Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site

Sunday is Coming!

After Bible School on Wednesday evening, one of our helpers captured this image of a Rainbow stretching over our building—a beautiful reminder that God keeps his promises, even in the storms of life!

(see below for more photos from VBS)

What storms are you facing now? Personally?

We are striving to continually pray for many people who are facing hardships in our church family, and we invite you to share your needs with your church family, as you also share your needs with the Lord!

On a global scale, it often feels like we are living through a dark and stormy season. When we scan the headlines, it seems that this period of history feels pretty chaotic right now.

…But reading the Prophets of the Old Testament remind us that this is not the first time the People of God have faced uncertain times in the world, and it probably won’t be the last.

Let us also remember that often it is through the most chaotic or uncertain times of life that God gets our attention.

It is in these seasons that we must cry out to God in prayer & worship, and also when we must lift our voices to proclaim God’s faithfulness to the world, even when we don’t understand what God may be doing in the present moment.

In the storms of life, we must declare, along with Jonah and the prophets: ‘Salvation comes from the Lord!’ –Jonah 2:9

This weekend we will read Jonah chapter 2, which contains Jonah’s Prayer. Keep in mind Jonah is inside a “Great Fish” when he is crying out to God. This creature is probably not a happy, smiling whale like you might see in children’s books. The Hebrew word for “Great Fish” includes terrifying ancient sea monsters like the Leviathan of Job 41. Think H. P. Lovecraft’s “Cthulhu” or even “Godzilla” more than charming fairytales and children’s stories. Many theories exist about what sort of fish or whale or monster this could have been, but the basic premise that remains is that Jonah is on the horrifying threshold of the doorway to death itself in a despairing, watery grave (we will see that Jesus alludes to this Matthew 12:38-41 as well).

It is inside the belly of a beast in bottom of the ocean, that Jonah actually cries out to God in a poetic prayer:

“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry…

“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.

“But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.

“I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

--Jonah 2:2, 7-9

On Sunday, we will reflect together on what we can learn from this text about worship & prayer, but first a little recap…

Last week we began this study of the book of Jonah, and we concluded with the challenge that in the New Testament age in which we live, because of the Victory of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, all who call themselves disciples of Jesus are sent out to be Prophets.

(See Matthew 28:19-20, and Acts 2:17-18)

If you and I would be followers of Jesus, we must prophetically proclaim the Salvation of the Lord everywhere, even in the most difficult circumstances. I believe this starts by authentically worshipping God in our own hearts, no matter what we are facing.

Before we can proclaim the Salvation of the Lord to the world, we must accept it and declare it personally.

Have you done so?

We must Accept the Call to be God’s Prophets to a world that needs to know Him!

Not all prophets face sea monsters, but every prophet must contend with the mystery of God Himself. Let us be like the Prophets in the way that we personally worship God, Accepting His Call even in the storms & mysteries of our lives.

Can you see yourself as a prophet?

We might ask, what is a prophet?

In the Bible, Prophets are not exactly like “fortune tellers” who predict the future, but rather devoted messengers for God. They are so devout, that often the rest of the world sees them as a bit wild or eccentric.

The Jewish scholar, Abraham J. Heschel asks this same question in his classic work on the Old Testament prophets, entitled The Prophets. In the very first sentence, he writes, “What manner of man is the prophet?” – and after several pages of reflections, Heschel answers somewhat succinctly: “The prophet is a man who feels fiercely.”

I like this description.

Truly the book of Jonah and all of the other Prophets in the Old Testament contain a wide range of emotions. Many of them take the form of poetry or song. While some parts are written in narrative (story) form, like Chapters 1, 3, & 4 of Jonah, many parts of the Prophets are written lyrically or poetically, such as Chapter 2 of Jonah.

A. J. Heschel elaborates on this idea-- “This is the greatness of the prophet: he is able to convert terror into a song.”

Are we able to do this?

While Jonah may not be the best role model in every respect, he did face fear and terror and chaos with prayer & worship!

May we aspire to transform whatever terrors or hardships we face into songs of praise as Jonah & the Old Testament Prophets did.

*Are we willing to “feel fiercely”? Do we freely share these feelings with God?

*Do we meet God on His terms, following His plans, or do we expect him to agree to our terms & conditions?

*Does our encounter with God and His Salvation motivate us to obediently carry His Message into the world?

Join us this weekend as we ponder these questions and more, and as we Worship God Together!

This Sunday

8:30 Traditional Worship

'Til the Storm Passes By #543

Through it All #580

Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated #597

Praise The One Who Breaks The Darkness #293

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

Graves Into Gardens

I Thank God

Gratitude

Trust In God

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

This is a 5^th Sunday, so the children will be joining us in worship during the 11:00 service. They will share a song from VBS!

Pastor Gary will be on vacation next week, June 29-July 5. Please contact Pastor Rodney or the Church office with any pastoral needs.

