What to Expect in 2024? SFCOG Update for 123123!

Sunday’s Coming, and it’s the last Sunday of 2023!

 

Have you taken note of what the Date for this New Years Eve will be? December 31, 2023 in ‘MM/DD/YY’ format is 12/31/23.

 

1 2 3 1 2 3

 

There’s something beautifully repetitive about that date, while at the same time it’s a date that will never repeat again!

 

Every Year on New Year’s Eve, we have the unique opportunity to look backwards & forwards. To consider what has repeated, and what has changed. We remember what has happened in the previous year, and we wonder what to expect in the next year. To begin this year, our next sermon series will allow us to think deeply about what the Bible has to say about the passage of time.

 

As we contemplate the passage of time, we will “Begin with the End in Mind.” There are certainly a number of different books and passages we could consider in the Bible related to this topic— Genesis and Revelation speak of the first things and the last things. Jesus speaks of “what is now and what will take place later.” (Revelation 1:19) Jesus himself is described in John 1 as the Word who was with God at the Beginning. Jesus also had many other things to say about “the end of the age.” At the end of the Bible, Jesus is the one who testifies saying,  “Yes, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:20), to which we respond—“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

 

We will certainly draw insight from some of these passages over the next few weeks, but our foundational text for January will actually come from right near the middle of our Bible, where we find one unique piece of scripture, credited to the Wisest Person of the Old Testament, who reflects on this topic in profound detail.

 

I am referring to the Book of Ecclesiastes, an often-overlooked part of our Scriptures that really helps to shape the proper Biblical Worldview of life and the nature of Time and world events, especially when considered in light of how the coming of Jesus Christ drastically changed everything.

 

Ecclesiastes is attributed to King Solomon, who the Bible describes as the wisest person to ever live. This book contains his reflections on the Human experience, as he nears the end of his life.

 

Before Jesus came, Solomon alone in all of history was granted complete wisdom from God to understand the nature of life and reality. First Kings 3 relates the account of how God permitted Solomon one request, and Solomon chose to ask God for Wisdom. God said in I Kings 3:12, “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”

 

Based on this passage, we are to understand that Solomon’s insights give us the clearest and truest description of reality as it was before the coming of Jesus. As we will see, it can be a little unsettling at times, but it does speak of what we can expect as we live out our days “under the sun” on this earth.

 

In a life full of uncertainty, it can be comforting to know what to expect. Solomon reveals that while there are many mysteries in life, there is also a divinely ordained predictability as well. In Ecclesiastes 3, after reflecting on the many different seasons of time, Solomon says this about our God:

 

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

 

As we anticipate a New Year, we also have the opportunity to “call the past to account” and also anticipate the future. As we reflect back & look forward, we can be comforted because God makes things beautiful according to His designs. Even though we can’t fathom what God has done, we do find a sense of wonder & awe as we reflect on the sense of “Eternity” that we find in our own hearts. This is what leads us to give thanks and worship God.

 

But there’s one very important thing to remember—Since Christ has Come, all things have been Forever Changed!

 

The Good News of Christmas is that light has come into the dark world! The seemingly endless cycles of life & death, laughing & weeping, building & tearing down, war & peace have been disrupted, giving way to a future hope of unbroken Life & Laughter, Prosperity & Peace! God himself, “the Alpha & the Omega,” the beginning and the end, is making all things new!

 

On that note, we will end 2023 by celebrating some of the beautiful things that God has done over this past year! Join us this Sunday Morning to see a year-in-review slide show featuring highlights from across our ministries! God has truly done some “Beautiful Things” this past year!

 

Christmas Eve Offering

A special offering was collected at both evening services on Christmas Eve to support the “Circle of Love” outreach ministry which helps to share things like food and clothing locally here in Shippensburg. Thanks to everyone who gave as the Lord led them towards this vital cause. The total amount collected was $1657!

 

Upcoming Events

• Community Night will NOT meet on December 27^th or January 3^rd, but we will resume on January 10^th. Community Night is from 6:30-8:00 and features activities for all ages.

