Volume 29, No. 7 July/August Being Musical Stewards of God s Word

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1 Envoy Palmyra Church of the Brethren Volume 29, No. 7 July/August 2018 Being Musical Stewards of God s Word Pastoral musicians have the terrifying priestly task of placing words of sung prayer on people s lips. (They) have the holy task of being stewards of God s Word. John D. Witvliet Jeffrey Clouser, Director of Music Ministries at Palmyra Church of the Brethren, has been published again, this time in the UCC Musicians Association Journal. The quotation above, taken from his article, reflects the thoughtful and spiritual perspective Jeff brings to his music ministry among us. In his three-page article, Jeff looks at what it means to lead a church s song in a general congregational setting of any denomination. He then examines in some detail how the specific music ministry at PCoB embraces the task of being musician-stewards of God s Word. He affirms PCOB s mission statement as an appropriate context for guiding the church s song. Pastor Lohr is quoted liberally from a May 7, 2017, sermon on the concept of intergenerational worship and the positive impact of that for our congregation as it finds its own voice for singing together. Jeff sets out his personal guidelines for music-planning work at PCoB as 1) choosing songs that support the theology of the church 2) choosing songs that affirm the mission of the church and how the church lives out its faith in community and 3) choosing music that supports the liturgy and scripture of the day, is participatory and that honors God. Whenever our congregation gathers for worship, we benefit from this methodology which grows from the heart of our Director of Music Ministry s spirituality. The UCCMA publication includes Jeff s professional biographical information, which lists his current employer as Palmyra Church of the Brethren, as well as a one-column description of Church of the Brethren denominational history. In summary, this well-written article is a significant working piece for music ministry professionals that by reference and example shows our congregation and our denomination in a very positive light. Thanks to Jeffrey Clouser for including his experience with PCoB as an important and formative part of his academic journey in the Masters of Church Music degree program at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Jeff was in residence at the seminary during the month of June as he continues to pursue his degree. Jeff s article is available in its entirety on our website,

2 2 Congratulations to our 2018 Graduates! High School Graduates Post-Secondary Graduates Toni Brandt Graduating from High School in Germany. His future plans are to travel back to the United States this summer and then a work and travel trip to Australia in the fall. He will be applying for a dual college experience at Volkswagen so that he can go to college while learning a job at Volkswagen. Hannah Donachy Graduating from Palmyra High School and Lebanon County CTC. She plans to attend Harrisburg Area Community College to study Nursing. Caleb Heisey Graduating from Palmyra Area High School. He plans to join the Air Force. Gavin Olson Graduating from Palmyra Area High School. He plans to attend Penn State Berks Campus to study Electromechanical Engineering. Matthew Sheehe Graduating from Hershey High School. He plans to attend Bloomsburg University's Honors College to major in Biology with Pre-Medical Sciences. Jamie Walmer Graduating from Donegal High School. She plans to attend Eastern Mennonite University to study Nursing. TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 Carnival In the Lot, 5-7pm Fun for the whole family! Food, Games, and Prizes! THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 Ice Cream Social, 2-3:30pm Students & families are invited to join us for ice cream sundaes in the Fellowship Hall following the Palmyra School District Open Houses! SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 Worship, 9am Fellowship, 10am Sunday School, 10:30am Join us for a special worship as we jump start the new school year with a blessing for students, teachers, & families followed by a breakfast and Study hour. Alex Albaugh Graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering. He will be looking at opportunities in Chicago. Lori Faiola Graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Master s degree in English. Curtis Gingrich - Graduated from Penn State College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, and a minor in Chemistry. His future plans are to continue searching for employment within his degree. Joel Lohr Graduated from Edinboro University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. His future plans are to attend medical school. William Mattern Graduated from University at Buffalo with a Bachelor s degree in Architecture Design. He will be attending graduate school at Penn State Main Campus starting in August. Jacob Smith Graduated from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology with an Associate of Applied Science in Masonry Construction Technology. He is currently employed as a bricklayer for Weaver Masonry in Ephrata. Sarandon Smith Graduated from Bridgewater College with a Bachelor s Degree in Art with a concentration in Digital Media. She will be moving to Baltimore with her husband Daniel and working as a wedding photographer and freelance graphic designer. Congregational Tidbits Please pray for health and other concerns for: Sam Brandt, Sarah Brandt, Mildred Gingrich, Judy Jurell, Donald Layser, Shirley Martin, John Rhine, Junior Waybright, and Art Zellers. Please extend sympathy to Alma Heisey on the death of her husband John on June 8. Contact Changes: Greyson Smith: smithgreyson06@gmail.com Terry & Marilyn Baker: disconnected Terry Cell: , Marilyn Cell: Jenna Walmer: walmer@eagles.bridgewater.edu

