August Lamplighter
Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren
645 Madison Avenue, York, PA 17404
Phone: 854-1885
The Lamplighter
August 2008
Editor: Lillian Geltz
From the Pastor’s Desk
Because I’ve grown up in the church, I have many memories of Sunday School teachers who – though they had no way of ever even guessing – helped shape who I am theologically and what I’ve become. I’ve often wondered why perfectly nice folks (especially ladies, it seems) would give up their time and sanity and lock themselves in a room with socially inept and theologically void young minds. My fondest memories are those years with Mrs. M. She was a busy mother of 5, yet she chose to spend her Sunday mornings with a bunch of nose-picking, gum-chewing adolescents. She was interesting though in her teaching style, though we constantly tried to get her off the subject!! (unbelievable, right?)
One day we were discussing the topic of heaven. Foreshadowing the theologian I would some day become, I asked the obvious question I was certain everyone else was thinking (except those guys who were planning an escape out to the parking lot during Worship). I asked Mrs. M “What do you think heaven will be like?” I’ll never forget her answer. She smiled and said, “Oh, it’ll be a lot like Church.”
Now Church at that time in my life meant the Worship service, which largely consisted of four hymns with undecipherable words like diadem, Ebenezer, fetters, and tumult, some long Bible readings, and an even longer sermon and prayers - all of which contained no references at all to Mickey Mantle, Evil Knievel, go-carts or horses. That hour on Sunday morning seemed like an eternity in itself. I couldn’t imagine spending forever with my mom constantly elbowing me to keep me awake!
Lots of people have different views of what heaven will be like depending on their personal worldview. Left-Behinders picture the Rapture and all of its imagery; New Agers have all kinds of fantasies; Mormons look forward to having their own planet and being their own god, and pop culture seems to always have a new book out that’s recommended by Oprah. But they all seem to have the same goal of someday being sucked up by a giant heavenly Hoover to live in the great beyond in eternal bliss (often failing even to include God in that bliss), regardless of their life or lifestyle here on earth.
Space doesn’t permit a complete treatise on this subject. But I think sometimes we have it a bit backward. Jesus spoke often about the kingdom of heaven, even saying that it was near – and here! He even prayed that we could have heaven on earth, I think. It seems to me that if my understanding of Jesus and His message is close to true, our goal should not be so much getting people into heaven as it is getting heaven into people. We should be living the eternal life right now!
And that’s what Church and Worship and the Bible are all about. I’m grateful for Mrs. M.’s teaching, and all my mentors and teachers along the way, but what I really think we need to hear is not that the kingdom of heaven is a kind of eternal Church service, but rather a movement and a Person worth giving our all – even our lives – to be a part of.
See you in Worship.
Annual Conference 7/12 – 7/16
A full report from our delegate, Carol, will be in next month’s Lamplighter, but in the meantime, if you want to hear any of the sermons from Conference or view the 25 minute wrap-up video of Conference highlights, please see the Pastor to borrow those items. It’s not close to being there, but you can still get a ‘feel’ for part of Conference activities.
Christian Education
AHA!
Vacation Bible School was really great. We had 25 children enrolled, and they really had a good time. They learned that Jesus gives us the power to be thankful, to help others, to be brave, to live forever and to tell others about God. About 75% of the children were from the neighborhood.
A fall Power Lab one-day event is being planned for October, and look for VBS games and music at the church picnic on August 16.
Over twenty members of the congregation volunteered for all or part of the week and that’s what really made it a big success. Thank you to each of you who said yes when asked to help with this important outreach event.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee has begun their work of prayerfully seeking members willing to serve on Church Board and in other capacities of leadership within the Church. We ask two things of each of you: first, that you be in prayer for us as we seek to discern who God may be preparing and calling into positions of leadership, and second, that if you are asked to allow your name to be put in nomination or on the ballot for one of needed positions, that you carefully - and prayerfully - consider that God may be calling you to serve in some new or different or special way. We believe that God has given each one of us a special Spiritual gift(s) to be used for the work of His kingdom here on earth. Please consider that God may be calling you to use your gift in a new and vital way for the health and growth of this congregation.
Is God calling you? He may be - through the nominating process of this Nominating Committee.
