The Beacon INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY on PAGE 9

FEBRUARY 2020 VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2 The Beacon INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY ON PAGE 9.

The Pastor’s Pen Pastor Doug Smith Inside this issue: As I write this article, at best and even ap- God wants us to ask for we are approaching the proached insulting God. those blessings so that we Calendar 2 end of the third year of For to pray for some- might in humility honor our Stewardship Journey. thing that is already with- God and give God the Worship Leader 4 The first year we focused in our grasp is not lean- glory when those bless- on the stewardship of ing on God; it is leaning ings are showered upon us. Christian Education 5 prayer. On that leg of the on our ability to grasp journey we were reminded what we want and then Last year we focused that prayer is the basis of cloaking that acquisition on the stewardship of Deep Thoughts 6 everything we do in the in the garb of God. Pray- presence. This “presence” name of Jesus Christ. ers that honor God are had two main thrusts: 1) Community Information 10 Prayer is the God given prayers that are bold and learning to be present avenue of two way com- that can only be attained with God and 2) learning munication with the God by the bold action of to present ourselves be- of the universe. However, God. We learned that fore God more consist- we also learned that many God does promise us ently. We looked un- of our prayers were weak rich blessings, but that flinchingly at the fact that (Continued on page 3) Prayers please. . . Please remember the following people with Kim Brugger, Irma Cassel, Roy mother), Sharon Williamson Wayne Wagner, Martha Klein- prayer, cards and visits. Boltz, Landon and Ethan Miller (Phyllis Beahm’s daughter), Greg felter, Earl & Jean Deimler, Mari- Always call before (Braden Landis’ friends), Bob Cassel, Lauren Forte, Toni Ann an Grubb, Peg Holdren (Margie Yohn’s Mom), Ken Kline (Cindy visiting to confirm that Hoffman, Gary and Patty Mase Neiland, Jim Ault, Gaby Santia- go-Grubic, Becky Zellner, Betsy, Blauch’s father), Maria Knauth the individual would like (Judy Kennedy’s brother & sister in law), Timmy Shine (Friend of Karen, and Rick Smeltz, Bob (Dalinda Bohr’s mom), Dolly to be visited. Jeff Kennedy), Sandy Johns Bretherick, Adam Gensamer, Gordon, Tom Pankake, Naomi Please contact the (Cousin of Jeff Kennedy), Bob Denny Alquist, Randy Garrison Stewart, Donna Wolfer, Paula Coleman, Paula Groves, Gerald church office with re- Matthews, Curtis & Sandy O’Bri- Long-term Requests: Pat Brown, Pat Cavanaugh, Scott quests for prayer. en, Bob Shearer, Gail Trow- Dovey (Shawn Lochinger’s Miller. bridge, Pastor Smith and Family, Mom), Jean Myers (Joyce Betty Miller, (Brenda Klinger’s Lochinger’s Mom), Karen Ayers, Page 2 The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2 February 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

SPECIAL NOTE: Please call the church office to check on scheduling for a specific date. Everyone must call EVERY SUNDAY MORNING: prior to using any church space. This calendar is print- 8AM Traditional ed a month in advance of its publication. Reservations 9:15AM C.L.I.C.K. change often. 10:30AM WALK

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5:30-6:30pm BITL 10:00am GH Staff 6:00-10:00pm Volley- 6:00-7:00pm Gym 5:00-9:00pm, Gym Meeting ball League, Gym Meal FH RESERVED RESERVED 6:00-10:00pm Volley- 6:30 Bells Practice, 6:30pm 33, Bal ball League, Gym 301 6:30 Youth, Herit- age Room 6:30pm PC, FH

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 BEACON Articles 9:00am Ladies’ Bible Happy Valentine’s 5:30-6:30pm BITL Due for Next Month 6:00-10:00pm Volley- Study, 201 Day! Meal FH 5:00-9:00pm, Gym ball League, Gym 7:30pm, Partners In 6:30pm 33, Bal RESERVED Missions, Heritage 6:30 Youth, Herit- Room age Room 6:30 Bells Prac, 301 6:30pm PC, FH 6:00-10:00pm Volley- ball League, Gym

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

6:00-10:00pm Volley- 9:00am Ladies’ Bible 5:30-6:30pm BITL Men’s Morning Out ball League, Gym Study, 201 Meal FH Sign up at Wel- 5:00-9:00pm, Gym 6:00-10:00pm Volley- 6:30pm 33, Bal come Center RESERVED ball League, Gym 6:30 Youth, Herit-

