Office availability this week

Hello Church family,

Just a reminder & update that this week, due to the 4th of July weekend, staff vacations, and some other family needs of our staff, our office hours may look a little different than normal. Someone should be available at least in the morning each day, and most afternoons, but feel free to call ahead before stopping by if office assistance is needed.

Have a good week!
Pastor Rodney

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SFCOG youth missions update

Hello Church Family,

Yesterday the Youth Mission Team arrived safely and checked in at 5pm!

They will be serving with Team Effort Missions and staying at the UNC Asheville Campus for the week. They will be working in the Swananoa area which was one of the hardest hit areas and water was up to the top of the mobile homes. 

Jason and our team ask that in addition to praying for our students and leaders, please also pray for the community of Swananoa, the residents, and the Team Effort leaders.

Thanks for your prayers, support and love!

Pastor Rodney

SFCOG Prayer updates

Dear church family,

Please pray for Jack Shaul's dad, who is being transported to Hershey hospital. Keep the family in prayer as well.

Mick Martin was discharged from the hospital and is heading home. Pray for continued healing, peace, and guidance for future treatment options.

Also continue to keep the Youth Missions Team in prayer. They departed the morning and should arrive in North Carolina this evening. Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ and for their safety as they work.

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SFCOG Prayer Update

Hello Church Family,

Please keep Mick Martin in your prayers. He is having breathing difficulties and is being admitted to the hospital. 

Also continue to hold our youth missions team in your prayers as they prepare to leave for their trip to North Carolina on Sunday morning. 

"In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me."

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬

Thank you for your ongoing prayers,

Pastor Rodney

Storms & Sea Monsters (& VBS photos!) - SFCOG Updates for 6/29

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

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

SFCOG Facebook

SFCOG Instagram

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (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

 

 

 

 

Please pray!

Dear Family,

 

Please be in prayer for Danielle Stine.  Danielle is Chuck and Barb’s granddaughter-in-law.  She is dealing with some health concerns and would greatly appreciate your prayers.

 

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!

 

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

For His Glory,

 

Pastor Gary

 

Pastor Gary

 

 

Gary Hornbaker

Shippensburg First Church of God

Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship

Church Phone: 717-532-8421

 

Please pray!

Dear Family,

 

Please join us in praying for Mima Willis who has knee replacement surgery tomorrow.

 

Thank you also for praying for God to move mightily through VBS.

 

We begin in an hour.

 

Thank you for partnering with us.  May God be magnified in all things!

 

“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!”  Psalm 34:3

 

For His Glory,

 

Pastor Gary

 

Pastor Gary

 

 

Gary Hornbaker

Shippensburg First Church of God

Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship

Church Phone: 717-532-8421

 

Scam Alert

Hello Church Family,

 

It has come to my attention that there is another scam attempting to impersonate me, sending texts claiming to be me and asking for assistance, but it is not me. Please disregard those texts or emails and do not respond. Feel free to block the number, and report it to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

 

Always be diligent with any email or text and pay close attention the sender's address.

 

Have a good weekend,

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

Help Needed on Saturday for VBS Set Up

Dear Church Family,

Below is a message from our Children’s Ministries Coordinators regarding help they need on Saturday with set up for VBS.

Church Secretary

Sonja Shively

Shippensburg First Church of God

Email Secretary@shipfcog.org

Office Phone 717.532.8421

 

Dear Church Family,

Can you believe VBS starts this Sunday!  We are busy working to transform the church into a place to Magnify the “Bigness of God in the Smallest of Things.”

If anyone is available Saturday, we are in need of help with many things including the following (just to name few):

            Continue clearing & setting up the stage in the sanctuary (chairs, music stands etc.)

            Clearing out classrooms (to a point) that will be used for VBS & setting up supplies.

            Setting up tables & chairs in Crossroads Station

            Setting up different props & decorations.

            Other things as needed.

We will be starting at 10:00 am on Saturday and any amount of time you would be available to help, would be greatly appreciated.

