Bearing Gentleness
July 21, 2024
The fruit of the Spirit called gentleness is seldom valued in our society, which prefers toughness, especially in leadership. Yet Jesus...
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.
CHAT WITH YOUR DELEGATES
SUNDAY, JUN 30 @ 11:45AM in C8-12
This year, seven delegates from Grantham Church will represent our congregation at the 2024 Brethren in Christ U.S. General Assembly, being held in Cincinnati, OH. If you would like to hear about what will be happening at this year’s General Assembly, including business items which will be voted upon, please join us after the service on Sunday, June 30, in room C8-12. There will be opportunity to ask questions and share comments. A summary of the business items can be reviewed here. Light refreshments will be served.
Recent Sermons
Bearing Faithfulness
July 14, 2024
As we strive to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives, we are encouraged through the work of the Holy Spirit to cultivate the...
Bearing Goodness
July 7, 2024
The Scriptures repeatedly encourage us to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” God displays his goodness by blessing us and...
Bearing Kindness
June 30, 2024
Kindness is a simple, easy-to-overlook quality that has the capacity to transform a life. In the act of considering and doing what’s best...
Adult Learning Communities (Sundays @ 9AM)
Interested in, or questions about Learning Communities, contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
BOOK CLUB
God’s Smuggler
JUN 2-23 in the Youth Room
God’s Smuggler is the inspiring true story of Brother Andrew, a Dutch missionary who risked his life to smuggle Bibles into communist countries during the Cold War, spreading God’s word in the face of danger and opposition. All are welcome to participate in reading and discussion. Here is the tentative schedule:
- June 2: introduction (this will give appropriate background on the historical setting of the book)
- June 9: Chapters 1-6
- June 16: Chapters 7-15
- June 23: Chapters 16-21
Please purchase your own copy of the book (Amazon or ThriftBooks have several), or contact Chrissy (choffner@granthamchurch.org) if you are unable to do so.
FACILITATORS: Chrissy Hoffner, Becky Owen
JUST POLITICS
Following Jesus in Our Public Engagement
JUN 2 – JUL 28 in C8-12
This class will follow a series of short (10- to 15-minute) videos produced by the National Association of Evangelicals about complex and contested contemporary issues. Watch a preview of the series here. After watching these videos, we will discuss how we can emulate the example of Jesus and apply biblical principles as we promote justice and peace through our political actions. The tentative schedule for these sessions is:
- Session 1 (June 2): Preserving Human Rights
- Session 2 (June 9): Protecting Religious Freedom & Liberty of Conscience
- Session 3 (June 16): Pursuing Racial Justice & Reconciliation
- Session 4 (June 23): Seeking Justice & Compassion for the Poor
- Session 5 (June 30): Promoting Just Peace & Restraining Violence
- Session 6 (July 14): Safeguarding the Nature & Sanctity of Human Life
- Session 7 (July 21): Strengthening Marriages, Families & Children
- Session 8 (July 28): Caring for God’s Creation
Everyone is invited to join one or more of these Learning Community sessions.
FACILITATOR: Peace & Social Justice Commission
CALLING, CHARACTER, CONVICTION
Lessons on Leadership in the Historical Books
JUN 2 – AUG 25 in A1
The Bible’s historical books – 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles – recount Israel’s history under the reign of kings, from a united kingdom to the divided northern and southern kingdoms. As we delve into these books, we will learn from Israel’s leaders about what covenant loyalty and true worship look like (and don’t look like!), and apply these truths to our lives. Anyone is welcome to join the Philathean Learning Community in this summer study.
TEACHERS: MJ Fair, Jonathan Owen, Glen Pierce, and John Yeatts
Beyond Sunday Mornings
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
FRIDAYS @ 6:45–7:45AM in the Coffee Shop
The men’s weekly Bible study resumes meeting on January 5, 2024, and welcomes new early birds to study 1 John together. We include much discussion and emphasis on practical application of biblical truth. We always end promptly at 7:45am to allow time to get to work or other engagements.
LEADERS | Rich Stuebing, John Yeatts
GRANDMOTHERS IN PRAYER
4TH THURSDAYS @ 9:30–11AM in C8–C12
All Grandmothers are invited for a time of fellowship and prayer for our beloved grandchildren. During the time together, we will be using Philip Yancey’s book Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? with discussion led by various grandmothers. From September-April, we will discuss chapters 13-18.
LEADER | Velma Yoder
Community Life
FELLOWSHIP MEALS
1st & 3rd SUNDAYS @ 12PM in Fellowship Hall
1st & 3rd SUNDAYS @ 12PM in Fellowship Hall
Sharing life around the table is one of the best ways we can connect together as the body of Christ. Over a meal we meet new friends, celebrate God’s goodness, and carry one another’s burdens. Grantham Church has partnered with One80 Ministries to host this time where God can strengthen our friendships across divides, encourage us as we journey together in our faith, and provide a welcoming space for anyone seeking to be known and loved. There’s room at the table!