6:30 Bells Practice, age Room 301 6:30pm PC, FH

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 11am-4pm Texas 9:00am Ladies’ Bible 5:30-6:30pm BITL Roadhouse Fundrais- 6:00-10:00pm Volley- Study, 201 Meal FH er! Show your flyer ball League, Gym 6:30 Youth, Herit- from Gravel Hill. 6:00-10:00pm Volley- ball League, Gym age Room 5:00-9:00pm, Gym 6:30 Bells Practice, 6:30pm PC, FH RESERVED 301 7:00pm, ASH WEDNESDAY The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2 Page 3

I would appreciate your feedback! Please contact me. . . Pastor’s Pen (Continued) [email protected] (.com will work also)

(Continued from page 1) Christ. Peter answered the most conversation has this call, but he did so to do with prayers that versity (formerly Eastern we live on the memories from out of an inner seem to go unanswered. Baptist College) offered a of the past or the hopes control center. Peter fol- Whether those prayers are helpful insight in his of the future in a way that lowed and served Christ, for a clearer sense of ser- book, The Sin of Certain- causes us to not be pre- but it was from his per- vice or whether they have ty. In this scholarly work, sent in the now. If we can- spective of how he felt to do with unanswered Enns reminds us that our not be present with our- that service should be. prayers for the health and difficulty with seemingly selves, we cannot live in Peter’s second and deeper welfare of loved ones. Bat- unanswered prayer has the present with our God. call was to serve Christ as terson addresses this issue more to do with our Hence, we remember when Christ wanted and di- more clearly in Prayer Cir- poor understanding of God acted in the past, or rected that service. The cles: Facing our Greatest scripture than it does we pray hard for God to second and deeper call Challenges where he clear- with God’s inactivity. He act the way we want God included the fact that ly states that our prayers addresses, Ecclesiastes, to act in the future, but service borne out of total do not force God to act. Job, Jeremiah, Psalms 88 we lack a clear vision of submission to the will of Sometimes prayers are not & 89 and Habakkuk. God’s present reality in a Christ meant death as the answered and there is no These texts (which are moment by moment way. outcome. All of us have clear reason why. He rarely preached on) deal If we had that clear vision, received two calls: we points out that it is very specifically with a reality we would be absolutely gladly followed the first hard for us to get our where it seems that all content in our present life, call into salvation and like minds around the fact that the Hebrews had been no matter the circum- Peter, most of us have we do want something out taught about God was at stances. This inability to done so on our own of our relationship with best wrong, and at worst live in the present with terms. The deeper call is the God of the Universe, clearly false. Each of the God gets in the way of more difficult for it but we fail to recognize afore mentioned docu- our ability to present our- means following Christ at we have already received ments offers a blistering selves before God in a his beck and call, not at that benefit: Salvation! Sal- critique of God’s appar- consistent manner. If God our leisure. The church’s vation is the beginning ent mismanagement of or is not a close, present real- voice and witness is weak and end. I realize this does complete failure in the ity, all manner of life pres- today because our ability not satisfy the angst in the world. Essentially, these sures get between us. to live into a deeper call midst of difficulty but this books address the gulf When that happens, every is commensurately weak. gift is greater than any between what the He- life pressure gets more A strong witness will take other thing we could pos- brew people were taught time and attention than a strong commitment to sibly receive! about the way faith God. The stewardship of serve as directed by While this may be the works in the world and presence is the God rein- God’s voice not our de- fundamental truth of our the way it actually plays forced decision to create a sire. relationship with the Di- out. Fear not, these texts better life/faith balance. I am humbled by the vine God, we want heal- actually do offer an an- The current leg of our level of interaction and ing, we want financial se- swer. I am considering Stewardship Journey is the evident desire of curity, we want protection preaching on “When Life calling us to be more many of you to engage against the overt acts of Doesn’t Turn out the mindful of that deeper call this journey in a very evil. While these things do Way We were Taught” of Jesus into Service. We serious way. I have had fall under the blessings during lent. I would like began this journey by con- numerous conversations offered to us from God, some feedback. Would sidering the Apostle Pe- with many of you who sometimes they do not you like me to address ter’s two calls. The first are at least struggling seem to be evident. Peter these difficult texts dur- was a call to come out of with this deeper call. The Enns, professor of Old ing Lent? Please see the world and follow area that has garnered Testament at Eastern Uni- above for my email! Page 4 The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2

