Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
April 7-9, 2017

5 Victory Christian Fellowship in Palmyra Community Egg Hunt tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) beginning at 11am  for children Ages 2-10 years. Children are encouraged to bring their own basket/bag.  More Info: VCFPA.org

4 Free Easter Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt, tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) beginning at 8:30am at Messiah United Methodist Church. The Easter egg hunt will begin at 9:15 am for children ages 0-6th grade. Bring your own basket/bag.  More Info: yorkmessiahumc.org

3 Hammel Associates Architects in Lancaster First Friday Lego Building Party tonight (Friday, April 7) from 5-8:30pm at their offices on Grant Street in Lancaster. Architectural, Trains, Freestyle, Connects, Creator – more than 40,000 bricks, plates and specialty pieces to build with . More Info:  Hammelarch.com

2 Providence Church in New Providence PA Road to Resurrection interactive event for the entire family tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) from 9am-11am. Travel the pathway of Jesus, wave palm branches, visit the upper room for the Passover meal, visit Barabbas in jail, and more. More Info: provchurch.net

1 Community Egg Hunt at Grace Baptist Church of Lancaster tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) from 10am-Noon.  Egg hunt, games, crafts, bounce house, and other activities. This event is for ages infant thru 6th grade and is held rain or shine. More Info: GBCLancaster.org

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Revelation 21:4.

In the setting of the new heaven and the new earth, we see a very different picture than the current conditions found in the world.

Speaking of God and His people, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

That will be the experience of those who take part in the new heaven and new earth. In the absence of tears, there will be fullness of joy. In the absence of death, there will be fullness of life. In the absence of pain, there will be fullness of healing.

Life with God in the New Heaven and New Earth is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Phase 3 of the Junction Center building project is complete!  All of us at WJTL have been looking forward to this for years.  In fact, a few have been looking forward to it for decades: Tim Landis (our president), Fred McNaughton (WJTL station manager) and Chris Strayer (CMI Productions concert promoter).  I knew the grand opening and dedication would be special.  Unfortunately, I had an ill-timed case of laryngitis.  I originally planned to be there from the very beginning until the very end, welcoming people at the famous WJTL Table and mingling the night away.  But when a DJ loses their voice…it’s time for a new plan!  So, my husband, Sam and I decided that even though I couldn’t speak, we wouldn’t miss this important event.  He came along as my translator.  Our toddler, Josiah, tagged along.  We timed our arrival as the main event was getting started and were thrilled to see a packed parking lot!

When we walked into the doors, my heart was so happy to see so many WJTL listeners!  There were so many familiar faces of friends of WJTL, those who gladly volunteered over the years, plus regular concert attenders and local musicians.  My fellow WJTL staffers popped up here and there with a wave and an excited smile for such a big occasion.  What surprised me was seeing so many people who have been a big part of my life!  Pastor Tony Hunt was one of my youth pastors at Hershey Free Church.  He is now Senior Pastor at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church.  He said he had been hoping to bump into me at Lancaster Bible College, but our paths never crossed.  Then I met Judy Lehman.  She’s part of Steven Courtney’s Suitcase Musicians and works at HOPE International.  We’ve been internet friends for over a year, mostly relating with music and toddlers.  (Our 2 year olds’ birthdays are very close together.)  We’ve been trying to meet in real life for a while, but haven’t been able to arrange it.  I was delighted to make these connections at the brand new The Junction Center Landis Hall.  It’s a place that I’m sure will hold meaningful memories in the years to come.  I can’t wait to see what relationships are started there.  I imagine kindred heart friendships will start there, musicians will connect with eager hearts, and broken hearts will find Jesus.

I hope you’ve heard the story of Robert M. Landis.  It is truly amazing to think of the impact this man has had—and will continue to have!  Fred McNaughton was talking about the concerts and events we have lined up to take place in the new facility.  I loved when he stressed that we don’t want to forget our roots!  Heritage artists, like Chuck Girard, Russ Taff, Michael Card and Phil Keaggy have been important in helping to blaze a trail for Christian music – and we will continue to support and showcase them.  WJTL is also on a mission to impact future generations.  Children will love concerts with artists like Slugs & Bugs!  There will also be Christian rock shows, concerts with current contemporary Christian artists, local bands and much more.

One of my favorite moments was seeing how our son responded.  After all, this was Josiah’s first real concert!  When Rend Collective took the stage, Sam took Josiah up front.  He held him for a few songs, while Josiah quietly watched.  But, when Sam put Josiah down, he began dancing and jumping and clapping and shouting!  He loved the concert so much, he talked about it all the way home.  (Especially the guitar.)   We asked Josiah if he wanted to go to another concert, and he said “uh huh”!  (Translation: “yes”!)  It brought back memories of when my mom took me to concerts with Michael W. Smith and DC Talk.  We always talked about what we loved on the way home in the car.  And now the process is starting all over again in my little family.  I’m so grateful for Junction Center Landis Hall and can’t wait to see and hear the stories of lives impacted by Christ. Community. Music. in this new space.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as a man of sorrows.

According to Isaiah 53, verse 3, Jesus “was despised and rejected-a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our back on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”

Jesus was taking the pain and suffering that we deserved. It was our sin that prompted Jesus to carry the cross. It was His love for sinners that held Jesus to the cross, not the nails. That is extraordinary love—that Jesus would be willing to face the agony of the cross in front of those who rejected and despised Him. This shows the extent that Jesus is willing to go to help us overcome the wages of sin and restore us to God.

