OUR MISSION is to love and praise God, love and nurture our church family, and love

and serve our neighbors,

   through worship, prayer, fellowship, education, hands-on work, financial support

    and compassionate care,

     in order to follow Jesus and make known the Kingdom of Heaven.

OUR VISION is to be a grace-filled family of faith sharing Christ’s love with all.

OUR VALUES:

• Glorify God: Glorify and praise God through worship, discipling, sharing faith

and serving with love

• Show Compassion: Compassion expressed as care and concern for all
• Share Hospitality: Inclusive hospitality through welcome, acceptance and fellowship
• Nurture Relationships: Nurture relationships through respect, support and communication
• Steward God's Gifts: Faithful stewardship of all God's gifts

December 14, 2025



Christmas Cantata Sunday at 10:00 AM

Join us on Sunday for our Christmas Cantata, Rhapsody in Bluegrass—A Christmas Jubilee by Joseph M. Martin. 

Christmas Cantata at 10:00 AM

Season of Commitment Update

Dear Silver Spring Family,

Our Business Manager, Diane Rabold, reports that our financial pledges, as of December 3^rd , in support of our Mission and Christ’s work here at Silver Spring in 2026, total $655,996.96. This includes 16 new pledgers who had not made a financial stewardship commitment for 2025 and 64 generous supporters who increased their pledge for 2026! Thank you, very much!

Based on the latest revisions to the 2026 budget proposals prepared by our committees, we now estimate that we’ll need approximately $896,955 in personal giving to fully support their hopes and dreams for our congregation next year.  So, dear friends, we still have a way to go. If you haven’t yet made a pledge for 2026, won’t you please prayerfully consider doing so?  

As you do, we encourage you to review SSPC’s 2026 Financial Narrative, which describes our Session Committees’ current hopes and dreams for 2026. You can place your 2026 Stewardship Commitment Form in the offering plate during Sunday worship; drop it in the beautiful box in the Gathering Place; or mail it to the attention of Diane at the church office. Additional forms are available in the Gathering Space and will be available at each worship service. Also, remember you can record your pledge for 2026 on-line here. 

Thank you again, very much, for your generosity, as we work together here at SSPC to love and praise God, love and nurture our church family, and love and serve our neighbors near and far! 

Blessings to you and your loved ones!

Bill Resser and Jim Anderson

Co-chairs

Commitment, Legacy, and Endowment Committee

Christmas Joy Offering

Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we lift up past, present, and future leaders of the church. God has blessed the church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Please prayerfully consider how you will give to this Special Offering this year, which will be received on Christmas Eve.

Join us for Advent at Silver Spring!

Christmas Cantata

Sunday, December 14th, 10:00 am



Join us for one service at 10:00 am to enjoy this year's Christmas Cantata. Immediately following the Cantata, we will gather in the gym where we will first have a special recognition of our Choir. Then stay for the Advent Feast and Festival!

Advent Feast and Festival

December 14th

CE will again sponsor, along with the Fellowship Committee, our Annual Feast and Festival, immediately following the Christmas Cantata. We will gather in the gym where we will first have a special recognition of our Choir, not to be missed!

We will have a traditional ham dinner, and special music provided by our own sister duet, Amanda and Sydney Bevenour. Not to be missed the always fun, "Ugly Sweater Contest" and the interactive "12 Days of Christmas". Click HERE to sign up on Realm or use the sign up sheet in the Gathering Place.

Christmas Eve, December 24th

5:00 PM - Family Service

6:00 PM - Live Nativity

7:00 PM - Traditional Candlelight Service





Annual Christmas Breakfast

December 28th, 9:30 am



CE will again hold the Annual Christmas Breakfast in the gym on the 28th, prior to our 11 am Lessons and Carols service.

Come and enjoy a full breakfast before church of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and more. Please sign up HERE or look for the sign up sheet in the Gathering Place.

Angel Tree

This is your friendly reminder to please return your Angel Tree gifts to the church by no later than Sunday December 14th, 12 noon! 

The gifts should be wrapped with the angel-shaped tag affixed to the packaging.

 **If you took a tag but forgot to sign it out, kindly record it on the sign-out sheet this coming Sunday, or call or email Heather McCarthy and indicate the tag number so we know the tag is accounted for; we apologize for any confusion.**

The Deacons thank you for your generosity to this annual ministry! (Questions? Heather McCarthy- hjd.gmb@gmail.com; 817-789-3381 cell)

‘Elf on the Shelf’ Fun Activity for everyone in December!

