Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: September 2023

Helpful Links:

Weekly Order of Worship and FYI Newsletter (updated over the weekend)

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

SFCOG Prayer Updates

Hello Church Family,

There are a few prayer updates we would like to share with you today:

Nancy Cramer’s funeral is Monday at 11:00 at Fogelsanger Bricker Funeral Home. Please pray for her family—her husband, Lee, her son Chuck (& wife Becky, children Sarah and Jake) and her daughter Nancylee (& husband Chris).
Staci Wickard had her cancer surgery yesterday. It went well, but pray for a smooth recovery and continued treatment.
Joyce Hornbaker and Pat Hockensmith will both be starting radiation soon.
Pastor Gary is feeling a bit better each day, but he will still need some tests and healing before gallbladder surgery can be scheduled.
Please pray for Bernie and Cathy Eiswert’s family. Bernie’s mother has been hospitalized with a brain bleed, and she has been a caregiver for his sister, Anne, who has some disabilities. Pray for Bernie and his siblings as they make some decisions for their care.

^“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

-Romans 7:25a

I hope to see you at Community Night this evening!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

Monday, September 25, 2023

Prayer Update

Hello church family,

Please join me in praying for the Cramer Family. Nancy Cramer passed away this morning and is now eternally with Jesus her Savior. Remember Nancy’s husband Lee, her son, Chuck and his family (Becky, Jake, & Sarah), and Nancy’s daughter and other family members in your prayers.

I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips…

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:1, 17-18

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Now but Not Yet - SFCOG update for 9/24

Sunday is Coming, and so is the “Commands of Messiah” Seminar!

All month long, we have been studying the Words of the Lord’s Prayer, which invites God to give us what we need, lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from Evil. All of these requests imply a humble submission to God, our Holy Heavenly Father, the King of the Heavenly Kingdom. Submission to our King means obedience to His Commands, and following His ways on the Pathway to Personal Holiness.

At this special seminar on Friday and Saturday, Dr. Fleagle from Aim High Ministries will share from the direct commands that Jesus gave to his followers.

These commands include the following topics:

(1) Obeying His Words

(2) Always Pray and Don’t Give Up

(3) Loving Jesus Christ

(4) Receiving and Living by the Holy Spirit

(5) Deny Yourself and Carry Your Cross

(6) Serve with Humility

(7) Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

(8) Do Not Worry About Tomorrow

(9) Give Generously

(10) Be Perfect

(11) Make Disciples

This is sure to be an inspiring and challenging time! It’s not too late to join us (even if you were not able to preregister) --all are welcome to come and participate in this time of reflection and growth! The Friday night session on will be from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. The Saturday morning session will be held from 8:30 am to 12 Noon. Light refreshments will be provided at both sessions. The event is free, but there will be some books and resources available to purchase.

Also this weekend, Dr. Fleagle will be bringing the message on Sunday Morning during both worship services as well. He will share about "The Now But Not Yet Kingdom."

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

-Mark 1:15

Looking ahead, here are a few opportunities to celebrate God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven--

Our next church outing will be to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park next Saturday, September 30th. Bring your friends and family, invite your neighbors, and join us for a day of wild animals. You can meet here at the church at 9:30 to caravan, or go directly to the Park. More information about this and other events can be found on the sign-up sheets in the Gathering Place and Sunday School Classrooms, and also near the check-in area down in the Children’s Department.

We will be having a Bonfire on Saturday, October 14. This will be for all ages— save the date, and stay tuned for more information to come.

And also, on November 12, at 2:00 on a Sunday Afternoon, we will be having a “Kitchen Shower” to provide furnishings for the new Kitchen at Cross Roads Station. Next Week, you’ll hear more about how you can help stock our new kitchen, but on November 12th we will come together for a special opportunity to celebrate and look forward to what God will do through this new space!

The Next Generation needs YOU!

We are in immediate need of a few helpers during the Sunday School hour (9:45) in the following age groups-

Helper for 5th grade
Helper for 1st-2nd grade
Helper for 4year olds–Kindergarten

“Helpers” serve as little as once a month and assist the teachers with showing God’s Love to our children as they learn His Word.

There are also opportunities and needs during the 11:00 Children’s Ministry hour (Sundays) and our Wednesday Night Awana program, so there are many ways you could become involved in this essential ministry!

To learn more, contact Jeanette Roberts:

Jeanette.lynne@gmail.com

717.372.2646

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

-Matthew 6:10

Please keep the following Families in your Prayer-

Pastor Gary and Joyce Hornbaker – Pastor Gary is home and recovering, but faces forthcoming gallbladder surgery. Joyce will be continuing with cancer treatments
Carol and Lindsey Schue – Carol’s brother has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer
Lee and Nancy Cramer – Nancy will be going home with Hospice care

I pray that God’s Spirit will guide you on obedience to His Word, wherever the roads of life take you this week, following our Teacher, Lord, and Savior—Jesus!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

Helpful Links:

Weekly Order of Worship and FYI Newsletter (updated over the weekend)

Monday, September 18, 2023

Prayer Update - Praise!

Hello Church Family,

It is my pleasure to inform you that yesterday Pastor Gary returned home from the hospital!

He will need additional time to rest and recover before facing more treatment and surgery in the future, but he is healing and feeling a bit better.

In Gary’s words, “God is carrying us. We are tired, but feel His power and love.”

Thank you for your ongoing prayers.

Psalm 34

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the Lord;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

Friday, September 15, 2023

Prayer Updates

Hello Church Family,

Here is an update from Joyce about Pastor Gary:

"We are beyond grateful for the improvement Gary is experiencing. There is more healing that needs to happen, but we are moving forward. Thanks for all of the prayers and love ❤️. 'He is able'"

Also, please keep Wayne and Karyn Brubaker and their family in your prayers, as Karyn's father passed away this week.

With you in prayer,
Pastor Rodney

Thursday, September 14, 2023

SFCOG Council Highlights and Updates for 9/17

Sunday is Coming!

What do these three things have in common?

A heavy Weight
A huge Debt
An impossible Target

Is this some new version of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" perhaps?

No, these are all metaphors for "Sin" that have been used throughout the ages and can be found in the Bible.

In the Old Testament, it was most common to think of sin like a heavy burden. By the time of the New Testament, most Jews thought of sin in terms of a financial price to pay. For the ancient Greeks, their concept of sin had origins with the metaphor of a spear or arrow missing a target—it was like the failure to meet an ideal standard. You can see this displayed in the imagery of the Old Testament and by the different words used by the Gospel writers (most notably Matthew and Luke).

With all of these different images, is it any wonder that in our day and age, we too, are not sure how to talk about Sin?

Scripture itself makes it clear that Sin is a complex problem that can't be solved with man-made metaphors or human wisdom. As much as we'd like to make it simpler, the Bible reminds us that it is NOT—and therefore, ONLY GOD can solve this problem!

To understand--and to remedy--the problem of sin, we first need to acknowledge that God must be invited to intervene.

Regardless of culture or circumstances, the implication--according to Jesus--is that Sin is something only God our Heavenly Father can forgive—

God lifts the burden
God erases the debt
God hits the target or defines the ideal

God did all of these things through the redeeming work of Jesus.

In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray to God saying,

"forgive us…"

It is a request, and Only God can grant that request.

In the same way that "daily bread" and all good things come from our heavenly father, God is the source of forgiveness.

But in the very same breath, Jesus reveals a requirement for us—"as we also have forgiven…"

Notice how when we talk about sin in the context of Prayer--first acknowledging our own sinfulness--this actually has the potential to bring us together, not push us apart. And notice something else about the Lord's Prayer-- it is all Plural!

OUR Father… give US… forgive US... lead US… deliver US…

Prayer is meant to bring us together with God and with His People in all of these ways, and forgiveness is at the center of how we ensure that the togetherness continues!

I hope you can come together with us this weekend to consider this "simply complicated" aspect of Prayer!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

-Romans 3:23-24

**Please continue to keep Pastor Gary in your Prayers.

He has shown many signs of good progress, but continues to be in Hershey Hospital. His family thanks you for your prayers and concerns.

Here are a few highlights from the September Council Meeting:

Discussion and action took place regarding Young Adult Ministry opportunities, and financial support.
Updates were shared and actions were taken regarding present council positions and November nominations.
An update was given regarding our ongoing internal financial audit.
Updates were shared and action was taken regarding CRS progress, including a revision to the deed, and congregational involvement to donate items for the kitchen.

Looking Ahead:

Next Weekend is "The Commands of Messiah" event and here's a question for you—

Did you know that the term "Christian" appears only 3 times in the New Testament while the term "Disciple" appears 269 times?

Learn about this and more at this special seminar taught by Dr. Arnie Fleagle from Aim High Ministries on September 22nd & 23rd. The Friday night session on will be from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. The Saturday morning session will be held from 8:30 am to 12 Noon. Register in the Gathering Place, your Sunday School class, or call the office (so we are sure to have enough snacks for everyone!)

Our next church outing will be to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park on September 30th. Bring your friends and family, invite your neighbors, and join us for a day of wild animals. You can meet here at the church at 9:30 to caravan, or go directly to the Park. More information and sign-up sheets are in the Gathering Place and Sunday School Classrooms. Visit their website for location and pricing: Lake Tobias Wildlife Park

We look forward to worshipping together this weekend, in the Sanctuary or online!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

Helpful Links:

Weekly Order of Worship and FYI Newsletter (updated over the weekend)

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Prayer need updates.

Hello Church Family,

It was so nice to come together for the Picnic this morning! Thanks to everyone who came together, and thanks again to all who coordinated the festivities.

Here is an update on Pastor Gary, and another matter of prayer-

Gary is being moved to Hershey Hospital tonight. His care team was sensing overall improvement, but the doctors and the family feel Hershey would have more resources to aid his condition.

Also a request from Pat Hockensmith:

A woman named Joanne from Tree of life Church in Carlisle is urgently in need of a liver transplant. Please hold Joanne in prayer, and if you would like more information, feel free to contact Pat or myself.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Pastor Rodney

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Update on Pastor Gary

Hello Church Family,

Please continue to join together in prayer for Pastor Gary. Here is a more detailed update about his situation from his family:

"We met with the surgeon who did the procedure (Friday). They saw some inflammation at the opening of the bile duct but they saw no actual stones. There was a little debris they were able to clear but not much. There is a possibility there were stones but have cleared. Now through the next week or two it will be time for rest and healing. Right now everything is very inflamed and although there is a fever and higher white blood count there has not been any identified infection. They will withhold antibiotics until needed as it does not actually help with the pancreatitis. The surgeon reiterated that this is a severe case of pancreatitis. All pain meds, fluids, eventually diet, will all need to be carefully calculated as they all can help and hinder simultaneously. At this point the surgeon suspects him to remain here for 1-2 weeks until they are able to remove the gallbladder. This is a day to day case and with constant monitoring.
Gary seems to be responding well to the current pain regiment.
We are asking that visiting would be welcomed when he begins to feel better, so it may be a few days."

From Jeanette and Joyce

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Prayer need, Church Picnic, and SFCOG updates for Sept 10

Sunday is Coming, and so is our Church Picnic!

But first…

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”

I realized that as I began to reflect more intently on prayer for this sermon series about Jesus’ instructions concerning prayer, I have been presented with many situations needing extra prayer. Here is one situation in particular for which I invite our church family to unite our hearts in prayer—

Please pray for Pastor Gary, who is now in Chambersburg Hospital facing severe pancreatitis. He will face several tests and procedures today and will likely be in the hospital for several days. Continue to pray for Joyce as well, as she supports Gary through this uncertain time. May God’s will be done in Pastor Gary’s Life today.

On Sunday, plan to join us at Memorial Park at 10:00am for our combined worship service and picnic--

We will not be in the sanctuary (or online) this Sunday, but we will be out in the community at Memorial Park. We will have a combined worship service at 10:00am, followed by a picnic lunch and some followship opportunities, including a Corn Hole Tournament!

At the Church Picnic, we will get to enjoy many wonderful things that can all be connected to different themes from The Lord’s Prayer—

We will be together as a Church Family, Worshipping our Heavenly Father
We will be surrounded by the beauty of our Holy God’s Good Creation
We will be out on our community as a beautiful representation of God’s Kingdom Coming, and His will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven
We will “Break Bread” together in fellowship, as a reminder that all good things come from our Heavenly Father

Last week we began studying the Lord’s Prayer together as found in Matthew 6. We considered how Jesus taught us to pray, addressing our Holy, Heavenly God as our Personal Father.

Before the words of the famous Lord’s Prayer Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:8, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” This underscores the fact that--while it is good and right to go to God with every need and request that we have because he is our loving heavenly father--it also reminds us that praying to our heavenly father is meant to be much more than simply just a list of requests. Prayer is more than just “asking for things.”

But, make no mistake, Jesus our Lord DOES include “asking for things we need” as part of His prayer in verse 11:

“Give us today our daily bread.”

Jesus instructs us to go freely to God our Father with our needs and requests! And so this weekend, before we share in some “Daily Bread” as part of our Church Picnic, we will consider this theme found in Matthew 6. Jesus has more to say about our needs in this chapter as well, and reminds us in Matthew 6:33,

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

A few other instructions about the Picnic:

We will meet for worship at 10:00 at the large pavilion in the center of Memorial Park in Shippensburg. The food will be served shortly after worship.
Our regular offering will be collected, including Sunday School envelopes. There will be instructions about where to place your offerings at the end of the service.
We will have picnic tables for the meal, but you may want to bring lawn chairs for during the worship service.
The church is providing Chicken and Ham and paper products etc., but each household is asked to bring a side-dish to share (1 dish for singles, 2 dishes for 4 or more people).

And here is something else to look forward to:

Did you know that the term "repentance" actually means "a change of mind?"

Find out more at "The Commands of Messiah" seminar taught by Dr. Arnie Fleagle from Aim High Ministries. The Friday night session on September 22nd, will be from 6:30 pm. until 8:30 pm. The Saturday morning session on September 23rd will be held from 8:30 am. to 12 Noon.

*The event is FREE for everyone, but to help with preparations, please Register by signing up in your Sunday School room or the Gathering Place, or by calling the Church office at 717-532-8421.

Dr. Fleagle will also preach the message, "The Now But Not Yet Kingdom," at both services on Sunday, September 24th.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

-Philippians 4:6

Hope to see you soon!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

Helpful Links:

Weekly Order of Worship and FYI Newsletter (updated over the weekend)