Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: Church Picnic! SFCOG updates for 9/8

The Church Picnic is Coming!

Enjoy the Fresh Air!

This weekend, we will gather in the park for a picnic and a time of outdoor worship! I personally love getting out into the "great outdoors" and spending a little time in the 'wilderness.' It is calming and refreshing!

The Bible is full of times when people encountered God in the wilderness. Consider again the account of Moses in Exodus 3:

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."

5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Notice that God calls Moses by name in the wilderness. Moses is away from his comfort zones, away from distractions, and he can hear God call his name.

But also notice also that God is Personal—God refers to Himself as the 'God of' Abraham, Isaac, Jacob… and in this passage, it is clear that God desires to be "the God of Moses" also.

Even though God calls the wilderness ground where Moses was standing 'Holy,' God is not the god of that particular place, but as always, God is the God of persons.

The God of the Bible is not confined by created things, or 'temples built by human hands,' because He is the one who Created all things. No one is like Him.

God made all places, and is above and beyond all things, so he chooses to identify himself as the God of People.

God wants to be "The God of ____________"

(fill in the blank with your name)

This weekend we will reflect on how we can worship God in the park, the same as back in the Sanctuary, and we can also worship God in our homes, at our schools, and our places of work.

While we can worship God anywhere, our day-to-day lives are so full of distractions that a little time in the 'holy ground' of the 'wilderness' is always valuable so that we can more clearly hear God's voice. Whether this means simply turning off the TV and putting down the phone, or replacing the clamorous sound of our own cares with the promises of Scripture, or truly going outdoors into nature, we need to frequently quiet the world around us and listen for God.

And when we do, I believe God wants to call us each by name as well—to declare to us that he is OUR God, just as he is the God of the people of the Bible, and of all people who hear His voice today and respond, as Moses did, by saying "Here I am."

This Sunday is our Church Picnic!

Sunday, September 8^th is our Annual Church Picnic at Memorial Park!

Schedule--

-Combined Worship Service at 10:00

Regular offerings will be collected after the worship service

-A Time for Testimony

-Picnic Lunch

-Cornhole, Fellowship, Etc.

(there will be no Sunday School)

Families should bring a hot and a cold dish to share. Singles may bring either a hot or a cold dish.

*Ham, Chicken, Drinks, and Place Settings will be provided.

(Even if you did not RSVP, you are still welcome to come!)

The Weather Forecast for Sunday is Sunny and 68, great for a Picnic! Plans will proceed as normal!

*We encourage anyone who received Sunday School pins for attendance in the past to wear them to the church picnic.

We will provide an opportunity for people to share testimonies and ways they saw God work in the past in and through our church ministry and people. We look forward to hearing these God stories!

(Please note, there will be no online services this weekend)

Staff Availability

This week Pastor Gary & Joyce Hornbaker are away on Vacation. Please direct any pastoral and prayer needs to Pastor Rodney or the Church Office.

Prayer Needs

Janet Uglow was in Chambersburg hospital for some fluid on her legs.
Janet's son, Donny, continues to be in Hershey hospital and is being treated for quite a few concerns. Pray for them as they consider treatment options.
Jackie Hoerner's son, Malachi, has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and is facing weekly treatments until May. Jackie had previously attended SFCOG and had been involved in various ministries and missions, and now lives in Australia (this request comes from Sally Shaul).

Community Night has Resumed!

Things got off to a great start last night, with a great turn-out for all ages!

There is something for everyone on Wednesday Evenings, including-

· Children

· Youth

· Young Adults

· and several small group electives to choose from

Visit our Community Night webpage to learn more:

Shippensburg First Church of God | WEDNESDAY COMMUNITY NIGHT (shipfcog.org)

Bible Quizzing

We are starting a Bible Quiz Team for Middle School and High School students!

Quizzing is a wonderful way for teenagers to learn God's Word, develop confidence and leadership skills, meet students from other churches, and engage in friendly competition. In the past, SFCOG has participated in this inter-church ministry through our CGGC denomination, and many previous quizzers have gone on to serve as community and ministry leaders in a variety of ways.

Practices will begin THIS Sunday, September 8 at 8:30 am in the youth room (practice will conclude in time for families to make their way to the Church Picnic).

Quizzing competitions happen once a month through the winter months, typically on Sunday afternoons at other local CGGC churches. To learn more, check out this video: Bible Quizzing | Churches of God GC (cggc.org)

To register for Bible quizzing or to ask questions, reply to this email or contact John and Nancy Morton.

New Women's Ministries!

"Quilted Hope" is a care group for people who like to make things with their hands. It will be a time of fellowship and crafting, with a vision to send hand-made blessings out into our community. This group begins on September 17^th and will meet on the Third Thursday of every month at 6:30-8:00 in the Annex. Gloria Erickson is the leader. The mission of Quilted Hope is to make small hand-crafted items that inspire hope in our ministry and community while creating a welcoming space for multi-generational fellowship among women. Whether you quilt, sew, knit, cross stitch, embroider or have no previous experience, you are welcome. We will make pocket prayers, prayer shawls, and seasonal items. Ideas are welcome. Bring your craft box, your sewing machine, and your imagination.

"Women's Alliance" is coming to Shippensburg! Women's Alliance features a 30-minute physical workout, followed by devotions around a fire (similar to Men's Alliance). A Tribe is launching on September 28^th and will meet every Saturday from 9:00-10:00 at the American Legion – 100 Dykeman Rd, Shippensburg. (same location as MA).

Upcoming Milestone Events

We have several "milestone" opportunities planned for those looking to take a step of faith in specific ways. Mark your calendars and prayerfully consider if you or someone in your family might be ready for such a next step. Feel free to contact me to learn more!

Next Sunday is our New Members Class at 9:45. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about our church and our CGGC denomination, and what is involved in the commitment to membership. This is a wonderful step of faith for those who have found a church home at Shippensburg First Church of God.

New Members Class – September 15 -- NEXT WEEKEND
Baptism – September 29
Get Connected Class –October 6 (every first Sunday)
Child Dedication – October 20

There are Signup sheets located in the Gathering Place if you are interested in being included for any of these events.

Service Opportunities

Love Our Town

We are continuing to collect hygiene products for the Circle of Love ministry as part of a community-wide outreach initiative involving over 10 different churches. These items can be placed in the appropriate bins in the side vestibule off of the Sanctuary closest to Crossroads Station.

Also as part of Love our Town, we will be collecting cookies to share with some of the teachers and staff of SASD. Cookies can be delivered to the lower-level kitchen by September 16^th.

See the FYI for more details for these two local mission projects. There are also several other service, prayer, and worship opportunities taking place as part of Love Our Town during the week of September 15-21. To learn more, see the community bulletin board near the rear entrance of the Sanctuary.

Hound Packs

We are once again collecting single serving sizes of oatmeal and cereal to be distributed to SASD students through the weekend meal program known as Hound Packs. These donations can also be placed in the appropriate bins in the side vestibule off of the Sanctuary closest to Crossroads Station.

Weber Family

Rob Weber and his family continue to have a long journey ahead. Pray for strength, hope, and encouragement for Kerri as she loves on Rob, her three girls, and oversees the dairy operation.

There are now more opportunities to provide meals for Kerri, her girls, and the caregivers of their children. You can go on the following link to volunteer to prepare a meal or to give a gift card: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/wqz96q

Communications Updates

The September edition of our "FYI" Newsletter is now available in the Gathering Place, the center section of the Sanctuary, or in your Church Mailbox.

If you have information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.

Looking forward to worshipping with you in the 'wilderness' this Sunday!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org