Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
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Mennonite Central Committee is a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches that shares God's love and compassion for all by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. Martinsburg Mennonite has filled school bags for children for many years. This was successful due to the sewing skills and dedication of Arlene Delp. Delp is a member of this church and has made thousands of school bags over the years. This year far succeeded the number of bags usually made. The church...
Rockingham Male Chorus of Bridgewater, Va., will perform in sacred concert at New Enterprise Church of the Brethren on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. A free will offering will be accepted. The church is located at 3729 Brumbaugh Rd., New Enterprise, Pa., 16664....
The subject of fasting came up in study recently. I thought I might utilize the subject in a "Thought." It is not discussed very much and so it may be an unfamiliar subject for many of us. First of all, fasting is not a means for dietary control. i.e. It is not "I need to lose a few pounds, so I will fast." Certainly this can work, and there is nothing wrong with doing it. But this is not the reason or purpose for fasting. Fasting is closely connected to prayer. So, we can determine there is a s...
I often feel that those of us who have gone to church for most of our lives have an advantage when it comes to reading scripture. We bring to that reading hidden knowledge, a sense of what is to come, and many experiences. But what about people who are hearing the gospel for the first time? What about those people who were on the outside of the crowds that Jesus attracted? The stories Jesus told must have sounded odd at times. For Christians, Christ’s life, death, and resurrection are the enormous power that exerts our imagination and drives u...
This week I experienced something somewhat unusual. I met a family in the home of their mother who was dying. The woman’s husband, children and many others had recently been told that she was near death. They were trying to come to terms with it as I arrived on the scene. I have never seen so many people gathered in one house and bedroom in that circumstance. The patient’s son was on her bed and constantly rubbing her back. Others were holding her hand. They were crying, talking to her and in some ways holding on while saying goodbye. One of...
I would like to tell you when Jesus Christ will return to earth. But, I cannot. Lots of people want to know. Many have asked. Quite a few have even made predictions. So far, those predictions have been wrong, and they will continue to be. When Jesus was asked, He said He did not know but only the Father knew. In 1976, we made a trip to California for our church’s General Conference. We had our daughter Ruth with us. Most things went well. But at the end of Conference we were traveling toward t...
Bedford Forge Community Church will be hosting a kid-friendly Fall Festival with something for the entire family on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 384 Jacks Corner Road, Hopewell from 2-7 p.m. The fall festival will feature over eight free carnival style games. Kids can win tickets to cash in for prizes. There will be a cruise-in from 3-5 p.m., and local group Route 869 will perform at 5 p.m. You can pick your own pumpkin to take home from Pat’s Pumpkin Patch. Face painting and a beautiful fall photo o...
The Dunnings Creek Friends Meeting (Quakers) will present the fall 2023 event in their “Still Listening” guest speaker series on local history on Oct. 1. Harriett L. Gaston will present A Story of Bedford’s Black Residents: Their Journey from the 1700s to the 1870s. Ms. Gaston, a local historical researcher and well-known presenter, is chair of the African-American Heritage Project of Blair County. In conjunction with the Friends’ Committee on Peace and Social Concerns, she has kindly agreed to expand her research into Bedford County, PA for...
Luke 16: 1-13 Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples in this text from Luke, and since we too are his disciples, we know these words are important for us to hear. But this is a curious story, and I must admit that when I first read it I was not quite sure what the message was that I needed to be hearing. As I study the scriptures when I am writing a column or preparing a sermon, I read the gospel from at least 4 translations. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me see the words that I should proclaim. If I still am not sure what I should be...
We have expressions with which we are familiar: i.e “History repeats itself” linked to “If we do not learn from our mistakes, we are bound to repeat them.” This is where Israel was. They were claiming the Covenant with God as a reason they would escape disaster. But the Covenant was two-sided. It did promise God’s blessings and protections. But it also said that if the people did not obey, they would be punished. Jeremiah reminds them nature can teach them some things. If a person slips off...
