Sunday, February 8, 2004 Tue POST 1 rch & Community PASTOR'S CORNER Pastor Mary Ann Kotch River Of Life Fellowship Doin’ the stuff A story in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reported on the brief life of Al McHugh. McHugh was a recovering alcoholic who reached out to help rescue other alcoholics from the murky world of drug dependency. A one-time drifter, McHugh was a broken man when he arrived in Wilkes-Barre 14 years ago. With his arrival he brought along the only baggage he had: alcoholism. Believ- ing that all souls are special and must not ever be abandoned, the Salvation Army came to his rescue. They welcomed him be- cause they were “doin’ the same stuff that Jesus did,” loving their neighbor. Even after several set-backs, McHugh be- gan to physically and emotionally prosper under the roof of the “Army.” His life began to show promise. Under their guidance and encouragement he ventured out and helped other alcoholics. Other lives were soon im- pacted and transformed by his work. He may not have considered himself a disciple of any sort, nevertheless, his actions proved - otherwise. Because he reached out to help others, he was “doin’ the stuff” that Jesus did. Today’s society has a tendency to treat those they deem unlovable as lepers. But by biblical example we are instructed to love the unlovable and to heal the leper, not shun them. In Mark 12:31-32 the bible says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength. Secondly, love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus clearly tells us that “we will do the same things that He did and even greater than these.” Doin’ the stuff that Jesus did means bringing healing to the sick. It means feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, vis- iting the prisoner, giving a ¢up of water to the thirsty. All of these actions can manifest in many ways. Sometimes it means offering a simple smile, a touch, a hug, a kind word of encouragement, a visit, a phone call, a prayer. There are so many ways of caring for and loving our neighbor and it isn’t just for those who have much to give materially. It’s for everybody because everybody has some- thing to bring to the table. It involves mak- ing a quality decision and commitment. There is someone we can touch today who may need a word of encouragement — someone who needs to hear the words “I love you no matter what.” Some lonely hos- pital-bound soul who just needs to talk. . Anyone can say “I don’t have time and I have needs of my own.” My challenge to you is to begin giving in the area of your own need and then watch what God will do in your life. God doesn’t expect perfection. He knows we never will reach that point. But trying and making an effort is what he does expect. “Doin’ the stuff” that Jesus did will fill your life to overflowing just as it did in the life of Al McHugh. In the 58th chapter of Isaiah we have a roadmap of what we must do if we are about doin’ the same stuff Jesus did. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wander- er with shelter... when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood.” and Aileen Ginocchetti. community. Brook, Inc., 823-1171. p.m. A service celebrating Christian Unity will be held Sunday, February 22 at 3 p.m. at St. Therese’s Roman Catholic Church on PioneerAvenue in Shavertown. The serv- ice, sponsored by the Back Mountain Ministerium, will feature a homily by Chap- lain Michael Bryant from College Misericordia and a combined choir directed by Rev. Charles Grube. All are welcome. Pictured from left to right: Rev. Peter Crynes, Rev. Jan Clark, Rev. Charles Grube, St. Paul’s Sunday School schedules Valenti ne’s Breakfast St. Paul’s Sunday School will hold a Valentine’s Day Breakfast on Sunday, February 8 at 9:45 a.m. in the social hall. The church will be helping families that have children attending St. Paul's Head Start Center. All are welcome to attend. Fine Arts Series continues in March Shavertown United Methodist continues its Fine Arts Series on Friday March 19 when it presents the internationally-known Susquehanna University Concert Choir. In recent years the choir has performed throughout the Uidited States, Austria, England, France, Italy and Mexico. Tickets will be $5 for adults and $2 for children. ‘Families Helping Families’ “Families Helping Families,” a program offering information and support for those seek- ing answers about chemical dependency, will be meeting at St. Paul's Lutheran Church every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information call Nicholas