367 Walnut Street Howard, PA 16841

Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Charles Salmon, Minister to Senior Adults

Phone: (814) 625-2764

www.howardchristianchurch.org

May 2013

chuck@howardchristianchurch.org

Faith and Fish

I guess it’s just a coincidence the beginning of the fishing season and the deadline for filing tax returns are so close together. April 13th the Trout season began and two days later was the last day for filing income tax returns. I can imagine some conflicts arose. Some may have missed opening day to work on tax returns. Others may be late filing because of prior commitments with the fish. Did you know there is recorded in the life of Jesus an event connecting fish and taxes? Oh, yeah, Jesus paid taxes, too. Does that make you feel better about it? Me neither! The story appears in the 17th chapter of Matthew. Simon Peter is asked by tax collectors if his Master paid taxes. Jesus’ response is recorded in verse 27: "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." What powerful demonstration of faith! Imagine the faith required for Peter to just do what Jesus said. Faith in Jesus always involves absolute confidence in His ability to do what He says He will do. Personally, I would love to meet a professional fishing guide who could not only tell you where to fish but could also know which fish you would catch. I doubt such a person exists. Even if he did, it would be a real stretch of faith to believe him. Furthermore, what if Peter had doubted Jesus and had not done as instructed? There would have been no fish and no money to pay the taxes. The point is: faith in Jesus involves both confidence and obedience. At the end of a chapter devoted to the practical aspects of faith, James the Apostle sums it all up in these words, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” May I ask, how has your faith affected the way you live? What are you doing for God and your fellow man to express your faith in action? Is yours a working faith? If not, I urge you to make it a matter of study and prayer for God to show you practical ways to express your faith. You will be blessed.

– Bro. Chuck

May Birthdays

1 Harold McKivison 2 Marie Fishburn 2 Shawnee Gardner 2 Debra Ponish 3 Nicholas Carlson 3 Wendy Gioftsidis 4 Linda Davis 5 Laureen Knepp 6 Karlie Travis 7 Emma Lou Andrews 8 Trey Fishburn 10 Rachel Brand 10 Brinlee Snyder 11 Shannon Gall 11 Emily Gates 12 Walt Geidroc 13 Jessica Fishburn 16 Brooke Charney 16 Eleanor McClintick 21 Jaime Frazier 22 Claudia Irvin 22 Ron Litz 22 Shirley Strunk 23 Dylan Womer 24 Sarah Holter 25 Hannah Bryan 25 Tammy Whitehill 26 Owen Irvin 28 Thomas Beck 29 Carol Myers 30 Ethan Ardner 31 Matthew Crager

May Anniversaries

5 Mike & Traci Beck 15 Curt & Sondra Kader 16 Kevin & Darla Johnson 18 Lynn & Beverly Tice 19 Irv & Sara Hoy 28 Jeff & Betsy Snyder 31 Jeff & Becky Holter

Please call the church office with any additions or corrections.

ATTENDANCE & OFFERING

Worship S.S. Offering Mar. 24 127 67 $3,352.75 Mar. 31 186 71 $4,685.50 Apr. 7 134 n/a $3,806.00 Apr. 14 152 75 $4,436.25

2013 Avg. 137 64 $3,944.70 (Weekly Need $4,531.87)

The Women’s Ministry is holding a Yard Sale on

Friday & Saturday, May 3rd & 4th to raise funds for

the benevolence fund. If you have items you would

like to donate for the sale, please bring them to the

church by April 28th.

In conjunction with the Yard Sale, there will also be a Hot Dog/Bake

Sale to raise funds for the Youth missions trip this summer. We are in

need of donations of baked goods, hot dogs and rolls and condiments.

Food items can be delivered to the church Thursday evening.

Wednesday Night End-of-the-Year

Celebration

May 1 7:00 p.m.

Sylvan Hills Ropes

Facilitator Training

May 18

9:00 a.m.

Contact Chris Miller at

814-355-5652 or

Millerchris86@gmail.com

Please submit all Information for the June newsletter to Nancy no later than Monday, May 20.

