LOVE IS…We think of love as a mood, a feeling, a sentiment an attitude, and a passion; and rightly so, for love may contain some or all of these emotions. But at its essence, love is the selfless commitment of putting the needs of other's before one's own wishes or welfare. It's a choice we make and a command we obey. It's the opposite of offended pride, bitterness, selfishness and rudeness. *** Back to Top *** |
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What is IGNITE?IGNITE is an interdenominational senior high worship service that has one goal in mind: To glorify and magnify God's name through intimate and authentic worship. Join us Every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 9 PM. *** Back to Top *** |
Please Put Others FirstDo you? There is a continued need to offer all spaces in the paved parking lot to visitors or individuals with difficulty walking. This is one small way you can serve others. Are you helping us keep the welcome mat out? *** Back to Top *** |
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Limitless LoveIt is hard for the human brain to fully comprehend the fact that God lives outside of time. Perhaps even more difficult to understand is that there was never a beginning and there will never be an end to God's love for us. Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." We don't need to get caught up in the incomprehensible details of God's love, mercy and goodness; we need only accept them as a little child would. David Jeremiah *** Back to Top *** |
Youth Pastor Called
A Special Church Council Meeting was held on January 6 to call a new Youth Pastor. A unanimous recommendation from the Search Committee was presented to call Matt Christ. The vote for the call was 98.7% affirmative (76-1). A financial package of $45,045 was approved without objection. Matt is scheduled to start as Youth Pastor on February 4 and the financial package will be prorated accordingly.
Matt and Denise and their two children Abigail and Malachi will be moving into the parsonage soon.
Please welcome Matt and his family as they return to Buffalo Valley and he joins our pastoral staff. Matt served at Christ Church in Beaver Springs as Associate Pastor for the past two years.
Eli Mast,
Moderator
Building For Ministry
Thank you to all who participated in the capital campaign. Your gifts and pledges of financial support and prayers are greatly appreciated by church leadership as plans continue for expansion of church ministry. We also want to thank those of you who have indicated that you're not comfortable with pledges, etc., but are supportive of the church continuing to grow its influence in the community and the building expansion that is part of that plan.
To date over $37,000 has been pledged or received in one time gifts. We also received pledges of approximately $1100 in ongoing weekly support. We encourage everyone to continue to be in prayer for and support the Building for Ministry Fund as God would lead you.
The gifts received have met an important milestone, having enough cash on hand for the 2nd land payment of $60,000 in January 2008.
As a church family we have much to be thankful for and to look forward too. I personally thank you for being part of this church family and encourage you to be involved in the wide spectrum of ministry that God has blessed us with.
Steve Richard
There is nothing we can do to make God love us more; there is nothing we can do to make God love us less. ~ Philip Yancy
REACH OUT!
In 2008, the Mission Team will again sponsor Operation Christmas Child. This year our goal is to pack 350 boxes. We will be collecting most of the same items as last year, but in a little different format. Any of the items can be contributed at any time throughout the year. You can check out the Christmas Child Graph in the back of the Multipurpose Room and see how the collections are progressing through the year. Check out the list of items needed and when you are doing your shopping and see items on sale, buy them and place them in the Operation Christmas Child tub in the narthex.
Have you wished that you could go on a mission/service project, but are unable to be away from home for an extended period of time? Can you get away for one day to serve? Here is your opportunity. The Mission Ministry Team has committed to help with the Southern and Mid-Atlantic District's Annual Meat Canning Project in Lancaster County, Pa on March 26. We have reserved 10 spots for Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren (BVCOB). We will be working from 6 AM till 12 noon. For additional information, please contact Jake Myer. BVCOB will also be taking special Meat Canning Offerings on Sunday morning March 2 and March 9. Our goal this year is $650 to help purchase the chicken to can. The Districts Goal is to can 70,000 lbs of chicken.
The Mission Ministry Team is continuing to collect Aluminum cans. The proceeds will be used to ship the Operation Christmas Child boxes in November. Please drop your cans off in the blue barrel by the B-B-Q pit.
Jake Myer
The Human Touch of Kindness - It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor. ~ Martin Luther
From Our Youth Pastor,
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Dear Church Family,
It's a phenomenal feeling to have the opportunity to serve as your youth pastor. After much prayer and discernment, it brings me great joy to return to a place of such love and support. The past two years have been a tremendous time of growth and equipping for the ministry ahead. God has provided unique opportunities for our family to reach out to others in times of joy and distress.
We trust that God will continue to use us in ways that only He can do. Our faith and trust are fully in Him and we are extremely excited and blessed to start a new chapter in our ministry journey. May God always bless you and provide you peace and comfort.
Good things ahead,
Pastor Matt Christ & family
Volunteers Wanted
We are in great need of volunteers to staff the Welcome Center. This is a great opportunity to meet new people. If interested, please see Carol Pursel as soon as possible.
