BVCOB The Lamplighter - December 2007

In This Issue ...

Online Audio Sermons

We're excited to let you know that we have added audio sermons to the website. If you cannot attend Sunday morning services, you can still hear the messages that are shared each week by visiting http://bvcob.com/sermons/. In addition, if a message touches your heart and you wish to share it with a friend, it's as simple as directing them to the website.

If anyone has problems accessing the online sermons, please contact Peggy Shields or Scott Heintzelman so we can find solutions. While we view this as an exciting outreach tool, we also wish to assure that CDs are still available for those who do not have internet access.

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"Be Not Afraid" Musical - Christmas Eve at 7:00 PM

Monday, Dec 24—Share in celebration and worship as we perform the musical, "Be Not Afraid". The musical allows a glimpse into one church choir's preparation for Christmas, and the not-so-coincidental visit from a special messenger, who proclaims that Hope is here!

We will also be celebrating the lighting of the Christ candle at the end of the service. Come and celebrate the Reason for the Season!

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How many missionaries in 2007?

Our church sent out 45 individuals on mission trips throughout this year. The trips were to a variety of places that the love of God could be shown.

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Cans Turn Into Money

The aluminum cans we have been bringing to church have been recycled. We received $150.00 for the amount of cans we had which will go toward the $2100 cost of shipping the 300 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Thank you and keep the cans coming!

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What YOU Can Do

If you cannot cross the oceans and the distant lands explore,

You can find the lost around you, you can help them at your door.

~ Daniel March

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Letter to the Golden Oldies

Dear Ladies:

Thank you for your recent donation of quilts for our use in ministering to the needs of children and families in York, Adams, and Franklin Counties. Children's Aid Society (CAS) could not continue to operate without the contributions of goods and money from generous contributors such as you.
CAS staff provide various forms of assessment and therapy for children at risk for emotional and mental disorders, from age 2 to age 18. Our York facility also has a 24-hour emergency respite care Crisis Nursery where children in immediate need of a safe, secure environment can stay for several days. All of our programs help to stabilize families who experience a variety of crises in their lives.

On behalf of our staff and those lives we touch through our services, thank you again for your contribution.

The quilts are lovely and soft to the touch!

Serving Our Communities' Children
Lyn Becker, CAS

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Help Make a Child Smile

Thanks to all of you we have been able to make many children smile this Christmas!! We reached our goal and sent 300 shoeboxes that will be shipped to children all over the world. We also received 16 shoeboxes that some of you prepared on your own. Thank you to Marvin and Jane Benner who delivered the shoeboxes to the collection church in Lewisburg.

We hope to continue this project in the New Year. Watch for more information in your mailboxes to begin again in January.

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2008 Church Directory Deadline: Dec. 16

Just a reminder that I am currently updating the Church Directory for 2008! All information in the directory needs to be updated by December 16th. Please make sure that you contact me with any address, phone number or email changes.

Thanks!
Jennifer Adamo

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Building for Ministry II Update

Thank you to the many families that came out and joined us at one of the Kickoff dessert events. Hopefully by now you have received a packet of materials explaining the ministry expansion and inviting you to support the project financially and otherwise as God leads you.

If you have not returned a pledge card we would ask that you consider doing so. No financial donation is too small and your pledge of prayers and non-financial support is important to us as well. Pledges can be put into the offering plate, mailed to the church, whatever is convenient for you.

If you have questions, would like a visit to discuss the project or need someone to pick up your pledge card call Steve Richard at (570) 966-0182. Please help us meet our goal of 100% participation. Stay tuned next month for the results of our campaign.

I also want to remind any seniors who have IRA's that up until December 31st there is a very unique opportunity to make donations from your IRA. Normally all funds withdrawn are federally taxable as withdrawn since they were put into the IRA pretax. However, up until December 31 any funds provided directly to a charity like the church are not taxed. This is a unique tax savings opportunity that anyone who is making charitable donations and has an IRA may want to take advantage of. If you have questions or need assistance please call Steve.

Steven Richard

New Leadership Affirmed

The following people were affirmed by the congregation on Sunday, November 11:

Marsha Libby - Church Clerk
Brian Keister - Ministries Coordinating Team Chair
Gary Kline - Bldg & Grounds Ministry Team Leader
Jake Myer - Mission Ministry Team Leader
Dave Stamm - Youth Ministry Team Leader
Carol Manbeck - Gifts Discernment Team
Brenda Allen - Network Coordinator
Fay Richard - Annual Conference Delegate
Steve Richard - Annual Conference Delegate
Rebecca Keister - District Conference Delegate

Watch for a complete list of persons in leadership when team positions are filled. Thank you for participating in the calling process as you named individuals in October and then affirmed the people that were called.

