“THE WITNESS” Newsletter – Dec. 2021/Jan. 2022

22 Feb “THE WITNESS” Newsletter – Dec. 2021/Jan. 2022

Posted at 17:47h in Newsletter by

Dear Church Family,

Think about when you were young and believed in Santa Claus. Christmas carols reminded you that Santa had eyes in every place, at all times. “He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good. So be good for goodness sake.” What was the message you heard on Santa’s lap and from adults everywhere? “Now, you go and be a good little girl (or boy).”

Take a minute to think about how you motivate others. Do you perpetuate the idea of reward and punishment for good or bad behavior? What about the idea of earning what might be considered a gift? Personally, I don’t like gifts with strings attached. I’m a cross between Charlie Brown’s little sister Sally and his nemesis/friend, Lucy. I just want what’s coming to me and everything I can get.

When my mom handed me $20 and told me to use it to buy gas.” I replied, “If you want to give me money, why do you have to tell me how to spend it? “Wrapped up in her gesture and my response were many complex issues: love, control, motivation, and fear. These things are always hidden in any suggestion to maintain, change, or improve behavior.

What I said to my mom sounded awful, but it was my way of testing her willingness to release control. You see, my mom was driven by love. She had been deprived of the love she needed while in states of dependency. Having found deep spiritual connection with her children, her love for them became desperate. She was willing to do anything to remain connected.

I wonder how many of us confuse God’s love with all that we’ve experienced in regard to love, reward and punishment. Is it possible to love or inspire by words and actions without manipulation? Can we know God’s love without projecting human understanding onto it or is it through human invention regarding love, reward, punishment and inspiration that God’s nature is revealed?

Over your lifetime, which has proven the more successful way of motivating you: Avoidance of something undesirable, e.g. getting your name on the Naughty list, or Reward, e.g. getting your name on the Nice list (which promises added reward)?

For me, the idea of deprivation has been pretty successful. But thoughts of both loss and gain have played their parts. I also know that it is in my nature to “take advantage” when opportunity rises. The idea of seizure has been reinforced by society as we are encouraged to hold onto what we acquire and accumulate for future use.

I’ve also always wanted recognition for doing good. As I recently went through boxes, I received much satisfaction from a written comment by my First-Grade teacher. “Nancy’s able to hold the attention of the entire class while reading a book.” The idea that I was a.) called on to read by the teacher and b.) afforded the attention of all my peers provided positive reinforcement that carried me through life and ultimately led to becoming a pastor.

Prior to being afforded the opportunity, I’d practiced reading aloud to my Nanny’s dog, Buttons. As he lay in his wicker basket beneath the kitchen sink, I’d open a book and show pictures as I read. Once I experienced what it was like to read aloud to a real audience, share how words and pictures can come to life and capture your imagination, a real desire became real-a-lized.

God invites everyone into opportunities where desires are realized after allowing time for practice.

When it comes to motivation, both reward and punishment seem to work. Guess that’s why God uses a combination of both to motivate us. God, like my mom, has also proven willing to do anything to remain connected. Does that also mean God’s love is desperate? Perhaps.

Could the fulfillment of deep spiritual connection and longing lie between God and us? I think so. I even think that what humans devise/invent with regard to love, reward, punishment and inspiration for the sake of doing good can reveal God’s nature (including stories and songs about Santa, lol).

This December and January, as you find yourself thinking about what you wish to give, receive and/or change about your life, examine your motivation. As you seek to avoid and/or hope to do good, examine your motivation. Where have your ways of motivating been reinforced? Are they working to produce the desired results? Do they align with what God tries to teach about goodness, truth, honesty, justice, purity, and love? Do whatever produces a good report or qualifies as a virtue. If there be any praise, think on these things. Be glad (Philippians 4:8).

It occurs to me that upon dismissal from church, you always hear, “Now go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.” Is that the church version of “Now you be good,”? God, I hope not. Let us pray. “May all that brings joy and prevents harm be available to and for those in need. May opportunities lead to the fulfillment of worthy desires and may all that is good be multiplied in the new year according to God’s love and mercy for us all. Amen.

Your Loving Pastor,

Pastor Nancy Brody

LET US PRAY

“Prayer is that which knits the waiting, expectant community together. Prayer is not just for those being prayed for or on the prayer list. Prayer is also an act of faith where we lift up and entrust others to God.”

Health and Other Concerns:

Please email Pastor Brody at
elsiebbrody@gmail.com or call with prayer requests (717)-362-4597.

