Attn: Middle School & High School Youth

Join us for the Super Bowl game, food, and fun…and help fight hunger!

When: Sunday, February 5
Time: 6:00—9:30 pm
Where: Church of the Apostles (Fellowship Hall)
Who: Middle School & High School Youth

Admission: A bag of non-perishable food items for the COA Food Bank
Donations will be used to feed the hungry in our community.

Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cold cereal, rice or rice helpers, pasta, crackers, dry soup, and canned items, including soups, fruits, beans, baked beans, tomatoes, and tuna.

Souper Bowl Sunday
Middle School and High School youth are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 5 from 6-10:30 pm to enjoy the Super Bowl game, food, and activities. We are asking that each youth bring a bag of non-perishable food items for the COA Food Bank to support this ministry.

Becoming an Apostle
Today’s meeting will be held in the Youth Center at 2 pm to meet Commission members.

New Beginnings
Rid yourself of the winter blues and join us for a dessert social and bingo party on Thursday, February 9 at 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $2 per bingo card.

Valentine Ministry
It is tradition for our congregation to treat your young men and women who are in college, technical school, or the military on Valentine’s Day. If you have a son, daughter, or grandchild in college, or in the military, please call Linda Fuller at the church office to give her the names and addresses of these young people. We do not want to miss anyone on Valentine’s Day. The names are located in the Narthex. Choose a name and fill a “goodie” box with treats, a gift card, or whatever you would like, and send the box to the young person you have chosen. You will definitely help make someone’s day much brighter.

Garage Sale
Did you get a Christmas present that you don’t like or would never wear? If so, consider donating it to this year’s COA Garage Sale. If you haven’t started yet, it’s time to select a spot in your home where you can start putting items you want to donate to the Garage Sale. This year’s sale will be held after Easter on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. Please plan to donate your items from Monday, April 17 through Thursday, April 20. Help with preparation (unpacking, sorting, pricing, displaying) is also needed. We are also looking for cashiers on the days of the sale. We need help from everyone in one way or all ways! Please contact Clara Kosmela at the church office to volunteer. Thank you in advance for your help.

Service of Hope and Healing
A Service of Hope and Healing will be held at Church of the Apostles on Wednesday, February 8 at 7 pm. This service is open to everyone, especially those who might be going through a difficult time in life, or experiencing loss. It is our goal to create a worship  environment which allows everyone to feel that they are not alone during difficult times. We plan to host several of these services throughout the year. Please invite a friend you think might benefit from this service.

Heritage and Horizons
The spring 2017 session of Heritage and Horizons will begin on March 7 and continue for five Tuesdays through April 4. The five-week series costs $15 for the entire series, or for as often as you choose to attend. Sessions will be held from 9:30 am—11:50 am and includes a 20-minute break with snacks and refreshments. Dr. Lee Barrett, Professor of Theology at the Lancaster Theological Seminary, will present five sessions on the topic “Can the United States Still Learn Something from the Protestant Reformation?”, along with other speakers who will discuss “How We Treat Our Elders,” “The Meaning of Growing Older,” “African Safari,” Shakespeare and the Folger Shakespeare Library,” and “J.P. McCaskey: Lancaster’s Music Man.”

Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cold cereal, rice or rice helpers, pasta, crackers, dry soup, and canned items, including soups, fruits, beans, baked beans, tomatoes, and tuna.

Rader Park Informational Sessions
There is one more chance to hear about the Rader Park plans after service today. There is a presentation that is going on in the Parlor right now until 12:30 pm. Come join us and hear for yourself what everyone is talking about. If you were not able to attend any of the sessions, come set up a time with us for you to hear the presentation. We don’t want to leave anyone out of the loop.

Souper Bowl Sunday
Middle School and High School youth are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 5 from 6-10:30 pm to enjoy the Super Bowl game, food, and activities. We are asking that each youth bring a bag of non-perishable food items for the COA Food Bank to support this ministry.

Becoming an Apostle
Today’s meeting will be held in the main lobby at 2 pm.

New Beginnings
Rid yourself of the winter blues and join us for a dessert social and bingo party on Thursday, February 9 at 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $2 per bingo card.

