Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday 1-16-2020

Thankful Thursday meets us on the sixteenth day of the year. Many work with motivated spirits towards the goals and resolutions made just a few days ago fueled by the promise of a fresh, new year. That openness and promise beckons the creative spirit within each of us.

We will choose to express our creativity in a myriad of ways, but promise is our shared commonality. Our experiences, talents, and desire to express marry in a way that is unique to each of us. When we look to God for the direction of that expression, we search for alignment with Him.

That alignment begins when we look to God, see what we have, and use His direction to create. When we click with His Will for our lives, we are “in the zone.” We receive more energy, more motivation, and more joy from our creating. This leads us to do more. We grow.

In this growth, change occurs. And usually, it is hard! Keep looking to God ~ these hard places are where God is working in ways to multiple the goodness in ways we never imagine.

These tough places hold God’s goodness. He’s there with you and He’s ahead of you waiting on the other side of the tough place with the blessing of making it through and all the lessons you’ve learned and the multiplied gifts of your creating. Cheering you on as you create and grow!

Blessings to you!

1-16-2020 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

1-19-2020 Fruitful Living sermon series continues. This January book study series is based off the book “Bearing Fruit: Ministry With Real Results” by Lovett Weems and Tom Berlin. This week will be relevant to the information found from page 19 through 33. To get your copy, order one online. If you need assistance in ordering, please contact the church office (717)838-2147.

Wednesdays Be In the Light Activities at Gravel Hill. To enjoy the Be In the Light Meal from 5:30 – 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall, signing up is requested. You can see what the planned meal is each week and sign up here.

Thankful Thursday 1-9-2020

Thankful Thursday houses a crisp day blanketed with a recent snowfall. It was a breath-taking, beautiful reminder of the awesomeness of God’s handiwork. The snowfall brought the peace of a blanketing snow, the power of its impact via downed tree limbs and icy road conditions, and the beauty causing many attempts of capturing the gorgeousness with cameras.

The most amazing part? By this weekend, most all the snow will disappear! The fleeting moments of peace, power, and beauty quickly replaced by the next moments of the weather cycle. If you are looking for them, here to you will find peace, power, and beauty.

In this year of 2020 vision, where are you looking? What are you training your eyes to see? Pause and answer these questions. Why? Because you will find what you are looking for. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

If you don’t like the answers to your questions, write down what you DO want to see. Look at this every day. Train your eyes and your mind to see your desired answers. Look for them to bless each day.

Blessings to you!

1-9-2020 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

1-12-2020 Fruitful Living sermon series continues. This January book study series is based off the book “Bearing Fruit: Ministry With Real Results” by Lovett Weems and Tom Berlin. This week will be relevant to the information found from page 11 through 18. To get your copy, order one online. If you need assistance in ordering, please contact the church office (717)838-2147.

Wednesdays Be In the Light Activities at Gravel Hill. To enjoy the Be In the Light Meal from 5:30 – 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall, signing up is requested. You can see what the planned meal is each week and sign up here.

Thankful Thursday 1-2-2020

Thankful Thursday greets us on the second day of the new year. Before us lies the gift of possibility. Opportunities to greet old scenarios with a new attitude or a new planned response to shift actions towards a more positive life impact. With this great, wide-open slate of possibility, changing several areas of life for improvement or feeling better seems great; however, I’d like to challenge you to pick one.

You may want to grow your gratitude this year. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages each of us to “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s well for you in Christ Jesus.” To do so, start and/or end your day by writing five things/people/experiences/emotions/etc. in your life for which you are thankful. You can put these in a journal or on slips of paper to put in a jar or in thank you notes you send out to people.

You have a wealth of gifts and talents within you. Look at what you have. Be grateful and let that gratitude pour over into blessings.

Blessings to you!

1-2-2020 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to communion & worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

1-5-2020 Fruitful Living sermon series begins. This January book study series is based off the book “Bearing Fruit: Ministry With Real Results” by Lovett Weems and Tom Berlin. This week will be relevant to the information found from the introduction through page 10. To get your copy, order one online. If you need assistance in ordering, please contact the church office (717)838-2147.

Wednesdays Be In the Light Activities at Gravel Hill. To enjoy the Be In the Light Meal from 5:30 – 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall, signing up is requested. You can see what the planned meal is each week and sign up here.

