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June 7 - Strawberry Festival & Talent Night July8-10 - Sports Camp August17 - FAMILY NIGHT IN THE PARK September12-13 - Women of Faith Conference October 5 - Love Feast November 2 - Church Council Meeting December24 - Christmas Eve Serv If you do not see your event in the list, be sure to visit www.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 and in the Member's Area of the church website. *** Back to Top *** |
Church Council Meeting
Sunday, May 18 at 4 PM
The members of Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren will gather for our Spring Church Council Meeting. In the Church of the Brethren the Church Council is the body of believers gathered as the highest decision making group in the congregation. We come together as believers guided by the Holy Spirit discerning the Mind of Christ.
We have two regularly scheduled Church Councils each year, one in May and the other the first Sunday of November. The fall meeting has budget approval as a major agenda item. Special meetings are called as needed.
Agenda items for May 18 are:
(1) Approval to license Matt Christ to the set apart ministry, (2) Reports from the Treasurer, Capital Fund Campaign Committee and the Senior Pastor, AND (3) Review of Goals and Objectives.
Child care will be provided.
Eli Mast
Moderator
Creation 2008
June 25-28, 2008
Looking ahead to the summer, Creation is being held June 25th to June 28th at the Agape Farm in Mt. Union, PA. We are requesting $45 per person which includes your meal cost. This is the 30th anniversary and guaranteed to be an explosive event. Many have signed up already, but have you? The sheet is on the table in the narthex. By May, I would like to have a final count. This could be the highlight of your summer!
Pastor Matt
Strawberry Festival & Talent Night
Saturday, June 7 at 6 PM
We have a congregation that has been blessed with a multitude of great talents and we want YOU to share them with us at this year’s Strawberry Festival. Sharing can include any sort of talent from musical abilities to rope tying to handmade crafts or collections. If you’re too nervous to share by yourself, get a friend or two who would be willing to participate with you. Bring your favorite strawberry dish to share with everyone as well. We are anticipating another great evening that you won’t want to miss. Please SIGN-UP ON THE TALENT SHEET in the narthex under the special events area.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Jan Kline
Special Events Coordinator
“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” Leviticus 27:30.
Budget - The Lord's
The first calendar quarter of 2008 has come and gone, here is an update about the finances of Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren (BVCOB) through the end of March.
We are currently running a budget surplus year to date, so far our offerings have exceeded our expenses by $2,805. The weekly bulletin however shows that we are running a deficit year to date. The bulletin tracks our projected budget expenses over the year and our weekly need to meet that budget, our hope is that our offerings will meet the projected need throughout the year. Year to date however our expenses have been running lower than projected and this is fairly normal for the first quarter of the year. We tend to spend a lot more in the third and fourth quarters of the year.
In January of 2008 we purchased the second tract of land for our future building project, the cost was $60,000, the final tract of land will be purchased in January of 2009 for another $60,000. Offerings to the building fund generally average around $1,000 per week and we currently have $24,000 in the fund. With 40 weeks to go before our final purchase we are on track to have the cash that we need.
Most of you within the congregation will be receiving a tax rebate from the federal government over the next 6 - 8 weeks of between $300 and $600 per tax payer within your family. This is part of the economic stimulus package that was passed earlier this year. Gas prices are at record highs, food prices have been rising, electric bills going up, but these dollars are a one time windfall. Why not consider taking that tax rebate and giving it to the Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren, as a one time gift. We have approximately 150 families within our congregation, if the average rebate was $1,000 per family and every one of you passed it onto the church we would raise $150,000. Imagine what God could do with that kind of a windfall. Remember, everything we have is the Lords!
God tells us to be good stewards of the blessings that He has bestowed upon us, remember that all that we have is truly Gods to do with as He pleases. The Finance Ministry Team challenges each of us to bring a tithe to God in 2008; if we do we will be blessed beyond belief.