3 3 Three-Cents-A-Meal Offering Scheduled for September What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. St. Augustine Chicken BBQ & Auction July 27 & 28th Friday: July 27: Refreshments - 5:00 p.m. Bake Sale - 5:00 p.m. Auction Preview - 5:00 p.m. Concert on the Lawn - 7:00 p.m. (Music by Servant Stage Company) Saturday, July 28 Breakfast - 7:00 a.m. Live Auction - 9:00 a.m. Car & Tractor Show - 9:00 a.m. Kauffman s Chicken BBQ - 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Dine In, Drive Thru or Take Out) Celebration & Ice Cream Social - 1:30 p.m. To us, the summer months may seem to be the time of plenty for everyone lots of fresh fruits and veggies to enjoy with more than enough sunshine and heat. But that is not the case for all the families in our community or around the world. For many families in this country, the closing of school doors means that their children have less access to food. One in five children in our country live in a family that has difficulties getting enough food to eat no matter the season of the year. Hunger hurts. The Three-Cents-A-Meal Offering is a challenge to us, people who do not know hunger, to reach out and help others. A portion of the offering goes to the Caring Cupboard to help our neighbors; the rest of the offering helps out other hungry families around our nation and world. Involve your children in this offering challenge by helping them create your family s summer offering container for the table. During the summer months by putting aside a few cents at every meal and remembering those who struggle with hunger, you and your family can make a real difference come September. --The Outreach Team Proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Fund

4 4 Library News Would you like to learn more about being Brethren? Well, you re in luck! A selection of titles has been added to our collection, many of them coming from Wally s personal library. Why not look for these books on the display rack adjacent to the side door of the sanctuary? Heritage and Promise The Church of the Brethren Past and Present Courageous Prophet (The life of John Kline) Speakpeace: A Daily Reader Led by Word and Spirit The Old, Old Story - Anew (CoB in Nigeria) European Origins of the Brethren The Brethren in the New Nation ( ) The Christian Revolution by Emmert Bittinger edited by Donald Durnbaugh by Roger Sappington edited by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford by Dale W. Brown by Kermon Thomasson by Donald Durnbaugh edited by Roger Sappington Dale W. Brown Make A Note of It Jeff Clouser, Director of Music Ministries Our Director of Music Ministries, Jeff Clouser, has returned from Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University in Columbus, OH where he is pursuing his Master of Arts in Church Music. Jeff will be celebrating Camp meeting's 126 th Anniversary by singing with the Massed Choir at the Mt. Gretna Bible Festival on Sunday, July 29 th at 7:00 p.m. under the direction of Heather Sorenson and Howard Helvey. Summer melodies have returned and we encouraging you to share your talents on Sunday mornings, July 1st through September 16th. Vocal / Instrumental / Drama / Art / Liturgical Dance. Please sign up outside the Choir Room! Summer Praise Team rehearsals have changed to Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. through Wednesday, August 22nd. The regular choir season will begin the week of August 27th. Canticle Bell Choir starts on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m., Praise Team starts Thursday, at 6:15 p.m., and Chancel Choir starts on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.

5 5 Serving In July July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Head Usher John Rhine John Rhine John Rhine John Rhine John Rhine Offering Usher Jacob Smith Zach Schreckengast Jacob Smith Zach Schreckengast Jacob Smith Zach Schreckengast Jacob Smith Zach Schreckengast Jacob Smith Zach Schreckengast Greeters Dave & Sharon Smith Dave & Sharon Smith Dave & Sharon Smith Dave & Sharon Smith Marilyn Baker Flowers Lisa Gingrich Carl & Nancy Scriniere Art & Mary Zellers Worship Lori Faiola Shila & Derek Elaine Hoffer Nursery Jeanine Houff Ulrich Debbie Blouch Sharon Smith Melanie Hartman Worship Brenda Heisey Lori Walmer Jeanie Small Betty Smith Steve & Elaine Childcare Samantha Auer Donna Fawber Via Sherry Baiocchi Shirley Spahr Hoffer Sunday School Melanie Hartman Cindy Bortner Shila & Derek Linda Whitman Nursery Jeanine Houff Cindy Weatherholtz Andy Hoffer Ulrich Elaine Hoffer Serving In August August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 Head Usher Bob Bucher Bob Bucher Bob Bucher Bob Bucher Offering Usher Art Gingrich Tom Smith Art Gingrich Tom Smith Art Gingrich Tom Smith Art Gingrich Tom Smith Greeters James & Melanie Hartman James & Melanie Hartman James & Melanie Hartman James & Melanie Hartman Flowers Lori Walmer Brenda Heisey Worship Lori Faiola Shila & Derek Elaine Hoffer Nursery Ulrich Samantha Auer Sharon Smith Worship Brenda Heisey Lori Walmer Deb Blouch Betty Smith Childcare Samantha Auer Donna Fawber Via Cindy Albaugh Shirley Spahr Sunday School Melanie Hartman Cindy Bortner Shila & Derek Nursery Jeanine Houff Cindy Weatherholtz Andy Hoffer Ulrich

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10 Palmyra Church of the Brethren Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully Simply Together North Chestnut Street, Palmyra, PA Office: Fax: 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 Director of Music Ministries Jeff Clouser Office Administrator Gail Wagner 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. Envoy is the official publication of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren. It is published 11 times a year. Deadline for the September 2018 Envoy is August 10, articles to envoy@palmyracob.org Please include the month the article is to be published.