Our Youth Missions Team leaves for North Carolina this Sunday morning. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare, as they travel, and as they serve together. *If you have not already done so, it’s not too late to consider financially supporting this ministry. Support Letters were distributed to church mailboxes and are available on the Welcome Desk if you would like to learn more.

“Sent” Special Guests

In keeping with our summer theme, Next Sunday we will have a speaker from the Gideons International share about their global Bible distribution ministry. We will also have a combined Sunday School* time with an update from Pastor Ernesto and Miriam Nunes, our CGGC Global Reach partners who will be visiting from Brazil (Ernesto & Miriam are Mike Poe’s Father- and Mother-in-Law).

*Our monthly “Get Connected” class will meet on July 13th instead of the 6th.

Vacation Bible School

We’ve had a wonderful week at “Magnified” Vacation Bible School! Thanks to everyone who participated! We had over 60 children attend VBS, and nearly that many helpers who served as well. Last night, one child made a first-time commitment to Christ! Tonight is our final evening, and there will be a brief closing program around 7:45.

Here are some photos from the week:

Living Stones Activities

John Winebrenner Tour and Dinner Monday, July 14 10:30AM-7:00PM

Location: Start tour at Best Western Motel, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA, 17109

The itinerary will include a visit to Winebrenner’s grave, the Metropolitan Bethel and Salem UCC in Harrisburg, the Union Bethel in Mechanicsburg, and Peace Church where he preached.

Leave Annex (Church van and carpooling) at 10:30 AM and return approximately 7:00 PM

Cost: No cost for the tour. We suggest you pack a lunch to eat in the church van. The actual tour time is

12:00 noon – 5:00 PM. We will then stop somewhere for dinner (your expense) on the way home.

Register: The Gathering Place, Sunday School Classroom, or call the church office by June 29^th. Please indicate if you wish to ride in the church van, carpool from the Annex, or meet us in Harrisburg.

Cowan’s Gap Potluck Picnic and Swimming Tuesday, July 29 10:15 AM

Location: Cowan's Gap State Park, 6235 Aughwick Road, Fort Loudon, PA 17224

Arrive at Annex by 10:15. We plan to return no later than 5:00 PM.

We will use the church van, carpool, and vehicles to haul lawn chairs and food.

Church will provide: Water, sliced cheese, ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, and will grill your meat

What to Bring: meat you would like to have grilled, roll or bread for your sandwich(es), a side dish to share, your drink, lawn chairs (if you desire), and swimming suit (if you wish to swim)

Register: The Gathering Place, Sunday School Classroom, or call the church office by July 20^th. Please indicate what side dish you plan to bring, and if you wish to ride in the church van, carpool from the Annex, meet us at Cowan’s Gap.

Harrisburg Senators Game and Fireworks Friday, August 29 5:00 PM Register by June 29

Location: FNB Park, 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Leave Annex (Church van and carpooling) at 5:00 PM. Priority seating for the church van will be for our seniors on a first-paid registration basis.

Cost: $17/Person (all ages) A food voucher (hot dog, chips, and a drink for $7) is an option, but must be requested in advance. (If paying by check, make it payable to the Shippensburg First Church of God.)

Register and Pay Pastor Gary: The Gathering Place, Sunday School Classroom, or call the church office ASAP. We would like to know by June 29^th if possible because we need to order tickets in advance so that we can sit together. This activity is open to all ages. You are welcome to bring your family. Please indicate if you wish to ride in the church van, carpool from the Annex, or meet us at the game.

Summer Bible Studies

Ladies in Step will be having some special activity nights throughout the summer. The next will be Card Making on July 9 from 6:30-8:00 in the Annex. Please RSVP to Joyce Hornbaker to help with planning for materials.

Beginning on July 9^th, there will be a summer Men’s Bible Study and Prayer held at the home of Jerry Underkoffler. This will take place every Wednesday morning at 8:00-9:15 until the end of August. Coffee cake will be served each week with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Please inform Jerry if you plan to attend.

Serving and Community Partnership Opportunity

Our Outreach Committee is now collecting Toothpaste and Children’s Tylenol for Circle of Love ministries. Donations can be placed in the appropriate place in the entryway of the Sanctuary that is closest to Crossroads Station. In addition, Circle of Love is always in need of financial donations, which can be delivered directly to their location at 150 Reading Road, Shippensburg, PA.

To learn more, contact (717) 372-1112 or circleoflovegiveaway@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 16^th is National Hot Dog Day! We will be partnering with some of our neighboring churches to bless our community with free hotdogs from 11:00-2:00. We are providing the location in the Annex Parking lot, and the Presbyterian church will be providing and grilling hotdogs. Other members of the Love Our Town initiative will be on hand to greet our neighbors, and anyone is welcome to come out for a free hotdog and a time of fellowship!

Communications Updates

*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!

The July edition of our “FYI” Newsletter will be available in the Gathering Place or the center section of the Sanctuary. 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.

Looking forward to worshipping with you in the Sanctuary or Online this Sunday!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org