The Messenger

July 2015

First Christian Church

Disciples of Christ

442 Hummel Ave,

Lemoyne, PA 17043

717-763-4537

www.lemoynedisciples.org

Church Office Hours:

MWF 9:00 am—2:00 pm

Out of the Blue & Search Committee Update 2

Ministries Update 3

Outreach 4

Scheduling, Prayer Requests, Fundraising, Thanks & Congratulations 5

Summer Camps, Finance & Updates 6

Calendar 7

Mat Making Workshops 8

Inside This Issue

Pastor: Linda J. Springer

Organist: Mary E. Snyder

Administrative Assistant: Jessica Spicher

S’moreFest

Saturdays This Summer

July 11 & August 8

6-8 PM, FREE! Open to ALL!!!

Additional items being served: hamburgers, hotdogs, sides &

more! Donations are being accepted now! Non-perishable items may be

placed in the donation box near the welcome table, while perishable items may

be placed and labeled in the refrigerator in the fellowship hall. Items being

accepted include: graham crackers, large marshmallows, chocolate bars, hot

dogs, hamburgers, buns and other sides/toppings.

Rain location: FCC Fellowship Hall

We are Invited to Join Salem UCC on the Pride of the Susquehanna on July 12

If you are interested, our Congregation was invited to take a ride on the Pride of the Susquehanna and enjoy a

Worship Service with Salem UCC. We are to board no later than 10:15 AM or you will not be able to board at all. Worship will still be held at First Christian Church if you aren’t interested in attending.

Grandparents Day at Knoebel’s

September 13, Following Worship

Please save Sunday, September 13 on your

calendar. We will once again be celebrating

"Grandparents Day" at Knoebel’s. Please pack your own lunch. Round up

children and head to Elysburg with us on that day! Sign-ups will begin in early

August.

Pictures from some of June’s Activities:

Featuring a

make-your-own

s’mores bar!!!

Our youngest kids hard at work,

helping to shred old documents.

S’moresfest

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Pastor’s Page/Search Committee Update

Out of the Blue

Summer is my favorite time of the year. There are just so many things to do in the summertime that some years I wish it would

never end.

There are baseball games, of course, amusement parks, picnics, family reunions, beach trips, carnivals, exciting places to visit and amazing things to do there.

One of my favorite all time activities was going to church camp. The first year I went I was only 7 so I had to keep that a secret. But my birthday wasn't too far away so I guess I was really unofficially 8. I remember my mother asking me if I missed them and my reply was no but I really missed reading the morning paper. That is not what she expected for sure.

So through the years I continued to go at each new location until Nordmont became our permanent camp. I would spend weeks there as a camper and dishwasher. When I got older I would be a camper and then a junior counselor and then a counselor and finally a director.

What great memories and many, many stories I have kept in my heart. It was at church camp where I felt a need to not only be a follower but to be a worker for the Lord.

I never had the support at home but it was this Church family who supported and encouraged me. I thank all of you over the years for your love and helping me come to this ministry. I could not have done it without you!

Many years have passed since I was unofficially 8, but you have been with me and I thank you all.

Just journeying along, Linda

From the Search Committee:

Special Prayer for the Church during the

Pastoral Search Process

The Search Committee is working diligently. We learned that pushing too hard to make congregational members happy, does not work.

We are continuing to work with Rev. David Chafin and have expanded our efforts to the United Church of Christ (UCC).

We are hopeful that we will find and connect with the right person to fit the needs of our wonderful congregation. This will take time. We are working diligently, so we are asking you to pray.

We would ask for your patience, respect and trust. You voted us into this Committee and we have taken the role very seriously.

Most of the search process is confidential. This is difficult in a small church, and even harder in a Church our size. We want to answer your questions and try to keep everyone happy, but have come to realize that we may not be able to meet each person’s needs.

Please understand that when we say we are working, we truly are. There is not much else we can share within this confidential process.

We do however ask for you to hold the members of the Search Committee and members of this Church in your prayers.

We are asking you to pray. The search process can go on longer than expected. Pray that you will have understanding when there are set backs. It is a difficult job being part of the Search Committee. It is also difficult for those who wait without knowing exactly what is going on. Pray that you continue to trust the Search Committee as they continue to find the right person to meet the needs of our congregation.

