A New Year is Coming!
When time is ticking away, how do you respond?
Do you feel a sense of urgency as the year ends and there are still items left "undone" on your to-do list?
As the last few days of Christmas break roll around, do you try to squeeze in as much fun as possible?
When the clock is winding down on the scoreboard when you are watching a competition or a sports match with your favorite team or your children or grandchildren, do you find that you cheer louder in the last few seconds before the buzzer?
When we realize that time is limited, our emotions change, and our choices become increasingly important.
This Sunday we will look at Psalm 90, which states,
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
--Psalm 90:12
When we realize that time is limited, it changes the way we act and the way we live. As a new year begins, we will reflect together on the wisdom that we can gain from God's Word as it relates to the passage of time.
Let us be mindful that Eternity changes things!
Psalm 90 reminds us that the things of this earth don't last –
-Grass dries up.
-People turn back to dust.
-Even centuries pass like a single night in the view of eternity:
"A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by…"
--Psalm 90:4
Scripture tells us that only things that are established by God will last. But there is Good News and hope in this as well! This means that suffering does not last either!
When we place our hope in God, we can call to Him for deliverance:
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble."
--Psalm 90:14-15
Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses, who witnessed as God rescued His people from captivity in Egypt. Just as God delivered His people from slavery, God can deliver us as well, and can make us glad again—In His Time.
But we may often wonder why things don't happen faster?
Consider the concept of time for a moment – Time was a creation of God! God created time in Genesis—in the beginning, God established rhythms of light & dark, day & night, and set the "great lights" in the sky to mark days and seasons.
Time shows Value – Time is the most precious currency of life. The longer something takes, the more valuable it is.
As we wait for better days ahead, we can all find satisfaction and joy and gladness when we "take our time" and devote it to God or share it with others.
This requires commitment & dedication on our part. At this point in the year, we might call this a "resolution." Or as Psalm 90:17 puts it—
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
If we want to experience the favor of the Lord in 2026, it requires us to resolve to commit "the work of our hands" to God.
Notice this is said not just once, but twice!
Again and again let us commit our work to the Lord!
What 'work' do you do that will last?
Another way of saying this is: What are your priorities?
Let us remember that time is not just measured in "productivity" for this life, but by what will have eternal impact in the lives of others – how can we serve others, how can we love the world around us, and how do we strive for "the Favor of the Lord" each day?
A "heart of wisdom" can be found when we learn to properly "number our days" and set our priorities in accordance with the unfailing love of our God!
This Sunday -- First Sunday of the Year
This Sunday, we will have our monthly "Get Connected" class at 9:45, where you can learn more about our Sunday School classes and small group ministries. The New Year is a great time to consider joining something new!
We will also begin the New Year by observing Communion together at both of our services at their regular times.
As is our custom when we have communion, we will also receive a special collection for our Beneficent fund, which is used to help meet unexpected financial needs for people within our church and our community. Please give as you feel led after the services on January 4th.
8:25 Traditional Worship
We will share our welcome and announcements at 8:25, followed by a musical prelude for a time of quiet reflection before our opening prayer.
462 Come Share the Lord
460 Let Us Break Bread Together
312 Calvary Covers It All
330 Are You Washed In the Blood
9:45 Sunday School for all ages
Check out our Sunday School classes and other Care Group ministries on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
11:00 Contemporary Worship
Battle Belongs
This is Amazing Grace
You Are My Vision
Praise
*While we love and encourage good conversation and fellowship in the Gathering Place, please remember to quietly respect the worship services as you are entering or exiting near the beginning or ending of the services. Thank You!
Special Christmas Events Services
A Special Thank You once again to all of you who helped with the many special activities and services during the Christmas Season, and thanks to those of you who attended and participated in various ways. From the historical walking tour open house at the beginning of the month, to the Christmas Eve services, to the retirement party and the combined worship last weekend, we had some wonderful ways to worship together and celebrate our Savior!
In case you missed them, the Cantata and the Combined Service are available online (Shippensburg First Church of God | Online Messages) along with all of our regular Sunday Morning worship services. Consider sharing them with a friend!