LIFELINE SCREENING

May 28, 2013

Howard Christian Church

Prayer List

Immediate Requests

Minister search Charles Aber, Jr-health problems Don Aber-medication Francis Askey-recovery, rehab Baptist Church-safety on missions trip Charlene Cella-cancer BJ Croyle-health problems Jay Crust-seizures Laurie Eskoff-breast cancer Barbara Etters-cancer Jennifer Glossner-strength, comfort Family of Carolyn Ann Harbaugh Hannah Hetzel-newborn, heart surgery Ron Heverly-cancer, strength for family Darla Johnson-surgery, kidney failing Shirley Kellerman-breast cancer Relda Lyons-cancer, surgery, shingles Pam McKivison-tests, treatments Carol Myers-cancer Kathy Rockey-health concerns Arnie Smith-cancer John VanKirk-stroke Johnny Wadsworth-cancer Zach Woods-test results Karen Yeomans-kidney dialysis access

Ongoing Requests

Those with unspoken needs The Elders and congregation Karen Aber-cancer Emma Andrews- health/pain issues Tommy Bechdel-chemo/lung cancer Fawn Beightol-health concerns

Family of Scott Brand Ida Dyke-cancer Clair Falls- ailing health Mildred Greninger-health Betty Gustafson-rehab Shane Michles-cancer, treatment Linda Meyers-chemo Our College Students Our Troops Sarah Sloan-Crohns disease Todd Ramsey-MS Timothy Stauffer-MS Earl Thompson-recovery Jamie VanOrden-breast cancer The Woods Family Alexis Womer-health concerns Alissa Womer-health concerns

Praise God For

Jesus- Our Savior Our Church Family Our Teachers & Missionaries

Please direct Prayer Chain calls to Barb Snyder at

625-2907.

To add someone to the Prayer List contact Nancy at

the church at 625-2764.

JUNE 2

in the

Serving in the Military

Clay Ammerman Ty Ammerman James Bienvenu

Jeff Bird Brandon Brooks Gary Clark-Afghan George Cline Caleb Clouse David Corle-Iraq John Daughenbaugh Jason Etters Amanda Fishburn Tyler Fishburn Andy Frantz Jake Gates Angie Gilbert Adam Homan-Afghan Stacy Jones Jake Kerschner-Qatar Nathan Kistner Matthew Leher Brandon Maynard Mike McGuiness Joe Miller Duke Muthler James Perry Andy Phoenix-Korea John Ritter-Kuwait Kyle Robison Chris Showers Kevin Smith-Iraq Jeremy Stover– Japan Michael Stover-Kuwait Carley Thompson-Afghan Logan Thompson-Afghan TravisVan Orden-Kuwait Shane Waite Mac Walker

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Help is needed to mow the lawn around the

church. The mower and gas are provided in

the white shed. This is a great way to serve the

Church/God and many hands make light work.

Please sign up at the information wall.

In preparation of honoring our 2013 graduates,

please get names and 10-15 pictures each for any

high school graduate to either Betsy Gettig

or Nancy Fishburn by Sunday, May 26th.

Also, names and one picture

each for any college graduate.

May 11

6:00 p.m.

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID Howard PA

Permit No. 13

Howard Christian Church P.O. Box 465

Howard, PA 16841

CENTRAL PA

CHRISTIAN MEN’S

NIGHT OUT

AT SYLVAN HILLS

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

SPEAKER: DR PAUL WILLIAMS

THEME: CRAZY LOVE

REGISTRATION: 4:30-6 P.M.

ROAST PORK DINNER

VACATION

BIBLE

SCHOOL

june 17-21

9:00 a.m.-

12:00 Noon

Youth Sunday

June 9 During Worship

Service

Graduate Sunday

June 9 During Sunday

School

May 4 ~ 8:00 - ?

Come join us as we show our enthusiasm for our

camp through acts of service!

Please notify Chris Miller that you are

planning to attend

millerchris86@gmail.com or 814-355-5652

GUEST SPEAKER May 5th

Rob Grandi

Rob will speak during the Worship

Service and perform a concert of

special music during the

Sunday School hour.

A light lunch and a time of

fellowship will follow the concert.

LITTLE GIRLS

AND GUYS CAMP

MAY 31st—June 1st

Sylvan Hills Christian

Service Camp