Lancaster Church of the Brethren is a working, worshiping, learning Christian community, open and accepting without discrimination or force in matters of belief and practice.

BRETHREN HIGHLIGHTS July 2015

Lancaster Church of the Brethren

In this Issue: Page 3 From the Pastor’s Desk: by Alix Sable Page 4 Inquirers’ Class Begins Fellowship Groups Info LCCC Food Hub Page 5 MP Update Celebrate Recovery SERRV BV News Center Pages Event Calendar & Service times Page 8 Bible2School Help Needed Thank You Congregation Page 9 2015-16 Starlight Tea Schedule Hymnal Order Form Page 10 Annual Conference, watch LIVE Page 11 Sunday School Options

@ Lancaster Church of the Brethren

Email: lancob@comcast.net Web: www.lancob.org

Be an Angel is an outreach pro-gram of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren that annually provides school uniforms and supplies for homeless students in the School Dis-trict of Lancaster (SDL).

The Hunger and Poverty Group, a sub-group under the Outreach Ministry Team, created Be An Angel in 2008. The name was suggested by Gladys Hylton, on October 19, 2008, and it was quickly accepted. We pur-chased only sup-plies in the summer of 2009, and added uniforms in 2010. Dee Zimmerman made the two large angels, on display in the Gathering Place and the Heritage Center, in June of 2010.

In Matthew 25, we are reminded of the importance of providing cloth-ing to those in need. (Please read the full passage in Matthew 25:31-46.) In this case, the clothing comes in the form of school uniforms for home-less students in SDL. Nicky Spann, the Coordinator for the SDL Home-less Student Project, is anticipating

between 1000-1200 homeless stu-dents during the 2015-2016 school year. Students cannot attend classes without uniforms.

Our 2015 effort will begin on June 28, and conclude on August 9.

Nicky Spann will be present on Sunday morning, August 9, to bring greetings and words of appre-ciation from SDL. We will also dedicate the uniforms and school supplies that Sunday.

Again this year, we will order uni-forms from New Ear, a factory in New

York City. They sell them to us at wholesale, plus they give us a 5% discount. You may pur-chase uniforms of the same type, but at a higher cost, at K-Mart on Fruitville Pike. Students also need school supplies. Please visit one of the large angels to see the type of sup-plies needed. To support this pro-ject, please write checks to the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, earmarked “Be An Angel.” Many thanks in advance for your support.

--Hunger and Poverty Group

Be an Angel 2015

This is how you, the congregation, have supported this project the past six years:

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SERVING THIS JULY GREETERS USHERS

7:40 a.m. 8:40 a.m. 8:40 a.m. 9:50 a.m. 9:50 a.m. 10:15 a.m.

Mary and Jerry Thompson Wendy Young Dee and John Zimmerman Milly Bomberger Barb and Russ Morrow Lynne and Lynn Shively

CHAPEL SERVICE 8:00 a.m. Jay Enders Don King

SANCTUARY SERVICE 10:15 a.m.

CHURCH LIBRARY Staffed Sunday 9:45—10:15 a.m.

Joan Miley

ACOLYTES VAN INFORMATION

Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5:

Maria Ramirez Jack Smith Luke Wenger Sadie Bowser Drew Smith

Lynn Shively - 471-0415

ATTENDANCE DIRECTORY CHANGES New Name, Address & Phone #: Shirley Gish Stauffer (Cottage 408)

3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17606-5093 581-3347

New Cell Phone #: Gibson Alvino 984-4383

May 17—439 May 24—386 May 31—336 June 7—297 June 14—256

JULY BIRTHDAYS

*Greg Hughes John Biemiller Bob Hopple

John Lines Doug Lunger Barb Morrow

Russ Morrow Mark Smith

*Head Usher

1 Clarence Cox Dick Shreckhise 2 Nancy Enders Greg Hughes Jenny Lines Lynne Shively Jason Haines 4 Charlotte Myers 5 Peg Koser 6 Michael Wenger Judi Peffley Matt Shenk Jackie St. John 8 Jim Heck 9 Philip Mackey

10 Jennifer Biemiller James Marks 11 Linda Adsitt 12 Jason Mackey 13 Ben Lattimer 14 Jeff Shirk 15 Walt Young 16 Beverly Angle Tyler Maerz 17 Ed Schopf Adam Snoke 18 Scott Brubaker Patti Snyder Josh Weaver 19 Jim Martin Hunter Polanskey

20 Nicole Polanskey 21 Alison Kreider Jack Bryer 22 David Hernandez Janet Groff Gail Murray 23 Barb Morrow Jennifer Shaffer 24 Phil Myers, Sr. Scott Shertzer 25 Nikolas Nace Dennis White Michelle Shertzer 26 Sharon Nace 28 Karen Nye 29 George Betz

