SHELLS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
  
287 Shells Church Road, Grantville, PA  17028
      Office:   469-2586          

 

 

 

 

Text Box: SHELLS MESSENGER
Shells Evangelical Lutheran Church
287 Shells Church Road, Grantville, PA  17028
717-469-2586
Pastor Linda Hostetter
www.shellschurch.org
 
VOLUME  13,  No. 1                                                                                           January 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

            As I compose this message, people are filled with pre-Christmas anticipation.  Decorations abound.  Decorative lights appear everywhere.  Christmas lights hold an attraction for me that date back to my childhood.  I must confess that at this time of the year, in spite of the greenhouse effect and the cost of gasoline, I often take the long way around to a destination just so I can get a glimpse of ordinary objects transformed into the extraordinary as they are bathed in the glow of artificial light.  Given the number of homes and places of business that are light laden during this season, I believe that I am not alone in my attraction to the lights of Christmas.

            However, December 26 or shortly thereafter, the lights are turned off, packed away and the world returns to business as usual.  We are left to yearn for the longer days of spring and summer without benefit of Christmas lights.  Why this fascination for the lights?  Humans have a physical and psychological/emotional need for light.  Christmas lights temporarily and artificially address that need.  The lights disappear.  The need remains.

            Events of the past year underscore the darkness that plagues humanity.  Hurricanes, floods, wars, poverty, genocide, murder, and abuse of children and the elderly, are but a sampling of the terrors that stalk our planet.  Add to the list, the personal black holes of our existence and one might well ask about the presence of God in the midst of this confusion, pain and suffering.

            After January 6, we will be in the season of Epiphany, the event that celebrates the wise men traveling by light of the Star of Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus.  Epiphany is a season of light.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He is the life of the world, “the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1: 4, 5, 6)  Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed by chaos.  The world screams out for the light of Christ.  John reminds us that the darkness cannot overcome the light that is Jesus.

            The darkness is real and is identified by many names.  The romantic, unrealistic images that we have of Christmas with its beautiful but artificial light, cannot remove the shadows in our lives.  During this season of Epiphany, let us remember that Christ’s light is every bit as real as and more powerful than the worst evil imaginable.  Let us remember that even in the most devastating circumstances, Jesus is there.  There is only one light that can transform the ordinary things of our lives into the extraordinary—bread to body, wine to blood, and sinners to saints.  Because we are baptized, we share in the light that cannot be extinguished.  Because that light lives in us, we too can do extraordinary things.  God does not promise to take all the darkness from our lives but He does promise to be with us at all times and in all places.  In this new year,

                                                            May the light of Christ direct your days,

                                                            The love of Christ surround your ways,

                                                            The Spirit of Christ set your hearts ablaze.

Yours in Christ,  Pastor Hostetter

Cancellation of Worship Service Due to Inclement Weather

Be sure to watch and listen, to any of the seven stations listed below for all weather-related closings of Shells Church worship service:

WGAL-Channel 8 NBC TV

WHP-Channel 21 CBS TV

WHTM Channel 27 ABC TV

CW- Channel 15 TV

- OR -

97.3 FM WRVV Radio

94.9 FM BOB Radio

99.3 FM KISS Radio


 

An Advent/Christmas Message from Bishop B. Penrose Hoover


 

Dear Co-laborers with Christ,

   We stood at the side of the dusty road waiting to see what would happen next. The mid day sun promised that the day would get hotter and the occasional passing vehicle only churned up more dust in the warm air. We had been on the road for more than three hours when the Land Rover broke down.

 

   This was on our recent visit to the Konde Diocese. Bishop Israel-Peter, my wife Sharon, and my assistant, Cliff Eshbach, had loaded our luggage into the Land Rover at 7:30 that morning and left Tukuyu, site of the Diocesan headquarters, to begin the long cross-country drive to Dar Es Salaam, a distance of over 500 miles. We anticipated that the trip on two-lane highway would take about thirteen hours. We planned to spend the night at the Luther House in Dar and catch a 7:30 a.m. flight the next morning to begin the trip home. Now, however, everything had become very uncertain. Some 100 kilometers west of the city of Iringa, with about another ten hours of driving ahead, we were now stuck at the side of the road.

