Waynesboro Church of the Brethren Newsletter
September 23, 2018
Pastor's Pen
“God loves us unconditionally.” We've heard this said by Pastors and Sunday School Teachers over the years. I have said this a couple of times. While God does love us unconditionally, this statement is both true and false. First of all, there are conditions to God's love. If there wasn't Jesus wouldn't have had to die. In fact, Jesus’ dying on the Cross was a condition because His death is the only thing that can possibly reconcile us to God. Many times when we use the phrase, “God loves us unconditionally” we use it to excuse past, present, and future behavior (sins). We say, “God will just accept me as I am.” This encourages us not to grow or change. We're going to begin a short sermon series this week on Paul's letter to the Romans. Chapter One begins by addressing humanity's sins. Paul mentions these so the reader can see how far away they are from God. He mentions many sins individually so that he's not misunderstood. The point of this is so we can take responsibility for our lives and realize we need saving. I need to be clear on this. God hates sin. It sickens Him and saddens Him. Because we are sinners nothing can satisfy God's wrath except Jesus. When Jesus Christ suffers on the Cross it's an act of atoning love because He dies in our place. When we're repentant and new creatures in Jesus, our sins die there too. We are forgiven our sins with all their ugliness and obscenity are put to death. This is a gift of grace and love that we can hardly comprehend. Theologically speaking Jesus's death makes us right before God. It is a condition for God's love. The First Chapter of Romans is hard-hitting and may make us uncomfortable but the purpose of Romans is for us to realize how sinful we are, how righteous God is, and how much grace and love it took to restore us to our Creator God. -Pastor John
Those serving you TodayDelivering the Message:
John Weber Worship Leader: Greg Baker Sunday School Greeter: Cindy Eaton Pre-Worship Greeters: Harold & June Mumma Visitor Center Volunteer: Rich Stainbrook Acolyte: Raeleigh Biser Sound Technician: Chris Cox Choir Director: John Johnson Organist/Pianist: Janet Smedley 
The 47th annual Waynesboro Area CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, October 14th, with registration beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the walk at 2:00 p.m. This year the walk will again be held on the walking path along Washington Township Boulevard and will feature a 2-mile and a 5-mile route. The Walk will begin and end at the soccer fields on the corner of Washington Township Blvd. and Country Club Road and will feature some new items. This year, in order to try to encourage more participation in this vital ministry, there will be a little “friendly competition” among area churches. A “traveling trophy” will be awarded to the church that has the most walkers participate in the walk and one for the church that raises the most money for Church World Service. Last year, Trinity United Church of Christ won both trophies so the challenge is out to unseat Trinity. The goal this year is to have 100 walkers and collect a minimum of $10,000. Hope to see you there!
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
6 - Mary Messler
12 - June Mumma 19 - Carolyn Wolff 20 - Max Creager 20 - Ann Miller 23 - Kevin Behnke 26 - David Hockenberry 26 - Betty Kauffman DEACON
HOSPITAL VISITATION OCTOBER Tuesday: Paul & Margie Behnke Friday: Annette Warrenfeltz UNDERSHEPHERD
VISITATION OCTOBER Josie Stitely Mary Messler Harold & June Mumma UNDERSHEPHERD
VISITATION SEPTEMBER Carolyn Poffenberger Barb Wolff Susie Miller Sue Bock DEACON
HOSPITAL VISITATION SEPTEMBER Tuesday: Bonnie Hoffman Friday: Sue Bock 2018 Women’s Ministry Schedule
February- 24th- Fill a few more sunshine baskets for people re-cooperating from surgery.
March - Food Drive (New Hope Shelter), and Bible Study on prayer. Date to be announced. April - Spring Tea here at the church. Date to be announced.. May 20th- A celebration for Janet Smedley’s 60 years of music ministry. June 16th - Annual June Breakfast for women. July - Theme baskets for Disaster Relief. Date to be announced. August 5th - Women’s Ministry church service. September - Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Box mission. Date to be announced. October - Fleece tie blankets. Date to be announced. November - Crafts will be made to take to shut-ins by Christmas carolers. December - Volunteering at Nursing Home. Date to be announced. THANKS” - As we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, we were blessed with many cards from our church family. We would like to say thanks.” Jack & Ruby Bragunier
A BIG THANK YOU - Many thanks to the ladies who participated in the August 5th worship service. The theme for Sunday was “Spiritual Maturity” and 22 ladies gave of their time and talents to carry out their assignments with ease. Those assignments included: bulletin handouts, acolytes, ushers, readers, special music, prayers, announcers, message, and children’s chat. A highlight of a Women’s Ministry service is always the gathering of all the ladies present in the sanctuary, at the front, to sing a favorite hymn together. I can’t think of a better way to praise the Lord! A video of the service can be viewed on the church web site. Just click the link on the front page. Thanks to all.
