Merry

Christmas 2014

Ring the BellsHarry Bollback, 1958

Ring the bells, ring the bells, let the whole world know,Christ was born in Bethlehem many years ago.Born to die that man might live, came to earth new life to give,Born of Mary, born so low, many years ago.God the Father gave His Son, gave His own beloved One, To the wicked sinful earth, to bring mankind His love, new birth.

Ring the bells, ring the bells, Let the whole world know Christ the Saviour lives today As He did so long ago!

Ring the bells, ring the bells, what a glorious morn!Men and angels worship Him, singing, Christ is born!Born to die on Calvary, born to set His people free,God Himself in human form, tell it! Christ is born.He has left His royal throne, He has come to claim His own,Christ the Lord has come to earth, go spread the news of Jesus’ birth.

It was Christmas Eve . . . 1996.

I remember it as if it were yesterday.

The sky was filled with stars, the air was cool, and a group of us stood as close to the fire as we could get.

We listened intently to Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. who was reviewing with the us the biblical events of the first Christmas. As he spoke, we could only imagine what it was like on the first Christmas Eve to see the sky fill with a multitude of heavenly host and hear them giving glory to God. It was that very night that the shepherds went into Bethlehem to find the Saviour who was born there.

I am so thankful that as a little girl I realized my need and received Jesus as my Saviour. Since then, God has privileged me to serve Him for 50 years in the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship sharing the truths of my precious Saviour.

No wonder “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is one of my favorite Christmas carols. ~ Rita

It is hard to find one of the newer carols that tell the true message and meaning of Christmas more than one of my favorites . . . “Ring the Bells.”

Its simple words and singable melody should remove all doubt about God’s unique love-gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, to you and me. Jesus’ sinless life and His death and resurrection were the gift of new life for everyone who personally believes and receives His priceless gift . . . including boys and girls.

The older I get, the more grateful I am that I was told this true story when I was a child . . . so long ago . . . and the more appreciative I am for the honor and privilege Child Evangelism Fellowship has given me to share this timeless message throughout the world and especially in Eastern Pennsylvania. ~ Mable Ruth

“God Rest You Merry Gentlemen,” is a Christmas carol that is not easy to sing, but it has five stanzas that each give an accurate account of the Christmas story. It reminds me that one of my responsibilities here at the State Headquarters is to ensure that all the lessons we teach, all the songs we sing, and all the materials that we print and publish are biblically correct. I’m so glad that this particular Christmas hymn meets that high standard that we have set. In a day, when many Christmas songs seem to be about Santa Claus, it is refreshing to sing one of the old carols that speak so clearly of our need for a Saviour that has come to this earth. It truly is a carol that brings great “tidings of comfort and joy,” whenever and wherever it is sung. ~ Wayne

Child EvangElism FEllowship oF EastErn pa, inC. p.o. box 4375 harrisburg, pa 17111-0375

phonE: (717) 652-7542 Fax: (717) 652-5132 wEbsitE: www.cefepa.net

While not my favorite Christmas carol, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” expresses one of my goals while serving the Lord as ministry assistant–clarity. With each visual I’m asked to produce, I attempt to find graphics that clearly explain and/or depict the desired meaning. Sometimes this is easy, and sometimes “doctoring” is required after a lengthy search yields something that is not quite right but close. Prayerfully, these visuals go forth (on our website) to our directors, “bending low beneath [their] crushing load, toiling along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,” that they might “rest” and “hear” and, one day, with children from their county, “send back the song which now the angels sing.” ~ Beth

“We Three Kings of Orient Are, bearing gifts . . . .” This year in Good News Clubs we are sharing the lesson “The Message of the Star.” It tells how the wise men sought to worship the new born King and share their gifts. The wise men probably did not understand that Jesus, was the promised One who would one day provide us the precious gift of salvation. Many of the children we teach do not know the real message of Christmas, a babe born to die for their sins. It is my joy during the monthly training classes to share this wonderful gift of the message of salvation in every Bible lesson. Thank you for your prayers that enable me to continue helping others share this precious message. ~ Carol

