Sunday, December 23, 2007
You're Invited To Christmas Dinner
“We're having turkey, ham, mashed potato, sweet potato, the whole nine yards,” says John Minor, one of the volunteers helping to organize the annual Christmas Dinner for the community at the Gospel Tabernacle church in Coudersport.
"Anybody who doesn't have a place to go for Christmas dinner is welcome.," said Minor.
The dinner , which begins at 2:00 pm on Christmas day is free and open to everyone.
"If you'd enjoy meeting new people or seeing old friends, please feel free to join us." reads the poster for the event.
There will also be Christmas presents for the children.
Lauren Geiser Gets Lead In "Damn Yankees"
Lauren Geiser of Coudersport, a freshman at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, won the female lead role for the production, "Damn Yankees".
She is the daughter of Lynn and Lynne Dee Geiser. She is a 2007 graduate of Coudersport High School. She is studying political science and philosophy as a major with a minor in theatre. Lauren's father, Lynn Geiser is a pastor at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle.
In Coudersport, she has appeared in local community and high school musicals and was a member of the Pennsylvania All-State Choir. She studied under Coudersport music instructor Larry Herbstritt.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Miracles Expected
By John Cleary--Star Gazette
About 25 people show up every night for the revival meetings at Abundant Life Community Outreach, said the church's organizer, Jerry Berbary. But it's just a start. The word's going to get out, he said, once the miracles start happening.
Stephen Smith can feel it coming, too. He's an evangelist from Perth, Australia, who, after preaching at churches and revival meetings around the world for nearly 30 years, has selected Elmira as the place where he's going to settle.
Smith is here in the midst of a six-week visit, but he plans to return permanently just as soon as he can work out a visa. He's picked Chemung County, he said, because he sees great need here.
"Young people here don't seem to be going anywhere," said Smith, 49. "People are struggling in this area. They need what I can offer them."
What he has to offer, he says, is the love of God and the opportunity to witness the power of God. A power displayed in miracles and healings. It's something he said he's witnessed, time and time again, in churches around the world, and he fully expects it to happen here.
I'm a skeptic. And I suspect some people will scoff at Smith's talk of miracles and faith healings. But he's not going to back off it.
"I don't believe in claiming something that is not real," he said.
Berbary said he's seen the miracles for himself, including one this week. He said he was praying with a small congregation near Scranton when a person's injured arm was healed. The physical presence of God in the room was apparent to everyone there, he said. He said it's an amazing feeling.
You might remember Berbary, a painting contractor, for his stint running the Hopkins Street Community Center in the old Hopkins Street Elementary School on Elmira's Southside. He's closed operations at the community center and is trying to sell the building. He gave it up, he said, because the sources of funding he relied on made the money available only if he did not use the center as a base for preaching.
Eventually, he chose his ministry over the money.
Now Abundant Life Community Outreach meets in a former bar attached in the back of the Manos Diner building at 118 College Ave. in Elmira Heights. What was once the Ichabod Lounge and later Bill's Sports Bar is now a church sanctuary and meeting area. You can still see glimpses of the old dance floor here and there. Still, it makes a nice church.
Smith, who said he's worked as an evangelist in the Philippines, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand and England, has been to the Twin Tiers before. He started coming to New York in 2000, when he was invited to preach at a Johnson City church.
During this visit, he's focusing on leading daily prayer meetings. But after he moves here, he's going to begin reaching out to the community. If Jesus were here today, Smith said, he wouldn't be spending much time inside a church. He'd be in the crack houses and brothels trying to help people.
"I'd just be their friend," Smith said. "A lot of people look at a preacher as some kind of salesman. He's trying to win your soul, and if you're not saved he doesn't want anything more to do with you. It creates a kind of class distinction.
"But I'm no different than you. There's nothing different between me and you if I have Jesus in my heart and you don't, except that I have Jesus in my heart."
About 25 people show up every night for the revival meetings at Abundant Life Community Outreach, said the church's organizer, Jerry Berbary. But it's just a start. The word's going to get out, he said, once the miracles start happening.
Stephen Smith can feel it coming, too. He's an evangelist from Perth, Australia, who, after preaching at churches and revival meetings around the world for nearly 30 years, has selected Elmira as the place where he's going to settle.
Smith is here in the midst of a six-week visit, but he plans to return permanently just as soon as he can work out a visa. He's picked Chemung County, he said, because he sees great need here.