His willingness to enter our world of sin and suffering reveals His ability to identify with our sorrows. He is not distant from our pain. He has been there. He cares for us. He proved it at the cross.

Knowing Jesus as a man of sorrows is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Welcome to April Showers season!  Today’s program features a related theme in the 8:00 hour.  Here are the verses I mention:

Ezekial 34:26

I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing.^[a] I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Hosea 6:3

Let us acknowledge the Lord;
    let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
    he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
    like the spring rains that water the earth.

Isaiah 45:8

Rain down, you heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the Lord, have created it.

Email me to join the weekly playlist email group, where you can get complete song details sent to your inbox.

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com

Here’s your Handcrafted playlist for the March 31st/April 2nd episode:

Hour 1

1. Beyond The Stars – Spoken
2. Through It All – Spoken
3. Breathe Again (Ft. Matty Mullins) – Spoken
4. Running – Random Hero
5. Mirror Mirror – Random Hero
6. I’ll Bleed – Seventh Day Slumber
7. We Are The Broken – Seventh Day Slumber
8. Beautiful Lie – Decyfer Down
9. Fight To Win – Decyfer Down
10. Moving On – Decyfer Down
11. Creation Interview Disciple
12. Radical – Disciple
13. Erase –  Disciple

Hour 2

1. Beneath the Skin – Gold Frankincense & Myrrh
2. Voices – Out Of Black
3. Lay It Down – Crossing Fire
4. Pretty Little Phase – Hearts Like Lions
5. Troubles – Written in Kings
6. Hard Love – Needtobreathe
7. Stones – Manafest
8. Warm Up – NF
9. Out Of This World – Family Force 5
10. Faith – Citizens & Saints
11. Unforsaken – Adelaide
12. Holy Water – Switchfoot
13. Back From the Dead – Skillet
14. Lifeline – Thousand Foot Krutch
15. Song Of Deliverance – Zach Williams
16. A Return – David Crowder Band

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
March 31-April 2, 2017

5 Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow (Saturday April 1) at 2pm at Limeville United Methodist Church in Gap, PA for Ages 1 to 12. Bring a basket or a bag. Light refreshments after egg hunt. More Info: 717 442-4010

4 Family Friendly Comedian & Ventriliquist Ryan and Friends will perform at Jonestown Bible Church in Jonestown tomorrow (Saturday April 1) at 6pm. Ryan got his start in the WJTL listening area but is now Nationally known. More Info: 717-865-4732.

3 Family of Restoration Ministries Cafe Nite. Tonight (Friday, March 31) 6:30-8pm in the upper part of the stone barn on the ministry’s new property in Lititz. Live Music, coffee, desserts and fellowship. The evening is free but you do need to register ahead of time. Registration and More Info: at the Cafe Night EventBrite page.

2 Lancaster Bible College hymn sing, Sunday (April 2) 4 to 5:30pm in the Good Shepard Chapel on its Lancaster campus. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-Registration is encouraged. More Info: lbc.edu/events

1 The First Annual Rec Fest tomorrow (Saturday April 1) at the Penn State Harrisburg College Campus in Middletown from noon to 4pm. The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Global Abilities Foundation will be hosting this event that will provide demonstrations of adaptive sports, recreation and exercise equipment. Some demos include: wheelchair rugby, basketball and baseball, scuba diving, kayaking, tai chi, service dogs, sled hockey, track chair, adaptive hunting equipment, adaptive snow/water ski equipment and more. Vendors from the community sharing resources available. More Info:  http://recfest.net

“For your own transformation, you need to start singing at church.

You need to celebrate what God has done in your life and thank Him through song.

Some of you might call yourself “prison singers”—

you’re always behind a few bars and you never have the right key!

But the Bible doesn’t say to make your singing pretty; it says to make it joyful!”

—Rick Warren

Your handcrafted playlist for the March 24th/26th episode of Some Sort of Rock Show:

Hour 1

1. Mirror Mirror – Random Hero
2. Feel – House of Heroes
3. Shadows – The Afters
4. Without A Fight – LybeckerLife a
5. Pretty Little Phase – Hearts Like Lions
6. How To Live – The Great Transparency
7. Hard Love – NEEDTOBREATHE
8. You Remain – Foreverlin
9. Lifeline – Thousand Foot Krutch
10. Get it Right – Silverline
11. Lit – Beacon Light
12. Know About It (feat. Derek Minor) – KJ-52
13. Beautiful Lie – Decyfer Down
14. Life Again – Decyfer Down
15. Bringing You Back to Life – Light45

Hour 2

1. Troubles – Written in Kings
2. Way You Love Me – XXI
3. Empty Grave – Disciple
4. Need – Kutless
5. Hurricane – Thrice
6. Wash Away – As We Ascend
7. Stones – Manafest
8. Motivated – NF
9. Smash Hit – All Star United
10. Faith – Citizens & Saints
11. Back From the Dead – Skillet
12. Run and Escape – RED
13. Out Of This World – Family Force 5
14. Keep Me – Crowder

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Exodus 33:14.

Being a leader of a group of people can be a lonely place, especially when facing a difficult decision. Moses led Israel through a desert experience, and sometimes, his own people rebelled against his leadership. Where would Moses turn for guidance?

One day he had a conversation with God. He prayed, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways, so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

The LORD replied to Moses’ prayer, saying, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

That is exactly what Moses needed to hear, and Jesus said something similar to us in Matthew 11:28. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Rest for the soul is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com