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 21, 2025



"A Pregnant Pause"

This Sunday we hear Mary’s joyous response to the angel’s good news that she is to bear the Messiah. Gabriel promises that the Messiah will establish justice on behalf of the poor and bring God’s Kingdom to earth.  But meanwhile Mary has to live between the promise and its fulfillment. We, too live between God’s promise and its fulfillment. How are we meant to live? What does Advent have to teach us about doing that?

Come on Sunday and find out! 

Blessings, 

Don

Traditional Service at 9:00 AM

The Gathering at 11:00 AM

Season of Commitment Update

Dear Silver Spring Family,

Our Business Manager, Diane Rabold, reports that our financial pledges, as of December 18th, in support of our Mission and Christ’s work here at Silver Spring in 2026, is now  $670,336.96. This includes 17 new pledgers who had not made a financial stewardship commitment for 2025 and 67 generous supporters who increased their pledge for 2026 by an average of 13%! 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 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.

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.

Lessons and Carols

December 28th, 11:00 am

In the Meeting House



Sympathy

We extend our prayers and sympathy to Roy McLain upon the death of his brother Bruce. Please keep Roy and his siblings, children and grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.

Church Office Schedule for Christmas

The church office will close at noon on Christmas Eve, December 24th, and will remain closed on Christmas Day and December 26th. We will reopen on Monday, December 29th. We wish you and your family a most blessed and Merry Christmas!

In Case of Inclement Weather

In the event of severe weather, cancellations will be posted on our website home page at www.silverspring.org.  

Honoring Our Choir and Christmas Cantata Singers - A Special Recognition and Celebration, Dec. 14, 2025

On December 14th we celebrated the remarkable dedication and joyful spirit of our church choir and Christmas cantata singers. These talented individuals have devoted countless hours to rehearsing and perfecting their music, ensuring that every worship service is filled with inspiration and beauty.

Their commitment goes beyond the holiday season—members have faithfully served, many for decades.

They have enriched our worship experiences not just today, but throughout the entire year. Their harmonious voices and steadfast presence are a true blessing to our congregation, uplifting us and drawing us closer together in faith and fellowship.

We recognized each choir member for their tireless efforts, cheerful attitude, and the love they bring to every song. Their service and musical gifts have touched the hearts of many! On behalf of the entire church community, we thank you for your dedication, your passion for music, and your service. May you continue to inspire us with your voices and your presence for many years to come.

Special recognition for

Jim Anderson

and

Lucy Vaughan

for 47 years of service!

Adult Forum and Sunday School this week, 10:10 am in Room 204

We continue our Rob Bell series of short videos. This week the video is titled, "Luggage". This class is for all adults 18 and over. Come and learn, come and discuss.

Youth Church meets this Sunday, 10 am

We will meet in Room 112 to begin with singing, followed by lessons and crafts. This class is for children from 6 to 12. Parents and grandparents are invited to attend.

Pre-KK Youth Church

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

Gathering Video for this Week

A special video this week for the Advent season and the final Gathering service in 2026. Our video this week is from Christian singers, Lauren Daigle and Chris Tomlin, and is titled "Noel". Come at 10:55 am to see the video or stay after the benediction to an encore performance.

Intergenerational Choir on December 21st!

The Intergenerational Choir will perform for the second time this season this Sunday with our new director, Amanda Bevenour. We were blessed with so many of our youth parents and grandparents who joined us for our initial performance in the Gathering. Please join us again as we sing a familiar Christmas hymn, "Angels We Have Heard on High!" We continue practices every Sunday morning, at 10:00 am in the Sunday School Room, 112. All Sunday School children are invited to sing, along with parents and grandparents. Come and join us as we praise the Lord with song!

Monday Bible Study - January 12th

All are invited, come and join this unique study. We meet 1 pm to 3 pm, every other week. In January we will begin an in-depth study of the Gospels. Come and learn, come and discuss.

Wednesday Bible Study meets again in January

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.

Communion help needed

Through the monthly service of Communion we are reminded that we are one in body in Christ, united with believers across time and space. With this in mind, please volunteer to prepare Communion or serve Communion in 2026. There is a sign up sheet in the Gathering Place. If you have never done this and need help, indicate this when you sign up. Thank you, Kathryn Ressler and Teena Russell

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 here at SSPC, the Laundry Ministry. 

We will be visiting several Morris laundromats over the Holiday to share the blessings from the congregation with as many patrons as possible - stay tuned for further updates.

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.

Year-End Announcements from the Business Manager

Contributions

According to IRS regulations, any contributions that you would like to be credited in 2025 must be received in the church office on or before December 31, 2025. A quick option is to contribute online via the church website link: https://onrealm.org/silverspring/-/form/give/now Or if you would like to mail your contribution, the postmark must be no later than December 31, 2025.

Requisitions

Any invoices, reimbursements, or charges that should be expensed to the 2025 Operating budget must be submitted along with an approved requisition no later than Monday, December 29, 2025. For any purchases made on the church credit card in December, please list which year should be used for the expense (2025 or 2026).

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. 

Angel Tree Thank You!

The Deacons sincerely thank the congregation for their generous donations of presents for our 2025 Angel Tree, which was a success. All the angels were selected, the gifts were sorted, and all gifts were delivered on Monday to Hampden Elementary School, Winding Creek Elementary School, Eagle View Middle School, and Mountain View Middle School. The guidance counselors were very appreciative and pass along their gratitude to you all. Thank you also to the staff members and Deacon volunteers whose assistance was instrumental in this project! - Heather McCarthy

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! 

‘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!

Earth Care

Did you know?

Paper padded mailers are recyclable. They are curbside recyclable along with cardboard boxes and other paper products. Click here for additional details.

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.

CORE Youth Group

This Sunday Core Youth will be having their Christmas Party! It will be from 4 pm-6pm. We will be watching the Polar Express, having some hot cocoa, Christmas themed snacks, and playing sneaky Santa! Please bring a wrapped gift no more than $10. The party will be in the Core room. Please let Austin know if you can attend by reaching out to him by text at 717-919-6161, or email at austin@silverspring.org I hope to see you there!

Austin will also need help placing Luminaries on Christmas Eve. We will meet at the gym at 2:30 pm and place them around the church campus. We will also need help putting the Luminaries back after the Christmas Eve services. Please let Austin know if you can help by reaching out to him by text at 717-919-6161, or email him at austin@silverspring.org. 

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, Phil Mercatili, Pat Miller, Betsy Neilson, Kathy Rutledge, Chris Sebring, Ada Sloane, Don Spangler, Nancy Thomas, Pastor Don Wahlig, Don Winning

Prayers for sympathy: Roy McLain and his family for the death of his brother, Bruce

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

Thank You

Dear Silver Spring family,

I feel the best gift anyone can receive regardless of season is the gift of Christian love. Cards, calls and collective prayer for my well being and recovery from my recent surgery have been and are greatly appreciated. They are uplifting to the spirit and fortifying to the body. We are all on a journey to the same destination and the support we provide each other along the way is a priceless gift. Thank you to my SSPC family for making the bumpy parts of the journey easier.

You are a blessing,

Don Winning

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.