Hopes & Fears - SFCOG Update for December 3

Sunday is Coming!

 

“A small town girl finds love in an unlikely place, and reminds those around her to hold on to hope, because sometimes things are not as they seem…”

 

Is that the plot of a Halmark movie, perhaps??

 

No, this is a summary of the Book of Ruth, which takes place in the little town of Bethlehem, hundreds of years before the first Christmas.

 

This weekend on the first Sunday of Advent, we will consider the story of Ruth, an outsider brought in to the Jewish faith, who is held up as a hero because of her loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and because of the way she reflects the loyal character of God.

 

Ruth remains loyal to the God of Israel, trusting in God’s unchanging Goodness. Perhaps the most famous part of this story is Ruth’s statement in 1:16:

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

 

Ruth’s attitude has been a model of loyalty throughout the ages. Ruth herself can be seen as a testimony from scripture about how God is faithful, and He does not weigh people’s value in the same way that the world does.              

 

In the story of Ruth, God redefines loyalty and human worth, putting Himself in the center where He belongs. For us, we must remember that our loyalties should not be limited to bloodlines or hometowns.

 

We also learn that when we are obedient to God and imitate his love and loyalty, it is a testimony to the world around us. In Ruth 4:14-15, we see the praise given to God because of what He did through Ruth:

The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

 

Throughout the course of this story, the whole community around Ruth affirms her value and gives God the glory for it. At the conclusion of the story, Ruth marries Boaz and bears a son, assuring her place (and Naomi’s) in the lineage of King David and King Jesus (as seen in Matthew 1).

 

But Ruth’s story also reveals how God provides for the overlooked and powerless, which widows had come to represent in the Old Testament. In Ruth’s story, she is the unlikely hero that God uses to provide for Naomi, even when Naomi had given in to bitterness and fear.

 

This is an example of how God delights to use the Weak to teach the Strong! That brings us back to what will be a theme this Advent season— God has always displayed His own Greatness by including the weak and the small things of this world—like little people from little towns—in His plans to fulfill His Great purposes!

 

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

1 Corinthians 1:25 (NLT)

 

This Christmas season, may we welcome others, learn from others, and remind each other of the Hope found in Jesus as we display God’s Love and Loyalty to the world around us.

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• This Saturday is our Christmas Market from 4:00-9:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. The Christmas Market will happen at the Annex before and after the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Stop by for cookies, craft vendors, food trucks, and fellowship with our church family and community neighbors!
• We are collecting cookies to share with our neighbors at the Christmas Market. Cookies can be brought to the Church Kitchen prior to Saturday, or directly to the Annex on Saturday morning.
• GriefShare’s “Surviving the Holidays” will be held in the Annex on Monday, December 4 at 6:00-8:00
• On Wednesday December 6th we will have our annual “Service from the Heart” during Community Night. This is a fun night of testimonies & talents. Our children and youth will share some things that they have learned, and we would like to invite people of all ages to consider participating on this evening as well.

 

 

 

Prayer Updates

• Please Remember Bob Peck in your prayers. He slipped on the stairs at his home on Thanksgiving Day and is still in a good bit of pain.
• Denny Fleagle had surgery on Wednesday but is now at home. Pray for comfort and a speedy recovery.
• Pastor Gary had some procedures this week to drain some more infection and accumulated fluid. His family and his doctors are encouraged to see progress, but it remains a slow and lengthy process.

 

A Scripture Reading for the First Sunday of Advent

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Matthew 12:18-21

 

 

Holding on to hope,

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (shipfcog.org)

Care Groups & Sunday School Classes

 

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

shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html

 

 

Invite someone to Christmas Eve!

 

SFCOG prayer update

Hello Church Family,

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and had the chance to reflect on what we all have to be grateful for. I am writing to share an update about pastor Gary from his family which is summarized below. 

