Waynesboro Church of the Brethren Newsletter
July 12, 2020
From The Pastor's Desk
This week’s message is found in Acts Chapter 8 and deals with the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch. This is highly significant because the Christian church is expanding outside of Judea. One of the original Deacons, Philip, is directed by the Holy Spirit to approach this Ethiopian who is reading Isaiah 53 by the side of the road and he’s struggling with the meaning. Philip enters the mans chariot and explains that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the covenant. He is the Messiah and the man Isaiah is talking about. After the Ethiopian understands the scripture, he opens his heart to it. He asks to be baptized and Philip takes him into a stream and baptizes him. The sizable Christian population in Ethiopia today can trace their roots to this encounter. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is bigger than race or nationality. It crosses all boundaries of humanity and draws people who otherwise have nothing in common together. When Jesus told the disciples to, “go make disciples of all nations” this was a command but also a challenge. Certainly, it would not be easy. There were language barriers, pre-dispositions, and prejudices but Jesus told His disciples, “Take heart. I have overcome the world.” The world we live in is riddled with division. There are political divisions, racial divisions, religious divisions. Sometimes it’s easy to ask, “Why can’t we all agree on something? Or why can’t we all be made the same?” The fact of the matter is if we were all the same political thought, racial persuasion, or religion we would go out of our way to find something to be divisive about. When sin entered the world, divisiveness did too. The only answer for this divisiveness is Jesus Christ. When we know Jesus and live the way He wants us to, what divides us is diminished. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch is a pivotal story in the New Testament because our relationship with God is not confined to race or nationality. -Pastor John
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL NOT BE HELD THIS SUMMER
The Standing Committee of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference met by video conference call for a specially called meeting on Thursday, May 7th. The Standing Committee, which is made up of district delegates to Annual Conference, discussed a recommendation from the denomination’s Leadership Team, in consultation with the Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Committee, to cancel the Annual Conference scheduled for July 1st through the 5th. The decision included a deferring of the Annual Conference theme, program, and featured leadership to the 2021 Annual Conference in Greensboro, NC on June 30th through July 4th. The Program and Arrangements Committee is working on plans for one or two online gatherings as a denomination during the week of July 1st through the 5th when Annual Conference would have been held, although no business will be conducted. This will be the first time in 233 years of recorded Church of the Brethren annual meetings that the Brethren will not be able to meet together in person. Even throughout the Civil War years, World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, and more, Brethren have gathered each summer to discern God’s will, worship, and fellowship together.
JULY BIRTHDAYS
3 - Paula Ringer
6 - Philip Gress 8 - Mark Spangler 9 - Daniel Bittinger 9 - Arlene Kipe 12 - Amy Martin 14 - Carolyn Poffenberger 25 - Jacob Bittinger 25 - Jessica Kauffman 25 - Phyllis Hammaker 25 - Richard Rundle 26 - Ariana Baker 28 - Joel Weber THANK YOU - (Portions of a letter received from WCHS)
Dear Friends @ Church of the Brethren: Thank you for your donation of $1,100 to Waynesboro Community and Human Services. Your generosity has empowered WCHS to quickly adapt to a rapidly changing environment. We have waived income requirements for services for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19; implemented an online food bank order form; now offer pick up and delivery of food boxes; now serving 300 children per week in the backpack program. We thank you for your donation, for your kindness, and most importantly, for your selfless service at a time when we are struggling. Thank you for being a part of the greater good. Denise Esser, Executive Director THANK YOU Recently, our church sponsored a unit at the Waynesboro Hospital and treated them to donuts and coffee. We received a thank you card expressing gratitude for this act of kindness. Please keep our medical personnel in prayer.
Dear Members of Waynesboro Church of the Brethren: Thank you very much for the donation of delicious donuts and coffee. What a great way to start the day. Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated. Stay safe, stay home, wash your hands frequently and keep this community in your prayers! Thank you for thinking of us. The Emergency Department of Waynesboro Hospital WOMEN’S MINISTRY MISSIONS FOR 2020
JANUARY - Always a planning month only
FEBRUARY - Food Drive for Community Services MARCH - School Lunch Fund Mission APRIL - Rescheduled for 2021 MAY - Rescheduled JUNE - Sweet Grace Blankets Mission JULY - Pajamas/Book Mission AUGUST - Self-Defense Awareness Workshop SEPTEMBER - Missionary Speaker OCTOBER - Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Box NOVEMBER - Make Candy for a Donation DECEMBER - Miscellaneous NOTE: Dates and times will be noted at a later date in the church newsletter as well as from the pulpit |
BIBLE STUDY
What: Five-week Bible Study Topic: “When God Doesn’t Fix It” by Laura Story Where: Chapel When: August 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and September 3rd Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m. Cost: $9.00 for Study Guide Coordinator: Sandy Koziel NOTE: Bibles will be used every morning so you may bring your own or use our classroom Bibles. Two large print Bibles will be available for use, if needed. Come and join us. 
Please go on-line at www.cobwaypa.org to hear Pastor John’s weekly sermon.
OUR 2020 GRADUATES are Wes Beaver, son of Nelson and Lisa Beaver. Wes played on the Waynesboro football team and was a member of the National Honor Society. He has been very active in church, Sunday School, and the youth group for the past three years. He plans to attend Mansfield University and major in Criminal Justice.
Noah Weber is the son of Pastor John and Wendy Weber. Noah was on the track team at Waynesboro, a member of the National Honor Society, and was captain of the schools “Brainbusters Quiz Bowl Team.” Noah has been an active member of our church, Sunday School, and youth group for the past five years. He plans to attend Millersville University and major in History/Education. PRAYER LIST:Bill McFerrin, Bonnie Royer, Heidi Stahl, Gail Schmeisser, Sean Harper, Jamie Stevens, Brad Smith, Betty Wolfe, Bev Fry, Aaron Fawks, Jennifer Cribrari, Gavin Whisel
Please remember our SHUT-INS & OTHERS with special needs: Lucille Barkdoll, Norma Biser, Al Guyer, Earl Hovis, Mildred Hull, Dot Luty, Edith Snader, John Carson, Dave Hockenberry, Jackie Ridge, Joanna Helfrick, Paula Ringer, Lucille Pryor, Bill Kercheval, Edith Lampe
THANK YOU - A few months ago, Women’s Ministry collected funds in support of the cafeteria account for the Waynesboro Area School District. This account covers the cost of school lunches for students who do not have money in their lunch account or for whatever reason parents do not fill out the necessary paper work and submit it to the District. Recently, we received two letters of thanks from the District expressing their gratitude for this act of kindness.
Dear Church of the Brethren:
The Waynesboro Area School District Food Service Department would like to thank you for your generous donation to our Food Service Department. This correspondence is to acknowledge receipt of your generous donation. Your thoughtfulness will impact many lives of students in need that attend the Waynesboro Area School District. We are humbled by your gift and the lives it will touch. I will send more information regarding the results of this donation to our negative balances and the number of students it has affected. Food Service thanks you again. Best regards, Ruth Helman Dear Church of the Brethren:
The Waynesboro Area School District Food Service Department would like to thank you for your generous donation to our Food Service Department. You thoughtfulness has impacted 60 students in need with negative balances in the Waynesboro School District. We are humbled by your gift and the lives it has touched. Best Regards, Ruth Helman |