Grace United Methodist Church
DECEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER
If you have praises, prayer requests, announcements or items of interest to share in the December Newsletter, please get them to Jane in the church office before December 28th. Worship Services
Dear Friends,
On Monday evening, November 30th, Bishop Park sent a letter to all the churches in our conference urging us NOT to conduct indoor in-person worship or gatherings for the rest of the year, due to the rapidly increasing spread of the Covid-19 virus.
I have attached a full copy of his letter at the end of this Newsletter.
And so, even though we have made all things ready for the Advent and Christmas season, including a beautifully decorated sanctuary, I am saddened to announce that all meetings scheduled for the Grace UMC facility, as well as our Sunday morning group studies and worship services, will be moving online via Zoom through the rest of this year.
The Church Office will continue to be open limited hours, so please call, or check with Jane BEFORE coming to the church. Remember that in order to keep everyone as safe as possible,
masks are REQUIRED for entry into the building, and while moving about.
We will do our best to continue to serve the families in our community through our Hearts of Grace and JFY backpack ministries (see below).
As always, please endeavor to keep our church family, as well as those persons whose names are listed below, in your prayers.
Pastor Alan
Hearts of Grace Food Ministry - We hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Because of your generosity, we had enough turkeys donated for the 32 families with 2 extras. On the day of distribution we had two families come for boxes that were not on the list and we were able to give them a full turkey dinner as well! Thank you, Thank God! Food box update: The next distribution will be December 17th from 5:00 - 5:30pm. We will continue to do curbside distribution for at least 34 families. We are looking for hams for our families; I understand Weis and Giant are offering hams - just in case you have some points to share with us!
JFY (Jiffy) Pack update: We have been working with the school to determine how to proceed with getting food to our students if the schools are mandated to close down - PRAYER helps!
The Youth Group will help with packing on December 7th at 5:00 pm, stay tuned for January’s date.
As always, we crave your prayers for both these ministries and truly appreciate your continued support.
If you have any questions or know of a family that could use some help, talk to a team member: Deb Goudy, Terry & Carol Uhler, Beth Spicher, Janine Boyer, Diane Nestler, John Ramberger, Shelley Dreibelbis, Debb Bowman, Karen Travitz or Becky Witmer.
Operation Christmas Child 2020 - A big “Thank You” goes out to all who helped with OCC this year by packing boxes, helping with the drop off center or through contributions. Although our numbers were down somewhat from last year, it was still a good year. We had 283 shoeboxes packed by members of Grace Church, and we processed 1,668 shoeboxes at the Drop-off Center. WELL DONE !!!
Those who are currently facing challenges, or are in need of our ongoing prayers: President-elect Biden - for wisdom and discernment in choosing staff to lead our country. President Trump – Battling many uncertain changes in our Nation
Kim Sitlinger - upcoming surgery, ongoing health concerns
Sandy Bell - hospitalized fighting kidney failure, pneumonia, Covid-19
Cindy Snyder - Undergoing 5 weeks of hospitalization in preparation for a bone marrow transplant Mike and Faye Oxenrider - hospitalized both fighting Covid-19
Greg Shertzer - ongoing foot pain, and concerns for a former aorta repair. Jane Hepner - adjusting to a new normal
Dana Foltz - continued recover from brain tumor surgery Laura Novinger - diagnosed with breast cancer
Bob Tobias - fighting Covid-19
Donna Shrawder’s grandson Jacob - hernia and bowel surgery Faith Wilt - recovering from surgery
Lori - tumor on her liver
Jake, Myranda, and Baby Sprenkle
Devyn Kintzer - growth in jaw, recovering from oral surgery Dharlis Troutman - rapidly declining health
Ginger Lontz - metastatic cancer
Susan Farrell - recovering from open heart surgery
Beth Spicher - continuing issues with cataract / eye surgery Cindy O. - metastatic cancer
Robin Davis’ sister Sherry - diagnosed with bone/blood cancer Jeff Stroehecker - ongoing heart issues
Kathy Siegfried - health problems
Dharlis Kauffman - undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, and other growths Marsha Troutman - Diagnosed with ALS
Angela Seebaugh - breast cancer Pat Nissel - Ongoing health challenges
Jim Coyle - recovering from a shoulder injury, influenza Nancy Coyle - continuing back / sciatica pain
Jim Hockenstein - colon cancer
Baby Simon Campbell - multiple heart problems Marsha Michael - cancer and Kidney disease Larry Paul - awaiting a lung transplant
Brad White - continued recovery from brain injury Bradley Deitrich - Health and life challenges Colleen Kerber - young mother battling cancer
Bob Snyder - continuing throat and voice issues, and degenerative disc /back pain Cathy Atchison - kidney disease and other health challenges
Blanche Nice - ongoing health challenges Janet Zuver – health and life challenges
Janet Rush - spinal tumor
Congratulations to Becky and Brian Hoch on the birth of their third child, Joshua William Hoch, born November 29.