Eli Mast, Moderator

Church Council Designates District Fair Share for 2008

The Fall Church Council Meeting was held on November 4 with sixty-five persons in attendance. Highlights of the meeting include the following:

"Hearing from the Finance Ministry Team that giving to the General Fund is under budget by $22,970.58 as of September 30. Still giving for the budget has kept pace with expenses so for this year with $198,626.25 in giving with expenses of $198,348.38.
"Approval of the proposed budget for 2008 in the amount of $304,519.33 an approximate increase of three percent over 2007, requiring offerings of $5,856.14 per week.
"With no small amount of discussion the District Fair Share for 2008 was designated to the District institutions. The major point of debate centered on how best to continue to address our concerns with district leadership. There seemed to be a sense of agreement that we can not let these concerns divide us and hinder the ministry we are committed to here at Buffalo Valley.

Thanks to all who participated in this important meeting in the life of the church. We have two regularly scheduled Church Council Meetings each year. The fall meeting is held on the first Sunday in November when the agenda includes approval of the church budget. The spring meeting is usually held in May. These meetings are the one time in the life of the church when everyone has the opportunity to express their views on issues that are important in the life of the congregation.

Moderator,
Eli Mast

Cafe Press Store ... in support of Building for Ministry II

The Building for Ministry II Team has organized a fundraiser for our church building project. Anyone who might be interested in Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren (BVCOB) apparel and gifts with the church logo can simply go online to the BVCOB Café Press shop (http://www.cafepress.com/bvcob/) to buy t-shirts, buttons, hats, sweatshirts, and much more for baby and toddlers, kids, youth and adults! You name it! We have it!

If you have any ideas for new items with quotes, Bible verses, religious messages or artistic expression that best represents our church, feel free to send to Peggy Shields, the shop keeper, at peggy@projectsbypeggy.com. And be sure to keep checking back as new items will be added in the next few weeks.

In addition to online purchases, we will be preparing a print catalog for those who do not have internet access so that no one is left out! The Building Fund will receive 20% of each purchase made from the online shop. Surf on over to http://www.cafepress.com/bvcob/ and begin shopping today!

Peggy H. Shields

See You In Sunday School!

The following classes are being offered for the winter quarter. You can find additional information at the Visitors Center in the Narthex. If you haven't signed up we still have room for you in many of the classes being offered. Come make some new friends and discover more about what God's Word has to say to you.

Class		Teacher
That The World May Know	-	Jerry Shields
Loving God with All Your Mind (for women)	-	Tracy Ericson
What a Hunter Brings Home (for men)	-	Eric Heintzelman
Becoming a contagious Christian	-	Randy Fiske
Escape the Coming Night	-	Vicki Bastian
Meet Some "Real Characters"	-	Tracy Solomon
God's Call to the Christian Community (International Lesson)	-	Mark Hofmann
Stepping Stones III - Network	-	Carole Manbeck

In other news ...

We welcome Amy Bastian as the Assistant Sunday School Director. Please give her a warm greeting as she makes the rounds. I anticipate she will shortly bring order out of chaos. We will also be offering a mini-course on Philippians for all our college students returning for Christmas break. The 5 classes will run from December 16th to January 13th. Kurt Ilgen has agreed to lead this class.

There will be an Adult teachers meeting on January 3rd at 7 pm at the church. Mark your calendar now. If you would like to have input into what goes on in our Sunday School or have a course you would like to teach or recommend be taught, please come. You may also give your ideas to Amy Bastian or Brian Keister.

See you in Sunday school!!
Brian Keister

From the Pastor,

"When the Magi saw the child with his mother Mary…they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and incense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

The African boy listened carefully as the teacher explained why it is that Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. "The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for each other," she said.

When Christmas day came, the boy brought the teacher a sea shell of lustrous beauty. "Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?" the teacher asked as she gently fingered the gift.

The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found. When he named the place, a certain bay several miles away, the teacher was left speechless.

"Why…why, it's gorgeous…wonderful, but you shouldn't have gone all that way to get a gift for me."

His eyes brightening, the boy answered, "Long walk part of gift."

