Envoy Palmyra Church of the Brethren

Volume 29, No. 3 March 2018

Upcoming Sunday School Series: "The Jesus I Never Knew"

Most of us have a picture in our minds of who Jesus was: maybe a gentle middle-aged white man with long hair; maybe a man kneeling in earnest prayer by a large rock; maybe an itinerant preacher in sandals, with a crowd following him. This 6-session DVD-based discussion will challenge us to go beyond our familiar images of Christ to discover Jesus as we haven't known him: radical, compelling, bold. Join the L.I.F.E. class in the Parlor at 10:30 a.m.

on Sunday mornings (February 25 - April 1) as we explore different perspectives of who Jesus is and was--from the Bible, from movies made about his life, and our own assumptions--and the difference he makes.

Good Stuff to Know All changes to contact information have been printed in the 2018 handbook/directory. The directories/handbooks have been delivered to the mail boxes and extras are available outside the church office. 2017 Year End Staff Reports are available by contacting the church office. Church mugs and cookbooks are available by contacting the church office.

These would make great Easter basket gifts!

Palm Sunday Worship - March 25

Pretzel Sandwich Luncheon - March 25, 11:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall

Taizé Service: March 25, 7:00 p.m. See page 2 for more information.

Love Feast - March 29, 7:00 p.m.,

Fellowship Hall

Easter Sunday - April 1 Bring a flower to decorate the cross!

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The former Health Ministry Team has been renamed the Health and Wellness Team. This change underscores the importance of understanding health holistically, meaning that it is to be viewed from the perspective of body, mind, and spirit. An emphasis on whole person health helps in turn to identify and sustain the varied factors which contribute to our overall wellness, both as individuals and as a congregation. Seven persons, each of whom is passionate about health and wellness, serve on this Team. They are — Julie Bucher, Carolyn Buffenmyer, Mary Cantrell, Carol Lentz, Lois Seaman, Don Reynolds, and Mike Witmer. Information gathering will be a critical function of this Team in order to

design appropriate programs and activities which meet demonstrated needs and interests in relation to health and wellness. The Team is excited about working with this congregational health and wellness ministry model and will welcome any suggestions and/or requests for specific programs or interventions. Please feel free to contact any member of the Team as this reimagined ministry continues to enfold going forward.

Team

Introducing the…

The Music Ministry of Palmyra Church of the Brethren

invites you to prayerfully worship and reflect with us as we

remember the events of Holy Week.

Palm Sunday

March 25, 7:00pm

TAIZÉ

Church Response to Hate Group Activity

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are currently 917 hate groups in America. Does that number alarm you? As a Christian, are you wondering how to respond? Then you’ll want to attend an upcoming program on Sunday, April 8, at 2:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall for a presentation entitled “Church Response to Hate Group Activity.”

Our speaker will be Ann Van Dyke, who was a civil rights investigator and trainer for the PA Human Relations Com-mission. Ms. Van Dyke has received awards for her work in the field of civil rights from (among others) the NAACP, The National Organization of Women and The US Department of Justice. Please join us as we learn how to counter hatred and bias; you can be part of the solution!

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New Hours Beginning April 2

Receiving Donations: Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 8 a.m. to 12noon Wednesday evenings: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12 noon Shopping: Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday evenings: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Volunteers Needed

We need volunteers for our new Saturday hours including 4 baggers, one floater, one door greeter, and 2 folks in receiving. Contact Shila Ulrich, 717.507.7342 or shila@caringcupboard.org

Mark Your Calendars!

12th Annual Golf Outing May 19 - morning Deer Valley Golf Course. More info to come!

1st Caring Voices Benefit Choral Concert May 20, 2018 Lebanon Valley College

Five choirs are participating including PCOB’s Chancel Choir!

Shila Ulrich, executive director, of the Caring Cupboard for being inducted

into the Lebanon County Commission for Women’s Hall of Fame on March 21, 2018. Shila is a ‘hidden heroine’ in our community who will be honored for her leadership in improving the lives of families in Lebanon County.

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Saturday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Camp Swatara, Bethel PA (East Lodge)

We live in a busy, noisy world. The demands of jobs, ministry, and family, along with personal challenges and societal expectations, often prevent us from slowing down long enough to listen for God’s gentle voice inviting us into His presence. This day-long retreat will provide an opportunity to slow down, to quiet our noisy minds, to be still. With times of guided reflection, teaching, contemplative prayer practices, and personal silence amid the natural beauty at Camp Swatara, the day is a chance to connect deeply with God without the usual distractions. Register by April 16, Camp Swatara at (717) 933-8510 or www.campswatara.org. Registration fee of $20 includes lunch and snack. Retreat leaders: Ann Mason Bach, MDiv, is a trained spiritual

director, ordained minister, and a member of Stevens Hill Church of the Brethren. She pro-vides end-of-life care with Hospice & Communi-ty Care.

