JOHN SHIRK – Recently, my wife and I attended a funeral service and a wedding reception on the same day. It was the first time I had ever done that, and there was a wide range of emotions that we shared that day-from the tears of sadness at the funeral to the music on the dance floor at the wedding reception.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone, the living should take this to heart.”

I thought about that verse that day. I was glad for the experience of the wedding reception for it was a celebration of life, and a celebration of committed love. There is real joy in that kind of celebration.

But the funeral was also a celebration of life, remembering someone’s faithfulness to the Lord, and someone’s special qualities that added joy to our lives while they lived. That person was my mother-in-law, and she will be missed.

Among the sympathy cards we received, one person noted how at the service, they were challenged with some legacy questions. After I am gone, how will I be remembered? Will I be remembered as someone who loved the Lord and loved my family? These are some of the ways that attending the house of mourning can help us make the most of the opportunities that God gives us with our window of time on this earth.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 gives us wisdom for turning to God at the crossroads of life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

5.  Free First Fridays for Families at the Lancaster Science Factory tonight from 5-8pm.  Visitors  receive free access to more than 60 interactive exhibits relating to science, technology, engineering and math, as well as demonstrations and activities in the “Science Cafe,” thanks to donations from PPL Electric Utilities. For more information: lancastersciencefactory.org.

4. The  Bible Truck Museum and Exhibit on display Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12:00 – 9:00 PM at the Harrisburg Mall in Harrisburg.  It will be parked in the parking lot outside Bass Pro Shops. Guided tours will take place every half hour. It features information on how the Bible was written, distributed and translated, and offers various examples of ancient and modern Bibles. An outdoor planetarium will also be on site.  Admission is Free. Fore more information harrisburgbibletruck.com.

3.  Rural Life Festival on Saturday, July 8th from 9am-3pm at Newburg United Methodist Church in Newburg.  Spend a day in the past with displays of antique farm machinery, small engines, working steam engine, and demonstrations of old-time farm and kitchen chores — grain thrashing, blacksmith, sheep shearing, log hewing, scrapple and butter-making. In addition, there will be many activities for children, an auction, and an abundance of food, including fresh apple cider, kettle cooked sassafras tea, black bean kettle soup, chicken barbecue and ice cream. Free admission and parking.  For more information 717-423-6223 or shipsaves.com.

2.  New Bloomfield Fire Company Carnival July 7th & 8th at 5:15pm at the New Bloomfield Fire Company. Delicious foods, thrilling rides and a family-friendly atmosphere. Free admission and free parking. For more information (717) 582-2144 or visit the New Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Company Facebook page.

1. Celebrate tomatoes at the 59th Annual Washington Boro Tomato Festival featuring live entertainment, carnival games, prizes, and food.  Held at Washington Boro Community Park the festival offers free admission for all.  The annual festival is this Saturday evening and next Saturday evening, July 16th from 5-9.  Food starts at 4.  Visit the Washington Boro Tomato Festival Facebook page. 

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as our Teacher.

According to John 13:13, Jesus was recognized as a Teacher. He said to His disciples, “You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

He was teaching His disciples about humble service to one another. He taught by His words, and He taught by example. Sometimes, it takes some time for Jesus’ disciples to learn the lesson plans of faith. But as we keep our ears tuned into His teachings we will find over time that we are starting to apply those lesson plans into our lives, and He is preparing us for productive service. In Luke 6:40, Jesus said, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” That is the hope that we have as we follow Jesus. He will train us to become more like Him.

Knowing Jesus as our Teacher is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Today we reflect on—and celebrate–our liberty in Christ.  It’s a Freedom & Fire(works) themed playlist!

Happy Independence Day—we are free indeed! 

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com

Here’s your Handcrafted Playlist for the June 30th/July 2nd Episode:

Hour 1

1. This Is Who We Are – Written in Kings
2. Breaking Out – Sumerlin
3. The Bigger Picture – Adelaide
4. Satisfied – House of Heroes
5. Pretty Little Phase – Hearts Like Lions
6. The Window – Thrice
7. Holding On – Sun City
8. Until We Feel Alive – Lybecker
9. Grindin’ (feat. Marty) – NF
10. Ayo! – Andy Mineo
11. Erase – Disciple
12. Live Again – torndown
13. Until The Night’s Gone – Graceful Closure
14. Out Of This World – Family Force 5
15. The Truth – I Am Spartacus

Hour 2

1. Shouting Grounds – Crowder
2. Nothing Left to Lose – PIONEER
3. The Broken One – We Are Vessel
4. Take It Out On Me – Thousand Foot Krutch
5. Dying Inside – Facing Fire
6. Back From the Dead – Skillet
7. Where the Light Shines Through – Switchfoot
8. Song of Deliverance – Zach Williams
9. Wake Up Call – Relient K
10. Safe & Sound – We Were Once
11. Tell Me – As We Ascend
12. Beautiful Lie – Decyfer Down
13. Say It Again – XXI
14. The Resistance – Anberlin
15. Shadows – The Afters