30 Steve Focht Daniel Hufford Sally Bingaman 31 Joyce Hursh

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FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK Living our Christian values and fulfilling our commitments

consistently bring joy to all believers in a Christian community. Friendship Sunday on May 24, 2015, was a vivid

demonstration of what it means to live our Chris-tian values and fulfill our commitments. Eve-ryone involved did a tremendous job. While those in charge of this event par-ticipated in planning, others worked in getting the catering organized. Preach-ers, worship leaders, singers, musi-cians, ushers, deacons, and the broth-ers and sisters who endeavored on setting up the food and tables, and finally cleaning up the place, all prayed and committed themselves for this event to be a success. There was a large group of brothers and sisters who may not have participated in the organization of the event, or even in the worship service itself, how-ever, many of them were key people who committed themselves to inviting some of their friends/relatives for Friendship Sunday.

The people responsible for Friendship Sunday’s event are all team players. We should praise God for the dedication and commitment of all those who are always mindful of our church activities. These people are re-sponsive to Christ’s calling. The Apostle Paul teach us to bring others to hear the Word of God “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)

The essence of church events serves three pur-poses:

1. That our guests feel that they are welcomed, espe-cially when it is their first time visiting.

2. For all attendants to feel a newness of life as we worship together amidst God’s presence.

3. For newcomers to feel joy and peace as they experi-ence God’s transforming power through worshipping and listening God’s message.

Friendship Sunday’s turnout shows that LCOB’s members are fulfilling God’s desires as the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Without counting all the visitors in the entire church, Maranatha Ministry had eleven newcomers. In the book of Acts

2:46-47 the Apostle Luke explains: “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the

goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” The church of the Brethren Strategic Plan 2020 in one

of its statements declares: “Congregational Vitali-ty Strengthen the Brethren as we live into

our calling as joyful communities of radi-cal, compassionate disciples “And let

us consider how to provoke one an-other to love and good deeds. . . .” –Hebrews 10:24 We are called to cultivate vital and vibrant congregations as communities that gather, call, form, and send disciples. 3.1 Equip congregations to be gathering communi-ties that: 3.1.1 Invite and welcome new people

into their midst 3.1.2 Replenish and grow nu-merically and spiritually, reflecting the diversity

present within its community Demonstrate evolving and maturing worship practices 3.1.5 Provide wel-

coming spaces for participants to explore questions of life and faith,” (COB Strategic Plan, 19 October 2014). Through Friendship Sundays, LCOB is fulfilling its commitment to the Church of the Brethren Strategic Plan 2020. Friendship Sunday is an event that provokes one to love and do good deeds as in Hebrews 10:24.

When everyone commits to take part in the under-takings of the church, people want to stay and become part of the family of God, as explained by Paul in Ephe-sians 2:19: “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.”

There was a time when we were lost in our igno-rance of God’s love and compassion, but one day, someone shared with us his/her experience as a Chris-tian. Or maybe that person just invited us to church and told us “come and see.” If we love our neighbors and have compassion for them, we should be committed to do the same. Friendship Sunday events are special occa-sions when we can all participate and show the love of Jesus to others. Before we had accepted Jesus in our hearts, we were empty, lost and with no purpose in life. Once we accepted Him as our Savior, we received His forgiveness, understood God’s purpose for us, and were sealed by the Holy Spirit. If we have something to give, and love our neighbors, then let us fulfill our commit-ments by showing compassion to others and invite them to church so that they may “come and see” what God is doing for His people.

--Alix M. Sable Reference Strategic Plan 2020 Reviewed and approved by the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board 19 October 2014

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Brethren Highlights is published monthly by the Lancaster Church of the Brethren. The absolute deadline for the August issue is July 15, 2015.

Brethren Highlights July 2015

Inquirers Class Begins On Sunday, July 12, a six-week Inquirers class will begin meeting in Pastor Rill’s office at 9:00 a.m. If

you are not yet a member of this con-gregation and would like to know more about the Church of the Breth-ren, the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, our history, beliefs, practices, ministries, and more, please call the church office at 397-4751 to put your

name on the list of those planning to attend. This class is intended for those who already know they are interested in joining this congregation and for those who have not yet decided. The first session will focus on getting to know each other; the next five ses-sions will concentrate on learning about the church. --Pastor Jeff Rill

What are the Climbers Up To? Climbers Fellowship July 12 outing will be brunch

at Yoder's Restaurant in New Holland at 12:00 Noon. Your Climbers contact will be calling you in early July. Weis & Giant gift cards will be accepted for the LCCC Food Bank at this event.

