Dear Family,
I just received a phone call from Lynne Price’s daughter. Lynne has been released from the hospital and will be coming home later this evening to her daughter’s house. Lynne will be receiving in-home therapy.
Let us praise the Lord together!
For His Glory,
Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary
Gary Hornbaker
Shippensburg First Church of God
Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship
Church Phone: 717-532-8421
Dear Family,
Please be in prayer for …
Amy Culbertson’s cousin, Ashlyn, who is about 30 years old and is married to her husband Sean. She has struggled with many health issues her entire life and is currently dealing with heart and liver challenges.
Bob Peck, who is scheduled for heart cauterization tomorrow morning.
Bill Bodkins and Randy Shenk as they recuperate at home.
Lynne Price will be placed in rehabilitation before returning home.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
For His Glory,
Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary
Gary Hornbaker
Shippensburg First Church of God
Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship
Church Phone: 717-532-8421
Dear Family,
I received the following email from Sally Shaul who asked me to share this so that we can all be praying.
“I do not know if you remember Jackie ( I can’t remember her maiden name) but she was a college student that faithfully attended our church when at college. We helped her with a mission trip to Australia. That is where she met Rob Vicary whom she later married. We keep in touch periodically and she just left me know of her second son’s birth. They have Malachi (maybe 3) and now Benjamin. I am asking for prayer for all of them, but especially for Malachi. He has a “syndrome” ( I believe the term used) that we thought was healed, but his symptoms have returned. Please pray for them all and share to church and anyone you think might know or remember her. (They reside in Australia now. Thank you!”
Thank you for partnering in prayer!
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,“ Ephesians 3:20
For His Glory,
Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary
Gary Hornbaker
Shippensburg First Church of God
Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship
Church Phone: 717-532-8421
Dear Family,
Please be in prayer for Lynne Price who is in the hospital recovering from a stroke.
Thank you for partnering with us in prayer.
"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14
For His Glory,
Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary
Gary Hornbaker
Shippensburg First Church of God
Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship
Church Phone: 717-532-8421
Sunday is Coming!
It seems that you can learn how to do anything on the internet. "Self-help" and "Do-it-yourself" resources abound!
-Need to fix an appliance? There are instructional videos on YouTube to tell you how.
-Need some counseling? There are online services just a few taps away.
-Want to see the Greek behind the English in the New Testament? That's out there too!
-Need some "continuing education" credits to brush up on the latest advancements in your occupational field? That's available online as well.
-Want to be a better parent? There's no end to parent advice accounts on social media.
-Want to be a manlier man or a womanlier woman? There's plenty of podcasts that want to help you.
Let's be real—Regardless of the tasks at hand, we can benefit from some good instruction. And wouldn't we all like to continually grow and improve to become more comfortable and confident in all of the roles in which we find ourselves? I think we'd all like to be good at our jobs or schoolwork, to be good parents & grandparents, to excel at our sports or hobbies, to succeed in life, and be good servants of God.
But with all of the "self-help" resources in the world, let's make sure we don't get overwhelmed and distracted when it comes to the source of the most essential information about ourselves: God's Word, which can reveal to us more clearly who we are in Christ!
When we get that strait, all of our other roles and needs and responsibilities fall into place. And we can also discover more clearly that we are not called to serve ourselves, but to serve others in the name of Jesus.
This weekend, we return to the book of Titus to find instructions for how to live out our unique roles. And also, while there may be some differences in our roles, in Christian Community we find both integrity and equality through Jesus.
When we all live out our unique callings faithfully with love and respect and integrity, we make Jesus more visible to the world. Consider Paul's Words in Titus 2:11-14—
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
When we commit to Jesus, He purifies us to do Good for Him! No matter who we are or whatever our role or background, Jesus treasures & values us so much that he redeems us and transforms us to equip us to be His world-changers!
