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The changing face of college athletics

The NCAA basketball tournaments, both men’s and women’s, have had their share of thrilling moments and last-second finishes. By the time the champions are crowned (Sunday, April 7 for the women and Monday, April 8 for the men), another season of highlights will have come to an end. Now, get ready. Get set. Go! The off season in college athletics is as busy, probably busier, than the season itself. The reason? Those two dreaded words: Transfer portal. Remember when college athletes committed to a university and stayed for four years? Maybe five in the event of a redshirt year. Five ...

MCL 1980s: card catalogs and computers

Let’s talk a little bit about how we used to find books and how we used to check books in and out at the library. Two weeks ago, I mentioned that with the new director, Mr. Morse, came a new way of checking books out. The Gaylord System. Before that time, patrons didn’t have a library card. Patron files were kept at the library and brought out when someone either checked out a book or returned a book. With the Gaylord System, patrons were given library cards, cardboard cards with a metal strip. A separate index card was kept in a paper pocket in the back of the books. The ...

April youth programs at JCL

Join us at our upcoming youth programs. Registration is not required for most programs by recommended, which can be done on our website at www.juniatalibrary.org, by calling (717) 436-6378 or in person at the library. Spring Storytimes (Now to April 26) Mondays at 10 a.m.: preschool group (children ages three and over) - Includes stories, songs, rhymes, flannel-board activities, crafts, and lots of fun. Fridays at 10 a.m.: toddler group (children ages 18 months through 2 years) - 20-30 minutes of stories, songs, rhymes, flannel-board activities and movement, followed by 30 ...

Coming home

Luke 15:11-32 is a very familiar text. Anyone who has heard this story knows it is the story of the prodigal son. You might be interested to know that Charles Dickens and Ralph Waldo Emerson said that it is the greatest short story ever written. It is a story about the joy that God derives from a repentant sinner. In fact, the more sinful the sinner has been, the more joyful God is in His salvation. Let me give you a little background to help you understand the story. In 14:35 Jesus says at the end, “He who has ears, let him hear.” That is a call on the part of the Lord to those who ...

The authority in the gospel is the inspired Word of God

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 In our study of church growth, we are considering the traditional church in the area in which we live, and the Sunday morning worship service. What are a few of the key elements that we find in the early New Testament church? We will begin by mentioning the primary element, which is the proclamation of God’s Word or the gospel message. According to the Webster’s Dictionary of 1828, the gospel is a joyful message. That joyful message can be ...

No matter what — First, last and always, is God!

There’s an unassuming little book that has charmed its way up the bestseller lists. Over 1.2 million copies are now in print. It’s Children’s Letters to God by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall. In it you’ll find the surprising pleasures and provocations of what happens when kids decide to send a letter to God. Whether posing a question, begging a favor, or expressing doubt or joy, these letters are notable for their refreshing directness, unexpected humor, and startling clarity of thought. It’s like seeing the world through a child’s bright eyes—eyes untouched by cynicism, ...