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WJTL’s Junction Center Hall Officially Named

phredd : January 16, 2017 7:01 am : Fred McNaughton, Staff Pages

Construction of the performing arts hall at The Junction Center is phase 3 of a five-year process.  The cost to complete this final phase is slightly more than $2,500,000 of which 80% is being paid from internal ministry funds.  This leaves a minimum balance of $500,000 that needs to come from donations to the WJTL building fund.

Our prayer in the beginning was that a legacy donor could be found to provide half of that amount in matching funds to start the fund drive.  Several months went by without any success in finding this donor and frankly it was becoming a bit discouraging.

Last March WJTL president Tim Landis was attending a family dinner with his siblings at the home of his mother Rhoda. Father Robert had recently died which had left a big hole in the family gathering.  During desert Tim mentioned his frustration with being unable to secure a lead gift to start phase three.

Someone suggested in jest, “Why not call it the Robert M. Landis Memorial Hall.”  After chuckling about it awhile the conversation turned to other subjects.  Over the next several weeks this conversation was constantly on Tim’s mind and it started to make more and more sense.  Even as a family project it would be a sacrificial gift but one that would hopefully encourage others to give.  After talking with the other family members (Rhoda, Cheryl, Tim, Bärbel, Karla and Geoff) it was enthusiastically decided to jointly make this matching challenge gift in memory of their father, Robert M. Landis.

Robert had loved the Lord, loved his children and loved Christian music.  One treasured heirloom he left behind was a round pitch pipe that he purchased at the age of 18.  This device was used when leading worship at the small Lancaster City mission church he attended from the time of his marriage until his death at the age of 83.  It also saw service in numerous quartets and choirs over the years.

Robert never sought the spotlight and was most comfortable volunteering behind the scenes.  In the early 70’s his children all were very involved in bringing contemporary Christian music to the Lancaster area.  Artists such as Keith Green, Second Chapter of Acts and Barry McQuire ate at his table and even slept in their RV’s in his driveway.  He also served as the plumber for the Creation Festivals for many years and built the infamous early shower units.

One of the first contemporary concerts he attended was by Petra in 1975.  Tim was a little concerned what his reaction would be to their song, “Killing My Old Man”, but his only comment was, “The drummers are pretty good.”  They had two sets of drummers back then.
Although he definitely would have been embarrassed, the official name of the hall at the Junction Center will be called, “Robert M. Landis Memorial Hall,” but often will be referred to as “Landis Hall” when brevity is required.

Building Fund Update:  As of January 13, 2017, the sum of gifts and pledges total $63,588.67 from 230 people and 18 organizations.  Combined with the challenge gift of $250,000 this means that a total of  $313,588.67 has been raised leaving a balance of $186,411.33 minimum that still needs to be raised.

 

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Compassion Guatemala Trip

phredd : January 6, 2017 10:36 am : Fred McNaughton, Staff Pages

Lisa  and I will be heading back to Guatemala with Compassion International  January 28-February 4, 2017

We will be visiting GU-501.  That is Compassion’s project many WJTL listeners helped sponsor in 2015.

If you have a sponsored child from GU-501 and you would like to send along a gift for your child, please put everything in a one gallon (or less) zip-lock bag. If you sponsor more than one child please make one for each child.  The child’s name and number, along with the sponsor’s name and number, need to be clearly marked on the outside of each bag. Or you can put on a piece of paper that is able to be seen clearly through the bag.  Please DO NOT send along any money inside the bags because we won’t have the chance to do currency exchange while on the trip.

Here’s a few ideas of small things you can include:

  • Photos
  • Postcards
  • Greeting cards
  • Coloring pages or small book
  • Paper crafts
  • Stickers
  • Bookmarks
  • Musical greeting cards
  • colored pencils, crayons or markers
  • hair ribbons & barrettes
  • school supplies
  • puzzles

 

Drop off, or mail your child’s gift (in a gallon, or quart bag) to  WJTL, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim, PA 17545 by January 20th.

Lisa and I are looking forward to seeing the children we sponsor AND we are looking forward to delivering your gifts to your child as well.

Here’s a photo of what a baggie of gifts could look like.

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Reason To Believe-The day of Christ’s birth

john : December 20, 2016 4:51 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the day of Christ’s birth.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Every day is a gift for us to celebrate. But there is a particular day that is especially worth noting as a day of celebration.

The surrounding verses include references to Christ. Verse 22 talks about the stone that the builders rejected becoming the capstone. The Apostle Peter applied this verse to Jesus in his writings. And verse 26 was applied to Christ at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.”

