The Lamplighter
April 2010
From the Pastor’s Desk
Change; change; more change. As much as we humans fight change, it is a constant part of our lives. With the single exception of the Word of God alone, everything must and does change. The next big change for MACOB will begin the first of April 2010. By action of the Church Council, we have approved the sharing of our Worship facility with another congregation – The House of Restoration Ministries.
The Leadership Team and others involved in the development of our access agreement with Restoration Ministries are very excited about the potential for ministry and growth made possible by this agreement to share our facility. We know there will be many details to work out over time, but we are excited about working together.
One big change will be in our Sunday schedule. Our schedule will remain basically the same as before, at least until the close of Worship. Restoration Ministries will begin their Worship time at 12 noon. Since our Worship usually concludes about 11:30, there will be about ½ hour between Worship services, allowing for some intermingling of the two congregations. We are hopeful that we can share part of that time together during the time we usually use for refreshments.
Restoration Ministries will maintain an office here. Plans are for us to clean out the attic storage space above the office area in the front of the Church. RM will finish that area and use it for their office space. We will also share the facility for weekday and evening activities. Thus, we will have to work out a schedule for which rooms may be available for what activities. We intend to have a small committee of folks from each congregation working together to facilitate the scheduling of activities.
RM is a smaller congregation (40 – 50) of multi-racial make-up with mostly young families with children. We are excited about the possibilities while at the same time well aware that it will mean exercising some patience as we work out schedules and meetings and activities. As Christian brothers and sisters together we want to be sure to welcome them and make them feel at home with us as we work together for the furthering of God’s Kingdom.
Change. It can be scary, and even unhandy at times, but the possibilities for learning and growth are endless.
Bible Challenge Questions
1. What is another name by which the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret, is known?
2. To whom did Jesus say, “I did tell you, but you do not believe me. I and the Father are one.”
3. After fishing all night and catching nothing, how many fish did the disciples catch after casting their nets on
the other side of the boat as Jesus instructed them from shore?
To Think About…
The words we speak, the songs we sing, the doctrines we teach…
will only have true meaning when we practice what we preach.
There is not one square inch in the whole domain of human existence, over which Jesus, who is sovereign over all, does not cry out ……… Mine!
Character and Integrity is what you are when no one is looking.
Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1. Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1) 2. Jewish religious leaders (John 10:24, 30) 3. 153 (John 21:11)
Leadership TeamThe Leadership Team met on March 7, 2010, and acted on the following items: heard from the Endowment Fund representative that the EF is working on a request procedure for disbursing funds; moved to recommend to Council for the approval of Restoration Ministries’ use of our facility; approved the hiring of Evan Brickner as our accompanist; noted that Wanda Linebaugh will lead the Prayer Chain, Barb Shoff will be contact for Brethren Home, and Gloria Miller will mail bulletins to shut-ins; work has begun on VBS
(possibility of working with ‘little green church’); egg hunt in planning stages; more small groups possible, including a parenting group and gardening group; noted schedule for Easter Sunday, Lovefeast, and Golden Age Dinner. Also looked at letters to be sent to inactive members prior to new Directory printing; possibility of Kim and Ralph preaching on a more regular basis; participation in the production of a District video. Minutes of the meeting are available on the info table near the mailboxes. Keep informed.
Nurture Team News
An Easter Egg Hunt is in the planning stages for Saturday morning, April 3. Please see Brenda Laughman if you can help. A hunt for the Youth will be held Saturday night (after dark – flashlights!!). Also, work has already begun for VBS this summer. Again, many volunteers will be needed to make this a success. See Brenda to determine how you can serve. Sunday school classes continue with some very interesting and challenging times of learning and discussion. Are you a part of a class on a regular basis? Don’t miss this great opportunity.
Ministry Team News
With the help of the Leadership Team, Ministry will be working on a schedule that will get both Pastor Kim and Ralph into a regular preaching rotation. With the hiring of Evan as our Accompanist, our music team is getting used to a new routine, at least until we can locate a Music Coordinator. For now, Brenda Linebaugh and Evan, with input from others, are coordinating things quite well. Let’s give them our support and encouragement in this important facet of our Worship as they work together to help us all experience great times of Worship together.
In addition to serving a week as volunteer counselor at Camp Eder, Pastor Godfrey has been asked to serve as Camp Pastor for a week in June. Vacation times for him will likely include a week in May (hiking the AT) and a week in August (mountains).
Think about this for a moment….
Americans…..