The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Linders will deliver the sermon at the 10:30 Service on Sept. 17 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Martinsburg. All are welcome. Dr. Linders has been nationally recognized for his compelling sermons and engaging preaching style. Rev. Linders has served as senior pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown, Pa., since August 1977. One of the largest Lutheran congregations in the greater-Philadelphia area, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2011. Rev. L...
Roaring Spring ARCH will have a guest on Oct. 7, 2023, at 7 p.m. Be sure to invite those affiliated with prison ministry, families of addicted loved ones, or those caught in addictions with a possible history of crime. Pastor Jim Law is the Director of Prison Ministry for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, La. He is also the founder and Senior Pastor of Light of Hope Community Church and founder of Second Chance Prison Ministries in Dauphin, Pa., for 25 years. Law was raised in a home environment of turmoil....
The other day my hospice agency held a first ever memorial open house. In the past we’ve done a more formal service honoring those who had died, which was not well attended. Each year we’re obligated to hold something for those who have lost loved ones within the last twelve months. We decided just to make it an informal gathering this year. Not many showed up for it either. Those who did discussed the final days of their loved one as well as reviewing their lives. None of them were in a hurry to go as they talked to myself, a social wor...
A verse has been on my mind and heart for a while. I could not quote it verbatim but I had enough to find in through the use of my concordance. It is: “The harvest is past, the summer has ended and we are not saved.” (Jeremiah 8:20) This may have been on me because we are about at the end of summer officially. But I think more because we are studying ‘Evangelism’ in our Sunday School class. We will plan to look at this verse and its setting. Two main characters in our story are the Prophet Jerem...
Northern Bedford County School District held a Prayer Walk. According to Pastor Josh Tobias about 85 people showed up to participate, 22 of whom were children. Everyone was given a prayer map for the grounds. The children used colored chalk and drew pictures and wrote encouraging words outside every doorway to the schools. At various locations they would receive a sticker for their map. Upon completion they brought the map back to the pastor and he gave them a bag of prayer jellybeans for their...
When I first moved to central PA from a more urban area and was about to start my teaching career, several people warned me: most of the people around this area are related to each other so watch what you say about people. It was good advice for me to hear. We read in Isaiah: “I call you by name, I surname you.” I love that statement: I surname you. It seems to me that we are all pretty much related around here!! We are children of the household of God. Brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the same last name as our Heavenly Father. What a ti...
Labor Day has been a legal U.S. holiday since signed into law by President Grover Cleveland in 1897. On this day, we honor working people. This is not simply for those who labor with their physical bodies but also for those who use their minds and other abilities to earn a living. I think it should also be a day to honor God who gives physical bodies and the abilities to earn a living as well as providing the jobs created and filled. It is easy to think we have done this ourselves but it is not...
On Sunday Aug. 20, at 1:30 p.m. in this beautiful stream of located on Ski Gap Road a baptism took place. Morrison Cove Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Aaron Musselman held a picnic at Brian and Michele Musselman’s home in Claysburg. A picnic lunch was served as well as games for the children. Afterward, close to 40 people made their way to a beautiful dammed up area of the stream. “I was baptized as a child but I wanted to be baptized as an adult to profess my promise to fol...
On Aug. 21, folks came together from the churches of Claysburg Ministerium and prepared a meal to honor the people who will be working with the children in the Claysburg-Kimmel School District. This meal, held in the Church of God recreation hall, has been done for the last 12 years. It is always done on the last in-service day for the group before school starts. Each person was greeted by Pastor Calvin Miller and welcomed to the luncheon. Miller is currently the head of the Ministerium and prea...
While going through his mother’s Bible recently, John T. Nicodemus decided to share with the Herald what was on the inside front cover. Nicodemus said he thought these passages could help readers. Ruth A. Nicodemus died in 1987. She had seven prayers/passages taped to the inside of her Bible. They are as follows: –––––––––––– A Morning Prayer Help me, dear Lord, to live this day As you would wish me to— And if I fail, then please forgive The wrong things that I do Give me the strength to comfort those Who need a helping hand Give me a lovin...