Karen B. Haldeman is a trained spiritual

director and a member of Palmyra Church of the

Brethren. She is also an avid gardener, a writer,

and office manager for Manada Conservancy.

A Day Apart for Prayer and Reflection Auxiliary Annual Sub Sale

April 21 Pick up at the Pavilion: 11a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Deadline for orders is March 16

Subs

ham/turkey/Italian/turkey on whole wheat - $6 Pretzel sandwiches

ham & Swiss/turkey/roast beef - $5.

To order: Contact Jay or Carolyn Buffenmyer 717-641-3266 or cbuffenmyer@comcast.net

Sunday Evening Program

Dawn & Randy Marks Sunday, March 18, 7:00 p.m.

In the DiMatteo Worship Center Free Will Offering

We extend our sympathies to Russel, Wilmer, and Carl Grubb on the death of their sister Ora Jane Rhoads on January 28.

We offer our prayers for the health concerns of the following: Sam Brandt, Judy Jurell, Don Layser, Terry Meads, Paul Miller, Mattie Nauman, Roy Summers, Elvin Wagner, Art Zellers.

All changes to contact information have been printed in the 2018 handbook/directory. The directories/handbooks have been delivered to the mail boxes and extras are available out the church office.

Congregational Updates!

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On March 18, we will once again join forces with churches across the coun-try in the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. This tradition started nearly 70 years ago when the bishop of the Episcopal Church challenged the denomination to give a million dollars towards WWII relief within a single hour. Today, 9 denominations, including the Church of the Brethren, participate in this offering which has raised 20 million dollars in some years. Each denomination chooses how the money it raises will be spent. The Church of the Brethren will use it to fund programs overseas such as the Global Food Crisis Fund and Disaster Relief Ministries in countries such as Sudan, Haiti, and Nigeria, along with work camps here in the United States.

Serving In March MARCH 4 March 11 March 18 March 25

John Rhine Bob Bucher

John Rhine Bob Bucher

John Rhine Bob Bucher

John Rhine Bob Bucher

Head Ushers

Paul Wessell Dave Lohrer

Paul Wessell Dave Lohrer

Paul Wessell Dave Lohrer

Paul Wessell Dave Lohrer

Offering Usher

Heidi Neiswender Heidi Neiswender Heidi Neiswender Heidi Neiswender Greeters

NA NA NA NA Flowers

Lori Faiola Michele Gottshall

Shila & Derek Ulrich

Michele Gottshall Samantha Auer

Elaine Hoffer Sharon Smith

Nursery - Worship

Brenda Heisey Samantha Auer

Lori Walmer Donna Fawber Via

Jeanie Small Sherri Baiocchi

Betty Smith Shirley Spahr

Childcare - Worship

Melanie Hartman Jeanine Houff

Cindy Bortner Cindy Weatherholtz

Michele Gottshall Andy Hoffer

Shila & Derek Ulrich

Nursery - Sunday School

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All Church Appreciation 2018 Citations

Many congregations calculate their vitality by how many people show up for worship on any given Sunday. It is good when worship attendance is strong. But this congregation’s vitality is even more evident in the number of people contributing time and talents to the work we do together. This is faith in action. Each year we ask our teams to nominate persons for special recognition. And each year, in so doing, we all discover something new about one another and the many ways there are to serve and be involved. Over the past 22 years 203 people have been nominated. This year we add another 10 persons to that list. Greg Baiocchi was nominated by the Worship Team for contributions to our music ministries. Greg is a member of the Men’s Ensemble, occasionally joins the Chancel Choir, and blessed us with a duet with Ben Simmons this past summer. Greg also serves regularly as one of our worship leaders and as a childcare helper during worship. Greg brings organization and dedication to his tasks and can be depended upon to enhance our worship as well as gently nurture our little ones.

Sam Brandt was nominated by the Leadership Calling Team for a lifetime of faithfulness and service to our congrega-tion. Over the years Sam has served as a deacon, chaired the Music and Worship Commission was a faithful member of the Chancel Choir and served as a leader in the JOY Class. After moving to the Londonderry Village he spent many hours in his woodshop creating keepsakes and furniture pieces to benefit the Good Samaritan Fund.

