The Keister Pond - Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren

Buffalo Valley
Church of the Brethren
July 2012
Volume 28 No. 6
BAPTISM
The Spring Baptism was held on Sunday,
June 3rd at the Keister Family Pond. Eight
young people joined our congregation through
baptism.
Participating in the baptism, were Emma
Berkheiser, Vanessa Dye, Chloee Gemberling,
Heaven Kershaw, Clayton Kurtz, Zyair Spaid,
Graham Wiand, and Alivia Witmer.
Please welcome these new members of our
congregation.
When: Sunday, August 5 at 12:30 PM
Where is the Moose?
(If you have been to Camp Eder you should know.)
Camp Eder Summer Camps Begin!
Prayers for campers and camp staff for an
awesome summer experience! May God bless
all with closeness to Him, safety and great fun!
If you wish to see who is going, look at “Who is
going and when poster?” at the church.
Thanks to all who support the ministry of
Camp Eder through prayers, financial aid, and
participation!
Happy Camping!
Fay Richard, Camp Eder Rep
English Missionary –
“Some want to live within the sound of
church and chapel bell; I want to run a
rescue shop within a yard of hell!”
Where: The Keister Pond
(1 mile south of the church)
What is provided:
 Grilled burgers and hot dogs
 Beverages
What to bring:
 Table setting for your family
 Covered dish & dessert to share
 Any lawn games that you enjoy
What to do:
 Swim, go fishing, or take the paddle
boats on the pond
 Lawn games
 Volleyball
 Sit in the shade
Danielle Keister
Special Events Coordinator
YOUTH ACE GIVING
Faithful Stewards
Many thanks to the YOUTH SUNDAY
SCHOOL for their awesome giving to
Children’s Aid Society during the month of
May.
The competition was fierce as the
Junior.Hi.’s, Senior Hi. Men, and Senior Hi.
Gals raced for the treat of a donut party! As an
additional incentive, if they collected over $300
an additional $200 would be contributed to
their total. After it was all in, over $600 was
sent from the YOUTH alone.
We welcome Lance Adams to the Finance
Ministry Team.
Thanks too for contributions from the
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES. At the
time of this writing, complete totals are not
available BUT YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
OF CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY (CAS} gives
needed funds to help children in crisis
situations live happier, healthier lives.
To learn more about Children’s Aid Society
and it’s work in the Southern Pennsylvania
District of the Church of the Brethren, talk to Eli
Mast CAS board member or Jane Mast,
Buffalo Valley COB contact representative.
- Jane Mast
It is About to Happen!
The Creation Fest will have 36 youth and
advisors pumped for making a difference in the
lives of their peers. The sound of incredible
bands, motivational speakers as well as the
atmosphere of fellowship through camping will
be had by all. A special thank you to our cooks
and advisors Mike Kingston, Scott Myer, Kristy
and Eric Heintzelman and Darlene Kingston.
This event just wouldn’t be possible without
your help. A huge thank you to all the youth as
well for being on your best light driven
behavior. God is moving in awesome ways
and I look forward to how you will respond to
His call on your lives.
Pastor Matt
Through Sunday June 10th, offerings to the
General Fund continue to be ahead of budget
and we hope that will continue through the
summer and the remainder of the year.
The
new
church
mortgage
for
$937,159.88 is for 20 years with the first 5
years fixed at 4.625%. Every 5 years we will
need to decide if we fix for the next 5 at the
new rate per agreement terms or whether there
is an opportunity to refinance. The bi-weekly
payment is $2,996.94 which is $1,000 less a
month then what we had set as a goal for
Building Fund offerings and fundraisers.
It is our goal to pay off as much of the
mortgage as possible as quickly as possible,
particularly now when rates are low. We will
be paying $25,000 principal right away from
funds in the Building Fund. Starting July 31
when we hope to have the building project
totally completed we will be sweeping any
funds in excess of $40,000 from the Building
Fund and applying to the mortgage principal.
The $40,000 is being retained to assure that if
any member loans need repaid quickly that can
be accomplished. Member loans at 3% are still
welcome and appreciated. If you have money
invested earning less the 3% please contact
me.
A decision will be made at Church
Council meeting about also using $25,000
from the General Fund balance to pay down
the mortgage. The General Fund would still
have more then 2 months operating cash after
the $25,000 payment. Paying $50,000 off right
away would save us minimally $25,000 over
the next 10 years.
Ideally we would love to see this 20 year
loan retired in 10 or less. We thank everyone
for their support of the church and its mission.
Steven Richard
From Our Youth Pastor,
Summer KidConnection Has Begun!
