hings to do... and PLACES TO GO T

SAT., FEBRUARY 11 ­

Vinemont Community Lutheran Church is holding an All You Can Eat Breakfast at 1278 Fritztown Rd., Reinholds, from 10:00 a.m. or until sold out. There is a cost. For more info., call Linda at 717-484-2590.

SUN., FEBRUARY 12 ­

THURS., FEBRUARY 9

The Lancaster County Bird Club will meet in the auditorium of the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd., Lancaster at 7:00 p.m. for the program, “Ornitherapy: Watching Birds: not only fun, it’s good for you!” There is no cost. For more info., call 717-856-3851 or 717-725-2717.

THURS., FEBRUARY 9

REAL Life Community Services will hold a Valentine Cookie Decorating will be held at Lighthouse Community Center, 239 Main St., Denver, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

THURS., FEBRUARY 9

The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at First Church, 68 North Church St., Ephrata. Meal provided by Akron Mennonite. 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. Dinein only. For more info., call Tina at 484-798-0155.

SAT., FEBRUARY 11 ­ 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.

Reinholds Fire Company, 156 West Main St., Reinholds, will hold a Filled Longaberger Basket Bingo at 1:00 p.m. Kitchen and doors open at 11:30 a.m. There is a cost. Special games and raffles available for additional purchase. For tickets, call 717-336-4277.

SUN., FEBRUARY 12The Ephrata Reading Elks #115, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Door prizes. For more info., call 717-7380920.

WED., FEBRUARY 15 ­

REAL Life Community Services will hold a Young At Heart Senior Activity, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Adamstown Library, 110 W. Main St., Adamstown.

THURS., FEBRUARY 16 ­ REAL Life Community Services will hold a Game Night at the Lighthouse Community Center, 239 Main St., Denver, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

THURS., FEBRUARY 16 ­ The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at First Church, 68 North Church St., Ephrata. Meal provided by Ephrata Community Church. 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 484-798-0155.

FRI., FEBRUARY 17 & SAT., FEBRUARY 18 ­ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 80 East Main St., Adamstown, will hold a Huge Indoor Fundraiser Yard Sale, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday.

SAT., FEBRUARY 18 ­

The Ephrata Reading Elks

Ladies Auxiliary will hold a Spaghetti Dinner at 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is a cost. Reservations required by Wednesday, February 15. Call Sharon at 908-472-7214.

SAT., FEBRUARY 18 ­ 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., FEBRUARY 18 ­

The Durlach-Mt. Airy Fire Company Support Auxiliary, 880 Durlach Rd., Stevens, will hold an All You Care To Eat Amish Wedding Meal, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is a cost. For more info., call Dee at 717-3351632 or the fire hall at 717733-6911.

SAT., FEBRUARY 18 ­

The Schoeneck Fire Company, 125 North King Street, Denver, will hold a Breakfast from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

There is a cost.

SUN., FEBRUARY 19 ­

The Ephrata Amvets Ladies Auxiliary will hold a Cash Bingo at 614 South State St., Ephrata. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Bingo starts at 2:00 p.m. There is a cost.

THURS., FEBRUARY 23 ­ REAL Life Community Services will hold Casseroles 101 at the Lighthouse Community Center, 239 Main St., Denver, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

THURS., FEBRUARY 23 ­ The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at First Church, 68 North Church 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 484-798-0155.

FRI., FEBRUARY 24 ­

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., FEBRUARY 25 ­

St. Paul’s U.C.C., 133 Church St., Bowmansville, will hold a Basket Bingo. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:00 p.m. There is a cost. For more info. or to register, call 717445-6256.

SAT., FEBRUARY 25 ­

The 18th Annual Sportsman’s Dinner will be held at the Ephrata Business Center, 400 West Main St., Ephrata. Hosted by Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. and dinner is served at 5:00 p.m.

SAT., FEBRUARY 25 ­

The Lancaster County Bird Club is offering a field trip to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area at 7:00 a.m. There is no cost. Participants must register with Craig Boyhont at 717368-5986 or cboyhont@ gmail.com by 6:00 p.m. the day before the trip.

