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ADVENT 2025, Vol. 1
News for SSPC friends and members
As we enter the Holy Season of Advent, Let us prepare our Hearts to Make Room for Christ! Our special Advent edition will be distributed regularly to highlight upcoming events during this special time in the Church.
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"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”
This iconic line has been the hallmark of Days of Our Lives since its debut in 1965. As one of the longest-running soap operas in American television history, it has chronicled the lives, loves, and dramas of the Horton, Brady, and DiMera families. The show, like many soap operas of its time, revolutionized daytime television, blending romance, intrigue, and suspense. Days of Our Lives is still airing today, on one of the streaming services, continuing to captivate its dedicated fans.
As I reflect on this line and the intro (which you can see below), I think of how we are spending the "days of our lives" during this Holy Advent Season. Are we speeding up or slowing down? Are our to-do lists as jammed up as the busy traffic on Carlisle Pike and the lines at the stores and the post office? Take time to pause and ponder the Reason for the Season - the Coming of the Christ Child - Jesus, our Savior.
As we ponder, let us reflect on the LIGHT that was brought into the world when Jesus was born. You can experience that light and love here at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, where there are many opportunities to worship and gather for fellowship. This special Advent edition, volume 1 of Enlighten, will be updated regularly and distributed a couple of times before Christmas, so we can all be informed and plan accordingly. All are Welcomed HERE!
Advent invites us not just to count down the days until Christmas, but to savor each moment—whether it's lighting the candles of our Advent wreaths, sharing laughter over holiday treats, or gathering with loved ones to recount the miraculous story of Christ's birth. This Time In-Between (between now and Christmas Day) is a good time to examine our schedules and ask ourselves: How are we nurturing our spirits amidst the hustle and bustle?
This Advent, let’s aspire to enrich our faith and foster community, as we celebrate the joy of anticipation together. Join us in our upcoming activities where we can laugh, love, sing and glorify God side by side, creating memories that will last long after the holiday lights have dimmed. - Pastor Lisa Chase
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SSPC SPOTLIGHT
THE ROQUEMORES
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Welcome to the Roquemores!
(pronounced Rockmore)
Susan grew up in the Connecticut suburbs of New York; then when she was ten, moved to St. Simons Island, GA, where her father took the position of vice-president of King and Prince Seafood. David grew up in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and other places. He finished high school in Pickens, SC where his father was assistant superintendent of schools.
They met in college, introduced by a mutual friend. Susan was at Converse College; David at Wofford College, both in Spartanburg. After graduation, David went to Princeton Seminary, and Susan taught Special Ed. at Hightstown High School. After a year, they were married.
Finishing Princeton, they moved to Glen Burnie, MD, where David was assistant pastor at the Harundale Presbyterian Church. They subsequently served congregations in Martinsville, VA, Lafayette, IN, Camp Hill, PA, and Newton, NC. David retired in June of 2024, and they moved back here last August, to be near their youngest grandchild. Susan worked at preschools teaching young children then worked at CV High School with Special Needs students and finally landed at the Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center (CPAVTS) and worked with students in welding and Culinary Arts and also focused on their raising six children! Sarah (Mark) has two children, Lyra and Farallon, and lives in San Francisco. John (Alyssa) lives in Las Vegas. Peter (Erin) lives in Los Angeles, working for the city of Santa Monica. Emily (Matt) lives here in Mechanicsburg, with little Bailey. Madeline (John) lives in Victoria, Canada! And Courtney is DCE at Western Blvd. Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC. Along with being Mom, and teaching, Susan went to hundreds of soccer games over the years (all the girls played, and Emily played all through school and college on several teams at the same time).
In retirement, Susan loves cooking and babysitting her granddaughter. David pursues music, (he plays in our Gathering Service band), model airplanes, and following philosophical topics down rabbit-holes.
Welcome! Welcome! We are so glad you are a part of the SSPC family!
| | Worship Opportunities at SSPC during Advent | | |
Come join us to celebrate the season of Advent and the coming of our Savior!
The following Advent services and activities begin with the Voices of the Valley Concert on Sunday, December 7th, at 3:00 pm.
Our annual Christmas Cantata will be on
Sunday, December 14th, one service at 10:00 am, and immediately following the service is our Advent Feast and Festival ham dinner from 11:00 am to 1 pm.
The Family Service on Christmas Eve, December 24th, will be at 5:00 pm with the Live Nativity at 6:00 pm, followed by the Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm.
Our Christmas Breakfast will be held on Sunday, December 28th, at 9:30 am with a service of Lessons and Carols at 11:00 am.
