JESUS CHRIST IS THE GOOD NEWS
My Friends:
Around this time of year, one of the more enjoyable things about receiving items in our mailbox is the anticipation of getting Christmas cards from friends and family. Throughout most of the year that box is filled daily with bad news: bills, ads, bills, fliers, political ads, and bills. Did I mention bills? But starting just after Thanksgiving, little by little, better things begin appearing. I almost look forward to the walk down the driveway to the mailbox. In the Old Testament, those who had been chosen by God to be His people had a bit of the same kind of experience. Year after year they waited patiently and hopefully for good news. Most of the bad stuff that came their way was likely caused by their own foolishness
and ignorance. Famines and exile and divine punishment always seemed to come their way, just as they were feeling good about themselves. God would send word to them through prophets or messengers, and, once in a while, the people would repent and return to God. Those times got fewer and fewer, and darkness seemed to be closing in.
However, the people had a promise: God had vowed to send to them the Messiah, the Anointed One, who would bring peace and joy and comfort, and, more critically, the Lord, back into their lives. He would save His people from their sins. When, oh when, might this happen?
In modern times the church acknowledges this time of anticipation in our season of
SALEM EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH, HELLERS I DECEMBER 2020
Pastor’s
helper
— A Message from Pastor Bruce Tully
Announcements...7
Birthdays & Anniversaries...2
Calendar...8
Consistory Minutes...4-6 Directory... ..2
Giving at a Glance...7
Heavenly Humor...7
Music Director’s Note...3
Pastor’s Message...1
Advent: looking ahead to the coming of the Good News. And in many ways, it is good for us to do this. We, too, can get overcome by our feelings of doubt and helplessness, especially when the wickedness and evil of the world wraps around us. So every year at this time we have a schedule in the Church that sets us in a place and time that pushes us to
recall the promise that God’s people always
had: the Messiah is coming.
He did come! (Oh, and He will come again! Something else to anticipate with eager joy!). When the time was right, God sent forth His
Son, “born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive
adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4-5). It was promised to Israel, and it became our promise as well. This follows the solemn watchfulness of Advent. On Christmas Eve, all joy breaks out!
Isaiah had prophesied it: “To us is born a child, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
To God’s people, this was and is the Good
News worth waiting for. He is the Eternal Christmas card that lands right in our homes. He is the joy of life, the light of the world, and the Savior of all humankind. We can put up with the bad stuff and the things that are simply mundane, because we have the glory of God right here with us!
So in this time of anticipation, Lisa and I wish you all the greatest of joy, hope, love, and peace, all found in the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas, and may God’s blessings
overwhelm you!
Salem Evangelical
Reformed Church, Hellers
2555 Horseshoe Rd. l Lancaster PA 17601
717-656-9249
Bruce E. Tully, Pastor l 717-413-8417 Email: pastor@salemhellers.com
Ron Gardiner, Music Director l 717-471-9301
Gail Banz, Office Administrator l 717-656-9249 Email: info@salemhellers.com
Mark Steller, Consistory President l 717-951-4212 Consistory: Mark Steller, President; Harry Teigland, Vice
President; George Cooper, Secretary; Ron Nickel, Treasurer; Merv Bare; Ragen Burns; Marie Peazzoni; Eugene Rodgers; Margaret Sensenig; Larry Stoltzfus;
Bruce Tully
www.salemhellers.com; www.facebook.com/salemhellers
Skip Reynolds... December 2 John Swinehart... December 12 Don Mateer... December 13 Gil Keen... December 19 Judy Wenger... December 19 Sandi Moffett... December 20 Bob Geist... December 29 Antoni & Lorin Wortel....December 31, 1981 (39 yrs.)
November 29
8:30 a.m. Advent Breakfast and Tree Lighting Sunday Morning Worship
All Saints Choir as our guest singing, A Prelude to Advent
December 6
Salem Hellers Choir will sing, O Holy Christ with Guest Flautist Catie McLain Special Music Carolyn McClain, Soprano
December 13
Perfect Harmony Guest Vocal Trio for Special Music with R.C. Zimmerman
December 20
Salem Hellers Choir singing, The Light of Christmas
December 24
Salem Hellers Choir singing, This Holy Night
This has been quite a year of uncertainty and questions. I, like most of you, received the news of a pandemic with great caution and took every possible precaution to protect not only myself, but also my family, my friends, my colleagues, and my responsibilities.