Your fun-loving Fellowship Committee has placed an Elf somewhere in the church for you to find.  When you find it, add your name to the Elf on the shelf paper in the Gathering Place, and what room you found it.  Then, find a new location for the Elf. 

Let’s take this elf on an epic journey!

Calling all Bakers!

Can you show your appreciation for the Choir by baking?

Donations of cookies, brownies, fudge, cupcakes, and mini muffins etc. are needed for the Choir Christmas Cantata Recognition on December 14^th in the Gym as part of the Advent Feast and Festival. There is a baking sign-up sheet in the Gathering Place. Come out and celebrate the season!

Poinsettia Dedications

The Christmas poinsettia order forms are available in the Gathering Place or by clicking here. Please return the form to the box in the Gathering Place by Sunday, December 14th. The names of dedication will be listed in the bulletin on Sunday, December 21st. The cost of each poinsettia is $10.

From the Worship Committee

Feel moved by something in worship, perhaps an element of praise that glorifies God in a particularly poignant way? The Book of Order tells us that applause is appropriate so long as it is understood to be our reflection and amplification of the praise being offered to God. As with everything we do in worship, applause and the occasional “amen!” (which means “Truly!”) are directed not to any of us, but to God and God alone.

There is no Blood Pressure Sunday in December. We will resume in January. For any questions, please consult the Health Ministry Team who are available for information on your health care needs. Call the church office to be put in touch with the person on call.

Adult Forum and Sunday School this week, 10 am

No Sunday School this week, see you on December 21st!

Youth Church meets this Sunday, 10 am

No Sunday School this week, see you on December 21st!

Pre-KK Youth Church

We will resume Sunday, January 11th at 10:45 am, Room 108.

Gathering Video for this Week

No Gathering Service this Week. See you at the Cantata and Advent Feast and Festival!

Wednesday Bible Study

We meet every Wednesday in the Parlor, 1pm—3 pm. The group is studying a new book called "The Book of Signs" by Dr. David Jeremiah. This class is for adults from 19 to 99. Come and learn, come and discuss.

Monday Afternoon Bible Study - January 12th

All are invited, come and join this unique study. We meet 1 pm to 3 pm, every other week. Come and learn, come and discuss. This class is for all adults.

Young Adults Christian Education Group, the Pathfinders!

CE and young leaders from SSPC started a new group for young adults over 18. Watch for new events being planned! For more information, please contact Ty Headley. The group is currently studying from the Book of Acts.

Young Families Christian Education Group

All interested families can contact Scott Pepperman at puppytrainer52@aol.com or 717-389-5100 for more information and to get involved. Watch for new events being planned.

Laundry Ministry Update

The SSPC Youth and CORE members continue their new ministry, the Laundry Ministry. We have had unbelievable response and have been able to now purchase more than 85 cards to distribute to various laundromats throughout the West Shore. Coming soon, we will visit a laundromat in Enola and Shiremanstown to distribute cards and greet patrons.

Storyboard Ministry

The SSPC Youth started a new ministry called the Storyboard Ministry! Here is how it works: The Youth have an easel in the Gathering Place with Post-it notes and markers. Fill out a Post-it note with a prayer request or hope (no names, please) and each Sunday we will collect the requests and pray for them at our CORE meetings. Whatever is on your heart, put it on the storyboard and we will pray for each request.

We continue to pray each week around the Storyboard, thanks to everyone who continues to add requests. If you see a request that you would like to take with you and pray for, feel free to do so. If you want to add one, please do as well. Our new box for answered prayers is now in place beside the Storyboard. Feel free to place any answered prayers that you are thankful for in the box. God does indeed answer prayers! Blessings.