“Go Tell It on the Mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.” Although this is a Christmas carol, the message is true all year. God gave me the privilege this year to share with the children at a Good News Day Camp. The children were eager to learn, and it was a joy to teach them. I was also able to share in a missions conference and in several churches with children and adults about our ministry; however, most of the year, I am in the office preparing the receipts for the financial gifts and writing thank you notes to many of our donors who give generously so we can go and tell the children that Jesus is born. ~ Ginny

One of the Christmas carols I most identify with is “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” The words to this familiar carol speak to me of the consistent, loyal, and devoted people we have come into contact with as this past ministry year unfolded. Countless hours were spent driving to counties where Teacher Training Classes were held across our state. Significant time was invested in filling the pulpit of local churches to share biblical challenges with committed servants of the Lord. It would be difficult to even count all of the opportunities that have been given to share the Gospel with children who faithfully came to Good News Day Camp and so many other ministries. The year has been a blessed one . . . a challenging one . . . and a wonderful reminder to be thankful for the many, many faithful servants. ~ Jeff

Jeff Beth Carol Wayne Rita Ginny Mable Ruth

Whether it is singing Christmas carols, decorating your home, sharing gifts with loved ones and friends, or helping those who are in great need, Christmas is truly a wonderful time of the year.

It is also wonderful to have friends, like you, every day of the year. Friends who faithfully pray and give generously that we may continue to share the good news of Christmas.

The State Headquarters staff join with me in wishing you a very merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

God bless you richly,

Rita L. Lobdell State Director

MEMORIAL/TRIBUTE GIFTS JANUARY 2014 – DECEMBER 2014

MEMORIAL GIFTS

In memory of Joshua WilliamsMr. & Mrs. Daniel WilliamsMr. & Mrs. James WilliamsMrs. Lorraine McLaughlinDr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Miss Velma HegartyMrs. Shirley WalburnDr. Mable Ruth WrayMiss Virginia Landis Mrs. Peggy UlpMr. & Mrs. Terry BadmanMiss Rita L. LobdellMr. & Mrs. Daniel Williams

In memory of Mrs. Margaret SwartzIn memory of Mrs. Jane StarcevicIn memory of Mrs. Bernice S. LandisIn memory of Mr. S. Lane HostetterIn memory of Mrs. Bobbie GulickIn memory of Rev. R. C. Reichenbach

Dr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Mr. Merle PhillipsIn memory of Rev. William Ulp

Mrs. Peggy Ulp

In memory of Mrs. Virginia JohnsonDr. Mable Ruth WrayMr. & Mrs. Donald Gulick

In memory of Dr. Richard UlrichMiss Virginia LandisDr. Mable Ruth WrayMiss Rita L. Lobdell

In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Louis NiersteIn memory of Pastor Charles Wagoner

Mr. & Mrs. John Nierste

In memory of Mrs. Flora FreasKatrina Caporaletti

In memory of Mr. Bernard DolanskyIn memory of Cindy BixlerIn memory of Betty ParsonIn memory of Mr. Richard SweitzerIn memory of Mr. Foster ThummaIn memory of Mrs. Vesta Bear

Mrs. Hellen Starner

In memory of Mrs. Betty Lou JacksonIn memory of Mrs. Darlene LummisIn memory of Mrs. Alice Landis

Mrs. Janice Deeter

In memory of Mrs. Helen ArnoldMr. Ronnie ArnoldMrs. Rosa CochranDr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Mrs. Mary Lou ColburnMr. Ralph ColburnDr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Mrs. Sieglinale KohlE. June Offenderlein

In memory of Mr. Clark HildebrandCEF OF YORK COUNTY, INC.

In memory of Mr. William HartmanMrs. Jean HartmanDr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Charles and Bridgette MulliganMr. & Mrs. Frank Mulligan

In memory of Lorene SzeimMr. & Mrs. Larry WeissMr. & Mrs. C. Scott Campbell

In memory of Mr. James PasqualiMr. & Mrs. Harold DubsMr. & Mrs. Max BingamanMr. & Mrs. Daniel Williams

In memory of Mrs. Miriam LeitzelMrs. Muriel Stouffer

In memory of Mr. Bud WiseIn memory of Mrs. Cheryl Wise

Mrs. Marjorie Wise

In memory of Mr. James D. TurnerMrs. Emma TurnerDr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Rev. Dr. Donald ReitzIn memory of Mrs. Rose Marie Rodway