Valentine Ministry
It is tradition for our congregation to treat your young men and women who are in college, technical school, or the military on Valentine’s Day. If you have a son, daughter, or grandchild in college, or in the military, please call Linda Fuller at (717) 984-2717 to give her the names and addresses of these young people. We do not want to miss anyone on Valentine’s Day. The names received will be placed on the Valentine Tree in the Narthex within the next week. Choose a name from the tree and fill a “goodie” box with treats, a gift card, or whatever you would like, and send the box to the young person you have chosen. You will definitely help make someone’s day much brighter.

Garage Sale
Did you get a Christmas present that you don’t like or would never wear? If so, consider donating it to this year’s COA Garage Sale. If you haven’t started yet, it’s time to select a spot in your home where you can start putting items you want to donate to the Garage Sale. This year’s sale will be held after Easter on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. Please plan to donate your items from Monday, April 17 through Thursday, April 20. Help with preparation (unpacking, sorting, pricing, displaying) is also needed. We are also looking for a cashier on the days of the sale. We need help from everyone in one way or all ways! Please contact Clara Kosmela at (717) 569-9960 to volunteer. Thank you in advance for your help.

Silence Optional Concert
Duo Chiaroscuro will again be performing at Church of the Apostles on Saturday, January 28 at 11 am. Pianist Maria Thompson Corley and cellist Sara Male make their art available to people like Maria’s son, Malcom, who is usually denied access to her concerts, and like others on the autism spectrum, struggles to sit quietly for long periods of time. The Duo offers three-themed programs: Song & Dance, All About Feelings and The Great Outdoors. Each program is less than an hour with short breaks throughout. A free-will offering will be taken.

Service of Hope and Healing
A Service of Hope and Healing will be held at Church of the Apostles on Wednesday, February 8 at 7 pm. This service is open to everyone, especially those who might be going through a difficult time in life, or experiencing loss. It is our goal to create a worship  environment which allows everyone to feel that they are not alone during difficult times. We plan to host several of these services throughout the year. Please invite a friend you think might benefit from this service.

Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cold cereal, rice or rice helpers, pasta, crackers, dry soup, and canned items, including soups, fruits, beans, baked beans, tomatoes, and tuna.

Market Basket
During the first three Sundays of each month, you have the opportunity to buy grocery cards in the office after service. You can buy cards for the following month and pick up the ones you ordered last month. Remember, the discount we earn from purchasing cards in bulk from Giant, Stauffers, and Weis provide food for the Saturday Breakfast downtown once a month. Helping others is easy, as well as a wonderful thing!

2017 Mission to the Homeless Special Offering
Today, we will be taking our annual Mission to the Homeless special offering. Envelopes are located at the Welcome Center or pews. Thank you for donating.

 Penn Central Conference Communication Focus Group
PCC is looking for input from our church regarding the resources and needs of our congregation. The meeting for our area is scheduled for Saturday, January 21 from 2-4 pm at Trinity UCC, Mountville. If you are able to attend, please call the PCC office at (717) 652-1560.

Rader Park Informational Sessions
Thank you to everyone who stopped in the Parlor last Sunday to hear the presentation about the future of Rader Park. We appreciate your taking the time to hear the facts so you can make an informed decision on February 12^th.

Another Rader Park Informational Session is going on right now in the Parlor.  We started at 8:30 am this morning and will continue until 12:30 pm. Learn what is planned for the park and get your questions answered. If Wednesdays are better for you, join us in the Parlor at 2:00 pm this Wednesday, January 18, to talk, listen, and snack. We will return in the evening on the 18^th at 6:00 pm in the West Lobby where you can talk, listen, and eat pizza while you hear the plans for the park. Please remember, next Sunday is the last session scheduled.

