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Learn more about Lent

Hopefully when this article is published, March will be heading out like a lamb, or so the old saying goes. We will usher in April with its showers and then May with its flowers… ok, I’ll stop with the adages. This is a very special time of year for me. Yes, it’s springtime, but more importantly it’s the Lenten season, leading up to the celebration of our resurrected Lord Jesus! The word “lent” brings ideas of giving up something (usually something we really love to eat) and Friday fish dinners. But you know many Christians who attend church regularly may not even know ...

Local church briefs

Donut Sale JERSEY SHORE — Trinity United Methodist Church, 1407 Allegheny St., Jersey Shore, will be holding its last fresh, homemade donut sale until fall on Thursday, April 17. Donuts cost $7 for a dozen or $3.50 for half a dozen and may be pre-ordered by calling 570-398-2913 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Extras are made available starting at 7 a.m. the day of the sail and are available until 3 p.m. or sold out. Please use the Glover Street entrance when you pick up your orders. Spring Craft Show FLEMINGTON — Flemington First Church of Christ will hold a ...

What makes you stronger?

I saw a shirt that said, “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” and then in smaller letters under that statement, it said “except bears, bears will kill you.” This shirt came to mind as I was considering my message for this weekend. In a reading from the tenth chapter of 2 Corinthians, it said… “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” Now, this may not come into play when fighting a bear, but it does apply to life. How often have we ...

Local church briefs

Spaghetti Dinner JERSEY SHORE — Oriole Methodist Church, 39 Main Road, Jersey Shore, will be holding a dine-in or take out spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets cost $6.50 for adults, $4 for children ages 3 to 12 and children under 3 eat for free. Lenten Fish Fries LOCK HAVEN — Holy Spirit Parish, Lock Haven, will continue to offer their annual drive-thru Lenten Fish Fries from March 28 and continuing every Friday during Lent except Good Friday, from 4-6 p.m., on the grounds of the Parish Center at St. Agnes Church. The menu features Haddock ...

Muslims with tattoo regrets flock to a free removal service during Ramadan

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Teguh Islean Septura groans in pain as each staccato rat-a-tat-tat of the laser fires an intense beam at the elaborate tattoos on his arm. But the former musician’s determination to “repent” in the holy month of Ramadan is enough to keep him going. The 30-year-old guitarist got his back, arms and legs tattooed to “look cool” when he was performing in a band. But these days Septura has a newfound zeal for Islam, including the conviction that Muslims should not alter the body that God gave them. “As humans, sometimes we make mistakes. Now I want ...