C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N - springcreekcob.orgCHRISTMAS SUNDAY & CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES . C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 2 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ADAM A newborn baby is born

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O F T H E B R E T H R E N

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N

December 4 & 18

5:15 PM Meal

Sign up or RSVP (533-7192)

6:00 PM

Kid’s Club & Youth Group

6:30 PM

Praise Band Rehearsal

7:30 PM

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

~ only on Wednesdays leading up to the 2nd Sunday of the month

See You There! On Christmas Sunday, December 22, we will

follow a regular worship schedule:

Traditional Worship at 8:30 AM (Sanctuary)

Sunday School at 9:45 AM

Contemporary Worship at 11:00 AM (Chapel)

Our Christmas Eve Service will be at 7:00 PM on

December 24 in the Sanctuary. We will sing some

familiar carols, hear familiar Scripture and light our

candles while focusing on the upside-down nature

of Christmas. Come celebrate the eternal Word of

God coming and taking on flesh in the form of a

little baby, born to a virgin, in a little village.

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY &

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 2

A M E S S A G E F R O M P A S T O R A D A M

A newborn baby is born to an unwed mother in a backwater town

with shepherds for midwives and laid in a feeding trough. Born

under the nose of King Herod, on the outskirts of the Roman Empire

far away from Caesar, a new kind of King makes his entrance onto

the world’s stage. This was certainly an inconspicuous, maybe even

covert, way for God to enter the world. A movement doesn’t get a more

grass-roots beginning than the movement that builds following Jesus.

In celebration of the covert coming of the King of Kings, we now have a holiday that is expensive, rushed,

and, often, becomes a chore rather than a celebration. Each year more than $1,000,000,000,000 is

spent globally on Christmas! $1 TRILLION!

This advent season we’ll look at joining a growing Advent Conspiracy. Advent Conspiracy is a movement

of churches seeking to recover and celebrate the radical nature of the Incarnation, God taking on flesh.

During this series we’ll look at four themes: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All.

Worship Fully is about taking time to really celebrate the coming of Jesus. That beautiful night in

Bethlehem where the world really began to change. Angels sang. Shepherds gathered and then went to

proclaim. Joseph and Mary looked on and wondered in their hearts. Nobles from the East traveled to

greet this new king. They came and bowed and worshiped. Advent is a season of worship.

Our check books and bank account often tell the story of how and what we worship. In Spend Less we’ll

look at how we might use our resources to lift up the vulnerable and marginalized and share some good

news with those most in need. It’s a reminder to me that, though the rich wise men eventually get to

Jesus, it is to the marginalized that he first appears.

Spending Less doesn’t mean a lack of giving. In Give More we’ll look at how God taking on flesh and

“moving into the neighborhood,” to quote Eugene Peterson, impacts what gifts we may give to those

whom we love. Gifts of time, presence and shared experiences. These gifts reflect a God who does not

stand aloof, but enters into the fray of our world.

Lastly, in Love All, we’ll look at how we may continue to share the love and good news of Jesus with

those around us in practical ways. God doesn’t talk about love in an abstract way, but, rather, gives a

very real, embodied expression of love for the world (John 3:16).

My hope is that during this Advent season, we will have moments to slow

down and ponder the miracle of Jesus. I hope that, even as we hear a

familiar story, we may look for new ways for it to take hold of our lives.

Throughout the series we’ll have practical ways that you can worship with

those around you, suggested options for how to give meaningful gifts and

express love to those around us. Blessings, Pastor Adam

Advent Conspiracy Sermons:

December 1 - Worship Fully December 8 - Spend Less December 15 - Give More December 22 - Love All

Pastor Jim grew up in Elizabethtown and graduated from Elizabethtown College. Jim also graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He has served churches in the Shenandoah District, the Southern Pennsylvania District and in the Atlantic Northeast District. He served most recently as Senior Pastor of the Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren, retiring on April 30, 2017. Jim currently works part time in the nursery at Stauffers of Kissel Hill, Lititz. His wife, Janet has recently retired and is enjoying spending time with their grandchildren. They have two daughters, Jessica married with three children who live in Hummelstown, and Natasha, who lives in Exeter, PA. Currently Pastor Jim and Janet reside in Manheim. They enjoy bike riding on “Rails to Trails.”

