May Lamplighter
Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren 645 Madison Avenue, York, PA 17404
Phone: 854-1885
The Lamplighter
May 2008
Editor: Lillian Geltz
From the Pastor’s Desk
The recent Board retreat held here at Church received mixed reviews from those in attendance. The speaker for part of the morning – Byron Borger – did an excellent job of presenting his topic and challenging us in our faith walk. However, his topic, the importance of reading as a spiritual discipline and its influence on leadership, was not appreciated by all in attendance. The ensuing discussion about our current leadership was very open and honest and caused each of us to think seriously about our current ministry and its future direction and viability.
The subject of a felt need for the addition of a Youth Pastor was discussed at length; someone with appropriate skills and time to formulate a Youth (and Young Adult) program(s), including the visitation of potential families and current inactive families of youth and young adults was felt to be of primary importance to the future ministry here at MACOB. Funding such a position, its effect on current staff, and the need for relief for current Youth personnel were major topics of discussion as we brainstormed together.
Though the current trend in Worship attendance is disheartening to many, there is need for celebration within the congregation. Solid stewardship, participation in special projects, ongoing outreach attempts, vibrant worship, and a serious understanding of our need for participation in Bible study by many of our members are all signs of spiritual health. Our challenge is to enlarge that committed group of persons to include more of our marginal and inactive families, as well as to invite (invite, invite) others to Worship with us. One major hurdle seems to be how to convince those who feel left out – those who are not a part of an ongoing Bible study or Sunday school class or other spiritual formation group – how can we convince them thy are welcome to join in the activities, and by not being a part of a small group, they are only cheating themselves of great opportunities for growth and relationship.
Can we reverse the downward trend? Absolutely! Will it be easy? No. Are you willing to be part of the solution?
One easy available opportunity for every one of us is to invite someone we know – friend, family member, coworker, neighbor – to come study and/or Worship with us. Many of us have members of our own extended family who have become inactive over the years. If we’d put some time and effort into cultivating friendships and invite those friends to worship with us, we’d see a dramatic increase in participation. If every current active family, over the course of this year, would make it a goal to befriend and invite one other family to worship, our fellowship would double in a year!
Are you willing to be a worker for God’s kingdom? You can be in ministry - no, you are in ministry. Can we be serious about the vitality of the future of this congregation?
Bible Challenge Questions
1. What is the ‘nickname’ most folks give to the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians?
2. On what occasion were all the disciples thought by the general public to be drunk?
3. Jesus once said that Solomon in all his glory was not clothed with such splendor as … what?
Ministry Commission
At our most recent Commission meeting discussion centered on the wisdom, necessity, and timing of the addition of a Youth Pastor to the staff here at MACOB. Possibilities for funding, reduction of time for the lead pastor, where to concentrate the efforts of a Youth Pastor, the current burnout of leadership, and many more relevant issues were discussed.
Arrangements have been made for filling the pulpit during the Pastors’ times of vacation and travel (Annual Conference, Camp Eder, Seminars, etc.) as well as covering for pastoral needs whenever one of them is away. We are blessed to have such depth of leadership and staff to handle such needs in the absence of a Pastor.
We continue to seek your input/ comments/suggestions/ critiques of - and prayers for - the Commission’s work, the staff, and the Worship services.
May is Messenger month!
Be inspired! Be informed…connected!
The heart and soul of Messenger magazine is inspiration, information and connection – the threads that bind our Brethren family. The annual cost is $14.50; first time subscribers pay only $7.25. Please see Treva Gingerich to place your subscription.
VBS – AHA!
The dates for Vacation Bible School have been changed from June 23 – 27 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The curriculum is “Power Lab” and you will soon be asked to volunteer if you haven’t already.
If you have anything that we can use to decorate that will look “scientific” or lab coats we could borrow, see Becky. Likewise, any suggestions to improve VBS are welcome.
“Train up a child in the way he should go.”
Easter Egg Hunt
Thanks to the many people who helped with the Easter Egg hunts. We had 13 youth for the flashlight hunt and have already had inquiries about doing it again next year. For the younger children on Saturday morning, 17 children attended in spite of snow early that day.
Many people contributed to the success of these outreaches to the community events, including the neighborhood association. The letter received from them follows:
Dear …friends at the Madison Avenue Church,
The Avenues Association is pleased and gratified to have collaborated with you on the two neighborhood Easter egg hunts this year. We feel both events were a great success for the neighborhood children. They fulfill our purpose of building a commitment to the community among our young people.
We thank you for being such a good neighbor in this area of the city.
Sincerely,
Mary Anne Bacas
Avenues Neighborhood Association
Women’s Fellowship News
May 6 Meeting/Prayer Group 9 AM
May 13 Mother/Daughter Banquet 6 PM
June 2 Women’s Camp at Eder
The joy of springtime is looking forward to our annual fellowship with Bermudian/Lakeview Ladies. We had 38 in attendance as we shared the morning with them in April 8th. Also, 7 of us attended the Women’s Spring Luncheon at the Faith Community Church.
Our Annual Mother/Daughter Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13th at 6 PM. It will be a covered dish with meat provided. Pat Anderson is our entertainment with the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren as our theme. Come & bring your friends.
If you are interested in Women’s Camp, it is June 2 – 3. Several of us are going for Monday, June 2nd as is our custom. We need your registration by May 12th.
The theme is “Together: body, Soul and Spirit,” a great time of renewal. Notify Bernice or Phyllis if you want to register or attend.
That Special Glow
Are you a part-time Christian – Read the Bible to receive instruction -
When it’s convenient to say yes; Witness, the reward eternal you know.
Or are you a full-time laborer – If you’re employed by our Savior -
Giving to God your very best? You will have that “special glow.”
