What were we made for?
May 5, 2024
As humans, we can spend a lot of time trying to understand and convey our significance. We communicate it through the clothes we wear, the...
Discipleship
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sundays | 10:30AM | In-Person or via Livestream
We encourage you to join us for worship every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM, either in person, or via livestream at our church YouTube page.
SMALL GROUPS
If you are interested in joining with others to share life and dive deeper into the sermon and what it means for our lives, please contact Pastor Melissa.
Together on the Journey
PARENTS
SUN, DEC 11 @ 9AM in C&
Parenting is challenging, exhausting, and rewarding at the same time, and being a part of a local church gives us a community of wisdom to draw from in facing these challenges (and opportunities!) together. Join with other parents on Sunday, December 11, at 9am to dialogue about child-rearing, reflect on what it looks like to care for your spiritual health and that of your kids, and pray together. Light breakfast snacks will be served. Meet in classroom C7.
Recent Sermons
The Yoke of Christ
April 28, 2024
Jesus said that his yoke is easy to bear, and that his burden is light. He says that he will give us rest if we will come to him. He will...
Our Church Family
April 21, 2024
Jesus birthed his Church out of his own life, death, and resurrection. After the Holy Spirit is given to the disciples in Acts 2,...
Oneness: Church Unity in a Time of Division
April 14, 2024
One of the last things that Jesus prayed for on the night of his arrest and impending death was that his church would be united in this...
Adult Learning Communities (Sundays @ 9AM)
Interested in, or questions about Learning Communities, contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
HOLINESS AND JUSTICE
The Minor Prophets
DEC 4–FEB 26 | A1
Join the Philathean Class Learning Community as we study the twelve biblical books called the “minor prophets” (named so because they are shorter than the other prophetic books). These prophets wrote during the time Israel was a divided kingdom. Some directed their message to the southern kingdom of Judah, others to the northern kingdom of Israel, and still others to neighboring kingdoms. Holiness and justice are the powerful themes of these twelve prophets whose words also speak, “thus says the Lord” to our culture today. Our violent, corrupt, and unjust world desperately needs this prophetic message of holiness and justice.
TEACHER | Glen Pierce, Jonathan Owen, John Yeatts
SOUNDS GOOD ON PAPER, BUT…
Christian nonviolence in a world gone mad
SEPT 11–DEC 18 | C8–12
Do Jesus’ commands to love our enemies and do good to those who harm us extend to governments and nation states, or are his words an individual ethic? Christian nonviolence sounds good on paper, but can it “work” in a world dominated by bad actors, renegade states, and totalitarian governments? Questions such as these sent Mark C. Cramer and Myles Werntz, authors of A Field Guide to Christian Nonviolence: Key Thinkers, Activists, and Movements for the Gospel of Peace, on a search for answers in Scripture, Christian theology, and ethics. With their book in hand, pacificists, non-pacifists, and the undecided are invited to explore this long-standing commitment within the Brethren in Christ Church and the broader Christian tradition.
TEACHERS | Randy Basinger, Devin Manzullo-Thomas, and Guests
CLASS COORDINATORS | Ken and Yvonne Martin
Beyond Sunday Mornings
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
1ST, 3RD, & 5TH THURSDAYS (SEPT 15–DEC. 15) @ 9:30–11AM | C9
For our second year of women’s Bible study, we’ll explore the book of Hebrews, using Jen Wilkins’ video study. We’ll “discover through Paul’s letters that Scripture points to Christ as the new and better covenant for us to have access to God.” We’ll usually begin with an icebreaker and opening prayer, then discuss the questions in the workbooks, followed by watching Jen’s teaching video. Finally, we’ll share prayer requests. It’s OK to stop in a couple times to see what we’re about. Please contact Pastor Melissa if you would like to make use of childcare for children, ages birth through age 5.
LEADER | Sarah Becking
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
FRIDAYS (beginning SEPT 16) @ 6:45AM | C7
A new men’s discussion Bible study on the gospel of Mark will begin this fall. We intend to meet weekly, although we will discuss the frequency and time of meeting on Sept 16. Join us to dig into the life of Christ as told in this short and compelling book of the Bible. The leaders are Rich Stuebing and John Yeatts from the Discipleship Commission.
LEADERS | Rich Stuebing, John Yeatts
GRANDMOTHERS IN PRAYER
4TH THURSDAYS @ 9:30–11AM | C8–C12
All Grandmothers are invited for a time of fellowship and prayer for our beloved grandchildren. During the time together, we will be studying Philip Yancey’s book Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? Meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month. Please contact Velma Yoder.
LEADER | Velma Yoder
Community Life
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB
1ST MONDAYS (beginning OCT 3) @ 6:30–8PM | C8–C12
Women are invited to join a book club that will meet the first Monday of each month. Contact Beth Mark, with any questions.
LEADER | Beth Mark
LIBRARY BOOK CHAT
2ND TUESDAYS @ 7PM | ZOOM
The Library Book Chat meets monthly on the second Tuesdays via Zoom to take turns telling others about an inspiring book, with a variety of fiction and nonfiction presented. All ages are welcome; if any children or youth attend, they are given priority at the beginning of the sessions. Contact Edie Asbury to be included in the invitation each month.
LEADER | Edie Asbury
Children (birth–grade 5)
Questions? Contact Pastor Denise Fogelsanger
LEARNING COMMUNITIES | Sundays, 9–10AM
BIRTH–35 MONTHS | C11 (NURSERY)
Loving care will be offered in the nursery
3–5 YEAR OLD PRESCHOOLERS | D23
We will be using the Wee Wonder Curriculum.