As my long series from the gospel of John winds down we find ourselves reading about the crucifixion and thinking about what it means to us. While this is something that people often equate with the Easter season, any good Christian knows that the crucifixion and resurrection should be at the forefront of our thinking because of all that they accomplished. The adult Bible fellowship in our church has been going through the book of Acts and recently we read something that was said by one of the rulers who was examining the apostle Paul. Like...
Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Lane, is working to help those experiencing hunger in the community by distributing food boxes each month. This new distribution program will kick off from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 26, in the church social hall. The “Meal in a Box” will contain enough food to prepare dinner for a family. Boxes will be distributed while supplies last at no charge; there are no income guidelines to receive a meal box. Additional monthly distribution dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16. The Meal in a Box pro...
It is true that our children did not have basic “terrible anythings” but they had another childhood disease: “Asking Questions.” They asked dozens...hundreds, perhaps even...thousands. I think the chief one was “Why?” You know you can ask “Why? about facts, stories, incidents, activities, almost everything. You can even ask “Why? why is a question?” My wife was not very sympathetic either. She said, “It’s your own fault. They ask a simple question and you preach ‘em a sermon.” Probably, “gui...
Well-known author Bonnie Floyd was featured at the Spring Ladies Encounter. She had a powerful story to tell about how she came full circle with her parents’ murderers showing compassion and forgiveness. A ministry was started in Barbuda, the place her parents were killed. Local churches, the Ladies Encounter and special volunteers have aided this call by joining mission groups to go to Barbuda and hold other fundraisers. One group that held a special fundraiser in the spring of this year at Iron Masters Gulf Club was the Synago 31st Street H...
I do not have to tell my readers that life does not always go as planned. There are disappointments and times where we must adjust to changes and challenges. Today I thought I would take my laptop and Bible on my back deck to write this column. I enjoy hearing the gentle breezes and the birds singing. As I was about to begin, I heard a loud buzzing sound. Thankfully it wasn’t yellow jackets. Both my wife and I have been stung this summer with those small, powerful insects. Instead, it was a louder buzz. A crew working on my neighbor’s lawn bro...
When Haman cast the lot (Pur) I expect he was frustrated it would be a whole year until his vengeance was satisfied. But it is certainly a good thing from Mordecai’s perspective. He has almost nine months to get things fixed up for the Jews to at least defend themselves. Two things need to happen: The message must get into the hands of everyone. Those who hear this new decree must believe it is true. Getting it out works this way. The messengers were well mounted. They had horses (for flat p...
Traveling evangelist Jay Lowder and recording artist Jason Crabb will headline “Unite on the Rock” at the Allegany County Fairgrounds on Sept. 10, 11, and 12. This Christian faith festival is free of charge and open to the public. Lowder, who served as the guest speaker during the region’s National Day of Prayer events held in May, brings an energetic message of hope to reach those struggling with depression, addiction, and lost purpose. As a young adult, Lowder faced both addictions issue...
Haman is dead. In a short while, all ten of his sons will also be dead. But the problem is not resolved. Haman’s decree still stands. Haman is not here to enforce it, but it cannot be reversed, altered, or changed. On the immediate and personal level the king has done something. He has confiscated Haman’s property and given it to Esther. He has taken back his signet ring, given it to Mordecai, and actually made him the new Prime Minister. But when Esther in her great sorrow, again pleads for...
Last Saturday evening, July 29, 2023, a community dinner was offered at the ARCH located at 714 Rockingham Avenue, Roaring Spring. The ARCH is an outreach ministry of Faith Assembly of God Church, Roaring Spring, PA. The ARCH began its community service Nov. 15, 2021 having a mission statement: “To support and empower the family unit to withstand the pressure of this world.” After dinner prepared by 18 volunteers, Mr. Nate Chatman, a deacon at Faith Assembly of God Church, introduced guest spe...