HELP !!! - Volunteer Teachers and Caregivers WILL BE Needed - Once we receive a green light to return to safely using our church building, we are in need of adults to care for children in the nursery and help lead the primary grades during Sunday Mornings. Please call Jane Hubler at 717-395-6567 or Pastor Alan at 570-847-2939 if you are willing to coordinate a rotating schedule, or give of your time.
November 30, 2020
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2) Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Susquehanna Conference,
Grace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of our Brokenness, and Hope of the World!
As we experience every year, Advent is a season of waiting. When Luke tells the story
of Christmas, he first reminds us of John the Baptist’s birth. Zechariah has waited
many years for a child. He is an old man when he learns that he will have a son, one with a special mission. Soon thereafter Mary hears that she, too, will bear a child, who will be called the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32). And then follows more waiting. This entire year has felt like one endless wait. For many it has been spiritually
draining. Yet God’s people have been here before, and each time, God has brought us
to a new place of promise and hope.
We are all keenly aware that the numbers of COVID-19 cases are still increasing rapidly. Many of the hospitals throughout Pennsylvania and our country are
experiencing a serious rise in admitting COVID patients. Our district superintendents are reporting that more and more of our pastors and laypeople have tested positive for COVID. As health officials strongly believe that even more people will succumb to COVID during this post-Thanksgiving season, the full Cabinet and I are deeply
troubled and greatly concerned for the health and safety of our people.
This is a very grave situation that requires a sacrificial response. For your safety and that of your friends, family, and neighbors, I, as bishop, along with the full Cabinet urge you to not conduct indoor in-person worship or gatherings for the rest of the year.
My sisters and brothers in faith, I know this is very difficult to hear. I know that not everyone wants to pause in-person worship, especially during Advent. Calls for a temporary break from public gatherings may feel like a threat to our religious
freedom. But now we must put our preferences aside and do what is best for our faith communities and the larger communities in which we live.
We must work together to stop the spread of this disease. We must do all that we can to make sure that more people do not fall victim to COVID. I firmly believe this is our calling, for such a time as this.
You have done ministry in wonderful ways during this pandemic, such as through online worship, Bible study, and ministry, as well as outdoor opportunities for worship and ministry. Please continue those excellent expressions of faithfulness while not meeting in person indoors. We have provided some ideas on how to worship and minister safely during the pandemic. You can find them at susumc.org/worship-resources.
The Psalmist says, "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). It feels like we are in a dark night of COVID. However, our God has not abandoned us. God is providing new and different ways to be in ministry. The joy of
gathering together will come again. But for now, I implore you to suspend indoor
in-person worship and gatherings.
We just lighted the first Advent candle this past Sunday, the candle of hope. In the midst of long haul of COVID fatigue, we become weary and tired and the flame of hope within us may be flickering. As I try to keep hope alive, I am reminded of a song
that I used to sing a lot when I was in school in Korea. It’s called, “Whispering Hope.” “Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion whisper her comforting word: Wait till the darkness is over, wait till the tempest is done. Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone.
(Refrain) Whispering hope. Oh how welcome thy voice, Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.
If, in the dusk of the twilight, dim be the region afar. Will not the deepening darkness brighten the glimmering star? Then when the night is upon us, why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over, watch for the breaking of day.”
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). This
is the time and we are the people to whisper hope to one another. God is faithful and
God’s love is steadfast and endures forever. We earnestly await a vaccine and surely
it will arrive.
God's light through Jesus Christ our Savior shines bright on us. May our light so shine to all people that they see that we care for them deeply; so deeply that we are willing to pause in-person gatherings as a sign of our love of God and neighbor as we keep whispering hope.
In Ministry with You, Jeremiah J. Park
Rev. Dr. Paul Amara, Williamsport District Rev. Catherine Boileau, York District Ms. Joyce Davis, Conference Lay Leader
Mr. Mark Knecht, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer Rev. Brenda K. Leigey, State College District
Rev. Victoria Rebeck, Director of Connecting Ministries Rev. Barry Robison, Harrisburg District
Rev. Dr. Tom Salsgiver, Assistant to the Bishop
Rev. Gary Shockley, Director of Equipping Vital Congregations Rev. Judy L. Walker, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District
Rev. Dr. Gary D. Weaver, Lewisburg District Rev. Dr. Joleen A. Willis, Altoona District
Rev. Kevin Witt, Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders
