hings to do... PL AC ES TO GO T an d

Sports Card Show and Auction, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 130 South Academy Dr., Ephrata. For more info., call Jack Forney at 717­3140962 or Brad Lauderman at 717­471­3968.

SAT., MARCH 25 ­ A Free Lunch will be held at City Gate, 100 East Main St., Ephrata, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or while supplies last.

SAT., MARCH 25 ­ The Ephrata VFW, 141 S. State St., Ephrata, will hold a Spaghetti Dinner at 5:00 p.m. There is a cost. Takeout or eat in. For more info. or to reserve seating, call Chelsea at 610­587­7756.

SUN., MARCH 26 ­ Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 East Main St., Ephrata, will host Essence of Joy in a free concert at 4:00 p.m. For more info., call the church at 717­733­4135.

MON., MARCH 27Garden Spot Village, 433 South Kinzer Ave., New Holland, will hold a Parkinson’s Friends in Community meeting from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Garden Towers. The program is free and open to the public. For more info., call Sherilyn Lapp at 717355­6264.

THURS., MARCH 30REAL Life Community Services will hold “Gardening 101” at the Lighthouse Community Center, 239 Main St., Denver, at 7:00 p.m.

THURS., MARCH 30 ­

The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main St., Ephrata. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and meal is served at 6:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meal is cancelled. Dine-in only. For more info., call Tina at 484798­0155.

FRI., MARCH 31 ­ The East Cocalico Lions will hold a Drive-Thru Fish and Shrimp Fry (with fries or baked potato and coleslaw), from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Reamstown Park. There is a cost.

SAT., APRIL 1 ­ Dove Westgate Church, 1755 West Main St., Ephrata, will hold an Easter Egg Hunt with free games, food, a bounce house and more, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Rain or shine. For more info., call 717-7213775.

SAT., APRIL 1 ­ The Smokestown Fire Company, 860 Smokestown Rd., Denver, will hold a Spring Craft Fair, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Free admission. Benefits Smokestown Fire

Company. For more info., email smokestownfire coevents@gmail.com.

SAT., APRIL 1 ­ The Brickerville United Lutheran Church, 340 East 28th Division Highway, Lititz, will hold a Homemade Peanut Butter Eggs and Sub Sale. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. No pre-orders. First come, first served. For more info., call 717-627-2202.

SAT., APRIL 1 ­ The Women’s Club of Denver will hold a Cabin Fever Dance at the Denver Fire Hall, 25 Locust Street, Denver, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. There is a cost. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Club of Denver Contributions Fund. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more info. or tickets, call June at 717­5385005.

MON., APRIL 3 ­ The Ephrata Area Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at the Eicher Arts Center, 409 Cocalico St., Ephrata. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Meeting begins at 6:15 p.m. There is a small fee to attend. The program is SOIL, with Michele Pique, PA Master Gardener, Penn State Extension. All are welcome.

MON., APRIL 3 ­ The Ephrata High School Class of 1955 will meet for lunch at the Udder Choice Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. For more info., call Georgine at 717­733­4216.

THURS., APRIL 6 ­ The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Bethany United Church of Christ, 140 East Main St., Ephrata. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and meal is served at 6:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meal is cancelled. Dine-in only. For more info., call Tina at 484798­0155.

SAT., APRIL 8 ­ The New Holland Lions Club will hold an Easter Egg Hunt at the New Holland Community Park, 400 East Jackson St., New Holland, at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Ages 11 and under are welcome.

THURS., APRIL 13 ­ 1st

UMC of Ephrata, 68 North Church St., Ephrata, will hold its monthly Senior Moments luncheon with entertainment (piano music by Sandy Heisey) at 11:45 a.m. (eat at 12:00 noonsmall charge). Come join them. For more info., call 717­738­2465.

THURS., APRIL 13 ­ The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Bethany United Church of Christ, 140 East Main St., Ephrata. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and meal is served at 6:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meal is cancelled. Dine-in only. For more info., call Tina at 484798­0155.

SAT., APRIL 15 ­ Quiltessence Quilters Guild will hold a meeting at Shillington Church of Christ, 475

Philadelphia Pike, Reading, at 10:00 a.m. For more info. or to join, email qqberkspa@ gmail.com.

SAT., APRIL 15Brickerville United Lutheran Church, 340 East 28th Division Highway, Lititz, will hold a Pot Pie Dinner, 4:00 p.m. until gone. Takeouts available. Benefits Warwick Food Chest. For more info., call 717-6272202.

SAT., APRIL 15 ­ The Schoeneck Fire Company, 125 North King Street, Denver, will hold a Mud Sale at 9:00 a.m., and a Quilt Auction at 11:00 a.m.

SUN., APRIL 16 ­ The Ephrata-Reading Elks, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Bingo

“Don’t take it lightly”

Author: Wenger

Scripture: Romans 2:4“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

Last week we studied God’s kindness in regard to the unbeliever and salvation. God’s goodness, patience and longsuffering is also evident in the believer’s sanctification God worked patiently and gently with us when we did not believe and He continues the same approach after we believe I am so glad God doesn’t quickly judge when we misbehave. I appreciate God’s longsuffering and patience with me when I fail, when I sin and when I just plain choose my own way. Even after salvation, we still have a lot of that wandering sheep in us. “We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us have turned to his own way. But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:6). How often we can hear the bleating of sheep in the distance as Samuel did when he questioned Saul about his disobedience. Our topic for this week is God’s patience and kindness in our sanctification. The Bible says it is God’s will