Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren
645 Madison Avenue, York, PA 17404
Phone: 854-1885
The Lamplighter
February 2008
Editor: Lillian Geltz

•From the Pastor’s Desk
I’d like to ask everyone’s support as we enter this new year – 2008. It’s quite evident that attendance here at MACOB has been on a steady decline for a number of years. Many of our long-time faithful members who were in Church regularly years ago have all gone on. We have not done a good job of evangelizing new people into the congregation. All that adds up to a growing concern about how long we will remain a viable congregation if we allow this trend to continue.
I am asking that you not invite anyone new to Church this year. I think we need to devote this year to preparing ourselves for the mission we are supposed to be doing. I’d like to make the year 2009 be the year that we increase our congregation by 50%. To do that, we will need to have something to offer new members in the way of a living, working, growing faith in our own lives, as well as a definite idea of how to disciple and assimilate new folks into the faith and into the ministries of our congregation.

I see this as a three-step effort. First, we must commit ourselves to Christ, then commit ourselves to community, and then third, we can commit ourselves to growth and development.
First: committing ourselves to Christ means a focused, intentional effort at prayer and Bible study. We must commit to regular, daily prayer times, seeking God’s will and direction for our ministry here at MACOB. That prayer must be accompanied by reading and study of His Word – to see where God would lead us in ministry.
Second: committing ourselves to community. That means communing not only with God – in prayer and study, but also in concert with our fellow brothers and sisters as we pray and study together in small groups. Everyone should be following a daily discipline of personal prayer and study time. But in addition to that, everyone should also be growing in relationship within the body of Christ by participating in one or more small group study activities, specifically Bible studies and prayer times.
Third: After a year of study and spiritual growth – personal and relational – we must begin an intentional time of inviting others to study and worship with us. Before we do that, however, we must develop our own internal groups for welcoming, discipling, visiting, encouraging, teaching, and including these new folks in the ministries and worship of our congregation. We must be prepared ahead of time for new people coming in – with programs and teaching and training or they will visit and leave. We will have to be intentional in our efforts to help them grow spiritually just as we are maturing.
In order for this to be a success, for this whole year, we must devote ourselves to prayer – focused and sincere prayer seeking God’s direction for us to commit to God and His Word. Prayer must be the starting point; study, the focal point; and preparation and ongoing planning must be priorities if we are to be successful at introducing new folks to the faith and to our congregation.
I’m suggesting disbanding all present small groups and reforming new groups. Everyone should be responsible for asking 2 – 5 other people to join them regularly (at least twice a month) for study and prayer. To the extent that everyone is willing to be a part of this intentional time of study, prayer, and preparation will be the same extent to which we will be successful in our mission.

•Faith Dinner
The York First COB will be hosting a FAITH DINNER on Saturday, March 29th, 2008 at 6:00 PM to benefit the Disaster Relief Auction. Tickets are $15.00. Victoria Smith will be providing the evening’s entertainment as she shares her joy and love of our Savior through song. For ticket information, please see Treva Gingerich.

•Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1. Jesus (Matt. 17:2) 2. Nicodemus (John 3:3) 3. Samaritan woman (John 4:7)
•Church Board Report
Church Board met Tuesday January 8th. This is the first meeting of the year for commissions under their new leadership with the newly assigned members. From the sound of the reports, we are in good hands, for many commissions already had reports covering events that will occur throughout the year. Among these are the Souper Bowl Sunday, an Oyster Feed on February 9th and many more desirable upcoming events.
Action on the motor home is still ongoing with a few prospects pending. Also upcoming are updates to the rest rooms.
The Endowment Fund is in great shape with many opportunities for ministry in the upcoming year.
Another important event will be a meeting for planning some new events for the next year. Hope is that we can encourage some new people for participation and develop new activities that will attract interest from the neighborhood.
Don’t forget the upcoming Council Meeting on January 27th. This is your opportunity to air your issues and concerns for the church. All your ideas are important – whether positive or negative. Without your opinions many important changes will never occur. Please plan to stay and participate. If you can’t be there, be sure to express your concerns to Board members who can present them for you.
Working for God and the Church,
Dennis Strawbridge

•Sunday School Electives
The Adult classes are entering the last month of this quarter, but it’s not too late to join some exciting and challenging discussion and learning. In addition to the International Lesson Quarterly studying ‘God’s Call to the Christian Community,’ there is a discussion class using the exciting new 300th anniversary devotional ‘Fresh From the Word,’ a challenging book of meditations that was made available to everyone of us through the Church Board. (We hope that you are using yours daily.) There is also a special class for Young Adults called “Let’s Talk” and classes for Youth and children of all ages.

