The Vision . . . The Need!

It is an exciting time here at WJTL as construction has begun on the final phase of The Junction Center Project.  We have clearly seen God at work over the past five years as many obstacles have been overcome with the final plans exceeding what had been hoped for.

The vision is to expand and improve the ministry outreach of WJTL!  We believe that music is an important non-threatening way to reach people for Christ, many of whom would never darken the doors of a church.  Our goal is also to provide quality Christian content that supports, strengthens, and challenges you as a believer in your daily walk with God.  Ratings show that approximately 100,000 different individuals listen to WJTL for a total of 5 to 6 hours each week.  That adds up to more than 36 million listener hours per year!  That does not count the thousands more reached daily over the Internet!

The venue will be very flexible with seating that can be configured many different ways allowing for a wide range of small to medium size events.  Major artists like Chris Tomlin and TobyMac will continue to be held at larger venues but this venue will allow for a host of additional regional and national artists that deserve to be heard and supported.  The stage audio and video will be wired directly to the WJTL studios allowing for the broadcasts of live concerts both through WJTL, Facebook Live and Youtube.

Faith based theater will also be presented including an anticipated summer youth theater camp.  Current outdoor events like the  “The Kid’s Cookie Break Fest” and the “National Day of Prayer” will continue to use the whole site but be improved by the addition of this facility.  The Junction Center tent will be repositioned into the grassy area next to the Arts Center Hall and will be used as the stage cover for an outdoor amphitheater that can hold up to 6,000 people.

It will be a beautiful venue with a fresh contemporary style that utilizes many natural materials.  A custom designed audio system from Clair Brothers will mean the sound will be world class. A full forty foot wide theatrical stage will have a state-of-the-art lighting system designed by Stray Lights.  Running the length of the building will be a really cool balcony featuring a unique vantage point to see a concert.  We are really excited about the design and layout and think you will be too.

Your gift is greatly needed to help WJTL finish this building.  The cost to complete this project is slightly more than $2,500,000 of which 80% is being funding internally by WJTL/Creative Ministries through the sale of some assets and long term savings.  The remaining 20% ($500,000) though needs to come from WJTL supporters.  As you know it is a challenge each year for WJTL to meet it’s annual operating budget so it is very important that any gifts given be “over and above” what you would ordinarily give to the station.  This is a real exercise of faith for the ministry as it will be a significant challenge to meet both the current operating budget while also expanding the ministry.  (Here is a link to donate to WJTLs General Fund.)

A donor has agreed to match each and every gift until the goal is met!  This means that your gift to the Performing Arts Center will in fact be doubled!  As an additional incentive, every donor who gives more than $500 will be acknowledged on a plaque in the vestibule of the new building unless directed otherwise.  All gifts are needed both large and small if this goal is to be reached.  Please prayerfully consider how you can help.
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Click here to make donation to the Performing Arts Center

Fall has just begun, and it feels like the season in full swing already.  So many of us have been itching to get to cooler weather and its cornucopia of harvest-themed activities.  High on the list for families: corn mazes!  There are lots of options all over the listening area.  Click here for a list. Yesterday, my family and I went to Newport to visit Butcher’s Family Fun Farm.  I, personally, was happy to sit in the corn box with my son, Josiah, instead of panicking and guessing the turns through endless rows of corn stalks.

One of my biggest weaknesses is directions.  My internal compass seems to have been faulty since day one.  Needless to say, I’m not the person you want to follow into a corn maze!  If I go in, it’s gotta be with someone who I am confident can get us back out.  Life can be that way.  Some of us seem to navigate it more easily and effortlessly…but we all have a trustworthy guide.  No matter how deeply lost in “life’s corn maze” you feel, listen for God’s loving voice to help you find your way.

Your playlist for the September 23rd/25th episode of Some Sort of Rock Show:

Hour 1

1. Way You Love Me – XXI
2. Worthy – Scarlet White
3. Sidelines – Lecrae
4. Ayo! – Andy Mineo
5. Bummin’ – Relient K
6. Jesus On The Radio – All Star United
7. Black Honey – Thrice
8. Impossible – Anberlin
9. Speak – Foreverlin
10. Don’t Bring That Trouble – NEEDTOBREATHE
11. Still Breathing – Veridia
12. Someday – Disciple
13. Hunger Strike – Seventh Day Slumber
14. Spiraling – Seventh Day Slumber
15. It Was You – Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Hour 2

1. Birds Will Never Fly – Come Wind
2. Something to Say – The Red Airplanes
3. Feel – House of Heroes
4. The War Inside – Switchfoot
5. BZRK – Family Force 5
6. Feel Invincible – Skillet
7. Haters – Beacon Light
8. Oh Lord – NF
9. We Are Tomorrow – Bleach
10. Madness – Citizens & Saints
11. //Crowder Interview
12. Run Devil Run – Crowder
13. Push – Thousand Foot Krutch

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
September 23-25, 2016

5 Christiana Railroad Day, tomorrow (Sat, Sep 24) 10am-3pm, Railroad Ave, Christiana. Open House and Rail Expo.  May railroad and hisotrical vendors, dedication of the caboose and more. More Info: 610 593-6313

4 The 98th Annual Ephrata Fair continues tonight and tomorrow (Friday & Saturday, September 23- 24) in downtown Ephrata. The Ephrata Fair is the largest street fair in Pennsylvania. Agricultural exhibits, Food, fun and more. More Info: EphrataFair.org

3  Joni and Friends Eastern PA Grand Opening of Finding the Forgotten at their offices in Mountville, tonight and tomorrow  (Fri. Sept. 23 and Sat. Sept. 24). Finding the Forgotten is a multi-sensory exhibit taking you through a 30 minute experience encountering stories of families affected by disability. Light refreshments provided. Registration is free and groups are welcome.  More Info: FindingTheForgotten.org

2 Latin American Fest, tomorrow (Saturday, Sept 24) noon-8pm at Long’s Park. Rain or Shine & Free Admission. A Procession of USA – PA – Lancaster and Latin American flags. Lancaster City Police & Fire Department Honor Guard, Balloon Art, Face painting, Music, Clowns and More. More Info: LatinAmera.com

1 Lancaster Bible College Homecoming and Family Weekend, tomorrow (Sat. Sept. 24) inflatables for kids, alumni soccer and baseball games, chapel service and more. Lisa and Kids Cookie Break Broadcasting Live from 9am-Noon!  More info: LBC.edu

ANN D’ALESSANDRO –

See You At The Pole 2016 is coming up next Wednesday, September 28th!  This year’s theme is “We Cry Out, A Generation Seeking Him” – Psalm 24:3-6

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the tombs of the prophets.

All throughout Israel, and the Middle East, there are graves of various prophets and patriarchs.

The traditional site of King David’s tomb is located on Mount Zion. First Kings 2:10 records that David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.

The grave site of Moses is somewhere in Jordan, although the exact location is unknown. This is consistent with the Biblical account which says in Deuteronomy 34:6 that God buried him in Moab, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.

Joseph’s tomb is a familiar site in Nablus. As he was about to die, he gave instructions for his bones to be carried from Egypt when God came to the aid of Israel to guide them to the Promised Land.

In Matthew 23, Jesus acknowledged that the Pharisees built tombs for the prophets and decorated the graves of the righteous.

The tombs of the prophets indicate that these people really did live on the earth, and they were part of God’s great story of redemption that led to the time of Christ.

The tombs of the prophets are reasons to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Here’s your handcrafted playlist for the September 16th/18th show:

Hour 1

1. Saved My Soul – Audio Adrenaline
2. Choices – Graceful Closure
3. Push – Thousand Foot Krutch
4. Facemelt – KJ-52
5. Float – Switchfoot
6. Never Enough – Hawk Nelson
7. Mirror – Kutless
8. Take Me Over – RED
9. Birds Will Never Fly – Come Wind
10. Gotta Be Something – Me In Motion
11. Way You Love Me – XXI
12. Nothing Left to Lose -PIONEER
13. Don’t Bring That Trouble – NEEDTOBREATHE
14. Don’t Wait For Daylight – NEEDTOBREATHE
15. The Change (Feat. Beacon Light) – Bread of Stone
16. In between – Lybecker

Hour 2

1. Anchor Me – Decyfer Down
2. Into My Arms – Embers In Ashes
3. Still Breathing – Veridia
4. Staring At the Sun – Roelant
5. Bummin’ – Relient K
6. Closer – Philmont
7. Run Devil Run – Crowder
8. What About Tonight – 7eventh Time Down
9. Carnival – The Insyderz
10. Haters – Beacon Light
11. Hunger Strike – Seventh Day Slumber
12. My Allegiance – ILIA
13. Madness – Citizens & Saints
14. Kids – Citizens & Saints
15. Feel Invincible – Skillet

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
September 16-18, 2016

5 Septemberfest and Community Day tomorrow (Saturday, September 17) from 3-7pm at Spring Creek Church of the Brethren in Hershey. Penn State Life Lion EMS, therapy dogs, Derry Township Police Canine Unit, face painting, balloon animals, music and more! More Info at SpringCreekCOB Facebook page

4 Ephrata Community Church Family Fest Sunday, Sunday (September 18) 3-7pm at Ephrata Community Church Grounds on Clay School Road in Ephrata. Free food, archery, candy drop, inflatables, fire trucks, crafts, games, and more.  Rain or shine. More Info:  EphrataCommunityChurch.com.

3 Paradise Energy Solutions’ Solar Grand Opening tomorrow  (Saturday, September 17) from 9am-1pm at 3105 Lincoln Highway East  in Paradise. Kids activities, solar demonstrations tours, food and more.  More Info: VisitPES.com

2 Central Penn Parent’s FREE Family Fun Day tomorrow (Saturday, September 17) from 10am-4pm at Cousler Park in York. Live music, stage performances,petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, and more kid-friendly activities.Children are also invited to dress up and walk in the costume parade or bring their favorite stuffed animal for a health check-up. More Info: CentralPennParent.com

1 Oregon Dairy’s 2nd Annual Corn Pickin’ 5K, tomorrow (Saturday, September 17) at the Corn Maze at Oregon Dairy. The Race starts begins at 8am.  Kids Dash starts at 9:30am. KCB live 9-noon with games, free goodies, door prizes, and more! Proceeds benefit the Benevolent Care Fund at Landis Home’s Retirement Community. More Info: OregonDairy.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is the priestly blessing?”

In Numbers 6:24, The LORD instructed Moses how to direct Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you: The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

This is a benediction sometimes given at the end of church services today. This blessing reflects God’s heart for us to know His peace and grace, which satisfies our soul and makes our joy complete.

This blessing is ultimately realized through a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the way for us to experience God’s favor. Grace and peace prevail in the hearts of those who turn away from sin and turn to Christ for forgiveness and direction in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com