Sunday is Coming!
“The whole 9 yards”
The origin of this phrase is a bit of a mystery for language experts. It’s been around for a while as an expression used to describe “giving something all you’ve got.” I’ve heard some say those 9 yards referred to the length of a WWII era machine gun belt, the lengths of rigging or canvas on sailing ships, or maybe an allusion to the yardage on an American football field (although that sounds like its one yard too short for a first down).
A little research reveals that the earliest reference to this phrase in print is found as far back as the 1800s, where it is used in a funny story about an oversized shirt. A judge went to a seamstress to custom-order 3 shirts, asking for them to be made from 3 yards of fabric each. But instead of 3 shirts, she made one single shirt with “the whole nine yards” in it, which the judge tried on to comical effect.
Similarly, some topics in life might be a bit “comically oversized” for us. When we consider the topic of wholehearted worship, it is certainly “too big” to fit into one Sunday sermon or even one series. And yet, in our new series, we will attempt to “enlarge” our understanding of worship and how this impacts EVERY AREA of our lives.
We want to talk about going the whole way in our love and devotion to God in our worship each and every day.
Do we give “the whole 9 yards” in worship?
Do we give everything to God?
I’m not just talking about singing out as loud as we can, although that is certainly a part of this conversation.
Over the next few weeks, we will consider how we can worship as “Good Stewards” of ALL that God has given us. This is something we must consider as individuals, but it is also a “group project” that we aspire to do as a church.
Proper Worship is “Too Big” for one person to do alone.
The Torah which we studied over the past few weeks reveals that also, with its lengthy descriptions of corporate worship. Fittingly, this new series has been a bit of a group project-- I first want to give Credit to our Worship Leaders (Wayne, Bill, & Jon) who encourage us every week to give thought to the meaning behind the music that we sing and how it connects to God’s Word and the way we live it out. We also express appreciation to our musicians, choir directors & singers, and worship team members, who share their talents each week to lead us into worship together. Our contemporary worship leader, Jon Scott, has also been compiling a lot of scripture and theological points in a “Theological Statement of Worship” that he has been working on, along with insight from our Elders.
But beyond musical worship, I also want to give credit to Wayne Brubaker, Matt Hower, and Pastor Gary and the Christian Education Committee (past & present) for helping us tie the topic of worship specifically to Stewardship.
A little history on that point: This new series has actually been in prayerful development for many years within the Christian Education Committee with oversight and direction from the Council & Elders. A similar initiative had been planned for the Spring of 2020, but like many things, it was postponed due to the pandemic. However, we feel the time is right to revisit the topic of Stewardship once again, and this time the focus has actually been broadened beyond traditional financial stewardship to also include how we obediently use our time and our gifts & talents for God’s Glory also.
With the help of the CEC, a small-group study has been developed to go along with this sermon series. Some of you might be doing that with your Sunday School classes starting next week, but you could also choose to begin a new small group (formally or informally), or work through it on your own also (copies can be found in the gathering place, or feel free to request one from me through email).
This weekend’s message will serve as an introduction to lay the ground work for this new series, but also as a bridge connecting this all back to what we learned in the last series about the foundations of worship seen in the Torah. Back in the Torah, we found the ‘cornerstones’ of our Church Mission Statement, which is built upon the “Greatest Commandment,” made up of two separate verses from Leviticus & Deuteronomy.
As our starting point in scripture for this weekend, I want us to consider once more how Jesus emphasizes this in the Gospels. When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, this is what He said in Mark 12:29-31—
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Next month as we take a close look at how the concepts of worship & stewardship go together, we will consider how every part of our lives—our time, our talents, and our treasure—all come from God and can be used to show our love and submission to God through worship, which must overflow into our love for our neighbors also.
In Mark 12, where Jesus identifies the “greatest commandment,” He also goes on to point out some examples —including what we Should NOT do, and also what we Should do to show our complete, total love for God. Jesus shares an example of someone who demonstrates total commitment to God, and surprisingly, it is not through something big & showy, but something very small & humble.