Winter-Spring 2024 meal dates are:
- February 4 & 18
- March 3 & 17
- April 7 & 21
- May 5 & 19
To help make these meals possible, contact Dawn Isley to find out about volunteer opportunities.
LIBRARY BOOK CHAT
The Library Book Chat meets to share informally about inspiring books, both fiction and nonfiction. When you have a book to present, contact Edie Asbury to set up a mutually agreeable time to meet, either by Zoom or in person, and other Book Chat participants will be invited to join the meeting. This is a great way to hear about what others are reading on their discipleship journey!
LEADER | Edie Asbury
Children (birth–grade 5)
Questions? Contact Pastor Denise Fogelsanger
LEARNING COMMUNITIES | Sundays, 9–10AM
BIRTH–24 MONTHS | C11 (NURSERY)
Loving care will be offered in the nursery
2–5 YEAR OLD PRESCHOOLERS | D23
Preschool children will be using the Wee Wonder curriculum to explore what it means to come to church, God made the world, and thanking God this fall.
KINDERGARTEN–5 GRADE | D26 & D27
School age children will be using the Shine: Loving in God’s light Curriculum. This fall they be learning about becoming a People of God as they learn about the family of Abraham and Sarah through stories from Genesis, and the Journey to Freedom from stories of Exodus and Joshua.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR | Sundays @ 10–10:20AM (D20–22)
Children 3 years up through high school are welcome to join as we practice songs that will be performed in the worship service throughout the year.
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.
- Kindergarten through 2nd grade will continue using the Gospel Project as we work our way through the Bible. This fall we will be learning from the minor prophets as we explore stories about the Southern Kingdom of Judah, then looking at a people restored through hope in exile and returning to the land.
- The 3rd through 6th graders will continue exploring Bible stories using the Godly Play teaching method and will be studying the Old Testament stories from Creation through the Return from Exile.
More Children's Ministry
SING AND PLAY
FRIDAYS, @ 9:30–10:15 AM & 10:30-11:15 AM
JAN 19–MAR 22
FRIDAYS, @ 9:30–10:15 AM & 10:30-11:15 AM
JAN 19–MAR 22
Sing & Play, a time for preschoolers and their favorite caregivers, to come play in the Fellowship Hall with 8 different stations to choose. We will be resuming on Fridays for the fall starting on Jan. 19 through Mar. 22, with 2 sessions that will last 45 minutes each (one at 9:30-10:15am; and the other at 10:30-11:15am)
Youth (grades 6–12)
Questions? Contact Youth Coordinator, Chrissy Hoffner
Youth Ministry
In Youth Ministry this year, we are going to explore the many doors we see throughout the Bible…some opened, some closed, many representing new opportunities, salvation, The Way…
LEARNING COMMUNITY
SUNDAYS @ 9AM-10AM in C15 (Youth Room)
SUNDAYS @ 9AM-10AM in C15 (Youth Room)
Sunday mornings in Learning Community, we meet over hot cocoa and occasional snacks for discussion and prayer.
YOUTH GROUP
SUNDAYS @ 6PM–8PM | C15 (Youth Room)
SUNDAYS @ 6PM–8PM | C15 (Youth Room)
Sunday evenings in Youth Group, we meet for lessons, games, snacks, and small group discussions.
Every other month, or so, we have dinner with a small group of “non youth” members of the greater church body.
Current Schedule
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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 Students
Questions? Contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
FELLOWSHIP MEALS
1ST & 3RD SUNDAYS, after the service
Get to know people of various ages and stages of life over a free lunch twice/month. This is a great way to feel part of our church family and share life together.
SPRING DATES | Feb 4 & 18; Mar 3 & 17; Apr 7 & 21; May 5 & 19
GET "ADOPTED"
We have families & individuals who would love to come alongside you during your time in college through prayer, occasional meet-ups, and general relational support. If you’d like to get connected with someone, contact Pastor Melissa: mlowther@granthamchurch.org.
TEXT UPDATES
Receive texts about twice/month with reminders about what’s happening at Grantham Church, as well as short devotionals & encouragements. Text “@gccollege” to 81010 to sign up.
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.
the Art Gallery
COMING TO THE ART GALLERY
JUNE 2024
JORDAN BASHORE’S LITURGICAL PRACTICES
Jordan Bashore will be exhibiting her artwork this summer in our gallery. Her work will be on display June through August, with a reception on June 9 at 11:45 a.m. Jordan is a fiber artist and art educator living and working in the Harrisburg area. Her artwork possesses a contemplative nature, reflective of monastic practices of intentional and ruminative processes. Common and inexpensive materials are used to create works that surpass the value of the material, giving it new life with a greater value just as believers in faith are made new in Christ. She explores the nature of prayer with elements such as handwritten prayers and humble materials, which reflect the transformative power of prayer. Within the process of creating, she enters into a prayerful state which imbues the final piece with a sacred quality. Jordan is a 2022 graduate from Boston University with her Master of Art Education and a 2020 graduate from Messiah University with her Bachelor of Science, with a concentration on three-dimensional studies.
Questions?
Contact the Office