Madison Ave. Church of The Brethren

Inside you will find April’s Lamplighter

The Lamplighter
Editor: Lillian Geltz

April 2006

From the Pastor’s Desk

Though I don’t claim any aspirations as a poet, this time of the year I always remember the old poem that goes: Spring is sprung/the grass is riz/ I wonder where/ the flowers is! Now you know why I’m not a poet!

It’s an exciting time of the year. With Spring in the air, the excitement of the celebration of our Savior’s resurrection at Easter, and all that is going on at Church, it’s just great to be a part of it all. If you happen not to be a regular attendee of Worship, this month would be a great time to get back into the habit. With a committee working on the planning of the special Holy Week services - Palm Sunday, Lovefeast, Good Friday, Sunrise, and Easter Celebration - Worship will certainly be a highlight of the month.

To further highlight Worship, beginning the Sunday after Easter - 4/23 - we will be starting a three-week sermon series on the subject of Worship. These three worship services promise to be some very challenging and exciting times of worship for all of us. The titles of the series are:

4/23/06 What is Worship?

4/30/06 Why Worship?

5/07/06 The Heart of Worship

Please make a special effort to attend all of our Holy Week Worship services as we celebrate our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection. And then, also attend the series of three special services on Worship. Invite a friend - or two - to worship with you. We have been fortunate to have been hosting quite a few visitors and guests in recent weeks. These services would be great to invite more new folks to worship with us, especially someone who does not have a Church home and may not yet know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Jesus’ last words to us were to “go and make disciples of all nations.” How seriously have we been taking His command to us to be faithful to His call upon us? This is a great time of the year, and a great time to be in worship, and a great time to invite others to worship with us.

Special Worship for Lenten Season

Our annual Palm Sunday Lovefeast & Communion service will be shared on Sunday evening, April 9th,
at 6:30 PM. This special invitation to share the Lord’s Table is one of the unique Brethren ordinances we hold dear and continue to practice in spite of our modern society’s neglect of traditional Biblical activities. This moving Worship has been largely abandoned even by many Brethren folks in recent years as being no longer relevant to our faith, or as being too modernized for convenience and therefore irreverent and/or unbiblical, and devoid of its meaning and purpose (none of which is true). Nevertheless, the invitation from Jesus to commune with Him at His Table still is extended, and the faithful still come to be challenged anew to wash the feet of a society stained by sin and apathy. The invitation is open to all believing Christians to worship at His table, share a meal with fellow believers, wash the feet of a brother or sister, and identify with our Risen Savior as we eat the Bread and drink the Cup of Christ’s body, sacrificed for us. “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who believe, it is the power of God.” Come and experience the power.

Also, on Friday, April 14th at 7 PM, we will gather for Worship in observance of Good Friday. Our schedule for Easter Sunday morning will be: Sunrise Worship at 6:00 (at the Kissinger’s - dress warmly!), breakfast at 8:15 in the Fellowship Hall, regular Sunday school at 9:00 and Worship Celebration at 10:15AM.

April Bible Challenge Questions

1. From what town did Jesus’ disciples get the donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem?

2. Who said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

3. Paul wrote that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, present or future, nor height, depth, or anything will be able to separate us from ??????????????.”

Church Board: General Report

The Board met on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Most of the commission reports focused on the planning and arrangements for the approaching Lenten season, including the following: Palm Sunday Worship, Lovefeast, Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, Sunrise Service, Easter Breakfast and Easter Sunday Worship.

A complete schedule is in this issue of the Lamplighter.

Also, as most of you are aware, during the night of October 8-9, 2005, MACOB was burglarized. A keyboard, numerous CD players, a TV, 2 VCRs and DVD players, 2 boom boxes, a phone, and some other items were stolen, all of which totaled close to $4,000 in value. The police were notified (and they investigated) and a claim was made to our insurance carrier to recover our losses. With depreciation figured by the insurance company, and our $1,000 deductible policy, we received payment from the insurance company of just over $1700.