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
June 23-25, 2017

5 The 4th annual Civil War Living History Encampment of the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry/59th Regiment Volunteer Company D, today (Friday, June 23) noon-4pm tomorrow (Saturday, June 24) 10am-3pm and Sunday (June 25) noon to 4pm. The living history event happens on the grounds of the Robert Fulton Birthplace, Robert Fulton Highway, in Quarryville. Visitors to the grounds will be immersed in American history during the 1860s.
Soldiers and citizens of the era will recount stories, demonstrate skills, and re-enact daily life, both on and off the battlefield. The event is free, but donations are appreciated, and benefit the Solanco Historical Society and the Robert Fulton Birthplace. More Info: SouthernLancasterHistory.org

4 Carousel Organ and Calliope display and concert at Shupp’s Grove Antique Market, Adamstown, tomorrow (Saturday, June 24) and Sunday (June 25) 7am-4pm. The Carousel Organ Society of America will have large Carousel Organs, Calliopes and Han-Cranked Music Boxes on display throughout the market. A Carousel Organ and Calliope Concert will be Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm. More Info: ShuppsGrove.com

3 All Aboard: A Salute to the Great American Railroad: A free 30 minute show about trains for kids and their families, tomorrow (Saturday, June 24) at The Barn at The Red Caboose Motel in Ronks, PA. Showtimes are 10:30, 11:30, 1:30 & 2:30. Railroad songs, a choo-choo conga-line, giveaways and even a sing-a-long. More Info: RedCabooseMotel.com

2 Free Community Day tomorrow (Saturday June 24) from 10am-4pm at Word of Grace Church, Eckman Road in Lancaster. Tethered hot air balloon rides, bounce houses, barrel train, firefighter games, kids’ craft station, and more. More Info: wordofgracepa.com

1 Central Penn Parent Lancaster Family Festival tomorrow (Sat. June 24) from 10am-3pm at Long’s Park in Lancaster. This FREE event will feature music and stage performances, a petting zoo and pony rides, Atomic bounce houses, story time corner, Super Hero Parade, and lots of exhibitors with child-friendly activities. More Info: FamilyFavoritesFestival.com/Lancaster

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines the phrase, “Our Father in heaven.”

According to Matthew 6:9, Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

When earthly fathers are not loving examples for us, this is sometimes a difficult description to accept. However, other passages of Scripture lay out God’s design for fatherhood.

The Apostle Paul wrote in First Thessalonians 2:11 and 12, “You know how we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” And Hebrews 12:10 tells us that God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.”

God’s grace moves us to embrace Him as our Heavenly Father. In the process of knowing Him this way, He brings out the best in us.

Having God as our Heavenly Father is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
June 16-18, 2017

5 Thunder on The River tomorrow (Saturday, June 17) 10am-2pm on Locust Street in Columbia. Vintage Cars, Oldies Music, kids area, Admission is free but bring canned goods for Columbia Food Bank. More Info: PaRiverTowns.com

4 The Music For Everyone Festival at Kitchen Kettle Village, Old Philadelphia Pike in Gordonville, tomorrow (Saturday, June 17) 10am-6pm A wide variety of music, concerts, street acts, and more. Music For Everyone is a Lancaster based non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and resources to strengthen the role music plays in local schools and communities. More Info: KitchenKettle.com

3 The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg Summer, Community Free day tomorrow (Saturday, June 17) from 9am-4pm. Visitors can enjoy activities, including firing demonstrations of U.S. Artillery; Frederick Morsell portraying Frederick Douglass in “The Christiana Affairs and Abolitionism in Central Pennsylvania;” Exhibits, talks, Civil War Period clothing and coloring stations. More Info: NationalCivilWarMuseum.org

2 Allegro Orchestra Lancaster in concert Sunday (June 18) 7:30pm at Long’s Park Amphitheater as part of the Free Longs’ Park Summer Concert Series. The mission of Allegro Orchestra Lancaster is to expand the appreciation and love for classical music across multiple generations in Lancaster County by making great music accessible in new, friendly and playful ways. More Info. LongsPark.org

1 Intercourse Heritage Days, today, tomorrow and Sunday (June 16-18) at Intercourse Community Park. petting zoo. candy drop, antique tractor show, fire truck demonstration, fireworks and more! The Together Initiative’s 6th annual Together Run Ride Walk activities also happening for people of all ages. More Info: IntercourseHeritageDays.com