Currently we have 46 kids pre-registered and are expecting more by Sunday.

We also, appreciate your prayers for VBS as all the volunteers prepare and get ready to share the love of Jesus with kids from our church and community.

Thank you for your support,

Becky Cramer & Jeanette Roberts

VBS/Children’s Ministries Co-Directors

 

Please pray!

Dear Family,

 

Please be in prayer for Felecia Kelley’s family (Billy, Misty, Jesse, Bill, and Darlene Bodkins, and others).  Today she went home to be with the Lord. 

 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”  Mathew 5:4

 

For His Glory,

 

Pastor Gary

 

Pastor Gary

 

 

Gary Hornbaker

Shippensburg First Church of God

Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship

Church Phone: 717-532-8421

 

Hear the Call - SFCOG Updates for 6/22

Sunday is Coming! 

 

 

Where are you heading this summer?

 

My family just got back from vacationing on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, where we had the opportunity to go on a Whale Watch. It was a foggy, rainy day, not too stormy, but with enough wind & waves to make me appreciate the Mystery & Power of the Ocean. When we got out to sea, out of the fog emerged dozens of large humpback whales.  It was all quite inspiring yet a little unsettling too.

 

This weekend will read more about the sea (and a “whale”), but I’m curious if anyone else planning to go to the ocean this summer?

 

Where else are you heading?

Besides Vacation?

 

We have several teens and young adults heading on Missions Trips.

Many of you will be serving at VBS.

Some of you are assisting your families and neighbors with special projects and life changes.

Summer brings lots of other unique opportunities as well.

 

Or perhaps we could consider this question with a different frame of mind…

Does anyone feel like you’re wandering in Confusion? Adrift in the fog? Seeking a new direction? Waiting for a Word from God?

 

There have been times in my life when I wished God would just plainly tell me where to go and what to do.

Have you ever felt this way? Wouldn’t we all like some clear directions from God?

 

But truthfully, would we follow God’s directives if we actually had them? Or would we choose to go our own way?

 

God does give us directions, but we always have choices to make. On Sunday we will begin reading an Epic Tale from Scripture that tells of a man who was given clear directions from God, and instead of following these directions, he turned around and went the opposite way, only to find himself in a stormy sea, confronting a monstrous fish!

 

I am of course referring to the Prophet Jonah! Let’s jump right into Chapter 1--

 

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

--Jonah 1:1-3

 

We will consider many important themes in this book over the next few weeks, but I think there’s a key topic that Jonah helps us to explore: Choice. Free Will. The ability God gives us to decide what to do with our own lives.

 

God loves us enough to allow us to choose to follow Him, or to choose to go our own way. Jonah reveals what happens when we don’t obey, and also what can happen when we do submit to Him.

 

Jonah does eventually cry out to God inside of a Huge Fish, and then he obeys God’s directions and goes to Nineveh.

 

That brings us to one more note about the theme of Free Will in this book:

God declared that He was aware of the wickedness of Ninevah and Jonah assumed this meant God was prepared to destroy them. But in Chapter 3, thanks to the message Jonah preaches to them, the people of Ninevah made the choice to repent—to change their actions and change their behaviors – and God honored their choice, and so He relented from sending calamity upon them.

 

This was in keeping with God’s Character, which He had revealed to His people throughout history—those who knew him—the Hebrews and their prophets, including Jonah, who himself said,

“you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” — Jonah 4:2

(Compare to Exodus 34:6)

 

So let’s ask ourselves, how well to we Know God? Do we truly want to experience Him? And do we desire for others to experience Him also?

 

In many ways, It’s our Choice.

 

This begins by calling on God, surrendering ourselves to Him. God may be as mysterious and powerful as the Sea, but He has personally declared that He is a gracious and compassionate God Who is abounding in Love.

 

We must hear the call that God has given to us, and obey Him—not going our own way, or running into the confusing ocean of chaos of our own selfishness, but following the Clear Directions that have been revealed to us in God’s Word by God’s Holy Spirit, and demonstrated through Jesus.

