August 2015 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 In This Issue: Serving Together Upcoming Events Baptism & Membership
Serving Together More than We Can Do Alone We are focusing for July and August on the theme of service. Last month, Pastor Kim Nichols addressed service in the here and now, in the every day. She said we are called to prefer others, to select the needs of others over our own. It is important for each of us to serve by preferring others we meet every day. We are all called to serve. Our Grantham Church vision statement is: Make disciples who love God and others. All Christians have the same vocation: to serve God and others. Yet, we accomplish that calling in different ways depending on our abilities and gifts. You will not see me cooking for Eat and Run, but you may see me helping in our Klub program. When I do, I am not volunteering to fill a slot in the program; I am ministering with the gifts God has given me. The church is a place for us to serve together. Indeed, Paul says: I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship (Rom. 12:1). Therefore, every spring, the Grantham Church has a Service Sunday when we worship God by working for others. That merely symbolizes that service is at the center of who we are in Jesus. Our congregation serves in so many ways. Friends Over Fences allows us to fulfill Jesus words: I was in prison and you visited me. This year we started a service initiative at Paxton Ministries. Sign up with Patti Hess to serve at their Labor Day event on September 7. That will allow you to follow Jesus when he says: whatever you did for one of the least of these you did for me (Matt. 25:40). In addition, Grantham Church has vital on-going programs where we can serve. Our children s programs need those whom God has called to minister to our kids. Our worship arts programs need persons to run sound, aiding our worship of God. Cooks are needed for Eat and Run, which is often the first contact of people in our community with our church. We will expand our small group ministry this fall. Perhaps God is calling you to host a group in your home or lead a group. These are just examples. If none of these fit your abilities, there are other places where you can serve. These are not jobs we volunteer for. These are ministries we are called by the Holy Spirit to do that are vital to the mission of Jesus through our congregation. Moreover it is important that we serve beyond the Grantham Church. Some from our congregation serve around the world: Jonathan and Becky Owen in Malawi, Melissa Shoemaker in Spain, and Kiersten Rosetto in Washington. Moreover, page 2 Connections A Grantham Church Publication August 2015
Grantham people serve on community organizations township council, school board, groups that raise support for religious and community organizations, sports associations, and so many more. These ministries also fulfill our vocation to love God and others. We also serve by giving and our money takes wings to enable Brethren in Christ World Missions to plant churches and train leaders around the world. Moreover, our gifts enable local ministries like Paxton, New Hope, and the Harrisburg Food Pantry to help those in need. Jesus says the greatest commandments are love the Lord with your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. We are all called to love and serve God and others. That is the vocation of every follower of Jesus. We accomplish that mission through the abilities God created us with, the gifts that he gives us through the Holy Spirit, and the money we give to the church. When we serve together in the church we accomplish more than any of us can do alone. ~ -Pastor John Yeatts PASTORAL STAFF John Yeatts Senior Pastor, Ext. 7075 Kimberly Nichols Pastor of Children & Youth Ministry Ext. 6707 Otto Monroy Director of Worship Arts Ext. 7078 Ron & Barb Burwell Ministers of Pastoral Care MINISTERS All members of the Grantham Church Introducing Dan Bisbee, Grantham Church s new Business Manager A familiar face to many of us, Dan Bisbee comes to us from Everence where he most recently served as Trust & Financial Advisor for the past 4 years. A graduate of Messiah College with a bachelor s degree in history, Dan is currently pursuing master s studies in the MBA program at Messiah College. He has a depth of business and operational management experience and has a real passion for combining business with ministry. Dan and his wife Karin live in Mechanicsburg with their school-age children, Noah (10) and Sarah (5). He enjoys sports, music, and reading and looks forward to serving the Grantham Church congregation. PRAYER CHAIN CONTACT 766-0531, ext. 2970 (during office hours 8:00 am 3:00 pm Mon. Fri.) Wayne Cassel, 697-1824 (after office hours & weekends) OFFICE STAFF Melanie Schubert Office Assistant, Ext. 6705 Ray Dourte Facility Coordinator Dan Bisbee Business Manager CONNECTIONS Sherri Long Layout & Design GOD AT WORK A M O N G U S God s Amazing Power to Heal About two months ago I developed back and leg pain. Medicine helped, but did not cure the pain. I slumped into a big time pity party! Then Pastor John called and asked if I would like to be anointed, I jumped at the chance! Several days later Pastor John, my daughter, Vicky, and four friends from Grantham Church arrived to pray for me and Pastor John did the anointing. About three or four weeks later I was off all medication and pain free! To God be the glory! Thanks to all who prayed! ~ Ruth Bierbower GRANTHAM CHURCH 421 Grantham Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Phone: (717) 766-0531 Email: office@granthamchurch.org www.granthamchurch.org Grantham Church Connections A Grantham Church Publication August 2015 page 3