God Bless,
Finance Ministry Team
Rich Allen, Carol Manbeck, Lori Hunsberger, & Scott Crandell
Arizona Mission
August 2-8, 2008
Interested in a summer mission trip where the main focus is to spread the Word of God? This summer those going on the Arizona trip will be helping with Vacation Bible School on the Reservation in the morning and in the evening we will be doing Bible School in Holbrook.
If you have always wanted an opportunity to go, but did not feel you were up to major work projects, then this mission is an opportunity for you to experience sharing The Message of Christ! For those who may be concerned about the heat and accommodations, we have that covered as well. We will again stay in a hotel in the town of Holbrook and we have the privilege of using the new air-conditioned Faith Assembly Church for our evening Bible School and our meals.
Dates: August 2 – 8, 2008
Team limited to 15 people
Application deadline: May 31st
There are a variety of jobs that we need you to consider sharing a week of your time! Please see me for an application as soon as possible.
Serving Him Only,
Vicki Bastian
From Our Youth Pastor,
Junior & Senior High Youth has been extended to 6 - 8:30 pm on Sunday evenings. From 6 - 6:30 pm is a time to fellowship, 6:30 - 7:30 pm is Senior High Bible study and 7:30 - 8:30 pm is worship and devotion for the Junior High. Junior High is for those in 6th – 8th grade and Senior High is for those in 9th – 12th grades. If you haven’t had the opportunity to join in, it would be great to see you there.
The 30 Hour Famine was an incredible time of connecting to God and making an impact for hungering children. Thank you to all who participated, volunteered or gave of their wealth to help this cause.
Ignite has begun a transformation within our Senior High youth. Worship and study have provided this catalyst. Come on out at 6:30 pm on Wednesday nights to spark your flame for God.
Cell groups continue to meet various days throughout the week. What a great way to boost your week while in attendance. A cell leader retreat will be held May 23rd to May 24th at the Lutheran parsonage. If you are a current leader or would like to be one, please see me. Letters will be forthcoming.
As summer approaches, Teen Week will be June 9th - 13th with a focus on hot topics in youth culture. Volunteers are needed.
Creation is June 24th – 29th. Please hand in your deposit if you are planning to attend.
Looking to summer youth activities, the Keister pond will be on Tuesday evenings and a family time at the Christ Cottage along Penns Creek on Sunday afternoons before Sunday night youth begins at 6 pm. Canoeing, paintball, hiking, and biking are all in store.
On behalf of the leaders in the youth ministry, we thank you for sharing your time with us.
Blessings and peace,
Pastor Matt
IGNITE is on-line!
IGNITE Ministries has recently created a website to better serve the ministry. It offers resources, a blog, news updates, pictures of the staff and worship team, and information about the ministry. We are still expanding it and adding new content so, check back often! -- www.ignitemifflinburg.com.
Jonathan Bastian
“Material Gifts Month” for Buffalo Valley
May 2008
The month of May is designated as “Material Gifts Month for Children’s Aid Society.” Congregations in the Southern Pennsylvania District are asked to help the different centers by contributing material gifts or money to purchase such items as baby food, fruits, juices, diapers, toothbrushes, non-perishable food items, art supplies, cleaning and bathroom supplies, and toys, just to name a few. Because we are a distance from the Agency, we will again be sending a check to purchase needed items.
This year special offerings will be collected from all Adult, Youth and Children’s Sunday school classes on May 4th and 11th. Watch your mailbox for additional information. Brown offering envelopes may also be used for those not attending Sunday school.
Buffalo Valley has supported Children’s Aid Society so faithfully over the years. Your gifts and support are so very much appreciated.
Jane Mast,
Contact Person
Volunteers Needed - Will You Help?
It’s time for us to fill our staff for our Summer Children’s Programming:
- Sports Camp - July 8-10, 6-9 PM
- Preschool Camp - July 15-17, 9 AM–12 PM
- Craft Camp - July 29-31, 9 AM–12 PM
- Splash Camp Celebration - August 17, 5 PM
We need volunteers for all areas of service. If you are available to join us for any of these ministry opportunities, call Donita at 570-966-1388, or fill out a helping hand on the Children’s Ministry Table in the Narthex at church. When you volunteer, if you have a preference for a particular job, please let us know.
