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Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
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I loved playing the game of Hide and Seek with my cousins when I was young. I remember especially loving to play in our grandmom’s attic where there were wonderful nooks and crannies. I was the cousin who showed righteous indignation when anyone tried to peek or didn’t count high enough when we were finding our hiding places. I was a stickler for following the rules. When my boys were young and my work days were spent with first graders, I loved reading the book Runaway Bunny. It told of the steadfast love the mother bunny had for her you...
Sometimes we think we are starting over with a “clean slate” at the beginning of a New Year. It may seem like we have found the “delete” button on our computer and are ready to push it so we can start fresh. That can be a great feeling but it just is not so. The bills we amassed in the past year are still to be paid. Health issues must still be dealt with. Any apologies we need to make we must still make. In other words, “We cannot start over.” But that does not mean we have no opportuniti...
Shown at the Salvation Army bell ringing session held on Dec. 23 at Traditions were Boosters Jeff and Connie (The Elf) Brumbaugh and Suzanne McNally. Suzanne is also the Martinsburg Salvation Army Director. Also participating in the bell ringing were Boosters Jason and Rebekah Dick, Bob Bechtel, Homer Shriner, Ed Kreider, Dean Grubb, and Richard Bice....
The Toasty Toddler Program, a winter outerwear collection and distribution for children birth through age five served 713 children this season. Children registering receive a NEW coat, hat, and gloves through the generosity of the community. Toasty Toddler began as a collaborative project started by the Blair County Human Service Office, now the Blair County Department of Social Services, to help our youngest children keep warm through the winter months. Referrals are made by education, health care, and social service agencies serving families...
Fast away the old year passes. Hail the new, ye lads and lasses. It has probably been a while since anyone has called you a lad or lass, but you must agree, no matter what name you go by, that there are opportunities to have a fresh start with a new year. Obviously when you wake up on January 1 you will be the same person. But there may be ways that you can take small or even large steps to change some things about yourself. Sometimes these come down to contrasts and choices. Let us think about those as we hail the new year. An important...
What emotions have you experienced this Christmas? Certainly there is a broad gamut for society. Some of them would be experienced no matter what the special day or season. Joy and sorrow happen simply because we are alive and living in the world. They are part of life and death. But when not facing extremes, we can step back a pace and examine what we feel simply because Christmas has happened. I know some impose other things into Christmas. Some folks look forward. Christ came into the world w...
On Dec. 17, Luke The Musical, a.k.a. Do Not Be Afraid, was performed for the first time. The musical was written and directed by Lorie LaSala. This was her first musical, although she has written other songs. LaSala dedicated the musical to the church family of Saint John's Reformed Church of Loysburg. She wanted to send this message: no matter your circumstances, do not be afraid; God will work all things together for His glory and your good. All His promises are true! LaSala gave a special tha...
“For unto you is born this day…” (Luke 2 verse 11) It happened on a day. A day in history. It was a day that had been planned in eternity before the creation of the world. It happened on a day. The perfect day appointed by God before the foundation of the world. “…in the city of David.” It happened in a city. The city still exists today. The city of Bethlehem. (Luke 2:4, “Joseph also went up from Galilee…to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.”) Bethlehem was about six miles from Jerusalem. It happened in a city. “…a savior…” “For...
Trinity United Methodist Church will hold its Christmas Pageant on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 9:30 a.m. That evening at 7 p.m. there will be a beautiful Christmas Eve candlelight service. There is also a Christmas Bible School program for ages 4 years through 5th grade. Bible School will be held Wednesday, Dec. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. The kids are welcome to join for walking tacos starting at noon. This lunch is free to everyone in the community....
Mary must have had an emotional roller coaster. It is said “Patience is a virtue.” Surely this is true. It is not so much Mary I am talking about here. God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah. It had been almost 700 years since the prophecy told “A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son…” It would certainly be a miracle for this to happen and small wonder most people would not believe it could happen. Yet the prophecy was a subject of Scripture and therefore would be preached, and talked about, no...