"Young people here don't seem to be going anywhere," said Smith, 49. "People are struggling in this area. They need what I can offer them."
What he has to offer, he says, is the love of God and the opportunity to witness the power of God. A power displayed in miracles and healings. It's something he said he's witnessed, time and time again, in churches around the world, and he fully expects it to happen here.
I'm a skeptic. And I suspect some people will scoff at Smith's talk of miracles and faith healings. But he's not going to back off it.
"I don't believe in claiming something that is not real," he said.
Berbary said he's seen the miracles for himself, including one this week. He said he was praying with a small congregation near Scranton when a person's injured arm was healed. The physical presence of God in the room was apparent to everyone there, he said. He said it's an amazing feeling.
You might remember Berbary, a painting contractor, for his stint running the Hopkins Street Community Center in the old Hopkins Street Elementary School on Elmira's Southside. He's closed operations at the community center and is trying to sell the building. He gave it up, he said, because the sources of funding he relied on made the money available only if he did not use the center as a base for preaching.
Eventually, he chose his ministry over the money.
Now Abundant Life Community Outreach meets in a former bar attached in the back of the Manos Diner building at 118 College Ave. in Elmira Heights. What was once the Ichabod Lounge and later Bill's Sports Bar is now a church sanctuary and meeting area. You can still see glimpses of the old dance floor here and there. Still, it makes a nice church.
Smith, who said he's worked as an evangelist in the Philippines, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand and England, has been to the Twin Tiers before. He started coming to New York in 2000, when he was invited to preach at a Johnson City church.
During this visit, he's focusing on leading daily prayer meetings. But after he moves here, he's going to begin reaching out to the community. If Jesus were here today, Smith said, he wouldn't be spending much time inside a church. He'd be in the crack houses and brothels trying to help people.
"I'd just be their friend," Smith said. "A lot of people look at a preacher as some kind of salesman. He's trying to win your soul, and if you're not saved he doesn't want anything more to do with you. It creates a kind of class distinction.
"But I'm no different than you. There's nothing different between me and you if I have Jesus in my heart and you don't, except that I have Jesus in my heart."
Monday, November 19, 2007
Vandals Glue Church Locks In Philly
PHILADELPHIA -- You could call it a stick-up of a different kind.
Vandals put glue in the locks of several churches in Philadelphia's Tacony and Mayfair sections, making it difficult for parishioners to get inside for Sunday services. At least eight churches of various denominations were targeted on and near Tyson Avenue.
Pastor Dominic Puglia's church, The First Christian Pentecostal Church is located on Tyson Avenue and Van Dyke in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia.
Pastor Dominic said "They glued both locks on our church." He managed to break one of them free of the glue and they had to break the other lock to get it open.
He said " I spent most of the day today replacing the broken lock." "I don't think it was kids because they did it over a really great distance." "Another church in our neighborhood had eight locks glued shut."
Pastor Dominic is a frequent visitor at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle and his son, Jonathon is a student at the Gospel Tabernacle Bible School.
Pastor Arthur Johnson says his Tacony Baptist Church was among those affected. He calls it "really comical." He says the "devil is trying to tell us we are doing something right for the Lord."
Lt. Frank Vanore says police are investigating. No arrests have been made.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Posting Today From Philadelphia
Solomon's Words is being posted today from the Philadelphia area where we are visiting our daughter and grandsons.
We were priviledged to worship this morning at pastor Dominic Puglia's " First Christian Pentecostal Church" at Tyson Avenue and Van Dyke Street, in Philadelphia. Pastor Dominic and his wife are frequent visitors at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle. Their son Jon is a bible school student at the Tabernacle in Coudersport.
Pastor Minor Quoted In Bradford Era Article
Going to a place of worship used to be a time when people put on their “Sunday best.”
But some local ecumenical leaders have noticed that some parishioners come to worship in casual attire and leave the formal wear in the closet.
“I have to admit that I’ve had guys and girls come in (to church) in shorts,” said the Rev. Robert Brest of the First Free Methodist Church in Bradford.
Some have even come in their sweats, he said. Others can be seen donning their t-shirts in support of their favorite sports teams.
Larry Lawson, who leads services at Temple Beth El in Bradford, said he sees everything from the business suit to jeans.
“Our group tends to be very casual,” he said.
While there is no formal dress code at the Faith Baptist Church in Bradford, it is expected parishioners dress modestly, or “properly covered up,” said Dr. Bill Raymond, pastor. Some people do come to worship in their casual wear, he said.
