RADIO FRIEND PHIL – Greetings! It’s time for this week’s New Tunes at 9 Roundup: New Tunes at 9, one-hour of new and emerging music, weeknights at 9 p.m. on WJTL. Among the new Christmas projects available now: “It’s Christmas,” the new EP from MikesChair, the compilation project, “’Tis The Season To Be Gotee, Too,” the Green River Ordinance Christmas EP, and Josh Wilson: “Josh Wilson Presents Noel.” “Josh Wilson Presents Noel” is the follow-up release to his 2011 project, “See You,” a disc that contained the Texas singer/songwriter’s hits “I Refuse” and “Fall Apart.” And speaking of the song “Fall Apart,” I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend that you go to http://www.joshwilsonmusic.com/; scroll down towards the bottom of the home page and click the link that says, “How To Play ‘Fall Apart’ With Two Capos.” According to Josh Wilson, he’s had a lot of people ask him how he plays the song “Fall Apart” with two capos, therefore, he decided to record a tutorial video to demonstrate.” In addition to the tutorial video, Joshwilsonmusic.com includes a lyric video to a new song, “Once A Year (featuring Andrew Peterson,” links to you-tube, facebook, music blog, iTunes, and his music store (where you can purchase the new 10-song project directly).

phil@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From First Timothy 1:15.

Words from the Apostle Paul, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.”

There are times in the New Testament when Paul gives us a window into his tainted past. His conversion to Christ was a dramatic transformation of character in a short time. In reflecting on his life, Paul realized that there were many sins of his that Jesus had forgiven.

In this verse, we can put our personal name in place of the word “sinners”.  Christ Jesus came into the world to save….me. His grace is a gift for me to receive. There is nothing I can do to earn it, but I can receive His forgiveness by trusting in the name of Jesus and what He did for me at the cross.

When we experience His forgiveness, our burden of guilt is removed and we can truly appreciate and celebrate what Jesus has done for us.

Recognizing Jesus as our Savior from sin is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

ANN D’ALESSANDRO

If you are looking for some great music or need some gift ideas, I think they have some great music on their list! (Especially #21!)

The Top 25 Christian Albums of 2012 according to Rhapsody:

25) Demon Hunter, True Defiance


24) Moriah Peters, I Choose Jesus


23) Passion, White Flag


22) Israel & New Breed, Jesus at the Center


21) The Choir, The Loudest Sound Ever Heard


20) Flyleaf, New Horizons


19) Andrew Osenga, Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut


18) MercyMe, The Hurt & the Healer


17) Tenth Avenue North, The Struggle


16) Thousand Food Krutch, The End Is Where We Begin


15) Dave Barnes, Stories to Tell


14) Mary Mary, Go Get It


13) Owl City, The Midsummer Station


12) Third Day, Miracle


11) Brandon Heath, Blue Mountain


10) Derek Webb, Ctrl


9) Anberlin, Vital


8) Andrew Peterson, Light for the Lost Boy


7) Chris August, The Upside of Down


6) Matthew West, Into the Light


5) Lecrae, Gravity


4) Kari Jobe, Where I Find You


3) David Crowder Band, Give Us Rest or (a Requiem Mass In C [the Happiest of All Keys])


2) Bebo Norman, Lights of Distant Cities


1) TobyMac, Eye On It

http://www.rhapsody.com/blog/post/top-25-christian-albums-of-2012

Ann D’Alessandro – Happy Listening!

ann@wjtl.com

Looking for a last minute Christmas gift?  Stop by WJTL for a special Christmas Drop-In today, tomorrow or Wednesday between 4-8PM.  Pick up a Kids Cookie BReak 4 CD and a WJTL T-Shirt; both will be Buy One Get One FREE!  The WJTL staff will spread some Christmas cheer with free hot chocolate, cookies and station tours.  It’s also a great time to drop off your year-end donation.  It’s the WJTL Christmas Drop-In today, tomorrow and Wednesday from 4-8PM at The Junction Center.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

WJTL /The Junction Center

1875 Junction Road

Manheim, PA  17545

717-392-3690

FIVE FUN FREE FAMILY THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND!!! December 14, 15 & 16, 2012

5) A Night In Bethlehem, tomorrow (Sat. Dec. 15th) from 9:30am to 11:30am at Kochenderfer UMC in Lebanon. The family Holy Land Experience is for all ages. Participants will experience what is was like to live and work in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. The event will end with the story of Jesus’ birth. Participants will take part in hands on crafts, snacks and interact with people who might have lived and worked in the town of Bethlehem. More info: 717.273.0525

4) Journey With Jesus tomorrow (Sat. Dec. 15th) from 6-8PM at Ed’s Landscaping in Elizabethtown, 2 miles west of the square on route 230 . Journey with Jesus is a walk-through presentation that recounts some of the key scenes in the life of Jesus and features live animals, including donkeys, goats, & even a camel!  Donations benefit the ministry of WJTL.

