News from the Faithful Community
MAY 2012
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
1333 Cowpath Rd, Hatfield, PA 19440
Web: www.hatfieldcob.org
e-mail:
Church Office: (215)855-3064
As Christians, we should all recognize the importance of prayer in our lives. We pray at home, church, and if you are like me, in the car. We pray for needs and situations. We pray for our government, our ministries, our families, our communities, etc. We may even wish we prayed to the Lord more often.
Did you know that Jesus prayed for us? John 17:20-21 records His prayer: “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (NRSV). Right before his arrest and execution, Jesus prayed for future believers, which includes us, to be unified in God so the world would believe.
Did you know that Jesus still prays for us? Have you ever thought about that reality? “Consequently he [Jesus] is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Or, consider Romans 8:34: “Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.”
So what does this mean? It means that Jesus prays for us. Simple. Jesus prays for us! Did you catch that? He is praying for you! He is praying for me! So, before we pray for ourselves, or others pray for us, Jesus has already been praying for us. Imagine how many times it has been His prayers that are at work in our lives. Imagine what exactly Jesus may be praying about for us. Imagine the answer rate on His prayers.
Believe me – we need Jesus to pray for us. How great is our need for Him who carries our anxieties, burdens, and sins!
Let us be awestruck, grateful and reassured that the One who is with us always is the One who is praying for us. Savor this truth! And let us not forget that we have the greatest intercessor of all time in our corner, praying. What a faithful and loving God we serve!
Grace to you this month,
Brother Brandon
Our Church in Action
THE SEMINARY CORNER . . .
Brother Brandon’s article is on the Front Page. Brandon will be graduating from Bethany Seminary on May 5, 2012. His family is traveling to Richmond, IN to help Brandon and Katrina celebrate this monumental event. If you would like to send congratulations to him, his address is: Rev. Brandon Hanks, 702 E. Main Street.,
Suite B, Richmond, IN 47374. Please keep Brandon and Katrina in your prayers as they seek God’s guidance for their future.
FOOD CUPBOARD NEWS . . .
The Food Cupboard is so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of about 20 volunteers, and this month we were happy to welcome Merle & Larry Landes. We appreciate the extra help and are always looking for more volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in helping, please leave a message at the church or call Kelly Poehlmann at 610-256-9303.
We were excited this month to find out that two women who come to our Food Cupboard have recently gotten part-time jobs. They were so happy to share their good news with us! And a gentleman that recently started coming to the Cupboard just took and passed his GED exam. It’s nice to hear that good things are happening for our food cupboard families, especially in this tough economy!
This month we are working with the Hatfield Community Christian Coalition to provide a free clothing exchange for families in need. The clothing exchange will be held at Emmanuel EC on Saturday, May 5th from 9am -2pm. It’s not too late to donate clean, usable clothing that you no longer need. If you have items to donate please contact Janet at Emmanuel (215-855-2540) to make arrangements to drop off your items. And if you know someone in need who could benefit from our clothing exchange, please tell them to stop by on Saturday!
In honor of Mothers’ Day this month, our friends at Indian Creek Church of the Brethren in Harleysville are collecting personal care items (shampoo, body wash, lotions, etc) that we will use to make gift bags to give to all the women coming to the Food Cupboard this month. If you would like to donate items for the gift bags please drop them off at church by May 13th. We hope this little bit of pampering will help to brighten the day for these special ladies!
OUR CHURCH IN ACTION - continued
NEWS FROM FRIENDSHIP HOUSE CHILD DAY CARE CENTER . . .
As our school year is quickly coming to a close, we are preparing for many special events. The first week in May we are hosting a Book Fair and Art Show. To highlight this event, we will have an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, May 2nd from 7-8:30pm. We also have invited Marie Delp, a local author who has written the “Patches the dog” books, and she will be reading to the children during Wednesday evening’s event.
This past month the children have been studying many famous artists and the feedback from our parents is very positive. They are really impressed that their children are coming home talking about Jackson Pollock and the type of paintings he made as well as Monet who lives where the Eiffel Tower is located. As the children have been studying artists’ works, they have also been creating artwork inspired by them. All are invited to attend any and all of these activities.
We are celebrating Earth Day by working in the playground, and the older children helped to dig up weeds and gather new seedlings of trees. We planted the tree seedlings and each child was given a tree to take home to plant. We also had a visit from Farmer Anita of Quiver Farms. She brought 12 eggs that we are going to watch hatch and take care of. The children are the “Chickie Mommys and Daddys” throughout this learning activity. Please come down to the school to see our new babies arrive. They will be going back home on Friday May 4th.
For Mothers Day this year we tried a Fundraiser of hanging flower baskets from Diddens Green House in Hatfield. We will also be hosting “Muffins with Mommy” on Friday, May 11th for our mothers. It is always a fun and exciting time when the parents visit.
We will be once again sponsoring a Trike-A-Thon for St. Judes Hopsital. The children get to ride bikes for this event with popsicles as a treat. During this week we will be looking at transportation and things on “Wheels”. The Race Car Track is created by the children with teacher help and includes a gas station, water stop, garage for tire changes and a super fast track. It is fun!
Looking ahead, this year’s Graduation and Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 13th at 3pm. There will be a program featuring the children with songs and special presentations. The graduating Pre-K’s will be in cap and gown. There will be a picnic immediately following the program. All are invited to attend.