Shop early for Christmas gifts now! Discount cards to support the SSPC YOUTH

The SSPC Youth are continuing our effort to raise additional funds for our Christian Education programs. We believe in giving back to the congregation and not just asking for additional funding. So far this year we have plans to raise nearly $10,000 from donations and contributions. Here's how it works: the Discount Cards feature savings from 15 local and national programs, like restaurants, family fun centers and service organizations. (For example, Sal's Pizza in Mechanicsburg, Dad's Garage in Mechanicsburg, The Bagel Boutique in Mechanicsburg, Trindle Bowling Alley in Camp Hill, and Jiffy Lube in Mechanicsburg). The cards are usable until January 31, 2026, and can be used over and over, increasing your savings each time you visit. Each card costs $15 and can easily be paid for in just several visits to one of the featured businesses. This is how the SSPC youth can give back to our congregation. I will have several with me each Sunday. Just reach out to me at puppytrainer52@aol.com or call me at 717-389-5100 to request a card or cards. Then make out a check for SSPC and drop it off at the office or give it to me. They are great to use or give as gifts. For each card we sell, the SSPC Christian Education program will make $10, and we hope to sell another 100 cards in 2025. As always, the CE Youth appreciate your support of our efforts and your prayers. 

Alternative Ways to Support Silver Spring in 2025 - RMD & QCD Reminder

Making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your required minimum distribution (RMD) from your qualified retirement account in the remaining weeks of 2025 is an excellent and impactful way to support the ministry and mission of Silver Spring Presbyterian Church and to minimize your Federal Income Tax obligation. It is truly a win-win situation.

Depending on your birth year, the Federal Government requires that you take annual distributions (withdrawals) from your qualified 401(k) or individual retirement account (IRA). If you were born between 1949-1950, you’re required to take RMD’s starting at age 72; born between 1951-1959, at age 73; and if you were born in 1960 or later, you must start making RMD’s at age 75. These withdrawals, which are referred to as RMD’s, may be distributed directly from your IRAs to Silver Spring Presbyterian Church in the form of a QCD. A QCD reduces your annual RMD. In other words, using your RMD for charitable giving via a QCD to Silver Spring Presbyterian Church directly reduces your taxable income and helps support our programs.

You don't have to wait to age 73 to 75 to make a tax-free QCD from your 401(k) or IRA. The SECURE Act of 2019, as amended, extended the age for making RMDs but left the age for making QCDs at 70 ½ and you may distribute up to $108,000 annually tax-free to your favorite charity. QCDs are a great way to reduce your income and estate taxes.

Please consult the administrator of your retirement plan, along with your tax or financial advisor, to determine the best alternative for making your QCD to Silver Spring Presbyterian Church in 2025 and, perhaps, annually. It is generally a simple and easy process.

Please feel free to contact Jim Anderson at 717-571-1845 or jeanderson1@comcast.net or Bill Resser at 717-580-7667 or billresser@gmail.com with any questions you may have. 

NEW! Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Care Communities

Silver Spring’s ongoing work in Small Group Ministries is evident in the newly established Care Communities. The Care Community is a network of support within our neighborhoods designed to provide care during both challenging and joyful times. Each neighborhood within our church is assigned to a captain (or captains) who will serve as the key point of contact for coordinating responses to various needs in that community or neighborhood. In the event of a tragedy or significant event, after the pastors have visited the affected family and determined what is needed, the pastors will reach out to the captain of the community where the family lives. The captain will then reach out to the affected family and rally other members of SSPC who live in that specific neighborhood to provide the necessary support, whether it be meals, emotional support, childcare, or other assistance. Needs could be helping family members in time of death of an immediate family member, a serious illness or serious hospitalization.

SSPC members are asked to please contact the ministers with emergencies as listed above through the pastoral emergency line by calling the main office number (717) 766-0204. During office hours, office staff can relay the message to the pastors, who will call the affected family or persons. After hours, the pastors can be reached by dialing the main number and waiting for the prompt for the pastoral emergency line.

The Care Communities will help us to live out the values of compassionate community, ensuring that no one has to face tough times alone. It also allows us to celebrate milestones and achievements as a united church within these neighborhoods - sharing the joy and the strength of one another. If members would like to know who their care captain(s) are, please reach out to Carol Anderson at cjacv@comcast.net and Pastor Lisa at lisa@silverspring.org.

Something fun to look forward to in the New Year!

Watch for something new and fun appearing on the bulletin board in the Gathering Place this January! Short stories will be shared to spark curiosity, build connection, and provide a fun, delightful literary treat to look forward to. As the stories begin, we will invite you to share your own experiences – especially the funny, surprising, heartwarming, and bittersweet moments of being a member of a church. Stay tuned for more information! 

