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Terry Brensinger's Sabbatical
Updates and photos can be found here.
As you must have noticed in the past few weeks, Terry Brensinger, our Senior Pastor, is away on a sabbatical until August 18. He, along with his wife and daughter, Deb and Julie, will reside at the Ecumenical Institute for Theological Research (Tantur) in Jerusalem. Please keep both the Brensingers and our congregation in your prayers during this period of separation. Also, be sure to check our website regularly for updates as well as pictures of the Brensingers in Jerusalem.
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Summer Sermons
Guest preachers this summer
Dr. Robert Ives, pastor emeritus will be our guest preacher in July.
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July 6
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Hungering for God's Message
Bob Ives |
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July 13
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Fixing Broken Pieces of the Universe
Bob Ives |
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July 20
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Solving the Great Mystery
Bob Ives |
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July 27
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Mike Holland |
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August 3
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Created for Hope
Eldon Fry |
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August 10
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Called to Hope
Eldon Fry |
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August 17
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Community of Hope
Eldon Fry |
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August 24
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Reflections from Sabbatical
Terry
(Welcome back celebration) |
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August 31
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Reflections from Sabbatical
Eldon Fry |
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Heart & Home
All daughters explore designs for joyful living
Research has shown that, for emotional and physical health, women benefit from being together, just engaging in “girl talk.” And so, on Saturday evening, April 26, one hundred women and girls gathered in Fellowship Hall for our All Daughters Banquet. The ladies enjoyed a delicious meal, prepared by Dan Asbury and Bob Woodring, and young men from the youth group waited on the tables. Special music was provided by Sherri and Lois Wolgemuth and Robyn Nothstein.
Brenda Gay Shumaker presented “Designs for Joyful Living,” helping the women to think about the design of rooms in their homes in comparison with their inner selves and their relationships with others.
The evening ended with a downpour, and youth pastor David Stuebing made multiple runs to the parking lot, so that ladies wouldn’t be drenched. Thanks so much to David and to all the people who made this evening such an enjoyable event.
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ADULT SUMMER SERVICE
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We hope you’ve been noticing occasional Body Life announcements as plans continue to develop for our summer service project at the Brethren in Christ Navajo Mission in New Mexico (July 19-26). And hopefully you’ve also become aware that this project is involving not only our youth, who will be leading a week of VBS with the Navajo kids near our mission, but also an energetic group of 15 adults who will be performing a variety of maintenance and construction tasks at the mission compound.
Our project plans include
- putting new metal roofing on two of the mission buildings;
- constructing ramps and walkways at several of the buildings to make them wheelchair accessible;
- doing some desert-style landscaping at the mission entrance to create a more inviting appearance; and,
- installing new flooring in one cottage.
Our service commitment involves not only getting ourselves there (each adult participant is contributing $450 from personal funds), and doing the work — we have also committed to purchase the materials we will be using on these projects. This is no small commitment— but it provides our congregational family with the opportunity to participate along with us!
There will be an in-gathering offering later this month to help cover these project costs. Watch for an envelope/notice in your church mailbox. In the strong name of Jesus, we can do this! — Art Bert, Adult Project Coordinator
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Library News
This summer two teams from Grantham Church will be experiencing life at the Navajo Mission as it is today. A library book by our own Paul Hostetler, A Mission to Bring Living Water to a Thirsty Land, describes the first 50 years of ministry at the Navajo Brethren in Christ Mission. I read this 41-page book to my family on our way driving to the Mission about ten years ago, and it made our visit more special.
Look for this thin book on the top shelf of the cart of missions books outside the library, or ask to reserve it if not found there. It qualifies for the annual reading challenge, so be sure to fill out a slip for the challenge when you are finished!
-- Edie Asbury
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Letters from Missionaries
Copies of letters from those serving in cross-cultural ministries, both in foreign countries and within our own country, can be found in the wall pockets adjacent to the Missions bulletin board in the narthex. Catch up with their lives and times by picking up your own copy of their letters. Then join with them in praise and petition.
