pastor mick’s musings…...pastor mick’s musings… “if you love me, obey my commandments.and...
TRANSCRIPT
Pastor Mick’s Musings…
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” John 14:15-17 NLT (The words of Jesus in the upper room at Passover.) I have been reading through the moment in time when Jesus was about to embark on the most tremendous adventure in all of history – His death and resurrection! From chapter thirteen through seventeen in the Gospel of John, Jesus is preparing His disciples - His close friends - for His departure. Like a father leaving his children on a long voyage, Jesus is imparting all love, knowledge and wisdom upon these precious followers. There are two things that stand out to me that Jesus was trying to get across to each beloved disciple. Jesus will be leaving soon so these were most important in His heart. He wanted to make sure they understood and accepted these two important items. The first and foremost is His final commandment which Jesus proclaims three times:
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34 “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.” John 15:12 “I command you to love each other.” John 15:17
I can see Jesus looking intensely into the eyes of His followers saying, “Love one another!” It was not a suggestion – it was a command. And His com-mand to love one another still stands for all His followers today. The second item that Jesus needs His followers to hear is regarding the com-ing of the Holy Spirit:
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” John 14:16-17 “But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative – and by Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit – He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.” John 14:26 “I will send you the Counselor – the Spirit of Truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me.” John 15:26 “But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, He will come because I will send Him to you. And when He comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of coming judgement.” John 16:7-8 “When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
WGT Calendar 2
Tiny Timbers Tidbits 4
Project 2016 Update 4
Christmas Dinner 6 & 7
Pajama Party! 8
Sweetheart Banquet RSVP 9
Inside this issue:
February 2016
I Corinthians 13 Valentine's Day is a day of love,
For showing that we care, And if we read the Bible, God describes love there:
If we speak like celestial angels From heaven up above,
All our words mean nothing If we don't have Christian love.
Love is patient, love is kind; It doesn't brag or boast;
Love conquers pride and envy; It is never self-engrossed. Love is not rude or angry;
Forgiveness counters wrong; Love stays away from evil;
It sings a truthful song. Love is full of trust and hope;
It always perseveres; Love never fails; It's faithful;
To the Bible it adheres. And if you give this kind of love
To your special Valentine, You'll be loving right in harmony With God's own sweet design.