It has been said that one cannot spell Christmas without Christ. That is certainly true; but in our culture, we know that Christ has been getting squeezed out of his own holiday. Christmas as a Christian festival began around the 9th century. Of course, there is no way of knowing how people viewed it in those early days of the celebration, but we can assume that a higher majority of people acknowledged Jesus then. So much has been written from a Christian perspective about Christmas, citing the biblical accounts. Like a pastor preaching a...
I want to look at the emotions of Joseph next. His might be more and more varied than those of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Remember Joseph was betrothed (like engaged) to a young virgin named Mary. Before marriage it became known she was pregnant and he knew he was not the father. If you are a man you can imagine some of the emotions that raged through Joseph. He would have been hurt, angry, feeling betrayed, embarrassed, and likely other feelings too. What was he going to do? In that culture,...
Don’t you love looking at old photographs? They are precious reflections of close familial connections. They record events and gatherings that give our memories glimpses into the past. In today’s world, we can quickly send photographs to each other via our phones of experiences, a new grandchild, a simple piece of gorgeous nature. Photographs pull us close: they spring forth from our universal experiences — the challenges and the joys. The welcoming family of God encompasses humanity. And I feel sure that many of you honor the concept of your...
On Dec. 2 and 3, a Christmas Craft Festival was held in St. Johns United Church of Christ Hall in Bedford. There were more than 40 vendors. The craft show had vendors from different places, including New Enterprise and Everett. Vendors offered items such as freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, tie-dye shirts and onesies for babies, and kettle popped popcorn overtook your senses. Meadows Kettle Corn had many unique flavors of kettle corn to purchase, including a Christmas popcorn. Meadows works...
As we approach the Christmas Season, I’d like us to think about some of the Biblical personalities in the Story. It would be easy to remember them and not think they were real. But, they were. They had bodies, minds, spirit-souls, just like we do. I’d like to lead our thoughts to consider their emotions. I start with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were getting old. They were a godly couple and served God faithfully but God had not granted one of their chief prayer requests. They had...
“Blue Christmas” is a grief-specialized service provided by the First Church of the Brethren, Roaring Spring. It was held this past Sunday. Those in attendance could light a candle in remembrance of their loved one. The pastor for the First Church is Rev. Dr. Dave Crumrine. The church has done the service for four years....
The words that you are now reading were written on Thanksgiving Eve. That date is not nearly as significant as Dec. 24. However, it is still a good time to reflect and come up with an angle for my column. We should be grateful every day. I am thinking back on Christmases and thinking about what makes me thankful for Jesus’ birthday. I miss my parents at Christmas time, in part because I remember how much they enjoyed the holiday and how special they made it for their five kids and later their grandchildren. Dad was not known for his cooking, b...
I think I mentioned that our Sunday School Class is studying the Book of Daniel this quarter. (By the way, if you are not involved/attending Sunday School, I would encourage you to do so. Gathering for worship is wonderful but it is not the same as being involved with a small group, studying/asking and answering Biblical questions, and enjoying the open camaraderie of a small group.) I expect most folks know a bit about the story of ‘Daniel in the lion’s den’. Israel had been conquered by Babylo...
On Dec. 17, St. John’s Reform Church in Loysburg will hold a musical called “Luke the Musical.” Lorie LaSala (left), with piano accompaniment by Barb Thomas (right), has written this musical. From her previous work founding the Lancaster Academy of Performing Arts, she has taken it one step further. The musical will be open to the public and will start at 6:30 p.m. No tickets required. There is limited seating so if you plan on attending, please come early....
Matthew 14: 22-33 As I look at the stories in the gospels, so very much happens in Jesus life and his ministry. He continues to preach and to teach using his parables. He had returned to Nazareth where he had been rejected by people who knew him as only the son of Mary, or the carpenter’s son. His dear friend, John the Baptist, had been beheaded. He had fed 5,000. Perhaps Jesus was weary from all these circumstances. Maybe he felt disheartened when people did not receive his message in the way he intended it to be heard. Maybe there were t...