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Christmas Cantata - Rhapsody in Bluegrass by Joseph M. Martin | |
“Rhapsody in Bluegrass,” composed by Joseph Martin, is our 2025 warm and lively Christmas Cantata that blends the spirit of bluegrass with the message of Christ’s birth. With the bright sounds of acoustic instruments and beautiful song voices, each song brings a fresh and joyful take on the Christmas story.
The cantata includes upbeat pieces that celebrate the angel’s good news, gentle lullabies that reflect on the quiet wonder of the manger, and energetic songs that invite everyone to celebrate the Savior’s birth.
Join us on Sunday, December 14th at 10 a.m. for "Rhapsody in Bluegrass."
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Greetings from your Mission Committee!
What God requires of us can be quite simple: To love what is good and kind, to work for what is right and just, and to walk humbly and faithfully in his grace. This basic requirement of our Christian faith changes the world starting right in our own community. Throughout the year, the Mission committee reports on the many agencies that our congregation supports financially and through our members many volunteer hours.
As we move from Thanksgiving into the season of Advent, there are many opportunities for us to serve others. From baking cookies for the Truckstop Ministries, taking a card from the Angel Tree, purchasing gifts for New Hope Ministries Wish List or donations of warm clothing for Downtown Daily Bread you are fulfilling God’s requirement.
Blessings to your family during this Holy Season.
“As we have been blessed, let us strive to be a blessing unto others.” Cheryl Moore, Co-Chair, Mission Committee
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Mission Sunday is January 18th, 2026
We will have a special presentation from an area agency that is assisting families who are impacted by addiction.
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Participants recently witnessed SSPC at one of its finest hours as members of the congregation and the community came together to enjoy fellowship and a simple meal, followed by the packing of 91 emergency food boxes of nonperishable food items for New Hope Ministries. The event was joined by members of Cumberland Valley High School's Key Club, a distinguished student volunteer organization.
SSPC members and friends from the community packed up 2,285 pounds of food - an amount which was double of last year's total.
"Many thanks to the Membership Committee and the Fellowship Committee, well done," added Steve Rexford. "It is not hard to imagine that this activity was taking place in the early years of SSPC. Coming together to share 'God’s gifts from the ground' with each other, and I suspect those in need at the time. The Meal with a Mission is also an expression of fellowship at a fundamental level. No agenda, little discussion of current events or politics, just fellowship and connection with the purpose of serving and sharing with others." SSPC organizes several Meal with a Mission events throughout the calendar year, each one with a specific need to fulfill - food, laundry supplies and more.
| | Shannon Leary, active young adult member on the Membership Committee, gives two thumbs up for the successful completion of packing 91 emergency nonperishable food boxes that were delivered on Tuesday, November 25 to New Hope Ministries. | |  | Pastor Don provides directions to two members of CVHS Key Club, who were on hand to help the congregation pack their boxes with much-needed food items for hungry families and individuals in the community. | | | SSPC members donated boxes of pasta, granola bars and items to pack 91 nonperishable food boxes, collectively weighing more than two tons! The abundant generosity of SSPC members is legendary going back nearly 300 years when the church first began in 1734. | | Richard and Teena Russell in line to pack a box of important food items. | | Hundreds of canned vegetables and fruits to soon fill boxes for families and individuals served by New Hope Ministries. | | …Share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless and poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.” (Isaiah 58:7-9) | | |
Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Care Communities
The newly established Care Community is a network of support within our neighborhoods designed to provide care during both challenging and joyful times. Most “neighborhoods” have an assigned captain(s) who will serve as the key point of contact for coordinating responses to various needs. SSPC members are asked to please contact the ministers with emergencies (such as death of an immediate family member, or serious illness) by calling the church office (717) 766-0204 during normal business hours. 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. If you would like to know who your care captain(s) are, please reach out to Carol Anderson at cjacv@comcast.net and Pastor Lisa at lisa@silverspring.org.
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| Some of SSPC's Care Community Captains were able to gather for a meeting and brunch at Carol and Jim Anderson's home early part of November. | | Pastor Lisa Chase and Mrs. Carol Anderson, co-leaders of the newly established Care Communities. | | |
Mark Your Calendar for these CE Advent Events!
Parent Afternoon Off! CE and CE Youth will be present on Saturday, December 6th, from 3 pm to 6 pm, at SSPC. We welcome any children from 4 to 10 years old, younger if potty-trained. We will be doing Advent crafts, enjoying pizza, a Christmas movie, and snacks like pizza and chicken nuggets. Parents may drop off their children and enjoy some time to shop, dine or relax! Please RSVP to Scott Pepperman, at puppytrainer52@aol.com or 717-389-5100.
