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March 2011
Inside this issue:
Tiny Timbers Tidbits 2
Scriptures, Servants & Stats 3
WGT Activities Calendar 4
Work Camp Update 5
Witness Commission 7
Camp Swatara News 8 CCM Banquet 11
A Word about Faithfulness
Sweet Spring When the gloomy gray sky turns to clear azure blue,
And the snow disappears from the ground,
When the birds start to sing, and our moods start to lift,
Then we know Spring is coming around.
When the first flower bulbs poke their heads toward
the sun, Golden daffodils, hyacinths, too;
When the brown grass turns green, and the
wildflowers bloom, Then sweet Spring makes its
showy debut. Once again we awake from cold winter's pale dream,
As our minds and our bodies revive;
We rejoice and delight in spring’s colorful sight;
Each new spring makes us glad we’re alive!
By Joanna Fuchs
Continued on page 6
It’s easy to see why these precious children love to come to Tiny Timbers. They run up the steps & greet their friends with happy smiles. They know it’s a fun place to be.
Our classrooms are always “a buz” with many activities. We use both the rooms with six children in each room They can go to a table or center & play a game, build with blocks, pretend play in the kitchen, come to the art table & make a special craft & al-ways find something new & interesting in the sensory table.
Each week Miss Char will emphasize a new letter & our learning & art centers will focus on that letter. The letters for January & February have been W, Y, S, V, Z, X, U, K, & J.
In January, the children enjoyed working with wood, making & painting their own creations. We may have some future carpenters in the making. We have had lots of snow & cold weather to remind us that it’s still winter. They made a “big” snowman, a “little” snowman sculpture and homemade ice cream us-ing real snow in the machine.
In February, we focused on making Valentines for our families & a few other art projects. It’s also a spe-cial time to talk about God’s love for each one of us.
The last week of February, the children made their own “My Favorite Animal” booklet. They looked for pictures of pets, zoo, wild & farm animals.
As you can see, our morning & afternoon classes area busy, full of fun activities & many wonderful learn-ing experiences. But the most important part of each day is the Bible story that Miss Char reads to them.
I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked in this Christian Pre-School. It’s been a wonder-ful 10 years & I’ll miss these little ones.
This is a great outreach to the community & may God continue to bless this ministry & all those involved. God Bless You,
Miss Jean MWF Assistant
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Teacher & Aid Sought Tiny Timbers is seeking a teacher & teacher’s aid for the Monday, Wednesday, & Friday morning and afternoon classes. If interested, please submit your resume to Wanda Winters. Resumes may be placed in her church mailbox.
Thank you!
Shake It Up Café “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation…”
2 Corinthians 5:17 Save the date!!! WGT will be transformed into Shake It Up Café for our Vacation Bible School this year welcoming “chefs” from our church & the community to carry out God’s recipe. As the Master Chef of the Cafe, I am asking that you save the week of July 17th - July 22nd. There are so many different areas that we can use your help with this fun-filled & busy week from transforming the church to arts & crafts, snacks, sous chef to games...there is something for everyone to get involved! Vaca-tion Bible School is a wonderful opportunity to work with the children in our church & the surrounding area to show God’s love. Feel free to contact me, Allison Huber, at 431-8644 or email [email protected], if you have any questions about this upcom-ing ministry. Sign-ups for volunteers & registration for the “chefs” will be here before we know it!