Thanks for faithfully joining me in prayer,

Pastor Rodney

Pastor Gary is back in Hershey hospital. Today Gary and Joyce met with the GI team again. They have come up with another option to drain some more infection from his Pancreas (this would be their 4th attempt). Two weeks ago the CT scan showed a decrease in the size of the infection. Yesterday's scan now shows an increase. This can fluctuate. If this procedure would fail they will not attempt anymore. The surgery team will be called and will discuss an invasive surgery. Gary is very weary and fatigued. We have greatly appreciated all the prayers and words of encouragement from everyone. Thank you for lifting Gary in prayer.

Christmas Cookies Needed

Hello Church Family,

Our annual Christmas Market is a little over a week away (December 2nd), and we need your help.    We are looking for people to donate cookies for us to hand out at the market to those attending.  If you would like to donate cookies, please sign up in your Sunday School class, the Children’s Ministries Area, or The Gathering Place.  You may also call the church office. 

 

Cookies can be dropped off early by placing them on the counter in the lower-level kitchen.  If you bring your cookies the day of the market, please take them to the Annex.  We are also asking that you please bag the cookies this year.  Please put 2 cookies per small, clear, plastic bag.  This will help us hand them out more easily.  If you make gluten free cookies, please label them as gluten free. 

 

Thanks in advance!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sonja

 

Church Secretary

Sonja Shively

Shippensburg First Church of God

Email Secretary@shipfcog.org

Office Phone 717.532.8421

 

Please pass the bread - SFCOG updates for 11/26

Sunday is Coming!

 

This email is coming a day early, since tomorrow we may all be gathering around tables with some family and friends where there will certainly be a variety of food. One item that is probably going to be included in some form is bread. Whether rolls, loaves, sliced, or ripped up into stuffing, bread is a humble addition to any meal.

 

 

Bread itself is nothing flashy or special. Even though in our day and age, bread can be all fancy and artisan, in the time of the Bible and in many places throughout the world still, bread is simple and cheap and easy for people to make. It is the food of the common people… not exactly kingly.

 

Bread itself has a long Biblical history as well:

-Unleavened Bread was associated with the Passover and bread is prominent in other feasts in the Hebrew calendar.

-The miraculous Manna bread was a part of the wilderness wanderings after the Exodus.

-Famine--the lack of bread--was a frequent threat throughout the ages for the people of God, and often the cause of migrations and in the background driving the events of the stories of people like Abram and Sarai, or Ruth and Naomi.

-And for many of the Prophets, Bread became a symbol of life that is freely given without exploitation:

Isaiah 55:1-2 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”

 

As we turn our attention from Thanksgiving to Christmas this weekend, consider the setting for the Nativity: Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is at the heart of the Christmas Story, but do you know the name “Bethlehem” means? It means “House of Bread.”

 

This Advent season, we will “journey to Bethlehem” as we consider several beautiful stories that have connections to that “Little Town,” and we will consider how the Good News of Jesus is transforming our own “little town” of Shippensburg as well!

 

“The House of Bread” was not just the location of Jesus’ Birth, but also the historical setting for a few other significant events in the Bible which we will study together. And hundreds of years before Jesus and that First Christmas, the prophet Micah said, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” --Micah 5:2

 

In Matthew’s Gospel, this is the passage of Scripture referenced when the Magi came looking for a newborn king. They expected to find the King born in Jerusalem, the famous capital city, but the scriptures directed them to a tiny little town about 5 miles south, out in the countryside. Other than the tomb of Rachel, a revered matriarch from the days of Genesis, there wasn’t much there.

 

This reminds me of an important Biblical Truth—God has always displayed His own Greatness by including the weak and the small things of this world to fulfill His Great purposes! (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

 

It is so fitting that Jesus, the little baby born in a humble stable in “Breadtown,” grew to become the teacher and savior who says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” --John 6:35

 

Are you hungry or thirsting for something today? Jesus is the bread of life that satisfies!

As we partake of our meals tomorrow in whatever form they take, let us remember that the true source of sustenance for which we all give thanks is Jesus, the Bread of Life!

