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Editor’s note: To submit a nonprofit announcement to The Sentinel’s Religion section, contact Tom Laub at (717) 248-6741 or by email at living@lewistownsentinel.com. Items also may be faxed to (717) 248-3481 or sent to The Sentinel, 21 S. Brown St., Lewistown, PA 17044. Items must be received by Tuesday during business hours for publication in the Saturday edition. Submissions will be published as space allows. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. • • • First Bakers UMC to host Bible study McCLURE — First Bakers United Methodist Church will host a ...

Right and wrong thinking

The direction of a life is often determined long before a person takes a step. It begins in the thoughts. What we allow into our minds shapes what we believe, what we say, and eventually where we go. That is why Romans 12 gives such a clear instruction: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Renewing the mind is not a small matter. It is part of how God changes a person from the inside out. The world is constantly pressing its ideas, fears, desires, and philosophies upon us. Some of those ideas sound reasonable. Some may even contain a ...

Drawing near to God, part two

By James Barnes [Editor’s Note: This is part two of a two-part article by Dr. James Barnes] VI. v.9 Be afflicted. What does that word mean? It means to feel wretched, to feel absolutely totally miserable. That is the feeling that follows the true estimate of one’s sinfulness. I mean you have to feel bad before you can feel good. It is a shame over your sins. VII. v.9 and mourn. Mourn over what? Mourning over your sinfulness. It speaks of a broken spirit. It speaks of this self-contained grief that makes ones heart ache. One writer said, “To repent is to accuse and condemn ...

New set of ‘pipes’: Let the music flow

LEWISTOWN — The music will flow with a new set of “pipes.” St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lewistown recently had the pipe organ re-voiced with trumpet stops added to the instrument. The newly-refurbished organ is preparing for a special performance on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at St ...

Facing the unknown: Life’s difficult dark places create anxiety and fear

I don’t like to drive on unknown roads in the dark, especially in bad weather. I can’t see the lines well, or anticipate curves and other lights make vision difficult. Dark valleys of illness, suffering, loss, broken relationships, financial struggles, and spiritual struggles are very frightening. Why? We don’t know the outcome. Psalm 23 reminds us even in the “darkest valley,” God is present. “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need…. ……4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. ...

Joy: The attitude of strong faith

It is easy to feel overwhelmed and troubled. In this life there is no shortage of difficulties and problems. How we approach our life makes all the difference. We can overcome or be overcome. We can be victorious in life or be victims in life. The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith,” and faith has an attitude, a demeanor, a way of presenting itself. This is where joy comes in. Joy is how faith presents itself. Just like faith, Christian joy does not depend on circumstances or present conditions. Joy is an attitude. It is a posture of the heart. For those who live ...