The coming of Christ into the world is a day to celebrate and is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Q and A-Virgin Birth

john : December 20, 2016 4:39 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “Why is the virgin birth of Jesus so important?”

In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesied that the virgin would be with child, and in Matthew chapter 1, that prophecy became reality at the birth of Jesus.

First, the virgin birth is significant because it is a miracle. Jesus was not born by ordinary means. His birth was the result of Divine Intervention.

Secondly, the virgin birth is significant because it highlights the fact that Jesus was not born with a sinful nature. 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.”

This fact set Jesus apart from every other human being. He knew what it was like to be human, but He did not sin. This made Him a worthy sacrifice for our sins when He went to the cross.

The virgin birth reveals Jesus to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Q and A-What is the true meaning of Christmas?

john : December 14, 2016 5:40 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is the true meaning of Christmas?”

There are many possible influences that can take our attention away from the true meaning. Too much activity can lead to stress during the holiday season. Too much shopping can lead us to debt after the holiday season.

The true meaning of Christmas is marked by a special, sacred gift that came from heaven to earth about 2,000 years ago-a child born in a manger who was born to save God’s people from their sins.

The true meaning of Christmas can be found in the proclamation of the angel to the shepherds when Jesus was born. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

This focus point will make our celebration of Christmas meaningful during this holiday season in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Reason To Believe-Incarnation

john : December 14, 2016 5:30 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

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

This is a term that means “the act of being made flesh.” This term applies to Jesus in the sense that He came from heaven to become a man. The Incarnation of Christ refers to His humanity. At the same time, Jesus retained His deity in human form.

Speaking of Jesus, John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The meaning of the Incarnation to our lives is that God has come near to where we are. We know He can identify with the experience of being human, because He shared those experiences with us, except that He never sinned. He experienced hunger, pain, sorrow, anger, anguish, and joy. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.

Josh McDowell says, “The Incarnation is Jesus’ way of saying, ‘I understand.’”

The Incarnation is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Q and A-Celebrating Christmas in a Meaningful Way

john : December 8, 2016 4:36 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How can I celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way this year?”

The noise, shopping lists, and busy schedules can cause us to lose the joy during the Holiday season. Here are some words to add meaning to our celebration of Christ’s birth.

The most important action word is to “Receive” the gift that God has offered. Jesus is God’s greatest gift to the world. Being receptive to this gift makes all the difference in having a meaningful celebration.

Another word to bring focus into the Holiday season is “Remember.” Take time to read about Christ’s birth in the Bible. Reflect on why Jesus came, and the miracle of His love.

The third word is “Recognize.” This involves coming to terms with the worth of Jesus’ birth. Ephesians 1:7 says about Jesus, “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

If we receive, remember and recognize God’s greatest gift, our hearts will be filled with praise for God who provided what we need most in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Reason To Believe-Relevance of the Gospel

john : December 8, 2016 4:28 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the relevance of the Gospel for every generation.

There is no generation in history, present, or future that can say they do not need the Lord. Jesus is the worthy Savior who came for all people in all generations of history. This is why we have the calling to pass along the Gospel to the next generation-to make His salvation known to future generations. His righteousness is what we all need, and His righteousness is applied to those who trust Jesus for salvation.

Psalm 22, verse 30b and 31 says, “Future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!”

Methods of presenting the Gospel may change over time, but the actual message remains the same, and is changing lives daily from the inside out.

The relevance of the Gospel for every generation is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Thank You Extraordinary Givers

phredd : November 19, 2016 5:37 am : Fred McNaughton, Staff Pages
Thank you WJTL Family! YOU ARE EXTRAORDINARY GIVERS!!! You helped WJTL raise $164,744 of support during this year’s Extraordinary Give. AND Thank you Lancaster County Community Foundation for Championing Giving and Generosity and for Celebrating many great organizations from our community.
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Q and A-Evangelizing Friends and Family

john : November 17, 2016 5:35 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How can I evangelize my friends and family without turning them away from the Gospel?”

The Bible calls Christians “ambassadors for Christ.” It is good to remember that we are on a peace mission to proclaim the message of reconciliation through Jesus.

Before talking about God to our unsaved loved ones, we are wise to talk to God about our unsaved loved ones. Pray for them. Let God prepare the way through prayer.

Another thing to remember is treating our loved ones with dignity, not as a project. As we share the reason for our hope, First Peter 3:15 tells us to do this with gentleness and respect.

One of the best things we can do is live out the Gospel with integrity. Jesus tells believers to let our light shine before others that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Prayer, respect, hope, and living the Christian life are some effective ways to evangelize loved ones without turning them away from the Gospel in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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