Here is the June Edition of the Lamplighter:

Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren
645 Madison Avenue, York, PA 17404
Phone: 854-1885
The Lamplighter
Editor: Lillian Geltz

From the Pastor’s Desk
It’s that time of the year again! School’s out – or almost so – and the kids are excited about Summer and all its activities. Summer is the time for many new and exciting and fun-filled things to do. It’s the time of vacations, camps, travel, and people on the go. It’s also the time many people go Church shopping, or at least Church visiting, because of the many changes in schedules that prevent their attending their home Church. I would encourage you to worship at other churches during your times of vacation and travel this summer to get an appreciation for worship in different settings and to experience the many varied ways we, as a family of faith, worship God. And be sure to invite others to worship here with you each Sunday you are home.
I came across the following litany recently in a Homiletics magazine, and I thought it appropriate to include it here for our perusal. It’s called a litany for those who would fly kites:
Leader: Those who fly kites know that kites are earthbound and cannot lift and soar until they are caught by the wind
People: People and churches are earthbound and cannot be themselves until the wind of God’s Spirit lifts them to fly
Leader: Kites are not free to thrust and move until they are let go to explore the skies
People: People and churches are not free to love and care until they let go & catch the Spirit which is love
Leader: Kites have no power or direction unless they are caught and controlled by the wind
People: People and churches have no power and direction unless they allow the Spirit of God to move within them
Prayer: Holy God, may Your Spirit lift us from being earthbound and free us to soar, to explore, to have direction and purpose. O God, help us to fly as people freed by Your Spirit, to live, and to love. Amen
As we continue to seek God’s will in our mission and ministry here at MACOB, may that litany provide us motivation, and the prayer be our own. See you in worship.

Church Board Report from May’s Meeting
The board met on Tuesday, May 9. The treasurer reported that ½ of the district assessment has been paid to date. Also, checks have been sent to support several ministries: $1000 to the Brethren Home, $500 to Camp Eder, and $250 to the Meat Canning Project. Stewardship & Finance has transferred the money market account to a local bank with a substantial increase in interest rate.
Christian Education commission reported that Vacation Bible School is on track for the week of June 19-24. Volunteers are always welcome, I mentioned to the board that this could be the most exhausting week you ever have, and it will also be the most rewarding week you ever have.
Missions & Service commission reminded us that donations for the Disaster Relief Auction Heifer will be accepted from now till September.
Fellowship & Recreation will support a Father/Son Banquet on Thursday, June 15th. Men, this will not be a covered dish. Could you imagine what we might get?
The speaker will be Wyatt McGuire, sharing his experiences as he hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
Pastor Godfrey reported that a second meeting with JoElle ministries was held at the church. The group will try to proceed with this ministry for students from Smith Middle School.
In His Service
The General Board
Dave Wolfe

Summer Schedule !!!!!
As we begin our Summer season, remember that last year Church Council decided that we would maintain a year-round schedule that would be the same every Sunday, all year-round. Sunday School begins at 9:00 AM and Worship begins at 10:15 AM. Join us all Summer long for some exciting times of Worship and praise, and be sure to regularly invite a friend or neighbor. Our schedule for Sunday School and Worship remains the same all year ‘round.

Christian Education News
Regular Sunday School classes will meet during the summer, except for one Sunday a month where we will have combined adult classes with guest speakers on missions

Congratulations to our graduates—
Graduate recognition will be on Sunday, June 11th.
Scott Linebaugh from nursing school
Andy Fisher from Dover High School
Michelle Baugher from Dover High School
Josh Snelbaker from Dover High School
Join us June 11th as well celebrate their accomplishments.

Youth group meets every Thursday at 6:30 for devotions, service and fellowship. They have planted flowers around the church, visited the Rishel farm and gone bowling and miniature golfing, but usually spend the time at the church. Kids eleven and older are invited to join this group.

