January 2010 Lamplighter
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dr. John DeBrine hosts a daily radio show on WDAC (Lancaster) known as Songtime USA. In a recent broadcast, he made the following statement: “I was reading that in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, it takes two people an average of one month to lead someone to Christ. In America it takes about 95 people a whole year to lead someone to Christ and the thing that worries me is we are beginning to enter into an age in the life of the church here in America where the majority of people in the congregation have never led anyone to Christ.”
That’s a bit of a startling statement for us to ponder. For Brethren, who supposedly take the Great Commission seriously, it causes us to see declining membership in a different light.
Many of us – perhaps even most of us – feel uncomfortable with evangelizing, with being intentional about trying to lead a new person to belief in Jesus. But the Bible clearly gives each one of us the challenge to do exactly that. It’s a challenge few of us desire to take up.
What if, at the start of this new year, you would just try to develop one new friendship with a person outside the faith; perhaps a neighbor, coworker, friend, family member? Why not invite him/her to Worship or Sunday school or your favorite Bible study or some other Church activity?
When you are really excited about something, that excitement can clearly be seen by others around you. They tend to get excited about the same thing as your enthusiasm draws them in. So how excited are we about our faith? If you feel uncomfortable with leading someone to Jesus, can you at least lead that person to Church and give the pastor or some other person an opportunity to share Jesus with them?
If each one of us this year brought just one new person to faith, can you do the math on what that would do for our declining membership? I remember a line from school back about 150 years ago. It was “Each one teach one.” Some of you may remember it as well. What if each one of us would take the challenge to invite one – to Worship, to Sunday school, to Bible study, to Prayer group?
Happy New Year.
Leadership Team
It’s been just over six months that we have gone with a slimmer organization pattern of the Leadership Team replacing the Church Board setup we’d used for many years. Much has been done as we find our way, sometimes by trial and error, through this new streamlined configuration. As a result of the Fall Council meeting last November the Leadership Team for 2010 will consist of the following persons:
Leadership Team chair Dennis Strawbridge Nurture chair Brenda Laughman
Vice chair Ed Lentz Ministry chair Sue Sparrow
Stewards chair Ben Sparrow Small groups chair Ralph Miller
Deacon chair Brenda Linebaugh
Ex Officio members include staff (3): Treasurer, Church clerk, and Moderator
Please see these persons with any concerns, comments, or questions about ongoing situations and ministries here at MACOB. And please be ready to assist them when asked to help in any new or developing activity or program. These are challenging and exciting times for all in leadership positions. Let us support them with our prayers and presence.
Leadership Team meeting December 8, 2009
The most recent meeting of the Leadership Team took place on 12/08/09. Items of discussion were as follows: treasurer’s reports, update on minor problems with the new heating plant, the need for two rooms for children (nursery) during Worship because of the number of children in Worship recently, preparation for the Christmas party, yet another service group wanting to use our facility for meetings, more new small group possibilities, new directory for 2010, purchase of a new keyboard, internet access for the Church, payment from the Endowment Fund to supplement the Youth Director salary, Church planting, and another church using our facility. There is obviously much going on within the ministries of MACOB. As the Leadership Team works on them, we seek your prayerful support. Minutes from all meetings are always available on the info table, and your prayers and questions and input are always welcomed.
Our Commitment to Outreach
The spiritual health of any congregation can readily be seen in the extent of the outreach they support. A big ‘Thank you’ for such great response throughout the last year’s special outreach missions, special offerings for many and varied ministries, and the many times you as a congregation gave over and above your regular offerings in response to a specific need. These are tough economic times as we all know. But our regular giving has not kept up with our spending for ongoing expenses here at MACOB. The 2010 budget adopted at last Fall’s Council meeting is certainly a challenge for us as a congregation. Do we really have enough faith to believe that God will provide that much through our own commitment to giving?
The economic struggle exists for all the outreach missions we support. A decision was made to make some of our commitment to outreach in 2010 through the Endowment Fund. While that may offset some of the strain on our budget, it does not allow for our responsibility as committed followers of Christ to be a giving people, giving even sacrificially to those in need. As we enter this new year, may we all be challenged to prayerfully examine our faith, especially in the areas of discipline in Bible, prayer, study, and the stewardship of the many resources God has put at our disposal.
Let us show our spiritual health, as individuals and as a congregation, by our sincere effort to increase our giving, in the confident assurance of God’s Word that we can: “test me on this,” says the Lord God Almighty, “and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.” That’s a promise form God that if we do our part, He will bless us beyond measure. Do we really believe that?
Terrorist Groups identified within local congregations!