Beyond being and staying safe, it was constantly on my mind what to do about the choir singing. And rightly so. I took careful precautions in accordance with all the health information and guidance that was available.
Eventually we were able to add some small group special music and start to rebuild our choir
participation. We were very careful to advise any choir member who felt at risk or
uncomfortable please not to attend. We have several in that category and respect their need for distancing. At the same time, we continued to have service issues with the sanctuary organ, which was a big concern. In agreement
with Pastor Bruce, we determined to move forward with God’s help and relying on Him.
In ways that we never imagined, God has provided abundantly. I have written previously the story of the new organ, and how Dave Andrews has helped.
And that is not all. Carolyn McLain, an associate of Dave, volunteered to sing for us in Cowan Hall. She has been able to sing with us in the choir, and we plan to hear from her during our Advent Season. Carolyn has studied with Walter Blackburn and performed on stage at the Fulton Opera House as well as other vocal groups in the county. Her collaboration with Dave brings fresh meaning to the lyrics of the song. Carolyn is all about ministry and worship. As you are able, please greet and welcome her and her husband Bill.
And there is even more. Catie McLain, Carolyn’s daughter, is a gifted flautist.
Catie will play for us on December 6 during the prelude and as part of the choir accompaniment.
We have been blessed with good friends joining us in worship during this challenging time. Below is our current music schedule for the Advent Season. Keep in mind, two things about our music ministry: 1) We serve Soli Deo Gloria, Only for the Glory of God and 2) Semper Gumby, Always Flexible. Until Next Time, Ron
From Our Music Director
A
Carolyn McLain
Catie McLain
Perfect Harmony
CONSISTORY MINUTES—November 10, 2020
1. Call meeting to order by Mark Steller
2. Devotional shared by Mark from Jesus Always - Comfort others as I have comforted you.
3. Roll call: Present: Mark Steller, Harry Teigland, Ron Nickel, Gene Rogers, Merv Bare, Margaret Sensenig, Pastor Tully, Ragen Burns, George Cooper, Larry Stoltzfus, and Marie Peazzoni.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Read and approved. Discussion of 2021 budget, agreed to present to congregation for approval.
5. President’s Report: Nov. 22 - Informal Budget Meeting after church meeting. Same day at 1 pm decorate church for Christmas.
6. Pastor’s Report:
• Prayer meetings on Wed. evenings continue to focus on our church—its ministries, committees, and leadership. We welcome any and all who would like to be part of this small group.
• On Oct 17 I attended the memorial service of Eric Cooper at Calvary Church. It was a very nice tribute and a clear call to the Gospel.
• Oct 19; missions committee meeting.
• Oct 20: The CVM Bible study was once again cancelled due to health-related issues.
• Oct 25: Presided over the burial service of Eric Cooper in our cemetery. Attended by family only.
• Oct 26: Worship Committee meeting. We discussed the upcoming quarter—including Advent and Christmas. Having completed the sermon series on John, I am currently taking the Common Lectionary as my source for Scripture readings and sermon texts. I have chosen to work through the Psalm texts, at least through November. As I have mentioned, in January I will begin a new series on 1 Thessalonians.
• Oct 27: This week we moved the prayer meeting to Tuesday night to accommodate those who would need to be here for both that and the Spiritual Council meeting. Spiritual Council has not met since Feb, so it was mostly a time of catching up and of prayer. I explained my plan to invite both Elders and Deacons to the meetings this year as I present a basic course on The Bible.
• Nov 1: First Sunday back in the sanctuary. We offered communion and the choir brought a familiar piece of music as well. Our attendance numbers, though still low, have been gradually creeping up each week. We still want each person to make an informed, wise decision on his or her attendance. In the meantime we will keep making sanitizer and masks available. Offerings are being collected at the door.
• Nov 3: I attended the CVM meeting at Stumptown Mennonite Church. There were about a dozen in attendance; still low due to COVID issues. There will be no Thanksgiving service in the community this year. We also need to plan for our contribution to the CVM scholarship fund. Each church is asked to contribute $100 if possible. This goes to a graduation senior at CV High School who plans on going into some kind of ministry in the future. • Nov 4: I was privileged to attend a benefit banquet for a drug/alcohol rehab facility. Guest speaker was Rev. Don
Wilkerson, who with his brother Dave, founded Teen Challenge.
