’t find Easter, Easter somehow finds us — if not on this designated Sunday, perhaps two days from now, or next week or mid-May. Watch for it; keep your heart open. Christ is risen indeed

Forsaken For UsChurch reformer Martin Luther

considered Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) as “the greatest words in all of Scripture,” writes Timothy Keller. In Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering (Penguin Books), Keller notes, “Luther knew personally about what he called Anfectungen, a word that means the ‘assaults’ that the world, the flesh and the devil make on human beings through the evils and suffering of life.”

Jesus suffered Anfectungen “in infinite degrees, beyond anything any other human being will ever experience,” Keller writes. And he did it all for us. As Luther said, “In Christ, the God-forsaken sinner has a Savior who has taken on himself the full

The children of the Sunday School will lead the procession of the palms to open the service.

We will receive the offering for the One Great Hour of Sharing

April 9, 2017What if I had been along that parade route as you entered Jerusalem, Jesus? Would I have grasped the profound events playing out? Even now, do I fully grasp who you are?

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in the social rooms – gathering around the table for this family style service.

April 13, 2017We sing about others knowing we are Christ’s disciples when they see our love in action. May it be so, Lord!

Starting at 4 p. m. and leaving from the church parking lot, the Young Adults will lead a CROSS WALK for families of the church

April 14, 2017 Once again our brothers and sisters of the Sugar Run PC invite us to join them for the service of darkness, TENEBRAE.

The service will begin at 8 p.m.

“In the cross of Christ I glory.” Jesus, truly we have no words. We can only bow at your feet.

The early “SONRISE

SERVICE” will begin at 8 a.m. on the front lawn of the church. Invite the whole community!

April 16, 2017

For early risers there will be an at 8:30 a.m.

The regular service will be at 10 a.m.

Amid candy, egg hunts and bunnies, may we know — and help our children know — the true joy of Easter:

JESUS’ RESURRECTION!

APRIL 23, 2017

April 9-15 2017

Don’t Leave Home without Your Sense of Humor

WPC will celebrate Holy Humor Sunday on April 23, 2017. Plan to have your funny bone tickled.

Prof. John Morreall, a humoroligist extraordinaire, is the author of a magnificent new book on humor, its history, and its many benefits: Laughing All the Way ‒ Your Sense of

Humor: Don’t Leave Home without It. Morreall, a consulting editor to The Joyful Noiseletter, is Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.

Morreall’s book is a treasury of good humor and delicious quotes, and fairly crackles with humor and fun throughout. Prof. Morreall, who has given seminars on humor around the world, starts the book with this question: “When was the last time you laughed hard, so hard that it took a while to recover? Laughter came easily when you were young. Sometime between second grade and now, though, most of us had our sense of humor suppressed, mostly by school and work.”

Morreall faults the Puritans for suppressing humor and play in Ame r ica . T h e P u r i t a ns in Massachusetts closed theaters, banned most sports, closed inns and pubs, and outlawed the celebration of Christmas. The American author H.L. Mencken defined a Puritan as “someone who is desperately afraid that somewhere, some place, someone might be happy.” The Puritan Work Ethic carried over into the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, where humor and playfulness were often condemned in

the work-place, Morreall writes. And it carried over into the 20th century, when Hitler and Stalin “were among the most serious people of all time.” Fortunately, in the last 30 years, people have

rediscovered the benefits of humor and its healing power, Morreall notes. “Most successful companies,” he writes, “have made humor and play part of their corporate culture. Management studies show that executives