Cindy Groff was nominated by both the Education and Fellowship Teams for ministry to our children and our taste buds. Cindy has served as a teacher for our primary-aged children for some 34 years. She was one of the teachers that in-spired the children that began the Caring Cupboard. She also regularly assists with childcare during worship and has served a year as one of our head ushers. Cindy also served on the Fellowship Team, helping coordinate various activities and our week-ly fellowship time.

Tim Hoffer was nominated by the Communications Team for helping us to get the “words” heard. Tim serves regularly as a soundboard technician. This requires many hours of training and practice. When the new sound board required a larger cabi-net, Tim rolled up his sleeves to help with the alterations. His engineering skills have been a great benefit to the Amplification Team. Tim is also active in our young adult ministries.

Carol Kulp was nominated by the Pastoral Relations Team for her service to our church during staffing transitions. Carol served on the Pastoral Relations Team for six years, the years which included Wally’s diagnosis and retirement and the envi-sioning process for our current staffing model. Carol’s deep and gentle spirituality and wisdom kept us steady and focuses as grieved, prayed, dreamed and stepped forward. Carol also contributed to our worship services as a regular member of our Chancel Choir. She misses being present in worship each week.

Ken Light was nominated by the Staff for his service to our church and the Caring Cupboard. How do the food items that we bring to church each week get to the Caring Cupboard? Ken Light. Ken shows up faithfully every week, usually on Monday mornings, to load and transport our boxes and cans of food to the Caring Cupboard, where they are used to feed others. Staff nominated Ken because we are probably the only few who knows he does this.

Pat & Paul Miller were nominated by the Stewardship Team for sharing their musical talents with our congregation. Why the Stewardship Team? Because the Stewardship Team knows that stewardship isn’t just about money. It includes our time and our talents. Speaking of time, Pat and Paul probably spend the more time on the road each week coming to church than anyone, as they live about half an hour to the north. Speaking of talent, they are part of our Chancel Choir, sing in our ensem-bles and share in our special music ministries each summer, sometimes with their entire family. They have served on several teams throughout the years and are active in the JOY Class.

Carl Scriniere was nominated by the Outreach Team for his work at the Caring Cupboard. Carl has served as the Product Manager at the Caring Cupboard since it relocated to Railroad Street some 13 years ago. Carl’s team of volunteers track and store incoming product, and then stock the pantry shelves as needed. Carl keeps talking about retiring, which he has certainly earned, but the thought of it makes Terry and Shyla uneasy. He is active in the JOY Class.

Paul Wessel was nominated by the Properties Team for his involvement with our renovations and for his occasional legal guidance. As a member of the Renovation Implementation Task Team Paul helped design and guide the scope and details of Phase One. He served as one of our on-site coordinators, checking in weekly and more often to help make decisions and keep things moving along. If you like the lighting in the fellowship hall, that was a decision that grabbed Paul’s attention, and we are the better for it. Paul is a member of the New Beginnings Class and the Boundaries discussion group, occasionally leading discussions for both.

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By Jeff Clouser, Director of Music

Looking ahead to our music programs:

Saturday, March 10th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Canticle Bells participating in Central PA Handbell Festival. Public is invited to the 3:30 p.m. program at Lebanon Evangelical Free Church, Jonestown, PA. Sunday, March 25th, 7:00 p.m. - Taizé Service - see page 2 Thursday, March 29th,7:00 p.m. - Love Feast Sunday, April 29th, 3:00 p.m. - Gail Archer Organ Concert Sunday, May 20th - Music Appreciation Sunday Sunday, May 20th, 7:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir participating in Caring Voices, Fundraiser for the Caring Cupboard at Lebanon Valley College.

Summer Melodies Return and WE NEED YOU!

June 10 through September 16 Vocal / Instrumental / Drama / Art / Liturgical Dance Sign up today outside the choir room or email jclouser@palmyracob.org!

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STAFF

Lead Pastor Dennis M. Lohr

Coordinator of Congregational Care Bill Cave

Director of Young Adults Ministries Rachel Witkovsky

Director of Youth Ministries Bethany Hoffer

Director of Children Ministries Missy Thompson

Music Director Jeff Clouser

Office Administrator Gail Wagner

is the official publication of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren. It is published 11 times a year.

Deadline for the

April 2018 Envoy is March 8, 2018

Email articles to

envoy@palmyracob.org Please include the month the

article is to be published.

The mission of the Palmyra Church

of the Brethren is to invite, welcome,

nurture, disciple, equip, empower,

and inspire all persons to live and to

serve in the way of Jesus.

Palmyra Church of the Brethren Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully…Simply…Together…

45 North Chestnut Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 Office: 717-838-6369 Fax: 717-838-8100 www.palmyracob.org

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