 

• Next Sunday (January 7) we will observe Communion as a part of both worship services. Join us as we begin the year at the Lord’s Table.

 

• Beginning on January 19th, we will be offering a Financial Peace University class. This could be a great way to work towards your financial goals in 2024. The class will meet on Friday evenings at 6:30 until the end of March. You can learn more and register online at this link: https://www.fpu.com/3442B7
  
  
• On January 21, at 9:45, we will be offering our New Member’s Class. This is a chance to learn more about Shippensburg First Church of God and our CGGC denomination, and consider if God may be calling you to make a greater commitment to our church by becoming a Member. You can sign up in the Gathering Place to be sure to receive future communications about the class.

 

• “A Weekend to Remember” is coming to Hershey on February 9-11. This is a wonderful time to strengthen your marriage and experience a weekend away.  Now through January 9, Family Life Today is offering a $100 discount. You can register at this link: Weekend To Remember Marriage Retreat - FamilyLife®  --When registering, we ask that you use the following code: ShippensburgFirstChurchofGod (no spaces). By using this code, the church receives a free couple registration for every five couples registered.

 

Praying you all had a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to what God will do in 2024,

 

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

Offering Envelopes

Dear Church Family,

There are a few important instructions about offering envelopes that I would like to share with you.

 

For those of you who use Sunday school envelopes, they are here and will be in you church mailbox by Sunday morning.

For those who use the regular church offering envelopes, they will not be arriving until mid-January.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  I will place them in your church mailbox as quickly as I can once they arrive.  Until they arrive, there are preprinted envelopes in the backs of the pews which you may use for giving.  Please make sure you fill out the information on the envelope so that we can apply your offering to the correct fund and so we can keep record of your giving.  It is very import that you include your church envelope number so that we can keep a record of your giving for the end of the year.  Use the same envelope number you were assigned for 2023 church envelopes.  I will be assigning everyone the same number this year as you had last year.  If you are uncertain of your number, please call me, and I will be happy to help you.

If you used envelopes in the past, but you no longer wish to use them, please let me know so I can remove your name from the list.  If you have not used envelopes in the past but would like to be added to the list, please let me know so I can assign an available number to your name and get the envelopes to you.  This includes Sunday school and/or church envelopes.

If you have any questions, please call me.  Thanks!

In Christ,

Sonja

 

 

Church Secretary

Sonja Shively

Shippensburg First Church of God

Email Secretary@shipfcog.org

Office Phone 717.532.8421

 

SFCOG Update for Christmas Eve! (12/24)

Sunday is Coming, and it’s going to be Christmas Eve!

 

 

“Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays…”

“I’ll be home for Christmas…”

 

Can you hear those tunes in your head? Lovely songs! It’s been a joy to reflect on our little town of Shippensburg this month! But before you get too cozy and comfortable, let me ask you... have you ever had to spend Christmas away from home? Or can you remember what was like to celebrate Christmas in a new house or home?

 

Being in ministry, we have moved a few times, and our family Christmas traditions have often been a bit unpredictable.

I remember the year we were in the middle of moving out of our house in Confluence, PA before relocating back to Shippensburg. Instead of unpacking Christmas Decorations, we were packing moving boxes…

 

All month we’ve been talking about Bethlehem. But now that we have finally arrived at Christmas Eve and the Main Event in Bethlehem--Jesus’ Birth--we actually won’t be settling in there… It’s time to Move!

 

With this in mind, consider the events from Matthew’s Gospel, and reflect on how from the beginning of his earthly life, Jesus was a person who knew what it meant to be without a home.

 

1:9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

 

I have often reflected on how far the Magi must have traveled to deliver these gifts to Jesus. But this year, it occurred to me that Mary and Joseph themselves had to travel quite a bit as well. And so did the Son of God.

 

First and foremost, when Jesus was born, he found himself further from home than anyone could ever imagine.

The Divine Son left his home in heaven. This is the most drastic move ever made!