with a good sense of humor advance faster and further, and top business schools now evaluate applicants in part on their sense of humor.” “Humor also has essential connections to spirituality,” writes Morreall. “There is a long tradition in Buddhism of poking fun not only at reason and logic, but also even at the scriptures and ritual of the religion.” The Hindu Mahatma Gandhi was famed for his sense of humor. Christianity, too. “Within the Christian tradition, we can understand humor as a gift from God that enables us to step back from the trivia of our daily lives to achieve a higher perspective that’s closer to God’s point of view. When we realize how much in life is just small stuff, we laugh.” When a new bishop complained that the burden of his position kept him awake at night, Pope John XXIII told him: “The same thing happened to me when I was first pope. But then one day my guardian angel appeared to me in a daydream and whispered, ‘Giovanni, don’t take yourself so seriously. Try laughing at yourself.’ And ever since then, I’ve been able to sleep.” Pope Francis, also known for his wit, has focused in his preaching and writings on the joy of the Gospel. Morreall writes, “In churches today, there is a growing awareness of the importance of humor and festivity. The Fellowship of Merry Christians, whose members come from dozens of faith traditions, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2015. “One of the projects of its newsletter, The Joyful Noiseletter, is bringing back H o l y H u m o r Sunday (formerly Bright Sunday) on the Sunday after Easter.” In 1988, The Joyful Noiseletter began encouraging churches and prayer groups to resurrect the Bright Sunday celebrations of the early Greek Christians and call it “Holy Humor Sunday” with the theme: “Jesus is the LIFE of the party.” “The aim of this book,”writes Morreall, “is to help you rekindle your love of laughter, and to show you its many benefits, especially at work.” And he succeeds! (Laughing All the Way may be ordered at any bookstore for $19.95, or online from Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.)

When I was growing up, I was under the impression that

worship was meant to be a solemn occasion. Sure, I got to see my friends at church on Sunday. I enjoyed that. Most of our family friends were church people that we saw at least when we went to church. Sunday school was fun. Youth Group was my favorite part of church life. Worship was not a bad thing, but I really thought it was a serious time when I was supposed to sit still and be quiet.

Is there a place in worship for a light heart? Is there a place to enjoy being in the presence of the Lord? Might there be a place for (other than any jokes the preacher might tell) HUMOR?

Well, God made us with the ability to laugh. Furthermore, God made it so no matter how bad life in this world gets, we can have a lighthearted approach to the daily grind, because of what God did in Jesus Christ. In other words, if there is a reason to laugh in church, it starts with Jesus. It starts with what we celebrate on Easter Sunday.

It is such a familiar plot. Good enters the scene in which Evil seems in control. The further the light of Goodness penetrates the darkness of Evil, the more Evil encompasses it, dimming the light. Finally, despite all our hopes, the light of Goodness appears to be extinguished. Humor, lightheartedness, and even laughter seem to be on the side of victorious Evil. Suddenly, that light bursts from its tomb, shining bright and bold. Darkness is pushed back. Light advances. Evil is defeated! All the humor, lightheartedness and laughter shifts to the true Victor—Goodness and Light. Good defeats Evil once and for all. And that is what happened in Jesus’ Resurrection.

And THAT is why we can laugh in worship. Sure, we may struggle through life. Any number of problems from personal to national to global may convince us that evil is winning. God may even get labeled as Someone of whom we need to be afraid, giving the impression that we need to be totally serious and somber when we come into worship. However, not only has Jesus utterly defeated evil in the world, he lets us in on the victory when we put our faith in him. We await the full defeat of evil as more and more people learn about and believe in Jesus. And on Easter Sunday, we celebrate that victory when we talk about, think about, and sing about Jesus’ Resurrection.

This year, the Sunday after Easter is designated as Holy Humor Sunday. It is a Sunday to laugh, sing, and enjoy the victory over evil that Jesus won in the Resurrection. So come to worship that Sunday with a joke, a (brief) story, and a light heart. Jesus’ victory of evil, sin, and death is for all of us. Because of Jesus, we get the last laugh.

As the Sundays continue to come throughout the Spring, Summer, and the rest of the year, let us make a point to

remember what Jesus accomplished for us in his death and Resurrection. Let us enjoy worship together each week with lightheartedness, laughter, and good humor.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a

sense of humor to console him for what he is.” —Francis Bacon

“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.”

—William James

All ages are invited to join together for a

morning to get ready for Easter!

Saturday, April 8, 2017 10 AM-Noon at the

Wyalusing United Methodist Church

We will gather together and consider the Excitement of Easter through story, craft and

fellowship.