Crown Concert: Amy Yavonovich and TRP (The Reese Project)
Singer Amy Yovanovich will be in concert with TRP (The Reese Project) at Church of the Apostles on Friday, January 20 at 7 pm. She will sing the premiere performance of a new piece, “As the Mountains Kiss the Stream”, written by award-winning composer Tom Reese for voice, alto flute, and piano. Amy will also sing favorites such as “Over the Rainbow” and “Summertime” with TRP. TRP will perform original works and other Americana and celtic favorites. Amy’s rich, beautiful voice will be accompanied by Tom Reese on flutes, Kirk Reese on piano, and Laurie Haines Reese on cello. There is no cost for this event; a free-will offering will be taken.

Souper Bowl Sunday
Middle School and High School youth are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 5 from 6-10:30 pm to enjoy the Super Bowl game, food, and activities. We are asking that each youth bring a bag of non-perishable food items for the COA Food Bank to support this ministry.

New Beginnings
Rid yourself of the winter blues and join us for a dessert social and bingo party on Thursday, February 9 at 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $2 per bingo card.

Valentine Ministry
It is tradition for our congregation to treat your young men and women who are in college, technical school, or the military on Valentine’s Day. If you have a son, daughter, or grandchild in college, or in the military, please call Linda Fuller at (717) 392-5718 to give her the names and addresses of these young people. We do not want to miss anyone on Valentine’s Day. The names received will be placed on the Valentine Tree in the Narthex within the next week. Choose a name from the tree and fill a “goodie” box with treats, a gift card, or whatever you would like, and send the box to the young person you have chosen. You will definitely help make someone’s day much brighter.

Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cold cereal, rice or rice helpers, pasta, crackers, dry soup, and canned items, including soups, fruits, beans, baked beans, tomatoes, and tuna.

Market Basket
During the first three Sundays of each month, you have the opportunity to buy grocery cards in the office after service. You can buy cards for the following month and pick up the ones you ordered last month. Remember, the discount we earn from purchasing cards in bulk from Giant, Stauffers, and Weis provide food for the Saturday Breakfast downtown once a month. Helping others is easy, as well as a wonderful thing!

Penn Central Conference Communication Focus Group
PCC is looking for input from our church regarding the resources and needs of our congregation. The meeting for our area is scheduled for Saturday, January 21 from 2-4 pm at Trinity UCC, Mountville. If you are able to attend, please call the PCC office at (717) 652-1560.

Rader Park Informational Sessions
Today is the first Rader Park Informational Session in the Parlor, and it is running until 12:30 pm. Join us today after service, or stop in and make an appointment to hear about the plans at another time that would suit you better. If today is not a good day for you to stay, plan to come early next Sunday. We’ll be here by 8:30 am. Get a cup of coffee and some coffee cake and settle in to hear some exciting plans for the park. We will be back on Wednesday, January 11 too. Join us in the Parlor at 2:00 pm with snacks or in the West Lobby at 6:00 pm for pizza, salad, and drinks.

Lunch with the Pastors
The next lunch and conversation with Rev. Kathy Kuhn and Rev. Heather Giffen will be held in the Parlor following the second service on Sunday, January 15. Please RSVP to the church office at (717) 392-5718 if you plan to attend.

Hosts Needed
From March 23 through April 16 (Easter), Church of the Apostles will be hosting Nina Hortig, a theology student studying Christian Education in Cologne, Germany through our Penn Central Conference partnership with the Evangelical Church of the Rhineland. She will be leading and helping with many Christian Education programs throughout our time, as well as seeking unique American church experiences. As her host, we will need to provide a place for her to stay, as well as transportation. We need families to provide a place for her to stay (this will include a bed, meals, and access to laundry). In order to make the burden lighter for families, I am also asking if anyone is interested in helping with transportation (mostly rides to and from the church.) If interested, please email Pastor Heather at heatherg@apostlesucc.org by January 15.

Crown Concert: Amy Yavonovich and TRP (The Reese Project)
Singer Amy Yovanovich will be in concert with TRP (The Reese Project) at Church of the Apostles on Friday, January 20 at 7 pm. She will sing the premiere performance of a new piece, “As the Mountains Kiss the Stream”, written by award-winning composer Tom Reese for voice, alto flute, and piano. Amy will also sing favorites such as “Over the Rainbow” and “Summertime” with TRP. TRP will perform original works and other Americana and celtic favorites.
Amy’s rich, beautiful voice will be accompanied by Tom Reese on flutes, Kirk Reese on piano, and Laurie Haines Reese on cello. There is no cost for this event; a free-will offering will be taken.