MINISTRY UPDATES Children During our week we also had a special offering each Fall is right around the corner, which means we will be gearing up for fall activities. We will need many volunteers to make these programs possible. We need Learning Community teachers, Klubs leaders, and Kids Own Worship Volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering in any of these capacities, please contact Sally Young at sallymader21@yahoo.com Youth From July 19th-July 25th, 23 youth and volunteers from Grantham set out for Kingston, Jamaica. We stayed at the Salvation Army School for the Blind. Our main ministry was running a weeklong Vacation Bible school for the local orphanage and other community Kids. During this time we taught lessons on: renewing your heart, renewing your mind, renewing your strength, and renewing your life. We also provided skits, crafts, and games. It was a wonderful time of simply loving these children and giving them the attention and care they so desperately longed for. In the afternoons we did a variety of cleanup projects. We painted a local school and organized classrooms. We also organized and cleaned out a large Salvation Army donation unit. In the evenings we had time of worship and devotions. We even got to spend a day off at Dunn s River Falls, and hiked a large waterfall. It was a very hot and long week of work, but our group never complained and worked tirelessly. What a wonderful week of being the hands and feet of Christ. We would like to sincerely thank all those who supported us in prayer, thought, and financially. This trip would not have been possible without the love and support of our church family. Thank you sharing in this Kingdom building work. The youth will be sharing more about their experience in Jamaica during church on August 9th, we hope to see you there! YOUTH SUMMER ACTIVITY DATES: August 15th: Softball Night August 28th: Picnic at Pinchot page 4 Connections A Grantham Church Publication August 2015
How Can I Help? LIBRARY NEWS Are you wondering if the church library has a particular item? There are three ways you can check: 1) Search the library s online catalog on Grantham Church s website under Ministries & Serving and Library, and look for the online catalog link. 2) Look in the card catalog in the Library under the author or title. 3) Contact Edie Asbury, Librarian, at 763-2664 or easbury6@gmail.com to make a request. To help keep the card catalog option up to date for those who prefer that method, the Library is seeking a volunteer to help file the cards for new items recently added to the library s collection. Please contact Edie if you would like to do this at any time of your convenience. Thanks! Edie Asbury Upcoming Sermons August 16 Genesis 49 A Father s Blessing August 23 Genesis 50:1-22 God Intended It for Good August 30 Genesis 50:22-26 Children on His Knees September I Corinthians Grantham BIC Church believes it is important to give back to our community. Therefore, the Missions, Peace, and Service Commission provides a number of on-going ways that you can be involved with supporting our local community through material resources. 1. New Hope Ministries is a Christian social service agency that shows the love and hope of Christ by serving our neighbors in times of need and supporting their efforts towards stability. The first two months of 2015 have provided New Hope with the opportunity to serve 314 different households, up 6.8% from first two months in 2014. Volunteers are needed to serve at the front desk, help in the food pantry, serve as a financial literacy instructor, and serve as a cooking/ nutrition instructor. New Hope Ministries is currently in need of the following items for their food bank: canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, and shampoo. 2. Harrisburg BIC Church Food Pantry: Harrisburg BIC Church has a food pantry which it opens to the community twice a month. Food is always appreciated and warm clothing is welcomed during the winter months. 3. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC): We are also now collecting items for health, newborn care and school kits for Mennonite Central Committee. These kits are distributed to people in need in many parts of the world. As you think about it while you re shopping for school and health supplies for your family or for a new baby in the community, consider adding a few items to contribute to someone in need. A list of requested items can be found on top of the donation bin. Donations for all projects can be dropped off anytime in the marked bins under the coat rack by the library. Connections A Grantham Church Publication August 2015 page 5
UPCOMING EVENTS _ New Small Groups Starting Being a part of a small group is a wonderful way to find deeper connections within our church as well as a way to be encouraged in your spiritual life. The Grantham Church has always encouraged people to be part of small groups and currently there are small groups in our church. This fall we are planning on starting some new small groups to encourage people who are not now part of a group to consider joining a group. Baptism If you are interested in being baptized or want to know more about baptism and what the Brethren in Christ believe about it, please contact John Yeatts at 766-0531 ext. 7075 or jyeatts@granthamchurch.org Membership The church has always been the body through which God works. You can be a part of that. The New Testament uses the word church in two ways: the universal group of all believers in the world and the local gathering of Christians who meet in worship to prepare for service in their communities. Our Grantham Church is one of those local collections of Jesus disciples who love God and others. Membership in the church gives you the opportunity to participate in something bigger than yourself Christ s work in our community and around the world. Our Brethren in Christ heritage has always promoted a high view of the church as believers who are disciples and disciplined persons. Therefore, members are expected to testify to a personal experience of God s saving grace and a willingness to follow Jesus through obedience to the moral principles of the Bible. The Grantham Church invites you to become a member of our local church, which is also part of Christ s world-wide church, or perhaps just to find out what church membership is all about. There will be classes for new members or interested persons on four Sundays in September at 9:00 a.m. To become part of those classes, contact Pastor John Yeatts. In August we will be providing ways for people to sign up for new small groups (look for information in your mail box and in the bulletin). Our plan is to have an organizational meeting of all those interested in new small groups on Sunday, Sept. 13. The goal is to form new groups that will commit to meeting at least six times between September and December. Depending on interest, we are hoping to have several groups meeting either on Sunday evenings or other times during the week. Be sure to sign up if you are interested in this opportunity. Many people have found that the experience of being part of a small group has been central to their growth in the Christian life. God has made us for community and we can find an expression of community by meeting with others in a small group setting. As you think about this possibility, consider these words from Henri Nouwen: Community is a fellowship of people who do not hide their joys and sorrows but make them visible to each other in a gesture of hope. In community we say: Life is full of gains and losses, joys and sorrows, ups and downs but we do not have to live it alone. We want to drink our cup together and thus celebrate the truth, that the wounds of our individual lives which seem intolerable when lived alone, become sources of healing, when we live them as part of a fellowship of mutual care. (Can You Drink The Cup?) page 6 Connections A Grantham Church Publication August 2015
