Envoy Volume 29, No. 5 May 2018 Palmyra Church of the Brethren We want to hear from you! The Envoy, our monthly newsletter, is the first opportunity for the church s activities and ministries to be announced and promoted. There are many options to receive the Envoy including a paper copy delivered to your church s mail box or mailed to your home, a digital copy emailed to you, or the option to view it on our website or on our Facebook page. We are asking everyone to take just a few moments and fill out this questionnaire to let us know how you would prefer receiving the Envoy. Please return this questionnaire to the office or put in the offering plate so we can be sure you are receiving the Envoy in the format that is most convenient for you. Name: I wish to receive the Envoy Copy emailed to this email address: I read it on the church s website. I read it on the church s Facebook page. Copy in my church mail slot. Copy mailed to my home address. Our Congregation to Host BHA The Brethren Housing Association (BHA) and the Outreach Team have partnered to create a very special Sunday centered on the Association s mission and programs. Crystal Brown, Executive Director of BHA, and Jessica Johnson Vinton, Director of Development, will lead us in worship on May 13. During fellowship time, there will be opportunities to check out BHA s program displays along with coffee and goodies. To conclude the morning, a special Sunday school class, open to everyone, will be held in the Fellowship Hall to further explore BHA with Crystal and Jessica. BHA was founded in 1989 by several Church of the Brethren congregations partnering together to help the homeless. Our congregation has been an active supporter of BHA since the beginning; it was especially close to Pastor Landes heart. Today, the Association is an independent, nonprofit, interdenominational human service organization based in Harrisburg. Its mission is to provide housing and supportive services to families who are experiencing homelessness. The Association owns more than ten properties in South Allison Hill and serves more than 85 adults and children each year. The Association s most known program provides transitional housing for women with children who are homeless. The Light House Youth Program is designed to give children of these women a safe and nurturing environment to develop social, emotional and leadership skills. Other BHA programs are Side By Side, that provides permanent housing for individuals with a disability and Next Steps, an aftercare program for families who have completed a BHA housing program. Mark your calendar you won t want to miss this exciting Sunday!
2 Thank you! We want to thank Pastor Lohr, Pastor Cave and the congregation for the visits, thoughts, prayers, phone calls, flowers and cards following the tragic death of Nicole Swanson, our granddaughter, niece, and cousin. During this sad time for our family we are reminded how thoughtful and caring you are. Bob & Dottie Bucher and family. New Hours Beginning April 2 Receiving Donations: Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday evenings: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon Shopping: Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday evenings: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Upcoming Fundraisers: 12th Annual Golf Outing is on May 19, at 8 a.m., at the Deer Valley Golf Course. The registration deadline is May 9th. Anyone interested in sponsoring a hole (Company or Individuals) can do so by making a $100, $200, $300, $500, $750 or $1,000 donation. Questions should be directed to Art Gingrich, 838-3847. 1st Caring Voices Benefit Choral Concert is on May 20 at Lebanon Valley College's Lutz Recital Hall in the Blair Music Center. Prelude music will begin at 6:30 p.m., program will begin at 7:00 p.m. A love offering and food drive will directly benefit The Caring Cupboard. The Voices of the Valley will be performing along with choirs from the Church of the Holy Spirit, First United Methodist Church, St. Mark's - Annville, and Palmyra Church of the Brethren. The 3rd Annual Summer Lunch Food Drive will be held on June 9th this year. We'll need lots of hands in several locations to make this happen. Last year, this food drive resulted in 2,500 pounds of food and over $1,000 in donations. It is vital to the life of the Summer Lunch Program! Odds & Ends You are encouraged to use Miss You Cards! If someone is absent that you were hoping to see in church, you can let them know that you missed them by filling out one of the We Missed You! cards. These blue cards are in the pocket of the worship attendance pads and on the table in the Narthex. Please include the date, their name and your name. You can also write a brief note. Return the cards to the offering plate or to the basket in the Narthex. Your card will be mailed to the person later in the week. Thank you for reaching out and encouraging one another. Mana Bags available for distribution A box of Manna Bags is located under the side balcony by the mail slots. Each bag contains a bottle of water, non-perishable food items, and a list of local resources and organizations. Manna Bags can be given to the homeless you see on the streets, the person on the street corner asking for help, or a person that God has placed in your path needing your help. Feel free to grab a bag to keep in your car to offer when you encounter a person who may benefit from its contents. Volunteers are needed! Spring has arrived and the grass is already growing! Our mower is ready for action, but we need your help! Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Questions, please contact Dino Faiola at 821-1128. Personal care items are needed for the baskets in the ladies restrooms. If interested, please contact Elaine Hoffer, erh1221@gmail.com or 717-304- 5231.
3 Make a Note of It By Jeff Clouser, Music Director Upcoming events to note: Music Appreciation Sunday is on May 20. The Praise Team, Choir, Bells, and Instrumentalists will be honored during this special service of music. We will also dedicate our 5th octave of handchimes and our G2 handbell. Be sure to attend and show your appreciation for the musicians and music ministry of PCOB. The Chancel Choir will be performing at the Caring Voices Benefit Choral Concert on May 20, at 7:00 p.m., at the Lebanon Valley College's Lutz Recital Hall in the Blair Music Center. A love offering and food drive will directly benefit The Caring Cupboard. Thank you: All the Taizé participants and to those who attended the inspirational service. It was a very thoughtful and meaningful experience for everyone. Blessings to you for your faithful service and support of the music ministry at PCoB. All the musicians, including Praise Team, Chancel Choir, Bells, and Instrumentalists, for your dedication and commitment to our music ministry during Lent and Easter. Your beautiful musical offerings were indicative of the great amount of time spent preparing for our worship experiences. Joel Smith for serving as Canticle Bell substitute. Your service to the bell choir and the church is greatly appreciated. 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! Disaster Relief Trip Planned! Work remains in the aftermath of recent hurricanes. The Outreach Team is sponsoring a Disaster Relief work trip to South Carolina from September 2-8. Five openings exist. If interested, contact Evelyn Werner, werner.evelyn@gmail.com by May 16. Congregational Updates! Please pray for health concerns for: Dave Bradley, Sam Brandt, Sarah Brandt, Ann Groff, John Heisey, Carol Kulp, Judy Jurell, Donald Layser, Shirley Martin, Terry Meads, Greg Smith (Phil & Lesley Smith s son), Elvin Wagner, Junior Waybright, Dave Witkovsky, and Art Zellers. Please extend sympathy to: Evelyn Frantz and family on the death of Jay Frantz on March 13. The family of Mataline Nauman who died on March 25, particularly to her children, Ken Maulfair and Ferne Steckman and her brother Bernard Smith. Congratulations to Bonnie Landes on becoming a grandmother for the 3rd time! Her granddaughter, Madeline Claire Landes, was born on March 27th. Contact changes: Leroy Snoke: 717-641-4221 Church of the Brethren Hymn Sing Sunday, May 6, 3:00 p.m. Ephrata Church of the Brethren 201 Crescent Avenue, Ephrata Enjoy singing our favorite hymns through the ages! Hymns penned by Church of the Brethren members, as well as favorites that Brethren have always loved to sing, interspersed with a brief historical review of Brethren hymnody. Choristers: Janice Holsinger & Bob Kettering Sponsored by the Atlantic Northeast District C.O.B. Historical Committee
4 Building Bridges Past, Present, Future Auxiliary Evening Program: Robert Muscalus & Howard Lee Sunday, May 20, 7:00 p.m. DiMatteo Worship Center Children s Paint Party Ages: K - 5th Grade Saturday, May 19, 10:00-11:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall Free - Canvas/Supplies and Snacks Provided! Camp Swatara holds many memories for the people of our congregation and has a very special place in our hearts. Each summer, in August, we join together for a family camp weekend where everyone can do camp things, join in welcoming new members to the congregation through baptism and enjoy a potluck Saturday night meal. This time spent with nature and others helps us relax, explore God s many blessings and grow spiritually. The Building Bridges Campaign was established to enhance the facilities at Camp Swatara. The plans are ambitious--update and remodel the west retreat facility; renew and modernize the west lodge; replace the entryway bridge; and expand the driveway surrounding the bridge plus resurfacing all of the presently paved hardtop surfaces in the Camp. Wow! The campaign victory goal was set at $800,000. Serving In May May 6 May 13 May 20 May 27 Head Usher John Rhine John Rhine John Rhine John Rhine Offering Usher Steve Gottshall Steve Gottshall Steve Gottshall Steve Gottshall Greeters Flowers Worship Nursery RSVP REQUIRED by May 12 to Missy at 838-5544 Lois Brubaker Barbara Rhine Scot & Deb Blouch Lori Faiola Michele Gottshall Lois Brubaker Barbara Rhine Lois Brubaker Barbara Rhine The congregation made a $4,000 pledge to Camp Swatara for this Campaign to be accomplished over two years. Thanks to all of you, our pledge was met in 2017. As with all construction work, unfor- Lois Brubaker Barbara Rhine Brenda Heisey NA NA Shila & Derek Ulrich Michele Gottshall Samantha Auer Elaine Hoffer Sharon Smith tunately, costs have exceeded estimates for some of the above-listed projects. For this reason, the Outreach Team has scheduled a special offering for Camp Swatara on Sunday, May 6 to help meet these costs. --The Outreach Team Worship Childcare Brenda Heisey Samantha Auer Lori Walmer Donna Fawber Via Jeanie Small Sherri Baiocchi Betty Smith Shirley Spahr Sunday School Nursery Melanie Hartman Jeanine Houff Cindy Bortner Cindy Weatherholtz Michele Gottshall Andy Hoffer Steve & Michele Gottshall
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8 Palmyra Church of the Brethren Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully Simply Together 45 North Chestnut Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 Office: 717-838-6369 palmyracob@palmyracob.org www.palmyracob.org 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 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 June s Envoy is May 11, 2018 Email articles to: envoy@palmyracob.org Please include the month the article is to be published.