2017 Mission to the Homeless Special Offering
On January 15^th, we will be taking our annual Mission to the Homeless special offering to help those struggling with homelessness. Please use the enclosed envelope for your offering. Thank you for considering donating generously to this ministry so we can continue supporting nonprofits that address the needs of the less fortunate in 2017.

Crown Concert Series presents: Amy Yavonovich and TRP (The Reese Project)
Church of the Apostles, January 20th, 7 pm

Amazing singer Amy Yovanovich will be in concert with TRP (The Reese Project) in Lancaster, PA at Church of the Apostles. She will sing the premiere performance of a new piece, “As the Mountains Kiss the Stream”, written by award-winning composer Tom Reese for voice, alto flute, and piano.

Amy will also sing favorites such as “Over the Rainbow” and “Summertime” with TRP. TRP will perform original works and other Americana and celtic favorites.

Amy’s rich, beautiful voice will be accompanied by Tom Reese on flutes, Kirk Reese on piano, and Laurie Haines Reese on cello.

There is no cost for this event. A free-will offering will be taken.

Food Bank
Needs: Specifically—cold cereal, rice or rice helpers, pasta, crackers, dry soup, and canned items, including soups, fruits, beans, baked beans, tomatoes, and tuna.

Market Basket
This is your first chance to sign up for Market Basket and collect this month’s grocery cards. Grocery cards are available from Giant, Stauffers, and Weis. Our discount helps feed the homeless downtown.

Rader Park Informational Sessions
The new year has brought exciting plans for Rader Park. On Sundays, January 8, 15 and 22, come to the Parlor anytime between 8:30 am—12:30 pm to view the plans and hear about the features of the park that will be added. Also on Wednesdays, January 11 and 18, join us at 2:00 pm in the Parlor or at 6:00 pm in the West Lobby to hear the presentation. Again, feedback is what we need. Refreshments will be served.

We are trying to accommodate a variety of schedules, but if none of these times work for you, let us know and we can schedule a separate session just for you.  We look forward to sharing the plans with everyone.

Becoming an Apostle
This month, we will again begin hosting informational sessions on Sunday afternoons at 2 pm in the Youth Center for those interested in church membership. The purpose of these sessions is to reflect on: “Who are we?” “What do we believe?” and “Where and when are we serving?” These sessions are open to anyone seeking answers to these questions.

Hosts Needed
From March 23 through April 16 (Easter), Church of the Apostles will be hosting Nina Hortig, a theology student studying Christian Education in Cologne, Germany through our Penn Central Conference partnership with the Evangelical Church of the Rhineland. She will be leading and helping with many Christian Education programs throughout our time, as well as seeking unique American church experiences. As her host, we will need to provide a place for her to stay, as well as transportation. So far, we have one family that has volunteered for a week, and, therefore, need two more families to provide a place for her to stay (this will include a bed, meals, and access to laundry). In order to make the burden lighter for families, I am also asking if anyone is interested in helping with transportation (mostly rides to and from the church.)  If interested, please email Pastor Heather at heatherg@apostlesucc.org or call the church office at (717) 392-5718 by January 15.

Opportunity for Service: Power Packs
Now in its 10^th year, Power Packs assists those in our community who are food insecure with weekend food and recipes for healthy meals. Distributed through 55 schools in 13 school districts, over 1,700 families receive Power Packs each week! Church of the Apostles has supported Power Packs’ ministry the past seven years by donating money for the purchase of food, donating fresh produce from the garden, and by helping to distribute packs of food each Thursday during the school year. Again this year, we are paired with Martin School where we distribute 36 packs each week.  This was a big jump from the 14 we were distributing last year, so we need additional help!

If you have two hours from approximately 1-3 pm on a Thursday during the school year, are able to lift 10-15 pounds, or help someone else lift that same amount, and want to help feed hungry families, let contact Julie Berkow at (717) 392-5718.