Jim Rhen, Guest Preacher, on December 29 - A 100% Chance of Storms

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 3

District-Wide Prayer Ministry

T he ANE District churches are praying for each other on a rotating weekly basis. See the chart of sister churches

to lift in prayer and those praying for us. Pray for their pastors, church leaders, and outreach and service ministries. Pray for unity and love within the church’s membership.

Pray for this church:

Praying for Spring Creek:

Dec. 1 Springfield

(Coopersburg, PA)

Long Run

(Lehighton, PA)

Dec. 8 Quakertown

(Quakertown, PA)

Haitian First

(Brooklyn, NY)

Dec. 15 Philadelphia First

(Wyndmoor, PA)

Veritas Fellowship

(Lancaster, PA)

Dec. 22 Conewago

(Hershey, PA)

Nuevo Amanecer

(Bethlehem, PA)

Dec. 29 Mechanic Grove

(Quarryville, PA)

Lampeter

(Lampeter, PA)

Brought to you by the ROC Committee

Who: You are invited! What: Christmas Tea & Cookie Exchange Where: Church Fellowship Hall When: Sunday, December 8th, 1:00-3:00 pm Why: For Fellowship & Christmas Goodies!

Guidelines:

1. Please sign up and specify the cookie you will be making to bring to the Cookie Exchange. Please be specific so we have no duplications. 2. Please bring 6 dozen cookies and please prepackage your cookies in half dozen packages to exchange.

Christmas Tea & Cookie Exchange

A D U L T S U N D A Y S C H O O L

A Focus Study meets through December 22 in Room 406 on Waging Peace: Strategies for Brethren Seeking and Working for Enduring Peace.

The Young Adults meet in the Parlor and are studying the Wired Word.

The Discoverers meet in Room 406 and are participating in the Waging Peace study.

The Carpenters meet in Room 402 and are studying Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado.

The Elective Class meets in Room 100 and is studying Life Without Lack by Dallas Willard.

The Seekers meet in Room 200 and are studying the International Sunday School lesson Honoring God.

T his year’s Advent devotional

book is “Ready” by Frank

Ramirez. Everyone is invited to pick

up their copy at the Welcome

Center. Devotions start on the first

Sunday of Advent, Dec. 1.

“The Christmas story is a great

drama with colorful characters and

surprising plot twists. But the original

scene two thousand

years ago may bear

little resemblance to

your nativity set at

home. Get ready to

learn something new,

to see the One who

came to us in human

flesh in new light.”

A D V E N T

D E V O T I O N A L

M ay you have the gift of faith, the

blessing of hope, and the peace

of His love at Christmas and always.

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 4

UNITE Youth is putting together a youth praise band.

If you would like to play or sing see Michelle. Practices start

over the holiday, and the band will play January 26 at a

praise and game night at Grace United Methodist Church.

Join Santa and the youth group Wednesday,

December 4 as we serve children at Harrisburg 1st

COB. We will host a Santa shop and help children

“shop” for presents for their families. Our fabulous

WNA chef’s will have dinner ready

at 4:30 PM this night so we can

eat before heading out at 5 PM.

Youth, friends and parents are

welcome to this meaningful

night! We will return around

8:30 PM. Please RSVP

with Michelle.

Merry

Christmas

Spring Creek

Church of the Brethren! Our youth have

written a December devotional for you. We

pray it will bring you love and joy this Christmas

season. Devotionals can be found in the

Gathering Area or from Michelle. Be sure to

share with friends and family.

Y O U T H P A G E

Thank you to all who supported the mac and

cheese lunch fundraiser. We made $523 which

will be put toward summer workcamps.

