The Weekly Vision

Our prayers this week include: Joyce Richmond, Dean Wetzel, Charles Polley,
Brian Kluck, Doris Deaner, Bob Dillman, Ed Moore, Evadel Crider, Marie
Clabaugh, David Clapsaddle, Mary Heiser, Mary Fleming, Ida Smith, Margaret
LeGay, Samuel Waddell, Regina (Rudisill) Campbell, Kristi Klees, Barbara
Purdue, Jeff Persell, Alexa Myers, Sara Rose Wickham, Kelly Baldwin, Donna
Doughtery, Mary Shreve, Sally Becker, Steve Schmidt and our military personnel.

Pastoral prayers this week for those whose last name begins with these letters:
August 1 - A; 2 - B, 3-C, 4-D, 5-E, 6-F, 7-G, 8-H

Please remember that if you don't wish to publicly express your prayer concerns,
you may use the PRAYER PILLAR in the back of the church for your requests.

Planning for the Snowflake Festival
the United Methodist Woman's Executive Committee and volunteer helpers for our annual Snowflake Festival (scheduled for November 11-12) will meet on Thursday, August 12 at 9:00 AM in the adult Sunday School room.  Your time, talent and help will be appreciated.  Please contact Marian, 334-4137, if you are willing to volunteer for this important activity in our church.

Give a Phone Program
The church has been asked to donate used cell phones to provide emergency access 911 phones to Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Victims Programs in our area.  If you bring the phones to the office, they will be recycled to this organization.

Mystery Dinner
It's time to plan on attending the United Methodist Women's Mystery Dinner, which will be held on September 7th.  All women of the church are invited.  A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board.

 
AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Be a "Vigil Team" Volunteer It's a Simple Mission: "That none of our patients should die alone." Hospice preferred Choice is currently seeking volunteers who will offer a loving presence to the dying. Simple caring and compassion are the main ingredients of the vigil team program. If you would be interested in such an outreach, please call HPC at 717-339-0300 for training details and involvement. Thank you!

Support Our U. M. Home for Children Not Far Away, Mechanicsburg to be exact, Children (elementary - High School) receive special care in the name of Jesus Christ. For more than a half of a century, the United Methodist Home for Children has offered a Christian home to many "at-risk children." This only happens because individuals and congregations alike have committed themselves to be supportive. Here's how you can continue the rhythm of such a ministry: *Membership in the "Our Family Auxiliary"      Individuals: $2.00/year      Family: $4.00/year      Group: $25.00/year      Life Member: $25.00/year - single payment      Send checks to "Our Family Auxiliary", 5120 Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.  *Fall Garage Sale           Sat., October 2nd, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. Bargains! Baked Goods! Clothing by the Bag Full! *Holiday Bazaar           Sat., November 13th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Mt. Olivet U.M.C. Recreation Hall For additional information on any or all of the above, call Elsie Woodward, Auxiliary Chair, at 737-0270.

Disciple Making 2004 - September 24 and 25, 2004 Looking for a spark in your Christian Discipleship? This is the gathering for you!!! "Igniting Christian Formation" for church leaders and teachers is designed by Central PA United Methodists with you in mind. Here's a "Taste" of what will be offered: Keynote Speaker: Carol Krau of the General Board of Discipleship will discuss formation through small groups. Worship: Will be lead by "!st Things First" with workshops by Rev. Gregory Rapp of Hershey UMC. Stewardship (Rev. Jerry Fuller), Lay Leadership (Joan Gordon), Christian Education (Donna Snyder), Outreach (Harry Overholtzer of Mission Central), Evangelism (Rev. Dianne Salter), (Administration (Rev. Dr. Thomas Salsgiver).

Irrepressible Hope Conference ---Women of Faith "Women of Faith" form all over the nation are gathering this summer and fall to celebrate the work of God's Holy Spirit, and the "irrepressible hope" that is birthed in and through Christian discipleship. Ladies! Please take time now to mark your calendar for such a "Conference of Faith."  Here are some basic details:   **CONFERENCE LOCATIONS AND DATES** Washington, DC at the MCI Center, August 6-7 with featured speakers Evelyn Husband, Bobie Mason, and CeCe Winans. Philadelphia, PA at the Wachovia Center, September 24 - 25 with Evelyn Husband, Bobbie Mason and Kathy Troccoli. See our hallway bulletin board for further details!