There's a Great New Video on the CGGC YouTube channel that shares some exciting ways that that this is happening across our denomination (Click Here). In this video, Shippensburg Native, Pastor Ed Rosenberry speaks to this topic:
"If you come into that experience with Christ, then your life has to change. And then part of that life change is the call to social change… it becomes critical that for the cause of Christ you address the ills of society to seek about reforming them in the name of Christ... We want to bless the community, but to what end? So that they may know Jesus."
–Pastor Ed Rosenberry
Or in Paul's words, let us be "eager to do what is good."
Are YOU eager to do what is good?
From beginning to end, Paul's letter points to Jesus as the source of God's Grace and the example for how we are to "do good" with our lives.
Our true Identity must be rooted in Christ. But this can take many different forms:
-If you are a student heading back to school, work hard at your assignments, be respectful to your teachers, follow the rules, include others who might be left out.
-If you are a parent raising children, be slow to anger, encourage them constantly, hold them accountable to good behavior but offer unending grace as they learn and fail and grow.
-If you are married, do your best to love and forgive one another, to be honest and open with each other, and constantly believe the best in your partner as you strive to serve them more than yourself.
-If you're working for a difficult supervisor, do your best work and be respectful. Be a good steward, have a good attitude, and don't stir up division by gossiping around the water cooler.
And remember, we don't do this by our own goodness or righteousness, but through the purifying, transformative power of the Holy Spirit within us, as we follow Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (Titus 2:14).
This Sunday
8:30 Traditional Worship
God of Grace and God of Glory (#435)
Grace Greater than Our Sin (#344)
Wonderful Grace of Jesus (#338)
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (#11)
We continue our Summer Special Music series, with a Men's Chorus
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
This Is Amazing Grace
House of the Lord
Reckless Love
O Come To The Altar
Bible Quizzing Nationals
We are excited to report the final results of our teams' efforts at the 2025 CGGC Bible Quizzing national tournament!
Junior High—
Our "Bible Bros" team was 2nd place,
and our "Junior" team was 5th.
Joel Bistline was the first place individual Junior High Quizzer.
Sam Morton was third and Josiah Morton was fourth, and also the top 6th grade Quizzer.
Senior High—
The High School Girls took 4th place.
Rebecca Bistline was the second place individual Senior High Quizzer.
Grace Morton was tenth.
Every Quizzer studied hard and learned a lot about the Gospel of Luke. Each person answered at least one question in competition and memorized some verses. They demonstrated great sportsmanship and were kind and friendly with the other teams.
Good job quizzers, and thanks to the parents and Coaches! We will recognize their dedication this Sunday at our worship services.
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
—Luke 4:18-19
Praise Update
Baby Vincent DiMemmo was born on July 21 to parents Cassy (Underwood) and Zach. Mom and Baby are doing well. Pray for the family as they adjust to a 3rd child, and for Vincent's big brother and big sister also!
Church Membership Class
Our next Membership Class is going to be on August 10th at 9:45. This one-time class will tell you more about our church and what membership at SFCOG entails. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Place, or contact Pastor Rodney for more information (feel free to reply to this email).
Church Picnic
On the first Sunday of September (September 7th), we will have our annual Church Picnic. This takes place at Memorial Park and features a combined service at 10:00 am followed by a meal together. The church will provide chicken & ham, drinks, and paper products, and we invite each household to bring side items to share. To help us plan for the picnic, please RSVP by signing up on the clipboards located around the church: at the side entrances, in the gathering place, in your Sunday School classrooms, and in the Children & Youth areas. We hope to see you all there!
Summer Bible Studies
Living Stones Activities
Location: FNB Park, 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Leave Annex (Church van and carpooling) at 5:00 PM.
Local Women's Conference
Crossroads Station will be the location for the "Joy in the Journey" women's retreat August 1 & 2. This event is open to all women and is seeking to bring together ladies from across our community for fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth. Various women's ministries and speakers will be represented, including our own Women's Alliance Tribe. To learn more and to register online, visit this link:
Women's Retreat Registration: 8/1-8/2
Communications Updates
*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!