Our youth are selling $5 scripture calendars

for the 2020 year. Each month is a beautiful

nature scene along with a scripture. They

make great gifts, stock up now! Look for our

youth or see Michelle to buy a calendar.

August 2020

Parents please watch

your email for important

workcamp information.

Commitments to attend a

summer workcamp will be

the end of this month and

a non-refundable $25 must

be in to Michelle by December 29.

The tradition lives on!

The Sr. High December

Lunch to the Hershey

Lodge will be Dec. 15.

Please meet at church

at noon. Bring your

money and a phone

for pictures!

Would you like to

participate in the

youth Secret

Santa Exchange?

Watch for sign up

sheets in your church mailbox.

Please return by December 15

when names will be drawn.

—Michelle Sheppard

Stayed tuned

for the Annual Elf

Christmas Lock-in

for youth in

grades 6-12.

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 5

Nativity Pet Photos

are Saturday,

December 7, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. We

will create a nativity scene where people can

include their pet as part of the scene. Tell

your friends! Can you donate cookies

for this event or help volunteer that

day? If so, please sign up outside Missy’s

office. Please drop cookies off in Missy’s

office by Dec 6th.

Thanks!!

Advent Bible School

is Saturday, December 14 from 2 - 4:30 PM. We

need several helpers and many donations. There is

a donation and sign-up board outside the Sanctuary.

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

The Very First Christmas

is December 18 at 6 PM.

We would love to have tons of people join

us as we spread the Christmas spirit to our

neighbors. We will have hot chocolate and

cookies after caroling. —Missy Blizzard

Our annual cookie baking is

Sunday, Dec. 15 at 9:45 AM.

Children should meet in the

kitchen to bake cookies! We

will share these cookies with our neighbors

on the 18th. Please sign up to donate at: https://

www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044aaeab2ba75-cookie1.

Youth Highlight: Luke Sheppard My name is Luke Sheppard, and I am a senior at Hershey High

School. I am a member of the wind symphony where I play

euphonium. I also play piano and bass guitar in a band named

Saguaro with some friends from school. I spend a lot of time

running. I’m on the cross country and indoor and outdoor track teams. I

play rec basketball for fun in the winter and I enjoy skiing. I am a member

of the National Honor Society as well as math, psychology and French honor

societies. I am an active member of the Young Democrats Club in my school.

My favorite Spring Creek memory is playing the game Risk with Wyatt and

Ryan at 1 a.m. during a lock in. I served as a youth deacon and am now

happy to be on the Church Board. I also prepare the slides for 8:30 worship each week. If I had to give any

advice to church members I’d say that reaching out to someone goes a long way. My favorite food is chicken

tikki masala. And my favorite holiday is Christmas! I love sitting in my car waiting for my windows to

defrost and listening to Christmas music.

T H E K I D D I E K O R N E R

continues every

other week! We are looking for helpers

to lead the lesson, craft, and our free

time/service projects. Please sign up

at: https://www.signupgenius.com/

go/10c044aaeab2ba75-kids3.

are needed for Kid’s Zone.

Don’t forget that the kids still need you!! If you can

help, please go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/

go/10c044aaeab2ba75-kids5. Thanks a bunch!!

Volunteers

Cookie Baking

Kid’s Club

Christmas Caroling

13 - Nevin Altland

~ Happy 80th!

13 - Wes Landis

14 - Michelle Sheppard

16 - Millie Grove

19 - Grace Day

22 - Dylan Wolfe

24 - Mary Carey

30 - Jim Martin

31 - Dan Confer

Jacob Gesford

Lloyd Wagner, Sr.

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 6

If you have a birthday or anniversary this month and it is not listed, please contact the church office.