 

   Our driver, a man named Job, had raised the hood and inspected the engine. It was clear that some belt had slipped, but the extent of the trouble could not be immediately determined. While local Tanzanian women approached us with produce and trinkets to sell, and school children waved as they trooped by, three or four young men joined Job and clustered around the disabled vehicle. Animated conversation ensued in Swahili. One of the men ran off and returned shortly with some tools. It seemed that a decision had been made that the best means of addressing the situation was to disassemble everything. The hood came off and was laid on the dusty shoulder of the road. Then followed the fan, housing, and various wheels and clamps. The radiator was drained, removed, and joined the other engine parts along the road. Hoses, couplings, whatever, all became part of the growing collection. It was clear that we would not be going anywhere any time soon.

 

   The Bishop, meanwhile, paced along the shoulder with his cell phone at his ear. He was trying to reach the bishop of the local diocese to see about the possibility of hiring another car. Success was elusive. Time passed without a clear solution in sight. All we could do was wait.

 

   After a while, a car stopped along the road in front of us and a young man got out. He and the Bishop spoke together and the next thing we knew, our luggage was being loaded in the back of the young man's hatchback. "He has agreed to take us as far as Iringa," the Bishop told me. This was good news. There was at least a hotel in Iringa where we might stay, if need be, to wait for the next developments. We began the drive but had not gotten far when the Bishop told me more. "He says he has a meeting at the university in Iringa this afternoon," he explained. "If we are willing to wait for him for an hour or so, he says he will take us the rest of the way to Dar Es Salaam today." The young man's name was Peter. As it turned out, his father is a prominent lay person in the congregation at Tukuyu and Peter stopped his car because he recognized Bishop Israel-Peter at the side of the road. He had not planned to drive to Dar Es Salaam that day, but was willing to rearrange his life to rescue us in our stranded situation. We arrived at the Luther House at 10:30 that night. After a few hours sleep, we made our departure in the morning, as planned.

 

   What Peter did was a huge gift. It is as though you had started to drive from Harrisburg to Chicago (on two-lane roads) and had broken down near Pittsburgh. Then, someone stopped and offered to take you to Youngstown, and if you were willing to wait until a meeting concluded there, to drive on to Chicago, all in the same day! And all of this is done out of sheer generosity and grace.

 

   On the long flight home, it occurred to me that Advent is like that. It is a time of waiting, stranded along a dusty road of life, sensing a total loss of control of events, waiting to see what will happen next. Saint Paul writes about sin being beyond our control: For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do,-this I keep on doing. ... (Romans 7). Our spiritual engines are broken. We cannot reach our intended destination on our own. We need to be rescued from our helplessness of sin. All we can do is wait to see what will happen next.

 

   And in the fullness of time, God sent his Son, our savior Jesus Christ into the world to bring about that rescue. To make the greatest sacrifice for our own sakes precisely at the point where we cannot save ourselves. The Child of Bethlehem is the beginning of that rescue that takes us along on a journey to Calvary's cross. And all of this is done by the sheer grace of God.

 

   The magnificence of this gift of grace cannot be grasped in all its fullness this side of heaven's line, but sometimes we see flashes of it in the way we treat each other; in the action of a young man named Peter on a remote Tanzanian highway.

May the richness of this season give you renewed assurance of God's rescue breaking into the world.

Faithfully, your bishop,

Bishop Signature

+B. Penrose Hoover

Shells Church Building Project Update

            Considerable activity has been occurring at Shells as Arthur Funk & Sons (AF&S), in conjunction with Shells volunteers, have begun the work of restoring our Shells Church building.  With the receipt of the Building Permit on December 9, 2011, we can officially begin the expansion phase of our project.

            As most of you are aware, our restoration and expansion project is a result of the work done by the Strategic Planning Committee with input from the congregation.  A smaller building committee was then formed made up of:  Rick Blair, Rick Hoover, Jim Gill, Tom Gordon, Steve Espenshade, Pastor, and Al Germann to implement our plans.  From that committee, a three-person team was called to be responsible for the day-to-day responsibilities.  Tom Gordon, since the fire on April 2nd, has been our key contact with the insurance company and adjuster.  Steve Espenshade has been the key person responsible for general property and the plumbing, heating and air conditioning issues.  And, Al Germann is the person responsible for the day-to-day contact with Arthur Funk & Sons.  This three-person team is working together to ensure that we get a fair and equitable settlement from our insurance company and that we get the most value and best return from the money spent with AF&S.

            Our ultimate objective is to restore and expand our building to be more functional and meet our needs while keeping the look and feel of Shells Church.

            The major highlights of the building plan include:

 

1)      To restore and expand the Sanctuary

 

         ---All the stained glass windows will be removed, repaired, and reinstalled. 