Every person has faced moments when they had to stop and ask an important question. “Now what?” Some people are reactionary, and others think things through for a while. There are empathetic folks and those who seem to not care as much. Typically, that “now what” question is asked during a crisis or crossroads. For Jesus, the disciples, and leaders in Jerusalem, it was both. Jesus had just been betrayed and arrested. The story in John 18 continues. With Jesus being bound and taken to Annas as part of an excruciating journey, we find Peter a...
The banquet had only begun. The king is sipping wine as an appetizer but his impatience is upon him. So, again he asks his question and again makes his promise that he will grant Esther’s request up to half his kingdom. This may have been an exaggeration but it certainly shows the king wants to be generous to the woman he loves. He has already lost one wife he loved and this may have multiplied his concern for Esther. She has now gotten up her courage. God worked on Xerxes during the night a...
The Roaring Spring Ministerium invites all to the Spring Dam Community Worship Service on Aug. 6, 2023, beginning at 8:45 a.m. This annual event will be held at the Spring Dam area in Roaring Spring, PA. Worship will begin with the musical trio Simply Grace. The trio, Sandy Dodson, Christy Rhykerd and Jimmie Wills, met in a church basement more than 20 years ago and the journey began. The three ladies perform at various venues presenting different styles of music. Following Simply Grace, guest s...
Luke 15 Lately when we have been with friends, someone is sure to tell a tale about losing his keys or wallet or some important paper. A couple of our friends have tracking devices so they can find the things they have lost. We enjoy some laughs about these stories as we all navigate aging and not remembering as well as we did ten years ago. Beginning with the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, and ending with Luke’s story of the prodigal son, there is good news all the way in this scripture reading. Everything that was lost is f...
That night, the king could not sleep. I wonder why. Could it be indigestion from lunch or could it be God Who is working out His plan? At any rate, the king is wide awake. What should he do? He could have called for a concubine, or a minstrel show, or an orchestra or a choir concert. Instead, he chose to have the chronicles of the kingdom read. I expect a lot of those records were extremely boring. Perhaps that was the king’s thought. “I will be so bored, I’ll fall asleep.” But perhaps God now...
Martinsburg Church of God has a free meal for the public every month. This month was a ‘50s theme, with a menu of grilled hotdogs and hamburgers made by resident pastor Jim Shaffer. The meal also included fresh cut French fries and homemade milkshakes. The evening included antique cars and a live ‘50s music performed by Route 869. There was even an Elvis sighting! The next scheduled meal will be in August....
It is not unusual for me to ask hospice patients what their favorite hymn is. For the reply to be In the Garden is not at all unusual. That old song looks ahead with joy at the thought of abiding with Jesus in heaven forever. For that to happen, Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane before going to the cross. The events of that night seemed more appropriate for rough city streets than for a garden. We understand that when a person is arrested there is typically very good reason for it. Sometimes arrests are peaceful and other times they can...
I know, I kind of left you hanging there. Stick with me though, and we’ll finish that statement together. I think we can all agree that there are seasons of life that are just plain hard. These seasons can last for just fleeting moments, and they can last what seems like a lifetime. And your hard season can be radically different from my hard season. There are people, in our own community, that are hurting, dealing with addictions, suffering from loss and heartache. If you are reading this and you can identify with this, I want to bring you s...
The time of fasting and I believe prayer is over. Queen Esther is about to put her life on the line for her people. She dresses carefully in her royal finery goes to the palace and the throne room. In the throne room all is going along smoothly. The itinerary is being carefully followed and there are no interruptions. Suddenly Queen Esther steps through the door. One by one courtiers see her, gasp, and stop whatever they are doing. She is not on the agenda and faces death. The king, perhaps...
Whenever we read accounts of the disciples, we know that they were given a wonderful opportunity to show Jesus to someone. They got to listen to His word and to walk with Him daily. I am sure that they experienced an eternity changing encounter. This is now our purpose in life. We, as royal priests, exist for this purpose. Our purpose is to point to Jesus in our daily lives. Is that an easy task? Do we have what it takes to do that task well? Someday we will be able to look back on our lives and sigh with a slight smile, “How did I do all t...