Dates: 6/27, 7/5, 7/11, 7/18 & 7/25
Preschoolers: 30 months (2 ½ to pre-K)
K-5: those who have completed kindergarten
through 5th grades
Preschool Time: 9:30 am – 12 pm
K-5 Time: 9:30 am — 4 pm
Preregistration is preferred, but not required, and
you can attend on any or all of the dates.
Friends are ALWAYS welcome.
Food Snack for preschoolers, lunch for K-5
Special Note For K-5 Camp: Weather permitting,
we will go to the town pool at 1 pm (if not, we’ll
“STAY & PLAY” at the church.) Lunch will be
served at noon. You may attend only the morning
session or only the afternoon session or all day!
WE’RE STILL TAKING REGISTRATIONS!
To register online, go to kids.bvcob.com
Tracy Ericson
WEDDING BELLS
Congratulations to Jed and Kelsey (Saylor)
Chubb.
Congratulations to Jeff and Marlene (Jones)
Johnson.
Congratulations to Dan and Jamie (Keister)
Manbeck.
Congratulations to Vito and Alexa Oliveri
By the time you read this, the Summer
Youth programming has gone into effect. If
you have not had the opportunity to check out
Senior High Cabin Connections on
Wednesdays at the Christ Cabin, you’ll be
sure to want to do so. The creek is swarming
with fish so bring a rod and bait. The temps are
increasing for the chance to swim or kayak or
tube. Still not your fancy, just hang by the
camp fire, make a marshmallow, hot dog or
mountain pie or throw a football, frisbee, shoot
hoops or take a gentle walk through the wildlife
sanctuary. It all happens from 7 – 9 pm. This
is especially for Senior High 9th – 12th grades
including those who just completed 8th grade.
Meet at the church and the van will cruise us to
the cabin.
Junior High will have begun on Sunday
evenings from 6 – 8 pm. We plan to eat
along with devotions at the church and head to
the Keister pond for swimming, fishing and
chillaxing. This is for Junior High 6th to 8th
grades including the 5th graders who just
moved on.
As we cap off the summer, we will hold
Teen Week, Monday, August 13th through
Friday, August 17th. The Drama Ministry
Team will be joining us once again this year as
we pay particular attention to adulation and our
worship to a known God. Each night is from 6
– 9 pm and all youth are invited to enjoy
opening snacks and activities, drama, teaching
points,
small
group
discussions,
and
concluding worship.
Just a note for your personal knowledge, I
will be away the week of the 4th. It has been a
demanding summer with Greek class and I am
so blessed to have a God that cares about all
the small details in our lives. Know that He
longs for you to succeed in areas of your lives
that bring Him Glory. He loves us so and
despite the frustrations we encounter in life, He
continues to reside with us and long for us to
seek His guidance.
Peace,
Pastor Matt
Serving in the Inner City
We are quickly approaching our Brooklyn
Mission Trip from July 13 – 17th. Twelve
youth and advisors will be serving at Brooklyn
1st Church of the Brethren as soup kitchen
helpers, lunch program assistants and many
more worship opportunities including church on
Sunday and street worship. Watch Facebook
and your mailbox for more details if you have
signed up or see me if you would still like to tag
along.
Pastor Matt
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The Mission Team is well on the way to be
able to send our goal of 350 shoeboxes to
children around the world!!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY!!
Please continue to bring in any of the needed
items anytime and place in the marked bins
located in the main entry!
NEEDED ITEMS:
Weis cards are now available in the
main entry on Sunday mornings.
LAST CALL FOR MUSICAL DAY
CAMP REGISTRATIONS!
Musical Day Camp – August 6 – 10
with Children’s Musical - August 11 & 12
BATH SOAP & WASHCLOTHS
SMALL BABY DOLLS
COLORED PENCILS
SMALL STUFFED ANIMALS
CRAYONS
SMALL TABLETS
JUMP ROPES
COLORING BOOKS
HELP US MEET OUR GOAL
AND MAKE A CHILD SMILE THIS
CHRISTMAS!!!!
Kaye Hoover, Mission Ministry Team
REMEMBER OUR MISSIONARIES
Please pray for those ministering
“Outside Our Walls”
Go to kids.bvcob.com or get a brochure
from the children’s table in the main entrance.
Tracy Ericson
Becca Lehman
Missy Hunsberger
Youth going to Brooklyn
Arizona Team 2012
ONLY WEEKS AWAY!!
Dear God….
Please keep this list handy throughout the
month and pray for these members of our church
family along with the additional prayer requests
listed in the bulletin each week.