Thank You, Gary and Joyce!
Last Saturday we celebrated the faithful service of Pastor Gary and Joyce Hornbaker.
Thanks to everyone who attended, shared, and served to help to make the retirement party a wonderful and memorable event!
Gary and Joyce demonstrate a wonderful example of the "ministry of presence" in the manner after Christ Jesus, Emmanuel, God with Us! Praise God for their ministry and let us all join in prayer for them as they begin their new chapter of life in retirement in January.
As you or your loved ones face pastoral needs and prayer requests in the New Year, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, our new Visitation Director, Jessie Duggan, and others in our church family, so we may join you as we "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." (Romans 12:15)
Looking Ahead
There will be No Community Night this week due to New Years Eve, but our Wednesday Night ministries will resume on January 7th. There's something for all ages at Community Night, so consider joining us if you haven't done so before!
Weekend to Remember
This excellent couples retreat is coming to Hershey on February 6-8. It is a wonderful time to strengthen your marriage and experience a weekend away. Starting January 5 through the 26, Family Life Today will be offering a discount sale.
Register at this link: Hershey
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. If you are not able to attend, but would like to contribute financially so others in our church family could attend, please place your donation in the white envelope located in the back of the pews, write on the envelope "Weekend to Remember", and place it in the offering plate located in the front pews of the back section of the sanctuary.
If you would like to attend and are interested in scholarship opportunities, please contact me—we have several available!
Winter Weather Updates
In the event of cancelations or adjustments due to winter weather, we will do our best to communicate these changes in a timely manner in the following ways:
- Email to the church news mailing list
- Website: Shippensburg First Church of God | Weather Alerts/ Schedule Changes
- Social Media pages: SFCOG Facebook & SFCOG Instagram
- ABC 27 (abc27 Weather School Closings and Delays)
Additionally, some of our ministries (children, youth, etc.) may send updates through their text lists.
For events and activities that are not church-wide (such as small groups or committee meetings) please communicate together with your group or team and use your best judgement, and inform the church office about changes if possible. Please take parking lot conditions and plowing into consideration, and feel free to contact me for further direction.
Handicapped Parking Spaces & Overflow Parking
Let us be mindful of how we can be considerate and hospitable in our parking lot in the following ways:
There are several handicapped parking spaces available in our parking lot located near the handicapped entrance for those with a need and proper handicapped tags. Please refrain from using the handicapped spots along E. Martin Ave. which are intended for the congregation of the Prince Street Church.
In the event of additional parking needs, overflow parking is available at our Annex building across N Prince St. and behind Orrstown Bank, just a short walk up on E. Martin Ave. There are a few spots that have been shared with us behind Weigle & Associates Law Office down S. Gettle Ave. available for Sunday parking as well.
If you are comfortable walking a longer distance, please consider utilizing one of these overflow areas to accommodate our visiting guests and those who cannot walk as far.
Thank you!
Futons Available
We are moving ahead with plans to update the furnishings in our Youth Room!
This means we have 6 futon couches that need to find new homes. If you are interested, please contact one of our trustees to make arrangements. We recommend a $50 donation per futon.
Communications Updates
*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!
*If you or your small groups, committees, etc., are planning special events involving the facilities, please be sure to communicate with the church office so we can best accommodate your needs and coordinate planning details between various ministries—Thank You!
The December edition of our "FYI" Newsletter is available in the Gathering Place or the center section of the Sanctuary, and January is coming soon! The FYI contains information about upcoming events, care group opportunities, giving and attendance information, and more.
If you have information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.
I am looking forward to worshipping with you in the Sanctuary or Online on Christmas Eve and on Sunday!
Pastor Rodney Bistline
Shippensburg First Church of God
seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org
Helpful Links:
Online Messages (shipfcog.org)
Our Activities Calendar & Events
Care Groups & Sunday School Classes
Weather Alerts/ Schedule Changes (shipfcog.org)
Weekly Bulletin (updated over the weekend)
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html