“When I was a kid, (attire) was more formal,” said the Rev. Leo J. Gallina of St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church in Bradford. “People knew what they were going to and presented their best.”
Brest said he began to notice a slight change in attire about 20 years ago when women in the church began wearing pantsuits instead of dresses. Women still dressed up, but it was a change from tradition, he said.
It seems to be a generational thing at the church, Brest said. The older crowd still puts on the suit or dress and while younger people will come more casual.
“I think a lot of it is due to brand new people coming to the church,” he said.
“I’m not used to it, in a way,” Lawson said, adding that he grew up with the view that people must “look their your best, be your best, and be scrupulously clean” before God.
Many parishioners are dressing casually for worship, but the church isn’t the only place experiencing the loosening of dress codes, Raymond said.
“I feel it’s not only a trend for church, but for everything,” he said. “The men’s suit is becoming a thing of the past.”
But not all churches are seeing a casual trend. Parishioners of the Gospel Tabernacle in Coudersport come to worship dressed like “they are going out to a good dinner, a birthday party, or meeting the president,” said the Rev. David Minor.
Not that the casually dressed are not allowed. People who cannot afford nice clothes are welcome to worship, he said, adding that the church will help the poor get nice clothing.
Dressing up is “a kind of respect for God’s house,” Minor said, adding that the congregation sets an example with their attire.
It’s also important that the leader of the service wear the appropriate attire, he said. If he isn’t wearing his robes, Minor sports a “fine looking business suit.”
“I feel I represent the King of kings,” he said.
Still, no two people have the same taste in worship style, Brest said. The casual dress may be a catch for younger people, he said. It is even common for some more contemporary pastors to dress casually, putting on anything from slacks and a nice shirt to shorts and t-shirts to become more personal with their congregation, he said.
And people will hear the message regardless of what they wear, Gallina said.
“None of us are to judge,” he said. “Clothes don’t make the person.”
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Family Life Ministries Marks 50th Aniversary
BATH -- Family Life Ministries, owner and operator of Family Life Network, will mark its 50th anniversary with a six-day spread of live concerts and special performances Monday through Saturday.
The six-day event, held at Family Life Center, 7634 Campbell Creek Road in Bath, will bring popular Christian musicians, comedians and speakers to the area, including Chip Ingram and Mark Lowry.
"We are thrilled to be celebrating five decades of encouraging our communities with Christian programming," Rick Snavely, president of Family Life Network, said in a statement. "Family Life has been incredibly blessed since its inception 50 years ago. And each year we are amazed at the amount of generosity and support shown by our listeners, partners, and community members."
Bath-based Family Life Ministries, founded in 1957, is the parent organization of Family Life Network and is devoted to strengthening individuals and families through Christian-based radio broadcasting, educational programs, social outreach, counseling and theater. Family Life Network is a Christian radio network of 12 stations that broadcasts in New York and Pennsylvania.
The anniversary celebration will offer events for youth, singles, families and seniors. Following is the schedule:
•Monday, 7 p.m., Michael Card, a writer and composer of popular Christian classics such as "El Shaddai" and "Emmanuel."
•Tuesday, 7 p.m., Mark Lowry, comedian, musician and songwriter to appear with the a cappella group, LordSong, and pianist Stan Whitmire.
•Wednesday, 7 p.m., Greater Vision, described by Family Life as the most awarded musical trio in the history of Gospel music, with comedic styles appealing to all ages.
•Thursday, 7 p.m., Chip Ingram, founder of the broadcast ministry "Living On The Edge" and teacher/lecturer for seminar organization Walk Thru the Bible.
•Friday, 7 p.m., Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, a group of musicians who reinvented the big-band genre for modern times.
•Saturday, 2 p.m., Go Fish, an interactive performance for children and families by a musical trio that creates sounds with just their voices and percussion instruments.
•Saturday, 7 p.m., Scott Krippayne, an accomplished singer/songwriter and winner of the first ever "American Idol" finale songwriting competition. Go Fish also will perform.
Family Life's hospitality tent will open at 5 p.m. to offer food and other goods before evening performances. There also will be opportunities to meet performing artists, hear special testimonies and participate in a book signing. Activities for kids will be available Saturday afternoon.
Tickets are $5 ($3 for those 12 and under) and are still available for select performances. To buy advance tickets, call (800) 927-9083.