New additions:
- News from Stuebings from Rich & Kathy Stuebing on staff at the Theological College of Central Africa, Ndlola, Zambia;
- May Update from Phyllis Engle, librarian at the Theological College of Central Africa;
- Thompson Trails from Neil, Wannee, Nathan & Kevin Thompson on assignment with Overseas Missions Fellowship, based in Littleton, CO;
- Kish News from Stephanie Kish, serving with Keys Ministries based in Middletown, PA.
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children's ministries news
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Sunday School News
Surely you’ve seen them — those bumper stickers that read, “Ask me about my grandchildren.” Well, I want one myself, but I want it to say, “Ask me about our 5th & 6th Graders!”
As soon as these 14 kids hit Sunday School last autumn, they started asking teachers Jeff and Ava May when they could go to Bethesda Mission’s Women’s and Children’s Shelter to serve a meal. The Mays had been unable to schedule that service project the previous year, and these kids were determined not to miss the opportunity that an earlier class had experienced.
The meal was scheduled for March 15. That afternoon, class members arrived at the church with brownies and cookies in hand. They prepared a fresh fruit salad, cut up chicken and put together Amish Chicken Noodle Casseroles and warmed the green beans. Everything was packed into the vans, and it was off to Harrisburg.
The kids made an extra effort to make the dining room look inviting, with tablecloths and flowers on the tables. While some waited at the doors to welcome the women as they arrived, others served in the food line.
Can I just tell you how proud you would have been of these kids? They smiled and chatted with the residents and sat down to eat with them. They were kind, friendly, helpful, respectful, cooperative … they absolutely rocked. It couldn’t help but bring to mind Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” They came away happy to have served and ready to serve again.
And serve again they did immediately, by spearheading the Penny Power campaign in our church. On April 5, they took Grantham’s donation of nearly $2000 to the Pennsylvania Relief Sale at the Farm Show Building. Once again they worked together, sorting some of the many coins donated by churches; and, once again, they had a good time serving.
This is the same group of kids that volunteered at MCC’s warehouse in Ephrata (see the March issue of the BodyBuilder), and they also help prepare snacks for the younger elementary kids on Sunday mornings.
It’s not always fun being a “tweener,” that awkward place between childhood and the teen years. But this team of tweens isn’t sitting around, waiting to grow up; they’ve shown us all that they are ready, willing, and able to use their hands to extend God’s love to the world around them. — Beth Huffnagle
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Many thanks to the Clubs staff:
Coordinators: Lisa Luft and Chrissy Hoffner
Pal-Gal Coordinator: Denise Fogelsanger
Childcare: Anita Hare, Carol Young, Diane King,
Malcolm McDermond, Micah Isley, Matt Ross, Andrea Fogelsanger, Genny Shafer, Emily Prior
5th & 6th Girls: Lili Hagenbuch, Lisa Weaver,
Tori Sider
5th & 6th Boys: Neil Weaver, Ken Sechrist
3rd & 4th Girls: Lori Warren, Helen
Gruenewald, Sally Young
3rd & 4th Boys: Andy Whitcomb, Jon Wheat,
Aaron Zercher
1st & 2nd Girls: Beth Huffnagle, Kathy Calhoun
1st & 2nd Boys: Duane Asper, Keith Prior
Kindergarten: Becki Fassl, Kim Goodreau,
Nicole Snell, Karin Beam, Emily Prior
Pre-K: Carrie Sider, John Sider
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Clubs: Another Word for Fun!
The chilly weather didn’t interfere with the fun for Clubs families, leaders, and friends at their end-of-the-year picnic on April 30.
While the third and fourth grade girls entertained the group with favorite songs, the boys kept the crowds busy moving from activity to activity. Outside, “ooos” and “ahhs” could be heard as the third and fourth grade leaders launched the rockets the boys built. Inside, the first and second grade boys had their sailboat races, blowing their boats down rain gutters.