Prayer is so important. Pray and then pray some more. Thank you for putting your trust in us!

Search Committee Member include: Diana Onstott, Glenn

Haagen, Jane Welsh and Colleen Flewelling. Please pray for

these men and women as they continue the search process!

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Ministries Update

An Update from the June Ministry Team Meeting At the Ministry Planning

meeting on June 7th we discussed our Bylaws. Following the Ministry Team Meeting, a few other meetings were held. At this time, the Ministry Team, the Search Committee, the Personnel Committee and Pastor Linda have all worked together and come to a great place!

Jane Welsh will be writing an amendment to the Bylaws concerning the length of time Board Officers can serve.

An amendment will be written to the bylaws that will allow the Church to hire a person “on the path to ordination” to serve as our Minister. As it currently reads, we can only hire a fully ordained Minister. Several Members have concerns with how much that limits us in our search process.

Pastor Linda has stated that she wishes to serve First Christian Church by preaching on Sunday mornings and handling visitations. She is willing to continue to offer us Sunday morning leadership until a Minister is hired. Pastor Linda is commissioned for her work here at First Christian Church. She will continue to serve our congregation once a Minister is hired. She is a vital part of our congregation!

As Board Chair, I realize that her position has never been fully outlined. It was not when she was originally commissioned, not when Pastor Terry left, not with Pastor Diana and not when Pastor Diana left. I take full responsibility for not realizing this sooner. The Personnel Committee is working with Pastor Linda to develop a job description and expectations.

We hope to have the Bylaw updates ready for the September Newsletter so that they can be voted on by the congregation in late September.

Thank you!

Diana Onstott

Board Chair

Building News

Did you notice the windows were washed as you entered the church?

The floors have been mopped and Diana or Jane didn’t do it!!!

We have a NEW cleaning service. Molly Kelly (Tommy’s Mom) has received the contract to clean the church. She is excited to work with us and will be taking on several areas our previous cleaning service did not do. (ex: windows and floors)

If you see an area that needs attention, please let Diana or Glenn know. However, it may take a month or two to get the building in tip-top shape. It has been months, (maybe longer), since the windows and floors were properly done. It is a large building, and will take her a bit of time to get it clean again, but she is determined to do it!

Ministry Team

Meeting, July 5th,

9 AM

Our next Ministry Team meeting is Sunday, July 5th at 9 AM in the choir room. The meeting is always open to everyone in the congregation and those who would like to become more involved but have not joined the church yet. Donuts or munchkins will be supplied, but please bring your own beverage.

Join us as we plan our church’s ministries! This committee handles all outreach, congregational activities and Worship. It is fun and exciting and a great way to become more active in your church. And, just because you are on the committee, does NOT mean you have to work every event, or any. Your ideas on ministry are very important to us.

Nominating Committee is

Forming NOW!!!

Please contact the church office

and volunteer today!

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West Shore Prosperity Center: Parenting Support & Financial Improvement Classes

Family Promise, Family Support of Central PA, First Christian Church and United Way are partners! FREE Parenting Support & Financial Improvement Classes are offered at First Christian Church, Lemoyne, during the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM– 11:30 AM. These programs offer help & educational information designed to help people live healthier lives. Everyone is invited! Come to one session, or join us for them all! All classes are held on the 2nd floor, parlor.

FREE childcare is provided during the group sessions! For more information, call (717) 430-0436 or e-mail: westshoreprosperity@gmail.com

Upcoming Classes

July 11: Financial Improvement Class: “Money Matters, Part 1” July 18: Parenting Support Group: “1-2-3 Magic”

Outreach Ministries Reaching out...Partnering with others….To serve our community

Monthly Giving Basket As Christians we are called to give, but sometimes we become overwhelmed by how we can make a difference. As we all donate the same items each month, we will ex-perience what a difference we can all make in people’s lives every day. You can bring your items to church through the end of the month and place them in the giv-ing basket. July, August & September Donations – School Supplies (last Sunday to donate: 9/27/15)

Items include: backpacks, 1.5” binders, filler paper, 2 pocket folders with tabs so filler paper can be added, ruler, geometry tools, 3 subject or larger notebooks, composition books, colored pencils & lunch boxes (appropriate for kids: Frozen, sports, camo or princess themed are good examples)

The school supplies will benefit children in Lemoyne, Wormleysburg & New Cumberland.