We have a real opportunity to impact the lives of kids at these day camps.
Donita Keister
Children’s Pastor
Library Materials Missing - Do You Have Them???
We need your HELP! There are several items that are missing from the church library. These items include books: The O’Malley Chronicles Volume 1 by Dee Henderson, For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn, and Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury; DVDs: Because of Winn Dixie, and Mickey; Videos: too numerous to mention (see sign in library).
These are only the ones that we know are missing. There may be others. We cannot stress this request enough: please sign out items when they are removed from the library!
In the meantime, we are asking that EVERYONE check their homes, cars, school lockers for lost books, DVDs and videos that may belong to the church library.
Thank you for your assistance!
Carol Manbeck & Amy Bastian
Men's Ministry: Brain Storming
Hello all and the love and blessings of God to you. Just a quick note to let you all know that I’ve just accepted the position as Men’s Ministry Team Coordinator.
I would like to have a Brain Storming meeting where “ALL” the men come and together we brain storm and come up with ideas we can all work on for the future of the Men’s Ministry.
This will not be a meeting where you will get a job or any added work to do, just an information seeking meeting.
I will announce the Date and Time at Sunday Morning Worship. Thank you.
In Christ’s Service,
Jerry Shields
From the Pastor ... A Revived Soul
Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.”
So to paraphrase King David’s words, Scripture is so powerful and comprehensive that it can convert or transform the entire person, changing someone into precisely the person God wants him or her to be.
George Whitefield, at the age of 16, became deeply convicted of sin. He tried everything possible to erase his guilt through “religious activity.” He wrote, “I fasted for 36 hours twice a week. I prayed formal prayers several times a day and almost starved myself to death during Lent, but only felt more miserable. Then by God’s grace I met Charles Wesley…”
Charles Wesley opened up the Scripture to George Whitefield.
Wesley showed Whitefield the words of Jesus in John 3 where Jesus told Nicodemus – you must be born again.
Years later, while Charles’ brother, John was leading a spiritual revival in England, Whitefield was leading one in America.
It all began with the Scriptures.
“The Bible is so familiar to us that we can forget how extraordinary it is,” write the editors of Discipleship Journal. “Yet only of the Bible can it be said, ‘Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit’ (2 Peter 1:21). That’s why, even though its format may have changed over the centuries – from scrolls and parchments to books and websites – God’s message remains as alive as when He spoke it.”
May God’s Word daily revive your soul!
Serving you,
Pastor Randy
Baptism
Sunday, June 8
There will be a baptism held at Keister’s pond on Sunday, June 8th. If you are interested in joining the Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren or being baptized, please contact Pastor Randy.
Opportunities Abound at Camp Eder
Don’t miss out on the great camps this summer at Camp Eder. If you are looking for a wonderful place for your children to get closer to God while making some great Christian friends, check out the brochures in the narthex or go online at www.campeder.org. There are still camps available so don’t delay!
If you have questions about camper or volunteer openings, contact the Camp Eder office at 717-642-8256. If you are going for the first time or are thinking about going and have questions that I might be able to answer, give me a call at 570-966-0182. Check the narthex sheet for who’s going if you want to carpool. If you are headed to camp and aren’t on that sheet, please sign up!!
Remember our church has funding designated for our church family and for those children and youth who would like to go who are unchurched.
Blessings,
Fay A. Richard,
Camp Representative
Strive to serve like Jesus: with meekness, humility and love. In Christian service, the branches that bear the most fruit hang the lowest. ~ Anonymous
Signs of Life
Back to the Basics of Christianity
Would your life cause someone to approach you and say, “You must be a Christian”? How does the world recognize us as God’s ambassadors?
