JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Matthew 5:19.

From the New Living Translation, Jesus said, “So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

God’s Word clearly teaches that we cannot be made right with God by obeying God’s laws, because we have fallen short of His standards. We have missed the mark, but Jesus has offered another way to be made right with God-through faith in His name to forgive us and save us from our sins.

The way of Jesus teaches us not to disregard God’s laws or to rely on them for salvation. The way of Jesus is to obey God’s commands and teach them out of our love for Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

Greatness in the Kingdom of heaven is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
June 2-4, 2017

5 Community Day at Lancaster South End Park, tomorrow (Saturday, June 3) noon-4pm. Food, Games, and music by Jimmy Emig Band and SOZO. More Info: 717-397-5451

4 Family of Restoration Ministries Family Fun Fest, tomorrow (Saturday, June 3) 9am-2pm at their headquarters, 28th Division Hwy in Lititz. Games, Balloons, Face-painting and a concert by Phredd.  More Info: Family Restoration Ministries’ Facebook page.

3 Mountville Summer Lawn Concert Kick off, Sunday  (June 4) at Mountville Church of the Brethren beginning at 7pm featuring The Bainbridge Band. More Info: MountVilleCOB.org

2 Ten Thousand Villages’ Annual Children’s Festival, tomorrow  (Saturday, June 3) 10am to 3pm at Ten Thousand Villages, Rt. 272 North in Ephrata.  Crafts, Games, Music & Food from cultures around the world. Attenders will also have the opportunity to pack Relief Kit Buckets, which will be sent by Mennonite Central Committee to families living in refugee camps around the world. More Info: 717-721-8400

1 GO York Summer Reading Program Kick-Off tomorrow (Sat. June 3) 9am-Noon at Dover Area Community Center.  Kids Cookie Break broadcasting live. Jesse Rothacker from Forgotten Friends Reptile Sanctuary will be on hand, a strolling musician and more.  More Info: YorkLibraries.org

Your May 26th-28th Handcrafted Playlist:

Hour 1

1. Dying Inside – Facing Fire
2. Gallows – Dustin Kensrue
3. Holding On – Sun City
4. Don’t Bring That Trouble – NEEDTOBREATHE
5. Way You Love Me – XXI
6. This Is Who We Are – Written in Kings
7. Where the Light Shines Through – Switchfoot
8. The Change – AsWeAre
9. Lifeline- Thousand Foot Krutch
10. Holding On – We Are Vessel
11. Shadows – The Afters
12. Have It All – Lybecker
13. Lay It Down – Crossing Fire
14. Crash – Crossing Fire
15. Pretty Little Phase – Hearts Like Lions

Hour 2

1. Grindin’ (feat. Marty) – NF
2. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching – Family Force 5
3. Shouting Grounds – Crowder
4. Cant Break Me – Rhett Walker Band
5. Erase – Disciple
6. Mirror Mirror – Random Hero
7. Safe & Sound – We Were Once
8. Wash Away – As We Ascend
9. Banner Year – Five Iron Frenzy
10. Stones – Manafest
11. Back From the Dead – Skillet
12. Erase – Disciple
13. Take Me Over – RED
14. You Remain – Foreverlin
15. Live Again – torndown
16. This Is Not A Test – TobyMac

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
May 26-28, 2017

5 For One Life Softball Tournament at Gap Park tomorrow (Sat. May 27) beginning at 7am.  The playoffs start at 2pm and the championship game is scheduled for 9pm.  Entertainment events in the tent throughout the day. Lisa and Kids Cookie Break Broadcasting Live 9am-noon. More Info: ForOneLife.org

4 Kids Bike Rodeo tomorrow (Saturday, May 27) from 1pm-3pm at the Berks County Heritage Center. Berks Area Mountain Biking Association will lead kids (4-12) through stations on bike-fit and a safety check, helmet fitting, basic bike maintenance and a bike-safe obstacle course. Prizes awarded and refreshments provided. More Info: CountyofBerks.com/Parks

3 Columbia Memorial Day Parade, Sunday, (May 28) beginning at 2:30 pm. Bands, floats, cars and many military themed entries. Events also include a special speaker from the military. More Info PARiverTowns.com

2 PennLive/Patriot-News ArtsFest and KidsFest of Greater Harrisburg 2017 tomorrow, (Saturday, May 27) 10am – 7pm at Riverfront Park,  Harrisburg. 250 juried artists, crafts, paintings, photographs, garden sculptures, three stages of continuous entertainment, Popcorn Hat Players. More Info: JumpStreet.org
1 Mount Joy Memorial Day Parade tomorrow (Saturday, May 27) Starting at the upper end of W. Main Street at 2 pm, bands, floats, cars, candy and more honoring veterans of the military.  Look for the WJTL vehichles. More Info: MountJoyChamber.org

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Proverbs 21:23.

