LOOKING AHEAD! MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
300th Anniversary Dinner Theatre
"A Simple Feast" at 6PM on Friday, May 2 and Saturday May 3 in Spangler Hall at Mechanicsburg COB.
A musical commissioned by the Southern PA District and written by Steve Engel & Frank Ramirez that blends unforgettable music with heartfelt lyrics in this inter-generational play.
Many from our congregation are helping in the cast and with lighting, sound and set construction, as well as preparing and serving the meal each night.
TICKETS ARE GOING FAST! Contact the District Office for details on acquiring tickets.
GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY is right around the corner.
Graduates will be honored on Sunday, June 1st during the 10:30 AM Worship service.
Please fill out this form, Graduate Information, and place it in the Ministry Team on Nurture's folder located outside of the Church Office door.
Contact the Church Office for further details.
District Volunteer Service is providing the opportunity to lend a helping hand in our District for those who are unable to go a long way from home to share with others their volunteer help.
On May 17,2008 from 8 am to 3 pm the District Stewards Commission is looking for volunteers to help with some work at the Miller Meeting House Cemetery site. (This is on Rt 34 - Carlisle Springs - coming down from the mountain and going into Carlisle). Work to be completed will include: Lawn work, installation of a Historical Marker, setting of some head stones and some wall repair.
If you can assist at this work day, please contact Lutricia Zerfing (717) 259-6564. Lunch will be provided. For more information or questions, please contact Ron Altland.
Women's Fellowship
The Women's District Spring Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Faith Community of the Brethren Home (Nicarry Meeting House) starting at 8:00 AM. Judith Gibble Kipp is the guest speaker with the theme of "Backward Glance - Forward Vision". Registration fee is $8.00 and includes lunch which concludes the event. For further information see the brochure on the bulletin board. To register, see Lois Sarvis by the deadline of April 6th. We will be carpooling from the church.
Our Women's fellowship is interested in hearing your ideas for programs or projects for the coming year. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please give Rita Ranck or Audrey Stapleton your input.
Southern PA District Women's Camp at Camp Eder is scheduled for June 2 and 3, 2008. Please see information on the bulletin board for registration and details.
Summer Workcamp in Appalachia
You are invited to participate in a workcamp in Appalachia from July 27th to August 2nd. The team will be serving with Good Works, Inc. (http://www.good-works.net), a ministry to the rural poor in Athens, OH. We are hoping to take an intergenerational group of 15-20 and the approximate cost per person is $200. The next informational meeting will be following the 10:30 AM service on March 9th. For more information, contact George Pickens in the evenings at 732-2328 or via email at gpickens@messiah.edu.
UPCOMING CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 300th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS:
DINNER / THEATRE PERFORMANCE
May 2 & 3, 2008 are the performance dates for a District Dinner / Theatre to be held right here at Mechanicsburg COB on our stage in Spangler Hall. A musical play has been written by Steve Engle and Frank Ramirez, entitled, "A Simple Feast".
DISTRICT WIDE BAPTISM SERVICE
Ken Boyer of the Carlisle COB congregation has a dream to hold a District-wide baptismal service as a part of the 300th Anniversary celebration. It is now a reality and planned for June 1, 2008. You are encouraged to invite baptismal applicants to consider having his/her baptism at this memorable outdoor gathering. A fellowship meal will be served following the creek-side service.
Anniversaries are celebrated in many ways.
Usually it is a joyous occasion with friends and loved ones being together with remembrances and thanksgiving. In our heritage the year of 2008 has been anticipated for many years and now there are special and varied times planned for this mark in time. With the approval of the Leadership Team there is a plan to use the large bulletin boards in the Gathering room for posting things which have been meaningful to us, and for learning more about our church - how it began, some of the things which make us different and what we hope for the future.
ALL GROUPS IN THE CHURCH ARE INVITED to think about what is important to them, what is interesting and what we might like to share with others. A paper plate with instructions will be given out on Sunday, March 30th. NO - not for food, but as a symbol of spiritual food, which will be the base for the witness message. This message could be a picture, a poem, a hymn, a scripture verse, a name or location, (such as Alexander Mack or Schwarzenau). These can be a source of interest for all of our folks and connect us in a new way.
Teachers and chairs of groups should take responsibility for getting this done, and if possible, to have it finished by May 1st, when we will have many visitors in our church! YOU WILL WANT TO BE REPRESENTED IN THIS WAY! DON'T BE LEFT OUT!
Questions? Please see Sara Wilson. NOTE: Recent Messengers will give you much information should you need this.
LOOKING FOR A MINISTER OF YOUTH OR COORDINATOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY
The Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren has a need for a Minister of Youth or Coordinator for Youth Ministry. We are seeking a part-time position for a qualified applicant. Click the link for a copy of the job specification or for more information, contact Traci Rabenstein at 717-877-3166 or by email - tetee013@msn.com.
17TH ANNUAL BENEFIT AUCTION FOR THE LEHMAN CENTER
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at the York County 4-H Center - 771 Stoverstown Road.
Preview & Food Service begin at 12:00 PM. Live Auction begins at 5:00 PM.
