BY FERN REED YARNICK
FYARNICK@YAHOO.COM
“ ... you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (RSV)
If you look at the sky when autumn comes, you may be lucky enough to see geese migrating south.
The birds fly in a V formation allowing the flock to gain 71 percent flying speed over each bird flying alone.
When a goose flaps its wings, it creates “uplift” for the bird that is following.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back and another bird replaces it to lead the way.
The honking geese that are flying behind encourage those in front to keep up their speed.
If a goose becomes ill or falls to earth, two of the other birds drop out of formation and follow their fallen comrade.
They remain with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or it succumbs.
Their task completed – the grounded birds launch out on their own, or join another flock.
The early church mentioned in the book of Acts was very much like a flock of geese.
The people were committed to band together for one reason – to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Because of their close-knit formation, the members were able to spread the word much faster than going it on their own.
The Holy Spirit empowered these people to encourage and protect one another.
As the band of Christians moved forward, they could be seen and heard witnessing Christ’s love.
Churches today are just as responsible to carry on the call as their ancestors before them.
Like that flock of geese, we must let the spirit lead in support of one another, and band together in prayer.
Also, when a Christian drops out of the fold, several members must help lead him or her back to God.
Who knows how many might be saved – if we would take a lesson from those birds.
Fern Reed Yarnick is a freelance writer who reside in South Fork.
Features
FERN YARNICK | Church responsible for carrying on the call
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Events | Arts fitness
“Music and Art for Heart and Soul” will be held from 6 to 10 tonight at Art Works in Johnstown! 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
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'New York City Subway Idol' | Soul, rhythm and blues singer in concert Feb. 18 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center
Alice Tan Ridley is just as popular above ground as below it. The singer, known as “The New York City Subway Idol,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the Pitt-Johnstown campus in Richland Township.
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All things afield at annual sportsmen's show
Folks who crave the great outdoors will have the chance to get a jump on their adventures by attending the 27th annual Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show at the Monroeville Convention Center. The show, which runs from Feb. 15-19, is the only western Pennsylvania show dedicated to hunting, fishing and camping. It offers hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of live demonstrations and many seminars presented by experts in their fields of interest.
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Venue of Merging Arts to host Slovak Mardi Gras
Slovak heritage will be the center of attention at an upcoming party. A Slovak Mardi Gras, or Fasiangy, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at Venue of Merging Arts, 305 Chestnut St. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
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Go jump in a lake | Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge at Que to raise funds for Special Olympics
It takes a hearty soul to jump into a freezing Pennsylvania lake in February and pay money to do it. But that’s what organizers of the first official Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge are counting on. On Saturday, if people donate to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, they can go jump in a lake.
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Westmont Hilltop High School has reached theatrical milestone
“The Pirates of Penzance” will mark Westmont Hilltop High School’s 50th year of presenting musical theater.
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Curtains rising | Students acting out roles in spring productions
A variety of performances that promise to be entertaining are scheduled for area high school stages.
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Tribute band to play best of Pink Floyd at War Memorial
This arena show will bring the lights and sounds of Pink Floyd. Brit Floyd, billed as the world’s greatest Pink Floyd show, will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St., Johnstown.
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