The six-day event, held at Family Life Center, 7634 Campbell Creek Road in Bath, will bring popular Christian musicians, comedians and speakers to the area, including Chip Ingram and Mark Lowry.
"We are thrilled to be celebrating five decades of encouraging our communities with Christian programming," Rick Snavely, president of Family Life Network, said in a statement. "Family Life has been incredibly blessed since its inception 50 years ago. And each year we are amazed at the amount of generosity and support shown by our listeners, partners, and community members."
Bath-based Family Life Ministries, founded in 1957, is the parent organization of Family Life Network and is devoted to strengthening individuals and families through Christian-based radio broadcasting, educational programs, social outreach, counseling and theater. Family Life Network is a Christian radio network of 12 stations that broadcasts in New York and Pennsylvania.
The anniversary celebration will offer events for youth, singles, families and seniors. Following is the schedule:
•Monday, 7 p.m., Michael Card, a writer and composer of popular Christian classics such as "El Shaddai" and "Emmanuel."
•Tuesday, 7 p.m., Mark Lowry, comedian, musician and songwriter to appear with the a cappella group, LordSong, and pianist Stan Whitmire.
•Wednesday, 7 p.m., Greater Vision, described by Family Life as the most awarded musical trio in the history of Gospel music, with comedic styles appealing to all ages.
•Thursday, 7 p.m., Chip Ingram, founder of the broadcast ministry "Living On The Edge" and teacher/lecturer for seminar organization Walk Thru the Bible.
•Friday, 7 p.m., Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, a group of musicians who reinvented the big-band genre for modern times.
•Saturday, 2 p.m., Go Fish, an interactive performance for children and families by a musical trio that creates sounds with just their voices and percussion instruments.
•Saturday, 7 p.m., Scott Krippayne, an accomplished singer/songwriter and winner of the first ever "American Idol" finale songwriting competition. Go Fish also will perform.
Family Life's hospitality tent will open at 5 p.m. to offer food and other goods before evening performances. There also will be opportunities to meet performing artists, hear special testimonies and participate in a book signing. Activities for kids will be available Saturday afternoon.
Tickets are $5 ($3 for those 12 and under) and are still available for select performances. To buy advance tickets, call (800) 927-9083.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Convention Opens Friday
Bishop James Dunlap Opens Annual Convention At Tabernacle
Bishop James Dunlap, former overseer for the Pentecostal Churches of the State of Virginia was the opening speaker at the annual convention at Coudersport's Gospel Tabernacle at 7:00 pm on Friday.
The Bishop told a filled to capacity sanctuary that we have only seen a small portion of the great things God is going to do at our church and that the new church is not going to be large enough.
The convention brings pastors and others from communities across the country. The conference continues on Saturday with services at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm.
Sunday service is at 11:00 am. A special post convention service will be held at 6:30 pm Sunday evening with Pastor Tim Minor from Texas.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
| Fall 2007 Women Without Walls Prayer Breakfast When: Saturday, October 13, 2007 Cost: $20.00 per person (Click here for Mail-In Ticket Order Form) Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Prayer Breakfast 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon Location: Main Ballroom Speaker: Judge Cheryl L. Allen Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center 1150 Camp Hill Bypass Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011 Reservations: Toll Free 1-888-201-1718 Telephone: (717) 763-7117 www.radisson.com/camphillpa |  | |
Audio-Visual Equipment Stolen At Horesheads Church
Star Gazette-Sept.18, 2007
New York State Police in Horseheads are investigating a burglary at His Tabernacle Church at 16 Level Acres Drive in which audio and visual production equipment was stolen.
The burglary occurred sometime between 9 p.m. Saturday and 7:45 a.m. Sunday, police said in a news release issued Monday.
New York State Police in Horseheads are investigating a burglary at His Tabernacle Church at 16 Level Acres Drive in which audio and visual production equipment was stolen.
The burglary occurred sometime between 9 p.m. Saturday and 7:45 a.m. Sunday, police said in a news release issued Monday.
Steve Bernard Completes Basic With Honors
Military news
•U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Steve J. Bernard, son of Carol D. and John S. Bernard of Coudersport, recently completed basic training with honors at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.
Bernard is a 2006 graduate of Coudersport High School.
•U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Steve J. Bernard, son of Carol D. and John S. Bernard of Coudersport, recently completed basic training with honors at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.
