IT'S FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING – PASTOR BARRY, 5TH QUARTER

This is Labor Day Weekend but ministry continues at the Church of God of Landisville.  First off tonight is 5th Quarter, our joint student ministry outreach with Hempfield United Methodist after Hempfield High School home games.  Last week’s “trial run” was a huge success and we expect more kids this week. Fervency, our house band for BURN will be performing.

Pastor Barry will again be in the pulpit (Dr Steve is on vacation through September 6th).  We are always blessed by his biblical insights and know that this week will be no exception.

Speaking of Dr. Steve, he will be leading two workshops this month on the use of social networking tools in ministry.  Saturday, September 10, 2011 he will be teaching a class in Harrisburg for the School of Evangelism called “The Spiritual Discipline of Blogging”. This will focus on how to establish a blog and then use it in conversation and equipping for evangelistic purposes.  The class meets from 8:30-1:00 pm on the 10th.  Cost is $15.  You are welcome to attend, just call Patty in the office.  On September 13, he will be teaching along with Pastor Harry Jarrett from Neffsville Mennonite. “Building Relationships in a Digital World” is the topic. Read more at Parish Resource Center

While you’re at it, you really want to check out latest news from the Forry Baby News blog outlining Kayla’s adventures as one of our miracle babies.

Lynn Byers in Haiti, published an excellent and insightful blog post this week about her work in Haiti this past year. She begins:

Overseas Missionary Work in my Eyes

It’s funny how we term missionary work as going overseas, but really it is the call of all Christians as we don’t belong to this world so technically we are strangers everywhere. Therefore, every Chrisitan is called to be a missionary. Some stay in their home country, others are called oveseas for a short time, and others for a lifetime. For me, I’m not sure yet if I’m meant to be overseas for a lifetime. This year here has been a huge learning experience for me serving in Haiti for almost a year so far. It will be a year on September 7! Read more at Missionary Nurse

AND REMEMBER — THE CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED MONDAY FOR THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

IT'S FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING – GRACE, BAPTISMS, BURN LEADERS AND MORE

We are looking forward to another powerful time of worship this coming weekend at the Church of God of Landisville. Dr. Steve concludes his series, “Grace is Enough.” This week he will tell us about “The Truth That Sets Us Free” (based on John 8.1-110.

Erika Glass

At the 10.45 service we will baptize two more persons. Hannah Stephens, whose family attends the 10.45 service and Amaris Rodriguez, who attends BURN.  Our next baptismal service will be at the end of  September.

Important developments this week at Monday’s Church Council.  Randy Lefever has been elected chairperson of our Technology Commission.  He replace Roger Fry in this role.  A Nominating Committee has been selected by the Council to recruit council members for 2012. Mark Haldeman, Doug Sutton, Bulah Dougherty and a person to be named at large from the congregation will serve in this capacity.

The Ad Council has approved hosting Fifth Quarter.  Fifth Quarter is a joint venture by the student ministries at Landisville Church of God and Hempfield United Methodist. Following Hempfield High School’s home football games, students will be invited back to the church for a two hour activity including worship, live bands, God stories, fellowship and food.  The first one  will be next Friday evening following the

Mike Kreider and Val Urban

preseason scrimmage against Governor Mifflin High School.

The Grateful Gardeners are looking for several “younger” people to join their crews as they care for the Prayer Garden and flower beds of the church.  This is a labor of love that adds a rich beauty to the church’s grounds.  Please talk to Joan Payne or Val Albright.

Our next Membership Matters Orientation is next Thursday, August 25th at 6:30 pm. Dr. Steve is leading. Sign up in the mail room this Sunday or by calling the church office.

Scott Zimmerman

Tyler Ruhl (center) with Lauren Zimmerman and Erin Via

Lisa Brown

IT'S FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING – BAPTISMS, SHIPWRECKED AND NEW LIFE CANDLE

This has been an awesome week at the Church. Vacation Bible School was a wonderful experience with many new people from the community sending their kids and many new people from within the core congregation and BURN providing leadership. Wednesday night a young lady named Sophia became the newest member of the Body of Christ. We will be lighting the New Life Candle Sunday in worship. Tonight is the closing for VBS. Jim Kraybill and others will be on hand at 7:3o to dish up ice cream for the kids and their parents.

We will quickly clean up Friday night and Saturday and swing open the doors of the MPR Saturday night at 8:00 pm for SHIPWRECKED: THE LOCK-IN for our Burn student ministry. We already have 43 kids committed to attending with a possible 3o more, which would set a lock-in record for us. Our newly organized Youth Worship Band Fervency will make its formal debut leading worship.

Then we roll into Sunday morning.  A full slate of worship and Sunday School is planned.  Dr. Steve continues the sermon series, “Grace is Enough” with a message on “How Good is Good Enough” on the dangers of thinking we can earn or deserve or salvation.  Pastor Barry leads worship. Joe Bender and Barb Sutton provide worship music at 8.15 and Fervency at 10.45.

