News
Meet Aman, One of Derry Church’s PEB Scholarship Recipients
February 21, 2024Dear Donor, Greeting in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am from Sargodha, a city famous for it oranges. Dear Donor, I study in class Pre-Nine. Thank you very much for your support and helping me in my studies. I want to become a army officer. My favorite subject is computer sciences. I love coming to school because it is one of the biggest school in Sargodha. Your support is like a silver lining behind the dark clouds. It means a lot to me. Thank you again.

For 13 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha.
Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.
A full scholarship for a day student is $400 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $40 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship.
You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or online through the church website.
Learn more:
- Read Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate
- Read about PEB Schools and all that’s been accomplished in the past 25 years
This fundraiser continues through February 2024
Hymn Festival
February 14, 20244 PM SUNDAY, MARCH 17 IN THE SANCTUARY, IN PERSON ONLY • FREE WILL OFFERING
Whether you enjoy singing hymns or listening to hymns as a way to pray and hear scripture, this concert is for you! Linda Tedford, Artistic Director, Founder and Conductor of the renowned Susquehanna Chorale, will direct a program in celebration of Derry’s 300th anniversary year as we sing about God being our rock and guide through the centuries. Hymns include “How Firm a Foundation,” “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” John Calvin’s “I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art,” “Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty,” and more.
Our augmented Sanctuary Choir will sing some hymns, and the congregation will join in singing five hymns. The Derry Ringers will play, along with brass, percussion, strings, flute and clarinet, piano and organ. In between selections, you’ll hear more about Derry’s history that originated in Scotland and Northern Ireland. What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than by singing glorious hymns with your church family, friends and neighbors!

Meet Areeba, One of Derry Church’s PEB Scholarship Recipients
February 14, 2024Hello dear donor! I want to say “thank you” for all your support towards me. I am in class 3. I study in EMS Girls High School. My father is a carpenter and my mother is a housewife. We are a big family. I wish to continue my studies and wish to become a designer. My all dreams can be fulfilled because of your kind support. You are an angel on the earth for many. I am one of them. Thank you for being my support. I always pray for you and your family.

For 13 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha.
Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.
A full scholarship for a day student is $400 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $40 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship.
You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or online through the church website.
Learn more:
- Read Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate
- Read about PEB Schools and all that’s been accomplished in the past 25 years
This fundraiser continues through February 2024
PW Circle Meeting & Bible Study
February 14, 20241 PM WEDNESDAY, FEB 21 IN THE LOUNGE
“A Person with Physical Disabilities Encounters Jesus” is the topic for this month’s PW Circle meeting and study based on Acts 3:1-10. Bring your favorite Bible. All women are invited to participate in the discussion as we consider how we can be inclusive.
Derry Dads Fellowship & Games
February 14, 20246:30 PM THURSDAY, FEB 29 IN THE YOUTH ROOM
Join the Dads of Derry for snacks and conversation. We’ll also play some jackbox games, so bring a smart phone.
How to get there: Use Door #5 to enter directly into the Youth Room from the back parking lot. Or come in door #4, go up the steps, turn left and go up a few more steps, then turn right and go down the stairs.
Join the Be-A-Blessing Challenge and Support our Confirmands
February 7, 2024Our 2024 confirmation students have been given $100 to bless an organization, mission, or cause they are passionate about. The students aren’t just donating $100: they are using it to start something with a bigger impact.
In Sunday worship, three of our confirmands will tell you about their projects. Alex Patton is helping create a mobile library for Logos Academy in Harrisburg.
Emmie Achorn is collecting needed items for the Harrisburg Humane Society. To support Emmie’s project, donate items from this wish list. Drop items in the designated basket in the church’s mission closet.
Anne Burke is creating gift baskets to share with cancer patients in memory of her grandfather. To help Anne get the supplies she needs to fill the baskets, you can purchase from this Amazon wish list. Drop items in the designated basket in the church’s mission closet.
CWS Blankets = Compassion in Action
February 7, 2024The Church World Service Blanket program is about sharing love. Through this simple act of kindness, amazing things can happen. The program includes heavy wool blankets, lightweight acrylic blankets, school kits, hygiene kits and cleanup buckets. These provide relief immediately after a disaster or help to recover after an event. Last year 32,785 blankets were delivered to needy persons.
When Kentucky was hit with tornadoes in several small towns, Grandma Constance handed a blanket to her 4 year-old grandson Roland to bring him a sense of comfort and safety while they were staying at a temporary shelter. Roland carries his blanket with him everywhere he goes. He says it protects him in case another tornado comes. Click to read more stories.
Behind every kit and blanket, there is a prayerful and enthusiastic donor. By reaching out to help others, you create a ripple, an act of kindness which will spread the love we all need to be a part of. It’s easy to donate: you can place cash in designated envelopes available in the pew racks, then place in the offering boxes. Or make checks payable to PW in Derry notated “Blanket Fund” that can be sent to the church office or placed in the offering boxes, or give online. Thank you!
Meet Roshal, One of Derry Church’s PEB Scholarship Recipients
February 7, 2024
Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am a student of class 8. The name of my school is P.E.B. Boys’ High School Sargodha. Dear donor, I cannot find words to show how grateful I am for supporting me in my studies. It means a lot for me. It will help me to make my dreams come true. Thank you once again.
For 13 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha.
Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.
A full scholarship for a day student is $400 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $40 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship.
You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or online through the church website.
Learn more:
- Read Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate
- Read about PEB Schools and all that’s been accomplished in the past 25 years
This fundraiser continues through February 2024
Place Your Order for Easter Lilies
February 7, 2024
Order Easter lilies in honor or in memory of loved ones by filling out and returning forms available at the insert rack. Plants will decorate the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday and you can take them home after the 10:30 am service. Plants are $10 each: order by Sunday, March 3.
Presbyterian Women’s Winter Tea
January 31, 20242 PM SUNDAY, MAR 3 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM
All females 1-day to 100+ years are invited to the 2024 Winter Tea. All attendees are asked to bring a stuffed animal or memory of one to share with the group. It can be a favorite or one not so well loved for a reason.
It’s a great time to get to know fellow members and children better. Afterwards, everyone can enjoy the tea and treats. RSVP to Doris Feil by Mar 1.
Help Derry Church Host the Lenten Luncheon on Mar 6
January 31, 2024When Derry Church hosts the mid-day Hershey Ministerium Lenten service and lunch next month, many hands are needed: volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up, as well as donations of Jello salads in 9″x 15″ pans and/or two dozen cupcakes.
Deliver food items to the kitchen any time on Tuesday, Mar 5 or by 9 am Wednesday, Mar 6. Contact Doris Feil and let her know how you can help.
What’s Up with Derry’s Monday Study Groups?
January 31, 2024- After taking the day off on Feb 5, the Monday morning group will begin a new study: Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancy. Join them at 11 am Mondays beginning Feb 12 in the Hammond Library. Questions? Contact Claudia Holtzman.
- The Monday night study group steps away from book discussions this month to consider the three questions presented with Pastor Stephen’s Jan 28 sermon, “Surrounded.” Join the group at 7 pm Monday, Feb 5 in Room 7B and on Zoom to discuss:
- Have you ever had an overwhelming experience of God communicating with you, similar to Paul’s conversion experience?
- Have you ever struggled with knowing what God wanted you to do? How did you make a decision?
- How have you experienced God’s presence surrounding you?
- At 7 pm Monday, Mar 4, the Monday night group begins a study of The Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren. This hybrid discussion will be held in Room 7B and on Zoom and will continue on April 1 and May 6. Questions? Contact Sue George.