 

         ---New pew seating will be added for an additional 57 people, increasing the pew seating to 130 on the first level.  The balcony will also be renovated to include 2 rows of full size pews, including 2 rows in the rear of the balcony where the organ pipe room was located.  This will provide 79 safer and more comfortable seats.   This expansion and renovation will allow for growth and will allow us to fit in the Sanctuary should we choose to continue with one Sunday service.

 

2)      An expanded Chancel area with seating for the choir.

 

3)      A direct street level entrance and exit to the Social Room from Shells Church Road with convenient parking immediately outside the door.

 

4)      Adding a first floor Sanctuary level handicapped-accessible bathroom between the Narthex and Sanctuary (in the alcove by the North stairs).

 

5)      Building 2 handicapped accessible bathrooms on the second level in the Christian Education Building immediately behind the Sanctuary.

 

6)      Installing a sound system in the Sanctuary for better hearing and sound quality.

 

            If anyone has any questions or would like more information about the details of our building project, please don't hesitate to ask Al, Tom, or Steve.

 

            As with any remodeling project, there are always challenges to overcome and our  project is no exception.  As the plaster from the east Sanctuary wall was removed, we uncovered huge log timbers that need to be safely removed.  A large rock that was hidden behind a wall was uncovered and had to be chipped out.  Cracked sewer pipes were uncovered and are currently being replaced.  Our permit approval was delayed as a result of personnel changes at Light-Heigel, the Township's engineering firm, and not having a certificate of occupancy for the Christian Education Building that was built in 1961.  We finally received the Building Permit on December 9, 2011 but are being required to make some unplanned and unbudgeted updates to the Christian Education Building.

 

            Even with all these, and I'm sure additional challenges that are still to be uncovered, our goal is to be back in our building by April 8th, Easter 2012. While this is becoming a very aggressive goal, with some lucky breaks, decent weather, and no more challenges to delay our progress, we are still hoping to be able to achieve our Easter 2012 goal.  What we can accomplish during the month of January should determine if we'll be able to have Easter service in our newly restored and expanded building.  Be sure to check out our progress on the Capital Campaign website, which contains pictures and other information.  You can access this new Capital Campaign website from a link on the Shells Church website. 

 

In His Service,

Al Germann

 

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Building Project

We need your suggestions and input---

 

Log beams/timbers---As we prepare to remove the East Sanctuary wall, large, old, log beams/timbers were uncovered.  Obviously, we want to make sure they are put to the best use so the question is how???  So far, it has been suggested that we use some to 1) make a large cross(es) for use on the Church property, perhaps by the pavilion; and 2) to make Advent logs for use at the Church and by members at home.  All other suggestions will be appreciated and considered.

 

Stained glass pieces---As we repair the stained glass windows, we will be left with pieces of original glass that will be too small to use in the windows repair.  Again, any suggestions for the use of these small pieces will be appreciated and considered.

 

Please contact Al Germann with your ideas and suggestions @ agermann@ paonline.com 


 

 

 

Words of Wisdom from Kirby-Smith Associates our Capital Campaign Consultant

 

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

 

 

A Antiques, automobiles, acres, annuities, auction unused items, attic treasures, artwork, action figures

B Bonds, bequests, boats, bargain sales, books, bake sale, bonus check, birthday money, basement treasures

C Cash, condos, cows, collections, crops, coins, Craigslist (sell unused “stuff”), clip coupons and give proceeds to church, corporate gifts, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, country club dues, crafts, comic book collection, church construction assistance

D Diamonds, delay buying that new car and give your payment to church, dividends, deferred gift

annuity, donate goods and services towards construction, dividend assignment

E Estate, endowment, eBay (auction used “stuff”), electronic equipment, excavating, estate sale

F Farm, furniture, fund-raisers, frequent flyer tickets, fine china, fasting proceeds, fishing equipment

G Gems, gold (bullion, certificates), gun collection, garage sale, grants, garage treasures, golf clubs

H House, hogs, hunting equipment, horse, health club membership, hoagie sale

I Invention (royalties), intangibles, interest, inventory, insurance proceeds, IRA, inheritance

J Jewelry, jacket (furs), junk bond sale

K Krugger and (gold coins), kitchen appliances, keyboard (computer equipment), knife collection

L Labor, land, life insurance (church as beneficiary), life income trust, loose change, luxuries

M Money, precious metals, motorcycle, matching gifts, monthly payments (pay off an item, continue to give monthly payment to church), make something and sell with proceeds going to the church

