. Germantown Church of God 16924 Raven Rock Road, Cascade, MD 21719 Mark Hosler, Pastor, 301-241-3594 Office Phone: 301-241-3050 Email: [email protected]Website: www.germantowncog.org Volume 23, Number 4 A Bi-monthly Publication July – August 2018 From the Pastor: We say that the reason Germantown Church of God exists is to Move people who are broken spiritually, physically, relationally, or emotionally, toward Jesus where they can find healing and be transformed into the image of Jesus. Moving people toward Jesus. Why is that so important? Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As a Church that is what we believe. Now, we are not saying that we should not seek help from doctors, or counsellors or friends or studying resources. But we believe that only when we have a relationship with Jesus can we become all that God intended for us to be when He created us. In this issue of the Chit Chat, you will find information about some events and activities that are coming up in the next few months. I believe that these events and activities are intended to help us fulfill that mission statement. Some of the events are intended to provide opportunities for us to get to know other people in our Church family better. We have camp fires, picnics, fellowship meals, so we can talk with others in our Church. Those conversations will develop deeper friendships. Those conversations will help us to pray for each other and to encourage one another with words of care and concern. Some of the events are intended to give us opportunities to welcome people into our fellowship who are not yet a part of us. Through VBS, a Community picnic, and concerts, we can connect with people and let them know that we are a welcoming family who want to see others become a part of us. Sometimes the first step toward Jesus involves winning people to “us”. And some of the events are intended to give us a chance to talk to people about Jesus. To tell people that Jesus can forgive our sin, and change the direction of our lives. Jesus can give us a new life that will extend into eternity. So please support these events through your prayers and attendance. Support them by inviting folks to attend and participate. Shipwrecked VBS: Rescued by Jesus Vacation Bible School this year is Shipwrecked VBS: Rescued by Jesus and will be held every evening from July 23 to 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. VBS is open to any child ages 3 to 12. Children do not have to attend this church to attend VBS. So, if you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighborhood children ages 3 through 12, encourage them to attend. At Shipwrecked, kids discover that Jesus rescues them! Kids will participate in memorable Bible- learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork- building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with the Sail Away Sendoff that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Kids at Shipwrecked VBS will participate in a missions effort to provide seeds for families in Haiti to grow food. Parents are invited to join their children for a picnic and the closing program on Friday evening. For more information or to pre-register children, please contact Ann Donatto, or the Church Office at 301-241-3050 or [email protected].
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Germantown Church of God 16924 Raven Rock Road, Cascade, MD 21719
Volume 23, Number 4 A Bi-monthly Publication July – August 2018
From the Pastor:
We say that the reason Germantown Church of God exists is to Move people who are broken spiritually, physically, relationally, or emotionally, toward Jesus where they can find healing and be transformed into the image of Jesus. Moving people toward Jesus. Why is that so important? Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As a Church that is what we believe. Now, we are not saying that we should not seek help from doctors, or counsellors or friends or studying resources. But we believe that only when we have a relationship with Jesus can we become all that God intended for us to be when He created us. In this issue of the Chit Chat, you will find information about some events and activities that are coming up in the next few months. I believe that these events and activities are intended to help us fulfill that mission statement. Some of the events are intended to provide opportunities for us to get to know other people in our Church family better. We have camp fires, picnics, fellowship meals, so we can talk with others in our Church. Those conversations will develop deeper friendships. Those conversations will help us to pray for each other and to encourage one another with words of care and concern. Some of the events are intended to give us opportunities to welcome people into our fellowship who are not yet a part of us. Through VBS, a Community picnic, and concerts, we can connect with people and let them know that we are a welcoming family who want to see others become a part of us. Sometimes the first step toward Jesus involves winning people to “us”. And some of the events are intended to give us a chance to talk to people about Jesus. To tell people that Jesus can forgive our sin, and change the direction of our lives. Jesus can give us a new life that will extend into eternity. So please support these events through your prayers and attendance. Support them by inviting folks to attend and participate.