We are preparing to celebrate “Thanksgiving Day.” For us in this country it is a federal holiday. Opportunity is given to most of us to enjoy it as a holiday with family and or friends. We spend it in whatever way we can. For some, there is much we can enjoy. Unfortunately, not for all. Some will be alone, some will have recently experienced loss, sickness, or some other thing that overshadows the celebration. For some, I wonder about the details. Some folks claim to be atheists (do not bel...
It occurred to me a few days ago that in less than two months I will turn 61. Turning 60 wasn’t a big deal, but 61 will put me in my early 60s! Hopefully when the time comes, I’ll handle it well. I know some of my readers are well over that age. Perhaps you are like me in that you’re recognizing changes in your life as you get older. There is no mistaking some of the physical changes and declines that occur. I see something else that is happening. As I get older, I feel like I am putting things in better perspective than I used to. I also think...
Our Sunday School Class has begun a study from the Book of Daniel. One of my favorite verses was highlighted: Daniel 1:8 “Daniel resolved not to defile himself…” Remember the story of Daniel. He was taken captive, likely as a teen-aged boy, and carried off to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar’s conquering army. There he was among those chosen to be schooled in the culture of the Babylonians to be useful to the king. There was undoubtedly a lot of pressure on Daniel to ‘fit in’. The expression:...
On Friday, Nov. 10, six folks from Martinsburg Mennonite Church traveled to Sight and Sound Theaters in Lancaster. They traveled with Freedom Excursions from Altoona, a Christian-based bus line owned by Bill and Debra Scully. This was the start of the Christmas Story depicting the birth of Jesus. Shown in the photo was Ron Putorek, Fred Myers, Judy Lohr, Mary Ann Kulp and Linda Strobert....
Leamersville Grace Fellowship, a beautiful newly renovated church located at 14 Brethren Lane, Leamersville, held a variety-packed bazaar on Nov. 11. Vendors from various areas came to set up and displayed their Christmas items for sale. Judy Schirfacher, who is 93, had a beautiful booth with towels, dishcloths, scrubbies, sparkling hats and scarfs and numerous other brightly colored items for sale. Schirfacher said she has been doing crafts since she was 11 years old. Her mother taught her to...
1 Peter 1:17-23 For me, fall is a bittersweet time of year. I love the majesty of the season. The crisp days, the beauty of the foliage delight me. Yet when I watch the trees shed those leaves, my heart feels challenged. I have never been good at letting go and yet I see that played out by creation as I gaze out my windows. Jesus addresses letting go, telling the disciples not to be afraid to give up their very lives. Matthew 16:25 quotes Jesus saying, “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my s...
Nov. 11 is known here as Veterans Day. In Canada it is Remembrance Day. In the U.K. it is Armistice Day. It is the day the WWI ended. President Woodrow Wilson said, “It is a day to remind us of the tragedies of war.” (World Book Encyclopedia) Tragedies abound during war: There is of course loss of life, the wounded and weary, the sorrows of families, the enormous expense, devastation of land and property, bitterness of enemies, and so much more. As I write this, Israel and Hamas are engaged in a...
Grace Brethren Church has hosted a Prayer for the Nation and the Nations each Monday from noon until 1 p.m. since 2016....
Like most Christans, I am glad to see Halloween is over. We recognize it as a dark and troubling day on the calendar. There is no denying how popular it has become. Not only are candy sales huge but so are the morbid house decorations and graphic costumes that adults, children, and even pets wear. For over 20 years, our church has sought to redeem Halloween to some extent by offering trunk or treat to children and their families. A gospel tract or literature is always included. Since it began, many other organizations have done it as well and...
Vicksburg Church hosted a Trunk or Treat on Oct. 26. This group featured Noah’s Ark complete with live animals. Carol Bowser provided two miniature horses, two goats, and two rabbits. Shown (from left) are Patty Brouse, Carol Bowser, Cheryl Moyer, Jeanie Moyer and Sharon Decker. The Interim Pastor is Ken Beichler. Sunday School is at 9 a.m. with church at 10....