*throw away 106,000 aluminum cans every 30 seconds
*distribute 1 million plastic cups on US airline flights every six hours
*go through 2 million plastic beverage bottles every five minutes
*discard 426,000 cell phones every day
*use 60,000 plastic bags every five seconds
*use 15 million sheets of office paper every five minutes
*produce 170,000 Energizer batteries every 15 minutes
*discard enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet every three months
*toss 14% of the food we buy at the grocery store …. and ….
more than 46,000 pieces of plastic debris float on each square mile of ocean surface.
To Think About…
The words we speak, the songs we sing, the doctrines we teach…will only have true meaning when we practice what we preach.
There is not one square inch in the whole domain of human existence, over which Jesus, who is sovereign over all, does not cry out ……… Mine!
Women’s Fellowship News
April 13 Lunch with Bermudian/Lakeview 10:00 AM
April 24 Women’s Spring Luncheon Greencastle COB
May 11 Mother/Daughter Banquet 6:00 PM
• We will meet with our sisters from Bermudian/Lakeview on Tuesday, April 7th at 10 AM. There will be devotions, entertainment and lunch.
• We continue to meet the first Tuesday of each month and all women are welcome. At the present time we are assembling Health Kits after our meetings.
• Bermudian/Lake View ladies are invited to spend the morning with us on Tuesday, April 13th. There will be entertainment and lunch starting at 10 AM.
• The Women’s Spring Luncheon will be held Saturday, April 24th at Greencastle COB. We have several ladies who plan to attend. The time is 9 AM – noon and the guest speaker is Lu Ann Wise.
• As we plan ahead, the Mother-Daughter Banquet is Tuesday, May 11th at 6 PM. The entertainment will be Judy Smithy, who will play the part of the “Shumanite Women.” This will be a covered dish with meat furnished.
• Remember The Lehman Center Auction to be held on Tuesday, April 27th at the 4 H Center. Food, antiques, theme baskets and much more will be offered for auction. If you have items to donate, please contact Phyllis at 848.9515.
Beauty of Easter
Oh, the beauty of this Easter – “Father, into thy hands I command my spirit”-
That fills our hearts to full; Our precious Lord was heard to say;
The fulfilling of the Scriptures – As tears were shed by His followers -
As Christ suffered for us all. On the sad and lonely day.
He was mocked, denied, beaten – In a sepulcher our Lord was laid -
Before Pilate alone He went; As the stone was rolled in place;
No fault was found within Him – On the third day He arose again -
On crucifying Him, the crowd was bent. The gift of God’s lasting grace.
The road that went to Calvary – Victory over death and the grave -
Was so hard for Christ to bear; As Christ walked the earth once more;
No one else could take His place – That proved to man and the disciples -
As He hung and suffered there. That He would reign forever more.
Written 3/9/82 by the Lord & Angel
A crown of thorns upon His head – for Easter Sunrise Service
Above Him “The King of the Jews”;
Jesus said, “Forgive them –
For they know not what they do.”
Church Activity Schedule for April 2010
4/1 6:00 PM Bell Choir practice (weekly, each Thur.)
7:00 PM Adult choir (weekly, each Thur.)
8:00 PM Praise Team practice (every Thur)
4/2 7:00 PM Good Friday Worship
4/4 6:00 AM Sunrise Worship (Kissinger’s)
8:15 AM All Church breakfast
9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Easter Celebration Worship “Why Die?” John 20:1 – 18
4/11 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Awesome in Glory” Selected Scriptures
4/12 6:00 AM Meat Canning – Ephrata Christian Aid Ministries
4/17 7:30 AM Men’s prayer breakfast
6:00 PM Faith Dinner New Fairview COB
4/18 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Celebration Worship “I was there: John” John 21:1 – 19
Lamplighter articles due today
12:00 noon Golden Age Dinner
4/24 8:00 AM District Women’s Spring Luncheon (Greencastle COB)
4/25 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Celebration Worship “Do you know my voice?” John 10:14-16; 22 – 30
4/27 CAS 18th annual Lehman Center Auction (4-H Center)
5/1 5:30 PM District Missions Dinner Newville COB
April Birthdays
2 – Linda Kern 13 Paul Veverka 19 Tyler Snelbaker
5 Conner Snyder 14 Cadin Snyder 20 Troy Lehigh
8 Carol Kauffman 15 Kim Gingerich 21 Joann Kozyrev
Bernice Ness Muriel Reynold 22 Brady Loucks
Herb Stump Kaitlin Miller Dylan Loucks
11 Nicole Williams Mike Brenneman 25 Mabel Schell
12 Ralph Miller 26 Paul Ritchey, Sr.
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