 

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• There will be no Community Night events tonight Wednesday, November 22.
• GriefShare’s “Surviving the Holidays” will be held in the Annex on Monday, December 4 at 6:00-8:00
• On Wednesday December 6th we will have our annual “Service from the Heart” during Community Night. This is a fun night of testimonies & talents. Our children and youth will share some things that they have learned, and we would like to invite people of all ages to consider participating on this evening as well.

àIf you have a story, a song, or something else that you would like to share, please contact Pastor Rodney by November 26.

 

 

Christmas Celebrations and Giving Opportunities

 

• Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-9:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. The Christmas Market will happen at the Annex before and after the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Stop by for cookies, craft vendors, food trucks, and fellowship with our church family and community neighbors!
• We will be in need of people willing to donate cookies to share with our neighbors at the Christmas Market! There will be signup sheets in Sunday School classrooms and around the building. More details regarding when and where to deliver them and how they need to be packaged will be forthcoming.

• The Circle of Love ministry will be collecting some special items for families with needs this holiday season, including Giving Tree items and certain Paper Products. See the Gathering Place for more information.

 

 

 

 

I continue to give thanks for all of you, and what God is doing in and through us together as a church family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (shipfcog.org)

Care Groups & Sunday School Classes

 

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

shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Family,

We want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and pray God blesses you with a special time together.

Over the last two months, we have certainly experienced many challenges and struggles.  God has faithfully carried us and you have amazingly and extravagantly supported us and prayed for us. Words seem so inadequate to truly express our gratitude to you for your love and care and many Acts of Kindness.  None of us knows what tomorrow will bring, but we know that the God of all creation will be there with us to walk each step.  He is our friend who sticks closer than a brother.

You are deeply appreciated and treasured. God bless you!

God has and is speaking to us through the following verses:

Deuteronomy 3:22, Psalm 62:5, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 16:8, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:6-8, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, and Acts 4:13,20

We continue to pray for you as you join God in advancing His Church.

Pastor Gary and Joyce

SFCOG Prayer Updates

Hello Church Family,

Below are two prayer needs. Thank you for joining together in prayer. 

Pastor Rodney

Lisa Murphy asks for prayer for her parents, Paul and Mary Gsell. Mary tested positive for COVID. She also has been experiencing a great deal of knee issues for the past few months, which have severely hindered her ambulation & caused her much pain. Knee replacement surgery is scheduled for February 2. Prayers are also appreciated for Paul that he does not contract COVID as well.  Thank you.

Pastor Gary returned to Hershey hospital today but was able to return home this evening. He has been having trouble keeping food down so please pray that adjustments made to his feeding tube and diet will be helpful to bring comfort and continued healing.

Give thanks to the Lord! SFCOG updates for 11/19/23

Sunday is Coming, and we will give thanks!

 

Last week I asked you, what is your favorite part of Thanksgiving Dinner?

This week I want you to consider, what is your favorite Thanksgiving Tradition?

 

Traditions repeated year after year have a way of connecting the past to the present, and reminding us of what is most important and timelessly true.

This weekend, we will conclude our series on the Prayers of the Psalms with what may be the most repetitive passage of Scripture in the Bible—Psalm 136. It reminds us of the value of things like repetition and consistency in our prayer life.

 

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.

His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,

His love endures forever.

 

Psalm 136 goes on like that for 26 verses, reminding us over and over again that God’s love endures forever.

We see the key ingredient for Thanksgiving is found by remembering God’s own Enduring Love

 

The Reason we can Give Thanks is because of God’s Enduring Love.

The reason God’s Love does not change, is because God Himself does not change.

 

The word A. W. Tozer uses for God’s Changelessness is “Immutability” saying, “He never differs from himself.”

 

A. W. Tozer prayed, “Chance and change are busy in our little world of nature and men, but in Thee we find no variableness nor shadow of turning. We rest in Thee without fear or doubt and face our tomorrows without anxiety.”

