I wanted to share a reminder. As you have probably heard, the president has declared churches to be essential. I am glad he has taken official action, although we already knew that. We have been meeting at our regular times for services and still observing some common sense practices of safety and reasonable social distancing.
We all should practice just common sense precautions during this time. First of all, check your temperature. If you are running any sort of fever, stay home. If you are not feeling well, stay home. You can dial in and listen to our services by calling (712) 770-5375 and access code 365526. These are simply reasonable precautions.
We have resumed children's Sunday School and patch club. We hope and pray that all this drama will soon be put behind us. I know many have shared their dismay at what we have gone through this past year. I have heard some say this was the worse year of their lives. I have written a new tract on the subject. It is entitle, "HAS 2020 BEEN THE WORSE YEAR OF YOUR LIFE"
Here is the text to the the tract and the title page. I am hoping to make a video of the trat that you can share with family and friends. Here is the tract below..
Has 2020 Been the Worst Year of Your Life?
I have heard many say that the year 2020 is the worst year of their lives. The early part of the year we went into lockdowns and quarantines, and then we saw shortages, and we all feared getting Covid. Wearing masks is a constant reminder of how bad this year has been. The Antifa riots, civil unrest, and political tensions added more drama to an already bad year. The truth is most of us are saying we have seen nothing like this past year.
The events of this year have been almost apocalyptic. For many, this has been the worst year of their lives. You may be wondering what lies ahead? I believe that what lies ahead can be either the best years of your life, or just more bad news. It all depends on what you learn from this year. I am writing this little pamphlet because I believe God is bringing hard times so you can receive this message and see better days ahead.
First, the Bible predicts in this world we will face tribulation:
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
If you are looking for hope in this world, you will be disappointed and have tribulation. Jesus said, in Him you can have peace and good cheer. Therefore, either better days can be ahead or more tribulation. It is up to you. The best is yet to come or the worst is yet to come.
Consider, if you are trying to find hope in this world, the Bible says more tribulation lies before you.
The Bible predicts worse things for this world than the Coronavirus. We are seeing many warning signals that we are in the last days. Consider the following Bible predictions:
1. The Bible predicted the computer age and air travel as we near the end of days (see Daniel 12:4).
2. The Bible predicted that Jews would be back in their promised land. This happened in 1948. Furthermore, in the year 2017, America acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel.
3. In the Book of Revelation, the Bible predicts God sending cataclysmic disasters and plagues to bring people back to Himself; yet in all this men will be sent strong delusion so they will not see God's hand in all these things. Today we are seeing people looking more to science to solve men's problems with fewer and fewer people believing God is in control. This will only lead to more disasters, which will lead to more environmental regulations (like the Green New Deal), that will in turn bankrupt our economy and lead to food shortages and other problems. Again, all these things are predicted in the Book of Revelation.
4. The Bible predicts a cashless society, the breakup of families, increasing violence, rising global temperatures, and a host of other developments we are witnessing today.
BUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME FOR SOME
What for some could be the worst year of their lives, for others it could be the best. Jesus said, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundant. Jesus said that in this life we will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, He has overcome the world and has defeated man’s greatest enemy (i.e. "DEATH ITSELF").
Jesus’ coming back to this world will be the worst nightmare for some, and it will be the happiest day for others. So, what to some may be the worst year of their lives, to others may be the best ever. When Jesus returns, He is going to set up a perfect Kingdom with a perfect economy, with a perfect environment, with everything that men have ever wanted in this world since the beginning of time.
Jesus came to Earth to save us. He defeated man's worst enemy, death itself. Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and on the third day came out of the grave showing He can defeat death. He promises that just before the final days of [the] great tribulation, He will resurrect all those who receive Him. Here is what the Bible says:
I Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
This is called “the resurrection of the dead”. If you receive by faith the gospel message (“Gospel” means “good news”) that Jesus died and was buried and arose from the dead, then someday Jesus will come back to take you to Himself in the final resurrection. So, the best is yet to come for those who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ.
As we see great unrest in the world, it makes us realize that our Lord's return is coming more quickly than we could ever imagine. If you have never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, let me encourage you to bow your head in prayer, and ask Jesus into your heart, so you can be prepared for that day when He returns. That day will be the best day of your life if you believe on Him and receive Him.
So when Jesus returns for some, it will be the worst day of their lives, and for others, it will be the best day of their lives. Which will it be for you? I hope it will be the best day that lies ahead for you. Let me encourage you to pray a sincere prayer of commitment in your heart asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Pray, “Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner worthy of death and hell. I believe you died and arose from the dead. Come into my heart and save me. Amen.” For more information feel free to contact us at:
Elkdale Baptist Church 570-352-5501 ElkBaptist@nep.net www.ElkdaleBaptist.com
HERE IS A SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE POSTED 5-10-20 PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH OTHERS AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHURCH YOUTUBE CHANNEL
CONCERNING THE VIDEO BELOW: IF YOU ARE CONCERNED FOR THE SOULS OF OTHERS YOU WILL LIKE TO HAND OUT GOSPEL TRACTS. IT IS NOT PRACTICAL IN THE CURRENT SITUATION TO HAND OUT LITERATURE BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE PARANOID ABOUT RECEIVING THE VIRUS EVEN FROM TAKING A PIECE OF PAPER FROM SOMEONE. THE VIDEO BELOW IS MEANT TO BE A FORM OF A VIDEO TRACT.. IT WAS TAKEN FROM A TRACT THAT I WROTE AND ADAPTED FOR THE CURRENT CRISIS. IF YOU CARE FOR THE SOULS OF OTHERS PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH OTHERS. IT IS ONE WAY WE ALL CAN FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION. SHARE IT ON FACEBOOK, TEXT A LINK TO ALL YOUR CONTACTS ON YOUR PHONE.. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF IT WENT VIRAL UNDER THE CURRENT CONDITIONS. LET SATAN'S VIRUS BACKFIRE ON HIM!!!! JUST CLICK ON THE SHARE BUTTON AND SEND IT TO A FRIEND. WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD WE BE IF WE DID NOT SHARE THE GOSPEL UNDER THE CURRENT CRISIS!