N Notes (treasury), necklaces, nuggets (gold/silver), naming opportunities

O Oil (rights, royalties), options (stock, etc.), organ, overtime pay, odds and ends

P Percentage of estate, piano, property (real), paintings, pawn sale, planned gifts, pledges, prayer

Q Quarry, quilt, quarterly income, quail (livestock), quick sale, quill (pen collection)

R Rings (jewelry), real estate, refunds, royalties, retirement accounts, RV, raffle

S Stock, silver, scholarship fund, sculpture, savings bond, sacrifice: give up something and give funds to church, i.e., premium cable and coffees, stamp collection, second income, stuff, suppers

T Testamentary trust, trusts, timber, tax refund, truck, TV, toys, tools

U Used car, use an item longer and give cost of new item to church, utility payments

V Vacation home, violin (antique), vacation/timeshare sale, vacation plans

W Wardrobe (deceased person), watch (heirloom), wills, Walk-a-Thon

X Xerox machine (office equipment), xylem (plants/landscaping), xeric (moisture/air conditioning)

Y Yacht, yard sale proceeds, yard equipment, yen (foreign exchange/leftover foreign monies)

Z Zero coupon bonds, zucchini (food stuff), zills (cymbals and drums), zebra (just kidding)

 

Ideas? E-mail your ideas to info@kirbysmith.com and we may be able to add to our next update.

Thank you!

 


 

Baptismal Anniversaries

Jay Brandt

Craig Espenshade

Albert Germann

Sarah Hoover

Shirley Huber

Chad Layton

Tregan Layton

Cole Lentz

Brittany Mader

Brandy Michael

Dominic Tolland

He will never forget that you are His child.

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Birthday Greetings

Jan.  2

Chrissy Frye

Jan.  4

Nadine Espenshade

Jan.  7

Crystal Blair

Jan.  8

Kevin Rose

Jan.  9

Carol Gordon

Jan. 10

Henry Spangler

Jan. 12

Ann Lemke

Jan. 13

Diane Gotshall

Phyllis Vogler

Jan. 15

Chad Espenshade

Alvin Huber

Cory O’Brien

Don Wiest

Jan. 16

Kitty Albright

Jan. 24

Ben Roush

Jan. 26

Rich Espenshade

Jan. 27

Jim Gill

Jan. 28

Tom Terry

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Text Box: College Student Reception

 

          

 

 

Fellowship Ministry will be hosting a Reception on January 8th, following Worship.  Donations of breakfast casseroles, tea breads, cookies, fruit or any type of brunch item will be greatly appreciated. Beverages will be provided. Thank you!  Marianne Germann

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COUNCIL CORNER

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

November 8, 2011

   Rick Blair, Council President, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

   Those present:  Rick Blair, Bobbie Boyer, Steve Espenshade, Brenda Frye, Carol Gordon, Justine Hilbert, Vicki Hilbert, Angie Hilf, Pastor Linda Hostetter, Tom Hrivnak and Dave Rodemaker.  Marianne Germann and Sheryl Rozman were excused. 

   Bobbie Boyer offered opening devotions.

   Council meeting minutes from October 11, 2011 were reviewed. The minutes were accepted as written. 

   Treasurer’s report for October, 2011 as well as the Check Report and Fire Damage Report were reviewed.   The reports were accepted as written.  Reports will be filed for audit.

   Financial Secretary’s report for October, 2011 was reviewed. The report was accepted as written.  Report will be filed for audit.  Rick also noted that the $575,000.00 line of credit was signed for and is ready to use as needed.

   Correspondence was reviewed as follows:

·         Thank you note from Grantville Food Pantry for donation.

·         Thank you note from ELCA Missionary Sponsorship for donation.

·         Thank you note from Shalom House for donation.

·         Thank you note from the American Red Cross for donation. 

·         Letter from Christian Churches United requesting donation.  Carol made a motion that we donate $100.00 from the Discretionary Outreach fund.  Vicki seconded; motion carried.

   Pastor’s report for October, 2011 was reviewed.   The report was accepted as written.

Ministry Reports:

Worship – No report.

Altar Care – No report.

Witness – Vicki submitted a copy of the thank you note received from East Hanover Township Park and Recreation regarding participation in Park Day.

Learning – Dave submitted minutes from the October 18, 2011 meeting. 

Service – Sheryl was excused; meeting minutes from November 1, 2011 were submitted.

Fellowship – Marianne was excused; no report. 

Race Track – No report.

Health – This committee is currently inactive.

Card Ministry – This committee is currently suspended.