By Joanna Fuchs
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 WWW
Bible Study 7 pm
2 Groundhog Day
Men’s Bible Study 7 pm
3 First
Wednesday 6:30 pm
4
5
6 3M
7 am
7 Early Service
8 am Sunday School
9:15 am Worship 10:30 am
New Member Meal @ Noon
8 Tiny Timbers Board Mtg.
7 pm WWW
Bible Study 7 pm
9 Men’s Bible
Study 7 pm
Commissions Meet @ 7 pm
Board Mtg. 8 pm
10 Jr. & Sr. High
Clubs 7 pm
11
12 Jr. High Tubing
5 pm
13 3M
7 am Sweetheart
Banquet 6 pm
Valentine’s Day14 Early Service
8 am Sunday School
9:15 am Worship 10:30 am
15 WWW
Bible Study 7 pm
Tiny Timbers Closed
16 Men’s Bible
Study 7 pm
Tiny Timbers Closed
17 Jr. & Sr. High
Clubs 7 pm
18
19 Pajama Party
7 pm
20 3M
7 am Sr. High Ski/Tube/Board
Juarez Trip
21 Early Service
8 am Sunday School
9:15 am Worship 10:30 am
Juarez Trip
22 WWW
Bible Study 7 pm
Juarez Trip
23 Deacon Mtg.
7 pm Men’s Bible
Study 7 pm
Juarez Trip
24 Jr. & Sr. High
Clubs 7 pm
Juarez Trip
25
Juarez Trip
26
Juarez Trip
27 3M
7 am Ladies Day at
the Beach 10 am
Juarez Trip
28 Early Service
8 am Sunday School
9:15 am Worship 10:30 am
29 WWW
Bible Study 7 pm
WINTER WEATHER RELATED SERVICE DELAYS/CANCELLATIONS Tune in to the following to check for any service delays/cancellations:
Online: www.wgal.com - “Stormwatch”, www.westgreentree.org
(home/front page, scroll down) Television: WHP - Channel 21, WPMT - Channel 43, CW - Channel 15,
Radio: FM 90.3 WJTL
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Anniversaries 2/16 - Don & Ruthie Hollinger 2/25 - Mel & Brenda Geib 2/26 - Greg & Cindy Seitz
Birthdays 2/1 - Matt Ramsey, Cyrus Williams 2/2 - Nel Bender, Sarah Clugston 2/4 - Jim Spickler 2/5 - Darlene Breneman, Charles Drescher 2/6 - Lisa Kreider 2/7 - Matt Martin 2/9 - Brad Drawbaugh 2/10 - Charles Welker 2/11 - Janessa Daniels 2/12 - Matt Haverkamp 2/14 - Donna Hollinger, Don Hollinger 2/15 - Barrett Youtz 2/16 - Karen Ginder 2/17 - John Townsend 2/19 - Clint Arndt 2/20 - Jean Landvater 2/22 - Brendan Haverkamp 2/24 - Jessica Tripp 2/25 - Doug Breneman
Jesus emphasized the coming of the Holy Spirit as the most important item He could impart on His followers. Until Jesus comes back to this earth, the Holy Spirit is our guide, our comforter and source of truth and power. When we pray to the Father and to Jesus, it is He, the Holy Spirit, who empowers us and fills us with the love of the Father and Jesus. Can you hear Jesus telling us the same today? During the Lenten Season, as we prepare for our Love Feast on Maundy Thursday, we will be diving into Chap-ters 13-17 in the Gospel of John to truly understand the last words of Jesus to His beloved followers before the tragic event of the cross and the glorious triumph of His resurrection. His words are for us too. Will you join me?
For His glory, Pastor Mick
Welcome New Members! Plan to join us in food & fellowship as we welcome those who joined the WGT Family in 2015. Please bring a hot & cold dish to share on Sunday, February 7th, following the 10:30 am service.
Ladies Beach Day February 27th @ 10 am Calling adult ladies...join us as we transform the Fellowship Hall into a day at the beach! Experience the sights & sounds of the beach. Please wear shorts/beach attire & bring your beach chair, towel & bagged lunch. Drinks & dessert will be provided!
FREE TAX ASSISTANCE VITA (through E-town Col-lege) is offering free tax preparation (basic forms, PA & local) for folks with an income of $54,000 or less. Call the college at 361-1270 beginning Monday, January 25th, to make an appointment.
Page 4
The children were excited to return to class after the Christmas break. The MWF class welcomed a new student, and he has adjusted very well. Miss Sherry is such a wonderful teacher, and I am thankful to be working with her! I am new to Tiny Timbers this year and am finding it a joy to help the children at craft time, to read them stories at snack time and just watch them learn and grow.
The Bible story each day helps to encourage their understanding of who God is and how much He loves them. What a privilege to share this ' good news' with each one. They are precious in His sight!!
The improvement in writing their names and following simple instructions is very noticeable, and their parents should be very proud of them!! This class seems very caring and supportive of one another, and it is a blessing to see them using their manners in their interactions.
The students were introduced to show and tell this month, and they are really enjoying this special time. The leader for the day brings in an item to tell the class about. The children are then given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.
I am looking forward to many more days of learning and fun as the children explore the world around them and grow in their understanding of letters and numbers.
Blessings in the new year, Miss Teresa Hellein
Vacation Bible School Who is looking forward to Summer?!?! It may be cold & snowy outside but warm-er weather is eventually coming! If you are getting ready to make vacation plans, keep in mind our VBS dates are Monday, July 18th - Friday, July 22nd. This year’s theme is Cave Quest: Following Jesus the Light of the World!
Project 2016 The updates in the lobby are moving right along! Volunteers from the congregation came in for several days and painted ceiling grids. Thank you for your donated time! The drywall folks worked hard for three days and repaired, replaced, and installed new dry-wall to give the walls a fresh start. The paint-er has been working hard giving the walls a clean coat of paint and brightening up the space. Window treatments are scheduled to be installed in the next few weeks. The old cork boards are being recycled and re-framed and will be attached to the area that used to house the display case. This will be your “go to” area for all important information, sign ups and com-mission updates. The welcome center desk has been ordered and will be delivered before the end of February, along with the new furni-ture pieces for the lobby. Thank you for your patience during this construction period. Thank you to Nancy Garber and the Project 2016 Committee for all your hard work & diligence in seeing this through! May God bless this space and allow it to minister to all that walk through the doors of WGT!
“Herb” applying the accent wall color.
