South Fork First Evangelical Church

09/04/2026

This is Labor Day Weekend, sort of the unofficial end of the summer. Originally the day was established as a way to honor the American worker. Over time, it became a way to honor organized labor unions and more recently, a three-day Monday holiday. But, let's look at work from a Christian perspective. God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2:15 God's Word says Adam was "to work and take care of the Garden". This is before sin entered the picture. Adam had a purpose. Adam had a job. He was to take care of the Garden of Eden. Though God created the Garden, it needed human hands to keep it in good condition.

Much of life is like that. God gives us everything we need. Intellect. Time. Health. And all the raw materials of the earth. The question is what do we do with all that God has provided for us. Some of us think God is just going to provide the finished product, and sometimes He does. But normally, we have to work. Especially since after Adam and Eve sinned, God said that work would be harder than it had been before sin. Work is hard. Takes time. Takes energy. Often it will make you sweat. It is not always fun to do. But if we are going to succeed in this world, we have to work. Work comes in lots of forms. Roofers. Nurses. School Teachers. Ditch diggers. Bankers. Lumberjacks. Counselors. Housewives. And a million other types. And to make sure we know the value of work, God's Word also says that we are to do everything as unto the Lord. I am a pastor. It is easy to think when I preach a sermon "I am doing it as unto the Lord". But, it is also God's work when a roofer is working on the roof. As a Christian, that roof should be done with the kind of work ethic a person would have if they were building the Temple in the Old Testament. Christians are to be hard workers. Never let it be said of you that you are lazy, because that is sinful behavior.

God has made you for a purpose. Part of that is to share the Gospel with others. Part of that if you have children is to raise them to believe in Christ. Part of that is to accomplish the work He has called you to do. You have all the raw material you need. There is nothing you lack. So, let's you and I commit ourselves to being better workers for Jesus...to see everything we do as though we are doing it for the Lord...because we are. Hope to see you on Sunday at 9:30am for worship and stay for Sunday School at 10:45am. The title of the sermon is "What is God's view of work?".

Announcements...
~Sunday: Teacher Appreciation, Perfect Attendance, and Promotion Sunday.
~Tuesday: Trustee meeting at 6:30pm.
~Wednesday: Bible Study at 6:30pm.
~Thursday: Ad Board meeting at 6:30pm.
~Saturday: Youth going to Altoona Curve ball game. Meet at 4pm.
~Sun, Sept 13: Acolyte Training and Pizza Party at 5pm. For all new and returning acolytes grade 3-9.
~Sun, Sept 13: Yough Group starts at 6pm.
~Mon, Sept 14: Losing2Live starts at 6pm.
~Mon, Sept 14: Lions Club at 6:30pm.
~Mon, Sept 14: Lay Leadership (nominating) meeting at 7pm.
~Wed, Sept 16: Lit'l FROGS (preschool-grade 3) and God Squad (grades 4-6) starts at 6:30pm. There will be pizza at 6pm for them.

09/04/2026

I saw this below online and I agree with it completely. God has placed me here as the Pastor of South Fork First. Our church has a rich past, and I believe we have a very good present...but our future is unknown. Every local church is one generation from extinction. As the pastor, what am I doing to lead First Church into the 2030s? As a part of First Church, what are you doing to make our future stronger than our past? Read this below. It is a somber message.

THREE STAGES OF A DYING CHURCH

Every church has a life cycle. It begins with MINISTERING. A church is alive, outward-focused, burdened for souls, faithful in prayer, committed to making disciples, and passionate about the gospel. It continually asks, “How can we reach more people for Christ?” The mission drives everything.

Over time, many churches drift into MAINTAINING. The focus quietly shifts from reaching people to preserving programs. Budgets, buildings, schedules, and traditions begin to consume more attention than evangelism and discipleship. The church is still functioning, but survival gradually replaces expansion. The question becomes, “How can we keep the plates spinning?“

If that drift is never corrected, a tragic third stage emerges: MONUMENT.

A MONUMENT church no longer exists to advance the mission of Christ. It exists to preserve the memory of what once was. Yesterday’s victories become today’s identity. Reminiscing about the “good old days”replace fresh conversions. Traditions become sacred. Change is resisted. Spiritual vitality gives way to mere existence.

Eventually, the monument becomes more than a landmark—it becomes a grave marker. The glory is gone.

I once visited a beautiful historic church. Its architecture was magnificent, and its history was rich. Yet there was no congregation. No worship. No gospel witness. No ministry. The community was raising money—not to revive the church—but simply to preserve the building as a historic landmark.

The building remained. The people were gone. When the LIFE has left, don’t memorialize Ichabod— have a funeral!

Jesus did not establish His church to become a museum preserving yesterday’s victories. He established His church to be a living body that proclaims the gospel, makes disciples, and advances His kingdom until He returns.

Every church should honestly ask:
* Are we MINISTERING or merely MAINTAINING?
* Are we reaching people or simply preserving traditions?
* Are we becoming a MONUMENT instead of a movement?

Churches do not die suddenly. They die gradually—when MINISTERING gives way to MAINTAINING, and MAINTAINING eventually hardens into MONUMENT.

Every church has a history.

The real question is: Does your church still have a heartbeat?

— Harold Vaughan

09/01/2026

Grief Share starts tonight at our church at 6pm. Grief Share is a 13 week small group discussion with people who are also going through the grief process.  Each week there is a 30 minute video and then discussion about the issue that the video spoke of.  You can share as much as you want, or nothing. Everything is free because Dimond Funeral Home graciously sponsors the entire ministry. Our church is located at 500 Maple Street, South Fork, PA. 15956. Just show up at 6pm tonight. The class is about 90 minutes long.

08/30/2026

Debbie Wadsworth and Dawna Gerney providing Special Music during our service this morning “The way that He loves.”

08/30/2026

Today at 4:00!!

08/29/2026

See you tomorrow (Sunday, August 30).

08/28/2026

Sunday is the last sermon in the Moses sermon series. After leading the people for 40 years, the Israelites surely wondered, 'What are we going to do when Moses is gone?" Each of us ask that same question, about our parents, our spouse, a church leader, a coach...about anyone who has done a good job of being an example to us or leading something we are a part of. In the case of Moses, he had a Joshua. Joshua had been there and trained by Moses, and was ready to take over when Moses died. However, when Joshua died, there was no single person to take over, rather a group of people did but none of them ever rose to become the leader that Joshua was. And the nation struggled.

Who are the people that you admire and follow? Who are the people who admire and follow you? My mom & dad (Jean & Bob Landman) had a great influence on me...but they are gone. I can't call them and ask for advice, though I wish I could. In seminary I took a "Marriage and Family Counseling" class. One thing the professor said was that good parents train their children starting at birth to leave home...because one day they will. We like to keep our children young and dependent upon us but that is a horrible thing to do. Not only is it unfair to them but what are they going to do when we die? Moses had trained Joshua but Joshua didn't have anyone to take his place. The title of the sermon Sunday is, "Who will take my place when I die or move on?". Jesus died and only had about 120 people who were committed to Him. He also had a core group of 11 (Judas had betrayed Him) and the innermost circle only had 3 (Peter, James, John). But He changed the world because those who were left were "all in". The total number is often less important than how committed the smaller number is. That is what discipleship is all about. So, who are the people who will take your place when you are gone? I hope to see you Sunday at 9:30am for worship and stay for Sunday School at 10:45am.

Announcements...
~Sunday: 5th Sunday Offering for Bible2School. Everything in the envelopes goes to Bible2School.
~Sunday: FH Ministerium sponsored "Forest Hills Community Back To School Rally" from 4-7pm, at the Berwind-Wayside Park. Everyone is invited to this totally free event that has worship, food, ice cream, games, face painting, laser tag, and more.
~Monday: Chancel Choir practice at 6:30pm.
~Tuesday: Grief Share starts at 6pm. This is for everyone, not just those from our church.
~Wednesday: Bible Study at 6:30pm.
~Sun, Sept 6: Promotion Sunday and Teacher Appreciation.
~Sun, Sept 6: Chancel Choir sings for the first time this fall.
~Tue, Sept 8: Trustee meeting at 6:30pm.
~Thur, Sept 10: Ad Board meeting at 6:30pm.
~Sat, Sept 12: Youth going to Altoona Curve Ball Game at 4pm.
~Sun, Sept 13: Acolyte Training and Pizza Party at 5pm, for all those grades 3-9.
~Sun, Sept 13: Youth Group starts at 6pm.
~Mon, Sept 14: Losing2Live starts a new year at 6pm.
~Mon, Sept 14: Lay Leadership (nominating) meeting at 7pm.
~Wed, Sept 16: Lit'l FROGS (preschool-grade 3) and God Squad (grades 4-6) start at 6:30pm. (Pizza will be served at 6pm).

08/24/2026

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

Sermon 8/23/26. Moses Sermon Series #9 "Which is stronger, God's love or God's Holiness?" Exodus 32: 1- 35