News

The catastrophic destruction of Mayfield, Kentucky is one of the harrowing stories the Rev. Jim Kirk, Associate for National Disaster Response for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), heard about over the weekend following a severe weather outbreak that impacted nearly a dozen presbyteries Friday night and early Saturday morning.

“There’s an incredible number of people who have been displaced, because their home has either been heavily damaged or destroyed,” Kirk said. “So, sheltering is going to be a significant need. This will be an event that will require a long-term response for the rebuilding — just an incredible amount of emotional, spiritual care needs, given the number of fatalities and injuries.” Read more and give generously to PDA through Derry Church.

12:00-12:30 PM TUESDAYS, JAN 4, 11, 18 & 25 IN THE SANCTUARY

Just as every organ is unique, every organist makes an instrument sound slightly different. Come and enjoy a series of noontime organ recitals every week in January, beginning on Jan 4 with Shawn Gingrich, Director of Music at First United Methodist Church, Hershey. In coming weeks you can look forward to hearing Eric Riley, Dan Dorty, and Grant Wareham play Derry’s Aeolian-Skinner Op. 1132.

Thank you for using Derry Church’s convenient online giving platform, Vanco Payment Solutions. The platform has been upgraded recently, so if you have not visited the site for a few months, you will need to refresh your account by adding your payment preferences (credit card/bank ACH). When you complete this task, the site will update your account and you will be able make changes to any scheduled payments.

This helpful guide can assist you through this process. If you have questions as you update your information, you’re welcome to reach out to Sandy Miceli (717-533-9667) for assistance.

If you are making a change to your pledge for 2022, you will need to will need to apply that adjustment in your Vanco account. Thank you for your ongoing support to Derry Presbyterian Church.

To the church family of Derry Presbyterian Church, thank you so much for your generous investment in our students by covering the cost of the field trip to the Oakes Museum at Messiah University. Your generosity enabled our students to enjoy an enriching experience learning about bears, big cats, and other animals in North American and African habitats. For many of our students, this was the first time to ride on a bus or cross “the river.” They were truly mesmerized by that experience, before we even arrived at the museum. Your partnership with Logos Academy Harrisburg over these last several years has been so very encouraging. Your investment is a significant part of what enables us to provide a quality, Christ-centered, private school education for our students, many of whom would never have such an opportunity. Andy Phillips, CEO/Head of School, Logos Academy Harrisburg

8 PM FRIDAY, DEC 17 AT HIGH CENTER/PARMER HALL/MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • 8 PM SAT DEC 18 AT ELIZABETHTOWN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN • 4 PM SUN DEC 19 AT MARKET SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HARRISBURG • TICKETS

The Susquehanna Chorale honors the sacred mystery of the season with Gustav Holst’s “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” Egil Hovland’s “The Glory of the Father,” and Matthew Culloton’s “In Dulci Jubilo.” Other musical treats include a new work by Dan Forrest commissioned for the Chorale’s 40th anniversary, Mack Wilburg’s “Christmas is Coming” and Gordon Langford’s “Jingle Bells.” Two of our Sanctuary Choir members sing with the Chorale: look for Greg Harris and Janice Click Holl in this premier 39-member ensemble.

Make your plans now to join Derry members from June 11-19, 2022, as they return to the Dominican Republic with Bridges to Community to build a new home and do Bible school activities. Those aged 14 or 15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

All participants MUST have proof of full vaccination prior to the trip. Cost of the trip is $1,300, a special re-introductory price. Application and full payment are due by March 6, 2022. Oak Fund grants to cover up to half the cost are available.

Sign up on the Mission and Peace bulletin board in the Narthex near the nursery. For more information, contact Pete Feil. 

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM SUNDAY, JAN 9 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

The Christian Education and Mission & Peace committees invite you to join them for an hour to make warm fleece blankets for people in need. No sewing skills required: if you can tie a knot, you can make a blanket! Donations of fleece fabric are welcome: to make one blanket, you need two pieces of fleece in two-yard lengths. Blankets made last year were shared with Stop the Violence in Steelton.

The January-March issue of “These Days: Daily Devotions for Living by Faith” is now available for pickup at the office and courtyard entrances. Take one for yourself, give some to those you love this Christmas season.

If it’s not convenient for you to attend or live stream Derry’s Longest Night service at 7 pm Tuesday, Dec 21, consider attending one of these comforting services offered by our church neighbors:

Blue Christmas: A Service of Hope
2 pm Sunday, Dec 19 at Palm Lutheran Church, 11 W. Cherry St. in Palmyra
Prayers, scripture and music that acknowledges God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle, and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Followed by fellowship and light refreshments.

Longest Night: A Blue Christmas Service of Remembrance
3 pm Sunday, Dec 19 at First United Methodist Church, 102 W. Chocolate Ave. in Hershey
A worship gathering in the darkness of the winter solstice especially for those experiencing loss, grief, or other pain amidst the joy of Christmas. The service will include a litany with candles, reflection, and prayers.

The Monday evening study group will gather at 7 pm on Zoom to discuss the following books:

JAN 6: “Stolen: The Astonishing Odyssey of Five Boys Along the Reverse Underground Railroad” by Richard Bell. Discussion led by Eleanor Schneider.
FEB 7: “The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth” by Sam Quinones. Discussion led by Chris Gawron.

Faithful Readers will gather at 2 pm Sunday afternoons on Zoom to discuss these books:

DEC 19: “Christmas: A Candid History” by Bruce David Forbes
JAN 9: “Two Old Women” by Velma Wallis
FEB 13: “Every Heart a Doorway” by Seanan McGuire

An eBlast on Nov 29, 2021 and a mailing sent this week brought news to the congregation that Pastor Marie Buffaloe will retire on March 31, 2022.

Click here to watch her video announcement.

Click here to read letters from Pastor Marie and Pastor Stephen that provide more information.

Pastor Marie has richly blessed all of us in her 25 years of ministry at Derry Church. Plans are under way to celebrate Marie and her ministry next year.