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March Sermon Texts & Servants Focus for March: Lent
March 6 March 13 First Sunday of Lent
March 20 Second Sunday of Lent
March 27 Third Sunday of Lent
Combined Service
Messenger John Weber 2 Corinthians 11:23-29
Pastor Kenneth Matthew 4:1-11
Pastor Don Hollinger 2 Peter 1:3-10
Pastor Kenneth Stewart Matthew 13:1-23
Organist Mary Jane Smith Mary Jane Smith Janet Myers
Pianist Brenda Geib Sylvia Weaver
Special Music
Choir Combined Men’s Choir & Sarah Kolp
Choir Children Sing! & Audrey Garber
Offertory Nicole Drawbaugh
Chorister Sylvia Weaver Marilyn Keener June Kolp Regena Tripp
Greeters Dave & Tina Lutz George & Sarah Clug-ston
Luetta Hess & Yvonne Johnson
Walter & Lois Schwanger
Worship Leader Pastor Kenneth Stewart Pastor Don Hollinger John Weber Pastor Don Hollinger
Ushers Youth New Horizons SS Class
Faith Seekers SS Class Homebuilders SS Class
8 am Nursery/Toddler
Jason & Kari Slater Daryl & Angie Harnish
10:30 am Nursery
Phil & Donna Hollinger Jackie Sawyer & Adri-enne Fellenbaum
Nicole & Brenda Draw-baugh
Cindy Seitz
10:30 am Toddler
Curtis & Jamie Gruber Chad & Audrey Gar-ber
Tanya Stewart Steve & Mindy Smith
January & February Stats January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20
Total Worship 204 218 200 238 195
Sunday School 119 123 116 143 132
General $4,930.00 $5,870.00 $6,801.00 $7,559.50 $4,576.50
Building $200.00 $270.00 $395.00 $315.00 $360.00
Deacon $160.00 $70.00 $60.00 $60.00 $110.00
Seminary $20.00 $20.00
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2 Jr. High Clubs, Sr.
High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study
7 pm
3
4
5 3M
7 am
6 Worship 8:00 am
Sunday School 9:15 am Worship 10:30 am
7
8 Commission &
Board Mtg. 7 pm
Ash Wednesday 9
Jr. High Clubs, Sr. High Clubs, & Young
Adult Bible Study, Choir Rehearsal
7 pm
10
11
12
3M 7 am
Women’s
Crochet class 8:30 am
Turn Clocks FORWARD!
13 Worship 8:00 am
Sunday School 9:15 am Worship 10:30 am
Conowingo Dam Outing 1 pm
14
15
16 Jr. High Clubs, Sr.
High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study, Choir Rehearsal
7 pm
17
Work Camp Meeting
Time: TBA
St. Patrick’s Day
18
19
3M 7 am
Spring Begins! 20 Worship 8:00 am
Sunday School 9:15 am Worship 10:30 am
21 April
EVERGREEN NEWS
Submissions due
22
23 Jr. High Clubs, Sr.
High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study, Choir Rehearsal
7 pm
24 25
26 3M
7 am
Lifetouch Pics in Fellowship
Hall 10 am - 5 pm
27 Anointing Sunday
Sunday School 9:00 am
Combined Worship 10:00 am
Drive Your Tractor to Church
& Fellowship Meal
28
29
30 Jr. High Clubs, Sr.
High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study, Choir Rehearsal
7 pm
31
Page 5
Anniversaries 3/1 - Richard & Joyce Dickason 3/2 - Shawn & Lisa Cannon 3/5 - Walter & Lois Schwanger 3/15 - Michael & Robin Cicero 3/18 - Ed & Diane Sides 3/24 - Doug & Janessa Daniels
Birthdays 3/1 - Tanisha Eckerd, Katherine Gebhard 3/2 - Isabella Lato 3/9 - Randy Ginder, Sheri Mummau 3/10 - Dean Garber 3/12 - Gary Collins, Kohl Watts 3/13 - Sheila Miller 3/15 - Richard Swartz 3/16 - Eric Carlson, Tim Trayer, Lisa Shoe-maker 3/18 - Bryan Tittle 3/20 - Betty Jane Swarr, Jordan Becker 3/21 - Linda Gerdel, Charlotte Riggleman 3/22 - Brandi Ginder, Bryan Gruber, Trisha Williams 3/23 - Justin Hawthorne, Kelly McClena-ghan 3/24 - Abby Ramsey 3/26 - Linda Tripp, Stephanie Klugh, Beth Funk, Jason Becker 3/28 - Kaitlyn Long, Clint Groff, Jen Arview 3/30 - Danielle Becker
Lancaster Area Senior Adult Spring Banquet The Senior Adult Spring Banquet will be held Thursday, April 14th at Noon at Middle Creek CoB. Cost is $12. Chicken Deluxe is the main course. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. Make checks payable to Atlantic Northeast Dis-trict & place in the mailbox marked, “Bulletin/Newsletter” by March 31st.