As in the past, there is no activity scheduled for August. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

September 4 is the final dead-line for reservations for the October 8 Climbers bus trip entitled "Horseshoe Curve Fall Foliage Tour." If you have interest in this trip, please contact Linda Heck at 560-2003. Tour

cost is $95.00 per person and is open to Climbers and Lancaster CoB members and friends. Don't be disap-pointed; call today!

On September 13 the Climbers will be gathering at 4:00 p.m. for our annual picnic at Pheasant Ridge. Please bring 1 wrapped two-dollar gift per person for a birthday game. Weis & Giant gift cards will be accept-ed for Milagro House at this event. --Bob & Mary Ann, Elvin & Linda, Mo & Rachel

Pathfinders Class—Save the Date! Reserve Sunday afternoon, August 16, when the Pathfinders Class will sponsor Ice Cream and a Show in the Family Life Center. The Servant Stage

Company will present, "Forever Plaid," a musical revue featuring precise harmony and 50's style crooning. The proceeds from the show will benefit the

Servant Stage Co. and the Lancaster County Council of Churches Food Bank. Tickets will soon go on sale – watch for more information! --Dee Zimmerman

The new LCCC is Open During the week of May 11 the Lancaster County Council of Churches (LCCC) moved from Marshall Street to the new location at 812 North Queen Street. $ 2.5 million are needed to pay for the purchase and renova-tion of the new facility. Our congre-gation agreed to support this endeavor with $100,000 over five years. As you already know, two anonymous donors pledged $50,000 over five years as a matching fund. So we pledged $10,000 per year to match the $50,000 matching fund. Some money already has been given, but we have a long way to go. Please make your checks to LCOB, in the memo line write LCCC food Hub. Bob Hess was looking for a place where he could volunteer some of his time. He agreed to work two days a week for the LCCC, stocking food and clothing donations and also preparing bags of food, which are delivered to shut-ins like the Church Street Towers. Members of the Outreach Ministry Team assist once a month to deliver those goods. But more importantly, Bob organized 22 volunteers from our congregation in helping to move and prepare shelves and stock the new facility. Some worked every day, others multiple times for a total of 41 workdays. On Wednesday, May 20, the new location was officially opened. A big Thank You to Bob Hess for reaching out and to all the volunteers who helped to make this move possible. --Otto Schaudel for the Outreach Ministry Team.

July PMT Energy Tip For maximum water efficiency, select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per mi-nute. The low-flow models save on water and water heating costs.

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Brethren Highlights July 2015

MP Update & Summer Sunday School Opportunities

Greetings! We're excited to inform everyone that Morning Psalm's first combined service occurred on June 7! The room was full of worshippers, so we had an extended greeting time to allow everyone to recon-nect with one another. I've heard the Connections Sunday School class had a healthy increase to their class, which was wonderful to hear as well! Personally, the young parenting class held in room 170 has been a blessing! I highly encourage EVERYONE who isn't currently attending a Sunday School class to try it on for size. You have plenty to choose from, and the Lord is working in every single one of them! Attach yourself to the vine and get connected! Quick note— during the time most classes are taking a hiatus for the summer, you can join Ben Lattimer in room 170 for Bible study! Knowing Ben, he will ask the right ques-tions for some stimulating conversation! With Christ's Love, --Tim Dunbar

Celebrate Recovery August 8 is the date selected for the kickoff of a new ministry in our congregation—Celebrate Recov-ery. This is a Christ-centered program, featuring a 12 step recovery process that is geared to help persons in any form of addiction. It is designed for those not satisfied with their handling of life challenges and who fervently desire to overcome their weaknesses—such as anger, drug and alcohol addictions, gambling, sexual abnormalities, food addictions, codependency… Each weekly session will include the opportunity to experience God’s grace, forgiveness and healing. It takes place in a challenging, caring and supportive atmosphere utilizing time-tested and effec-tive group dynamics developed and refined by the Saddleback Church in California. If you are interested in getting involved in a very meaningful project or if you feel the need to be receiving help from the program, please contact anyone on the planning team: Monroe Good, Calvin Wenger, Dan Wallace, Jim Landis or Gibson Alvino. --Calvin Wenger

SERRV An opportunity to volunteer at SERRV is on Thursday, July 30. Join us as we go to New Windsor to process crafts and gift items. We will leave the church at 7:00 a.m. and return about 5:00 p.m. Lunch and a time for shopping in the international mall will be provided. You will even receive a discount! Please contact Rus Adsitt at 569-0278 by July 24 if you plan to attend.

