JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the uplifting impact of wholesome words.

The Apostle Paul gave the church this instruction in Ephesians 4:29-“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

This is relevant for the way we speak to other people, what we write in emails, and how we use social media. The use of blogs, Twitter, and Facebook can be used to edify other people, but these forms of communication are also used sometimes to air out complaints and grievances that hurt other people.

When communicating with others, Ephesians 4:29 gives us some good parameters to use when considering what to say and how to say it. Is what I am saying wholesome? Does it represent a holy God? Is what I am saying helpful? Will my words be timely and encouraging for building up their faith in the Lord? In the Kingdom of God, words matter, and when we use them wisely, God’s name is honored, God’s people are built up, and God’s foes are confronted with a new way of thinking that challenges them to embrace God’s love and stop resisting it.

The uplifting impact of wholesome words is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE – My heart lept when I received an email this morning from one of our friends at Compassion International who was a part of their recent Sponsor Tour to Ethiopia.  One of the projects that they visited on the tour was Tedecha Mekane Yesus …they are standing where I walked in January 2013 and WJTL listeners in turn sponsored many of these  children during our 26 Hours of Compassion!    JoAnn shared how amazing the Pastor and Project Director at the project are and how the team was impressed and enjoyed their time there with the children.  Maybe you can spot your sponsored child in this picture?!

Our friends from Compassion will have a booth at Creation Festival and there will be opportunities for you to sponsor a child.   If you are at the festival, I encourage you to stop by and prayerfully consider  … or visit the website today and help release a child from poverty in Jesus name.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the righteous causes that spring from godly desires.

These are words from Psalm 37:4 to 6. “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

When we are fully committed to God, there is a purpose that is stirred in our heart that moves us to action. That purpose is the Gospel. God gives His followers different forms of ministry to represent Jesus to the community. One person might have the calling to confront racism, while another person might have the desire to serve at a homeless shelter. Another person might be moved to speak up and defend those who have no voice to speak up for themselves. Where the Lord plants desires in our heart, He provides a platform to shed light on the justice of our cause.  God-given desires become God’s opportunities to fulfill God’s purposes through us.

The righteous causes that spring from godly desires is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE –   There are tons of great concerts and events taking place at The Junction Center during the tent season which runs all the way into October!  In the midst of all the concerts and events; we host Family Movie Nights every month!  Movie Nights are fun times to come out and enjoy some tasty treats, ride the pedal carts and watch a family movie together.

Family Movie Nights at WJTL are free!  When you reserve your ticket you are given a “Name Your Price” donation option, but that price can be from $0 on up.  We want this to be a blessing to you and your family whether you are prepared to make a donation or not.

Our Monthly Movies include:

June 20:  JONAH!  A Veggietales Movie

July 18: Mary Poppins (1964)

August 15: The Muppet Movie (1979)

September 19: The Parent Trap (1961)

October 17: The Love Bug (1969)

All movie nights begin at 7:00 pm with doors opening at 6:00 pm and are held in the Junction Center Tent at 1875 Junction Rd in Manheim.  Uncle Jerry’s Kettle Corn and Turkey Hill treats and drinks will be available for purchase.

*Parents are always encouraged to research movies to ensure they are compatible with what is acceptable for your family viewing.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the significance of Pentecost.

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came in power at the time of a Jewish Feast, which commemorated when God spoke to Moses and gave the Ten Commandments to the Hebrews.

The Feast of Weeks also happened at the beginning of an agricultural season. One of the practices of this feast is to bring the firstfruits to God, as an acknowledgment of God’s gracious hand.

Just as the Feast of Weeks was a turning point for the Jews to receive the law, Pentecost became a turning point for the church to receive the Holy Spirit. The result was new life and the power that believers would need to be witnesses for Jesus. 3,000 people responded to Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost and experienced new life in Christ.

The significance of Pentecost is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on a life directed by God.

One of the questions that graduates face is “what will I do with the rest of my life?” This is a significant question. The answer may depend on another question. “Who will lead us?”