Ministry & Worship
The Ministry & Worship Commission continues to work with the staff on matters related to the ongoing ministries here at MACOB. Filling the pulpit for Pastor Godfrey when he is away will be as follows: Kim Gingerich on July 2nd, and Brandon Grady on August 7th.
The Commission discussed the Pastor’s visitation schedule at the most recent meeting, noting his availability for any crisis situation such as hospitalization, recovery from surgeries, nursing home stays, etc. in addition to a regular pattern of home and nursing home visits. If you know of someone who would benefit from and/or appreciate a visit from the Pastor, would you please let the Pastor or any member of the Ministry Commission know so that a visit can be scheduled.
Due in large part to the successes of prior “Bring a Friend” emphases, the M & W Commission is designating Sunday, June 25th as the next “Bring A Friend Sunday.” Summer time is often a time when many people are on vacation or traveling and visiting other churches. Please give your best effort to encouraging someone who does not normally attend Worship to come to Church with you that day. Invite family, friends, a coworker, a neighbor…invite someone to worship with you on Bring A Friend Sunday – June 25th.
The Commission also celebrates the milestone accomplishment of Kim Gingerich’s completion of studies and requirements for ordination to the set-apart ministry. This is truly a reason for the whole congregation to celebrate God’s blessing through Kim and her call to ministry. See article elsewhere in this issue regarding her ordination service.

• Attention!
  Please keep August 26th & 27th in mind for a very special and important event for Madison Avenue. More details later!

Christmas cards for prisoners have arrived early this year. If you wish to do one or more, see Treva Ginerich.

There will be a kick-off banquet and concert at Yoder’s Restaurant in New Holland on Saturday, June 10th at 6 PM. The meal is family style and the cost is $18.00 to benefit the Disaster Relief Auction. The concert will be by the Hoppers. See the sheet on the bulletin board for more information.

The Lehman Center Auction was a great success with $37,500.00 taken in!

There is an ongoing project to buy a heifer for the fall Disaster Relief Auction. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Finally!
One of the ongoing purposes of the Church, according to Ephesians 4: 12, is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God…..” When a congregation takes its ministry seriously, and seeks to develop the God-given gifts of its members, that work of preparation becomes evident – and reason to celebrate.
It was about four years ago that this congregation, recognizing the ministry gifts of Kim Gingerich, challenged her by calling her to be licensed to the ministry. Many years of study and on the job service have now culminated in her completion of course requirements for ordination to the set-apart ministry in the Church of the Brethren. With a call to serve on staff here, recommendation from the District Ministry Commission and District Board, and approval of our Church Council, Kim continues to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in her call to serve the cause of Jesus in this world.
This congregation can certainly celebrate the blessing of God in the many folks He has brought together with a wide variety of gifts and skills. Following the Scriptural directive to “prepare people for works” of ministry, we have called several people to be licensed, as well as called others to positions of leadership within the District ministries.
The ordination service for Kim has been set for Sunday, June 25th here at Madison Avenue, at 3 PM. You are encouraged to share this day of celebration, and worship with us as Kim is ordained that day. Come and share in worship. Come and share in God’s blessings. Come and share with us all, the joy and humble recognition of the Spirit moving within Kim, and within this congregation. Come and celebrate in worship together as we encourage Kim to follow her Biblical mandate to “preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great courage and careful instruction.”

Bible Challenge Question
1. According to the Apostle John, the only person who truly achieves victory in this life is the one who…..
2. Who said: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through ……
3. On what occasion did Jesus ask His disciples: “Why are you afraid? Don’t you have faith?”

On the Lighter Side
You probably were not aware of the fact that even some inanimate objects have gender roles attached to them. But it’s a proven scientific fact. Just consider the following:
1. Ziploc bags – male – because they hold everything in and you can see right through them
2. Hourglasses – female – because, over time, their weight shifts to their bottom
3. Tires – male – because they go bald and have inflated egos
4. Hot air balloons – male – you have to light a fire under them and they are full of hot air
5. Sponges – female – they are soft and squeezable, and they tend to retain water
6. Subways – male – because they use the same old lines and pick up people
7. Remote controls – female – (Ha! You thought they’d be male, didn’t you?) because they give men pleasure and because men would be lost without them!

Vacation Bible School
Calling all kids from two to teens! Vacation Bible School will happen June 19th through 23rd from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.. The theme is Treasure Cove. Come for music, games, crafts and Bible studies and discover the clues to finding the hidden treasure each day. VBS is open to the extended families of church members and the neighborhood children. A few more volunteers are needed to serve as small group (five or six kids) leaders.

