First Presbyterian Church of Towanda

5 Court St., Towanda PA 18848

570-265-5575

Email - fpchurch@comcast.net

Website - www.fpctowanda.com

Facebook - Fans of First Presbyterian Church

FROM PASTOR RACHEL...

With the coming of September, many of our ministries are gearing up again, and others are starting

new. Here’s what’s going on, so you can get involved and bring a friend to take part, too!

Flourishing Disciples has been presented throughout the summer . Take your faith to the next

level by engaging in materials that evaluate your individual spiritual strengths and needs. This begins Sept.

8 at 11:30, and then meets Oct. 6, Nov. 1-2, and once more in January. You will be blessed, and bless oth-

ers, by taking part.

The 5th Quarter is serving Towanda youth after home football games for the 9th season. The

remaining dates are Sept. 6 & 20 and Oct. 4. Please see Craig Wollenberg to learn how you can pitch in.

Our monthly Community Dinners will resume on Tuesday, September 17, with a cookout. Come at

5:30 and be sure to invite a coworker, neighbor, or friend so they can be introduced to our congregation. If

you’d like to help with cooking, serving, or cleanup, please contact Danise Fairchild. Future dates are Oct.

15, Thanksgiving Day, and Dec. 17.

Cornerstone Presbytery will have its fall gathering at Grace Ridge Church, Honesdale, Septem-

ber 27-28. Come for Friday and Saturday, or just one day. Our guest speaker is national ECO leader Nate

Dreesman, who will be sharing about leadership development in our congregations. Please talk with Pastor

Rachel for details about attending.

These are just some of the ways you can grow in

faith and be involved in our ministries. Do you need to

do it all? Of course not. But everyone needs to pitch in

and contribute. The Body of Christ is strongest when

each and every one of us uses our gifts, loves one another

practically, and grows in knowledge of the Lord. Be sure

to do your part!

You’re Invited to a Party!

On September 21 from 5 to 7:30, please

come to Patterson Hall for a birthday

party. Pastor Rachel is turning 50! There

will be a light meal and of course, cake.

Instead of a gift, please make a donation to

Grace Connection, Hezekiah’s Hands, or

TACO. Please RSVP to Cathy Guffey at

cdjm@frontiernet.net by September 9.

Fall Sermon Series About Worship

On September 8, Pastor Rachel will be starting a sermon series about worship. Until the

beginning of Advent, we will be thinking about what worship is, and is not. We will consider

what God’s Word tells us about genuine

worship, and how we can worship 7 days a

week. We will also consider why our congre-

gation worships the way it does, and what

church architecture has to do with worship. If

there is a topic or question you would like

Pastor Rachel to include in these sermons,

please let her know!

THE MONDAY NIGHT WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY will

resume its meetings on September 9 from

6:30-7:30. All ladies are

welcome! When we

meet the first time,

we’ll choose what study

we prefer. Please

contact Pastor Rachel if

you have any questions.

September Birthdays

3 - Carisma Howard

4 - Dawn Terascavage

9 - Virginia McPherson

11 - Bob Cooper

13 - Jerry Young

15 - Susan Hall

16 - Brynleigh Carey, Chuck Chenot

17 - Joyce Hinkson

19 - Linda Hall Smith

21 - Pastor Rachel, Allison Fairchild

24 - Patrick Walsh

25 - Sandy Walsh

28 - Judy Parmenter

June 30, 2019

First Presbyterian Church

5 Court St

Towanda, PA 18848-1801

Dear First Presbyterian Church,

I am writing to let you know that after 49 and 37 years respectively of successful ministry, Jim and Joan Farr have now

retired from Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc. On behalf of all Jim and Joan's colleagues in Wycliffe USA, I want to express

our deep gratitude for your involvement with them through the years with your prayers, financial investments and

encouragement. Your support has sustained and encouraged them in this ministry.

We thank the Lord for Jim & Joan and for their significant contribution to the work of Bible translation. Jim completed

two New Testaments in the Korafe and Baruga languages and, along with his first wife Cindi (deceased), a number of

linguistic papers. He served as Associate Director of the branch and as a translation consultant and workshop leader. In

Joan's work with the Kombio people, she published Matthew and Jonah, directed the drafting of lectionary readings

and audio recordings. After marrying Jim, she oversaw adult literacy and audio recordings for the Barugas and taught

many Papua New Guineans in yearly translation training courses.