Featuring -- Art, Collectibles, Sports Items, New Merchandise. Silent Auction includes theme baskets and gift certificates. Food Service includes homemade soup, bar-b-q, pies and more.
Go to their web site, www.cassd.org, for more information.
NEWS FROM CROSS KEYS VILLAGE - THE BRETHREN HOME COMMUNITY
Mechanicsburg's Volunteer assignments in 2008 are:
Sunday Escorts on June 1st, 8th and 15th with entertainment on June 8th.
Fine Arts Escorts on October 18th.
Christmas Tree Tours on the 2nd week of December.
THANK YOU!! We received 47 Annual Memberships and 3 Lifetime Memberships for the Auxiliary.
Volunteer Appreciation Recognition Day is on Saturday, May 3rd at 3:00 PM in Nicarry Meeting House. There will be entertainment, awards and refreshments.
May 15th is the Auxiliary Bake Sale. The February Bake Sale raised $940. Watch for sign up sheets.
Mark your calendars for the Annual Chicken BBQ, Auction, plus Car Show on August 9th because our own Anita Stapleton Anderson will be singing from Noon to 1:00 PM (possibly with brother Brent).
The Fine Arts Concert is April 19th with Mick Cochran (vocal and keyboard) and on May 17th the program is Frederick Moyer, pianist. Questions can be directed to Nancy Snyder.
SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE TAPES: If you missed a Sunday and would like a tape or a CD of the service, please let Drinda Hock know and she will make a copy for you and put it in your mailbox.
COLLAGE STUDENT NEWS
Do you have a college student who would like to receive the church newsletter at school? Call the church office or leave their address in the secretary's folder to be added.
Check out the Church Library!
There is a copy of "The Loss of the Most Precious Gift", signed by Susan Appleby with a note to the church and donated by Jerry Greiner. A second copy was donated by June Nedrow. The note to the congregation reads: "To friends and members of the Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren, I appreciate all your support, love and prayers during the tragic loss of James. Even though Jim, Mark and I are now miles apart, you are not forgotten. Wishing you God's love and blessings, Warmest regards, Susan - October 14, 2007"
Please check out the library shelves for your reading material. Please remember that if you have overdue books to return them ASAP so others may enjoy them. Remember - books are due back within two weeks of the sign-out date and videos are due back within one week of the sign-out date. There is something for YOU regardless of your age. SEE YOU AT THE LIBRARY!
TWO NIGHTS OF CELEBRATION - A DINNER / THEATRE & SMALL AUCTION
"And So They Had None" -- A comedy mystery dinner theatre by Robert Alan Ward. The fun doesn't stop with this zany parade of colorful characters at a dinner party - one of whom has made off with a delectable Boston cream pie. Could it be the globetrotting business tycoon? The health food and fitness fanatic? How about the computer marvel? Or - gasp - the straight laced deacon? Strictly silly stereotypes for actors ham it up. The clues are as goofy as the characters themselves and involve everything from a skateboard to a nursery rhyme. Lots of laughs right to the unpredictable conclusion. Good clean fun for the entire church family.
APRIL 11TH -- BENEFITS Children's Aid Society (CAS)
APRIL 12TH -- BENEFITS Camp Eder
Donations received by the end of the night of each benefit will be matched dollar for dollar up to $15,000.
Doors open at 5:30PM / Theatre will begin at 6:00PM. Cost $25 per person.
Location: West York Church of the Brethren, 5101 Darlington Rd, York PA 17408. Call 717-792-9260 for tickets.
New Hope Ministries Grocery List (Pantry Items & Non-Food donations can be brought to the back of the sanctuary the first Sunday of every month):
The following items are NEEDED:
FOOD ITEMS: Salad dressing, canned ravioli, graham crackers, cooking oil, manwich, dry milk, beef stew.
NON FOOD ITEMS: Cleaning products, laundry soap, diapers
Stromboli Sale
Order Deadline is April 3 with delivery on Sunday, April 13. Delicious frozen strombolis. See the sign up sheet near the office window.
Walk for Hope
Walk - Be a sponsor - April 27th at 2:00 PM. See Sandy Williams for a sponsor form.
FROM THE "LIGHTEN UP BRETHREN" HEALTH TIPS:
During the holidays, we are faced with a barrage of delectable treats that are laden with fond memories and tradition. Not to mention the delusional advertising that would have us believe only a perfectly decorated sugar cookie will make our Christmas complete!
The challenge to eat mindfully, planning ahead and making conscious choices about when, where and what to splurge on - (notice I didn't say NO splurges) - think about those special foods that just make it Christmas for you. Part of what causes these foods to be special is the association you make with the people who shared them with you or the places where you had the time to actually slowly enjoy tasting a meal instead of gulping. Focusing on the conversations and relationships will help the food take its proper secondary priority.
Like any treat, it will be short-lived if you regret it immediately, or are so uncomfortable afterwards that you could kick yourself. As you make those mindful, conscious decisions this holiday season, remember the words from one of our oldest carols: "God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. O tidings of comfort and joy!"
Prepare, Be joyous AND have comfort!
-- Mary Lou Garrison,
Director of Wellness Ministry
Association of Brethren Caregivers
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