SPECIAL WORSHIP AN- In an effort to keep the church as safe as possible, we are asking that you please NOUNCEMENTS: remember to bring your key fobs to all church activities and functions. Thank you. 1. Spoken announcements from any groups within the church Joyce must be provided in writing to the Worship Leader Lochinger Worship Leader by the Wednes- day prior to the Sunday during which they are to be announced. Any questions? Please contact Joyce Lochinger at [email protected] Making announcements during worship will be done by the Pas- Interested in learning a few new songs for Easter? Interested in singing for the congrega- tor and the Worship Leader only. tion on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday (date to be determined)? Then you're in Due to the desire to have Worship luck. Please email me ([email protected]) or text (717-926-4751) that you want in. consistent and on time it is neces- Practices will begin with the praise team on Monday, February 24, at 7:15pm. A schedule sary for this change to take place, of practice dates and times will follow once we have our committed group. Thanks and be effective immediately. prepared to share your talents with the congregation and find extra joy in this Easter Sea- Thank you, Pastor Smith son. Originally printed Nov 2018 ~Special Vacation Bible School Announcement!~ 2. If you are in need of any type of Dear congregation, projection or music in the sanctuary for funerals, weddings, spe- I want to let you know that after over 20+ years of VBS leadership, I have decided I cial church announcements etc., will not be leading VBS any longer. Please know that this decision was a very diffi- please follow proper protocol and cult one for me to make but it is time for someone else to have the fun and to en- give them to our worship leader joy the never ending VBS excitement! with as much advanced notice as Upon informing the Staff, we had a long discussion and feel there are 2 options: (1) possible. This will provide time to ask for a volunteer for this year or (2) let it sit for a year and see if there is any in- determine if your presentation can terest for next year. Please let me know if you feel God calling you to take on this be created and/or if it is compati- project and we can talk over the details! ble with the intricate computer software which is used in the I want to thank my faithful and dedicated VBS team leaders: Ashley Zimmerman, sanctuary. Thank you for your Barb Miller - Nelligan, Tiff and Matt Rettew, Erin Rose and Christine Lucera. These understanding! were my go-to people each and every year who ran their stations well and were a SEND ALL INFO TO: great asset to every VBS of which I ever was in charge. The office staff: Karen Ayers [email protected] and Dawn Schaffer, and Judy Kennedy for her decorating expertise. Also a special Originally printed June 2018 thank you to the many faithful congregation members who would take off work early so they could be here and lead the children through the week of VBS. Hugs and Thank yous! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to volunteer in this position for so many years! Please contact me if you have an interest - we can talk! And thanks for many fun years of VBS! Sincerely, Joyce

Pictures From Christmas Eve Worship A few Christmas Eve Pictures to share. . . Far Left: Kidz choir, Past and Present, lines up anx- iously waiting for their turn to praise God on Christ- mas Eve! Immediate Left: The Bell Choir performs for Christ- mas Eve Worship Right: Dylan Fausey and Will Zimmerman The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2 Page 5

SPECIAL MISSION INITIATIVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY Shauna Christian Education Dowdrick “Quarters For A Cause” This new initiative supports Unit 5 Lessons families in our community. Please donate you quar- Trailblazers, Pathfinders and PeeWees – What God Say About My Family ters! They’ll be used to help Feb 5 Meeting 1 Honor and Obey pay off outstanding lunch Feb 12 Meeting 2 Getting Along Feb 19 Meeting 3 Showing Love debt at the Elementary and Feb 26 NO CLUB-ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE, please consider going as a family! Middle School levels. Many March 4 Meeting 4 Looking for the Good families do not qualify for (Award Night and Game Night-Wear Sneakers) Free and Reduced lunches Scooters- I Can Be Kind and do not have the con- Feb 5 Meeting 1 I Can Share sistent means to purchase Feb 12 Meeting 2 I Can Be Kind or provide daily lunches for Feb 19 Meeting 3 I Can Help their children. This is a Feb 26 NO CLUB-ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE, please consider going as a family! great way to support our March 4 Meeting 4 I Can Be Happy schools and community (Award Night and Game Night-Wear Sneakers) while living out Christ’s message of mercy and The Activity for this Unit is: COOKING!! grace in our world. Funds collected will be donated on March 3, and June 5, for the current school year. Questions? Please contact Tony: [email protected].

