News

The excitement! The fun! The epic emails written by commissioner Pete Steelman! Yes, folks: it’s almost time to make your “March Madness” bracket picks in support of Derry Church’s “Mission Madness” fundraiser that benefits student scholarships for the Sargodha School in Pakistan.

A suggested $10 donation per entry can be made on the church’s secure online giving portal or see Pete in the Narthex on Sunday mornings this month. If you participated last year, you should be automatically re-enrolled in the Yahoo site where you will enter your picks. If you are new, or unsure if you played before, or have a new email address, just email Pete Steelman and he will add you to the mailing list.

A trophy and engraved plaque for the overall winner will be presented next month, as well as multiple engraved medals for winners of subgroups (Best Youth, Best in Staff, Best on Session, Best in Music etc). And yes, you can also look forward to Pete’s traditional nicknames, updates, and jovial banter that recaps the action after every round of games.

2-4 PM MONDAYS, APR 1 – MAY 20 IN ROOM 7 • FREE!

Many older adults have concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A MATTER OF BALANCE is an award-winning eight-week program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Sessions will be presented by Amy Bollinger, BSN RN TCRN.

This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Participants will learn to:

• View falls as controllable
• Set goals for increasing activity
• Make changes to reduce fall risks at home
• Exercise to increase strength and balance

Who should attend?

• Anyone concerned about falls
• Anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength
• Anyone who has fallen in the past
• Anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns

Sessions will follow Prime Timers (except on Easter Monday, April 1, when there will be no Prime Timers). RSVP requested, not required: email Beckie Freiberg, RN

Worship on Maundy Thursday, March 28
7 PM IN THE SANCTUARY WITH COMMUNION AND LIVE STREAMING, LED BY PASTOR STEPHEN AND SHAWN GRAY

This year’s Maundy Thursday service, “Seven Actions,” is an alternative to a traditional Tenebrae liturgy. The liturgy focuses on the account of the Last Supper in John 13. Seven candles are lit during the service in response to seven actions, which are noted during the narrative. The lit candles offer a reminder of the presence of light even in the darkness of the eve of Good Friday.

Worship on Good Friday, March 29
7 PM IN THE CHAPEL LED BY PASTOR STEPHEN AND LITURGISTS

“Seven Moments” is our Good Friday service of prayer and reflection recalling seven moments during the day of the death of Jesus based on the Gospel of John. After each reading, one of seven candles that were lit on Maundy Thursday will be extinguished, as in a traditional Tenebrae service.

Worship on Easter Sunday, March 31
8 & 10:30 am worship in the Sanctuary with Derry Ringers, Sanctuary Choir, brass quartet, and Bob Nowak on percussion. Live streaming at 10:30 am. No church school classes, 11-Minute Lessons or KIWI.
8:30-10 am breakfast in Fellowship Hall: your donation supports the 2024 mission trip to the Dominican Republic (Bridges to Community)

MONDAY, MAR 11 AT MIDDLE SPRING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SHIPPENSBURG; 5 PM MEET & GREET WITH DINNER (IN PERSON ONLY) • 6:30 PM WORSHIPFUL MEETING (HYBRID)

• Meet and welcome the Rev. Dr. James (Jamie) McLeod, candidate for the position of Presbytery Co-Leader for Vision and Transformation
• Share a meal with your fellow Presbyters
• Sing in the pick-up choir
• Connect, celebrate, and enjoy one another’s company

Presbytery meeting materials including Rev. McLeod’s spiritual autobiography and Statement of Faith are on the Presbytery website. More materials and details will be shared in coming weeks.

Dinner will be served in the social hall from 5–6:30 pm, arrive at your convenience. If you cannot attend in person, join the meeting portion beginning at 6:30 pm on Zoom.

Register to participate via Zoom here. To attend in person, register here.

Five books for the Presbyterian Women’s Peace and Justice online book discussion are now in our library:  The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (616 Ski); Transforming (267 Har); A Place Called Home (Bio- Amb); Poverty in America (362 Des) and Our Missing Hearts (Fic- Ng). On  Mar 10 the group will discuss Our Missing Hearts. Read more and register online.  

7 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MAR 1 & 2 AND 1:30 PM SUNDAY, MAR 3 AT THE HERSHEY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM • CLICK FOR TICKETS

Enjoy seeing your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life in a musical adventure that showcases the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community. Participating Derry Church youth include Ryan and Adele Hosenfeld, Alex Patton on the stage crew, and dancer Morgan Owsley.

4 PM SUNDAY, MAR 10 AT FAITH IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1801 COLONIAL ROAD, HARRISBURG • FREE!

Bill Carter, jazz pianist and Presbyterian minister, leads Presbybop Music — his his attempt to integrate his strong Presbyterian faith with the rhythms of bebop. Based in northeastern Pennsylvania, this consort of consummate professionals has presented concerts and jazz worship services in churches and venues around the country (including Derry Church) to wide acclaim. Bill spends most of his time as a busy pastor, yet he keenly senses that God wants him to use his musical gifts as a means of reaching people with the good news of God’s grace, peace, and joy. His jazz ministry has received national recognition and has served as a model for integrating the arts in Christian ministry.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 1/31/24:

Derry Church receives the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering in the season of Lent, continuing through Easter Sunday, March 31. Last year Derry raised $18,996: can we top that in 2024? Half will go to the Presbyterian Church (USA) in support of three progams (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People), and half will go to Bridges to Community for construction of a house in the Dominican Republic. Find OGHS envelopes in the pew racks or give online. Watch this video to learn about the impact the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering has had over the last 75 years:

The Ruth Codington Library now features books written by and about Native Peoples, their interactions with European colonists, and the Doctrine of Discovery. There are titles for adults and children. These books stand alone, or serve as great companion reading for the Issues Class series taking place in the Sunday School hour:

• February 25: The Carlisle Indian School
• April 7 & 14: Native/Settler Relations
• May 4: Learning Tour

Thanks to Meara Kwee for helping to cultivate this new library experience. The Ruth Codington Library can be found just inside Entrance #1 on the lower level of the church. Featured titles are on the rear wall above the checkout station.

9 AM – 12 PM SATURDAY, MAR 16 AT HERSHEY FREE CHURCH/CORE CAFE • REGISTER BY MAR 9

At this interactive workshop presented by She’s Somebody’s Daughter and Sgt. Wendy Burgwald, Derry Township Human Trafficking Investigator, you’ll learn more about the problem of human trafficking not only in the USA or in Pennsylvania, but right here in Derry Twp. You’ll learn some key definitions, tips on what to be looking for, and have your thoughts about human trafficking challenged. 

The morning opens with a simulation: you’ll have the opportunity to walk the journey of a girl in human trafficking. You’ll be presented with different scenarios and will face obstacles and choices along the way as you walk in her shoes. $10 for adults, $5 for students with half the fees going to support She’s Somebody’s Daughter.

The agencies of the Presbyterian Church (USA) offer a variety of devotional and worship resources for Lent. Click here to view the list that includes books and online resources. Click the image below to view and download a simple reflection-action calendar created by the Presbyterian Hunger Program with the hope that it will be the beginning of actions intended to create more mindful behaviors throughout the year.