Youth Work Camp - Helpers and Leaders: Anyone interested in supporting the 450 students coming to E-town this summer should plan to attend a planning meeting March 17th at the Doug Lamb Construction Conference room. Currently we have 4-5 youth groups wanting to get involved in our community helping repair homes as well as support the team this summer. Some of the initial ideas we are working with: 1. Have youth groups begin connecting together outside their normal or weekly youth events. (Perhaps a monthly Rally at a different church.) Use this time to worship, share testimonies, encourage one another in the word and socialize. 2. Once projects (Home Repairs) have been rejected by the Work Camp leaders - because it doesn't meet the qualifications - begin informing youth leaders of these opportunities. 3. The week of the Youth Work Camp: *Area youth groups can participate in a "Camp Fest" on the Lutheran Camp Grounds on Castle Road. *Set up tents and camp for the week. *Welcome the 450 teens, carry luggage into EHS. *Help cook hot dogs and burgers for them as they arrive. *Work on several work sites as a group separate from the Youth Work Camp, but similar. *Assist the Youth Camp with deliveries, supplies, treats *Help kitchen staff @ EHS (clean up, set up, tear down). *Join evening worship sessions. *Help with worship at the EHS. *Join the Friday Night Rally & celebrate what God is doing, and going to do. *Help carry luggage to load up on Saturday morning. *Follow-up with incomplete work projects - finish them and doing more the rest of the Summer/Fall. 4. If you are personally interested in helping or know of another youth group or leader, please plan to come on March 17th with ideas and we'll see where the Lord takes this.
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Continued from front page
Page 7
Greetings from the Witness Commission... The Witness Commission is planning many opportunities to reach out and work in our community for the love of our Lord. Please save the dates and prayerfully consider volunteering to witness:
March 27: Drive your Tractor to Church and fellowship meal. If you have a tractor drive it to church and if you know someone with a tractor please invite them to drive their tractor to church and fel-lowship with us. April 16: Easter Egg Hunt (April 23 is the rain date) May 14: Walk for a Healthy Community on City Island in Harrisburg. Our team name is WGT Willing Walkers. We pledged to raise $1500 for Hope Within. If you want to be part of the team see Lou. June 11: WGT @ the Elizabethtown clothing bank. July: VBS 17-22 Please see Allison Huber to help. July 31- Aug. 5: Elizabethtown Work Camp. There are still many openings for volunteers. Aug. 22-27: Elizabethtown Fair. September: TBA October 29 Fall Festival will be an alternative to trick or treat. November: Samaritans Purse December: Angel Tree December 25 Christmas Dinner in the Fellowship Hall after the service.
We have a full calendar and we will need many servants. If you have a desire to help please contact the Witness Commission (Doug Breneman, Deb Klugh, Jason Leonard, Mary Jane McClenaghan, Lou Trout.)
We have heard many lessons recently about reaching out and bearing fruit. We can all bear fruit,. It is not only for the brave and high profile folks who seem to have that "gift". One definition of the word witness means to have personal knowledge of something. Being a witness for Christ, for me, is to share my personal experiences of God-things that happen in my life. I have personal knowledge of what God can do for me and he can do that too for my family, friends, neighbors and strangers that come into my life. Sharing these things with other believers is easy and exciting. I get goose bumps when I talk to a brother or sister about a "God-thing". There are times when I need to share the "God-thing" with some-one who I think will not be so receptive. It’s at that moment that I must die to myself and do my job as a Christian. Dying to myself in this instance is to surrender my fear of sharing and trust in the Lord. I must trust that God will guide and provide for me as I reach out. I must be willing to endure the pain and it is not near the pain that Christ bore for me or you. It is my job or mission and yours, too, to wit-ness for Christ what God has done in my life and yours. Remember, God says to fear not. “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all me fears” (Psalm 34:4). The reason I am sharing this with you is that I wanted you to know that ever since I stepped into the doors at WGT, I have been fear-ful, but the more I do and the more I learn, the less fearful I become. God saved my life and I was/and am determined to be obedient and learn everything I can about living for the Lord. I know he saved me for a very special reason. I won't know what that reason is until I am made perfect and while I am wait-ing I will serve. I didn't know what to expect and to my amazement I have been placed in a leadership position. A position which leads the church to opportunities to share Gods love. I asked myself "why me"? But I know that I am right where I need to be. I am in the right place to learn and share and grow. I thank all of you for your part in my blessings. I wonder what would have happened to me if I didn't step out of my fear and open the door. I would have missed out on many great blessings and I am grateful for those blessings.