Barb GH Bell Ringers & Chimers Miller-Nelligan

Bell Ringers practice in room 301 on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm. Chimers practice on Sundays from 10:30-11:15 in Room 301. Contact Barb. . . Home: 717-820-4909 Cell: 717-265-4637 Email: [email protected] Page 6 The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2

And now, this Deep Thought: “Whenever someone asks me to define love, I usually think for a minute, then spin around and pin the guy’s arm behind his back. Now who’s asking the questions?” ~ Jack Handey

Deep Thoughts for the Month of Hearts, Cupids and Tony Chocolates. . . Rose

TEXAS ROADHOUSE Winter is nearly over already, ing 1/19-2/2 Downtown Daily Bread: FUNDRAISER and before we know it, the Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser February 23rd, April 26th, busyness of Spring will clog to benefit the 4 Season’s Race June 28th, August 23rd, Oc- Show our promo flyer (paper or our monthly calendars. As Series Sunday, February 23rd tober 25th, and December digital) when you dine here on Sunday, Feb. 23, 11am-4pm stated in my January article 11 am - 4 pm 27th for 15% of your total food and articulated in many of Ash Wednesday and Lenten Caring Cupboard: th th purchase to be donated to the Pastor Smith’s sermons on Services happening every February 29 , May 30 , Au- Gravel Hill UMC being a Fruitful servant of Wednesday evening 2/26-4/1 gust 29th, October 31st Four Seasons Race Series. Christ’s, please make Gravel The Spring Run happening on American House Bingo: Hill a habit! Make serving the March 21st March 10th and August 18th. community through the many The Bunny Brunch happening Susan Dowhower house Bin- opportunities, studies, and on Saturday, April 4th go: programs a habit. Get those Maundy Thursday Service April 13th and September calendars out now…charge happening on April 9th 22nd. your cell phones and open up Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser Columbia Cottage Bingo: your App and let’s get some to benefit Palmyra’s Great January 16th, March 19th, May dates on the calendar…. Give Sunday, August 30th 11 14th, July 16th, September 17th, Here’s a newer version of my am – 4 pm November 19th 2020 calendar: Palmyra’s Great Give coupled Adopt-a-Highway: We support many local or- with the Charity Motorcycle 4 times a year: one per sea- ganizations through the fol- Ride and the Palmyra Area son lowing events: ChiliFEST happening on Sep- Remember, this list doesn’t Super Bowl Can Drive happen- tember 19th even include Missions oppor- The Fall Feeding Frenzy 5K tunities, Operation Christmas LOOKING FOR happening on October 31st Child, Quarters for a Cause, DIRECTORY SPONSORS! Veteran’s Luncheon happen- Community Gardens Initia- Advertise your business! Space is available in Gravel Hill UMC’s ing on November 1st tive, Kidz Choir, Adult Choir, Online Church Directory! Use our banner ADs to generate busi- The Christmas Market hap- Adult and Children Christian ness or announce special events or promotions. Each AD banner pening on Friday, November Ed Teachers, Vacation Bible th is 728 pixels wide by 90 pixels tall. The size is fixed and cannot be 20 and Saturday, November School, Nursery Attendants, st changed. AD creation is the responsibility of the Business. The 21 etc… Advent Services happening Please…please, please…pray. ADs are promoted and placed by Gravel Hill’s Directory Adminis- 11/25-12/16 Consider. Reflect. Choose to trators. ADs are visible on computers, but not on mobile devices, Plus the following Isaiah 6:8 be fruitful. And as always, due to space constraints. Choose an option: opportunities: please feel free to reach out • Tab 1-Page AD (Member tab): $50 for six months Caitlin Smiles: to me with any additional th th ($8.33/Month) February 25 , March 12 , ministries, service projects, nd th th April 2 , May 20 , June 11 , etc…with which you feel we • Tab 2-Page AD (Family tab): $40 for six months th th July 15 , August 19 , October can assist! ($6.67/Month) 1st, November 5th, and Decem- ber 16th • Groups Tab AD: $30 for six months ($5/Month) Food Bank: • Staff Page AD: $20 for six months ($3.33/Month) January 16th, May 14th, July 16th, September 17th, Novem- See Tony Rose to take advantage of this advertising opportunity! ber 19th The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2 Page 7

