Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: For A Limited Time? SFCOG Updates for 10/4

Sunday is Coming!

God created time.

It was His idea.

He “made it up” for a purpose, which we will consider in a moment.

Since God created Time, He technically owns it also. I like how the Psalmist summarizes this idea in Psalms 74:16 –

“The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.”

But God chooses to share Time with us—He gives everyone the gift of life, which we measure with increments of Time. Time is finite in this life—there’s a limit to it on this side of eternity. According to the basic economic principles of supply & demand, anything that cannot be reproduced or manufactured has greater value. The more limited something is, and the greater the desire for it, the greater the value.

Therefore, Time is the most valuable resource we could ever possess.

Over the next few weeks, we are considering how we can worship God as “Good Stewards” of ALL that God gives us. Usually “stewardship” makes us think about money, but first, we want to consider the most precious currency of life—our Time.

This weekend we will think about how we can worship God by giving Him our Time. We’ve seen that “Worship” means Loving God Completely, with heart, soul, mind, & strength according to the Greatest Commandment which finds its source in the commands of the Torah, whose author, Moses, also prayed these words in Psalm 90:12—

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”

When we learn the value of time, we gain a heart of wisdom. We gain a proper perspective on what matters most. This wisdom allows us to use our time with a proper perspective on eternity.

The Purpose of Time is to teach us Wisdom.

A Heart of Wisdom leads us to worship God, the eternal one, and to order our days according to His plans.

I have found that one of the best ways to realize the value of time is to get to know some children! Yes, becoming a parent (or an auntie or mentor) to children reminds us how fast time goes, and how quickly life moves. On Sunday we will have the privilege of joining with a family that desires to dedicate their child to God as part of our worship service. This is a beautiful reminder that each moment of every life is a gift from God, and we must steward it well.

Parents get about 18 years to have direct “influence” over the lives of their children, so let us submit ourselves and our children to God, and do our best to be good stewards of that time and influence. That influence will never truly end, but how we use the first 18 years will determine how much influence we find we have in the remainder of their lives.

This same principle applies not only to parenting, but to all areas of life— how we use the time entrusted to us for one season can determine what opportunities we might gain in a new season. Consider this in light of your school, your job, or other relationships.

Psalm 90:17 ends with this beautiful prayer in light of all of this:

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

If we want our time matter—if we want the things we do to last & be established for the long term—we must give it to God.

*If we want the years we devote to raising our children to make a difference in their future, submit them to God.

*If we want the days we put into school & study to matter, submit them to God.

*If we want the hours we clock at work to matter, submit them to God.

*If we want the minutes we spend talking or texting on our phones to matter, submit them to God.

*If we want each second to count for something, we must submit it to God.

We can do this in a variety of ways in our personal lives. We can establish healthy patterns and routines to help us to be more mindful of God throughout the days, weeks, months, & years, to make the most of the time we’ve been entrusted to steward, so we can gain a heart of wisdom. We hope you’ll begin your week with us on Sunday as we consider this together!

This Sunday

Worldwide Communion Sunday – Observance of the Lord’s Table will be included in both services. We will also have a Child Dedication ceremony at the beginning of the 11:00 service!

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. – Get Connected Class will be offered this Sunday in the prayer room.

Check out our Care Groups & Sunday School Classes on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.

11:00 Contemporary Worship

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

10,000 Reasons

Battle Belongs

Trust in God

In Tenderness

Communion & Beneficent fund Collection

This weekend is Worldwide Communion Sunday, so we will be sharing from the Lord’s Table together as a part of our worship in both services. All who believe in Jesus as their Savior are welcome to participate. Whenever we observe communion, in addition to our regular offering, we also take up a special collection for our beneficent fund which helps to meet unforeseen needs for people within our church family and community. You may give as you feel led using the plates by the doors on your way out on Sunday.

Young Fellowship Meal

In addition to our regular Friday evening meal at the Annex, we will be hosting a special Sunday Dinner for our college students and all other young adults in Crossroads Station this Sunday, October 4th. All Young Adults 18-20something are welcome and encouraged to attend! We also would love to have people to bring deserts to share (Deserts can be dropped off in CRS on Sunday Morning). If you would like to learn more, please contact our Generational Ministry & Discipleship Director, Troy Shively (troy.shively@shipfcog.org ).

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 18^th.

*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 11^th.

New Facebook Page!

We have launched an updated version of our SFCOG Facebook page which will allow us to better utilize this tool for communicating with our friends and neighbors (the old page will eventually be deactivated). Feel free to follow us there: SFCOG Facebook

And don’t forget, we are also on Instagram and YouTube as well: SFCOG Instagram SFCOG YouTube

Fall Fest

The Community Harvest Fest is Returning on November 7^th!

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/

Operation Christmas Child 2026

This week we are officially beginning Operation Christmas Child collection! We already have about 300 boxes to begin with, but we hope to double that number to 600 by the time collection week rolls around in November. Will you join us in packing a shoebox this year?

Take a look at this video to learn more: operation-christmas-child-2026-promo

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 4^th.

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

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

Church Center Update

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.