• For what it is worth, I am now keeping office hours on Mondays. I am in the office from 9 to noon. I can be available at other times for anyone wishing to meet with me. Just call or text or email me.
7. Reports of Ministries
A. Lay Life/Fellowship: No report.
B. Worship: Communion will continue to use the prepared cups and bread. Offering plates continue to be at the doors. Boxes with a slot and able to be locked are being prepared for safety.
All Saints celebration is postponed till later.
Advent begins on Sunday November 29. We will begin at 8:30 with the lighting of the Christmas tree and a light fellowship breakfast (coffee, donuts and orange juice).
Ron has special music lined up for December.
C. Property:
FINISHED PROJECTS
1. Iddings Electric rewired all the Cowan Hall lights and ceiling fans for $2000. This became more time consuming than estimated but they honored the quoted price.
2. Community Collection Box has been removed. Hopefully there will be no further contributions that we will have to dispose of.
3. Paula and Joshua Knosp paid for renovations on the Knosp Memorial - the dying pin oak was removed, the stump ground out, and the mulch was replaced by Pine Brook Landscaping from Conestoga PA.
4. If any paper or cleaning supplies need to be ordered, write it on the order sheet on the bulletin board in the kitchen or email (info@salemhellers.com) so that Gail can order them.
5. The new organ was temporarily moved to the left side of the sanctuary until the Allen organ is no longer serviceable. At this point, both instruments will be usable.
6. Ressler & Mateer replaced the zone damper for the church office - $440.00 on October 7.
7. Brett Kreider investigated a water leak in the south bell tower that has caused plaster damage. He found the brick mortar was missing or loose outside so he replaced/repaired it, scraped and replaced the loose plaster, and painted it as a donation to the church.
8. Finished the Property Budget. CURRENT PROJECTS
1. Waiting for Brett Kreider to return after 28 days to paint the inside and outside of the new block after the mortar cures.
2. Status of projects with Ragen Burns –
a) Finished with the emergency exit layout for the building
b) Working to install speaker and/or CCTV for worship service coverage in the new nursery room. The wire has been purchased.
c) Status on surveillance system. Apparently Ragen has the computer. Working with Tony Wortel. d) Status on installing the temperature switch in the boiler room to control an auxiliary heater.
e) Status on the new Carilion? Would like it silenced during Sunday services (10, 11, and 12 o’clock).
Searching for the manual. Levi would like to return it. f) Status on the sanctuary heating system.
3. Status on 2575 paving OLD BUSINESS
1. Rezoning for a new sign.
2. Emergency lighting fixtures – Scott Gribble
3. Sandi Moffett is looking to replace the AED paddles, not the battery. 4. Brett Kreider is looking into a concrete crack sealer for the front slab pad. 5. Window cleaning contractors. Larry or Gene?
6. Mentioned to Levi about locating a nearer switch for the front heater. Need to designate someone to turn on/ off the heaters.
7. Awarded a contract with Beiler Paving to repave the driveway at 2575 for $8,350. They hope to have it finished this fall before the asphalt plant closes for the winter.
8. We ought to either repaint the south porch steps or attach yellow caution tape 9. Status on replacing the shed doors – Levi.
NEW BUSINESS
1. 300th Anniversary celebration.
2. Trim maple between Peazzoni’s deck and the driveway
3. Iddings Electric quoted the following rewiring projects:
a. Stage outlet circuit with a 20 Amp 120 VAC for $1,321. Detected a major voltage drop due to either bad connections or outdated wiring.
b. Kitchen lighting circuit between the kitchen switches and lights, switch in broom closet electrical panel, Consistory Minutes Continued from Page 4
and ladies bathroom outlets and switches (3 rooms) for $3,008.
c. Other cloth covered wiring circuits in the kitchen sub panel going to the refrigerator, coffee-maker, and outlets for $2,392. Note: Had allotted another $1,000 for additional work. (Use sur-face wiring?)
4. Curt’s Cleaning Service will polish Cowan Hall Floor & kitchen plus shampoo the Foyer,
Hall, and Berean Room carpets on November 13. Ask that Cowan Hall furniture be cleared out but it is not necessary to move the furniture in the other areas.