Shipwrecked VBS:
Rescued by Jesus
Vacation Bible School this year is Shipwrecked VBS: Rescued by Jesus and will be held every evening from July 23 to 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. VBS is open to any child ages 3 to 12. Children do not have to
attend this church to attend VBS. So, if you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighborhood children ages 3 through 12, encourage them to attend. At Shipwrecked, kids discover that Jesus rescues them! Kids will participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with the Sail Away Sendoff that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned.
Kids at Shipwrecked VBS will participate in a missions effort to provide seeds for families in Haiti to grow food.
Parents are invited to join their children for a picnic and the closing
program on Friday evening.
For more information or to pre-register children, please contact Ann Donatto, or the Church Office at 301-241-3050 or [email protected].
All ladies are invited to be a part of our Ladies Ministry Group. There is no meeting in July. The next meeting will be Tuesday,
August 7. The current study is: Bad Girls of the Bible.
Men’s Fellowship Monthly meetings: Men of the Church are invited to join us for a time of fellowship, devotions and prayer on the 3
rd Saturday of each month. We
meet at 7:30 AM at Parlor House restaurant. The next meetings will be held on Saturday, July 21, and August 18.
Church Family Picnic Our Annual Church Family Picnic will be on Sunday, July 29, following Sunday School. Place settings will be provided. Bring food to share and come and enjoy an afternoon of fun, fellowship and conversation. There will
be games and activities for all ages. If you have photos from previous picnics, why not bring them along for all to enjoy.
Community Picnic
Saturday, August 11, 3:00 PM We want to connect with and serve the families in our Community, and let them know there is a place for them at Germantown Church of God. We are going to host a Picnic for our Community, on Saturday, August 11. We will have games and activities for children and adults. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. We ask those who attend to bring picnic side dishes or desserts to share. We are planning to give school supplies to all children in attendance. We are asking for donations of school supplies – pens, pencils, notebooks, scissors, etc. – that we can give to the children. Please plan to support this effort to connect with others.
Upcoming Special Days SAVE THE DATE
October 7, 10:00
AM – JCT 114 The Blue Grass Band JCT
114 will be returning to Germantown Church to
lead us in a morning of Worship. The service will begin at 10:00 AM. Following the service we will enjoy Lunch together. Invite friends
and family members.
October 28, 6:30 PM – Daystar
The Southern Gospel Group from Greencastle
will be with us to present a concert. Let your family and friends
know and invite them to come.
News from Camp YoLiJWa The summer Camp season is in full swing at the Doubling Gap Center. Here is the schedule for this summer’s Camps. Registration and Information brochures will be arriving soon.
Camp Grade Dates 8
th Grade 8
th (alt. 9
th) July 1 – 7
7th
Grade 7th
(alt 8th
) July 8 – 14
6th
Grade 6th
(alt. 7th
) July 15 – 21
5th
Grade 5th
(alt. 6th
) July 22 – 28
4th
Grade 4th
(alt. 5th
) August 5 – 9
3rd
Grade 3rd
(alt. 4th
) August 10 – 12
Father/Son K – 2nd
July 28 – 29
Mother/Daughter K – 2nd
August 12 – 13
Our Church provides some financial assistance for children from our Church who wish to attend Camp. See Pastor Hosler for more information.
Women’s Ministry 2018 Thank Offering
Every year our Women’s Ministry encourages members of our Church family to use a Thank Offering Barrel. Participants are encouraged to put a gift in their barrel as a means of giving thanks to God for some special blessing He gives to us. On the first Sunday in May we have an ingathering service to collect the contents of our barrels. This year’s Thank Offering collected here at Germantown Church was $611.90. This offering is sent to the National Office and is distributed to various ministries. THANKS for your participation on this special offering.