Jim and Joan will be living in a retirement village in the Orlando area and look forward to developing new interests and

relationships as well as spending more time with kids and grandkids. Jim wants to learn Spanish and perhaps tutor local

children. Joan is looking for opportunities to do some teaching or tutoring/spiritual direction or prayer ministry.

Jim and Joan are grateful that the Lord has blessed them financially. Their resources will provide ample retirement

income. Therefore, the Farrs urge you to continue to partner in Bible translation through other channels. Donor Rela-

tions will be happy to put you in touch with other missionaries whose Wycliffe ministries need additional financial part-

ners. They can be found at www.wycliffe.org/donate or by contacting Donor Relations at 407-852-3600.

Please join us in prayer for Jim and Joan as they make this major transition. Thank you again for the significant role

you've played in making their ministry possible, and for the progress this has meant in providing God's Word to all peo-

ple. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Stuckey at 706-816-4995 or senior_benefits orlando@wycliffe.org.

Warmly in Christ,

Dr. John Chesnut

President/CEO

Wycliffe Bible Translators USA

Wycliffe

WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS PO BOX 628200

TEC 407-852-3600 FAX 407-852-3601

ORCANDO, 32862-8200 wycliffe.org

NOW IS THE TIME to buy flip flops at the dollar

stores for Operation Christmas Shoe Box. A large range

of sizes are needed (child to adult). This is a popular item

to pack each year.

ALSO…be on the lookout for good deals on school

supplies. These are also needed!

Prayer Items: Day of Prayer Sept. 4

For children and teachers as they return to school -- may they do their best, be

safe, and grow strong in mind and body

For our ministries that are beginning, or beginning again, to honor God, grow us

in faith, and inspire us to tell others about salvation through our Lord Jesus. May

many of us take part, and not be pew potatoes.

For our church leadership to be energized, have God’s wisdom and courage, and

be persistent in serving Him with enthusiasm.

For the children, teens, and their families we will minister to this school year--

may their hearts be touched by the Holy Spirit, and trust in Jesus.

For each of us to love and serve our neighbors, coworkers, family, and friends as

humble representatives of our Lord Jesus. Let’s pray for them regularly, and seek

out ways to show them kindness.

The following books have been donated to the library:

Autopsy of a Deceased Church, by Thom Rainer

Get Real: Sharing Your Everyday Faith Everyday by John S. Leonard

Additions include:

The Baggage Handler, by David Rawlings

Hope in the Dark, by Craig Groeschel

Heaven on Earth series by Ruth Reid

SACRIFICE=JOY God has bestowed upon some Christians the spiritual gift of giving. They often begin by sacrificing something dear to their hearts to express their love for their Savior. But the more they give to their church, missions, or to meet the needs of others, the more God provides! It be-comes a “vicious” circle, and the more God provides for them to give back to Him, the more joy they experience in giving. By the end of his life, one man, R. G. LeTourneau, was giving 90 per-cent of his income to the Lord!

Some of us with other spiritual gifts struggle to give, however. We may fall into one of the first four levels below:

1) The TIP level. Those who give a few dollars as they would tip a waitress or a parking at-tendant, just a little token of appreciation for the Lord.

2) The ENTERTAINMENT level. Those who give only when they come to church, as if they were attending a ball game or a concert.

3) The EMOTIONAL level. Those who give only when emotionally stirred, according to their feelings.

4) The PROMISE level. Those who promise between themselves and the Lord that they will give, but sometimes forget their promise.

5) The BIBLICAL level. Those who give tithes and offering as the Bible teaches—cheerfully, sacri-ficially, regularly—and find great joy in giving.

Even as King of Israel, David was aware of God’s authority over him, and knew he should honor that authority with sacrificial giving. In 2 Samuel 24:24, when he was offered property at no cost to use for worship, he refused, saying, “Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.”

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).

—K.E. Horsley

September Scripture Readers

1 - Jerry Young

8 - Lynn Homet

15 - Steve Homet

22 - Pearl Fox

29 - Jack Fox

September Greeters

1 - Cynthia Young

8 - Jack & Pearl Fox

15 - Lois Smith

22 - Robert Cooper

29 - Dave & Cathy Guffey

Growth as a Worshiper

Since Pastor Rachel is beginning a sermon series about worship, let’s get our minds and hearts “in the

mood” by thinking about how you and I worship now, and how we might grow to worship the Lord more

meaningfully. Steven J. Cole offers 7 practical ideas on how to grow as a true worshiper.

1. Make sure that you truly believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. You don’t worship to gain

eternal life; you worship because God has given you eternal life. Worship is your response after you have

believed by God’s grace through Christ’s atoning death on your behalf.