Pam Kline, Hospitality & Comm. Ministry Team
CAMP EDER SIGNUP
Summer camps at Camp Eder! It's time to register for our church camp near Gettysburg! Check out the camps online www.campeder.org or in the brochures. We have some information on the narthex table or see Fay Richard, camp representative. If you are new to the church, feel free to talk with Fay or former campers or their families about the many opportunities offered for those interested from Kindergarten through 12th grade at Camp Eder.
Buffalo Valley COB is very supportive of those going to camp. For example, the Children's Ministry will be paying $215 per camper for the regular and special week-long camps. Youth amounts to be announced.
Three Day Raven Camp:
Church pays $80; Campers pay: $50
Barefoot Camp:
Church pays: $55; Campers pay: $55
Remember to sign up early as some camps (especially the specialty camps) fill up quickly!! Any questions or to have your registration form signed, contact Fay at 570-966-0182 or frichard@dejazzd.com
Fay A. Richard, Camp Eder Representative
BLESSED
"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
As we look back on 2007 it is abundantly clear that we have been blessed by God. Although the weekly bulletin reported at the end of the year that we were behind budget by about $30,000 the reality is much different.
Total offerings to the general fund for 2007 were $265,285 and our expenses totaled $253,907 we actually ended 2007 with a budget surplus of a little more than $11,000. If we had not lost our youth pastor in 2007 we would actually have had a small deficit for the entire year. Although as a congregation we seem unwilling at times to fully support the annual budget we are amazingly generous in other areas.
In 2007 we had contributions of $58,213 for the building fund and we have more than enough for the purchase of the second parcel of land that is due in January. We supported numerous missions, the Kettle Cook, started Angel Food Ministries and helped many people through the Good Samaritan fund. Total offerings to Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren for 2007 came to $326,764. The budget for 2008 has been approved as has been the hiring of our new youth pastor. It will be a challenge for us to meet our obligations this year and to continue down the path of building a larger facility.
God tells us to be good stewards of the blessings that he has bestowed upon us, remember that all that we have is truly God's 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,
The Finance Team
Rich Allen, Carol Manbeck, Lori Hunsberger
Ministry Coordinating Team News
The MCT is working toward filling our teams and directing the ministry of our faith community. It takes considerable time and energy to lead one of our teams. Please take time to pray for our leadership and to let them know you appreciate their diligence. If you would like to increase your commitment to serving our faith community, consider serving on one of our ministry teams. We serve as the feet and hands of Christ, without our community it would be impossible to fulfill His call.
Ministry Team Leaders include:
- Mike Manbeck - Adult
- Gary Kline - Building & Grounds
- Perhaps your name belongs here. Children's Ministry Team Leader is currently vacant. If you have a passion for Children's ministry speak to Eli Mast or any member of the Gifts Discernment Team.
- Rich Allen - Finance
- Pam Kline - Hospitality & Communications
- Jake Myers - Mission
- Randy Fiske - Pastoral
- Dennis Hunsberger - Spiritual Life
- Dave Stamm - Youth
MCT has called Mike Manbeck to join Eli Mast, Randy Fiske, and myself on the Executive Team. We welcome your comments and concerns about anything going on in our faith community.
There will be a MCT retreat on February 8th and 9th at the church. This year's theme will be "New Heart, New Spirit" from Ezekiel 36:26. We will be spending time in prayer and worship. We will also be discussing ways to love one another well and explore what it means to function as a team. Please keep this time in your prayers.
We are also in the process of evaluating all our pastoral staff. The goal is to review this past year of ministry and look forward to 2008. Each pastor writes goals and ministry objectives for the coming year. This is a great opportunity to seek God's direction together.
Brian Keister, MCT Chairperson
From the Pastor,
When Edgar Guest, the American poet and writer, was a young man, his first child died.
Writes Guest: “There came a tragic night when our first baby was taken from us. I was lonely and defeated. There didn’t seem to be anything in life ahead of me that mattered very much.
“I had to go to my neighbor’s drugstore the next morning for something, and he motioned for me to step behind the counter with him. I followed him into his little office at the back of the store. He put both hands on my shoulders and said, ‘Eddie, I can’t really express what I want to say, the sympathy I have in my heart for you. All I can say is that I’m sorry, and I want you to know that if you need anything at all, come to me. What is mine is yours.’”
Years later Guest reminisced upon that incident. He said, “Just a neighbor across the way – a passing acquaintance. Jim Potter [the druggist] may long since have forgotten that moment when he gave me his hand and his sympathy, but I shall never forget it – never in all my life. To me it stands out like the silhouette of a lonely tree against a crimson sunset.”
When we show others compassion, it will never be forgotten. ~ Jack R. Van Ens, Arvada, Colorado
Jesus said, “This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:17
Happy Valentine's Day.