There’s a definite job description – The retirement plan is glorious -
Meaning we give to God our all; Far greater than here down below;
He knows if we’re sincere, ready – If you’ll only work for the Savior -
To take seriously the Christian call. Benefits will continue to flow.
You need no previous experience – Written by the Lord & Angel
On-the-job-training is best; 1/31/01
Just pray, be ready and willing –
God will take care of the rest.
Church Board Report
Church Board met Tuesday April 15th, 2008.
The first event of our Evangelism committee’s plan to attract interest from the neighborhood to the Church will already have taken place on April 19 by the time you read this. Another event on May 31st will open the Church for Food, Games and Karaoke. Then on August 16th, the Church Picnic is planned. The last event planned, for October 4th, will be the Fall Festival with a Market Place (Flea Market) and events with apples and pies on the agenda.
An ongoing pursuit for a plan to improve the Church Board is also underway. One of the upcoming board meetings will be dedicated to this with support from District to facilitate the meeting. The idea is to reduce the number of people required to run the Board on a month-to-month basis by using more individual volunteers to run the specific events and services, etc.
Another subject of high importance and concern is the search for someone to become a youth minister for the church. Several meetings with ideas for direction are underway for this. Your prayers are strongly requested for this to ask for guidance and direction for this pursuit. Ministry and Worship will spearhead this and make recommendations to the board as details and candidates become available.
The new Youth SS Curriculum DVD series from NEST Videos has arrived. This will provide many learning opportunities for youth and young teens over the next few years.
Other upcoming events will be the Mother & Daughter Banquet on May 13th and Father & Son Banquet on June 11th.
New pursuits include the search for a vehicle to replace the bus that was just sold. The plan is to purchase something smaller and more useable on a more frequent basis. The Stewardship and Finance committee is working on this. A new sound system for the areas outside of the sanctuary is being purchased and will soon be installed. It will be capable of handling up to six mics or other electronic attachments, such as CD player options, etc.
Plans for the Vacation Bible School are underway with the topic named “Power Lab” chosen for the evenings of June 23rd thru 27th .
There will not be a May Board meeting as the Mother & Daughter Banquet will be held on the date for the next meeting and no pressing business is forthcoming at this time.
Your Board and committees continue to serve our God and the Church with ideas and service, taking them in many directions.
Next Board meeting will be June 10th, so note this on your calendar.
Board Chair,
Dennis Strawbridge
24-Hour Prayer Vigil for Spiritual Guidance:
Thursday, May 1st on the National Day of Prayer
May 1st has been designated as the National Day of Prayer. If MACOB is truly seeking to be more obedient to the voice of God and His will and direction for us, we need to begin by coming before His throne of grace in prayer. We would ask for everyone at Madison Ave COB to be in prayer, but most of all we are requesting that you would set aside a time to be in intentional prayer - at home or at the church. A sign-up list has been posted at the church. If you are unable to sign up, please call the office number - 854-1885 - and let us know the time that you will be covering the Church in prayer. The Church will be open on Thursday, May 1st from 6:00 am to Friday, May 2nd at 6:00am.
Suggested focus for prayer: Spiritual Guidance for the Church of the Brethren worldwide & all leadership; District Office, Board and the churches in the Southern PA District; Spiritual Guidance, wisdom, discernment for Madison Ave COB, it’s leadership and for yourself.
Thank you for participating in this endeavor as we, the body of Christ, joyfully, expectantly and prayerfully, seek together to know His mind and will for our congregation!
Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1. The “love” chapter 2. Pentecost (Acts 2:13) 3. Lilies (Matt. 6:28)
Update on Donna Hash.
Donna would like everyone to know that her health, while still an ongoing issue, seems to have improved somewhat recently. Also, she has entered a contest in which she has written a 500 word composition for publication in a magazine. Interestingly enough, her story is about a boy who received a talking computer. Now where would she get an idea for that?
Continue to remember Donna. She loves cards, emails, and visits! Her email address is dhash16@netzero.com and her address and phone # are in our directory.
Looking Ahead…..
For those of you who were able to be a part of the two combined nights of music that Brandon instituted with MACOB and the Conestoga COB, here’s some good news for you. There’s another one in the planning! On June 1st at 6PM at the Conestoga Church, we will again join with the musicians of both congregations as choirs, praise teams and both congregations raise their voices in musical praise. Put the date on your calendar now. You won’t want to miss this evening of music. We might even be able to Listen to the Angels Sing!!!!!
Upcoming 300th Anniversary Events!
• May 2 & 3 Mechanicsburg COB Dinner Theater: “A Simple Feast”
Cost: $15.00 Call Georgia Markey at 717.624.8636
• June 1 District-wide Baptism Service
Jake & Arlene Miller Homestead near Spring Grove at 3:00
See Pastor Kim for more details.
Church Activity Schedule for May 2008
5/1 6:30 PM Handbell Choir practice (every Thurs.)
7:30 PM Adult Choir practice (every Thurs.)
5/4 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “With strings attached” 1st Corinthians 12:4 – 13
6:30 PM Bible Study
5/6 6:30 PM (Wide angle) Bible study
5/7 7:00 PM Praise Team practice (every Wed)
5/8 noon Bible study
5/11 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Wind power” Acts 2:1 - 11
5/13 6:00 PM Mother/ Daughter Banquet
5/17 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Breakfast
5/18 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Famous last words” 2nd Corinthians 13:11 - 13
Lamplighter articles due today
6:30 PM Bible study
5/22 noon Bible study
5/25 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Work and play” Matthew 6:24 - 34
6/1 6:00 PM Combined Hymn Sing with Conestoga COB
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Madison Avenue Church of The Brethren
645 Madison Avenue
York, PA 17404
NON-PROFIT
U S POSTAGE PAID
YORK, PA
PERMIT NO. 90
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