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December 2014

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:11

• Connections | A Grantham Church Publication | December 2014

As a believer in Jesus Christ it is a privilege to write about the significance of Christmas and the power of God’s love to encourage and

inspire hope during this time of year. For me, one of the most inspirational traditions at Christmas is listening to or participating in Handel’s Messiah. What an appropriate time to celebrate the historical Christ’s love and the hope as provided in and through His story. Perhaps one of the greatest depictions of this can be found in Handel’s Messiah.

Allow me to share a brief overview of the magnificence of Handel’s Messiah and its ability to describe prophesy, the story of Christ’s coming to earth, and the interaction with God’s people in and throughout history as delineated in the three parts of the piece highlighted below.

Part I of Handel’s Messiah is composed of the following significant accounts in a description of the Exodus of God’s people (Isaiah), prophesy of a messenger who is yet to come (Haggai, Malachi), a foretelling and description of the virgin birth (Isaiah, Matthew, Luke), and Israel’s salvation described in the form of a shepherd (Zechariah, Isaiah, Matthew).

Following this, Part II presents images foretelling the Messiah’s coming to earth (John, Isaiah) and His ability to identify with sorrow, broken-heartedness, and grief while also being contrasted with hope, healing, and final deliverance (Isaiah, Psalms, Revelation). Summarily in Part III, Handel’s Messiah concludes with Messianic anticipation (Job), resurrection over death (1 Corinthians), assurance of salvation (Romans), and heavenly worship and praise for the Lamb that was slain who will return for His people (Revelation).

What a rich overview of God’s love for His people through His Son, Jesus Christ!

Of course one of the struggles I face which often creates a level of anxiety, is resisting the temptation to give a shout of “Hallelujah” or “Praise the Lord” at various places throughout the concert! For example, as introductory music begins for the Hallelujah Chorus I find I am quick to my feet with my heart pounding and ready to explode with praise! It is usually at this point that I am reminded that some people enjoy the concert for its musical excellence alone and not for the power of the lyrics that are being sung.

As believers who have a personal relationship with the Christ Child, who is also called the Son of God, Emmanuel, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Redeemer, The Great I AM, Alpha and Omega, and Messiah, we cannot keep from lifting up our heart-felt praise and adoration to Him. He came to earth as a little child, lived and died, was resurrected, lives among us, and is coming to take us to be with Him for all eternity because of LOVE.

And it is because of this LOVE that we find our mission and purpose to share God’s love and HOPE with a very lost world who doesn’t know or believe in the power of His love to change lives here and now . . . with hope and anticipation of our time with Him there and then.

May each of you experience a fresh touch of God’s love and hope for the future during this Christmas season!

God Bless Each of You this Christmas!

~ Pastor Ru

Love and Hope at Christmas Through our Messiah

PASTORAL STAFFJohn Yeatts Senior Pastor, Ext. 7075

Ru Wideman Executive Pastor, Ext. 7076

Kimberly Nichols Pastor of Children & Youth Ministry Ext. 6707

Otto Monroy Director of Worship Arts Ext. 7078

MINISTERSAll members of theGrantham Church

PRAYER CHAIN CONTACT766-0531, ext. 2970 (during office hours

8:00 am – 3:00 pm Mon.–Fri.)

Wayne Cassel, 697-1824 (after office hours & weekends)

OFFICE STAFFBecky Coover Office Manager, Ext. 6706

Melanie Schubert Office Assistant, Ext. 6705

Ray Dourte Facility Coordinator

CONNECTIONSSherri Long Layout & Design

GRANTHAM CHURCH421 Grantham RoadMechanicsburg, PA 17055

Phone: (717) 766-0531

Email: [email protected]

www.granthamchurch.org

Grantham Church

Love and Hope

Connections | A Grantham Church Publication | December 2014 • page 3

at Christmas Through our Messiah

The Arts Hub is proudly presenting A Christmas Celebration on Sunday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. We encourage you and your families, friends, and neighbors to attend this free, festive, musical occasion to celebrate the Christmas Season. The program will include choirs, orchestra, handbells, and Christmas carols. This festive night will be concluded with free cookies and fellowship. So, bring a friend and join us in celebrating the Christmas season and all of its harmonious festivities!

Christmas CelebrationSunday, December 14 @ 6:30 p.m.

