Seeking 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

March 26, 2023

"Dry Bones"

Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones in a desert is one of desolation and hopelessness. It’s like a scene out of a horror movie. But with God’s breath, those bones of a mighty Israelite nation are restored, bone connecting to bone, followed by sinew and skin. A vision of hope and new life. Life in the flesh is important here. It’s how this vision of new hope to an exiled people gets started.

However, our Romans text will speak to how life lived only in the flesh is not pleasing to God, but life lived in relationship to God is, through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can only live fully when we are connected to our Creator and live in God’s Grace through Jesus Christ. Just as plants depend on good soil, water, and sunshine in order to develop and grow, our very life – both physically and spiritually, depends on the breath of God. Otherwise, we dry up. Just like those parched bones in the desert.

Come join us on Sunday, where we will learn more about those dry bones, not just in Ezekiel’s vision, but those dry areas in our own lives, and where to find that hope that will restore us.

Blessings to you and see you on Sunday!

Lisa

ONLINE SERVICES:



Traditional Service at 9:00 am

The Gathering at 11:00 am

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday, April 2

Worship at 9 am and 11am

Join us between services for a Palm Sunday Brunch in the Gathering Place with delicious savory and sweet bite-sized foods served with your favorite beverages. No sign-up is required, but donations are appreciated.

Maundy Thursday, April 6 at 5:30 pm

Simple Supper and Communion

Please sign up in the Gathering Place or online HERE through Realm.

Good Friday, April 7 at 7:30 pm

Service of Tenebrae in the Meeting House

Easter Worship, April 9

 Worship at 9 am and 11 am

Children's Easter Celebration at 10 am

Nursery care for children 3 and under.

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) – April 2, 2023

OGHS began in 1947 in response to the needs of refugees coming out of Europe after WWII. While much of this special offering is now used for other kinds of relief, such as hunger, around the world, it still provides people with safety, sustenance and support. Rev. Wahlig’s recent sermon series on Walking With God, relating the stories of Abraham and Sarah, and Moses and his people wandering the wilderness, reminds us that the Bible is full of stories of refugees and God’s presence with them. Current news reports remind us that there are still refugees in need of God in our time and place. Through OGHS’s purpose of helping neighbors in need around the world, PC(USA) provides a tangible way to share God’s love. Join with other Presbyterians in making hopeful outcomes possible by giving generously to the OGHS special offering on Palm Sunday.

Easter Lilies 

Help us celebrate Christ's resurrection by ordering an Easter lily to decorate our church. Order forms can be found in the Gathering Place. Lilies are $15.00 (checks only please, made payable to SSPC). Please submit your order by Monday, April 3rd. You can also click here for the order form.

Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday, April 8th at 11 am

CE will again work with the SSPC Preschool to sponsor and run an Easter Egg Hunt. This event is on Holy Saturday, April 8, and will feature a huge Easter Egg Hunt for young and old at heart. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance and special Easter gifts will be awarded to lucky egg hunters. The youth will be stuffing eggs and hiding them - donations of candy appreciated! Contact one of the co-chairs of CE if you would like to help. Last year we had 80 kids in attendance, and all received candy and gifts. This year we hope to top that attendance! Sign up here on Realm so we have an idea on how many eggs and gifts to get!

New Members Class - Saturday, March 25

The class will be held in the Parlor beginning at 9 am and will end no later than 11:30 am. A light breakfast will be served. If you would like to reserve a spot in this class or have any questions, please contact Don at Don@silverspring.org. Hope to see you there!

Grounded in Faith

Grounded in Faith will meet Saturday, March 25^th at 10:30 am -12 noon at Panera Bread, located in the Silver Spring Square shopping Center. Please sign up in the Gathering Place by Friday, March 24^th. All are welcome!

Sunday School this week at 10 am

The adults will be in Room 204, and watching the Max Lucado series, "He Choose the Nails." This week's episode is "He Choose to Give Us Confidence". The children will meet in Room 202. We will have a guest speaker, Mr. Stefan Karkuff, will speak to the children about our Victory Garden! He will help the children as we plant the first seeds that will be transplanted to our garden plot over the coming weeks. Come and join us!

Guest Choir to Perform this Week in the Gathering!

We are pleased to bring the SSPC Intergenerational Choir to you once again this Sunday in the Gathering Service at 11 am. Come and see us, or join in as grandparents, parents and children join the Praise Band to sing "Blessed Be Your Name"! It will be a performance not to be missed; even dogs are welcome!

Sympathy

We extend our prayers and sympathy to the Smith family for the death of Marie Smith this week. Please keep John and their daughter Vickie in your thoughts and prayers.