O U R C H U R C H F A M I L Y

I f you have a prayer request that

you would like shared with the

congregation through the prayer

chain, please direct it to Gloria

Warner at [email protected] or

717-534-2485. Gloria shares

prayer requests via email. If you’re

not on the email list to receive prayer requests

and want to be added, please contact Gloria.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Smart Communications/PADOC Bradley Martin CP3206 SCI Camp Hill PO Box 33028 St. Petersburg, FL 33733

Please note that letters to Brad need to be on white paper and enclosed in a white envelope (NO COLOR) with a written return address. If you have questions relative to Brad receiving books, photos, emails, etc. please contact Jim & Bonnie Martin.

Kira Field 1 College Ave. Box 6687 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Adeline Gesford 206 College Avenue SMC# 7007 Williamsport, PA 17701

Wyatt Howe Box 3434 610 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02215

Kristen Haldeman 613 Worth Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Alicia Blizzard 700 College Place Campus Box 404 Williamsport, PA 17701

Cameron Brown Johns Hopkins University 3999 North Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21218

Grace Day For letters: P.O. Box 1463 Harrogate, TN 37752

For packages: 6965 Cumberland Gap PKWY Harrogate, TN 37752

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO…

...Gerald Thorne and family upon the passing of Gerald’s brother, Jacob Virgil Thorne, on November 4, 2019, at the age of 87. A Memorial Service was held November 9 at Tearcoat CoB in Augusta, WV.

...Ben & Pam Alger and family upon the passing of Ben's mother, Anna "Nancy" Mae Alger, on November 8, 2019, at the age of 87. A Celebration of Life Service was held November 16, at Londonderry Village in Palmyra.

...Sue, John & Kristen Haldeman and Lindsey & Kevin Icker and family upon the passing of Sue's mother, Dorothy "Dottie" Seibert, on November 9, 2019, at the age of 82. A Memorial Service was held November 15, at her church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Hummelstown.

...Linda & Alan Hulshart and family upon the passing of Linda’s mother, Irma Hoffer, on November 17, 2019, at the age of 89. Other family members at Spring Creek include Dennis, Cathy, Andy, Peter, Erin & Bonnie Garrison, Jan & James Geesaman, and Mary & Fred Carey. Irma was a member of Spring Creek for 79 years. A Celebration of Life Service was held November 22, at Spring Creek CoB.

N O T E S O F

E N C O U R A G E M E N T

1 - Debbie Cialone

Brenda Etter

2 - Barb Leedy

8 - Gern Haldeman, Jr.

Paul Wolf

10 - Bonnie Copenhaver

Cathy Garrison

12 - Winnie Gould

Sonya Weber-Peters

3 - Troy Peters and Sonya Weber-Peters ‘94

10 - Matt and Jan Gerhart ‘88

11 - Bill and Debbie Cialone ‘05

19 - Ron and Pat Dugan ‘54

23 - Ken and Jeanette Basehore ‘44

~ Happy 75th!

31 - Bob and Brenda Etter ‘94

I would like to give a special thanks to all who were praying for my brother, Virgil Thorne, during his sickness and also for the many cards of sympathy received upon his death. —Gerald Thorne

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 7

EARLY DEADLINES

D ue to the holidays and staff vacation, these are upcoming deadlines:

January Creek Connection articles by Tuesday, Dec. 10

December 20, 27 & January 3 Weekly Announcement

articles due by 9:00 AM Wednesday, Dec. 18. Thank you!

C H R I S T M A S

P O I N S E T T I A S

P oinsettias are available for purchase again this

year for display in the Sanctuary and Chapel on

Christmas Sunday December 22 and

Christmas Eve when they can be picked

up. Order forms are in your church

mailbox with all orders due

by December 7. Small (5”)

red poinsettias ($6.50), and

large (6.5”) red, white or marble

poinsettias ($10.50) are available.

S T O R M W A T C H

I n the case of inclement weather, please tune in to radio stations,

TV stations, or websites for the latest up-to-date information on the cancellation or delay of Sunday School, Church Worship Services and other events. The sites and stations are posted in the Gathering Area and Chapel. Text Notification of Weather Cancellations: If you want to receive a text message when church events are cancelled due to inclement weather, please call the church office at 717-533-7192 and provide your cell phone number and the name of your phone carrier. This text messaging service will ONLY be used for Worship, Sunday School, and other church activity cancellations. Standard text messaging rates apply. If you provided your phone number last year and it has not changed, you do NOT need to call the office.