M I S S I O N S N E W S
Mission of the Month – July Samir & Charusheela Singha – India
Samir Singha serves as the Field Director for the Churches of God ministry in India. His wife is Charusheela and they have a daughter Madhumita.
The India ministry operates the Uluberia Mission House School, as well as, a Child Development Center. More than 530 children are enrolled in these schools. Today the work includes 35 locations throughout West Bengal. Kids and families alike are impacted by camps that help equip and invest in their spiritual welfare. In 2017, 1,110 children and their family’s members attended the family camps, Gospel youth meetings, vacation bible school, and staff retreats. In India, there are 35 fellowships and worship centers in the seven West Bengal districts. In 2017, 110 new friends joined our fellowships
Mission of the Month – August Doug & Anna-Karin Molgaard
Born into a Churches of God pastor’s family, Doug committed his life to Christ in summer camp. A deepening faith after high school created an interest in missions. Doug went to Western Europe in 1989 with Eurasia Teen Challenge. Later in Sweden, he met Anna-Karin at a missions conference. They were married and served in a church planting ministry in Gothenburg, Sweden for 10 years
as CGGC affiliate missionaries. After a two year pastorate in western Pennsylvania, Doug and Anna-Karin returned to Gothenburg in August 2005 as CGGC/CCM missionaries. Working in partnership with InterAct and New Life Church in Stockholm, the multicultural and bilingual New Life Gothenburg Church was officially launched in October 2008. They then shifted their focus in 2010 to reach out to postmodern Swedes through a network of simple, missional, organic communities (SMOC). They continue with that focus in partnership with Christian Associates International (christianassociates.org) The Molgaards have three daughters: Thyra, Sarah and Emma.
Please pray for the Singha’s and the Molgaard’s. You can also support them financially. Send your gifts to Churches of God, P. O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45840.
WORTH SHARING...
“When I say I am a Christian”
When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes That’s why I chose this way”
When I say, “I am a Christian” I don’t speak with human pride I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide
When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, “I am a Christian” I don’t think I know it all I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught
When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it
When I say, “I am a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek God’s name
When I say, “I am a Christian” I do not wish to judge
Congratulations to 2018 Graduates Following is a list of 2018 graduates who are
connected to our Church Family. We, along
with your families, are proud of you. We
wish you success in your future.
Abigail D. Buhrman graduated from Hagerstown
Community College on May 12th and earned her Associate
of Science in Education degree. Abbie will be attending
Shippensburg University in the fall and will be majoring in
Early Childhood/Elementary Education. Additionally,
Abbie successfully completed the Praxis “CASE” (Core
Academic Skills for Educators) exams, which are required
for admission into Shippensburg’s Department of Teacher
Education program. Away from school, Abbie works part-
time at Hobby Lobby in Hagerstown, MD. Additionally,
she’s an avid photographer and operates her own business
that specializes in candid children’s photos as well as prom,
graduation, and engagement pictures. Abbie was also
recently booked to photograph her first wedding. In her
spare time, Abbie enjoys shopping, exercising her 2nd
Amendment privilege, hanging out with friends, and
recently started golfing. Abbie is the daughter of Kevin &
Trudy Buhrman and Dutch & Pearl’s youngest
granddaughter.
Benjamin E. Buhrman graduated cum laude on May 12th
from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science
in Business Administration degree. He doubled majored in
Management and Supply Chain Management. In addition to
his academic endeavors and involvement in numerous
clubs as well as professional organizations, Ben worked as
a Commodity Buyer Intern at Volvo Construction
Equipment in Shippensburg, PA. Prior to graduating, Ben
accepted a job offer from Carlisle Construction Materials,
Carlisle, PA as an Order Management Specialist and began
working there in May. Ben plans to continue his education
and will begin pursuing his MBA on a part-time basis once
he settles into his new job. Away from school/work, Ben is
an avid guitarist and has been playing for over fourteen
years. He has also been teaching guitar lessons for several
years. In his spare time, Ben enjoys playing guitar, golfing,
watching/playing sports, hunting, fishing, video games, and
hanging out with friends. Ben is the son of Kevin & Trudy
Buhrman and Dutch & Pearl’s favorite grandson.