KINDERGARTEN–5 GRADE | D26 & D27
We will be using the Shine Curriculum. The lessons teach children how to “Love Jesus, Grow in Faith, Change the World” This quarter we will study the fall of a kingdom.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR | Sundays @ 10–10:20AM (D20–22)
Children will have the opportunity to learn songs of the faith and be able to sing in worship.
NURSERY & PRESCHOOL CARE | Sundays @ 10:15AM (C11)
INFANTS & TODDLERS
Birth- 24 months will receive loving care in the nursery (C11) during the worship service.
PRESCHOOLERS
Children aged 2-3 year old will be in D21, children aged 4-5 year old will be in C19 where each class will have a time of play and Bible Stories.
KIDS' OWN WORSHIP | Sundays @ 11AM (during the sermon)
Children in K-6th grade will join their families for the first part of the worship service. At the start of the sermon, they will be invited to a special worship service. Children in Kindergarten through 6th grade will meet in the area near the mailboxes. We will then split into 2 classes and move to the Children’s wing.
- The Kindergarten through 2nd graders will meet in D20-22 and use the Gospel Project Curriculum. We will continue working out way through the Old Testament.
- The 3rd through 6th graders will meet in D25 and use the Godly Play curriculum as they explore the Old Testament.
More Children's Ministry
MOMS TOGETHER
WEDNESDAYS, @ 9–11AM in C15 (Youth Room)
SEPT 21, OCT 12 & 26, NOV 9 & 23, DEC 7 & 21
Come for conversation and encouragement. We will be discussing the ideas in Sally Clarkson’s latest book Help, I’m Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope.
Childcare will be provided. Please let Pastor Denise know if you will need it.
Youth (grades 6–12)
Questions? Contact Youth Coordinator, Chrissy Hoffner
Learning Community
SUNDAYS @ 9AM-10AM | C15 (Youth Room)
Carrie Harshberger will lead the youth through The Jesus Creed for Students by Scot McKnight. This is a book about what it means to live a life now before God; it is about the revolutionary vision Jesus has for this world. It’s getting back to the basics, because sometimes starting all over again leads us to think we’ve never been there before. Each morning will begin with Worship and end with a snack.
Evening Youth Group
SUNDAYS @ 6PM–8PM | C15 (Youth Room)
Youth will explore what we believe, why we believe it and why God calls us to communicate the Bible’s truths. Using J Warner Wallace’s Forensic Faith curriculum, facilitated by Tom George, youth will engage and learn to prepare to present the most important case of their lives; they will be prepared to become better “Christian Case Makers”. This study is 8 weeks long, allowing plenty of time for extra activities like Campfire Worship nights, Trunk or Treat and Holiday parties. Each evening will begin with Worship and end with snacks and games.
Volunteer Opporunities
Youth Ministry makes a difference. 15 years ago, statistics showed that Christian youth stayed in school longer, were healthier, felt better about themselves, were more likely to volunteer their time to help others, and had better relationships with their parents. Statistics today show that nearly six in ten (59%) young people who grow up in Christian churches end up walking away. We need to build relationships with the teens to help them understand and own their faith.
Do YOU want to make a difference in the life of a teen?
College Student Ministry
Questions? Contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
Worship Arts
Interested in, or questions about Worship Arts, contact Pastor David Perry.
Music Opportunities
WORSHIP TEAM
A collective of musicians, tech volunteers, and Scripture readers that help lead our congregation in faithful and heartfelt worship. In particular, we are looking for more volunteers to run projection and sound.
BRASS ENSEMBLE
WEDNESDAYS
An ensemble that plays in worship once a month, and plays a variety of repertoire. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights during the school year.
CHOIR
An ensemble that sings in Sunday morning services several times a year. Open to any level of singer, at any time.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR
rehearsals on WEDS, NOV 30, DEC 7 &
THURS, DEC 15 @ 6:30-7:30PM
Sing in the church choir on Sunday, Dec. 18! We’ll rehearse Wednesday November 30, Wednesday December 7, and Thursday December 15 from 6:30-7:30 pm, in the sanctuary.
HANDBELL CHOIR
SUNDAYS BEGINNING OCTOBER 2 (following the servive)
Have you ever tried ringing handbells? Can you read music? Keep a beat? Watch a director? Meet up with other interested ringers Sundays after worship (around 12) for 30-40 minutes of practice. Contact Chrissy Hoffner if interested.
CURRENT ART EXHIBIT (NOV 2022–JAN 2023)
"Substance Matters" the art of Ted & Catherine Prescott
For the next few months we will be hosting a selection of artwork by local artists Ted and Cathy Prescott. As founding members of the art department at Messiah University, they taught almost everything in their 40 years of teaching. They also were charter members and board members of CIVA (Christian in the Visual Arts). Cathy has been commissioned to paint portraits of notable figures, such as college presidents, bishops and governors. Ted’s sculptures grace the entrance foyers and courtyards of public spaces like Lancaster Mennonite High School, Hershey Medical Center, and Biola and Messiah Universities. He also has created numerous large crosses for congregations, often utilizing unusual materials such as salt and ash. They both have embodied the role of artist in their faith communities for decades and speak and write frequently on topics of art-making and being a witness of God’s kingdom in their lives and their art.
Questions?
Contact the Office