 

Furthermore, from a human standpoint, Jesus life was filled with upheaval. He was born in a humble stable—a very impermeant living arrangement. Shortly after his birth in Bethlehem, his family found themselves in need of safe asylum and had to flee as refugees to Egypt. Right away in Jesus’ earthly life, he knew what it was to be displaced, to be without a permanent home. He lived in at least 3 different towns in the first few years of his life.  Some traditions estimate that all total, the Holy Family may have traveled well over 1000 miles over the course of these different events recorded in the Gospels.

 

Have you ever wondered what Mary and Joseph did with those valuable, kingly gifts brought by the Magi?                           

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh were full of important symbolism, but some scholars speculate that these gifts may have also served an unintended purpose. Travel in those days was expensive, time consuming, and dangerous. The gifts of the Magi may have been what paid the way for Mary and Joseph to make the journey to Egypt and live there for a season.

 

We can see that being without a permanent home was an essential part of Jesus’ human experience.

Jesus himself would later say in Luke 9:58 “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

 

Jesus made it clear to his disciples also, that following him meant giving up a sense of earthly permanence or belonging. Like so many other concepts, Jesus redefined the meaning of “Home.”

 

We are remined that this world is not our home, just like it was not Jesus’ home. By leaving his Home in heaven, Jesus made a way for us to call Heaven our home with Him!

 

This weekend, as we reflect on the little town of Bethlehem, and the little town of Shippensburg, and whatever town you might call home… Let us rethink what “Home” really means…

 

In John 14:1-4, Jesus says-- “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

 

This Christmas, let us celebrate the Full Extent of the Good News -- Jesus has made a way to take us all home to the Father With Him!

 

This also carries with it some expectations for how we are to treat those in need around us, to bring others home as well. Jesus makes it clear that to worship him properly, we must also care for the needs of the world. We do this when we choose to share our finances, or our time, or knowledge, or talents. When we do any of these things, when we welcome strangers and when we feed the hungry when we teach the little ones, according to Jesus, in Matthew 15:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

 

The Magi brought Kingly gifts to Jesus. We can present gifts to our King Jesus when we serve those in our world who have needs. This is how we Worship Jesus, and how we direct others to him as well!

 

As Jesus said, “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.” –John 14:6-7

 

From that little town in Bethlehem, to the ends of the earth, now all people may know the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

As John also records, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” –John 1:4

 

 

This Sunday, we will have three different, unique worship opportunities to choose from. Feel free to attend them all! Each service will also be available online as well. Service times and descriptions are as follow:

 

• At 10:00 am, we will have a family-friendly combined service with blended musical styles. Children and Families will be attending together, and there will be a special children’s activity during the service.

 

• At 6:00 pm we will have another family-oriented service, featuring music from our contemporary worship team and a special way that Children will be invited in to the Bible lesson. Candle Lighting will be included.

 

• At 11:00 pm, our choir will present the cantata, “A Celebration of Carols.” This service will end with Candle Lighting to bring in Christmas Day at midnight.

 

A special offering will be collected at both evening services which will go directly to support the “Circle of Love” outreach ministry which helps to share things like food and clothing locally here in Shippensburg.

 

Upcoming Events

• Join us tonight for the Last Community Night of 2023! AWANA Kids—dress up for “Crazy Christmas” and remember it’s Store Night! There will be no Community Night on December 27^th or January 3^rd, but we will resume on January 10^th. Community Night is from 6:30-8:00 and features activities for all ages.

 

• This Saturday, December 23rd at 7:00 We will be hosting a concert of Gospel Music and Christmas Carols, featuring the Baldoni Family Quartet and their friends, including accompaniment by our own Contemporary Worship Leader, Jonanthan Scott. All are welcome.

 

• Beginning on January 19th, we will be offering a Financial Peace University class. This could be a great way to work towards your financial goals in 2024. The class will meet on Friday evenings at 6:30 until the end of March. You can learn more and register online at this link: https://www.fpu.com/3442B7
  

 

A Scripture Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”

-John 3:16-17

 

Let us live lives of love and joy, sharing God’s love and joy with the world, as we look forward to our Heavenly Home with our Father!

 

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

 

 

 

Good News in the Town of Shippensburg! SFCOG Updates and Council Highlights for 12/17

Sunday is Coming, and The Future is Bright!

 

Our Youth Group may have changed the future or altered the course of history for some people last night!

 

After receiving some very generous gifts from many of you in our congregation, these humble yet bold students went out into the streets of Shippensburg to distribute some unexpected blessings as the Spirit of the Lord led them. This Sunday, they will report some exciting stories from their evening! I believe the students themselves were also greatly impacted by the opportunity to step out in faith in this way, and it will have a lasting impact on their own future as well.

 

There is certainly a lot of Good News to be found here in Shippensburg! This weekend as we hear some of this Good News, we will also reflect on our place in History.

 

Luke is the author of the Biblical record that tells of the First Christmas in the little town of Bethlehem, where angels proclaimed “Good News in the Town of David.” Like all biblical writers, he was led by the Holy Spirit, but in the opening in chapter 1, Luke himself states that he has conducted extensive investigative research with eyewitnesses, saying

“…I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning” (Luke 1:3)

Luke was a Historian who wanted to connect the past to the present. He says he is motived by a desire to show:

“the things that have been fulfilled among us” (Luke 1:1)

“…so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4)

 

To establish these events in history, in the first 2 chapters, Luke mentions things like a census, official decrees, a King, an emperor, and a governor. All of these details provide historical context. Like a good researcher, Luke also includes a “Primary Source” document – A bit of poetry attributed to Mary herself. Notice some of the most historically noteworthy bits of this remarkable song in Luke 1—

 

52 He (God) has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

 

With these lofty words, Mary acknowledges that God is faithful and HE is the one who is in control of History, disestablishing thrones, bringing down the rich and powerful oppressors, and providing for the humble and the hungry servants, being true to His promises.

 

It was in the spirit of providing for the humble and hungry that so many of you generously gave to our youth, so they could go out and be the Hands and Feet of Christ, providing good things for some people in need. Anytime we do things like this, it connects us to God’s Big Story which has been unfolding throughout History and connects the past, present, & future!

 

This is another reminder that God delights to use the weak and small things of the world to shame the strong and mighty, as we’ve been seeing throughout this series (I Corinthians 1:18-31).

 

It’s so fitting that Luke includes this song from Mary that reflects on the events of history, and how God cares for the future of even of the humble and hungry before sharing the details of Jesus’ Birth. This reminds us that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is like the Turning Point of all of history.

 

We can continue to change the future when we live humble but generous lives each day, in big and small ways. Let’s declare the Good News and change history together, in Jesus Name!

 

 

December Council Meeting Highlights

The SFCOG Council gathered this week for our monthly meeting. A few business matters were discussed related to the upcoming new calendar year. Updates were giving about Cross Roads Stations, including the near completion of the renovation project, the financial status, and considerations for how to effectively utilize and minister through the facility when it is ready for occupancy. We also designated a recipient for our Christmas Eve offerings—the Circle of Love community outreach located here in Shippensburg, which provides a variety of different services to people in our community such as food and clothing distribution.

 

Invite someone to Christmas Eve!

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

• Next Saturday, December 23rd at 7:00 We will be hosting a concert of Gospel Music and Christmas Carols, featuring the Baldoni Family Quartet and their friends, including accompaniment by our own Contemporary Worship Leader, Jonanthan Scott. All are welcome.

 

• Beginning on January 19th, we will be offering a Financial Peace University class. This could be a great way to work towards your financial goals in 2024. The class will meet on Friday evenings at 6:30 until the end of March. You can learn more and register online at this link: https://www.fpu.com/3442B7
  

 

A Scripture Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent

“You will say in that day: ‘I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.’ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

-Isaiah 12:1-3

 

 

Let us live lives of love and joy as we proclaim the Lord’s Salvation in word and deed!

 

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

 

 

SFCOG Prayer and Ministry Updates

Good Monday Morning, SFCOG family,

 

A few brief updates to share with you as we begin another week serving the Lord--

 

Youth Service Project

A very big Thank You to everyone who supported our Youth Ministry yesterday by giving towards their upcoming service opportunity! Jason was very pleased with the generosity our congregation showed. More details will be shared next Sunday along with reports from the outreach event happening this Wednesday. Please be in prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our Students and their Leaders as they head out into the streets of Shippensburg to show God’s Love in the Name of Jesus!

 

Giving Tree

Thanks to everyone who has participated in the Giving Tree project!

*If you have not yet returned your gift, please do so by Wednesday!

The snowflakes and information papers should be returned along with the gifts to help keep things organized.

 

Prayer Updates

• Pastor Gary has been in and out of the Intensive Care Unit over the past few days, and is currently back in the ICU in Hershey. His procedure last week produced some positive results, but infection continues to be a concern. His bloodwork shows some improvement, but his body is very tired and weak. Prayed for renewed strength, rest, healing, and encouragement.

 

• Praise the Lord, Amy Culbertson reports that her grandmother, Julia Holman, was able to leave the hospital and return to her nursing home.

 

• Also praise the Lord that Mick Martin was discharged from the Hospital.

 

• And praise the Lord for all of the testimony, worship, and scripture learning that was shared at Service from the Heart! God is Good!

 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

-Luke 2:14

 

Have a great week,

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

SFCOG Service from the Heart & prayer update

Hello Church Family,

 

I want to share some updates for your prayers as well as the link for our service from the heart.

 

• The procedure that Pastor Gary was originally supposed to have yesterday was postponed until today at 2:00. Please hold him in your prayers today.

 

• Amy Culbertson requests prayer for her grandmother, Julia Holman, who was taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital with pneumonia.

 

• Pray for those sharing tonight at Service from the Heart that their words and talents would be an inspiration to all who watch and bring Glory to our God.
• Some who had planned to participate tonight are also sick, so please keep them in your prayers as well.

 

 

If you can’t make it in person tonight, you can watch online at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/upd_ds1Wt6g?si=hAzbN5nobaQ-1Zp4

 

Sincerely,

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

SFCOG prayer updates

Hello Church Family,

I have learned how faithfully you pray for one another and I would like to share some updates for your prayer considerations.

-Pastor Gary remains in Hershey and is facing another procedure this afternoon. Please pray that everything goes well and that the procedure helps his healing to continue.

-Mick Martin & Jack Mellott Sr. are both in Chambersburg Hospital. Please pray for healing and comfort and that their medical teams can determine the best course of care and treatment for them.

-As cold and flu season is upon us, we have several members of our Church Family who are facing various sicknesses of this nature. Pray for comfort and healing for these individuals and that these illnesses would not spread.

Our Lord knows our bodies and our needs, and we can trust him to provide healing according to his plans!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬

Thanks for your prayers and concerns,

Pastor Rodney

Two special events this week in our church

Hello Church Family,

With all of the excitement of this time of year, we want to make sure everyone is aware of two special events we are having in our church this week. 

 

On Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m., we will have our annual “Service From the Heart” service.  This is a time when we get together as a church and share our testimonies and talents to honor our Savior.  We will share together in singing a few songs, and there will be a few presentations from the children and youth, and a couple testimonies from adults.  This service will be held in the sanctuary, and there will be no Community Night that night so everyone may attend the service.  Everyone is invited to attend!

 

On Thursday evening, there will be a free seminar led by Phil Ritchie called “Some Surprising Ways to Save Taxes on Your Charitable Gifts that you Probably Don’t Know About!”.  This seminar will be held from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Annex.  This seminar was originally planned for December 13^th, but has been reschedule to this Thursday, December 7^th.    Phil will be covering several topics about this subject and will be available for one-on-one consultation at no charge afterwards.  (This is not a fundraiser.  You will not be asked to give.)  You are invited to attend.  No sign-up or preregistration is required.

 

If you have any questions about either of these events, please call the church office.

 

In Christ,

Sonja

 

Church Secretary

Sonja Shively

Shippensburg First Church of God

Email Secretary@shipfcog.org

Office Phone 717.532.8421