February Servants
February 7 February 14 February 21 February 28
Scripture & Sermon
2 Timothy 4:1-8 “Finishing Well - Your
Eternal Rewards” Pastor Mick
Pianist/Organist Ryan Arndt Leslie Allen Sylvia Weaver Brenda Geib
Special Music Choir Glenn Weaver Choir Kari Slater
Chorister June Kolp Regena Tripp Glenn Weaver Marilyn Keener
Greeters 8 am Jim & Polly Shumate Todd & Tammy Sieber Cindy Collins June Kolp
Greeters 10:30 am
Charles & Tracy Drescher
Duane Bender & Jim Spickler
Laurie Hollinger & Luetta Hess
Don & Ruthie Hollinger
Worship Leader Phil Hollinger Dick Dickason June Kolp Donna Hollinger
Ushers Youth New Horizons SS Class Faith Seekers SS Class Sojourners SS Class
Deacons/Anointing Dennis & Ann Saylor June Kolp Marlin & Rose Hibshman
Jeff & Dori Schwanger
Sound Room 8 am
Jerry Huber & Zane Seitz
Jerry Huber & Jeff Schwanger
Jerry Huber & Justin Arndt
Jerry Huber & Duane Martin
Sound Room 10:30 am
Duane Martin & Jason Leonard
Duane Martin & Andi Collman
Jeff & Shane Schwanger
Merv McClenaghan & Nikki Drescher
8 am Nursery/Toddler
Anita & Lexi Youtz
10:30 am Nursery/Toddler
Marilyn Keener & Nick Ellison
Kathy Martin Chad & Audrey Garber
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December & January Stats
December 20 December 27 January 3 January 10 January 17
Total Worship 216 156 185 179 174
Sunday School None 93 111 124 118
General $5,301.00 $48,731.00 $4,355.00 $4,158.00 $5,680.00
Building $25.00 $25.00 $25.00
Deacon $200.00 $65.00 $151.00 $50.00
Seminary $25.00 $75.00 $100.00
West Green Tree held their annual Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.
The WGT Family came out with many willing hands to serve!
Over 430 meals were provided to the community! We thank God for giving West Green Tree the opportunity to
be His hands and feet in this special way. Thanks to the many donations of desserts from the WGT Family, the food from Wenger’s Meats, Weaver’s Turkey Farm, Tuckey’s Bakery Outlet, Inc., time and talents from
the volunteers, and private monetary donations. Looking forward to serving the community
again in 2016!
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Page 9
Sweet Heart Valentine’s Banquet Dinner and a Movie
February 13th 6:00 - 9:00 The Sr. High Youth Group is hosting an evening of delicious homemade
food and the movie, Old Fashioned. EVERYONE is invited, not just couples.
Please complete the reservation form below & return to Jeff & Dori Schwanger’s mailbox by February 7th. Reservations may also be made by
calling 566-8590 (Dori) or the church office at 653-5367. Child care will be provided with a snack & a movie (no dinner).
If you make reservations and are unable to attend, we encourage you to fill your spots or we can do a takeout container for you. All monies raised will go to the Sr. High Youth Fund.
Thank you, in advance, for your support. Please see Dori Schwanger or Polly Shumate with questions.
Appetizer: Fresh Fruit
Your Choice of Entrée:
#1 Hamloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Corn
#2 Baked Crusted Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, & Baked Corn
Your Choice of Dessert:
#1 Peanut Butter Pie
#2 Cinnamon Biscuit Apple Cobbler
Name: ______________________________________________________
Guest one: Circle your choice of entrée #1 or #2
Circle your choice of dessert #1 or #2 Check here if diabetic _____
Guest two: Circle your choice of entrée #1 or #2
Circle your choice of dessert #1 or #2 Check here if diabetic _____
Will you need child care? YES NO
If yes, please list children’s ages _____________________________________
740 Greentree Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Mick Allen, Senior Pastor [email protected]
Paula Jones, Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Phone: 717-653-5367 Fax: 717-653-5056
www.westgreentree.org
WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Our Purpose Statement “We intentionally develop friends of Jesus Christ by sharing God’s love
through words and deeds.”
Sunday Service Times:
Contemporary Worship 8:00 am
Sunday School 9:15 am
Traditional Worship 10:30 am
Wednesday Service Times:
Jr. High Clubs @ 7:00 pm
Sr. High Clubs @ 7:00 pm