Kelly B. (Starliper) Lesher graduated cum laude on May
5th
from Penn State-Mont Alto, PA at the College of Health
and Human Development and University College with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and
Family Studies. While there she was inducted into the
Honor Societies of Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Sigma
Lambda. She is a single mom with two children, Gunner
(15) and Kyleigh Lesher (14). Kelly is employed with a
daycare center in Chambersburg and is pursuing a Master's
degree. Kelly is the daughter of Keith & Kathryn Starliper.
Justin Theodore Smith graduated from The Barbara
Ingram School For The Arts on June 5th
. Justin was asked
to play with the Maryland Symphony during his freshman
year, performed for musicals such as HairSpray, has played
for special events at The Olney Winery, received a
certificate for the Best Guitarist in his class, and finds time
to teach guitar to young and old. His class was paired with
Montana High School and played multiple venues in
Montana and Chicago. Justin has been accepted into
Berklee College of Music in Boston. He will be attending
Frederick Community College for General Studies with an
Audio Production Certificate. Following that he plans to
continue with a four-year university degree in Audio
Production. He is the son of Michele & Fred Smith and
grandson of Marge & Louis Lajoie.
Garrett Trostle graduated from El Dorado High School,
El Dorado, Arkansas on May 14th
. He ranked in the top
25% of his graduation class of 342. He was an Arkansas
Scholar and an Arkansas Athlete Scholar. He also received
the El Dorado Promise Scholarship. He will be attending
Louisiana Tech University majoring in Engineering.
Garrett is the son of Pastor Brian & Linda Trostle and the
grandson of Pat & Neal Trostle.
Poetry by Gwen ...
Our Heavenly Father
God sits up in Heaven, Content on His throne,
We live down here, And some of us moan.
Things go haywire Almost every day. We cry for a while,
Then kneel down and pray To God up in Heaven
To bring peace to our lives, For problems we can't solve No matter how hard we try.
God has the answers To all our aches and pains, We need to trust Him today So we kneel down and pray.
He hears all our wants And answers our prayers, So put your trust in Him For us He'll never fail.
When our lives here have ended, We'll all be Heaven-bound,
If we live by His word, We may inherit a crown.
-Submitted by
Gwendolyn Ridenour
Kelly Lesher Graduates College Kelly B. (Starliper) Lesher, graduated Cum Laude on
Saturday, May 5 from Penn State-Mont Alto, PA at the
College of Health and Human Development and University
College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human
Development and Family Studies. While there she was
inducted into the Honor Societies of Phi Kappa Phi and
Alpha Sigma Lambda.
Kelly is the youngest daughter of Keith and Kathryn
Starliper. She is a single mom with two children, Gunner
(15) and Kyleigh Lesher (14). Kelly is employed with a
daycare in Chambersburg and is pursuing a Master's
degree.
Krista, Lori, Kelly, Dad, & Mom
To celebrate Kelly's achievements, a delicious family
style dinner was held in her honor at the families favorite
eating establishment at Hickory Bridge Restaurant in
Ortanna, to celebrate her achievements on Sunday, May 6th,
hosted by her parents. Kelly's oldest sister, Lori Fugate
accompanied by her daughters, Aryn Fugate, Jessica
Peterson and Jessie's 2 ½ year old daughter, Gracie Ann,
flew in from Shakopee, Minnesota to help in the
celebration and to visit with the family siblings and parents.
Sister, Krista Myers and husband, Jay, son Jacob and friend
Molly Hudak all of Greencastle joined in the celebration.