5. Looking to replace a gutter on the south side of the stage area. There are about 4 or 5 broken
hangers in a row which could cause a problem this winter. Seeking to use a 5” white aluminum
gutter rather than the copper one. Something we can do?
6. Need to replace the gutter on the northeast side of the sanctuary at the bell tower that is causing the stains and plaster to bubble.
7. Need to rebuild the left door frame exiting the north bell tower.
8. Good’s Disposal quoted us $75.00/mo. while we are paying Eagle $58.50/mo. 9. Paint ceiling tiles in men’s upstairs restroom
10. Re-aim steeple light to hit the cross (Levi). 11. Refurbish cross by front door.
MAJOR FUTURE PROJECTS
1. Remove, rebuild, and replace the large northside stained glass window complex. Also repair plaster work and caulk. $55,000
2. Paint the large eastern stained-glass window frame. This will require renting a lift to remove the Lexan. Probably a time and material job for Kreider and Flick painting.
3. Repoint and seal sanctuary brick and bell towers. Repair plaster work and paint north tower area. 4. Replace rooftop HVAC unit (covers the sanctuary and foyer) $19,000
5. Recarpet sanctuary and foyer.
The next Property meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2020. D. Personnel- Cleaning done by James Baker until end of year.. 8. Committee Reports
A. Memorial: Commemoration of All Saints postponed.
B. Missions: Community meal will need to feed 170 people on Nov. 20. Lasagna Dinner scheduled for 4th. Saturday in February, carry out only. C. Membership Care/Shut-in: No report
9. Old Business 10. New Business
A. Recommendation made to keep same Consistory for 2021 as we have now. Consistory agreed. B. Consistory to move furniture in Cowan Hall for floor polishing.
C. Official Church Meeting set for December 13. 11. Motion to adjourn - Unanimous.
Meeting closed with prayer.
Minutes respectfully submitted by George Cooper, Secretary
Consistory Minutes Continued from Page 5
Announcements
OCTOBER GIVING
Current $13,419.09 Harvest Home $180.00 Improvement $44.00 Memorial $75.00 Mission Trip $110.00 Missions $1,090.00 Perpetual Care $25.00 Sunday School $31.00*For more information, please see the Treasurer’s Report on
the Community Bulletin Board in Cowan Hall.
2021 Giving envelopes have been distributed to the boxes in Cowan Hall. If you are unable to pick up yours or do not have a family member or
friend pick them up for you, please contact Gail (info@salemhellers.com, 717-656-9249 or call her cell # as listed on the first page of the church directory) to have them mailed to your home.
There will be a Formal Budget Meeting on December 20 after morning worship. Please plan to join us for our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Thursday, December 24, at 7:30 p.m.
In case of cancellations for any services or activities due to inclement weather, please check the “Cancellations” tab at the top left of our website. If you do not have internet at your home, please call someone who can check this for you.
Our next Pastor’s Helper will be a January/February combined issue that will come out in February.
As a reminder, all events or activities throughout the year need to be scheduled through the church office. Addition-ally, please fill out the request form by the copier in the church office for personal building usage requests and submit the form to Gail’s box (or email) one month before your desired event. After the date is checked
through the office, the Property Committee uses the form for the approval process. Thanks you.
The Offices will be closed December 25—January 4 for the Christmas holiday. Please submit all office requests (checks, building, ordering, prayer requests, announcements, etc.) by December 21. Thank you!
For 2020 tax credit, end of the year giving needs to be submitted by Sunday, Dec. 27.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 9:30 am Worship; 10:15 am – Sunday School 1 7:00 p.m. Property 2 6:15 p.m. -Evening Prayer 3 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 4 5 6 9:30 am Worship; 10:15 am – Sunday School 7 8 7:00 p.m. Consistory 9 6:15 p.m. -Evening Prayer 10 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 11 12 13 9:30 am Worship; 10:15 am – Sunday School 14 15 16 6:15 p.m. -Evening Prayer 17 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 18 19 20 9:30 am Worship; Formal Budget Meeting; Sunday School 21 6:30 pm Missions 22 23 24 6:45 pm Choir Rehearsal; 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 25 26 28 29 30 31 27 9:30 am Worship; 10:15 am – Sunday School 8
December
2020
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
