Bring the little ones to have breakfast with Santa on December 12 from 8:30 am–10:30 am with story time at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, and fruit. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 2-10. Bring your camera for a picture with Santa!
Come join us for a long-time Christmas tradition and carol singing. A “Christmas Banquet” will be held on Friday, December 11th at 12 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $20 per person. Please make checks out to COA and write “Christmas Banquet” in the memo portion. Checks must be given to Bill Higgs or placed in the “New Beginnings” mailbox in the church office by December 6th. Transportation for Homestead attendees will be provided by the Homestead van. If transportation is needed, please indicate so with your check.
Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cereal, Macaroni & Cheese, fruit, pasta, crackers, peanut butter, and soup.
Grocery Gift Cards
Are you planning to do a lot of cooking in December? If you order and pay for grocery cards after church today, you will be helping Outreach while you cook. Stores give churches a discount so we can help people in need. Our Outreach Program will be using the money for Saturday Morning Breakfast and the Crispus Attucks meal in December.
New Beginnings
Come join us for a long-time Christmas tradition and carol singing. A “Christmas Banquet” will be held on Friday, December 11th at 12 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $20 per person. Please make checks out to COA and write “Christmas Banquet” in the memo portion. Checks must be given to Bill Higgs or placed in the “New Beginnings” mailbox in the church office by December 6th. Transportation for Homestead attendees will be provided by the Homestead van. If transportation is needed, please indicate so with your check.
Breakfast with Santa
Bring the little ones to have breakfast with Santa on December 12 from 8:30 am–10:30 am with story time at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, and fruit. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 2-10. Bring your camera for a picture with Santa!
Children’s Christmas Shopping
Apostles Community Preschool will be holding its annual Children’s Shopping Room on Saturday, December 12, in conjunction with the church Santa Breakfast. Children will have the opportunity to shop for inexpensive gifts for their family members secretly, with the help of Preschool parents. Times are 8:30 am-12:00 noon. Come and join the fun!
Preschool Pre-registration
Apostles Community Preschool is currently holding pre-registration for church members for the 2016-17 school year. Classes are available for children ages 2-5. Please call Linda Lewis, Registrar, at (717) 392-7437 if you would like to register. In January, registration opens for the general public.
Trinity UCC Concert
Trinity UCC (2340 State Street, East Petersburg, PA) will host a concert featuring the Trinity Church Musicians on Sunday, December 6 at 6 pm. Dessert will be available after the concert. Please call (717) 569-1632 for dessert reservations. A free-will offering will benefit the Trinity Music Ministry and Music for Everyone.
Transportation to Worship
In COA, there are members who are unable to attend worship on Sundays due to transportation issues. However, most of our members live near at least one other member, so we would like to see if we can set up a ministry within our congregation to provide rides—at least occasionally—for those who are unable to drive to church themselves. We envision a process where we would have a list of names and addresses of people who would like a ride to church and what service they prefer to attend. That list could be kept at the Welcome Center and, if you are willing to drive someone, you could find someone on the list and contact them to offer them a ride. You can choose when you are available to drive someone—once, twice, once in a while, or whatever works for your schedule.
If you need a ride, please complete the form or contact the church office and give them your name, address, the service time you prefer, and the frequency you would like to attend worship. If you are willing to drive, stop at the Welcome Center and ask to see the list of requests.
On Saturday, December 5, Church of the Apostles will be serving breakfast to the hungry at First Reformed UCC on Orange Street. Beginning at 8 a.m. a breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage, pancakes, cereal, orange juice, baked goods, coffee, tea, and milk will be prepared and served to approximately 200 appreciative guests.
15-20 volunteers (no experience necessary!) are needed each month for this worthy ministry. If you are interested in volunteering any first Saturday from 8-10:30 a.m. please contact Julie Berkow.
Are you planning to do a lot of cooking in December? If you order and pay for grocery cards after church today, you will be helping Outreach while you cook. Stores give churches a discount so we can help people in need. Our Outreach Program will be using the money for Saturday Morning Breakfast and the Crispus Attucks meal in December.
Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cereal, Macaroni & Cheese, fruit, pasta, crackers, peanut butter, and soup.
Welcome
Today is Rev. Heather Giffen’s first Sunday with us. Remember to welcome her to COA!
Advent Workshop
Join us for crafts, food, and fellowship on Sunday, November 29 from 10:30 am to 1 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Suggested donations include: 1 dozen cupcakes (to decorate for the Crispus Attucks dinner) and new hats or gloves for Crispus Attucks.
Grocery Gift Cards
Are you planning to do a lot of cooking in December? If you order and pay for grocery cards after church today, you will be helping Outreach while you cook. Stores give churches a discount so we can help people in need. Our Outreach Program will be using the money for Saturday Morning Breakfast and the Crispus Attucks meal in December.
Choral Concert
Members of Apostles Choir will be joining First Presbyterian Choir, First UMC Chancel Choir, and Lancaster Bible College Chamber Singers for a choral concert at First Presbyterian Church at 2 pm today. The concert will feature the works of composer Dan Forrest, both solo piano works and anthems representing the major seasons of the church year. Come join us for an afternoon of glorious music.