BBQ/YARD SALE
Saturday, June 24, is the date for the Neighborhood Yard Sale and Chicken Barbecue. Meal tickets are $6, yard sale tables are free. Please order tickets and tables in advance from Becky Rishel. Call 428-3732 or email rrishel@blazenet.net. This event is sponsored by the Evangelism Committee in hopes of meeting our neighbors and inviting them to get to know us.
Camp Eder
Camp Eder is looking forward to an exciting Summer of outdoor ministry. You can be a part of that ministry in a number of ways. Several different job openings are available, as well as many volunteer opportunities (like being a volunteer counselor for a week – excitement plus!) to help with the many aspects of camping that exist at the Camp. There is a special need for male volunteers.

Mission and Service News
Catch the excitement!!! Please donate toward the purchase of the heifer for the Disaster Relief Auction. The anticipated cost of a bred heifer is about $1750, and we’ll be accepting donations thru September.
Subscriptions for the Messenger are due now. Please see Treva Gingerich to renew your subscription or to start receiving this valuable monthly resource – $14.50/yr. (only $7.25 / year for first time subscriptions!)

Annual Conference 7/1 – 7/5
Annual Conference is in Des Moines, Iowa this year, from Sat. 7/1 thru Wed. 7/5. With a theme of “Together, Exercise Daily in God,” Moderator Ron Beachley will lead conference goers through the five days of activity that serves as much as a family reunion as a working session. Several important business items, innumerable insight sessions, powerful Worship services, great Bible study options, great music and group singing, and much more await those who choose to be better informed and challenged in their faith walk. The Pastor can get you more information if you are planning to attend. Please remember the Conference and all the delegates and attendees in your prayers, as the decisions made there have a lasting effect in our denominations ministries and our witness to the world. Our delegate this year is Sandy Hinkle and delegate-in-training is Bonita Grady.

Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1. believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1st John 5:5) 2. Him (Jesus) (John 3:17) 3. Calming the storm (Mark 4:40)

Women’s Fellowship News
June 5 Women’s Camp/ leave Church at 7:45 AM
June 20 Picnic at Ness home 10 AM
June 26 Brethren Home Volunteer Day 9 AM
The 58th Annual Women’s Camp is on June 5 & 6 with the theme of “ A Life of Faith.” Five of our ladies will be attending and will lead Opening Worship.
Becky Rhodes is Minister of Worship at the First Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Virginia. She will be guest speaker and is director of choirs & handbells. She is also working toward a Master of Divinity Degree from Bethany Seminary.
We have 150 health kits assembled and hope to reach at least 200. Please continue to bring in items during the month of June or donate money to the Women’s Fellowship. Thank you for continued support.

The Way of the Cross
The way of the cross – Maybe judged by others-
Is not easy but right; Only God knows it all;
We must walk by faith – Washed in His blood -
Not merely by sight. Free to answer His call.

It is by our trials – Who has not fallen -
That faith enters in; Nor made his mistakes;
God is surely forgiving – That’s why God sent Jesus -
Of all of our sin. To die in our place.

We just need to ask – All is not loss-
Yes, walk by faith; As God made a way;
Our sins all forgotten – Victory over the cross -
Sinners saved by grace. Promise of eternal day.
Written by the Lord & Angel 5/4/06

Worship Schedule (and Church calendar) for June ‘06

6/1 7:00 PM Senior Choir practice
6/4 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Life’s victory” 1st John 5:1 – 6
After Worship – Strawberry Social
6/8 7:00 PM Last Senior Choir practice for season
6/11 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Religious know-it-alls” John 3:1 – 17
6/13 7:30 PM Regular Church Board meeting
6/15 6:00 PM Father/Sons banquet
6/17 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Breakfast
6/18 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Facing the storm” Mark 4:35 – 41
Bread and Cup Communion
Lamplighter deadline for July
6/19 – 6/23 6:30 – 8:30 PM Vacation Bible School
6/24 Chicken BQ & Yard Sale
6/25 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Bring A Friend” Sunday
“True fear” Mark 4:35 – 41
3:00 PM Ordination Service for Kim Gingerich
7/1 – 7/5 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa

June Birthdays
2 Marty Loucks 20 Betty May
Jeff Pettit 22 Sandy Staggers
3 Mary Miller 23 Don Kauffman, Jr.
4 Danielle Staggers 25 Betty Koble
6 Ruth Gleim 29 Katie Kissinger
9 Jessica Ehrlinger 30 Marvin Myers
11 Dave Wolfe
15 J.R. Spangler
15 Troy Mummert
15 Leisa Gross
15 Cindy Gross
15 Charles Gross
17 Charles Morthland
17 Dick Rishel