UPCOMING SCRIPTURES

12/12 – 3rd Sunday of Advent

  • 1st Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Psalmody – Isaiah 12:2-6
  • 2nd Reading – Philippians 4:4-7
  • Gospel – Luke 3:7-18

12/19 – 4th Sunday of Advent

  • 1st Reading Micah 5:2-5a
  • Psalmody – Luke 1:46b-55
  • 2nd Reading – Hebrews 10:5-10
  • Gospel – Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

12/26 – 1st Sunday of Christmas

  • 1st Reading – 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
  • Psalmody – Psalm 148
  • 2nd Reading Colossians 3:12-17
  • Gospel – Luke 2:41-52

1/2 – 2nd Sunday of Christmas

  • 1st Reading – Jeremiah 31:7-14
  • Psalmody – Psalm 147:12-20
  • 2nd Reading – Ephesians 1:3-14
  • Gospel – John 1: [1-9]10-18

1/9 – Baptism of Our Lord

  • 1st Reading – Isaiah 43:1-7
  • Psalmody – Psalm 29
  • 2nd Reading – Acts 8:14-17
  • Gospel – Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

1/16 – 2nd Sunday of Epiphan

  • 1st Reading – Isaiah 62:1-5
  • Psalmody – Psalm 36:5-10
  • 2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
  • Gospel – John 2:1-11

1/23– 3rd Sunday of Epiphany

  • 1st Reading – Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
  • Psalmody – Psalm 19
  • 2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
  • Gospel – Luke 4:14-21

1/30 – 4th Sunday of Epiphany

  • 1st Reading – Jeremiah 1:4-10
  • Psalmody – Psalm 71:1-6
  • 2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
  • Gospel – Luke 4:21-30

NORTHERN DAUPHIN HUMAN SERVICES CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS

Northern Dauphin Human Services Office is requesting assistance BY DECEMBER 12, 2021.

*Toys for children over 14 years old:

  • Nail polish
  • Wallets
  • Chap Stick
  • Older Board games
  • Puzzles
  • Art supplies
  • Journals
  • Ear Buds
  • Fleece Blankets
  • Food – protein bars, slim jims, crackers, hot chocolate, snack bags etc.
    • Gift Cards
    • Haircuts
    • Movie passes
    • Subway
    • McDonalds
    • Burger King
    • 5 Below
    • Family Dollar
    • Dollar Tree

Northern Dauphin County Human Services will also take gently used coats! A container is at Messiah if you would like to donate any of the above gifts. Thank you for your generosity! If you have any questions, please contact Darla Smith.

CHRISTMAS PARTY & CONCERT

Our churches’ Christmas party & concert festivities begin this Sunday, December 12th at Messiah with a covered-dish fellowship dinner in the church basement at 5:30 P.M. Each church council will provide a meat entrée along with utensils, plates, cups, and napkins. Covered-dish favorites and holiday desserts to share are, as always, much appreciated. During the meal a special guest from the North Pole will visit and present Christmas treats to the young/ young at heart.

A Christmas concert will follow in the sanctuary at 7pm featuring the “Joyful Ringers,” adult hand bell choir, and several guest musicians: Brad Crum, Charlotte Gingrich, Tanner Wright, Shelby Nestler and Jim Wilson.

Indoor seating is limited and not socially distanced. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged for those watching from the pews. Mark Sunday, December 12th on your calendar. Remember to ask friends and family to join us for this special Christmas event!

New Location for LIVE NATIVITY

The annual Messiah/St. Peter’s Live Nativity will return this year. Yes, live animals and actors will portray the Holy Family, wise men, shepherds, and angelic choir (singing familiar Christmas carols). Please join in! . The event will be held at Graceful Acres (193 Ridge Road, Halifax). Come enjoy the spacious, comfortable accommodations of their new barn on Sunday, December 19th at 7 P.M. (Barn’s not heated, so dress appropriately!) No admission charge; everyone’s invited.

MESSIAH COLLECTING GLOVES, SCARVES, HATS & SOCKS

Messiah is asking for your help in decorating the Christmas tree in the basement with gloves, scarves, hats, and socks to be donated to a local organization after the holidays. Thanks for your support and generosity!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Two parish worship services are scheduled for Thursday, December 24th, Christmas Eve.

7 PM at St Peter

10 PM at Messiah.

Messiah Lutheran Church invites any children wishing to attend the late Christmas Eve service to wear their pajamas to church (if it’s okay with your parents). That way, you will be ready to go home and jump in bed afterward.

Grown-ups may dress comfy, too. All Christmas outfits, dressy or not, are welcome. As we prepare to celebrate the chosen day to remember Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, we’ll sing songs, hear Bible stories, and have extra- special Communion bread. Please come.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS HELD-BUDGETS PASS

St. Peter and Messiah Lutheran Churches each held their respective congregational meetings on October 17th and November 21st, 2021. Treasurers representing each church presented financial reports and proposed individual and joint church budgets. All proposed budget items were approved. One amendment at Messiah was proposed and passed that aligned current practice with what’s actually written in the constitution. Madison Crum-Burger was nominated and approved to serve as Messiah’s new council member. Also decided by voted tally was the addition of two names to each church’s plaque that acknowledges volunteer dedication: Bob Bower (St. Peter) and Lisa Kaufman (Messiah). Next year’s budget includes increased charitable giving to local and synod ministries plus social service agencies.

31 Days of HEALTHYHABITS for December

It can be such a complicated month, fitting in all the things we want to do as well as all the things we should. When time is tight, the first thing to go is usually taking care of our health/selves. This month, keep it simple by doing something healthy each day. Do the activity once, or add a new one each day so they become cumulative. You get to decide how much you have time for.

  1. Embrace seasonal foods like pomegranates. They’re festive, a good source of fiber and a great combination of crunchy and sweet. Pick up POM POMS Fresh Pomegranate Arils and the work is done for you. Toss them in salads, sprinkle over yogurt or eat by the spoonful.
  2. Set the tone. Decide what matters to you this month and focus on that, whether it’s time spent with family and friends, quietude or something else.
  3. Fit in a body weight workout.
  4. Take a stand. The average American sits approximately 15 hours each day. It’s no wonder sitting is now being called the “new smoking.” Consider standing for part of your workday when possible. Start small by standing for tasks that you do multiple times throughout the day, such as checking email or returning phone calls.
  5. Store memories. Find a small jar or keepsake box where your family can record milestone moments, hopes, memories, future goals and more. Tuck it away with holiday decorations and dust it off next year. Each year, enjoy adding new memories and reflecting on years past when you decorate.
  6. Heat up the kitchen. A simple strategy for eating healthier is to cook at home. But let’s face it: During the holidays, cooking is one of the last things we have time for. Enter meal delivery programs that take care of the hard parts. HelloFresh, for example, does the recipe planning, food shopping and ingredient measuring and delivering to your doorstep, leaving time for the fun part; cooking and spending time together! All boxes include recipe cards that are simple, easy to follow and take no more than 30 minutes.
  7. Get your morning movement fix. Sit on the edge of the bed, roll each ankle in both directions and point and flex your toes. Do each movement five times. Next, stand up. Keeping your hands by your side, sit back into a squat. Then, stand back up bringing your arms into the air, rising up onto your toes and reaching as high as you can. Repeat 10 times.
  8. Keep portions handy. If you want a simple strategy for watching your calories this holiday season, use your hands. Keep protein to the size of your palm, grains the size of your fist and eat at least two handfuls of leafy greens every day.
  9. Know what you need. The most important thing you can do to take care of yourself this holiday season is to know what you need. Do you need more sleep? Regular workouts? Time alone? Make sure that no matter what the expectations are or how busy your schedule is, you listen to yourself and create the space and time for what matters to you.
  10. Include a vegetable in every meal. Add vegetables and you’ll get better nutrition and be less tempted by all the holiday treats.
  11. Just dance. Nothing dissipates crazy-making stress like shaking it off. Hit play on your favorite song, grab a partner or go solo.
  12. Steer clear of the food court Stash almonds in your purse or car for a great-tasting, convenient, healthy snack. Among nuts, almonds are one of best sources of protein and fiber, which means you will be able to handle that epic shopping trip hunger pang-free.
  13. Create a 50/10 hour. Research shows we have a limited amount of focus before we need to recharge and take a break. Instead of telling yourself that you need to “power through” your day, consider revamping your work style. Spend 50 minutes of concentrated effort on one task every hour, and use the remaining 10 minutes for a mental break. You can use that break to use the restroom, check email or go for a walk. Then, get back to the same (or a new) task at the top of the next hour. By knowing you have a break coming at the end of the 50- minute period, you will be less tempted by distraction, and better able to make progress.
  14. Be a morning person. Exercise will get knocked off the to-do list if it’s not done first thing. Schedule it before anything else happens and walk around wearing confidence and a sense of accomplishment all day long.
  15. Develop a strategy. What’s your trouble zone? Gift buying? Parties out? End-of-year wrap-up at work? Determine and decide how to handle it rather than let it nag away at you. Delegate what you can and do what you must.
  16. Front-load your diet. Before the day gets away from you, be sure you’ve gotten lots of fruits and vegetables by combining several in an on-the-go smoothie. Blend 1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1 banana, 1/2 c. dark cherries, 1 T almond butter, several large handfuls of baby spinach and ice until smooth.
  17. Take two. When watching TV, use the commercial breaks as a reminder to get active. For each commercial break, pick a different exercise to do until your show comes back on. Body weight squats, holding plank, stationary lunges or tri-cep dips are all great ones to try.
  18. Go nuts. If you’re serving nuts at a holiday party, choose pistachios because they are one of the snack nuts with the lowest fat and calorie content. Thirty pistachios are approximately 100 calories. Plus, eating in-shell pistachios may fool you into feeling fuller because of the visual reminder of how much you’ve eaten.
  19. Breathe. When things get crazy and you become overwhelmed, take a minute to catch your breath. Sitting down on a chair, feet flat on the floor, breathe in for a count of four saying the words, “I am.” Hold your breath for a count of four. Exhale for another count of four, this time saying the words, “at peace.” Hold your breath another four count. Repeat 5 times.
  20. Give the gift of health. Growing up, we had a family friend who always gifted a case of Texas red grapefruits every Christmas. These days, I love to give (and receive) fruit for Christmas because it’s such a welcome relief to the onslaught of sugar at this time of year. Sweet Scarletts provide 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, which is certainly never a bad thing during cold and flu season.
  21. Treat yourself. Hey, who said you only have to buy presents for others? Buy your awesome self a little something this holiday season too.
  22. Focus on presence, not presents. In this day and age of technology and distraction, sometimes the best gift is someone’s full attention. Make a point to turn off your phone or put in airplane mode. Enjoy conversation and laughter; focus on those you’re with.
  23. Stay hydrated. Winter weather can be rough on skin. Hydrate from the inside out by starting each day with a full glass of water, then before every meal. If the thought of a cold drink is unappealing, try hot lemon water.
  24. Foster conscientious conversation. Instead of having the same old conversations with your family this holiday, use conversation starters to get more out of the interaction and learn something new about the person you are talking to. Here are a few to try: What’s your favorite place you ever traveled and why? Why did you choose your profession? If you could go to any restaurant in the world right now, where would you go? What is your best holiday memory? When we assume we know everything about the people we see the most, we miss out on the characteristics that really make them unique and special.
  25. Unplug in the morning. Spend 15 minutes electronic-free. No phone, computer, iPad or tablet. Just you and the morning. Read, pray, meditate, walk or enjoy silence. Set the pace for yourself, rather than let the world set it for you.
  26. Grab your Halos. Halos mandarin oranges are a healthy portable 50 calorie snack. I like to eat two for an after-dinner treat to keep late- night snacking on less nutritious foods at bay.
  27. Conduct a yearly review. Carve out some time to review the year and think about what the past 12 months have taught you. What were your successes and struggles? What were your favorite moments? Reflecting on the year allows us to gain insight into patterns and habits? and decide how we want to better ourselves moving forward.
  28. Sip this. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of relaxing at night with a drink in your hand. Instead of wine, beer or liquor, consider sipping on a hot herbal tea. You still get to kick back with a drink in your hand, but it won’t interfere with your sleep.
  29. Pick a habit: one to choose and one to lose. Setting New Year’s resolutions is so last year. Instead, consider the things you do (and don’t do) every day. Pick one habit you want to choose to do in the New Year, and one habit you want to lose. Then, set out to make those habits happen.
  30. Take a walk around the block. When the end of year and holiday craziness gets the best of you, seek a change of scenery. Carve out 15 minutes today to take a walk around the block. If it feels good and you have more time, do a few more laps.
  31. Say what you need to say. Tell someone you love how much he or she matters to you. Share with them the ways in which they positively impact your life. Spend the last day December knowing you took the time to celebrate the people who matter most to you.

From U.S. News, Dec. 1 2015, Kara Mohr
LOOKING FOR GOOD GIFTS THIS YEAR?

“Looking for an unusual gift? For less money than you think, you could give honeybees, chicks, a rooster, piglet, goat, or something else that would make a world of difference. Catalogs are available in the narthex at Messiah or upon request. You may also shop online at ELCA.org/goodgifts. If you would like to participate through church, please place a designated donation in the offering plate by Sunday, December 26th. Let’s make the world a better place. Ornaments may become available.

TEEPEE TROT/KIDS GIRAFFE FUN RUN

The first annual Teepee Trot and Kids Giraffe Fun Run held on October 2nd raised a little over $2,700. A total of 52 runners and walkers participated. Although it was a cold and foggy morning the racers braved the challenging 3.1- mile course and finished with a smile. Top two overall male and female racers earned cash prizes. Race mugs were given to the top two racers in each age group. It was a sprint to the finish with Mika Miller crossing the finish line first with a time of 21:10 followed by Mike Kreiter with a time of 21:13. Kelly Dworak was the first female finisher with a time of 23:35 followed close behind by Kara Phelps who completed the course in a time of 25:15 pushing a double jogger!

Age group winners were:

19: Tanner Wright (1st), Liam Stever (2nd), Quinn Wright (1st), Addison Hatalla (2nd)

20-29: Earl Pyles (1st), Brittany Rosini (1st), Ali Kreiger (2nd)

30-39: Nathan Hatalla (1st),
Anthony Stever (2nd), Samantha Stewartz (1st ), Kristi Swigart (2nd)

40-49: Jason Dreibelbis (1st), Gary Steinhart (2nd), Stephanie Kern (1st), Jenna Straub (2nd)

50-59: Mark Wenger (1st), David Wright (2nd), Carolyn Wenger (1st), Lisa Kaufman (2nd)

60+: Dave Lebo (1st), Donald Hatalla (2nd), Brenda Rogers (1st)

Twenty-four kids registered for the Kids
Giraffe Fun Run. Participants ran up the
giraffe path, shared some love with Spike,
Bacarri, and Tucker, then finished with the
opportunity for a photo shoot.

Half the proceeds were donated to the
Alzheimer’s Association in memory of J. R.
Tobias. Several local businesses gave generous
contributions and helped make the event
successful. Thanks to: Kratzer Hardware,
Orrstown Bank, LandPro, Troutman’s
Chevrolet, Buick, & GMC, Keystone- Deibler,
Straub, and Troutman, Walmart, Giant Food
Stores, and BB&T bank.

Thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, and
race participants for making the 1st Annual
Teepee Trot a successful and fun day! We hope
you join us next year for the 2nd Annual Teepee
Trot and Kids Giraffe Fun Run. Please do.

THANK YOU ONE & ALL!

Messiah’s Ways and Means Committee
would like to thank Brad Crum, Shelby Nestler
and the Make Mine Country Band for donating
their time and talents for the Holiday concert
held at the Halifax Ambulance Building on
November 21st. The event was enjoyed by over
85 people and raised $1,138.00 in one afternoon
to continue ministries of the church.

Special thanks to everyone who donated food
items and volunteered to help the day of the
concert. The generosity and kindness of
Messiah’s members and friends is very much
appreciated. Thank you for making it a success!

“SOUP AND SUCH” RETURNS

Come February, 2022, “Soup and Such” will
offer Chicken Noodle Soup – $7/quart, crescent
rolls – 4/$1.50, and pumpkin bars w/cream
cheese icing – $1.50/slice. Orders are due by
Sunday, January 23rd and pick-up is from 4 to
6 P.M. on Thursday, February 3rd at Messiah.
For more information, please contact Dianna
Reed at 717-692-5317. Order forms/upcoming
menus available come Jan. at Messiah.

CPR/FIRST AID/AED TRAINING

Messiah’s Health Ministry Committee is
hosting the American Heart Association’s
CPR/First Aid/AED training on Saturday,
February 5, 2022. The class will be held in the
basement from 8:00 am to approximately 1:00
pm. The cost is $70.00. Each individual must
purchase the card showing he/she was trained
separately for an additional $18.00. If you
would like to attend the class, please contact
Dianna Reed at 717-692-5317

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1 – Dean Kerstetter, Michael Jury, Tori Kaufman, Keaton Rummel

2 – Nick Decker

3 – Jane Batzel, Brad Bingaman, Kendall Lehman

4 – Jean Fegley

5 – Joshua Zahurak

7 – Rev. Jay M. Bohn

9 – Loretta Brown, Kory Klinger, Corwin Barnes

11 – Kate Jury

12 – William Sosnoski

13 – Harvey Snyder, Constance Casey, Beth Stoneroad

15 – Erin Kerstetter, Tyrell Nestler, Martina Grunden

18 – Mathew Stoneroad

21 – Bob Bower

22 – Bonnie Webster, Tiffany Paul, Michelle Smith

23 – Andy Barnes, Nina Pellman

24 – Larry Koppenhaver, Mackenzi Bingaman

25 – Linda Lucas

27 – Sara Buffington

28 – Dawn Pellman, Ethan Pellman, Tricia Farner

30 – Pauline Tobias, Ivan Wolfe, Pam Jury

31 – Melissa Keiter, Brian Stoneroad,

Marc Oxendine, Landon Farner

 

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

15 – David & Lan Kahler

23 – Adam & Vicki Messner

24 – Glenn & Gloria Yeager

 

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

1 – Deb Thornberg, Tanner Wright

2 – Gary Stoneroad, Valerie Hollern

3 – Ronnie Hoffman

5 – Elmer Keiter, Peggy Mattis

6 – Thomas Yeager, Sharon Weaver, Amanda Carr, Avery Weber

10 – Charles Dorman

11 – Nang Chau, Nicole Crum

12 – Shelby Nestler, Bob Enders

13 – Sallianne Bechtel, Kerry Dreibelbis

16 – Jan Tobias-Kieffer

19 – Devin Klinger, Derik Klinger

22 – Amy Bowers, Samantha Leiby, Kyle Hoffman

23 – Mahala Cooper

24 – Erin Frederick

26 – Tess Kieffer

27 – Matthew Bowers

28 – Sheri Hatalla, Aaron Popp

29 – Cindy Tobias

30 – Suzanne Witmer, Nancy Matter

31 – Dwight Hentz

 

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

3 – Rev. Jay M. & Mary J. Bohn

6 – Bob & Beckie Enders

17 – Matthew & Amy Bowers

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR DECEMBER

12 3rd Sunday of Advent
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter
10 AM Worship at Messiah
11AM Bell Choir Rehearsal
5:30PM Christmas Covered Dish Dinner
7:00PM Bell Choir Concert

15 Candy Pick up after noon at Messiah
6:30 PM Messiah Ladies Aid at Messiah

16 Choir Rehearsal @ Messiah for Live Nativity

19 4th Sunday of Advent
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter
10 AM Worship at Messiah
11AM Adult Choir rehearsal at Messiah
7:00PM Live Nativity, Graceful Acres

24 Christmas Eve
7PM Candlelight Service St. Peter
10PM Candlelight Service Messiah

25 The Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Day/MERRY CHRISTMAS

26 1st Sunday of Christmas
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter
10 AM Worship at Messiah

31 New Year’s Eve/HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR JANUARY

1 New Year’s Day

2 2nd Sunday of Christmas
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter Holy Communion
10 AM Worship at Messiah Holy Communion

9 Baptism of Our Lord
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter
10 AM Worship a Messiah

16 2nd Sunday of Epiphany
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter
10 AM Worship at Messiah

DEADLINE FOR FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER ITEMS

17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

19 6:30PM Messiah’s Ladies Aid at Messiah

23 3rd Sunday of Epiphany
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter
10 AM Worship at Messiah

30 -4th Sunday of Epiphany
8:30 AM Worship at St. Peter
10 AM Worship at Messiah

MESSIAH’S WEBSITE:
halifaxmessiah.church

YOU TUBE:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=halifax+messiah

FACEBOOK PAGES:
Messiah Lutheran Church: www.facebook.com/messiah.lutheran.halifax
St. Peter (Fetterhoff’s) Lutheran Church: www.facebook.com/FetterhoffsLutheranChurch

“THE WITNESS” Newsletter of MESSIAH (FISHERVILLE) & ST. PETER (FETTERHOFF’S) LUTHERAN CHURCHES OF HALIFAX, PA

Rev. Nancy Brody, Pastor
3 Church Street, Halifax, PA 17032
Office: 717-362-4597 ~ Email: elsiebbrody@gmail.com

WAYS TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US NOW…

This is a great time to call the church phone number (717-362-4597), or email Pastor at
elsiebbrody@gmail.com to let us know your cell phone number and/or email address. We’ve been providing the church service via You Tube, and we have been emailing the link as well as posting it live at 10 AM on our Facebook pages. We will gladly email your newsletter to you, even if you’d like to continue receiving your paper copy.

You can also email or call for any additions or changes to mailing addresses, or birthday/anniversary lists. Thank you!