Searching for the perfect gift is often as much fun as finding it and offering it to that special person.
I've often wondered if the Magi had to search for the perfect gifts for the King of Kings or if they automatically knew what to give.

Certainly their gifts were proven to be very appropriate.

And then of course, there was the search for the child as they followed his star. My, what an adventure that must have been.

So many people today are searching for meaning, success, wealth, popularity, and companionship. Their search leads them down one dead-end street after another. Their "long walk" seems to lead nowhere.

This Christmas, "follow the star to Bethlehem", and find the thing you've been searching for. Find the Christ Child.

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Randy

Women's Ministry ... Don't Miss Out!

The Women's Ministry is looking forward to a few happenings in the next couple of weeks...the month of November ends with the Kettle Cook and Craft Fair on November 24th. There will be lots of great handmade crafts and lots of soup to be had. Just think ... shopping and eating combined ... what could be better than that?

Then the Ladies are having an evening out at the Daily Grind in Vicksburg, for the Secret Pal Reveal and also just a night out for anyone who wants to come and relax and have coffee and hot chocolate and goodies. All ladies are welcome, and there will be games and prizes for everyone as well.

Remember the Women's Retreat will be in February from the 22nd to the 24th. This year's speaker will be Rosa Maria Faulkner...so please go to her website...Heavensong.org and check her out. If you see a topic that you might be interested in hearing about let me know...we haven't chosen one yet.

And one more item of interest for the upcoming year...the Women of Faith trip has been arranged by Sylvia Byler for September 12th and 13th. We'd really love to have a full bus, so get your girlfriends, mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters, or any other female that would love to be inspired beyond belief and let's get that bus loaded! Save the date!

Blessing and Peace to all and have a great December...Merry Christmas to everyone!

Melanie Yoder
mmyoder@dejazzd.com

Couples' Banquet

Once again, we are looking forward to holding a Couples' Banquet at Carriage Corner Restaurant on Saturday, February 2 at 6 pm. The guest speakers will be Larry and Janet Weidman. Larry is the general manager for WGRC, a local contemporary Christian music radio station. The menu and cost for the evening was not available at the time this article had to go to print, but there will be an all-you-can eat food buffet to choose from.

More information and details will be placed in your mailboxes, posted on the board in the narthex or sent via email/phone tree. Listen for upcoming announcements on Sunday mornings.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend an enjoyable evening of fellowship.

Cindy Murphy,
Special Events Coordinator

BVCOB 2008 Goals & Objectives

Love Well ... Becoming the Faith Community God Called Us to Be (Mark 12:29-31)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

During 2008, we will work to:

Improve relationship building and discipleship so that we consistently minister to the needs of all who enter our faith community.
1. Improve coordination and communication of information.
2. Develop and implement training plans for team members and volunteers.
3. Develop a warm, welcoming atmosphere that is inviting to the community.
4. Develop a discipleship process that moves people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the church body, starting with evangelism.
Build additional facilities that will meet expanding ministry needs.
1. Complete specific building plans.
2. Conduct a capital fund campaign.
Improve relationships with our district and denomination while acting as an agent of change and reconciliation.
1. Promote and become involved with district and denominational ministries that are consistent with our mission and vision.
2. Explore avenues to maintain conversations with the denomination.
3. Establish relationships with congregations who share similar concerns.
4. Offer assistance to the district in providing workshops that promote church growth.

God is on the Move at Millersville University!

When Bret and I arrived at Millersville this summer we knew about five students. Since then we've met hundreds of students in our efforts to plant an InterVarsity fellowship at Millersville. Most students don't know Jesus, but many are open to talking about Him. Some students see Millersville as a mission field God has given to them and are excited to help their friends meet God. We've gathered an eclectic group of students and eat, pray, and study Scripture with them.

In order to build the fellowship, we've tried many, many new things. One of the most effective has become our weekly Friday dinner. Every week we feed about 20 students, half of which stay well past midnight. The best part: every week for the past three months at least one new student has shown up for dinner. We've had a great mix of Christian and non-Christian students. Friday dinner has become a safe and fun place for non-Christians to connect with us and build relationships with people who follow Jesus on campus.

Your prayers and support have helped us welcome Millersville students with open arms. Thanks to you we're seeing God work in the lives of students.

Favorite quotes:
"I thought I'd be bored at this conference, but this is great stuff."
"Guys, I just prayed out loud for the first time ever."
"I'm in the middle of at turning point right now, learning about who God is."
"I see how InterVarsity is different - it's not just about helping Christians go deeper in their faith, it's also about doing outreach."

