The Mission Continues - SFCOG Update for 10/29

Missions Sunday is Coming!

 

 

Our Church Mission continues to be “Loving God, Loving His Family, and Loving our Neighbors.”

This Sunday we will get to hear from a member of our own Church Family who Loves God and is passionate about showing love to young adult Neighbors in the Mid-Atlantic region. As we celebrate Missions Sunday this weekend, Phil Schiavoni will bring an update from CCO ministries and a word from Scripture.

 

To sign up for Phil’s weekly newsletter, visit this link: https://ccojubilee.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bc4160ba4363a04e3011ab0dd&id=53e59e9dba

 

There will also be a combined Sunday School time in the sanctuary featuring Andrea Myers with “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” and reports from some of our other Compelled to Serve partners. That afternoon, the Cumberland Valley Mission Celebration will be held at the Carlisle First Church of God from 3:00-4:30, followed by a light meal.

 

*Since this is a 5^th Sunday, children will be able to worship with their parents during the second service and learn about our ministry partnership. There will still be nursery available, but no elementary programs at 11:00.

 

It is exciting to be part of a group of believers that desires to see God’s Love and the Gospel of Jesus shared both near and far with people from all backgrounds, in a variety of eternity-changing ways! Join us in worship on Sunday (or online) as we take some time to celebrate what God is doing through our ministry partners.

 

Upcoming Events

 

 

• We will be having two sessions of Grief Share’s “Surviving the Holidays” ministry. This one-time event is designed to support individuals who are facing these holidays without loved-ones who have passed away. The dates are November 2 and December 4, and both sessions will cover the same material. More information can be found in the Gathering Place. Please call the church office to pre-register (717-532-8421).

 

• Our Church Bonfire is next Saturday, November 4 at 5:00 pm. This will be held at Winsome Farm in Newville and there will be something for everyone, including food, activities, and contests. For more information, see the sign-up sheets in your Sunday School class, the Gathering Place or the children’s ministry area.

 

• Congregational Meeting is November 5^th at 6:00pm. Join us to hear exciting updates about Cross Roads Station, the annual budget presentation, and participate in elections. Agendas have been emailed to you, and will also be found in your church mailboxes.

 

• On November 12, at 2:00 on a Sunday Afternoon, we will be having a “Kitchen Shower” to provide furnishings for the new Kitchen at Cross Roads Station. You can help us prepare our new kitchen by taking a “raindrop” from the umbrella located in the Gathering Place. There are many different items in different price ranges that need to be purchased to stock the kitchen. Thank you to everyone who has already participated!

 

Christmas Preparations

 

• Keep packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child so we can reach our goal of 600! National Collection Week will be November 13-20. Our shoeboxes will be dedicated during our worship on November 19.

 

• Poinsettia order forms can be found in the Gathering Place, Sunday School rooms, and near the Childrens check-in area.

 

• Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-8:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Vendor spaces are still available!

 

 

Prayer Updates

Thanks to everyone who participated in the special prayer service this past Sunday. It was so good to be together to pray for the needs of our Church Family and our World!

 

Pastor Gary’s procedure yesterday determined that some progress is being made, but very slowly. The area of infection is getting smaller and draining a bit naturally, but more healing is still needed. Pray for continued strength and for the antibiotics to work effectively.

 

Mick Martin returned home from the hospital. Pray for continued recovery as he has had some adjustments to medication, and praise the Lord that his heart and lungs are all good.

 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

-Psalm 121:1-2

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (shipfcog.org)

Care Groups & Sunday School Classes

 

Weekly Order of Worship and FYI Newsletter (updated over the weekend)

shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html

 

 

November 5th Congregational Meeting Agenda

Church Family,

Attached is the agenda for the November 5^th Congregational Meeting. 

Thanks,

Sonja

 

Church Secretary

Sonja Shively

Shippensburg First Church of God

Email Secretary@shipfcog.org

Office Phone 717.532.8421

 

SFCOG Prayer Update

Good morning Church Family,

Pastor Gary asks for your prayers this morning as he faces another procedure at 10:00. He will learn more details about the results of yesterday's CT scan when they arrive for the procedure. Pray that his infection can safely be resolved and healing can continue.

Thanks for joining us in prayer,
Pastor Rodney

SFCOG Prayer Update

Hello Church Family,

Mick Martin is in Carlisle Hospital facing some tests and procedures to determine the cause of shortness of breath that has persisted for several weeks. He and Dottie welcome your prayers.

Pastor Gary will have a scan tomorrow to monitor the condition of the infection in his pancreas. Pray that it has improved, and pray for continued perseverance and patience.

Thanks for praying,

Pastor Rodney

Special Prayer Time

Hello Church Family,

We would like to invite everyone who can make it to join in a special time of corporate prayer for Pastor Gary, at 12:15 tomorrow (10/22).

We will meet in the sanctuary following the regular morning worship activities. Please join us in person (or wherever you are at that time) to lift Gary up before our Lord. Feel free to pass the word along and invite others to join with us in praying for healing.