A strange twist happened on the very day after we received the check from the insurance company. A man arrived at the Church office and, in the presence of the Pastor and another person, confessed to the crime. Saying he’d experienced a dramatic change of heart and couldn’t live with his conscience, he wanted to pay restitution for the items he had stolen from us. (Note: we were not the only one from whom he had stolen. He confessed to them all and is in the process of repaying thousands of dollars at the present time. A former addict, he repented because of a local social outreach ministry.)

The executive committee of Church met to decide how to handle this ‘unique’ situation. The outcome of the meeting was as follows: we contacted an attorney, and with his advice, we contacted the insurance company and the police. The insurance company (that actually has a policy for handling this!) determined that he should continue to pay us until our $1000 is returned to us. The individual is paying on a weekly basis and at the current rate, we will have received full payment in a few months. Charges have been dropped at the police department. The person is currently working full-time at a decent job, and from all indications, is living a productive and full life, contributing much to the society from which he used to steal. God has gotten another soul from the clutches of death! What at first had appeared as a loss for us, proved to be a great gain for the Kingdom.

In His Service,

Dave Wolfe & the Madison Avenue Board

Christian Education News

The main focus of the Christian Ed Commission is going to be Vacation Bible School which will be June 19-24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The theme is “Treasure Cove” and the lessons will all empasize the treasure we have in Jesus and that he treasures us. Volunteers are needed to help as small (about 6 kids) group leaders and leaders for “Bible Challenge” and other sites, as well as assistants in every area… crafts, games, snacks, Bible stories, music, decorations, opening and closing times. A junior high class will be offered.

A planning meeting is scheduled for April Plan to attend the planning session April 23 to get your assignment in Treasure Cove.
Christian Ed is also offering a “Parenting Your Teenager” class in May and June during the Sunday School hour, if there is interest. Please speak to Becky Rishel if you might like to take this six week class.

Our summer emphasis will be “Missions” and we plan to have three or more guest presentations on that topic. A class on what makes the Church of the Brethren unique will also be offered, geared toward those who have not grown up with the traditions.

“Healing Balm” Workshops and Bible Study

The Southern Pennsylvania District will be hosting a one-day session with the theme of “Healing Balm”. This event will offer Bible study and workshops on Deacon Roles and Functions, Care Circles, Love Feast, Resolving Conflict, Advance Directives and Being a Healing Presence.

There will also be worship with Wallace Landes as the keynote speaker. Rev. Landes is the pastor at the Palmyra Church of the Brethren and is the chair of the Association of Brethren Caregiver.

This event will be held at the Brethren Home Community in New Oxford from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday May 20th. There is a charge of $15 per person to cover the cost of the event, which includes lunch.

If you are interested in attending, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board or call Ralph or Gloria Miller at 767-7727.

YOUTH

The junior high kids’ worship service on March 19 showed the results of their hard work in preparation. They did an outstanding job of discussing “What Heaven is Like” and the morning included some really inspiring music and other presentations. Good job, guys!

The mid-week youth gathering is being re-instated and will take place at the church every Wednesday at 6:30. There will be devotions, snacks, games or other activities and sharing time to give us a “between Sundays” boost. An afternoon of lamb feeding, sheep watching, scavenger hunting, game playing, kite flying and, of course, eating was enjoyed on March 19th at the Rishel farm. We hope to schedule a “lock-in” for the summer at the church
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE
The evangelism committee will once again sponsor an Easter Egg hunt for the children of the church and of the neighborhood on Saturday, April 15th at 10 a.m. There will be four age divisions-toddlers under 3, 3-6 year olds, 6-9 year olds, and 10-12 year olds. An Easter story will be presented, and egg decorating, egg hunting, and snacks & various prizes are on the agenda.
A chicken barbecue and community yard sale are in the works for June.
The evangelism committee will work with the anniversary committee for the celebration of the congregation’s seventieth birthday in August. This committee also hopes to encourage “Bring a Friend Sunday” as the most powerful and effective method of evangelism.