2 0 2 0 O F F E R I N G E N V E L O P E S

SENIOR FELLOWSHIP (55+)

Senior activities

have wrapped

up for 2019.

It is time to start

jotting down ideas

to make next

year's list.

Watch for a

meeting date in

January to be

announced.

T he 2020 offering envelopes will be

placed in church mailboxes in late

December. To receive proper credit for

your giving, please do not use the new

2020 envelopes until January 2020.

Also, please discard any remaining 2019

envelopes after the first of the new year.

You will receive your 2019 Record of Giving Form in your

church mailbox during the middle of January 2020.

* The general rule for end-of-the-year contributions is that the

contribution is effective when delivered. This means that a

check deposited in the church offering in January of 2020

cannot be deducted in 2019 even if the check is backdated to

2019. One exception – checks that are mailed and

postmarked in 2019 are deductible in 2019 even though not

received until 2020.

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 8

Child Protection Update

T he Ministry and Worship Ministry Team, as well as our Director of Youth Ministries and Director

of Children’s Ministries, would like to thank the many adult and youth volunteers who have applied for and received the State mandated child protection clearances. Without your dedication and support, our vital ministries to children and youth under the age of 18 would be impossible to provide.

Pennsylvania State regulations require that all volunteers and employees working with children must have their clearances updated every five (5) years. Since a considerable number of our volunteers had these done in 2015, beginning in January 2020 many individuals will need to obtain a new State Police Criminal History as well as a Child Abuse History Clearance. Our internal tracking system enables us to determine when the clearances are due so that we remain in compliance. We plan to provide a reminder to each person that will give him/her notice prior to the expiration of their current clearances so that sufficient time is available to apply for the updated documents. Written directions regarding how to file for clearances through the online process will be provided, and anyone needing help to complete this process can contact Michelle Sheppard, Missy Blizzard or Sandy Pintarch.

We will appreciate your timely response to the notification you will receive so that your ability to continue to help in our children’s and youth programming is not interrupted. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the individuals above. Thank you again for the support of the church family in this ministry….we are truly blessed by the number of individuals who help our children and youth in so many ways.

O ur shoeboxes are all packed, and they will soon be on their way to boys and girls

across the world. This year we were able to pack 165 shoeboxes. A huge thank you to everyone who donated items, packed, and sponsored shoeboxes. We currently have about 35 shoeboxes that still need to be sponsored. Sponsorship costs $9 which helps cover some of the cost of getting each shoebox to just the right boy or girl around the world. If you would still like to sponsor a shoebox, forms are available in the Gathering Area or feel free to contact me.

A shoebox filled with small toys, school supplies, a toothbrush, soap and a washcloth seems pretty simple to us; but to the boys and girls who receive the shoeboxes it’s so much more than that. It is sometimes the first time they experience that someone cares about them, and most importantly provides the opportunity for them to learn how much Jesus loves them. Thank you so much for your generous support of Operation Christmas Child. Blessings, Sue Albright

SAVE-THE-DATE

Tuesday,

January 1, 2020

Look for more details coming soon!

O P E R A T I O N

C H R I S T M A S C H I L D

Spring Creek Women’s Luncheon

A ll women are invited to a Women’s Luncheon on Tuesday, January 7th

at 11:30 AM at Fenicci’s Restaurant in Hershey. RSVP to Karen Alwine

or Bonnie Copenhaver if you would like to attend!

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 9

F riends Who Furnish (FWF) serves families in

need in our community. Current needs are

listed in our weekly announcements. Small

donations may be placed in the Clothing Bank

cart in the donation room. For furniture and over-

size items, contact Beth Boland to coordinate

drop-off/pick-up: 717-383-1855,

[email protected].