In a recent issue of the Greencastle Newsletter, Pastor Yoder shared that there are terrorist groups operating in our churches. He noted that the last reports indicate there are five terrorist cell groups operating in many local churches. They have been identified as:
Bin Sleepin…Bin Arguin…Bin Fightin…Bin Complainin & Bin Missin
Investigative officers have identified their leader as Osama Bin Lucifer.
It seems that the only known effective counter to this terrorism force is via a cell group named Bin Prayin. The Bin Prayin group does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. It does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. Pastor Yoder noted that he has noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin… Bin Waitin…Bin Fastin… and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ, to return.
In self examination, do you fit into the above Terrorist groups? When you awakened this morning, what did you pray for? Might I suggest that in addition to thanking our great God for a night of rest and a new day, we ask God to help keep us from being a part of one of these terrorist groups.
(reprinted from the District newsletter)
It’s that Time of the Year
Yes, it’s bound to happen. Sometimes the snow and/or other hazardous weather conditions may force us to cancel Worship services or other activities. If there is any doubt, please call the Church office (after 8 AM ) - the message on the recorder will inform of any closings or cancellations - and listen to WSBA - AM 910 or WDAC - FM 94.5 on your radio.
Calling all Men
Don’t forget our monthly breakfast for all the men of the Church. We meet at 7:30 AM on the third Saturday of each month for a hearty breakfast, good fellowship, and a brief time of meditation and prayer. Be sure to join us, and bring a friend, if you like. We usually finish by 8:30 - 9 AM.
Bible Challenge Questions
1. Which Gospel writer is the only one to include a visit from wise men after Jesus’ birth?
2. Who was imprisoned for accusing Herod and Herodias of improper (unlawful) marriage?
3. In what province in Israel is the town of Cana located?
Annual Church Council meeting – January 17th
It’s quite normal at this time to issue an appeal to everyone to attend the Church Council meeting to keep up with everything that’s going on and to have your personal input into those happenings. This has been a transition year with many happenings and we are still working to smooth out some of the rough edges. So be sure to mark your calendar for the annual year-end Church Council meeting scheduled for 1 PM on Sunday, January 17th. A light Soup & Sandwich lunch will be provided for all at 12:00 noon (after Worship) prior to the Council meeting to facilitate your attendance. Year-end reports of committees and Leadership Team members, financial statements, goals, discussion on Worship, schedules, and staff, and much more – including a decision concerning another Church congregation using our facility - will be on the agenda. Be sure to be there.
Nurture Team News
Brenda Laughman has accepted the call to be the Nurture Team chair person for 2010. She will oversee the programs of Sunday school, Bible school, nursery, Junior Church, and the total Christian education ministry of MACOB. That is a huge calling and it’s impossible for one person to do it all. We are counting on the willing participation of many volunteers as this year and its educational opportunities progress. It takes a whole Church to fulfill our mission of nurturing disciples for Jesus and we need each one of you to be a part of that mission. We are grateful for our willing core of teachers, volunteers and helpers, and welcome new persons feeling the calling to be a part of the educational process here at MACOB.
Ministry Team News
Sue Sparrow continues in her position as the Ministry Team chairperson for 2010. Please share your comments, concerns, and ideas concerning our staff and Worship services, etc. with her at any time. We ask for your prayers as we continue to develop our ministry together here at MACOB. This is a huge “job” in itself and is only possible as each one of us within the body of Christ here at MACOB willingly assume our responsibility to be an active, growing member of that body. If you have an idea for Worship, music, or special services….or if you want to volunteer to lead Worship, plan a Worship service, share a message…. or if you have a suggestion for a special speaker, skit, new song or anthem, or anything for the building up of our Worship and life together, please share your thoughts with Sue. And consider your own calling when asked to be a part of the Worship service at any time.
Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1/ Matthew (Matt.2) 2/ John the Baptist (Luke 3:19, 20) 3/ Galilee (John 2:1)
Women’s Fellowship News
• Thanks to all the congregation for your support throughout the 2009 year. We will continue to do our best on projects. Blessings in 2010!
• The Lehman Center made $3,200 at Christmas in Loganville…the best year ever!
Jan. 5 – Meeting / prayer group - 9 AM
Jan. 25 – Brethren Home volunteer day - 9 AM
Check out the following new small-group offerings…
The Book of Romans Bible Study
Please join us as a new Bible Study is planned to start on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:00 pm. The group will be led by Carol and Don Kauffman and tentatively will meet in the Reynold room. The book of Romans will provide for discussion of a number of basic Christian doctrines including faith, spiritual gifts and respect for government. If you are interested in joining this new group, please use the sign-up sheets at either entrance to the church sanctuary or contact the Kauffman’s at 292-7947 or Ralph and Gloria Miller at 767-6627.