The August edition of our "FYI" Newsletter is 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
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
Dear Family,
Please be in prayer for Steve Komora and his family. Steve’s step-dad, Newt, passed away yesterday. Steve, Michelle, and their children are in Pittsburgh with his mom.
Thank you for praying and for caring!
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
In Caring,
Pastor Gary
Dear Family,
Please be in prayer for …
healng for Dennis Mathna, neighbor to Larry and Julie Rosenberry, who is in Chambersburg Hospital and will be transported to Harrisburg Hospital in the next day or two for surgery.
healing for Ray Poe as he recovers from his surgery yesterday.
God’s guidance for our Quiz Team as they are quizzing today and tomorrow.
Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2
In Caring,
Pastor Gary
Sunday is Coming!
I’m heading to Bible Quizzing Nationals this afternoon, so this is coming to you a bit sooner than usual this week…
If someone had access to all of your personal communication, what would they learn about you?
If someone read through all of your texts and DMs and e-mails, would they see multiple versions of you?
If someone followed you home, what would they discover about your life behind closed doors?
If a stadium camera suddenly projected your life onto a giant screen, what would be revealed?
Recent events in the world suggest to us that many people have things they are trying to hide…
There is a crisis of integrity in our world. That means that leadership is also in crisis, and trust is at an all-time low.
This Sunday we are going to begin a new series considering what it means to set an example for the world by living as people of integrity.
To do this, we are going to read someone else’s private mail…
I am referring to a personal note that the Apostle Paul sent to another leader named Titus. It’s a small letter addressed to only one person, but it has been preserved throughout history and handed down to the Christian Church as a masterclass private lesson about living with integrity and leading through Christlike service. The letter begins as follows:
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
There are some very important themes mentioned right away in the greeting: Faith, Knowledge of the Truth, Godliness, and the Hope of eternal life which was promised before the beginning of time. While this is a personal letter, it was probably intended to be read publicly, but either way, we will see that Paul’s consistent integrity shines through, and this is what he is writing to advocate to the People of Crete, under Titus’s care.
One thing that stands out to me: in his private correspondence, Paul speaks in the same way that he does publicly. He is not demeaning or overly harsh. It’s the same Paul who greeted the Romans, Corinthians, etc. While he holds the formal title of “Apostle” he also refers to himself as a “Servant” and appeals to Titus as “my true son in our common faith.”
The particular reason that Paul is writing to Titus can be found in verse 5:
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Titus was given the job to “put things in order” for the Christian Community on the Mediterranean island of Crete. In this letter we will see that the Church is meant to have a clear sense of structure & order. We will also get a picture of what leadership and integrity should look like for all believers.
Now let me point something out that makes the “Order” and leadership structure of the Church very different from the world, which can be seen in Paul’s own introduction in 1:1—Paul’s Main Title, even before “Apostle” is “servant of God.”
Looking through the writings of the other apostles (such as Peter, James, & Jude to name a few), we can see many others who also use “servant of God” as a formal “title” in their introductions.
This can be traced directly back to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the official head of the church—in Matthew 20:25-28, we read,
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Every Gospel has a similar statement, including John’s inclusion of the act of Feetwashing)
According to Christ Himself, in His Heavenly Kingdom, leaders must be servants, not “overlords,” taking the lowest position to benefit others. After 2000 years of church influence on the world we kind of take the idea of “servant leadership” for granted now, but it remains a radical idea that is in direct contrast to the way people of power operate apart from Christ.
Like the gentile rulers that Jesus was referring to, many of our world leaders still “lord it over” others. Jesus says, “Not so with you.” Christians are called to be different from the world.
Another contrast of note is that Leadership in the Christian Community is not based on power or wealth or credentials, but on things like integrity and obedience and self-control. We will look at some of these specifics throughout this series, but this fact means that leadership in the Church is no longer something limited to a select few who claw their way to the top, but is now a possibility for any person who humbly stoops down to serve, living according to the Way of Jesus—Way of the Servant.