At the 10.45 service we will be baptizing two young men, Wendell Dominguez who attends BURN and along with his mom, Donna attends 10:45 and Cody Eshelmanwho is part of our Burn congregation.

Don’t forget Day Away for Prayer next Thursday, August 11 with Dr Steve at Middle Creek. You must sign up by Sunday.  Still tickets for the Barnstormers August 13 at 6:00 pm.  $10 gets you box seats in the Jay Group Skybox (fireworks that night).  This is sponsored by our Fellowship Commission.  And next weekend Rachel Underwood and Jared Green will celebrate their marriage with a formal ceremony and reception.

Wendell Dominguez

Cody Eshelman at Creation 2011

IT'S PAST FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING

Normally this is posted on Friday AM but internet problems interfered. – Dr Steve

Andy Stanley has written: “Grace has been the basis of our relationship with our Creator from the very beginning.”  We think in terms of our being good enough for a relationship with God.  Our relationship is based on His goodness–His great mercy and love.  Which is why “Grace is Required.” This is the title of Dr. Steve’s message this Sunday as he begins a series on grace, spiritual performance, forgiveness and our relationship with God. The four-part series is called “Grace is Enough.”  Also, Donna Williams will be sharing a God story from her experience at Tsaile.
Be sure and join us at 8.15 or 10.45.

But before that don’t forget the annual Forry Pig Roast hosted by Dwight and Kelly (and Kayla) Forry at their farm at  195 Indian Head Road (off Prospect Road) near Columbia. It begins at 1:00 and lasts till the cows come home.  Bring family and friends for food, games, and fun for all  ages.  Bring lawn chair – a favorite side dish or dessert. (Food is served at 1:30).  To thank March of Dimes for their support of Kayla, the family will be collecting monetary donations in any amount.

Be sure Sunday to see Lisa Kilgore.  We still need snacks, some registration help, and helpers on specific days for VBS which begins Monday night.

IT'S FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING – INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND

Independence Day Weekend is upon us.  This has been a very interesting week around the church. Our Tsaile Team has been finishing up its preparations for its July 9th departure for Arizona.  If you had been in the MPR Thursday afternoon you would have seen them making “trees” to populate the sanctuary at Tsaile for the VBS theme “Wildwood Forest Adventure.”

Tyler Guzman and a small mountain of coolers

Monday the MPR was filled with all of the supplies, tents, sleeping bags and luggage for the 37 kids and 5 adults who were heading to Creation.  Tuesday  the advance team of Heidi Roth, Danna Stephens, Sam Ruggiero and 7 kids went up to the site to set up the camp site and all of its tents.  Wednesday morning the remaining kids along with Stacie and Janelle Zimmerman traveled by bus.  They were joined by Joe Kilgore, who is now Youth Director at Lancaster First and 12 of his kids.  Check-in went amazingly smoothly and the kids enjoyed the opening concert with the ever popular Newsboys.  The kids return Sunday afternoon.

Loading the truck on Tuesday

Like moving a small army

The Communications Commission is meeting this morning to do some planning to help our people better understand the workings of the church.

Things actually get a lot quieter around the church.  We are having our regular worship services July 3rd.  Lucy Robbins and Barb Sutton are the special music at 8:15.  The Worship Band is back from a two-break at 10:45.  Dr. Steve’s message is called “One Nation Under God” looking at 2 Chronicles 11:16.  He will talk about what Christians need to be concerned with in order to let God’s influence grow again in our nation.  We will also consecrate the Tsaile Team.

Lynn Byers has reported that she will be in Haiti until December.  Continue to lift her in your prayers.

Remember the church office is closed this Monday for the 4th of July holiday.

Starting to empty the MPR

The journey begins

By some "miracle" there was no back log at the gate

Center stage - opening night worship - The Newsboys

IT'S GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY'S COMING

Holy Week winds into the weekend today with Good Friday. Join us at 12:15 pm at the Hempfield Brethren in Christ on Marietta Avenue for our Hempfield Ministerium Community Good Friday Service. Musicians, readers, and pastors (including Dr Steve) from the Church of God, host Hempfield BIC, Wayside Presbyterian, Zion Lutheran of Landisville, Landisville Mennonite and Westgate Baptist will lead us in a reflective and insightful noon day service. If you have to be back at work, the service is over at 1:00.