2. Establish a daily time alone with God in the Word and in prayer. I cannot over-emphasize this. Wor-

ship is your response to the truth that God has revealed in His Word. Prayer is a response to the truth of

the Word. Without spending consistent time alone with the Lord, your soul will shrivel up. You won’t wor-

ship.

3. Eliminate all of the garbage from the world that hinders your growth in worshiping God. The world

is constantly competing for our worship. It bombards us daily through media. If a TV show or movie defiles

you or crowds out your daily time with the Lord, cut it out. If the computer gobbles up your time, you’ve

got to restrict it. If you’re yielding to the temptation to view porn on your computer, you’re in serious spir-

itual trouble (Matt. 5:27-30)! You cannot glorify God with your body unless you flee from immorality (1 Cor.

6:18-20). You’ve got to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7), because true worship is

inseparable from godliness.

4. Prepare your heart Saturday night for corporate worship on Sunday morning. I have an advantage

on you, in that to survive in the pulpit on Sundays, I have to prepare my heart Saturday evenings. I don’t go

to social events on Saturday evenings. I’m not suggesting that you do as I do in that regard, but I am sug-

gesting that you should get home early enough to spend some time before the Lord, making sure that your

heart is right with Him and praying that He would be honored by our worship as we gather on Sunday.

5. Put away distractions on Sunday mornings, and don’t be a distraction to other worshipers. Don’t

read the bulletin during singing or the sermon. If you have a medical condition that requires you to use the

restroom during the worship service, sit near the back and on an aisle so you don’t disturb others. If you’re

thirsty, you can wait until the service is over to get a drink. If your child is a distraction to others, take him

to the nursery or out of the service.

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6. Ignore others around you and remember that God is the audience. There is a balance here. We

should feel free to express our love to God outwardly without worrying about what others think of us. David

danced before the Lord even though it embarrassed his wife, but God sided with David (2 Sam. 6:14-23). On

the other hand, if you’re so demonstrative that you’re distracting others and calling attention to yourself,

you’re out of balance. “All things must be done properly and in an orderly manner” (1 Cor. 14:40).

7. Spend time worshiping God in His creation. If you live in a big city, you’ll have to work harder at this

than we who live in beautiful Flagstaff do. But wherever you are, pay attention to what God has made: the

night sky with its stars; the sun to warm the day and give light (Ps. 19:1-6); the flowers, the birds, the butter-

flies, and even the bugs; your body, which is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). In Romans 1:18-21,

Paul indicts ungodly people who have ignored the evidence of the Creator that is all around them in His crea-

tion. Their sin was that they did not honor God or give thanks. In other words, they didn’t worship the Crea-

tor. But that’s our ultimate priority!

What are some worldly influences that choke out worship in your life? How should you deal with

them?

Complete this sentence: If truly worshiping God is my priority, my daily schedule must change by ….

Pray for the Lord’s guidance and discipline to make this a reality.

From bible.org, August 11, 2013

COMING IN SEPTEMBER...

“I depend on God to save me and to honor

me. He is my mighty rock and my place of

safety.” Psalm 62:7

Superheroes will be the theme for KIDS CLUB from

September through May! Each week kids will look at

an aspect of being a superhero and learn that God is

our ultimate superhero.

Sometimes superheroes do great

things. Other times it’s the little things

that make them super. Big and small

things add up to a life that honors God

and allows us to some super things for

others.

to KIDS CLUB on Wednesday, September 18!

6-7:30pm

S.W.A.G. also begins Wednesday, September 18 from 6-7:30pm Kids in grades 6th through 8th are invited to celebrate life and connect with God through great music, laughter, fun games and challenging messages from God’s Word.

Adult Sunday School will start Sunday,

September 15 at 11:30am.

The DeWitt Room class will begin the fall w ith Eternity Is Now in Session,

a five week study by John Ortberg and Gary Moon. What does it really mean to be

saved? Many people think “being saved” is about meeting the

minimum entrance requirements for getting into heaven when

they die. But that’s not how Jesus talked about it. In fact,

Jesus defines “eternal life” only once, with great precision,

and in a way that has been largely lost in our day.

Filmed on location in Israel in cooperation with the Dallas

Willard Center, the Eternity Is Now in Session curriculum thoroughly explores Je-

sus’ definition of eternal life and what it really means to be a disciple of Christ.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX PROJECT Every

fall the KIDS CLUB children participate in packing boxes for Operation Christmas

Child. Monetary donations are the most helpful!