Rich & Brenda Allen - discernment
Brenda Allen – MS & relief from pain
Vicki Bastian – healing for both knees
Courtney Benner –lupus
Dawn Benner – pain relief
Marvin Benner – healing from cancer
June Boop – shut in
Heather Buttorff – health concerns
Becky Calder – sciatic nerve pain
Doris Chapman – shut-in
Ken Chapman – MS
Denise Christ – MS
Wade DeHaas – seeking employment
Andy Haines – seizures
Ed Hockenbrocht – seeking employment
Cindy Kelly – seeking employment
Daniel Klingman – healing
Lori Maurer- MS
Andrew Richard – recovery from surgery
Gaye Richard – MS
Jackie Shetterly – healing from back surgery
Dennis Shively – shut-in
Matt Sowers – health concerns
Wes Spotts – health concerns
Calvin Styers – continued strength & healing
John Zechman – healing from farming accident
Search Committee Members – Brian Hurst, Brian
Keister, Marsha Libby, Carol Manbeck. Eli Mast,
Tracy Solomon, Steve White
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in
trouble and keep on praying. When God’s people
are in need, be ready to help them.”
In only a few weeks, 13 members of our
church family will be flying to Arizona.
This is an exciting time as we each prepare
for our responsibilities on the team. God
has called each of us to fill specific roles.
Please pray for the entire team as we all
make those final preparations. Thank you
for your support over the past number of
years as we continue to minister to the
people of the Navajo Reservation.
Serving Him,
Jonathan Bastian
Arizona Mission Team Leader
“For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave
me something to drink, I was a stranger and
you invited me in. . . . Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did
for me.”
Matthew 25:35 & 40
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.
Romans 12: 12 - 13
The Forever Forecast
The Son will always shine
and
God will always reign!!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Many people who pass by the church
office on a Sunday Morning know how
frequently our photocopiers are used. Our
church family is very active with many
different ministries and activities which
utilize the copier and large quantities of
paper.
Please remember that we are called to
be stewards of God’s Creation. Stewardship
is how we manage the things God has given
us while we are here on earth. Like the
men who received the talents, we will have
to give an account of how we have been
stewards of our gifts and blessings. So,
when copying, please be conscious of the
number of copies and the proper settings
for your specific project. We want to
minimize the waste from photocopying.
We all make mistakes and when the
copier does not do what we thought it
would do, please remember to place the
unwanted copies in the recycling box
located in the office.
Need Some Summer Recipes?
The Buffalo Valley Church of the
Brethren 2011 Cookbooks are available each
Sunday before and after Sunday school in the
Main Entry. Cost per book is only $10 for 500
recipes! Remember the proceeds benefit the
Building for Ministry Fund. Cookbooks are
available during the week by calling Jane Mast
at 570-966-5947 or Cheryl Ilgen at 570-9669722.
LOOKING AHEAD IN 2012!
August 5 – ALL CHURCH PICNIC
August 6 - 10 – MUSICAL DAY CAMP
August 11 & 12 – CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
August 13 – 17 – TEEN WEEK
September 14 & 15 – District Conference
October 7 – LOVE FEAST
November 4 – Church Council Meeting
November 18 – All Church Roller Skating
November 21 – Thanksgiving Eve Service
CHURCH CALENDAR
By us all working together, we can divert
the waste out of the landfill while reducing
the amount of paper our church goes
through each week.
When you are finished with the
Lamplighter, remember to recycle it!!
Jonathan Bastian
“For the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
~1 Corinthians 10:26 (NIV)
Please remember that the calendar in The
Lamplighter is only a copy from the church
events calendar. For the complete view of the
current official calendar including facility in use
items
visit
the
church
website,
www.bvcob.com.
How many of our sleepless hours might
be traced to our untrusting and disordered
minds. They slumber sweetly whom faith
rocks to sleep.
Charles Spurgeon
The Lamplighter
Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren
46 Brethren Church Rd
Mifflinburg PA 17844
Return Service Requested
The Lamplighter
Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren
46 Brethren Church Road
Mifflinburg PA 17844
www.bvcob.com
Matthew S. Christ, Youth Pastor
Donita J. Keister, Children’s Pastor
Editors – Jeff & Vicki Bastian
Church Office/Kitchen (570) 966-1183
brethren@dejazzd.com
8:00 AM - Worship Service
9:00 AM - Fellowship Time
9:20 AM - Sunday school
10:30 AM - Worship Service
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
Check
the
www.bvcob.com.
church
Find
Youth
Ministry
www.bvcobyouth.com.
calendar
at
activities
at
Children’s Ministry activities can be found at
www.kids.bvcob.com.