Air Hill BIC Church 7041 Cumberland Hwy. Chambersburg, PA 17202 267-3373 December 2015 Air Hill Breezes Christmas Past Some of us had trees, some of us didn t. In the past some didn t approve of trees so we put a nativity up and still do today. Our ornaments were mostly handmade, some were glass ornaments and lights, however some of us didn t have electricity so we didn t have electric lights. We would have tinsel and silver icicles and either a star or an angel on the top of the tree. Gifts were mostly from our parents, sometimes and aunt or uncle would bring us goodies. Gifts were mostly something that we needed and maybe one toy. Memorable toys were wind-up metal toys like drummers who drummed, motorcycles that ran in circles and tractors on rubber web tracks. We didn t buy for friends, there wasn t much money at that time. We would make handmade gifts for our family members too. Stockings were hung on the mantle and would be filled with small chocolates, gum, rock candy, coloring books and crayons. The special memories of Christmas were spending time with family and having a big home cooked dinner of turkey, chicken or something Daddy hunted. Oh, and the homemade pies were so delicious. Other special memories were going to Christmas Eve Service, opening gifts before morning chores and special family members invited to Christmas Dinner, baking cookies on Christmas Eve, going caroling and acting out the Christmas story as Daddy read it. Christmas Present and Future Christmas decorations are good but sometimes we lose the idea of what Christmas is really about. It s fun to go to other houses to see lights. Our trees are both live and fake with lots of ornaments and lights. Shopping has become hectic and gift giving tends to get out of hand. Some enjoy going shopping while others would rather stay at home and shop on-line. Family is still what makes Christmas special. Sharing a big meal of turkey and all the trimmings and then watching football afterwards. Climbing into bed with our parents and reading the Christmas Story. We hope that now and in the future Christmas will be more about the birth of Jesus and not about the fake characters, showing appreciation for what Christ has done and for loved ones and enjoying each other, not about the deals on Black Friday but about the One that went to the cross on Good Friday.
MEET RYAN THRUSH Ryan is the son of Royce and Genevieve (Helfrick) Thrush from Fort Loudon. His father worked for 30 plus years at Foremost Industries. He is currently employed at Letterkenny in the paint and prep division. His mother is an RN and works occasionally at the Waynesboro Hospital and has been both a school and private duty nurse. Ryan has a 26 year old sister, Renae. She lives with her parents and has her own shop as a dog groomer at their home in Fort Loudon. She has 3 dogs; a Peekaboo, a Poodle Mix, and a Pekingese. Ryan graduated from James Buchanan High School in 2006, having taken agriculture and college prep classes. In 2008, he graduated from Penn State, Mont Alto, with an Associate s Degree in Forest Technology. In addition, in 2012, he received a diploma for municipal police training (Act 120) from Greensburg Police Academy, near Pittsburg. Ryan is currently a DCNR Ranger at Cowans Gap State park, which is under DCNR, (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), the bureau of State Parks. He has been employed there in seasonal work (about 8 months/yr.) since 2011. In his spare time, he does landscaping; trimming shrubbery, mulching, lawn mowing, etc. He has been employed by Cumberland Valley Tree service and White tail Ski Resort. Ryan lives in Spring Run has a salt water fish tank and is experimenting with bee keeping and aquaponics gardening. He is currently taking horseback riding lessons and in the past has had training in 3 kinds of martial arts; Mui Tai kickboxing, Krav Maga, (an Israeli form of defense), and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ryan is an avid runner, having run cross country and track for four years in high school, and cross country for two