PAGE 8- THE FOREST CITY NEWS, FOREST CITY, PA 18421 * WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016* PHONE 570-785-3800 * email fcnews@nep.net

“Faith Matters”

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The Susquehanna County Recreation Center Project is holding its first formal fundraising event enti-tled “The SCRC Mystical Masquerade Ball” on October 29, 2016 at Heart Lake Lodge in Scott Township. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the development and construction of a large nonprofit sports center and meeting facility in Susquehanna County. The vision of this project is to meet the well-ness needs of Susquehanna County families. This will include the focus of fitness and social togetherness as well as the promotion of healthy activities and behaviors in a state of the art and welcoming environ-ment. Formal masquerade attire encouraged the evening of the ball. Cocktail hour begins at 6:00 p.m. and dinner, music, dancing and innovative auctioneering/fundraising will follow. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit suscorec.org. Committee members left to right are: Andrea Sanders; Bobbi Jo Turner; Lacie Jagger; Patty Pass (chair); Ashley Kilmer; Mindy Bennett; Alicia Beardsley.

Formal Gala Planned to Benefit Susq. Co. Recreation Center

God Bless Americaby Rev. Jay BestAfter having attended a number

of July public events celebrating the our Independence Day, remem-bering the horrific events that took place fifteen years ago on Septem-ber 11, and now watching the all too recent bombing events unfold in New York City and New Jersey, it seems many people regard the song “God Bless America” more reverentially then ever before. The song’s simple but prayerful lyrics cause great devotion in the hearts and minds of those who stand to sing it. We need God’s guidance just as much as we ever did, if not more. And, while we ask God’s blessing on our nation, we need to remind ourselves of the motivations of those who courageously set the foundations of our nation.

Our first President and Com-mander-In-Chief of the Continental Army, General George Washing-ton, declared, “…it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” Washington recognized that there was a connec-tion between national conduct and God’s oversight. Due to several na-tional crises at the time, he declared in his presidential 1789 Thanksgiv-ing Proclamation, “We beseech [God] to pardon our national and other transgressions…”

Our second President, John Adams, carried this idea forward when he wrote, “As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protec-tion and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowl-edgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him,… under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country demands at this time a special attention from its in-habitants.” Adams was perhaps the most qualified to speak to the issues facing the new nation and its founding principles for he was not only elected President, but he also was a leading voice of the American Revolution, a signer of the Declara-tion of Independence, and a framer of both our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He went on to state, “The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human gov-ernment upon the first precepts of Christianity”, a statement that today would be seen as “politi-cally incorrect” at best and highly insensitive to other religions at worst.

Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Continental Army Surgeon General wrote “The only foun-dation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without vir-tue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.”

Our third President, Thomas Jefferson, wary of unsettling and divisive issues occurring within the fledgling nation wrote “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice can-not sleep forever.” Remember that it was Jefferson who drafted the Declaration of Independence. Who would know better the intent of our earliest important documents than those who were among those who drafted them?

James Madison, framer of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, as well as being the fourth Presi-

dent, wrote most convincingly, “We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our politi-cal constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern our-selves according to the moral prin-ciples of the Ten Commandments.” As the framer of the Constitution, should not the thoughts of the au-thor guide our thinking today?

President Abraham Lincoln, arguably our greatest President, who guided our Nation through its most traumatic national crisis, relied upon the principles of the Bible for his own life as well as his adminis-tration of the office of president. He wrote, “In regards to this great Book [the Bible], I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are found por-trayed in it.” Following that he wrote, “And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overrul-ing power of God … and to recog-nize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” Lincoln astutely observed, “Intelligence, patriotism, Christian-ity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficul-ties.” His observation is as valid today as it was then. Will we pay attention to his observation?

This repeating foundational con-viction by the early national leaders that divine providence and human governance must have a conscien-tious connection without which de-struction is imminent is referenced again and again down through our history until only of late.

It is a credit to the United States Senate that it implored the Civil War President not to act only as Presi-dent but as national Pastor as well: “Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Su-preme Authority and just Govern-ment of Almighty God, in all the af-fairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for

National prayer and humiliation.” It must be noted that it was shortly after this day of National prayer and humiliation that the tide of the war turned toward the eventual re-unit-ing of the States under “Old Glory”. Was this just coincidence or divine providence?

President Ronald Reagan, twice elected President declared, “I be-lieve with all my heart that stand-ing up for America means standing up for God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him on the shelf in our day to day living.”

There is a very strong founda-tional understanding in our na-tional historical consciousness--rec-ognition that a righteous connection to God and His laws brings bless-ing to our citizens and nation and that un-connection brings disaster. The Bible clearly states: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12) “Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:10).