 

We are all sent to be Prophets! We are Sent by God to share the Gospel!

 

In the New Testament age in which we live, God’s Word is not limited to prophets like Jonah—God’s Word is available to all people by His Holy Spirit through His Son, Jesus. Jesus has already given Clear Directions to all who would call themselves His Disciples. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says,

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

 

As we study the Book of Jonah this summer, we will consider what it means to be “Sent” by God to share His Word with the World. We will also celebrate what God is doing through some people in our church, and through the CGGC ministries in Brazil, and the international ministry of the Gideons.

 

And let us each listen for the voice of God, who calls us to “go and make disciples” together with Him!

 

Will you answer the call?

 

 

This Sunday

 

8:30 Traditional Worship

Jesus Calls Us #592

Send the Light #437

So Send I You #440

Take The Name of Jesus With You #235

 

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

What an Awesome God

Grace Alone

Glorious Day

 

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

 

We will have a special time of prayer for those who will be serving with VBS and the Youth Mission Trip during both services this Sunday.

 

 

*If you have not already done so, Please be sure to prayerfully consider financially supporting the youth who are going on the Mission Trip to Asheville, North Carolina this summer. Support Letters were distributed to church mailboxes and are available on the Welcome Desk if you would like to learn more.

 

 

*Next Sunday, June 29^th, will be a 5^th Sunday, which means the Children will join us in worship during the 11:00 service.

 

 

Vacation Bible School

We are looking forward to Vacation Bible School next week, June 22-26! 

VBS will meet Sunday – Thursday from 6:00-8:00. There will be a meal provided at 5:30 in the Annex for families and helpers.

Please enter the Sanctuary through the Back Doors. Registration will take place in the Gathering Place. Preregistration is also available to speed things along. à  You can preregister Children online at this link: myvbs.org/ShipFCOGVBS

 

Volunteer Clearances

We always welcome new volunteers for our Children & Youth Ministries! We do require training and background clearances to serve in these areas, and we will help you work through this process. Karen Marr is our Child Protection Coordinator.  If you have questions concerning clearances for volunteering in church ministry, please contact Karen Marr at ChildProtectionCoordinator@shipfcog.org.

 

 

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

 

 

Communications Updates

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

 

The June 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:

Website (shipfcog.org)

SFCOG Facebook

SFCOG Instagram

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (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

 

 

 

 

Please pray!

Dear Family,

Mick Martin is asking for prayer and is asking for God's help in getting his nephew back to the US.  His nephew lives in CA, but is currently in Iran.

Deb Booz is home following her surgery.

Lee Cramer is still in the hospital in Allentown.

Carole Kann is in rehab at Green Ridge Village.

Felicia Kelley, Misty Bodkins' mother, is continuing to battle serious health issues.  Please pray for the family as stay by her side.

Thank you for your prayers!

In Caring,

Pastor Gary

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Work around the church buildings.

Hello Church Family,

 

Please be advised that a lot of work is happening around the church property this week, between new window installation, exterior cleaning, painting, and more, plus Bible School preparations! Keep these matters in your prayers, and also be sure to use caution if you need to enter the building while work is in progress.

 

Also, pay close attention to make sure that doors close and lock properly as you leave—due to power washing some of the entrance ways, added to heat and humidity, some of the doors do not open and close or latch as smoothly without a little extra effort. Given a little time, they should return to normal.

 

See you soon!

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

Please pray!

Dear Family,

 

We are encouraged that Deb Booz’s surgery went well yesterday.  I have not had the opportunity to talk with her today, but she was hoping to come home today.  Please pray for her recovery.

 

Please be n prayer for Lee Cramer who is in the hospital in Allentown.

 

Thank you for your prayer partnership!

 

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29

 

For His Glory,

 

Pastor Gary

 

Pastor Gary

 

 

Gary Hornbaker

Shippensburg First Church of God

Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship

Church Phone: 717-532-8421