While here, Lori and her family spent a lot of time with
her sisters and parents. It was a most enjoyable time
especially getting to know (and spoil) little Grace. She took
a special interest in cousin, Gunner. But also enjoyed her
aunts, uncle and other cousins as well. She particularly
enjoyed going to “GG's” and Pops home and playing in the
great outdoors with her extended family in Pennsylvania!
What a blessing getting to know this little one.
Here is a photo of Gracie when she was on Southwest Airline
flight going home, looking at the
Captain in the cockpit. He said
she could sit in his seat (but she
would have never come out and every button would be touched).
A special treat was given on
Mother's day as the siblings
prepared dinner for the family,
especially their mom and dad. Mom was ordered to stay out
of the kitchen! (And she did!) 'Thank you God, for giving
me a loving, caring family'. They are truly appreciated by
mom and dad.
In Honor of Kelly's graduation from Waynesboro High
School in 1995, her maternal grandmother, Jane Kendall
sent her a card with a handwritten note which stated: “Just
a reminder, if you want to accomplish anything in life, you
need first to put your life in God's hands. The easiest way
to get anything done, is to tackle it right away, then
continue to ask God's help and rely on Him, rather than yourself and others alone. Since I've been fighting cancer,
I've depended a lot on Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 28:20b.
Read it, then go to John 3:16. Memorize them and remember my thank you note*. I meant every word. Love,
Grandma
*Please remember what a special person you are, how
much you mean to our family and how very much you are
loved. Congratulations! I know you can do it. Remember I still love you! Grandma. (PS: Don't forget Samson).
NOTE: Kelly shared this note from her grandmother with her mother who filed it away among her treasures. I
thought it was fitting at this time to share with the church
family. I never saw this until much later after mother passed.
Kathryn Starliper
Our deepest sympathy to Greg and
Deanna Shaffer who lost his father,
Edward Shafer, on April 25.
Our condolences to Wanda Ditch on
the passing of her brother, Richard
Miller, Sr., on June 20.
I thought my life was over,
my heart was full of sighs.
I could not see a future
but much to my surprise.
My Loving Father knew
a plan He had for me,
It was in His gentle hands,
He knew my destiny.
It was for more glorious
then I could ever guess.
Because dear child
He knows . . .
and gives us what is best.
Lori Warner
APRIL 10, 2018: 12 members were in attendance.
Pastor Mark had devotions. The minutes and treasurer's
reports were approved.
Pastor's Report:
Average attendance was 77 in March and 70 for the
year.
Last month had Lent and Holy Week plus Pastor Don
Dennison speaking.
Stewardship & Property Management Commission:
Spring clean-up was rescheduled for April 21.
Don Cauthen finished the trim work around the sound
booth.
Christian Education:
The VBS meeting will be on Thursday, April 12.
Worship & Outreach Commission:
The Commission sponsored Game Night on March 3
Chiz Rider performed on April 8 and Steve Trostle
will speak on April 15. April 29 will have a
fellowship time before the service. Both Mother’s
Day and Father’s Day will be celebrated.
The Mother’s Day dinner will be on May 12.
The Men’s Breakfast will be on Saturday, June 16.
The bluegrass band, JCT114, will return this fall.
A Community Day is scheduled for August 11 to
include a picnic and giveaway school supplies.
Unfinished & New Business:
A window replacement company will be providing an
estimate for the parsonage windows.
A new mat is needed from the parking lot entrance.
The Council will not meet in July.
Treasurer's Highlights March 2018:
Based on an average of $2,943.32 weekly tithe and offering YTD, the projected budget surplus is $5,274.68.
As of March the 1,000 gallons of heating oil purchased in 2016 at $1.899 per gal. has been used and we are now using the 1,000 gallons purchased in September 2017 at $2.299 per gal.
Treasurer's Summary for March 2018: Checking Account beginning Balance: $35,069.16 Deposits/Credits 11,506.80 Withdrawals/Debits 11,049.74 Service Charges 0.00 Ending Balance: $35,526.22