Answers to Bible Challenge Questions

1. Bethphage (Matt.21:1) 2. Men (angels) at Jesus’ empty tomb (Luke 24:5) 3. God’s love (Romans 8:38,39)

Women’s Fellowship News

April 4 9:30 AM Luncheon Hosting the Bermudian COB Ladies

April 24 9:00 AM Brethren Home Volunteer Day

April 29 District Women’s Spring Luncheon

May 16 Mother & Daughter Banquet

Luncheon with the ladies from Bermudian COB is April 4th at 9:30 AM. The Bag Lady (Rita McKinty) will be here to entertain. Come & enjoy lunch and sharing this time together.

The District Women’s Spring Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 29th at the Bunkertown COB. The guest speakers will be “Odds & Ends”… a duo made up of Laurette Connelly and Veda Boyd. The cost is $8.00. See Bernice Ness if you plan to attend. (DON’T FORGET HEALTH KITS)

The Lehman Center Auction is April 25th at the York County 4H Center.. If you have any items to donate, please see Phyllis Morthland. Auction items can be previewed from noon time until the auction. Soups, hot dogs, ice cream, fruit, soft pretzels and beverages will be available.

“Sheltered in Him”

We have seen the hand of God… Our rest “sheltered in Him” -

In a strained and weary world; Where lies our peace and calm;

Where peace is hard to find… As our prayers rise to heaven -

Among humankind unfurled. His word our daily balm.

Yet all the signs of hope… Thoughts of love and praise;

Are dancing in our soul; Sent forth to honor our king;

Upheld by the hand of God Flows from the human heart…

Within His able control. Dedicated in service to Him.

written by the Lord and Angel 3/15/06

April Birthdays

April 1 Brenda Williams April 15 Kim Gingerich April 21 Joann Kozyrev

April 2 Linda Kern Muriel Reynold April 22 Brady Loucks

April 5 Conner Snyder Gordon Spangler Dylan Loucks April 8 Carol Kauffman Kaitlin Miller April 24 Andy Fisher Bernice Ness April 17 Jamie Wolfe April 25 Mabel Schell

Herb Stump Drew Rhoades April 26 Paul Ritchey,Sr.

April 11 Nicole Williams April 18 Mike Brenneman

April 12 Ralph Miller Jim Craig April 13 Paul Veverka

April 19 Tyler Snelbaker

April 14 Cadin Jack Snyder April 20 Troy Lehigh

April Worship Schedule

4/2 9:00 AM Sunday school

10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Depths of glory” John 12:20 - 33

4/6 6:30 PM (weekly, each Thur.) Bell Choir practice

7:30 PM (weekly, each Thur.) Senior choir

4/8 9:00 AM District Board Mtg - Buffalo Valley COB

4/9 9:00 AM Sunday school

10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Great Day Coming” Matthew 21:1 - 11

6:30 PM Lovefeast & Communion

4/11 6:30 PM Commission meetings

7:30 PM Church Board meeting

4/14 7:00 PM Good Friday Worship

4/15 7:30 AM Men’s prayer breakfast

4/16 Easter Sunday Worship

6:00 AM Sunrise Worship

8:15 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM Sunday school

10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Why die?” Luke 24:1 - 8

Deadline for articles for May Lamplighter

4/17 - 20 Meat canning

4/23 9:00 AM Sunday school

10:15 AM Celebration Worship “What is Worship?” Matthew 4:10

4/24 - 27 Meat canning

4/25 CAS 15th annual Lehman Center Auction

4/29 9 - noon District Women’s Spring Luncheon (Bunkertown COB)

4/30 9:00 AM Sunday School

10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Why Worship?” Romans 8:38, 39

5/07 9:00 AM Sunday School

10:15 AM Celebration Worship “The Heart of Worship” Matthew 6:21

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