 

Charles Wesley sang, “And all things as they change proclaim, the Lord eternally the same.”

 

Charles Spurgeon wrote,"When all else is changing within and around, In God and his mercy no change can be found."

 

And Yogi Berra quipped, “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

 

I personally love Old Quotes… I try to read a lot, but I don’t usually read trendy new books. The latest bestsellers don’t usually interest me.

Maybe it means I’m getting old, but I have really come to appreciate tradition and familiarity…

 

While we do need to find fresh ways to keep our pray and worship personally uplifting and welcoming for new generations, and new ways to meet the needs of present problems, and strive to make our worship and our ministry relevant to the world we now live in, we must continue to hold on to certain things that are time-tested.

 

One of the reasons symbols and traditions and repetition of the same trusted scriptures and themes and songs over and over again is so valuable is because they add weight to our worship. They remind us of our Changeless God in a world that is always shifting. This can be done both through historically rich styles, as well as fresh, contemporary art and worship. Regardless of the style, what matters most is holding on to the changeless truths of God, and the stories that connect us to the people of faith who have gone before us.

 

Psalm 136 reminds us:

• The Same God who created the heavens and filled the universe with light, and who established life on this earth,
• is the Same God who personally called people into relationship with Himself, and delivered them from oppression,
• and the Same God of the Exodus is the Same God who continues to remember us in our low estate (Psalm 136:23)
• and the Same God who continually gives food to every creature (Psalm 136:25)

 

Our God can certainly be trusted to continue to be forever loving, providing for us, even as the world around us changes. Let us constantly give thanks to the Lord, for he is Good and his love endures forever!

 

 

This Sunday

• This Sunday morning as part of our prayer time, we will dedicate the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We are also collecting boxes all week long at the Annex.
• Sunday Afternoon, November 19^th at 4:00pm, there will be an outdoor Community Thanksgiving Worship Service at the neighboring Grace Place Gardens (next to the Annex). All are welcome to gather with our community members to give thanks to God together.

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• There will be no Community Night events next Wednesday, November 22.
• On Wednesday December 6th we will have our annual “Service from the Heart” during Community Night. This is a fun night of testimonies & talents. Our children and youth will share some things that they have learned, and we would like to invite people of all ages to consider participating on this evening as well.

àIf you have a story, a song, or something else that you would like to share, please contact Pastor Rodney by November 26.

 

Christmas Celebrations and Giving Opportunities

• Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-9:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. The Christmas Market will happen at the Annex before and after the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Stop by for cookies, craft vendors, food trucks, and fellowship with our church family and community neighbors!

 

• The Circle of Love ministry will be collecting some special items for families with needs this holiday season, including Giving Tree items and certain Paper Products. See the Gathering Place for more information.

 

 

Prayer Updates

Pastor Gary is home again, after another brief visit to Hershey to replace a clogged NJ tube.

 

Mick Martin has asked for prayer for Kevin Clever, whose family recently discovered that he has a very advanced cancer throughout his body.

 

Please be in prayer for Donald Uglow Jr. who has been hospitalized and is facing some tests.

 

Please prayer for our Church Elder team, as we spend a day together on Saturday, praying and planning for the year to come.

 

 

I am giving thanks for all of you, and what God is doing in and through us together as a church family.

See below for a few photos of some special opportunities we had this week to serve the next generation!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (shipfcog.org)

Care Groups & Sunday School Classes

 

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

shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html

 

 

Photos of the SU Choir Concert

 

Youth Group Friendsgiving (30+ in attendance!)

 

SFCOG update for 11/12 and congregational meeting highlights

Sunday is Coming, and so is Thanksgiving!

 

 

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving Dinner? When you sit down at the Thanksgiving table, what one thing do you most look forward to? Maybe Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, or Pumpkin Pie? Personally, I’ve been looking forward to Apple Pie!

