God is moving at Creation 2013!  We spent the day hearing tales about what WJTL means to different listeners and the impact the station has on our community.  It was truly heart warming to hear God in the stories that were told.  We also gave away a boat load of wristbands and magnetic clips: they were like hot cakes, I tell ya.  Our Walk In Love gift basket found a home in the arms of Maddie Feiser of Havertown PA. Though the basket looked small it was full of great items from a great store.

Tomorrows giveaway is going to be two hot air balloon tickets courtesy of United States Hot Air Balloon Team. Also, I have six frisbees to give away. Beause the number is so small, I can not give them away willy nilly; I need something in return. So here it is: What is the #1 condiment in the US? The first six people to answer correctly will be throwing a WJTL frisbee with their new found friends! Good luck and good night to all!

Our duffel bags are packed with shorts, WJTL shirts, and sunscreen; Creation 2013 is less then a day away.  A Walk in love gift pack, two tickets from The US Hot Air Balloon Team and a WJTL prize pack, equipped with a soon to be autographed water bottle, are ready to be given away in our daily giveaways.  I hope you are as excited for Creation 2013 as the WJTL Creation Crew.  This year our tent can’t be missed and we have enough stickers to cover the Switchfoot bus twice over, (our goal is to give away as many as we can).  Along with the stickers, we have WJTL wristband, pencils, pens, clips, bags, and much more.  Plus, stop by daily for surprise giveaways that will be more spontaneous than Toby Mac’s stage show.  See ya tomorrow!

JOHN SHIRK – There are times when Jesus shook things up to challenge the conventional thought of his day. One of those statements was when he pronounced “woe to those who laugh now”, while pronouncing a blessing on those “who weep now.”

This was not to suggest that there was something inherently wrong with laughter, but there are some types of laughter to guard against. Laughter from obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking are out of place for God’s people, according to Ephesians 5. Another kind of laughter to guard against is scoffing or making fun of something that God considers virtuous and true.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” He was talking to His followers when He said this. Just before His death, Jesus told His disciples that their tears of grief would be turned into a reunion of joy after He rose from the dead. Another kind of mourning that happens is when we demonstrate sorrow over our sin to the degree that it leads to repentance. James 4:9 is a message to sinners to “grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up.”

The blessing of mourning is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

JOHN SHIRK – Today, WJTL remembers the blessing of being poor in spirit.

Jesus told His followers in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

To be poor in spirit is to recognize our need for God’s grace. We come to the place where we realize that we are inadequate to do anything about our sin and that we are incomplete without God’s love. As a result, we turn to Christ for salvation.

To be poor in spirit is a humble place to be. God makes Himself at home in the heart of the person who is humble before Him. In Isaiah 57:15, the LORD says, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

The Blessing of being poor in spirit is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – We find this word of instruction in Hebrews 13:16: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

God’s design for our good deeds is for the righteousness of Christ to be exalted. The follower of Christ is motivated to good deeds because the love of Christ is active within us.

After the recent tornado outbreak in Oklahoma, various Christian relief groups moved in to help those devastated by the tornadoes. News broadcasts were drawing attention to the initiative of faith-based groups to come to the aid of those who were suffering.

The compassion of Christ is at the heart of many of these efforts. Doing good and sharing with others will involve sacrifices of personal time. It will require the heart of a servant. There might be a cost involved with making financial donations or buying items that other people need. The risk is worth the potential outcome. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” When we give sacrificially for Christ, God is pleased, practical needs are met, and the door is open for others to give glory to God as a result of our witness.

The “results of sacrificial giving” is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

It’s that time of year again; it’s time to vote in the  13th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards sponsored by the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.  Cast your vote and support your favorites!  WJTL is once again up for Favorite Radio Station and we’d be honored to have your vote!  You can look for the ballot in the June 2nd Sunday News and in the Intelligencer Journal /Lancaster New Era this week.  You can also vote at LancasterOnline.com June 3 through 6.   Look for us in the Miscellaneous catetory.  Be sure to fill out all of the pertinent information so that your vote is counted.   Results will be published in  the Sunday News on August 25.

Christ in Action: UPDATE:  After much deliberation and discussion CIA has decided to cancel the trip from this area scheduled to go to Oklahoma.   There has been such an increidble response from the community and around the country to accomplish immediate needs.  Also, “Homes were completely demolished so we are not going in and helping the homeowner clear things out of their home and prepare for remodeling. In this case, they simply saved what they could in memories and the rest is being completely bulldozed and taken away. People are staying with relatives and friends and are not really in the area at this time.”

Keep up to date with  Christ in Action’s Facebook page.

Feed the Children:  Feed The Children has already responded with basic essentials for the families in Shawnee, OK and provided several pallets of water and frozen lasagna to The Salvation Army and The Red Cross – who are already providing services to those in need.

Cash donations to help with Feed The Children’s disaster relief efforts and help defray the transportation costs of food and essentials needed for the families of those affected can be made by phone, call: 800-627-4556 or online at www.feedthechildren.org

Samaritans Purse:  Information for how to volunteer with Samaritans Purse are available at samaritanspurse.org   Chainsaw skills are helpful but not required. Volunteers will be working primarily on debris clean up, chainsaw work and roof tarping.

The Salvation Army:   Responding with teams to areas affected.  Providing meals and food items,  emotional and spiritual care, working with local officials and more.  Inviting everyone to pray and give financially.  Supporters are encouraged to give online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”

Love From Lancaster County: Partnering with Touch of Color Flooring in Harrisburg to collect relief items for those in need . For information Email Joell or go to Facebook – Love From Lancaster County

Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity:  Collecting financial donations.  Donations of cash, check, credit card, or securities are accepted and all donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to “Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity” and mailed to LAHFH, 443 Fairview Avenue, Lancaster, PA  17603 or delivered in person to Habitat ReStore during business hours. Gifts can also be made online.  Will assist with cleanup, repairs and new construction efforts as need and available resources become clearer.  717-392-8836   LancasterHabitat.org

Southern Regional Police Officer’s Association (Conestoga):  Collecting items through 6/18 to deliver to Oklahoma City.