Jesus points out to His disciples a poor widow who put the only 2 pennies she had into the collection at the temple. In Mark 12:43-44, we read—
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Jesus highlights this poor yet devoted woman as an example of complete and total love and commitment to God. May her example, and the many humble people like her, be the model we follow. Their example ultimately points us to Jesus Himself, who gave up all of heaven and earth to show God’s complete love and devotion to us!
Hallelujah with the Whole 9 Yards!
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.
158 Think About His Love
154 We Bow Down
104 O Worship the King
666 A Charge to Keep I Have
9:45 Sunday School for all ages. – New Members Class will be offered this Sunday in the classroom behind the balcony
Check out our Care Groups & Sunday School Classes on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
11:00 Contemporary Worship
Blessed Be Your Name
Holy Forever
Goodness Of God
Waiting Here For You
New Members Class
If you would like to learn more about our church and our denomination, and to consider if church membership is a good next step for you on your faith journey, plan ahead to attend our one-time Membership Class which we are offering this Sunday, September 27th, at 9:45. You do not need to make any decisions at this time, but are encouraged to prayerfully consider this step in prayer. New Member Installation is tentatively planned for October 18th.
Fall Congregation Meeting
Our Fall Congregation meeting is set for November 1 and it will include elections for new officers for the 2027 year, a presentation of the 2027 budget, and several other ministry updates. The agenda will be distributed on October 18th.
*If there are topics you would like to recommend to the council for consideration to be included at the congregational meeting, please submit those requests to Council President Denny Fleagle by October 11th.
Spiritual Growth & Commitment Opportunities:
No matter what your situation or what phase of life you are in right now, we have some opportunities for you to grow in your faith together as a church family. Here are a few of them that are coming up soon:
- Membership Class
If you would like to learn more about our church, and to consider if church membership is a good next step for you on your faith journey, plan ahead to attend our Membership Class which we are offering on September 27th at 9:45. You can sign up in advance on the clip board in the gathering place if you have not already done so.
- Child Dedication
On October 4th, we will be including child dedication as a part of our morning worship. If you have a new baby or a young child you would like to present before the congregation for dedication in this special way, please speak with Pastor Rodney or sign up on the clipboard in the Gathering Place
- Young Adult Fellowship Meals
Our Friday Night young adult fellowship meals have returned! All young adults (college students, recent grads, career focused, etc.) are invited to come out to the Annex on Friday evenings at 5:00 throughout the semester to enjoy a meal and a time of socializing.
We are also planning to host a special Sunday Dinner for our college students and all other young adults in Crossroads Station on October 4th.
We are looking for people to help out as cooks and servers and to bring deserts! If you would like to help prepare or serve for this special event, please contact our Discipleship & Next Gen. Ministry Director, Troy Shively (troy.shively@shipfcog.org ).
Fall Fest
The Community Harvest Fest is Returning on November 7th!
Like last year, we are partnering together with several other churches in our Shippensburg Community to host a fun filled evening of fall activities at the Shippensburg Fair Grounds. Featuring live music, games, free food, activities for kids, food trucks, and a cozy bonfire, this event is designed to bring us together for a memorable evening with our friends and neighbors. We will also have a Soup & Chili Cook-Off which will benefit a local ministry!
There are a lot of ways that you can be part of this special event! Visit the link to learn about how to get involved:
CommUNITY Fall Fest Volunteer Sign Up
And click here to sign up for the soup & chili cookoff:
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/bonfire/
CGGC Learning Opportunities
There are several upcoming events hosted by our denomination and our sister churches that could be great opportunities to learn and grown and be challenged in our faith. Take a look at all these options:
Across
Our brothers and sisters at the Brownsville Church of God would like to invite you to attend a four-part Gathering series titled "Across."
The Across Documentary (www.acrossdocumentary.com ) is a four-part docuseries that explores the migrant crisis by following three Central American women and their children who escaped abuse and violence in Honduras and Guatemala. It documents their treacherous journeys, the U.S. asylum process, and the Midwestern churches in Texas and Illinois that stepped in to help.
Immigration is a topic that is often sensationalized and steeped within the divisiveness of politics. The goal and focus of this Gathering is NOT that!
