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

November 30, 2025



"The Time In Between"

The Time In Between



Between now and Christmas, the pace of life seems to quicken. Already, traffic along the Pike has increased, lines at stores and the post office are becoming longer, as are our to-do lists. It's the In-between Time, where the noise of the season drowns out that still, small voice that tells us to slow down, be present and wait for the coming of the Lord. 

Join us for worship on Sunday, where Pastor Lisa will provide a message about living in a different type of time, time not marked by clocks and calendars, but with hope and expectancy of Christ's return. 

Traditional Service at 9:00 am

The Gathering at 11:00 am

Season of Commitment Update

Dear Silver Spring Family,

Thank you again for making Commitment Sunday such a truly wonderful day! Our Business Manager, Diane Rabold, reports that our financial pledges, as of November 22, in support of our Mission and Christ’s work here at Silver Spring in 2026, total $584,996.96. This includes 13 new pledgers who had not made a financial stewardship commitment for 2025 and 60 generous supporters who increased their pledge for 2026! Thank you, very much!

Based on the exciting hopes and dreams of our committees for next year, we estimate we’ll need approximately $887,241 in personal giving to fully support them, so 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 Place and will be available at each worship service. Also, remember you can record your pledge for 2026 on-line here. 

Thank you, 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

Angel Tree

The tags have all been chosen - thank you to all who took a tag or two!

The suggested gift amount this year is $50, and gifts must be returned to the church (wrapped, with the angel-shaped tag affixed) no later than Sunday December 14th, 12 noon. Thank you in advance for your support of this annual Deacons project!

Please email Heather McCarthy with any questions, hjd.gmb@gmail.com, or call 817-789-3381.

Holiday Schedule

The church office is closed on Friday, November 28th. We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we look forward to Advent now at Silver Spring. May our hearts be refreshed in the joy and wonder of this special season.

Hanging of the Greens - November 29th

Please join in to decorate the Meeting House, Chapel and Church grounds on Saturday, November 29th at 9 am in preparation of the Advent Season. This is the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

We will need help with decorating trees, hanging the greens and wreaths, placing poinsettias in the Meeting House and the Chapel, etc.  Families are welcome. Wear your garden gloves and bring a small cutting tool.

All help is appreciated. Thank you in advance from the Worship Committee.



Help needed for cookie baking - NEW DATE - Monday, December 1

The Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry cookie bake at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church will be on Monday, December 1st at 8:00 am. Contact Roy McLain at 717-421-2065 or ak_b07@yahoo.com if you are able to help.

Meal with a Mission Thank You and Soup is Available!

Great news!  Your generous contributions of food for New Hope Ministry amounted to 2,285 pounds. That is double last year’s total.  Many thanks to all who participated! There are still quarts of ham and bean soup leftover in the freezer in the gym kitchen, for $8/quart.  



Join us for Advent at Silver Spring!

Service of Gratitude and Hope - 
Tuesday, December 2nd, 7 pm



In the first week of Advent, Rev. Dr. Don Wahlig and Silver Spring Stephen Ministers will lead a worship service of Gratitude and Hope. We hope that you will plan to attend this spiritual service, and begin this beautiful season filling your heart with light, gratitude, hope, and love. ~Your Stephen Ministry Team

Parent Drop Off-

Saturday, December 6th, 3-6 pm

CE and CE Youth will welcome any children from 4 to 10 years old (younger if potty trained) at the church. We will be doing Advent crafts, enjoying pizza and chicken nuggets, and a Christmas movie. Parents, drop off your children and enjoy some time to shop, dine or relax!

Please RSVP to Scott Pepperman, at puppytrainer52@aol.com or 717-389-5100. You can also sign up HERE on Realm.

Voices of the Valley Concert-

December 7th, 3:00 pm



They're back! Voices of the Valley is returning to Silver Spring Presbyterian with a concert on Sunday, December 7th at 3:00 pm. The Choir, formerly the Lebanon Valley College Alumni Choir, includes SSPC's own Jim & Carol Anderson, Ken Harm and Lucy Vaughan. The Concert is free and open to the public. Join us for Home for the Holidays,,,,Carols old and new celebrating the joys of the season!

Christmas Cantata

Sunday, December 14th

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, 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". 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.

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

We will continue the Rob Bell series. The lesson this week is called "Noise." This class is for all adults. Come and learn, come and discuss.

Youth Church meets this Sunday, 10 am

Come and join us in Room 112, downstairs with music, for a Christian Education lesson, crafts and games. See the new set up for the room and new portraits painted just for our Sunday School room. Also, get a chance to see our new interactive television which we will use for lessons and games. Parents and grandparents are welcome to attend. This class is for children from starting in 1st grade and above!

