Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: Self Help?

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

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

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 3^rd 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

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

A summer Men's Bible Study and Prayer Time is being 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.

And looking ahead to Fall-- The Ladies 1st and 3rd Monday Bible study will resume on September 15, at 9:30 am in the Annex. They will be using Max Lucado's book, Unshakable Hope. If you have questions, please contact Mary Ann Fogelsanger.

Living Stones Activities

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

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