Finance – Council reviewed the second draft of the 2012 Shells Church budget submitted by Tom Gordon.  A short discussion about the budget followed.  Brenda then made a motion that the 2012 budget proposal be approved by Council; Tom seconded.  The motion carried.  In addition, Steve made a motion that up to $15,000.00 be spent to replace all of the windows in the sanctuary and Christian Education building that will not be repaired or replaced from the insurance claim or the expansion of the sanctuary.  The funds for this project shall be taken from the Capital Improvement Fund.  Dave seconded.  Motion carried.  This motion will be published along with the budget for the congregation to review.  Steve also mentioned that the siding on the building needs to either be painted or replaced.  The funding for this project would be taken from the line of credit.

Property – Steve reported that the windows on the road side of the building should be installed this week.  He will then be ready to recruit volunteer for painting the rooms.

Stewardship – No report.

Strategic Planning – Rick reported that a meeting is planned next week with the contractor.  Updates will follow.  The Capital Campaign has begun with an introduction letter from Pastor followed by a Kick-off event invitation.  This will be followed by a brochure, a 24-hour Prayer Vigil and Commitment Letters and Cards. 

Youth – Justine and Vicki reported that Liz Germann is planning a Youth retreat.

Mutual Ministry – Rick reported that an electronic meeting took place in which members of the ministry reviewed a questionnaire.  Several items, including altering the job description for the Administrative Assistant, and compensation for Pam, Barb and Pastor, will be discussed at a meeting scheduled for the first week of December.

Unfinished Business:

1.         New Custodian Needed – at this time, Steve is taking care of the building’s custodial needs.  Rick suggested that Steve look for volunteers to assist.

New Business:

1.        Staff Christmas Gifts – Dave made a motion that Christmas gifts for $100.00 each be given to Barb and Pam.  The funds shall be taken from the Council Discretionary Fund.  Carol seconded; motion carried.  Angie will purchase cards.

   Bobbie closed with devotions and a prayer.

   Newsletter articles for December are due by November 15, 2011.

   Next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.   Brenda will be offering the opening and closing thoughts and prayers.  Dave made a motion to adjourn; Vicki seconded.  Motion passed.  Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

   Respectfully submitted, Angie Hilf, Council Secretary  A complete copy of the minutes and all reports is available on the bulletin board by the office.

 

PRAYER LIST:  Mildred Boyer, Ed Fake, Mim Fake, Jordan Frye, Alvin Huber, Family of Don Leininger, Sandy Musser, Cory O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien,  Sonja Oltean, Deanna Pankake, Iva Rodemaker, Phyllis Vogler,  Property Ministry, our homebound, and service women and men, especially Andrew Foutz, Jim Harmon & Brian O’Neal. Copies of Prayer List, January Prayer Ventures, and Upper Rooms are available at the East Hanover Township Building, back table on Sundays.

Family & Friends: Theresa Aldons, Nila Anderson, Faye Appleby, Zach Barkman, Tammy Carillo, Carter, Chrissy, Lois Conz, Jim & Judy Davis, Tayna Delellis, Andrea Dissinger, Evan Donnelley, Leo Dubosky, Mary Enders, Enio, Mabel & Delma, Carl Espenshade, Leo Espenshade, Terry Fake, Michelle Goethert, Davey Grumbine, Dennis Hess, Gary & Susan Hogman, Rev. Gerald Houseknect, Stan Humbert, Elaine Kauffman, Robert Keller, Brielle Kelly, Samantha Kelly, Laura Kling, Sadako Kohr, Colin Kratzer, Tyler Kreider, William Milliken, Lynn Mitchell, Joe Molitoris, Ronald Morton, Brian O’Neal, April Parr, Rev. Peter Perella, Lisa M. Platt, Patrick Roller, John Rowe, Yvonne Rowe, Robert Rumfelt, Linda & Jeff Sanders, Thom Schwartz, William Sheetz, Silje, Allison Speck, Alex Stammel, Louise Swartzbaugh, Caleb Toro, John Walmer, Brian Watts, Ruth Whitehaus & Jennifer Yashinski

   Anyone wishing to place someone on the prayer list may call Karen Gussler, Prayer Chain Coordinator .  A Prayer Chain list is available at worship in the East Hanover Township building.

We’ve got mail!

