News

One of Derry’s mission partners has open positions in their HELP Ministries and Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven programs, as well as a part-time Grant Management Specialist position in the administrative office. Click to view job postings or contact Darrel Reinford, Executive Director (717-230-9550).

In this winter season our plans can change quickly, as we found out last weekend. When snowy, icy weather is forecast, here’s where you can find church schedule changes:

• At the top of the church website in the black ALERTS bar
• Posted on Derry’s social media channels (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram)
• Text messages to everyone signed up to receive alerts from Derry Church: sign up here to get on that list

It’s our practice NOT to send email notifications for every closing and schedule change as these can be frequent and not everyone subscribed to our email list needs the same information.

The annual meeting of the congregation will be held following 10:30 am worship on Sunday, Feb 13. The meeting will be live streamed. Anyone who has questions or comments is encouraged to attend in person.

The annual report will be sent by email as a PDF attachment in early February, with paper copies available for pickup at church by Sunday, Feb 6.

There will be NO 8 am service on Sunday, Feb 13. Church school at 9 am will be held as usual.

5 PM SATURDAY, FEB 12 IN THE SANCTUARY AND LIVE STREAMING

Derry’s next Engage worship experience features music of the 1980s as we consider the challenges of being faithful followers of Jesus in the midst of the tensions and pressures put on our lives by our various identities and responsibilities. Led by Pastor Stephen and a group of talented Derry musicians, the service will include the music of U2, Journey, Toto, Bon Jovi, and more.

The next series of New Member Discovery Classes will be held Jan 30 – Feb 20. Sunday classes meet 9-10 am in the John Elder Classroom, and Tuesday classes meet 7-8 pm on Zoom and repeat material presented on Sundays. 

Child care is provided on Sunday mornings.

Those who choose to join Derry Church will be received on Sunday, Feb 20 at the 10:30 am service. Registration is always appreciated, never required: RSVP by Wednesday, Jan 26.

Derry Church members seeking to enroll their children at Derry Discovery Days preschool for the 2022-23 school year may register for open spots Jan 23-27, before registration opens to the general public. To request registration information and/or a tour of the school, please contact Laura Cox, director. We would love to have your family join our DDD family!

Volunteers and dessert donations are needed to augment the hearty chili meal that is being prepared by hospitality coordinator Loretta Chubb. Food and volunteers will depart Derry Church late in the afternoon of Monday, Jan 31 to deliver the meal in Grantville. Contact Marilyn Koch for more information.

6 PM MONDAY, JAN 17 AT GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, LEMOYNE AND STREAMING ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE

Christian Churches United and the Race & Unity Action Coalition invite you worship featuring Rev. Carla Christopher-Wilson. You’ll learn about ways we can be supportive of working towards the beloved community that MLK envisioned. In person attendance will be limited and masks are required: click to pre-register and to read more.

Derry friends who enjoy working on jigsaw puzzles: we have a good supply of puzzles for you to choose from this winter. Stop by the bench outside the office entrance to pick up a new puzzle or two to work on.

FAITH WORDS is the sermon series for the weeks until Lent begins. This series is focused on defining and explaining commonly used church words. While the words are familiar, we don’t necessarily share a common understanding of what these words mean.

9-10 AM SUNDAYS, JAN 9, 16 & 23 • CLICK TO JOIN

For the next two weeks, Issues Class will meet on Zoom as we hear from Andrew Mashas about Church World Service’s Refugee Resettlement Program. Classes will be reposted on Derry’s YouTube and Facebook channels on Sunday afternoons.

The Jan 23 class will also be on Zoom: use the link shown above. Danielle Lewis from the YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Services will speak on domestic and sexual violence, the impact of the pandemic, and how to support survivors.  

Watch this space in following weeks to find out when Issues Class is meeting in person with a streaming option or on Zoom.

As the COVID pandemic continues its omicron surge, the church staff has been encouraged to work remotely in order to protect worship leaders and ensure that Sunday worship may continue uninterrupted. As a result, there may be times in coming weeks when the office will not be staffed during regular office hours (M-TH 9 am-4 pm). Please contact the staff by email or leave a message if you reach our automated phone attendant. If the matter is urgent, press 5 and your call will be redirected.