Thankful Thursday 12-26-19

Thankful Thursday lands with two feet firmly planted in the day of ordinary responsibilities. After the excitement of Christmas day: gathering with loved ones, enjoying a meal together, exchanging gifts either curated or crafted with your loved ones in mind, sharing memories of past years, and giving hugs of welcome and so long, this day breaths a sigh of welcome routine. The stewarding of our possessions, the hunt for a special place for the newly acquired gifts in your home, and preparation of meal time together, each act brings a new element to the familiar.

From Advent through Christmas Day, we focus on the gift Jesus coming to the world and being present with us. Today brings the challenge for us to choose to be present with Jesus. Pausing to make time for praising our Lord and Savior, hearing the Word, and speaking with him in prayer, these actions are some of the gifts we can give to God.

Take action of praise. Soak in scripture. Pause in prayer. Move your body outside in creation. Share a smile and spread some love. This is being present with God. This is the gift of living well.

Blessings to you!

12-26-19 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

Thankful Thursday 12-19-19

Thankful Thursday began with a visit to the dentist for one of my kiddos. While there, we had a discussion with one of the employees about Christmas plans. She shared that she is super excited this year due to her family from all over the country finally getting together.

The bonus excitement for her: nieces and nephews. Eleven kids under 10 all together for Christmas along with all the adults. The anticipation of seeing them open their gifts, bake cookies, and spend time together was palpable in her sharing.

We pondered the speed of time (so much faster with each year that passes!) and how the different phases of life alter the focus of where we look for joy in our lives. When young, the new toy brings promise of fun to be had. As life continues and traditions are savored (many times modified to meet the motion of life), the constant element is loved ones. Some years sharing hugs. Some years shared in thoughts. But the connection of love is always sought.

J.O.Y. It blooms in this season of coming together especially when our focus continues in this order: Jesus, Others, You. Sharing love, spirit, and time.

May you continue to have the gleam in your eye like little ones as you gather this season. Take in the gift that surrounds you: the presence of loved ones. Savor warm thoughts of those not able to join. And let your faith in our hope everlasting brightly shine in the life you lead.

Blessings to you!

12-19-19 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

12-24-19 Christmas Eve Worship at 5:00 PM Children’s Worship, 7:00 PM Contemporary Worship, or 9:00 PM Traditional Worship.

Thankful Thursday 12-12-19

Thankful Thursday holds the last full moon of this decade. The brilliance of its gleam brightens the darkened landscape. The moonlight is so bright it may appear as if someone has left a light on, but outside!

The light is on. All those years ago, the birth of a tiny baby rocked the world as it was known by man. The divine greeted humankind in the form of Jesus Christ.

Jesus turned on the light for humans in this world: how to learn, live and share love. The eternal message speaks to us today. We are never alone. He is always with us.

He waits for us to look to and invite Him into our lives. As we turn to the Word each day, He illuminates areas of our lives needing attention. He softens our hearts, opens our eyes, and connects us in Christian love.

He molds the willing and imperfect us to work perfectly for His glory in this world.  Bigger than any imperfection, He knows them all. But hear this:

HE LOVES US!

No greater message is given or received.

As we walk through this season of advent (meaning “to come” in Latin), remember: Jesus Christ is Love. Come to love.  It is freely given. Open your heart to the gift of love that awaits you. As it fills you, you’ll find that it fills you up and continues pouring into you as it overflows into the lives of those around you.

Thank you God for the light you brought to this world through your Son, Jesus Christ, and the love that connects us all.

Blessings to you!

12-12-19 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

Thankful Thursday 12-5-19

Thankful Thursday sees our hearts full from a day of counting our blessings one week ago. Through that reflection process of looking for our blessings, our minds brush along some memories and thoughts that bring emotions of and thoughts of sadness. In this mixed bag of happiness and sadness and all the other emotions too, I encourage you to remember who God is.

He is our Creator! Everything that exists comes from God, both tangible and intangible. At His desire, all things are possible (as written in Matthew 19:26).

This place you are in now, express gratitude for it. You survived so much life! You gained strength and treasured relationships through the hard times. God walked with you through your past experiences.

He waits for you to turn to Him always! Right here. Right now.

The change of the seasons and the ebb and flow of our emotions all remain contained within the realm God created. Pausing to reflect on the good He has given us in our lives provides the fertile ground for faith, hope, and knowledge to grow in our hearts. We nurture those gifts through daily connection in the Word and in prayer and the simple expressions of love towards others in our communities both large and small.

Our Heavenly Father waits for us both daily and in our future. We can live our days confidently knowing He both besides us and before us in the experiences that awaits us. Oh the joy we get to experience when we fully turn to Him!

Thank you God for creating us, knowing us better than we know ourselves, and loving us fully!

