Around the Church for January 26, 2022

Women’s Retreat Sign-up

If you have not yet signed up for the women’s retreat at Camp Hebron, a table will be set up in the Gathering Place again this Sunday after worship for you to be able to do so. Please bring your registration form, if you already have one, and the deposit of $100.

This year’s study is entitled “What my Grandmothers Taught Me” and is based on the genealogy of Jesus as described in the book of Matthew. The study will be lead by the Rev. Sylvia Carlson and the Rev. Heather Sigler. For more information please contact Marna Holt at 717-732-9270.

To honor our own grandmothers and to include as many women as possible we are planning a cookbook of our grandmother’s recipes. All women in the congregation are invited to submit a recipe that has come to you from one of your grandmothers. There is a box at the welcome desk for you to place your recipes in. Be sure to include your grandmother’s name, your name, and a sentence or two about your grandmother.
Please Note: Matt Drumheller’s Contact Information
Matt can be reached by email at [email protected]. By telephone, he can be reached by calling the church at 717-238-9304. His extension is 101. You can also reach Matt on his cell phone: 717-220-3583.

Donations to the Afghan Resettlement Program

The Extending God’s Love Core team has been working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of our new Afghan neighbors. They have helped to keep us apprised of the latest situation and have given us many opportunities to reach out with God’s love. To that end, money for rent and Giant gift cards for food are the greatest needs at this moment. Checks made out to the International Services Center and gift cards can be dropped in the offering plate on Sunday or mailed to the church office and we will get them delivered.

Currently, the International Services Center is overwhelmed with donations of home-goods and furniture. Until the refugees have a home, these cannot be delivered so we are asking congregants to store home-goods and furniture donations for now. We will let you know as soon as they can be dropped off/picked up. The items that can be donated now are shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and diapers of all sizes. These items can be placed in the donation barrel by the welcome center. So that we do not end up creating another backlog, the Center is asking that we do not overwhelm them with industrial sized packages or cases of any of these items.

Thank you once again for your great willingness to help and support the strangers among us. If you need a donation letter, please notify the church office or affix the request to your donation.

Dr. Eric Fung Concert Saturday, February 5 – 7:00 pm

(This replaces the Svyati Duo, who, because of Covid, can’t get a Visa to perform in the US.) Dr. Eric Fung is a Bach Prize Winner from the Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Leipzig, Germany. The New York Times praised his pianism for being “mature, refined, and elegant.” A native of Hong Kong, Dr. Fung holds degrees in piano performance from the Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School.

Updates from Session

At its meeting Monday evening, Session reviewed the status of our COVID protective measures. While current data sadly doesn’t support loosening these measures at this time, we plan to continue in person worship, and encourage continued fellowship with masks before and after the service even though the food and beverage portion of Fellowship Hour is temporarily suspended. In addition, staff will have signs placed at entrances asking those entering the building to “Please wear a mask”. Masks are being made available to anyone who wishes to enter but does not have one.

Session also discussed holding a Joint Board Meeting/Retreat, probably in late spring rather than our usual February meeting.

Dates for your Calendar

Sunday, January 30 – 8:45 am Sunday School | 10:00 am Worship – Rev. Matt Drumheller Preaching
Saturday, February 5 – 7:00 pm Dr. Eric Fung Piano Concert
Sunday, February 6 – 8:45 am Sunday School | 10:00 am Worship – Rev. Matt Drumheller Preaching
Sunday, February 13 – 8:45 am Sunday School | 10:00 am Worship – Rev. Matt Drumheller Preaching
Friday, February 18 – 6:00 pm 3rd in the Burg – Artwork of Harry Spilker and Glenn Ginder
Saturday, February 19 – Beethoven Celebration *CANCELED*

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