News

Help Lend A Hand Rebuild in NC

Lend A Hand (LAH), a mission of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was founded in 1989 as a disaster response and assistance program. LAH will return to New Bern, NC, the week of Nov 13-19 to work on a new build. This house must be completed by Dec 31 in order not to forfeit a $200,000 grant.

The LAH team will travel by van and stay at New Hope Village, where bedding is provided. The $175/person cost covers lodging and food, but plan on additional funds to cover food expenses you may incur during travel and for dining out one evening. Questions? Ready to volunteer? Contact Pete Feil or register online.

Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women

The Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women began in 1888 and supports mission projects at home and abroad. In keeping with the by-laws, 40% of funded projects are related to health ministries. Of the 10 projects funded this year, seven are in the US. Two projects are in conjunction with local Habitat for Humanity groups.

In Toledo (OH), the Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Ministry will be able to purchase materials such as siding, wood, paint, concrete reinforcements and windows for home repair in three areas designated in the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan. This program strategically focuses resources block by block to elevate home ownership, make critical health and safety-related updates and support neighborhood beautification projects. The project’s goal is to lift up marginalized neighborhoods so that residents want to live in the community, families find stability, and seniors are able to age in their homes.

The second Habitat-related project is in Chattanooga (TN). The Orchard Knob Collaborative is committed to restoring and strengthening the neighborhood by using a long-range, inclusive approach to assist low-income households with home repair. The Thank Offering grant will purchase materials to alleviate health, life and safety issues, address code violations and increase energy efficiency. By making repairs and reducing exposure to lead paint, asbestos and allergens, residents will live in safer and more inviting homes and will lead to improved quality of life.

Please consider a contribution to the Thank Offering. Place checks in the offering boxes or mail to the church office, or give online as you are able in thanks for all the blessings in your life.

2022 Derry Church Keepsake Ornament

Presenting Derry’s 2022 keepsake ornament handcrafted by blacksmith Mark Smith!

Starting Nov 1, you can purchase ornaments in the church office (ask for Sue George). On Sunday mornings in November, you can buy them in the Narthex. These charming metal tree ornaments are 3″ wide by 4″ high and cost $15 each. 

Proceeds fund scholarships for students who attend Presbyterian Education Board schools in Pakistan. Only 150 ornaments have been made, so don’t wait to get yours. 

Check Out These Adult Classes

9-10 SUNDAY, OCT 30

Issues Class
Room 7 and streaming on derrypres.org, YouTube and Facebook

Do you have what it takes to build and fly your own airplane? Join Howard Whyte on October 30 as he describes researching, building and flying a full scale 1917 Nieuport 28. The Nieuport 28 was a key component to America’s Aerial Defense in WW1. Learn about this aircraft and how one man recreated this legendary flying machine and flew it to glory.


Bible Study: Women in Matthew’s Genealogy/Tamar
Room 2

The book of Matthew begins with a genealogy of Jesus’ male descendants that includes mention of five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth (studied previously), Bathsheba and Mary. Who are these women and why are they included in this genealogy? What can these ancestors of Jesus teach us today? Join Tom Folts, Meara Kwee and friends for the next four weeks in a discussion drawn from the Bible study What My Grandmothers Taught Me by Merryl Blair. 

A Day to Celebrate Teresa Hutcheson 

SUNDAY, NOV 20 IN 10:30 AM WORSHIP, RECEPTION FOLLOWING 

Earlier this year, Derry Church’s long-time secretary Teresa Hutcheson announced her retirement, and we’ve set the date to recognize Teresa in worship and celebrate and give thanks for her 23 years of service and ministry among us.

If you’d like, you may bring a card or mail one to the church (248 E. Derry Road, Hershey PA 17033) and we’ll make sure it’s included in the basket of cards she receives that day. The best gift is your presence in worship that day, when you can tell Teresa how much you’ve appreciated all she’s done to support our congregation.