The big attraction this year was the new 32' pinewood derby track, built by Paul Hostetler, with an electronic timing system added by Mike Huffnagle, with real time results displayed on a projection screen. The fans went wild as the cars ran the track and the times, separated by only hundredths of a second, were there for all to see. One race actually ended in a tie of 2.93 seconds! At the end of the evening, it was fun to see our teen guys dust off their own pinewood cars (saved from their Clubs days) and run the track.
As the Clubs leaders met the following week to review the year, coordinator Lisa Luft asked for “success stories.” She offered that certainly our missions offering of $759, enough to buy 6 bikes for pastors in Zambia, was gratifying.
First-year leader Jon Wheat effused, “We had an awesome time this year...there were moments that made it so worthwhile.” He confessed that there were times when he thought none of the boys were even hearing him, “and then someone spits out a response that shows they totally get the lesson!” He and co-leaders, Andy Whitcomb and Aaron Zercher, established “Role Models,” when dads were invited to come and build models or Legoes with their sons. One dad thanked them for the one-on-one time with his son, which often just didn’t find a place in their busy lives.
Leader Lori Warren shared about the girl who asked, “Would you have some time to talk to me about God?” This girl’s family doesn’t attend church, and she came to Clubs with one of our community kids. And Neil Weaver shared that his fifth and sixth grade guys suggested they have their lesson at the beginning of the evening next year, so they would be more focused, rather than after their very active time in the gym!
Is it any wonder that leaders stay with the Clubs program for years and years?
We will have the need next year for leaders for our pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten groups, and potentially an additional leader for our fifth and sixth grade girls. We would be so glad to share the fun with you!
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Hymn Sing & Testimonies
Sunday, July 13
Set aside Sunday evening, July 13, at 6:30. for a good old-fashioned hymn sing. This will be a wonderful informal event for all ages to witness to God’s faithfulness throughout the phases of our lives and how that faithfulness has been expressed through the great hymns of the faith. Led by our own Jan and Jerry Hess, this evening is an opportunity to sing your favorite hymns and tell your stories about how those hymns have been meaningful in your life.
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Worship Arts “Reforming”
We’re trying something new this year! Rather than one big Worship Arts Weekend, we’re going to have four gallery opening receptions together with four mini “concert” events with workshops. So, for those of you who haven’t been able to particpate in our weekend, we’ll give you four chances in the year ahead to get involved.
The hope is to combine the art gallery with another arts event — a drama, concert or performance to help continue to bring arts, artists, and art appreciators together in the church. We hope also to have some hands-on workshop times as well. Watch for more information this fall as these plans develop.
Starting June 15, there will be a reception for the opening of the exhibition of photographs by Geoff Isley, together with a time of music by Johanna Hartman (violin) and Zachary Levi (string bass).
September 7 we’ll welcome Grantham artist, Hélene Norman, with a reception and a mini concert by our own new associate minister of worship, Andy Otto.
December 14, we are planning a show on the Life of Christ by a variety of CIVA artists, and we’ll have an opening reception in conjunction with the Christmas Play by the Clubs children.
We are also looking for some new worship arts planning committee members. If you would like to help plan this new quarterly series, or promotion, logistics, food, etc., please contact me right away. — Geoffrey Isley
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Have a Hand in Raising Money for More Handbells!
A great big "Thank You" to all who attended our March 30 Handbell Concert. It was a fabulous evening of music and fellowship. We raised over $600 toward our goal of purchasing two additional octaves of handbells. Worship Commission has approved the purchase of a three-octave set of HandChimes out of their budgeted funds.
To purchase the two additional octaves of bells, we will need around $10,000. We are exploring various ways to raise these funds and will keep you updated as fundraising ideas are approved.