Because of the present crisis taking place concerning the corona virus pandemic we will be having services at the church and broadcasting on line at the same time. We ask people who do not feel comfortable about meeting publicly yet, to avail themselves of the conference call services with the numbers listed below. Those who do attend services please maintain some distancing while attending the services. There is plenty of room in the auditorium to do this. The number to call to participlate in the service through conference calls is listed below.
To participate the Dial in number is (712) 770-5375 Access Code to participate is 365526 followed by the (#) sign
We also record our services and make them available at our link entitled Pastor Bissol's Audio/Written Sermons ... please go to this link to hear the pre-recorded messages of our services.
We still hold services in our auditorium at these times:
Sunday School at 10:00 AM Sunday Morning 11:00 A.M. Sunday Evening at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday night at 7:00 P.M.
Please Note:
I had to upload our video, "The Cure" to our website. Would you believe YouTube banned this video, saying it promoted misinformation about Covid 19? I guess when I said Jesus is the great Physician and someday He will heal all mankind of every sickness and disease, that is intolerable to google. Only the World Health Organization and The Center For Disease Control can make statements about Covid 19, anything else is disinformation. I am going to post this on a separate page that you can send a link to others to and share it. You will want to share this and tell people to watch the video that Youtube banned on Covid 19.
ELKDALE BAPTIST CHURCH OF WEST CLIFFORD 45 State Route 2014 Clifford Twp. PA 18460 Frank Bissol, Pastor (570) 352-5501 Pastor’s Pen News Letter #6 4-27-20
HERE IS A PICTURE OF OUR PAVILION AND BUILDING PROJECT 5-17-20 PASTOR'S PEN IS BELOW
Dear Friends and Church members:
I write this for our first bulletin 5-17-20 as we returned to public worship services..
PASTOR'S PEN 5-17-20
We have been in lockdown for 7 weeks and this is the first Sunday of our public services. We are still broadcasting over the phone for those who maintaining lockdown status. I think that going through a crisis like this lends itself to a time of personal evaluation. What are the real important things in this life and even Church. Suddenly we find all plans and schedules on hold. Church dinners cannot be scheduled, our ladies banquet has been canceled, there are very few announcements. I even questioned why have a bulletin? So I made a half bulletin with just Lee's picture and this Pastor's pen. It reminds me of what would take place if we were in a time of war, hiding from bombs seeking shelter from danger. Would we hand out bulletins?
In times like this only two things are important: Prayer, and God's word and seeking direction from God through it. I can sense a great evil overtaking our country at this time. There is much confusion about what is happening. I believe God is bringing judgment to our nation and the world because of our false gods. Our nation has made our scientists, our doctors, our government, our media, our athletes, "ICONS" our "gods" Their voices are only confusion. The only way revival will come is if we turn from these false humanistic "gods" and turn to the Lord. Our "ICON's" are lying to us. Why are we surprised. This morning in my Sunday morning message I will be sharing how I see it. (For those of you reading this on the internet, the message can be heard live through our conference call service or we will be posting it on this website. It is entitled WHO DO WE TRUST WHO WILL WE FEAR? A Response To The Current Covid 19 Pandemic
I think our president has a way of simplifying issues when he said we are at war against an invisible enemy. In any war confusion and deception are used to defeat your opponent. I think there has been much of that going on. Maybe even concerning this whole lock down issue.
This morning in my message I want to talk about the confusion, and the deception that is all around us. Hopefully through God's word we will receive light, direction, clarity, and peace. Jesus said,
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
This one thing I know...
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I have no god in this world, my Lord sits at the right hand of the Father right now and has a plan to come back and straighten out this mess. All this is working towards that end.
Sincerely in Christ Pastor Frank Bissol
P.S. In response to questions we have received, for those of you still under quarantine, if you have gifts, tithes, or support to send to the church, mail them to:
In 1976 two country churches merged that go back to the late 1800's: the Elkdale Baptist Church and the West Clifford Community Church. We are now the Elkdale Baptist Church Of West Clifford. In 1983, I came as Pastor and have counted it a privilege to serve God in this community these many years. I want to extend to you an invitation to visit with us. We have the atmosphere of a small old-fashioned country church but still maintain a big heart for people. You are cordially invited to attend one of our services. THE MOST IMPORTANT INVITATION
Jesus told a story once of a certain rich man who invited all his rich friends to a great feast. They all made excuses why they couldn’t come. The man was very angry. He called his servants and told them to go out and invite the poor, the maimed, the halt and the blind instead of his rich friends . They responded to the invitation and his rich friends were excluded. Let me explain the meaning of the story from Luke 14:17-24:
Jesus is that rich man and the supper feast is eternal salvation. Those who excuse themselves are people who have no time for the Lord. He paid for your salvation with his own life on the cross of Calvary and is now in heaven preparing the feast. If you have not received Him as your Lord and Savior, why don’t you respond to His great invitation? Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:20).
To respond to His invitation ask Him into your heart and life today..
Sincerely Yours, Pastor Frank Bissol
SERVICE TIMES Sunday School.. 10:00 A.M
Sunday Morning Service 11:00 A.M. Patch Club For Children
Sunday Evening Service 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday Evening 7-8:30 P.M Bible Study and prayer
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