The 13 week grief support group using the nationally used Grief/ Share materials will continue on Thursdays through April 27 at Sheldon Funeral Home in Wyalusing. The sessions are sponsored by Braintrim Baptist Church and Sheldon Funeral Homes. A person does not have to enter at the first session nor complete any number of sessions. He/she could come at any time and is not committed for the duration. All session are confidential. Sharing is optional. (no charge)

THE YOUTH GROUP NEWS ! The Wyalusing Youth Group continues to meet weekly at 5:00 at WPC. The group is open to any 7th-12th Grade Students in the community. We gather for fun food, fun games, and a lesson. We do some singing, too, or at least make a joyful noise to the Lord. Sometimes we do special events like go to movies or have parties instead of the regular meeting.

Whatever we are doing, we have a great time in a safe environment. Karen and Barry Ballard co-lead along with Heather and Scott McAllister from the Wyalusing United Methodist Church. Keep up with the latest Youth Group information on the Wyalusing Youth Group Facebook page, where we post what is going on each week.

BIBLE QUIZ:By what other name(s) does the Bible identify the disciple we call “Doubting Thomas”?

A. Didymus

B. The Skeptic C. The Twin D. A and B E. A and C

Answer: E (See John 20:24, NIV and ESV.)

A Prayer for Faith

“We have not the reason to despair,quite simply because Christ has

risen.”—Richard John Neuhaus

“The soul would have no rainbowsif the eyes had no tears.”

—Native American proverb

LACKAWANNA PRESBYTERYNews from Our Neighbors & Friends:APRIL 4 - Biblical Storyteller Rev. Dennis Dewey, 12:00 PM, Church of Christ Uniting, Kingston

APRIL 5 - Community Lenten Series, Dr. Edwards Memorial Congregational Church, 5:30 PM, followed by soup supper

April 17-21 - Spring Sabbath, Montreat Conference Center, montreat.org

April 21 - Writing with Spirit: Meditation and Creative

about the GOOD STUFF YARD SALE…

IN THIS CORNERIn Missouri, a church announcement read,

“Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale.

It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.

Be sure and bring your husbands.”

I don’t blame Thomas; I probably wouldn’t have believed the other disciples

either.Jesus, please bless me with faith to

believe in you, even when I fail to see.

Writing, Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA, kirkridge.org

April 21-23 - What Matters: A Weekend on Disability, Community and Love, Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA, kirkridge.org

April 22 - 5K Eagle Run and 10K Spirit Walk, North Rome Christian School, nrcseaglerun.com 

April 29 - Faith and Family Night at the Rail Riders, music, sermon, and player testimonials; swbrailriders.com for details

TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDYContinues April 4, 2017ROMANS STUDY: The Tuesday night Bible Study began exploring the book of Romans on Tuesday, November 22, at 6:30 p.m.  and will wrap up this study on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.

If you are interested in joining a new study group speak to Barry and let him know of your interest.

April 21, 2017Horizons Bible StudyWho Is Jesus?

What a Difference a Lens Makes’

by Judy Yates Siker [A New Testament scholar and an ordained teaching elder in the PC (USA)] . The seventh lesson explores the non- canonical Gospels.

Rosalind Banbury begins her comments on the lesson with “When we wonder about how certain writings became part of the new Testament, I think about what is treasured. There are things handed down to us that we cherish and want to pass on to our children. It might be a family Bible that lists all the marriages and births for four generations or letters from Dad to Mon during World War II… “

and Kate Mulligan concludes her commentary with these questions: 1. What are the stories and pieces of your life that do not easily fit within your faith tradition?2. If you incorporated those stories into your faith reflections, does this change how you see Jesus? If so what changes: and 3. When you consider the story of Jesus’ life, what is missing? What questions do you have about who Jesus is? What difference would it make if you know more details?

…Can’t wait to view the DVD and hear what the author of this study has to say about lesson !

PLEASE NOTICE: the study group will meet April 21 at Margaret Dabback’s home at 10:30 a.m.

Presbyterian Women

atDunmore Presbyterian

ChurchApril 22, 2017

…from the DEACONS BENCH Katy Stoddard, Linda Moon, Sylvia Ballard Colleen Brown, Sue Fenton, Marleah Stevens, Marilyn Ross, & Cari McCarty

DEACON MEETING: March 19, 201 7- The meeting was held following the worship service.CARDS SENT:

Get Well Cards were sent Baby: Stefanie Smalser and Larry Whipple College students: Easter cards

REMINDERS:

Deacon in charge of Greeters/Ushers for April Linda Moon

Deacon to serve Communion in April is Linda Moon

The April meeting has been changed to April 9, 2017 right after worship so we can prepare the spring care packages for our College Students. Deacons are asked to bring (8) eight items to place in those packages.