Update: How You Can Help Our Syrian Refugee Family  

Our Syrian refugee family of six is residing temporarily in one of the Love INC Houses of Hope. You can ease their transition to Pennsylvania by reviewing this list, and if you can help fulfill any of these needs, please contact Pete Feil.

  • Permanent, affordable three-bedroom home
  • 6-passenger vehicle
  • Weather station for indoor/outdoor temperatures and weather forecast
  • Two-shelf shoe rack, approximately 12″ wide by 36-48″ long
  • Food grinder or food processor
  • Hot sandwich maker
  • Waffle iron

Gently used or new clothing (include a copy of your receipt in case we need to exchange):

  • Boy’s tops, tracksuits and sweatshirts size small and medium
  • Boy’s pants size 10-12 (25″ waist)
  • Boots size 10.5 mens for a 12-year-old boy
  • Boy’s size 10-12 (24″ waist)
  • Boots size 8 mens for an 11-year-old boy
  • Boys size 6-8 clothing
  • Boots size 2 for a 6-year-old boy
  • Girl’s clothing size small
  • Pajamas for all, including warm flannel items for winter
  • Men’s heavy duty jacket for warehouse work size large
  • Men’s work boots size 10.5 or 10.5W or 11

Season of Giving: Nov 27-Dec 11

From Nov 27 – the first Sunday in Advent – through Sunday, Dec 11, Derry Church will be giving and receiving! In the upstairs hallway, you will be able to pick up Advent devotionals and drop off items for the food bank, medical supplies for one of our mission partners, and gift cards for racetrack workers and children whose families use the Hershey Food Bank and Community Outreach.

The Season of Giving takes the place of last year’s Derry Drive-Thru and previous years when you could choose tags from the Christmas tree in the downstairs atrium. You won’t see a tree downstairs this year as that space is now being used for fellowship and community. Just pop upstairs to participate in Derry’s Season of Giving!

Last Chance to Sign Up for the Bus Trip to NYC

You can still get a seat on the bus to New York City on Saturday, Nov 19, but don’t wait too long: Oct 30 is the last Sunday to sign up in the Narthex to claim your seat. After that, you can contact Cindy Royer to check on open seats. Then get ready to spend a day on your own in the city doing what you enjoy most: shopping, dining, sightseeing, museums, or all of the above! Cost is $60 for transportation only. Click for details. Questions? Contact Cindy Royer

Learn More About Our Mission Partner, Logos Academy

The Logos Experience provides a closer look at Logos Academy and an opportunity to meet students like Grayson (pictured below). Our first Logos Experience is scheduled for Monday, Nov 7 at 8:30 am. Enjoy a light breakfast with some of Grayson’s classmates, followed by a school tour and a brief presentation. The program concludes promptly at 9:30 am.

Andy Phillips, CEO/Head of School, extends a warm invitation to Derry Church members and friends to attend. Derry has had a significant part in enabling the school to serve our students with a quality and compassionate education in a Christ-centered environment.

Click here to register for the Logos Experience

Oct 2022 Financial Snapshot

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 9/30/22

      ACTUAL     BUDGETED
Income YTD:    $995,584       $937,500
Expenses YTD:       849,896         970,457
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:       145,688         (32,957)

Notes from the treasurer:

  • Contributions are about $82K ahead of 2021 and $51K ahead of estimated contributions through August
  • Mission and Peace is $24K behind 2021. Building & Grounds is about $38K below 2021. We do expect these committees to spend their 2022 budget.

11 Minute Lessons Return on Sunday with “Bible 101” 


8:45 AND 11:45 AM IN THE CHAPEL

Join Pastor Stephen after worship on Sunday as he begins a new series of 11 Minute Lessons: “Bible 101.” Over the next few months, Pastor Stephen will provide answers to basic questions like, “What is the Bible?” “Who Wrote the Bible?” “Why does the Bible often tell stories more than once?” “Why are some Psalms so similar?” There’s a new question each week, and the answers will enlighten and perhaps even surprise you. Don’t miss it!