Lou Trout, Witness Commission Chair
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Camp Swatara News Check out the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall! It’s updated with all the latest information from Camp Swatara – there’s something for everyone.
Don’t forget the three spring weekend camps for children in grades 1-6. There are plenty of openings for your child(ren) to attend. Brochures are available for each camp along the bottom of the board.
Registration forms for the summer camps are to the right on the bulletin board. There are camps for kinder-garten age through high school seniors. There’s a games & sports camp as well as a wet & wacky camp. For the older kids there is a creative arts camp or for the adventurer mountainside camp or an Adirondack adven-ture. For the musically inclined there is the youth musical camp. Be sure to look through the brochure – there might be something just for your child. Don’t forget that the church will pay for half of the camp fee up to $126 which is half of a regular week’s camp.
The Camp Swatara Spring Open House is Sunday, April 10 from 3-6pm. This is for all new campers and parents and is an excellent way to help your new camper learn about camp. There is no charge for this open house but you need to call the camp by April 4 to register. You can also register on the website at www.campswatara.org or email to [email protected].
You can help to restore the outdoor Cathedral at Camp Swatara! All of the hemlocks that surrounded the ca-thedral had to be cut down because of disease. This allowed the underbrush to take over. Mason Byers of the Lancaster COB wants to restore the cathedral as an Eagle Scout project. Information is on the bulletin board on how you can participate either financially or by volunteering.
If you enjoy birdwatching the spring bird watchers weekend is May 20-22. Senior Adult Day is June 8. An Acadia National Park trip is planned for September 9-18. Lots to do.
There is information on the volunteer opportunities available at the camp. New Family Camping brochures are there as well.
Be sure to check it all out. If you have any questions see Jim Kolp. He’s also the go to guy for your Good as Gold Certificate (for half the fee of a camp).
Illuminating Paradise: The Ephrata Cloister Have you ever wanted to know more about the rich history in our region? What is the link of the Church of the Brethren with the Ephrata Cloister? Come to the Ephrata Cloister on Saturday, March 26th and join friends who support the Susque-hanna Valley Ministry Center for a tour by cloister staff, followed by discussion time with Dr. Jeffrey Bach, author of “Voices of the Turtledoves” The Sacred World of Ephrata. Dr. Bach is the director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at E-town College & teaches in the De-partment of Religious Studies. Registration begins at 1:30 pm. The tour begins at 2:15 at the Ephrata Cloister with the dinner & lecture following at 5:30 pm at the Ephrata Church of the Brethren. Cost is $15 per person & questions or those wish-ing to register should contact the SVMC at 361-1450 or email [email protected] .
His Divine Nature Mark your calendars! Come join us on a trip to Conowingo Dam on Sunday, March 13th to view & enjoy the Bald Ea-gles. We will leave the church at 1 pm, the estimated drive is about one hour. If you wish, bring a bag lunch to eat at the church before we leave. Bring your binoculars, spot-ting scope & camera. Please contact Randy or Audrey Estep at 361-9405 with questions.
Photo Directory There is still time to sign-up to have your pic-ture taken to be included in the church photo directory. March 6th is the final day to sign up at WGT. You can sign up online by going to the church website, www.westgreentree.org and click on the “Special Events” page. Follow the link to Lifetouch’s website where you can schedule your sitting. Everyone who has their picture taken will receive a free 8X10 and a free directory! The Nurture Commission is collecting photos to be included in the directory. Place your name & phone number on the back of the picture & give to a Commission member.
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Library News Thank you to all those who have found our library! There has been much work to keep us librarians busy, keep giving us work! We are close to having our en-tire collection computerized. This will allow you to look to see if the library has a specific item and it will allow us to keep track of items. We are beginning to util-ize a reminder system. A paper will be placed in your mailbox if you have had an item out for 2 months or more or if someone is waiting for the item. There are no fines involved in our library! Do not worry, forgiveness and love is our method!!
