Month: April 2022

11 AM WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 IN HARRISBURG

Join the Derry Day Trippers fellowship group as the Harrisburg Senators take on the Altoona Curve. Cost is $23 per ticket. RSVP to Pat Meilands by May 1, payment due to church by May 8. Notate checks Day Trippers B-ball.

Thank you, Derry! The egg-citing silent auction of Ukrainian peace eggs handcrafted by Sue Copenhaver is over! The successful bidders raised $965 for our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, bringing the 2022 total to $16,950!

It’s not too late to make a gift that will take us over the goal of $18,000: click here to donate.

When you call the church office, there’s a good chance the person answering the phone will be our new administrative assistant, Kathy Yingst. She began her duties on Monday, April 25. You’ll find her in the office Monday-Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Reach her by phone at 717-533-9667 or by email at kyingst@derrypres.org.

Love INC of Greater Hershey is looking for a new board member from Derry Church. It just so happens that their Executive Director, Dale Forshey, will be leading Issues Class on Sunday, May 1 (9 am in Room 7 and streaming) — it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the work of one of our community mission partners. Their office is right across the street from the church. For more information or to volunteer, contact Pastor Stephen.

This year the Birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women celebrates the century mark of generous giving. Launched in 1922, the Birthday Offering is an annual tradition for givers and receivers around the world. Grant funds have impacted the ministries of more than 200 organizations and transformed the lives of countless people. Today the Birthday Offering continues to provide a message of hope in the United States and around the world. This offering will be collected through May 25. Watch for information on the two projects funded this year. Give as you have been blessed, generously and as led by the Holy Spirit. Contributions can be made online or place checks in the wooden boxes at church or mail them to the church office.

A variety of items are  needed to fill hygiene bags for the domestic violence center in Harrisburg: sample size shampoos, lotions, soaps, toothpastes, travel size deodorants, washcloths, toothbrushes, tissue packets, wide-tooth combs, and disposable razors. Place items in the PW basket on the mission shelves in the atrium. If you’d be willing to sew some simple cloth bags to hold the toiletries, please contact Doris Feil.

9-10 AM SUNDAY, MAY 1 IN ROOM 2 • BIBLE STUDY LED BY MEARA KWEE

In Luke 24:1-12,three women go to Jesus’ tomb to find that the stone has been rolled away and that Jesus has risen from the dead. Who are these women? How do these women (as well as other unnamed women) bear witness to Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection? In the same way, how will we follow Jesus and bear witness?

7 PM FRIDAY, JUNE 3 IN THE SANCTUARY
AN ARTS ALIVE EVENT • FREE WILL OFFERING

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass present hymn classics with a contemporary flair. The King’s Brass features three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion and keyboards. These instruments blend together to create an innovative worship experience enjoyed by all ages. Secular and sacred music critics alike applaud their concerts as “superb in every way” and “innovative and well played.” “Truly, an unforgettable experience!”

The King’s Brass, formed four decades ago in Detroit, is comprised of professional musicians from across the country who desire to use the instruments they love to lead others in praise and worship. Based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the group plays over 150 concerts per year from coast to coast as well as international destinations. They last played at Derry Church in 2015.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 3/31/22

Note from the treasurer:

• Contributions are ahead of budget and prior year. Expenses are also ahead of 2021, driven mostly by increase in mission. Positive change in net assetss of $132K compared with $104K in 2021. There will be a decrease in personnel expenses with Marie retiring.

9-10 AM SUNDAY, APR 24 IN ROOM 7 AND and ON ZOOM

Join Rev. Dick Houtz, Harold Nightwine and Bill Alexander as they reflect on the major renovation project that transformed the shape of the Sanctuary, added office and nursery space, and created the large Fellowship Hall we still use today. You’ll learn why the decision was made to renovate the 30-year-old Sanctuary, find out about the planning process and how the renovation plan was developed, how the architect and contractor were selected, how the financing was worked out, and some of the many anticipated and unanticipated “construction stories” that happened along the way.

9-10 AM SUNDAY, APR 24 IN ROOM 2 • LED BY REV IVO MEILANDS

The death of Jesus on the cross for you is central to your Christian life, and it is central to a larger story, one that includes the resurrection. Without the resurrection of Jesus, the cross would be meaningless because without the resurrection, there would be no Messiah, no eternal life, no heaven, and no hope.

The apostle Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). Either Jesus did or did not rise from the dead. If Christ did not rise from the dead, Christianity is an interesting museum piece and nothing more. If he did, however, it was the most sensational event of all of history.