•Church Council Meeting
With our annual year-end Council meeting set for Sunday, January 27th, a report of the discussions and actions was not available before this issue went to press. A report will be in the next Lamplighter, as well as posted on the bulletin board and on the Church’s website (www.madisonavechurch.org )

•Fellowship & Recreation Commission
The F&R Commission is busy planning a schedule for 2008. The first event is the annual Oyster Supper, scheduled for Saturday evening, February 9th, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. The menu includes: fried oysters and oyster stew, fish, hot dogs, slaw, apple sauce, pickles, etc. and dessert and beverage. (Donations of desserts are appreciated). Cost will be by donation (free-will offering). Snow date : 2/16/08.

•Bible Challenge Questions
1. When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai after meeting with God, his face shone with a bright light. In Scripture, who else is recorded as having his face (and clothes) shining with a brilliant light?
2. To whom did Jesus say, “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”?
3. From whom did Jesus ask for a drink when He was in Sychar, Samaria?

• Missions & Service
Continue to bring your cans of soup and one dollar bills for the Souper Bowl Drive on Sunday, February 3rd. The JR HI class is sponsoring this outreach.
Now is the time to renew or purchase a membership to the Brethren Home Auxiliary. This is a way to support the auxiliary projects. The cost is $3/year or $30/lifetime membership. See Treva Gingerich.
Also, meat canning is coming in March; the District has a goal of canning 70,000 pounds of chicken this year, 10,000 less than in previous years. Our special offering during February will be for the meat-canning project. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic and SoPA Districts, we are seeking volunteers to help in the processing effort. Work groups are planned for March 24 -27 and March 31 – April 3, with two scheduled work periods each day – from 6 AM to noon, and from 9 AM to 2:30 PM. (continued next page)
Processing takes place at Christian Aid Ministries near Ephrata. The canned chicken is used to assist those in need locally as well as internationally. This is an opportunity for you to enjoy the fellowship of working with others from various COB congregations while responding to God’s call to help those less fortunate. If you can help, please sign up on the special sheet on the bulletin board.

•Women’s Fellowship
February 5 Meeting/prayer group – 9 AM
February 25 Brethren Home Volunteer Day – 9 AM
April 4 Vegetable Soup Sale
April 8 Lunch with Bermudian & Lake View Ladies
April 26 Women’s Spring Luncheon
 We are having a Vegetable Soup Sale on April 4th. The cost is $4/quart and papers are available to sign up for your order.
 Keep April 8th open on your calendar to participate in our annual fellowship with the ladies of Bermudian and Lake View. Also, the Women’s Spring Luncheon will be on April 26th at Faith Community Church.
 Health kits will again be assembled, starting in the near future. Items for collection for each kit are as follows: hand towel, wash cloth, bar of soap, toothbrush, comb, nail file or clippers, 6 Band-aids Note: NO Toothpaste!

Open Our Eyes, Lord
Open our eyes, Lord to the spiritual truth – Through the blood of Jesus made to be -
Some of us have served you since our youth; Repentant sinners truly set free;
Not all are gifted in the same way – Reward prepared since beginning of time -
Need to accept them, Lord, as you would, I pray. To all who receive, can be yours, mine.

Bringing them into your kingdom takes love – Our goal for the future to live for Him -
Guidance, direction from you above; Set an example and some souls to win;
Each one’s talents, abilities are not the same – Bring them to Jesus before it’s too late -
Most pressing issue is to name your name. The other choice would be a terrible fate.
Written by the Lord and Angel
God loves us from right where we are – 12/24/07
To Him each is as a shining star;
Glowing for him in our own special way –
Gems fit for heaven on eternal day.

• February Worship Calendar & Schedule
2/3 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Celebration Worship Pastor Kim speaking
6:30 PM Bible study (Creation)
2/6 7:00 PM Praise Team practice (every week)
2/7 6:30 PM Handbell Choir practice (every week)
7:30 PM Senior Choir practice (every week)
2/9 4:30 PM Oyster Supper
2/10 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Fear” Matthew 17:1 – 9
6:30 PM Bible Study & Prayer
2/12 7:30 PM Church Board meeting (Commissions – 6:30)
2/14 noon Bible Study (John)
2/16 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Breakfast
2/17 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Who are you?” John 3:1 – 17
Lamplighter articles due for March issue
6:30 PM Bible study (Creation)
2/24 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Insiders/outsiders” John 4:5 – 42
6:30 PM Bible Study & Prayer
2/28 noon Bible Study (John)

February Birthdays! 18 Luke Keeny 22 – Jordan Spangler
1 – Treva Gingerich 15 Josie Johnson-Bull 24 – Carrie Lehigh
4 – Ruth Brockley Tom Loucks 25 – Tony Lehigh
Jesse Doellinger 17 – Elizabeth (Baugher) Shearer 26 – Lorraine Snyder
Krystal Myers Ed Lentz III Courtney Zellers
Lois Reynold 18 – Helen Chronister 27 – Dale Miller
9 – Barbie Sue Spangler 21 – Walt Helfrich 28 – Jordan Venable
10 – Joseph Ritchey Mark Frey, Jr.
12 – David Ritchey Jeff Kern
13 – Dawn Spangler
14 – Ed Rishel