F R I E N D S

W H O

F U R N I S H

T he Hershey Food Bank currently needs canned

meats and stews, canned pasta, chunky soups, canned fruits, baked beans, canned tuna, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, pancake mix and syrup. Please place donations in the Food Bank cart inside the main church entrance. Thank you!

P E R S O N A L

C A R E C L O S E T

P lease consider helping over 120 families who

are in need in our neighborhood by donating to the Love INC Personal Care Closet. This month the following items are particularly needed for the personal care closet: toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, tissues, paper towels, laundry detergent, hand soap, and hand sanitizer. A donation basket is located inside Spring Creek’s main entrance. Thank you for your continuous and generous support!

F O O D B A N K O rders for ANE District Directories are being taken early this year: If you are interested in

purchasing a 2020 CoB Atlantic Northeast District Directory, please pick up a yellow order form on the bulletin board in the Gathering Area and enclose $9.00 per directory. Please make your check payable to Spring Creek Church of the Brethren and write “District Directory” in the memo. Place your payment and order form in the church office mail slot by Sunday, December 1.

D I S T R I C T D I R E C T O R Y

T he Advent season brings calendars full of holiday

programs, traditional activities, and family gatherings. To begin the season, give yourself the gift of a day to set aside your to-do lists and expectations and to be present to the peace that can come while we wait for Immanuel, God-with-us. Led by Karen Haldeman (spiritual director and friend of Camp Swatara), this day retreat will include time for group and personal reflection as we move into this season of holy waiting. Optional Friday evening begins at 7:30 PM with a brief gathering time before entering into the quiet of the night on your own. The Advent Retreat registration form can be found by clicking HERE.

Advent Retreat at Camp Swatara Saturday, December 7 - 9 AM to 4 PM

O ur church, one of twenty churches, supports

Londonderry Village Auxiliary. Your annual or

Lifetime Membership in the Auxiliary provides funds

to purchase Health Care & Therapeutic equipment

for LV Skilled Care and Dementia & Alzheimer

residents. An annual Auxiliary membership is a

donation of any amount. A lifetime membership is

$100.00. Checks can be written to Londonderry

Village Auxiliary. All donations for memberships in

the Auxiliary are greatly appreciated. See Judy Hiler

between services on Sunday, December 1st or

Sunday, December 8th in the Gathering Area.

L O N D O N D E R R Y V I L L A G E B R O A D C A S T S U N D A Y

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 10

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 1st Sunday of Advent

9:45 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Mt. Rock Silver Stars-

Prayer Room

11:00 AM Combined-C

11:00 AM Mt. Rock Church-S

5:00 PM Church Christmas

Celebration-Fell. Hall/Kitchen

7:00 PM Handbell Concert-S

2

11:30 AM

Carpenter

Class

Rehearsal-S

7:00 PM

Trustees-

Confer home

3 7:00 AM Men’s

Breakfast at Funck’s

Restaurant-Palmyra

Volunteer in Church

Office 8 AM-12 PM.

Office closed in the

afternoon.

7:00 PM Visioning

Meeting-Fell. Hall

4 Wednesday Night Alive 10:00 AM Quilting-400

12:30 PM Pastor’s Group-100

5:15 PM WNA Meal

6:00 PM Kid’s Club, Youth to

Santa Workshop

6:30 PM Praise Band-C

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal-S

5

6 12:00 PM ALS

Meeting-

201/202

6:30 PM Mt.

Rock Church

church-wide

devotional-Chapel, Youth

Rm., Nursery &

Toddler Rms.

7 9:00 AM

Nativity Pet

Photos –

Outside

church

8 2nd Sunday of Advent

8:30 AM Traditional-S

9:45 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM Contemporary-C

11:00 AM Mt. Rock Church-S

1:00 PM Christmas Cookie

Exchange-Fellowship Hall/Kitchen

9

7:00 PM

F&S-100

10 January Creek

Connection Deadline 7:00 AM Men’s

Breakfast at Funck’s

Restaurant-Palmyra

7:00 PM

Communications-Library

11

9:30 AM Food Bank-Hbg 10:00 AM Quilting-400

6:30 PM Praise Band-C

6:30 PM Carpenter Class

Rehearsal-S

12

Volunteer in

Church Office

8 AM-12 PM.

Office closed

in afternoon.