9 AM SUNDAY, APR 24 IN THE CHAPEL
11:30 AM SUNDAYS, APR 24, MAY 1 & MAY 8 IN THE LOUNGE 

The Mission & Peace Committee invites you to learn more about how we as a church can assist in refugee resettlement in the Harrisburg area. Learn more.

The final tallies are in, and Derry Church, you are AMAZING! Because of your generosity, 50 deserving students are attending Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) schools in Pakistan at no cost to their families:

• 28 student scholarships are covered through the 2022 “Shares for Scholarships” program: thanks to all who purchased one or more shares! That includes 10 new students being supported with scholarships this year. Non-designated donations are going to the Friends of PEB scholarship fund to be used as needed.
• 17 individuals are covering full scholarships
• The Mission & Peace Committee is funding five scholarships for boarding school students

The 2022 “Shares for Scholarships” program has raised $14,412. When you add in $3,496 from the Mission Madness fundraiser in March, and the money earned through Claudia Holtzman’s handmade greeting cards sold at the church ($317), a whopping $18,225 has been collected for the students in Pakistan so far this year. Thank you, Derry Church, for giving so generously to provide a better life for others.

In the fall, Derry’s Friends of Sargodha will offer the 2022 Mark Smith Christmas ornament for sale, and those proceeds will also support student scholarships.  

Orange Day on April 25 is when Presbyterian Women recognizes the exploitation of females and efforts to prevent it throughout the world. One in five women in the United States experience severe intimate-partner violence over the course of their lifetimes, resulting in injuries most commonly to the head, neck and face. One estimate of annual brain injuries among survivors of domestic abuse is 1.6 million. Research shows victims can sustain head trauma more often than football players and probably accounts for inconsistency, hostility and bewilderment in their contact with police.

Training to recognize this is being given to the Tempe, Arizona Police Department’s domestic violence unit. Also, Barrow’s Concussion & Brain Injury Center in Arizona is working with victims to regain their cognitive abilities. (Why Can’t I See Straight?,” Christa Hillstrom). 

Wear orange or an orange ribbon to show support and awareness of this program to help victims of domestic violence.

5:30-7:30 PM SUNDAY, MAY 1 IN ROOM 7 • RSVP TO PASTOR PAM

Each year we look forward to presenting our third graders with new NSRV bibles to help them continue on their faith journey. Since COVID has altered our ability to gather for the last few years, we extend the invitation to all our 3rd-5th graders and hope they will join us for this special program. Each child is encouraged to bring at least one parent with them to experience this learning together. This session will include a more in depth introduction the Bible and how it is organized, fun games using our Bibles and a meal together. After completing the “Navigating the Bible” course, each child will be presented with their own new Bible in worship on Sunday, May 8. 

One or more of these delicate, one-of-a-kind Ukrainian peace eggs hand crafted by Sue Copenhaver could be yours! Place your silent auction bid for your favorite eggs by 12 pm Sunday, April 24 in Fellowship Hall. Minimum bid is $25/egg and bidding will end promptly at 12 pm on Sunday, April 24. Proceeds benefit our One Great Hour of Sharing campaign, which has raised $12,747 so far. The Mission & Peace Committee has set a goal of $18,000. Click here to give online to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

Maundy Thursday, April 14
7 pm worship in the Sanctuary with communion and live streaming led by Pastor Stephen, the Sanctuary Choir, and members of the Children & Sacraments class. Guest soloist Christyan Seay. Download the bulletin.

Good Friday, April 15
12-12:30 pm worship in the Sanctuary, organ meditation by Grant Wareham featuring the complete Symphony No. 3, Op. 28 by Louis Vierne
7 pm worship in the Sanctuary and live streaming led by Pastor Pam and featuring readings of scripture and poetry between the movements of Louis Vierne’s Symphony No. 3, Op. 28 played by Grant Wareham. Download the bulletin

Easter Sunday, April 17
8 & 10:30 am worship in the Sanctuary with Derry Ringers, Sanctuary Choir, brass quartet, and Bob Nowak on percussion. For the postlude, organist Grant Wareham and musicians present Widor’s Toccata from Symphony No. 5. Children’s choir and live streaming at 10:30 am. Download the bulletin.
8:30-11 am breakfast in Fellowship Hall and to go: your donation supports the 2022 mission trip to the Dominican Republic (Bridges to Community)

Last May Derry Church welcomed famed pianist Ruth Slencynska for a recital thanks to her connection with Derry member Shelly Moorman-Stahlman. Click the black arrow to watch the CBS Sunday Morning interview with Ruth and Shelly and learn more about Ruth’s remarkable life, then click this link to watch her Derry Church performance – it has more than 28,000 views on YouTube!

