Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: Building the House of God

Sunday is Coming!

Through my travels over the years, I have had the privilege of visiting some historic church buildings, including the National Cathedral in Washington DC, a beautifully rustic Iglesia in the capital city of Guatemala (Guatemala City), a handful of thousand-year-old houses of worship in Edinburgh, Scotland (UK), and recently some historic church buildings associated with the founding of our own CGGC denomination.

Church Buildings everywhere share many things in common, but one notable thing is that they are always a "work in progress." They all have a to-do list of renovations and repairs, new additions and updates. Our present facilities at Shippensburg First are no different, and we have completed some great upgrades and preservation projects over the past few years!

But let us always remember that these structures made of stone, wood, brick, and metal are not the actual house of God, as Stephen the Martyr reminds us, quoting from Isaiah 66:1-2—

"However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord.

Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?'"

—Acts 7:48-50

While we are grateful to steward some wonderful pieces of history here in Shippensburg and utilize them for Kingdom work, we recognize that God is most fully revealed and found in His Creation—especially in His People! Including You and Me!

On that note, over the next few weeks, we will consider the different ways that each person is equipped to "Build the Church" as we serve God using the gifts and talents Christ has given through His Holy Spirit. This is also an ongoing work-in-progress!

We will study Ephesians 4 to learn about 5 types of people that Christ equips to carry out His Kingdom Mission as they build his Heavenly Temple on Earth—and realize we all have a part to play!

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

–Epheisians 4:11-13

This series will be capped off by a Ministry Fair on September 28th, which will showcase the many different ways that 'our people' are 'devoted to doing what is good' (as the Apostle Paul said in Titus 3:14).

Paul reminds us that "Each one of us" has been gifted by God's grace and this giftedness is meant for the good of others. Paul specifically mentions 5 types of people: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, and he explains that in these different ways, all believers have a unique part to play in completing the body of Christ.

How has God uniquely designed you? What roles do you feel most inclined towards?

Maybe none of these words feel "familiar" to you… that's ok, we will clarify more in the coming weeks, but here's a brief overview:

• Apostles – Pioneers, Visionaries, Entrepreneurs – the ones who get things started

• Prophets – Challengers, Protectors, Wayfinders – the voices of the voiceless

• Evangelists – Influences, Promotors, Trendsetters – the ones who spread good news

• Shepherds – Caregivers, Harmonizers, Watchmen – the ones who guide and provide

• Teachers – Educators, Instructors, Clarifiers – the ones who help to make it make sense

*Material from 3DM and 5q Central and the book, Building a Discipling Culture by Mike Breen

Over the next few weeks, we want to more clearly discover together the part we each play in building up God's Temple. There's always work to do!

This Sunday

8:30 Traditional Worship

Come, Christians, Join to Sing #225

More About Jesus #560

O to Be Like Thee! #551

Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated #597

We continue our Summer Special Music series with Walt Crider.

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.

This is Promotion Sunday, when children & youth will move up to the next grade level.

11:00 Contemporary Worship

House Of The Lord

Great Things

How Good is He

In Tenderness

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

This is Promotion Sunday for our Children and Youth Ministries!

At the end of the Sunday School hour, students will move up to their new grade level class. Parents of Children are invited to visit the Children's Ministry for a special promotion program, and a time to learn more about their children's new classes. Incoming Middle School students will be welcomed into the Youth Group Sunday School class.

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!

Community Night

Our Wednesday Night ministries will be resuming on September 3^rd from 6:30-8:00! There's something for everyone at Community Night, including Awana for Children, Youth Group for Teens, Young Adult Bible Study, and 3 other Adult Bible studies to choose from covering a variety of topics, beginning with those listed here:

Young Adults – Genesis
Kinetics – Acts
Ladies in Step – 10 Important Women of the Bible
Fresh Start – "Everything You Need to Know" by Dr. David Jeremiah

Learn more on our website: Shippensburg First Church of God | Wednesday Community Night

Awana Meeting

There is a great need for additional helpers with AWANA!

This is a fun and rewarding way to help Children learn God's Word and make a difference for eternity.

Open spots include:

--Teacher or Helper – Assist with sharing Bible Lessons and learning activities with children.

--Listeners – Encourage children as they recite God's Word.

The class for Grades 3-5 has the most openings at this time.

There will be an informational meeting and planning time next Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 for anyone planning to serve with AWANA and anyone who would like to learn more. Please contact Becky Cramer, reply to this email, or call the church office for more information.

Living Stones Activities

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

This event is open to families and individuals of all ages.

Several Tickets are Still Available!

Contact Pastor Gary or the Church Office to learn more (814-289-9982)

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

Leave Annex (Church van and carpooling) at 5:00 PM.

Upcoming Retreats

There are several local retreats and special events being offered for Men & Women of all ages—

Women's Retreat at Camp YoliJwa – September 5-7 (early bird pricing ends tomorrow) Ladies ERC Fall Retreat 2025
Men's Retreat at Mt. Pleasant Church of God (Dillsburg, PA) – September 6 Register by emailing HOLDERBRANDON16@yahoo.com
"Spark" Youth Revival at Newburg First Church of God – September 6 Register here: SPARK 2025
Men's Alliance All Tribe gathering at Shippensburg American Legion – September 13
Women's Alliance All Tribe gathering at Grand Point Church – September 13
Uprise Festival – September 12-14 Ticket Information — Uprise Festival
Several fall retreat options at Camp Joy El

Learn More: Shippensburg First Church of God | Retreats

Ministry Fair

There's a place for everyone as we build God's Kingdom!

On September 28^th we will take time to showcase the various ministries of SFCOG as we celebrate what God is doing in and through them, and open doors of opportunity for others to join in the movement of God! On this special Sunday, we will have a combined service at 10 AM, followed by a Ministry Fair from 11:30 to 12:15 in Crossroads Station. Over 60 ministries will be showcased, and lunch will be provided at 12:30 PM.

God has given you a gift! Who will you share it with?

You will receive a prayer sheet in your church mailbox, or you can pick one up from the Gathering Place. Each week for the next 5 weeks, the Christian Education Committee is asking the congregation to join them in prayer for the Ministry Fair. This week, we invite you to pray for our church leaders and ministry staff.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

--I Peter 4:10

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