We know how to tell if there’s life in our physical bodies, but what are the signs of life for a Christian? In this study, you’ll explore five of them – five that will surprise you, simply because they sound more like earmarks of someone who is nearly dead:
- Dusty shoes
- Worn-out knees
- Rolled-up sleeves
- An open hand
- Outstretched arms
Yet if every Christian exhibited these signs of a life transformed by Jesus Christ, we could change our world.
Signs of Life will lead you on a journey to a fuller understanding of the marks that identify you as a Christian. Signs that will advertise your faith. Personal imprints that can impact souls for eternity and help you become a person of influence who radiates relevancy, authenticity, generosity, and compassion every day – just like Jesus did.
This study is meant to lead the way to a life marked by purposeful activity, eternal impact, and rewarding sacrifice. Together we will discover some new ways to measure our spiritual vitality so that we all can remain alive and well in Christ. Think of Signs of Life as a kind of mirror in which you can see yourself as others see you and a pep rally where you can be encouraged to really walk the talk.
Join us this summer for this unified Adult Sunday School Quarter starting June 1st. Let’s all take this journey together!
Diane Heintzelman
Did You Know?
Since January 2008, www.bvcob.com has had an average of 396 unique visitors each month, with a high 472 in March!
ALOHA!
This year’s family theme night was a “Hawaiian Luau”. It was held on Saturday, April 12th at 5 pm. Approximately 135 people attended and it was a fun time for all! We had delicious Hawaiian foods like ham pineapple pizza, baked ham sandwich with a pineapple glaze sauce, fresh pineapple and awesome desserts provided by you, our church family. Many thanks to those of you who brought a dessert to share. There was even Hawaiian poi to sample. We played games such as the hula-hoop contest, the limbo, surf boarding and don’t forget our favorite, musical chairs!
If you didn’t attend this year, please come next year. You’ll have to wait and see what the exciting “Family Theme” will be!
Jan Kline,
Special Events Coordinator
Share Your News Online
If you have news about upcoming events that you would like to share with the general public and your church family, please let me know! You have an opportunity to promote upcoming events right on the home page to be seen by anyone visiting the church website. By using this resource, we can potentially reach someone for Christ when they come to an event! And isn’t that what we’re all about?
Send your News to Peggy Shields at peggy@projectsbypeggy.com as early as possible including the date you want it posted. As you plan your events, don’t forget to include the website as a valuable FREE tool to promote the event.
Peggy Shields
Online Member Directory
We recently added a Member Directory/ Address Book to the Member’s Area of the church website. This is a voluntary listing that each member can use to share their name, address, email and phone with the church family. Feel free to add your address and/or edit your own entry.
Please note the following policy regarding using the Address Book: The Address Book is a voluntary member directory. Feel free to add your information, however DO NOT add any other listings. You can also update your information when it changes.
Listings are for just one person and may include the following:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Home Phone
- Work Phone
- Cell Phone
- Affiliation – Member, Attendee or Friend
- Address
- Notes (additional information you wish to include, i.e., kids names, work schedule, etc.)
If you do not have access to a computer and would like to include your address listing in the online private area of our website, please contact the church office (570-966-1183) or Peggy Shields (570-966-0969).
If you have problems or need assistance, please call me at 570-966-0969 or email me at peggy@projectsbypeggy.com
Peggy Shields,
Webmaster
We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast and our trust fixed on God. ~ St. Francis de Sales
Spring Fix Up
Saturday, May 17, 2008
It’s finally spring, and with it comes a lot of work. As we shake off the cold and long dark days of winter, we think ahead to summer. On Saturday, May 17th, there will be a spring cleanup day here at the church. Outdoors we plan on raking lawn, putting lines on the parking lot, etc. Inside the church, we will be painting classrooms, washing windows, and doing other cleaning.
Please mark your calendar, and plan to help on this day. There will be plenty to do for everyone. We plan to start around 8 am, so the more help we get the quicker we get finished. More details coming.
Gary Kline
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.