years in college. He ran a half marathon in 2013, a Spartan race in 2014, and in 2015 he won the 1 st annual elite off Rhode Adventure Run, (a 5K with obstacles). Ryan began attending Air Hill near the end of 2013. He was saved and baptized about the age of 6 at Montgomery BIC Church. In the summer of 2010, he went with Priority 1 Ministries to Alberta, Canada, for 17 days to teach Bible Schools at the Sun Child Reservation, where Rodger and Karen Rinker served as missionaries. Ryan recalls with excitement that he was able to pray with and lead at least one child to Christ through this experience. Ryan has a passion to help the poor and underprivileged to learn some means of self- support or selfworth. It was during his quest for such an opportunity that he was introduced to Lance and Elizabeth Edwards in Zimbabwe. Ryan is stepping out in faith and traveling to Africa in January, for 2 months, to offer his many talents and services to this rural church plant of about 200. The emphasis will be on well drilling, but he will also be providing family support to the Edwards Family of 4 (2 teenage children; an 18 yr. old son and a 17 yr. old daughter), and the church youth group. Please welcome Ryan among us and support him with your prayers for his upcoming venture. Submitted by, Lois Denlinger
Florida Work Trip 10 People from Air Hill left on Nov. 15th to Merritt Island to Teen Missions to help renovate a bathroom. God put together a team that was an amazing mixture of talent. Dwaine Wenger carpenter Brian Johnson mechanic Lawrence Grove plumber Ray Myers electrician Pastor Jason willing servant and coordinator of the trip. Chris Rickabaugh willing servant Mike Hawbaker willing servant Thomas Todd experience with cutting tile Rozanna Myers cook and prayer warrior Sandy Bender cook Each day started with breakfast at 7:00 am. At 8:00 we attended Chapel Service at Teen Missions and were challenged by a different speaker each day. At 8:30, the men started on a gutted out bathroom and worked all morning. 12:00 the ladies would have a lunch for the team and by 12:45 the men were back at it and worked until 5:30-6:30 pm every night. Then back to the trailers to get cleaned up and then out for dinner. Our evening ended with a devotion and prayer. Anthony gave us a tour one day and our eyes were opened to the great need around the world and how God is using Teen Missions to be part of fulfilling that need. There are many ways to give...time, money, prayer. If you would like to give, designate on your giving envelope, Teen Missions Check out Teen Missions Web Page to find different ways you can serve God through Teen Missions. www.teenmissions.org Beginning in December, our WOW children will be collecting money to support Projects With Eternal Purpose
Christmas Family Dinner/Program Dec. 12, 2015 Meal: 5:00 pm Program: 6:15 pm The Christmas Story presented in song, drama and children s bell choir. Sign up by Dec. 6th. If you shop at amazon.com and use the link below, Amazon will donate.5% of your purchase to Air Hill Brethren in Christ Church every time you shop. An easy way to give to the ministry of Air Hill Church. http://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1142759 Christian Video Streaming Service Rightnowmedia.org Over 10,000 video Bible Studies from top Bible teachers and church leaders. Studies on leadership, Christian living, marriage, parenting and much more! Studies you can do individually, as a couple, a family or with a small group. They also have a great library of Christian Children s TV shows and movies including: McGee and Me, 321 Penguins, Iesodo, Veggie Tales, Adventures in Odyssey and much, much more. Air Hill is a member of Rightnowmedia.org. This is something that is free to anyone part of our church in any way. If you would like to check it out, let the church office know and we will send you an invitation through email and you can see all that they have to offer. Check it out and I think you will enjoy what you discover. You can watch rightnowmedia on Roku, smart TV s, Iphones, Android or on your computer.
Church Board Highlights Oct. 12, 2015 and Nov. 9, 2015 Worship Team is planning to fill two Sundays a month with guest individuals. Reimbursement for each service $100 $300 will be given to Ryan Thrush for his mission trip to Zimbabwe Pastors were excused while salaries were discussed. Motion to make final decision on salaries after input from Finance Committee. Motion to increase salaries of three staff by 2% for 2016 approved Budget was approved to be presented to Financial Council Recommendation to Missions Committee to remove Eric Bert from local missionaries supported annually. Financial Council Immediately following worship service, Dec. 13, 2015 Shepherd Ministry Moments The Shepherd Ministry Fall Fellowship held on Saturday, Sept. 24 found some of our shepherds having other activities. There were 11 present. The evening started off breezy and chilly. Then it got calm and mild and was a very pleasant evening sitting around the camp fire in front of the three crosses behind the church roasting hot dogs. We shared a light dinner of roasted wieners, baked beans, chips, pumpkin cake and candy; along with hot and cold cider and water. Our activity was to cut off the tops of our pumpkins and clean them out. We then drew designs on them and our men used rills to drill various size holes in the pumpkin to go along with our designs. After putting battery operated candles in them they were beautiful. Our song time around the camp fire was very special ending with Amazing Grace. Several shepherds shared a testimony of what God was doing in their lives. We ended in prayer by Pastor Chuck. It began to sprinkle about 8:00 pm when we were dismissing. What a lovely night! In everything God works for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:29 Submitted by Rozanna Myers, Coordinator Scripture and the Church We believe that the Bible is God s message of salvation for all people. As believers, we accept the Bible as the final authority for faith and practice. The Holy Spirit continues to work in the church today in teaching us how to understand, interpret, and apply the Scriptures through faith and diligent study. As believers open the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit helps them to discern God s truth and will from the Word. As the church gathers around the Word, the Holy Spirit leads God s people into all truth. The Scriptures themselves are the primary standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible. The person, teaching, and work of Jesus Christ best clarify God s written revelation. Christians are called to read and obey the Bible. Therefore the church needs to provide faithful preaching and teaching of the Scriptures. Individuals and families should practice Bible reading and study. As we read and respond obediently to the counsel of God s Word, our statements of belief have integrity. (Copied from the Manual of Doctrine & Government of the Brethren In Christ Church)
New Heights Youth We are looking for ways the youth can serve and give back this Christmas season. If you know of ways that we could help out others or volunteer in some way please speak with Jason. We want to use this time to let the world know what we are really celebrating over Christmas. Youth Join us in December as we study Jesus birth and how he loved us enough to leave the glory of Heaven to come here and live, die and be resurrected to provide salvation for us. Please pray for those in need and help us honor Jesus and celebrate Christmas by giving back. Merry Christmas! Tis the season to be jolly! What a great time of year. I love the Christmas season. Yes, there are lots of reasons to not enjoy it increased traffic, colder weather, everyone is busy, etc. but there are many reasons to be excited about it Family time, sales, time off school and most importantly- time to celebrate the birth of our savior. It is easy to be consumed by materialism and only think about what we want this year, but I believe we must look past all of that and focus on helping others and celebrating the birth of Christ. Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. New Heights Youth Group Wednesdays 6:30 to 8:00 pm Students 6th to 12th Grade Games, snacks and Bible lessons Making friends and learning about God.
P a g e 8 Wise Men Search for Jesus What in the world do leaping lords, french hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? From 1558 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly so someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song. Here are the hidden meanings: Partridge in a Pear Tree Jesus Christ 2 Turtle Doves Old and New Testament. 3 French Hens Faith, Hope & Love 4 Calling Birds Matthew, Mark, Luke and John 5 Golden Rings The Torah or the first 5 books of the OT 6 Geese a Laying 6 days of Creation 7 Swans a Swimming Sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit 8 Maids a Milking 8 beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing 9 Fruits of the Spirit 10 Lords a Leaping Ten commandments 11 Pipers Piping 11 Faithful disciples 12 Drummers Drumming 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed. This Month Missionaries Birthdays: Don t forget to send a card or email Dana Crider 12/12 Karina Thrush 12/13
2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 6 pm Children s Min. meeting 7:30 Adult Min. 2 5:45 Meal 6:30 WOW 3 6:30 Ladies Zumba 4 1:30 Good News Club 5 12-5 Gym in Use 6 pm Shepherd/ Leadership Banquet 6 9 S.S. 10 Worship Lamplighters Christmas Trip 7 8 8:30 Men s Breakfast 6 pm Prop. Mgt 6:30 Ladies Prayer @ Rozanna s 9 5:45 Meal 6:30 WOW 10 6:30 Ladies Zumba 11 1:30 Good News Club 12 5 pm Christmas Family Dinner/ Program 13 9 S.S. 10 Worship 11:30 Budget Council 2-7 Gym in Use 14 8:30 am Sewing in the Annex 7 pm Church Board 15 16 No Meal Christmas Caroling begins @ 6 pm 17 6:30 Ladies Zumba 18 1:30 Good News Club 19 4-9 Gym in Use 20 9 S.S. 10 Worship 1 pm Volleyball Practice 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 9 S.S. 10 Worship 28 4 pm Youth Event 29 30 31