Come in and see all the new items! There are too may items to list and many more will begin to be added weekly such as the complete Sugar Creek Gang series and about 15 new DVDs for all ages. Recommended Reading by Jes Groff: I have read Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman and would recom-mend this book to anyone needing a reminder that God is involved in every detail of our life. This book is an autobiography written by Mary Beth Chapman (wife of Steven Curtis Chapman). She talks of her life as a young married woman, her journey through motherhood and adoption, and of the tragic death of their one daugh-ter. I experienced many emotions as I read this book and ended the book being renewed to remember and "choose to see" God in all areas of my life. Hope you like it, if you choose to read it! Enjoy the library!
Your librarians: Jes Groff, Rose Hibshman, and Heather Haverkamp
Page 10 Newsletter Title
Page 11 Volume 1, Issue 1
The Messenger Subscription Renewals If you are interested in the broader picture of the Church of the Brethren, why not sub-scribe to the Messenger? One year subscriptions are $14.50 and 2-years run $27. For more information or to subscribe or renew, please see Luetta Hess.
Cornerstone Community Ministries - Volunteers, We Need You! CCM Celebrates their volunteers’ willingness to share their lives with the youth of E-town, & invite you to take a moment to consider the impact YOU could have on these precious lives. For some folks, the thought of diving into a busy Friday night at Cornerstone is a bit intimidating. While it is true that volunteering at CCM is not for everyone, there are a couple of things you should know. First, opportunities do exist at CCM for lower-key, smaller-group interaction. And second, if you are willing to get to know one youth, and then another, one day you may walk in the door & youth will call out your name in a warm welcome. In that moment, you will find that intimidation has turned to invitation, and you will feel free to give & receive in relationship with youth. In a few short months, CCM will welcome E-town’s youth back to a newly renovated facility. The core group of youth will be there for sure. Youth who have waited out the renovation period will return. Other youth will check it out for the first time. All of these groups will likely invite friends. CCM will reach out to all of these youth & their families. CCM has a place for you if you will make a place for us in your life.
John Myers, Executive Director
The annual CCM Spring Banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 5th from 6 pm - 8:30 pm at the E-town Brethren in Christ Church . Dinner will be provided by Stoltzfus Catering with Ryan & Friends (comedian/ventriloquist) entertaining the crowd. A virtual tour of the renovated building will be shared, personal testimonies from youth & a minis-try update from John Myers will be given. To re-serve your FREE tickets, visit their website at www.ccmetown.org & click on the “What’s New” tab. A freewill offering will be received to benefit Cornerstone’s operating budget.
AND Senior Adults Spring Bus Trips Here are some upcoming Spring bus trips: April 6th - One-Day Lancaster County Amish Tour leaving Conestoga Brethren Church at 8:30 am & returning at 4:30 pm. Visit Amish owned busi-nesses, an Amish school, Quilt & Craft shop & meal in an Amish home. The cost for this trip is $48. May 12 - Baltimore Inner Harbor & National Aquarium includes dolphin show, Top of the World Observation Tower & cruise on “I nner Harbor Spirit. Cost for this trip is $78. May 17 - New York City Cruise on board the European-inspired Bateaux with dinner & up close views including the Statue of Liberty & a tour of Ground Zero with a final visit to Chelsea Market. Cost for this trip is $110. For more details or to register for any of these trips, please contact Earl Ziegler at 717-560-6488 or via email: [email protected] .
740 Greentree Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Kenneth A. Stewart, Pastor
Donald E. Hollinger, Pastor [email protected]
John Weber, Ministry Intern [email protected]
Paula M. Jones, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 717-653-5367 Fax: 717-653-5056
WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Our Purpose Statement “We intentionally develop friends of
Jesus Christ by sharing God’s love through words and deeds.”
Sunday Service Times: Contemporary Worship 8:00 am
Sunday School 9:15 am
Traditional Worship 10:30 am
Wednesday Service Times: Jr. High Clubs @ 7:00 pm
Sr. High Clubs @ 7:00 pm
Young Adult Bible Study @ 7 pm