Items include:

• Bottled Water
• Sports drinks
• Energy/granola bars
• Hand sanitizer
• Diapers, Baby Wipes, Formula
•   Non-perishables: canned fruit/vegetables, pasta, peanut butter, pudding, tea, powdered drink mix
• Cleaning supplies, Work gloves
• Toiletries (i.e.- toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, deodorant,)
• Sun block, Insect repellant
• Monetary donations will also be accepted.  They can be in the form of Pre-paid Visa cards, or checks made payable to SRPOA, note “tornado relief” in the memo line.  They can be mailed to SRPOA at P.O. Box 254 Conestoga Pa 17516 ** Attn: Cpl. Michener.
• Volunteers are also needed

Items can be dropped off at the Southern Regional Police Department between the hours of 8AM and 1 PM, Monday thru Friday.  Weekend or after hour deliveries may be arranged by calling 717-461-2323   Information available at  southernregionalpolice.com

FRED MCNAUGHTON – Congratulations to the WJTL team, winner of this years PAB (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Excellence in Broadcasting Outstanding Station Sponsored Event, for the 2012 Kids Cookie Break Fest.  Kids Cookie Break Host Lisa Landis and WJTL Office Manager, Stacey Gagne attended the May 6 Awards Ceremony in Hershey where they accepted the award on behalf of WJTL.

In the past WJTL has won the Prestigious Excellence in Broadcasting Award several times  for Outstanding Promotional Announcement, Outstanding Radio Website, and Outstanding Radio Promotion.  Lisa and Kids Cookie Break has been honored eight times for Outstanding Radio Program for Children for the Kids Cookie Break. This year the PAB did not have a category for Children’s Radio Programming.

Congratulations to the WJTL team and thanks to PAB for honoring us with this award. It is encouraging to be recognized by our peers in the Broadcasting Industry.

PAB President Richard Wyckoff presents Lisa with the 2013 Excellence in Broadcasting Award.

Dear WJTL Listener,

After a long and cold winter spring is finally here.  Spring is my favorite time of year as signs of new life are everywhere.  It is hard to miss the beauty of God’s creation around us.  I am reminded of God’s promise: “Behold, I make all things new!” (Revelations 21:5).

Things are also starting to blossom at the home of WJTL.  Phase One of the Junction Center Project has now been completed debt free and the studios are working great.  God has truly blessed!  This added space has enabled us to broadcast concerts in front of a live studio audience and to host many other special events.   We love meeting listeners!  The indoor capacity of only 50 people is clearly not enough to meet the demand.

Phase Two expands this vision with the construction of a large parking lot, restrooms and sewer system, landscaping with 65 new trees and a tent!  This high tech Saddleback tent has a completely open interior with no poles to hinder sight lines.  Featuring a great sound and lighting system the Junction Center Tent will be up from mid-May until mid-October starting in 2014.  If construction goes well the tent may actually open later this year.  The capacity will be 600 under roof plus additional open air seating outside.

Plans are for a WJTL summer concert series as well as a number of Kid’s Cookie Break and other events.  The tent will be able to accommodate a wide range of activities including concerts, seminars, banquets, comedy and theater.  “Christ. Community. Music.” is the current slogan for WJTL which also serves as the vision for The Junction Center.  We will also make this tent available to other select organizations.

WJTL is also excited to announce a long term agreement with the Hempfield Soccer Club to use our excess land for practice fields.  This relationship will bring thousands of young soccer players and their families to the Junction Center over the next ten years.

Long term plans are to construct a permanent community fine arts building on The Junction Center site.  This will allow for twelve months of usage rather than the six months provided by a tent.  As a matter of good stewardship though we will want to pay off the costs incurred for Phase Two first before starting anything new.  Currently Phase Two costs are estimated at $960,000 and it is our prayer that this debt can be retired within three years.  This will require a high level of participation from WJTL supporters as compared to the original purchase of the property where two major donors made it possible to purchase the foreclosed property at 28 cents on the dollar.  Your generous gift today will be a real boost to this effort.  Please join us in believing God for his provision and blessing on this ministry.

To donate online go to: https://wjtl.com/stationinfo/support/  

In Christ,

Tim Landis

President/CEO

WJTL / Creative Ministries, Inc

STACEY GAGNE – I didn’t have a passport until 2010.  It only took one trip for me to gain a heart for people living in poverty and that was my trip to Ethiopia with Compassion International.

If you were one of the many who have sponsored a child from a project in Ethiopia during WJTL’s 26 Hours of Compassion, I would love to have you join me and other WJTL listeners August 3 thru 10 on a special trip designed just for us to go meet our children, spend time serving alongside the people in Ethiopia, and see firsthand how Compassion is working through the local church in Ethiopia.

You’ll attend a church service with our brothers and sisters in Addis Ababa, spend time with the children at the projects,  lead some VBS style activities, visit some children’s homes,  work alongside some church partners on some service projects,  get to know students in the Leadership Development program, and of course spend plenty of time playing with our kids and taking them on a special fun day!  What an opportunity to join together as a community and go share the Love of Jesus while making memories together.  Of course there will be sight seeing and many chances to learn about Ethiopian culture along the way.

Please check out the link with registration information,  Email Me or call 717-392-3690 with any questions.