Earth Care

Bible herbs included in this year's advent wreath:

Rue - herb of sorrow [upcoming death of Jesus]

Lavender - associated with Mary, mother of Jesus; purple [lavender color]

Sage - wisdom

Rosemary - Remembrance - season of Jesus' birth

2026 ROAR Winter Mission Trip

It is time to start planning for the winter ROAR Mission trip to Big Bend Habitat For Humanity in Tallahassee, Florida.  

The ROAR Team will return to Tallahassee, Fla. to work with Big Bend Habitat For Humanity building homes for families who need a decent affordable place to live. As a reminder, a ROAR Team is not a specific group of people. ROAR Teams are made up of volunteers who are available at a specific time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need to build, rebuild, or renovate homes. Building skills are not necessary, only willing hands and feet to witness to Jesus’ love by helping people in their time of need.

The work week will be Monday, February 02 through Friday, February 06, 2026. Volunteers will arrive in Tallahassee on Sunday, February 01. Departure dates will be as needed by the volunteers. We will be building new homes in an area of Tallahassee developed by Big Bend Habitat. It is important that I know how many people will be on the Team as soon as possible so hotel reservations can be completed. 

If you are interested in being part of this ROAR Team or need additional information please contact Terry Reed at tsreed@verizon.net, by phone at 717-766-2714, or see Terry at church.

Give Krislund for Christmas!

Click HERE for more on giving "Krislund for Christmas" to your child/grandchild/niece/nephew for a unique gift of camp that lasts a lifetime!

CORE Youth Group

There is no Core this week. Please come and attend the Advent Feast and Festival - starting at 11:30 am and running until approximately 1:30 pm. We are still in need of some help for the feast! If your child can assist, please reach out to Austin and let him know if you can help.

Core will be having their annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 21st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

• We'll be watching The Polar Express, enjoying Christmas-themed snacks and hot chocolate, and playing Sneaky Santa!
• Gift Exchange: Please have your child bring a wrapped gift with a value of no more than $10 for the Sneaky Santa game (where we can switch out gifts).
• RSVP: Please let me Austin know if your student can attend the party.

Prayers of healing and comfort:

Kris Carpinello's parents, the Arborgasts, Elizabeth Bentzel, Debbie Bitting, Roxanne Dagino, Linda Darkes, Betsy Eichelberger, Margaret Glockner, Ron Kutz, Pat Langdon, Jan Larson, Pat Miller, Betsy Neilson, Kathy Rutledge, Ada Sloane, Don Spangler, Nancy Thomas, Pastor Don Wahlig, Don Winning

Prayers for our Military Members & First Responders: Olivia Chase, Jacob Flenner, Wyatt La Pointe, Justin Ledvina, Josiah Scandle, Chloe Scott

Thank You

Dear SSPC congregation,

Thank you so very much for all the prayers before, during, and after my Nov. 24th surgery. I appreciate the many calls, cards, and transportation for both Dale and myself. I sincerely look forward to returning soon to Sunday worship and all the festive Christmas events. Many blessings to you, in Christ's name. Love, Linda Darkes

Dear SSPC,

On behalf of the entire Voices of the Valley, I want to express our sincere gratitude for generously allowing us to use Silver Spring Presbyterian Church as the venue for our 2025 Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 7th. Your willingness to open your space to our musical event was instrumental in its success, and we are deeply appreciative of your support. 

The beautiful acoustics of the church hall provided a perfect setting for our performance, and the welcoming atmosphere created a special experience for both our musicians and the audience. We were particularly grateful for the continued use of the facility for our rehearsal space. 

We are committed to using our music to positively impact our community, and your partnership made that possible. 

Thank you again for your generosity and hospitality. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 

Joel A. Sattazahn 

Vice President of Voices of the Valley

GIVING OF YOUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS ELECTRONICALLY:

1- Direct Link to our Website:

https://onrealm.org/silverspring/-/give/now



2- If you’d like the church to set up contributions for you, please complete and return the attached form by clicking here.

For questions, please email Diane Rabold, Business Manager, at dianer@silverspring.org.



Please Note:

To submit information for the weekly announcements, please email Priscilla in the church office by Thursday morning. Please note that we reserve the right to edit articles due to space and can only publish information directly related to church-sponsored events.