BV News The Gift Shop, Thrift Shop and Work Shop at Brethren Village are open the first Saturday of every month between 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Remember to stop by and see what all there is for you to purchase. The next outdoor wheelchair walk at BV is

Thursday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m. If you are available to help push wheelchairs, contact Holly Be-gan, 581-4251. Meet at Wolfe Auditorium. Once a year our church is

responsible to host a birthday party at BV. Our turn is Tuesday, August 4, at 2:00 p.m. Items needed are center pieces, paper products, party favors, drink, angel food cakes, snacks and ice cream Dixie cups. Please call Marilyn Hummel, 295-9121, BV Key Person LCOB.

Atlantic Northeast District Women’s Fellowship Camp

45th Annual Camp Swatara

Bethel, PA August 16-18, 2015

THEME: “Seeds, Stones, and Mountains” SPEAKER: Jennifer Kreighbaum

PRESIDENT: Joyce Schnupp CHORISTER: Lori Holzhauer PIANIST: Mary Etta Reinhart

There will be opportunities for worship, Bible study, hiking, swimming, water aerobics, crafts and other interest groups. For registration forms contact Fern Bucher at 560-5915.

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Brethren Highlights July 2015

Bible2School Looking For Help Site Director—(Part time: 17 hrs./week) -- looking for someone with the following skills: leadership, man-agement, administra-tion, and customer service to provide support and leader-ship in all programs at one of our elementary schools by maintaining a vol-unteer team, assisting in recruiting of volunteers, over-seeing implementation of curriculum, maintaining fa-cility care and acting as a liaison to the schools while upholding excellence in teamwork to reach children for Christ. Send resume to Kori at koripennypack-er@bible2school.com Schools with an open position: Stiegel (Manheim Central) Hamilton (School District of Lancaster) Schaeffer (Manheim Township) Smoketown (Conestoga Valley) Volunteer Recruiter—(Part time: 20 hrs./week) -- looking for someone with the following skills: recruit-ing, networking, customer service, and public speaking to provide support in the area of volunteer recruitment and maintaining relationships in the community to in-crease volunteer resources in the efforts to reach chil-dren for Christ. Send resume to Kori at koripenny-packer@bible2school.com

Thank You, Congregation Dear Church Family, We fed close to 200 people at our Annual Lawn Party on June 3. Thank you to all those who attended, donated food, time and talents to make it a great suc-cess. We surely offered our friends and neighbors some very delicious food and fellowship for the even-ing. We couldn’t have done it without you! Also, a spe-cial “thank you” to Kelsey Murray and the youth who provided the face painting for the children. Sincerely, The Hospitality Ministry Team ---------------------------------------------------------- Thank you all for the lovely cards and notes you have sent us in celebration of our 50th wedding anni-versary. What a blessing you all have been for 23 of those 50 years! --Linda and Guy Wampler. ---------------------------------------------------------- I want to express my deep appreciation and many thanks for the pastoral care, prayers, phone calls, cards, e-mails and the visit by a large group from Maranatha during my hospitalization and recovery during my long period of illness. --Lois Hansell ---------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to all our church family for cards, pray-ers & visits, especially the Wed morning prayer group and Calvin for his visits and special prayers during Do-ris' surgery and Jere's radiation treatments. --Doris & Jere Tankesley ---------------------------------------------------------- Thank You to the Congregation… I would like to thank everyone in the church family for their sup-port, prayers, and well wishes during my recent heart procedure and recovery. I am very grateful to Pastors Jeff and Calvin for their calls and prayers and to the Wednesday Morning Prayer Group for their prayers and cards. While the procedure is somewhat routine, it did have its risks. The power of your prayers was ex-tremely comforting to me on the day of the procedure and gave me a sense of peace. May God bless all of you. -- Steve Focht

Atlantic Northeast District Office Needs Your Help

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Brethren Highlights July 2015

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Brethren Highlights July 2015

LIVE from Tampa, It’s Annual Conference! Watch the Business Sessions and Worship Services live from the comfort of your own home computer. All Annual Conference business sessions and worship services will be streamed over the internet. The schedule for all web broadcasts is as follows (all times are Eastern Time):

Saturday, July 11

7:00–8:30 PM Opening Worship

Sunday, July 12

9:45–11:30 AM Annual Conference Sunday – Morning Worship

2:00–4:30 PM Afternoon Business Session

7:00pm–8:30pm Ken Medema and Ted & Co. (by special permission) Heart to Heart: A Reflection in Drama and Music

Monday, July 13

8:30–11:30 AM Morning Business Session

2:00–4:30 PM Afternoon Business Session

7:00–8:30 PM Evening Worship

Tuesday, July 14

8:30–11:30 AM Morning Business Session

2:00–4:30 PM Afternoon Business Session

7:00–8:30 PM Evening Worship

Wednesday, July 15

8:30–10:30 AM Closing Worship

Visit the broadcast page at http://livestream.com/livingstreamcob/AC2015 for additional information and instructions. You can join in at any time or restart the broadcast from the beginning. You can also comment and chat online with the webcast coordinator. This is free to watch but there is a cost to provide these webcasts for General Board. Viewers are asked to consider making an online donation to help make the ministries of our church known through these webcasts.

