Six weeks ago I had a sudden and quite unexpected brain bleed that necessitated me to be flown via helicopter to Hershey Medical Center where I had emergency brain surgery. After six weeks of recovery I am back to work without – praise God – any side effects or lingering complications. I know my miraculous progress can be attributed to a loving and merciful God and the prayers offered by many of you on my behalf. I am grateful.

During my six weeks of recovery at home I received well over one hundred cards (I didn’t count) – many with personal notes and prayers inside. While the majority of those cards came from the family and friends here at 4^th Street, I also received cards and notes from persons in all of the congregations Kathie and I have served. I am grateful.

Some of you were able to visit us in our home; some of you sent over food and flowers and

a few get-well gifts. Your caring and your generosity in a myriad of expressions truly hum-

bled me and I am grateful.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my 4^th Street colleagues and team who made the visits and telephone calls, planned both worship services and supplied the pulpit with Christ-centered preaching during my convalescence. I certainly want to give a shout to Carol Wingert, Kendal Trader, and Pastors Liz Thorpe, Tim Monn, Leon Yoder, Jamie Rhodes and Ali Toms for “coming out of the bullpen” to bring us the Word of God. I am grateful.

And then, when the church board had to make the painful yet necessary decision to suspend

our meeting together, Cody and Ali Toms and our Praise Band found a way through technology

for our church and our services to be an online presence each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. via

Facebook. In so doing, we have not missed a Sunday of meeting together to praise the Lord

and I am grateful.

Since I’ve come back in the office, some of you have asked me how I am feeling. In the words

of our dear brother Jerry Moore, I’m feeling a whole lot better than I deserve. I am so blessed.

I know people who had the same condition I had – it’s called an AVM – and who STILL are

not able to return to work, even after as many as three years in recovery. I am grateful.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “How can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?” (I Corinthians 15:12) In my hospital bed it was Good Friday BUT Sunday was still a-comin’! And I am living, walking proof of a resurrection. Even more, whether we’re back in church or sitting in our homes in front of a computer or cell phone, we will praise God and celebrate the miraculous resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. He is the resurrection

and the life; whoever lives and believes in Him will also not perish but live for all eternity.

And for that, we can ALL be grateful!

Easter blessings to all…

Joel

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Lent is the forty days of reflection and repentance between Ash Wednesday, February 26th, and Palm Sunday, April 5.  Different traditions observe this season different ways.  Most people reflect upon Jesus’ teaching, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself/herself and follow me.”  In an effort to deny themselves, they give up something for the 40 days such as sweets, television, or some habit they’ve been wanting to break.

Giving up something can be a good discipline.  There are a few things the Bible tells us we should never give up. Prayer. Jesus told his disciples they should always pray and never give up. They should be persistent, expectant and stubbornly hopeful.

Meeting together. The author of Hebrews tells the church never to give up the practice of meeting together to encourage one another in the faith. Doing good for other people. Paul told his congregation not to become weary in doing good for at the proper time, they will reap a harvest if they don’t give up.

I hope you will plan to join your brothers and sisters every Sunday as we meet together for worship during the season of Lent.

Pastor Joel

*Don’t forget we are offering a time of prayer and reflection every Thursday throughout Lent. Click here for more information.

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November 11 was an unseasonably mild day in Chambersburg.  Kathie and I took advantage of the warmer temperatures and put strings of lights on the shrubbery in front of our house, put up the annual lawn nativity, and focused the spotlights that will illuminate the Christ Child and the wreath on our front door. 

We gave them a trial lighting that night to make sure all the bulbs from last year still work. However, we don’t intend to display them (unlike our early bird neighbors) until Thanksgiving because that’s “tradition.”  NO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS UNTIL THANKSGIVING. Were you raised that way too?  

On Saturday, November 16^th, Kathie was visiting our grandchildren and drove through the little town of Ulster, PA in Bradford County. She noticed that nearly every home along the main thoroughfare was lit up and decorated for the holidays. Some of them displayed signs saying, “Praying for you, Ariah.” “Ariah, we fight with you.” Naturally, Kathie wondered about the Hallmark appearance of Ulster and who Ariah was.

It turns out that Ariah is a seven-year old girl from Ulster who has been diagnosed with a rare childhood disease. Her prognosis, unfortunately, is not very good. Ariah loves Christmas lights. And the whole community has come together around this little girl’s passion, defying tradition and gaily lighting up the homes and streets of Ulster in support of her.

The disciple, John, said that in Jesus is life and the light of that life shines in the darkness. It will not be timid; it will not be hidden; it will not take “no” for an answer. (John 1:4-5) The facts are, when the Light of the World came, he upended the traditional thinking of the day, being born in a stable, announcing his presence to a ragtag group of shepherds and living to love and serve the broken, sick and humble people that are important to God

– in other words, the Ariahs among us.

So maybe you might put up your decorations a little earlier than tradition warrants this year and let your light shine, as Jesus told his followers to do. And if anyone asks you why the rush, just tell them you’re doing it for the Lord and for Ariah this year.

Advent blessings!

Pastor Joel

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 If you have food in the refrigerator,

clothes on your back, a roof over

your head and a place to sleep, you

are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have some money in the bank,

in your wallet, and spare change in

a dish, you are among the top 8% of

the world’s wealthy.

If you woke up with more health than

illness, you are more blessed than the

million who will not survive this week.

If you can attend worship without fear

of harassment, arrest, torture or death,

you are more blessed than 3 billion

people in the world.

If you are reading this, you are more

blessed than over 2 billion people in

the world that cannot read at all.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because while the majority could do this, most do not.

Happy Thanks-giving!   

Pastor Joel

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