Quilting Group

You are invited to join the quilting group on Wednesday mornings at 10 am in Room 201. No experience required. We can guide you as we make items to sell at the Fall Faire or donate if needed. On Wednesday, March 29th, the group will be going on a field trip to the Lancaster Quilt Show. We will carpool from the church parking lot at approximately 9 am. For questions, please contact either Carol Bogar or Kathy Furr.

Spring Work Day - Saturday, April 1, 8 am - Noon

No, this is not an April Fool's joke! The Buildings and Grounds Committee invites you to come and help spruce up our campus. Help is needed with raking, weeding, cutting, etc. and light cleaning in the buildings. No hands will be idle. Light refreshments will be provided. Please mark your calendars and plan to participate.

Tinner/Fehr Scholarship

Thanks to the Tinner/Fehr families, SSPC students have a wonderful opportunity. Applicants for this scholarship must be current, active members of SSPC and either a high school senior or college student committed to a career in human healthcare and/or a human healthcare-related field of study. To apply for the scholarship, they must write a short essay that includes, but is not limited to, listing of the colleges to which they are applying, chosen major, career goal, and explaining how SSPC has influenced their lives and future career choices. Please submit your essay to the Deacon Moderator (Shawn Marshall) or to the church office by April 30th.

Lunch Bunch - April 6

Join us for lunch on Thursday, April 6 at 11:30 am at the Olive Garden, 6520 Carlisle Pike. To reserve you place, please sign up in the Gathering Place or call Dale or Linda Darkes, 717-791-0266.

Vacation Bible School “Faith Expedition,” June 19-23, 2023

• Mark your calendars for June 19-23, 2023 from 9 am until 12 noon for a wonderful time ❤.
• We are collecting toilet paper rolls, paper bags (like the grocery store ones) and empty diaper wipe containers in the Gathering Place.
• If anyone has brick, stone or wood that is left over from building construction, please let Lisa Chase know at (717) 766-0204, or lisa@silverspring.org, and we will arrange a time to pick up.
• If you’d like to volunteer helping to build the sets, a few work dates will begin in mid-April. Look for a sign-up in the Gathering Place as the time nears.
• REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Paper forms are in the Gathering Place. You can register your child online also through Realm - CLICK HERE for the online registration form.

Victory Garden is Coming!

Some may remember the Victory Gardens of WWII. Citizens were encouraged to grow their own food to help save food for the war efforts. CE is naming their effort after these gardens, with a different focus, feeding the hungry families of our area. We hope that we have found a good spot behind the Waugh-Wilson garage, to plant a small garden to grow vegetables and fruits to be donated to local food banks. The garden will be formed, planted, weeded, and harvested by CE, Sunday School kids and Core. We hope to have Stefan Karkuff visit our Sunday School and instruct the children how to plant seeds and some small plants in the garden, in coming weeks. Thanks to those who have made suggestions and volunteered to help and donated funds for supplies. Anyone with suggestions on what to plant, please contact one of the CE Co-chairs.

Spring Fling - Sunday, April 23rd, 4:30 pm - 7 pm

CE is sponsoring a spring dance and dinner. Learn to dance, enjoy fellowship and break bread together. Music will be provided by a DJ. We will learn several dances. Come and learn, come to dance, or just come to enjoy the music and food. We are asking everyone that comes to bring a salad, in honor of spring! Any salad will do, pasta, green, chicken, jello, Greek, use your imagination! CE will provide fresh bread and jams and jellies, as we used to do with our Soup Cook-offs. CE will also provide drinks and desserts. No cost! Donations appreciated! Look for a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Place or register online HERE through Realm. RSVP by April 21st.

Moses! Sight and Sound - Thursday, May 18th

CE is blessed to announce that the bus trip to see the Sight and Sound’s 2023 production of Moses is set. The date is Thursday, May 18th, show time is 11:00 am. We will leave the church at 9:00 am. After the show, we will head to Shady Maple Smorgasbord and Farm for a late lunch. We anticipate returning to the church before 6 pm. The cost is $170/person. Prices have gone up slightly, but CE will receive a donation back of $5/person. Signups are in the Gathering Place and must be complete by April 1st. We can accommodate up to 80 folks, so bring a friend or two! The story of Moses, from the banks of the Nile River to the depths of the Red Sea, MOSES is a spectacular entertainment experience for the whole family! Set adrift as a baby, he is an unlikely hero – until God calls him to lead His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Journey with Moses as he ventures through the desert leading his people to the Promised Land. See how this unlikely prophet of God is portrayed; join us and be amazed. Questions, contact Scott Pepperman,

UPDATE - this is the last week to sign up and we need at least 30 to make this trip a go. We have worked to secure ground floor seating, so no steps!