Soup Kitchen Manager Sought After thirteen years of faithful service to the Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen, Mrs. Nancy Forgang is stepping down as manager, effective the end of August. As a result, this ministry is currently seeking applicants. Please note the following information, if you are so interested: Part time, paid position (20 hours, 5 days a week, Monday - Friday). The  manager directs all aspects of serving meals to those in need in our community in an atmosphere of Christ-centered love, including supervising and training volunteers. The ideal applicant has a heart for those in need and the ability to work with volunteers and experiences joy in service. For further information, please contact Neil Beach at Prince of Peace Church, 334-6463, or send resume by August 3 to Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen, Prince of Peace Church, POB 3005, Gettysburg PA 17325.

News In Brief
 

HERSHEYPARK DISCOUNT TICKETS for United Methodists-Weekdays, Save $7/regular ticket and $3/junior or senior ticket. Also, discounts for weekends. Coupons are available in the church office. STUDY, SERVE AND SAIL: CRUISE TO THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN - April 7 - 17, 2005. Brochures are on the way! Hosted by the Central PA Conference in support of Mission Central. YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES CONFERENCE - September 18th at Christ Community UMC in Selinsgrove, PA. Details on Church bulletin board across from the office.   BEING THERE - Spiritual Healing and the Congregation on September 18th at the First UMC, Mechanicsburg. Details on the church bulletin board across from the office. WELCOME FOR OUR NEW BISHOP, JANE MIDDLETON - Sunday, September 19th at 4:30 pm at the Penn State Conference Center in State College. Watch for details. 54TH UNITED NATIONS SEMINAR - October 10 - 13, 2004. Registration is due on September 1st. Information on church bulletin board across from office. LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY in Central PA has announced its fall lineup of workshops. In the Harrisburg area, First UMC, Hershey, will host the university on October 15th and 16th. For details, please see our church bulletin board across from the office. LITURGISTS are needed for the remainder of the year. There are still greeter spots available, too. See Hallway bulletin board. The church is looking for a HABITAT FOR HUMANITY coordinator. Please contact the church office for more information or to volunteer. Application for Lay Speakers School are available on the Opportunities for Ministry bulletin board. This is the Basic Lay Speaker's Class with an emphasis on discovering your spiritual gifts and implementing them in the local church. THE PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES ARE IN! If you had your picture taken or  submitted a picture for the pictorial directory, please stop by the lounge  and pick up your copy. For those members who did not take part in the  pictorial directory, you may receive a copy as well or view the directory  online at http://268621.membermine.com.  Complete the three items on the login screen to gain access to our Online Directory. 1) Username: member 2) Password: k5fWg9bJ (the password is case sensitive) 3) Security code: type as displayed in the security code box. Click on  the "login" button. A special "Thank You" goes to Peggy Hunt and her team who made this beautiful directory possible! Well Done!

ATTENTION KENNIE'S SHOPPERS!  If you are a frequent shopper at any Kennie's Market location and you'd be willing to designate Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adams County for the Community Treasures program, please contact Laura Geesaman at 334-1138 or landt@pa.net

Reminder: Summer office hours are  9:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm. M - F.

Regular and large print Bibles are available at the back of the church for your use. We invite you to use one to follow along in the reading of today's scripture.

PEW ENVELOPES! You may have noticed the pew envelopes and on top of the mission can. These envelopes are to be used for donations to the church that are not covered by your regular envelopes. Some examples are mission can donations, special collections, special service offerings, etc. If the envelopes are used, we will be able to add that record to your giving statement. Please be sure to put your envelope number and/or name on the envelope so we know to which account it should be recorded. If you have any questions, please see Fred Myers or Connie Thompson.

Tape Ministry - Our members in nursing homes and those unable to get to church and now able to hear our Sunday services and feel a part of the church congregation. If you know of a shut-in and would like to take a tape to them, please call Ed and Charlotte Moore @ 334-1716. We owe David Schmidt a debt of gratitude for helping us in recording these tapes.

Adopt - A - Camp ---Fruitbelt Farmworkers Harvest season is coming into "full swing," and with it, the Fruitbelt  Farmworkers Christian Ministry is currently inviting individuals and  congregations alike to prayerfully consider the "adoption of a camp." It simply involves a time of "connecting visiting" with the workers. For information, please call the Biglerville office at 486-3291 or 1-800-677-6896. Please note that the following items are needed: Spanish Bibles, health kits, blankets and sweatshirts. Thank you!

REMINDER: Please remember to call or e-mail the office by Tuesday prior to the Sunday you are sponsoring bulletins or altar flowers. Phone or mail reminders are no longer being issued - that information is now part of the newsletter. All announcements to be placed in the Weekly Vision must also be in the office by Tuesday. Thank you.