Preschool Sunday School this Sunday, 10 am

We will begin in Room 112 and then separate across the hall. This class is for children under the age of 1st graders. Parents and grandparents are welcome to attend. See you on Sunday!

The Intergenerational Choir

We held our first performance last Sunday, with new director, Amanda Bevenour. We were blessed with so many of our youth parents and grandparents joining us! We will continue with practices every Sunday morning, at 10:00 am in Room 112. All Sunday School children are invited to sing, along with parents and grandparents. Come and join us to welcome Mandy and praise the Lord with song!

Gathering Video for this Week

This week's Gathering video is from a contemporary Christian group, Need to Breathe featuring Carly Pearce. It's called, "Fall on Me". It's about no matter what is happening in the world, you can always call on God and lean into His embrace. Come and enjoy it at 10:55 am, before the service or stay after the Benediction and enjoy the encore.

Wednesday Bible Study meets again on December 3rd

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 - December 8th

All are invited, come and join this unique study. We meet 1 pm to 3 pm, every other week. We begin a new study, based on a new study from Life Church. Our first lesson is titled "Beginners Guide to Studying the Bible." We will follow that lesson with the next one, "Mastering the Art of Studying the Bible." Come and learn, come and discuss. This class is for all adults.

Dining Out Group - December 11th

We originally did not schedule any dining out events for December because of the holidays, but in discussion several of us decided it would be nice to have dinner together. So we are planning to meet for dinner at 5:30 on Thursday, December 11, at Gilligan's Bar and Grill, 5002 Carlisle Pike (at the corner of Sporting Hill Road). Please sign up in the Gathering Place or contact Joan Bretz at jbretz1@earthlink.net or via phone at 717-657-3645 by Monday, December 8. We selected this location since it is fairly easy to get to and has a large parking lot.

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!

During the last few centuries, authors submitted serials, or stories written in installments, for their local newspapers and magazines. Charles Dickens’ classic books The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities, are just a few of the many examples of great work having their first beginnings in periodicals or newspapers. Sherlock Holmes had his beginning in a London magazine, and the classic In His Steps was published as a serial in the Advance, a Chicago-based Congregationalist weekly newspaper by Rev. Charles M. Sheldon, who coined the phrase, What Would Jesus Do (WWJD)? Publications saw readership increase as these authors submitted their stories.

In that same spirit, Silver Spring Presbyterian Church will be launching its own installment-style series of short stories in January. These stories will feature fictitious characters, such as the Rev. Ann Scott Carmichael, i.e., Scotty, a fictional church (one idea is Golden Banks Presbyterian Church), and a setting inspired by Central Pennsylvania. Other characters will be other ministers, members, funeral directors, and other community leaders. You get to help create this series with your own stories!

As the stories begin, we invite you to share your own experiences – especially the funny, surprising, heartwarming, and bittersweet moments of being a member of a church. The Christian walk can be challenging at times, but it is also a joyful journey, filled with precious moments and memories, a reminder that God meets us in everyday life. Names and circumstances will be changed to protect privacy, but hopefully the essence and heart of each story will remain.

Each story will appear on the church bulletin board to spark curiosity, build connection, and provide a fun, delightful literary treat to look forward to regularly. We will publish new stories as we receive them, and after careful review. Please submit your story to Pastor Lisa at lisa@silverspring.org She will review the details with you and send you an edited version for your review. Happy Reading!

Earth Care

For this Thanksgiving week:

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful.

The Lord God made them all.

Give Thanks for all things in this Thanksgiving week.

December Birthdays

We wish everyone celebrating your birthday next month a very Happy Birthday!!

Click HERE for the December birthday list.

New Hope Ministries

Last year, New Hope Ministries held their annual "Christmas Blessing Express," where 1891 households were able to shop for unwrapped gifts for the whole family. It makes a huge difference in the families' lives. Please click here for the "New Hope Ministries' Christmas Wish List" for families struggling during Christmas. The list contains suggested gift ideas, but feel free to buy what you believe someone would like as a gift. Unwrapped items should be dropped off at the Mechanicsburg Center no later than December 1st (donations to Door #4, left side of building). They are accepting only new clothing for children - tweens. No adult clothing, except what is listed on the Wish List. With your support, we can make this Season filled with Hope and Love to our neighbors in need.

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 Sunday evening, November 30th. Please enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving with your families and friends!

Prayers of healing and comfort:

Kris Carpinello's parents, the Arborgasts, Elizabeth Bentzel, Debbie Bitting, Bob Buyers, Linda Darkes, Betsy Eichelberger, Mary Glace, Margaret Glockner, Ron Kutz, Pat Langdon, Jan Larson, Roy McLain, Pat Miller, Don Spangler, Nancy Thomas

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

Special Anniversary

Dale and Linda Darkes are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on November 29th. We wish them a very Happy Anniversary!!

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.