 

We may find certain foods desirable and delightful, but what if you could ONLY eat that one thing all day long? Or all month long… all year long? It may not be so desirable or delightful then…

 

This weekend we will consider our “Delights & Desires.”

A key verse that we will read is Psalm 37:4, and it says,

 

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

 

This is a powerful verse… a verse I’ve pondered in different ways over my life. I’ve found that in our culture that often struggles with greed and consumerism and thinking we need more and more, we must approach this topic carefully, being sure to find delight in God who is the “Giver,” not just the gifts.

 

Our prayers often include a list of needs & desires & requests. This is important—the Bible does remind us frequently to bring our requests to God, recognizing that he is the one who can grant us what we need. But if our prayer life consists of nothing more than a “wish list,” we are missing out on the greater blessings that can come from a deep and personal relationship with our Lord. It could be kind of like eating nothing but apple pie all day every day.

 

Hopefully through this study of the Psalms, we’ve seen that Prayer is meant to be an all-encompassing way of life.

Prayer is meant to be like a full course meal, or a complete & balanced diet, not just the dessert.

 

We will read part of Psalm 37 on Sunday, and it puts “delights & desires” into context with a much bigger picture of how we live, conforming our desires to the desires of God, especially in a word that is often filled with distractions & wickedness.

 

Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 

Tradition says this Psalm originated when King David was seeking to pass some instruction on to his son, Solomon. It’s an intricate Psalm that mentions many powerful and prayerful principles, like meekness, humility, rest, & hope. If it can instruct Kings, guide nations, and shape the world, these words can also instruct you and me and shape our day to day lives!

 

I am learning that the words of the Psalms can indeed shape our prayers, which in turn shapes our desires, which shapes our lives, which can ultimately shape the world.

I hope you will join us this weekend as we continue to study the very personal yet very world changing topic of prayer!

 

This Sunday

 

• This Sunday Afternoon (November 12) at 2:00 on, we will be having a “Kitchen Shower” to provide furnishings for the new Kitchen at Cross Roads Station. Gifts that have been purchased will be presented during a time of fellowship and celebration!

 

Congregational Meeting Highlights

Our annual fall congregational meeting took place this past Sunday evening. The yearly election was held, updates were shared about the Cross Roads Station project, the 2024 budget was presented, and some highlights were shared from the past year that show signs that “the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20-21).

Your Church Council for the 2024 year will be:

Elders –Phil Myers, Dustin Negley, Phil Ritchie, Troy Shively, Beverly Shumway

Trustees – Herb Bowers, Denny Fleagle, George Fritz, Rich Mathna, Jack Shaul

Deacons – Steve Barns, Dave Bodah, Darryl Dubbs, Mike Gutshall, Mark Reed

Deaconesses – Chris Dupler, Bessie Jones, Karen Marr, Beth Rosenberry, Elain Sampson

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• The Bible Adventure program is growing and is in need of additional helpers for Tuesday or Thursday mornings here at SFCOG. This is a unique opportunity to teach elementary aged children about God’s Word during the school day through Release Time. For more information and to volunteer, contact Shirley Negley or JoyEl ministries: Volunteer | Joy El Generation (wpengine.com)

 

• Monday Evening, November 13 at 7:30 we will host the Shippensburg University concert choir for their fall concert. Everyone is welcome to join us as we welcome some talented students and enjoy a night of music together.

 

• On Sunday, November 19^th at 4:00pm, there will be an outdoor Community Thanksgiving Worship Service at the neighboring Grace Place Gardens (next to the Annex). All are welcome to gather with our community members to give thanks to God together.

 

• On Wednesday December 6th we will have our annual “Service from the Heart” during Community Night. This is a fun night of testimonies & talents. Our children and youth will share some things that they have learned, and we would like to invite people of all ages to consider participating on this evening as well.

àIf you have a story, a song, or something else that you would like to share, please contact Pastor Rodney by November 26.