Mr. & Mrs. James Williams

In memory of Mrs. Audrey OlvanyMr. Robert Olvany

In memory of Mrs. Lisa RameyIn memory of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hoeflich

Mr. & Mrs. C. Scott Campbell

In memory of Mrs. Helen MillerMr. & Mrs. Lee Siglin

In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Fred TroxellMr. & Mrs. Donald TroxellDr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Rejoice Naomi LandisMr. & Mrs. Michael Celona

In memory of Mr. Dwight McLaughlinMrs. Lorraine McLaughlin

In memory of Mrs. Rojean KellerMr. Larry Keller

In memory of Mr. Glenn C. LandauDr. Mable Ruth WrayMr. & Mrs. Daniel Williams

In memory of Miss Johanna PosthumaMr. & Mrs. John Lowe

In memory of Mrs. B. Eleen TroutMarcella SpechtDr. Mable Ruth WrayMrs. Marjarie WiseMr. & Mrs. James Shaffer, Jr.Greenville Chiropractic ClinicMr. Steven TrolierMrs. Sarah Buffington

In memory of Mrs. Orpha KingDr. Mable Ruth WrayMr. & Mrs. Dale G. HarmanMr. & Mrs. James F. KohlMiss Rita L. Lobdell

In memory of Miss Betty WalstedtIn memory of Mrs. Jane StarcevicIn memory of Mrs. Bobbie GulickIn memory of Mr. Jim Woodcock

Miss Rita L. Lobdell

In memory of Mr. David E. LeboDr. Mable Ruth WrayMiss Virginia LandisMiss Rita L. LobdellMr. & Mrs. John K. Lowe

In memory of Mr. Alvin R. CookMiss Rita L. LobdellDr. Mable Ruth WrayMr. & Mrs. James WilliamsMiss Virginia LandisMr. & Mrs. Daniel Williams

In memory of Mr. Roy ZimmermanMr. & Mrs. Daniel WilliamsDr. Mable Ruth Wray

In memory of Mr. Ned ZieglerMr. & Mrs. Daniel Williams

In memory of Mrs. Clara Shriver CEF OF ADAMS COUNTY, INC.

In memory of Mr. Melvin BeiselIn memory of Donna Beisel

Mrs. Dorothy Beisel

Will you prayerfully consider including

CEF OF EASTERN PA, INC. in your will?

You can receive a tax benefit if you give stocks, bonds,property, insurance policies, and/or vehicles. By givingthese assets now, you can partially avoid Capital GainsTax over a period of time. Call the State Headquartersof CEF OF EASTERN PA, INC. to learn more about ourGift Annuity Program.

717-652-7542

TRIBUTE GIFTS

In honor of Mrs. Alice KohlMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey EdmundsDr. Mable Ruth WrayMiss Virginia LandisMiss Rita L. Lobdell

In honor of Mrs. Hellen StarnerMiss Virginia Landis

In honor of Miss Virginia LandisMr. & Mrs. Bruce ClutcherMr. & Mrs. Jonathan Stassel

In honor of Miss Linda DymondIn honor of Miss Linda RuthIn honor of Mr. & Mrs. Wilburt HuppIn honor of Miss Erin LongeneckerIn honor of Mr. Ed StoverIn honor of Mr. Ken KeimIn honor of Mr. Daryl BrubakerIn honor of Mr. Rob BingamanIn honor of Mr. Rick LockieIn honor of Mr. Ralph BechtelIn honor of Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Garlick

Dr. Mable Ruth Wray

In honor of Dr. Mable Ruth WrayMr. Kenneth AttawayMr. & Mrs. Bruce ClutcherMr. & Mrs. Todd Hoover

In honor of Mrs. Janice H. DeeterMiss Virginia LandisDr. Mable Ruth WrayMiss Rita L. Lobdell

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Tim DuncanTracy SeigerLife Changes Realty Group

In honor of Maj. Jeffrey DavisMr. & Mrs. Michael L. LaRue

CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP OF EASTERN PA, INC. g P.O. BOX 4375 g HARRISBURG, PA 17111-0375