"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."
-‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭28‬

In prayer,
Pastor Rodney

Prayer Update

Good morning, Church Family,

Pastor Gary will face another procedure today. Yesterday's procedure was able to accomplish some of the things the GI doctors had hoped for, but not everything. His family shared that the surgeon anticipates multiple procedures will be needed over the next few months.

They are claiming Psalm 41 as a source of inspiration and encouragement today-

"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness…

"Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen."

-‭‭Psalms‬ ‭41‬:‭1-3, 12‬-‭13‬ 

As a matter of praise, Deb Booz shared that her Nephew's biopsy results came back Cancer Free—Hallelujah!

Joining with you all in prayer,

Pastor Rodney

‭‭

Stillness & Fullness. SFCOG Updates for 10/22

Sunday is Coming!

 

Do you need some more stillness in your life?

 

 

This weekend, we will look at what is perhaps the most famous Psalm, Psalm 23.

 

The 23^rd Psalm is often heard at funerals, when we contemplate the end of life… but really it offers a poetic vision of how to experience the fullness of life here and now. It shows how “Life to the Full” that can be found through Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Central to this, is the theme of quietness and stillness, no matter where the pathway takes us--

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

Consider all the expectations or demands we face in our society—employers expect us to show up, be on time, clock hours, work hard, be productive, have a good attitude, and put on a happy face through it all, even if you’re tired, exhausted, and spread thin… Our schools, neighbors, church groups, friends, & family members may have additional expectations or demands for us.

 

In contrast, what does our Shepherd expect from us?

Well actually, we first see that He is the one that gives us everything we need, we lack nothing, there are no demands!

…the only demand God makes of us, according to Verse 2: “He makes me lie down”

 

Wouldn’t you love to go to work or school and find out that the only item on the agenda was “Nap Time” ??

That’s it, that’s the assignment for today—go lie down in green pastures. That’s your work order—take a nap.

 

The Hebrew more closely says-- “He causes me to lie down” It’s not that God demands it, but He creates the space, the opportunity, and the circumstances where it can happen. In God’s presences, He makes rest possible.

 

Jesus also says in Matthew 11:28,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

 

If we follow Him, Our Lord will lead us to safety and stillness, where we can comfortably rest. Yes, we may traverse dark valleys and pass by enemies along the way, but His Goodness and Love will follow us through it all.

 

In obedience to our King, our Shepherd, we must follow him, and he wants to lead us to quiet places. Verse 3 tells us, “He refreshes my soul.”

 

Do you need refreshed today? I know I do!

 

Join us in worship on Sunday (or online) as we take some time to be refreshed in God’s Presence, reflecting on His Word and His leading.

 

Upcoming Events

 

• On October 29^th, we will celebrate Mission Sunday. Phil Schiavoni will bring an update from CCO ministries and a word from Scripture. There will also be a combined Sunday School time in the sanctuary. That afternoon, the Cumberland Valley Mission Celebration will be held at the Carlisle First Church of God from 3:00-4:30, followed by a light meal.

 

• Our Church Bonfire has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 4 at 5:00 pm. This will be held at Winsome Farm in Newville and there will be something for everyone, including food, activities, and contests. For more information, see the sign-up sheets in your Sunday School class, the Gathering Place or the children’s ministry area.

 

• Congregational Meeting is November 5^th at 6:00pm. Join us to hear exciting updates about Cross Roads Station, the annual budget presentation, and participate in elections.

 

• On November 12, at 2:00 on a Sunday Afternoon, we will be having a “Kitchen Shower” to provide furnishings for the new Kitchen at Cross Roads Station. You can help us prepare our new kitchen by taking a “raindrop” from the umbrella located in the Gathering Place. There are many different items in different price ranges that need to be purchased to stock the kitchen.

 

Christmas Preparations

 

• We will be having two sessions of Grief Share’s “Surviving the Holidays” ministry. This one-time event is designed to support individuals who are facing these holidays without loved-ones who have passed away. The dates are November 2 and December 4, and both sessions will cover the same material. More information can be found in the Gathering Place.

 

• Keep packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child so we can reach our goal of 600! National Collection Week will be November 13-20. Our shoeboxes will be dedicated during our worship on November 19.

 

• Poinsettia order forms can be found in the Gathering Place, Sunday School rooms, and near the Childrens check-in area.

 

• Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-8:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Vendor spaces are still available!

 

 

Prayer Updates

• Pastor Gary will face a very involved procedure in Hershey Medical Center this afternoon at 3:00.

Pray for healing, safety, strength, and wisdom for his family and doctors, and that his body will respond well to the procedure. It will still be a very long road to recovery.

 

 

We trust that our Good Shepherd will lead us on the right paths, for His name’s sake, and that his goodness and love will follow us—each of us—until we dwell in his house forever.

Let us find rest in Him today.

 

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org

 

 

Helpful Links:

Website (shipfcog.org)

Online Messages (shipfcog.org)

Online Giving (shipfcog.org)

Care Groups & Sunday School Classes

 

Weekly Order of Worship and FYI Newsletter (updated over the weekend)

shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html