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Advent Feast and Festival - CE will again sponsor, along with the Fellowship Committee, our Annual Feast and Festival, on Sunday, December 14th, immediately following the Annual 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". Sign up HERE on Realm or in the Gathering Place.
Annual Christmas Breakfast - CE will again hold the Annual Christmas Breakfast, prior to our single service, on Sunday, December 28th, at 9:30 am, in the gym. Come and enjoy a full breakfast before church of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and more. Sign up HERE on Realm or in the Gathering Place.
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Our CORE Youth Group and Youth partners enjoyed their annual Lock-in, which was kicked off by a trip to
Sports Emporium in Carlisle, then back to the church for all-night games and fellowship.
CORE Youth Group, led by Youth Director Austin Shoop meets regularly on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. Please check the schedule here for dates and times.
| | On Veterans Sunday, SSPC's dynamic Fellowship Committee pulled out the stops to honor the many military veterans at the church with a resplendent reception, complete with a Color Guard, delicious cake and a slide show. Mrs. Elizabeth Bentzel, a veteran of the Women's Army, recited two original poems she wrote, and Mr. Steve Rexford gave a presentation about the Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, with a tour of a sample tiny home SSPC helped to build a couple of years ago as part of the effort to build 15 homes for recovering veterans in Harrisburg. Master Sergeant Rodger Hoke gave a presentation during Sunday worship about Veterans Day. | | |
Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Ann Marshall Dill Witherspoon Walker Presentation
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Silver Spring Presbyterian Church celebrated the declaration of freedom with two meaningful and memorable services on Reformation Sunday October 26th. SSPC marked the day when Martin Luther’s movement to reform the Church was sparked by his posting of the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Chapel in Germany in 1517. The Rev. Dr. Don Wahlig gave a special remembrance by Silver Spring Creek, followed by a procession into the Meeting House accompanied by bagpipes played by Jon Heller.
Immediately after the service, the congregation was invited to another significant event: the placement of a marker on the grave of Ann Marshall Dill Witherspoon Walker, wife of Declaration of Independence signer Rev. John Witherspoon. The bronze marker was presented by representatives of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. A military color guard, dressed in American Revoluntionary war costumes led the processional, and dignitaries from the Daughters of the American Revolution and others were on hand to witness this momentous occasion.
| | Dignitaries from Pennsylvania's Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration were on hand with pastors Lisa Chase and Don Wahlig to honor Ann Marshall Dill Witherspoon Walker, wife of Rev. John Witherspoon. Mrs. Witherspoon Walker is buried in the SSPC historic cemetery. | | | SSPC Buildings and Grounds Co-chairman Fred Voigt helped to organize the presentation of a bronze plaque placed on Mrs. Witherspoon Walker's gravesite. He stands with the beautiful display of wreaths provided by the DAR and the Descendants of the Signers of the American Revolution organization. | | | Flags and wreaths mark the grave stones of Mrs. Witherspoon Walker and her family buried in the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church's historic cemetery along Silver Spring Road. | | | The brass marker placed at Mrs. Witherspoon Walker's gravesite honors her contributions as wife of Declaration of Independence Signer Rev. John Witherspoon, and to the country's quest for liberation from Great Britain's rule in the late 1700s. | | | |
Thanks to the Sewing and Quilting Club, Silver Spring Presbyterian Church has new magi and Father Christmas costumes! Left, Lynne Jackson carefully hand-stitches the (faux) fur onto Father Christmas's costume. Deep, deep gratitude and love to Carol Bogar, Lydia Fehr, Kathy Furr, Lin Pomeroy, and Lynne Jackson for creating costumes for our Christmas Programs. These costumes will last for generations to come!
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SSPC Brass Ensemble
Our beautiful Brass Ensemble played recently for Christ the King Sunday. They practice regularly, and perform at church and in the community. Pastor Don Wahlig is on the trombone, second from the left, and members Brad Bumsted and Matthew Wieseman, far right, are on the trumpets.
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Hanging of the Greens
A time-honored tradition, Hanging of the Greens, took place on Saturday, November 29th. The Meeting House and the Chapel are resplendent in elegant Christmas decorations and lights, complete with our Nativity scenes. From right (clockwise): Susan Evans and Diana Gray make wreaths for the doors; Lois DeHart and Fred Shatto prepare one of the two Christmas trees for decorations. Carol Bogar fixes lights onto the tree.
| | | Our Meeting House after the Hanging of the Greens! | | |
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Silver Spring Presbyterian Church
444 Silver Spring Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
717-766-0204
www.silverspring.org
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