Well, as I mentioned on Sunday, it’s time for me take some time to refresh and recharge my body, soul, and spirit. Mark 6:31 “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
So, although I will not be traveling to far off and exotic lands, I will be taking some extended time out of the office and out of the pulpit. It’s something I’ve been planning to do for some months now, having talked to both pastors and deacons about it. The biggest reason I didn’t announce it to the whole church sooner, is that I don’t think it’s right or spiritually healthy for members to decide if they will be faithful to our worship on the basis on who is doing the preaching. This is especially true when we have so many excellent preachers and teachers within the ministry team. So, you will be in good hands the Sundays I am gone, very good hands.

Last week our teens, along with many willing adults, joined together for a home mission’s project to renovate the youth room. It was a wonderful success. Lots of kids, lots of adults, lots of work, lots of progress, lots of fun, lot’s of healthy interaction, and lots of hope about future ministry characterized the week. Under PT2′s leadership, the team came together, worked together, and got more done and done faster than they had planned. Oh, and no injuries a band aid wouldn’t fix! Praise the Lord! Thank you to all of you who helped, gave, and prayed! It was really quite a wonderful thing to see.

This week has just begun with the first day of Vacation Bible School. So far the registration is up and right now there are around 250 kids having a great time singing, playing, hearing Bible stories…hearing the gospel. It’s really great to see. Please keep all the men and women serving in this year’s VBS in your prayers this week. Keep praying for the gospel to transform hearts this week. Also, please pray for our mission’s team heading to Peru on Friday. They will be serving with Stan and Ruth Templeton in a new church plant in Lima.

Oh, and please keep praying for the young men who are right now or just about to be engaged in military training and service. Tim Severance is off to the Air Force Academy. Bobby Will, Bob Plank, and our son Stephen are at Fort Lewis in Washington State for ROTC training. Nate Bergey is in basic training. Briggs Faucette and Tyler Bradshaw left for the Marines yesterday. Dave Hunsberger leaves for service this week and Evan Youtz leaves in a couple of weeks. You know that these young men and their families will be very grateful for your prayer support.

Well, have a great time worshipping together this week. I REALLY HATE missing Sunday services here, but I’ll be back! That’s a promise or a warning J!

In Him,

P. Tim

I find myself again reading through one of my most favorite sections of scripture. I assume it must be one of my favorites, because every time I come to it in my “through the Bible” reading, I always read more, read longer, unintentionally. The story line or lines still seem to captivate my attention, after all these years. In a “farewell” kind of address, Samuel reminds Israel of their sin in asking for a king. Then he encourages them to confess their sin and move on in an obedient walk with the Lord. He gives both a negative and positive motivation to them, to us.

1 Samuel 12:21-24 “²¹ And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty… ²⁴ Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”

I found these encouragements clear, concise, direct, and well…very encouraging…particularly because I am daily in the same situation…needing to confess my sin and move on in obedience. Clearly these verses provide food for thought!

I’d like to share some prayer requests with you that are on my heart. I’d like to encourage you to join me in praying for a few of our young men who are undergoing military training in Washington state, connected to their ROTC training. Bobby Will is there now. Bob Plank will be going. Our son Stephen leaves on Tuesday for a month of training. My prayer for these men, for my son, is that God keeps them physically and spiritually safe, that they will grow personally and spiritually through this challenge.

This also reminds me to keep praying for the Nathan Oatman, who has just begun his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Please pray for the youth home missions project next week, as our teens, parents, and others join in to totally renovate the youth room, preparing it as a more effective tool for outreach to community teens, especially those attending North Penn right behind us. Please pray for our summer VBS, particularly as an outreach into our community. Please pray of the HVAC fund. Please pray for our ministry to children and teens at Camp Calvary as well.

Well, there is a lot to pray about. This is only a “short-list”, but thanks for joining with me. See you Sunday, the Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim

Well, hello from the sunny Jersey Shore. Our family vacation is going very well…a lot of fun, food, noise, beach, boardwalk, grandkids, and laughter. Rest…not so much. I’m not complaining, it’s been great. It is my personal tradition to get up early, head to the Ocean City Coffee Company on the boardwalk, get coffee, and the spend time reading and praying. I was reminded today that even though there is great joy in family, great refreshment in walking in the surf along the ocean, the greatest joy, the greatest refreshment, the greatest source of clarity is His wonderful Word. It’s absolutely unique in that way. His Word is never changing, while always changing us, never out of power, never out of wisdom, never out of date (although sometimes out of style), never out of place.

Well, we’ll see you Sunday, the Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim

Well, tomorrow my family and I are going on our annual “week at the shore” vacation. Steph, Frank, and the kids won’t be in this year, since they are in the middle of moving into the new house in Bolingbrook, IL. Joe, Sarah, and all are driving in from Indianapolis, so with them plus Tim, Dana, and all, and Derek, Sharon, and baby Ansley, and also Stephen and Rebecca…well, it will be a house full! My wife loves the beach and I love getting together with family to laugh and eat! So, it’s a win, win. It’s a great time with family. It’s lots of fun…very little rest…but lots of noise and lots of fun.

Pastor Troy will be leading in the observance of the Lord’s Supper this Sunday Morning. Sunday evening there is a choir and orchestra concert that should be a time of great blessing and encouragement. Then summer is upon us, with vacations, camps, summer projects, missions trips, picnics, gardening, and yard work. I do pray that you plan and actually take time to invest in your relationships this summer. Beginning with your relationship to Christ, family, church family, coworkers, and neighbors, it all requires some TLC, some “weeding and watering”, but pays priceless dividends in the long run…especially eternity.

Please pray about our upcoming special offering for the HVAC on June 12. As you know the heating and air conditioning units on the main auditorium have served us long and well, but at last are on their last leg. We voted as a church to go ahead and replace them, praying for God’s provision through the generous and sacrificial giving of His people. We should not just expect Him to provide, but ask Him to glorify Himself in meeting this need. Please keep this in prayer.

Well, I’ll see you all in a week or so, Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim