Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: The Mission Continues

Missions Sunday is Coming!

Our Church Mission continues to be “Loving God, Loving His Family, and Loving our Neighbors.”

This Sunday we will get to hear from a member of our own Church Family who Loves God and is passionate about showing love to young adult Neighbors in the Mid-Atlantic region. As we celebrate Missions Sunday this weekend, Phil Schiavoni will bring an update from CCO ministries and a word from Scripture.

To sign up for Phil’s weekly newsletter, visit this link: https://ccojubilee.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bc4160ba4363a04e3011ab0dd&id=53e59e9dba

There will also be a combined Sunday School time in the sanctuary featuring Andrea Myers with “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” and reports from some of our other Compelled to Serve partners. That afternoon, the Cumberland Valley Mission Celebration will be held at the Carlisle First Church of God from 3:00-4:30, followed by a light meal.

*Since this is a 5^th Sunday, children will be able to worship with their parents during the second service and learn about our ministry partnership. There will still be nursery available, but no elementary programs at 11:00.

It is exciting to be part of a group of believers that desires to see God’s Love and the Gospel of Jesus shared both near and far with people from all backgrounds, in a variety of eternity-changing ways! Join us in worship on Sunday (or online) as we take some time to celebrate what God is doing through our ministry partners.

Upcoming Events

We will be having two sessions of Grief Share’s “Surviving the Holidays” ministry. This one-time event is designed to support individuals who are facing these holidays without loved-ones who have passed away. The dates are November 2 and December 4, and both sessions will cover the same material. More information can be found in the Gathering Place. Please call the church office to pre-register (717-532-8421).

Our Church Bonfire is next Saturday, November 4 at 5:00 pm. This will be held at Winsome Farm in Newville and there will be something for everyone, including food, activities, and contests. For more information, see the sign-up sheets in your Sunday School class, the Gathering Place or the children’s ministry area.

Congregational Meeting is November 5^th at 6:00pm. Join us to hear exciting updates about Cross Roads Station, the annual budget presentation, and participate in elections. Agendas have been emailed to you, and will also be found in your church mailboxes.

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. You can help us prepare our new kitchen by taking a “raindrop” from the umbrella located in the Gathering Place. There are many different items in different price ranges that need to be purchased to stock the kitchen. Thank you to everyone who has already participated!

Christmas Preparations

Keep packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child so we can reach our goal of 600! National Collection Week will be November 13-20. Our shoeboxes will be dedicated during our worship on November 19.

Poinsettia order forms can be found in the Gathering Place, Sunday School rooms, and near the Childrens check-in area.

Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-8:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Vendor spaces are still available!

Prayer Updates

Thanks to everyone who participated in the special prayer service this past Sunday. It was so good to be together to pray for the needs of our Church Family and our World!

Pastor Gary’s procedure yesterday determined that some progress is being made, but very slowly. The area of infection is getting smaller and draining a bit naturally, but more healing is still needed. Pray for continued strength and for the antibiotics to work effectively.

Mick Martin returned home from the hospital. Pray for continued recovery as he has had some adjustments to medication, and praise the Lord that his heart and lungs are all good.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

-Psalm 121:1-2

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org