Girl Scout Corner!

Girl Scouts will be meeting

during July and August, but

sadly not at the church. They

will be meeting at Diana’s home where it is

cooler!

The Girl Scouts will be return in late August/early

September and will be around to help where they

are needed!

New Prosperity Center Event

We will be opening up the Church on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM, by appointment only, for individuals who do not have access to computers, internet, or to job search, resume create, check email, enroll in state or health insurance benefits, etc. We will be utilizing 4 laptops given to us through the United Way and will have a volunteer each Tuesday evening to help those individuals who could use this FREE service. To make an appointment, please call the Church office at 717-763-4537.

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Scheduling/Prayers/Fundraiser/Thanks & Congratulations

July Serving Schedule July 5

Elder: Linda Runkle

Diaconate: Jane Welsh, Ken & Debbie Holler

Communion: Linda Runkle & Jane Welsh

Greeters: Diana Onstott & Dottie Michels

July 12

Elder: Lois Miller

Diaconate: Ken Onstott, Jack Wagner & Jane Welsh

Communion: Linda Runkle & Lois Haagen

Greeters: Loyetta Quinn & Dottie Michels

July 19

Elder: Bill Davis

Diaconate: Linda Runkle, Lois Haagen &

Kelly Manning

Communion: Linda Runkle & Diana Onstott

Greeters: Linda Runkle & Dottie Michels

July 26

Elder: Linda Runkle

Diaconate: Ken Onstott, Ken & Debbie Holler

Communion: Linda Runkle & Kelly Manning

Greeters: Glenn & Lois Haagen

Thank you for serving so faithfully!

You are appreciated!

Prayer Requests Elizabeth (M. Snyder) * Church Leadership

Joan Kain (B. Plaza) * Ray

Donna, (J. Trout) * Seth

Al & Donna White * Elders

Nutter Family * Search Committee

Melissa Ford * Douglas

Joan Prediger (from Salem UCC, D. Prediger)

Family of Christy Chubb (L. Miller)

Tom Runkle (L. Runkle) * Miltary Men & Women

Stoney (M. Snyder) * Scott Boltz

Carol Furlong (M. Snyder) * Goudy/Frey Family

Bob Viguers (M. Snyders) * FCC

Melanie (J. Kain)

Ruth

Rodger (D. Onstott)

Tammy (K. Manning)

Nick Hughes & Family (K. Manning)

Emily Henry (L. Springer)

Greg Case (L. Springer)

Ann (C. Flewelling)

Sam (C. Flewelling)

Colleen Flewelling

Matthew Conte & shipmates (M. Snyder)

Alex Glaser & shipmates

Sub Sale/Electronic Fundraising UPDATE

We raised approximately $380 from our sub sale and received about $25.00 in donations.

With the help of the Girl Scouts, we have brought in just over $400. We are so close to covering the NEW electronics we needed to purchase to replace missing items.

We have $90.00 remaining to hit our goal. We are challenging you! We only need 18 people to give $5 to meet our electronics fundraising goal! We can do it! Thank you!!!

Thank you!

I want to thank our wonderful and caring Church

Family for all the kind acts of love shown to me with

my recent surgery. The cards were many, the food

was wonderful and I appreciate the visits at home and

being served Communion.

Love, Lois Haagen

Congratulations… ...to Jerry Griffin who is retiring full time from 50 years of

ministry!

...to Jordan Frey who graduated from Cedar Cliff HS!

...to Piper Quinn who also graduated!

...to Grace Davis (Bill & June Davis’s granddaughter) who was

selected to go to Paris on a Missions Trip!

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Fundraising Opportunity Sheetz Coupons books which have BOGO and free MTO food offers to

support FCC and Girl Scouts are on sale. They are a great value at $10.00 with 100% profit for us because the Girl Scouts purchased them on our behalf. If you are interested in helping sell books to friends and neighbors see Diana Ontott.

Income and Expenses

Month of May Congregational Offerings Received $4,510.00 Fundraisers $119.80 Pentecost $95.00 Misc $275.50 Total $5,000.30 Bills Received and Paid $9,986.11

Thank you for your continued support!