Colangelo at Clear Dallas United Methodist Women The monthly meeting of the Dallas United Methodist Women will be held at the church on Tuesday, February 10 at noon. A hot covered dish luncheon will be shared. Immediately following lunch, a Pledge Service will be conducted and plans will be made to host The World Day of Prayer, to be at Dallas United Methodist Church on Friday, March 5, at 1:30 Send us your church news The Post would like to include every religious congregation serving the Back Mountain and Tunkhannock areas on this page. You can send news three ways: by e-mail to thepost@leader.net; by fax to 675-3650; by mail to The Post, 15 N. Main Si., Wilkes-Barre PA 18711. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesdays. New contributors are'welcome to write for the “Pastor’s Corner” column. Please call for guidelines. For more information call 675-5211. Youth Council Jr. High Winter Dance The Back Mountain Junior High Youth Council is holding a dance at the Our Lady of Vic- tory Church Hall this Friday, February 13 from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Youth in grades 6 to 8 are in- vited to attend. Cost is $3. Music will be by Mark “Mr. DJ” Jones. Donations of new mit- tens, gloves, scarves and hats will be accepted at the door for homeless children in the Dallas Baptist Route 415, Dallas Sunday School for all ba- bies to adult, 9:15 a.m.; wor- ship service, 10:30 a.m; adult choir practice, 5 p.m.; children’s choir practice, 6 p.m. February 11, Fellowship dinner, 6 p.m.; prayer, 6:45 p.m.; winter Bible study, 7 p.m. Dallas United Methodist 4 Parsonage St., Dallas Sunday school 9 a.m; Worship service, a.m. 10:30 Grace Community Church Memorial Highway, Dal- las Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.; morning worship, 11 a.m; evening service, 6 p.m.; youth group, 6 p.m.; GEMS, 6 p.m. February 10, Ladies Bible Study, 10 a.m. February 11, A WANA February 14, Valentine Dinner, 6 p.m. February 21, Youth group tubing at Big Boulder and Jack Frost Idetown United Methodist Idetown Rd., Lehman The Idetown Congrega- tion will be joining with their sister congregation Lehman UMC at Lehman through March 2004 for Worship services and Christ- ian Education on Sundays. _ The Idetown Church is not closed, only joining with Lehman for these months as we journey on as the church of Jesus Christ and please note the times for worship and Sunday School under Lehman Methodist below. Lehman United Methodist Drive, 1011 Mt. View Lehman Sunday worship, 10:30 a.m; Sunday school for pre- school through adult, 9:30 a.m. 2nd and 4th Sundays, youth group at 7:30. Mt. Zion ; United Methodist Mt. Zion Rd, Harding Prince of Peace Episcopal 420 Main St., Dallas CHURCH NOTES Sunday service and Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m.; Christian education and youth choir practice, 9 a.m.; Holy Eu- charist/Sunday School, 10 a.m. February 10, Daughters of the King, 7 p.m. February 11, Healing Ser- vice, 12:10 p.m. Home Eucharist/ potluck dinner, 6 p.m. at Sutton’s home. Shavertown United Methodist 163 North Pioneer Ave. Shavertown Prayer time Wednesdays, 7-7:15 p.m. St. Luke’s Reformation Lutheran Tunkhannock Rd., Noxen Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; church service, 11 am. St. Paul’s Lutheran RR 4 Box 627A (off of 118), Dallas Saturday Evening Service at 5:30 weekly. Sunday serv- ice, 8:30 and 11 am. Tuesdays, A.A. meetings at 7:30 p.m. St. Therese’s Catholic Church 64 Davis Street, Shaver- town. Married couples’ night away, February 20 and 21. February 27-29, Interna- tional Student Leadership Weekend for 9-12th grade students. For more info., Call Denise at 696-1144. Trinity Presbyterian 105 Irem Rd., Dallas Saturday evening services will not be held until Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Sunday school, 9:30 a.m., Sunday worship, 11 a.m., February 14, Men’s break- fast, 9:30 a.m. February 18, Women of Trinity luncheon, noon. February 21, Dinner with friends, 6 p.m. Trucksville United Methodist 40 Knob Hill Rd, Trucksville Sunday Services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages are held at the Edu- cational Facility on Sundays, 9:45-10:45. Send your news to The Post by e-mail. thepost@leader.net The Dallas Post. Call 1-800-273-7130 For Local Pros SPIRITUALIST CLAIRVOYANT CARD READER ADVISOR All problems of life. Reunite the separated. Other readings available. $5.00 Off With Ad Candles Oils Aromatherapy 451-1773 Back Mountain Auto Specialists | 149 N. 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