Easter Sunrise will feature a 30-minute service in the Landisville Mennonite Cemetery led by Roger Fry at 6:30 am.  Our Fellowship Commission sponsors a breakfast at 7:00 am in the MPR.  In addition to our regular Sunday School hour, we have two Easter Celebrations at 8:15 and 10:45.  Dr Steve’s message of the morning is “New Life Song.”  What does it mean to say the tomb is empty? What does it mean to have the gift of new life?  Don’t miss the message and our celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

IT'S FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING – KUYASA KIDS CHILDREN'S CHOIR

God has been shaping a powerful weekend around Palm Sunday at the Church of God of Landisville.  The highlight will be a special Sunday morning concert by the Kuyasa Kids Children’s Choir from South Africa. 18 kids age 8 to 18 are on tour as part of Horizons International’s promotion of its ministry to AIDS orphans, and all of these kids are orphans. They will share traditional African music and dance, and also wonderful gospel music from the African-American tradition. Dr. Bob Pearson will be sharing a message called “Nothing is Too Difficult for God.”  This is a service for all generations. We have just one service at 10:00 am on Palm Sunday with no Sunday School. A special pot luck carry-in dinner follows the service provided through our Commission on Fellowship to honor these kids and their ministry.  Bring something to share and join us in the MPR immediately afterward.

Friday night at 6:00 pm is our third annual Easter Family Celebration.  Food, activities, and an Easter Egg Hunt for the children are planned by Lisa Kilgore and her staff at the church. Come to the MPR and join in.  You will also get a chance to meet the Kuyasa Kids as their arrive.

Because of everything else, Saturday’s Roadside Clean-Up sponsored by the Commission on Outreach and Evangelism is being rescheduled to May 21.

  By the way, you have just a little over a week to register for the Church Family Retreat April 29-May 1 at Doubling Gap Center. Registration forms are in the mail room.  We will be joined by folks from the Elizabethtown Church of God.  We already have 20 kids from our BURN congregation signed up to go.  How about you? Contact Greg Nauman for more details.

And looking ahead to next Tuesday, FLOW will feature a dramatic portrayal of Peter as its contribution to Holy Week at the Church of God of Landisville. That begins at 10:00 am on April 17th.

See what we mean by powerful?

IT'S FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING – PASTOR BARRY, AGAPE KIDS, AND LENT

Our Associate Pastor, Barry Sellers

Prayer is the emphasis of this Sunday in worship. Pastor Barry is in the pulpit with a message on perseverance in prayer called “P.U.S.H”.

Tonight is Agape Kids at the MPR with Miss Lisa and her staff.  Elementary age kids are welcome from 6:00-8:00 for activities, a lesson, and some great snacks.  Parents are welcome, too.

Our Youth Director Stacie Reber made her debut as the teaching leader for BURN this week with a new series called “Roller Coaster.”  What do you do when your life has hit bottom was her question which she answered from Jeremiah 29:11.  61 people attended this worship service on Wednesday night.

Just two weeks left in our observance of Lent. Dr Steve finishes up the final Soup and Scripture next Thursday night at 6:00 pm.  Easter Egg Hunt next Friday night at 6:00 pm.  The Kyasa Kids arrive for a quick supper and to meet their host families next Friday as well at 7:00 pm.  We still need housing for 4 kids. (See Roger Fry).

We now have four people who will be participating in our new accountability group ministry called T.I.E.  (Three is enough) Letters go out today from Dr Steve to help identify how to match these partners.

Remember to sign up this Sunday for next Saturday’s (April 16th) Roadside Clean Up Crew. This community ministry team leaves the church at 8:00 am on that day.

Remember, it’s Friday and SUNDAY’S COMING !!!

KUYASA KIDS IN CONCERT PALM SUNDAY

Join the Church of God of Landisville in a unique and memorable Palm Sunday celebration as the Kuyasa Kids from South Africa will bring their music and dance, praise and God stories to our worship gathering. There will be only one service April 17th at 10:00 am featuring these children who are AIDS orphans under the care of Horizon International. A carry-in dinner open to the public will follow at 11:30 in the MPR. We still need host families for 2-4 children and people to sign up to bring food. Here is a preview.

IT'S FRIDAY AND SUNDAY'S COMING – AGAPE KIDS, RELATIONSHIPS MATTER AND MORE

How’s your prayer life?  Would you like to be a part of the prayer ministry of the Church of God of Landisville? Each Wednesday we publish a prayer list (circulated via email).  If you’d like to receive this and join with many persons in lifting up the greater kingdom of God, the church, our neighbors, and our church family — email Patty Baker in the church office at coglandisville@coglandisville.org.

Agape Kids is on deck again tonight, March 25th.  Activities begin at 6:00 pm for elementary age children. We can always use some more volunteers to help Lisa and her crew.  Email her or just show up around six.  We can always use people who can interact with the parents from he neighborhood who bring their children.

Dr. Steve brings the fourth in his series, “Relationships Matter” with a message on accountability. It’s called “Honest to God, Honest With Ourselves.” Last week we talked about the necessity of intentional and grace-filled encouragement in order to give courage to people who are in the Body.  This week we will talk about the intentional transparency needed to keep us being authentic disciples of Christ.