Although we are six months away from Christmas, the Cove Christmas Love group is already planning on how to provide a wonderful Christmas to Cove families and children in need. Last year, over 100 children were provided new gifts to celebrate the Christmas season. Cove Christmas Love grew out of the outreach started by the former police chief and current Mayor of Martinsburg Richard Brantner years ago. As the spread grew, the Martinsburg Ministarium stepped in to continue this important work. Years later, this charity has provided joy to kids C...
Queen Esther has an amazing response to Mordecai’s proposal. In order to truly understand this Book, I need to deal with some history both secular and Biblical. I need some detail but I don’t want to get so detailed that I lose you. Please bear with me. By the year 550 B.C. Cyrus became king of Persia. He overcame any Median opposition to do this. Xerxes became king of Persia in 485 B.C. That is about 65 years later. I am bothered by the fact that prayer is not mentioned in the Book of Est...
Lord, We are thankful for the abundant blessings You have bestowed on America. Our forefathers looked to You as Protector, Provider, and the Promise of hope. But we have wandered far from that firm foundation. May we repent for turning our backs on Your faithfulness. We pray that this great nation will be restored by Your forgiveness. From bondage, You grant freedom. Through Your own sacrifice, You offer salvation. From the state of despair, You offer peace. From the bounties of Heaven, You have blessed – not because of our goodness – but by...
It’s time to look into the old reader mail bag since summer is upon us and I am on vacation. One does not have to be an old reader to send a letter to the reader mailbag. If your letter was not included in this edition, please feel free to keep trying. Brent from Bakers Summit asks, “Since you always directed church camp in June do you miss it since it’s not part of your life anymore?” Yes, I certainly miss the camaraderie with other youth pastors and the counselors and kids. I liked the opportunity to interact with a lot of teenagers from di...
As we finished our “Thought” last week, we saw the evil plan Haman had conceived to take vengeance on Mordecai for not bowing to him. He takes it to the king and presents it smoothly. Without hesitation or question Xerxes endorses it. He gives his signet ring to Haman so he can have the documentation written and seal it with the official seal of the king and carry out the plan. The king, even though his treasury must have been low, declines Haman’s offer of financial support. This is the gist...
The 31st Blair County Law Enforcement Memorial Service was held Thursday, June 15, outside the Blair County Courthouse. During the service, a rose was placed at the memorial for each law enforcement officer who has died in the line of duty....
Luke 14:7-14 She pulled her cape around her shoulders, Her heels lifted her up to thinner air Almost to where she wanted to be She saw the table spread with fine linens With artisan cheeses and duck liver pate There was red and white wine for every taste. She approached the gathering and saw on the far end The old-fashioned, the rough handed and the wrong spoken On the near side she saw well-labeled suits That look of confidence in the eyes of the highly educated She saw one chair near her with those of her kind She sat and sipped wine and...
The words below reflect the conclusion to a three-part look at the prayer of Jesus in John 17. We can learn a lot about people from the way in which they pray. My mom was a person of prayer and loved the Lord very much. Sadly, she was not one to pray aloud. I can only remember a few occasions when I heard her pray. But I know she saw the value of prayer and drawing near to God. I have heard some people pray aloud and knew that they loved connecting with God the Father. And I’ve been in settings where prayers were simply read. There is n...
Last week I gave a tiny introduction to the Book of Esther. I introduced Ahasuerus. Secular history knows him as Xerxes and I will call him that. We also lean on secular history to tell us about the times. Xerxes the Media-Persian king had a vast Empire. But as is often the case, he wanted more. He waged a war against Greece, which was to become the next World Empire. We heard about this a bit in the Book of Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision. It was of a statue, head of gold, chest of silver, b...
Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a worthy and virtuous father. Let us praise those fathers who, by their own account, were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. As well, let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by words and actions of their children. Let...
God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle’s flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so, He called it ... Dad - Author Unknown...