Blessings to you!

12-5-19 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

Thankful Thursday 11-28-19

Thankful Thursday meets Thanksgiving today. The day when Americans collectively pause, gather together around tables, and give thanks for various areas of their lives. This sharing of gratitude creates a foundation for happiness and joy.

Love comes to full expression in various forms on Thanksgiving. Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a book called, The Five Love Languages. He names the love languages as Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Many of us have our love language (or languages) reached on this day.

Gathering gives us quality time. The preparing and serving of a meal meets acts of service. Those enjoying the meal receive the gift of food and good conversation. The words of thanks offered for the food prepared, the talent shared, or the story voiced offer building words of affirmation. And the welcome hugs and departing squeezes of affection shared until the next gathering express love through physical touch.

Many walk a little taller, a little stronger, and with a heart (and stomach) more full after a day of sharing blessings. We sleep better after being fueled both physically and emotionally. A day giving and receiving love in all its forms.

With this day of love as a catapult, we enter into the Christmas season. We prepare our hearts and minds for the greatest expression of love ever given: Jesus Christ. As we walk closer to Christmas, remember this day. A day of giving and receiving love. A day of blessings shared and expressed. Hold onto these actions. Repeat them anew. Edify the love and joy in the lives of those around you and in doing so, you too will be built up in love and joy.

Blessings to you!

11-28-19 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

Thankful Thursday 11-21-19

Thankful Thursday joyfully awaits Christmas Market! Walking through the doors you enter a familiar space transformed. The energy and spirit of the event buzzes through the building. It wraps you up and carries you through the various areas while lighting a smile to your face.

The change taking place in the building precedes the change (both literal and figurative) that will bless four local charities. Those charities benefit a variety of ages in many ways from education to food to housing and more. These groups meet people where they are now and provide the resources to support a move towards a better tomorrow.

Choice by choice we each are forming and transforming the life we live. These choices range from physical to mental to emotional to spiritual to social and beyond. Jon Gordon encourages us recognize our abilities and use them:

“‪You can’t change your past but you can create your future. ‬

‪Don’t get stuck in thinking about what you could have or should have done. Think about what you can do and will do now to create the life you want. Then start taking action.” -Jon Gordon ‬

Will it be easy? Not always. For in the struggle, we gain strength. And we have been given the gift of community. Helping others and allowing others to help us strengthens our communities. Together we lift each other up. As we choose better for our lives, we choose better for our communities. As change takes place, transformation occurs. Many hands have prepared the Christmas Market. Come be a part of blessing and change.

YOU are invited to the Christmas Market on Friday, November 22 from 4 – 8 PM and on Saturday, November 23 from 7 AM – 1 PM. Details about this event can be found here.

We look forward to having you join us in blessing local charities through the Christmas Market.

Blessings to you!

11-21-19 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.

Thankful Thursday 11-14-19

Thankful Thursday counts the days to Christmas Market, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. As the count downs mount and preparations for all the good things ensue, pieces of life sometimes get lost in the shuffle. And when that happens, the aide of kind people blesses those lost bits of life. Sometimes we loses the bits of life and sometimes we bless others losing their bits of life by extending grace and kindness.

Yesterday, World Kindness Day, many Pennsylvanians honored both the day and Fred Rodgers by wearing cardigans. Google answers the question “Why was Fred Rodgers important?” with the following: Fred Rogers was known for his creativity, kindness, spirituality, and commitment to the well-being of children. Lovingly called “America’s favorite neighbor,” he used his many diverse talents to inspire, nurture, and educate.

Fred Rodgers inspired a movie currently in theaters, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Based on the relationship between Rodgers and a journalist, it shows how one man lived out kindness towards his fellow man. I look forward to seeing this movie demonstrate the powerful effect kindness can have in a relationship. I expect to walk away inspired and encouraged to spread more kindness.

Oh, for those who love a good countdown, days remaining stand at:

Christmas Market – 8 days

Thanksgiving – 14 days

Christmas – 41 days

Each of these days is a gift. We get the opportunity to approach them with the mindset we choose. Forever grateful for the gift of free will. Will you choose to see the beautiful neighborhoods each day has? Will you look for ways to be kind to those around you?

Use these days as a challenge to spread kindness (one person each day). I dare you! You may find yourself creating entire new “neighborhoods” in your life!

Blessings to you!

11-14-19 Experience Opportunities:

All are invited to worship this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:30 AM. If you would like to know more about these services, click here. Can’t make it to worship? Or want to revisit a message that really spoke to you? Check out our Sunday Sermons.