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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on good and perfect gifts.

James 1:17 tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Here we see that God is the giver of all good gifts. Some of those gifts might be tangible things.  First Timothy 6 tells us that God is the One who provides us with everything for our enjoyment. But this blessing comes with a caution for us not to put our hope in wealth, but rather to put our hope in God. Love the Giver more than the gift.

Some of the good gifts provided by God might be resources that we need to survive. Acts 14:17 says, “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” This, too is a blessing from God and a reason to give thanks.

Some of His gifts are perfect. Jesus is the perfect remedy for our sin. God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son. The Holy Spirit is the perfect power source for living the Christian life. Jesus said in Luke 11, “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Every good and perfect gift from God is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE – June 7th is coming quickly and we can’t wait to celebrate our 30th Anniversary with YOU here at The Junction Center!

It’s going to be a fun evening with concerts by Sanctus Real, City Harbor and Dan & Lauren Smith.  Our friend and dynamic speaker Bob Lenz will be our guest speaker.    Studio tours will be available.  Come take a spin on our pedal cars.  We’ll have food vendors and goodies on site  and more!  We’ll round out the fun night of celebration with fireworks, which is a first for us!

Information on reserving your tickets and other details are available at thejunctioncenter.com.  Like our other Listener Appreciation concerts;  your donation is appreciated but not required!   We just need you to reserve your tickets and are giving you the option to name your price when you do …  from $0 on up.  (All those details  including tax deduction info. is explained when you order).

Thanks so much to our friends at Turkey Hill Dairy All Natural Ice Cream,  Alan Manufacturing and Supply,  Trinity Law P.C., and  Lancaster Bible College for your sponsorship!  We appreciate you.

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the opportunities to join joyful occasions.

When you think of joyful occasions, what are some situations that come to your mind? It is likely that when a joyful occasion comes to our mind, that we will picture several people being there to enjoy the festivities.

Entering into someone else’s joy is expressing sincere friendship just like having the compassion to enter someone else’s pain. Romans 12:15 urges us to rejoice with those who rejoice.

In Luke 15, Jesus told three stories of something or someone who was lost and then was found. In each story, the person who found the object or person who had been lost, wanted someone to celebrate with. Who do they call? Friends, neighbors, and family members.

It’s the people closest to us with whom we want to celebrate. This is something to consider when we receive invitations to weddings, baptisms, award ceremonies, graduations, or anniversary celebrations. We may not always be able to attend every celebration, but receiving such an invitation means that someone wants us to join in their celebration, and we have an opportunity to express our joy in their joy.

The opportunity to join joyful occasions 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 the compassionate expression of a sensitive heart.

Romans 12:15 urges us to mourn with those who mourn.

There is a wise saying that cautions us from singing songs to a heavy heart. When someone hears sobering news from the doctor, or is grieving the loss of a loved one, it is not just a typical day for them. God calls us to be compassionate and sensitive to others who find themselves in vulnerable places. God calls us to take the time to enter their world of pain, to walk with them, and be sympathetic in the midst of their tears. This show of support may look different in various situations. One person may need a listening ear. Another person may have practical needs where we can serve them. Another person might need a shoulder to cry on. The expression of compassion to a troubled soul takes our time, attention, and concern. In this way, we can represent Jesus in difficult places and offer hope and a godly perspective.

The compassionate expression of a sensitive heart is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com