SAT., FEBRUARY 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.

TUES., FEBRUARY 28 ­

TUES., APRIL 4 ­ Ten

Million for Christ will offer a six-week workshop called Evangelism 101 at Petra

Church, 565 Airport Rd., New Holland, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a cost per person. For more info. or to register, visit tenmillionforchrist.org/ evangelism-101.

THURS., MARCH 2 ­

The Warwick School District will present the annual Resilience Community Event from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The focus is on The Coffee Bean. Childcare is provided. Please register for childcare by Thursday, February 23. The event is geared towards parents, community members and students at the secondary level. For more info., call 717-626-3734.

THURS., MARCH 2REAL Life Community Services will hold a “Improve your credit score TODAY!” at 7:00 p.m. at the Lighthouse Community Center, 239 Main St., Denver.

THURS., MARCH 2The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main St., Ephrata. Meal provided by Holy Trinity. 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 484-798-0155.

FRI., MARCH 3 ­ SUN., MARCH 5 ­ Mennonite and Brethren Marriage Encounter will be held at the Heritage Hotel, Lancaster. For more info., call 717569-5676.

MON., MARCH 6 ­ 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 717-733-4216.

WED., MARCH 8Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community, 210 Weaverland Valley Rd., East Earl, will hold a Community Meal. Registration is not required. Meal served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

THURS., MARCH 9REAL Life Community Services will hold a Bingo Night at Lighthouse Comm- unity Center, 239 Main St., Denver, at 7:00 p.m.

THURS., MARCH 9The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main St., Ephrata. Meal provided by Dove Westgate. 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 484-798-0155.

FRI., MARCH 10 ­ A

Sportsmen’s Banquet will be held at Yoder’s Restaurant, Rt. 23, New Holland, sponsored by Ephrata Area Churches at 6:15 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. There is a cost for tickets. For more info., call 717-738-0963.

FRI., MARCH 10 ­ 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., MARCH 11 ­

Anchored Ministries will be at REAL Life, 240 Main St., Denver, for a Free Clothing Event, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot. No registration is required and donations are not being accepted the day of the event.

WED., MARCH 15 ­

REAL Life Community Services will hold a Young At Heart Senior Activity, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Adamstown Library, 110 W. Main St., Adamstown.

THURS., MARCH 16 ­

REAL Life Community Services will hold “Easy Desserts” at the Lighthouse Community Center, 239 Main St., Denver, at 7:00 p.m.

THURS., MARCH 16 ­

The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main St., Ephrata. Meal provided by E.C.O.B. 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 484798-0155.

SAT., MARCH 18 ­ The Schoeneck Fire Company, 125 North King Street, Denver, will hold a Breakfast from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. There is a cost.

THURS., MARCH 23REAL Life Community Services will hold a REAL Life REAL Hope Banquet with Peter Greer of Hope International at Shady Maple Smorgasbord at 6:30 p.m. For more info., call 717336-7797.

THURS., MARCH 23The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main St., Ephrata. Meal provided by OMPH. 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 484798-0155.

Watch and Pray

Author: Wenger

Scripture: Mark 14:38

“Keep watching and praying so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

In our study last week, our Lord commanded the disciples to watch and pray as He was in the garden of Gethsemane praying with such intensity that the scripture says His sweat was mingled as it were, with drops of blood. Peter James and John were just a stone’s throw away when our Lord came to them three separate times, only to find them sleeping each time. The Lord questions them and it appears no answer was given as He said, “What, could you not watch with me one hour?” We are not much different today. How many times does our Lord come to us who should be watching and praying only to find us asleep on the job, oblivious to the command, and indifferent to the will of God?

I find that reading the Bible and study is far easier than a dedicated prayer life. I am convinced the powerless life is a result of the prayerless life. Oh, we want to pray and we know we should pray, but good intentions are not enough to be victorious, as Peter, filled with selfconfidence soon found out. We too can be self-confident