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

Wednesday, December 24

6:00 p.m.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:12


Youth Ministry Update

Thank you for all who donated to our Youth Bake Sale! We raised around $460.00! This money will go towards the youth

trip to Youth Quest 2014. Youth Quest is a high school Brethren in Christ Youth Conference. There will be bands, speakers, and worship time. We will be going December 27-30 and it is being held in Washington D.C. This will be a wonderful weekend of fellowship and fun and we invite your prayers for the Lord to work in our youth over this week. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Grantham Church Youth in this endeavor.

For those who missed the BIG reveal in the church service, the Grantham Church Youth are proud to announce our 2015 International Mission Trip will be to… JAMAICA! We will travel with an organization called Adventures in Mission from July 19-25, 2015.

The Salvation Army has a strong ministry presence in Jamaica. Partnering with them in their community outreach will be a great way to build relationships with the people. Some projects we will be doing include: Vacation Bible School at a school for blind and hearing impaired, sports ministry, serving in soup kitchens, and finishing long neglected construction projects.

Please be in prayer for the youth and chaperones as they plan and prepare to embark on this exciting journey with the Lord!

~ Pastor Kim Nichols

Children’s Ministry UpdateWe were very excited to dedicate seven

children at the beginning of the December, including Eva Owen, Andi Monroy, Noah

Brinser, Lukas Huffnagle, Cyrus Sollenberger, Cora Sollenberger, and Alana Sollenberger. What a joy and honor it was to share in the celebration of the dedication of these children. Please be praying for these families and children as they continue to grow in their faith!

As we are looking forward to 2015, we still have several volunteer spots open in the 3-5 year old room during Kids’ Own Worship. The dates available are: December 21 (1 spot), March 8 (2 spots),

March 22 (1 spot), April 5(1 spot), May 24th (2 spots), and May 31st (1 spot). If you are willing and able to serve in this capacity, please contact Pastor Kim at [email protected]!

A few holiday reminders:

Kids Klubs will NOT meet on Wednesday, December 17. Kids Klubs will resume on Wednesday, January 7.

Learning Communities will not be held on Sunday, December 28 and Sunday, January 4. Learning Communities will resume on Wednesday, January 11.

~ Pastor Kim Nichols


Worship Arts Update

As many of you may know Ellie Keller joined

us as an intern this semester to help with the administration of The Arts Hub. Ellie is an in demand emerging leader who holds many responsibilities on campus. In helping with the first few events of the year Ellie and I discovered that the in order for her to do her work with excellence she needed to lighten her load a bit. This led to some evaluating of long term priorities and finally to Ellie deciding to transition out of her role here at Grantham Church. We joyfully support her decision to better focus her time and attention. We will miss her contribution at Grantham Church, but look forward to watching her do great things in the future and are glad that she will continue to help us lead worship on occasion.

We are also blessed to have found another Messiah Student who will be taking over for Ellie., Kelsey Kindall. Kelsey Kindall is a freshman musical theatre major at Messiah College. She loves to perform, but also has had experience in the past with advertising and public relations so she is very excited to start her journey as a Worship Arts Intern at Grantham Church.

Kelsey grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania and has worked about every job in Hershey from a barista to a performer! She loves being able to use theatre to reach people’s hearts. Kelsey is a strong believer in Jeremiah 29:11, as she continues to rely on the Lord for every bold decision she’s made and will continue to make. She hopes to travel the country this summer teaching theatre to young children. Thank you for welcoming her into the Grantham Church community!

Thank You“I would like to thank the church for its’ kind generosity in paying the security deposit on my apartment. I’ve been going through a lot and this act of kindness will help me to take the next step on a new beginning. Thank you for showing God’s love to a stranger.” – Priscilla

“I would like to thank Grantham Church for your most generous contribution to help cover the cost of a security deposit for Priscilla. The last few months have been extremely difficult, but God has blessed us richly through the love you have shown me and my family.” – Dotti & Tony Zettlemoyer

“Thank you for your prayers, visits and love for Kenneth and me during his twenty-two months in nursing at Messiah Village. Praise the Lord Kenneth is now in heaven with Jesus. You have blessed me with your prayers, cards and expressions of love. Thank you so much for being a wonderful and caring community. God bless you.” - Erma Hoover and family

“Thank you for your faithful giving to support the Theological College of Zimbabwe in their mission of leadership training in southern Africa. Your support makes it possible for current and potential leaders to attend TCZ who would otherwise not be able to find adequate support.” - Friends of TCZ Board

Thank you to everyone who helped to decorate the church for Christmas! A special thanks to Bill & Gwen Burridge for coordinating this day of decorating.