   We wish to thank you for the recent donation of 15 bags of food for the food pantry. Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated. D. McDowell, Grantville Area Food Pantry

   Thanks so much for your recent cash donation to the food pantry. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Deb McDowell, Grantville Area Food Pantry

   To Shells Church Congregation & Council:  Thank you for your generous Christmas gifts and cards.  It is a blessing to serve in an administrative capacity for you.  I am continually grateful.  May God’s peace which passes all understanding be with you always, Pam

   Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Thank you so much for the cards, gifts and remembrances sent our way during this holy season. Christmas Blessings, Pastor Linda and the Hostetter family

   Greetings, ....First, let me assure you, Clarence and BJ are OK. Messing with some nasty colds, but seems so is everyone else. What a story! Back in March, our cottage “failed” the sewage test. Township doings! We had to move. Arnold & Becca had been looking for a 2-bedroom house. We talked to the “boys” and Arnold changed to looking for a house with 3 bedrooms. Meantime, Arnold rented out his cabin and all their furniture and stuff came to our cottage....Arnold & Becca rented an apartment close to Martinsburg. Three “hopefuls” had problems. Then, 210 Locust St. showed up. But the people didn’t have their new home. So from agreement, we waited 60 days. Moving day was Monday, October 17. Imagine things from our cottage, the apartment and items from the cabin; you may guess,-we are still looking for items. Arnold has provided us with a lovely bedroom, sitting room, and we share the dining area and kitchen. Also, on the first floor, a full bathroom and laundry area along with a huge den which is Arnold’s & Becca’s. Two bedrooms upstairs and half bath for them too. Most of 2011, we spent waiting among boxes. Health wise, we have slowed considerably. Clarence’s cancer is on hold and in February he is checked out again. Family is doing well—we were together for a wonderful Thanksgiving in Arnold’s new house. One day at a time—Our God is so good—maybe retirement is ok! We are together and enjoying life. In the New Year, we pray for God’s blessing to be yours, with health and happiness also. In Christian love, Clarence & Betty Jane, Arnold & Becca too [Moore]. Jesus is the answer! [210 Locust St., Martinsburg, PA 16662

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Grantville Area Food Pantry

   In November, Grantville Food Pantry served  407 families, 968 people, 294 children, 674 adults and 578  bags of food were given.  We appreciate all of your donations to help feed those in need.  If you would like to volunteer, please call Marianne Germann at 469-7415.  There is a basket for the Grantville Area Food Pantry at each Sunday at the East Hanover Township Building before and after worship service.  Please continue to bring food pantry donations on Sundays at 9:30 AM.  Thank you

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RACE TRACK MINISTRY MEALS

   We have been notified that we will be excused from the race track ministry meals after December until we are back into our church kitchen in 2012.  As we thank God for all our blessings, we want to thank each of you that contribute in any way to making this ministry helpful to those in need.  God’s peace in the new year, Gen & Don & Race Track Ministry

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SERVICE MINISTRY

During January and February, the Service Ministry is asking for donations of boxes of tissues (any size, any kind) ; which we will distribute to teachers, Shalom House, and Christ Lutheran Church medical outreach program.  It is a small but helpful step in the battle of the winter germs!  Please put the tissues in the basket marked “Service Ministry.” Thanks!

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CROPWALK

We collected $2,834.50 for the CWS Cropwalk on October 16!!  Thank you to all who donated and to all participants in the CropWalk to help fight hunger.

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Shells Church Road Clean-Up

 

I am coordinating the Shells Church Road clean up. It has been awhile since anyone has done it. I am looking for someone to be responsible for each month beginning in January. If you wish to volunteer, please contact me for any details and to sign up. Thanks, Steve Espenshade

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1 Corinthians 6: 12-20 Glorify God in body and spirit

   You have no doubt heard the saying, “Too heavenly minded to be any earthly good.”  Frequently, Christianity has been understood in otherworldly terms. Such a perspective inevitably impacts how we understand hunger and poverty in our day. If this world does not matter, physical needs are irrelevant. Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Corinthians that in fact this body does matter. The body is God’s temple and must be tended. It is holy work to work with and on behalf of those who are hungry. – ELCA World Hunger Congregation Connections

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Service Ministry Collections

   Thank you for your continued support of our Service Ministries!  We are still collecting the following every week in the basket marked "Service Ministry":

 

·         Soda Can Tabs

·         Used Postage Stamps

·         Used Cell Phones

·         Greeting Card Fronts

·         2012 Calendars

 

Please continue to donate your glossy magazines directly to the Ronald McDonald House.  Locations can be found on their website: http://rmhc-centralpa.org under "How You Can Help." If you have questions, please speak to a Service Ministry member.