 

 

Christmas Celebrations and Giving Opportunities

 

• Keep packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child so we can reach our goal of 600! We currently have around 250. National Collection Week will be November 13-20. Our shoeboxes will be dedicated during our worship on November 19.

 

• Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-9:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. The Christmas Market will happen at the Annex before and after the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Stop by for cookies, craft vendors, food trucks, and fellowship with our church family and community neighbors!

 

• The Circle of Love ministry will be collecting some special items for families with needs this holiday season, including Giving Tree items and certain Paper Products. See the Gathering Place for more information.

 

 

Prayer Updates

Pastor Gary is home again, after a brief visit to Hershey to replace his NJ tube. He continues to express his appreciation to the congregation for your prayerful and generous love and support.

 

Pat Hockensmith completed her radiation treatments today.

 

 

Praying for you all,

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (shipfcog.org)

Care Groups & Sunday School Classes

 

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

shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html

 

 

 

Two Ways... SFCOG Update for 11/05

Sunday is Coming!

 

Robert Frost Wrote,

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

“The Road Not Taken”

 

Did you know, Frost wrote this poem as a joke for a friend who was often indecisive about which route to take when the two went walking. Contrary to popular assumption, Frost never intended for one road to be seen as the “correct” choice.  He was reflecting on uncertainty and indecision, and the thought that both options could be equally good. This poem also reminds us that we may never know where the “other road” goes in life, and often we don’t get a second chance to find out.

 

 

This weekend we will consider Psalm 1, which is a much older poem that contrasts two very different roads: the Way of the Righteous -vs- the Way of the Wicked.

 

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his Law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

 

These two ways are not at all alike! One way leads to safety, while the other leads to destruction… but the GOOD NEWS is that if we find ourselves on the “wrong road” in life, we do get second chances through Jesus!

 

As we consider the “Way of Righteousness” we will see that Jesus made a way, and Jesus himself is the Way!

In John 14:6-7 Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

 

Jesus guides us in the way of Righteousness. The New Testament reveals that Jesus is the Word of God in human form, and so our prayer life must be shaped by meditating on Jesus and His Word. The words of the Psalms remain true— we must delight in the law of the Lord and follow Jesus in the Way of Righteousness.

 

Throughout our “Prayer Styles” series, we’ve seen that prayer takes many forms. This Sunday we will consider how we can meditate on the words of Scripture “day and night” as we practice “Praying the Scriptures.” Sometimes we may be tempted to think of Bible Study and Prayer as two separate practices. The Bible itself reveals that they are most effective when they go hand in hand. One informs the other:

 

We read scripture, and scripture reads us.

 

When we “hide God’s word in our hearts” (Psalm 119:11), it prompts us throughout the day to follow Jesus and live according to His law—this is prayer in action, and leads us on the Way of Righteousness.

 

This Sunday

• Don’t forget to Set your Clocks Back!
• Get Connected Class – 9:45 in room 206. Learn more about our Care Groups and Sunday School classes!
• Congregational Meeting -- 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary. 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 can be found in your church mailboxes.

 

 

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 (tonight) 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 this 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.

 

• 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! We currently have around 250. National Collection Week will be November 13-20. Our shoeboxes will be dedicated during our worship on November 19.

 

• Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-8:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade.

 

 

Prayer Updates

Pastor Gary will hopefully be heading home today. He shared that he feels like he is gaining and making progress, and continues to feel the love, support, and prayer of our church family. Continue to pray for strength and healing.

 

Joyce Hornbaker completed her Radiation Treatments, praise the Lord with her, and continue to remember all the many others in our church family who are facing cancer as well.

 

 

THANK YOU!

I truly appreciate the gifts, cards, words of encouragement, and prayers that have been shared with me during Pastor Appreciation Month! It is a joy and privilege to serve as your pastor and to minister to our community together!

 

Praying for you all,

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (shipfcog.org)

Care Groups & Sunday School Classes

 

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

shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html