That means any of us can be leaders! Regardless of wealth or status or ethnicity or gender or age or education, etc. (see Galatians 3:23, Colossians 3:11, etc.). Part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus is to also be making other disciples through our example of Christlike Servanthood.
Do you see yourself as a leader? This world needs good, humble, Goldy leaders who live with integrity!
In the rest of this short letter to Titus, Paul will go on to talk about this in more detail—we will be wise to learn from it.
The essential part in all of this is to reflect the mercy, kindness, and love of God, as revealed in Christ Jesus our Savior. Skipping to the end of the letter, in Titus 3:3-7, Paul reminds us about what matters most when it comes to Christian Community and leadership and accountability—
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
As we think of personal responsibility, and leadership in a Christian community, and our role in society as People of God, let us remember that Salvation comes through Jesus Christ our Savior, not because we’ve got it all right or because we are worthy, but because of God’s Unending Love.
If we believe in Jesus, we are “reborn” as heirs of a Heavenly Father with an Eternal Kingdom! We become citizens of Heaven, which is put in Order not by self-serving overlords, but by a self-sacrificing savior!
Whenever we serve in Humble Christian Love, the “hope of eternal life” breaks through into this present world!
This Sunday
8:30 Traditional Worship
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place #528
Open My Eyes That I May See #563
Living for Jesus #605
Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know #535
We continue our Summer Special Music series, with a solo by Tim Wright
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
Glorious Day
Death Was Arrested
Trust in God
Goodness Of God
In both services this Sunday we will also hear a report from our Youth Mission Team about there trip to North Carolina!
Bible Quizzing Nationals
Our Bible Quiz Team is currently at the Annual National Competition at Camp Sonrise Mountain in Western PA. Please keep all of the teams in your prayers as these teenagers hide God’s Word in their hearts and as their teams travel from around the denomination.
Young Adult Highlights
Our Young Adult ministry has been continuing to meet in various ways this summer, and there have been some wonderful opportunities for these young men and women to pray, to support one another, and to enjoy fellowship together. Highlights include a bonfire, and a trip to Sight & Sound!
Hot Dog Day
Last week on National Hot Dog Day, we partnered with the Presbyterian Church and others involved with the “Love Our Town” initiative to serve Free Hot Dogs to our community. Even though it was a rainy evening, over 200 Hot Dogs were grilled at the Annex and distributed to our friends and neighbors, with several going to families at the Community Cares Shelter.
Church Membership Class
Our next Membership Class is going to be on August 10th at 9:45. This one-time class will tell you more about our church and what membership at SFCOG entails. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Place, or contact Pastor Rodney for more information (feel free to reply to this email).
Summer Bible Studies
Living Stones Activities
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 20th. 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.
Location: FNB Park, 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Leave Annex (Church van and carpooling) at 5:00 PM.
Serving and Community Partnership Opportunities
This is Shippensburg Fair Week! Head out to the fair to say hello to friends and neighbors and support our local farmers, artists, organizations, & vendors!
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
Local Women’s Conference
Crossroads Station will be the location for the “Joy in the Journey” women’s retreat August 1 & 2. This event is open to all women and is seeking to bring together ladies from across our community for fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth. Various women’s ministries and speakers will be represented, including our own Women’s Alliance Tribe. To learn more and to register online, visit this link:
Women's Retreat Registration: 8/1-8/2
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 is 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
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
Dear Family,
Please pray for the following:
staff and campers who are attending camp.
our quiz team as they travel and participate in our National competition.
Bill Bodkins who is now at Laurel Lakes for rehabilitation.
Carol Davis’s family as they grieve her passing.
Pat Frey who is in Carlisle Hospital and is improving. There is a possibility she may come home today or tomorrow.
Ruth Garling who is in West Shore Hospital and is beginning her battle against cancer.
Connie Heberlig who is back at Celebration Villa following a stay in the hospital.
