Collecting underwear and socks during the month of January
“BEAR NECESSITIES”
In January our focus for Hambright School children is to provide “BEAR NECESSITIES” ……….that is underwear and socks for kids in need. There will be a large basket in the narthex during the month of January to collect these items. Last year we had over 100 pair of socks and 100 pair of underwear. Thank you for your concern, care, and support by providing these necessities for kids!
Sunday, January 3rd beginning at 4:00 pm
Lancaster Heritage Chorale Concert
The Lancaster Heritage Chorale will present their final concert of the 2015 Christmas season on Sunday, January 3rd beginning at 4:00 pm in our sanctuary. This is a wonderful way to bring closure to the Christmas season. Light refreshments will be served following the concert. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Sunday, January 3
January 3rd is the second Sunday of Christmas. Following worship we will go outside and join together for the annual House Blessing, which leads us into the Season of Epiphany. Be on the lookout for three kings or queens of some other royal figure!
November 2015
Dear Friends in Christ,
I’m writing this article just a day following our October special congregation meeting, where we made two decisions which will benefit us in the future.
The eventual removal of the former rental house will not just remove a maintenance liability. It will expand the recreational possibilities with addition green space on the property. It will also change the sight line for people driving west on Columbia Avenue, giving them a view of the church building first.
The second decision to replace the message sign becomes the second thing that will catch your eye. The title bar will have more color, the letters will be just a bit larger, and it will present a clean look to people seeking out a community of faith.
We cannot say enough how grateful we are that the Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation has agreed to fund both of these projects. With this grant, the foundation continues the valued level of philanthropy that Willis and Elsie shared with Holy Spirit during their lives.
With these two decision behind us, we now focus on being able to provide for the daily operations of the congregation, through our 2016 spending plan, and our attention to our own dedicated giving to achieve that plan. As was mentioned in a letter in August, some difficult decisions must be made on both sides of the ledger in order to keep our momentum going forward. When you read the semi-annual report and look at projections for next year, they may not look promising. This is where opportunity is knocking! We have been given another opportunity to bind together as a community to share, and invite, and participate in all aspects of our life as a congregation, dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ “in word and deed.”
I am excited about our future. And forward is the way I am going to keep looking. We will be making decisions based not just on numbers, but also on faith. We must remember this as we move into 2016.
Clifton D. Eshbach
Pastor
Wednesday, November 25 @ 7:00 p.m.
at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millersville
Thanksgiving Eve Service
The annual community Thanksgiving Eve Service will be hosted by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millersville on Wednesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm. Pastor Eshbach will be preaching at this service. We will also be joined by Concordia Lutheran church. We hope to see you there.