February Birthdays

2/1 Earl Deimler 2/10 Harper Zimmerman 2/15 Lauren Mettley 2/22 Sharon Williamson Isaac Landis Cody Moyer 2/16 William Hinkle Janine Westenberger Chancellor Reisinger 2/11 Michael Dowdrick Jarrod Kulp Derek Smith 2/2 Keith Bohr Stuart Gussler Meredith Kreider 2/23 Shara Bomgardner 2/3 Michael Sternberger Barbara Reed Jamie Stewart Richard Stone Trevor Rettew 2/12 William Zeiders Ella Beam 2/24 Carole Shearer David Pallone Barbara Miller McKenzie Bomgardner Graham Schaffer Matthew Barrett Melanie Morris 2/18 Patrick Walmer Ursula Wolfer-Horowitz 2/4 Lisa Bardsley Michael Neiswender Scott Zimmerman 2/25 Nancy Hollis Deanna Wadel Jared Richard Gerrit Milbert 2/26 Mark Barbaretta Margaret Wadel Nancy Stamm Joel Curtis 2/27 Douglas Hetrick Maureen Mailander 2/13 Pamela Richard 2/19 Zakari Lehn Laura Klinger 2/5 Darian Blauch Rachel Kennedy 2/20 Riley Westenberger Robert Shearer 2/6 Marsha Sheibley Natalie Kennedy Katie Wagner Doug Houser Madilyn Farabaugh 2/14 Eric Blauch Cherri West Lucille Powell 2/7 Matthew Bomgardner Eileen Long Emily Eleutice 2/28 Alan Craver 2/8 Penny Sandiford Jonathan Curtis 2/21 Nathan Fuhrman 2/29 Aeden Hromco Jacob Tiffany Shawn Landis

John Puerto Rico Mission Trip, Through 2/28 Stewart

The mission team is getting ready to embark on another adventure accomplishing Partners In Missions God’s work. Thirteen people will be traveling to Puerto Rico on January 26th. Dur- Meetings Scheduled! ing the first week, they will be working in the central mountains at a Methodist March 10 church camp and a Methodist church in Ponce, a city on the southern coast of the May 12 island. During the second week, the team will be in Old San Juan, working at the old- 7:30-8:30pm est Methodist church in Puerto Rico. Heritage Room (Library) The main project for Camp Corson will be widening doorways to facilitate handicap accessibility. Keep in mind, walls are made of concrete block on the island, not like here. In Ponce, the team will be fixing a leaky church office roof, of course, this roof is solid cement. In Old San Juan, the team will be working on the stain-glass windows, replacing the ¼ inch thick plexiglass that is protecting these historical works of spiritual inspiration. During this 2-week pilgrimage, the team will be accomplishing many other smaller projects at these locations and thanking the Lord for the opportunity to accomplish God’s work. Please help us with these efforts by keeping this mission team in your thoughts and prayers. When you are in a situation or somewhere outside your comfort zone, knowing someone is praying for you is truly inspirational. Thank you for your support! Page 8 The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2

Judy Youth Group News Kennedy

Over the past several This project has raised Also, mark your calen- weeks, we’ve heard sev- almost $3 million to end dars for our annual Pot eral testimonies from hunger and poverty Pie Dinner, Saturday, adults in the congrega- worldwide, and we are March 21. Sign-ups will tion. THANK YOU to excited to share our be available soon at the those who shared their goal, work with the welcome center! stories with us! Gravel Hill faith community, and create change. We’re now looking Look for our display ahead to raising funds during Lent. for Heifer International.

Keep checking on social media for updates on any other youth activities. Questions can be directed to Judy Kennedy (717-202-5449) or [email protected].

UMCOR Advance Specials

100% of any monetary gift you provide to UMCOR is given directly to the specific area in which it was intended. If you are able to help please use: #982450: Use this number in reference to disaster response and helping people worldwide, including the residents of the Bahamas. #901670: Use this number in reference to helping the U.S. Disaster Response efforts through UMCOR.

Katie Social Media Landis

Check us out at: www.gravelhillumc.org Are you on social media? Join us by searching: Gravel Hill Church (Facebook)& like our page @GravelHill (Twitter) Would you like an electronic version of the Sunday Bulletin? You can have the Sunday bulletin sent to your inbox! It is easy to sign up to receive it! Open the Gravel Hill homepage (gravelhillumc.org). Click on Media. Select newsletter. When the newsletter page opens, scroll to the bottom to fill out the form. Select Hill Highlights (Digital Sunday Bulletin), and click Submit. Your Sunday Bulletin will appear in your email Sunday morning. Please contact me with any questions: [email protected] The BEACON VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2 Page 9

Easter Lily Orders

Accepted during February/March, $7.50/plant Please make checks payable to: GHUMC, note Easter Lily in memo line. Order forms are on Welcome Center. Please take home your plant after Easter Worship!