Proverbs 3:5 and 6 are key passages that reveal how our lives can be directed by the wisdom of God’s plan.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” The next verse is also important for having a mindset that is ready to respond to the counsel of God.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”

For moral decisions, there is clarity available in the commandments of God.

For career decisions, there is guidance available in the hand of God.

For decisions that build relationships, there is help available in the love of God.

Having our paths directed by God is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE – Our 30th Anniversary Concert Event is just a few days away; and we have more fun activities up our sleeve to add to the already exciting line up!

Join us this Saturday when doors open at 4:00 pm for tours of The Junction Center, take a spin on our pedal carts and get a fun photo with your family or friends in the photo booth!   We’ll also be serving free anniversary cake from Country Table Restaurant.   Other food will be available onsite for purchase including treats from Turkey Hill and Uncle Jerry’s Kettle Corn and Catering With Attitude’s food truck.

Some of our friends are helping add to the fun including prizes provided by Turkey Hill Dairy, Sight and Sound Theatres, Walk in Love , Chick-fil-A and more.  We’ve also put together an extra special WJTL prize pack including our brand new full line of tshirts.  We plan to do giveaways throughout the evening.

The program begins at 5:15 with the planned schedule below:

5:15 pm: Welcome
5:20 pm: Dan & Lauren Smith
6:10 pm: City Harbor
7:00 pm: Bob Lenz
8:00 pm: Sanctus Real
9:05 pm: FIREWORKS

Our staff is really excited to celebrate with you.   Tickets are free, but need to be reserved.   Visit thejunctioncenter.com for details.  See YOU Saturday!

STACEY GAGNE –  Dates are available for booking venues at The Junction Center this Fall.   Banquets, corporate events, weddings, concerts, church services, parties, and more can be held in our facilities here at 1875 Junction Road.   We’ve had a great response from guests who have joined us so far.

The Junction Center tent is a Saddleback tent venue with a completely open interior.   When set up in concert style with a stage at one end; it will accommodate approximately 650 people.  Banquet seating capacity is approximately 450 depending on the type of table used.  In “band shell” set up, the audience capacity increases to the thousands.   The marquee tent outside of the larger saddleback tent works great as a greeting area or lobby for  larger events.  It can also be equipped for a smaller group banquet space or party.   Some examples of events hosted so far includes:  S. Clyde Weaver’s company picnic,  Manheim BIC’s combined Easter Service, Child Evangelism Fellowship’s Banquet, Hempfield Baseball end of the year party, Victory Church Young Adult Kick off service, a PA Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau Mixer, National Day of Prayer and various other concerts and events.

We also take reservations for The Millen Room, a cozy 980 square foot café featuring a small stage plus tables and seating for approximately 50 people.  Business Meetings, smaller parties (birthday, bridal and baby showers), luncheons and similar functions work great in this space equipped with a warming kitchen, projection and sound equipment.

More details about the venues are available at thejunctioncenter.com.  Please email chris@wjtl.com for questions specific to your event needs.

JOHN SHIRK – One of the benefits of living in this moment of human history is that we can look back at the Bible characters of the past who were faithful to the Lord and be motivated by their witness. This week, we examine some of faith’s heroes in Hebrews 11.

Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the faith of Abraham.

Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

It was the voice of the LORD that was calling Abraham out of his comfort zone to unknown territory. One of the reassuring promises that God gave Abraham was, “I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” God delivered on His promises to Abraham.

Faith does not normally see the big picture of God’s plans, but is willing to trust God step by step, because we believe that moving forward into the unknown with God is better than staying in our comfort zone without Him.

When someone obeys God’s calling, that is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on what happens in the Year of the Lord’s favor

Isaiah 61 contains words that would eventually be fulfilled by Jesus. The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.

When Jesus came to earth, He fulfilled these words. This is where Jesus stopped when He read the scroll from Isaiah. During His earthly ministry, we learn that Jesus healed the sick, encouraged the brokenhearted, and preached the Gospel. He drew crowds with His miracles, and gained enemies by claiming to be God’s Anointed One. In the favor of the LORD, we find the light of hope, the source of healing, and the freedom of forgiveness.

The favor of the LORD is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com