Page 1 - 2026 August-September Newsletter

Southern Pennsylvania District

Church of the Brethren

VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.SOPADISTRICT@BRETHREN.ORG

SO PA District

3375 Carlisle Road, Gardners, PA 17324 717-778-2264
August / September
2026 Preparing the Way of the Lord
Reflections from the DEM ~Traci Rabenstein

Contents John the Baptist remains one of Scripture’s most compelling figures—not
because of his unusual appearance or wilderness lifestyle, but because of his
Message:………….Pg. 1-2 unwavering obedience. He understood his purpose with clarity: to prepare the

District Info:……...Pgs. 2-5 way for the coming Messiah. Everything about his life flowed from that calling.
John’s ministry was marked by truth spoken without hesitation. He challenged
Upcoming Events :...Pgs. 4-5 the complacent, comforted the repentant, and pointed every listener beyond

District News:..........Pgs. 6-12 himself to the One who was coming. His voice carried authority not because of
position or power, but because he lived fully surrendered to God’s direction.
Denominational Yet even this faithful servant experienced moments of uncertainty. From the
News…………… Pgs. 13-14
confines of prison, John sent word to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who is to come,
Learning Opportunities or should we expect someone else?” It is a profoundly human question—one that
CEU’S:…………...Pg. 15
echoes the tension between expectation and reality. John had proclaimed a
Ministry News:........Pgs. 19-20 Messiah who would cleanse, refine, and judge. Jesus arrived with healing hands,
gentle words, and a ministry shaped by mercy. The kingdom was breaking in, but
not in the way many expected.
A Season of Waiting and Anticipation
The Church has long used the language of “advent” to describe not only the

weeks before Christmas, but the ongoing posture of waiting and anticipation that
shapes Christian life. We live between Christ’s first coming and His promised
return. Like John, we stand in that holy tension—trusting God’s promises while
navigating a world that often feels uncertain, divided, or weary.
This period of waiting is not passive. It is purposeful. It calls us to prepare the

way of the Lord in our own time, just as John did in his.
SUNFLOWER Our Calling as the Church Today
The sunflower, a symbol of
faithfulness and devotion, In the Southern Pennsylvania District, we are invited to take up this calling with
represents a life turned toward courage and humility. Preparing the way of the Lord today looks like:
God. Just as the flower follows  choosing love when anger is easier
the sun, believers are called to  seeking peace in a culture of conflict
seek the light of Christ and
remain focused on Him. Its  welcoming the stranger and caring for the vulnerable
bright bloom reflects the joy and  practicing servant leadership
glory of God’s presence, while its  living in such a way that Christ’s character is visible in us
steady growth points to a life  proclaiming that salvation and hope are found in Jesus Christ
rooted in faith. The many seeds This work is not without cost. Faithfulness may strain relationships, challenge
of the sunflower can also
symbolize spiritual fruitfulness. comfort, or require us to stand apart from prevailing cultural currents. But this is
In Christian symbolism, the the path of discipleship. John’s life reminds us that obedience often requires
sunflower reminds us to remain boldness—and that God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways when they
steadfast, to seek God daily and are willing to be faithful. Continued on Pg. 2
to reflect His light in all we do.