Sunday is Coming!
Ever feel like a “square peg in a round hole?”
We are all unique people, but sometimes life forces us into places we weren’t meant to go.
One of the “great mysteries” of life is learning “where we fit” – discovering both how we are all unique, and yet how we can all work together in unity with others. Today we get to consider how that can work within the God’s Church.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been examining a great “mystery” that has been revealed through Jesus, using Ephesians as our focal point in scripture. Speaking about God, Paul writes in Ephesians 1:9-10—
“He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
A Key Component of the “Mystery Made Known” by God is that all things are being united under Christ.
This is Good News of Hope in a world that often feels very broken and divided!
Paul goes on to explain this all in more detail in Ephesians 3:10—
"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…”
Paul points out that it is God’s intent that through His people, the Church, that God’s wisdom should be revealed to the whole world. As we follow Jesus together, we find strength and power through His Holy Spirit, and we are united—“Together with all the Lord’s holy people” (Ephesians 3:18) as Paul puts it.
When we come together, when we worship together, when we learn & serve together, we are able to See a BIGGER picture of our Infinitely, Eternally, BIG God.
Each one of us can only know a little bit about God, but when we come together, we can learn a little more about God from one another—from our unique insights and experiences that we share together.
And we can also do greater things to serve our community and advance His Kingdom here and around the world.
Paul says we can even hope to see God do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20)
With these thoughts in mind, I want to challenge us to remember that there is always more to learn—we can all grow in our faith as individuals, and as a church, we can grow together in unity as well. This starts on a personal level, as we each follow Jesus one step at a time, walking in His footsteps as He leads us.
There’s always more to discover with Jesus!
To help us think about this, and to conclude our study of Ephesians, our sermon time on Sunday will include a panel discussion with several people who are currently involved in our SHAPE program. I look forward to hearing how God is at work in each person as they discover more about God and themselves, and I hope you will all be encouraged and challenged to continue exploring the “Revealed Mystery” of Christ as well!
This Sunday
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.
Like a River Glorious #737
Wonderful Peace #743
And Can It Be? #347
My Savior's Love #348
My Hope is in the Lord #540
9:45 Sunday School for all ages.
Check out our Care Groups & Sunday School Classes on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
11:00 Contemporary Worship
A Thousand Shores
Death was Arrested
The Heart Of Worship
Glorious Day
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!
Reminder—Our Community Night events have concluded for this year (including AWANA and Wednesday Night adult studies), but Youth Group will continue for one more month, and the SHAPE Seminar will be offered in the Annex.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of the College Students graduating this spring!
Youth Sunday & Baccalaureate
Next week, on May 31, we will celebrate Youth Sunday and acknowledge our High School graduates! Our Teenagers will share in every part of our services. Also, the following day, on Monday, June 1, we will have the privilege of hosting the SASHS Baccalaureate service. All are welcome to attend to show our support to these young men and women. Please remember all of the 2026 graduates and their families in our prayers.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is coming soon -- June 21-25, 6-8 pm
(A meal will be provided for helpers and families prior to the opening each night)
The Vacation Bible School theme this year is “Illumination Station.”
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
--Jesus (John 8:12)
Many claim to know Jesus, but remain in the dark—at Illumination Station, kids will learn that Jesus isn't just a person from history, a good man, or a wise teacher - but He is much more than that! They will discover Jesus is the perfect, proven, and powerful Son of God!
Join us for an amazing week of Bible stories, games, crafts, and fun—We can't wait to see you there!
See the display in the Gathering Place to learn more, or register online at the following link:
Volunteers are also needed (clearances required). A training and planning meeting will be held on June 10th at 6:30 pm in the Lower Level.
Decoration work days are scheduled for anyone who enjoys creative crafting and decorating:
May 26 – 6-8 pm
June 9 – 6-8 pm
June 8 – 1-4 pm
Secret Sisters
Secret Sisters pray for one another and give notes of encouragement and can give gifts or other fun surprises throughout the year. It is a great way to get to know someone new or secretly encourage a lifelong friend. Even if you weren’t able to the recent event on May 17, but would like to be involved in the name exchange, you can choose to do so. For more information, pick up a form in the Gathering Place, or contact the church office.
Foundations Class
A special elective Sunday School class, Foundations, is continuing for just 2 more weeks. It is held in room 205, behind the balcony. Anyone is welcome to participate. The topics for the class will be the foundations of the Christian faith - The Bible, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and more. Please join us to gain a better understanding of what Christians believe and why we believe it. Sam Byers is teaching, and Bev Shumway and Matthew Hower are supporting Sam.
Church Center
We have been gradually rolling out a new database tool called “Church Center.” It will be utilized for scheduling, record-keeping, giving, and many other ministry functions. You will be hearing more about it in the coming months as we implement new aspects of this resource, such as a directory feature and upcoming changes to our Children’s Ministry check-in system. You can begin learning more and start exploring it by visiting this page on our website to create your own log-in:
Shippensburg First Church of God | Church Center
Communications Updates
Bulletins and newsletters are available for you as you enter for worship—you can find them right outside the main doorways into the sanctuary on a table or stand for easy access. Some are usually available at our welcome desk also, but we encourage you to keep access to our welcome desk (and our handicapped accessible seating) open and available for those who may need it.
*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 latest monthly edition of our “FYI” Newsletter is available in the Gathering Place or as you enter into the Sanctuary. The FYI contains information about upcoming events, care group opportunities, giving and attendance information, and more.
If you have events or information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.
Let us continue to celebrate our Risen Savior together in the Sanctuary or Online this 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
Shippensburg First Church of God | Church Center
Weekly Bulletin (updated over the weekend)
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html