6:30 PM

Spring Creek

Manor-202

13

14

2:00 PM

Advent Bible

School

15 3rd Sunday of Advent

8:30 AM Traditional-S

9:45 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM Combined Worship-S

11:00 AM Mt. Rock Church-C

4:30 PM Blue Christmas Service-C

16

17 7:00 AM Men’s

Breakfast at Funck’s

Restaurant-Palmyra

18 Wednesday Night Alive 10:00 AM Quilting-400

5:15 PM WNA Meal

6:00 PM Mt. Rock Women’s

Study-406

6:00 PM Christmas Caroling

6:30 PM Praise Band-C

19

20

All Church

Offices Closed

21

22 4th Sunday of Advent

Christmas Sunday 8:30 AM Traditional-S

9:45 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM Contemporary-C

11:00 AM Mt. Rock Church-S

23

24 Christmas Eve 7:00 AM Men’s

Breakfast at Funck’s

Restaurant-Palmyra

All Church Offices

close at noon.

7:00 PM Christmas Eve

Service-S

25 Merry Christmas!

All Church Offices Closed

26 Volunteer in

Church Office

8 AM - 12 PM.

Office closed

in the PM.

27

All Church

Offices Closed

28

29 Guest Preacher, Jim Rhen

8:30 AM Traditional-S

9:45 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM Contemporary-C

11:00 AM Mt. Rock Church-S

30 All Church

Offices

Closed

31 7:00 AM Men’s

Breakfast at Funck’s

Restaurant-Palmyra

Volunteer in Church

Office 8 AM-12 PM.

Office closed in the

afternoon.

New Year’s Eve

The December deacon on call is

Marsha Heisey; Judy Ream is backup.

D E C E M B E R

C H U R C H C A L E N D A R

1 - Midway

8 - Palmyra

15 - Spring Creek

22 - Myerstown

29 - Palmyra

Pastor Adam is on vacation December 25 through January 1. Pastoral concerns may be directed to

Marsha Heisey, the deacon on call. Karen Breidenstine-Howe is on vacation December 25 through

January 3. Volunteers will cover the church office many of those mornings.

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 11

Ways to Serve Our Church Family

December 2019

December 1 December 8 December 15 December 22

Christmas Sunday December 29

TRADITIONAL SERVICE

Greeters Alvin Bashore Luke Wagner Gerald Thorne

Luke Wagner Gerald Thorne

James Weaver Luke Wagner Gerald Thorne

Ty Boland Luke Wagner Gerald Thorne

Luke Wagner Gerald Thorne

Ushers Alvin Bashore Troy Peters Luke Sheppard Nathan Jennings Jeremy Field

Alvin Bashore Troy Peters Luke Sheppard Nathan Jennings Jeremy Field

Joy Gross Michelle Houck Beth Wagner Jan Gerhart

Alvin Bashore Troy Peters Luke Sheppard Nathan Jennings Jeremy Field

Alvin Bashore Troy Peters Luke Sheppard Nathan Jennings Jeremy Field

Welcome Center Verna Royer-Rose Doris Lineweaver Brenda Gish Verna Royer-Rose Jan Gerhart

Nursery Breidenstine-Howes Jen Alwine Blizzard Family Sonya Weber-Peters Sonya Weber-Peters & Karen B-Howe

Toddler Room Breidenstine-Howes Jen Alwine Blizzard Family Verna & Chet Rose Verna & Chet Rose

Projection Chet Rose Braetan Peters Jan Bratton Jan Bratton

Sound Bob Etter Bob Etter Bob Etter Bob Etter Bob Etter

Video Yolanda DeShong Yolanda DeShong Yolanda DeShong Yolanda DeShong Yolanda DeShong