Reminder for the first Sunday of each month: put the Front Porch Bulletins in a location that members can pick up as they enter/exit.

You can help beautify the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday morning…Give white Easter Lilies in honor of or in memory of loved ones.Each plant comes in a foil wrapped 6.5 inch pot and costs only $15.00 Sign up on the inserts in your Sunday bulletins or call the church office (570) 746-3333 (Please place all orders no later than April 9)

THE ROLE OF THE CROSS:

MISSION GIVING!

Mission Team: Elders Deb Minturn & Mike Jensen

Throughout the year WPC supports local charities: Towanda Area Christian Outreach, Hezekiah’s Hands, , Helping Hands, Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center, Grace Connection; Rev. Cameron Smith, the Howard family and the Wyalusing Youth Group.

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 January – April will go toward camperships for our children attending summer camp at Camp Lackawanna..

Helping Hands can always use cans of tuna and/or mac & cheese! Add these to our shopping cart in the front hall during April

And on Palm Sunday remember to return your “fish” banks for the One Great Hour of Sharing [you can also return them on Easter Sunday!].

Thank you to all who continue to support our outreach programs with the many generous donations.

If the cross is the place where the worst thing that could happen happened, it is also the place where the best thing that could happen happened. Ultimate hatred and ultimate love met on those two crosspieces of wood. Suffering and love were brought into harmony. ...To be “saved” requires a severance from the former life as clean and sharp as though made by a knife. There must be a wall of separation between the old life and the new, a radical break. That means death — death to the old life, in order for the new to begin. … This wall of separation, this barrier, is the cross.

The Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga Counties’ Area Agency on Aging offers a program designed to improve overall health, provide referrals and resources as well as raise awareness of falls and steps on how to reduce falls.

HEALTH & WELLNESS PRESENTS:

Healthy Steps for Older Adults

Men’s Breakfast 8 a.m. April 30, 2017

… from TACO (Towanda Area Christian Outreach Food Pantry):

Dear Congregation, The Board of Directors of the Towanda Area Christian Outreach Food Pantry would like to thank you for your donation of food given to the food pantry on February 17, 2017… Thank you for remembering us with this donation and your always faithful support, Sincerely, Saandra L. Niuman

… to Toni McCarty for organizing and leading the Church Officers’ Leadership meeting on march 5.

SPECIAL THANKS *To Linda Moon for her many, many trips to Towanda to deliver our food donations to the TACO food pantry.

If it needs fixin’ everyone just says, “Ask John.” A million thanks to John Petlock for the ‘million’ things he does around the church

* If there is someone you would like to recognize for their volunteer work in the church – especially those “silent” church mice - who see a need and just do it with no fanfare – please be sure to mention it to Diana.

A favorite Lenten song is “What Wondrous Love is This.” The text is wonderful … in verse 3 it says “To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing….to God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM, while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing……to our talented musician who sang on and played on throughout the Lenten Sundays in March. Many thanks for their contribution of special music: March 5 - Nancy Bendinsky and her bells, March 12 - Mckenna Mapes at the piano, March 19 - the Sunday School Kids with their marvelous enthusiasm and March 26 - Katherine White and Diana Black with a sweet duet at the piano.

LOOKING AHEAD - - - …on May 7 we will celebrate

the Gifts of Women.

The Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga Counties’ Area Agency on Aging offers a program designed to improve overall health, provide referrals and resources as well as raise awareness of falls and steps on how to reduce falls.

HEALTH & WELLNESS PRESENTS:

Healthy Steps for Older Adults

Dear WPC Deacons & Church Family,

Thank you for the gift card and arranging food or us. We really appreciate the kind gestures as we celebrate Bexlie Karen Whipple.Thank you,

Stefani Smalser, Larry,Chloe and Bexlie

“When Jesus went to the cross, he got crucified and Satan got nailed!” —Dr. Harry Wendt

Outside church sign on Easter:“It’s not about a bunny.

It’s about the Lamb.”