3) Trinity United Methodist Church in New Freedom, PA will host their Annual Live Nativity tomorrow (Saturday Dec. 15th) at 7pm. The Christmas Story comes to life with live animals, actors and Christmas carols.  The church is located one block from the heritage rail trail at 101 North Second Street, New Freedom.  More information: 717-235-2544

2) A Christmas Party filled with kids games, a craft, The Christmas Story, and Carols will take place at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Harrisburg, tomorrow (Saturday., December 16) from 11am to 1pm. More info: lighthousehbg.com

1) Hershey Church of the Nazarene is hosting its first annual TUBA CHRISTMAS celebration, ushering in the holiday season with a free community concert of regional tuba and euphonium players tonight (Friday, December 14) at 7pm. Musicians interested in participating in TUBACHRISTMAS are encouraged to bring their instrument and folding stand. Registration is at   5:30pm with a short Rehearsal at 6pm, More info: tubachristmas.com

RADIO FRIEND PHIL – Greetings! It’s time for this week’s New Tunes at 9 Roundup: New Tunes at 9, one-hour of new and emerging music, weeknights at 9 p.m. on WJTL. Among the new Christmas projects available now is the new Christmas compilation project, “A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth.” A few weeks ago on the Roundup, I featured a Live from the Junction Center Replay with For King and Country, who performed their new Christmas song, “Baby Boy.” You can watch the video for that song, and other Junction Center Artist videos, here: http://wjtl.com/videos/ Also up on our videos page is singer/songwriter Brandon Heath’s acoustic performance of his 2010 Christmas song, “The Night Before Christmas.”  Brandon stopped by the Junction Center last Sunday during the Hits Deep tour to play 5 songs, all by listener request! Brandon Heath’s latest project is “Blue Mountain,” so named for the color of the mountains in Brandon’s home state of Tennessee. “Every time we would go to visit my grandparents, I always remember being stuck in the mountains and my imagination would run wild and think they were the backs of dinosaurs,” Brandon said. Well, you can clearly hear the Appalachian influence on his new, 11-song project, especially on songs like “The Harvester” and a song he co-wrote with Dave Barnes, “Love Will Be Enough For Us.”  At http://brandonheath.net/ you’ll find links to his facebook and you-tube page, which includes a video for his latest single, “Jesus in Disguise.”

phil@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Micah 5:2.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

This prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 2:1, which says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod.

Jesus could have come to a major, strategic city to draw attention to His significant worth. However, He would be born in Bethlehem, a small town several miles from the holy city Jerusalem.

God does not work in conventional ways to advance His plan of redemption. Using conventional wisdom, Jesus might have appointed religious leaders to follow Him as disciples. But instead, Jesus appointed unschooled men to follow Him and be trained to become  leaders of the early church.

In the Old Testament, Samuel wanted to appoint one of David’s brothers to be the next king of Israel. But God, seeing through appearance to the heart, was calling David. God can work through things and people whose value is overlooked by society, to draw the world to His grace and glory.

A receptive heart to Jesus is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-from Luke 1:38.

After hearing what God was calling her to do, Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

She was given the task of delivering Jesus to the world.

The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Then later, the angel said, “For nothing is impossible with God.”

It was a sacred calling, and she accepted without hesitation.  Mary’s response reminds us that the Lord has a purpose for us as well, a sacred calling to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. Mary’s response gives us insight of how to do that.

Respond as a servant of God. Don’t try to change the details of His plan. He knows what He is doing. He made us for such a time as this. This is the window of opportunity to follow His calling. As we cooperate with His mission, He provides the fruit. Some of it is evident and some of it is not.

Willingness to serve God is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Ann D’Alessandro

Do you know a family in need this holiday season? A colleague facing loss?  A friend battling an illness? A neighbor in crisis?
Reach out, and share their story.
Help Susquehanna Valley families enjoy the holiday season with hope and dignity.   Together, we can Share the Blessing…  You can visit the website and nominate a family in need or make a contribution to help families and individuals who are selected.  Share the Blessing’s board of directors will review all nominations and contact the family in need to help meet their individual needs. Thank you!

717- 293-9292

Share The Blessing is an approved 501C-3 charitable organization.

http://www.sharetheblessing.com/

Ann D’Alessandro – Wishing You A Very Merry  Christmas!

ann@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Hebrews 9:22b.

“Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”

This foundational truth points us to the reason why Jesus came to shed his blood for us. We have sinned against a holy God, and cannot save ourselves from the wages of sin, which is death. Only a hand beyond us could rescue us-a hand that is holy and nail-scarred. Up until the time of Christ, the blood of bulls and goats were sacrificed, but that was not really effective to forgive people’s sins. The Bible tells us that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That sacrificial system was only a shadow of things to come, not the real deal.

Verse 26 says that Christ has now appeared at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. His blood, shed on the cross, was a sufficient payment for our sins. Because of what Jesus did at the cross, we have forgiveness of sins through faith in His name. With the guilt of our sins cleared away, the barrier has been removed, and we have freedom to walk with God as His follower and friend.

Trusting the blood of Christ for forgiveness is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com