Pastor Randy
Turning Point Concert Coming To Buffalo Valley
"Turning Point" a select Christian contemporary vocal group of students from Eastern University, St Davids, PA will proclaim their faith through music on Sunday, February 17 here at Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren in both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services.
During the past 35 years, "Turning Point" has performed inspiring Christian music in more than 1,000 churches to thousands of people. These young musicians present a variety of sacred vocal music with and without accompaniment. Their broad repertoire includes classical choral music of all periods as well as contemporary Christian music and hymn arrangements.
Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences located on the Main Line, west of Philadelphia, PA. It enrolls close to 3,700 students in its undergraduate, graduate and nontraditional programs. The music department offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with programs in music education, church music, performance, and composition and electronic music. Many of our own young people here from Buffalo Valley have attended or are attending Eastern. Danielle Keister is currently a member of the group, "Turning Point". All are welcome to come and share in this special worship event.
Diane Heintzelman
Worship & Music Ministry Team Leader
STEP & SCULPT
In the first class, I have five faithful members, four women and one man. The guy is the only one of the five that attends our church.
The beginner class is attended by an average of ten women. Half of them attend our church. That first night, I was amazed at the number that came out to exercise. There is still room for more, both male and female. If you have any questions see me.
In closing, I would like to tell you a true story. A couple years ago, I had a lady come up to me in church and tell me that she heard about my class and came. Thru that class she and her husband started attending Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren regularly. Their daughter also attends. Isn't God amazing? You never know when or how His Spirit is going to move.
Dan Hartman
Adult Sunday School
It is hard to believe the winter quarter is 2/3rds complete. I've had the privilege of visiting most of the classes during this quarter and it is really a joy to hear all the discussion and questions we are sharing with one another.
We are currently working on our offerings for the Spring quarter, which begins the first Sunday in March.
Sunday school is a great place to meet people and connect with the faith community. Remember to invite those who are visiting to join you. We also always have a class in the Multipurpose room to provide an easy environment for others to join.
If you have any concerns or questions about our program feel free to talk to myself or Amy Bastian.
In other notes:
There will be an Alleluia Hour on February 3rd. During this time our Sunday school classes will meet together in the Multipurpose Room to hear a presentation by the Pregnancy Care Center. This is a great opportunity to hear more about their ministry and consider getting involved.
Adult Director
Brian Keister
District & Denominational News & Views
In our 2008 "LOVE WELL" Congregational Goals and Objectives, under III a & b the Mission Ministry Team is to keep the congregation informed and involved with District and Denominational ministries.
One of the District's big projects is the annual meat canning which takes place the last week in March and the first week of April. The Southern District and Mid-Atlantic District Churches join forces to can 70,000 lbs chicken in 8 days. The canned chicken is distributed to ministry agencies which help provide food for those in need. Check out the Mission article to see how you can be a part of this project.
The National Missions Conference of the Church of the Brethren - "Mission Alive 2008" is planned for April 4 - 6 at the Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. Mano Rumalshah, a Christian Leader from Pakistan will be one of the keynote speakers at the conference. If you are interested in attending, please contact Pastor Randy or Jake Myer for additional information.
The year 2008 marks the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren. If you are interested in what the Anniversary Committee is planning, check out the Church of the Brethren website at www.brethren.org and click on keyword: 300th Anniversary.
If you read USA Today you may have seen the article ("Katrina Volunteers Come to Stay") about the Church of the Brethren Katrina Recovery Project in the Chalmette section of New Orleans. This is the project site where the Buffalo Valley Team worked on their last trip back in October, 2007. Another Team is traveling to Pearl River, Louisiana January 27 - February 2, 2008.
Jake Myer
Host Families Needed
"Turning Point" a Christian contemporary vocal group of students from Eastern University will be proclaiming their Christian faith through music here at Buffalo Valley during both of our morning services on Sunday, February 17th.
Housing is still needed for 4 young men & 9 young women for overnight on February 16th. If you are willing to provide overnight accommodations and a light breakfast on Sunday to any of the students, please contact Diane Heintzelman as soon as possible. You can call Diane at 570-966-0527 or email her at
Druth40@ceinetworks.com.
We will also be providing lunch to the group following Sunday morning services. If you are interested in helping with the luncheon, please also let Diane know.
Diane Heintzelman
Stepping Stones
A Four Step Discipleship Program helping individuals grow in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and in their relationship with the faith community here at the Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren.
In order to fulfill God's plan for this church, it is important that everyone is growing and reaching the potential that God has placed in each of us. We have developed these classes to better help us achieve our discipleship goals for personal growth and community harmony.
- Stepping Stone 1: Welcome to Buffalo Valley
- Stepping Stone 2: Foundations of Our Faith
- Stepping Stone 3: Discovering Your Gifts
- Stepping Stone 4: Leadership Training
If you have any questions about Stepping Stones see Brian Keister.
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.