The purpose of the four-part Gathering series will be:
• Unpack and examine the human side of immigration
• Answer the question: How does Jesus ask us to respond so that His Kingdom comes on earth through us as His followers AND through the church He established?
This gathering will take place on four separate occasions, including two evenings this fall: October 9th and November 13th from 6:30-9:00 at the Brownsville Church of God 6390 Lincoln Way East, Fayetteville, PA. The other two events will occur later this winter on January 8th and February 12th at the same time and location.
Each evening will involve dinner together (pizza plus the fixings), watching the film of the evening and an engaging discussion. Sign-ups for the two fall Gatherings can be made at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/qr_code/H2YHPDX. Another link will follow to sign up for Gatherings 3 and 4.
The Brownsville Church of God has recently been in the news because the National Parks Service recognized its cemetery as a place of National Historical Significance.
Cumberland Valley Mission Celebration
Sunday, October 25, 2026 Carlisle First Church of God
Mission Team Displays 2:45 pm
Celebration Service 3:15 pm
Speaker: Jacob Day, Gamerco, New Mexico
Global Reach Southwest Ministries
Mission Project Goal: $50,000
1. Global Reach Southwest Ministries
2. Ministerial Training Institute
Pizza and Chiz Rider Trumpet Concert to follow the celebration at 6 pm
A Narrative of Place
Listening to the Land of the Bible
Biblical Seminar Day with Dr. Cyndi Parker - October 26
At Doubling Gap Center (home of Camp YoliJwa)
What if the land itself is one of the Bible's most overlooked characters? Discover how the geography, climate, and landscape of the Holy Land shaped biblical events, influenced the lives of God's people, and deepened the meaning of Scripture. Through maps, images, and biblical texts, you'll gain fresh insight into familiar stories, uncover rich theological connections, and experience the Bible as a living story rooted in real places.
This seminar supports our mission to deepen spiritual growth. Visit the following link to register, share who’s attending, and help us prepare well for your time of learning and reflection. $20 per person (Lunch is included).
Biblical Seminar Day: Listening to the Land of the Bible with Dr. Cyndi Parker
Christmas Cantata
The Christmas season is approaching quickly and the choir is looking forward to preparing for our annual Christmas cantata. Practice will begin on Sunday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m. We will be singing the beautiful musical, ‘Christmas Is Jesus’ by Mike Speck. It will fill your heart and remind you of what Christmas is all about! Whether you are a long-time choir member or someone who just loves to sing, you are welcome to join the adult choir in singing about the birth of Jesus! The Christmas cantata will be presented on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 11:00 p.m. Vonnie Cressler will be directing this year, and she invites you to contact her if you’d like to learn more, or simply come on out on October 4th.
Online Apparel Shop
Represent SFCOG at work or in the community!
We have partnered with Creative Engravings here in Shippensburg to set up an online apparel shop—you can custom order various shirts with our church logo embroidered on them. Select from 4 different styles (polo, t-shirt, long-sleeve t-shirt & sweatshirt) and several different colors. Items can be purchased online and picked up right here in Shippensburg at the Creative Engravings shop, or you may also reach out to us if you would like us to pick it up and deliver it to your church mailbox for you (select “Store Pick Up” and let us know when you receive notice that it is ready).
Visit the store:
Creative Engraving Plus, LLC| Ship First Church of God | CreativeEng&Apparel
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 weeks as we implement new aspects of this resource, such as:
- a directory feature,
- an online giving option,
- and upcoming changes to our Children’s Ministry check-in system.
- You may have already received an email with an invitation to join the Church Center Directory or to update your information. This is a great tool to enable ongoing connections, communication, and support for one another if you would like to “opt in” to this feature. It is up to each person & family to choose what information they wish to share with others within our church database. This information is secure and only accessible by others who are part of the directory.
(please note that our current “Instant Church Directory” app will eventually be phased out as we make the change to the new system)
- You may have also received some “Donation Receipt” emails or may receive them in the coming days as we begin entering weekly tithes & offerings into the database. You can access your records online and adjust your preferences regarding these emails.
You can learn more and start exploring Church Center by visiting this page on our website to create your own log-in or update your information.
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 worship our Good Creator 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
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