Summer Camp, Finances, and Updates

Flower Sign Up Help us make the Church even more beautiful by signing up to

donate flowers for Sunday mornings. The cost of flowers remains $32.00. They are provided by Royer’s. Please contact the Church office to reserve the date of your choice or simply sign your name on the flower chart in the back of the Sanctuary. Days are available for July

Grocery Store Card Please remember to support your

Church by getting grocery store cards.

Karns, Giant and Weis cards help us

meet our Church budget by providing

small, but steady fundraiser income. You may place

orders in the offering plate or give to Diana Onstott any

Sunday morning. The Church receives $50.00 every

time we purchase $1,000.00 worth of cards. Remember

to give generously and purchase an extra $25.00 gift

card for the Church to use for those in need. We receive

requests weekly!

If you are on Facebook, please like our Facebook Page—First Christian Church, Lemoyne!!!

Summer Camps 2015:

http://www.hartmancenter.com/

Both The Hartman Center and Camp Laurelview

are accepting campers, NOW. Scholarship forms

may be downloaded off the Church’s website or a

paper copy can be found on the welcome table.

https://laurelview.org/

2015 General Assembly Mark your calendars and make your plans to join your Disciples family from the US and Canada for our biennial General Assembly. The 2015 General Assembly theme, “Soar!” is based on Isaiah 40, exploring a message of comfort, preparation, call, chal-lenge - all of which are about the promise of fresh strength to SOAR! The General Assembly will be held in Columbus, Ohio beginning July 18 and ending July 22. Additional infor-mation is available from the church office or at: www.disciples.org/ga.

Mark Your Calendar:

8/2: 9 AM Ministry Planning Meeting

8/9: Finance Meeting following Worship

8/16: Board Meeting following Worship

8/30: 9:00 AM Elder Meeting

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July 2015

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

2

6:00-7:00 PM:

Special Summer

Girl Scout

Program (FH)

3

Church Office

Closed: 4th of July

Observance

4

Happy

Independence

Day!

5 9:00 AM: Ministry Planning Meeting (Choir RM) 10:15 AM: Worship

6

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

7 8

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

9

6:00-7:00 PM:

Special Summer

Girl Scout

Program (FH)

10

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

11

10-11:30 AM:

Financial

Improvement

Class (Parlor)

6-8 PM:

S’moresfest

12 9 AM: Finance Meeting 10:15 AM: Worship

1:30 PM: FCC outing to Harrisburg Senators

13

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

1:00 PM:

Prosperity Center

Meeting (Jessica

will be attending &

not in the office)

14 15

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

16

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

6:00-7:00 PM:

Special Summer

Girl Scout

Program (FH)

17 18

10-11:30 AM:

Parenting

Support Group

(Parlor)

19 10:15 AM: Worship

20

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

21 22

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

23

6:00-7:00 PM:

Special Summer

Girl Scout

Program (FH)

24

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

25

26 10:15 AM: Worship 12-3 PM: Mat Making Workshop (FH)

27

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

28 29

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

30 31

9 AM—2 PM:

Church Office

Hours

July Birthdays : July Anniversaries:

Melissa Ford: July 4 Bill & Robin Goudy: July 30

Jessica Spicher: July 17

Diana Onstott: July 19

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First Christian Church

Disciples of Christ

442 Hummel Ave,

Lemoyne, PA 17043

PH: 717-763-4537

www.lemoynedisciples.org

July 2015

Mat Making Workshops for the Homeless When: July 26 & August 23 12:00 PM—3:00 PM Pot Luck Lunch Where: First Christian Church, Fellowship Hall Who: Anyone willing to give their time!

There's a large population of homeless men and women in our area. In an effort to help these

individuals we want to teach you how to make mats that can be distributed to these people. We will use

plastic bags from a grocery or other store to create these mats. It’s important to note that you don't

have to crochet. There are other jobs you can do like: make plarn, flatten grocery bags, donate grocery

bags, or cut them into strips.

Since we will be beginning at lunch time, we enjoy a potluck meal, so bring something to share!

Everyone is invited to join us! This is a simple way to reach out to those in our nearby communities who

are not as fortunate as we might be.

The Bible teaches in Acts 20:35 (NIV), In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work

we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give

than to receive.’” And in Proverbs 19:17 (NIV), it says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to

the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”