Carole Kann who is in Hershey Hospital and is recovering following another procedure.
Ray Poe as he prepares for surgery on Thursday.
Randy Shenk as he is recovering at Laurel Lakes Rehabilitation.
Patty Silla as she is going through chemo treatments.
Barb Stine as she deals with knee pain.
Ben Thomas has a doctor appointment tomorrow. He is dealing with a hernia.
Thank you for your prayer partnership! Our God is able!
“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” Psalm 41:3
For His Glory,
Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary
Gary Hornbaker
Shippensburg First Church of God
Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship
Church Phone: 717-532-8421
Dear Family,
Please be in prayer for Carole Kann and her family. Carole was readmitted into Hershey Hospital for a procedure late yesterday afternoon. Pray for complete healing and for her family as they walk alongside her.
“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
For His Glory,
Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary
Gary Hornbaker
Shippensburg First Church of God
Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship
Church Phone: 717-532-8421
Sunday is Coming!
What do you do with Hard Questions?
Next week, our Bible Quiz Team is going to the CGGC Nationals Competition! I was a quizzer when I was a teenager, and I have also helped to lead quizzing ministries in various ways over the years as a coach and as a "Quiz Master." I recall that some questions are harder than others… Sometimes when there is a very difficult question, such as a verse quotation, the reaction of many quizzers is to sit back in their chairs—an obvious sign that they are not planning to give an answer. But some quizzers lean forward, ready to jump and attempt to share the knowledge they have gained from God's Word.
When you face a difficult question in life, do you lean forward or sit back?
Do you put forth the effort, or just try to get comfortable?
Do difficult questions make you uncomfortable?
To Understand the Call to be God's prophets and messengers, we need to ask some difficult questions. We need to contend with some uncomfortable topics. And we must wrestle with the Word of the Lord.
Are you up for some difficult questions today?
A very common "Hard Question" that scholars and common folks alike have wrestled with throughout history is:
-Why do Bad things happen to Good People?
This is often called "The Mystery of Suffering"
(think: book of Job)
The book of Jonah essentially contends with the reverse of that question:
-Why do Good things happen to Bad People?
-(Or furthermore, if everyone is sinful and the world is fallen, and entropy is the primary force governing the universe, why does anything good ever happen at all?)
This is sometimes called "The Mystery of Compassion"
Both are questions about Justice—good things should happen to good people, while bad things should happen to bad people.
Or so we think…
In Jonah 3 & 4, we see that Jonah disagrees with God about an issue of justice. Jonah did not like how God relented from punishing the Ninevites for their wickedness—
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.
--Jonah 3:10-4:1
Maybe we can relate to the Jonah's feelings when we face hard questions…
If God is so powerful, why does He allow tragedy and injustice to occur? Why does wickedness go unpunished?
If God is loving, why does He allow suffering? Why do the righteous face hardships?
The Bible does give us some "simple answers" on this (such as Romans 3:23: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"), But these questions are at the heart of so much of the Bible, so let us not be too quick to oversimplify it to any single verse.
To answer hard questions like this, we must consider the Character of God. We must take it up with God Himself.
To his credit, Jonah himself does exactly this, first by repeating back to God God's own description of Himself:
"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity."
-Jonah 4:2
Notice that Jonah is already beyond asking questions—as an Old Testament Prophet, he already 'knows' God. The problem is, he doesn't like the way God has revealed Himself. It would seem that he disagrees with God's way of handling justice. He seems to be accusing God of being too soft and permissive. He wants a more wrathful, vengeful god, not the God of Love that he knows…
We must all honestly contend with our own understanding of God—Are we worshipping God as He has revealed Himself in scripture, or are we trying to tell God to be something different than He is? Are we trying to fashion a god in some other image?
Sometimes our hearts go after the idols of power and destruction that we see in the world, ignoring the God of love and compassion that has revealed Himself through Jesus. And other times we try to oversimplify God into something more comfortable for us… We focus on our own comfort, while we ignore the Bigger picture that God wants to show us.