-Sandy Koziel The September/October issue of The Upper Room is
available in the lobby literature rack. |
PRAYER LIST:
Bill McFerrin, Bonnie Royer, Heidi Stahl, Gail Schmeisser, Sean Harper, Jamie Stevens, Nancy Kercheval, Chrissy Kulp, Brad Smith, Betty Wolfe, Bev & Walt Fry, Edith Snader
REMINDER: The next prayer session will be September 26th at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The Women’s Ministry will once again be collecting shoe- boxes for Operation Christmas Child for children age 2-14 years. We will be collecting shoeboxes during the entire month of September. If you would like to participate, pick up an empty shoebox on the table in back of the sanctuary. Inside the box will be a list of suggested items and a “How to pack your shoebox gift” pamphlet, which includes an envelope for a $9 donation to cover shipping costs. Place you filled shoeboxes on the table provided. Thanks in advance for your support.
An acolyte sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board next to the elevator.
SEPTEMBER
3 - Terry Flegel
5 - Brian Angle 10 - Josh Bittinger 12 - Marty Angle 12 - Lakota Harnish 15 - Jackie Ridge 20 - Wally Snowberger 22 - Bob Koziel 22 - Yvonne Long 26 - Greg Baker 26 - Larry Mellott 27 - Hannah Bittinger 27 - Al Guyer 28 - Jack Bragunier 28 - Evelyn Hovis SWEET GRACE MINISTRIES
The Women’s Ministry has chosen to participate in the SWEET GRACE MINISTRIES which is an infant loss ministry. This ministry offers support and hope during a difficult time. This ministry was created in memory of Cicely Grace Dortenzo, who was stillborn and her parents have elected to share her life and many others in this way. Jennifer Barnes will be here on September 29th at 11:00 a.m., in the chapel, to explain to us more about this local ministry. Thee presentation is open to everyone who is interested in knowing more about this infant loss ministry. (Knitters and crochet people are especially encouraged to attend as we will be making small blankets.) Hope to see you there! A teachers workshop is scheduled for September 20th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. It is being sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Sunday School Association.
Upcoming EventsSEPTEMBER:
W /26: Choir - 6:45 p.m. TH/27: TOPS - 8:15 a.m. TH/27: Handbells - 5:30-6:15 p.m. SA/29: Mission: “Sweet Grace” - Chapel - 11:00 a.m. - sponsored by Women’s Ministry OCTOBER: TU/ 2: Nurture Team - 6:45p.m. W / 3: Choir - 6:45 p.m. TH/ 4: TOPS - 8:15 a.m. TH/ 4: Handbells - 5:30-6:15 p.m. SU 7: Love Feast – following worship W /10: Prayer Session - 10:00 a.m. W /10: Choir - 6:45 p.m. TH/11: TOPS - 8:15 a.m. TH/11: Handbells - 6:45 p.m. SA/13: Men’s Fellowship – Parlor House - 8:00 a.m. SA/13: Women’s Breakfast – Parlor House - 8:00 a.m. SU/14: CROP Walk - registration @ 1:00 p.m./walk @ 2:00 p.m. W /17: Choir - 6:45 p.m. TH/18: TOPS - 8:15 a.m. TH/18: Handbells - 5:30-6:15 p.m. SU/21: Bring A Friend To Church Sunday W /24: Prayer Session - 10:00 a.m. W /24: Choir - 6:45 p.m. TH/25: TOPS - 8:15 a.m. TH/25: Handbells - 5:30-6:15 p.m. W/ 26: Prayer Session - 10:00 a.m. W /26: Choir - 6:45 p.m. TH/27: YOPS - 8:15 a.m. TH/27: Handbells - 5:30-6:15 p.m. SA/29: Sweet Grace Ministries -Chapel - 11:00 a.m. 
Please remember our -SHUT-INS and OTHERS with special needs: Audrey Eshleman, Norma Biser, Fran Fleagle, Al Guyer, Earl Hovis, Mildred Hull, Dot Luty, Lillian Ridenour, Paula Ringer
SYMPATHY is extended to the Mentzer and Harbaugh families due to the death of Louise McLucas on September 9th.
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