October was Pastor Appreciation month. St John’s United Church of Christ in Martinsburg decided to recognize all five pastors in their congregation this year. Pastor Betty Royer is currently serving the church; Pastor Jerry McCuller is chaplain at Homewood Continuing Care Community; and Pastors Mary Hendricks, Bill Hendricks, and John Bonebreak are retired ministers. Their service in the churches and the community through the years is greatly appreciated. Lori McCuller accepted the honor for h...
Geeseytown Lutheran Church, 462 Route 22, Hollidaysburg, will hold a clothing giveaway Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to Noon. Future giveaways will be held on the first Saturday of each month. Clothing for teens and adults, shoes, scarves, hats, bags, toiletry items, and other accessories will be available. The giveaway is being held in the church basement; please use the entrance at the rear of the church. The church is located across from Geeseytown Fire Hall. Please contact pastormartyjo@gmail.com with any questions....
Inspiration for this ‘Thought’ comes from John Glick. Lots of things look good just as they are. But in order to be useful, some things must be crushed or broken. Many of those things are food items. We sometimes purchase “whole grain cereal.” But, it is not really whole grain. The grain has been ground into flour and then further processed in order to create the cereal. You would be disappointed if you opened the box and found whole-kernel-grains of wheat, rice, oats, or corn. Of course...
When I was growing up my parents had some close friends who loved to travel. Those friends would send back delightful postcards no matter where they went, and they always ended their message with this scripture notation. It is 3 John: 13,14 — “I had many things to write, but I did not wish to write to you with pen and ink, but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.” When I read gospel scriptures memories of those postcards come flooding back to me because I feel as though I am reading a postcard from Jesus when he says,...
St. John’s United Church of Christ, 117 E. Julian St., Martinsburg, will distribute bag lunches to children on Trick or Treat night, today, Oct. 26, 2023, between 6 and 8 p.m. Lunches will include pasta cup, yogurt, bottle of water, cookies, Mandarin oranges, and a special surprise. Bag lunches will be given out while supplies last. Candy will also be available....
Trinity United Methodist Church will be hosting an Angel Tree located at Roaring Spring True Value Department Store. This tradition has continued for more than 20 years. It was started by the Roaring Spring Merchant Association, which included stores such as Longs Furniture, Joyces, Fredericks, and the Roaring Spring Department store, and Hollidaysburg Trust. This association is inactive currently. The first year George Kensinger was the driving force behind this project. Trees were put up Hollidaysburg Trust and the Department Store. It was...
I have wrestled with the title. It was either to be what it is or “Are They Waiting?” I have decided to let you put the title on according to what you are doing. The other people involved are your neighbors, friends, and relatives. What they are waiting for is to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and about the Love of God. I assume you know these things and could tell them if you wished. Since I write to a broad spectrum of readers, I assume, for I don’t know, that you could tell them if you would...
The Village at Morrisons Cove, in affiliation with the Middle Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren and was established to serve the members of the Church of the Brethren and our neighbors in the larger community. The Village at Morrisons Cove provides a residential community and health care to men and women in active retirement and those in need of convalescence, assisted living , or long-term health care. For 120 years, the Village has provided services to enrich the spiritual,...
The time has come to end the long series on the Gospel of John which I embarked on many months ago. For me it has been a good reminder of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. I recently came to better understand that the gospel isn’t just the good news of how we are saved but also how we are sanctified and will ultimately be rewarded and glorified. Who Jesus is and what he did for us is something that should impact us every day. One of the best ways to serve him and know him is to understand who he is and how he lived. Certainly, some of the s...
To promote a safe and fun environment for our neighborhood children and families, Martinsburg Brethren in Christ Church is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 25, 2023. Kids can trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk around the church parking lot from decorated trunks full of goodies. There will be snacks and a craft for the kids inside the church. If it rains, it will all be inside. This event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, from 6 to 7 p.m. This is a free event and is open to the community. The church is located at 334 Son Rise Drive...
There is so much turmoil, unrest, and conflict in our nation and our world. We need a good leader, who will be able to bring us together, united for the good of all. As you might expect, I do not think there is a human who can provide this. Each of us has a personal agenda that overrides our judgment about what is good for the other person. It is true for me too so I am not simply being critical of others. I wish and pray we would allow Jesus to be our Ruler. We can know from the Scriptural...
The Bedford County Correctional Facility held its second annual “Day of Responsibility” on Oct. 13, 2023. The mission statement was “Use the PRESENT to address the PAST so you have a FUTURE.” The event was held in the chapel of the facility. The “Day of Responsibility” came about from a group of prisoners with long-term sentences at the State Correctional Institution of Dallas in Luzerne County. They recognized that some of their past behaviors caused terrible pain to their victims, families and communities. They also recognized incarcerati...
Luke 7:1-10 Jesus was entering Capernaum. Our scripture tells us that He had finished all His sayings in the hearing of the people. He had just proclaimed the Beatitudes to His disciples. He had gone on to tell them to love their enemies, give to anyone who asked of them, be merciful to others as their father had been merciful to them. And then as He journeyed on he encountered some Jewish elders from the synagogue. They had been sent to Jesus on the behalf of a centurion. A centurion who had a servant who was dear to him who now lay on his dea...
Christopher E. Ritchey, owner of Curry Supply in Martinsburg, is currently the potentate of Jaffa Shriners in Altoona and vice chairman of the board of Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. In January 2024, he will become the chairman of the board. The mission statement for the Shriners is “We treat every child regardless of their ability to pay.” Shriners Hospitals for Children was founded in Shreveport, La., in 1922 to treat pediatric polio and burn patients. There are 22 facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Funds...
It is pretty rare for a person to never get angry. So, is anger a good thing? There is no easy answer for that but there are answers. Anger can be a reflex and when it is there is danger of saying or doing something we will regret because we acted too quickly. Anger can be a response and can be an asset or a liability. No matter, it is a good idea to slow down the reflex or response. We might encourage ourselves and others to ‘count to ten’. Perhaps if you are a fast counter, it would be bet...
Jim Law is the Director of Prison Ministry for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and Family Worship Center Church in Baton Rouge, La. He spoke at the Roaring Spring Arch on Saturday, Oct. 7. This presentation was powerful and left an impression that God can deliver anyone no matter how they may have sinned. Law described his life from growing up in a dysfunctional family to having a father hit you, especially in an alcoholic state of mind. His life of addiction was described to the audience from his...
There was a play written about 500 years ago where the phrase was coined “bad news travels fast.” Indeed, there does seem to be an obsession with sharing news that is bad in a quick fashion. And there is no doubt that most of what we hear in the news today is bad, whether it’s in a printed newspaper, online, or on television or radio. People may not like bad news but they do seem to share it quickly. We all can wish that there was more good news in our world, but good news stories don’t sell. But if there was ever a case of good news traveli...
Common emergencies and natural disasters occur. Learn how to deliver lifesaving hands only CPR care and be prepared for a natural disaster in one night. Join the Red Cross for these two free classes on Oct. 10, 2023, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Roaring Spring Community Library. Each class will be approximately 45 minutes and will be offered in one night. Note: This is a basic practical workshop, not a CPR certification course. Hands-only CPR is CPR without rescue breaths, which is simple to learn and easy to remember, especially outside medical se...
As I think on “things we lose,” I am not talking about car keys or the remote control but more important things. I am thinking about spiritual blessings. Things like “peace,” “contentment,” and a host of other things. In the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, one line proposes, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear”, and the reason given is, “All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Scripture invites us to come apart from the world and rest/abide in...
Tender God, life-giving Spirit, You compassionately hold the entire world in your hands. In your mercy, hear the prayers of your people: Keep guard over the sick and suffering and in a special way over those who suffer with breast cancer; grant them patience, hope, and peace, we pray: Merciful God, hear our prayer. Give courage to those with fearful hearts, especially those who feel isolated because of their illness; nourish and sustain them, we pray: Merciful God, hear our prayer. Strengthen those who give their energy and skill to healing...