Bernard is a 2006 graduate of Coudersport High School.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Rex Waddington's Address--Send A Card
For friends of Rex Waddington, who may want to send a card, his address is Rex Waddington,C/O Elk Haven Nursing Home, 785 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857. Rex suffered double pneumonia and is recovering at the nursing home.
2007 Fall Convention This Weekend
The annual fall convention at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle will take place this weekend, Friday thru Sunday, September 21,22,& 23.
HELP!! We desperately need help with cleanup in the gym and the kitchen and with vacuuming hallways during convention. Please see Donell Ayers or Joannie Irvine if able to volunteer your services, even for a short time.
We need a man to cover Emergency Maintenance Man position for Friday or Saturday--3pm to 8pm. Please notify Joannie if you are available.
Joannie needs help all day Wednesday 9/19. Thursday 9/20, Friday 9/21 starting at 9:00 am. Even a little bit of your time would be a blessing. Lunch will be provided on all days.
Wednesday Service 9/19 is cancelled. However Men and teens help is needed Wednesday at 7:00 pm to set up tables and chairs in the gym. Tim Wright is in charge.
We need plastic containers and lids for the kitchen. Please make sure every container is clean and dry and has a lid to fit. Place on the center island in the kitchen.
Thanks to everyone who helped with pre-convention cleaning and meal preparation. "Little is much, when God is in it"
HELP!! We desperately need help with cleanup in the gym and the kitchen and with vacuuming hallways during convention. Please see Donell Ayers or Joannie Irvine if able to volunteer your services, even for a short time.
We need a man to cover Emergency Maintenance Man position for Friday or Saturday--3pm to 8pm. Please notify Joannie if you are available.
Joannie needs help all day Wednesday 9/19. Thursday 9/20, Friday 9/21 starting at 9:00 am. Even a little bit of your time would be a blessing. Lunch will be provided on all days.
Wednesday Service 9/19 is cancelled. However Men and teens help is needed Wednesday at 7:00 pm to set up tables and chairs in the gym. Tim Wright is in charge.
We need plastic containers and lids for the kitchen. Please make sure every container is clean and dry and has a lid to fit. Place on the center island in the kitchen.
Thanks to everyone who helped with pre-convention cleaning and meal preparation. "Little is much, when God is in it"
Picture Of Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle
Pictured here is a picture of the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle taken before the new sanctuary was added on to the front of the building on the left.
The building on the right is Watson Hall where Bible Study and youth church is located.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
"Faces Of The Tabernacle" Launches Today
This is the first post on the new "Faces of the Tabernacle" blog, designed to let you put a name to the faces you see at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle services. I have been attending the tabernacle for over 5 years and there are so many people I know by their faces but don't have a name to put with them.
I have discussed this with others and with the ministry, and most have confided that there are many people who worship with us that we don't know their name or where they live. I consulted with Terri Batterson, who takes care of our official church website, and we tried to start an online directory to accomplish this purpose. Unfortunately the spammers spoiled it with posts for things that our church was not interested in, and Terri had to discontinue the interactive part of our website.
I will be featuring pictures of our brothers and sisters in Christ and news pertinent to our church activities. While I have posted news from our church on my other blog," Solomon's Words", that blog is designed for general news in the Potter County community. " Faces Of The Tabernacle" will be geared exclusively for the people who attend the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle.
Comments will be allowed, but subject to moderation, in order to deter spam and inappropriate responses.
If you would like to be pictured, please email your picture and name and address to shurfine40@gmail.com and I will post it on the blog.
The blog address is HTTP://www.tabernaclefaces.blogspot.com
I have discussed this with others and with the ministry, and most have confided that there are many people who worship with us that we don't know their name or where they live. I consulted with Terri Batterson, who takes care of our official church website, and we tried to start an online directory to accomplish this purpose. Unfortunately the spammers spoiled it with posts for things that our church was not interested in, and Terri had to discontinue the interactive part of our website.
I will be featuring pictures of our brothers and sisters in Christ and news pertinent to our church activities. While I have posted news from our church on my other blog," Solomon's Words", that blog is designed for general news in the Potter County community. " Faces Of The Tabernacle" will be geared exclusively for the people who attend the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle.
Comments will be allowed, but subject to moderation, in order to deter spam and inappropriate responses.
If you would like to be pictured, please email your picture and name and address to shurfine40@gmail.com and I will post it on the blog.
The blog address is HTTP://www.tabernaclefaces.blogspot.com
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James Jones--Publisher