Kelsey Kindall


Winter 2015 Learning CommunitiesDue to Christmas, Learning Communities will not meet on Sunday, December 28, except for the Philathean Class, which will meet from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Room A1 and they invite anyone and everyone to join them.

In addition, winter Learning Communities will begin on Sunday, January 11, except for a few exceptions. If you are trying to determine what class to attend this winter, please check out the options below. All Learning Community classes meet on Sundays from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

The Gospel of LukeJoin us as we work through the books of Luke, Acts, and 1 & 2 Corinthians

Room A1, Teachers: Wayne Cassel, Glen Pierce, Sam Brubaker, Al Long & Dave McBeth

Class Coordinator: Ken Markley

What Does It Mean To Be Godly? January 4, 11 & 18Using Scripture and worksheets, we will discuss the practical implications of I Timothy 4:6: “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.”

Room C7, Teacher: Randy Basinger, Class Coordinators: Ken & Yvonne Martin

Youth ClassAll youth in grades 6—12 are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings for some fun, encouragement, and Bible study.

Room C15-16-17, Class Coordinator: Pastor Kim Nichols

Childrens’ ClassesClasses available for children of all ages.

Rooms in D-wing, Class Coordinator: Pastor Kim Nichols

Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News? - Starts January 25In his landmark book What’s So Amazing about Grace?, Philip Yancey issued a call for Christians to be as grace-filled in their behavior as they are in declaring their beliefs. He now returns to this vital subject, asking why Christians continue to lose respect, influence, and reputation in modern culture. Yet people everywhere still thirst for grace. How can Christians present truly Good News and the changing landscapes of our time? Why do so many people dislike Christians? Join us as we explore how to communicate faith in an appealing way to future generations.

Room C7, Teacher: Randy Basinger, Class Coordinators: Ken & Yvonne Martin

Freed-Up Financial Living – Starts March 1The Stewardship Commission presents “Freed-Up Financial Living”, a Learning Community elective beginning March 1st. This 8 week DVD driven course will explore what the Bible says about debt, earning, giving, saving, and spending. You will get teaching and training in practical, easy-to-use biblical financial principles as well as help and guidance to:

• Prioritize your financial goals

• Identify action steps to reduce your expenses

• Develop a personalized spending plan

• Pay down your debt, and much more!

Room C8-10-12, Teacher & Class Coordinator: Jeff Stauffer

Final Financial Update as of as of November 30, 2014

• Giving through the first 13 weeks of the fiscal year are behind of the planned budget for the fiscal year, details can be found below.

• When we look at the historic giving trends for the fiscal year we are about $8,300 behind the budgeted level for week 13.

Current Budget (September 1, 2014 thru August 31, 2015) $712,848*

Contributions and other Receipts as of November 30, 2014 $169,890

Difference $542,958

* Note that the current budgeted income in this report does not include the Youth Auction of Gift Card programs.

Remaining weeks of Giving: 39

Average Receipts required per week to make budget $13,922

Current Average $13,068

Based on historical giving trends over the last 4 years, 74% of the total giving for the fiscal year will be received after week 13 producing an expected total giving for the current year below the budgeted level.

2015 Offering Envelopes

2015 offering envelopes will be distributed in mailboxes on Sunday, December 21. If you currently do not have offering envelopes and would be interested in receiving some, please contact Becky Coover at [email protected].

This is also a great time to sign-up to give to the church electronically. You can give weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly to the church. For more details or if you have questions, please contact Becky Coover, [email protected] or 766-0531.

How Can I Help? Grantham BIC Church believes it is important to give back to our community. Therefore, the Missions, Peace, and Service Commission provides a number of on-going ways that you can be involved with supporting our local community through material resources.

1. New Hope Ministries is a Christian social service agency that shows the love and hope of Christ by serving our neighbors in times of need and supporting their efforts towards stability. We provide a variety of assistance and services in the Dillsburg, Dover, Hanover, Mechanicsburg, and West Shore areas of Pennsylvania.

New Hope Ministries is currently in need of the following items for their food bank: toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and laundry detergent.

2. Harrisburg BIC Church Food Pantry: Harrisburg BIC Church has a food pantry which it opens to the community twice a month. Food is always appreciated and warm clothing is welcomed during the winter months.

3. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC): We are also now collecting items for health, newborn care and school kits for Mennonite Central Committee. These kits are distributed to people in need in many parts of the world. As you think about it while you’re shopping for school and health supplies for your family or for a new baby in the community, consider adding a few items to contribute to someone in need. A list of requested items can be found on top of the donation bin.

Donations for all projects can be dropped off anytime in the marked bins under the coat rack by the library.

Family UpdatesWe give prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord, for the safe arrival of Lucas Donald Manzullo-Thomas, son of Devin & Katie Manzullo-Thomas.

Letters from Our MissionariesIf you would like to read updates from our missionaries all over the world, please visit the Missions Bulletin Board in the lobby near the main entrance of the church.


Ministry Highlight: Grantham Church Library

We live in a land with ready access to plenty of print and electronic books and other media. The church library at Grantham Church

continues a long tradition of offering wholesome, spiritually uplifting resources for people of all ages. Whenever the church building is open, the library is open. With its convenient location between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall, and overlooking the prayer garden, it is a popular place to fill time when waiting for family members to finish activities.

Meeting with librarians from other churches has helped me to view the library as a ministry. Librarians at the Antrim Brethren in Christ Church watch for opportunities to pray with persons using the library’s resources to help with personal concerns, and I am very willing to do the same. In another library, a basket on the floor with board books made them much more accessible to toddlers, so the board books that sat on a shelf rarely noticed are now often used from a basket. A reading challenge for children supported by another library was adapted to be offered to all ages here at Grantham Church, with a new theme each year. More than 100 books have been read each year on the designated theme, mostly using books from a reading challenge cart in the hall outside the library. Many of these books would otherwise have sat on the shelf unnoticed. Personal books and ebooks on the theme are also eligible. This year’s theme was “Joy”, and in 2015 the theme will be “Men and Women of God”. This will focus on examples of men and women in the Bible following God, and on being men and women who honor God.

There are some other unique things to know about the library. An online catalog to search for items can be accessed from Grantham Church’s webpage under Ministries & Serving/Library. The library has DVDs of Sunday morning worship services (not just

the sermons). There is a list of works in the library authored by persons attending Grantham Church. New items are displayed on a cart near the entrance of the library. Books for teens are shelved in the youth room nearby. Photos of all Grantham Church former pastors are displayed on a wall in the library.

Come and browse; the library has something for you! Contact Edie Asbury, [email protected] or 766-6070, when assistance is needed in the church library.

Edie Asbury, Grantham Church Librarian


Inclement Weather Policy

WeekdaysIf Mechanicsburg Area School District is closed the church office is closed and all events for the day are cancelled. If Mechanicsburg Area School District operates on a 2 hour delay, the church will open at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday EveningsIf Mechanicsburg Area School District is closed or has an early dismissal on a Wednesday, all Wednesday evening activities at the church will be cancelled for the evening. If Mechanicsburg Area School District operates on a 2-hour delay, Wednesday evening activities will be held.

Fridays/Sing & PlayIf Mechanicsburg Area School District is closed or operates on a 2-hour delay on a Friday, there will be no Sing & Play.

Sunday MorningsFor information regarding weather updates on a Sunday morning, please call the church office at 766-0531, visit the church website or Facebook page, or check with news station abc27 or cbs21.

December 7 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Knowing the Lord

December 14 Isaiah 51:1-8 Joy to the World

December 21 Micah 5:1-15 Feeding His Flock

December 24 Isaiah 60:1-3(9) Son Shine

December 28 Jeremiah 33:17-24 The Righteous Branch

Upcoming EventsWomen’s Book Club Monday, January 5The women’s book club will meet on Monday, January 5 at Grantham Church in the parlor (Room A4). If you have questions or what to know what book is going to be discussed, please contact Shirley Groff, [email protected] or 717-697-8678. All women are welcome.

Grandmothers in Prayer Thursday, January 22Grandmothers in Prayer met December 4th for a brunch and will not meet again this December. However, we will be meeting Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the church parlor for our regularly scheduled meeting, which is the fourth Thursday of the month.

All grandmothers of the church are welcome and encouraged to join us as we gather together to support each other and pray for our grandchildren. At this meeting we will be considering how we can play a key role of being a torch-bearer for our grandchildren, that is - a steady light that illuminates their paths. Our discussion will be led by Ellie Yoder. If you have questions, please contact: Velma Yoder at 697-2699 or [email protected].


