AN INVITATION FROM CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FOREST CITY, PA

It is no big surprise to hear that we live in a broken world, and people are searching for happiness amid so much sadness and uncertainty. They are lonely, sad, and depressed, angry, anxious, and worried about tomorrow.

Sometimes, it feels as if we have no purpose in life. We are not concerned with helping our neighbors, too often because we do not give ourselves a chance to know them. We forget that we are all neighbors, and brothers and sisters who live together on this planet Earth. If we just took some time out of our busy lives to extend a handshake or a helping hand to someone in need, the world would indeed be a better place in which to live.

I heard a story told about four businessmen who journeyed to a large city for a conference. On the last day of the meeting, these four men had reservations on the same plane going home. Due to traffic, they arrived at the airport late when they heard the last call for their return flight. Racing to try to reach and board their plane, they bumped into people and dodged lines in their frantic rush through the airport when, suddenly, they ran into a table set up to sell baskets of beautiful apples. As they crashed into the upended table, baskets and apples were strewn all over the floor; but the three men kept running to catch their flight.

However, one of the men looked back at the upset table and strewn apples, when he realized that he needed to return to the scene and help the vendor clean up the mess. Yelling ahead to his two friends that he would catch a later flight, he turned and went back to the apple vendor. But as he reached the upset display, he saw the woman kneeling on the floor, crying, and feeling around for the apples and baskets … he realized that she was blind and kneeling beside her, asked if she was alright. In tears, she answered “yes,” and stayed to help her retrieve her toppled wares.

As he snatched the baskets and the apples, he noticed that some of the baskets were broken and the apples were bruised from the accident. As he helped the woman off her knees, together they reset her table. He then took out of his wallet and said, “Here is some money to take care of the broken baskets and bruised apples.” But as he walked away, the woman cried out, “Mister! Hey, mister!” As he turned around, she asked, “Are you Jesus?” A smile spread across his face as he replied, “No. But He is a friend of mine.”

We all need to be able to say with confidence that Jesus is a friend of ours, as the world would be a much better place to hear and know those spoken words.

Jesus left us here to be His representatives: His hands, His feet, His deed-doers. Jesus lived on earth some 2000 years ago but for an all-too-short 33 years. He was here for a purpose… to save all mankind from sin and degradation. He loves us so much that He came to die to save us from our sins, to then take us with Him to Heaven when we leave this Earth.

The miracle of Easter is that Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day and lives, no more to die. And He promised that He will be with us forevermore, as we will always live with Him in Heaven when we confess our sins and place our faith in Him.

On April 20th, Christians will gather in churches throughout the world to mark the glorious anniversary of Christ rising from the dead. Christ Church in Forest City (located on the corner of Dundaff and Delaware Streets) is planning a song-filled joyful service as we worship Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord. We invite anyone and everyone to join us in this worship service, to come and sing God’s praises at 9:00am on Easter Sunday and every Sunday!

Come, join us, and claim Jesus as your personal friend! We look forward to seeing YOU in church. Alleluia!   — Dawn Pentecost

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4th Annual Forest City Teague Trail Trot 5K & One Mile Community Walk

Forest City Teague Trail Trot 2025

In Memory and Honor of Donny Teague 

Organized by the Greater Forest City Business Alliance

The Greater Forest City Business Alliance is excited to announce our FOURTH annual 5K and Community Walk to be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, on the D & H Trail!  The 5K race start is scheduled for 10 am with a 1 mile “Community Fun Walk” to follow immediately thereafter.  

In January 2022, Forest City lost a longtime resident and “running icon”, Donny Teague at the age of 91. For all who knew Don, he was “always running”.    He was known and will be remembered for his true love of the sport, boundless energy and his colorful and attention- grabbing outfits when hitting the pavement.  He was also a faithful supporter, advocate, and statistician for the Forest City Regional Cross Country Team, for more than 20 years.  He was committed to the success of those student athletes and made sure each team member had the support they needed to cross the finish line.  He was out on the course until they were in.  We are honored to recognize and remember Don with this event.   

In line with Donny’s joy of running in, around and through Forest City, funds raised from this race continue to be earmarked to support projects connecting local commerce to our region’s outdoor experience.  Specifically, in 2025, the GFCBA intends to support the following initiatives: 

  • Funding to purchase decorative lights for the holidays for the light poles on Forest City’s Main Street.  This includes the electrical “prep” work for the project.  
  • Investment to promote our professional seasonal videos, which the GFCBA created to promote all the Greater Forest City Region has to offer.
  • Expansion of the Trail Town Festival – the public has expressed a desire for an “Old Home Week” return and the GFCBA is committed to working with local organizations to grow the activities of the Trail Town Festival.  

We would like to make all our members and supporters aware that the Forest City Teague Trail Trot will be the ONLY sponsorship opportunity through the GFCBA this year.  So, please consider supporting THIS event! 

You can find a sponsorship form and the marketing benefits here.  There are a variety of ways to support the event, beyond monetary donations. We hope that you will consider supporting Forest City and this race! Please return your sponsorship by April 30th to guarantee inclusion on our promotional media!

Sincerely, 

Suzanne Atcavage

GFCBA Vice President 

Race Director

 

 

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THE NATIONAL HOME WATCH ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES THE THIRD ANNUAL NATIONAL HOME WATCH MONTH

Assurance Home Watch

With estimates of over ten million second and vacation homes in the U.S. and Canada, the Home Watch industry provides a risk mitigation service that not many second homeowners outside of the Sun Belt states may be aware of. Home Watch is defined as “a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues.” National Home Watch Association Executive Director Jack Luber says, “Because the Home Watch industry is not recognized by any government entity in the U.S. or Canada, the National Home Watch Association (NHWA) accredits those legitimate businesses that carry the proper business credentials and insurance coverage to protect their clients. All members pass a criminal background check and are vetted for consumer complaints. “Trillions of dollars’ worth of real estate goes unchecked for months at a time, leaving homes and properties vulnerable to undiscovered issues, such as water damage, mold, and even squatters,” according to Luber.

This past year, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and hundreds of other publications recognized the importance and necessity of Snowbirds, seasonal residents, and frequent travelers to engage a qualified company to advocate for them during their absence. The purpose of National Home Watch Month is to educate homeowners and the general public about the existence of and need for Home Watch services.

Please visit the National Home Watch Association website at https://nationalhomewatchassociation.org for more information.

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