Mary Catherine Reilly,
Director
MAY BIRTHDAYS
19 – Barb Kinsey
26 – Andrew Hanks
MAY ANNIVERSARY
18- John and Carole Bruning
Friendship House
Book Fair, Art Show
Ice Cream Social
This Book Fair/Art Show will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd from 7-8:30pm. To highlight the evening, we will have an Ice Cream Social. Marie Delp, a local author who has written the “Patches the Dog” books will be here to read to the children during the evening. Please browse the book tables in the back of the sanctuary. The books are cash-n-carry.
DIRECTORY UPDATE . . .
§ Steve Orzel – new e-mail address:
WOMEN’S EVENT . . .
Tuesday, May 8th
§ 7:00pm. Spring Celebration Special at the Quakertown Church of the Brethren. The guest speaker is Kathy Piepmeyer from radio station WBYN-fm. Many of you listen to this station and hear Kathy along with John Yoast throughout the day. She will share her testimony (faith walk) and her experiences working at a Christian radio station. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow. Please let Barb Kinsey or Connie Holbert know by Sunday, May 6th if you wish to attend. We will car pool.
Sunday, May 13th
§ Calling all moms! Happy Mother’s Day! Bring the whole family to worship at 10:00am. What a way to help you celebrate your special day.
GUEST SPEAKERS . . .
Sunday, May 6th
§ Rick Houseknecht from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield. Rick is the Director of Academic Services and a Hebrew Professor at the Seminary. He lives in Emmaus.
Sunday May 13th
§ Rev. Clay Moyer from Indian Creek Church of the Brethren.
Sunday, May 20th
§ David Whetstone from Indian Creek Church of the Brethren.
Sunday, May 27th
§ Rick Houseknecht from Biblical Seminary. As above.
THIS - N – THAT
Sweet Hour of Prayer – Will be held on Thursdays at 7pm at the home of Barb and Paula Kinsey, 557 E. Broad Street, Souderton. We will follow the simple acronym, ACTS, as described below. Our main focus will be personal and church growth. Follow the example of Jesus . . . set aside this time for corporate prayer as you continue in your personal prayer life. Let us pray together and see what God can do.
Talking to God
Prayer is simply communicating with God, according to Worldwide Challenge. It is a relationship experience, more than words or an activity. Jesus, whose days were filled with many pressures, made prayer a priority. The simple acronym, ACTS, offers guidance for prayer: adoration that is simply praising God, confession of sins, thanksgiving for God’s blessings, and supplication for help concerning your needs and the needs of others.
--Toolkit
Volume 39 Number 3; May/June 2012
Work Night at Church – The 4th Wednesday of every month we will have work night at church. Time to begin is 7pm. We will work off of the posted list. Come on out and help get the church in tip-top shape!
May NEWSLETTER information is due Sunday, April 22nd
Skin Cancer Screening will be held FREE of charge Saturday, May 12th 8am to 10am at the Orthopedic and Spine Institute, Ground Floor in the Lansdale Hospital, 100 Medical Campus Drive, Lansdale. Skin cancer is the most common and most curable type of cancer. Screening is sponsored by NPVNA and Lansdale Hospital. Dermatologists Andrew Kaplan, MD, Allan Mineroff, MD, Marvin Sasson, MD and Michael Stierstorfer, MD will provide the service. Prevention and treatment information will be available. Pre- registration is required by calling 215-855-6191.
Walkers Wanted (stroller riders too!) The 18th Annual Family Fun Walk to benefit COBYS Family Services will be held Sunday, May 6th 4pm at Peter Becker Community, Harleysville. If you are interested in walking this three-mile walk or making a donation, please pick up a flyer from the glass case in the foyer of the church.
Memorial Day Picnic on Sunday – We will have a picnic following Worship on Sunday, May 27th. Hot dogs, rolls, condiments and drink will be provided. Please bring a picnic item to share. All are invited.
Praise Dinner to benefit COBYS Family Services, Evangelical Seminary, Friendship Community, On Fire Youth Ministry will be held Thursday, May 3rd, 6pm and Lebanon Expo Facilities, Lebanon, PA. Buffet Style Meal with entertainment & inspiration by the Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Tony Campolo. Cost per person: $100. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. 100% of your contribution directly benefits the above mentioned ministries. For more info please contact: or call 717-866-2130.
Ambler COB has invited us for a “family weekend” camping at Camp Swatara on Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-13, 2012). We use the cabins and lodge in the West Area and cook our own meals. It is an intergenerational event with crafts and study. Cost per person for lodging is $57 for two nights and $32 for one night. Children 3-8 yrs are half price and up to 2 yrs are free. Contact Betty Lou Nyce (215) 855-8240 ASAP.
Peter Becker Community Annual Benevolent Care Fund Dinner will be May 17th, from 6-8pm. Cost $130/person. Make reservations or a donation by contacting Paul Nye, VP of Mission Support, and 215-703-4015.
New Everence Resource – Everence’s Personal Financial Affairs Directory is a resource that helps people take a step towards organizing your information, preparing for your future, and taking care of the gifts God has given you. See Connie Holbert, Everence advocate for a copy.
Roll & Stroll to benefit Indian Creek Foundation will be held Saturday, June 16th at the Indian Creek Foundation facility, 420 Cowpath Road, Souderton. Register by May 25th and receive a t-shirt. Visit www.rollandstroll.com for more information and to register. See the bulletin board for more information.
It is time to think about Camp Swatara. Check out the bulletin board for some Camp Swatara events scheduled for May. Summer Camp registration is now open. Brochures are on the glass case in the foyer. Register for summer camp early. After May 19th all camps will go up in price by $25 for the late registration.