Week of December 27, 2015

Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cereal, macaroni & cheese, fruit, pasta, crackers, peanut butter, and soup.

Offering Envelopes
Please remember to pick up your 2016 offering envelopes after service today. They are located on the table in the lobby.

New Member Photos
Chuck Erisman will be photographing new members between services on Sunday, January 10th. If you are a new member who is not currently included in the church photo directory or on the additional insert of recent new members, please call the church office  at (717) 392-5718 to sign up to have your photo taken.

New Moms Support Request
The New Moms Support Group is looking for volunteers to help the Laymon family through February. If interested, please contact Donna Carr at (717) 397-6305.

End of Fiscal Year 2015
Every year the Stewardship Commission allows contributions to be accepted for a few days after the new year to accommodate those who like to consider their tax situation before making their final donations. If you would like to take advantage of this grace period and send a donation in January to be credited to your 2015 statement, please make sure your check is post-dated for 2015 and it is in the office by the morning of January 5th. Thank you.

Children’s Christmas Play
We often forget that Christmas is a season, not a day. We forget that it continues until January 6 when we begin the season of Epiphany. That being said, we have the opportunity to continue to tell the birth story of Jesus with the children during the children’s time on January 3 at the 9:15 am service. On December 27 during Pajama Day, Rev. Heather Giffen (with the help of parents) will be assigning parts and costumes to children who can participate. The children will not have speaking parts, but will be asked to come to the center of the Sanctuary when their part is called. If your child is not able to come on Pajama Day, but you would like them to participate on January 3rd, please email Rev. Giffen at heatherg@apostlesucc.org. Please plan to arrive by 9 am to have your child get a costume and be told the group they will be joining. We look forward to continuing the celebration of this Christmas season with you on January 3!

Pictures or Announcements?
If you have pictures to share within the congregation of events or announcements to be added to the Announcement slides on a Sunday morning, please send them to Soundman@apostlesucc.org. This is the new professional email for Technology Specialist, Anthony Strohm. Thank you for the many things you share as it makes our journey together more meaningful!

New Piano
After years of service (beginning at St. Paul’s), the piano in the choir room is beyond repair. This fall, the choir decided to donate funds earned from pie baking at the Bazaar to purchase a new piano. We have researched and found a piano from the Cunningham Piano Factory in Philadelphia. For $10,690, they will remove the current piano and deliver the new one. We have been blessed with donations, but are in need of additional financial support. If you are interested in supporting this need, please contact Cindy Kahler.

 




COA Sub Fundraiser

Youth Fundraiser: Super Bowl Sub Sale

Are you hosting a Super Bowl party in 2016? If so, why not avoid the kitchen altogether and help a good cause at the same time?

Our Youth Group will be sponsoring a sub fundraiser (just in time for the Super Bowl!) to raise funds for their trip to the National Youth Conference being held at Disney World on July 26-30, 2016. Subs will be delivered to the church on February 7th, 2016.

If you have any questions, please contact Erika Neiderer at (717) 892-1131. Completed orders and payments must be received by January 24th, 2016. 

 

Youth Fundraiser

 




Isaac’s/COA Youth Fundraiser

On Monday, January 18, 2016 from 5-9 pm, Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches (Centerville) will host a fundraiser to benefit Church of the Apostles’ Youth Group. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the cost of your meal will go directly to the Youth Group. Bring your friends and family to enjoy great food and to support this cause. We hope to see you there.

 

Isaacs




Book Club

The COA book club meets every second Tuesday of the month at 2 pm in the library. Please join us on January 12th to discuss Josiah For President by Martha Bolton. The group will also discuss suggested books for the remainder of 2016. If you have any questions, please contact Clara Kosmela at (717) 569-9960.

 




Saturday Morning Breakfast

On Saturday, January 2, 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.




Week of December 20, 2015

Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cereal, macaroni & cheese, fruit, pasta, crackers, peanut butter, and soup.

Offering Envelopes
Please remember to pick up your 2016 offering envelopes after service today. They are located on the table in the lobby.