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June/July
Geoffrey Isley
Photographs
20 Years of Body Life
September/OCTOBER
Helene Norman
Paintings
November/December
Seeing the Savior: Images from the Life of Christ, a CIVA traveling exhibition
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Art Gallery News
This year our gallery will host another group of exhibitions intended to teach, inspire and delight.
Later this summer I am putting together a show of color photographs taken over the years since I have been attending the Grantham Church, focusing on some of the images I’ve captured at various community life happenings, picnics, services, etc.
I started taking pictures for BodyBuilder covers several years ago, and I always end up with more images that we have covers for, so here’s a chance to see if you made the cover!
This fall we’ll be hosting an exhibition of new work by Grantham painter Hélene Norman, a European transplant and former missionary in Africa, Messiah faculty spouse, and now a Messiah art major! We look forward to seeing her work and hearing some of her story.
Rounding up the year we’ll have a Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) traveling exhibition of images mostly by living Christian artists. This collection of 35 images is especially designed to educate children about how to “read” Bible stories in pictures.
— Geoffrey Isley
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Grandmothers in Prayer
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Each month a group of grandmothers from our church meets together to pray for our grandchildren. We are currently using a book of devotionals entitled 15 Minutes with God for Grandma by Emilie Barnes. With this book, we are able to focus on some specific areas of grand-parenting and be encouraged in our own spiritual growth. While some of our grandchildren live nearby, others live far away. They range in age from babies to adults; we uphold each of them in our prayers. Our group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month in the church parlor (A-4) at 9:30 a.m. We will continue to meet during the summer months. We welcome all grandmothers who would like to meet for a time of sharing and group prayer. For further information contact Anita Hare (790-0603). |
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The Lord gives us a great opportunity when He invites us to, “Call unto me and I will answer you!” (Jer. 33:3). We certainly have many areas in our lives, church, community, nation, and world in which we need God’s help. In what areas would you like the Lord to answer you about? Let’s not waste this great privilege! Join us in prayer at any or all of our prayer meetings:
- Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m. Prayer Group in the library
- Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. Prayer Meeting in Room A-1
- Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Centering Prayer in Room A-2
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4 Summer electives
For a current list of classes, check at the Welcome Centers or the listing here.
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ministries for youth and young adults
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20s & 30s
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[more 20s and 30s news] |
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Summer Youth Schedule
Youth Group will continue to be separate (Jr. High at 5:00 p.m. and Sr. High at 6:30 p.m.) because of the series that we are going through.
CHILL and Open Gym will continue to happen every other Wednesday night — but will be combined into a time of relaxing and connecting for the youth. Some nights might be outdoor games until dark, others might be movie nights or anything else.
Wednesday Recreational Nights:
July 2 and 16
Summer Events:
- Backpacking in June
(check out the Youth Bulletin Board for details).
- Paxton Street Home
We’ll be helping with their car show on June 14.
- Hershey Park Trip
July 1, noon ’til 10:30 p.m.
Watch the web site and the youth bulletin board for a lock-in and/or other events in June & July!
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Auction raises over $13,000 for summer missions trip!
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Auction raises over $13,000
Thank You!
 I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many members of our community who gave of their time, their abilities, their creations and their money for the annual Youth Auction. Having little to no prior experience with auctions, this was a fun but challenging experience for me. As with so many large events, and especially with this past auction, it would not have happened without all of you and your generosity.
I would like to let you all know that the total amount raised by the auction was over $13,000! This money will allow our youth to experience a new culture and build bonds with adults in our family through the shared experience of going to the Navajo Mission in New Mexico. At this point, we are looking forward to the mission trip and working hard to finalize the details and have everything ready for our departure on July 19!
Once again, thank you so much to each and every person who helped to organize the auction, helped to make it happen, and helped through donating and bidding on all the wonderful items, services, baked goods and more! n
— David Stuebing
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Grantham Quiz Team Takes Fifth Place
2008 Denominational Finals
Our team performed very well this year at General Conference in Toronto, placing 5th after three days of round robin and double-elimination tournaments.
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