Worship Leader Sonya Weber-Peters Kathy Brode Jim Martin Jim Martin Dave Shissler

Reader Troy Peters Jeff Meck Chet Rose Denise Wenrich Jan Gerhart

Message for Young Disciples Cara Engle Cindy Fasnacht Pastor Adam Brenda Etter Karen Alwine

Kids’ Zone Cara Engle Karen Alwine Jen Alwine Karen Alwine

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Nursery Breidenstine-Howes Blizzard Family Sonya Weber-Peters Sonya Weber-Peters & Karen B-Howe

CONTEMPORARY SERVICE

Greeters Bob Boyer Paul Pintarch Bob Boyer Jim Heisey Paul Pintarch

Welcome Center Marsha Heisey Sandy Pintarch KC Thomas Dawn Early Dawn Early

Projection

Sound Mike Blizzard Mike Blizzard Mike Blizzard Mike Blizzard Mike Blizzard

Nursery/Toddler Room Mike Thomas & Phoebe Gesford

Sue Haldeman & Beth Boland

Gesford Family Marty Wolf & Phyllis Ingold

Phyllis Karli & Michelle Houck

Ushers Paul Pintarch Paul Pintarch Paul Pintarch Paul Pintarch Paul Pintarch

Kids’ Zone Gesfords

If you see an empty box, can you help fill it?

Are there ways you are willing and interested in helping out?

If you can help, please contact the volunteer coordinators

listed in the church directory or call the church office.

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 12

C R E E K C O N N E C T I O N Page 13

—Reprinted with permission from Messenger magazine of the Church of the Brethren.

Adam J. Ulm Pastor

Melissa K. Blizzard Director of Children’s Ministries

Michelle Z. Sheppard Director of Youth Ministries

Karen J. Breidenstine-Howe Administrative Assistant

S P R I N G C R E E K C H U R C H O F T H E B R E T H R E N

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Welcoming, Worshiping, Growing, Sharing, and Serving – Together for Christ

335 East Areba Avenue Hershey, PA 17033

Telephone: (717) 533-7192

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.springcreekcob.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ SpringCreekCoB/

Sunday Services: 8:30 AM Traditional Worship 9:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

C H U R C H S T A F F

Purchase Gift Cards & Help Support Outreach Programs

I t’s soon Christmas time again and most likely you will be purchasing a gift card or two for the holidays. Consider purchasing your gift cards through the church; the

sale of which will help support outreach ministries. The retailer gives Spring Creek a rebate based upon the percentage of sale, and depending on the retailer, this rebate can be as high as 18%. In the past, gift card profits have been as much as $500 annually.

If you wish to place an order, please contact Jan Bratton. Most orders are filled within two weeks. Checks are encouraged and should be made payable to: Spring Creek Church of the Brethren. Please note that the purchase of a gift card does not constitute a tax deductible contribution to the church. Thanks for your support! —Evangelism & Service Ministry Team

2 0 2 0 C H U R C H T E L E P H O N E D I R E C T O R Y

P lease confirm or update your contact information (address, email,

phone) that will appear in the 2020 Church Directory. Look for a printed

listing of the directory on a podium in the Gathering Area. Stop by and

check your listing; sign to indicate if the information is correct OR write in

any updates. Please do this by December 1st. Or, if you prefer, you may contact the church office with

any changes to your listing at [email protected] or 717-533-7192. Thank You!

F or many, Christmas can be less than merry. In the midst of all the lights and jingle bells,

there are feelings of sadness, loneliness, sorrow and alienation. These “blue” feelings can be due to grief, loss, finances, illness or major life changes. While the season brings festivities and celebration, it also brings long nights. Blue Christmas Service is a time to gather together, sit with one another, and acknowledge the hard journeys. These are sacred moments, too. It’s in the darkness that the Light of Jesus shines—and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) Please join us for a time of reflection, comfort and hope on December 15th at 4:30 PM in the Chapel.