Spiritual Growth

“…that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom

and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9b-10

Joining with the angels and the saints of all times and places, we raise our hearts and minds to the Lord in praise, prayer and study. All so that we may mature in our faith journey and grow in our relationship with God.

We do this ministry of spiritual growth by:

Worshipping the Lord with liturgy and music that is both traditional and varied.
Offering and supporting prayers for each other, for the church and for all that are in need.
Learning and developing the faith in classes and study for children through adults.

Hymns for December

12/06 Advent 2

LBW - 34 O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel

MOD - Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

LBW - 29 Comfort, Comfort Now My People

12/13 Advent 3

LBW - 34 O, Come, O Come Emmanuel

MOD - On Jordan's Bank the Baptist’s Cry

LBW - 35 Hark, the Glad Sound!

12/20 Advent 4

LBW - 34 O, Come, O Come Emmanuel

MOD - Kids sing

LBW - 39 Joy to the World

12/27 First Sunday of Christmas

Prelude - Angels We Have Heard On High

Postlude - O Come, All Ye Faithful

The Wayfaring Stranger

The Wayfaring Stranger" (also known as "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" or "I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger"), is a well-known American folk and gospel song likely originating in the early 19th century about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. As with most folk songs, many variations of the lyrics exist.

According to the book, The Makers of the Sacred Harp, by David Warren Steel and Richard H. Hulan, the lyrics were published in 1858 in Bever's Christian Songster. This may have been the first time the song appeared in print, in English. Steel and Hulan suggest the song was derived from an 1816 German-language hymn, "Ich bin ein Gast auf Erden" (“I am a guest on earth”) by Isaac Niswander.

During and for several years after the American Civil War, the lyrics were known as the Libby Prison Hymn. This was because the words had been inscribed by a dying Union soldier incarcerated in Libby Prison, a notorious Confederate prison in Richmond, Virginia. It had been believed that the dying soldier had authored the song to comfort a disabled soldier, but since it had been published several years before the Civil War had started (and before Libby Prison existed), this was not the case.

Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.

Source: Wikipedia

Vacation Bible School - VBS

During the week of August 10-14 St. Mark and St. Paul (York St.) Lutheran churches held their annual Vacation Bible School with a twist. We had 28 children register.

This year, because of social distancing requirements, VBS was done on line through YouTube.

The theme was “God’s Secret Messages” focusing on parables. Each day a different parable was presented along the games, music, crafts, and snacks appropriate to the lesson. The children learned about ‘The Weeds and the Wheat’ (Monday), The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin’ (Tuesday), The Mustard Seed’ (Wednesday), and “The Good Samaritan’ (Thursday).

On Friday, families gathered on the lawn at St. Mark (socially distancing and wearing masks!) to review God’s Secret Messages, have some music, present their favorite crafts, and have a snack. We had 10 families present.

Gretchen Walter (St. Paul) did a wonderful job of coordinating, presenting and posting the videos. Michael Lobaugh filmed Karen’s message and presentation of the snack each day.

Thank you to all who helped make this virtual VBS a meaningful and fun time for the children!

F.I.S.H.

What is FISH?

-- Calling All Parents and Calling All Youth --

“Fun In Serving Him” Youth Club…our upcoming FISH Youth Club (ages 5 & up) which will be meeting the second Sunday of each month from 2:00-4:00pm. We've got fun and snacks in the room behind the fellowship hall. Note: The FISH meetings are canceled until we are again able to gather together.

All you young fish, please spread the word and plan to jump back into the tank at this new time!

Any questions, please contact Karen Feeser, 717-698-3535, or the office.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions, volunteering, you name it, we hope to hear from all of you. You just need to call the church office at 717-637-8904 or e-mail us at offcoor129@gmail.com!

Schedule for FISH

Under Construction

M~~ay 17, 2020~~ ~~10:30am~~

~~End of Sunday School Year Celebration with Picnic & Games followed at 12:00pm by a FISH presentaton with Tom & Hollis Long about Bees & Beekeeping.~~

~~After learning about Bees, we will plan our St. Mark Herb Garden.~~

~~Anyone who want to help prepare the herb garden soil, contact church office or Karen Feeser~~

The Coloring Book Group schedule for 2020 is shown below. There is no charge and the events are open to the public. Please join us for fun, conversation, and creativity!

Benefits of Coloring for Adults:

* Builds concentration

* Builds visual perception skills

* Relaxing/relieves stress

* Encourages creativity

* Develops fine eye-hand coordination

All dates are a Tuesday and the meeting time is 10:00am -- 12:00noon:

Under Construction