& GROUPS Heritage Rising Reunion Concert Saturday, August 15 6:30 p.m. The Arts Hub and Mission Peace and Service Commission are proud to jointly present A Heritage Rising Reunion Concert on August 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Grantham Church. Bringing together past singers from the men s a cappella ensemble, the concert will feature a variety of musical styles ranging from Thomas Tallis to American spirituals. The event will be used to raise awareness and support for former member Jonathan Owen and his family who are serving with Brethren In Christ World Missions in Malawi, Africa. The concert will be followed by a reception. Please join us as we raise our voices in song! Grandmothers in Prayer Thursday, August 27 Join us on August 27 at 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor (Room A4) and we will be discussing chapter 13 in the book, Extreme Grandparenting by Dr. Tim & Darcy Himmel. All grandmothers of the Grantham church are invited. Come join us as we trust God to show His love and guidance to our grandchildren. Velma Yoder at velyoder@aol.com or 717-697-2699. Harvest Happening The ArtsHub is proud to announce the free festival Harvest Happening is happening again! This outdoor community event will feature dinner for all, games for kids and adults, and a live jazz band! This event is a collaborative effort of several commissions of the church. So join us on September 27 at 4pm and bring a friend! Grantham Church Men s Breakfast Friday, September 4 Grantham Church Men s Breakfast will be held Friday, September 4, the first Friday of the month. We reserved a private room at the Brothers Restaurant on Route 15. Join us anytime from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and good conversations with others. Our devotional time begins at 7:00 a.m. Men of all ages are encouraged to come. Contact Marion Yoder at MYoderETK@aol.com or Bill Probst at wwprobst@verizon.net with questions. Letters from Our Missionaries If you would like to read updates from our missionaries all over the world, please visit the Missions Bulletin Board in the lobby near the main entrance of the church. Connections A Grantham Church Publication August 2015 page 7
Weekend of Service at Paxton Ministries by Patti Hess Just Across the River Just across the Susquehanna River, about 12 miles from Grantham Church, Paxton Ministries serves approximately 85 residents who are challenged with poverty, mental illness, and intellectual disabilities. Paxton Ministries serves a crucial need in the community to provide housing, healing and care for those who would otherwise have few choices. The Partnership Through a conversation with Pastor John Yeatts and Jodie Smiley, executive director at Paxton Ministries, the idea was born to establish a partnership that provides service opportunities to those of us at Grantham to support both the staff and residents. Approached with being the volunteer coordinator for this quarterly weekend effort, I initially hesitated, searching my soul and God s direction about getting involved. In the end, I felt compelled, because I know that the Bible supports the very thing that Paxton represents in their mission of caring for the disenfranchised. I knew that this was something that those of us at Grantham could do individually and collectively and make a difference. Through many meetings at Paxton with Kasandra Grab, volunteer coordinator, and others, we established a format for how we could serve over a two-day weekend, involving volunteer times of only two- to three-hour increments that work into many busy schedules, and/or ways to donate items if unable to be onsite. The Opportunity We have had two Weekend of Service outreach efforts in 2015 the first on March 21-22, and the second on June 20-21; in which a total of 51 volunteers have participated. Volunteers work in a variety of areas: kitchen, grounds-keeping, housekeeping, resident activities, refreshments, and music. These are all things we can do, that don t require a huge investment of time, yet so significantly bless the staff and residents at Paxton. In June one of the volunteers said to me that she had always wanted to get involved but didn t know how. Weekend of Service provided that opportunity. The Appreciation The very idea of the partnership in which Grantham can serve on a regular basis is crucial to developing relationships with the staff and residents. Each time I am there I am personally blessed by the warm smiles and expressions of appreciation that Grantham cares enough to come support them. One of the residents, during a poignant lunch time prayer, gave thanks for the Grantham volunteers. Another intentionally and warmly engages with the volunteers so they feel welcome and comfortable being there. The staff is very quick to acknowledge the help and impact of our service. It is a meaningful exchange. Your Chance to Serve On Monday, September 7th, Labor Day, our format for Weekend of Service will be a little different in that we are looking for volunteers to help during Paxton Ministries picnic and activities for approximately 300 people. The opportunities for service throughout the day will include: setup, serving lunch, a variety of afternoon activities, and cleanup. So, if you are available, consider how you might give a few hours to a very special place just across the river. Information More information will be forthcoming in August for signup. Contact Patti Hess at 697-6241 for more information or email at hessfam4@verizon.net. page 8 Connections A Grantham Church Publication August 2015