CE is sponsoring coffee with the SSPC Preschool. We will be alternating on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, providing coffee and doughnuts for parents, teachers and church staff. We look forward to meeting new friends and greeting old friends as well. Come and join us if you are at the church.

Wednesday Night Out!

Stay tuned for this new effort from CE, after the Lenten Season. We will invite the church family, the preschool and the neighborhood to join us on Wednesday nights for food, fellowship, study and games. Details to follow.

End of School Bash/Movie Night

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 4th, for the annual "End of School Bash" and "Movie Night!! CE will again sponsor this event which will include a good old fashioned backyard barbecue and a movie in the gym for church families, preschool families and the neighborhood. The time is 4:30 pm to 7 pm. Details will follow so save the date!

Thank You

This year's Christmas Joy Offering totaled $2051.00. This offering supports two main PC(USA) purposes; first the offering supports the continued ministry of educating and forming Christian leaders; second, the offering honors those leaders who have served us well by supporting the Board of Pensions. Thank you everyone for contributing to this offering.      

One Great Hour of Sharing-

Activities for home for 5th Week in Lent

Click HERE for some wonderful ideas for you and your family to do in helping to make a difference around the world (includes prayers, reflections and activities).

Earth Care

Consider this:

If you are a gum chewer, consider quitting or changing to a plastic free gum. Since the 1940's most gum ingredients have been replaced by synthetics [polyethylene - used in making plastic bags; polyisobutylene-used to make inner tubes]. There are plastic-free brands. This type uses xylitol - natural sweetener that fights cavities. Some brands state that their gum is biodegradable, GMO-free, and/or vegan [Chicza, Simply, Glee, Humble, Chewsy are a few]. If you are serious about eliminating plastic from your life, this is a simple change to make. 

Remember April 22: Earth Day Extravaganza at SSPC

Feed My Starving Children

The Turning Point Church of Mechanicsburg sponsored a Mobil Pack event to pack approximately 250,000 meals for the Feed My Starving Children organization. This organization is dedicated to delivering hope and breaking the cycle of poverty around the world. Each day their partners distribute thousands of meals to schools, orphanages, clinics and feeding programs. Fourteen SSPC members had a great time helping the Turning Point Church meet their goal. 



New Hope Ministries

Needs for March include: Pasta (any type except spaghetti), pasta sauce, and tooth paste.

NEW: New Hope also needs egg cartons - 12 count, and can be cardboard or Styrofoam. Items can be placed in the bins outside the Chapel. Thank you!

2023 HELP Ministries Golf Tournament, June 5

You can help individuals, kids and families avoid or overcome the trauma of homelessness. Register today to change the life of a neighbor in need. Location is the Sunset Golf Course in Middletown, with registration at 7:15 am, start time at 8:00 am. Lunch and awards at 1:00 pm. To register, call 717-230-9550 or click HERE.

Beacon Clinic Job Opportunity

Beacon Clinic is looking for a Nurse Practitioner/Physician's Assistant and an additional R.N./L.P.N. Both of these paid positions are tailored for someone wanting to go from full-time work to part-time work or someone semi-retired and looking to give back to the community in a meaningful way. The job descriptions are posted on the bulletin board near the water fountain by the office.

CORE Youth Group

March 26, 2023: CORE Day Out - Gettysburg Escape Room 2:30-6:30

April 1, 2023: Spring work day from 8-12

April 2, 2023: CORE from 6-8 - Stuff Easter Eggs

April 8, 2023: Easter Egg Hunt 11am

April 9, 2023: No CORE: Happy Easter!

Prayers of healing and comfort: Jim Shoop, Gail Holland, Shannon Leary, Nan Alleman, Sheri Miller, Pat Miller, Margie Kutz

Prayers of sympathy: John and Vickie Smith; Thomas Baker for the death of his brother; Lisa Janson for the death of her mother; Beth, Bill, and John Vipperman and family; Millie Swatt; Amy Meadows for the death of her grandmother

Prayers for our military members: Olivia Chase, Justin Ledvina, Josiah Scandle, Wyatt La Pointe

Preschool News

The SSPC Preschool hosted their first Pancake Breakfast fund raiser this past Saturday in the gym and it was a huge success! Watch the video below.

SUNDAY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

March 12

9 am Traditional Service - 92

9 am YouTube views - 96

Sunday School - 24

11 am Gathering - 45

11 am YouTube views - 37

March 19

9 am Traditional Service - 102

9 am YouTube views - 91

Sunday School - 25

11 am Gathering - 62

11 am YouTube views - 22

SERVING THIS WEEK

Ushers:

Tracy Bryan and Tony Kren

Deacon Servers:

Linda Adams and Deb Pfaff

Gathering Snack:

Meri and Jackson Beck and RJ Holt

Downtown Daily Bread, March 31:

Bill Cook and friend

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