Dunkard Valley Live
If you are into Contemporary Christian music in concert, check out the fifth annual Dunkard Valley Live concert at the Codorus COB ball field on Saturday and/or Sunday August 2 & 3, 2008. A large number of local persons, praise teams, groups, and choirs will be performing their own style of Christian music, live on stage. Worship services with dynamic speakers will be interspersed throughout the event. There will be plenty of parking, food, and fellowship on site, as well as a great variety of music and worship. See posters on bulletin boards for more info. (Rain dates - 8/9, 10)
Church Picnic
The Church Picnic/Community Event will be held on Saturday, August 16. The picnic will be from 4 pm until 7 pm. We will have games, great food, and an opportunity to simply enjoy being with friends and church family. We will have a cake walk and white elephant sale, so bring your favorite cake and a wrapped item for the white elephant sale. The dunk tank will be set up to dunk your favorite parishoner. Please plan to join us! Also, bring a dessert to share and lawn chairs.
Madison Avenue Presents Music Apreciation Worship
by Brandon R. Grady
Friends of the faith, we would cordially like to extend an invitation to you to join together in celebrating the efforts of our choirs and, most importantly, to place the universal language of music at the feet of the divine. For the third consecutive summer, the music program will present a service during which we will hear special music from the different ensembles in our congregation, sharing selections which they have enjoyed singing throughout the year. In addition, we will share in some congregational hymns together.
Nothing is better than the language of music to praise our God and to express that beauty which touches barriers humanity can’t come close to grasping with the spoken word. (continued)
Join us for this special time on Sunday, August 17, at 1 P.M. There will be a simple meal following the morning service, after which we will share in this time of worship together. If you have any questions, feel free to ask any of the persons involved with directing our ensembles.
CHURCH BOARD REPORT
Church board met Tuesday, July 8th. There was a very positive discussion on the blessings we are reaping with the opportunities for ministry and outreach through the Endowment fund. With the generosity of many, this has become an extremely valuable means of financial security, a renewable fund for many opportunities for us to do God’s will.
Our church sent 212 health kits to New Windsor this year. Thanks to all who helped with physical and financial contributions.
A very successful Bible School was carried out this year with up to 23 kids having fun while receiving guidance in the Word of God. Many thanks to all those who participated in this event with a great opportunity to reach out to our neighbors.
The Evangelism committee has set August 16th as the Church Picnic, and following the picnic, on August 17th will be our Music Appreciation Event. This will be at 1 PM this year.
October 4th will be a Fall Festival with a Market Place featuring fair trade items.
Another upcoming event will be a Rally Day/Bring a Friend Sunday.
As for the bus, thirty letters were sent to agencies that often have vehicles that may meet our needs.available for donation or reasonable cost.
We are evaluating our insurance by requesting a second option for the comparison of our current insurance package along with those of another major carrier. This will continue with a final decision by Stewardship and Finance Commission in August. Another commission commitment was reactivated, the renovation of the cellar. A furnace inspection was completed with some corrective action required - although it passed.
A meeting on the possible restructuring of the Board will be on the agenda very soon.
Preparation for budget is starting with a request to all commissions to have their budget proposals to Dick Rishel by the September Board Meeting.
Next meeting will be August 12th
Board Chair,
Dennis Strawbridge
Bible Challenge Questions
1. How much food was leftover after Jesus fed the crowd of 5000 men plus others?
2. What was the disciples’ first reaction to seeing Jesus on the water in the storm?
3. Where was Jesus when He rebuked Peter by telling to ‘get behind me, Satan’?
Important Dates: Mark Your Calendar!
Some upcoming important dates to remember are as follows:
• August 9th - ( 9AM - 3 PM) 47th Annual Brethren Home Chicken Barbecue, Quilt Auction & Antique Cars (lots of good food, chicken dinner, sandwiches, ice cream, entertainment …and more!)
• September 19, 20 District Conference – York 1st COB
• September 26, 27 Disaster Relief Auction – Lebanon Fairgrounds
• October 18th Camp Eder’s Fall Festival (8AM - 4PM)
Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1. 12 baskets full (Matt. 14:20) 2. thought they saw a ghost (Matt. 14: 26)
3. Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13, 23)
Women’s Fellowship News
August 5 Meeting/Prayer Group 9:00 AM
August 25 Brethren Home Volunteer Day 9:00 AM
September 9 Picnic at Pinchot Park
We delivered 212 Health Kits as seven of us traveled to New Windsor. We are so grateful to all who contributed to this worthy project. Thank you! Thanks, Jim!
Our annual Pinchot Park Picnic will be held on September 9th at 10 AM. We will come together with the Bermudian/Lakeview Ladies in fun & fellowship. Join the fun!