12 PM FRIDAY, APRIL 15 ON ZOOM: MEETING ID 898 9191 6580, PASSCODE 930951

Derry Church is invited to join Wesley Union AME Zion Church for a digital Good Friday service. Pastors from churches in and around Harrisburg will share a short meditation based on one of the traditional seven last words of Christ. Pastor Stephen will be participating in the service.

Taking the Grand Prize is Steven “The Panther” Guenther who not only wins the Victory Trophy but also gets his name engraved on the Plaque of Champions!

The following folks had a great run, and are deserving of their Top 5 Overall Medal:
2nd Place: Andy and Amy “No Look” Cook
3rd Place: Sara “Soprano” Woodbury
4th Place: “Slam” Duncan Campbell
5th Place: Ray “Monsoon” June

Winning medals for the subgroups are a wide range of Derry faithful:
Best in Retirees: Cindy Warnock (we knew you were the expert in the family)
Best in Music: Sara Woodbury (mother and son both get a medal!)
Best in Session: Duncan Campbell
Best in Children (0-11): Noah Ganse. Kudos to toddler Adelaide Barth who was just one point behind Noah
Best in Youth (12-18): Tommy Steelman (no surprise there)
Best in Staff: Pastor Marie!! Commissioner Pete Steelman would have rigged it anyway had she not won

Pastor Stephen has decreed that a brief “Presentation of Awards” will take place during the preliminary announcements at 10:30 am worship on Sunday, April 10. Thanks to all who participated and donated to fund scholarships for Presbyterian Education Board students in Pakistan. You raised a remarkable $3,496 to help children across the globe!

4 PM SUNDAY, MAY 1 IN THE SANCTUARY • FREE WILL OFFERING • FACE MASKS OPTIONAL

Renowned pianist Eun Ae Baik-Kim and violinist Ye-jin Han will take the stage to play selections including César Franck’s “Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano” and Johannes Brahms’ “Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108.”

Korean born pianist Eun Ae Baik-Kim has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician in South America and the United States and is familiar to Derry Church audiences. She is a winner of numerous competitions including “Chautauqua Piano Competition,” “Concurso para Jovens Solistas,” and “Concurso Estadual para Instrumentistas e Cantores,” and received a “Diploma de Honra” for distinguished artist by Conservatório Carlos Gomes. She was the youngest pianist to perform the significant concert series “Suite Iberia de Albeniz,” a festival sponsored by the Spanish Consulate in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dr. Baik-Kim is a faculty member of Dickinson College where she is a devoted collaborative artist and teacher. 

The versatile Korean violinist/violist Ye-jin Han has performed throughout the United States, Canada, South America and Europe, and has been praised for her “pure, expressive tone” and “effortless playing” at her Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall debut. Dr. Han has been a prize winner at many competitions including the Citta di Brescia International Violin Competition in Italy, Five Towns Music and Arts Foundation Young Musician Competition, and Lilian Fuchs Memorial Chamber Music Competition in New York. She is a concertmaster of the Bergen Symphony Orchestra and recently played her fourth concerto with the orchestra as a soloist. Dr. Han holds a DMA from Stony Brook University and has a private studio which has produced many competition winners and musical leaders at conservatories and state/local youth orchestras. 

6 PM SATURDAY, MAY 7 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Ladies and girls, enjoy a dinner made just for you: vegetable and cheese tray (appetizer), chicken breast au jus, baked ziti with red or alfredo sauce, mixed vegetables, roll and butter, light dessert, coffee/tea and cold beverage. If you prefer a gluten-free or vegetarian option, notify the person when you purchase your ticket. Following the meal, “Who Is She? Women of the Bible” fashion show will be presented.

Price is $15 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Tickets will be available by Apr 17, with ticket purchase deadline on May 1.

Ready for youth trips, Derry Day Trippers and small groups, this vehicle can accommodate up to 12 passengers. Thanks to the Building & Grounds Committee for doing comparison shopping and finding a new vehicle at a time when they are so hard to get!

“Legacy: A Celebration in Song,” the Susquehanna Chorale’s spring concert, will be presented at 8 pm Friday, May 13 in the Sanctuary. Program highlights include sacred motets, early American hymns, love songs, and African-American spirituals. Participating Derry Church singers include Greg Harris and Janice Click Holl. A second performance will be given at 4 pm Sunday, May 15 at High Center, Parmer Hall at Messiah University. Read more.