Did you know…? The last time Annual Con-ference was in Lancaster County was in 1846.

Photo by Glenn Riegel

David Steele, district executive minister of Middle Pennsylvania District, is serving as moderator of the 2015 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren

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Brethren Highlights July 2015

Adult Education Opportunities July 2015

The following classes are open to everyone. All are invited. Even though these groups are “ongoing,” they are always looking for new members!

9:00 – 9:45 Sunday Mornings

The Chapel Bible Study Group meets in the Chapel. In July their focus will be on the OT book of Micah, tak-ing a look at problems faced by the Israelite nation to gain insight into meeting the challenges of the day. Teach-ers will be Al Cott, Bob Frick, and Calvin Wenger. Sacred Parenting Class, led by Linda Husted in room 170, will not be meeting in July and August, but will resume in the Fall. During July and August a new Bible study class will meet in room 170, led by Ben Lattimer. The class will look at Biblical passages on which the preachers will be preaching in both the Morning Psalm and Traditional worship services. This will be a chance to explore the scripture and its context more fully before (or after) the worship ser-vices. The Thoughtful Life Class, usually meeting in Rooms 162-163, will not meet in the month of July. They will resume classes in August with Jay Weaver reporting on the book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, and Guy Wampler leading a discussion of his May 2015 Messenger article, “Where is the Prince of Peace.” There will also be reports from Junior and Senior High conference and work camp participants, and reports from Annu-al Conference delegates.

Connections is a casual conversation group meeting in Room 200 for coffee and conversation. It is open to eve-ryone interested in connecting with other people on a more personal level. Loosely organized discussions each month are focused as follows:

First Sunday: Brethren beliefs and history. Second Sunday: Hot topics based on current events. Third Sunday: Game Day. Games and casual conversation. Fourth Sunday: Comparative religions and denominations. Fifth Sunday: Pot-luck breakfast.

Follow the Connections sign to Room 200 on the second floor. For details, contact Rich Bowser at 201-8734 or rbowser4@yahoo.com. The Maranatha Ministry offers an adult Sunday School class in Spanish and English, taught by Arelis Sable. Further details are available from her.

Please Help! Lights are being left on in the church and often times left on ALL night long. Please don’t assume someone else will turn them off. Night or day, please follow these good practices and help us conserve energy and cost: √ Last one out of a room—turn out the light.

√ When your group is leaving the building—turn off hall and

entryway lights.

√ Turn off 1st floor handicap & 2nd floor bathrooms’ light when leaving bathroom. (All other bathrooms are on automatic lights.)

√ Turn off stairwell lights.

√ When in doubt, turn the light out!

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LANCASTER CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 1601 Sunset Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601-4329 (717)-397-4751 lancob@comcast.net www.lancob.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 1226 Lancaster, PA 17604

LANCASTER CHURCH OF

THE BRETHREN

VISION STATEMENT To be and make disciples of Christ for the

transformation of the world.

MISSION STATEMENT To be the heart, hands, feet, voice, and

mind of Christ locally and globally.

GOALS

Radical Hospitality Passionate Worship

Intentional Faith Development Risk-Taking Mission and Service

Extravagant Generosity

(Adopted by the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 10/07)

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Mon - Thur 8:00am—4:00pm Friday 8:00am—1:00pm

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00 a.m. Chapel 10:15 a.m. Family Life Center 10:15 a.m. Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Maranatha

WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN

10:15 a.m. Praise Kidz (Age 4—3rd grade)

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00a.m. Children & Adults

Our Staff

Jeffrey B. Rill Senior Pastor

Cindy E. L. Lattimer Associate Pastor

J. Calvin Wenger Pastor of Caregiving

Alix Sable Associate Pastor

Emery A. DeWitt Director of Music

Margaret Marsch Jeanne Heck

Organists Jamie Nace

Director of Children’s Music Director of Children’s Ministry

Kelsey Murray Interim Director of Youth Ministries

Tiffany L. Dickel Church Administrator

Newsletter Editor Linda Harnish

Secretary Troy Nace Custodian

The deadline for every issue is the 15th of the previous month.