Betsy Staudt Willet, Campus Staff
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Help Needed When Hosting Blood Mobile

On Friday, January 11, 2008, our church will be hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross. There is a lot that goes into making this a success.

Here are a few opportunities for you to get involved:

We need people to set up tables and chairs as well as Red Cross gear at designated locations within the multipurpose room and narthex at approximately 11 am.
We need approximately 25 dozen cookies donated (homemade or store bought).
People are also needed to come and make sandwiches, cut up fruit and pour juice to be served to the people coming to donate blood ... starting at noon and continuing throughout the afternoon and early evening.

There will be a signup sheet in the narthex for all of these areas of service. Lastly, come and give blood! Hope you plan to get involved in some way -- your help is needed.

Cindy Murphy,
Special Events Coordinator

Curling Up with a Good Book

Have you ever wondered the origins of some of our Christmas traditions and carols? Check out the books in the special Christmas display in the library to see if the origin of your favorite tradition or carol is explained.

If you are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, why not curl up with a book. Some favorites depicting Christmas miracles are the Red Gloves Collection by Karen Kingsbury or the books by Donna VanLiere.

Several books and DVD's are missing from the library. Please return these items if you have them: For Women Only, For Men Only, Captivating and the DVD Mickey.

If you are interested in helping to get the church library more organized, please see Carol Manbeck. Also, see her if there is a book or DVD you would like to see in the library.

Carol Manbeck

Adventures in Angel Food

We of the Angel Food Ministries (AFM) team are very excited. We asked the congregation here at Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren (BVCOB) to consider purchasing orders for donations and you really came to the call. We were able to give to 3 new families and give 4 units towards the church's food drive. We also have two units available to give if there are food emergences that come to our attention. We have really been blessed in this ministry. For the five months we have been doing this, we have been able to help 20 different families.

We could not have done this without your support. Our volunteers have been great. We have those who have come faithfully every month and those who come when they can. We have also had The Good Times 4-H group come to volunteer twice. We have reached families in 3 counties, going as far north as Watsontown and as far south as Shamokin. We have been handing out fliers all over the community and have been in contact with many churches in and out of the Ministerium.

I would urge any one with any questions about this ministry to feel free to ask a member of the AFM team. We on the Angel Food Ministries team would love to share all we know with you. Also I would urge anyone who is thinking of volunteering to come out and join us on distribution day. The more the merrier. We always have a good time. There are also other ways to volunteer if you can't come out on distribution day, just see a member of the Angel Food team and we can point you in the right direction.

I just want to say thanks again for all the support of the congregation, volunteers, and those who have ordered units for donation.

Eric Heintzelman,
Angel Food team leader

LOOKING AHEAD IN 2008!

February 2 - COUPLES' BANQUET
February 22-24 - WOMEN'S RETREAT

March 8 - FAMILY THEME NIGHT
March 20 - LOVE FEAST
March 21 - GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER PATH
March 22 - Community Easter Egg Hunt
March 23 - EASTER

April 26 - YARD SALE

May 2-3 - 24 HOUR PRAYER VIGIL

June 7 - Strawberry Festival / Talent Night
June 8-13 - TEEN WEEK
June 25-28 - CREATION

July 8-10 - SPORTS CAMP
July 12-16 - ANNUAL CONFERENCE
July 13 - Guess Who's Coming to a Picnic ?

July 15-17 - PRESCHOOL CAMP
July 26 - Fireman's Parade Participation
July 29-31 - CRAFT CAMP

August 11-15 - MUSICAL DAY CAMP
August 16 - CHILDREN'S MUSICAL
August 17 - FAMILY NIGHT IN THE PARK

September 12-13 - Women of Faith Conference
September 14 - ALL CHURCH PICNIC
September 19-20 - District Conference

October 5 - LOVE FEAST
October 24-26 - CHURCH RETREAT

November 2 - CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
November 16 - ROLLER SKATING
November 26 - Thanksgiving Eve Service
November 29 - Kettle Cook / Craft Show

December 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

If you do not see your event in the list, be sure to visit http://calendar.bvcob.com to see if it is listed on the official church calendar. Be sure to submit all calendar additions and corrections to the church secretary. Forms are available in the secretary's office.

LARGE PRINT AVAILABLE - If you or someone you know would like to receive The Lamplighter as a large print version, please contact Jeff and Vicki Bastian.