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Footsteps to Follow: Solidify the Covenant

Christians, Jews and Muslims share a relationship with Abraham who they trace back to the common link in their faiths. Christians and Jews track it through Isaac, while Muslims track it through Ishmael. Ishmael was the first-born son of Abram, by Sari's handmaiden, Haggar. The promise of the covenant was given to Abram, and Hebrew Scripture in the lectionary this week is from Genesis 15. Abram was given the promise that, if he did what the Lord told him to do, he would become a great nation. Through his faith in the Lord, Abram left his home with his household and servants, ...

Free to Pray

By DANA MASSING Erie Times-News RIE — Eleven killed at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, in October. Twenty-six slain at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November 2017. Seven fatally shot at Quebec Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec, Canada, in January ...

Faith Matters column

Adventure awaits. “Morning has broken ... God’s recreation of a new day.” These hymn lyrics, penned by British author Eleanor Farjean almost 90 years ago, are based on Psalm 118 verse 24. We so often hear these words in the opening to worship. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (ESV). Nature brings us seasons of refreshment, growth and healing. To paraphrase Thoreau, the seasons of nature, painted by the landscape artist, our Creator, are constantly changing. From the hues of autumn to the whites of winter and the green sprouts of spring, ...

Footsteps to Follow column

The other day, as I was thinking about a situation that has recently come up in my life and wishing for a desired outcome in my favor, I heard a still, small voice say to me, “Speak the Word. It is in your mouth.” How many times do we have circumstances in our lives that will automatically put us in a place of reacting with our emotions, by our words, and sometimes by our actions? Proverbs 18:21 states “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (ESV). This means that my first response is contingent on the words that come out of ...

Briefs

Chicken and Waffles dinner set for today WATSONTOWN – A chicken and waffle dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, dessert and beverage is planned for today, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holy Spirit Evangelical Lutheran Church. $9 each, children $5. Takeouts available. Church is located 10275 State Route 44, Watsontown, between McEwensville and Turbotville on Route 44. Presbyterians offer baked steak dinner Montoursville Presbyterian Church, 900 Elm St., will serve a baked steak dinner on March 19, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $9, advance purchase is advised. Call ...

Donuts, Ashes and Fasting

As the beginning of Lent approaches, New Covenant United Church of Christ prepares to celebrate on the eve of Ash Wednesday by holding a Fastnacht Social, a tradition that dates back to the 1800ás. The season of Lent, which begins this week on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days, is often ...