Christmas Eve Services
Join us on Thursday, December 24th in celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3:00 pm — Candlelight Communion Service
7:00 pm — Candlelight Service presented by all choirs and orchestra

Our services will recall the birth of the Christ Child and provide the opportunity to sing beloved carols. The afternoon service will be a traditional service with candlelight and communion, and will feature solo instrumentalists and vocalists. The evening service will be a traditional service with candlelight, and feature an orchestra, our bell choir, plus our adult and children’s choirs. Come to remember the spirit of Christmas in word and song as we celebrate the gift of our Savior!

Bethany and Hoffman Homes Offering
Christmas Eve will bring us together for the celebration of the rebirth of the Christ spirit in our lives. If you have not yet given your offering to support Bethany & Hoffman  Homes, please consider doing so.

Christmas Eve Service
Readers are needed for our Christmas Eve service at 3 pm. If you are willing to volunteer, please speak with Pastor Kuhn.

New Member Photos
Chuck Erisman will be photographing new members between services on Sunday, January 10th. If you are a new member who is not currently included in the church photo directory or on the additional insert of recent new members, please call the church office  at (717) 392-5718 to sign up to have your photo taken.

Advent Crispus Attucks
Jesus said to Simon “Feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep.”  John 21:15-17
On the first Sunday in Advent, members of our church – young and old – joined ranks to help prepare and then serve a warm meal of chicken corn and vegetable beef soups, sandwiches, fruit, and cupcakes to 94 very appreciative guests at Crispus Attucks. Preparations began in the morning during the Advent workshop where our children and youth iced and decorated dozens of cupcakes donated by church members while soup that was made at bazaar was thawed and warmed in the kitchen. In the early afternoon, volunteers made sandwiches, coffee, and Tang. Everything was packed up and taken to Crispus Attucks for the 5 pm meal. Many of our guests had second and third helpings and also appreciated the hats and scarves that were offered. Thank you so much to the 20 volunteers, including seven youth that made this ministry possible once again this Advent season.

New Moms Support Request
New Moms Support is looking for volunteers to help the Laymon family. If interested, please contact Donna Carr at (717) 397-6305.

Pajama Day
Sunday School’s third annual Pajama Day will be held on Sunday, December 27 from 9:30-10:30 am. Children are welcome to come to church in their jammies and slippers for a morning of games, songs, crafts, and treats. Donations of cookies are appreciated.

 




Pajama Day

Sunday School’s third annual Pajama Day will be held on Sunday, December 27 from 9:30-10:30 am. Children are welcome to come to church in their jammies and slippers for a morning of games, songs, crafts, and treats. Donations of cookies are appreciated.

 




Christmas Eve Services

Thursday, December 24th in celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service

7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service presented by all choirs and orchestra

Our services will recall the birth of the Christ Child and provide the opportunity to sing beloved carols. The afternoon service will be a traditional service with candlelight and communion, and will feature solo instrumentalists and vocalists. The evening service will be a traditional service with candlelight, and feature an orchestra, our bell choir, plus our adult and children’s choirs. Come to remember the spirit of Christmas in word and song as we celebrate the gift of our Savior!

 




Youth Fundraiser

Date: Saturday, December 19
Time: 5-8 pm

Do you need to buy Christmas gifts without having to take your child(ren) with you? The Youth Group will be holding a babysitting and gift-wrapping fundraiser to raise funds to attend next year’s National Youth Event. Snacks will be provided in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10 per child, or $25 for three or more siblings. Childcare providers are CPR/First-Aid certified with completed background checks.

Gift-wrapping services by the youth will be available in room 305 for a suggested donation of $5.

 




Lancaster Interfaith Vigil

An interfaith vigil will be held on Thursday, December 17 from 6-7 pm at the Penn Square/Fulton Bank Quadrant in Lancaster City. Local clergy from various denominations, the Lancaster Islamic Center, and Mayor Rick Gray will host the vigil with members of the community who are also committed to reminding our Muslim brothers and sisters that they are valued as a part of Lancaster’s interfaith community.

The schedule of events will be as follows:
* A Buddhist Singing Bowl will be rung by a Buddhist Priest
* Welcome and lighting of the candles
* A Reading by a member of the Islamic Center
* A reading by Rabbi Paskoff
* A reading by The Reverend Kathy Kuhn
* Mayor Gray’s closing comments

Please join us for what will surely be a powerful event.