Bazaar Soup
Thank you to all our dedicated soup volunteers that diced and chopped, stirred and ladled soup, sold soup, took soup and sandwiches around to the vendors, lifted the heavy containers in and out of the refrigerated truck, and who did a mountain of dishes throughout the week! It took over 65 people to make our soup a reality! We are so appreciative of all your hard work. It would not be possible without you! It is such generosity of spirit and time by you, our volunteers, that makes this church great!
Thanksgiving Community Service
Church of the Apostles, in cooperation with five other local churches, will host a Thanksgiving service on Tuesday, November 24 at 7 pm. Please join us during this time of thanks! The offering will benefit the Hempfield Food Pantry.
Christmas Decorating
Christmas decorating for the Sanctuary and Narthex will take place on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 beginning at 9:00 am. We need some of our younger members and anyone willing to give an hour or two of their time to assist. Sign-up sheets are on the table in front of the stairway in the Narthex, or you can call Bernie Fickes at (717) 393-6644. All help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Pledge Card Reminder
Today is the third Sunday in our Stewardship Pledge Campaign. We’ve been getting a wonderful response from our members, and we want to thank all of you who have given so generously to Church of the Apostles. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please mail it, drop it off in the church office, place it in the offering plate, or bring it with you next Sunday.
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who shared their time, talents, and treasures to help make the 38th Christmas in the Country Bazaar a success. A labor of love was made by all of us. The shoppers came out on a beautiful day, the food seemed to be gone in a flash, the pies made smiles all around, and the vendors were all happy with their sales. It was a successful Bazaar. The approximate gross income amounted to be $14,500. If anyone has receipts, please place them in the “Christmas in the Country” mailbox in the church office for processing. A final total will be announced shortly.
Food Hub Fundraiser
COA raised $335.39 for the food hub at the Iron Hill Give 20 night this week! Thank you to everyone who supported this worthy cause!
Join our Family Advent Workshop on November 29 from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Enjoy crafts and fun getting ready for the Christ Child. All are welcome to return to the church at 4 p.m. to pack food for Crispus Attucks, and then ride together to serve the meal at 5 p.m.
Church of the Apostles, in cooperation with five other local churches, will host a Thanksgiving service on Tuesday, November 24 at 7 p.m. Please join us during this time of thanks! Donations will benefit the Hempfield Food Pantry.
Our annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 22, at 10:15 am (between both services.) Our discussion will include: approval of the general operating budget for 2016, 2016 Church Council and Spiritual Council nominees, and a report from the Ministry Planning Committee. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting. Your participation helps formulate the future of Church of the Apostles.
Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cereal, Macaroni & Cheese, fruit, pasta, crackers, peanut butter, and soup.
Education Survey
Calling all procrastinators! This is the last Sunday you’ll see that colored insert from the Education Commission in your bulletin. If you’ve been meaning to fill it out, but haven’t had a chance yet, now’s the time! Our children’s ministries and outreach programs are strong because of people like YOU. They run on the combined efforts of church members who give just a few hours of their time; please join us! You can place your completed inserts in today’s offering plate, or return them to the church office. The Education Commission thanks you for giving back to these vital programs that COA offers to our children, youth, and the larger community.
Food Hub Fundraiser
Come out to Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant at any time on November 17th to enjoy great food and to support a good cause! As long as you bring a coupon, which is available on our website or at the Welcome Center, 20% of your check will go toward our Food Hub Fundraiser. We hope to see you there!
Advent Workshop
Join us for crafts, food, and fellowship on Sunday, November 29 from 10:30 am to 1 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Suggested donations include: 1 dozen cupcakes (to decorate for the Crispus Attucks dinner) and hats or gloves for Crispus Attucks.
Children’s Ministry Team
The next Children’s Ministry meeting will be held on Sunday, December 6 at 10:30 am in Room 303. Anyone interested in the Children’s ministry is welcome.
Grocery Gift Cards
Have you considered giving a grocery card as a Christmas gift, or as a gift to the Assistance Fund? If so, you can sign up in the office after church. You can choose the grocery store (Stauffers, Weis, or Giant) and the amount (different stores offer different amounts.) These stores give churches a discount so that we can help people in need. Bring a check and the cards will be ready for you on the first Sunday in December.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Our annual Congregational Meeting will be held next Sunday, November 22, at 10:15 am (between both services.) Our discussion will include: approval of the general operating budget for 2016, 2016 Church Council and Spiritual Council nominees, and a report from the Ministry Planning Committee. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting. Your participation helps formulate the future of Church of the Apostles.
Associate Pastor
Next Sunday, November 22nd will be Rev. Heather Giffen’s first Sunday with us. Please come and welcome her to her new church home.
New Beginnings
Come join us for a long-time Christmas tradition and carol singing. A “Christmas Banquet” will be held on Friday, December 11th at 12 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $20 per person. Please make checks out to COA and write “Christmas Banquet” in the memo portion. Checks must be given to Bill Higgs or placed in the “New Beginnings” mailbox in the church office by December 6th. Transportation for Homestead attendees will be provided by the Homestead van. If transportation is needed, please indicate so with your check.