Are you in need of a time away with God, a time of drawing closer to your Savior? Speaking from her own conviction of being still before God, Jessie will teach you through, Escape into My Presence, that nearness to God always helps maintain a balance. Jessie will walk through the process of slowing down and centering your life on Jesus rather than living a life of “The Hurried Woman Syndrome.” You will be encouraged, strengthened and your relationship with God will be renewed through this time in His word.

Session One: Escape into My Presence

Session Two: God, What about my plans (Jessie’s testimony)

Session Three: Living Loved

Session Four: Yes, it matters

Speaker: Jessica Seneca

Jessie Seneca is a national speaker, author, leadership trainer and the founder of More of Him Ministries. She has a passion to help women experience God’s Word for themselves as she encourages you to move into a “wholehearted” lifestyle, one devoted fully

to God. Jessie and her husband John live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and have two young adult daughters. Visit Jessie at www.moreofhimministries.org.

How much does it cost? Occupancy:

Single - $200/person

Double - $165/person

Triple/Quad - $150/person

Saturday Only - $50/person

Look forward to great discussions and challenging sessions, ample fellowship, delicious meals and comfortable lodging. Bring your friends, your neighbor, your women’s fellowship group from church and come have a great weekend together!

If you are interested in attending, contact Chrissy Hoffner, [email protected] or 717-432-4754, by January 25.

Escape Into His Presence2015 Women’s Conference

Location: Camp Hebron

Friday, February 20 (7:00 p.m.) – Sunday, February 22 (1:00 p.m.)

Jessie Seneca


Are there things in your life that you do that hurt others? Is there something you wish you could live without? Is it time to crack your

denial and admit you are not in control of your life?

Do you have a painful habit or hang-up from which you need to be freed?

Not sure? Ask your spouse or a good friend and ask them to be honest.

If you answered “yes” to any of these statements, as most people do, consider joining us for this CONFIDENTIAL time of healing at a Biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Celebrate Recovery is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory.

A wide variety of hurts, hang ups and harmful behaviors are represented at Celebrate Recovery. Examples include dependency on alcohol or drugs, pornography, low self-esteem, need to control, depression, anger, co-dependency, depression, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, perfectionism, broken relationships, and abuse.

Celebrate Recovery maintains strict confidentiality. This promotes an atmosphere of trust and enables recovery. We have a saying that is repeated in every Large Group meeting : WHO you see here. WHAT you hear here. WHEN you leave here. STAYS HERE.

We are diligent about confidentiality and anonymity. The guidelines/rules protect all of us from judgment and being “fixed”. In a “safe place” you can take off your “mask” and be real and honest without fear. You are 100% in control of when and how much you participate.

Celebrate Recovery, a program for anyone, is coming to Grantham Church via the Discipleship Commission starting on February 25, 2015 and you are invited to join us.

If you have overcome a hurt, hang up or harmful behavior or just have a heart to serve you are welcome to be part of the Celebrate Recovery Leadership Team.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Stephen Sands at [email protected] or 439-0466.


The Stewardship Commission presents “Freed-Up Financial Living”, a Learning Community elective beginning March 1st. This DVD driven course will explore what the Bible says about debt, earning, giving, saving, and spending. You will get teaching and training in practical, easy-to-use biblical financial principles as well as help and guidance to:

• Prioritize your financial goals

• Identify action steps to reduce your expenses

• Develop a personalized spending plan

• Pay down your debt, and much more!

Please contact Jeff Stauffer at [email protected] with questions!

Small Group InitiativeIn the New Year we will begin a new small group initiative to help facilitate our mission of making disciples who love God and others.

In mid-January Pastor John will be providing discussion questions that pertain to his Sunday messages. I will include these in my weekly pastoral email with the hope that these questions be used for discussion in your small groups that meet throughout the week.

We trust this will encourage spiritual transparency and growth while fostering our commitment to discipleship. Please note, the sermon questions will be sent out in my Pastoral Email on Mondays beginning in mid-January 2015.

Pastor Ru

Volunteers NeededHave you wished for some opportunity to be of service to your church family, but being naturally a quiet, reserved individual, most of the service opportunities seem to fall outside your comfort zone?

The Property & Facility Commission, PFC, has the perfect opportunity for you to serve your church family. We are currently in need of volunteers to join our security team. The security is the group of volunteers in charge of locking the church and unlocking the church on Sunday mornings.

This commitment involves very little time yet, the contribution to our congregational life is without measure.

For more details, please contact Ray Dourte at [email protected] or 766-0531. Thanks in advance for your response.

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in

him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

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