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Knitting
Have you ever thought about learning to knit and using you knitting skills as an outreach to others? Sue Sparrow and Becky Rishel have volunteered to lead such a knitting group. Starting on January 18th at 7:00 pm in the Reynold room, Sue and Becky are offering to help you learn how to knit. Then, for those who already know how to knit, as well as those who have just learned, projects will be designed for various knit items as an outreach. To sign-up either as a person who is interested in learning knit or as an individual who knows how to knit and would participate in the outreach, please use the sign-up sheets at either entrance to the church sanctuary. You may also contact the Sue at 308-0356, Becky at 428-3732, or Ralph/Gloria Miller at 767-6627.
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Let’s Ski
We were blessed (?) with snow in December and now some individuals have the urge to hit the slopes. If you are one of those people who is interested in skiing, then you might consider joining Don Kauffman, Brenda Linebaugh, and Dave Wolfe on Saturdays for fun at Ski Roundtop. Since this activity is dependent on the weather, plans are made on a week-by-week basis. So let Don, Brenda, or Dave know you would be interested in joining them.
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Looking for less of you in 2010
No, we don’t mean that we want to see you less often in church. We mean some of us have been in the cookie jar way too often and a new year / new decade would be a good time to make the decision to lose some weight. So at this point, we are asking for interest in the church members having someone guide us in a program to lose weight. If you are interested, please sign up on one of the sheets at either entrance to the church sanctuary. You may also contact Ralph/Gloria Miller at 767-6627.
Many Blessings
Life is a series of blessings- Years bring us the wisdom -
We learn as it comes and goes; Comes to us only through age;
To accept what is our lot – Lessons learned over the years -
That’s what helps us to grow. That could fill “many a page.”
We’re told it’s not always simple – It’s important to make good choices -
But that God is there by our side; In the years that still lay ahead;
He promised that His yoke is easy – So read, study and pray -
His word is our perfect guide. Of this much can be said.
Only God know of our future -
It’s He who lays out the plan;
As we seek to follow our Shepherd –
The greatest ever known by man. Written 12/12/09 by the Lord & Angel
Homebound Members
Following is a list of our homebound members. You are encouraged to remember these folks in your prayers and also with personal visits and cards as appropriate.
Mrs. Harriet Nevin Mr. Russell Miller Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ritchey
Country Meadows 2830 Carol Rd. 331 Lovely Lane Court
1910 Trolley Rd. Rm # 52 The Brunswick Rm # 232 New Oxford, PA 17350
York, PA 17408 York, PA 17402 (717.624.5518)
Miss Charlotte Harbaugh Mr. Ed Blymire Mr. & Mrs. Russ Chronister 187 Glen Avenue Colonial Manor 630 Harmony Drive Apt. 267
Dallastown, PA 17313 970 Colonial Ave. Rm # 808A Cross Keys Village TBH
(246 – 6055) York, PA 17403 New Oxford, PA 17350
Miss Linda Fuhrman Miss Donna Hash Miss Pat Wiley
Margaret Moul Home Margaret Moul Home Margaret Moul Home
2050 Barley Rd. 2050 Barley Rd. 2050 Barley Rd.
York, PA 17408 York, PA 17408 (764 – 8763) York, PA 17408
Mr. Charles Hash Mr. Jim Bohn Mrs. Betty May
101 Lookout Court 819 Old Route 30 2990 Carlisle Pike, Box 128
South View Villas Ortanna, PA 17353 The Brethren Home
York, PA 17404 (764 – 6555) (717.334. 3986) New Oxford, PA 17350
Mrs. Ethel Kintzel Mr. Howard Ness
2680 Wyngate Rd. 947 Marbrook Lane
Dover, PA 17315 York, PA 17404
292 – 4773 848 – 8479
January 2010 Worship Calendar & Schedule
1/3 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “You’re invited” Matt. 2:1 – 12
noon Youth fund-raiser lunch after Worship
1/7 6:00 PM Handbell Choir practice (every week)
7:00 PM Senior Choir practice (every week)
8:00 PM Praise Team practice (every week)
1/10 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Can you hear me now?” Luke 3:15 - 22
1/14 12 noon Bible study
1/16 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Breakfast
1/17 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Joy to the world” John 2:1 - 11
12:00 noon All Church Lunch & 1:00 PM Annual Church Council meeting
Lamplighter articles due for February newsletter
1/24 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Today……” Luke 4:14 - 21
1/31 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Who am I?” Luke 4:20 - 30
January Birthdays
1 Dustin Ritchey 19 Jenna Veverka 27 Breanne Spangler
3 Gloria Miller Malec Snyder 28 Stacy Loucks
10 Elmer Gleim 20 Becky Rishel 29 Brenda Laughman
12 Janis Keeny 22 Greg Gross, Jr. 31 Mike Billet, Sr.
14 Jerry Duncan 23 Brenda Baugher
18 Luke Keeny 24 Gail Koskela