Every structure and institution must have a solid foundation. Re-moval of the foundation portends disaster and destruction. Our own history adequately proves that the spiritual foundation that was Amer-ica’s was its greatest strength. All other blessings that provided for its well-being flowed from it.

So when we sing “God Bless America”, let us truly hear the words we are singing. We are imploring God to stand with our Nation (“Stand beside her”), But are we standing with Him? (“And guide her”) Are we paying at-tention to God’s guidance in His Word? (“Through the night with the light from above.”) Jesus is the Light of the world. Are we looking to Him as our standard of conduct?

The glory of America is its foun-dation centered in our awareness of God’s providence and our depen-dence upon Him. It will only do us well when we reclaim that heritage. God bless America.

Rev. Jay Best is the Pastor of Community Bible Church, Route 107, Heart Lake Road, Jermyn. Look for the three crosses! Sunday services are at 10:30 a.m. www.facebook.com/CBCGreenfieldT-wp.PA

Michelle McLain ArtistryCustom Artwork

Photographs into paintings. Bedrooms and murals. Freshening and touch-ups on signs and ornaments.

Landscapes, portraits, pets, and others. View some of her portfolio at Facebook page M. Jaconia McLain Artistry.

Message or call 570-280-5135.

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Dan and Jacklyn DelPrete, of Dalton, are excited to an-nounce the birth of their son. Jacklyn is a former resident of Forest City and a 2009 gradu-ate of Forest City Regional High School.

Jack Thomas DelPrete was born at 9:09 PM on August 24, 2016 at Robert Packer Hospi-tal in Sayre, PA. He weighed 7 pounds at birth and was 20 inches long. This is the first child for both parents.

The maternal grandparents are Mark and Susan Smith of Springville, but formerly of Forest City.

The paternal grandparents are Paul and Andrene DelPrete of Scranton.

Dime Bank declares dividend

The Board of Directors of Dimeco, Inc. (OTC Pink: DIMC) declared a dividend on September 15, 2016 of $0.38 per share to shareholders of record September 30, 2016. The divi-dend is payable on October 24, 2016, the anticipated date to release earnings for the third quarter of 2016. Maintaining the dividend at a level of $0.38 per share produced a yield of 3.71% at the market value of $41.00 on September 15, 2016.

St. John’s tohold sale Oct. 8

St. John’s Orthodox Church in Dundaff (off Route 247) is holding an ethnic food sale on Saturday, Oct. 8, along with a flea market, farmers market, bake sale and Or-thodox Auction. The ethnic food will feature halushki, holupki, pagach, pierogies and potato pan-cakes until sold out. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information or to place an order, please call 570-955-8758.

As you all know, high school students, especially students with disabilities, can have a difficult time transi-tioning from high school to the real world. Forest City Regional, Wayne Highlands, Western Wayne, and Wallen-paupack school districts along with the Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Develop-mental Programs and Early Intervention have joined to-gether to form a Transition Coalition to support meeting these needs across counties.

On Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 9:00-1:15, the Tran-sition Coalition invites you to participate in the Transition Expo with students and their parents at Ladore Lodge in Waymart as we address the changes that face students as they enter the adult world. The “Transition Expo” will include a keynote speaker, break-out sessions, and a pro-vider forum all focusing on independent living, post- sec-ondary education, and em-ployment.

This year’s keynote speaker is Brad Kilmeyer who will present “Write to Dream”, you can find more informa-tion at BradKillmeyer.com.

Parents are invited to at-tend, however, they need to contact Sandy Morahan at the school (570-785-2420) to RSVP.

Vendors include:1.Lackawanna College2. Fortis Institute3. Luzerne County Com-

munity College4. Johnson College5. SOAR & Lackawanna

College Turning Point6. NEIU #197. Keystone College8. Northeast Highway Safe-

ty Commission9. Wayne Memorial Hospi-

tal10. Center for Independent

Living11. Wayne County Cham-

ber of Commerce12. Victims Intervention

Program13. Heroin Prevention Task

Force14. Wayne County Drug

and Alochol15. YMCA16. Wayne County Library17. Psychological Rehabili-

tation 18. Woodloch Resort

19. Settlers Inn20. Pike Co. Employment

and Training21. Wayne Co. Employment

and Training22. IGA23. Office of Vocational Re-

habilitation24. McDonald’s25. Community Vocational

Services26. Devereux Inc.27. Fitzmaurice28. Human Resource Center29. Educational Opportu-

nity Center30. Wayne County Trans-

portation31. Parent to Parent: PA32. Wayne County Aging/

LINK (employment opportu-nities)

33. Home Instead Senior Care (employment opportuni-ties)

34. Fair Hill Farms35. Penn State Worthington

Scranton36. Northampton Commu-

nity College38. Universal Technical In-

stitute 39. Wayne County Employ-

ment Coalition

Transition Expo at Ladore Lodge Thurs., October 6