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

This does not mean that we will never experience calamity, but it does mean that our carefully guarded words will protect us from future regrets.

What are the kinds of careless words that can come back to bite us? Gossip, slander, deception, angry outbursts, and profanity use words words that are toxic to the atmosphere and harmful to our spiritual health. This is a dangerous path leading to conflict and lack of trust.

But instead of thinking how to use our words for harmful purposes, we can breathe life into the atmosphere with words of praise, honesty, gratitude, and encouragement. These are ways that we can build trust in relationships and bring glory to God.

Avoiding the calamity of using careless words is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines the shield of faith.

According to Ephesians 6, the armor of God is vital for us to take our stand against the devil’s schemes. Satan seeks to destroy us with his attacks, whether they be in the form of temptations or accusations.

Verse 14 highlights one of the pieces of God’s armor, which we can use. “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

The shield of faith protects us from Satan’s attacks. It reminds us daily of our need for God’s grace and it challenges us to believe the truth about the Gospel. Belief in the truth shields us from the lies of the devil and this world’s system. The shield of faith reminds us that we are not alone in the spiritual battles of our lives.

Psalm 28:7 says, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.”

Having God as our shield is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His competency.

According to Jeremiah 32:17, nothing is too hard for God. Jeremiah prayed, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

If we look at the ministry of Jesus, we see His authority to drive out demons from people, to multiply a boy’s lunch to feed five thousand people, and heal the sick. He is the God who delivers us from evil, nourishes our soul, and fills us with His righteousness.

With His outstretched arms at the cross, Jesus was providing for our ultimate healing. He was shedding His blood, pouring out His mercy and providing the sufficient payment for our sins. His words, “It is finished” was a declaration that His mission of love was accomplished successfully. Three days later, the power of His mission was confirmed at the empty grave. Nothing is too hard for the LORD.

God’s competency is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
May 19-21, 2017

5 Rock Ford’s annual May Fair Celebration, Sunday (May 21) 10am-3pm at Rock Ford Plantation in Lancaster. Craftsmen, vendors, 18th century entertainment, Costumed Characters and dancing around the Maypole! All outdoor activities are free and open to the public. There is a cost for the guided mansion tours. More Info: RockFordPlantation.org

4 World Night Market tonight (Friday May 19) at Binns Park in Lancaster from 6pm-10pm hosted by Mennonite Economic Development Associates, Lancaster City and Music For Everyone.  Live music, international food, tuktuk rides and more! More Info: meda.org/wnm

3 Rhubarb Festival today-11am-8pm and tomorrow – 10am-8pm (Friday May 19 & Saturday, May 20) at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA. Rhubarb race-car derby, Best Rhubarb Dessert baking contest, Rhubarb Whoopie Pie Filling Contest, Rhubarb Stroll Parade, costumed characters, musicians, and more. More Info: KitchenKettle.com

2 Open Streets Lancaster Sunday (May 21) from 11am-3pm Water Street in Lancaster. Open Streets encourages physical activity and socializing, support of the local economy and celebrating downtown Lancaster. Food trucks, fire trucks,  face painting, a ball pit, bounce house, martial arts demonstrations, obstacle courses, arts, crafts, live music and dozens of community organizations hosting activities and educational experiences. More Info: OpenStreetLNC.org

1 65th Annual Sertoma Chicken BBQ tomorrow (Sat. May 20) at Long’s Park in Lancaster. Enternainment, Bounce Houses, Obstacle Course and more. Kids Cookie Break & WJTL live all day in the family fun area near the baseball fields and the Park City tunnel entrance. More Info: LancasterSertomaBBQ.com