Properties Commission
The Properties continues to keep busy in efforts to maintain all the needed repairs that pop up around Church. We thank you for telling us whenever you notice something broken or missing or not working properly (light bulbs, faucets, doors, etc.), because we don’t always notice them. We’ll address the problem as soon as possible.
And special thanks to those who see a small problem and take the initiative to correct it right away. Just let us know whenever you’ve done something so we can keep an eye on it in the future. (Thanks Mary, for taking care of the window.)
Dear Lord, I Forgot
Dear Lord, I forgot to thank you today – Dear Lord, I forgot to thank you today –
For bringing me through the night; For food and shelter and clothes;
Giving me strength to get out of bed – All very important in our world -
As the sun is shining so bright. Couldn’t live without them, I know.
Dear Lord, I forgot to thank you today – Dear Lord, I forgot to thank you today –
For giving me work I must do; For the cross and trials we bear;
It’s all that I need to fill my life – And that by having these -
As I seek humbly to follow you. It brings my faith to share.
Dear Lord, I forgot to thank you today – Dear Lord, I forgot to thank you today –
For friends you have given to me; For the suffering You did for me;
They fill me with joys and blessings – I could never ever praise your enough -
As I share your love, you see. From sin You have set me free.
Written 6/23/83 by the Lord and Angel
Brethren Home 45th Annual Chicken BBQ & Quilt Auction & Car Show
This year’s Chicken Barbecue, Car Show & Auction on Saturday, August 9, will be truly special. Not only is it the 48th annual event at The Brethren Home Community, but it also is part of their Centennial Celebration. Much has changed since members of the Southern PA District began this mission of caring Christian service in 1908 at the original Huntsdale “home,” but the constant has been the selfless support of Brethren churches.
Help to make this year’s attendance an all time-high! Invite friends and family, bring groups from church - this is a day of fun and fellowship, and it’s for a cause that has meant much for many for 100 years! More info at - www.brethrenhome.org or call 624 - 2161
We will be scrubbing potatoes on Fri. morning (8th). If you can help, please contact Treva Gingerich.
To Think About……
Rivers gain a lot more attention than the little tributaries that create them. You can name some of the great rivers of the world, but you probably cannot name any of their tributaries. However, without the tributaries, there would be no river. And remember also, that the smaller streams, while less well-known, are always found on a higher elevation.
Some of our lives are like those tributary streams. We may never be well-known for anything we do. But it is our role to provide the ‘pure water’ from the higher elevation that enables another to be a mighty river of influence. Who are you mentoring in the faith?
Church Activity Schedule for August 2008
8/3 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Why give?” Matthew 14:13 - 21
8/9 9AM - 3 PM Brethren Home Chicken BBQ, quilts, cars and more
8/10 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship Youth Worship (Ralph Miller leading)
8/12 7:30 PM Church Board meeting (Commissions as called)
8/16 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer breakfast
4 – 7 PM Church picnic – on the lawn
8/17 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Us and them” Matthew 15:21 - 28
Lamplighter deadline
1:00 PM Hymn Fest
8/19 6;30 PM Bible Study (Wide Angle)
8/24 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “No turning back” Matthew 16:13 – 20
8/31 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Say it isn’t so” Matthew 16: 21 - 28
Coming in September!
The Annual Brethren Disaster Relief Auction September 26 & 27
at the Lebanon Fairgrounds
This annual event is an important one that provides fun and food for the attendees as well as assistance and support for those in need.
How can you help? Donations of the following are needed:
Baked goods Farmer’s Market items Quilts Theme Baskets
Share-a-meal meals Your time at stands
Also, MACOB is once again sponsoring a heifer. Please donate to this worthy endeavor to help others. For more information, pick up one of the informative brochures or contact Treva Gingerich.
Note the new address: The Morthlands
2048 Stanton Street
York, Pa 17404
Phone. 717.845.9515
August Birthdays
1 Kerry Gingerich 13 Wanda Linebaugh 19 Jim Staggers
2 Joe Petrosky Brenda Hess Eva Vuolo
3 Jake Laughman Helen Melhorn 20 Jo Ellen Craig
4 Robin Gleim Stahl 14 Russell Miller 22 Jolynn Lentz
6 Austin Ort 15 John Loucks Tara Seasock
7 John Baugher 16 Elizabeth Kauffman 24 Sheryl Billet
8 Jacob Snyder Robin Ness 26 Jessica Witmer
9 Paul Ritchey, Jr. Matt Vuolo