Jonah had seen the power of God in the storm and in the monstrous sea creature. He had experienced the salvation of the Lord personally, and the forgiveness of God upon hundreds of thousands of people and animals too…
And yet in the end, chapter 4 reveals to us that Jonah couldn't see past his own discomfort…
Jonah is truly an Epic Tale that speaks of God's Greatness, but a Cautionary Tale that warns against the tragedy of human self-centeredness.
It has a "cliff-hanger ending" that invites us to finish the story in our own hearts—We must ask ourselves, what will we do in response to the hard questions?
I can give you suggestions, and as a church we can work together on some projects, but in the end, each of us has to make some personal decisions about how to join God in His Concerns.
God has the last word in Jonah 4:11, and quite fittingly, it is a question—
"And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?"
God invites a response…
We've seen that God has enough concern and love and forgiveness to go around. Know that God is Concerned for us, and He invites us to join in sharing His Concern for every city and nation and person and creature around the world.
The hard question we are left with, is how do we respond to God's love and compassion, even when it doesn't make sense to us?
Join us Sunday as we ponder this together!
This Sunday
8:30 Traditional Worship
Grace Greater than Our Sin #344
And Can It Be? #347
The Love of God #157
Think About His Love #158
We continue our Summer Special Music series, with a Family Trio consisting of Michelle Komora, Her Sister Janelle Allen, and their Mother, Tammy Henneman.
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
Beautiful Things
How He Loves
Revelation Song
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)
Prayer Requests
Bible Quizzing Nationals
Our Bible Quiz Team will be heading to the Annual National Competition at Camp Sonrise Mountain in Western PA next week. We will recognize them on Sunday and commission them with prayer before the depart. Please keep all of the teams in your prayers as these teenagers hide God's Word in their hearts and as their teams travel from around the denomination.
CGGC Triennial Conference & 200th Anniversary
The Churches of God Triennial Conference gathers every 3 years for fellowship and inspiration, and convenes to conduct the official business of the General Conference. It is taking place this week in Harrisburg, celebrating the 200th anniversary of our CGGC denomination. Pastor Gary and Joyce are serving as delegates from our church for the ERC, so Pastor Gary has been out of the office this week (July 14-18). Please keep the leaders, pastors, and missionaries of our denomination in your prayers as they travel and gather together.
(Contact Pastor Rodney or the Church office with any pastoral needs while Gary is serving at conference).
As part of the 200th year celebrations, a historical tour and song service was held in Harrisburg and the surrounding areas on Monday. Our Living Stones group took a vanload of people along to learn and to worship together.
"If I would be a child of God,
I surely must obey his word;
With cheerful heart and willing mind,
To all his precepts be inclined.
O blessed Redeemer!
Thou who has died for me;
Whatever thy will may be, dear Lord,
I'll gladly follow thee."
—Lydia A. Forney
1881, from a CGGC historic music book.
Church Membership Class
Our next Membership Class is going to be on August 10th at 9:45. This one-time class will tell you more about our church and what membership at SFCOG entails. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Place, or contact Pastor Rodney for more information (feel free to reply to this email).
Summer Bible Studies
Living Stones Activities
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 20th. 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.
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 29th 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.
Serving and Community Partnership Opportunities
This Sunday Evening (7/20) at 7:30 there will be a Community Vespers Service at the Fair Grounds to kick off Shippensburg Fair Week. Churches from around town will gather together for a night of worship and fellowship. The Town Band will also play at 7:00 prior to the worship service. Bring a lawn chair!
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
Local Women's Conference
Crossroads Station will be the location for the "Joy in the Journey" women's retreat August 1 & 2. This event is open to all women and is seeking to bring together ladies from across our community for fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth. Various women's ministries and speakers will be represented, including our own Women's Alliance Tribe. To learn more and to register online, visit this link:
Women's Retreat Registration: 8/1-8/2
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 is 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
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
